WNZR’s Josiah Styer talks with Lily Haws, who plays Bertie Spinster in Orange Barrel Productions’ Bull in a China Shop!
Click HERE or on the picture link below to hear the full conversation!
Lily describes Bertie as the oldest resident of a boarding house who values proper manners and etiquette, but as the play unfolds, her character becomes involved in a dark and unexpected plot to commit murder. Lily says the role has been a natural fit and has enjoyed the humorous contrast between Bertie’s proper personality and the darker elements of the story.
Lily also shares about her long history with Orange Barrel Productions and the special experience of performing alongside longtime friends, family members, and familiar faces. She discusses the production’s mid-1950s setting, her character’s costume, and the many ways people can get involved in community theater beyond acting. Lily encourages the community to support local arts organizations, emphasizing the role they play in bringing people together and keeping the arts thriving for future generations.
WNZR’s Josiah Styer talks with Katie Adams, Client Services Director for Starting Point Pregnancy & Family Resource Center.
Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image below!
Katie explains that one of Starting Point’s primary ministries is the Start Here Program, which provides pregnancy and parenting education for pregnant women, couples, and families. Participants earn points through educational appointments that can be used to shop in the ministry’s boutique for items such as diapers, wipes, formula, and other baby essentials.
She says Starting Point’s services are available to anyone in the community without income restrictions or insurance requirements. The ministry serves single parents, families, grandparents, and individuals seeking resources related to unexpected pregnancies, parenting, relationships, and family life. Starting Point strives to meet practical needs while also providing support for all.
Katie shares her personal journey with Starting Point, beginning as a field experience intern through MVNU Online. Shortly after arriving, she learned of an opening for the Client Care Coordinator position, volunteered with the ministry, and eventually joined the staff. After serving as Client Care Coordinator for a year and a half, she recently stepped into the role of Client Services Director.
She also discusses opportunities for community members to become involved with the ministry. Starting Point is currently seeking volunteers in several areas, including nurses, ultrasound technicians, boutique workers, and client advocates. The ministry also welcomes men to serve through its men’s mentoring and support programs. They need volunteers, contact Starting Point directly at 740-393-0370 to learn more about available opportunities. She concludes by expressing excitement for the upcoming 5K and Family Glow Night.
Click HERE for more information about Starting Point Pregnancy & Family Resource Center!
WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Carrie Haver, who plays Nettie Norton in Bull in a China Shop.
Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click on the image below!
Carrie describes Nettie as one of six older women living together in the show. She says the character is humorous, often says the wrong thing, and brings plenty of laughs to the production.
She shares that the cast has been rehearsing since the summer, spending time reading through the script and developing the relationships between the characters. Carrie says memorizing lines comes through repetition and listening to recordings of rehearsals.
Carrie says one of her favorite things about playing Nettie is that the character is very different from roles she has played in the past. She enjoys portraying an older woman and bringing the character’s unique personality to life.
A theater veteran, Carrie has appeared in numerous productions with both Orange Barrel Productions and MTVarts. She recalls playing Glinda in The Wizard of Oz as one of her favorite theater experiences. Carrie also says the humor in Bull in a China Shop is what makes the show especially enjoyable and believes audiences will find many opportunities to laugh.
Carrie says one of the highlights of the production has been the strong chemistry and camaraderie among the cast. Many of the actors have worked together before, creating a comfortable and enjoyable rehearsal environment.
She also discusses the show’s costumes and makeup, explaining that the cast uses special makeup and costumes to portray older women living in the 1950s. Carrie encourages anyone interested in theater to get involved, noting there are opportunities for people of all ages both on stage and behind the scenes. She hopes the community will come see Bull in a China Shop, enjoy a good laugh, and support local theater.
Click HERE to learn more about Orange Barrel Production Company!
WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Catherine Haws, who plays Jane the News Reporter in Orange Barrel Productions’ “Bull In A China Shop”!
Click HERE or on the picture link below to hear the full conversation!
Catherine shares how she has prepared for the role and what she enjoys about playing Jane, including her outspoken personality and the humor she brings to the production.
This show marks Catherine’s 31st theater production, and she is especially excited to share the stage with her mom for the first time since 2008. She also discusses the show’s late-1940s/early-1950s setting, her costumes, and why she believes live theater continues to bring people together in a unique way.
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Jess Kirby, Development Director of Starting Point Pregnancy & Family Resource Center about the upcoming 5K and Family Glow Night on October 3 at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Click HERE or on the picture link below to hear the full conversation!
The evening will include a 5K, glow items, family-friendly activities, yard games, a bounce house, the Sweet Bubble & Bean Coffee Truck, and free ice cream tickets for children. Participants can also enjoy several prize opportunities, including a grand prize family night basket. Kirby encourages families and community members to register and join Starting Point for an evening of fun, fellowship, and support for the ministry. More information is available at FriendsofKSP.com.
Click HERE for more info on Starting Point’s ministry!
WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Brook Abella, senior at MVNU and her band, who are one of the artists performing at Sonfest 2026.
Click HERE to hear the entire conversation, or click the image below!
Brook Abella’s band is made up of Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, Robert Eggebrect, drummer, and Luke Tibbe, pianist.
Brook Abella grew up in Bellefontaine, Ohio, and found many opportunities to worship in different places in her town.
Luke Tibbe, pianist, is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has been participating in music for about 6 years. Since then, he has really enjoyed being on worship teams and praising Jesus.
Robbert Eggebrect, drummer, is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and an engineer student from Cedarville University. Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, has been leading worship at his church for about a year and has been playing guitar for about 4 years.
Brook Abella’s music influence has come from sources like Christian radio and artists like TobyMac and Mandisa. She enjoys listening to the messages of inspiration and hope and putting that same message into the songs she makes. When writing and making music, her inspiration comes from God’s Word and the quiet, still moments she has with God.
Brook Abella is looking forward to seeing this year’s Sonfest headliner, Chris Renzema, at MVNU. She is a fan of his musicianship and his songwriting. In her band’s set, they normally perform a song written by Chris Renzema called “Adoni”.
Luke Tibbe, pianist, is also looking forward to seeing Chris Renzema at this year’s Sonfest. He really enjoys Renzema’s music and lyrics, which have played a big influence on Luke.
Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, is excited to worship at Sonfest this year. With all the preparation the band has done, he is excited to worship with everyone. Robbert Eggebrect, drummer, is excited to meet gio., who is another artist at Sonfest 2026.
Brook Abella hopes that while she and the band are onstage, the audience will experience the presence of God. She and the band invite the Holy Spirit into any atmosphere they are in and hope that people who may not know Jesus will begin to ask who He is and start to learn more about Him.
Luke Tibbe, pianist, wants the audience to know “how livable” The Gospel message is through worship.
Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, is looking forward for the band and audience to be unashamed in worship. Robbert Eggebrect, drummer, is hoping that the Sonfest artist arrives with an open mind and worship with no limits.
Click HERE for ticket information and more about Sonfest 2026!
Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr used this year’s Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast to challenge the community to think about gratitude in a deeper way.
Held Wednesday at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, the annual breakfast brought together community members for a message centered on remembering what God has given, noticing the people around us and turning gratitude into service.
Starr opened by asking a simple question: what are we in danger of forgetting because something louder has captured our attention?
Throughout the message, he drew from Scripture and the stories of people including Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Viktor Frankl to show how gratitude can remain even during difficult circumstances. He also reflected on public service, noting that criticism is often louder than appreciation and that leaders have to be careful not to let the loudest voices define the whole community.
Starr said gratitude is not about ignoring problems. Instead, it is about remembering what is good while still working to improve what is broken.
He shared several local examples of what that can look like, including people who offer encouragement, pray for others, create second chances and quietly serve without recognition. Starr also pointed to WNZR’s Joe Rinehart as an example of someone who took time during an interview to ask a guest how he could pray for her.
Another theme was the idea that gratitude should lead to action. Starr said receiving grace, encouragement or another opportunity should eventually move people to extend those same things to someone else.
He also reflected personally on being given another chance with his health and how that experience changed the way he viewed gratitude and responsibility.
Near the end of the message, Starr returned to the idea of attention—encouraging those in attendance to notice the people they may be overlooking, remember those who have helped them and take the time to say thank you.
He closed by reminding the audience that Christian gratitude is ultimately rooted in God’s grace, and that a strong community is one that notices, remembers, serves and gives thanks.
Click HERE to learn more about the City of Mount Vernon!
WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Nathan Montgomery, worship leader for Rock City Worship, one of the headlining artists of Sonfest 2026.
Listen to the entire conversation HERE or click the image below!
Nathan serves as the Central Worship Pastor at Rock City and oversees the worship teams across all of the church’s campuses. He is married, has two children, with another one on the way!
Rock City Church was founded in 2011 by Lead Pastor Chad Fisher and his wife. The church’s primary broadcast location is in Polaris, with additional campuses in Hilliard, Columbus’ Short North district, and Saint Mary’s, Ohio.
While Rock City Worship does not frequently tour outside of the church, the group enjoys taking opportunities to serve its mission of “making Heaven full.” Touring is part of that mission, but their primary focus is equipping and serving their local church. When writing and recording music, the group is intentional about considering what the Lord wants to communicate to their congregation. Their songs are designed to teach people about God through lyrics rooted in Scripture and help listeners develop a deeper understanding of who He is.
Rock City Worship is excited to lead worship at Sonfest this year. The group began writing and recording music with the goal of equipping their congregation with a greater understanding of God through His Word. Their desire is to help people see God more clearly so they can worship Him more completely.
Rock City Worship recently completed recording their new live album, “Rehearsing For Heaven”. The project is inspired by Romans 12:1, which calls believers to offer themselves as “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God”. The album reflects the idea that, as children of God, believers are already living in eternity and we can live with that perspective every moment of our lives—not just on Sundays.
Many of the songs on the new album are centered on what the group describes as “straight vertical” worship, focusing entirely on giving God undivided praise. Songs include themes of declaring God’s holiness, such as singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” The first single from the project is scheduled to be released January 8, with the full album expected to arrive around March.
Nathan and Rock City Worship are looking forward to returning to the Sonfest stage this year. They enjoyed being part of last year’s event, which Nathan described as a time when people could encounter the tangible presence of God. He remembers the Sonfest audience being ready and prepared to worship the Lord and is excited to return, reconnect with familiar faces, and meet new friends.
This year, Nathan hopes the group’s time at Sonfest will help people see God more clearly and, as a result, worship Him more completely. He hopes that each person who sings along with the songs will walk away having learned something new or gain a deeper understanding of who God is.
Nathan also encourages listeners not to miss this year’s Sonfest. Last year marked his first experience at the festival, and he was amazed by the way he saw the Lord move throughout the event. He also appreciated the wide variety of musical genres represented by the many artists who participated.
If Nathan had to choose his favorite Rock City Worship song, he would select “Renew My Mind,” which will be featured on the new live album. The song focuses on the daily decision to choose praise over worry and to intentionally renew our minds each day. Rock City Worship will bring “Renew My Mind” with them to the Sonfest stage this year.
You can purchase tickets to SonFest 2026 HERE and find more information about this year’s schedule and lineup!
MTVarts is bringing the beloved story of The Wizard of Oz to life at the Knox Memorial Theater in Mount Vernon, and WNZR recently caught up with 14-year-old Jules Garrett, who plays the Wicked Witch of the West.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.
A freshman at Big Walnut High School, Jules says she was thrilled when she received the email letting her know she had been cast—and immediately ran to tell her dad. Taking on the role of a villain has been a new challenge for Jules, who says she typically plays characters more like Dorothy. She has also had to tackle the Wicked Witch’s long speeches, along with several flying scenes. While singing is her favorite part of performing, Jules says one of her favorite moments is the song “The Jitterbug”. She describes her costume as a glamorous take on the classic Wicked Witch look, complete with bright green makeup!
This is Jules’ first MTVarts production, and she says one of the highlights has been making new friends and getting to know the cast during rehearsals. Her journey to the Wicked Witch role also comes with an encouraging message: Jules was cut from her first MTVarts audition for Beauty and the Beast Jr., but she came back, kept trying and eventually earned this role. She encourages other young performers to take a chance, get involved and not let a setback stop them.
The Wizard of Oz runs September 11–20 at the Knox Memorial Theater, with performances Friday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 13 at 2 p.m.; Friday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, September 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available through www.MTVarts.com
