Along The Rock

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Connor Self, President of D8 Summit Charities, to talk about the return of the D8 Summit Charity Convention and how tabletop gaming is bringing people together for a great cause. From its beginnings as a small fundraiser following a devastating tornado to a multi-day convention drawing attendees from across the country, D8 Summit ha...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Jake Wallin and Ellen Holder from CER LARP to explore the world of live action roleplay and how it brings fantasy to life right here in the Sauk Valley. From building unique characters to battling monsters, solving puzzles, and shaping an evolving storyline, CER LARP offers an immersive experience that goes far beyond traditional ta...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Ashley Covell from Emmanuel Baptist Church to talk about the upcoming Women’s Priority Conference simulcast coming to Sterling. This free, two-day event brings women together for a powerful and encouraging experience centered around this year’s theme, Beautiful Scars. Hosted locally but streamed from the Illinois Baptist State Assoc...

Get ready for a night of fun, friendly competition, and community impact. On this episode of Along the Rock , host Nathan Stahr sits down with Jim Greer and Tony Crisp from the Bi-County Special Education Foundation to talk about their upcoming Trivia Night fundraiser. This annual event brings the Sauk Valley community together for an evening of trivia, prizes, and giving back to a cause that dire...

Should you invest while paying off debt, or focus on becoming debt-free first? On this episode of Cash and Coffee , hosts Emma Watts and Kayla Tenboer-Sipes break down one of the most debated topics in personal finance. Using real numbers and a clear example, they compare two strategies: splitting money between investing and debt payments, or putting everything toward eliminating debt first. What...

In this episode of Along the Rock , host Nathan Stahr brings you part two of an in-depth conversation with regional city leadership from across the Sauk Valley. Joined by Danny Langloss (Dixon), Scott Shumard (Sterling), and Robbin Blackery (Rock Falls), this episode dives deeper into the realities of economic development, public safety costs, workforce challenges, and the strategies shaping the f...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Kelly Howlett of Tortoise Multisport to talk all things Rock River Madness. This community-driven cycling event brings riders of all skill levels together to kick off the season. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist ready to tackle a challenge or just looking for a fun family ride, this event has something for everyone. From scenic...

On this episode of Along the Rock , host Nathan Stahr sits down with local leaders from across the Sauk Valley for an in-depth roundtable discussion on some of the biggest issues facing our communities today. Joining the conversation are Danny Langloss (City of Dixon), Scott Shumard (City of Sterling), and Robbin Blackery (City of Rock Falls), offering insight into how decisions are made at the ci...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Kassy Wells from the Helping Hands Food Pantry to talk about the growing need for food assistance in Whiteside County and how the community can make a real difference. Kassy shares how the pantry is serving hundreds of individuals and families each month, the impact of their client-choice model, and the innovative ways they are su...

Tune in to this powerful episode of Along the Rock as host Nathan Stahr sits down with returning guest Brian Dixon for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation. Brian shares his journey following a life-altering workplace accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury, and how he has navigated the daily challenges that come with it. From memory struggles and chronic headaches to sensory s...

In this episode of Cash and Coffee , Emma Watts and Kayla Tenboer-Sipes break down one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make—choosing the right mortgage. Using a $200,000 home example, they walk through what it looks like to put 20% down and compare the real differences between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage. While the lower monthly payment of a 30-year loan may seem appealing, Emm...

Get ready to celebrate 20 years of creativity in the Sauk Valley 🎨 On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Christy Zepezauer, Executive Director of Woodlawn Arts Academy, to talk all about the upcoming Winner’s Circle Fundraiser —a Kentucky Derby–themed night packed with fun, art, and community spirit. From delicious food and a silent auction to the exciting Dessert Dash...

Discover how one local educator is making a national impact on the arts. In this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Tim Schlegel from Sterling High School to talk about his recent recognition with the NFHS Citation Award. Tim shares what the award means, how he built Sterling’s theater program from the ground up, and the unforgettable moments that shaped his career—from ea...

In this episode of Along the Rock , host Nathan Stahr sits down with Anna Garcia and Janna Groharing from Sterling Main Street to talk about how a simple idea has grown into a powerful community movement. Team Up 2 Clean Up is bringing people together every month to keep downtown Sterling looking its best. From students earning volunteer hours to community members looking to give back, this initia...

Thinking about moving? Whether you're dreaming of the suburbs or considering a new city, your budget might change more than you expect. In this episode of Cash & Coffee , Emma Watts and Kayla Tenboer-Sipes break down the two biggest factors that will impact your finances: location and lifestyle. From rising grocery costs to lifestyle creep, they dive into real-life examples of how spending...

Paws, purpose, and a powerful mission take center stage on this episode of Along the Rock . Host Nathan Stahr sits down with Michelle Schwarz and Danny Sward from Paws for the Powerless to talk about the organization’s first year of making a difference through therapy dogs and mental health support. Founded in memory of Blake Schwarz, the nonprofit is dedicated to providing trained therapy dogs at...

Get ready for an unforgettable night of live music in Dixon! On this episode of Along The Rock , host Nathan Stahr sits down with Cathy and Jon James from the Dixon Municipal Band to preview their upcoming Spring Concert. This year’s performance features a very special guest—legendary saxophonist Tom Scott—bringing world-class talent to a local stage. With a career spanning thousands of recordings...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with local author Thomas Nance to talk about his debut sports romance novel Trying for Home , written under the pseudonym Stark Wilson. Thomas shares the story behind his unique pen name, inspired by classic literature and his work in audiobook narration. The conversation dives into the inspiration for the novel, which is told from the...

On this episode of Cash and Coffee , hosts Emma Watts and Kayla Tenboer-Sipes talk about a simple but powerful financial concept: margin . Margin is the gap between your income and your expenses, and the larger that gap is, the more financial freedom you have. Emma shares a common frustration many people feel when looking at their monthly budget and wishing there was more money available. Kayla ex...

Welcome to The Racso Awards 2026 , hosted by Darren Mangler ! 🎬🏆 Do we need another movie awards show? Probably not. But do we need one that’s more fun and a lot less serious than the Academy Awards ? Absolutely. In this special episode, Darren breaks down his picks for the best (and worst) movies of the year, celebrating great performances, hilarious comedies, overlooked films, and even a few m...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts sits down with Michael Tierney of the Reilly Celtic Rock Band to talk about the band’s unique sound, their creative songwriting process, and their upcoming return to Dixon for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Reilly blends traditional Celtic influences with the energy of American rock and roll, creating a style they describe as Irish-American folk...

When should you actually use your emergency fund? 💰 On this episode of Cash & Coffee – Along the Rock , hosts Emma Watts and Kayla Tenboer-Sipes break down a simple way to decide if dipping into your emergency savings is the right move. Emma shares a real-life shopping dilemma—finding something she really wanted but realizing it would mean pulling money from her emergency fund. That leads to...

On this episode of Along the Rock , host Emma Watts sits down with Carli Jonet to talk about the upcoming Be the Difference Volunteer Fair organized by Lifescape Community Services. This unique event connects community members with local nonprofits and organizations that are looking for volunteers. Instead of a traditional job fair, this event focuses entirely on service opportunities across White...

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Sauk Valley on this episode of Along the Rock . Host Emma Watts welcomes back Dan Burke from the Rock River Valley Shamrock Club to share everything you need to know about this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Dixon . Dan walks through the full day of festivities, from parade traditions and community involvement to live Irish music, family activities, and...

On this episode of Along the Rock , host Emma Watts sits down with Megan Williams , coordinator of Sauk Valley MomCo, to talk about motherhood, community, and the importance of moms supporting moms. MomCo, short for Mom Community, is a national and international organization designed to create meaningful connections for mothers in every season of life. Megan shares how Sauk Valley MomCo got starte...