Category: News

WNZR talks with Lisa Mazzari, Food For The Hungry Executive Director

The 2022 Food For The Hungry Drive kicked off on Tuesday, 11/1!

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with FFTH Executive Director, Lisa Mazzari to talk about this year’s campaign.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

They talked about the following:

  • Her history with Food For The Hungry
  • Her role as Executive Director
  • Food For The Hungry has been raising money to feed families in our community for 40 years. 2022 marks the 41st annual drive.
  • Recognition of the Food For The Hungry partners that make up the board and serve on many committees.
  • Food For The Hungry volunteers and how to get involved.
  • Food For The Hungry is local, all money and food collected stays here in Knox County to support families in Knox County.
  • 2022 goal and how people can give to Food For The Hungry
  • Food For The Hungry’s summer food-related grants
  • Grant Program for the 2002 drive and how food initiatives can apply

You can help with Food For The Hungry this year. Stay up to date on all the events at www.foodforthehungrycares.org

You can email Lisa at LisaM.ffth@gmail.com or call 740-398-0569.


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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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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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Starting Point Ministry Update with Executive Director, Diana Wetzel

Diana Wetzel, Executive Director of Knox Starting Point shared an update with WNZR. She gave us an overview of the ministry and the services that they provide in the community.

Click HERE to hear the conversation.

She also shared some of the challenges the ministry has been facing since the laws on abortion have changed recently.
She shared some exciting opportunities the ministry has to connect with potential clients, plus ways we can support their outreach.
She also shared details about their upcoming Family Day and 5K Event (coming up on Saturday, 10/1).

Click HERE for all the details and to get registered for the event.

Click HERE to stay connected with Knox Starting Point.

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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

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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.

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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 — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

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Blanca is coming to Sonfest 2022 at MVNU!

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

She is part of this year’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 God’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

– The New Respects –

2:35 PM

– Wolves at the Gate –

4:00 PM

– Blanca –

5:45 PM

– Trip Lee –

7:50 PM

– Red Rocks Worship –

Side Stage Bands

We’ve got some awesome side stage bands for SonFest 2022 – see below!

1:45 PM

– Poetic Descent –

3:10 PM

– Soft Sound –

4:50 PM

– Sam Day –

6:35 PM

– Safekept –

9:30 P.M.

SonFest 2022 Closing

Artists and schedule are subject to change.

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