Tag: Mount Vernon

Dr. Henry Smith Recalls the History of WNZR Over 40 Years!

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart and Olivia Skillings got to talk with Dr. Henry Smith, who was the original WNZR Communication Professor and Station Manager!

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image below!

Henry shares with us what he is doing today! He is in Zambia, Africa, helping to start a Wesleyan University in Zambia. Henry shares a funny story with us about a former student of his that has been helping him. He also talks about the dream that he and others had for the radio station at WNZR. There was a nucleus of people who had already started raising money for the station and he helped them to get it started.

Henry tells how the initial planning was a learning opportunity for him because he didn’t because he really wasn’t a radio guy at that time. There was a lot of learning that was done from other stations and even the FCC!

Henry explains to us what his prayer was at the beginning of WNZR. They had an unexpected obstacle when starting up, which was a local TV station petitioning to deny them starting WNZR due to their conflicting dial positions. The supporters of the radio station prayed for the barriers to be removed so they could make a difference with their radio station.

Henry talks about the 4 year waiting period that they experienced while trying to get an FCC license. The TV station in Columbus was the primary cause of that. The students tried to keep the quality of the station high even though they weren’t on the air yet.

He explains his biggest challenge in it was trying to keep the dream alive for the students.

Henry also explains that the things he remembers most is the people from that time. He has always enjoyed working with students the most and recalls how excited they were when they finally received the permission that they needed from the FCC.

Here are pictures from Dr. Smith’s trip to the top of our radio tower. He talked about taking pictures of the MVNC campus in 1986!

Marcy also shares a funny story that current MVNU Professor Alan Reed has about Dr. Smith on that day!

Dr. Smith details the process of what it took to get 90.9FM WNZR on the air! He talks about what he learned about himself throughout those years. Impact has always been his greatest motivator as a person whether that be as a professor, a university president, or a missionary.

Henry talks about the importance of waiting and being patient. The lessons that he and the students learned while waiting were so important and have stayed with him throughout his life.

Dr. Smith explains how important community support was in starting WNZR. Starting the radio station was something that rallied people in the area and the share-a-thons that they did played a huge role in the station’s birth.

Henry and Marcy joke about a potential trip to Zambia so MVNU Communication students can help with the radio station that he is starting there.

Henry speaks on the importance of students learning about broadcasting while studying Communication. The more experiences you can have will lead to students being better communicators. He says that it helps sharpen your communication skills in ways that you don’t even realize.

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Katie Adams Shares About Starting Point Pregnancy & Family Resource Center!

WNZR’s Josiah Styer talks with Katie Adams, Client Services Director for Starting Point Pregnancy & Family Resource Center.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image below!

Katie explains that one of Starting Point’s primary ministries is the Start Here Program, which provides pregnancy and parenting education for pregnant women, couples, and families. Participants earn points through educational appointments that can be used to shop in the ministry’s boutique for items such as diapers, wipes, formula, and other baby essentials.

She says Starting Point’s services are available to anyone in the community without income restrictions or insurance requirements. The ministry serves single parents, families, grandparents, and individuals seeking resources related to unexpected pregnancies, parenting, relationships, and family life. Starting Point strives to meet practical needs while also providing support for all.

Katie shares her personal journey with Starting Point, beginning as a field experience intern through MVNU Online. Shortly after arriving, she learned of an opening for the Client Care Coordinator position, volunteered with the ministry, and eventually joined the staff. After serving as Client Care Coordinator for a year and a half, she recently stepped into the role of Client Services Director.

She also discusses opportunities for community members to become involved with the ministry. Starting Point is currently seeking volunteers in several areas, including nurses, ultrasound technicians, boutique workers, and client advocates. The ministry also welcomes men to serve through its men’s mentoring and support programs. They need volunteers, contact Starting Point directly at 740-393-0370 to learn more about available opportunities. She concludes by expressing excitement for the upcoming 5K and Family Glow Night.

Click HERE for more information about Starting Point Pregnancy & Family Resource Center!

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Carrie Haver Talks About Bull In A China Shop!

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Carrie Haver, who plays Nettie Norton in Bull in a China Shop.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click on the image below!

Carrie describes Nettie as one of six older women living together in the show. She says the character is humorous, often says the wrong thing, and brings plenty of laughs to the production.

She shares that the cast has been rehearsing since the summer, spending time reading through the script and developing the relationships between the characters. Carrie says memorizing lines comes through repetition and listening to recordings of rehearsals.

Carrie says one of her favorite things about playing Nettie is that the character is very different from roles she has played in the past. She enjoys portraying an older woman and bringing the character’s unique personality to life.

A theater veteran, Carrie has appeared in numerous productions with both Orange Barrel Productions and MTVarts. She recalls playing Glinda in The Wizard of Oz as one of her favorite theater experiences. Carrie also says the humor in Bull in a China Shop is what makes the show especially enjoyable and believes audiences will find many opportunities to laugh.

Carrie says one of the highlights of the production has been the strong chemistry and camaraderie among the cast. Many of the actors have worked together before, creating a comfortable and enjoyable rehearsal environment.

She also discusses the show’s costumes and makeup, explaining that the cast uses special makeup and costumes to portray older women living in the 1950s. Carrie encourages anyone interested in theater to get involved, noting there are opportunities for people of all ages both on stage and behind the scenes. She hopes the community will come see Bull in a China Shop, enjoy a good laugh, and support local theater.

Click HERE to learn more about Orange Barrel Production Company!

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Brook Abella Returns To The Sonfest Stage

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Brook Abella, senior at MVNU and her band, who are one of the artists performing at Sonfest 2026.

Click HERE to hear the entire conversation, or click the image below!

Brook Abella’s band is made up of Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, Robert Eggebrect, drummer, and Luke Tibbe, pianist.

Brook Abella grew up in Bellefontaine, Ohio, and found many opportunities to worship in different places in her town.

Luke Tibbe, pianist, is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has been participating in music for about 6 years. Since then, he has really enjoyed being on worship teams and praising Jesus.

Robbert Eggebrect, drummer, is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and an engineer student from Cedarville University. Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, has been leading worship at his church for about a year and has been playing guitar for about 4 years.

Brook Abella’s music influence has come from sources like Christian radio and artists like TobyMac and Mandisa. She enjoys listening to the messages of inspiration and hope and putting that same message into the songs she makes. When writing and making music, her inspiration comes from God’s Word and the quiet, still moments she has with God.

Brook Abella is looking forward to seeing this year’s Sonfest headliner, Chris Renzema, at MVNU. She is a fan of his musicianship and his songwriting. In her band’s set, they normally perform a song written by Chris Renzema called “Adoni”.

Luke Tibbe, pianist, is also looking forward to seeing Chris Renzema at this year’s Sonfest. He really enjoys Renzema’s music and lyrics, which have played a big influence on Luke.

Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, is excited to worship at Sonfest this year. With all the preparation the band has done, he is excited to worship with everyone. Robbert Eggebrect, drummer, is excited to meet gio., who is another artist at Sonfest 2026.

Brook Abella hopes that while she and the band are onstage, the audience will experience the presence of God. She and the band invite the Holy Spirit into any atmosphere they are in and hope that people who may not know Jesus will begin to ask who He is and start to learn more about Him.

Luke Tibbe, pianist, wants the audience to know “how livable” The Gospel message is through worship.

Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, is looking forward for the band and audience to be unashamed in worship. Robbert Eggebrect, drummer, is hoping that the Sonfest artist arrives with an open mind and worship with no limits.

Click HERE for ticket information and more about Sonfest 2026!

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Rock City Worship Returns To The SonFest Stage!

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Nathan Montgomery, worship leader for Rock City Worship, one of the headlining artists of Sonfest 2026.

Listen to the entire conversation HERE or click the image below!

Nathan serves as the Central Worship Pastor at Rock City and oversees the worship teams across all of the church’s campuses. He is married, has two children, with another one on the way!

Rock City Church was founded in 2011 by Lead Pastor Chad Fisher and his wife. The church’s primary broadcast location is in Polaris, with additional campuses in Hilliard, Columbus’ Short North district, and Saint Mary’s, Ohio.

While Rock City Worship does not frequently tour outside of the church, the group enjoys taking opportunities to serve its mission of “making Heaven full.” Touring is part of that mission, but their primary focus is equipping and serving their local church. When writing and recording music, the group is intentional about considering what the Lord wants to communicate to their congregation. Their songs are designed to teach people about God through lyrics rooted in Scripture and help listeners develop a deeper understanding of who He is.

Rock City Worship is excited to lead worship at Sonfest this year. The group began writing and recording music with the goal of equipping their congregation with a greater understanding of God through His Word. Their desire is to help people see God more clearly so they can worship Him more completely.

Rock City Worship recently completed recording their new live album, “Rehearsing For Heaven”. The project is inspired by Romans 12:1, which calls believers to offer themselves as “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God”. The album reflects the idea that, as children of God, believers are already living in eternity and we can live with that perspective every moment of our lives—not just on Sundays.

Many of the songs on the new album are centered on what the group describes as “straight vertical” worship, focusing entirely on giving God undivided praise. Songs include themes of declaring God’s holiness, such as singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” The first single from the project is scheduled to be released January 8, with the full album expected to arrive around March.

Nathan and Rock City Worship are looking forward to returning to the Sonfest stage this year. They enjoyed being part of last year’s event, which Nathan described as a time when people could encounter the tangible presence of God. He remembers the Sonfest audience being ready and prepared to worship the Lord and is excited to return, reconnect with familiar faces, and meet new friends.

This year, Nathan hopes the group’s time at Sonfest will help people see God more clearly and, as a result, worship Him more completely. He hopes that each person who sings along with the songs will walk away having learned something new or gain a deeper understanding of who God is.

Nathan also encourages listeners not to miss this year’s Sonfest. Last year marked his first experience at the festival, and he was amazed by the way he saw the Lord move throughout the event. He also appreciated the wide variety of musical genres represented by the many artists who participated.

If Nathan had to choose his favorite Rock City Worship song, he would select “Renew My Mind,” which will be featured on the new live album. The song focuses on the daily decision to choose praise over worry and to intentionally renew our minds each day. Rock City Worship will bring “Renew My Mind” with them to the Sonfest stage this year.

You can purchase tickets to SonFest 2026 HERE and find more information about this year’s schedule and lineup!

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Our Favorite Way To Consume Tomatoes!

For this week’s Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts are celebrating the 49th Fredericktown Tomato Show! The hosts share their favorite ways to enjoy the tomato.

Listen to The Morning Thing hosts’ Friday Favorites HERE, or click the image below!

More information about the 49th Fredericktown Tomato Show can be found HERE!

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Follow The Yellow Brick Road With: Vincent Oertel and Briggs Swallow of The Wizard of Oz!

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart recently welcomed two cast members from MTV Arts’ upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz: Vincent Oertel, who plays the Tin Man, and Briggs Swallow, who portrays the Cowardly Lion.

Listen to the entire conversation HERE! Or, click on the picture link below!

Vincent, a 14-year-old homeschooled freshman, says the Tin Man has been a favorite character since childhood and that he connects with the character’s emotional nature. He was thrilled when he learned he had landed the role. Briggs, a 15-year-old Mount Vernon High School sophomore, enjoys the Lion’s dramatic personality and comedic energy. He has studied classic comedians and worked on his vocal techniques to prepare for the part.

The pair also discussed the rehearsal process and the experience of sharing the Lion role with Zayden Luckmeier. Briggs says the double casting has allowed the two actors to learn from each other and strengthen their performances. Both Vincent and Briggs have enjoyed getting to know their fellow cast members and building friendships during rehearsals. They also had the opportunity to connect with previous performers, including Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr, who previously played the Lion. Vincent’s favorite number is “Jitterbug,” which was ultimately not included in the production, while Briggs enjoys “If I Only Had a Heart.”

For Briggs, The Wizard of Oz marks his 18th MTV Arts production, following roles including his appearance in Beauty and the Beast. Vincent is newer to the stage, with this being only his third show and his biggest role yet. Both encourage the community to come see this classic story filled with memorable music, exciting performances and more than 40 talented young performers. They also emphasize the importance of supporting local arts before showing off their characters one final time with a little singing.

Click HERE for information on tickets and showtimes!

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Celebrate School Spirit Night at September First Friday!

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart is joined by Lacey Filkins, the Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon here to talk about September First Friday.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation!

Lacey talks about how time flies and how summer just flew by and the theme for September First Friday and its called, “School Spirit Night”. They don’t have any special costumes, but they did make some First Friday School T-Shirts for the team. Tonight is the last night to complete the passport, you can stop at their table and sign up for their “Smore Fun” prize basket. They have the Teen Advisory Council coming to do Tie-dye, they’re focusing on kids and medium sizes and only one color. They have plenty do to for school spirit night and she highlights all the things coming tonight for free at first Friday.

Tonight at September First Friday, they have schools coming at the public square, they have MVNU, COTC, Knox County Career Center, and Kenyon University to talk about their programs and helping promote their schools; Lacey talks about some of the things they’ve had in the past and might have tonight. They have some entertainment coming tonight, they have the band, “Room 201” playing tonight, they have the cast for the Wizard of Oz cast, they also have their “Are you smarter than an Educator” game show, and so much more!

Tonight, they have 11 different concession stands, Lacey highlights what they have and where you can find it. They have downtown closed areas closed, Lacey highlights what streets will be closed, parking downtown will be closed to parking by 2 and closed to all by 3. You can park at Gay and Mulberry street, they also have the bike valet, during the event.

Lacey also wants to thank the parents support initiative of Knox County, their food truck sponsor is ariel cooperation, Knox DD to help with the photo booth, they also have a huge thank to volunteers who help make this possible. Coming up in October is Jonny Appleseed, this event will be a bit different than last year, its all at Ariel Foundation park this year. Winter in downtown is coming, shop small Saturday, and holiday events. You can stay connected on their social media at Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. You can find their monthly newsletter on their website at experienceMV.org. The mission of experience mount Vernon is through first Fridays, beautification, and other flower planting in downtown, and just getting people to come in Mount Vernon and build the community feel in Downtown. She talks about a lot of the different events and ways that Experience Mount Vernon helps the community; they also want you to go to local shops and enjoy mount Vernon.

Check out more information about September First Friday on our website, wnzr.fm!

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