Mokena's Front Porch

By: Israel Smith & Matt Galik
  • Summary

  • This is THE Mokena podcast, with a focus on history and community! A Chicago Suburb of 20,000+, Mokena started as a farming community that grew up after the Rock Island Train line was built through the middle of what would become downtown Mokena in 1852. Follow our website at MokenasFrontPorch.com or on social media!

    Matt is a lifelong Mokenian and local historian with 2 books about Mokena as well as a Mokena history blog, Matt's Old Mokena. Many of our episodes are based on the Matt's work collecting the history of our Village.

    Israel grew up learning history and real life stories from his WWII grandfathers. His family moved to Mokena in 2016 and live in one of Mokena's Downtown homes that was built in 1916. Getting to know Matt along with Mokena and it's history, Israel worked to make the podcast a reality, through technical challenges and being a first time podcaster. He is a BIG fan of Mokena!

    © 2025 Mokena's Front Porch
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Episodes
  • Mokena 159 Teachers Association Endorsement - Talking With The Teachers
    Jan 30 2025

    Send us a text

    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 times we just get these fliers in our mailbox without understanding who is sending it and what went into making the decision. I hope this gives us all a better understanding of who the MTA is and how they made their choice this election.

    My interviews with the Mokena 159 School Board Candidates who chose to speak with me will be coming out soon, along with the Lincolnway 210 School Board Candidates, mayoral, village trustee candidates and more to follow!

    April 1st are the municipal elections! Be sure to vote!

    This is a production of Mokena's Front Porch. Check out our website at www.mokenasfrontporch.com

    For the past year we have been doing more video episodes of our podcast through our YouTube page and our new website! The videos can be found through our website, www.mokenasfrontporch.com and our YouTube Page https://www.youtube.com/@MokenasFrontPorch . Thanks for listening!

    Support the show

    Be sure to check out our website @ www.MokenasFrontPorch.com

    Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch
    Check Out Our YouTube Channel For Some Great Videos

    Find Matt's Blog here: Matt's Old Mokena
    Photo & Artwork Credit: Jennifer Medema & Leslie V. Moore Jr.

    Do you have a question, comment or maybe an idea for an episode, you can email us at:
    MokenasFrontPorch@gmail.com

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    18 mins
  • Deputy Walter Fisher Remembered - Mokena Honors Their Fallen Officer
    Dec 15 2024

    Send us a text

    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 for a permanent recognition, telling some of his story, in downtown Mokena! You can see the proclamation on display at the Mokena Village Hall.

    This is a production of Mokena's Front Porch. Check out our website at www.mokenasfrontporch.com

    For the past year we have been doing more video episodes of our podcast through our YouTube page and our new website! The videos can be found through our website, www.mokenasfrontporch.com and our YouTube Page https://www.youtube.com/@MokenasFrontPorch . Thanks for listening!

    Support the show

    Be sure to check out our website @ www.MokenasFrontPorch.com

    Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch
    Check Out Our YouTube Channel For Some Great Videos

    Find Matt's Blog here: Matt's Old Mokena
    Photo & Artwork Credit: Jennifer Medema & Leslie V. Moore Jr.

    Do you have a question, comment or maybe an idea for an episode, you can email us at:
    MokenasFrontPorch@gmail.com

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Fundraisers & Filings - Local Election Update 2
    Nov 21 2024

    Send us a text

    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!

    For the past year we have been doing more video episodes of our podcast through our YouTube page and our new website! The videos can be found through our website, www.mokenasfrontporch.com and our YouTube Page https://www.youtube.com/@MokenasFrontPorch . Thanks for listening!

    Support the show

    Be sure to check out our website @ www.MokenasFrontPorch.com

    Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch
    Check Out Our YouTube Channel For Some Great Videos

    Find Matt's Blog here: Matt's Old Mokena
    Photo & Artwork Credit: Jennifer Medema & Leslie V. Moore Jr.

    Do you have a question, comment or maybe an idea for an episode, you can email us at:
    MokenasFrontPorch@gmail.com

    Show more Show less
    11 mins

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