132 episodes

Celebrating KENOSHA, WISCONSIN – OUR TOWN!  Your hosts Jason & Donny talk to someone from our hometown of Kenosha and find out what makes them such a great Kenoshan!  Ktown Connects connects the community to remind everyone of all the great things our hometown of Kenosha has to offer!  Each episode will feature an exclusive Q&A with a local business owner, local historian, community activist or just a local celebrity.  Thanks for listening!

Ktown Connects Ktown Connects

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 46 Ratings

Celebrating KENOSHA, WISCONSIN – OUR TOWN!  Your hosts Jason & Donny talk to someone from our hometown of Kenosha and find out what makes them such a great Kenoshan!  Ktown Connects connects the community to remind everyone of all the great things our hometown of Kenosha has to offer!  Each episode will feature an exclusive Q&A with a local business owner, local historian, community activist or just a local celebrity.  Thanks for listening!

    w/Maria Caravati-Equinox Botanical Boutique

    w/Maria Caravati-Equinox Botanical Boutique

    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, Maria Caravati evolved Equinox to incorporate her other passion – horticulture. Equinox is now Equinox Botanical Boutique, as Maria and her staff still offer the same massage therapy but now with a full selection of high-quality plants, wines, and other gifts.  
    Follow them on Facebook by clicking here! 
     
    This episode was recorded on March 11, 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 – ReMax Newport Elite 
    Franks Diner, 508 58th St 
    Aason Hunzinger of AHDidIt 
    Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave. 
    Public Craft Brewing Company 628 58th St 
    The Port of Kenosha Beverage House\ 
    RockIt Optical Eyewear, 815 57th St, 2nd floor 
    Vintage Underground, 5817 Sixth Ave 
    Wink Beauty Boutique, 10909 Sheridan Rd 
    Get your Ktown Connects merchandise at The Lettering Machine, 725 50th St. 
    Drop us an email at ktownconnects@yahoo.com 
    Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter – and at ktownconnects.com 
    Theme song performed by Dropping Daisies, written by James “Red” McLeod. 
    Your hosts are Donny Stancato and Jason Hedman 
    Get additional episodes early and ad-free, along with bonus material with this week’s guest and more great exclusive material by becoming a patreon supporter! Click here for more! 
     

    • 59 min
    w/Lacie Dobyns

    w/Lacie Dobyns

    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 to Kenosha! 
    Lacie is a dental hygienist for Pillar Health Care, located at the Kenosha Community Health Center, 6226 14th Avenue. If you or someone you know is in need of dental care, Lacie will be happy to help you! Visit their website here for more information.  
    This episode was recorded on March 11, 2024 at the A+ Mobility Recording Studio – home of Ktown Connects! 
    Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave. 
    Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations, 3016 75th St 
    About Time Moving Systems 
    Law Offices of Frank J. Parise, 7001 30th Ave 
    Shannyn Franklin – ReMax Newport Elite 
    Franks Diner, 508 58th St 
    Aason Hunzinger of AHDidIt 
    Public Craft Brewing Company 628 58th St 
    RockIt Optical Eyewear, 815 57th St, 2nd floor 
    Vintage Underground, 5817 Sixth Ave 
    Wink Beauty Boutique, 10909 Sheridan Rd 
    The Port of Kenosha Beverage House\ 
    Get your Ktown Connects merchandise at The Lettering Machine, 725 50th St. 
    Drop us an email at ktownconnects@yahoo.com 
    Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter – and at ktownconnects.com 
    Theme song performed by Dropping Daisies, written by James “Red” McLeod. 
    Your hosts are Donny Stancato and Jason Hedman 
    Get additional episodes early and ad-free, along with bonus material with this week’s guest and more great exclusive material by becoming a patreon supporter! Click here for more! 

    • 59 min
    w/Violet Wilder

    w/Violet Wilder

    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 the national anthem at local events, to taking the stage as a three-piece, or performing as a five-piece, with Andrew, Zach, Dave, or Justin on bass and percussion for a full band sound. Violet Wilder are creatives who are a bit off the beaten path, they take their music in new and interesting ways. You can listen to their full-length album “For the Record” anywhere and everywhere you can stream music and if you like what you hear, you can purchase their CD and a T-shirt you can wear when you see them take the stage this summer throughout the area. Visit their website here for all the info! 
    This episode was recorded on March 11, 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 – ReMax Newport Elite 
    Franks Diner, 508 58th St 
    Aason Hunzinger of AHDidIt 
    Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave. 
    Public Craft Brewing Company 628 58th St 
    Vintage Underground, 5817 Sixth Ave 
    Wink Beauty Boutique, 10909 Sheridan Rd 
    The Port of Kenosha Beverage House\ 
    RockIt Optical Eyewear, 815 57th St, 2nd floor 
    Get your Ktown Connects merchandise at The Lettering Machine, 725 50th St. 
    Drop us an email at ktownconnects@yahoo.com 
    Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter – and at ktownconnects.com 
    Theme song performed by Dropping Daisies, written by James “Red” McLeod. 
    Your hosts are Donny Stancato and Jason Hedman 
    Get additional episodes early and ad-free, along with bonus material with this week’s guest and more great exclusive material by becoming a patreon supporter! Click here for more! 
     

    • 58 min
    w/Chet Griffith - ArtWorks/Pencillarium

    w/Chet Griffith - ArtWorks/Pencillarium

    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, you ask? Chet has the answers, or just stop in and see for yourself! Visit their website here for more info! 
    This episode was recorded on February 26th, 2024 at the A+ Mobility Recording Studio – home of Ktown Connects! 
    Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave. 
    Public Craft Brewing Company 628 58th St 
    Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations, 3016 75th St 
    About Time Moving Systems 
    Law Offices of Frank J. Parise, 7001 30th Ave 
    Shannyn Franklin – ReMax Newport Elite 
    Franks Diner, 508 58th St 
    Aason Hunzinger of AHDidIt 
    RockIt Optical Eyewear, 815 57th St, 2nd floor 
    Vintage Underground, 5817 Sixth Ave 
    Wink Beauty Boutique, 10909 Sheridan Rd 
    The Port of Kenosha Beverage House 
    Get your Ktown Connects merchandise at The Lettering Machine, 725 50th St. 
    Drop us an email at ktownconnects@yahoo.com 
    Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter – and at ktownconnects.com 
    Theme song performed by Dropping Daisies, written by James “Red” McLeod. 
    Your hosts are Donny Stancato and Jason Hedman 
    Get additional episodes early and ad-free, along with bonus material with this week’s guest and more great exclusive material by becoming a patreon supporter! Click here for more! 

    • 55 min
    w/Brit Windel-DayBreak Church

    w/Brit Windel-DayBreak Church

    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 interactive community events, and his volunteer work on the Kenosha Lakeshore Business Improvement District (aka the “BID”). Currently, Brit is serving as the president of BID. Click here to learn more about what BID is and what they do for the community! 
    This episode was recorded on February 26th, 2024 at the A+ Mobility Recording Studio – home of Ktown Connects! 

    This show would not be possible without our wonderful sponsors:
    Aason Hunzinger of AHDidIt 
    Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave. 
    Public Craft Brewing Company 628 58th St 
    Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations, 3016 75th St 
    About Time Moving Systems 
    Law Offices of Frank J. Parise, 7001 30th Ave 
    Shannyn Franklin – ReMax Newport Elite 
    Franks Diner, 508 58th St 
    The Port of Kenosha Beverage House 
    RockIt Optical Eyewear, 815 57th St, 2nd floor 
    Vintage Underground, 5817 Sixth Ave 
    Wink Beauty Boutique, 10909 Sheridan Rd 
    Get your Ktown Connects merchandise at The Lettering Machine, 725 50th St. 
    Drop us an email at ktownconnects@yahoo.com 
    Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter – and at ktownconnects.com 
    Theme song performed by Dropping Daisies, written by James “Red” McLeod. 
    Your hosts are Donny Stancato and Jason Hedman 
    Get additional episodes early and ad-free, along with bonus material with this week’s guest and more great exclusive material by becoming a patreon supporter! Click here for more! 
     

    • 55 min
    w/Ronny Valeo

    w/Ronny Valeo

    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 Leonard – for 30 years! 
    Recommended rocking: 
    Screamer – “Outcast” from “Target Earth” (1988) 
    Electric Hellfire Club - “Where Violence Is Golden” from “Burn Baby Burn” (1993) 
    This episode was recorded on February 12th, 2024 at the A+ Mobility Recording Studio – home of Ktown Connects! 
    Law Offices of Frank J. Parise, 7001 30th Ave 
    Shannyn Franklin – ReMax Newport Elite 
    Franks Diner, 508 58th St 
    Aason Hunzinger of AHDidIt 
    Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave. 
    Public Craft Brewing Company 628 58th St 
    Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations, 3016 75th St 
    About Time Moving Systems 
    Vintage Underground, 5817 Sixth Ave 
    Wink Beauty Boutique, 10909 Sheridan Rd 
    The Port of Kenosha Beverage House 
    RockIt Optical Eyewear, 815 57th St, 2nd floor 
    Get your Ktown Connects merchandise at The Lettering Machine, 725 50th St. 
    Drop us an email at ktownconnects@yahoo.com 
    Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter – and at ktownconnects.com 
    Theme song performed by Dropping Daisies, written by James “Red” McLeod. 
    Your hosts are Donny Stancato and Jason Hedman 
    Get additional episodes early and ad-free, along with bonus material with this week’s guest and more great exclusive material by becoming a patreon supporter! Click here for more! 
     

    • 1 hr 17 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
46 Ratings

46 Ratings

The One Eyed Cat ,

Insightful, witty commentary of all things Kenosha!

listen to these fine folks discussing topics with local residents both famous and infamous, who stand out in Kenosha. It’s rumored that MSNBC has offered a multi year contract to K-Town Connects to run during their prime time slot and FOXNEWS is considering changing their entire broadcast format to two gentlemen sitting in a studio, enjoying fermented beverages, while getting the latest celebrities to spill the tea about their childhood!
It could happen. Maybe. Probably not.
HOWEVER! Jason and Donnie do know a gifted photographer when they see one and have been utilizing their eagle eye for talent to bring you some of the finest photos taken since lebowitz and Addams in their work with the many local publications that clamor for their insights on a daily basis!
(Checks in the mail, right boys)

JR2024! ,

Best show!

Best kenosha podcast ever! Jason & Donny are the best

Mitchstercom ,

Best episode EVER!!!!

I miss Kenosha, your podcast is awesome, but makes me homesick for my home town. Hope to see you guys at Bowls

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