Brownstown-Sefton News
‘Sneaky Pete,’ the Wily
Wolf …
…the Homestead wild critter, is back in the neighborhood! After several months of us being concerned that something had happened to him, Sneaky Pete was seen visiting in our across-the-road neighbors’ back yard.
Neighbor Debbie Ward called to say she saw him in their backyard sniffing around and then seemed to be chewing on something. She said that she was so stunned at seeing him, that she didn’t think to take a picture.
I believe he is probably camera shy, or I just have never had my camera close at hand when he has visited us. When I have grabbed my camera and tried to get a picture, he has gone into the timber and out of sight among the trees.
Debbie left a phone message later that she found droppings that had fur or hair in them, so he apparently had a snack in her yard. She counted her barn cats and none were missing, so it was probably a rabbit. Debbie also saw his big tracks in mud in her yard.
Lately, they had also noticed that something was cleaning out the cat food bowls in their yard. And something had also caused a ruckus in the shed where their barn cats slept one night. They found some heavy objects knocked down and scattered, objects too heavy for a smaller animal to have done the damage. (Thankfully, again, the cat count was still the same.)
I do wish he would just eat cat food and not kill the rabbits, but he is what he is, a wolf, and the way our Creator made him.
We had noticed that we were not seeing as many rabbits around here, so he may be responsible for that. She said she yelled at him to chase him off, and he just looked at her. That is the way he acted when we saw him at the woods house (our home in the woods before we moved to the north end of out lane). He never ran from us; he would just walk casually away into the woods.
DeeDee Dively also reported seeing a large animal near her home recently. She said it was too big to be a coyote, so it was probably Sneaky Pete. He travels across the river bottom.
I have never been afraid of him, although he has been pretty close to us, but he never shown any aggressiveness toward us. When we have yelled and clapped our hands at him, he just looks at us and then casually walks away.
I am so glad to hear that he is still alive, and Debbie said he looked good and healthy. After all, he is one of the critters; he just likes to roam the countryside freely, a free spirit, as our Creator made him.
Activities & Meetings Resuming…
… after a time of the holidays, cancelations of meetings due to inclement weather, illnesses, etc., so the news contributions are beginning to pick up.
Early S.O.S. (Signs of Spring) ??
We actually saw a fly on the siding of our home last week, which seemed rather strange, because in spite of our animals, we were not bothered much by flies last summer. Of course, we used both indoor and outdoor fly spray. The sun was shining on the area, but the air was cool. Maybe it was a fly scout checking out the area for the rest of the fly flock? (He didn’t make it back to the others with his report, due to a collision with a folded newspaper.)
Announcements
Soup Supper Benefit for Phil Wells …
… Saturday, Feb. 7, from 4-8 p.m., at Brownstown Elementary cafeteria. There is no set charge – the meal is on donation basis. The menu-choice of chili or vegetable soup with hot dogs, dessert and drinks
Phil and his brother Dave Wells, have followed in the footsteps of their dad, Harold Wells, serving the community and surrounding area well as firefighters and first responders.
Phil is now ill, and this benefit is an opportunity for the community and individuals to show appreciation to him and his family for the compassionate care and unselfish service he has unhesitatingly given to the community.
Churches, Sefton HCE and Golden Years Club …
… are asked to provide desserts for the Wells soup supper benefit. There will be someone present to receive the desserts taken to the BES cafeteria Saturday, Feb. 7.
January Food Pantry Needs…
…are one can of chicken or one can of chicken and dumplings, and one box of stuffing mix. Anything would be appreciated.
Local Celebrations
Birthdays- Jan. 3-Zandra Sidwell; 11-Earl O’Kuly; 13-Charles Reece; 16-Jarin Evans; 21-Rita Grull; 22-Marge Harre and Koelter Fulk; 23-Glenn Gurtner; 25-Argyle Orr; 29-Connie Green; and 31-Gery Goldsboro.
Anniversary-David and Geraldine Goldsboro.
United Methodist Women meet
The Brownstown/Emanuel United Methodist Women met Jan. 22 at the United Methodist Church in Brownstown. This first UMW meeting of the year was a busy one. Monthly meetings were planned, and program leaders and activities were discussed. A missions fundraiser was discussed and will be decided at a later date.
January’s program on call to prayer and self-denial was given by Carol Henna. Connie Green, hostess, served pumpkin bars and coffee, and they enjoyed a time of visiting.
Those attending were Carol Severns, Billy Anna Forbis, Flo Allen, Connie Green, Betty Williams and Carol Henna.
The next meeting will be on Feb. 19 at the Brownstown United Methodist Church. Guests and new members are welcome.
Fayette County HCE Board meets
The Fayette County Home, and Community Education Board met at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, with 12 board members in attendance.
• Club President Flo Allen opened the meeting leading the Pledge of
Allegiance to the American flag.
• Joyce Mueller, board secretary, recorded the roll call and read the last board meeting minutes.
• Carol Bridges, board treasurer, gave the financial report and gave each member present a copy.
• Debbie Segrest, first vice president, had completed updating the HCE guide book, known as the “Gray Book,” which now has a white cover instead of gray.
• Anna Jean Rhodes, second vice president, presented memorial envelopes for donations to the Fayette County Extension Foundation, and suggested club memorials be made in them, as the money would stay in the county and benefit the organization, including the 4-H clubs.
Rhodes also gave each one present an updated complete list of the membership, including new members and those deceased in the year 2014, and contact information.
• Rhodes also discussed the IAHCE application for County of the Year.
• Anita Smith, community outreach, reported she was working on the Mats for the Homeless project.
• Ashley Davis, cultural enrichment, displayed sample key rings to give out promoting for the Fayette County HCE. She cleverly used the IAHCE theme, “Come together-Walk With IAHCE, and fashioned tiny walking shoes of pink and dark blue felt with tiny shoe strings to bear the lettering for FCHCE. She had earlier created clever centerpieces of little shoes.
Craft days of Feb. 20 and 27, from 12:20 or 1 until 2 p.m., at the Vandalia Extension Office to make the key chains were suggested. Ashley will pick up supplies needed for 250 to 400 keychains.
• Donna Blair, family issues, announced that shoes for the “Shoes for the Shoe-man” project still being collected, as are plastic bottle caps and tabs.
• Shirley Klitzing, international, reported that the country for this year’s International Potluck will be Italy, anticipating that two young people who visited Italy will present the program.
• Panzi Blackwell reported that due to the holidays and inclement weather,
Fayette County HCE activities were curtailed. She expressed appreciation for the FCHCE coverage in the IAHCE Newsletter.
Allen suggested a different location for the 2015 April Get-Acquainted Day, due to some needed repair work on the building usually used for the event. Anna Jean Rhodes will check on the availability of a suitable large room..
Allen also mentioned making a memorial donation for Debbie Segrest’s father.
She announced a benefit to be held on Feb. 7 for Phil Wells of Brownstown and a benefit on March 14, from 7-9 p.m., for the American Legion in Vandalia, featuring Barbra Fairchild, a recording star, as the guest entertainment.
Fayette HCE Delagates elected for IAHCE Conference …
… to be held in Decatur on March 17-19. Carol Bridges and Donna Blair were chosen to represent Fayette County HCE. Conference-related items were discussed. Allen asked for suggestions regarding the Conference Silent Auction . Anna Jean Rhodes suggested an IAHCE cookbook and Ashley suggested a Fayette County board game, which she will contribute.
The group also discussed some changes/actions that will be discusssed and voted on by the delegates during the conference.
Following the meeting, several enjoyed meeting for lunch.
Brownstown United Methodist Church
Bette Stolte, pianist, played the prelude as the congregation of the United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday morning worship services. Mannie Orr and Junior Williams served as ushers. Jarin Evans and Emma Lwao lighted the altar candles.
Pastor Don Thomas greeted all, recognized the birthdays and anniversaries, gave the prayer list and led in prayer. All sang “Happy Birthday” to Mannie Orr.
Children’s worship was led by Rebecca Evans, who also served cakes and punch. Flo Allen led the adult class.
Announcements
• Feb.2-3 – Covenant Keepers 2015 at Regency Conference Center at O’Fallon.
• Feb. 18 – Ash Wednesday, beginning of Lent
• Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. – United Methodist Women will meet.
Brownstown First Christian Church
The congregation of First Christian Church was greeted by Chuck and Billie Enlow, and led in songs of praise by Kevin Bonifacius and Lois Corely, accompanied by pianist Robin Lovett, Walt Kinney on drums and guitarists Chuck Enlow, Kevin Bonifacius and Lois Corley. Special music was contributed by gues, Lois Corley.
Don Willms led the Communion meditation. Judy Pilger contributed special music, followed by the morning message, delivered by Kevin Bonifacius.
Also serving: Sunday school nursery-Chuck and Billie Enlow; a.m. nursery-Liz Oberlink; toddler nursery-Bonnie Shelton; Joann Strobel; Quest-4-Christ-Q-4-C team; and shut-ins-Mitch Koehler and Bill Smith.
Announcements
• Bible studies are dismissed during February.
• Anyone who would like to help on Sunday mornings running the PowerPoint should let Matt or Jamie know.
• Leadership meeting-Monday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m.
• Valentine Love banquet-Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5:30 p.m.