Category: Local

You can change a child’s life by just packing a shoebox!

Christmas may be over a month away, but now is the time to start packing your shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child! National Collection Week is November 14-21, and many local churches are participating as drop-off collection points.

Click HERE for a list of participating churches and their drop-off times.

The Shoeboxes have had such a positive impact on children’s lives around the world. They don’t just get a fantastic gift of toys, personal care items, and school supplies, but they also get to hear the Good News of Jesus when they get their gifts!

Click HERE to read stories from people who got a Shoebox as a child. Many of them have gone on to form their own ministries!

Feeling inspired yet? Click HERE to learn how to pack your shoebox.

Need some gift ideas? Click HERE for ideas and to see what cannot go in a shoebox.

Click HERE for the Samaritan’s Purse homepage where you can learn all about Operation Christmas Child.

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The Friends of the Knox County Animal Shelter have released their 2023 Dog Calendar

The Friends of the Knox County Animal Shelter have released their 2023 calendar! Phil Samuell, who produces the adorable calendars, talked with us about them.

Phil tells us how he and his wife got connected to the Dog Shelter, and how they got started taking pictures of the dogs for the fundraiser. He shares how the dogs are chosen for the calendar. The dog who gets the most votes and raises the most money at the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival gets featured! Phil also told us where and how to get this calendar. All of the money goes directly to the shelter dogs! It also gives these dogs a chance to find forever homes. Click HERE to hear the conversation. dog-shelter-calendar-poster-1

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October 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 10/28/22.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 10/28/22.

Topics included:

  • An update on current construction and maintenance projects
    • Finishing the Municipal Parking Garage
    • Columbus Rd / South Main intersection curbing and guttering
  • Budgeting for projects in the upcoming 3 years
  • An update on the City’s plans for snow removal this winter.
  • The City is currently hiring seasonal workers to help with leaf removal.
  • An update about the funding the City received from the Ohio Department of Development to help with community improvements.
    • Mount Vernon is receiving a $500,000 critical infrastructure grant that will fund repairs to the brick streets and other improvements for North Catherine Street.
    • Mount Vernon is also receiving a $750,000 neighborhood revitalization grant that will be used to:
      • Solve water line problems around Dan Emmett Elementary School, Mansfield Avenue, Taylor Avenue, Nuce Road, and Nash Street.
      • Along with an ODOT grant, create a multi-use path on Mansfield Road to give Dan Emmett students a safe path to walk or bike to school.
  • Mayor Matt Starr gives us an update from the Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission regarding a preliminary plat for Heartland Commerce Park (formerly known as Cooper Progress Park) and the comprehensive development plan for the area. He shares that the site plan has allowed the real estate agents to sell or rent the sectioned-off parcels of property. He tells us that there is interest in the properties.
  • Updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
    • A public hearing was held regarding rezoning a parcel of real estate on State Route 13 for a developer who wants to put a housing development. In the next 60 days, a public presentation will be held by the developer to go over the site plan.
    • A committee meeting was held regarding the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) with the Parks and Public Lands committee
    • A reorganizational meeting was held by the Utilities Department as they said farewell to Brian McKeever, the pre-treatment coordinator and operator.
    • Mayor Matt Starr shares that the City Council approved $2,000 to be used on a workforce development and employee recognition program to honor those who’ve dedicated many years of their life to public service.
  • Mayor Matt Starr encourages Mount Vernon residents to give their opinions on the Zoning Code Survey. The survey can be accessed from the City’s website and social media accounts. They can rate different pictures of ideas for housing and design in Mount Vernon. This will help the City plan for various kinds of housing.
  • Update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
    • Continued training for officers
    • The increase in speed violations was reported, and this is due to an officer dedicated to patrolling areas of the City, specifically in school zones and neighborhoods.
  • Update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department including updates on recent training.
    • October is Fire Prevention Month, and Mayor Starr shares fire safety advice regarding electricity.
    • The Fire Department has also been performing driver’s training and physical fitness tests.
  • Mount Vernon’s designation as an Official Bee City
  • Mayor Starr shares a list of events planned for the City in November.
    • Planning budgets for upcoming projects.
    • Trick or Treat on Oct. 31
    • Veteran’s Day ceremony on Public Square on 11/11 at 11am
    • Preparing for snow
  • Mayor Starr shares the immediate goals for October

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

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Place 4 Grace launches their new program Grow in Grace

Place 4 Grace’s Executive Director Kandee Popham and Renee Dubler, Lead Mentor gave us an overview of their services and the NEW Grow in Grace Program. We also focus on the non-residential services that the ministry is providing to Moms right now.

Kandee Popham tells us more about what Place 4 Grace is and the services that they provide to pregnant women in the community. The services are personalized for each Mom. The goal is to have Moms stable in 4 areas: housing, employment, childcare and transportation.

Renee Dubler shares about the non-residential services that the ministry is currently providing including transportation to medical appointments or community resource locations, mentoring, and friendship.

Renee also talks about the NEW program Grow In Grace. They teach Mothers life skills including how to deal with pregnancy and motherhood.
She talks about how Grow In Grace is different than other programs that might teach parenting skills. Place 4 Grace is coming from an area of trauma for the mothers.

Renee tells us why it is important for Moms to attend this new program.

Renee also talks about the types of skills that Moms can expect to walk away with from being in the Grow In Grace program.

Moms can sign up by emailing Renee at renee.dubler@place4grace.com
Grow In Grace sessions are on Thursdays at 6pm at the Mount Vernon Apostolic Church, 1635 West 229/OId Delaware Road. The meetings are in the white building next to the big brick church.
Childcare is provided. The program is set up for a 12 week run.
She also shares the goals of the program.

Click HERE to listen to the conversation.

Place 4 Grace’s website is place4grace.com

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Ready for some FALL Family Fun? Check out these budget friendly ideas!

Fall is here and the colors are gorgeous! Today on The Morning Thing, we shared 21 budget friendly ideas for some fall fun with your family. These come from RamseySolutions.com

Click HERE to see all 21 activities!

They put these ideas into an EveryDollar autumn bucket list. Print this off and post it for your family to see. How many of these budget-friendly fall activities can you cross off before winter?
Be sure to share pics of your family fun with us. Email to wnzr@mvnu.edu

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Place 4 Grace shares news of an important meeting on November 1

Place 4 Grace is preparing for a special meeting on Tuesday, November 1st. They will host a House Parent Information Meeting.
Kandee Popham, Executive Director and Renee Dubler, Lead Mentor talked to WNZR about the ministry and the need to find House Parents. They also gave us an overview of the services that they provide to Moms in our community.

Click HERE to hear the entire conversation.

Click HERE to register for the meeting.

House Parent Info Meeting

Do you feel called to serve single pregnant mommas & their babies on a monthly basis?

Do you desire to show mommas & babies the marvelous grace of Jesus?

Is your heart one that instinctively knows the importance of discipleship?

If so, we invite you to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the ministry of p4g & our need for houseparents.

Tuesday, November 1st, 2022, 6:30-8:00 pm

Centerburg Church of Christ, 3830 Columbus Road, Centerburg, OH 43011

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Place 4 Grace Prepares for Flannel Fest

The Morning Thing talked with representatives with Place 4 Grace. Kandee Popham, Executive Director, and Renee Dubler, Lead Mentor, shared an overview of the services the ministry provides. They also shared the exciting details about their upcoming event Flannel Fest. The event is Friday, November 4, at Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene. Doors open at 6:15pm and the program starts at 6:30. Registration deadline is this Friday, October 14.

Click HERE to listen to the conversation.

Click HERE to register for Flannel Fest.

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Celebrate “Do Something Nice Day” like 7 year old Piper!

Today, The Morning Thing celebrated Do Something Nice Day.
Have you heard about this day?
Do Something Nice Day is a good way for everyone to get motivated to be a positive and uplifting presence in the world – not only on this day but perhaps even starting a habit to do something nice every day! Click HERE to read more about it from daysoftheyear.com

This article shares some valuable information.
HOW to celebrate? It is easy – DO Something Nice for Someone, GIVE a compliment, MAKE a donation to Charity or JOIN a Kindness Community.

Read all about it HERE.

There is a community that is dedicated to kindness. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation offers ideas, resources, challenges and opportunities for individuals to connect, get daily emails and become activists for being nice. This Random Acts of Kindness community operates in 89 countries all over the world and reports more than 40,000 activists and it’s a great way to get connected and motivated to Do Something Nice!

There are A LOT of Benefits of Doing Something Nice:

  • Reduced Stress Hormones – People who are perpetually being nice tend to have 23% lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that hijacks the body’s processes and can even increase aging.
  • Lower Blood Pressure – Those who embrace the lifestyle of doing nice things can count on the release of oxytocin in their blood. This hormone helps to open up blood vessels and reduce blood pressure, creating a protection for the cardiovascular system and improving heart health. 
  • Reduced Depression – Studies have shown that people who give of themselves in kindness report greater life satisfaction, improved self-realization, improved mood and lower incidences of depression.
  • Extended Life Span – People who live lives devoted to acts of kindness are often calmer, release more serotonin (the peaceful hormone), have lower blood pressure and are generally happier. And this makes for an increased life span!

We talked to a local HERO that is living out this challenge of Doing Something Nice.
Click HERE to hear Marcy Rinehart’s conversation with Piper Schirtzinger. She is 7 years old and is in 2nd grade at Wiggin Street Elementary School. She will share how she fell in love with flowers at the age of 2 and is sharing her flowers with others. Piper’s Posies blesses SO many people! Piper also shares her advice on doing something nice for others. She is our perfect example for Do Something Nice Day!

Here are some pictures of Piper with her family! Thanks for your incredible outreach and encouragement Piper!

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September 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 9/30/22.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Updates include:

  • An update on construction projects that are being worked on right now in our city:
  • Brick Street Repair
  • Clintonville Area – Grange, Pearl and Fearn
  • Municipal Parking Garage
  • Curb and Gutter Program for a winter construction project
  • Columbia Gas project to replace pipelines on the West side of the City
  • AEP’s project to install new transmission lines
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares an update on the City’s activities with lime sludge and the requirements from the EPA.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares an update on meeting with the Knox County Realtors Association. He focused on the MS4 program – Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. This presentation fulfilled a requirement from the Ohio EPA.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares an update from City Council including:
  • 24 pieces of legislation were given a reading or passed
  • Storm Sewer System for Stump and Northview Streets
  • Mansfield Avenue project for a waterline and storm waterline
  • Sidewalk project in the Dan Emmett Elementary school area
  • City Water Treatment Plant
  • Appointments to Volunteer Boards and Commissions
  • Mayor Matt Starr gives us an update from the Mount Vernon Police Department including the creation of a Traffic Patrol.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares an update from the Fire Department including the good news of the department receiving 2 grants from FEMA. The first grant will fund the purchase of an exhaust removal system and a new fire hose for the station. The second grant will fully fund 3 additional firefighters for the next 3 years.
  • Mayor Matt Starr talks about his Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council.
  • Mayor Matt Starr tells us about the presentation of the 2022 Knox County Outstanding Senior Citizen Award.  
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares his thoughts about the visit of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to the Knox County Career Center this week.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares the events coming to the City of Mount Vernon in October.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares his top goals for the City in October.
  • Budget Process and prioritize projects for each department
  • 5 areas of priority: police protection, Fire and EMS Protection, Utility Infrastructure, Transportation Infrastructure and Economic Development
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares how to stay connected to his office and what is happening at Mount Vernon City Hall. He also shares how to pray for him and his team in October.

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

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