Along The Rock

How much money should you have saved for an emergency? On this episode of Cash and Coffee , hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman discuss why an emergency fund is one of the most important financial tools you can have. They cover: Why everyone needs an emergency fund How much you should aim to save Why starting small is better than not starting at all How automatic paycheck splitting can help you...

Join host Kierstyn Long as she sits down with Nancy Varga , director of the Reagan Run, to discuss one of Dixon's favorite Fourth of July traditions. Now celebrating its 26th year , the Reagan Run has grown from a downtown revitalization effort into one of the Sauk Valley's largest community races. Nancy shares the story behind the event, how it has evolved over the years, and why it conti...

How does a community help children heal after abuse? In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Jessica Cash, Executive Director and Forensic Interviewer for Shining Star Children's Advocacy Center, to discuss how the nonprofit provides a safe, child-friendly environment for children and teens who have experienced abuse. Learn how Shining Star works alongside law enfo...

Get ready for two incredible summer theater productions coming to the Dixon Historic Theatre! On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Ben Lightner of Dixon Stage Left, along with Falan Schwartz and Lilli Highley of Sister Stage Productions, to talk about the exciting productions of Guys and Dolls and Six: Teen Edition . Learn how Dixon Stage Left partnered with the Di...

Spend your summer along the Rock River with Visit Rock Falls Tourism! 🌞🎶 On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Melinda Jones, Director of Visit Rock Falls Tourism, to preview this year's Eats and Beats events, including the massive July 2 Independence Day Celebration and the July18 summer concert night. Learn about the live music lineup, food trucks, fireworks,...

Discover how Wellspring Medical Spa in Dixon is redefining wellness in the Sauk Valley. On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Jordanna Devine, founder and medical director of Wellspring Medical Spa, to discuss the practice’s unique approach to full-body wellness. From aesthetic treatments and medical weight loss to body contouring, pelvic floor therapy, and innovati...

📚 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 the return of Find Waldo Local in Dixon, Illinois. The month-long community scavenger hunt encourages residents and visitors to explore local businesses while searching for everyone's favorite striped character. Learn how the eve...

🚍 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 Cox, and Amy Robbins to discuss the upcoming annexation of Whiteside County Public Transportation into Reagan Mass Transit District. The conversation explores what the transition means for current riders, how services will continue after...

☕ Multiple Streams of Income | Side Hustles, Investing & Financial Flexibility | Cash and Coffee How many streams of income should you have? On this episode of Cash and Coffee , hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman discuss side hustles, passive income, investing, rental properties, and turning hobbies into additional revenue. From baking sourdough bread and snow shoveling to stock investing...

🎆 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 Sanders, President of the Sterling-Rock Falls Jaycees, todiscuss the organization's mission, community impact, and the tremendous workthat happens behind the scenes to support local families and events. Cael shares how the Jaycees fund the ann...

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 Wiggins of Caster Home Health Solutions to discuss the launch of the Dementia Friendly Sterling initiative. The conversation explores how the new community effort aims to increase awareness, educate local businesses and organizations, and creat...

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 with the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA. Learn about the YMCA’s Girls on the Go summer program, which helps middle school girls build confidence, make new friends, stay active, and train for a 5K while connecting with women leaders throughout the...

🐍 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 Kierstyn Long sits down with Christal and Dustin Rascoe of Christal’s Exotics during the Dixon Petunia Festival at Sweetland Studios. The couple shares how a fear of snakes turned into a family passion for reptiles, rescue work, and...

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 anniversary of the Let’s Feed Our Children program. Learn how this community-driven initiative provides thousands of free meals to children throughout Whiteside County each summer. Keri shares how the program has grown, the increasing need...

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 discuss everything happening during the 62nd annual celebration. Learn about the history of one of the Sauk Valley’s biggest summer traditions, the return of the carnival, parade, live entertainment, fireworks, family activities, and the co...

💰 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 of the most popular debt repayment methods: the Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche strategies. Learn how interest rates impact your finances, why loan terms matter, and how to decide which approach can help you pay off debt faster. The discu...

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 to discuss the upcoming production of The Lion King Jr. Learn what goes into selecting a summer theater production, how young performers prepare for an intensive rehearsal schedule, and what it's like to bring beloved characters like Rafi...

🌱🍅 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 by horticulture expert Bruce Black to create an indoor pizza garden packed with fresh ingredients for your favorite Italian dishes. Learn how to plant tomatoes, peppers, basil, oregano, and chives in a single container while picking up e...

🎭 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 Long sitsdown with Karen Kaufman, Ashlynn Whaley, and Brandon Clark from Dixon Stage Left to discuss their upcoming production, Everybody’s Favorite Mothers—a reader’s theater performance that tells the story behind the founding of PFLAG thr...

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 patriotic celebration benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project while commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. Learn how this unique event came together through community collaboration, why every donation goes directly to the Wounded Warrior Proje...

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 Stahr and Emily Zimmerman discuss age-appropriate ways to introduce children and teens to financial responsibility. From earning money through chores and small jobs to understanding savings goals, taxes, budgeting, credit scores, and major...

🐐 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 Dixon, Illinois, for a behind-the-scenes look at a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and caring for farm animals in need. In this episode, Tracy Kitzman and farm manager Cat Austin share the story of how a family farm evolved into a gr...

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 , host Emma Watts sits down with Armando Garnica Jr., the 2025 Rock Falls Police Officer of the Year, to discuss his journey into law enforcement, the surprise of receiving the award, and what serving the Rock Falls community means to him. A...

🌱 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 Illinois Extension for a hands-on gardening demonstration filmed at Sweetland Studios during the Dixon Petunia Festival. Bruce walks Emma through creating a beautiful indoor succulent garden while sharing practical tips for container gardenin...

🐄❤️ 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 Wesley and Gabby DeClercq, founders of The Millie Moo Foundation, to discuss how the memory of their daughter, Amelia "Millie" DeClercq, inspired a mission dedicated to helping families facing pediatric cancer and supporting the next...