Ktown Connects

Today we sit down with local radio icon and legendary “nice guy” Bill Lawrence!  Bill spent over 30 years in radio, with most of those years as the morning voice on Kenosha’s own WLIP. Bill talks about how he fell in love with the Chicago Cubs and radio as a kid growing up in Racine County, his first starts and stumbles in radio, and looks back on his on-air feud with former co-worker Lenny Palmer...

This week, we dive into a Ktown Conversation with two former civic leaders, Steve Casey, former Alder for the 12th district from  1988-2010 and John Fox, Downtown ambassador and former 2nd district Alder from 2016-19.  We chat it up roundtable style about some of the hottest topics in Kenosha in 2024 including the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, the Downtown Kenosha developments, and much more! ...

Luke and Meghan are proud “Kenoshans by choice,” they are an amazing couple who individually relocated to our town many years ago. After falling in love with each other and then the downtown area, the two made the decision to open a business. We sit down with Luke and Meghan and talk about what inspired them to incorporate alcohol and axes!   Hold My Beer offers a perfect night of entertainment –...

We were saddened to hear about the passing of Kenosha icon and our good friend Ronny Valeo, who died October 16, 2024 at the age of 63.  We were honored to have Ronny in our studio earlier this year to tell his story. Our show format is usually 90-120 minutes of chat, and then we edit it down to under an hour for the final public release.  But all of our interviews are also published in this unedi...

Sarah Prince dreamt of one day having her very own latibule - - a cozy, safe, hidden away place... And now she has it with her very own boutique shop and arts and craft studio – Latibule, located at 4906 Seventh Ave. Not only is Latibule a perfect place to get a one-of-a-kind gift, but Sarah also hosts numerous craft and painting classes throughout the week. Plan you upcoming friend’s holiday expe...

You may have heard the rumors, but have you heard the facts? One fact is that longtime Milwaukee beer icon Lakefront Brewery has taken over prime ownership of Public Brewing Company in Downtown Kenosha this past summer.   You gotta listen to this episode to get all the details as we connect with Russ Klisch, co-founder and President of Lakefront Brewery and we welcome back Matt Geary, founder of P...

This week we connect with the lovely and talented Rebecca Rivera. Rebecca came to Kenosha under very typical circumstances, but since she arrived, she has begun to make a splash in the local art world! She is a singer/song-writer under the name Rebz River!  Find her music here on Spotify!   But wait – there's more!! She is also a ceramic artist and has opened classes at her Wild Roots Ceramic...

This week we connect with Emiko Chiappetta! After many years of professional teaching, Emiko has branched out with her very own art education studio with the Reid Street Studio, located at 920 61st Street! Reid Street Studios specializes in group and one-on-one art studio experiences for ages 3-18. For details, check out their website here!   Emiko is also joined in our studio with her husband, To...

David and Jeannette Haight are longtime Kenoshans and organizers of The Port of Fear Film Festival – which is coming to Kenosha next weekend at the Kemper Center! It’s much more than just films – come enjoy the Spooky Market – with vendors selling both handmade arts and crafts and creepy collectibles. Cocktails and food trucks will also be on site. Admission to the Market is free, but tickets are...

We’re movin’ and shakin’ this week, as we welcome Quinn Smith to the Ktown Connects Podcast. Quinn moved to Kenosha around 2012 and has built his business About Time Moving Systems into the #1 movers in the Kenosha area! If you are ready to relocate, contact Quinn and his staff for whatever needs you may have! Check out their website for more info!   This interview was recorded on August 12, 2024...

Sherry Ludwig, owner of Bisou Lingerie, 635 58th St, in Downtown Kenosha, says that her life drastically changes about every ten years. Well, from a hell-raising teenager to a military wife, to single woman who had just moved to Kenosha, Sherry has lead an interesting life! Since 2011, she has been a Downtown Kenosha business owner, and last year, just two years shy of her decade switch, she has o...

This is part two of a two part interview, be sure to listen to part one to hear about Candy’s wild years!  In the early 90’s, Candy Eisenhauer had sobered up and was looking for a new outlet in life. Taking her love of music, she opened CD Warehouse on 80th Street in 1996. Shortly after that, she joined the Kiwanis Club of Western Kenosha – within six years, she would become president of the organ...

This is Part One of a Two Part Interview.   Part Two arrives in your podcast player on Tuesday!   Growing up on what was then Kenosha’s “West Side,” young Candy Eisenhauer was sneaking listening sessions of her older sister’s 45 records. It would just be a little hint of the amazing woman she would become. Enjoy this connection with musician, community leader, and legendary former business owner –...

One day, John O’Neill spent a night in Kenosha attending his sister’s wedding. Just that one visit and he fell in love with the town. It wouldn’t be long before he packed up his stuff and left Kettering, Ohio at the age of 26 to move to Kenosha.   John, aka “Toast,” has been working the stand-up stages in the area for many years, you can catch him honing his craft every Wednesday night at the Open...

Don’t tell Meryl Strichartz that she isn’t a true Kenoshan! Although she may have not been born and raised here, she has been here for more than 30 years and has embraced Kenosha as her true hometown! For many years, Meryl has been building her beachfront empire, her first steps was with the Lakeshore Pedal Tours – these fun bikes you have seen in the Downtown area. This summer, she has launched t...

Teddi Morin wasn’t your average teenager. Growing up watching her father become a successful tattoo artist, and eventually business owner gave her the confidence and strength to succeed in her own life. At the age of 16, Teddi was already a licensed tattoo artist. But she continued to grow, and now as a woman, she is now the shareholder and operator of Ruffolo’s Spa, located in Downtown Kenosha at...

Lily Karnes and Jenna Zeihen first met while competing for Miss Kenosha, through the years, they have both won the pageant, with Lily winning in 2019 and Jenna in 2022. More recently the two now serve on the board for Miss Kenosha and as a mentor to the next generation.  But, Lily and Jenna, along with the third piece of their puzzle, Hannah Stone, have recently launched Who Did That? Social – if...

After spending her younger years in Kenosha, Chelsea Sallese got out of town for a few years and when she returned, she really realized just how much she loves Downtown Kenosha and the community!  Now as an adult, Chelsea is involved in many different avenues around town. You might have had her serve you a cocktail at one of our great drinking establishments.   Currently she is the Brand Ambassado...

Jaramie Bentley spent his younger years in Kenosha not taking life too seriously and having a good time pursuing his passion – basketball. This led him to different places across the Midwest, through all these experiences, he grows and learns that authenticity is the way to live life. Jaramie grew into an artist with a growing interest in creating consciously positive hip hop with his first group...

The couple so nice, we’re doing them twice!  That’s right Angie and Ben of Union Park Tavern and Pavle’s Lounge return to Ktown Connects. But we had a lot of new stuff to talk about and they brought a milk crate full of alcohol for us to enjoy, which resulted in some candid talk about why they bought a second bar (Pavle’s Lounge, 1724 52nd St) , Ben’s recent foray into politics as a candidate for...

Tamarra Coleman may have grown up on Christmas Lane, but she still holds on to that glorious spirit most reserve for December all year long!  Through her life, she has remained active in the community with several years as a Kenosha Unified School Board member and president, and currently she is the Executive Director of the Shalom Center!   The Shalom Center offers up many great resources for loc...

While attending UW-Parkside, Maxwell Melendrez and Oscar Mercadillo met and hit it off immediately with their shared love of music. As the years went on and they mastered their skills among local bands such as Mixed Company, Miss B Haven, The Oscillators, Sun Silo, and Lunar Lizard, the two formed Spirit Shakers! Their music incorporates a cornucopia of genres – rock, folk, hip-hop, jazz, etc. Che...

Shannyn Franklin got to know Kenosha as one of your favorite bartenders at tg's back in the day. She has carried that straight-shooter honest attitude that everyone loves to real estate and is now a licensed agent with Re/Max Newport Elite! Whether you are buying, selling, or just curious about the local market, Shannyn would love to offer her support and service! Visit her realtor webpage he...

While growing up on what was Kenosha’s west side on Roosevelt Road, a young Maria Zarletti established a strong work ethic with her first job at a nearby popcorn wagon and later at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen a few blocks from her home. She also developed an interest in personal care and nurturing, but nursing did not appeal to her. In 1998, she launched her Equinox massage therapy at the Kemper Center....

Growing up in Southern Illinois, Lacie Dobyns began to have an interest in dentistry. Her path took her around the world as a model for Model Mayhem and Suicide Girls, a temporary career which would fund her schooling to become a registered dental hygienist.   From her days as a canvas on season 4 of Spike TV’s “Ink Master,” to today as a dental hygienist running a children’s dental program, which...