Under Rocks

Nov 21 2024 20 ep. 28 mins 18

Under Rocks Podcast artwork

What’s so great about the Midwest? WNIJ’s Under Rocks podcast isn’t afraid to dive into that question head-first every month. In fact, our team won’t leave a stone unturned when it comes to hunting down the most interesting people, places, and events in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.What are you excited about? We’re always looking for a shove in the right direction, so send us on our next adventure by messaging us at [email protected].

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The End of Things II: A walk in the woods at Lorado Taft | Under Rocks podcast

Nov 21 2024 18 mins

We say goodbye to a field campus that meant a lot to northern Illinoisans during its decades of serving students interested in the environment and the arts. And we revisit a deep dive we took into one of the works of art that made the Lorado Taft campus so special.

There's always a cemetery | Under Rocks podcast

Oct 17 2024 36 mins

There's a big sprawling graveyard in northern Illinois where the people of Belvidere have been laid to rest for nearly 200 years. In the heart of the Belvidere Cemetery is a tiny community space with a big history: Pettit Chapel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Under Rocks team met with Sam Larson there to learn more about the history of the sacred space and the role of a sexto

A Game of Action and Exercise, or: How I stopped worrying about the Sox and learned to love vintage baseball

Sep 19 2024 37 mins

As this year’s season winds down, some unhappy White Sox fans turn to another era for their baseball fix. The Under Rocks team heads to Creston, IL for a vintage baseball match.

Reach! It! Out!: Chasing the dragon boat | Under Rocks podcast

Aug 15 2024 31 mins

What do you get when you combine dragons, boats, a touch of “oh my!” and 22 dedicated athletes? The coolest sport you’ve never heard of! Dragon boating has roots in ancient China and branches all over the world…including a lake near you. The Under Rocks crew dons life vests and heads to Shabbona Lake for their latest adventure.

From parks to Peaches to pickleball: The siren call of the Rockford Adventure Trail | Under Rocks podcast

Jul 25 2024 44 mins

Fun-starved explorers find gold (and prizes!) along the Rockford Adventure Trail. Join us for what could be the most ambitious Under Rocks ever!

Lustron: It's a good starter home, it's a good finishing home | Under Rocks podcast

Jun 20 2024 29 mins

Lustron Houses. They're in your neighborhood. You just have to look for these mid-century metal marvels. You Under Rocks team heads to Mt. Morris to check out a cluster of Lustrons.

Strike while the iron's hot: Forging ahead at the blacksmith's shop | Under Rocks podcast

May 16 2024 30 mins

We go at it hammer and tongs during a visit to the Phineas Vaughan Blacksmith Shop at the Glidden Homestead in DeKalb. Will Dan be able to upset the steel in time to open his beer before it gets warm? Or does he have too many irons in the fire?

Love birds? Put a ring on it | Under Rocks podcast

Apr 18 2024 40 mins

In a rural corner of northern Winnebago County, right up near the Wisconsin border, you can find one of the country’s most important bird research centers – and one of the most dedicated teams of volunteers you’ll ever meet. So as spring migration started ramping up, we sent our own dedicated team to investigate the Sand Bluff Bird Observatory and banding station.

Alebrijes! Out of your dreams and into your library | Under Rocks podcast

Mar 21 2024 21 mins

Step into Founders Memorial Library on the campus of Northern Illinois University and you’ll find yourself in a colorful dream world. Between the bookshelves are 22 towering sculptures by five artists from Mexico City. “Alebrijes – Creatures of a Dream World” is free and open to the public through November 8, 2024, and artist visits and other special events will be planned

The House at Stone Corners | Under Rocks podcast

Feb 15 2024 23 mins

Sure, you have a rock collection. Who doesn't? Meet Jon Barnhart, whose rock collection was started by a Civil War veteran, and every stone has a story. Not to mention his collection of bikes, outhouses, out-buildings, signs, sleighs, vintage cars... Well, you're just going to have to listen.