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 the rebirth of the Simmons Island Beach House! For generations, Simmons Island has been forgotten by ...
Jul 04, 2024•58 min•Season 6Ep. 19
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 5610 7th Ave. We are joined in the studio today by Teddi and her co/worker, licensed aesthetician J...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 18
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 you are looking to give your business that social media boost that it needs, contact these young medi...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 17
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 Ambassador of the Salon Professional Academy, and she has a chair at Hush Beauty Lounge in Downtown Kenosha. She...
Jun 14, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 16
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 Freedom Finders and expanded his knowledge and love of making music, which led to creating music...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 15
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 the 65th District Assembly (a position that has been held for many years by Tod Ohnstad = see episode...
May 31, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 6Ep. 14
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 local citizens who are down on their luck, from their daily Soup Kitchen (5pm-6pm), to the Food Pantry (We...
May 24, 2024•59 min•Season 6Ep. 13
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. Check out their latest album “It’s About Time” now available on all those streaming services! Maxwell a...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 6Ep. 12
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 here ! Follow her on Facebook here! Or give her a call at 262-960-5182 to begin your real estate journey! W...
Apr 05, 2024•59 min•Season 6Ep. 11
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. After two successful years, she landed her own storefront at 5901 Sixth Ave-A. Many years later, Ma...
Mar 29, 2024•59 min•Season 6Ep. 10
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 running the Seal-A-Smile program, which helps Kenosha kids learn more about dental health, we had a great time talking with Lacie about her life and what connects her...
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 9
Melissa, Jayna, and Kimberly met while attending UW-Parkside and discovered that they shared a love for music. After evenings spent together watching Disney musicals and drinking whiskey, these talented ladies began to harmonize both their voices and their friendship. They began to take the stage at open mics at Sazzy B’s and on the UW-P campus, leading to the formation of their alt-folk rock band Violet Wilder. They perform in many different variations, from a cappella performances like singing...
Mar 15, 2024•59 min•Season 6Ep. 8
It took Chet Griffith a few years after moving to Kenosha to finally explore the local art scene, and when he finally did, it rekindled the love of art that had lay dormant. He picked up his pencils again and became a member of Lemon Street Gallery and ArtSpace. A few years later, his skills at framing helped him launch his own art supply and framing store – ArtWorks. Today, ArtWorks has moved to its current location at 4513 Sheridan Road and now features The Pencillarium! What is a penciallrium...
Mar 08, 2024•55 min•Season 6Ep. 7
While in Colorado, Brit Windel met his wife Stacie and shortly after, Brit fell in love with Stacie’s hometown of Kenosha. The couple came to town in 2012 and two years later, they launched their DayBreak Church inside Bullen Middle School. In 2014, they got their brick-and-mortar location in Downtown Kenosha at 5631 Sixth Avenue. Their service is every Sunday at 10am. See more at ourdaybreak.church Brit is also an advocate for helping our community, and that shows with DayBreak Church’s many in...
Mar 01, 2024•56 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Crank it up to 11, because we are going to rock it with Ronny Valeo! We got the one and only Kenosha music legend to come out of hiding and sit down and talk about his life.... From his first guitar, to his factory job, to a certain thrash frontman breaking down in tears, Ronny Valeo recalls his life as the guitarist for alternative metal band Screamer and industrial metal band The Electric Hellfire Club, as well as owning Kenosha’s coolest record shop, Grand Central Records, with his brother Le...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 6Ep. 5
When Frank Parise was in third grade, his teacher asked him to read the classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” and he became enraptured with the character of Atticus Finch. When most kids wanted to grow up and become sports athletes or rock stars, Parise wanted to be a lawyer. It was a tough road, but he did it, and by happenstance, he was brought back to his hometown of Kenosha to practice law. Today, he leads The Law Offices of Frank J. Parise, where they specialize in criminal defense – drunk...
Feb 16, 2024•59 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Growing up just south of Kenosha in Gurnee, Aaron Hunzinger was a tinkerer – he had a fascination with taking things apart and seeing what made them work. Also a young subscriber of Mini-Truckin magazine, he developed a love for cars at a young age. Evanston Awning Company, has been going strong for five generations. How does an awning company stay relevant in a world of air-conditioning? They create awnings for numerous films and TV shows for period sets in Chicago and the area, starting with “...
Feb 09, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 3
The Know Your Vote - Kenosha Mayoral Forum 2024 was held on Sunday, February 4th at the Rhode Center for the Arts in Downtown Kenosha Moderated by Pete Serzant of WLIP AM1050 Timekeeper: Jenna Zeihen This podcast was taken from a video produced by Kenosha Community Media and directed by Jason Rimkus Theme song, “Kenosha My Hometown” performed by Dropping Daisies, written by James “Red” McLeod Special thanks to: Quinn Smith of About Time Moving Systems Steve Casey of Casey Family Options Funerals...
Feb 06, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Today, Jenny Ulbricht is a proud mother, wife, and owner/operator of East View Coffee, but she has had a wild side! We sit down and talk about her travels around the world and how her path led her to Kenosha - the land of her ancestors! East View Coffee Company is definitely a place to enjoy a tasty beverage, but it is also a coffee company! Now located in their new brick and mortar location at 716 58th St, they offer freshly roasted and sustainably sourced coffee beans roasted right on site. Vi...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 2
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, 3016 75th St About Time Moving Systems Law Offices of Frank J. Parise, 7001 30th Ave Shannyn Franklin ...
Jan 26, 2024•58 min•Season 6Ep. 1
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 building and, with the help of producer Ken Stouffer, brought Backyard Dream Productions to reality. Backya...
Dec 15, 2023•56 min•Season 5Ep. 24
“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 into one of Kenosha’s most successful independent businesses! For more info, visit the Jackpot Rent...
Dec 08, 2023•59 min•Season 5Ep. 23
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 – Vintage Underground. Vintage Underground is located in beautiful downtown Kenosha at 5817 Sixth Ave and open Tu...
Nov 17, 2023•59 min•Season 5Ep. 22
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 else! In addition to footwear, they also provide the best orthotics and inserts around! This episode w...
Nov 09, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 21
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, delicious specialty cocktails, sandwiches, Tetris tots, and of course, great pizza! We sit down with Crystal a...
Nov 03, 2023•56 min•Season 5Ep. 20
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 the community and got the idea of opening a coffee shop from his young daughter. After a warm up stin...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 19
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 all ages to paint your own beautiful master-piece! For more info, click here to visit their website, ...
Oct 19, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 18
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 WLIP, and try to get some dirt out of him regarding past and present co-workers! This episode was record...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 17
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. The third annual event will be this Saturday, July 22nd from noon – 11pm at Pennoyer Park and will...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 16
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 reality! Millie Bo Peep is open Wednesdays through Sundays and you can see their fine products at their w...
Jun 30, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 15
