Along The Rock

In this episode of Along the Rock: The Arts Stream , host Mark Morris talks with reverse drawing artist Matt Jagitsch , who creates striking images by starting with a dark background and using light to reveal his subjects. Matt shares how he rediscovered art during the COVID-19 pandemic after a 28-year break, and how that spark has led to award-winning work now featured in galleries across Illinoi...

Season 2, Episode 57 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Bethany Wright and Jeff White about what’s in store for the 2024 Petunia Festival in downtown Dixon, happening July 3–6 . From carnival rides, fireworks, and food trucks to live performances by Blind Melon, Tyler Braden, Too Hype Crew , and more, there’s something for everyone. 🎶🎡🍔 Hear about new events like 3...

Season 2, Episode 56 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum talks with John Watts, Derrick Peltier, and Emma Hand about the return of Touch a Truck —Rock Falls' ultimate hands-on vehicle experience happening Saturday, June 28 at RB&W Park. From fire trucks and cranes to UTVs, ATVs, and even Dukes of Hazzard replicas, this year’s event features 175+ vehicles , food vendors, l...

Season 2, Episode 55 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Nicole Bollman sits down with Sterling City Manager Scott Shumard as he celebrates 25 years of service to the city. From his start as an intern in 1999 to leading major redevelopment efforts, Shumard shares how Sterling has evolved—and the challenges and successes along the way. Hear about: • The closure and partial revival of the Mill...

Season 2, Episode 54 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Mark Morris talks with AJ Querciagrossa, Regional CEO, and Jackie Kernan, President of Saint Katherine Medical Centers, about the recent merger between KSB Hospital and OSF Healthcare. They dive into: Why rural hospitals are merging How OSF plans to keep healthcare local New innovations like telehealth, wearables, and Health at Home Edu...

Season 2, Episode 53 In this episode of Along the Rock , host Mark Morris talks with Carrie Melton, Executive Director of April House Children’s Advocacy Center, about how the center provides a safe, trauma-informed space for children involved in abuse investigations in Whiteside County. Learn how April House supports children and families through difficult times. To learn more, visit their websit...

In the latest episode of Along the Rock , host Mark Morris sat down with Rashaad Lane of the Sauk Valley Diversity Alliance to talk about the organization’s upcoming Juneteenth Celebration and recent accomplishments that continue to make a positive impact in the Sauk Valley community. To learn more, visit them on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/DiversitySV/ 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and...

In this week’s episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum dives into one of the most anticipated summer events in the Sauk Valley area—Summer Splash—with guest Sam Kersey, who helps coordinate the annual celebration. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more local stories from the Sauk Valley! Check out ⁠The Radar Free Press⁠ and Follow us on all social media platforms below: ⁠Fac...

Season 2, Episode 50 In the latest episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum welcomes Keri Olson and Ashley Richter, Executive Directors of the United Way chapters serving Whiteside County and Lee/Ogle Counties, respectively. Together, they shine a spotlight on two impactful local programs that ensure children have access to nutritious meals during the summer months: Feed Our Children in Whites...

Season 2, Episode 49 In the latest episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Brenda Helms, Director of Community Education at Sauk Valley Community College, to discuss one of the region’s most beloved annual events: the Sauk Valley Child Fair. To learn more, visit the website: https://www.svcc.edu/community/community-education/child-fair.html 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and...

Season 2, Episode 48In the latest episode of Along the Rock, host Mark Morris sits down with Karstin Howard, Child Welfare Resource Supervisor at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), for a candid and insightful conversation about the foster care system in Illinois and the vital role that foster parents play in shaping the lives of vulnerable children. To learn more, visit the website:https...

Season 2, Episode 47 In this week’s episode of Along the Rock, host Mark Morris sits down with Sata Prescott, the Baron of Carraig Ban, to explore the vibrant world of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a community dedicated to reliving the past, not just watching it. To learn more, visit the website:https://carraigban.midrealm.org/ 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more...

Discover all the fun coming to Dixon this spring and summer! In this episode of Along the Rock , Mark Morris chats with Jennifer Lang from Discover Dixon about exciting upcoming events — including the June 7th Summer Block Party, Dixon City Market on Wednesdays, Friday night concerts, and the Brush and Bloom event on July 4th during Petunia Fest. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for...

Season 2, Episode 45In this episode of Along the Rock, Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Duis Center manager Stephanie Milnes to talk about Water Safety Month, which is May. The Duis Center offers swimming lessons all year-round for people anywhere from 6 months old to adults. They have both group and private lessons. If you’ve completed all swimming lessons and are looking for more, the Duis Center has...

Season 2, Episode 44In this episode of Along the Rock, Kaitlyn Blum talks with Neddie Watts and Jaime Vos about the Tri-County Opportunities Council and its 60th anniversary event. The Tri-County Opportunities Council (TCOC) is a community action agency that was started in 1965 by 3 or 4 concerned citizens who wanted to work together to eliminate poverty. They started out serving 3 counties but ev...

Season 2, Episode 43In this episode of Along the Rock, Mark Morris talks with Melinda Jones, director of Rock Falls Tourism, and musical director Josh Duffee about the upcoming Bellson Music Fest. The 4th annual Bellson Music Fest will be held on June 7. The event celebrates the legacy of the famous drummer Louie Bellson. Bellson Music Fest will kick off at 11:30am with a drum clinic at the McCorm...

Season 2, Episode 42In this episode of Along the Rock, Mark Morris sits down with Jimmy Ferraro, artistic director at Dixon Stage Left, to discuss upcoming shows, auditions, and more. Dixon Stage Left’s first fundraiser this year will by their production of “A Bullet for The Boss” which will be performed on June 6- 8 at 5:30pm. Due to renovations, this show will instead take place at Lena’s Social...

Season 2, Episode 41In this episode of Along the Rock, Mark Morris talks with Annette Hackbarth and Paul Ausman about the Sterling Municipal Band's upcoming concerts. The Sterling Municipal Band will be starting their season on June 4 at the Grandon Civic Center in Sterling. After that, they will do weekly concerts until August 6. They also plan on having many guests throughout the season. The...

Season 2, Episode 40In this episode of Along the Rock, Mark Morris talks with Jon James about the Dixon Municipal Band's upcoming concerts. The Dixon Municipal Band, led by director Jon James, performs 10 concerts over the summer, with the first being at 7:30pm on June 5 at Page Park Band Shell in Dixon. They will then do a concert every Thursday at the same time and location through August 7....

Season 2, Episode 39In this episode of Along the Rock, Nicole Bollman talks with club members Shirley Vivian and Laurie McBride about Rock River Garden Club, Dixon in Bloom and Beautify Dixon, all events relating to cleaning up and planting flowers across Dixon. The Rock River Garden Club (RRGC) was the first of these organizations, which began in 1957 as a women-only club. They meet in the evenin...

Season 2, Episode 38In this episode of Along the Rock, Mark Morris talks with theatre manager Tori Highley about the recent renovations done to The Dixon: Historic Theatre and some upcoming events. The Dixon: Historic Theatre recently underwent a $150 million renovation. Some of the changes include added waterproofing on the roof and walls, newly plastered and painted walls, a permanent concession...

Season 2, Episode 37In this episode of Along the Rock, Quinn Stahr sits down with retiring District 13 superintendent Dan Arickx and incoming superintendent Kelli Virgil to discuss the upcoming switch and planned changes. Arickx has been in the district since 1996 and has held the position of superintendent for the last 15 years. His last day will be June 30, and Virgil will be taking over the nex...

Season 2, Episode 36In this episode of Along the Rock, Mark Morris speaks with the Regional Spelling Bee Champion, Parker Zimmerly, and his mom, Joanie Zimmerly, about his win and upcoming trip to Washington D.C.With the word “illicitly”, Amboy student Parker Zimmerly recently won the Regional Spelling Bee, and in a few weeks, he will travel to Washington D.C. to compete in the National Spelling B...

Season 2, Episode 35 In this episode of Along the Rock, Mark Morris talks about the upcoming productions of “Willy Wonka Jr.” and “Into the Woods Jr.” at The Dixon: Historic Theatre with theatre manager Tori Highley and several actors: Kamri Velez, Lilli Highley, Nora Highley and Evelyn Arneson. The first show, “Willy Wonka Jr.”, features actors 10 and under and will be performed on May 9 at 7pm a...

Season 2, Episode 34In this episode of Along the Rock, Mark Morris talks with Sergent Harry Blomstrand of the Sterling Police Department to discuss their 3rd annual Run for the Badge 5K event. This year’s Run for The Badge 5K will take place at 505 W Lynn Blvd in Sterling on May 10 at 9am. The event aims to build a bond between the community and local police. This also helps people feel more comfo...