Today on The Morning Thing, we had mixed feelings about sharing some back-to-school content! It is always a bittersweet moment.
We had the opportunity to share some great tips for you and your kids when it comes to getting back in the groove of things. Today, we highlighted how to deal with anxiety and how to make the first day of school easier, as well as how to develop good sleep habits for your young students.
Marcy got a chance to speak with some very special people: Jen Odenweller from Friends of the Dog Fountain, Wynne Morgan from The Annex, and Alisagrace Raynak who is an artist that participated in the exhibit! They all talked about the famous dog fountain and the amazing exhibit that is being shown right now downtown. Go check out the Schnormeier Gallery and The Annex downtown to get in on the fun!
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Twenty-seven dog-fountain-inspired artworks from 16 community artists are now on display at the Schnormeier Gallery. The Dog Fountain Exhibit is the Friends of South Main Plaza’s free community art show, running from July 28-August 28, 2025 at the Schnormeier Gallery, in celebration of the fifth anniversary of downtown Mount Vernon’s beloved dog fountain.
The special community anniversary celebration also involves an additional fountain-inspired exhibit in the making at The Annex, where community members can visit and create their own dog masterpieces to be placed around a large watercolor fountain created by Annex instructor and professional painter Jim Leitz.
This free community art show honors the whimsical spirit of South Main Plaza, home to hand-painted, cast aluminum sculptures of 18 dogs, one cat, two pairs of birds, a pony, an apple, and the cherished golden dog bone. Recently voted “2025 Best City Street Art in Ohio” by Midwestern Traveler Magazine, Mount Vernon’s dog fountain has been a joyful community hub where residents and visitors have gathered over the past five years for friendly conversation, memorable photos, and creative inspiration.
The exhibit is made possible through the collaboration of Schnormeier Gallery, The Annex, and the Ariel Foundation — partners in the Friends of South Main Plaza initiative. Special recognition is given to Phil and Mary Samuell of Gambier, the original visionaries behind the fountain. Inspired by the late Claude Cormier, the internationally renowned landscape architect who designed the original Dog Fountain in Toronto’s Berczy Park, the Samuells brought their dream to life in Mount Vernon through a unique community partnership.
About Schnormeier Gallery Located at 221 S. Main St., Mount Vernon, on the first floor of MVNU’s Buchwald Center, Schnormeier Gallery is dedicated to showcasing diverse artistic expressions. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 1-5 p.m., Friday from 1-7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free, and all are welcome to experience the transformative power of art in this vibrant community space. For more information, contact the Schnormeier Gallery at artgallery@mvnu.edu.
About The Annex Located in a restored storefront at 12 E. Gambier St., Mount Vernon, The Annex is an extension of Kenyon College’s teaching museum, The Gund. Through programs informed by The Gund’s growing permanent collection, we reimagine what it means to “learn with art” as a community. We invite neighbors, families, students, and lifelong learners to discover new connections to art, ideas, and each other through free workshops, creative activities, and events.
Marcy got to talk with Colleen Derr, MVNU’s new Executive Vice President! They go over her background and what she does here. Colleen also shares her vision for our great university and her messages to students and staff.
Xander got to talk multiple members of the Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival Board! They tell us about their involvement with the MVMAF and give us details on different events that are going on this year. They also tell us some advice and what they are looking forward to. This is going to be an amazing event and a special year!
Come on down to the MVMAF and see all these great events!
For this weeks Friday Favorites, our hosts kept it simple. They shared their favorite things that happened this week and try to stay appreciative for the current moment!
Marcy got to chat with two wonderful women, Debbie Ruggles and Noella Nzishura, both are members of this years Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival Board!
Debbie tells us about the different vendors they will have at this years festival, as well as the many food options there will be.
Noella describes how great it is to be a volunteer and she highlights her journey from volunteer to board member. She will also be participating in the West African Percussion performance on Saturday at 4pm!
Congratulations to the the city of Mount Vernon, Ohio, Volunteers of the Year for 2025. These outstanding volunteers were announced and recognized by Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr at August First Friday. They tell us more about what they do in our community and give us some advice on getting involved!
Here is some more information on each of them:
• Paul Acitelli, who died on June 18 of this year, consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to helping others, particularly individuals with disabilities. In addition to adopting a family every Christmas through the Salvation Army or Interchurch Social Services of Knox County, he continually raised thousands of dollars to support disabled people in need of housing assistance, utilities or to fund recreational access via pool passes.
• Heather Barbour, the physical education teacher at Twin Oak and Columbia Elementary Schools, has been responsible for bringing many sports programs and activity initiatives to Mount Vernon. She’s done this through her volunteer work with Lifepoint Church, the City’s Recreation Board and more. Bicycling is a priority for her, and she has helped many kids learn how to ride a bike via the All Kids Bike program and as the bike safety coordinator for Mount Vernon’s Safety Town.
• Jeff Williams and Courtney DeCosky, through their Nellie Six Productions, have made a huge impact on the arts scene in Mount Vernon and Knox County. Within just a few short years, they have turned the Summer Front Porch Concert Series into one of the City’s top cultural events of the year. As founding members of the Kokosing Valley Arts Alliance, they have worked to create opportunities and remove barriers for local and regional artists to develop and share their art.
For this week’s Friday Favorites we shared our favorite memories with a family dog! This comes in honor of the WNZR annual Dog Costume Parade happening at August First Friday.
Our crew is very excited for this cute and cuddly event!
Marcy sat down with Lacey Filkins, the Executive Director of Experience Mount Vernon!
Lacey gives us the rundown on everything happening at August First Friday. Not only does she highlight the schedule but she also gives us the details on street closures and the parking situation.
WNZR’s annual Dog Costume Parade is highlighted tonight and we hope to see you there. Come sign up at WNZR’s tent up on the public square!
Eric got to have a fruitful conversation with Mount Vernon Mayor, Matt Starr! They talk about a plethora of topics regarding our great city. They accentuate some of the events that have happened in our community, as well as ones that are coming soon!
Rise and Shine 