Along The Rock

Learn how the Whiteside County Property Fraud Alert program can help protect you. On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Whiteside County Recorder Kendra Kophamer Bush to explain how the county's free Property Fraud Alert system works, what it does, and what it doesn't do. Although property fraud has become a growing concern nationwide, Kendra explains that t...

Hungry for one of the best burgers in the Sauk Valley? 🍔 On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Stew and Elaine Bruns , owners of Shamrock Pub in Dixon , to talk about what it takes to earn the title of Radar Free Press Best Burger . Learn how the Bruns have built a loyal following with fresh, never-frozen beef, hand-pattied burgers, homemade recipes and a family at...

How can a box of Girl Scout cookies help families in need? 🍪💙 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Melissa Morel of Girl Scout Troop 935, Jill Sander-McFalls from the YWCA of Sauk Valley, and Girl Scout Jordan McFalls to discuss the troop's inspiring Adopt a Box community service project. Learn how the girls used proceeds from nearly 11,000 boxes of Girl Scou...

What does the Whiteside County Farm Bureau actually do? It's much more than farming. On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Matt Lillpop , manager of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau, to discuss the organization's mission, its impact on local agriculture and education, and several exciting community events happening this summer. Learn about the second annual...

Get ready to laugh, cheer, and maybe even spell your way onto the stage! On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long is joined by Ellen Bentley , Jenna Mingus , and Joel Megill from Woodlawn Arts Academy to preview this summer's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee . Learn why this fan-favorite musical is returning by popular demand, what makes every performance...

Discover why the Yak Yak Sisters have become one of the Sauk Valley's most welcoming outdoor groups! On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long is joined by Karen Miles and Cyndi Muler to talk about the Yak Yak Sisters, a kayaking club that has spent more than 12 years bringing people together on the water. Learn how the group got started, what to expect on a Wednesday paddle, thei...

On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Sterling City Clerk Teri Sathoff to talk about the return of Chalk the Walk , a free family event happening Saturday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grandon Civic Center . Learn what families can expect, including: Free sidewalk chalk and painting activities An Americana theme celebrating America's 250th anniversary Gian...

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...