Brownstown-Sefton News

 “She Came To a Screeching Halt”
…were the words said by the male human of the Homestead, namely my husband, Bill. He was referring to my busy, busy lifestyle and the sudden stop caused by my episode when I slipped and fell, breaking the fibula in my left ankle.

Panzi Blackwell

We were in Decatur on Saturday, having went there for a post-Thanksgiving dinner, but rather than go to a hospital emergency room there, I wanted to be taken care of by our own staff in Vandalia.

I have never suffered a fracture, except for a minor toe break many years ago. Then I just wore a sandal and kept on trucking.

A broken ankle really slows you down, especially until you get a walking cast on. This was to be done Tuesday, so hopefully by the time you are reading this, I’m already “back-in-the-saddle again,” in the words of cowboy singer, Gene Autry.

Dr. Climato and the ER crew, and X-ray crew took excellent, gentle, kind, and efficient care of me.
A temporary splint was applied, but Dr. Climato said I should not bear weight on it. (It hurt too badly anyway to walk, anyway.)

The emergency room crew could not have been nicer, nor more knowledgeable and efficient. The nurse, Deb Keeling, was kind and friendly as she took the information.

The paramedics, Ryan and Travis, and my friend, Kim, were friendly, very caring and careful as they applied the splint and worked with my ankle. Amanda, from X-ray was also very nice and caring.

We arrived at the ER door at approximately 6 p.m. and were on the way back up our lane to home about 7:20 p.m. – pretty efficient care and service at the Fayette County Hospital Emergency Department.

I have crutches, but I can’t seem to get the hang of them, so Bill walks with me and steadies me on the necessary trips down the hall. They would be a lot easier to use if I could use both feet.

While he is away working, I stay on the couch play on the laptop, read and watch TV. He comes home on his break, brings breakfast, and we stroll down the hall for a necessary break.

Josie, our little 10-year-old orphan “puppy,” and Callie, the cat, are keeping me company, staying by my side throughout the day.

Hopefully, the walking cast will enable me navigate on my own again, although the TLC is really nice. It is interesting that most people, when they heard of my fractured ankle commented they were sorry, but then added, “Maybe this will slow her down.”

I wonder if Dr. Sola could apply a “loping-along” cast, rather than just a “walking” cast?

But Still So Much To Be Thankful For…
…We really enjoyed the family get-together at daughter Jill and Don Jenkins’ home, including the visiting, the children and the delicious meal.

We had double the blessings this year, as we had Thanksgiving day dinner at the Gatewood Decatur residence with Jeremy, Lindsay, Destiny, Gage and Emily. Don and Jill were also present, along with other family members.

And we are especially thankful for the broken ankle – it could have been much worse – and I am getting a lot of “waiting on” and extra attention, no cooking, etc., thanks to Papa Bear Bill.

Christmas Spirit is in The Air
A Christmas Eve Service will be held at the Liberty Christian Church on Friday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. Michael Watson will be speaking.

“A Reason For Caring and a Season For Sharing”
Don’t forget about Caring and Sharing Christmas Baskets.

The First Baptist Church of Brownstown …
…has invited all to celebrate the true Christmas message as they present their Christmas cantata on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.

The Cantata is entitled, “And it Came to Pass.” A children’s musical presentation will be held on Sunday evening, Dec. 19.

The church is located three blocks north of U.S. Route 40, on the corner of Oak and Chestnut Streets.

Village Christmas Tree Donated
Village Clerk, Sherry Meador reported that Paul Willms, alma mater of BCHS, donated to the village a Christmas tree in honor of the Brownstown Fire Department.

Elementary Students to Make Village Christmas Tree Ornaments
As seems to have become a nice tradition, the Brownstown elementary students have again been asked to make the ornaments for the Village Christmas tree.

The village board voted to donate $50 to the elementary art department to purchase supplies for the students to make the ornaments. Certificates will be awarded.

Advent Service held at United Methodist Church
Pastor David Bigley gave the welcome and led in prayer at the Brownstown United Methodist Church for the Cluster Advent Service held Sunday evening.

Rev. Einfelder was the speaker at the well-attended service. The combined choir of the Emmanuel and United Methodist Churches provided the song service.

Bigley gave the benediction. Fifty of those attending stayed for fellowship and snacks following the service.

Coming & Going. Hello, Lois!
When visiting Brookstone Estates in Vandalia recently, it was a pleasant surprise to see long-time Brownstown-Sefton resident and friend Lois Jackson in the dining room.

She was being visited by her granddaughter, Kadi Jackson. Lois said she moved to Brookstone about three weeks ago and is very happy there. Her room number is 23, in case of anyone sending cards or visiting.

Flo Hosts Thanksgiving Dinner
Flo Allen hosted a family Thanksgiving dinner. She said that 14 relatives from “up north” gathered in her home for visiting and enjoying the dinner with al the trimmings.

There were six great-grandchildren and eight adults present. The youngest child was 7 months old and the oldest child was 6 years old.

Joann Has Holiday Company
Visiting Joann Strobel for a week was her daughter and family from Seymour, Wis., Jana and Matt Bone, Keenan, Clint, Meredith, and Caleb and friend Shelia Conway were here to attend the wedding of Adrienne Smith and Walt Kinney in Vandalia on Saturday, Nov. 20.

A sister, Karen Underwood from Beardstown, was also here for most of the week for the wedding and Thanksgiving, visiting with the Bone family and another sister, Cathy and Bill Smith and Ashton. The Bones also spent time with his mother, Georgia and Roger Krause of Vandalia.

Strobel Family Thanksgiving
A Thanksgiving get-together for the Strobel family was held at Joann Strobel’s home on Friday, Nov. 26.
Attending were Kyle Strobel, Indianapolis, Ind.; Rodney and Robin Strobel, Hunter and Avree, Chuck and Kim Strobel, Lacy, Emily and friend Jake, Greg and Angela Strobel, Joylynn, Pierce and friend Britney Moake, Bill and Cathy Smith and Ashton, Mallory and Ryan Wise of Auburn; and Karen Underwood of Beardstown.

First Christian Church
The congregation of First Christian Church was greeted by Phyllis Pryor and led in songs of praise by Mathew Smith and Don Lovett, accompanied by Susan Smith-pianist; Mitchell Smith-drums; Chuck Enlow, Rick Cox and James Schaible-guitars; and Matt Shelton-saxophone.

Special music was contributed by Matt Shelton, followed by the message, delivered by John Robinson. Matthew Smith led the Communion meditation and prayer.

Also serving: Laura Willms-Sunday school nursery; Marcia Pemberton-a.m. Nursery; Barb Tackett and Abby Enlow, toddler worship; Don Lovett and John Robinson, Communion to shut-ins.

Announcements
•Saturday at 11 a.m.: Ladies Christmas Lunch and Secret Sister Reveal. Men who can help should contact Jamie Smith.
•Sunday School Contest-What class can collect the most for Caring & Sharing? Contest ends Sunday, Dec. 12. Get started and win a pizza.
•Leadership selection will be on Sunday, Dec. 12, at the end of the morning worship time. Use the nomination ballot in your bulletin to suggest someone for leadership.
•Sunday School Christmas program, “Birth of Jesus and the Christmas Tree.” See Sherry Meador for more details and to see if you can help.