Welcome back. We've previously discussed the premise of royalty in America, and more specifically, Mokena. Of course, there is no recognized monarchy in the United States, but if one existed, whom would be considered "Royals"?In Mokena we've mentioned the Dina family, with our beautiful village's longest running family business, Dina's Barber Shop, which opened on Front Street in 1948.And also our own Prince of Mokena, Berkot's very much-loved employee, young Daniel Potter.Today I would like to introduce Mokena to the Bergmans. Dave and Charlene Bergman have lived in Mokena for over fifty-one…

Welcome back. Love and inspiration.  Many good things can happen when those two words are used as the focal point of an idea or quest. Those are the exact two words that came to mind this past Saturday as I watched the Men's Olympic Cyclists Road Race through the streets of London.  I marveled at the overhead view being transmitted from helicopters and also cameras mounted on various structures that showcased the city. Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined up along the race route, cheering for the athletes, no matter which country they hailed from. It all got me wondering what other types…

Welcome back.  By now, the Miracle on Front Street, a.k.a. The Mokena Downtown Merchants Saturday Market, is news to just about everyone in Mokena and the surrounding area. We now have another feature on Front Street trying to gain momentum. Every Sunday, beginning this past May, there is an old-fashioned downtown Cruise Night. Starting at 5 p.m. and going on to at least 8, you can now stop by and find classic and unique cars and trucks from all around Mokena and the LincolnWay area. Organized by Mokena resident Larry Loven and the Downtown Merchants, the Sunday Cruise Night is yet another …

Welcome back. Vacation is over, time for the next edition of "I Love Mokena". Today is a special edition. It has been one year since I began writing the I Love Mokena column. And what a year it has been. My goal at the beginning was to enlighten and inform my fellow residents and Mokena Patch readers about the people, organizations and businesses that make Mokena a beautiful little village. To that extent I believe that I'm on the right path, and what a long and interesting path it is. We've shared plenty in the last twelve months, including many stories about the generosity and hard work …

Welcome back. Dino, Gail and the rest of the Bastis family are one of thousands that decided to make Mokena their home in the last two decades. Thank goodness they made such a wise choice. If not, there's a strong possibility that we would be missing one of our most well-known downtown Mokena anchor businesses. Since June of 2003 visitors to downtown Mokena have had the option, and privilege, of eating breakfast and lunch at one of the quaintest and best-run restaurants you'll find anywhere. Eggcetera Cafe, on Mokena Street just south of Front Street and the Metra tracks, serves up a …

Welcome back. Melvin Johnson first came to Mokena in 1961 and fell in love with the town immediately. Some years later he fell in love again, this time with wife to be Janet, who lived in Chicago at the time. Both getting married and living in Mokena was an easy sell for Mel. Janet could easily understand why Mel wanted to make our beautiful little village their home.Melvin served for many years on the Mokena Fire Department and is still a proud and active member of the Knights of Columbus. Recently Mel and Janet made another great decision. They've decided to commit to a full season as …

Welcome back. The good old days in Mokena. Times were simpler. Life's little pleasures seemed so much more important. What we wouldn't give to visit those days again. How about ten dollars?  Yep, just ten dollars.  On June 23, any time between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., show up at St. John's Church, 11100 W. 2nd Street, with just a saw buck. You will then be politely escorted to a luxurious open air tram. This isn't any run of the mill tram. This conveyance is pulled by an honest to goodness, real life tractor. Just like the ones they use on a farm. This tractor and tram will then whisk you away …

Dear I Love Mokena Readers, In honor of  Memorial Day I am going to run an encore presentation of a column from last December. I'm sure you'll agree it is very appropriate for such an important holiday. I will have another interesting story about one more of our great Mokena businesses next week. Welcome back. Passing the intersection at 191st and LaGrange Road you may have  noticed the brown and white street signs mounted atop the traffic signal posts. They read "Robert L. Stanek Memorial Drive". Robert Lee Stanek, a proud U.S. Marine, was the only Mokena area resident to give his life …

Welcome back. Traditions. We often observe them with family, friends or coworkers. Traditions add to our sense of community and village pride. We identify with these regular events and it gives us plenty to talk about, whether you're waiting in line for coffee at 7-11, biting into that first slice of raisin toast at Eggcetera Cafe or watching your car roll through the wash at Fuller's. In Mokena we have a legacy of great traditions and it looks like we are experiencing the beginnings of newer ones. Our historical traditions include the Lions Club Firecracker Dance, the official Village …

Welcome back.  It's still a bit early and hindsight is 20-20, but the Mokena Downtown Merchants Association just might be ready for a round of "I told you so." Just three weekends in, the new Front Street Saturday market, which is being run by the MDMA, has become a resounding success. After the soggy, but well-attended, opening three weeks ago, the Mokena Front Street Market is on its way to eclipse the highest number of vendors for any one weekend that the previous market managers, Bensidoun USA and their French Market, were ever able to round up. It shouldn't be a surprise that the MDMA, …

Welcome back. Like poetry in motion, the club head is carefully and expertly coiled up and back. Then, in an instant, with ferocious velocity, it is brought back around, making contact and setting the ball off the tee as if it was fired from a cannon. Jack Nicklaus? No. Nancy Lopez? Nada. Tiger Whatshisname? Not. Mokena's own Paige Pollak? Bingo!  At age 7 Mokena resident Paige Pollak began golfing with her dad on weekends. In eighth grade she began taking golf lessons with Green Gardens Country Club Pro John Platt. Just about that time she started a regular tradition of thrashing her father…

Welcome back. For many years now there have been on again and off again discussions about an expressway interchange at I-80 and Wolf Road. This intersection is pretty much split between Mokena and Orland Park, with both communities required to agree on any type of plan before a single shovel of dirt can be tossed. The village of Mokena has grown by leaps and bounds since any serious discussion about the interchange took place. Countless proposals were reviewed and comprehensive studies were commissioned to evaluate the necessity and desire to have such an interchange at the location. No …

Welcome back. Anyone that's kept up with the local media outlets is well aware that there will be a change regarding the Saturday open air market in downtown Mokena. For the last 10 years the market, formerly referred to as "the French Market," has set up shop at the west end of the Front Street Metra Station. The market was typically open from April to October. Starting April 28th there will a new Market in town, organized and managed by our own Mokena Downtown Merchants Association. This new market will actually take place on Front Street, between Wolf Road and Mokena Street. The MDMA is …

Welcome back. Last year, we talked about Mokena resident and national wrestling champion Michael Kelly. At the end of the article I revealed that Michael won that title at the tender age of 6. Well, Mike is no longer 6 years old. He is now a dynamic and passionate competitive 8-year-old champion wrestler. Yes, you read correctly, champion! Again. At the recent ASICS USA National Wrestling Championship in Cedar Falls, IA, our own Mike Kelly did it once more. He quite easily dispatched his opponents in three separate matches to win the Bantam 70 National Title. His winning scores were 10-2, 10-…

Welcome back. Of late we've had a few discussions about haircuts. Singed haircuts to be exact. By the master himself, Mokena's own Tony Dina Jr. Today I would like to discuss another Mokena business. And another Italian barber. Pasquale "Pat" Musto emigrated to the United States as a young boy. His family hails from a small village in southern Italy, called Ripacandida. It doesn't show up on most maps. Coincidentally, my paternal grandparents were from the same town. Pat learned the barber trade at an early age, watching and emulating Italian master barbers. He quickly discovered that he had …

Welcome back. Last week we discussed hometown barber and singe haircutter extraordinaire Tony Dina. This week I will explain how the story came to be. Several months ago, after reading an "I Love Mokena" column, Tony Dina emailed me with some thoughts and suggestions. Over the course of a few weeks Tony continued to "enlighten" me on Mokena history, as only Tony can tell it. As part of my enlightenment I was told about the process of a singed haircut. I must admit that I was initially somewhat skeptical. After all, cutting hair with an open flame just sounded way out there. So I did some …

Welcome back. For most most of us, growing up included a series of lessons from our parents. Be polite, respect your elders, be honest, study hard, don't play with matches or sharp objects, etc. Pretty much all that was true in the Dina household for son Tony Jr. Except for the last two. What? The Dinas didn't teach their son not to play with matches or sharp objects? Not only did they not warn little Tony away from such dangers, they encouraged it! How could this be? An upstanding, God-fearing Mokena family like the Dina's? There must be a catch. And there is. Sorry, but I just couldn't help…

Welcome back. One thing that anchors a great community is a successful recreational organization. In Mokena we are fortunate to have a tremendous park district. The Mokena Community Park District provides recreational facilities and activities for our beautiful village and the surrounding area. It is a separate taxing district and operates independently from other government organizations in Mokena. The district consists of 21 facilities including the spectacular Oaks Recreation and Fitness Center on LaPorte Road. The Oaks Center is home to a state of the art fitness center, basketball courts…

Welcome back. Hollywood. Movies. Dreams. For some people, being involved in movies and the entertainment industry is a dream desired but never obtained. Mokena's own Dave Dilling has been able to live that dream. For real. In his own way. The former power lifter, Harley rider and all around nice guy will never get lost in a crowd.  Dave's unique stature and patented robustness make him a standout wherever he goes. If you see him, shaved head and all, pull up on his Harley Davidson motorcycle or drive by in one of his hot rods you can't help but give him a second look. Apparently Hollywood …