Tag: family

Luci Byler Shares Her Passion for Horses, Sheep, and the Knox County Fair

Whether she’s answering questions, helping exhibitors, or preparing her own animals for competition, Luci Byler enjoys staying busy during fair week.

Luci recently joined WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger to talk about her role as a Knox County Junior Fair Board liaison, her years in 4-H, and what she’s looking forward to at this year’s Knox County Fair.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Luci, who is from Brinkhaven, will be a sophomore at Loudonville High School this fall. She is a member of the Barnyard Bunch and Dreamcatchers 4-H clubs and has been involved in 4-H since she was nine years old. This is her second year serving on the Knox County Junior Fair Board.

As a liaison, Luci helps keep events running smoothly by assisting with livestock shows, supporting other liaisons, helping animal caretakers, and answering questions from exhibitors and fairgoers. She currently serves as a horse liaison and enjoys being available to lend a hand whenever it’s needed.

While she enjoys helping behind the scenes, Luci is also preparing for competition herself. This year she’ll be exhibiting both her horse and sheep at the Knox County Fair, and she’s especially looking forward to the sheep shows because she enjoys watching other exhibitors compete.

Preparing for the show ring takes plenty of work. Luci said she studies horse patterns, watches other exhibitors to learn from them, and spends a great deal of time practicing before fair week arrives.

Outside of 4-H, Luci is also involved in FFA and will continue participating in those activities during the upcoming school year. She also plans to exhibit her sheep at the Ohio State Fair after the Knox County Fair concludes.

Reflecting on what 4-H has taught her over the years, Luci said one of the biggest lessons has been learning to do what’s best for herself instead of letting others tell her what to do.

She also shared one of her funniest fair memories—a time when her horse nearly ran over the judge during a show.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

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Logan Daubenmire Balances Leadership, Livestock, and Service Through 4-H

While many fairgoers only see the events taking place in the show ring, Logan Daubenmire enjoys being part of the work that helps make those events happen.

Logan recently joined WNZR’s Josiah Styer to talk about his years in 4-H, serving on the Knox County Junior Fair Board, and the livestock projects that keep him busy throughout the year.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

A Mount Vernon High School senior, Logan is a member of the Knox County Career Center FFA Chapter. He has been involved in 4-H for eight years and is serving his fourth year on the Knox County Junior Fair Board.

As a board member, Logan helps announce shows, steps in wherever help is needed, and assists with caring for some of the animals during fair week. He said he’s especially looking forward to this year’s truck and tractor pull, along with the livestock shows.

Logan is also involved in the Limitless Livestock Show, which he described as a great opportunity for participants. Along with that event, he’ll be exhibiting dairy beef feeders and dairy beef steers during the fair.

When the fair comes to a close, Logan stays involved by helping with auctioneering before turning his attention to the upcoming school year, when he’ll assist with landscape competitions.

Reflecting on his time in 4-H, Logan said one of the biggest lessons he’s learned is the importance of putting in the work to achieve success. He also said one of his favorite memories was joining the Junior Fair Board and getting to know the other members.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

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Hayley Unger Finds Leadership and Friendship Through 4-H and the Knox County Fair

Showing market hogs wasn’t always part of Hayley Unger’s plans. In fact, she said she became involved with the project because of a friend. Today, it’s one of the highlights of her fair experience.

Hayley recently joined WNZR’s Josiah Styer to talk about preparing for the Knox County Fair, serving as a 2026 Junior Fair Queen nominee, and the lessons she has learned through six years in 4-H.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

A Utica native, Hayley is a senior at Utica High School and a member of the Animals R Us 4-H Club. Along with preparing for her livestock projects, she has also taken on the responsibilities that come with being a Junior Fair Queen candidate.

Hayley explained that getting ready for the fair takes plenty of planning. In addition to preparing for the Queen competition, she spends time training and washing her market hogs to have them ready for the show ring.

When fair week comes to an end, Hayley doesn’t plan on slowing down. She serves as president of the Utica FFA Chapter and expects to stay busy with those responsibilities before spending time with family and friends.

Looking back on her years in 4-H, Hayley said one of the biggest lessons she’s learned is that making mistakes is part of the process. She also said the program has taught her how to rely on the people around her when challenges arise.

Some of her favorite memories have come from the friendships she’s made. Hayley said one memory that stands out is meeting new people when she first joined the Junior Fair Board.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

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Ava Page Prepares for Fair Week as an Exhibitor and Junior Fair Board Member

While many people see the Knox County Fair through the eyes of an exhibitor or spectator, Ava Page also gets to experience it behind the scenes.

Ava recently joined WNZR’s Sue McDonald to talk about serving on the Knox County Junior Fair Board while preparing her own projects for this year’s fair.

Click HERE to hear the full interview!

A Bladensburg native, Ava is a senior at East Knox High School and is enrolled in the College Credit Plus program through Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She is active in the Outsiders 4-H Club and East Knox FFA, has participated in 4-H for five years and FFA for three years, and is now serving her second year on the Junior Fair Board.

As a board member, Ava helps keep events organized throughout fair week. She said her responsibilities include making sure shows run smoothly, helping people get where they need to be, and assisting with the overall management of fair activities.

In the show ring, Ava will be exhibiting Dutch and Dwarf Pavilion breeding rabbits. She is also entering a woodworking project after building a stool. She said preparing her rabbits includes making sure they are well-fed and properly groomed before competition, while her woodworking project required many hours of hard work.

Although much of her summer has been spent preparing for the fair, Ava said her family was able to take a trip to Alaska before the busy season began.

She is especially looking forward to this year’s rabbit show and enjoys seeing the hard work of exhibitors come together during fair week.

Reflecting on her years in 4-H, Ava said the program has taught her responsibility. She also shared that one of her favorite memories has been spending time at the fair with her sister, who also serves on the Knox County Junior Fair Board.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

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Ryleigh Scarpitti Reflects on Leadership, 4-H, and the Knox County Fair

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger recently sat down with Ryleigh Scarpitti, a member of the 2026 Knox County Junior Fair Board, to talk about her involvement in 4-H, her projects for this year’s fair, and the lessons she has learned through the program.

Click HERE to hear the full interview!

Ryleigh is from Centerburg and is homeschooled. She also shared how her brother plays football for Centerburg.

She is a member of Liberty Livestock and is in her third year with the club. Ryleigh has been involved in 4-H for eight years and is serving her second year on the Knox County Junior Fair Board.

During the interview, she talked about the responsibilities that come with serving on the Junior Fair Board while also preparing her own projects for fair week.

This year, Ryleigh is looking forward to taking both quilting and turkey projects to the Ohio State Fair. She is also exhibiting turkeys at the Knox County Fair and explained some of the work that goes into preparing them for the show ring, including flipping the birds for judging.

She said she is especially excited about her quilting project because she has invested a great deal of time and effort into it. This will be her second year exhibiting quilting at the Ohio State Fair.

Once the Knox County Fair wraps up, Ryleigh plans to exhibit at the Hartford Fair before spending time with friends.

Looking back on her years in 4-H, Ryleigh said one of the biggest lessons she has learned is responsibility. She also said the program has taught her how to stay calm while working with animals, be reliable, make new friends, and become more confident by stepping outside of her comfort zone.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

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Sophie Wolf Balances Fair Leadership, College, and Service as a Junior Fair Queen Nominee

WNZR’s Josiah Styer recently sat down with Sophie Wolf, a member of the Knox County Junior Fair Board and a 2026 Knox County Junior Fair Queen nominee, to talk about her involvement with the fair, her future plans, and the lessons she’s learned through 4-H.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Sophie is originally from Chile, South America, but now lives in Mount Vernon. After taking a gap year, she will begin classes this fall at Central Ohio Technical College, where she plans to study Radiologic Technology.

She has been a member of the Down on the Farm 4-H Club for five years and has served on the Knox County Junior Fair Board for the past three years.

As a Junior Fair Board member, Sophie helps prepare for the fair throughout the year. Her responsibilities include planning meetings, organizing activities, helping run livestock shows, and assisting with animal weigh-ins. She said she’s especially looking forward to this year’s rough truck competition and demolition derby.

Sophie also talked about becoming a candidate for the 2026 Knox County Fair Queen. She discussed the application process and the opportunities the Fair Queen has to represent the Knox County Fair. If selected, she said she would encourage people to attend the fair, support the different shows, and visit other county fairs to gather ideas that could benefit Knox County in the future.

This year, Sophie will be exhibiting market and breeding rabbits, market broilers, and a pack goat. Like many exhibitors, much of her time leading up to the fair is spent preparing and caring for her animals.

After fair week, Sophie plans to begin classes at COTC while also serving with LifePoint Church as it launches a new church in Bellville, where she will be a worship leader. She also works at Knox Community Hospital, North Main Café, and her church.

Looking back on her years in 4-H and at the fair, Sophie said one of the biggest lessons she has learned is to take opportunities when they come and to be willing to lead when given the chance.

Whether or not she is crowned Fair Queen, Sophie said she plans to celebrate with her family because enjoying the experience is what matters most.

She also shared a lighthearted story about transporting her goats to the fair in the back of her family’s Suburban since they don’t have a truck.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography

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Velvet Ice Cream and Utica Ice Cream Festival Celebrate 50th Anniversary!

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart speaks with Velvet Ice Cream President Luconda Dager and Brand Manager Ben Mitchell.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Luconda shares the history of Velvet Ice Cream, which began more than 112 years ago when her great-grandfather immigrated from Lebanon and started making ice cream in downtown Utica.

She says the company expanded into grocery stores during the 1950s and now distributes products across five states. Luconda also talks about the importance of family within the business, explaining that several members of the Dager family still work together at the company today.

She says one of the things she enjoys most is working alongside longtime employees and staying connected to the communities of Utica, Licking County, and Knox County.

Luconda says Velvet Ice Cream now employs about 150 people and continues expanding into grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, colleges, and healthcare facilities throughout the region.

She also shares the history of Ye Olde Mill, which opened in 1970 after travelers began stopping by to sample ice cream at the company’s production facility.

Today, Ye Olde Mill includes a restaurant, candy shop, museum, and outdoor grounds where families can relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Luconda says the attraction is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart speaks with Velvet Ice Cream President Luconda Dager about the 50th anniversary of the Utica Ice Cream Festival.

Luconda explains the festival originally began as a fundraiser for the local Sertoma Club, which wanted to create one large community event instead of hosting several smaller fundraisers throughout the year.

She says the festival has always focused on family-friendly fun and community involvement. Over the years, proceeds from the festival have helped fund scholarships, hearing aids, and other local projects throughout the Utica area.

Ben says the festival will once again take place on the grounds of Ye Olde Mill at 11324 Mount Vernon Road in Utica. He explains that while some layout changes are happening this year, attendees can still expect the same family-friendly atmosphere.

Festival hours will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with Monday’s hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ben also says parking and shuttle services will continue to operate similarly to previous years.

Ben says two new ice cream flavors — blueberry pie and coconut almond — will debut during the festival. He also highlights returning attractions including live entertainment, the popular ice cream eating contest, inflatables, Highland cows, and the Performance Dogs of Ohio shows.

He says organizers are excited to continue offering activities for families and visitors of all ages throughout the weekend.

Ben says the parade will travel through downtown Utica beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday morning and encourages visitors to arrive early for parking and viewing spots.

He says Velvet Ice Cream will once again hand out thousands of ice cream novelties during the parade, with more than 75 floats expected to participate this year. Ben also says dozens of Velvet employees and volunteers help distribute treats and support festival operations throughout the weekend.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart continues with Velvet Ice Cream Brand Manager Ben Mitchell, who thanks the volunteers, community organizations, and sponsors that help make the Utica Ice Cream Festival possible each year.

Ben says local sports teams, civic groups, and businesses all play important roles in helping with parking, concessions, trash collection, and other festival activities.

He also recognizes sponsors including The Energy Cooperative, Ariel Corporation, Park National Bank, CES Credit Union, and Peoples Bank for supporting the longtime community tradition.

The two discuss favorite Velvet flavors, including Dutch Chocolate, Triple Chocolate Chunk, Buckeye Classic, salted caramel toffee, and the festival’s new blueberry pie and coconut almond flavors.

Ben says organizers are hoping for good weather, strong community turnout, and another successful weekend benefiting local organizations and volunteer groups. Luconda says she especially looks forward to enjoying the live entertainment and festival atmosphere.

Click HERE for more information!

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Kids to Parks Day Returns to Mount Vernon with Outdoor Activities for Families

Families are invited to get outside and kick off the summer during Kids to Parks Day in Mount Vernon.

WNZR’s Eric Brown recently spoke with Jeff Derr, Recreation Director for the City of Mount Vernon, about the annual event, which is part of a national effort encouraging families and children to spend time outdoors and enjoy local parks and recreation opportunities.

Click HERE to hear the full interview!

Kids to Parks Day will take place Saturday, May 15th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature a wide variety of free activities for children and families throughout the day.

Derr says several community organizations are partnering together to make the event possible. Knox County Fish and Game will offer youth fishing activities, while Cub Scout packs and Scouting America troops from Muskingum Valley Council will provide scout activities, water bottle rockets, BB guns, and games. There will also be demonstrations and activities from PAK United, 4-H, and the Mount Vernon Fire Department.

Derr says one of the goals of the event is to encourage people of all ages to get outdoors, stay active, and enjoy healthy lifestyles through parks and recreation opportunities.

The Mount Vernon Exchange Club will also provide free hotdogs at noon during the event.

Looking ahead to the rest of the summer, Derr says Hiawatha Water Park and Pool is scheduled to open June 2nd, and the city is also hoping to bring back “Evenings at the Park” events this summer.

Derr says Kids to Parks Day continues to grow each year and hopes families will take advantage of the opportunity to spend time together outside while connecting with local organizations and activities throughout the community.

Click HERE to find out more through the City of Mount Vernon’s webpage!

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WNZR’s Meet the Staff Mondays w/Odessa Wellman

One of 13 new voices joining the WNZR airwaves this year is Odessa Wellman.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

A sophomore at MVNU majoring in Communications and Digital Media, Odessa is stepping into the world of radio with enthusiasm and a growing passion for connecting with listeners.

Originally from Bucyrus, Ohio, Odessa’s decision to attend MVNU felt like a natural fit. Having grown up in the Nazarene church, coming to a university within her district just made sense. Since arriving on campus, that sense of belonging has only deepened—especially through the friendships she’s formed while living in the residence halls. One of her favorite memories from this past year has simply been the joy of being surrounded by close friends and doing everyday life together.

Odessa first got involved in radio as part of her major, but it quickly became something more than just a class requirement. She’s found it to be a fun and meaningful way to express herself, build skills, and engage with the WNZR audience. That excitement carries into other areas of her campus life as well. She serves on the student class council and has already been selected as next year’s Junior Class President, where she’ll help plan events and create memorable experiences for her classmates.

When she’s not in the studio or focused on school, Odessa enjoys spending time with friends, taking trips off campus, and making the most of her weekends. She also loves basketball—especially the WNBA—and enjoys watching players like Caitlin Clark. While she admits she’s not the most athletic herself, her enthusiasm for the game is undeniable.

Music is another big part of Odessa’s life. She’s a fan of TobyMac, with Heaven On My Mind ranking as one of her favorite songs. And when it comes to comfort food, you can’t go wrong with her top choice: mac and cheese.

There are also a few fun facts that make Odessa stand out. Her name is inspired by Odysseus from The Odyssey, and she holds a close relationship with her mom, who she calls her built-in best friend. She also has a younger brother who keeps life interesting.

As Odessa continues to grow in her time at MVNU and WNZR, she’s already making an impact both on and off the air—and clearly enjoying every step of the journey.

You can catch Odessa on WNZR Wednesdays from 1–2pm and Thursdays from 11am–12pm.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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From Humble Beginnings to Something Bigger: The WNZR Story Across Generations

There’s something meaningful about watching a vision grow, especially when it carries across generations. That’s the story of WNZR through Jim McMillan and his son, Jayme.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Jim McMillan, now principal at Grove City Christian, has spent nearly 29 years in education. But his connection to media goes back much further. As a student at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Class of 1983), he helped build WNZR from the ground up.

In the early days, the “station” was a cleared-out 4×8 closet with a turntable, a microphone, and a four-channel board. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to get started. What mattered more was the energy around it. Students believed in what it could become.

During his sophomore year, Jim went through the application process to formally join the station. It meant research, preparation, and commitment. A turning point came during a weekend trip to the NRB Convention in Minnesota with Professor Dr. Smith. Somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling like just a project and started to feel like a calling.

Jim eventually served as production director and later station manager while WNZR was still taking shape. As construction on a real studio began, the anticipation across campus grew. Students broadcast over the breezeway so others could listen in passing. By his senior year, they were calling play-by-play for sports. It felt real.

At the time, WNZR operated on a limited carrier current system, but the goal was always to become a full FM station. Being there at the beginning made it even more meaningful to see that vision come to life.

Years later, that story continued with his son.

Jayme McMillan, Class of 2012, grew up hearing about WNZR, but living it was different. By the time he arrived, the station had grown, but it was still evolving. Sports broadcasting was central, and much of the work was hands-on. Running cables, setting up equipment, figuring things out as you went.

Video production started gaining traction during his later years, helping shift WNZR into something broader than radio. The station expanded its FM reach, and while online streaming existed, it was still finding its place. Even so, there was a clear sense of momentum. Leadership’s excitement, especially from Marcy, carried through the entire team.

One major step forward was “Big Blue,” the mobile broadcast unit. Before that, students packed gear into cars and vans for every event. Big Blue gave WNZR a visible presence and made the operation feel more established.

Some of the most memorable moments, though, were personal.

During Jayme’s freshman year, station leaders trusted two freshmen to keep things running while they were away. When the other student couldn’t make it, Jayme stepped in and ended up hosting an afternoon drive show with his dad. At the time, it was about handling responsibility. Looking back, it was something more.

For Jim, it was nerve-wracking. Even with experience, he didn’t want to let anyone down, especially Jayme. But it also gave him something he never had as a student, the chance to be on air, and to share it with his son.

Moments like that reflect what WNZR has always been about. It’s grown into radio, TV, and live streaming, but at its core, it’s about people and shared purpose.

There’s even a bit of friendly competition in the story. Jayme was named employee of the year twice. Jim earned it once. Jim jokes that someone had to build the foundation first. From a small student-built studio to a full media operation, the difference is hard to miss.

Through all that growth, one thing hasn’t changed.

Both Jim and Jayme point to the role faith has played in WNZR’s journey. Built in a small market with limited resources, the station has grown beyond what anyone expected, supported by both campus and community.

Jayme hopes that support continues, along with prayers for the station’s future. As technology changes, he wants WNZR to keep growing while staying true to its mission of serving and uplifting others.

Looking back, Jim doesn’t remember doubt in those early days. What stands out is the excitement. The belief that something meaningful was being built.

Decades later, that belief still holds.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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