Along The Rock

Season 2, Episode 174 🚀 Blast off into creativity! In this episode of Along the Rock , host Emma Watts talks with Kayla Tenboer-Sipes , author of Rocket to the Moon: Art Adventures —an interactive children’s book that combines art, puzzles, and storytelling. Learn how an 11-year dream became reality, why art matters for kids, and what’s next in the Art Adventures series! 🎨✨ 🎙️ Listen now: https...

Season 2, Episode 174 Sterling Public Library is preparing to roll out a mobile library —and in this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Library Director Jennifer Slaney about what that means for the community. They discuss accessibility, outreach to senior and underserved residents, the timeline for launch, and the broader mission of keeping the library welcoming to all. List...

Season 2, Episode 173 ✨ For over 40 years, Community Christmas for Children has brought joy and care to families across the region. Host Nathan Stahr talks with volunteers Carol Siefken and Rita Smith about how the program began, the impact it continues to have, and how listeners can join in the giving spirit. 🎁 Tune in for heartfelt stories and meaningful holiday inspiration. 🎄 👉 Don’t forget...

Season 2, Episode 172 Prepare for winter like a pro! ❄️ Nathan Stahr chats with meteorologist Andrew Stutzke on how to protect your home, commute, and yourself this season 🏠🚗 Listen: https://theradar.online/along-the-rock-s2-ep-172-winter-weather-tips-with-andrew-stutzke/ 👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more local stories from Rock Falls and beyond. 🎧 Listen to the full podcas...

Take control of your money with Cash & Coffee ! ☕💵 Nathan Stahr and Kayla Tenboer-Sipes dive into the 4 pillars of budgeting — your essentials, debt, savings, and wants — and offer practical tips to stretch your dollars, reduce stress, and build financial confidence. Perfect for anyone looking to make their budget work smarter, not harder. 🎧 Listen now: https://theradar.online/cash-coffee-t...

In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Gary Camarano , the Economic Development Director for Whiteside County , to explore how northwest Illinois is stepping into a new era of innovation and growth. From transforming the Prairie Hill Landfill into a solar energy site to attracting foreign investment from Germany and rolling out high-speed fiber broadband , Gary shares...

In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Tori Highley , Josh Snow , Nora Highley , and Olivia Reiners from the Dixon Historic Theatre to talk about not one, but two upcoming youth productions — Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. and Rogers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! Youth Edition! Hear how these young performers are balancing rehearsals, learning accents, and bringi...

S2 Ep 169 Host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Ben Sondgeroth from the Learning Technology Center of Illinois about guiding students in a digital-first world. From responsible tech use to building digital citizenship skills, this episode explores how educators and communities can prepare students for the future. Listen + read more: https://theradar.online/along-the-rock-s2-ep-169-tech-in-the-classroom-ben...

Sterling is on the move! In this episode of Along the Rock , host Nathan Stahr sits down with Sterling City Manager Scott Shumard to talk about the city’s major redevelopment efforts, exciting infrastructure updates, and what recent legislation means for Sterling’s future. From the River Edge Redevelopment Zone and Rock River TIF extension to progress on Light Street , Second Street , and new mult...

How do college students turn ideas into action? On this episode of Along the Rock , Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Aaron Roe , Club Advisor for Service Without Borders at Sauk Valley Community College, to explore how students are leading local initiatives—from road cleanups to food pantries and animal shelter partnerships. Tune in to hear how one student organization is building leadership, community...

A hidden hometown resource with big impact. In this episode, we sit down with representatives from the Sterling-Rock Falls Community Trust to discuss how renewable scholarships, adult education support, and nonprofit grants are building the future of Sterling and Rock Falls—one opportunity at a time. Listen now → https://theradar.online/along-the-rock-s2-ep-166-investing-in-tomorrow-right-here-at-...

In this heartwarming episode of Along the Rock , host Nathan Stahr sits down with Dawn Arndt , Liam , and Bryce from The Penguin Project of Sauk Valley — a local theater program giving children and young adults with special needs a chance to shine on stage. 🌟 Learn how this inclusive program pairs actors with peer mentors, creating friendships and unforgettable performances. Dawn shares what make...

🪦 How do you restore history when it’s been buried for over a century? In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum talks with Dana Fellows , founder of the Round Grove Restoration Project . Hear how he’s bringing dignity and memory back to long-forgotten graves through careful restoration, research, and a deep respect for the past. 🎧 Listen on Spotify or at: 👉 https://theradar.online/...

On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Eric Valdez and Melissa Erdmier from Sauk Valley Community College to talk about the 6th Annual SVCC Freedom 5K — a fun run/walk that gives back to those who served. 🏃‍♂️ Event Details: When: Saturday, November 15th at 9:00 a.m. Where: Sauk Valley Community College campus Registration Fee: $30 — proceeds support the SVCC Student...

Government shutdown? No paycheck? Don’t panic. Nathan Stahr and Kayla Tenboer-Sipes share simple, realistic steps to get through financial uncertainty — including how to cut expenses, find community support, and build a safety net for the future. Listen to Cash & Coffee now: https://theradar.online/cash-coffee-how-to-survive-a-government-shutdown/ 👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe...

Season 2, Episode 162 Join host Kaitlyn Blum on this episode of Along the Rock as she chats with Candace Buikema and Jerry Stock , the creative minds behind Walk4Rox —a community art movement spreading joy, one painted rock at a time! Learn how this simple yet powerful project began during the pandemic, turning everyday walks into opportunities for creativity and kindness. From local trails to des...

On this special Halloween episode of Along the Rock , our regular programming takes a spooky turn as Route 66 Paranormal investigates our office! From flickering EMF readings to unexplained whispers and even Emma’s headphones mysteriously moving on their own , this investigation left everyone speechless. Was it just the wind—or something otherworldly ? 👀 💬 We want to hear from YOU! Comment below...

What happens when pollution turns into progress? 🌿 Host Nathan Stahr chats with Robbin Blackert , City Administrator of Rock Falls, about how Brownfield Grants are breathing new life into once-abandoned industrial sites. Learn how Rock Falls cleaned up hazardous land, attracted new development, and became a national model for environmental and economic renewal. 🎙️ Along the Rock — stories of tran...

Grab your girlfriends and get ready to Sip, Shop, and Support! 💕 On this episode of Along the Rock , host Emma Watts chats with Ashley Richter from United Way of Lee County about one of the most fun fundraisers of the year — the Girlfriend Gala! This event is a true ladies’ night out, filled with delicious food, drinks, raffles, silent auctions, live music from Kathy and Dre , and a variety of ex...

The government shutdown is testing the limits of local food banks. Host Nathan Stahr sits down with Pam Martinez, Executive Director of the Sauk Valley Food Bank, to talk about how the shutdown and SNAP delays are increasing food insecurity — and how the community can rally together to help. 🍎 Learn how one dollar can provide five meals, and how teamwork, donations, and compassion are keeping fam...

🎄 Fall into Festivity at the Annual Festival of Trees & Country Store! 🎄 On this episode of Along the Rock , host Nathan Stahr sits down with Heather Dauen from Rock River Hospice and Home to talk about their 36th annual Festival of Trees & Country Store — a community favorite filled with holiday magic and heart. Heather shares the history of the event, its move to the McCormick Event Ce...

On this episode of Along the Rock , hosts Emma Watts and Quinn Stahr pull back the curtain on Rock Falls High School’s fall production — Play On! by Rick Abbot — a hilarious play within a play where everything that can go wrong… definitely does! Joining them are cast members Ale Cid , Pablo Cid , Aaliyah White , and Jake Andrzejewski to talk about the chaos of rehearsals, the comedy of on-stage “m...

In this episode of Along the Rock , host Emma Watts chats with Ashley Covell from Emanuel Baptist Church about the AWSOM Girls Conference — a two-day experience for girls in grades 5–12 focused on faith, fellowship, and finding purpose in God’s kingdom. 🎶 Discover how this inspiring event helps young women Rise, Run, and Soar through worship, service, and community. Listen now and be encouraged:...

Part 1 of 2, (Part 2 will post on Halloween) In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Ashton Durband and Stu Blaine from Route 66 Paranormal , a team dedicated to exploring the unknown. From spirits and strange noises to sightings of Bigfoot and fairies, Route 66 Paranormal brings science, curiosity, and open-minded investigation to the world of the unexplained. Ashton...

💸 Staying on budget doesn’t have to be hard — you just need the right system. Join Kayla Tenboer and Kaitlyn Blum on Cash & Coffee as they break down how the cash envelope method can transform your spending habits and help you take control of your finances. ☕ Tune in for real-world advice, relatable stories, and practical tips to help your budget “behave.” Listen now: https://theradar.online...