WNZR Talks with Cast of MTVarts’ Footloose The Musical!

WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle and Dylan Elliott caught up with cast members for MTVarts Production of Footloose The Musical. They spoke with Christopher Hartman (Ren McCormick), Molly Smith (Ariel Moore), Serra Austin Barrett (Vi Moore), and Steve Herbst (Rev. Shaw Moore).

The cast members told us about their previous roles and shows. They also shared about their role in Footloose. We also asked about their favorite songs and musical dance numbers from the show.

The cast members wrapped up with sharing why people should come out to see Footloose The Musical. The shows start on Saturday, July 6th at The Woodward Opera House in downtown Mount Vernon.

Listen to our full conversations below or by clicking HERE:

Struggling to Pray Consistently? Use a Prayer Guide!

Sometimes prayer can be a struggle. We can easily get stuck in our routines and daily tasks that we forget about the importance of taking time each day to stop and pray. One of the great ways to create the habit of praying more consistently each day can be creating a schedule for yourself, at first it may seem forced, but communication and time with God is never a bad thing even if it is predetermined scheduled into your calendar.

Today we shared 5 inspiring prayers from Crosswalk.com that can be used as a prayer guide to set up a consistent prayer schedule for yourself. Find the full list of prayers HERE!

We hope these prayers encourage you and help you grow your relationship with Christ by choosing daily to talk with Him consistently.

June 2024 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 6/28/24.

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:
  • Catherine Street Community Development Block Grant
  • Center Street
  • North End Project near Dan Emmett Elementary School
  • The City has 9 active projects going on now. They are close to closing out 3 of those projects. 
  • Mayor Starr gives a reminder to have patience during the summer cycle for current construction and maintenance projects.
  • He also talks about his philosophy of working in residential areas around the city.
  • Mayor Starr shares information and updates from the Mount Vernon Street Department. He shares updates on these projects:
    • Brick Street Reconstruction and Rehabilitation
    • Catch Basin Repairs on the south end of town
    • Street Sweeping
    • Spraying for Weeds
    • Bee City USA Program for Mount Vernon
    • Tree Trimming
    • Pothole Patching – You can call 740-393-9501 to report a pothole
  • Mayor Starr shares information and updates from other City Departments. He shares updates on these projects:
    • The Mount Vernon Public Buildings and Lands Department
    • Maintenance and cleaning of the fountain on the Public Square
    • Flags on the graves of veterans
    • Work on City Offices – HVAC system, deep cleaning of floors and carpeting and putting up blood-borne pathogen kits.
  • Mayor Starr shares information and updates from other City Departments. He shares updates on these projects:
    • The Mount Vernon Utilities/Water and Wastewater Department
    • They are working with a new Communications System that helps control the city’s water and wastewater capabilities. It is a computer based that monitors all devices and greatly assists the gathering of information.
    • The Water Plant Clarifier Tank is now up and running.
    • Lime Treatment System
    • Having redundancy systems in place in case of a water emergency
    • Utilities Technician Test is being offered in July
    • Working with Ohio Means Jobs for a fire hydrant painting program
    • Hauling Lime
  • Mayor Starr shares an update on the upgrades that are being made to the public parks, including the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool. He also addresses the problem of vandalism at the parks and how the city is managing this issue.
  • Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission.
    • Earlier this month, they voted unanimously to recommend that Mount Vernon City Council adopt the updated zoning code as presented.
    • Mayor Starr shares the background on the need to update our current zoning code and the process of the update.
    • He also shares the timeline of future readings with City Council and the upcoming hearing for public comment.
  • Mayor Starr shares updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
    • City Council gave approval to proceed with a grant application for USEPA funding. The Mayor tells us more about this process and how these funds will help the community.
    • City Council’s decision on recreational marijuana
    • City Council’s adoption of legislation to construct a new salt barn. The Mayor shares more details on this project and how it will help the City face winter weather.
  • Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
    • State Senator Andrew Brenner’s announcement that funding will be coming to our city. The Police Department will receive $2 million dollars from the One Time Strategic Community Investment Fund.
    • PAK (Police and Kids) United is having some fun events this summer
    • Assistant Chief Andy Burns will be sworn in soon.
  • Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department.
    • A new Assistant Fire Chief has been sworn in – Josh Lester.
    • Contract negotiations for the next 3 years.
  • Mayor Starr shares an update and details about the 4th of July Celebration at Ariel Foundation Park. He talks about parking, times of the celebration, when streets will close, location of restrooms, food trucks and the best exit plan for families. The Mayor promises that the fireworks will start at 10pm this year!
  • Mayor Starr shares a list of events planned for the City in July.
    • July First Friday
    • Sundays on the Public Square
    • Farmers Markets
    • Blues, Brews and BBQ Event
  • He will put a lot of his efforts into the budgeting process. It will start in July this year. They will be looking at 2025, 2026 and 2027.
  • Goals for July:
    • Close out some active projects
    • Finalize the grant for the inflation reduction act
    • Get the new neo-gov software in place to help with the city’s human resources and payroll systems
    • Writing the ballot language for the Edgewood Road improvement project
  • He also shares how we can pray for him and his team.

    To stay in touch with the City, go to:
  • Website – http://www.mountvernonohio.org
  • Facebook – The City of Mount Vernon
  • Twitter – CityMV1805
  • YouTube – The City of Mount Vernon
  • LinkedIn – City of Mount Vernon, Ohio

Family Road Trip? Here’s 15 Car Games to Help Pass the Time!

Today we shared 15 Family Games for Kids that will help kill boredom in the car. We know that Summer is a time of family road trips and this article from iMOM.com shares some creative and fun games for kids of all ages that will help pass the time of those long drives.

Find the full list of games HERE!

Kicking Off Summer!

It’s officially the first day of summer! With so many decisions to make on what to do this summer, The Morning Thing decided to take a look at fun summer activity ideas for kids and parents! Plus, the Big Blue Crew shared their favorite summer memories!

Click HERE to read the full list of 100 ideas!

Some of our favorites include:

  1. Building a fort
  2. Having breakfast in bed
  3. Looking for shapes in clouds
  4. Going bird watching

And more! Stay cool out there, and don’t forget to tune in Wednesdays 6-9am on 90.9fm for The Morning Thing!

Forgiveness In The Morning

God’s mercies are new each and every morning, so for National Forgiveness Week we decided to talk all things forgiveness on The Morning Thing.

National Forgiveness Week, which begins June 16 and lasts until the 22nd, encourages people to seek forgiveness for both themselves and others. The significance of this week lies in its ability to improve both mental and physical health. Studies have shown that forgiving others can lead to lower stress levels, reduced anger, and even better heart health (daysoftheyear.com).

The week was first observed in Fiji in 2004, but has since expanded its reach to places like America.

Click HERE to read the full article from Days Of The Year.com and learn more about National Forgiveness Week’s history!

Plus, we found an amazing article detailing examples of forgiveness all throughout scripture! Forgiveness and its examples are found all throughout the Bible, including verses like these:

  1. If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9)
  2. Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, You forgive them all. (Psalm 65:3)
  3. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. (Romans 4:5)
  4. Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. (Proverbs 17:9)
  5. Then Peter came to Him and asked, Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:21-22)

Click HERE to read the full article!

Make sure to tune into The Morning Thing weekdays 6-9am on 90.9fm WNZR!

The Morning Thing Talks About Biblical Hospitality!

Today we shared on the topic of Biblical Hospitality and 6 important ways to rethink it in our busy world today. It was more great insight from Crosswalk.com!

“Like everyone today, my life is super busy with writing deadlines, family, church and community activities, and health issues. Yet, the joy and warmth that fills our home when we open it to others always energizes and motivates me to say things like, “Sure the group can meet at our house!” Even though I know that’s going to mean extra preparation when my schedule is packed, biblical hospitality doesn’t have to be arduous.”

Read more on this topic HERE!

Monday Motivation With The Morning Thing

Need some motivation to jump start the week? Today on the show we shared encouraging thoughts for you and your family! Good Housekeeping has compiled a list of Monday Motivation Quotes.

Click HERE to see the list.

Here are a few of our favorites:

  1. Your Monday morning thoughts set the tone for your whole week. See yourself getting stronger, and living a fulfilling, happier and healthier life. — Germany Kent
  2. It’s Monday. Get a new perspective. Whatever obstacle you’re facing — it’s not permanent. — Unknown
  3. Every morning, you have two choices: continue to sleep with your dreams or wake up and chase them. — Carmelo Anthony
  4. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. — Martin Luther King, Jr.
  5. You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. — C.S. Lewis
  6. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
  7. You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. — Maya Angelou
  8. Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
  9. Today’s accomplishments were yesterday’s impossibilities. — Robert H. Schuller
  10. Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world. — Joel Arthur Barker

Listen for more encouragement weekdays 6-9am on The Morning Thing!

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑