WNZR’s Meet the Staff Monday feature is back! We are welcoming 13 NEW DJs to our airwaves this month!
Today, we introduce you to EJ Temple. He is a Junior transfer student majoring in Communication & Media (Digital Media). He is from Mt. Gilead, OH. Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
EJ talks about his path to MVNU and the WNZR Team. He loves being part of the sportscasting team with WNZR.TV and hopes to try announcing in the future.
EJ shares some of his favorites including music, foods and what he loves to do on the weekends. His favorite person is his Grandma, Mary Brown.
EJ talks about how God has been working in his life. His favorite waying is “Never Give Up”!
You can hear EJ Temple on WNZR on Mondays 7pm – 9pm.
Despite influenza running rampant, we are not talking about feeling better physically. Mentally. We all have bad days. Even the best of us has feelings of low mood, stress, etc. The Bible teaches us that even David experienced trauma and battled depression: “I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.” Psalm 38:6-8 (NIV)
On the Morning Thing Friday, Marcy gave some advice for ways to feel better instantly including: • If you are overthinking, you should write in a journal. • If you are anxious, you should take 10 deep breaths. • If you are feeling lost, you should write down your goals.
You are NEVER alone. Always remember the last line in the poem “Footprints”: The Lord replied, “My child, I would never leave you. During your times of trial, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
Click HERE For more tips on feeling better quickly.
Sometimes you need to be an adult and cook even when you may not want to do so. Marcy discussed some emergency meals from AllRecipes.com on the Morning Thing Thursday.
She shared:
Broiled Tilapia Parmesan Prep Time:
5 mins Cook Time:
10 mins Total Time:
15 mins Ingredients • ½ cup Parmesan cheese • ¼ cup butter, softened • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • ¼ teaspoon dried basil • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper • ⅛ teaspoon onion powder • ⅛ teaspoon celery salt • 2 pounds tilapia fillets Directions
Set an oven rack about 4 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven’s broiler. Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil.
Mix Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise, lemon juice, basil, pepper, onion powder, and celery salt together in a bowl until well combined.
Arrange tilapia fillets in a single layer on the prepared pan.
Broil in the preheated oven for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from the oven and spread Parmesan mixture over fillets. Return to the oven and broil until topping is browned and fish flakes easily with a fork, about 2 more minutes; be careful not to overcook.
4-Ingredient Hamburger Casserole Prep Time:
10 mins Cook Time:
35 mins Total Time: 45 mins Ingredients • 8 ounces pasta • 1 pound ground beef • salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder, to taste • 10 ounces tomato soup, canned or homemade • 8 to 10 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese, divided Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in pasta and return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving about 2 tablespoons pasta water.
Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Drain and discard grease.
Place ground beef in a large round casserole dish. Add pasta on top; sprinkle with half the cheese. Pour tomato soup on top; add reserved pasta water and stir everything together well. Cover with foil.
Bake in the preheated oven, covered, for 15 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes more.
Turn on the oven’s broiler and set a rack 6 inches from the heat source. Broil casserole until cheese is browned, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve. Cook’s Note This is a very adaptable recipe. Add as much cheese as you want and experiment with the timing. My husband had two huge helpings and said it was one of the best ground beef casseroles ever. Enjoy!
3 Ingredient Pasta
Ingredients Your choice of Pasta Your Choice of Cream Cheese Your Choice of Pasta Sauce Parmesan Cheese (optional)
Directions The recipe is as easy as recipes get. All you do is boil your pasta, then heat the pasta sauce and cream cheese together on the stove until warmed through so that the cream cheese has melted to create a creamy sauce. Then combine the sauce and pasta, and top with optional Parmesan cheese.
2 Ingredient Dollar Store Dinner
Ingredients 1 Package of Idahoan Four Cheese Mashed Potatoes 1 can of your choice of beef stew
Directions
Boil 2 cups of water to add to the instant potatoes, stir it up (for even more flavor I also like to add in some butter, salt, and pepper), and place it at the bottom of your serving bowl. Want to make it even easier? I just microwave the water until it’s steaming hot, about 2 minutes, and then mix the potato flakes in.
Transfer the stew to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it in 30-second blasts until heated through. Serve the stew on top of the mashed potatoes.
Click HERE for 20 Emergency Dinner Ideas from AllRecipe.com
We all have little vices in life. However, it’s the little things in life that could be extremely bad for you. On the Morning Thing Wednesday, Marcy talked about the habits that are slowly killing you including: • Getting too much or not enough sleep • Lack of social activities • Overworking • Holding onto grudges The Bible talks about leaving your bad habits behind in Ephesians: “22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) Click HERE for more information, on breaking bad habits from News in Health.
Sometimes it is not easy to get up and we know that! On The Morning Thing today, Marcy and Xander shared these 5 ways to get our of bed when you don’t feel like it from Crosswalk.com!
We all have those days and these tips may be able to make your wake up call a little friendlier:
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Katie Ellis, Executive Director and Walt Lewis, Resource Navigator for the United Way of Knox County. Click HERE for the full conversation.
They shared the good news that the free tax assistance program is back for 2025. Katie shared how volunteers and donors make this program available for the residents of Knox County. Walk shared the details of how to make an appointment and how to prepare for the appointment. This program is designed for low to moderate income families – individuals with an income of $35,000 or less or married couples with a $95,000 income or less. The program runs from February 3, 2025 – April 10, 2025. Appointments are required. Call (740) 397-5721 to schedule your free tax appointment. The United Way office is located at 305 East High Street in Mount Vernon.
On Friday, 1/31/25, Experience Mount Vernon handed out the 2024 Investor Awards. WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart and Eric Brown talked with the winners. Click HERE to hear the conversations.
Congratulations to: Janis Stone – Walter Rudin Award Paragraphs Bookstore – Small Business of the Year TD Landscape – Mid-Size Business of the Year Park National Bank – Large Business of the Year Mount Vernon Arts Consortium – Non-Profit of the Year Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau – Community Pride Award Emily Morrison – Spirit of Heritage Award
This prestigious Walter Rudin Award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and impact on the Downtown Mount Vernon community. Janis Stone’s unwavering commitment to enhancing our city’s vibrancy through the performing arts and fostering a spirit of collaboration has made her a cornerstone of our community’s growth and success.
Janis Stone has played a transformative role in shaping our cultural landscape through her remarkable dedication to the arts and tireless efforts to enrich Downtown Mount Vernon. Her unwavering commitment to downtown Mount Vernon and various arts initiatives has made high-quality, accessible arts programming a cornerstone of our community. Janis’ leadership and vision have brought unforgettable performances to Mount Vernon’s heart and fostered a deeper connection to the arts for residents and visitors alike.
Janis Stone’s influence extends beyond her work with MTVarts. She has actively engaged with local businesses, collaborated with fellow arts organizations, and passionately contributed to Experience Mount Vernon events, all while advocating for the vibrancy of our downtown area. Through her leadership, countless individuals have been inspired to explore the arts, and Downtown Mount Vernon has become a cultural hub that draws people together through shared creative experiences.
In addition to the Walter Rudin Award, Experience Mount Vernon awarded six additional business and community awards at its Annual Investor & Awards Breakfast on January 31st: ● Small Business of the Year: Paragraphs Bookstore, for its outstanding service to the community and dedication to fostering connections in Downtown Mount Vernon. ● Mid-Size Business of the Year: TD Landscape, for its exemplary work in enhancing vibrancy in Downtown Mount Vernon. ● Large Business of the Year: Park National Bank, for its long-standing commitment to outstanding leadership, community involvement, and a commitment to fostering local partnerships. ● Non-Profit of the Year: Mount Vernon Arts Consortium, for enriching the cultural fabric of our city through innovative programming and tireless advocacy for the arts. ● Community Pride Award: Knox County Convention & Visitors Bureau, for unwavering commitment to enhancing the beauty and pride of Mount Vernon and for promoting Mount Vernon as a top destination in Ohio. ● Spirit of Heritage Award: Emily Morrison, for her selfless volunteerism and a deep passion for capturing our community’s spirit through her photography.
Experience Mount Vernon extends heartfelt thanks to the sponsors who made these awards possible: The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel for the Small Business of the Year Award; Dumbaugh Insurance for the Mid-Size Business of the Year Award; Flappers Bar & Grille for the Large Business of the Year Award; Kidwell & Cunningham for the Non-Profit of the Year Award; Griffin Insurance for the Community Pride Award; CES Credit Union for the Spirit of Heritage Award; and Park National Bank for the Walter Rudin Award. Their generosity and dedication to supporting our community’s leaders and businesses help make this recognition possible.
“Each of these award winners exemplifies the best of what Mount Vernon has to offer,” said Lacey Filkins, Executive Director of Experience Mount Vernon. “Their collective efforts contribute to the ongoing transformation of our community into a thriving and inspiring place to live, work, and visit.”
Experience Mount Vernon is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing the vibrancy of Downtown Mount Vernon through events, programs, and partnerships that celebrate its unique charm and foster community pride.
For more information about Experience Mount Vernon, visit experiencemv.org.
Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 1/31/25. Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
Topics included: A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city. He shares the progress of these projects: – the Splashpad. – the Mansfield Avenue Shared Use Path – the Dan Emmett Community Development Block Grant area. – Fairgrounds Water Line and resurfacing project.
Mayor Starr gives updates on the Wastewater Treatment Plant project: He says that other mandated upgrades will have a price tag of $45 million. He says they are trying to find various sources of funding to help with the cost.
Mayor Starr says that City Auditor Pay Mayville has resigned effective February 14. The Republican Central Committee will be tasked with finding a replacement once he officially leaves office.
Mayor Starr Mayor Starr gives an update on other city departments. – He gives an update on the city filling potholes and if someone sees a pothole to report it to the street department at 393-9501. – He gives kudos to the plow drivers for going above and beyond their normal duties during snow events. Park and Pavilion reservations are now available online at the city’s website at (currently) mountvernonohio-dot-com – They will also be launching a new website soon and re-doing the city’s business videos on their website.
Mayor Starr talks about the listening tours for the new facilities. – There has been concern about how the facilities will look. – He says the public comment period for the new police department will end February 23. – More listening tour dates are planned in February and March. – He adds that there is an online survey for the public to see if they would like to give input.
Mayor Starr talks about the happenings of Liberty Crossing, the major development on Newark Road. – Result in 230 apartments, 90 townhouses and 43 patio homes and 93 traditional homes. – He says that this project has been in the works for quite a while.
Mayor Starr shares updates from Mount Vernon City Council: – Oppose an ATT tariff revision that shifts the cost of relocating lines to the city. – He says if the revision would have been approved, the city and taxpayers would have had to pay for the re-location. – He says they have 80 volunteers to serve on committees and boards for the city. – They had a second reading for re-zoning at 0 Parrot Street. He says the decision could be precedent setting in the state of Ohio. – The city received permission from the council to apply to the Federal Community Project Funding program to find funding for buildings and other pieces of infrastructure.
Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Police Department – He says they are updating information regarding the public comments for the new facility. – He says the police department is fully staffed. – He says the Police Department’s award ceremony is tomorrow.
Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department. – He says that they are constantly working on training including completing ice rescue training. – He adds that the entire department is fully staffed. – He also gives award recipients from the Fire Department Award Ceremony.
Mayor Starr shares his immediate goals for February: – He is proud that they did not use an interim budget. They passed the budget which allows decisions to be made now as opposed to waiting for an interim budget to be finalized. – He wants to have the design team picked for planning the new buildings – He says they also will be releasing an employee handbook and handbook for board members for the first time in the city’s history.
Mayor Starr shares his goals for 2025: – He wants to make sure that the auditor’s office runs smoothly – He says they are in the process of property acquisition for the South Sandusky Street Corridor Project. – He says the buildings in Memorial Park are being replaced.
Mayor Starr gives some calendar events for February. – Groundbreaking on Liberty Crossing on February 5. – The Mount Vernon Arts Consortium will give an update on the season February 8. – There will also be a joint meeting of Mount Vernon Council, Knox County Commissioners and regional planning commission meeting to talk about the comprehensive plan.
He also shares the way you can pray for him and the city.
To stay in touch with the City, go to: Website – http://www.mountvernonohio.org Facebook – The City of Mount Vernon X – CityMV1805 YouTube – The City of Mount Vernon LinkedIn – City of Mount Vernon, Ohio
Free time? Yes. As busy as we typically are in life and it may be a foreign term, but Thursday’s focus on The Morning Thing was on productive ways to spend your free time.
What do you wish you could do for a hobby? Or when you are not working?
Marcy shared some options to add something special to your life’s routine such as: • Reading: Which helps you stay off an electronic device while also building your vocabulary writing skills and creativity. • Take up a new hobby: Do some research and try something new. Doing what you love can boost your mental health and help rejuvenate you for the next day. • Resting: This does mean staying off electronics and doom scrolling. You should try to take a nap or “rest your eyes,” daydreaming or taking a long hot shower. Resting helps improve mental and physical health, improves your mood and leads to a healthier immune system.
Click HERE for more ideas from Kenneth Soares article on Classcard.com.
Rise and Shine 