MOUNT VERNON — Bill Bridges joined an elite group at Saturday’s Music & Arts Festival when Mayor Matt Starr presented him with a key to the city.
Starr presented Marty Bell with a key to the city at the 2021 festival. Prior to recognizing Bell’s contributions, about 10 years had elapsed since the last key to the city presentation.
Bridges came to Mount Vernon with his family in 1968. He was the fourth of 18 faculty hires to join Mount Vernon Nazarene College, now Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
“Bill’s fingerprints at MVNU as well as in the Mount Vernon community are an example for us all,” Starr said.
“Bill has been an active member not only of the university, but also Mount Vernon for nearly 60 years,” Paul McNeal, athletic director for Mount Vernon University, said.
“He spearheaded many projects, but none more visual than the creation of WNZR.
“For the athletic department, he is a rock that is continually supporting our programs with his attendance and words of wisdom,” McNeal added.
Bridges said the honor was completely unexpected and undeserved.
“I love this town. It’s our adopted home,” he said. “God has blessed us in so many ways, and I am absolutely dumfounded by what has happened tonight.”
Starr also proclaimed Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, as Kevin Mishey Day in the city.
In addition to Mishey’s many volunteer initiatives, Mishey has been actively involved in the music and arts festival over the years.
“From performing and helping with the car and motorcycle show to setting up and tearing down chairs and emptying trash, Kevin has done so much for the festival over the years,” Starr said.
Bill Bridges
Bridges taught MVNC’s first course in radio/TV communication in 1980, started the drama program at MVNC (which became MVNU in 2002), and, with Dr. Henry Smith, worked with the administration to propose and get approval (plus an FCC license) for WNZR, which went on the air in 1986.
Bridges is still very involved in the local arts scene and has performed in many local theater productions. He has participated in the community band, served on many committees, and been an invaluable member of the First Church of the Nazarene and the Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon.
He served as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and Ohio Air National Guard, retiring as a colonel in the USAF and senior chaplain for the O ANG.
He laid the groundwork for a chaplain at the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C.
Bridges and his wife, Britta, have been married since 1953. They have four children (Rick, Sharon, Becky, and Ray), three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Kevin Mishey
Starr named Mishey a 2024 Volunteer of the Year along with Janis Stone at the Aug. 4 First Friday event.
Mishey is active with The Salvation Army, serving on the advisory board for around 25 years. He chairs the Maintenance Committee and serves on the Capital Campaign and Christmas Kettle committees. He also chairs Flapper’s Bike Night for the Christmas Committee.
An ardent music lover, Mishey is involved with special music at Faith Lutheran Church and is a regular performer at Praisestock.
He organizes a monthly jam session at The Station Break Senior Center, raising funds for an outdoor patio at the facility. He also helps organize a music program at Danbury Senior Living along with Sally Berger and Jim Harder.
A committee member for the Front Porch Concert Series, Mishey helps plan and execute the popular concerts.
