Mark Gerber has a long rich history in Kenosha, and we talk about his life growing up in our city, his involvement in numerous taverns, and his life now as the owner of Gerber’s Gift Shop, 3012 Roosevelt Road You can also find Gerb every Sunday at the Wilmot Flea Market This episode was recorded on Monday, May 16th at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue Big thanks to our sponsors: Lucci’s Grandview 6929 39th Ave. Franks Diner, 508 58th Street . Wink Beauty Boutique, 10909 Sheridan Road Speci...
May 20, 2022•56 min•Season 4Ep. 8
This week we connect with content creator and maestro of real estate Mitch Ferraro. Check out his web video interviews on Kenosha.com. Find a quick link to the Southeast Wisconsin Real Estate Investor’s Group on Facebook here Check out his Family Legacy Real Estate Facebook page here Welcome Home Real Estate Group This episode was recorded on Monday, May 9th at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenu e Big thanks to our sponsors: Faded Barbershop for Men, 2227 63rd St Lucci’s Grandview 6929 39th ...
May 13, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 7
We welcome the tigers into our den this week when we sit down with two longtime members of the real #1 media company in the area - Rex Davenport and Liz Snyder of Kenosha News! This episode was recorded on Monday, April 25th at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue Big thanks to our sponsors: CarBox, 1750 22nd Ave Faded Barbershop for Men, 2227 63rd St Lucci’s Grandview 6929 39th Ave. Franks Diner, 508 58th Street . Wink Beauty Boutique, 10909 Sheridan Road Specialty Nacho Queen Gerb’s Gift Sh...
May 06, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 6
For many years, husband and wife team Diego and Dianna Villalobos have been keeping the dance floor hopping at wedding receptions, private parties, corporate events, and much more all across the area as owners of Midwest DJ Productions. But their story has much more than that, and we sit down and talk with Diego and Dianna and talk about their lifelong CONNECTION to KENOSHA. Looking to book your music for your next event the right way? Visit their website by clicking here for more! Like them on ...
Apr 29, 2022•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 5
Steve Casey, of Casey Family Options Funerals and Cremations, is never shy to voice his opinion. His peers over his 22-years as a Kenosha Alderman can attest to that, as well as listeners to his weekly radio appearances with Bill Lawrence on AM1050 WLIP. We had a great time sitting down with Steve and talking about growing up in Kenosha, what is important to him, and so much more. Are your final wishes planned out? Don’t leave it up to your family to be forced to make these tough decisions on on...
Apr 22, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Kimberly Warner, owner of Authentique Gifts, 625 57th Street , and Repour’d Candle Factory , describes herself as a ‘serial entrepreneur’ – both her parents and grandparents have owned businesses, so it felt natural for Kimberly to step out in 2017 and launch her own shop in Downtown Kenosha. We sit down and talk with Kimberly about how she launched both her businesses, the chaos that was Kenosha in 2020, her podcast – Fearlessly Authentique and more! Learn more about Authentique by clicking her...
Apr 15, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Season 4Ep. 3
We kick off our fourth season of Ktown Connects with Robby Gauss – second generation owner of Total Cyclery, 5039 Sixth Ave. Stop in to Total Cyclery Monday – Wednesdays, and Fridays 10am – 6pm, Saturdays 10-4, closed Thursdays and Sundays. This episode was recorded on Monday, March 28th at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue Big thanks to our sponsors: Acupuncture and Wellness of Wisconsin , 3917 47th Ave DownTown R Saloon, 707 56th St LaMacchia Travel [JH1] , 618 55th St Union Park Tavern,...
Apr 08, 2022•50 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Recorded live in front of an audience at Fusion, 5014 Seventh Ave. on Saturday, December 11th, 2021. Starring Koerri Elijah as Scrooge Daniel Thompson as Bob Cratchit Donny Stancato as Fred Scrooge Boda Martin as Emily Scrooge Katy Wallner as Belle Jakob Morgan as Jacob Marley Ron Dean Brown as Tom the Butcher Aimee Crucianelli as Ann the Maid Sarah Kovach as the Ghost of Christmas Past Jake Hoey as the Ghost of Christmas Present Kevin Ervin as himself Jason Hedman is your narrator This show was...
Dec 24, 2021•46 min•Season 3Ep. 24
In 1998, a young Craig Pias got a part-time bartending job at his favorite local watering hole, The Port of Kenosha Beverage House, 714 50th St. Little did he know at the time, but that little bar that used to be a house would be his destiny and in 2014 he took over as owner of one of the most unique bars in the area. Enjoy this episode where we talk to Craig about growing up in Kenosha, how he got started in the bartending world, the Hot Wheels Grand Prix, a bronze Al, and much more! This episo...
Dec 17, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 3Ep. 23
At the age of 50, Jo Wynn’s life has begun to unravel – after numerous setbacks, she found herself homeless on the streets of Kenosha. But Jo knew this wasn’t a permanent place for her. She strove to find the avenues to get her off the streets and back on her feet. After witnessing that struggle firsthand, she decided to start the non-profit organization Walkin in My Shoes. Starting with duffle bag ‘survival kits’ for people still on the streets, and later with Street Outreach Program, which pro...
Dec 10, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 22
Today we re-connect with two of our past guests and talk about how they have changed in the past year. Subscribe to Koerri Elijah’s YouTube channel here Follow Koerri’s Facebook page here [JH1] Find Daniel Thompson’s Uptown Observer here Check out his music – Daniel and his 3AM Saints here Find all the information about the upcoming Kenosha Christmas Carol – starring your hosts Donny and Jason, along with Koerri, Daniel, and many others here. This episode was recorded on Sunday, November 21st at...
Dec 03, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Today we sit down with Carl the Turkey - Kenosha's hottest new celebrity! Don't know Carl? Click here to learn more! Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov 24, 2021•7 min•Season 3Ep. 20
As they have been a longtime sponsor of Ktown Connects, you have probably been hearing about the advantageous drupal and e-commerce consulting solutions that Bluehorn Digital can provide to your local business. But if you are anything like Donny and Jason, you might have some questions. On today’s episode of Ktown Connects, we are joined by Matt Glaman of Bluehorn Digital. Click here to visit Bluehorn Digital This episode was recorded on Monday, November 1st at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th A...
Nov 19, 2021•55 min•Season 3Ep. 19
The House of Nutrition has been keeping Kenosha healthy for generations. In 2014, longtime customer Mark Wistar decided to take the jump and purchase the business. Eight years later and House of Nutrition and Wellness, 5824 Sixth Ave., is now more popular than ever. We sit down and talk to Mark about his early days in Kenosha and how he got involved in this business. Click here to visit the House of Nutrition and Wellness website This episode was recorded on Monday, October 25th at Luigi’s Pizza...
Nov 12, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Earlier this year, lifelong Kenoshan David Strash took over as the new president and CEO of the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce. What is the Chamber of Commerce and what does Dave do in his new position? Those questions and more are answered in today’s episode of Ktown Connects! Click here to visit the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce website! This episode was recorded on Monday, October 25th at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue Big thanks to our sponsors: Bluehorn Digital CarBox, 1750 22...
Nov 05, 2021•57 min•Season 3Ep. 17
On today’s episode of Ktown Connects, we talk with Paul Ward and Jenifer Fleming of Ashling on the Lough, 125 56th St. Ashling on the Lough provides classic Irish food, delicious beers and cocktails, and, according to Donny, the best Bloody Marys and cheese curds around! Visit their website here for more! And be sure to like them on Facebook here! This episode was recorded on Monday, October 11th at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue Big thanks to our sponsors: Lulu Birds, 720 58th St. Down...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Back in 2006, Rhonda Bell took a leap of faith and opened her own restaurant, Twisted Cuisine, 7546 Sheridan Road. After a few solid years, she really found success when she hired on Chef Erica Buskirk to the team and the rest is history! For almost 16 years, Twisted Cuisine has been offering up fine dining in a causal atmosphere… with a Twist! Enjoy this episode as we talk to Rhonda about growing up in Kenosha, what makes Twisted Cuisine stand above the rest, Erica’s recent experience on the Fo...
Oct 22, 2021•53 min•Season 3Ep. 15
With the ability to book a flight in the palm of your hand, what does a 21st century world need with a travel agency? Tom and Monica Karnes of LaMacchia Travel deliver much more than just competitive prices and their charming personalities. We dig deep with Tom and Monica, about growing up in Kenosha, becoming third-generation owners of an iconic Kenosha business, and so much more. LaMacchia Travel is located at 618 55th Street in beautiful downtown Kenosha – 262-656-8300. For all your travel ne...
Oct 15, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Today we connect we artist, singer, model, dancer, TV host, make-up master, and all-around wonderful person Jill Zgorzelski! Like and follow Jill’s art page here! Like her band The Cats Meow here! Find Women in Motion’s FB page here! Follow Deadgar’s Coffin Classics on YouTube This episode was recorded on Saturday, September 20th, 2021 at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue Big thanks to our sponsors: Down Town R Saloon, 707 56th St Bluehorn Digital Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave. CarBox...
Oct 08, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Kenosha is a better place with someone like Dr. Dale Destruction around to keep us entertained, especially during this spooky time of the year! We sit down and talk to Dr. D about his life growing up in Kenosha, his experiences in the Keno-Core punk rock scene, how he got involved with Jerry Smith’s Pumpkin Farm, the birth of his TV show Crimson Theater, his artwork, his music, and so much more! This Halloween season stop out and see his spooky Haunted Manor at Jerry Smith’s, Monday – Friday 4-8...
Oct 01, 2021•59 min•Season 3Ep. 12
In 2007, Marc Riutta and his friends started a little bicycle pub crawl throughout Kenosha called Handlebars and Bars, that fall, they did it again, this time dressed as zombies and calling it The Ride of the Living Dead. The crowd for the latter grew to levels no local tavern could handle so in 2017, Riutta called it quits on the “zombie ride” – until now. On Saturday, October 2nd, zombies return to the streets of Kenosha for the Return of the Ride of the Living Dead! Like the Handlebars and Ba...
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 11
We had a great time connecting with the charming Katy Wallner. From discovering her roots, to her service in the US Army, to her founding the Creatives 4 Community group and finally, Hot Mess Studios – Hot Mess is a new studio in Downtown Kenosha where the guests can throw paint at a canvas and create their own masterpiece! It is perfect for a corporate event, a family activity, or a special date night! Like and follow Hot Mess Studio here for more information! And check out Katy’s other venture...
Sep 03, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 10
This week, we sit down with a few members of the City of Kenosha branch of the Tavern League of Wisconsin. We talk to Kenosha Tavern League President Art DeBaere. Art is also the owner of Champions Sports Bar, 719 50th Street. Follow Champions on Facebook here. We talk to Art about coming to Kenosha and opening his own bar, and then Sara Lucci, Secretary of the City of Kenosha Tavern League, and co-owner of Lucci’s Grandview, 6929 39th Ave, joins the discussion for everything you always wanted t...
Aug 27, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 9
One of Kenosha’s hottest power couples – Renesha “Rey” Johnson-Langston and Joe Langston are the owners of Kenosha Beauty Supply, 5829 Sixth Ave, and Hit Your Potential Boxing and Fitness, 7709 Sheridan Road. We sit down and talk to them about how they got together as teens and their journey which brought them back to Kenosha. Like Kenosha Beauty Supply on Facebook here! Find out more about Hit Your Potential here! This episode was recorded on Monday, August 2nd, 2021 at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7...
Aug 20, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Growing up in Kenosha, Laura Spair never imagined herself working in the food industry, much less owning her own food business… Laura always imagined herself to be teacher. Well, now she can do both! Today on Ktown Connects, we talk with the owner of The Fresh Bar – Laura Spair. The Fresh Bar is located at the corner of 55th Stree and Fifth Avenue and is operating through the end of September every Friday 7am – Saturdays and Sundays 8am -1pm Like The Fresh Bar on Facebook for all the latest upda...
Aug 13, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Who would have thought that talking cars could be so much fun? We sit down with CarBox owner Scott Dooley and marketing manager Johnna McArdle to talk about why they came to Kenosha and what make CarBox the best auto dealership in Kenosha! CarBox is located at 1750 22nd Avenue and open six days a week – Monday – Saturday! Like CarBox on Facebook HERE! Subscribe to the CarBox YouTube channel HERE! For your essential guide to everything fun to do in our hometown – bookmark Visit Kenosha here! This...
Aug 06, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Enjoy this week’s conversation with Laura Gregorski of Visit Kenosha. For your essential guide to everything fun to do in our hometown – bookmark Visit Kenosha here! This episode was recorded on Monday, July 19th, 2021 at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue . Big thanks to our sponsors: Faded Barbershop for Men, 2227 63rd St Down Town R Saloon, 707 56th St Captain Mike’s, 5118 Sixth Ave. Lulu Birds, 720 58th St. Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave. Bluehorn Digital CarBox, 1750 22nd Ave Lucci...
Jul 30, 2021•58 min•Season 3Ep. 5
This week we get to sit down with 4/5 of one of our favorite local bands – Donoma! Find more information about the band on the website here! Listen to their latest album American Rust on Spotify here! Here is video footage of Donoma performing Rustbelt Tragedy in our Ktown Connects studio! They stuck around and did another song from their new album – Maria – click here! This episode was recorded on Monday, July 5th, 2021 at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue . Big thanks to our sponsors: Lu...
Jul 23, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 4
From the teenager on the skim board running out to the beach, to your favorite male bartender at Scotty’s tavern, to the current man on the scooter with his own candle company, BLOW CO. Candles – we sit down and get personal with Baron Leaf Olsen. Visit the Blow Co Candle website here! Like the Blow Co Candles Facebook page here! This episode was recorded on Monday, July 5th, 2021 at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue . Big thanks to our sponsors: CarBox, 1750 22nd Ave Lucci’s Grandview 692...
Jul 16, 2021•55 min•Season 3Ep. 3
“I’ve Been Everywhere” is a song by Johnny Cash that you might hear on your next visit to Hill’s Hotrod Hideout, 4327 17th Ave. But the song can also be the unofficial theme for our guest, Hill Wozniel. We sit down and get Hill’s interesting story of the many paths he took which led him to own the coolest rockabilly joint in town! Be sure to like Hill’s Hotrod Hideout here! This episode was recorded on June 21st, 2021 at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, 7531 39th Avenue . - Big thanks to our sponsors: Blu...
Jul 09, 2021•58 min•Season 3Ep. 2
