For this week’s Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts are celebrating the 49th Fredericktown Tomato Show! The hosts share their favorite ways to enjoy the tomato.
Listen to The Morning Thing hosts’ Friday Favorites HERE, or click the image below!
More information about the 49th Fredericktown Tomato Show can be found HERE!
We talked with Allie Vance and Lanah Andrews, who share the iconic role of Dorothy in MTVArts’ upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz!
Click HERE to listen to the conversation!
Allie, a sophomore at Danville High School, and Lanah, a junior at the Knox County Career Center, discuss the unique experience of being double cast and working together to develop the character. Both say the experience has brought them closer as friends while teaching them the importance of flexibility and collaboration.
The actresses also share some of their favorite parts of playing Dorothy, from wearing the iconic blue dress and ruby slippers to performing songs like “Jitterbug” and “The Merry Old Land of Oz.” They also talk about working with Toto, who is being portrayed by a real dog, and the excitement of flying during the production. While some of those experiences were initially intimidating, rehearsals have helped them build confidence and embrace the theatrical magic of the show.
With a 40-member cast bringing the world of Oz to life, Allie and Lanah say building friendships has been one of their favorite parts of the experience. Through Dorothy’s journey, they’ve also learned lessons about appreciating home, relationships and the people who support them while having the courage to embrace new experiences.
Click HERE to find more info about the show!
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart recently welcomed two cast members from MTV Arts’ upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz: Vincent Oertel, who plays the Tin Man, and Briggs Swallow, who portrays the Cowardly Lion.
Listen to the entire conversation HERE! Or, click on the picture link below!
Vincent, a 14-year-old homeschooled freshman, says the Tin Man has been a favorite character since childhood and that he connects with the character’s emotional nature. He was thrilled when he learned he had landed the role. Briggs, a 15-year-old Mount Vernon High School sophomore, enjoys the Lion’s dramatic personality and comedic energy. He has studied classic comedians and worked on his vocal techniques to prepare for the part.
The pair also discussed the rehearsal process and the experience of sharing the Lion role with Zayden Luckmeier. Briggs says the double casting has allowed the two actors to learn from each other and strengthen their performances. Both Vincent and Briggs have enjoyed getting to know their fellow cast members and building friendships during rehearsals. They also had the opportunity to connect with previous performers, including Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr, who previously played the Lion. Vincent’s favorite number is “Jitterbug,” which was ultimately not included in the production, while Briggs enjoys “If I Only Had a Heart.”
For Briggs, The Wizard of Oz marks his 18th MTV Arts production, following roles including his appearance in Beauty and the Beast. Vincent is newer to the stage, with this being only his third show and his biggest role yet. Both encourage the community to come see this classic story filled with memorable music, exciting performances and more than 40 talented young performers. They also emphasize the importance of supporting local arts before showing off their characters one final time with a little singing.
Click HERE for information on tickets and showtimes!
WNZR talked with eleven-year-old Andrew Petersen, a seventh-grade student at Mount Vernon Middle School, is taking on three different roles in MTVArts’ production of The Wizard of Oz.
Click HERE to listen to the full conversation or click on the picture link below!
Petersen plays the Winky General, a member of the Lollipop Guild and an Ozian. He says each role brings something different to the stage, from protecting the Wicked Witch as the Winky General to singing with the Lollipop Guild and helping introduce Dorothy and the other main characters to the city of Oz.
Petersen also talks about the challenge—and fun—of quickly changing between characters, costumes and personalities throughout the show. A veteran of several MTVArts productions, including A Christmas Story, Petersen says some of his favorite parts of theater are spending time with friends and having fun on stage. He encourages others to get involved in local theater and enjoy the experience. He even gives listeners a taste of the Lollipop Guild with a short performance during the interview.
Click HERE for info on tickets and showtimes!
The Knox County Foundation has awarded $482,600 in grants to support organizations and programs throughout Knox County. WNZR talked with Lisa Lloyd, Senior Program Director with the Foundation.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
The largest award, a $300,000 grant to Interchurch Social Services, will help develop a new food pantry at 156 Howard Street in Mount Vernon. The renovated facility will provide additional storage for fresh and perishable foods while strengthening Interchurch’s ability to distribute food to other local pantries with limited storage.
Additional grants will support a wide range of community needs, including education and workforce development, health services, youth programs, recreation, facility improvements and nonprofit operations. Among the recipients are Habitat for Humanity, Fredericktown Local Schools, Knox Public Health, the YMCA of Mount Vernon, Knox Technical Center and several other local organizations. The Foundation also allocated $20,000 for Career and Technical Education scholarships. The next Small Grant cycle opens with an Expression of Intent deadline of September 15, followed by an application deadline of October 15.
Picture – The future home of Interchurch Social Services’ new food pantry at 156 Howard Street in Mount Vernon. Knox County Foundation awarded $300,000 to support renovations to the building.
Full Press Release:
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (August 21, 2026) — The Knox County Foundation Board of Directors awarded $482,600 at its August board meeting.
The largest award is a $300,000 grant to Interchurch Social Services to support the development of a new food pantry at 156 Howard Street in Mount Vernon. The building, donated by the Knox County Land Bank, will be renovated to create additional storage for fresh and perishable foods and increase Interchurch’s ability to distribute food to other area pantries with limited storage capacity.
“We are excited to partner with Interchurch Social Services on this important project and support their vision for expanding food access in our community,” said Lisa Lloyd, Senior Program Director at Knox County Foundation. “This new facility will not only help serve more local families, but also strengthen the network of food pantries across Knox County.”
The Foundation also approved funding to support education and workforce development, health and human services, youth programs, community improvements and nonprofit operations throughout the county.
Other grants awarded through the July cycle include:
The Foundation also allocated $20,000 for Career and Technical Education scholarships.
“The projects supported through this grant cycle reflect the wide range of work happening every day to make Knox County a stronger community,” said Lloyd “From expanding access to food to creating opportunities for students and supporting local organizations, we’re grateful to be able to invest in work that will make a meaningful difference for Knox County residents.”
Knox County Foundation accepts Small Grant applications four times each year and Major Grant applications twice annually. The next Small Grant cycle begins with an Expression of Intent deadline of September 15, followed by an application deadline of October 15. Grant decisions will be announced in November.
For more information about Knox County Foundation grant opportunities and application requirements, visit knoxcf.org.
Knox County Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Knox County through charitable giving.
WNZR shared conversations all this week with several Faculty Members from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Click HERE to hear the conversations.
We talked about the exciting and interactive activities that each department is bringing to downtown Mount Vernon for September First Friday. MVNU is part of an Education Department and Activity Fair on the Public Square from 6pm – 9pm.
They also shared exciting news about their departments including developments for the 2026 Fall Semester. Each professor shared what they are most excited for in this new school year.
Enjoy the conversations and plan to join us tonight at First Friday! Wear your blue and green! GO COUGARS!
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart is joined by Lacey Filkins, the Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon here to talk about September First Friday.
Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation!
Lacey talks about how time flies and how summer just flew by and the theme for September First Friday and its called, “School Spirit Night”. They don’t have any special costumes, but they did make some First Friday School T-Shirts for the team. Tonight is the last night to complete the passport, you can stop at their table and sign up for their “Smore Fun” prize basket. They have the Teen Advisory Council coming to do Tie-dye, they’re focusing on kids and medium sizes and only one color. They have plenty do to for school spirit night and she highlights all the things coming tonight for free at first Friday.
Tonight at September First Friday, they have schools coming at the public square, they have MVNU, COTC, Knox County Career Center, and Kenyon University to talk about their programs and helping promote their schools; Lacey talks about some of the things they’ve had in the past and might have tonight. They have some entertainment coming tonight, they have the band, “Room 201” playing tonight, they have the cast for the Wizard of Oz cast, they also have their “Are you smarter than an Educator” game show, and so much more!
Tonight, they have 11 different concession stands, Lacey highlights what they have and where you can find it. They have downtown closed areas closed, Lacey highlights what streets will be closed, parking downtown will be closed to parking by 2 and closed to all by 3. You can park at Gay and Mulberry street, they also have the bike valet, during the event.
Lacey also wants to thank the parents support initiative of Knox County, their food truck sponsor is ariel cooperation, Knox DD to help with the photo booth, they also have a huge thank to volunteers who help make this possible. Coming up in October is Jonny Appleseed, this event will be a bit different than last year, its all at Ariel Foundation park this year. Winter in downtown is coming, shop small Saturday, and holiday events. You can stay connected on their social media at Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. You can find their monthly newsletter on their website at experienceMV.org. The mission of experience mount Vernon is through first Fridays, beautification, and other flower planting in downtown, and just getting people to come in Mount Vernon and build the community feel in Downtown. She talks about a lot of the different events and ways that Experience Mount Vernon helps the community; they also want you to go to local shops and enjoy mount Vernon.
Check out more information about September First Friday on our website, wnzr.fm!
Today on The Morning Thing, the co-hosts talk about their favorite school spirit memory in honor of September First Friday!
You can listen to this week’s Friday Favorites HERE!
September First Friday’s theme is School Spirit Night! The Big Blue Crew is excited to broadcast in Downtown Mount Vernon!
Check out our blog! themorningthing.com
WNZR is saying goodbye to Assistant Station Manager Eric Brown as he, his wife Jenn and step daughter Maddie, who is a sophomore in high school, prepare for a new chapter in Florida.
Eric’s adult son William and his younger son Jonathan, who is also a sophomore in high school, are staying with their mom in Newark while Jenn’s adult sons Alex and Jaden are staying in Zanesville.
As part of Friday’s edition of The Morning Thing, WNZR Station Manager Marcy Rinehart joined Eric for a special Friday Favorites conversation, asking him to look back on five of his favorite memories from his time at the station.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
Eric’s connection to Mount Vernon Nazarene University goes back much further than his time at WNZR. He is an MVNU alumnus, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university.
Before joining the WNZR staff in December 2024, he spent nearly eight years working in MVNU’s College of Adult and Professional Studies (CAPS) as an Academic Services Specialist and Adjunct Professor teaching communications classes.
During Friday Favorites, Eric reflected on several moments that stood out during his time at WNZR.
One involved student Isabel, whose singing could sometimes be heard from the neighboring studio. Eric recalled having to ask her to sing just a little more quietly so he could get his own recording work done.
Another favorite memory came almost immediately after he started at WNZR. Just days into the job, Eric helped host the station’s Food For The Hungry broadcast. He said the experience gave him an early chance to meet people, learn more about the community and understand how important the annual campaign is to WNZR and Knox County.
Eric also looked back on covering the Hartford Fair with WNZR students and on the memorable moments that came with taking the station on location.
Two of his favorite memories came from the Christian Music Broadcasters University conference in Nashville. Eric traveled with WNZR students for the event, giving them the opportunity to learn more about Christian broadcasting while also spending time together outside the station.
The trip itself created plenty of stories, including a cold wait for food and an eventful drive home through winter weather.
Looking back, Eric said what has made leaving WNZR especially difficult is the people. He thanked listeners for the support they have shown him and said the connection between the audience and the WNZR team is unlike what he has experienced elsewhere in broadcasting.
He also reflected on how meaningful it has been to serve the community while helping spread the message of Jesus through WNZR’s ministry.
Although Eric is leaving his full-time role and moving to Florida, listeners will still hear his voice on WNZR. The station plans to continue working with him remotely through a contract arrangement for news coverage. He will also return to teaching as an Adjunct Professor in the CAPS program for MVNU.
Marcy thanked Eric for his leadership, experience and time with WNZR and said the station will continue praying for him as he makes the move and begins a new chapter.
Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!
Click HERE to learn more about Mount Vernon Nazarene University!
WNZR’s Eric Brown spoke with Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr for the August Spotlight on Mount Vernon, covering several major projects and issues shaping the city’s future.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
Starr gave updates on water and wastewater improvements, including planned upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant, a change in the city’s water disinfection system and continued replacement of water meters.
He also discussed several major city facilities. Construction on the new police station has been delayed by unexpectedly soft clay at the site, while design work continues for the new Municipal Court, probation and Clerk of Courts offices at 40 Public Square. Renovations at the Mount Vernon Municipal Center are also moving forward.
Transportation and development were another major focus. Starr updated the State Route 13 realignment, Burgess and Hamtramck Street projects, work at the Catle Dam and new private development along Coshocton Avenue.
He also discussed the future of the historic Taugher Block, saying the city is looking for the right developer and plan to preserve as much of the property’s historic character as possible.
Housing growth was also part of the conversation, including the proposed Arista Villas development and the city’s use of public-private financing tools to help support infrastructure and future city services.
Starr also shared results from the city’s e-bike survey, discussed the renaming of Shellmar Park as John Francis Park and gave updates on the police and fire departments, including plans for a future east-side fire station.
Looking ahead to September, Starr previewed the Back-to-School-themed First Friday and the Mount Vernon Association of Police Chaplains’ Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on September 16th at Foster Hall.
The August conversation also marked Eric Brown’s final Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Starr before Eric’s move to Florida.
Click HERE to register for the Mayor’s Mayor Breakfast!
Click HERE to learn more about the city of Mount Vernon!
