Although the weather was cold and blustery, about 135 people turned out for the eighth annual Sportsmen's Banquet at Hope Community Church, Weisenberg Township.

Hope Church, founded in 1994, moved its current location at 7974 Claussville Road in 2005.

This annual event brings many sportsmen and women together to swap stories and partake of the bountiful supply of food.

Several mounts were on display vying for a chance to receive a prize as best mount.

Categories were divided between deer and other mounts, including fish, birds and other animals.

The winner in the deer category was Richard Bond from Breinigsville, with the deer he bagged in Wyoming in 2011.

Rich Reinhart of Orefield received the award for the best other mount with the palomino trout he caught locally in 2013.

Pastor Ken Kalisz gave the invocation prior to partaking of the delicious mral.

Several venison dishes were on the menu, along with rabbit and pheasant and more traditional sustenance.

Speaker Ken Varilek, of Slatington, treated the audience to his strategies for catching bass in the fishing rivers of Pennsylvania.

Varilek and Chris Gorsuch operate Reel River Adventures, Walnutport.

He related his experiences with fishing with the current and advised the audience to be aware of the river current when fishing for bass.

The current, its location and understanding of it, could result in reeling in a trophy fish.

He also recommended bait to use when fishing the rivers.

After the lecture on fishing, Varilek related how he changed his life around.

A pronounced alcoholic, his life was in ruins until one event in his life changed him.

Since then, he has recovered and become a successful businessman.

He credits his turnaround in life to his discovery of God.

Membership in the church has been increasing every year.

Hope Church has many events planned for 2015.

Among them are a soup, salad and spuds dinner from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 28; an Easter egg hunt on April 4; Friday Night in the Light April 10 and a yard sale starting on May 23. Other events will be forthcoming.

Contact the church for further information.