Psi Iota Xi invites you to a Downton Abbey Tea!

Psi Iota Xi is hosting a Downton Abbey Tea on Sunday, October 9 at 2pm at Veterans Hall at the Knox Memorial.
Sandra Fithian talked with WNZR about this exciting fundraising event.

Click HERE to hear the conversation and all the details of this unique event.

You can enjoy a traditional English tea, complete with finger sandwiches, scones and desserts, along with four Teas, served by footmen!
There will also be a Silent Auction to raise funds for the community outreach projects of Psi Iota Xi.

Tickets are limited to 80 guests.
Click HERE to purchase tickets.

This fundraiser benefits children that participate in the Arts in Knox County, MTVarts, Food For The Hungry, Knox County Symphony and the Imagination Library.

For more about Psi Iota Xi, check out their Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/PIXKnoxCoOhio

The Knox County Career Center hosts a Car Show this Sunday!

The Knox County Career Center is hosting an exciting event this Sunday, 9/25!
KCCC’s Automotive Technology is presenting a Car Show/Cruise-In to benefit Food For The Hungry.
Don McDaniel, Auto Tech Teacher, talked with The Morning Thing. He shared details about this event and his inspiration to teach students to give back to their community.
The show runs 11pm – 4pm.
Click HERE to hear the entire conversation.

Click HERE for more information about the Automotive Technology Program.

Click HERE for more information about Food For The Hungry.

The Morning Thing takes you to the swamp with MTVarts and the cast of Shrek Jr.

MTVarts presents Shrek Jr. 9/23 – 9/25 at the Knox Memorial Theater.

WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show.
The actors talked about their characters and how they prepared to play these roles. They talked about the amazing process of costumes and makeup and the transformation that happens with each of their characters. They also shared their favorite songs and memories.

Click HERE to enjoy our conversations with:
Jackson Barrett – Shrek
Logan Montgomery – Donkey
Minda Bates – Princess Fiona
McKinley Figurski – Mama Ogre and Princess Fiona Ogre
Kate Marhefka – Teen Fiona
Maggie Richardson – Dragon Puppet
Kiarah Smith – Dragon
Kate Gottke – Young Fiona

Click HERE to buy tickets.

Click HERE to see the full cast list. What an amazing group of talented young performers!

PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIME:

  • Friday September 23 @ 7:30 pm
  • Saturday September 24 @ 2:00pm
  • Saturday September 24 @ 7:30 pm
  • Sunday September 25 @ 2:00 pm

TICKET INFORMATION:

$20 Main floor

$18 Balcony

$3 discount for children ages 3 – 10

For more details about the show, Click HERE

Shrek Jr Synopsis

Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.
Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task โ€” if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fionaโ€™s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

Blanca is coming to Sonfest 2022 at MVNU!

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart had a chance to talk with Blanca.

She is part of this yearโ€™s lineup for MVNU’s Sonfest on Saturday, 9/17/2022.

Blanca shared the exciting news about her new album, The Heartbreak and the Healing. She shared how her writing process was connected to her own heartbreak and healing journey of the past several years.
Blanca wants her listeners to hear a message that God has a purpose for their story, even the tears, the heartbreak, and the difficult times.

Blanca shared that God is teaching her to find joy in the hard times, even in the midst of the trial. Her new song The Healing talks about the actual process of Godโ€™s healing in her life.   

The new album releases on September 23rd.
Enjoy the conversation.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation

Click HERE for all the details about Sonfest 2022.

Click HERE to find out how to win a FUN WNZR/MVNU T-Shirt Prize Package at Sonfest!

Sonfest Lineup:

SonFest 2022 has lots to offer. Take a look at what we’ve got going on throughout the day!

NOON

Gates, Food Trucks, and Inflatables Open

2:00 P.M.

BMX Bike Show #1 Starts

4:30 P.M.

BMX Bike Show #2 Starts


Main Stage Bands

See who’s rocking our main stage for SonFest 2022!

1:10 PM

โ€“ The New Respects โ€“

2:35 PM

โ€“ Wolves at the Gate โ€“

4:00 PM

โ€“ Blanca โ€“

5:45 PM

โ€“ Trip Lee โ€“

7:50 PM

โ€“ Red Rocks Worship โ€“

Side Stage Bands

We’ve got some awesome side stage bands for SonFest 2022 โ€“ see below!

1:45 PM

โ€“ Poetic Descent โ€“

3:10 PM

โ€“ Soft Sound โ€“

4:50 PM

โ€“ Sam Day โ€“

6:35 PM

โ€“ Safekept โ€“


9:30 P.M.

SonFest 2022 Closing

Artists and schedule are subject to change.

Red Rocks Worship is coming to Sonfest 2022 at MVNU!

WNZR’s Wesley Boston had a chance to talk with Kory Miller from Red Rocks Worship.

They are the headliner at MVNU’s Sonfest on Saturday, 9/17/2022.

Kory shared the band’s #1 goal – to worship the Lord!
He also shared how the group has seen God use Christian music in powerful ways through radio stations and at their concerts. Kory also shares the news about the next album for the band. Enjoy the conversation.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation

Click HERE for all the details about Sonfest 2022.

Click HERE to find out how to win a FUN WNZR/MVNU T-Shirt Prize Package at Sonfest!

Sonfest Lineup:

SonFest 2022 has lots to offer. Take a look at what we’ve got going on throughout the day!

NOON

Gates, Food Trucks, and Inflatables Open

2:00 P.M.

BMX Bike Show #1 Starts

4:30 P.M.

BMX Bike Show #2 Starts


Main Stage Bands

See who’s rocking our main stage for SonFest 2022!

1:10 PM

โ€“ The New Respects โ€“

2:35 PM

โ€“ Wolves at the Gate โ€“

4:00 PM

โ€“ Blanca โ€“

5:45 PM

โ€“ Trip Lee โ€“

7:50 PM

โ€“ Red Rocks Worship โ€“

Side Stage Bands

We’ve got some awesome side stage bands for SonFest 2022 โ€“ see below!

1:45 PM

โ€“ Poetic Descent โ€“

3:10 PM

โ€“ Soft Sound โ€“

4:50 PM

โ€“ Sam Day โ€“

6:35 PM

โ€“ Safekept โ€“


9:30 P.M.

SonFest 2022 Closing

Artists and schedule are subject to change.

Tonight is September First Friday! Get ready for some FUN!

WNZR is honored to partner with Experience Mount Vernon for some amazing community events.

Tonight is September First Friday โ€“ an amazing night of fun for everyone!

Experience Mount Vernon Downtown Manager, Anthony McNeal talked with The Morning Thing about this wonderful event and how your visit to downtown greatly impacts our city!

Click HERE to hear the conversation.

Anthony shared:

  • Thoughts about August First Friday
  • The theme for September First Friday – Back to School Night
  • Highlights of a full schedule of activities including: MTVarts performances including flash mobs, Johnny Appleseed Apple Challenge, Cruise-In, Jersey (a Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band), The Activity Zone, Touch a Truck, and more!
  • Food options at September First Friday
  • Parking options, including where handicap parking is located. He shares about the bike valet option if people choose to bike to downtown.
  • Anthony thanks the sponsors for September First Friday.
  • Preview of the next upcoming events for Experience Mount Vernon including the Johnny Appleseed Apple Festival which will take place on October 7. He also shares some dates for holiday events: Saturday, November 26 will be the lighting ceremony 5:30pm โ€“ 6pm, then pictures with Santa at the MV Grand Hotel. Sunday, 11/27 at 2pm they will host the holiday season parade. The Festival of Lights date will be announced soon.

Stay connected with Experience Mount Vernon online at https://www.experiencemv.org/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceMountVernon

WNZR presents the September MVNU Presidential Update

The Morning Thing brings you the MVNU Presidential Update on the first Friday of each month. We talk with MVNU President, Dr. Henry Spaulding about what is happening on campus.

Click HERE to hear the conversation.

This month, Dr. Spaulding shares about these topics:

  • His thoughts on entering the first month of Fall Semester.
  • His favorite memory from the Summer of 2022
  • MVNUโ€™s enrollment for the 2022-2023 Academic Year
  • His highest priorities for this first month of the school year
  • Top goals for MVNU for the fall semester
  • Recent changes with 2 groups on campus: the Senior Leadership Team and the CLT (Campus Leadership Team). He shares a highlight of these changes and told us how they will impact the campus.
  • Update on the Strategic Investment Initiatives that MVNU has been working on all summer
  • MVNUโ€™s calendar for September
  • Special messages for our freshmen and transfer students, upperclassmen, faculty and staff.
  • How we can pray for MVNU throughout the month of September
  • How we can pray for him and his family this month.

To stay up to date on MVNU, go to https://www.mvnu.edu/

MVNU is headed to September First Friday

MVNU is a proud sponsor of the September First Friday event. The theme this month is โ€œBack to Schoolโ€ Night! You can find MVNUโ€™s tables and activities in the Community Corner section.
The community corner will be located on West Gambier Street near South Main Plaza. Stop by and have fun at each table!

We talked with representatives from the MVNU Departments that will be participating at First Friday. Click HERE to hear the conversations.

They each shared details about their program, the role they have at MVNU, and their goals for the 2022-2023 academic year. They also gave us highlights of the fun activities coming to September First Friday.
You can learn more about the academic programs at MVNU at – https://www.mvnu.edu/academicprograms

Thanks to these faculty members for talking with WNZR:

Dr. Jessica Grubaugh, Associate Dean for the Jetter School of Professional Studies and the Education Department Chair for GPS

Dr. Florence Lim-Hardjono, Assistant Professor and Program Director, Communication Sciences and Disorders

Dr. Carrie Beal, Professor of Biology and Chair of Biology and Physical Sciences

Warren Neal, Adjunct School of Nursing & Health Science

Dr. Rachel Young, Chair of Social Work, GPS Coordination, Assistant Professor of Social Work and Field Education Director

Dr. Jose Oommen, Chair of the Engineering Program

August 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, 8/26/22.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

  • An update on current construction and maintenance projects
    • the progress of the projects in the Sunset Street area, Columbus Road/South Main Street intersection
    • update on the paving in the Clinton Road/Fearn Avenue/Pearl Avenue/Grange Avenue area
  • Information about the BIG projects coming from Columbia Gas and AEP for the West side of the City. The plan is to replace pipelines and install new transmission lines.
  • News that the City Engineering Department has secured a federal grant for over $262,000 for design work on the South Sandusky Street Corridor.
  • Update on the project of removing and relocating the lime sludge from the city water treatment plant. Mayor Starr shares an update on the current status of the project and the EPAโ€™s investigation. The City is working on a compliance plan.
  • Updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
    • Ariel Foundation grant of $7,700 for the design of a first responders memorial at CA & C Depot
    • PAK United received a donation from Working Class Roofing and Mr. Tax of Mount Vernon
    • Council is discussing the idea of contracting a pool management company for 2023
    • Requests for proposals are coming soon for the roofs at the CA & C Visitors Center and the B & O Railroad Station
    • Street Resurfacing projects in the North End
    • Historical Review Commission Update
    • Ohio Civil Service Employees Union Contractย 
  • Update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
    • They did assist the Knox County Sheriffโ€™s Office with the recent shootings.
    • June statistics show 1,436 calls for service.
  • Update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department including updates on recent training.
    • The Fire Department beat the Police Department in the PAK United Softball Game last week, 11-9.
    • The Umpire Glenn Clark was presented with a Community Service Event for his countless hours in volunteering.
    • The Fire Department received a FEMA (Assistance to Firefighters) grant for $188,000 to purchase new hoses, nozzles and a vehicle exhaust removal system. ย 
  • Mayor Starr shares a list of events planned for the City in September.
    • Public meetings on the Mansfield Avenue shared youth path, to provide safe paths to school
    • September First Friday
    • Battle of the Badges Blood Drive for the American Red Cross
    • McCartney Experience at the Woodward Opera House
    • Clint Black Concert at the Knox Memorial
    • Mayorโ€™s Prayer Breakfast is planned for September 21st with a focus on how we are dealing with trauma and the stories of hope that come from crisis.
    • Goal setting for the 2023 City Budget
    • Start of Phase 2 of the Cityโ€™s Strategic Planning
  • Mayor Starr shares the immediate goals for September
    • finish the work on the Cityโ€™s Parking Garage
    • work on plans for the new Courthouse, City Law Office and the Police Department
    • start nailing down the next paving schedule for the city

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

Melissa Nowicki talks with WNZR about the 2022 Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival

Melissa Nowicki serves on the Entertainment Committee for the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival Board. She talked with WNZR about this year’s Cheerleading Competition.

She shares the details of this yearโ€™s event.

Click HERE to hear the conversation.

Stay connected with the 2022 Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival at their website – https://www.mvmaf.org/

Click HERE to see this year’s schedule.
Click HERE to see a map for this year’s festival.

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