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Brownstown-Sefton News

An Enjoyable Visit
to Wren Bridge
As the forecast for the rest of the week is rain and more rain, and as I was wanting to get a sample of genuine Kaskaskia River water, and as Monday was such a nice sunny day, this seemed to be the day to do this (before the rains which would leave the river bottom trails in riverbottom mud).
Thus, I asked Bill if he would like to go on an adventure. He agreed, and we set out to visit Wren Bridge, a great trip anytime (except when it has rained a foot).
We have always enjoyed the atmosphere there – the beautiful, large cross, the ever-running spring and, of course, the Kaskaskia River, an important part of our county’s heritage and of our memories.
The river’s current was swift, and, of course, as always, a muddy color. But then it is a river and is not supposed to be clear and sparkling. The catfish and turtles wouldn’t like that.
The banks had changed since we were last there, as the flood waters had run against and, probably, over them, leaving brush and limbs in lower places.
I was taught to have a healthy respect for the Kaskaskia River by my dad, who fished on it for years, as did my grandpa Weaver, cousin George Weaver (who fished with my dad) and my Uncle Bill Weaver.
I also have good memories of walking along the riverbank with my big brother, Alec, when I was very young. He taught me how to shoot a rifle by target practicing on the debris (limbs, etc.) floating in the current in the middle of the river.   
I also have a healthy fear (which everyone should have)  of the river,  which has treacherous undercurrents and deep holes, the locations of  which change unpredictably from time to time as the waters flow and erode the muddy river bed.
An area that was shallow one week may be a bottomless hole the next week.
However, we were very, very cautious as we “fished” for a quart of water.
As the bank was several feet above the water, Bill tied a long cord to plastic pitcher handle, pitched it out into the water and pulled it back up, with the exact amount of water I needed for my project.
It is rather amazing that just a ways away from the muddy waters, a clear spring flows continually nearby and on down, and eventually into the river. I wonder if anyone knows how long the spring has yielded the clear, good water that we enjoy drinking.
We appreciate the efforts that the Sarver and Wehrle families have made to preserve this place of nature’s handiwork, which is another part of Fayette County’s history.
Years ago, the Wren Bridge area was a popular place for large gatherings of people attending events, camping and even such entertainment as carnivals, and, of course, fishing.  
We were distressed, however, to see the vandalism, committed by thoughtless and unappreciative persons, on the huge rock that bears informative, attractive plaques on the front, but has ugly graffiti on the back, marring the surface of a wonder of nature.
We are looking forward to this summer when we can take a picnic lunch to the area … and we will bring our litter back home to the trash can.
Critter Update
All seem to be doing well, with the possible exception of little Josie, the doggie. Her appetite is still good, all systems seem to be functioning as they should, but she isn’t sleeping as well at nighttime. She seems restless and sometimes just cannot get settled down and sleep, which means us human inhabitants of the Homestead don’t, either.
She now barks to be held and rocked in the evenings. She seems confused at times and will get into a corner or between a chair and the footstool, and barks to be rescued.
She knows where her food bowl, water bowl, potty-pads and her little bed in the living room are. She will get into her bed, and then bark to have her blanket put over her.
We have also noticed that now, she wants us both in the same room. In the evenings sometimes, she will look at our chairs in the living room to see if we are both in there; if one of us isn’t there, she barks.
Sefton HCE Meets …
… Thursday for the annual “Wearing of the Green” day at Emanuel Church, at 1 p.m.  Don’t forget to take a non-perishable item for the food pantry.
Golden Years Bake Sale …
… is Saturday, March 26, at 8 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Brownstown. A good opportunity to buy desserts for the next day, Easter Sunday.
Spring Forward Saturday Night
Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour!
Easter
• March 27-United Methodist Church-6:30 a.m., sunrise service, with breakfast to follow. Regular services to follow at Brownstown and Emmanuel.
• First Christian Church – Saturday, March 17-Easter carnival at Brownstown Elementary School, from 2-4 p.m.; and March 27-SONrise service at 6:30 a.m., with Jim Dann speaking, and Easter service at 9 a.m.  
United Methodist
Bette Stolte, pianist, played the prelude as the congregation of the United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday services.
Jeff Kelly and Junior Williams served as ushers. Kayla Summann lighted the altar candles.
Pastor Don Thomas greeted all, recognized the birthdays and anniversaries, shared the announcements and prayer list, and led in prayer.
Following congregational singing songs of praise and the scripture lesson, the morning message was delivered by Thomas. Holy Communion was given by Thomas and his wife, Marlys.
Summann led the children’s worship. Flo Allen led the adult worship.
Announcements
• March 17 at 1 p.m.-United Methodist Women will meet at Emmanuel UMC.
First Christian Church
The congregation of First Christian Church was greeted by Shirley Goldsborough and Joann Strobel, and led in song by Karen Underwood, Cathy Smith and Joann Strobel, accompanied by pianist Susan Smith, Chuck Enlow on guitar and Walt Kinney on drums. Duane Willms led the Communion meditation.
Special music was contributed  by a young girls ensemble of Chloe Enlow, Emalee Smith, Alivia Claycomb and Madi Miller. Kendall Bopp delivered the morning message.
Also serving-Sunday school nursery-Ellen Willms; a.m. nursery-Cathy Smith; toddler worship-Joann Strobel and Bonnie Shelton; Quest-4-Christ, Q-4-C team; and shut-ins-Duane Willms and Terry Smith.
Announcements
• The church has several new members since the last cookbook and it doesn’t want to leave anyone out.
Those who would like to be included in the new round of cookbooks can provide Jamie Smith with 10-15 recipes by Sunday, March 27.
• Shoeboxes are needed for Lighthouse Pregnancy Center. Put them on the welcome table in the overflow.
• The church would like to have a choir for the Easter service. Those who would like to participate can contact Joann Strobel or Susan Smith.
Golden Years Meeting
Twenty-one Golden Years Club members and friends gathered on Tuesday for their potluck meeting.
The tables were decorated by Donnie Smail in celebration of St, Patrick’s Day. Each table held black pots of gold containing large shiny gold nuggets, accented with green shamrocks and other Irish décor.   
The club president, Pastor Don Thomas, asked the blessing for the meal and invited guests and members with birthdays and anniversaries to be served first.
Following the meal, Lisa Meyers took over the dish pan, while Carolyn Grames, Smail and Panzi Blackwell wielded the dish-drying towels.  
The club vice president, DeeDee Diveley, called the meeting to order and treasurer Smail gave the financial. He reported mailing a package to Ameren.  
Smail also reminded all of the club’s bake sale fundraiser on Saturday, March 26, beginning at 8 a.m, at the United Methodist Church at 103 W. Maple St., Brownstown.
A time of entertainment was then enjoyed with riddles, stories and jokes.
Loyce Becker recalled a past member, the late Berniece Bosomworth, who presented riddles to the group. She read several riddles, most of which she had to give the answers to the group. Smail, Diveley and Blackwell also participated in the sharing of true, but funny, stories and jokes.
 

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