
Ktown Connects
We are CONNECTING KENOSHA.
#kenoshastrong
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Episodes
168 episodes
w/Johnny'Z Pour House
After learning the ropes working for the Mike’s franchise around Kenosha in the 2010’s, John Ziemba launched out on his own in 2017, opening Johnny’Z Pour House at 10936 Sheridan Road. After estab...
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Season 7
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Episode 9
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57:43

Reconnect and Remix w/Joy-Lulu Birds and Sam-Blue House Books
It’s a reConnection and a reMix very special episode when we welcome Joy of Lulu Birds, 5913 Sixth Ave-A, and Sam of Blue House Books, 5915 Sixt...
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Season 7
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35:26

w/Mitch Braver
Today we connect with local artist Mitch Braver = for the past seven years, Mitch has been tattooing customers at Tallulah Tattoo in Downtown Kenosha. You can find more details at his website oldh...
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Season 7
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Episode 8
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56:26

Kenosha Conversations w/Ben DeSmidt & Art DeBaere
On this episode we connect with Ben DeSmidt, co-owner of Union Park Tavern as well as serving as our 65th District Assemblyman and Art Debaere, owner of <...
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Season 7
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Episode 7
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1:07:14

w/Tony and Emily-Ron's Place
Ron’s Place originally opened back in 1972, long before Tony and Emily Vole were even born. But this couple purchased the business last year and are looking forward to continuing providing Kenosha with their delectable 5x5 burgers, their world ...
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Season 7
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Episode 6
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53:58

w/Janette Hill-artist
We get artsy this week on Ktown Connects as we connect with artist Janette Hill! You might not know it by talking to her, but Janette wasn’t born here in Kenosha – join us as we dive into her past, what brought her to the Midwest and how she fe...
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Season 7
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Episode 5
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54:33

Ktown Conversations w/Craig Pias & Hill Wozniel
We continue our Kenosha Conversations series with owners of two of the greatest dive bars in Kenosha – Craig of The Port of Kenosha Beverage House and Hill of Hill’s Hot Rod Hideout. In this episode, these two icons talk about the struggles and...
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Season 7
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Episode 4
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1:03:39

w/Trista Jablonski-To and From Gift Shop
Today we connect with Trista Jablonski, the new owner of To and From Gifts, 5535 Sixth Avenue. Trista tells us all about her early days growing up in Kenosha – attending Indian Trail Academy during one of the darkest periods in Kenosha High Sch...
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Season 7
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Episode 3
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59:04

w/Jim Namio-entertainer & artist
What came first the singing or the suits? Well, you can find out this week when we connect with the smooth dresser with the captivating voice – Jim Namio. Jim has been a lifelong creator -- whether it was writing as a child while l...
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Season 7
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Episode 2
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59:18

w/Michael Ventura-Mars Cheese Castle
Smile and say “CHEESE!” Today we connect with Michael Ventura of Mars Cheese Castle. Michael, who runs this iconic Kenosha business with his family, is the grandson of the late Mario Ventura Sr, who along with his wife Martha, started up a litt...
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Season 7
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Episode 1
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55:57

St Patrick's Day Parade
The Inaugural Eric Olson Memorial St Patrick’s Day Parade is coming on Saturday, March 15th, and with all the details we have three of the event organizers in the studio with us – Kevin Ervin of Franks Diner, Mick Kelly of Captain Mike’s and Jo...
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Season 6
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Episode 34
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1:03:44

w/Eric Houghton-Ktown Burlesque Show
Learn all about the history of the Ktown Burlesque Show from co-creator, co-producer, and one of the stars of the show - Eric Houghton - in this special mini-episode recorded at the Rhode Center for the Arts.The 10th Ktown Burlesque show...
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Season 6
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Episode 33
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21:58

w/Dean Tawwater-Tawwater Sign Co
If you have seen some of the beautiful hand-painted signs around Kenosha, there is a good chance that the steady hand behind that sign is none other than Kenosha artist Dean Tawwater! After growing up in Kenosha and discovering a lo...
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Season 6
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Episode 32
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55:06

w/Bill Lawrence
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 Ch...
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Season 6
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Episode 31
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1:11:58

Ktown Conversation w/Steve Casey & John Fox
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 u...
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Season 6
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Episode 30
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1:25:08

w/Luke & Meghan-Hold My Beer
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. W...
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Season 6
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Episode 29
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59:39

Ronny F**kin' Valeo RIP (unedited interview)
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 form...
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2:01:25

w/Sarah Prince-Latibule
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 perf...
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Season 6
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Episode 28
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56:21

w/Russ Klisch & Matt Geary-Lakefront & Public Breweries
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 l...
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Season 6
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Episode 27
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53:47

w/Rebecca Rivera-singer and ceramic artist
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...
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Season 6
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Episode 26
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58:47

w/Emiko Chiappetta-Reid Street Studios
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 gro...
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Season 6
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Episode 25
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58:27

w/David and Jeannette-Port of Fear Film Festival
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 sell...
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Season 6
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Episode 24
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1:00:00

w/Quinn Smith-About Time Moving
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 rel...
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Season 6
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Episode 23
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58:02

w/Sherry Ludwig-Bisou Lingerie
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...
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Season 6
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Episode 22
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59:56
