Special Awards were given out at the 2024 Junior Fair Sale of Champions. Congratulations to all of the award recipients!

Special Awards:

The Junior Fair Sales Committee presented a Hall of Fame award this year.

This award recognizes individuals and organizations that go above and beyond normal efforts to benefit the sale, the Junior Fair and most importantly the Knox County Youth involved in 4H and FFA.

The 2024 recipient is the Knox County Farm Bureau.

David Greer Award from Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club:
1^st place for a $500 scholarship – Bryer Boeshart
2^nd place for a $250 scholarship – Vivian Noble
3^rd place for a $100 scholarship – Alayna Wittel

Knox County Junior Fair Outstanding Exhibitors:

Market Beef – Cade Strausbaugh
Beef Feeder – Evan Ondick
Dairy Market Feeder – Alayna Wittel
Market Dairy Steer – Alyayna Wittel
Market Goat – Hannah Creasap
Rabbit – Olivia Burke
Sheep – Mason Reynolds
Swine – Ansley Daubenmier
Poultry – Alice Ulrey

Cattleman’s Awards:
Dairy Steer Carcass: Sierra Shields
Dairy Steer Carcass: Broegan Staats
Beef Carcass: Ava Snively
Beef Carcass: Joseph Stachler
Bred, Born, and Raised Cattleman’s Grand Champion Award Winner: Cade Strausbaugh
Bred, Born and Raised Cattleman’s Reserve Champion Award Winner: Laura Hill

Senior Fair Board Scholarships:
The Senior Fair Board presented two $200 scholarships. These scholarships are for 2024 graduates and had an essay-driven application. This year’s essay was on mental health.
2024 Winners: Kaylin Miller and Vivian Noble

Gage Moody Heart and Soul Award:
This award is sponsored by JDC Livestock and is dedicated to Gage Moody’s memory. It aims to recognize individuals who demonstrate the following qualities:

• Daily effort and commitment
• Setting a positive example for others
• Showing passion for their project despite being perceived as the underdog.

Eternity Mosher and Michael Brady each were recognized with the Gage Moody Heart and Soul Award, and each received a $750 scholarship.

Ansley Daubenmier was recognized for creating and coordinating the Limitless Livestock Show. She received a $500 scholarship. These awards were given out by Aaron Chaney in memory of his son Gage Moody.

The Junior Fair Board also received a check for $500 from Farm Credit Mid-America. This check was given for their Stock the Trailer collection for a local food pantry.

WNZR presents the 2024 Sale of Champions Broadcast! Joe and Marcy Rinehart come to you live from the Multipurpose Building on the Knox County Fairgrounds as the Sale of Champions takes place. We bring you sale results, totals, great conversations with 4H and FFA kids involved in this year’s sale, and lots more.

Thank you to our amazing partners for this year’s broadcast:
Knox County Career Center
Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Revere Roofing Company
The Ruckman Group Auctions & Appraisals
Valley ATV
Wendy’s of Mount Vernon

Listen to the full broadcast below or by clicking HERE!

WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle spoke with Fair Board President Jim Ruhl during the fair to highlight the commemorative items they are selling to mark the 175th year of the Knox County Fair.

Jim also highlights other special things for this year’s fair including the entertainment and main events.

Listen to the full conversation below or by clicking HERE!

It is Knox County Fair Week on The Morning Thing! It is our honor to feature conversations with members of the 2024 Knox County Junior Fair Board.

The students shared about their experiences on the board, the responsibilities they have during Fair Week, their favorite foods/rides and their favorite memories. They also shared about their own personal projects for this year’s Knox County Fair.

Enjoy conversations with:
Will Stokes
Patrick Frazer
Alexia Wine
Trevor Mills
Sierra Shields
Reagan Ward
Michael Brady
Shae Amstutz
Alayna Wittel
Ethan Swendal

Find all the conversations below or by clicking HERE!

WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle and Dylan Elliott caught up with cast members for MTVarts Production of Footloose The Musical. They spoke with Christopher Hartman (Ren McCormick), Molly Smith (Ariel Moore), Serra Austin Barrett (Vi Moore), and Steve Herbst (Rev. Shaw Moore).

The cast members told us about their previous roles and shows. They also shared about their role in Footloose. We also asked about their favorite songs and musical dance numbers from the show.

The cast members wrapped up with sharing why people should come out to see Footloose The Musical. The shows start on Saturday, July 6th at The Woodward Opera House in downtown Mount Vernon.

Listen to our full conversations below or by clicking HERE:

Lacey Filkins, Executive Director of Experience Mount Vernon, joined WNZR to talk all about June First Friday!

Lacey tells us the details for tonight’s event. She shares about the Back to the 80s theme, the schedule for the night, the drive-in, food options, and lots more!

Lacey wraps up with previewing the upcoming First Friday calendar for Summer 2024.

Listen to the full conversation with Lacey below:

James Wiggins, Prayer Around the Square in Newark, joined WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle to chat about the National Day of Prayer.

James shares about this year’s theme (Lift up the Word, Light up the World), the gathering on the square in Newark, and why prayer is so important in our community right now.

James wrap up with telling us what he is praying for this year and shares a prayer with us as well.

Listen to the full conversation with James below or by clicking HERE!

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 4/26/24.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

• A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city.
• Details on current water projects
• Update on the flood plane study
• Updates from the City Water and Sewer Departments
• Update on the wastewater treatment plant
• Update on the Tire Take Back Recycling event
• Update on the City’s Employee Appreciation Luncheon
• Updates from Mount Vernon City Council
  • Adopting of a new ordinance
  • Ariel Corp’s donation for a splash pad at Riverside Park
• Update on the Mount Vernon Police Department
• Update on the Mount Vernon Fire Department
• Highlights of April events on the City’s Calendar
• Goals for May
• Mayor Starr will share his State of the City Address at the next Knox Network of Christian Ministries meeting – Thursday, May 9, 9:30am – 10:30am at MVNU’s Gathering Place (lower level). Please send questions to ContactKNCM@gmail.com
• He also shares how we can pray for him and his team.

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

• Website – http://www.mountvernonohio.org
• Facebook – The City of Mount Vernon
• Twitter – CityMV1805
• YouTube – The City of Mount Vernon
• LinkedIn – City of Mount Vernon, Ohio

Today we shared 7 Biblical reasons why laughter is an important thing!

“There’s nothing quite like sharing a hearty belly laugh with friends, often accompanied by tears — an involuntary response to something hilarious.

Laughter is a gift from God, connecting us to the joyful presence of our Creator. Psalm 16:11 beautifully says, “You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” This sentiment is echoed in Zephaniah 3:17, where we’re reminded of God’s joyful affection for His children as He sings and rejoices over them.

Laughter has the incredible power to bridge gaps and bring hearts closer. As Victor Borge famously said, “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”

Read all the reasons here!