Mokena's Front Porch Podcast
Welcome to Mokena’s Front Porch – THE podcast for Mokena history and community! Nestled in the heart of Chicagoland, Mokena began as a small farming community that flourished after the Rock Island train line arrived in 1852. Today, with a population of over 20,000, its rich past continues to shape its future. Your hosts: 🔹 Matt – A lifelong Mokenian, local historian, and author of two books on Mokena history. His blog, Matt’s Old Mokena, serves as the foundation for many of our episodes, bringing forgotten stories of the village back to life. 🔹 Israel – A passionate storyteller who grew up hearing firsthand WWII accounts from his grandfathers. Since moving to Mokena in 2016, he has embraced its history, working through technical challenges as a first-time podcaster to bring this show to life. He’s a BIG fan of Mokena! Join us as we explore the people, places, and moments that make Mokena special. Visit MokenasFrontPorch.com for more stories, updates, and ways to connect. You can also find us on social media! Pull up a chair, get comfortable, and step back in time with us on Mokena’s Front Porch.
Episodes
THIS EPISODE WAS CREATED USING A.I. SOFTWARE AND MAY INCLUDE FACTUAL ERRORS IN THE EPISODE. PLEASE BE SURE TO VERIFY QUESTIONABLE INFORMATION YOURSELF AS WELL.
With the explosion of A.I. (artificial intelligence), there are new tools coming along all the time! We shared the video of the March 19th Mokena 159 School Board meeting on our YouTube channel. Using that video and some amazing AI, I tried out this tool that c...
Kimberly Huelsman is a teacher at Sandburg High School in Orland Park. This is her first time running for elected office and she is running with the Mokena's Future slate.
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Find Matt's Blog here: Matt's Old...
Dan Gilbert teaches in Mokena 159 schools and is a Mokena Park District Commissioner. He is running with the Friends of Mokena slate, who's website is www.friendsofmokena.com
Get to know Dan Gilbert and be sure to vote BY April 1st! Early voting starts March 17th!
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Melissa Fedora is the Executive Director of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce and a current Village Trustee, running for her second term. She is running with the Friends of Mokena slate, who's website is www.friendsofmokena.com
You can watch all of our candidate interviews, campaign events and election updates on our website and YouTube channel.
Be sure to check out our website @ www.Mokena...
Colleen is a lifelong Mokenian and a sales professional. This is Colleen's first time running for elected office. She is running for the 2 year term.
Get to know Colleen Patrick-Lenart and be sure to vote on April 1st! Early voting starts March 17th!
She is running with the Friends of Mokena. Their website is FriendsofMokena.com
Be sure to check out our website @ www.MokenasFrontPorch.c...
James Roberts is a retired, having spent his career running grocery stores. He ran for Village Trustee once before back in the early 90's. Get to know James Roberts and be sure to vote BY April 1st! Early voting starts March 17th!
Jim is running with the Mokena's Future Slate. Their website is www.friendsofmokena.com
Be sure to check out our website @ www.MokenasFrontPorch.com
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Tuesday, March 4th, the Mokena's Future slate hosted their 3rd meet and greet at Clancy Bros. Coffee. There next meet and greet will be Tuesday March 18th at Clancy Bros.
Early voting starts March 17th and election day is April 1st! Be sure to subscribe to our channel and vote on election day!
Be sure to check out our website @ www.MokenasFrontPorch.com
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Nick Clancy is a Mokena business owner, having started Clancy Bros. coffee in Mokena. This is Nick's first time running for elected office. Get to know Nick Clancy and be sure to vote on April 1st! Early voting starts March 17th!
Be sure to check out our website @ www.MokenasFrontPorch.com
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Check Out Our YouTube Channel For Some Great ...
The Summit Hill 161 School District, serving parts of Mokena, Frankfort, and Tinley Park, has been in the spotlight due to school closings, transportation challenges, and other key issues. With 10 candidates running for the school board, transparency is more important than ever.
Five candidates—Amy Berk, Patrick Oliphant, Adrian Chavez, Ronnie Petrey, and Melissa Ryan—reached out after seeing our candidate in...
George Metanias has been a Village Trustee since 2005 and is running for Mayor of Mokena for the first time. He is running with the "Friends of Mokena" slate with candidates for Trustee and Clerk. Learn more about Trustee Metanias and his plans for Mokena, should he be elected in the April 1st, 2025 election.
You can watch my other conversation with Trustee Metanias as we took a walk around Main Pa...
Frank Fleischer has been the Village President of Mokena since 2013. He is running for re-election with a group of candidates as the "Mokena's Future" slate. Learn more about Mayor Fleischer and what his plans are for Mokena's Future.
We had a previous conversation with Mayor Fleischer and Mrs. Fleischer, that can be found on our YouTube page. You can watch and listen to all of our candidate intervi...
Katie is a candidate for Mokena 159 Elementary School District. She has two children in 159 schools, holds a Masters Degree from Lewis University and works as a social worker. We talked about what she would bring to the school board and how she thinks she can strengthen communication and improve our schools.
We have a local election page https://mokenasfrontporch.com/local-elections with candidate interviews and electi...
Jim and his wife, Jaymie, have lived in Mokena since 2007, raising their three children in District 159 schools. A Mokena native and graduate of Mokena Jr. High and Lincoln-Way, Jim earned his Communications degree from Eastern Illinois University. He works as a Financial Representative with Country Financial and has served the community as past President of the Mokena Lions Club, current President of the Mokena Burro...
Frankfort Township Assessor Joe Kral is running unopposed in the April 1, 2025, consolidated election. In this episode, we get to know Joe, explore the role of the Assessor, and break down the property tax process—from how your home is valued to paying your tax bill. We also discuss how this important position impacts homeowners and the steps you can take if you disagree with your property assessment.
Learn m...
Deadra Stokes and her husband, Paul, have three daughters and live in Frankfort. Along with being a member of the Lincolnway 210 High School Board, she is an attorney, the Chief Commissioner of The Police and Fire Board for the Village of Frankfort and more!
Deadra doesn't have a challenger this election but she was still nice enough to sit down with me. Get to know her and what she brings to our High Schoo...
Aaron Janik is the current President of the Lincolnway 210 School Board. He lives in Mokena with his wife Molly and their three kids. He is running unopposed this election but still sat with me to talk about the school district and himself.
Enjoy this conversation with my friend, Aaron Janik!
Israel
This is a production of Mokena's Front Porch. More on our website at www.mokenasfrontporch.com
This is was the first candidate meet and greet for the Village Board and Mayoral races. Mayor Frank Fleischer's "Mokena's Future" slate provided a spread of coffee, pastires and a chance to hear from their candidates.
When I planned to attend this event I thought I could put a quick set of clips together but the Mayor and his slate, for the first time, laid out their plans as well as talke...
This past week I went out to my mailbox and found an endorsement mailer from the Mokena Teachers Association, proclaiming their support for the four incumbent board members. So I reached out to a couple of the representatives from the Mokena Teachers Association and they were kind enough to meet with me at the Mokena Library.
I ask them about the endorsement session and why they made the choice they did. A lot of...
We are very excited to share this audio from the Mokena Village proclamation remembering Deputy Walter Fisher, who was Mokena's only law enforcement officer to be killed in the line of duty. After the proclamation is the episode we did in March of 2023 about Deputy Fisher as well!
After 98 years we are proud to have been a part of making this recognition happen. There are also additional things in the works f...
It has been a busy couple of weeks, with fundraisers and petition filings! We hear from former Mokena Mayor, Mike Everett, and we find out who actually filed their petitions to run in the April 1st election! Be on the look out for our candidate interviews! You won't want to miss them!
Be sure to check out our website @ www.MokenasFrontPorch.com
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