Ktown Connects

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 Champions Sports Bar, 17th District Alderperson, president of the Kenosha Tavern League and a representative for the Wisconsin Tavern League. Although these two may differ poltically, they are both local tavern owners who are involved in politics and on this special “Kenosha Conver...

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 famous Long Island Ice Teas, and their wonderful hospitality and exceptional customer service. 

Ron’s Place, 3301 52nd Street opens at 11am daily. Find out more HERE! 

This episode was recorded...

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 fell in love with art. 

Janette is a multi-talented artist – she has illustrated dozens of children’s books, painted backdrops at some of your favorite Kenosha locations, and dives into acrylic ...

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 benefits of being a bar owner in Kenosha, all while sharing numerous drinks with your hosts. This episode does contain adult language.  

Mark your calendars for these two important summer eve...

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 School history, why she left Kenosha for a few years to pursue a career in youth ministry, and why she returned to her hometown and decided to, with zero retail experience, buy To and From Gift ...

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 listening to film soundtracks, developing into a nationally recognized acrylic artist in high school, or making fabulous meals while working at some of Kenosha’s iconic restaurants.  

A few decades ago, Ji...

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 little cheese shop over 75 years ago! 

In this episode we get into all the details about the history of Mars Cheese Castle – going back to their Uptown Kenosha roots back in 1946! Along with how M...

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 Jonathan Olson of Swedes’s. 

Saturday, March 15th activities in Downtown Kenosha: 

7am Franks Diner opens serving up Irish food specials 

8am Captain Mike’s opens, serving Irish breakfast sandwich...

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 is coming to the Rhode Center in Downtown Kenosha for six amazing performances: Friday, January 17th at 8pm; Saturday, January 18th, two shows, 7pm and 10pm; Friday, January 24th at 8pm; and two sh...

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 love for art, Dean branched out and explored the US, but like most of us, he returned to his beloved hometown where he began taking his art seriously, renting out studio space and hosting his own art shows...

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!  

Currently, Bill is semi-retired, ...

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! 

This episode was recorded on Mon...

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 – stop on by sample up to 50 delicious...

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 unedited form on our Patr...

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 experience with a night at Latibule! Vi...

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 Public Brewing Company to hear all ab...

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 Ceramics Studio – find more information by ...

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, Tony Chiappetta, fourth-generation own...

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 needed to enter the theaters to see...