Brownstown-Sefton News

From the Critter Barn…
Namely, Madricka, the mother donkey, and her son. Buckwheat (aka Baby Bucky), and Lady, the sweet little senior mini-mare. Bill extended the donkey area to include some fresh green grass. We just leave them on it for a limited time every day, because we don’t want them to overeat and get a tummy ache.
They still enjoy their carrots and, very pointedly, look up to the house when they see me out. Madricka brays to get my attention and they watch for me to bring them their carrot treats.
We do not put Lady out on the new grass, because she foundered on it when she was very young (before coming to the Homestead).
We do give her a handful once in a while. She also eats only senior feed and a handful of hay, because we don’t think she can chew her food very well anymore.
Of course, she, too, gets carrot treats, but hers are shredded finely, so she doesn’t have to chew much. Madricka and Bucky both have large, strong teeth, and have no trouble crunching them up.
We put a shepherd’s hook out by their barn and hung a pretty potted flower on it, so Lady and Madricka also had pretty flowers for Mother’s Day.
Special Off-the-Track Request
I am interested in writing an article about the railroad running over the Kaskaskia River and through our area. If any former workers on or for the railroad or anyone else can share some information about it, I would really appreciate your comments.
I remember there was a man who worked on the train that arranged to stop in Vandalia every Christmas time to visit the children.
I am interested in some of the history, and especially, the memories of someone who worked for it.
Spaghetti Dinner …
… Saturday, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Brownstown Fire House. Free-will donations will be accepted. It will include a gun raffle, door prize valued at $100 –plus and a 50/50 drawing.
All proceeds will go toward Eugene Reeter’s medical expenses.
It is sponsored by the Brownstown class of 1965.
Sefton HCE …
… members are asked to donate a dessert(s) for the spaghetti dinner for Eugene Reeter. Take them to the firehouse on Saturday morning.
Sefton Unit HCE…
… Mother’s Day luncheon meeting at Capitol View Restaurant in Vandalia is Thursday at 11:30. If you haven’t already paid your dues, remember to take them.  
Mark your calendars now
• “Nadine ”will be coming to town on Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Brownstown High School gym, at 7 p.m. The band “Thunder” will accompany her.
• Steve Ladd will return to Liberty Church this year; more information to follow.
Brownstown Alumni Reunion 2016…
… will be held July 16 at the Vandalia Moose Lodge, 328 S. Third St. in Vandalia.
The last day to return reservations is July 8.   
The reunion schedule is: 3:30-5:30 p.m., registration and visitation; 5:30-7:30 p.m., dinner at $15 per person; 7:30-8:30 p.m., business meeting and class pictures; and 9-10:30 p.m., music will be provided.
Information the committee requests includes: year of graduation; graduate’s name; whether you are a veteran; and spouse’s name and year of his/her graduation, if applicable.
Those whose class is planning to celebrate a special year are free to decorate their tables.
Those who are a graduate and have never attended the reunion are invited to attend this year’s reunion.
Those who move or have an address change for any reason are asked to send their new address to the alumni committee.
When returning reservations, make sure you use the envelope that has the Alumni address stamped on it.
Make checks payable to: Brownstown Alumni Association. Return reservations to: Brownstown Alumni, P.O. Box 344.  Brownstown, Ill. 62418.  If you have any questions, contact Bettie Scott at 267-3637.   
Coming & Going on Mother’s Day
Shirley roots the Cardinals on to Victory on Mother’s Day!
Shirley Klitzing’s son, Chris and his wife Nancy, took her to the Cardinal baseball game in St. Louis on Mother’s Day and in an early celebration of Shirley’s birthday, which is this Sunday.
Shirley has been a faithful Cardinal fan for many, many years, and although she sometimes gets aggravated at them for not playing well, she has remained faithful to them. Her all-time favorite pitcher was Bob Gibson.
She took Chris to the Cardinal games in St. Louis when he was a little boy.
Shirley said that she had been to all three of the baseball stadiums in St. Louis and this new one is her favorite.
She said the staff members were very kind and helpful to them and they had really good seats. “They cost a lot more, but they were worth it,” she said.
This was especially a treat for Shirley as she has been confined to home so much in the last year due to health reasons, receiving treatments as she is fighting cancer.
The next day, Monday, she went to the Ministry Food Program to help by registering the recipients.
Shirley was always a volunteer’s volunteer, as she always done more than her share for benefits, club
She wore her Cardinals T-shirt sent to her by Joe Cunningham, who had visited the Brownstown Elementary school one year.
Shirley, Chris, and Nancy each were given a Mike Shannon shirt on Sunday.
They took a lunch, and Shirley drank her Gatorade during the game.
Mother’s Day
Bill and Panzi Blackwell traveled north to Decatur and enjoyed the day with daughter and family – Jill and Don Jenkins, Jeremy and Lindsey Gatewood and children Destiny, Gage and Emily; and Donnie and Brandi Jenkins and children Zachery, Savannah and Austin Jenkins.
The Blackwells had enjoyed hearing from all their children and received several pretty gifts of flowers and decorative objects.
Liberty Christian Church
The congregation of Liberty Christian Church was greeted by Bob and Vicki Buzzard as they gathered for Sunday morning worship. Mark Schaub and Brian Smith served as ushers. Vernon Brazle led the opening prayer.
Stef Anderson, Teresa Mayes and Kathy Willms led in song, accompanied by Kim Miller and Tammy Carson. Elvera Robison served at the welcome center.
Jim Dann and Delmar Miller served at the table, with Bob Buzzard, Craig Daughtery, Tom Mayes, Aaron Miller, Brad Smith and Brian Smith serving the congregation, assisted by Barry Jennings and Luke Robison; pre-K teacher-Jessica Sefton; assistant-Lanie Parkison; Kids W teacher-Erin Klug; assistant, Emmet Chandler; PowerPoint-Dana Dann; sound system-Dan Largent; and Communion preparation-Connie Largent.
Announcements
• May 29-Youth Sunday.
• May 15- Graduation recognition – Those who have an eighth-grade, high school or college graduate that they would like recognized on this day, let the church know.