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Brownstown-Sefton News

Katy’s Puppyhood (Thus Far)
“Katydid” (Katy for short) will be 10 weeks old this week and seems to be getting taller already.
As she is (allegedly) a black lab/blue heeler mix, we expect her to be a big, outside dog to scare away the opossums, skunks, coyotes, bobcats, bears, etc.
However, at present, she is a cute, smart, lively little puppy that has, thus far, drug her sleeping rug out of her bedtime quarters, pulled our chair cushion down and takes her naps on it,  chewed a little on an older canvas lawn chair, already learned to fetch a toy (but would rather play with it than retrieve it for you) and won our hearts completely.
She attacks a gallon water jug ferociously, drags it around by the handle, then jumps on it, attacking it, falling off or over it, then gets a running start and attacks again.
She had a bout with a clump of grass, barked it into submission, then used it for a pillow – for about 10 seconds – then she was off running again, looking for some new experience.
When she is quiet, she likes to lie down under our chair or between our feet. She wants Josie (our 13-year-old “puppy”) to play with her, but Josie ignores her. Callie, the kitty, still won’t go close to her, which is probably a wise decision. Katy’s tiny little teeth are like needles, as are her toenails. There is no bickering or growling though, not even on Josie’s part.
Katy’s audience
Katy isn’t aware of it yet, but she has an audience every morning – a robin.
The first morning, the robin flew down and lit between the wires of the fence, about 6 inches off the ground … before it saw the puppy.
When it spied Katy, it flew off the fence, but stayed around and watched her. Apparently, the robin decided Katy could not get to her, so it hopped around on the ground outside the fence, looking for a “bug breakfast.”
Every morning since, it comes near the fence, but doesn’t sit on it anymore. It must be good “bugging” in the area. So far, Katy has been busy with other things and has not noticed the robin.
Farewell to Cousin Sybil …
…Evans, who passed away last Thursday. Sybil was the daughter of my mother’s sister, Estelle, and sister of a cousin, the late Meri Funk. When our granddaughter, Cora, was still with us, Sybil and Meri sent her a beautiful arrangement (not just bouquets) of flowers, usually monthly and usually pertaining to the holiday or the season.
Sybil collected teddy bears and once gave Cora a “Snuggles” bear. When Cora went on, we gave it back to Sybil.
A while back, she called and asked me to come by her house. When I arrived, she gave two beautiful china teacups and saucers to me, saying she had always wanted me to have them. I will always treasure them.
She encouraged me in my writing, and said she thought I had a least “two good books in me.”
She was always pretty and, once, when I was a child and received a pretty doll for Christmas, I named it Sybil, after her. My doll has been lost in the ages and now Sybil has gone on before us, and our memories are all the more precious.
Our hearts and prayers are with her family, children Ron, Jim, Debbie and Kenneth; her  grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her little Yorkie dog, “Coki,” who was her shadow, following her faithfully, and, in the last days, stayed by her side.
Special 4th of July Musical
… at First Baptist Church in Brownstown will be presented Sunday, at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Summer Lunches for Kids…
…distributed 15 free lunches last Wednesday. The lunches also contained frozen popsicles last week, and the children were reminded they would soon melt if not eaten or frozen right away.
Local Celebrations
Birthdays: Bob Schwarm, Marshall Enlow, Allen Hunter, Aaron Lovett, Samuel Miller, Shannon Harre.Abby Enlow and Morgan Pryor.
Anniversaries: Don and Robin Lovett; Frank and Normalee Terry; Ryan and Mallory Wise; Phil and Evelyn Wells; and Terry and Susan Smith.                       
In the Homestead
Mailbox
A letter from Mary G. Rendleman from Carbondale was received recently with some welcome information about birds, especially the woodpecker family.
Mary grew up in Vandalia, still receives our paper, and stated that she reads this column every week. We appreciate her encouragement. She added that Peggy Williams is her first cousin.
Mary said that she was a big “birder”  at an early age, and that she went on birding trips with the Southern Illinois Audubon Society, and has kept up with their newsletter and many bird books.
We really appreciate her birds-knowledgeable letter. She included the names of several good bird books that contain a lot of good information, i.e., descriptions, pictures, descriptions of their calls, etc.
Having read my comments about the disappearance of, what I call, the “Woody, Woodpeckers,” she included the names of several kinds of woodpeckers. I had no idea there were so many.
The ones I have missed have bright red heads, and bold black and white tuxedo-like feathered “suits.”
We also have a large gray and white feathered one with a red head.
To attract and draw the woodpeckers, she suggested suet and black oil sunflower seeds, which, she said, “are the best, but more expensive, but no waste.”
She said that she lives in the country and has six bluebird boxes and two feeders that are raccoon and squirrel proof. Orioles, tanagers, doves, red wing blackbirds, house finches, hummingbirds, etc., all visit her yard.
She said coyotes have moved west of them, “but to have turkeys, quail, bobcats, off and on, a wonderful place to be in the country.”
Mary, we feel the same way about living in our woods – nature is so interesting and wonderful.
We have bluebirds, but they choose to live in the edge of the woods, across the fields. The rare times they come to our yard are precious sightings.
Keep birding and let us hear from you again.
Meeting Our Readers
Sherry Bumgardner, in a grocery store last week, said that she is from Ramsey and enjoys not only reading about the critters every week, but also clips them out and saves the articles for a friend, Cindy.
While visiting with her, her grandson and wife came along with Sherry’s great-grandchild, who is a real cutie. We always appreciate your comments about the articles, and your faithfulness in reading them.
First Christian Church Recognizes Father’s Day
First Christian Church began its recognition of Father’s Day when all fathers in the congregation were asked to stand, and they received a round of applause. Tena Gould read the “A-B-C’s of Fatherhood,” given to her by Bonnie Haslett. She then presented gifts to the following: dad with the most children present-Duane Willms; father with the youngest child-Trevor Willms; father with the most generations present-Don Willms (5); and father driving the most miles-the father of Jasmine Cruz,  Alexis Guerro and Skylar Guerro. All fathers were given a gift.
Five little girls – Taylor and Aliva Claycomb, Emalee Smith, Alexa Guerro, and Klhoe Enlow – sang the following songs for their fathers: “He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands,” “Rejoice In The Lord” and “Happy Grandpas and Dads to You.”
First Christian Church
of Brownstown
The congregation of the First Christian Church was greeted by Jeremy and Shannon Claycomb, and led in songs of praise by the praise singers, Joann Stroble and Jack Shelton, accompanied by pianist Susan Smith and the “Preach Boys,” with Mitchell Smith-drummer; Walt Kinney, Chuck Enlow and Rick Cox, guitarists, all attired in Hawaiian shirts.
Joann Stroble read the opening scripture, and Jack Shelton led the opening prayer.
Special music was contributed by the Back to Basics class. Charlie Watson delivered the message.
Brent Keys led the Communion meditation and prayer. Watson led the gifts and offerings prayer. Duane Willms said the announcements, prayer requests, praises and led in prayer.
Also serving: Sunday school nursery-Laura Willms; a.m. nursery-Marcia Pemberton; Toddler worship-Ron and Tena Gould; Shut-ins-Brent Keyes, Don Willms, Duane Willms; Communion preparation-Matt and Jamie Smith; usher-Morgan Pryor; librarian-Joann Strobel; sound tech-Matthew Smith; PowerPoint-Ashton Smith; serving the congregation-Delbert Miller, Morgan Pryor, Mitch Koehler, Matthew  Smith, Larry Pilger; and closing prayer-Charlie Watson.
Announcements
• Welcome table-Anyone wishing to help with gifts for the welcome table, contact Tena Gould.
• July 4th celebration at Bond County Christian Service Camp.The event is free to everyone, which includes family, friendly music, activities and plenty of space to enjoy the fireworks at sundown.
You are welcome to bring games, food and drinks. Concessions will be open that night.

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