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Brownstown-Sefton

It’s Not Too Late …
… to visit our Fayette County Fair, quick, while the sun is shining. We, the human inhabitants of the Homestead, enjoyed going over to the fairground Sunday evening and following our tradition of eating a Knights of Columbus fish sandwich.
Steve Barker was at the window to take our order, while cooks were filling the orders and frying up the fish with crispy coating on the outside and tender well-cooked fish on the inside.
We missed seeing Bill Springman, but, no doubt, he was out fishing, trying to fill the supply for the demand.
The head of the Homestead, Bill Blackwell, commented that the fish sandwiches seemed to get better every year.
They have always been delicious, and we probably forget how good they were from year to year.
We visited the Brownstown Boosters shake-up stand, which is also becoming a tradition. Shaking up the shake-ups were Jessica Sefton, Jacy Schaub and Ashley Towler.
We also enjoyed the cool, creamy ice cream, served by Beth, Carl, “J.J.” and Ben. They are all from the Fayette County Farm Bureau, serving Prairie Farm ice cream from the concession trailer that Bond County was kind enough too loan them.
We met friends and family, including the Click family, Pat and Angela, and their young “snow cone entrepreneurs,” Patrick  and Aannabelle; the Cades, Rich and Heidi; the Blackwell-Christian group and parents, Adrienne and Bo.
We talked with Tony Feldrake, who was overseeing the “Sort ‘N Pen” preparations for their event that will be held Friday evening – an open class and a youth class.
We talked a few minutes with Gary Bartels, who first introduced us to team penning several years ago.
He also has longhorns and although he owns a concrete company and is a businessman, we will always think of him as a real-life cowboy and cattleman.
Of course, the fairground activities were initiated, as usual, by with a lightning display in the sky, followed with a brisk rain, a phenomenon that seems to happen every year during the Fayette County Fair.
However, as some of our pastures and lawns, in some areas are, turning brown, the rain was welcome this time and did not seem to hinder the fair.
Sefton HCE Unit ‘Day Out’
The Sefton HCE Unit met at 10 a.m. last Thursday at the Brownstown High School parking lot and drove on to Effingham, where they enjoyed lunch at Cracker Barrel for their annual “Day Out.”
Following the meal together, filling two long tables, many of them enjoyed shopping.
Present were Flo Allen, Shirley Klitzing, Elizabeth Kasten, Sally Behrends, Carol Behrends, Jeanne Lawler, Carol Oldham, Delores Dukeman, Phyllis Bruno, Phyllis Pryor, Connie Green, Connie Largent, Janice Stafford, LaVinne Kramer, DeeDee Diveley, Lois Jackson, Helen Reeter, Betty Williams, Betty Miller and Panzi Blackwell.
Golden Years Potluck Meeting
The Golden Years held their potluck meeting Tuesday, July 18, at the Brownstown VFW Post 9770 building. The club president, Pastor Don Thomas, welcomed all and asked Pastor Jim Dann to ask the blessing, then invited guests and those observing July birthdays and anniversaries to be served first.
Following Donnie Smail’s kitchen crew cleanup, Thomas called the meeting to order. Treasurer Smail gave the financial report.
Thomas and Smail gave the members a report on the progress on the new building and asked the building committee to meet at the site Friday morning for suggestions on the placement of electrical outlets.
He said the concrete would be poured around the base of the building before the siding would be put up to prevent any spattering of the cement on the new siding.
The siding is gray, which will complement the blue roof.
Several humorous readings were given.
It was noted that club member, DeeDee Diveley’s image was on the large mural recently painted on a building in Vandalia.
The mural depicts the railroad depot as it looked many years ago, with various “travelers in period dress” standing and waiting on the train.
Among the travelers, which are today’s Fayette County residents, is DeeDee.
Her “image” is wearing a blue dress with two children standing beside her.              
GY Building Committee
The Golden Years Building committee met Friday morning to select convenient sites for the electrical outlets, with special consideration for the kitchen and for the club’s Christmas tree
Thomas also pointed out the need to put another kitchen window in the north wall, as the required grease trap that had been installed under the first window left little space for the kitchen sink.
A sink will be placed under the second window.
Suggestions were also made regarding convenient placement of shelves for holding supplies when serving meals from serving window, for take-out orders, and for glass jars and lids for take-out soups.
Committee members present were: Donald Smail, Lois Jackson, LaVonne Kramer, DeeDee Diveley, Bill Blackwell and Thomas.
Mahon Reunion
The Mahon family reunion was held on Saturday at the Brownstown School cafeteria. Forty-five people from three branches of the original John Mahon attended, coming all the way from Alaska and Texas.
A dinner was held at noon.
Births since 2017 reunion were:
• Twin children (boy and girl) born to Scott and Sarah Jo Harley of Sullivan on Aug. 16, 2016. Named Asa and Ila, they are the great grandchildren of the late Jerry Mahon and wife Delores.
• A girl, Morgan Grace, was born to Ryan and Stacey (Hurley) Nedling on Nov. 14, 2016. She is a great-granddaughter of the late Jerry Mahon and wife Delores of Alamo, Texas.  
• A boy, Nathan Ray, was born to Robbie and Ashley Kinney of St. Elmo on April 20, 2017, great-grandson of Charles and Mary Hoy of Branson, Mo.
• A girl, on Elise Miriem, born on July 2, 2015, to Walt and Adrienne Kinney of Vandalia, great-granddaughter  of Joann (Mahon) Strobel of Brownstown.
• A boy, Elliot Grace, born on Feb. 8, 2017, to Walt and Adrienne Kinney of Vandalia, great-granddaughter of Joann (Mahon) Strobel.  One death was reported – Jerry Mahon of Alamo, Texas, on Dec. 12, 2016.    
Brownstown First Christian Church
The congregation of First Christian Church was greeted by Wes and Adrienne Kinney, and led in songs of praise by Susan Matthew Smith, accompanied by Robin Lovett and guitarists Chuck Enlow and Walt Kinney.
Duane Willms led the Communion meditation. Matthew Smith contributed special music, followed by the morning message, delivered by Robert Keen.
Also serving: Sunday school nursery-Ellen Willms; a.m. nursery-Ashton Smith; toddler worship-Ron and Tena gould; Quest-4-Christ-team; and shut-ins-Don Lovett and Duane Willms.                           
Announcements
• Fifth Sunday-July 3, NBF offering.
• Sunday-Congregational meeting after the service to discuss the new building.
• Saturday-Bridal shower for Kristina Enlow, 2 p.m. at elementary school cafeteria. RSVP to Karen Scott at 534-5058.              
Brownstown United Methodist Church
Gary Watson and Junior Williams served as ushers as the congregation of the United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday services. Tara Schwarm lighted the altar candles.
Pastor Don Thomas greeted all, shared the announcements and prayer list, and led in prayer.
Following the Scripture lesson, he delivered the morning sermon. Flo Allen led the adult class.
Announcement
• Saturday and Monday, 10 a.m.-noon – Helping Hands Food Ministry free food give-away at Brownstown UMC.
 

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