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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Peggy Billhartz and Phil Menkhaus pose behind a bench at Whispering Pines of Clinton County that was donated by the Catholic War Veterans and Auxiliary of the United States of America. Photos by Matt Wilson A busy day at Whispering Pines of Clinton County on Sunday, Oct. 11, featured the Hunter Prayer Service and a bench dedication.
The bench dedication happened following the prayer service. The bench is located by the flagpole and memorial bricks and was donated by Catholic War Veterans and Auxiliary (CWV/A) of the United States of America.
The inscription reads "Catholic War Veterans and Auxiliary of the USA, for God, for country, for home."
Since the conclusion of World War I, America faced threats from political movements aiming to undermine Christianity, known as the "Ism" movement. Despite the presence of the Knights of Columbus, a lay organization supporting Catholic soldiers, there was no specific veterans' group representing Catholic servicemen and women.
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- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal News Editor
After a successful inaugural event last fall, the Mater Dei Marching Knights will once again host their “A Knight in the Woods” Shotgun Deer Contest during the first weekend of Illinois shotgun deer season.
The second annual contest will take place Nov. 20-22 and will feature two-person teams competing for the largest combined total weight.
Registration is $100 per team, with proceeds benefiting the Mater Dei Marching Knights. The winning team will receive 50 percent of the proceeds, up to $2,000.
Each team member may enter one deer. All deer must be field dressed and tagged with a valid Illinois firearm permit. Individuals may sign up for more than one team.
The weigh-in station will once again be located behind Mater Dei High School, with weigh-ins held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 20) and Saturday (Nov. 21), and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 22).
Last year’s inaugural event drew 56 teams and featured a close competition throughout the weekend.
Brothers Evan and Jake Mahlandt of Breese were the winners of the inaugural Mater Dei Marching Knights "A Knight in the Woods" shotgun deer contest last year. Their combined total weight for their deer was 304.4 pounds. Pictured are Mater Dei Marching Knights Band Director Doug Schaffer, handing a check to winners Evan Mahlandt and Jake Mahlandt. At the end of the first day, the leading combined weight stood at 147 pounds. By Sunday afternoon, Avery Becker and Tom Richter had moved into first place with a combined weight of 298.8 pounds.
Their lead was eventually overtaken by brothers Evan and Jake Mahlandt of Breese, who brought in two 8-point bucks weighing a combined 304.4 pounds.
Evan’s buck weighed 160.8 pounds, while Jake’s weighed 143.6 pounds. The combined weight secured the brothers the championship and a $2,000 prize.
