Along The Rock

Season 2, Episode 82 In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Mark Searing and Bryan Plummer from the City of Rock Falls to talk about everything happening behind the scenes in the Building and Code Enforcement Department. From daily inspections and tenant complaints to condemned buildings and major development projects like the upcoming Love’s truck stop, this conversat...

Season 2, Episode 81 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Regional Superintendent Chris Tennyson and Assistant Regional Superintendent Josh Knuth from ROE #47 to dive into everything families need to know for the new school year. From prenatal resources and early childhood education to alternative schools, mental health initiatives, and innovative student mentoring...

Season 2, Episode 80 In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum chats with Mandy Dallas about the upcoming Tools for School event happening Thursday, August 7, at the Elks Lodge in Dixon, IL.This free event helps local students who qualify for free or reduced lunch by providing backpacks, school supplies, and even haircuts. New this year is a quiet Sensory Time from 8:00–8:30 a.m. to sup...

Season 2, Episode 79 Join us for this heartwarming episode of Along the Rock, brought to you by the Radar Free Press, as host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Ellen Bently, Joel Megill, and Jordann Langner-Fishman to talk about Woodlawn Arts Academy’s Theater in the Park production of A Year with Frog and Toad. Discover what makes outdoor theater so magical (and occasionally buggy), hear behind-the-sce...

Season 2, Episode 78 In this episode, host Mark Morris sits down with Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Sommers of the Rock Falls Fire Department for an inside look at how local firefighters are adapting to meet modern challenges. From responding to medical emergencies and river rescues to planning a state-of-the-art training facility with Sterling Fire Department, Sommers shares how the department is expand...

Season 2, Episode 77 In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Emily Hammer from the Whiteside County Senior Center to talk about the many ways the center supports older adults in the Sterling area. From fun group outings and creative classes to meal delivery, paperwork assistance, and a monthly Veterans Breakfast, the center offers a little bit of everything for adults a...

Season 2, Episode 76 👮‍♀️🎉 Lights, Sirens, Action! National Night Out 2025 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum is joined by Mary Toth and the beloved Millie the Comfort Dog from the Sterling Police Department to preview National Night Out 2025 — a free, family-friendly event that brings the community and local law enforcement together for an evening of fun, connection, and comm...

In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Trent Soyster, Sydney Greene, and Darcie Hingula from Timber Lake Playhouse to talk about their exciting new production of Frozen: The Broadway Musical . Discover what makes this regional production unique—from dazzling special effects and brand-new songs, to the inclusion of local child actors and a 9-minute winter vortex dance...

Season 2, Episode 74 In this episode of Along the Rock , we follow the inspiring journey of Tess Schaefer, a Rock Falls native who spent nearly a year living in Denmark through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. What started as a childhood dream sparked by meeting a former exchange student became a life-changing adventure filled with cultural surprises, personal growth, and unforgettable connectio...

Season 2, Episode 73 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Dave Northcutt, the new Fire Chief of Sterling, Illinois, about the exciting changes coming to the Sterling Fire Department. Chief Northcutt shares his plans to update procedures, expand staffing, and strengthen partnerships with neighboring departments for better emergency response. Hear about the department’s i...

Season 2, Episode 72 🎙️ Hot Dogs, Classic Cars, and Community Fun — It’s All Happening August 1 in Sterling! In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum chats with Robin Duncan and Janna Groharin about two beloved Sterling traditions — Hot Dog Day and Rally on the Rock Cruise Night . 🌭 Hot Dog Day has been serving up fun since 1976, and this year it’s back on August 1 from 11:00 AM to 2...

Season 2, Episode 71 Love, laughter, and a whole lot of 80s flair! In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Ashton Strange, Gianna Sagel, Owen Winters, and Trinity Pankey — four talented cast members from The Wedding Singer , opening soon at Centennial Auditorium. From unforgettable characters to hilarious backstage moments, the cast shares what makes this musical comed...

Season 2, Episode 70 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Terri Porter, Co-Pastor of Abiding Word Church, about the upcoming Beautiful Exchange Women’s Conference 2025 . This year’s theme is Brave: Being Courageous in a World of Chaos , and it features keynote speaker Alicia Hankins Moran , a powerful voice with a personal story of resilience, faith, and fearlessness. T...

Season 2, Episode 69 Most people don’t realize you can build a high-paying career in engineering technology or network administration without spending four years in college. In this episode of Along the Rock , host Mark Morris sits down with Morrison Tech’s leadership team: President Chris Scott, President of Academic Affairs Scott Connelly, and President of Admissions Jodie Eaker. They discuss th...

Season 2, Episode 68 What do a beloved chicken dish, live music, and a downtown block party have in common? They're all part of George Fest — a brand new event coming to Rock Falls on July 26. In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with organizer Matt Prescott to talk about how this festival is more than just fun. It's a grassroots effort to bring energy, business,...

Season 2, Episode 67 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum talks with The Rev. Dr. Scott Porter about Abiding Word Church’s 40-year journey — from humble beginnings and financial struggles to becoming debt-free. Hear how a strong focus on youth and children's ministry became the church’s “secret sauce” and what big plans are ahead, including a new youth building and classroom s...

Season 2, Episode 66 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Matt Lillpop about the upcoming Farm to Table Fundraiser hosted by the Whiteside County Farm Bureau Foundation. Set for July 20 at Selmi’s Farm in Rock Falls , this event features a locally sourced dinner, signature drinks from a horse trailer-turned-bar, and over $16,000 in scholarships awarded to local Ag stude...

Season 2, Episode 65 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Mark Morris talks with Joan Johnson about Tampico’s upcoming Sesquicentennial Celebration. From being the birthplace of President Ronald Reagan to surviving devastating tornadoes and fires, Tampico’s story is full of resilience and pride. Discover what’s planned for the four-day celebration happening July 17–20, including fireworks, liv...

Season 2, Episode 64 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Terry Hicks about the exciting return of the Rock Falls River Chase , a high-speed boat race unique to the area. Terry shares how he helped revive the event after it disappeared in the early 2000s, what it takes to organize a race with boats reaching up to 90 mph, and why this multi-generational tradition means s...

Season 2, Episode 63 In this inspiring episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Shane Bielema to talk about Disability Pride Month and his personal journey living with Cerebral Palsy. Shane opens up about the challenges he faced growing up, how he found purpose in helping others as a Direct Support Professional, and his unexpected role as a local wrestling manager. He shares wh...

Season 2, Episode 62 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Maggie Wike from NAMI Sauk Area to discuss the upcoming NAMI 5K and the essential mental health support available in our region. They talk about free support groups, educational programs like Ending the Silence , and how NAMI is working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness in Lee, Whiteside, Carrol...

Season 2, Episode 61 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum chats with Andrew Hofer from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Discover how FCA uses sports and faith to inspire and equip students across Western Illinois through small group huddles, leadership training, and summer camps. Hear about their upcoming Basketball Power Camp for 3rd to 8th graders and learn how you ca...

Season 2, Episode 60 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Mike Moris sits down with Brittany Devereueawax to share an exciting update on the SVCC Impact Program, an earned tuition initiative at Sauk Valley Community College. Learn how students can earn up to three years of tuition by volunteering in their communities, how to get involved, and the long-term benefits the program offers for perso...

Season 2, Episode 59 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Mike Moris talks with Tom Myers and Bob Sondgeroth from the Rock Falls Rotary Club about the Rotary Foreign Exchange Program. They share how the program connects students from around the world with local families, the challenges of finding host families post-COVID, and the life-changing relationships that form along the way. Hear powerf...

Season 2, Episode 58 What do dancing and personal finance have in common? In this episode of Along the Rock , host Mike Moris talks with author and former financial coach Kayla Tenboer-Sipes about her new book Dancing with Money . After a Rotary Club speech revealed unexpected connections between dance and money management, Kayla created a framework based on 7 essential skills: control, focus, bal...