Mount Vernon Town Money Saver | April 2026

April 2026 Shop locally. Save locally.

New Directions

CONNECTED STRUGGLES; COLLECTIVE STRENGTHS

Cultivating community through awareness and action

Each April, communities across the country recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) as a time to raise awareness, support survivors, and strengthen previntion efforts.

Sexual violence affects individuals, families and entire communities. While each survivor’s experience is unique, many challenges are deeply connected. When we acknowledge those shared struggles, we open the door to collective strength.

This April, New Directions invites our community to come together through awareness, education and meaningful action to create spaces where survivors are supported, voices are valued and healing and prevention move forward together.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Support is available. Healing is possible.Your story matters.

Support survivors. Donate today. For more information about New Directions and their activities in Knox County, please visit newdirectionsknox.org or call 740-397-HELP.

RAISE AWARENESS

Learn, share and start conversations that challenge harmful norms.

BUILD CONNECTIONS TAKE ACTION

Strengthen support systems by engaging survivors and community partners. Participate in events and initiatives that promote safety and prevention.

Free and confidential services for survivors of sexual assualt, domestic violence and human trafficking.

Stand with survivors. Support prevention. Strengthen our community. 740-397-HELP (4357) www.newdirectionsknox.org

every bunny loves BRUNCH

Hash Brown & Sausage Casserole

• Vegetable oil spray

• 1 lb. breakfast sausage (cooked & drain grease)

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil

Preheat the oven to 375o. Spray a 9×13-in. baking dish with vegetable oil.

• 1 small white onion, diced

• 1 - 32 oz. container frozen diced hash browns

• 8 large eggs

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1 tsp. garlic powder

Saute the onion in olive oil until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the hash brown potatoes and cook until the potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Stir in the cooked sausage. Remove the pan from the heat.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, garlic powder, paprika, sage, salt and white pepper. Whisk in the cheddar. Stir in the sausage/hash browns mixture.

• 1/2 tsp. sweet paprika

• Pinch of ground sage

• 1 tsp. kosher salt

• 1/2 tsp. ground white pepper

• 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 8 oz.)

• 1/4 cup minced chives

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake until the top is browned and the center is set, about 45 minutes. Cover the baking dish with foil if the top begins to brown before the center is set. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chives on top before serving. The casserole is best served the same day it is baked.

Drop Biscuits

• 6 cups our

• 6 tbsp

• 2 tsp salt

• 2 1/2 tbsp baking powder

• 2 cups COLD butter

• 2 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 425º. Place our, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a mixing bowl. Cut the cold butter into 1/2 inch cubes. Work the butter into the dry mixture with your hands. Add buttermilk and eggs to dry mixture. Mix until incorporated. Don’t overmix. Pinch o biscuits and place on a lined baking sheet. Bake until tops are golden brown (usually about 14 minutes).

Local Farm Turns LOVE OF GOATS into Skincare Business

ngry Acres Farm is a small but vibrant homestead located in Martinsburg, Ohio. Founded in 2012, the farm got its memorable name from a family joke about the wild, overgrown land they first encountered—brimming with thorny brambles and poison hemlock. What began as a five-acre challenge quickly blossomed into a passion-driven business centered around Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats.

By 2014, the farm welcomed its first goats, and by 2018, Angry Acres began handcrafting goat milk soap using milk from their own herd. After perfecting their recipe, the product line expanded to include bath bombs, shave soaps, beard balms, and more. Today, Angry Acres offers a full line of handmade, goat milk-based skincare products sold online, at the weekly farmers market, at select craft shows throughout the year, and in their store on the square in downtown Mount Vernon, which opened in spring 2024.

Chris and Savannah also do community events and educational programs throughout the year where families can meet the animals and learn more about goats and farm life. While they don’t open their farm to the public, they occasionally bring their goats to events on the square so folks can meet them up close. At the heart of the business are the goats themselves—well-cared-for animals raised with intention and love. What started as a family adventure has grown into a beloved local brand known for quality, humor, and a deep connection to the land and animals

EverBrewing HOPE in Downtown Mount Vernon

since the Ballenger family purchased Happy Bean Coffee Shop in 2017, they’ve poured themselves into making the shop a welcoming and thriving part of the downtown community.

Their simple motto has always been #BrewHope. To the Ballenger Family and their team, this means the business exists to be a place that makes every person’s day a little better. Since 2018, one way they have accomplished this through handwritten notes of motivation and encouragement on every hot drink sleeve. Over 150,000 messages and counting!

Stop by so they can #BrewHope for you!

Jill Ballenger, the Owner Operator, wants the community to know, “We don’t just serve coffee, we craft our menu items, focusing on quality and consistency. You’ll notice a difference in our small batch roasted espresso and loose-leaf tea. We make several syrups in house and offer local honey and maple syrup for sweetening our drinks. Our baked goods include locally made gluten-free options. Even our beverages are gluten-free and can be customized to also be dairyfree, sugar-free, and caffeine-free. It’s my goal to have something for everyone to enjoy!”