Southern Illinois Green Iron Club & Fun in Breese IL

The Southern Illinois Green Iron Club Memorial Tractor Show took place September 26, 2026. The event was held in Breese, Illinois’s North Park during their Optimist Fall Fest.

A little over 40 tractors showed up. John Deere green was the prevalent brand. But, other brands were included as well. The tractors out front represented those members that have passed on. There was also a lovely John Deere 4620 with a fall scene thanks to Backroads Pumpkin Patch. Many took advantage of the chance for a fall photo op.

Tables were filled with silent auction baskets

The items were open for silent auction bid until the show closed at 4:00 p.m. Despite the fact that it was raining a good part of the morning, both club members, and locals were supporting the effort. The proceeds from the auction benefit the SIGIC Scholarship fund.

Parking lots were full, and tractor enthusiasts came out to the show.

Thanks to the club for letting Annie Jansen and I have a book signing for my new book, True Farm Girl Adventures.

A little faith history in Breese

Annie and I met up at the beautiful St. Dominic’s Church. We parked on the street but admiring the beauty of this Catholic church from the outside. Not able to resist, we checked if the church was open. It was and it was so lovely!

On their website they share a bit of the story of the church. “The first church of St. Dominic was blessed by Bishop Henry Juncker of the Diocese of Alton on October 18th, 1858. It was a 40’ x 60’ building that stood directly behind our current church. At the time, about eighty Catholic families lived in Breese and the immediate area. During the next ten years, a large number of German immigrants settled in the area. Bishop Juncker recognized the need, and granted permission, to build a larger church. Using local stone, lime, and sand, a new Gothic style church was completed in December 1869. It is the same building that unites our 900-family faith community today.”

Out front is a lovely statue of their patron Saint, Saint Dominic de Guzman. Saint Dominic is the patron Saint and founder of the Order of Preachers. Besides that, he is also the Patron saint of astronomers.

Breese Historical Society Park

Across the from the church is a lovely little park with history of the town. The park is the Breese Historical Society.

Annie and I learned that the City of Breese is named after Sidney Breese. He was a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois. A note that caught our eye was about the Cholera Cross. This road mark was erected after the Cholera epidemic of 1832.

It took us a while to find this cross. Annie and I are not known for our sense of direction. However, we are known for eventually finding really cool things. After a gentleman (hunter we think) directed us, and another gentleman in a Golf cart confirmed it, we finally found the Cholera Cross.

It is an amazing story of loss, faith, and gratitude. Many were dying from the epidemic. One farmer asked God to spare his family. He, promised he would erect a cross. The German translation means, “In the cross is salvation or healing.”

Here is the story at the base of the cross.

While looking for the Cholera Cross, we ran across another beautiful cross. It is called the Cross of Faith. Built in 1888 by Theodore Huelsmann it was erected to guide people to overcome the struggles of life. Huelsmann was a blacksmith. He built a wrought iron fence to protect the cross. The German translation on the cross is “As you pass by the cross, awaken true repentance in your heart.”

Ski

From my longtime friend Kate Goelzhauser, I had heard about her love of the drink Ski. Excel Bottling Company was founded in 1936. They make the cola. The company was started by Edward “Lefty” Meier. Today it is run by the 3rd generation. On Charliemeier.net I read the fascinating story behind how they got started. “In 1936, Edward ‘Lefty’ Meier received reward money for catching a bank robber, and he used it to purchase a used bottling machine. Edward and his wife, Catherine Bruegge Meier, set up the bottling plant in Catherine’s grandmother’s house where she had previously operated a general store. The facility has since expanded into a soda bottling and craft brewery plant.”

Kent, Annie’s husband wanted some bottled Ski. He asked her to bring him home some of the famous drink. We found the fun Red Shed, a drive through convenience and grocery store. We pulled in and the gentleman filled our order. He, said that the store was started by a mother of 4. She knew how hard it is to get four little ones in and out of a car just for a few items. This innovative mom started the Red Shed and we were grateful!

We had shopped the vendors. Ate lunch at the delectable Joe’s pizza. We enjoyed the Southern Illinois Green Iron Club and found some faith filled history. What more could we want?