Rock Island Line

Dr. Jane Simonsen: Called to Reckon

In this episode of Rock Island Line, Annika sits down with Dr. Jane Simonsen, professor of history and gender studies at Augustana College and co-author and editor of Called to Reckon: Replacing History and Reclaiming Mission at a Midwestern College. Their conversation explores what it means to truly "reckon" with history—both as individuals and as institutions rooted in a specific place. Together, they examine the deep and often overlooked history of the land Augustana calls home, focusing on the Sauk and Meskwaki, the life and legacy of Black Hawk, and the profound transformations that took place in the early 1800s. Dr. Simonsen brings both scholarly expertise and thoughtful perspective to discussions about how history is remembered, interpreted, and sometimes misrepresented. They also talk about the role of local historian John Hauberg in shaping regional narratives and preserving the legacy of Black Hawk. The conversation expands into broader themes of women's history and women's rights, Native American representation, and the responsibility of institutions to revisit their own pasts with honesty and care. At its core, this episode is about place, power, and the stories we choose to tell—and retell—about where we live. 📚 Episode Resources * Black Hawk's Autobiography (1833) The Autobiography of Black Hawk [https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofm00blaciala/page/158/mode/2up] * Called to Reckon: Replacing History and Reclaiming Mission at a Midwestern College Called To Reckon publisher site [https://www.siupress.com/9780809339853/called-to-reckon/] These sources provide additional context on Black Hawk, local historical interpretation, and the work of reckoning with institutional history. Check out RockIslandLine.com. Music by Jett Everill from Endemic Sounds.

Marisa Cantu: Caring for Community

n this episode of Rock Island Line, Annika sits down with Marisa Cantu for a wide-ranging conversation about community, service, and life in Rock Island. Marisa reflects on growing up in Rock Island and the powerful influence of her father in shaping her commitment to service and mission-driven work. She shares what it was like growing up—and now raising her own children—on the Half, and how those experiences have shaped her view of neighborhood, belonging, and civic life. The conversation also explores Marisa's work with the Community Caring Conference (CCC), which is entering its 50th year serving the region, as well as her efforts to help reorganize and energize neighborhood block associations across Rock Island. Annika and Marisa also discuss police–community relations and the importance of building trust and connection between residents and local institutions. Before the conversation begins, Annika shares an update on recent reporting at Rock Island Line, including the first article in a new series examining questions and concerns surrounding the Rock Island–Milan School District. The first piece explores district finances and staffing, investigating a widely repeated claim that administrative spending has grown at the expense of classroom instruction. You can read the article and explore additional stories and fact sheets at: https://www.rockislandline.com [https://www.rockislandline.com] Future articles in the series will examine discipline policies, state-level changes affecting Illinois schools, and how Rock Island compares to neighboring districts. As always, thank you to the many community members who have reached out with questions, perspectives, and information as this work continues. Music: "Different Times" by Jett Everill

Deb Kuntzi on Preserving Hauberg Estate

In this episode of Rock Island Line, I sit down with Deb Kuntzi, the Executive Director of the Hauberg Estate — a local treasure that has been a cultural and architectural jewel of our community for more than a century. Built between 1909 and 1911 in the Prairie style and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Hauberg Estate was once the private home of Susanne Denkmann and John Hauberg and later became a civic center donated to the city by the Hauberg family. In recent years, Deb has led the nonprofit Hauberg Estate in restoring and reimagining this historic mansion and its Jens Jensen–designed gardens for future generations to enjoy. Deb's love of historic preservation, her deep commitment to community, and her own passion for volunteering shine throughout our conversation. We talk about the effort to acquire, save, and restore the Hauberg Estate when it faced potential sale, and how that effort has birthed ongoing restoration, vibrant programming, and community engagement that makes the estate a gathering place for Rock Islanders. We also dive into what's planned for the future — from garden restoration and carriage house improvements to educational events, tours, and cultural programming that bring history alive and build community bonds. Deb shares insights about why preserving places like the Hauberg matters, how volunteers and donors have been essential, and why historic preservation can be a catalyst for connection and pride in our city. This is a lively and informative conversation about roots, revitalization, and the joy of watching a community's past become part of its present and future. You can learn more about Hauberg Estate and support preservation at www.haubergestate.org [https://www.haubergestate.org] and I hope you'll take the time to check it out. Rock Island Line is produced by me, Annika O'Melia. Theme music is Different Times by Jett Everill. You can find past episodes, writing, and more about the project at www.rockislandline.com [http://www.rockislandline.com/] Thanks for listening — and I'll see you down the line.

Aubrey Barnes: Rock Island's Poet

My first guest of Season Two is Aubrey Barnes, also known as Mister Aubs. I wish I could nominate him for Rock Island's Poet Laureate. Aubrey is a nationally recognized poet, writer, and educator from Rock Island, and the founder of Young Lions Roar — a youth-centered arts and empowerment collective that uses poetry, performance, and creative writing as tools for liberation, healing, and social change. Aubrey is also a co-creator of THE HALF, a powerful stage production developed with Curtis Lewis through Journey Live Productions. The play examines life on 14½ Street in Rock Island, exploring memory, place, identity, and what it means to grow up — and stay — in a neighborhood that holds both pain and pride. I invited Aubrey on after reading his poem Rock Island Sounds Like. The opening lines reference the sound of the descendant trains — the very sound this podcast is named for — and I knew immediately I wanted to sit down with him. In this conversation, we talk about poetry and creativity, education, mental health, politics, policing in America, and what it means to remain human inside complicated systems. It's expansive, honest, and grounding — exactly the tone I want this season to hold. You can learn more about Aubrey and his work at misteraubs.com, and I hope you'll take the time to check it out. Rock Island Line is produced by me, Annika O'Melia. Theme music is Different Times by Jett Everill. You can find past episodes, writing, and more about the project at www.rockislandline.com [http://www.rockislandline.com] Thanks for listening — and I'll see you down the line.

Annika's Rock Island Story with Jessica Youngblood Kirkpatrick

In this heartfelt season finale of The Rock Island Line, host Annika O'Melia sits down with her dear friend, Jessica Youngblood Kirkpatrick — but this time, the roles are reversed. Jessica interviews Annika about her own Rock Island story, tracing deep family roots that stretch through generations of Rocky and Augie graduates. What begins as a conversation about hometown heritage quickly opens into a reflection on the season itself — the inspiring guests who are helping drive Rock Island forward, the sense of gratitude Annika feels for the work being done across the city, and her growing frustration, at times, with the process of community engagement. Jessica and Annika explore how much of Annika's own voice, curiosity, and convictions have shaped The Rock Island Line. From her passion for policy and civic life to her growing engagement with issues of human rights, safe housing, and dignity for all, Annika shares how the podcast has become not just a storytelling platform, but a space for advocacy — and how she's learning to embrace taking positions on the issues that matter most. Woven with warmth, honesty, and friendship, this conversation brings the season full circle — grounding the show in the people, history, and hope that make Rock Island home. A special thanks to Jessica Youngblood Kirkpatrick for decades of friendship, support and love. May everyone be so lucky as to have a friend like Jess. To learn more about Rock Island Line, head to www.rockislandline.com [https://www.rockislandline.com/] While this is the last regularly scheduled episode of the season, be on the lookout for pop-up episodes. 🎵 Music Credits Intro/Outro music: "Different Times" by Jett Everill — licensed via Epidemic Sound