Deacon Glen Netemeyer speaks during the Hunters Prayer Service at Whispering Pines of Clinton County on Sunday, Oct. 12. Photos by Matt Wilson Community members gathered at Woltering Chapel on the grounds of Whispering Pines of Clinton County (WPofCC) for the fourth annual Hunters Prayer Service on Sunday, Oct. 12.
About 60 people attended the event.
The first Hunters Prayer Service at WPofCC in 2022 was filled with snow. They have since moved up the date up to October and attendees were greeted with sunshine on Sunday.
Jim Kues chaired the event. He had all of the veterans in attendance stand and thanked them for their service.
Deacon Glen Netemeyer from St. Damian Church in Damiansville and St. Bernard Church in Albers led the religious part of the service. Hubert of Liège is the patron saint of hunters. Netemeyer said Hubert was a great huntsman during his time and anyone without food would wake up in the morning with a freshly killed and quartered deer in front of their house.
When Hubert died on May 30. 1727 A.D., by acclimation of the entire area he was declared a saint by the church. He was a saint because he cared for other people.
Scout Arentsen reads from the Book of Profit Isaiah during the Hunters Prayer Service at Whispering Pines of Clinton County on Oct. 12. Netemeyer said St. Hubert is asking all hunters to be safe in God's creations and said a prayer for all hunters.
"Please keep all people safe in their coming hunts and bless all of the creatures and fill all of our hearts with thanksgiving for their being," Netemeyer said. "May God who created humanity and the animals of this Earth continue to protect and sustain us all now and forever."
Mike Lawson from North American Outfitters in Highland said there are many different elements that go into hunter's safety. They include: finding a mentor that is into the outdoors, being certified and legal, knowing your game, knowing your equipment, having the proper equipment and clothing, being familiar with the ground you are hunting, checking maps, checking safety equipment, telling someone your plans ahead of time and what vehicle you are in, checking the weather, going in groups, avoiding drugs and alcohol, treating every weapon as if it is loaded, having the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, making sure of your target and your surroundings, staying to the trails and designated areas, respecting nature, don't measure your success by your harvest but by being a good human, and having fun.
The band at the service included Glen and Geralyn Kruep, Marge and Mike Detmer and Wayne Winkeler. Geralyn Kruep played "Taps." The crowd sang as the band played "America The Beautiful," "How Great Thou Art," "Amazing Grace" and "How Can I Keep From Singing."
There were four different scripture readings about nature.
Helen Renschen read the first reading from the Book of Genesis. Jenna Rehkemper did the second reading from the Book of Genesis. The third reading was read by Scout Arentsen from the Book of Profit Isaiah. Jayne Arentsen did the fourth reading from the Canticle of Creation St. Francis.
State Rep. Charlie Meier read the petitions.
Carl Becker, who along with his wife Taylor, bought the land for WPofCC in 2022, updated the crowd on the improvements at WPofCC. He thanked the WPofCC board and team. He said a couple of weeks ago, someone from the Clinton County Farm Bureau came to the grounds to volunteer time. They also were on the grounds in 2023 and Becker said they were shocked in how much improvement had been made on the grounds in two years.
Becker said they are trying to make sure they have the right things in place and safety is very important. They have had a lot of good support from Kaskaskia College and community members.
"It has been a nice journey, and I really enjoy being a part of this journey," Becker commented.
Becker said this year they are projected to have about 4,000 individuals use WPofCC. They have a nominal fee for usage.
"We try to make it very affordable, but we also want to make sure the right amount comes in to cover the basic operational maintenance items," Becker said.
The church band plays during the Hunters Prayer Service at Whispering Pines of Clinton County on Oct. 12. They also have an annual fundraiser and get general donations from community members. They are looking to have a Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser on May 22, 2026. Those funds help make sure things get improved and stay safe at WPofCC.
Jerry Kues talked about the handicap blinds at WPofCC. The program is for veterans who are disabled or any disabled person who likes to hunt with a bow and arrow only. They pick a week when they want to hunt. Last year they had five participants. They are looking for at least five more participants this year.
"We have access to this and we need people to use it," Jerry Kues said.
There has been another blind built for handicap people with wheelchairs.
Following the service, attendees saw the commemorative bricks and memorials on the WPofCC grounds, then went to the lodge where names on the bricks were read and hot dogs and chili were provided.
Clinton County Sons of American Legion squads from Breese, Trenton, New Baden, Beckemeyer, Albers and Germantown donated chili and hot dogs. Aviston Sons of American Legion donated a .17 rifle for the gun raffle. JDRA Shooting Systems owners Jim and Ryan Hummert gave a deal on the gun. Vietnam Veterans of Clinton County donated a roaster of hot dogs and buns. Kues Bros Reality and Auction donated bags of chips.
