Along The Rock
Along the Rock, a video podcast produced by The Radar Free Press. We speak with local people regarding nonprofits, upcoming events, awards and news for the areas of Dixon, Rock Falls and Sterling in northwest Illinois.
Episodes
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Taylor McDaniel of Taylor Sweep to share how a side gig turned into a full-time business and a growing mission to help people facing difficult circumstances.
After 22 years working in healthcare, Taylor found a new path through house cleaning. But she soon discovered she could do even more by helping people who couldn't afford the cleaning and household support they desp...
🔎 Murder, Mystery, and Laughs! Sterling High School Presents The Clock Strikes 12
Get ready for a Halloween-season mystery with a comedic twist! 🎭 On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Lydia Langley, Trinity Pankey, and Harper Johnson from the Sterling High School Theatre Program to talk about their upcoming fall production, The Clock Strikes 12.
This murder mystery comedy features suspicious characters, un...
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Jessica Spohn, Casework and Advocacy Manager, and Jill Sanders McFalls, Director of Crisis Services, from the YWCA of the Sauk Valley to discuss Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the resources available to survivors throughout Lee and Whiteside counties.
Learn how the YWCA provides emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, casework, prevention services, and 24/7...
Join host Kierstyn Long on Along the Rock, brought to you by the Radar Free Press, as she welcomes Gwen Strum from OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center to discuss the Nourish the Journey 5K Walk!
This special community event celebrates the unique journeys of families who breastfeed or provide breast milk for their children while recognizing the friends, family members, and caregivers who offer support along the way.
Gwen shares how the...
🎃 Along the Rock: Pumpkins, Halloween Traditions & the Surprising History of Jack-o’-Lanterns!
Why did people originally carve turnips instead of pumpkins for Halloween? And what does it take to grow the perfect pumpkin? 🌱
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Bruce J. Black from the University of Illinois Extension for a fall-themed conversation about pumpkin growing, horticulture, and the fascin...
Get ready to do the Time Warp again! 🎃
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long is joined by Holly Vrhel and Kaitlin Haley from Mosaic Theater Troupe and Tori Highley from The Dixon: Historic Theatre to talk about the return of the Rocky Horror Picture Show live shadow cast!
Learn what makes a shadow cast such a unique experience, how audiences can join in the fun, and what newcomers can expect from this interactive Hal...
Online banking has changed the way we manage our money! ☕💳
On this episode of Cash and Coffee, hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman celebrate World Online Banking Day by discussing the convenience of digital banking and how it has transformed personal finances.
From checking account balances and tracking pending transactions to depositing checks with a few pictures, online banking makes it easier than ever to stay on top of your mo...
🎃 Light Up Rock Falls for the Halloween Spooktacular Parade! 🎃
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr is joined by Melinda Jones from Rock Falls Tourism to talk about the third annual Lighted UTV and Golf Cart Halloween Spooktacular Parade.
The parade brings decorated UTVs and golf carts to the streets of Rock Falls for a night filled with Halloween creativity, lights, music, costumes, and plenty of fun.
📅 Event Date:...
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Ana Smith, director of the Ruth Edwards Nature Center at the Dixon Park District, to explore Rambling Days and the many ways the community can enjoy Dixon’s parks and natural spaces.
Rambling Days Sunday, October 18
1 to 4 p.m.
Dixon Park District Meadows
Rambling Days gives visitors a unique opportunity to drive through the backcountry area of th...
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Krystal Spencer of PawPack Pride, along with Bruce, to talk about the new nonprofit and its mission to help animals and families throughout the Sauk Valley and surrounding communities.
PawPack Pride is starting from the ground up with plans to help families struggling to provide food for their pets, assist with spaying and neutering costs, and provide resources for emerg...
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Janna Groharing, executive director of Sterling Main Street, to talk about the annual Hops on the Rock craft beer festival.
The event returns Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Sterling Marketplace outdoor farmers market pavilion, featuring 90 to 100 different beers, six home brewing groups, downtown businesses, food vendors, live music, a photo booth, and more.
Whether you'...
☕ Cash and Coffee: The Value of Volunteerism and Giving Back
On this episode of Cash and Coffee, hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman step outside the usual financial conversation to talk about something that can have a lasting impact without a financial reward: volunteerism.
Quinn and Emily discuss the value of giving back to the community, especially for young people. They explore Quinn’s experiences with the Sauk Valley Com...
🎨 Woodlawn Arts Academy has something for everyone!
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Becky Rich and Sydney Segretto from Woodlawn Arts Academy to explore a variety of upcoming programs designed for adults, children, preschoolers, homeschoolers, and families.
Sydney shares details about Social Seniors, Artsy Tots, preschool and homeschool programs, Full Steam Ahead, the Author and Illustrator class...
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Dr. Tad Everett, Superintendent of Sterling Public Schools, to discuss Illinois’ new bell-to-bell cellphone law and why Sterling Public Schools chose to implement the policy one year ahead of the statewide deadline.
The law, which takes effect statewide on July 1, 2027, restricts students from having personal wireless devices on their person during the school...
🍂 Fall is in full swing in Dixon, and Discover Dixon has a packed October planned!
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long talks with Jennifer Lang and Lucas Pauley from Discover Dixon about the community events bringing people downtown throughout the month.
🎃 Coming up in Dixon:
🌶️ Ultimate Tailgate
📅 Sunday, Oct. 11
⏰ 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
📍 Bean Blossom parking lot, downtown Dixon
Enjoy a chili cook-off, ...
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Mary Oros and Tim Kunkel from the Dixon Rotary Club to talk about the upcoming World’s Largest Polio Walk and the local effort taking place right here in the Sauk Valley.
Rotary International has been working to eradicate polio for 35 years, bringing the world within reach of eliminating the disease. While progress has reached nearly 99.9%, the work is not finished...
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Ben Sondgeroth, lead regional edtech coordinator for the Learning Technology Center of Illinois, for a conversation about one of the biggest questions facing schools today: What role should artificial intelligence play in the classroom?
Ben explains why AI should be viewed as a partner in learning rather than a replacement for learning. The conversation explores ho...
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Lysa Hegland from Junior Achievement of the Heartland to explore how the organization is helping students prepare for life beyond the classroom.
Junior Achievement of the Heartland is celebrating 70 years of serving communities across Iowa and Illinois. Today, the organization reaches approximately 63,000 students across 24 counties, including more than 1,200 stude...
What should you do when your budget actually leaves you with money left over?
On this episode of Cash and Coffee, Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman continue the conversation about cash-envelope budgeting and explore what happens when you do not spend everything you budgeted.
Should you roll the money over to the next week? Move it to another category? Put it into savings or retirement? Or use it as a reward?
Quinn and Emily break down t...
Get ready for a day of lumberjacks, fall fun, and family activities at Selmi’s Greenhouse and Family Farm!
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr talks with Melinda Jones from Rock Falls Tourism and Ranae Smith from Selmi’s Greenhouse and Family Farm about the sixth annual Lumberjack Show and everything happening at Selmi’s this fall.
The Lumberjack Show takes place Saturday, October 3, from 9 a.m. to ...
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