Psi Iota Xi Launches Elementary School Campaign for FFTH!

Debbie Ruggles, who is Executive Director of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce is also involved with the group Psi Iota Xi.

Click HERE for the full conversation!

She talks about the group which is a women’s philanthropic organization and focuses on helping others in the area.

They got involved with Food For The Hungry because their mission closely aligns with the groups mission, so it was a natural fit.

Debbie says they are organizing the Food For the Hungry’s Elementary School drives. The drive is underway through November 21^st. She says students can bring canned food and non-perishable food items. They are also accepting monetary donations.

Debbie explains why the food collection is incredibly important at this time of the year due to massive increased food costs. She says every food items or donation will stay in Knox County.

She says there are rewards for top collectors and the top class will receive a pizza party and top individual student from each school will be featured on FFTH Live on December 12^th!

Debbie also thanks all the teachers, administration, staff and especially the students and parents who encourage the students to donate.

Debbie Ruggles talks about the purchasing power of monetary donations. She says for every dollar donated, Food For The Hungry organizers can buy $4.56 at the Mid-Ohio Collective.

She says that every can, non-perishable food item, and dollar helps those in need in Knox County.

She asks that students and parents reach out to their family and friends to help each student donate to the drive.

Debbie also talks about what Food For The Hungry’s slogan, “Working together to care for our neighbors” means to her.

She says Psi Iota Xi is bringing back their tea fundraiser in late spring.

Click on THIS link for their Facebook page and THIS link for the organization’s website!

Click HERE for Food For The Hungry!

November 17, 2025 0

Tony Montgomery Takes on Two Roles in Orange Barrel’s “The Little Princess”

Tony Montgomery from Orange Barrel Productions plays two parts in the play The Little Princess, Captain Crewe and Mr. Carrisford.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

He tells our Marcy Rinehart how he got into theater starting in 1999. He has also been in 50 productions including Orange Barrel starting in 2007 as well as other MTV Arts productions including Beauty and the Beast.

Tony explains how he has been preparing for both roles including using some of his real-life experiences into the characters.

He says that he likes both characters because they both want to help Sara.

He also explains what he will be wearing in the production as both characters.

He adds that both characters are portrayed a little differently than other similar productions.

He also explains how vital wardrobe can be to not only the audience but the actor or actress who need to get into character.

Tony gives some insight into the back story of the play. He says that Sara was a little princess growing up then faces some adversity and drops to a lower level of society.

Tony says that it has been interesting seeing the different castes that were a part of society at the time the play is set.

He says that his favorite memory in this show (and most shows) that the cast effectively becomes a family. He says it has been a treat to see the young cast members grow personally.

He says people should come see the Little Princess because at its core it is a story about making the most out of a bad situation with a positive attitude.

Click HERE for information and to buy tickets for the performances!

November 17, 2025 0

KCCC Launches T-Shirt Fundraiser for Food For the Hungry!

Knox County Career Center Teachers and Project Advisors Cassie Gray and Amy Rine joins student Carter Dickerson and to talk about their T-Shirt Fundraiser to support Food For The Hungry.

Click HERE for the full conversation!

Carter says that they do this event every year and Amy explains why the students decided to help Food for The Hungry. Amy says its really important to give back to the community and support those in need.

Cassie talks about their theme “Believe there is Good in the World (Be the Good) and why they decided to use that theme.

Carter says they have crewneck sweatshirts ($25) and t-shirts ($15) in olive green and cardinal red and sizes range from Extra Small to 4-XL.

Amy says shirts are on sale November 20^th. The shirts will ship December 10^th and should arrive by the Food For The Hungry broadcast on December 12^th.

Cassie says the student officers have really managed the program. They met earlier this year, picked the theme and the high school staff helped select the colors. The students also sell the shirts during the lunch period.

The students will also be volunteering the KCCC Open House and in student competitions in December.

Click HERE to view their store!

Click HERE for the Food For The Hungry website!

November 17, 2025 0

MVNU prepares for a special Homecoming 2025 Weekend

This will be an exciting weekend at 800 Martinsburg Road In Mount Vernon.

MVNU hosts Homecoming 2025 with an amazing schedule of events.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Mike Cheek, Executive Director of Alumni & Major Gifts about this year’s schedule.
Click HERE for the full conversation or use the link below.
You can see the full schedule HERE.

MVNU Graduate Brian White joined the conversation to talk about his time at MVNU and WNZR. He shared how God’s leading allowed him to become an award-winning songwriter.
Brian will host a workshop on Saturday 11/15 at 2:30pm in Thorne Performance Hall.
The workshop is titled, “So You Wanna Be A Songwriter: Helpful Hints to Kickstart Your Songwriting Journey”. Click HERE for more information.

Brian also shares about the special event “A NIGHT WITH NASHVILLE BENEFITING COUGAR BASEBALL WITH THE HITS”!

Saturday, Nov. 15 | 8 p.m. | R.R. Hodges Chapel, Thorne Performance Hall
Join MVNU for an unforgettable evening as the hit songwriters behind chart-toppers from Chris Tomlin, Danny Gokey, Consumed by Fire, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Corey Asbury, We Are Messengers, Avalon, Matt Maher, Rodney Atkins, The Martins, 4Him, and more take the stage to share the songs – and the stories behind them. The featured guests will be Brian White (Class of 1979), Karyn Williams, and Jesse Reeves.

Tickets are $30. Reserve your spot today! https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=NiARv3

Enjoy the conversation and join us for MVNU’s Homecoming 2025!

November 12, 2025 0

Marcy talks with two MVNU Alumni for Homecoming!

As we get closer to homecoming and our homecoming reunion, WNZR wants to catch up with some alumni! Marcy sat down with a MVNU and WNZR graduates, Mike Cheek and Brian White!

They talk about some of their favorite memories, their love for baseball, and homecoming weekend!

They are holding a benefit concert called “A Night with Nashville” which will happen on Saturday night at 8pm!

For more information on the event click HERE!

November 10, 2025 0

Dr. Castleman’s November Presidential Update!

WNZR got to sit down with Dr. Carson Castleman, as he give us the November installment of our MVNU Presidential Update!

This month, Dr. Castleman shares about enrollment, the Tragedy Into Triumph event, and some ongoing construction projects! He also gives us an up to date look on some staff changes and Homecoming!

Go listen to the full conversation below!

November 7, 2025 0

Knox County Pop Up Food Distribution helps those in Need

WNZR was honored to be part of a pop-up food distribution Saturday as part of a partnership between Food For The Hungry of Knox County, Interchurch Social Services and Knox County Foundation.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Carolyn Fergus with Interchurch Social Services of Knox County talked to Marcy Rinehart about the Pop-Up Distribution at Habitat For Humanity on Saturday. They were able to open early because of the volunteers being so organized. She adds that they had food to feed over 300 families.

Food For The Hungry Board President Austin Swallow talks about how the volunteers including the many organizations who took part in the Pop Up Distribution happen. He said they started planning in early October in the event the government shutdown happened and continued and how it would effect Knox Countians in need.

Austin says that they had about $23,000 worth of food and products that they were distributing on Saturday. He says that most of the money came from Food For The Hungry, but Carolyn was able to get a large portion for free from the Mid Ohio Food Collective.

Click HERE for to learn more about Food For The Hungry of Knox County.

Click HERE for to learn more about Interchurch Social Services.

Click HERE for to learn more about the Knox County Foundation.

November 3, 2025 0

Get Ready for a Roarin’ Good Time at Flannel Fest!

Kandee Popham, Executive Director, and Nykol King, Family Services Director of Place4Grace stopped by to talk about their upcoming event, Flannel Fest on Friday, November 7^th.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

They talk about what Place 4 Grace is about what they do for people. They talk about how they got started and how Kandee’s history brought it up. Nicole shares a little bit about her position and how she helps the moms out and manage volunteers.

Nykol explains how Place 4 Grace isn’t just a housing program; they help people find apartments and schooling. They talk about how their services help break the cycle of poverty in families.

They talk about their new residential maternity housing program, and how they’re able to have 24-hour housing care. They have four main goals that after they leave, they have stable housing, employment, transportation, and childcare. They also talk about how they have worked with many people in the community.

Kandee says if you’re interested in this type of ministry, they need board members and volunteers. They will also talk about Flannel Fest that’s happening on November 7^th at Lake Home Church in Mount Vernon doors open at 6:15pm. They say this event is very important because since they are a non-profit they work on the support of the people in the community. They then talk about their transparency about where donations are going.

They say that prayer is one way that people can help them in their ministry, they also say to step out of your comfort zone if you feel a call to help. They just want people to know that all the moms they help are really trying to survive, they believe that relationships will truly help.

Flannel Fest ’25

Friday November, 7^th from 6:15 PM to 10:00 PM

@Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene

Click HERE to learn more about Flannel Fest!

November 3, 2025 0

Hera Shupp Turns Villain in The Little Princess

Hera Shupp sat down with WNZR’s Eric Brown to talk about her role in the upcoming Orange Barrel Production of the Little Princess.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

She got interested in acting from elementary school and high school she took a break while she started raising a family. She got back into acting after seeing Oliver at the Knox Memorial Theatre and when she heard about Orange Barrel she started with them.

Hera played Rachel Lynn in “Anne of Green Gables” last year. She is playing as the main antagonist, Miss Maria Minchin in “The Little Princess”, she’s been preparing by watching how other people played the character and by coming up with her own unique backstory for the character. She likes getting to be challenged by being a villain. She talks about her costume she’ll be wearing during the show.

She talks briefly about the show and the basic outline of the show. She talks about her favorite part of the show, she likes getting to be villainous with the janitor during the show, and her other favorite scene is when the main character stands up to her. She talks about one of her favorite memories of the show.

Performances:
November 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 7:00 PM

Location:
Mount Vernon Developmental Center – Crossroads Theater, Administration Building
1250 Vernonview Drive, Mt. Vernon, OH 43050

Click HERE to learn more and purchase tickets for The Little Princess!