PODCAST

Sauk Valley Spotlight

Welcome to Sauk Valley Spotlight, the show that shines a light on the people and places of the beautiful Sauk Valley. In each episode, we will take you on a journey to discover the hidden gems and untold stories of our region, and introduce you to the fascinating characters who make the Sauk Valley their home. From local businesses and community organizations, to outdoor adventures and cultural events, we will uncover the many reasons why the Sauk Valley is a great place to live, work, and play. So

government & organizations local

All Episodes

Jake Perino With Whiteside County Cattlemens’...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2024/05/21

Jake Perino is a fourth generation farmer. We talk about his involvement with the Whiteside County Cattlemens’ Association, advocating across the state and country for local business, and his constant pursuit of improvement. Sauk Valley Spotlight is hosted by Drew Williams and can be found on all major podcasting platforms, as well as online at https://saukvalleyspotlight.com

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Jennifer Lang With Discover Dixon: Connecting in New...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2024/05/07

Jennifer Lang fell in love with Dixon when she moved here 15 years ago. She now helps oversee events for Discover Dixon, enabling more and more people to experience the community she loves. Sauk Valley Spotlight is hosted by Drew Williams and can be found on all major podcasting platforms, as well as online at https://saukvalleyspotlight.com

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Mary Thormahlen With NAMI Sauk Area: Suicide...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2024/04/23

Mary Thormahlen’s personal journey with mental health and depression has given her a unique empathy for others in the same battle. She now volunteers with NAMI Sauk Area to raise awareness and provide support groups to those who need a voice. Sauk Valley Spotlight is hosted by Drew Williams and can be found on all […]

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Aurelio Garllardo: Amazing Cakes, Mentors in...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2024/04/18

Aurelio Gallardo moved here when he was 18. He now runs one of the most-talked about bakeries in our area. We talk about his journey from dishwasher, to cook, to cake decorator, as well as his insights as a entrepreneurial business owner. Sauk Valley Spotlight is hosted by Drew Williams and can be found on […]

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Castor Medical With Palani Sakthi: The Gap in Medical...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/10/30

Palani Sakthi (who goes by Sakthi) runs and owns the Castor family of medical businesses here in Sterling. We talk about his multiple decades in the medical industry before bringing in-home care to the Sauk Valley, as well as how business owners can pivot to find new niches for their skills. Sauk Valley Spotlight is […]

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Ruben Moreno: Twenty Years in Corrections, the...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/10/23

Ruben Moreno has been a Sauk Valley local for his whole life, and can trace his roots back to his grandfather, who helped start the steel mill. [CONTENT WARNING] We have a very honest and vulnerable conversation about addiction and recovery. Sauk Valley Spotlight is hosted by Drew Williams and can be found on all […]

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Jeanette Trotter, Living Well Counseling, Dixon:...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/10/16

Jeanette Trotter has been helping people for over two decades, and is a licensed clinical professional counselor, as well as a national certified counselor. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University, majoring in psychology and Christian education. And she graduated with honors from Bradley University with a master’s degree in community counseling. We chat […]

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Renewed by Grace Christian Women’s Conference With...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/09/22

Ann Cooper and Diana Johnston are both locals to the Sauk Valley who take their faith as seriously as they love this community. They are part of the team that has helped organize the new community-wide women’s conference that has been conceived of, planned by, and run by everyday women for women in the community. […]

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Danny Langloss, Dixon City Manager: Leadership...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/09/11

Danny Langloss has served in law enforcement for almost 30 years, and has most recently been serving the city of Dixon as the city manager. We got to talk about his experience as police chief during the Rita Crumwell investigation, his passion for leadership development, and why effective leadership is the solution to just about […]

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Larry Ybarra: A Sports Complex in Sterling, the Love...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/09/04

Larry Ybarra loves baseball and he loves the Sauk Valley. He loves other things too, but his current passion project is to bring a $25million sports complex to the Sauk Valley to stimulate business and travel for our area. We got to chat about that as well as leadership lessons he’s learned over the years […]

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Rep. Brad Fritts: From Farmboy to Congressman, Why...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/08/14

Brad Fritts is the youngest Illinois State Representative ever elected to office. We got to chat in his Dixon office about his local roots, why he wanted to run for office at such a young age, and what he’s been learning about the 108,500 citizens who he represents. Sauk Valley Spotlight is hosted by Drew […]

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River Works With Chance Munroe: Why Connection...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/08/07

Chance Munroe is the community manager at River Works, a coworking space in Dixon. We got to use their podcast studio room to chat about why we still need connected in our work environments, even in the age of work-from-home, and why River Works is building their own connections with their neighbors. Sauk Valley Spotlight […]

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Diana Merdian, Mayor of Sterling: Helping Every...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/07/31

Diana Merdian is the newly elected mayor of Sterling. We got to chat about what it means for her to be the first elected female mayor, and the first Latina mayor. We also talk about self discovery, advocacy, and why communication styles build empathy and nurture healthy teams. Sauk Valley Spotlight is hosted by Drew […]

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Lundstrom Florist With Ashley Zell: Why Flowers Are...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/07/24

Ashley Zell is the owner and designer at Lundstrom Florist in Sterling. We got to chat about her love of flowers from a young age, what it’s like taking over a legacy business that has such an established reputation, and why flowers are a timeless gesture for anyone. Sauk Valley Spotlight is hosted by Drew […]

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Penguin Project With Dawn Arndt: Theatre for...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/07/17

Dawn Arndt is the Program Director for the Penguin Project here in the Sauk Valley, which mounts theatrical productions with youth who struggle with learning disadvantages, neurodivergence, and physical difficulties. Dawn has an infectious passion for this program, and was a delight to talk with to learn about how theatre is a beautiful way to […]

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Sterling Township With Angie Schneider: Financial...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/07/10

Angie Schneider is the Superviser of the Sterling Township, which helps with multiple programs and resources for the Sterling community, including financial aid, youth programs, and infrastructure maintenance outside the city limits. Angie sat with me to talk about the difficulties of consolidating silos, developing a new office space for the Township that also hopes […]

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Discover Dixon with Amanda Wike: Non-Profits Who...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/07/03

Amanda Wike is the new Executive Director of Discover Dixon, which is the umbrella that oversees Dixon’s chamber of commerce, main street, tourism, and more. Amanda sat down with me to share about her journey into non-profit work before pivoting to city management and regional development. Sauk Valley Spotlight is hosted by Drew Williams and […]

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Allen Przysucha: Time As the Most Valuable Resource...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/06/26

Allen Przysucha is an invested and involved resident of the Sauk Valley. He serves in leadership with the Twin Cities Sunrise Rotary, multiple committees, and works alongside any civic engagement group that shares his passion for education. We talk about his journey and aspirations, including how he handles loss and maintains drive and passion. Sauk […]

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Sheriff John Booker: Law Enforcement Built on Trust,...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/06/19

John Booker has been in law enforcement for 30 years, and has been elected as the Whiteside County Sheriff for back-to-back terms. We talk about his experience behind the badge, why every resident should get involved in their community, and the value of mentoring youth. Sauk Valley Spotlight is hosted by Drew Williams and can […]

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Nami Sauk Valley with Maggie Wike: Mental Illness...

Sauk Valley Spotlight ·

2023/06/12

Maggie Wike serves with NAMI Sauk Valley, which educates and supports our community to serve those suffering from mental illness. We talked about her passion for mentorship, the need to remove the stigma around mental illness, and how everyone can get involved in self-care and supporting others. Contact NAMI: namisaukvalley@gmail.com Sauk Valley Spotlight is hosted by […]

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Sauk Valley Spotlight

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