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Brownstown-Sefton News

Betsy LongHorn & Cattle Family Doing Well …
… in spite of the lack of rain and resulting condition of their Homestead pasture.
The rain we were blessed with last week helped put a little more green in it, but it still looks parched.
However, the Longhorns, unlike some of the other breeds, actually like the prickly weeds and dried stuff that most other cattle don’t eat.
But, we didn’t want them to be hungry, so we visited Preacher Pete and brought a load of nice hay back to them.
We underestimated their self-sufficiency.
We thought they would smell the hay and run alongside the truck as we drove down the lane, as they as they do in the wintertime.
They didn’t.
Instead. they strolled nonchalantly up the pasture and began chewing on the hay quietly, no running back and forth to one another’s share.
Evidently, the grazing is not all that sparse and they just weren’t that hungry.
We had read that longhorn cattle can live on weeds and brush, but it just seems like they should have hay and grain, especially in this dry season.
They are all looking good.
Lucille & Helen’s ‘Zoo’
Lucille Fisher said that their backyard is like a zoo.
They reported rabbits, squirrels, a big groundhog and a smeller groundhog are coming to their yard, possibly looking for water, which, no doubt, the ladies have out for the birds.
Their back yard is also pretty with flowers, so maybe the visiting critters just enjoy a little R&R (rest & relaxation) in the pretty and critter-friendly surroundings.
Be sure and keep water out for the birds and critters, and don’t forget the “short” ones, such as the little frogs, flight-bound (butterflies, lightning bugs, etc.) and bugs. However, standing water attracts mosquitoes, so freshen it often.
Loretta’s Rabbit
Loretta Weaver shared a story of a little rabbit hopping around and playing in her yard.
She has been watching it, and reported that one day, some bigger rabbits appeared nearby, which her little rabbit watched with much interest.
Coming Up in Our Community
Alumni Reunion is Saturday
Remember – the location for the reunion has changed this year; it will be held at the Vandalia Moose Lodge.
Brownstown Class of 1957 to Celebrate
… its 55th anniversary Class Reunion on Saturday at the Ponderosa Steakhouse at 11 a.m.
Friday Fun Party
… at the Brownstown Branch Library. Check with the library for the time.
Summer Lunches for Kids
Free bag lunches are given on Wednesdays, July 18 and 25, and Aug. 1, from noon-1 p.m., sponsored by the Sefton HCE Unit and distributed from the east door of the United Methodist Church in Brownstown. All kids eligible up thru high school.
There is no registration or questions – just come by and pick up the ready-to-go lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwich, fruit drink, snack cake, pudding, Pop Tart, plus other foods  (popsicles, microwavable mac and cheese, Ramien noodles, packaged filled crackers, etc., as available).
Fifteen lunches were distributed last week.
Coming & Going
Yakel enjoys lunch in Herrick
Marilyn Yakel joined Dorris Welch of Casper, Wyo., and Phyllis Sarver for lunch at the Herrick Café on Monday. They later visited in the Sarver home.
Marilyn & Louella Visit in Charleston and Mattoon
On Saturday, Marilyn Yakel and Louella Christensen visited Wanda Miller in her Charleston home with Joe and Wanda’s daughter, Fayetta Wilson of Huntersville, N.C.
They all later visited Joe Miller at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon after lunch.
The Puleos & Debbie
Ken and Wanda Puleo and Debbie McDonald enjoyed lunch with Wanda’s mother, Ethel Pittman, at Dix last Wednesday. Neighbors Gale and Marilyn McBride and Linda Moore also came later and visited while the Puleos were there.
The ‘Millermobile’ On the Road Again
We have missed hearing about the adventures of Betty Miller’s Millermobile of late and are glad it has left the garage to venture forth on more adventures, some listed on Betty’s “bucket list.”
Quest for other Madonna of the Trail sites
Betty said, “On my “Bucket List” is, I want to see all 12 of the Madonnas of the Trail. I have seen four – Vandalia; Lexington, Mo.; Council Grove, Kan.; and Lamar, Colo.”
So, on Monday, May 28, Betty headed west to Lamar, Colo. After driving across Missouri and much of Kansas, she spent the night in Dodge City, Kan.
The next morning, she made the rest of the trip to Colorado, where she saw the Madonna, visited the tourist center and toured Lamar, which is about the size of Greenville.
Betty arrived home in her Millermobile about 1,698 miles later, and another Madonna was checked off. She said that Kansas is beautiful, but very wide.
To Charleston …
On Saturday, June 23, Betty Miller, Donna Boggs, Marsha Hipsher and Brenda Phelps traveled to Charleston and visited with Betty’s daughter, Julia, and her friend, Donna Coonce.
The ladies took a garden walk, during which they saw bee hives at work, a fruit orchard, a grape arbor, Coy Pond, different plants and grasses, a very large vegetable garden and lots of berries.
The girls fixed a hearty lunch, ate and visited. Another trip is planned in the fall, as everyone really enjoyed this one.
… and on to Branson
On Saturday, June 30, Brenda, Donna, Marsha and Betty left for Branson, Mo.
After arriving in Branson and checking into their motel rooms, they picked up their tickets for dinner and the Sons of the Pioneers Show, which was reported as “wonderful, as well as the food, and really enjoyed.”
They then went to a performance of “The Bald Knobbers,” which, they reported, “was hilarious and really enjoyed.”
Sunday was a day of “somewhat relaxation” and shopping at Branson Landing, Tanger Outlet Mall, Dick’s 5 & 10 and others.
On Monday, July 2, they toured the areas where the tornado hit this spring. Much work is yet to be done, but cleanup is in full swing.
Monday evening was spent at the Mickey Gilly Show and time was spent later with friend Mickey. On Tuesday morning, the girls headed home, already looking forward to next year’s trip.
Sefton  HCE Unit enjoys outing
On Thursday, 10 Sefton HCE members and three guests enjoyed the Sefton Unit’s annual outing, as they went to The Copper Dock near Pocahontas.
The group ate outside, with a covering over the outside eating area. The view was lovely, with ducks and swans swimming on the lake, creating a nice atmosphere.
Those attending were Phyllis Pryor, Bonnie Kramer, Phyllis Bruno, Carol Oldham, Dee Dee Diveley, Carolyn Grames, Elizabeth Kasten, Sally Behrends, Alice Scott and Sharon Wilhelm. Guests were Carol Behrends, Carol Rine and Kali Bruno. It was reportedly a lovely lunch and all had a good time.
Golden Years Meet
Twenty-one members and two guests were present for the Golden Years Club meeting on Tuesday, July 10, as the club president, Don Thomas, extended the welcome, and recognized the guests and July birthdays and anniversaries.
Recognized were honorary member Bill Voisin and his granddaughter, Carli Willsie, from Rochester, and special club friend, the Rev. Jim Dann.
The Rev. Jim Budlove asked the blessing for the potluck meal and the guests and July celebrants were invited to be served first.
Following the meal, Thomas opened the meeting, and Donnie Smail read an original poem by Ruby Goldsborough, “God’s Flowers.”
Smail then read another poem, entitled “God’s Bouquet,” dedicated to Bill and Barbara Voisin, and added that they were indeed, roses in God’s bouquet. He then presented Voisin with a fresh bouquet of flowers.
As the day was Voisin’s birthday, a birthday card, signed by all members present, was presented to him. Carli was very interested in the community where her grandfather had spent his youth. Voisin expressed his appreciation of the gifts and also of the community.
Business Meeting
Thomas presented a suggestion that the club purchase a 46-inch wide steel door for the back entrance at a reasonable cost. Loyce Becker made the motion to purchase the door, and Dee Dee Diveley seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion carried.
Thomas and Charlie Reece had discussed the need for repair work on both front and back door entrances. Thomas suggested cement entrances, and said the cement could be obtained at a reduced cost and volunteer labor would do the work.
Helen Klitzing made the motion to repair both entrances with cement, and Shirley Klitzing seconded the motion. The motion carried. Carolyn Grames volunteered to provide ham and beans and cornbread for the workers on the work days.
Entertainment
Humorous readings were given by  Loyce Becker, Don Thomas and Helen Klitzing, and a funny story was told by Dee Dee Diveley. The next potluck meeting will be held on July 24 at noon at the Golden Years building. All surrounding area seniors are welcome.
Brownstown United Methodist Church
Pianist Bette Stolte played and sang “We Are Standing In This Place of Holy Ground” as the congregation of the Brownstown United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday morning worship.
Bradley Schwarm lighted the altar candles, and Judy Watson served as liturgist.
Pastor Don Thomas greeted those present and shared the announcements, birthdays and anniversaries, and prayer requests, and led in prayer.
Hubert Williams and Jeff Kelly presented the tithes and offerings. Thomas delivered the sermon.
Zach and Jenna Townsend, and Renna Kelly led the children’s Sunday school. Vernus Lytle led the adult class.
Announcements
• Wednesday-Bible study at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., led by Jim Green.
 

Brownstown native Bill Voisin was honored by the Golden Years Club at its recent meeting. Above, from left to right, are Voisi

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