Shows / Along The Rock
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
- Along The Rock
Turning Loved Ones’ Clothing Into Huggable Memories
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Nancy Webster, a talented memory bear maker who transforms cherished clothing into huggable…
- Along The Rock
Dixon Police Casino Night: A Fun Fundraiser Giving Back to the Community | Along the Rock
🎲 Casino Night for a Cause! | Along the Rock with the Dixon Police Department On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Deputy Chief…
- Along The Rock
Meet Local Authors at Sterling Public Library’s Annual Author Fair | Along the Rock
📚 Discover Local Authors at the Sterling Public Library! 📖 On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Ben Knapp from the Sterling…
- Along The Rock
Sauk Valley Foodbank Celebrates 25 Years With Food for Thought Trivia Night Fundraiser
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Pam Martinez, executive director of the Sauk Valley Food Bank, to talk about 25 years of…
- Along The Rock
Small Savings Add Up! Cash and Coffee Shares Simple Ways to Save Money
☕💰 Cash and Coffee: Small Savings Habits That Can Make a Big Difference! How much could you save by making a few small changes to your everyday spending? On…
- Along The Rock
Roy Jones on Regenerative Agriculture, Rural Transit & Independent Politics | Candidate Interview
Join host Kierstyn Long for a special edition of Along the Rock, featuring Roy Jones, a write-in candidate for Illinois State Representative in the 74th…
- Along The Rock
Inside 724 Fitness on the Rock: A Welcoming Gym, 24/7 Access & Red Light Recovery
Join Along the Rock host Kierstyn Long for an on-location visit to 7:24 Fitness on the Rock in Rock Falls! Kierstyn sits down with owner and fitness coach Nick…
- Along The Rock
Run for a Cause: South Valley Community College’s Freedom 5K Supports Student Veterans
Join host Kierstyn Long on this episode of Along the Rock, brought to you by the Radar Free Press, as she talks with Eric Valdez and Melissa Erdmier from Sauk…
- Along The Rock
Rock Falls High Theater Takes on Robin Hood! Meet the Cast & Discover the Halloween Weekend Show
🦊 Robin Hood Takes the Stage at Rock Falls High School! | Along the Rock Get ready for action, comedy, and a classic tale of adventure! 🎭 On this episode of…
- Along The Rock
Rock Falls Fire Department’s Halloween 5K: Run, Walk & Give Back to First Responders and MDA
🎃 Halloween Fun Meets Community Giving! | Along the Rock The Rock Falls Fire Department is bringing Halloween spirit to the First Responders 5K! Host Kierstyn…
- Along The Rock
Dixon High School Brings Frankenstein to Life! A Halloween Weekend Theater Production
🎃 Dixon High School Theatre Presents Frankenstein | Along the Rock A classic horror story is coming to the stage just in time for Halloween! 👻 On this episode…
- Along The Rock
Sterling Police Trunk or Treat Is Back! Candy, Games & Halloween Fun Downtown
Get ready for candy, games, giveaways, and Halloween fun! 👻 On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Community Service Officer Mary…
- Along The Rock
Pat’s Table: Turning Love, Faith and a Home-Cooked Meal Into 45,000 Acts of Kindness
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Larry Steward from Pat’s Table to share the inspiring story of a community ministry built on…
- Along The Rock
Spooky Season on a Budget! 🎃 DIY Halloween Costumes & Money-Saving Tips
🎃 Cash and Coffee: How to Save Money This Halloween! DIY Costumes, Thrifting & Budget-Friendly Tips Halloween doesn't have to haunt your wallet! 👻 On this…
- Along The Rock
Nolan Kemp on Affordability, Utility Bills, Flock Cameras & Campaign Money
Join host Kierstyn Long for a special political candidate edition of Along the Rock featuring Nolan Kemp, a candidate for Illinois State Representative in the…
- Along The Rock
Halloween Apple Folklore, Pumpkin Pie History & The Great Pumpkin Smash! 🎃 Part 2
🎃 Halloween Horticulture: Spooky Plant Traditions, Historic Pumpkin Pie & the Pumpkin Smash! What do apples have to do with predicting your future spouse? Why…
- Along The Rock
Inside Sterling Landmark: Infinite Possibilities for Storage, Business & More
Join host Kierstyn Long on this episode of Along the Rock, brought to you by the Radar Free Press, as she visits Sterling Landmark in Sterling, Illinois, to…
- Along The Rock
From Cleaning Houses to Changing Lives: Taylor McDaniel’s Community Compassion Mission
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…
- Along The Rock
Murder, Mystery & Comedy! Sterling High School Presents Clock Struck 12 🎭
🔎 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…
- Along The Rock
Domestic Violence Awareness: Survivor Stories, Support & Local Resources
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Jessica Spohn, Casework and Advocacy Manager, and Jill Sanders McFalls, Director of Crisis…
- Along The Rock
Nourish the Journey 5K: Celebrating Breastfeeding, Family & Community Support
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…
- Along The Rock
Pumpkins, Jack-o’-Lanterns & Halloween Horticulture! 🎃 Part 1
🎃 Along the Rock: Pumpkins, Halloween Traditions & the Surprising History of Jack-o’-Lanterns! Why did people originally carve turnips instead of pumpkins for…
- Along The Rock
Rocky Horror Picture Show Returns to Dixon! Live Shadow Cast, Costumes & Halloween Fun
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…
- Along The Rock
Online Banking vs. Going to the Bank: Which Is Better?
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…
- Along The Rock
Rock Falls UTV & Golf Cart Halloween Spooktacular! 🎃👻
🎃 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…
- Along The Rock
Rambling Days: Explore Dixon’s Hidden Natural Beauty by Car! 🌳🍂
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…
- Along The Rock
PawPack Pride: Helping Pets and Families in Need
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…
- Along The Rock
Hops on the Rock: 100+ Craft Beers, Local Brewers & Fall Fun in Sterling! 🍻
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…
- Along The Rock
The Power of Volunteering: How Giving Back Can Pay Dividends
☕ 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…
- Along The Rock
Woodlawn Arts Academy: Creative Classes, STEM Activities & Kids Night Out
🎨 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…
- Along The Rock
Sterling Schools Implements Illinois' Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Ban Early
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…
- Along The Rock
Discover Dixon's October Events: Scarecrow Festival, Chili Cook-Off & Trick-or-Treating
🍂 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…
- Along The Rock
Dixon Rotary Club Hosts World's Largest Polio Walk
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…
- Along The Rock
AI in the Classroom: Balancing Innovation, Student Learning & Responsible Technology Use
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…
- Along The Rock
Junior Achievement: Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs, Leaders & Community Builders
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…
- Along The Rock
What Should You Do With Extra Money? Cash Envelope Budgeting Explained
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…
- Along The Rock
Lumberjacks, Skillet Throwing & Fall Fun! Selmi’s Family Farm Has It All
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…
- Along The Rock
Sauk Valley Friends of NRA Banquet: Supporting Local Youth Shooting Sports
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long is joined by Dale Hayen and Anna Garcia from Sauk Valley Friends of NRA to talk about the organization’s…
- Along The Rock
One Decision Changed His Life: Turning a Devastating Crash Into a Mission to Save Lives
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Nick and Brennen Neblung from Bobby’s Crash Foundation to share the story behind the…
- Along The Rock
Step Into the Old English Fair! Inside Stronghold’s Castle, Camp & Renaissance Festival
Step into a world of castles, costumes, Renaissance-inspired entertainment, and family fun on this episode of Along the Rock! Host Kierstyn Long sits down with…
- Along The Rock
Run for a Reason: The Valley Apple Cider Run Supports Mental Health in the Sauk Valley
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Nick Pepper from 7:24 Fitness on the Rock and Andrew Jackson from Sinnissippi Centers to…
- Along The Rock
Meet the New Rock Falls Chamber Director! What’s Ahead for Local Businesses & the Community
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Camryn Johnson, the new director of the Rock Falls Chamber, and Marissa Razo, the…
- Along The Rock
Sherlock Holmes, Senior Showcases & a Rocky Horror Raffle! What’s Next for Stage Left?
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr welcomes Ben Lightner from Dixon Stage Left for a look at everything the theater company has coming up…
- Along The Rock
Cash Stuffing Is Back?! Why Gen Z Is Going Old-School With Money | Cash & Coffee
💵 Is cash making a comeback? On this episode of Cash and Coffee, hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman explore the surprising return of cash stuffing, an…
- Along The Rock
From Strangers to Sisters: How Generations Woven Is Connecting Women Through Conversations
Three women. Three generations. One shared mission. On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Tasha Garcia, Nerina Human, and Judy…
- Along The Rock
Tacos, Wrestling & Fall Fun! Taco Throwdown Returns to Rock Falls | Along the Rock
🌮 Tacos, Wrestling & Fall Fun Are Taking Over Rock Falls! 🤼 On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Melinda Jones from Rock Falls…
- Along The Rock
7,500 Varieties of Apples?! The Surprising World of Apples | Along the Rock
🍎 APPLE SEASON IS HERE IN NORTHWEST ILLINOIS! 🍎 On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Bruce J. Black from Illinois Extension for an…
- Along The Rock
Fall, Fantasy & Fun Are Coming to Rock Falls! | Fallen Fantasy Fest 2026
Step into a world of fall, fantasy, costumes, and imagination on this episode of Along the Rock! Host Kierstyn Long sits down with Jake Wallin, Trent Johnson…
- Along The Rock
Step Back in Time: Experience an Old-Fashioned Fall Harvest in Northwest Illinois
What did harvest season look like before modern farming technology? On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long talks with Katie Lewis from Bos…
- Along The Rock
Turning Tragedy Into Fire Safety: The Hopkins Family’s Mission to Save Lives
Fire safety starts long before an emergency happens. On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long is joined by Becca Mayberry of Hopkins Family Fire…
- Along The Rock
How Horses Are Helping Kids Build Confidence, Trust & Faith | Sol's Legacy Ministries
🐴 What if a horse could help a child find confidence, responsibility and hope? On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Tonya…
- Along The Rock
Flock Cameras: What Can Police Really See? Rock Falls Police Chief Explains
Along the Rock: Understanding Rock Falls’ Flock License Plate Reader System How much can Flock license plate reader cameras actually see? Can police track your…
- Along The Rock
Are You Really Saving Money? The Hidden Costs of “Deals” & Free Shipping | Cash & Coffee
☕ Grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation! On this episode of Cash and Coffee, hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman take a closer look at the hidden…
- Along The Rock
Remembering Tristan: A Memorial Ride Brings the Community Together for Suicide Awareness
Join host Kierstyn Long for this episode of Along the Rock as she sits down with Liz Buchholz and Christine McGinnis of Rawhide Saloon and Shawn Hickey of…
- Along The Rock
20 Years of Support: PFLAG Sauk Valley Celebrates Two Decades of Community & Inclusion
For 20 years, PFLAG Sauk Valley has been providing support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, and allies throughout the Sauk…
- Along The Rock
A Safe Place to Belong: Inside Elevate Youth Center’s Free After-School Program
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Heather Waniger and Aimee Howard from Elevate Youth Center to discuss the organization's…
- Along The Rock
Giving the Gift of Music: How Music Gear for Kids Is Changing Lives One Instrument at a Time
🎸 Music can change a life—and Music Gear for Kids is making that happen one instrument at a time. On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits…
- Along The Rock
Pack Your Bags! Sauk Valley Community College Heads to Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria 🇨🇭🇦🇹
Thinking about traveling to Europe? 🌍✈️ On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Brenda Helms, director of community education and…
- Along The Rock
The 24-Hour Rule: How Waiting Can Save You Money (and Regret!) | Cash & Coffee
💸 What if waiting just 24 hours could save you hundreds of dollars—and a lot of regret? In this episode of Cash and Coffee, hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily…
- Along The Rock
20 Years of Cops & Bobbers: Free Fishing, Prizes & Family Fun in Dixon!
🎣 Along the Rock Podcast | 20th Annual Cops and Bobbers with Detective Brad Dempsey The Dixon Police Department's 20th Annual Cops and Bobbers Fishing Derby is…