Ktown Connects

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 (Wednesdays & Fridays, 8:30-11:30), to their new Hope Hub Community Center (weekdays, 8:30-4:30), the Shalom Center is here for you to give you that little hand when you desperately need it.  

For more information about the Shalom Center, visit their website here! 

This episode was recorded on May 20th, 2024 at the A+ Mobility Recording Studio – home of Ktown Connects! 

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 

Wink Beauty Boutique, 10909 Sheridan Rd 

The Port of Kenosha Beverage House 

RockIt Optical Eyewear, 815 57th St, 2nd floor 

Vintage Underground, 5817 Sixth Ave 

Get your Ktown Connects merchandise at The Lettering Machine, 725 50th St. 

Drop us an email at [email protected] 

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! 

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 and Oscar can be found out and about in some of our greatest nightlife establishments hosting open mics throughout this summer and all year, including 58 Below, Kenosha Yacht Club, and George’s Encore and McAuliffe’s Pub in Racine. 
Follow Spirit Shakers on Facebook here for all their latest updates!  

This episode was recorded on May 6th, 2024 at the A+ Mobility Recording Studio – home of Ktown Connects! 

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 

Law Offices of Frank J. Parise, 7001 30th Ave 

Shannyn Franklin – ReMax Newport Elite 

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 [email protected] 

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! 

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! 

We are taking a few weeks off. Ktown Connects will return with an all-new episode on April 25th!

This episode was recorded on March 11, 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. 

Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations, 3016 75th St 

About Time Moving Systems 

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 [email protected] 

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! 

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 [email protected] 

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! 

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 as a dental hygienist running a children’s dental program, which helps Kenosha kids learn more about the importance of dental health, we had a great time talking with Lacie about her life and what connects her to Kenosha! 

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 [email protected] 

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! 

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 [email protected] 

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! 

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 [email protected] 

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! 

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 [email protected] 

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! 

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 [email protected] 

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!