Brownstown-Sefton News

Smoky (the adorable) Little Donkey…
… either has ESP or ESH (extraordinarily sharp hearing).
We have noticed this happening in times past and marvel at his ability to know when Bill is pouring and/or sitting down with his morning cup of coffee.
Bill had just poured his coffee this morning and started to sit down (at 5:15 am) when Smoky brayed his musical “Good Morning,” a reminder to Bill that he and his stable-mates hadn’t had their breakfast yet.

We don’t know how Smoky knows that the coffee is done and Bill is getting his morning cup, unless he notices the aroma of freshly-brewed coffee, if he hears the coffee being poured or if he is just super-intelligent (which is what I think).
With his beautifully-marked, luxurious, long ears and adorable face, he is truly a handsome little guy, sweet-tempered and kind to Lady, the older mini-mare.  He hates to get wet and at the first raindrop or snowflake, he will high-tail it to his barn. However, one day, Lady had taken over his side of their shared barn and he stood out in the rain, letting her have the shelter.
(Bill did finish his coffee before going out to feed the critters.)
A Note from Mary in Carbondale…
…regarding the discussion about the flock of little birds along the lane. She said that she is fairly certain that they are young house finches, that don’t have the red color yet and that even if most stay in the area, some do migrate and form large flocks in the fall and finter. She said that they monopolize feeders with sunflower seeds.
She also shared the information that house finches are native to the Western states and were introduced to the East in the New York City area in the 1940s, when pet dealers being arrested for illegally selling them as “Hollywood Finches” released the birds. They have since spread throughout most of the East, and their numbers and range have since expanded.
Purple finches in the Northeast come to her area in the winter. The females are much darker and have a broad, white eyebrow or a brown eyeline.
She said she has flocks of house finches now and they are eating a lot of sunflower seeds. She had just seen a Baltimore oriole, so she put out some halves of oranges. She said that orchard orioles sometimes visit them.
Mary is the daughter of the late Dr. Mark Greer, who so generously contributed to the Fayette County area, including the hospital, schools, sports programs, etc.  
She also mentioned that the Rendleman family held their 114th consecutive  reunion at Bald Knob Cross (Alto Pass) on Sunday, Sept. 9 – a great record.
Mark your Calendars Now
Revival at the Cross at Wren Bridge …
… is Sept. 21, 22 and 23, at 6 p.m. The speaker will be Pastor Don Thomas of the Brownstown United Methodist Church. There will be a kickball game before the Friday service and an ice cream social before the Saturday service. Take lawn chairs.
Benefit for Austin Frutiger
A chicken and noodles and all the fixins’ meal, with dessert and drink, is this Saturday, from 4-7 p.m. at the Brownstown Firehouse. Carry-outs will be available. There will also be a cake walk, 50/50 drawing and raffle (need not be present to win).
Also, there will be a social hour for those 21 and over at the Brownstown VFW Home from 6-10 p.m., with a DJ, color wheel, bingo, 50/50 and raffle (need not be present to win.
Austin is a 25-year-old who has been diagnosed with viral cardiompathy,  the result of a flu virus attacking his heart muscle. His heart is currently only working at 10 percent.  He is awaiting a pacemaker defibrillator. At present, he is wearing a defibrillator vest.
Golden Years Club Ham & Beans Dinner
The dinner is on Saturday, Oct. 13, with a menu of ham and beans, corn bread, desserts and drinks. This is a fundraiser for the Golden Years Club. More information later.   
Purses! Purses! Purses! & Bake Sale
This benefit for the Brownstown Branch Library is on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Brownstown Firehouse on U.S. Route 40 in Brownstown. This is a benefit for the Brownstown Branch Library. More information later.
Thanks for the laughs and the memories, Nadine!
Nadine came back to Fayette County, as promised, and kept the audience of more than 350, in stitches, as anticipated.
She also brought some of her friends along from Larry’s Country Diner, which can be seen on the RFD TV network. Larry (Black) left the Country Diner long enough to emcee the show and added a lot to the fun and humor.
An upcoming Nashville artist,  pretty Teea Goans, sang to the audience, charming them not only with a beautiful voice, but also with her winsome, friendly,  and sincere personality. Steve Smith, lead guitarist for the Gatlin Brothers Band, performed, accompanied Miss Goans, and pleasured the audience with his talent, skill and artistry on his guitar.
And Nadine!
She entered the room (amid a large round of applause), carrying a huge Bible and her ever-present purse. She sat at a table covered with a blue and white checkered tablecloth and commented on various subjects (old age ailments, including the bladder; sagging at various body areas; hormone changes; Homer, her “three peas short of a casserole” husband; “Bubba”; the also “short on ingredients” nephews (from both sides of the family); and much more.
Nadine Up Close …
… is a lovely, friendly person. Looking into her beautiful eyes and smile, one sees past the “Nadine” person and sees the gracious, caring, beautiful lady who brings Nadine to life to give others a break from everyday cares and problems with her sometimes outrageous, hilarious (but always clean) humor.
She saunters in with a no-nonsense manner, and proceeds to reduce her audience to side-splitting laughter as she calmly and conversationally shares one outrageously funny statement after another.
The lady, as Nadine, is truly gifted and, I believe, is answering her calling in bringing laughter, joy and, therefore, hope to all she meets.  
A Christian lady, she also shares her thoughts at the end of her show. She shared that everyone has storms in their lives, as she has had (such as a heart bypass).
She said that when you go though a storm, dance in the rain.
She also said that as parents, we like to hear our children laugh, and she believes our heavenly Father likes to hear His children laugh, which drew a large hand of applause.
She met with the audience for autographs and pictures following the show, as did Larry, Teea and Steve. Nadine, you all come back now, you hear?
Rev. Rhodes Speaks at Golden Years Club Meeting
Twenty-seven club members and five guests (Dorothy Emerson, the Rev. Carl and Pat Rhodes, and honorary member, the Rev. Jim and Dana Dann) signed the register for the Golden Years meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 11.
Club President Preacher Don Thomas welcomed all to the meeting and potluck noon meal. He introduced the guests and recognized the September birthdays of Sally Behrends, Lenore Parkison and Winona Childress.
Following the blessing asked by Pastor Dann, the guests and birthday people were invited to be served first.  
Following the meal (which included meat loaf, fried chicken, fried cabbage, banana salad, banana cake, custard pie, pumpkin pie, etc.), Donnie’s kitchen crew finished the cleanup detail, and President Thomas called the meeting to order.
The treasurer, Donnie Smail, gave the financial report. He also reminded members of the Austin Frutiger benefit, to be held this Saturday to be held at the Brownstown Firehouse. The Golden Years Club was asked to provide desserts.
Club members were also reminded of the Nadine show to benefit the Brownstown Branch Library on Saturday evening. It was announced that there would be transportation provided for people to attend the show.
Golden Years’ Building Work Done
Work has been done to improve and repair the back door/handicapped entrance of the club building. All expressed gratitude to those who volunteered and worked on the job.
A thank you card was signed by all present in expression of gratitude for a person who donated time and labor on the door entrance project, but wishes to remain in the background.  
Golden Years Club members discussed the ham and beans dinner date on
Oct. 13. More information will be disclosed later.
The Rev. Carl Rhodes of Northside Christian Church in Vandalia was invited to speak on his career in the Army.
He joined in 1968 at the age of 17 abd became a paratrooper in 1969, serving in the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. He also served three years as a Green Beret.
Back in the United States, he was an M.P. (Military Police) at Fort Benning, Ga.  He said that he met his future wife, Pat (who was a medic in the Army), while he was an M.P.
He told the story in a humorous fashion, as he first saw her waiting for a bus, in uniform, but not wearing her hat. He commented that she had pretty red hair.
He approached her, as an M.P., about not wearing her hat when she was in uniform. She answered him rather saucily, which seemed to heighten his interest. They later married.  He asked the audience, “Did I mention she had pretty red hair?”
He served in the military for 23 years. He said that he got out once, he rejoined until he retired 11 years ago.
He said that he enjoyed the military service and has no regrets.
He said that he met Jesus Christ and became a Christian. He became an ordained minister five years ago, and Carl and Pat are still serving together … but serving the Lord Jesus Christ now
Humorous readings were given by Flo Allen, Loyce Becker and Don Thomas. The meeting adjourned at 1:36 p.m.
Sefton Annual Hobo Day Meeting
Some of the Sefton Unit HCE members looked a little “down and out” as they entered the Golden Years Club building Thursday, Sept. 13.  
It was their thid annual Hobo Stew Day, and the “down and outers” were just dressed appropriately for the occasion. Sixteen members were present as the “head hobo,” Chairman Flo Allen, stirred the kettle holding the meat (which she cooked previously) as the members each donated a can of vegetables into the kettle. They brought (23) extra cans  of vegetables, which were donated to the food pantry in Vandalia, delivered by Phyllis Pryor.
As always, the hobo stew was delicious, although the choices of vegetables were random, with no plan or thought of who would bring what. Allen called on Panzi Blackwell to ask the blessing and the meal of the stew, cornbread and desserts of fruit salad and red velvet Cake were much enjoyed.
A 2-foot tall hobo standing over a twig “campfire” served as the centerpiece on “table covers” of colored newspaper comics.
A tiny tin plate holding beans, a mini-cheese sandwich, a mini-donut and a small tin coffeepot and cup were by the campfire.
Following the meal, Allen called the meeting to order with the pledge to the American flag.
Secretary Debbie Swain gave the rollcall with the question, “My favorite lesson this year.”  Treasurer Shirley Klitzing gave the financial report and reported on the memorials by the club.
A thank you card was received by the club from the family of Otis Parkison, for the monetary gift to Friendship Manor in his memory.
Klitzing also reminded the members of the International Potluck Dinner, honoring Indonesia, to be held Tuesday, Oct. 16, in the Phillips Building in St. Elmo.
Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.
A card was signed by all for sister member, Carol Oldham, who had fallen and sustained a fractured wrist/arm.
A reminder was given of the Austin Frutiger benefit this Saturday at the Brownstown Firehouse.
Sefton HCE was asked to provide desserts.
DeeDee Diveley asked that all Christians stop and offer a prayer at 8 p.m. joining in a prayer for our country and leaders.
Elizabeth Kaston gave the lesson entitled, “Choosing
reliable Nutrition Information.”
The October 11 Sefton HCE meeting will be at the Golden Years building at 1 p.m. It will be the Halloween costume and Lighthouse Pregnancy baby shower meeting. Phyllis Pryor will present the lesson on “Beverages – Empty Calories or Not?
Pryor will also distribute cookie lesson sheets, to be used for the November meeting.  
Following the meal and announcements, Allen passed out handouts and the new IAHCE handbooks.
The remainder of the meeting was used filling out the new book featuring the 2012-13 theme, “The Many Hats of IAHCE.” The cover was cleverly and attractively designed with a hat rack and pictures of a fancy ladies hat, a chef’s hat and a graduation hat, and drew many compliments on its appearance.
Brownstown United Methodist  Church
Pianist Bette Stolte played the prelude as the congregation of the United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday morning worship.
Prior to the prelude, Stolte shared the lyrics of the song. Greeters were Louella Christensen and Marilyn Yakel.
Bradley Schwarm lighted the altar candles and Carol Severns served as liturgist. Pastor Don Thomas greeted the congregation and shared the announcements, birthdays and anniversaries. He shared the prayer list and requests, and led in prayer.
Marlys Thomas and Betty Williams presented the tithes and offerings. Pastor Thomas delivered the sermon.
Jenna Townsend led the children’s Sunday school. Louella Christensen led the adult class.
Announcements
• Sept. 30, 2-8 p.m.-Embarras lay speaker course at Brownstown UMC.

Members of the Sefton HCE Unit dressed appropriately for their annual Hobo Day. Pictured above are Shirley Mattes, Sharon Wilhelm, Phyllis Pryor, Elizabeth Kaston, Phyllis Bruno, Delores Dukeman, Alice Scott, Sally Behrends, Debbie Swain, Carolyn Grames, Flo Allen, Dee Dee Diveley, Rosemund Hobler, Betty Williams, Christine Hobler and Panzi Blackwell. Shirley Klitzing is not pictured.