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Brownstown-Sefton News

Smoky, the (adorable) Little Donkey …
… enjoyed the weekend very much, as the great-grandchildren from Decatur were on the Homestead over the weekend, and spent a lot of their time petting him.
When he would see one (or more) kids coming towards his barn, he would run to his window and stick his head out to be petted. He especially enjoyed running alongside his fence, racing with Gage.
He looked very debonair and handsome in his new, red halter and beautiful long ears, as Emily, Cheyenne, Savannah and Austin petted him and talked to him.
When Smoky was a baby burro, he was in a petting zoo, and later, after coming to live on the Homestead, he enjoyed going with us to Vacation Bible School for two years. The kids always admired him and made over him, which he loves.
And Little Katy …
… the black Lab/blue heeler mix puppy, also enjoyed the kids’ attention and petting. They petted her through the fence, because she has yet to go to Tammy’s and Robert’s obedience classes to learn good manners.
She still thinks the proper and affectionate way to greet her humans is to jump up in a tail-wagging, I’m-so-glad-to-see-you fashion. She hasn’t got out of her pen since the “ scare-Callie-the cat-and-isn’t this-fun” episode of last week.
Announcements of Events & Opportunities
• Flu shots will be given at the Golden Years Building next Tuesday, from 1-3 p.m, following the Golden Years Club meeting and potluck dinner. The clinic will be held by the Fayette County Health Department.
• Sefton H.C.E. Unit Halloween Party/Meeting will be on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. It is also a baby shower for Lighthouse Pregnancy Center.
• Golden Years Club’s annual ham and beans dinner is Saturday, Oct. 13, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (or as long there is any left). The meal includes corn bread, desserts & drinks. This is a fundraiser for the club, which has no governmental support or help.
• A Purses and Bake Sale is Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Brownstown Fire House, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with the proceeds to benefit the Brownstown Branch Library.
You can eat lunch at the Golden Years Club & shop at the Fire House the same day.
Straight from the New York-designer duplicates; big city styles at small town prices. Great Christmas and birthday gifts. Cash, check and credit/debit cards accepted. For more information, contact the Brownstown Library at 427-3853.
• Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church 132nd Homecoming is Sunday, Oct. 14. A church service is at 11 a.m., with a potluck dinner following at 12:15 p.m. There will be a short program during the morning service this year, and no afternoon program. The afternoon will be spent visiting with former members and friends of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church.
Food Pantry Items Needed
For October: One 6-ounce can of tuna, one package egg noodles and one box of Tuna Helper. Any food item is appreciated.
Our Sympathy and Prayers to the Families and Friends of…
• Tom Robertson. We knew him as a fair and compassionate teacher and school official. He has been missed in the community and Brownstown Schools.
• Denver “Denny” Hunter. We used to see and visit with him at the old Snack Shack in Brownstown. He was a staunch Cubs fan, and a Cubs clock hung over the kitchen door in his honor. (He called our little granddaughter, Cora “Little Cubbie Fan.”)  
Coming & Going
The MillerMobile leaves the garage
On Friday, Sept. 14, Betty Miller and Donna Boggs left for Grand Rapids, Mich., for a mini-vacation. After arriving in Grand Rapds, they secured their motel room and began their weekend. Friday evening was spent mostly relaxing.
On Saturday morning, they toured the Gerald Ford Museum and Library, and the burial grounds of President and Mrs. Ford. “It is a beautiful and interesting place to visit,” Betty said.
They toured the city and found it to be a safe city, as many people were working and biking at dusk. The ladies took a different route, and after seeing many vineyards and wineries, they returned home late Sunday evening after a joyful weekend.
The MillerMobile
Goes to Missouri
On Saturday, September 22, Betty, Donna Boggs and Marsha drove to Salem, Mo., where they attended the 90th birthday open house of Margaret Hall, a close friend of Betty and her family.
Margaret was surprised to see her, but glad she took the day to come. The Millers and the Halls shared a good and close friendship for many years.
Mr. Hall was an auctioneer, and the Millers attended many of his sales in the 1980’s and ’90s.
The ladies left for home about 3:30 p.m. and arrived home late evening. It was a fun day and good to visit. Betty said she was glad she found Margaret “quite chipper” and in good health at 90 years old.  Margaret invited the ladies back for a weekend, which they hope “will happen soon.”
Coffee in Jennie’s Gazebo
When cousin Jennie Grimsley called the Homestead with an invitation for coffee and cinnamon rolls out in her gazebo, it was accepted with anticipation of good, hot-brewed coffee and homemade treats, for which Jennie is well-known and appreciated.
As Friday morning dawned with a chill in the air, cousins Ronnie and Mary Howard, Bill and Panzi Blackwell, and Norma Weaver drank the first rounds of coffee (accompanied with cinnamon rolls right out of the oven and Jennie’s zucchini bread with cream cheese) in the kitchen at the patio door. They enjoyed visiting, and watching the hummingbirds and tiny little chipmunks, which Jennie feeds.
As the morning warmed, they ventured out to the gazebo with their coffee, and enjoyed the view of Jennie’s pretty yard. Red roses grew around the gazebo railing, forming a picture frame for the back yard. As they were finally saying their good-byes and departed, Jennie gave each family a mini-loaf homemade bread. All agreed the cousins should do this more often … in Jennie’s gazebo.
Woodcutters from the North Arrived …
… early Saturday morning at Bill and Panzi’s (Blackwell) Homestead, with chainsaws in gloved hands, ready to cut firewood and cut down dead trees. The crew Saturday was: Don and Jill Jenkins, Emily Gatewood, and Donnie Jenkins and children Savannah and Austin.
Breaking for lunch, they had campfire chili (actually on the campfire),  hot dogs and marshmallows roasted over the fire, hot cocoa, chips, sodas and various little cakes (chocolate bats, orange jack-o-lanterns, etc.). Stephanie Blackwell stopped by for a brief visit.
When the crew had stopped for the day, the wood racks were looking good. Don Jenkins and Austin headed for Decatur and home, while Don and Jill Jenkins, Savannah and Emily stayed overnight in a Vandalia motel, so they could be here to start early the next morning.
Sunday morning, the overnight crew arrived at 7:30 a.m. They were joined later by Jeremy and Lindsay Gatewood, Cheyenne and Gage, all of whom were ready to work, stopping only for a lunch break of sloppy Joes, chili, hot dogs, drinks and desserts.
When the second day ended, the wood racks were full, some dead trees were cut down, and everyone was tired, but proud of the two-days’ work. The Decatur woodcutters have chainsaws and will travel, but only to the Homestead.
Brownstown United Methodist Church
Pianist Bette Stolte began the United Methodist Church morning worship with the prelude, “Here I Am, Lord.” Jeffrey Kelly lighted the altar candles.
Pastor Don Thomas extended the greeting and shared the announcements. The anniversary blessings song was sung to Jeff and Renna Kelly.
Judy Watson served as liturgist, and Jeff Kelly and Hubert Williams presented the tithes and offerings.
Thomas delivered the message and closed the service with prayer.
Renna and Jeffery Kelly served as children’s worship leaders, and Dlo Allen led the adult class.
Announcements
• The Baby Bottle campaign for the Lighthouse Pregnancy Center ends Oct. 9.
• Oct. 14-15, at 6 p.m.-Study on the Holy Spirit at Brownstown UMC. Speaker will be Steve Williams of Oconee. A question-and-answer time will follow, along with fellowship and refreshments.
• The Brownstown United Methodist Women will go to Brookstone Estates for their meeting.
• Oct. 28-Margaret Famsworth, a missionary, will speak at Brownstown and Emmanuel churches during the morning worship services.
• Oct. 28, at 5:30 p.m.-The Wolf Creek Cluster Charge Conference will be held at the St. Elmo United Methodist Church.
Golden Years Club Meets
Twenty-seven names were registered on the Golden Years Club attendance book last Tuesday, with eight of them being guests.
The club president, Pastor Don Thomas, greeted those present and acknowledged the guests – Dorothy Emerson, Dave and Barb Morrison, Ann Rowland, Mark Evans, Clara Perry and Connie Largent – and honorary guest, Pastor Jim Dann.
Donnie Smail recognized the birthdays of  Wynona Childress, Lenore Parkison and Sally Behrends. Thomas asked the blessing for the potluck meal.
Special entertainment followed the meal, as songbooks were passed around and Connie Largent played the keyboard as Barb Morrison led the group in singing old favorite hymns, as requested. Although most sang along, several were noticed just enjoying listening.
Chit-Chat Among the Group
The various conversations among the members and guests always cover different topics and subjects, which are often very informative and interesting. This week’s conversations included Lucille Fisher’s announcement that their lilac bush is blooming for the third time this year, a rare happening that is probably due to this year’s weather conditions.
Helen Klitzing also mentioned a local boys quartet that she listened to on the radio. She was unsure of the name of the quartet (possibly “The Gospel Boys’ Quartet”), but she thought boys in the quartet were Billy (Foster) Voisin, Charlie Wozman, Glenn Hazenfield and Jim Wasser. Helen suggested a phone call to Elizabeth Kasten to confirm the names. Elizabeth also listened to the quartet on the radio and did confirm the names. Elizabeth also recalled there was another boys’ quartet in which her brother, Bill Behrends, sang.
However, she said that her brother didn’t stay with it long to the demands of farming.
Sounds like there was a lot of  young, local talent back then, too … and appreciative listeners.
Golden Years Business Meeting
Thomas called the meeting to order. Donnie Smail, treasurer, gave the financial report.
• A flu clinic will be held Tuesday, from 1-3 p.m.
• The Oct. 13 annual ham and beans dinner was discussed. A sign-up sheet was passed around for the volunteer donations of ingredients needed.
• Thomas suggested that the previous practice of charging a set price for the club’s fundraiser dinner be changed to a “donations” basis.
• The menu will include ham and beans, corn bread, cole slaw, desserts and drinks. There will also be live entertainment this year.
• Thomas said that he had signs made for the dinner to set along the street. Flyers will be made by Panzi Blackwell.
• The club’s soup dinner and bazaar date is set for Nov. 3. There will be five tables available for vendors at $5 each. More information will follow.
 

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