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The Imagination Station was more than a playground, it was a community effort that brought our entire Village together. For 27 years this wooden playscape was a staple for every Mokena kid. After years of weather as well as a lack of sufficient maintenance, the playscape was taken down this summer.

In the video, we have included a bunch of pictures, provided by Dr. Mark Cohen and the 159 School District. Israel was at the time capsule opening, to see what was included by the children from the class of 1997 and we hear from volunteers who still speak with pride of the role they played in that build.

Every community organization, church, and government bodies were part of this effort. $100,000 was raised as well as thousands of volunteer hours, donated tools, equipment and labor, daycare, food prep, and SO MUCH MORE!
We are honored to present this living memorial to this Imagination Station and we hope that people remember all the fun was had as well as the effort that it took to get it built. Mokena was extremely fortunate to have this playscape. Thanks to everyone who allowed us to share their story about this treasure. Enjoy!

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

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:
Podcast@MokenasFrontPorch.com

Local Shows We Recommend:

The South Side Pod
https://www.southsidepod.com

If you have a local Podcast you would like us to include, send us an email! We would love to share your show!

Send us a text

This is the most in depth video recorded conversation with Eddie Yunker, the last owner of the historic McGovney-Yunker Farm, that is know of. Before Mr. Yunker passed away, he sold his farm to the ‪Mokena Park District, ensuring this property will be controlled and appreciated by the public.

Brian Yunker, the grandson of Eddie Yunker, gave this video to Matt and asked that we share it with the community. If you never knew Mr. Yunker, you will feel like you know him after watching this video. If you knew him, you will probably remember how much you miss having him around.

You can find our episodes about the farm on our website and YouTube page!

Matt and Israel want to extend a huge thank you to Brian Yunker, for sharing this video with us and allowing us to share it with the public.

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

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:
Podcast@MokenasFrontPorch.com

Local Shows We Recommend:

The South Side Pod
https://www.southsidepod.com

If you have a local Podcast you would like us to include, send us an email! We would love to share your show!

Send us a text

Since moving to Mokena in 1977, the Fleischer's have been an active part of the Mokena community. Mayor Fleischer and Mrs. Fleischer sat down with Israel and talked about their lives before Mokena, how they came to Mokena and they impact they have both made since. We discuss Mayor Fleischer's political future and what changes he would like to see for Mokena.
Enjoy Israel's conversation with Mayor Frank and Laurie Fleischer.

The full video is available on our YouTube channel and on our website!

Support the Show.

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

Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch

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:
Podcast@MokenasFrontPorch.com

Local Shows We Recommend:

The South Side Pod
https://www.southsidepod.com

If you have a local Podcast you would like us to include, send us an email! We would love to share your show!

Send us a text

Since our Village was incorporated in 1880, it held elections to determine who the decision makers in town would be. The local elections for Village Mayor and Trustees, Village Clerk, School Boards, Park, Fire and Library boards, will be Tuesday April 1, 2025! And candidates are already circulating petitions.
This municipal elections cycle, Mokena's Front Porch Podcast is going to be a resource for this local elections and attempt to bring you conversations with each candidate, whoever is willing.
I also provide a current update of which seats are up for election and who has already pulled petitions to run for office!

This is going to be an ongoing series throughout the April 1, 2025 election. If you are a candidate and want to schedule a time to talk, or if you have a real question you would like us to ask the candidates, you can email them to mokenasfrontporch@gmail.com.

I am looking forward to getting to know the candidates and I think you will too!

A full video version is available on our YouTube channel by clicking here!
And check out the Local Elections tab on our website for all things Mokena elections.

Support the Show.

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

Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch

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:
Podcast@MokenasFrontPorch.com

Local Shows We Recommend:

The South Side Pod
https://www.southsidepod.com

If you have a local Podcast you would like us to include, send us an email! We would love to share your show!

Send us a text

Israel sits down with Joann Jeffers and Lana Graser of the Mokena Women's Club to learn more about this group and how they have been serving the people of Mokena since 1960! I hope you enjoy our conversation and please reach out to them if you would like to join what they are doing in Mokena!

Support the Show.

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

Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch

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:
Podcast@MokenasFrontPorch.com

Local Shows We Recommend:

The South Side Pod
https://www.southsidepod.com

If you have a local Podcast you would like us to include, send us an email! We would love to share your show!

Send us a text

Matt and Israel talk about the recent storm that came through town and did significant damage down Front Street as well as the collapse of a beloved historic barn, built by the Erickson family in the early 1900's.
We also discuss the building that sits on the south east corner of First and Mokena Street. Today the home of Audiologic and the newest addition to Front Street, Hustle & Heart, this site holds a long history as a center of town for generations. Matt shares some great stories of this site that has a long, and at times, troubling, past.
This episode is based on Matt's blog post from May 1, 2022 titled, Down on The Corner." You can find that episode here!
Be sure to check out our video on YouTube as well for additional pictures and videos. You can find that here!

Support the Show.

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

Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch

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:
Podcast@MokenasFrontPorch.com

Local Shows We Recommend:

The South Side Pod
https://www.southsidepod.com

If you have a local Podcast you would like us to include, send us an email! We would love to share your show!

Send us a text

The Brauns were a family of blacksmiths in Mokena, going all the way back to the 1880's, all the way into the 1950's! Al Braun was said to be one of the last working blacksmiths in the State. Al always welcomed neighborhood kids, who would enjoy all of the action going on in his shop.
Al Braun also served as a Village Trustee for 33 years and was very active in the community. Matt shares some of his story and how significant he was to the community. A blacksmith was not a luxury in the earlier days of Mokena, it was a necessity. As an all around repair man, horse shoer, wagon wheel repair man, and fabricator, the blacksmiths fire was the answer to many Mokenians problems.
Enjoy hearing some of Al Braun's long Mokena story.

Support the Show.

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

Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch

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:
Podcast@MokenasFrontPorch.com

Local Shows We Recommend:

The South Side Pod
https://www.southsidepod.com

If you have a local Podcast you would like us to include, send us an email! We would love to share your show!

Send us a text

Founded in 1839, the Marshall Cemetery is home to many of Mokena's founders, with names like Marshall, McGovney, and Jones. It is also the resting place of numerous war heros from the Civil War, and more. Matt gives us a walking tour as we cover only a few of the families buried here.

The setting is a quiet country road, a little busier than it was in the 1800's, but it still maintains a charm of yesteryear, where you can still feel a little of what it felt like back in the early days of Mokena. We hope you enjoy this walk through of the historic, Marshall Cemetery!

There is a full video of our walk on our YouTube Channel. You can find that by clicking here!

Support the Show.

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

Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch

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:
Podcast@MokenasFrontPorch.com

Local Shows We Recommend:

The South Side Pod
https://www.southsidepod.com

If you have a local Podcast you would like us to include, send us an email! We would love to share your show!