Cool Dadio found a mid-winter church dinner to add to the on-going list. Each week it pays to check the local newspapers. They usually list a calender of events every day or at the very least, once a week. I saw a blub for a chili dinner at
Saint William Catholic Church in Janesville, Wisconsin.
The event was held at the Parish Hall adjacent to the church. There was a fairly good crowd in the large basement. It was only five Bucks to get in. Another Buck gave you a chance to sample some chili recipes offered by the flock. There was plenty to go around. The ad hoc chili presentations by the parishioners' offerings numbered around a half dozen pots. They were all different in their chili texture and tartness, from almost barbecue esque to thick.
The house chili was utilitarian, thick, and full of beans. And, as my Irish mother was fond of saying, "The meat ran through the bowl and it kept going [right on out of sight]." Hey, but for five Bucks, beggars like me should not be choosy. You also got a good crisp salad with dressing with your eats. Younger members of the church ( I am guessing the youth group) were manning the tables and bringing out the food and drinks. They also served soda pop in the class.
I hate to keep beating my cultural drums, but if you want good chow, get out to local churches. As restaurants and bars fade by the way or raise their prices ad nauseam in this abysmal economy, you might want to fill your eats Rolodex [just kidding, being snarky, I mean your contact list] with church dinner alternatives.
For the record, this particular post is in regards to the meal that was held on Saturday, February 19, 2011. Find
Saint William Catholic Church at 1822 Ravine Street, off North Arch Street, Janesville, Wisconsin. Call (608) 755 - 5184 for more information on other church activities. Or, visit their Web site at
http://stwilliam.net .
Wisconsin Military Service Person Special Mention of the Week
(each week Cooldadiomedia mentions a Wisconsin service person killed in Iraq or Afghanistan)
Sergeant First Class Matthew Ignatius Pionk, 30, of Superior, Wisconsin died on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 in Sinsil, Iraq (Diyala). He was one of six soldiers killed when a house rigged with homemade bombs exploded during combat operations. SFC Pionk was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division out of Vilseck, Germany. The Web site findagrave.com notes that Matthew was born on October 10, 1977 in Duluth, Minnesota. He was a 1996 graduate of Superior Wisconsin High School. Matthew was remembered as a "wonderful humanitarian" and "worked with the downtrodden and those in need". When he was younger he worked on cars and had restored a 1970's Chevy pick-up truck. He was known to enjoy being outdoors, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. He married his wife in 1998 and joined the Army a short time later. He was on his second tour of duty in Iraq at the time of his death. He had been in-country for five months. Sergeant First Class Pionk had been awarded the Bronze Star during his first tour in Iraq for helping an injured soldier.
The Star Tribune mentioned Matthew had recently moved to Eveleth, Minnesota with his wife and children. The Web site iraq.pigstye.net a data base for military casualties notes via information from the Superior Telegram that Matthew had connections to Iron Range and the Superior-area and his parents lived in Oliver, Wisconsin. Minnesota Public Radio noted on their Web site that Pionk was a platoon sergeant. He also had served with the 3rd Cavalry, 2nd Squadron, based out of Fort Lewis, Washington.
The Web site northlandsnewscenter.com called Pionk a Superior area Native. They noted his hometown as Oliver which is near Superior. They noted he was remembered for being quiet but more open after one got to know him. He got involved in the auto mechanics program during high school. He was part of the Superior Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, and would compete in skills competitions doing small engine repair.
At the time of his death Matthew was survived by his parents Duane Gregory and Sandra Joy Nace Pionk; his wife Melanie; their three children; two brothers: Jeremy and Joshua Pionk; sister, Katie Pionk; and, maternal grandparents, Paul and Joyce Nace. He was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in Superior, Wisconsin.
Sergeant First Class Matthew Pionk was the 86th Wisconsin military service person killed in Iraq since the spring of 2003.
As of this blog entry's posting date:
99,712 Iraqi civilians have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
9,830 Iraqi Security Forces have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
4,442 Americans have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
1483 Americans have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001.
318 Coalition soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
858 Coalition soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001.
32,046 U.S. troops have been wounded in action in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
10,407 U.S. troops have been wounded in action in Afghanistan since October, 2001.
103 Wisconsin soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
27 Wisconsin soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001.
145 journalists (several nationalities) have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
21 journalists (various nationalities) have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001.
Wisconsin military service person special mention of the week, military casualty, and journalist casualty information sources: Committee to Protect Journalists; cnn.com; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; washingtonpost.com; thehighground.org; Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs; iraqbodycount.org; www.defense.gov/news/casualty.pdf; and, icasualties.org.
