Along The Rock

Season 2, Episode 80

🎤 Timestamps & Highlights:

0:20 - Overview of Tools for School

0:48 - The Impact of Tools for School

2:05 - What does it take to plan the event?

3:34 - New This Year

4:08 - Plans for the future

5:18 - Want to Donate or Volunteer?

6:00 - Want more Information?

7:09 - Kaitlyn's Question of the Day

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Season 2, Episode 79🎤 Timestamps & Highlights:0:24 - Overview of A Year with Frog and Toad0:55 - What makes Theatre in the Park different?2:06 - Meet Frog and Toad!2:56 - Favorite part of playing Frog and Toad?4:25 - The Challenges of Preforming Outdoors6:07 - Memorable Moments from Rehearsals7:23 - What to know before seeing the show?8:24 - Excerpt from "Frog and Toad are Friends, "Spring, by Arnold Lobel

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Season 2, Episode 78

In this episode, host Mark Morris sits down with Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Sommers of the Rock Falls Fire Department for an inside look at how local firefighters are adapting to meet modern challenges. From responding to medical emergencies and river rescues to planning a state-of-the-art training facility with Sterling Fire Department, Sommers shares how the department is expanding its role and deepening community...

Season 2, Episode 77

🎤 Timestamps & Highlights:

0:28 - What is the Whiteside County Senior Center?

1:31 - Overview of Donations and Memberships

2:20 - Upcoming Events

3:10 - Volunteer Opportunities

3:50 - What is something people don't know about WCSC?

4:37 - Want more Information?

5:19 - Overview of the WCSC Outreach Program

5:45 - Why you should visit the Senior Center!

6:28 - Kaitlyn's Question of the Day

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Season 2, Episode 76

👮‍♀️🎉 Lights, Sirens, Action! National Night Out 2025

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum is joined by Mary Toth and the beloved Millie the Comfort Dog from the Sterling Police Department to preview National Night Out 2025 — a free, family-friendly event that brings the community and local law enforcement together for an evening of fun, connection, and community spirit.

🎧 Hear how the event has...

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Trent Soyster, Sydney Greene, and Darcie Hingula from Timber Lake Playhouse to talk about their exciting new production of Frozen: The Broadway Musical.

Discover what makes this regional production unique—from dazzling special effects and brand-new songs, to the inclusion of local child actors and a 9-minute winter vortex dance number you have to see to believe. He...

Season 2, Episode 74

In this episode of Along the Rock, we follow the inspiring journey of Tess Schaefer, a Rock Falls native who spent nearly a year living in Denmark through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. What started as a childhood dream sparked by meeting a former exchange student became a life-changing adventure filled with cultural surprises, personal growth, and unforgettable connections.

Tess shares the challenges of ada...

Season 2, Episode 73

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Dave Northcutt, the new Fire Chief of Sterling, Illinois, about the exciting changes coming to the Sterling Fire Department. Chief Northcutt shares his plans to update procedures, expand staffing, and strengthen partnerships with neighboring departments for better emergency response.

Hear about the department’s investment in a $1.9 million aerial fir...

Season 2, Episode 72

🎙️ Hot Dogs, Classic Cars, and Community Fun — It’s All Happening August 1 in Sterling!

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum chats with Robin Duncan and Janna Groharin about two beloved Sterling traditions — Hot Dog Day and Rally on the Rock Cruise Night.

🌭 Hot Dog Day has been serving up fun since 1976, and this year it’s back on August 1 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (or until they sell out). Head d...

Season 2, Episode 71

Love, laughter, and a whole lot of 80s flair! In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Ashton Strange, Gianna Sagel, Owen Winters, and Trinity Pankey — four talented cast members from The Wedding Singer, opening soon at Centennial Auditorium.

From unforgettable characters to hilarious backstage moments, the cast shares what makes this musical comedy a must-see event. Hear their exciteme...

Season 2, Episode 70

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Terri Porter, Co-Pastor of Abiding Word Church, about the upcoming Beautiful Exchange Women’s Conference 2025.

This year’s theme is Brave: Being Courageous in a World of Chaos, and it features keynote speaker Alicia Hankins Moran, a powerful voice with a personal story of resilience, faith, and fearlessness.

Terri shares how the conference is more...

Season 2, Episode 69

Most people don’t realize you can build a high-paying career in engineering technology or network administration without spending four years in college.

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Mark Morris sits down with Morrison Tech’s leadership team: President Chris Scott, President of Academic Affairs Scott Connelly, and President of Admissions Jodie Eaker.

They discuss the college’s soon-to-be-completed Innova...

Season 2, Episode 68

What do a beloved chicken dish, live music, and a downtown block party have in common? They're all part of George Fest — a brand new event coming to Rock Falls on July 26.

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with organizer Matt Prescott to talk about how this festival is more than just fun. It's a grassroots effort to bring energy, business, and community connection back to the ...

Season 2, Episode 67

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum talks with The Rev. Dr. Scott Porter about Abiding Word Church’s 40-year journey — from humble beginnings and financial struggles to becoming debt-free. Hear how a strong focus on youth and children's ministry became the church’s “secret sauce” and what big plans are ahead, including a new youth building and classroom spaces. It’s a story of faith, resilie...

Season 2, Episode 66

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Matt Lillpop about the upcoming Farm to Table Fundraiser hosted by the Whiteside County Farm Bureau Foundation.

Set for July 20 at Selmi’s Farm in Rock Falls, this event features a locally sourced dinner, signature drinks from a horse trailer-turned-bar, and over $16,000 in scholarships awarded to local Ag students.

Learn how this fundraiser supports ...

Season 2, Episode 65

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Mark Morris talks with Joan Johnson about Tampico’s upcoming Sesquicentennial Celebration. From being the birthplace of President Ronald Reagan to surviving devastating tornadoes and fires, Tampico’s story is full of resilience and pride.

Discover what’s planned for the four-day celebration happening July 17–20, including fireworks, live music, a fishing derby, car cruise, ...

Season 2, Episode 64

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Terry Hicks about the exciting return of the Rock Falls River Chase, a high-speed boat race unique to the area.

Terry shares how he helped revive the event after it disappeared in the early 2000s, what it takes to organize a race with boats reaching up to 90 mph, and why this multi-generational tradition means so much to the community.

From 9-year-old...

Season 2, Episode 63

In this inspiring episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Shane Bielema to talk about Disability Pride Month and his personal journey living with Cerebral Palsy.

Shane opens up about the challenges he faced growing up, how he found purpose in helping others as a Direct Support Professional, and his unexpected role as a local wrestling manager. He shares what Disability Pride means to him, offe...

Season 2, Episode 62

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Maggie Wike from NAMI Sauk Area to discuss the upcoming NAMI 5K and the essential mental health support available in our region.

They talk about free support groups, educational programs like Ending the Silence, and how NAMI is working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness in Lee, Whiteside, Carroll, and Ogle counties. Maggie also share...