Brownstown-Sefton News
Betsy & the Bovine Family
Betsy, the coriente longhorn, is the leader of the pack (or herd, in this case). Now that the pasture has been frosted over, they look forward to their supplement diet of Pam and Pete LeDuc’s good hay.
When we drove up the lane with hay on the truck, they came running to meet us. They must have caught the scent of the fresh hay, because they were on the other side of the pasture. They are getting plenty to eat, but when they see Bill coming, they run to greet him.
When Betsy was still a young calf, I would give the cows the leaves from the foliage I was trimming.
Betsy is very clever. Even then, if she even saw me with the clippers, she would come to the fence and wait for the leaves.
She was low cow on the totem pole now and was the shortest one. She is still the shortest one in the pasture, but she is the head cow now, since LulaBelle has passed on. She and the Bartels girl, Geneva, are the only original “girls” left.
In answer to inquiries…
Blackie, the remaining hen, does not seem happy. We are sure she is missing “Anita,” and is probably still traumatized by the “fox incident,” as seems wary when we let her out of the pen.
We just let her out now when we can be out in the yard with her. She stays close to us, but doesn’t “talk” to us like she did before.
She isn’t laying eggs right now, but we attribute part of that to the weather and season. However, Bill doesn’t think we should bring her in the house, and he is probably right.
With Josie, the “puppy,” Callie, the cat, and Star, the dove, a chicken would probably cause bedlam.
Coming Events
• Monday-Sports Boosters meeting at 5:30 p.m.
PURSES & MORE PURSES!!!
HOLIDAY BAKE SALE & BOOK SALE…
…Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Good Old Days Banquet Center on U.S. Route 40 in Brownstown. Straight from New York, designer duplicates. Big-city styles at small-town prices. Cash, check, credit/debit cards accepted. The event benefits the Brownstown Branch Library. Contact Connie Bingaman, 427-3174.
“The P.A.C.K.” Going to School
A note from Tammie Rogers: The Reading P.A.C.K. will be at the Vandalia Elementary School on Nov. 29th to speak to the kids, pass out information and let them meet the pups. There will be three sessions: 8:45 a.m.-fourth grade; 9:15 a.m.- third grade, and 9:45 a.m.-second graders.
Mark Your Calendar…
…for the Brownstown Elementary K-6 music program on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at the high school gym.
Roses to …
… the community and all who supported, participated and helped with the Golden Years Club annual Homemade Soup and Bazaar on Saturday. It was a huge success, thanks to all who partook of the soups.
Local Celebrations
Birthdays-David Goldsboro, Jessica Fulk, Phyllis Bruno, Dillion Elam, Kayla Summann, Bette Stolte, Eric Gurtner, Flo Allen and Darrell Sidwell. Anniversaries-Glenn and Pam Gurtner, and Hubert and Betty Williams.
Golden Years Annual Soup Dinner & Bazaar…
…was a great success, measured by the rate at which all three homemade soups disappeared. Although large kettles of the soups were prepared, the last ladle was dipped by 1 o’clock.
The chili ran out first, to the disappointment of several chili-hungry people. The vegetable and Lucille’s Legacy noodle soup followed shortly. (Thankfully, we had bought and put aside a quart of the noodle soup earlier.)
Going through the “soup line”: 55 adults; four children; 23 carry-outs; 14-soup only; four-ham and beans; and one pie only.
There were four bazaar tables, all with different items.
• Mike and Debbie Hanson displayed beautifully crafted wooden scenes, featuring for the holiday season, nativity scenes, but others are available. The collection included different views of the Nativity scene, camels, etc.
• Marilyn Yakel and Louella Christensen’s (the “De-Clutter Gal”), table held an assortment of glass and crystal ware, and many other items.
• Delilah-the versatile sales lady with products everyone can use from Watkins, Avon, Fuller Brush, etc.
• Homestead variety table with odds and ends Panzi collected, and Bill minded the table while she dipped soup.
It was a great day, weather-wise, sales-wise, meeting friends-wise and blessings-wise.
Coming & Going
Catching Up With the Puleos & Debbie
Ken and Wanda Puleo and Debbie enjoyed an afternoon in Sullivan, at the home of Ken’s niece, Kristi and Tim Montgomery. Their son, Tyson, was 7 years old and enjoying a birthday party with a lot of friends present. The kids spent most of the afternoon playing football and in an inflated bouncy house set up in their yard, while the adults visited.
Tim had been busy preparing food, hot dogs, chili, Italian beef, brats, etc. Tyson’s grandparents were there along with aunts, uncles, and cousins as well. He received many gifts along the sports line.
The Puleos stopped by the Bethany Cemetery on the way home to visit Ken’s father, who died on Nov. 5, and his mother, whose birthday was Nov. 6.
The Merry Woodsmen 4th Annual Get-Together
Sunday, the huge chili kettle was brought down off the high shelf again for simmering campfire chili. Hot dogs and marshmallows were readied for roasting over the campfire, and hot campfire coffee, cold water and sodas were on hand for the annual visit of the merry woodsmen from up Decatur way.
The clan gathers every autumn on the Homestead to go back in the woods to saw up trees and run them through the store-bought log splitter (a decided improvement over the old hand- and arm-operated ax and splitting maul formerly used).
Although it is hard work (harder for some than others), everyone seemed to enjoy the day.
Beginning early in the morning, the crew pulled on their work gloves, climbed in three pickup trucks and headed for the woods.
The crew consisted of four men and their chainsaws (Bill, Don Jenkins, Donnie Jenkins and Jeremy Gatewood); three women (Jill, Lindsay and Panzi) and children (Savannah and Austin Jenkins, and Destiny, Gage and Emily Gatewood).
Everyone worked, including the kids (volunteers), whose ages were 5-9 years old. There was a lot of kidding and laughing, along with the hard work. The kids took time out for playing once in a while and there was no serious bickering, complaints of “no fair” or fights. The adults also got along well.
The noon break around the campfire was welcome and the chili level went down quickly, as did the supply of hot dogs and marshmallows. The dessert consisted of Suzy-Q’s and little Hostess pies.
At days end, the wood racks and holders were filled with wood and everyone was still smiling, said they enjoyed the day, refused any compensation, and climbing back into their rigs, they headed back to the city.
Brownstown United Methodist Church
Pianist Bette Stolte played the prelude as the congregation of the United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday morning worship.
Bradley Schwarm lighted the altar candles. Schwarm and Hubert Williams presented the tithes and offerings.
he sermon was delivered by the Rev. Louis Frick of Vandalia. The sacrament of Holy Communion was served by Frick, assisted by Schwarm.
Announcements
• Nov. 17-United Methodist Women will meet.
• Operation Christmas Child collection week is Nov. 14-21. Fill a shoe box and take it to church, and it will be delivered to the collection site that week.
