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
Waldo is Hiding in Dixon! Books on First Explains This Summer's Biggest Family Adventure
📚 Where's Waldo? He's hiding all over Dixon! On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Elsie Gordon from Books on First to discuss…
- Along The Rock
Need a Ride? Learn How Public Transit Works in Lee, Ogle & Whiteside Counties
🚍 What happens when public transportation expands across three counties? On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Greg Gates, Marcus…
- Along The Rock
How to Create Multiple Streams of Income (Even With a Full-Time Job)
☕ Multiple Streams of Income | Side Hustles, Investing & Financial Flexibility | Cash and Coffee How many streams of income should you have? On this episode of…
- Along The Rock
The Volunteers Behind Sterling-Rock Falls' Fourth of July Fireworks
🎆 How much does it reallytake to put on the Sterling-Rock Falls fireworks show? On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sitsdown with Cael…
- Along The Rock
Creating a Dementia-Friendly Community in Sterling, Illinois | Along the Rock Podcast
What does it mean to become a dementia-friendly community? On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Beth Sterk of CGH and Sami…
- Along The Rock
From New Friends to a 5K Finish Line | Girls on the Go at the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA
Join host Kierstyn Long on this episode of Along the Rock as she welcomes Ellie Hanlon, Marketing and Development Director, and Brenda Gould, CATCH Coordinator…
- Along The Rock
Fear of Snakes to 75+ Reptiles: Crystal's Exotics Rescue Stories & Reptile Myths | Along the Rock
🐍 Are snakes really slimy? Do they actually try to "size up" their owners? And can reptiles become therapy animals? On this episode of Along the Rock, host…
- Along The Rock
How United Way's "Let's Feed Our Children" Program Is Fighting Summer Hunger | Along the Rock
Join host Kierstyn Long on this episode of Along the Rock as she welcomes Keri Olson, executive director of United Way of Whiteside County, to discuss the 25th…
- Along The Rock
Gin Blossoms, Fireworks & Family Fun at the 2026 Petunia Festival
Season 3, Episode 114 Join host Emma Watts on this episode of Along the Rock as she sits down with Rob Bates and Leah Nelson from the Dixon Petunia Festival to…
- Along The Rock
Mortgage, Student Loans & Credit Cards: The Best Way to Become Debt-Free
💰 Snowball or Avalanche? Which debt payoff strategy is right for you? In this episode of Cash and Coffee, hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman break down two…
- Along The Rock
🦁 The Lion King Jr. Comes to Sterling! Meet the Cast, Director & Watch an Exclusive Scene
Join host Kierstyn Long on this episode of Along the Rock as she sits down with director Faith Morrison and student performers Maura Gaumer and Anthony Sagel…
- Along The Rock
How to Plant a Pizza Garden at Home | Tomatoes, Basil, Peppers & Gardening Tips with Bruce Black
🌱🍅 Build Your Own Indoor Pizza Garden! 🍕🌿 Can you grow pizza ingredients right inside your home? In this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts is joined…
- Along The Rock
Reader’s Theater, Pride Month & PFLAG: A Conversation with Dixon Stage Left
🎭 How did PFLAG begin?What exactly is reader’s theater? And what does the future hold for Dixon Stage Left? On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn…
- Along The Rock
Red, White & Blue Ball 2026 | Supporting Wounded Warriors & Celebrating America 250 in Dixon
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Chris Bishop and Mary Oros to discuss the upcoming Red, White and Blue Ball in Dixon—a…
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Raising Financially Smart Kids | Saving, Taxes & Credit Explained
Teaching kids about money can feel overwhelming, but the lessons often start much earlier than parents realize. In this episode of Cash and Coffee, hosts Quinn…
- Along The Rock
How Kitzsman Farm Sanctuary Gives Farm Animals a Second Chance
🐐 Kitzman's Farm Sanctuary: Giving Rescued Animals a Second Chance | Along the Rock Podcast Join host Kierstyn Long as she visits Kitzman's Farm Sanctuary in…
- Along The Rock
How a First-Year Officer Earned Rock Falls Officer of the Year
What does it take to become Rock Falls Police Officer of the Year less than a year after graduating from the police academy? In this episode of Along the Rock…
- Along The Rock
How to Plant a Succulent Container Garden | Gardening Tips with Bruce Black
🌱 Can you still plant a thriving garden in June? Absolutely. In this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts welcomes Bruce Black from the University of…
- Along The Rock
How One Family Turned Loss Into Purpose | Millie Moo Foundation
🐄❤️ Millie’s story is one of love, courage, and a legacy that continues to change lives. In this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with…
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Should Downstate Illinois Become Its Own State? A Conversation with New Illinois
In this episode, Nathan sits down with G.H. Merritt and Dean Barker of New Illinois to discuss one of the most talked-about grassroots movements in the state…
- Along The Rock
The Gut-Brain Connection Explained | How Food Impacts Depression & Mental Health
Join Nathan Stahr on this episode of Along the Rock as he sits down with Tameka Deatherage and Dr. Christine Elston of Elston Psychotherapy to explore the…
- Along The Rock
Vintage Baseball Returns to John Deere’s Historic Site | 1850s Rules, No Gloves & Living History
Step back in time and experience baseball the way it was played in the 1850s! In this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Mark Herman…
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Money & Marriage: Why Finances Can Make or Break a Relationship
Money can strengthen a relationship—or become one of its biggest challenges. In this episode of Cash and Coffee, hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman discuss…
- Along The Rock
Downtown Morrison Transforms into a Real-Life Murder Mystery
🕵️♀️ Murder, mystery, costumes, clues, and a whole lot of fun are coming to downtown Morrison! On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down…
- Along The Rock
Shopping Carts, Slides & More: Inside the Rock River Cleanup
How does a giant playground slide end up in the Rock River? On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Kyle Sommers, President of the…
- Along The Rock
More Than a Renaissance Faire? Exploring Ragnarok Rampage in Dixon, Illinois
⚔️ Ragnarok Rampage: A Tradition of Rainbows 🌈Step beyond the Renaissance fair experience and into a living medieval world at Ragnarok Rampage 2026, hosted by…
- Along The Rock
How the Valor Support Project is Changing Veterans' Lives | Bike Ride, Skydive & PTSD Awareness 5K
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Floyd Dunn, Founder and President of the Valor Support Project, to discuss the…
- Along The Rock
Classic Cars, Hot Rods, Pancake Breakfast & Family Fun! | 35th Annual Lyndon Car Show 2026
Season 3, Episode 98 On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Lyndon Mayor Tyler Scott to discuss the upcoming 35th Annual Lyndon…
- Along The Rock
Cash and Coffee | TAT Strategy
Emma Watts and Kayla Tenboer-Sipes break down the psychology behind credit cards, online shopping, and modern spending habits on this episode of Cash and…
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Discover Dixon's HUGE Summer Event Lineup 2026 | City Market, Petunia Fest, Drone Show & More!
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Jennifer Lang and Amanda Wike from Discover Dixon to talk about everything happening this…
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Inside Bellson Fest: Jazz, Blues, Latin & Rock Along the Riverfront
Nathan Stahr sits down with Melinda Jones and Josh Duffee to preview the 5th Annual Bellson Music Fest in Rock Falls. The conversation highlights this year’s…
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How Ronald Reagan’s Mother Shaped a President | Raising Reagan
Season 3, Episode 95 General Description, brief summary of the episode, notable moments, etc… 🗓️ Event Date: fill in event date 🕙 Time: fill in event time 📍…
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SVCC College for Kids Returns with Roblox, Pokémon & AI Classes This Summer
Join host Emma Watts on this episode of Along the Rock as she talks with Brenda Helms from Sauk Valley Community College about the return of the College for…
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Mental Health & Child Development Resources in Dixon, Illinois
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Dr. Laura Gumbiner from the Florissa Center to discuss the importance of accessible…
- Along The Rock
Tailgate Bingo, Food Trucks & Summer Kickoff Fun in Rock Falls
Tailgate Bingo is making its return to Rock Falls, and on this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Rock Falls Chamber interim director…
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From Community Members to Community Leaders
Learn how local leaders are growing stronger connections throughout the Sauk Valley on this episode of Along the Rock! Host Emma Watts sits down with Vanessa…
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The World's Largest, Operating Steam Engine... is Visiting Sterling??!
The legendary Big Boy Steam Engine is returning to Sterling, Illinois, and the excitement is already building across the Sauk Valley and beyond. 🚂 On this…
- Along The Rock
Where Do Our Potato Chips Come From? | Neumiller Farms Has the Answer!
Nathan Stahr sits down with Katie Neumiller-Floming of Neumiller Farms to discuss the incredible story behind the Illinois family farm that inspired one of…
- Along The Rock
Yoga Is For Everyone | Join Rebecca West as She Teaches Us Chair Yoga!
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Rebecca “Becky” West to discuss how chair yoga helps people improve balance, flexibility…
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Building Relationships, Celebrating Your Story, and More! | Learning About Illinois Humanities
Join host Emma Watts on this episode of Along the Rock as she sits down with Robert “Bobby” White, Senior Director of Programs at Illinois Humanities, for a…
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The Largest Touch A Truck in the Nation! | Rock Falls Touch a Truck 2026
Touch a Truck of Rock Falls is back and bigger than ever. On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with John Watts and Brick Boss to talk…
- Along The Rock
Preparing for an Illinois Summer with Meteorologist, Andrew Stutzke
Nathan Stahr sits down with Andrew Stutzke for another fascinating episode of Along the Rock! 🌩️☀️ In this episode, Andrew shares important summer weather…
- Along The Rock
Reviving the History of Illinois Through Conservation | Whiteside County Natural Area Guardians
Discover the hidden beauty of Illinois prairies, wetlands, and native ecosystems in this episode of Along the Rock with host Emma Watts and guests Sammy Dalati…
- Along The Rock
Pokémon, Sports Cards and More! | Dixon's Upcoming Card Convention
Join host Emma Watts on this episode of Along the Rock as she sits down with Tyler Thorby and Andy Baker, the college students behind BGE Cards, to talk about…
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Calling All Girl Dads! This Event is For You! | Ponies & Pints, Style Hair Like a Pro!
Nathan Stahr sits down with Ryan Marshall from Shinny’s in Dixon to talk about Ponies and Pints, a unique event designed to help dads and father figures learn…
- Along The Rock
If You Can Read, You Can Do Anything | The Dolly Parton Imagination Library Comes to Ogle County
Welcome back to Along the Rock with host Emma Watts and guest Ashley Richter from United Way of Lee County. In this episode, Ashley discusses the Dolly Parton…
- Along The Rock
Cash and Coffee | Budgeting as a Couple
General Description, brief summary of the episode, notable moments, etc…🗓️ Event Date: fill in event date🕙 Time: fill in event time📍 Location: fill in event…
- Along The Rock
Independent Film to Show in Dixon | A Conversation with the Producer and Director
Step inside the world of independent filmmaking with host Emma Watts and filmmaker Nicholas Moore on this episode of Along the Rock. Nicholas discusses his…
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Your Story Matters, Domestic Violence Support Group | A Place For Survivors to Share Their Story
Emma Watts sits down with Jordan Wolford on this episode of Along the Rock to discuss the launch of Your Story Matters, a domestic violence survivor support…
- Along The Rock
Grandma Traveled Where?! | A Conversation with World Traveler.. and Grandma, Jeanne Roppolo
Join host Nathan Stahr on this episode of Along the Rock as he sits down with traveler and author Jeanne Roppolo to discuss the incredible real-life adventures…
- Along The Rock
Geneseo Farm Kids Turned Champion Bakers! | Winners of Baking Championship Next Gen
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Abigail and Kenneth Wolf, the sibling duo who took home the top prize on Baking Championship…
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An Afternoon of Opera and Organ | Featuring Rock Falls Native, Remy Collins
In this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Remington Collins, a classical voice student currently studying at the Eastman School of…
- Along The Rock
Older Americans Month | Tips and Tricks for Keeping Your Brain Healthy!
In this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Karla Belzer from the University of Illinois Extension to talk about brain health in honor…
- Along The Rock
“Catch Me If You Can at Rock Falls High 🎭 | Cast Interview + LIVE Scene Performance!”
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Rock Falls High School’s upcoming production of Catch Me If You Can on this episode of Along the Rock, hosted by Emma Watts…
- Along The Rock
Cash & Coffee | Money Memories
On this episode of Cash and Coffee, Emma Watts and Kayla Tenboer-Sipes dive into the connection between finances and relationships, and why so many couples…
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Interfaith National Day of Prayer Service 2026
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr is joined by Sterling Mayor Diana Merdian, Nik Jakobs, Pastor Daniel Swihart of Open Door Community…
- Along The Rock
How Much Water is Too Much Water? | Gardening Tips with Bruce Black
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Bruce Black from the University of Illinois Extension to talk all things gardening as spring…
- Along The Rock
The Best Salsa in the Sauk Valley?! | Meet the Owner of Las Palmas
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Juan and Riley Paredes from Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant in Dixon after the community…
- Along The Rock
The 2026 Season of Children's Theatre! | Finding Nemo Jr. and The Little Mermaid!
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts goes behind the scenes of two exciting children’s theater productions at the Dixon Historic Theatre. First…
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NAMI Sauk Area Introduces New Programs | Mental Health Awareness Month
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Maggie Wike from NAMI Sauk Area to talk about Mental Health Awareness Month and the ongoing…