Ktown Connects

She’s so much more than just another voice! We sit down and learn more about Kenosha’s very own BETSY ADE! Betsy is the lead singer of local rock group Betsy Ade and the Well-Known Strangers. Check them out on their website by clicking HERE!   This episode was recorded on January 15, 2024 at the A+ Mobility Recording Studio – home of Ktown Connects!  Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations,...

As a young kid growing up on the northside of Kenosha, Alex Kudrna was already a producer – directing the neighbor kids on his backyard stage. He has grown up with a love for Kenosha and in 2016 purchased the Orpheum building in Downtown Kenosha – his goal is to bring Hollywood to Wisconsin and Kenosha via film industry tax incentives!  Alex has launched the O-Coworking Space in the Orpheum buildi...

“Kenosha Joe” Geiger has done so much in his life, it’s difficult to talk about it all! Joe started his own lawn care business just out of high school and is now in the port-a-potty business as owner of Jackpot Rentals. If you get out to any of the great local Kenosha events – you have most likely used one of his portable restrooms. We get all the dirt on Joe’s life and how he developed his vision...

Growing up on the south side of Kenosha, Stacy Juga had dreams of one day becoming a veterinarian, but at the same time, she began to develop an appreciation of the older items she would find around her grandparents' house. As a military wife, Stacy spent many years overseas before returning to her hometown and now is now the owner/operator of one of Kenosha’s greatest treasure shops – Vintag...

From a young age growing up sweeping floors in an inner-city Kenosha shoe store, Nick and Tony Chiappetta learned that their family business was a special thing. These brothers are now fourth-generation operators of Chiappetta Shoes, located at their beautiful new store at 4820 75th Street. Chiappetta Shoes offer an old-school, sit-and-fit, customer-focused experience you will not find anywhere el...

Put on your Guess jeans and your Air Jordans, grab your walkman and head down to Blast From the Past Pizza, located in the Metra train station at 5414 13th Ave, use the parking lot to the north. Today we connect with Rob and Crystal Hayes, who first opened their business in Kenosha County before moving to their current location this year.   Blast From the Past Pizza offers up great wings, deliciou...

If you recall our episode with Alvin Owens (ep.82, May 2022), you will remember the national field trips Owens organized for Bullen students to learn more about their own heritage and the history of our nation. Well, one of those kids Owens mentored at a young age has branched out to become a mentor of his own!  DeShaun Foster, a lifelong Kenosha native, was thinking about ways to get involved in...

While growing up in Kenosha, twin sisters Brenda and Becky talked about owning a business together someday. After visiting a paint-your-own pottery studio in Michigan, Brenda brought the idea back home and her sister was on board 100%.   Their own paint-your-own pottery studio, Alpaca Art, which has continued to grow, and is now located at 4326 Seventh Ave. Alpaca Art is a great spot for people of...

Since he was a kid trying to stay awake listening to the radio for 24 hours straight, Pete Serzant had a dream of becoming a radio personality. Straight out of high school, he began taking steps to achieve his dream and now has the morning drive segment at AM1050 WLIP - Kenosha's premier local radio station. We chat it up with Pete about growing up in Kenosha, working his way up the ladder at...

Bryce O’Boyle and friends sat in Pennoyer Park on a beautiful day a few years ago and started daydreaming about hosting a music festival at our fantastic band shell. Many others have surely sat there and thought similar things, but Bryce and his crew came through on their vision by launching the Love Your Community non-profit organization and their first Beach Front Arts Fest in the summer of 2021...

One of the newest Downtown Kenosha businesses is Millie Bo Peep, 5720 Sixth Ave. It’s your one-stop shop for all things for babies, toddlers, and kids up to size 10.  We sit down with Tina and James Warner and talk about their younger years growing up in Kenosha, how their love blossomed over years of friendship, and how they turned their dreams of owning a business in Downtown Kenosha into a real...

If you get out and experience local music in Kenosha over the past few years, chances are good that you have already caught The Jill Plaisted Band live in action. Jill may be a talented musician and songwriter, but she also has many other attributes that contribute to her being one of our favorite people in Kenosha.   The Jill Plaisted Band have been delivering their storyteller Americana style al...

One of the hottest new spots in Downtown Kenosha is Tavern on Sixth – located at 5712 Sixth Avenue. They offer a full food menu and the best cocktails around which you can enjoy inside their classic establishment, or outside on the curbside or alley terrace. For all you golf fans, check out their golf simulators on the second floor – a great place for private parties and events! Listen in today as...

A few years back, Anna Pitts and her sister were enjoying a drink at Harborside Common Grounds, a Downtown Kenosha hub of caffeine overloads and social activity for 22 years. Like many of us do, they had a little dream of what they would do if they ever owned their own coffee shop. Little did they know at the time, when Common Grounds closed last fall, Anna and her family jumped at the opportunity...

For decades, he has been the master of Kenosha public access – beginning back with Jones Intercable, then to Warner cable, and Time Warner. Today he holds the title of Media Coordinator with Kenosha Community Media – a group which has kept our television sets (and now our website) LOCAL - with amazing programing like Dr. Destruction's Crimson Theater and live events like the upcoming parade o...

Today we connect with former Lance/Tremper student, retired Lance/Tremper schoolteacher, and current General Manager of Green Ridge Cemetery and local historian Peter Johnson! This episode was recorded on May 8th at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue   Ktown Connects is brought to you by:  Franks Diner, 508 58th St   Aason Hunzinger of AHDidIt   Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave.   ROAR – Be...

Mini Samuel is the owner/broker at NextHome Refined, where they put humans over houses. For all your real estate needs, visit her website at minisamuel.com   This episode was recorded on April 24th at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue   Ktown Connects is brought to you by:  Aason Hunzinger of AHDidIt   Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave.   ROAR – Be heard   Lucci’s Grandview 6929 39th Ave  ...

If you want to hear an hour of geek talk about vintage toys, you’ve come to the right place!  Jarame and Jeff launched the K-Town Toy & Collectible Show in 2021 and it is returning this year for four events, starting Sunday, May 21st at the Moose Lodge, 3003 30th Ave.  K-Town Toy and Collectible Show has become Kenosha’s largest and most diverse toy and collectible show. With over 50 tables of...

If you are a longtime Kenoshan, you know the Radigan name. For over 80 years, Ray Radigan's Supper Club was nationally known and respected. Ray's granddaughter, Mary, has learned from her family's hard work and perseverance and struck out on her own as a world-class chef.    We sit down with Mary and talk about the rich history of Ray Radigan's and how she took that love for th...

Dr. Erin Merritt is a lifelong Kenoshan who saw that her city was in need of an independent pharmacy. In 2014, she opened her own business, Modern Apothecary, on the corner of 50th Street and Seventh Avenue in Downtown Kenosha. Over the winter, she moved to a bigger and 57better location in the heart of Downtown at 5700 Sixth Avenue. Modern Apothecary has all the items that those big box stores ha...

It's our 100th episode super special spectacular special!!! Warning: This episode does contain some dirty language.  We are joined by our dear friends Sarah of Wink Beauty Boutique, Jake "The Weather Guy" Hoey, and Kevin Ervin of Franks Diner as they help us celebrate 100 episodes of Ktown Connects! And you might hear a few special guests as well! Thank you - yes, you, the listener...

49 years ago, Tod Ohnstad came to Kenosha on a Greyhound bus with a job at American Motors and not much else. He soon became interested in leadership, worker’s rights, and politics. After completing his career with AMC/Chrysler he dove into local government, serving as the 6th District Alderman beginning in 2008. In 2013, he was elected as the representative of the 65th District of the Wisconsin S...

Our next guest has shown his love and appreciation for Kenosha his whole life. Mark Gascoigne may be best known as a co-owner and operator of Coins Sports Bar for 20 years. Beginning at Coins, he began to host fundraisers and charity events for the community and has raised countless amounts of dollars for our neighbors – and he has no intentions of stopping his involvement with helping out the com...

SJ Crystals, located at 5701 Sixth Avenue in Downtown Kenosha has been providing fine clothing for over 100 years! It’s one of Kenosha’s longest operating retailers and we sit down with current owner Lew Aceto to talk about the rich history of this business and how Lew and his great staff can make you look your absolute best!  For the finest in men’s fashion, check out their website here and stop...

Sharon Rossow is the second-generation owner of Copy Center, 5036 Sixth Ave., in Downtown Kenosha. Celebrating their 50th year this summer, Copy Center offers ‘quick-like-bunny' printing service. Sharon talks about growing up downtown, the lives of her prominent mom and dad, Judy and Gordy Rossow, and more in kickoff episode to our fifth season.   Bowls N Books 2023 is coming March 29th at th...