Brownstown-Sefton News

Longhorns “Mooing” as We’re “Moving On”
As we continue with the process of moving from the south end of the lane to the north end, the Longhorn family – Betsy, Geneva (the Bartels girl), Red and the two youngsters – are watching the “show” every day.
They graze along the fence so they won’t miss anything. Betsy became quite vocal last week as she stood watching us working. She may have been complaining because we were tramping down the clover that was originally on their menu.
They are all fascinated by the garbage truck. They run to the fence to watch it. Owner/driver Ed was still across U.S. Route 40 Friday morning, and out of sight, but they heard the truck and ran to the fence. When he drove in to empty our dumpster, they lined up in a row along the fence to watch.
It will be interesting when we bring Smokey, the (adorable) little donkey, down to meet them, especially if he brays at them. (We must also remember to warn the neighbors about his melodic sounds.)
We are hoping the little hummingbirds will find us next year. We will continue to feed them here in our woods place the remainder of this year.
Moving North – The saga Continues-#3
The new-to-us home for the Homesteaders is here, in the south pasture, under way with the “setting up”, and we have graduated from brush and trees to getting the utilities going (which means more work digging and clearing, getting ready for the septic tank, power, water, telephone and propane gas workers.
I have been busy with the Jeep, hauling down and placing the important items, such as wall decorations, bouquets,  hanging curtains, towel, washcloths and soap, and toilet tissue for the bathrooms (although no water yet, but I believe in being prepared). One bathroom now has a shower curtain hung, waiting for the water. We have a Bible placed on the mantle.
We have also furnished our dream home with Chinet dinnerware (also known as paper plates) for our baloney and crackers, chips and sliced tomatoes, etc., which we eat on the site. We have taken a table and chairs, an easy chair and two comfy, wooden rocking chairs down.
We are also equipped with a complete first aid kit, flashlight, tools and pre-wrapped snacks.
Having devised a plan to have a desk in place that would be easily and conveniently accessible from both the living room and the kitchen, the next step was to get said desk in place while Bill was at work, because he would probably not envision it the way I was planning it.
The desk, which consists of a wood file cabinet and a separate top with legs to go over it, was stored in our little barn/shed and I planned to load it in the back of the Jeep. However, I had forgotten how heavy it is and decided to load it on the little wagon to get it to the Jeep.
After much pushing, pulling and dragging, it finally went into the wagon, but the next step was to lift it up into the Jeep, which at that point seemed very unlikely.
The desk rode down the lane nicely as I pulled the wagon. Then the real obstacle – the door of the home was even higher than the Jeep, and the very narrow, rather wobbly set of temporary steps looked daunting, as if daring me to even try it.
So I called Bill at work and invited him to come home for lunch in our new home. Having received an “OK,” I quickly dialed Mark’s Café and picked up two BLT’s  and a serving of homemade of  blackberry cobbler with ice cream.
The file cabinet/desk was waiting (previously unbeknownst to him) at the door on the wagon,  which he struggled with up the steps and into the door, and it worked out perfectly. It is now equipped with scissors, pens, paper, scotch tape, stapler, letter opener, paper clips, a mini-flashlight and telephone book, just waiting for the telephone.
As we sat down to rest and gazed out of our windows, we enjoyed the pretty views of the treeline and the cows.
We are getting anxious to get everything done and move in. The adjustment is being made nicely from our “Little Haven in the Woods” to (what seems like) “The Little House on the Prairie.”
Upcoming Events
Sefton Reunion …
… will be held Saturday, Aug. 10, at Liberty Christian Church, located five miles north of Brownstown. A potluck meal will be held at approximately noon, with tableware and drinks provided. You can call Lynn Sefton at 618-347-2392 for more information.
Darnell Reunion …
… will be held Sunday, Aug. 11, at the Liberty Christian Church, located five miles north of Brownstown. A potluck meal will be held at approximately noon with chicken, tableware, and drinks provided. You can call Lynn Sefton at 618-347-2392 for more information.
Local Celebrations
July Birthdays: Shayla Stokes, Logan Orr, Rayella Denton, Cindy Holding, Ben Forbis, Eli and Evan Elam, Emily Townsend and Vernus Lytle.
August Birthdays: Lakin Evans, Randy Carpenter and Carol Ann Behrends. Anniversary: Gary and Judy Watson.
Fayette County HCE Board Meets & Plans Schedule
The Fayette County Home and Community Education Board met on Monday, July 22, at the Extension Office in Vandalia, with 12 present. President Flo Allen called the meeting to order and led the pledge to the American flag.
Secretary Joyce Mueller called the roll, with the following answering: Anita Smith, Debbie Segrest, Joyce Mueller, Donna Blair-Vandalia Day; Flo Allen, Shirley Klitzing, Panzi Blackwell, Phyllis Pryor, Debbie Swain-Sefton Unit; Anna Jean Rhodes-St. Elmo; Dorothy Harpster-St. Peter; and Karen Hyde-Wheatland.
Mueller read the minutes of the last meeting. Dorothy Harpster, treasurer, gave the financial report.
First Vice President Phyllis Pryor reminded that the Fayette County HCE handbook will start in January 2014, and the filling out of the programs will need to be changed.
Regarding the lessons, she suggested that each of the members could contribute printed information for the lesson each month. She also suggested members to look for lessons material of interest to HCE. The material should be ready to use for a lesson, when submitted, not just facts and information that would have to be put together by her.
Second Vice President Anna Jean Rhodes suggested that each unit be asked to send in suggestions for lessons. Rhodes updated the membership status, stating three members had died, but with the addition of new members in Vandalia Day and Sefton Unit, the count was 114 total members.
Cultural Enrichment officer Debbie Segrest reported that U.S. Rep. John Shimkus’ office will accept valentines, Christmas cards and calendars for veterans. The cards are to have no envelopes and are to be signed with first names only and no notes.
International officer Shirley Klitzing, announced that the annual International Potluck will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Phillips Building in St. Elmo on the first Thursday in October, Oct. 3. The focus will be on South Africa, and Kathy Brown will be the guest speaker.
Public Relations officer Panzi Blackwell reported that the newspapers continue to give the Fayette County HCE good coverage, and passed several recent copies examples of the coverage received for viewing. Hyde reported the Wheatland unit went on an outing to Yingst Hopkins’ for a meal.
Upcoming HCE Events
• Thursday, at 1 p.m. – Sefton Unit’s usual meeting will have Phyllis Sarver as guest speaker, with a presentation on the history of 4-H Clubs. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m., with the presentation at 1:30. All units are welcome to attend and refreshments will be served.
• Thursday, Aug. 29, at 7:00 p.m. – At the Fayette County Health Department, a disaster preparedness program, sponsored by the FCHCE, will be given by Kendra Craig. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served.
• Tuesday, Aug. 20 – IAHCE Workshop/conference in Mt. Vernon. Allen read a letter received containing information regarding the workshop.
The following eight Fayette County Board members signed up and submitted fees to attend: Flo Allen, Dorothy Harpster, Anna Jean Rhodes, Anita Smith, Panzi Blackwell, Debbie Segrest, Debbie Swain and Phyllis Pryor. Anna Jean Rhodes will drive, with passengers Flo Allen, Dorothy Harpster,= and Panzi Blackwell. Debbie Swain will drive, with passengers Debbie Segrest, Anita Smith and Phyllis Pryor. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m., and Rhodes, Klitzing, Allen, Pryor, Harpster, Smith, Segrest, Hyde and Swain lunched at Denny’s in Vandalia.
Golden Years Club Meets
Twenty-three Golden Years members and friends met on Tuesday, July 23, in the club building in Brownstown. The club president, Pastor Don Thomas, welcomed all and asked the blessing for the noon potluck meal.
Following the meal, Pastor Don, opened the meeting. He suggested that the club consider contributing to a worthy cause. He also announced the birth of a new grandchild, Brielle, who weighed 8 pounds and was 20 inches long.
Donnie Smail, club treasurer,  gave the financial report.
An announcement was made by Pat Wojnur of the collection of buckets filled with cleaning supplies for the Chatham Flood Disaster.
Pastor Don announced a special program to honor the memory of Loyd Carson was to be held at Emmanuel Methodist Church.
An discussion was held as several talked about pranks they had pulled as kids.
Loyce Becker shared humorous riddles and readings. Flo Allen gave a reading, “Why men are never depressed.” Riddles were asked by Dee Dee Diveley, Panzi Blackwell and Jim Budlove. The meeting was adjourned. The next noon potluck/meeting will be held next Tuesday. All seniors welcome.
Brownstown United Methodist Church
Bette Stolte, pianist, played the prelude as the congregation of the Brownstown United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday worship. Judy Watson served as liturgist and Bradley Schwarm lighted the altar candles. Hubert Williams and Jeff Kelly served as ushers. Pastor Don Thomas greeted the congregation, shared the announcements and prayer list, led in prayer and delivered the sermon.
Jenna Townsend led the children’s Sunday school. Flo Allen led the adult class.