Brownstown-Sefton News–Sept. 16, 2010

By Panzi Blackwell

 J.B., the Rogue Rooster, has Flown the Coop
We felt regrets about giving up on him, but J.B., the Rogue Rooster, moved to a new roost – Becky, Anna and Jamie Taylor Ranch‘s chicken roost, that is. His disposition was not improving.
In fact, every time I went near the fence, he would glare at me with an evil eye. He would even stop eating to watch me, and ruffle up the feathers around his neck. I think that is to make him look bigger, to intimidate the foe.
To think I had treated him with nothing but kindness since he was this high, just a fuzzy, cute, little baby chicken, and he turned on me, the one who would be least likely to harm him in the whole world. I think that the egg he hatched from must have somehow been misshapened or shaken up.
He certainly did not appreciate life. He could’ve wound up as meringue on a lemon pie, to which he could have also contributed the filling.
Three of the girls (Davena, Becky and Timisina) went with him, as they have stayed together.
“Fuzzy,” “Blackie” and “Anita” remained here on the Homestead, because when we went to their pen to get them, they began singing to us and had laid three lovely, large eggs, all in a row in their nest.
We think when Fuzzy, Blackie and Anita heard the ruckus of putting the others in the coop, they quickly laid the three eggs and began harmonizing on their chorus, in an effort to dodge the bullet. It worked.
In all fairness, though, those three girls usually sing to us when we go near their pen. They were originally put in a separate pen, because J.B. was mean to them and chased them away from the chicken food. He has been a rebel rouser since puberty.
He was a very large, proud and handsome guy, and we did enjoy hearing him crow and we miss that wakeup call every morning.
But it has always been the “critter policy” here on the Homestead that everyone gets along.
If the late “SnowWhite,” the lovely “Miss America” of all geese was still here, we have no doubt she would have taught J.B. the proper Homestead Critters behavior and manners, just as she did with the all the critters.
“See You At The Pole”…
…will be Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 7 a.m. at the Brownstown High School flag pole.
Brownstown Sports Boosters’ All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry…
…is Friday, Sept. 24, at the elementary school cafeteria, from 4:30-7 p.m.
The menu includes: catfish filet, walleye, popcorn shrimp and chicken strips, potato salad, cole slaw, applesauce, baked beans, hush puppies and drinks. The cost is: adults-$8; children12 and under-$6. Carry-outs will be available.
Advance tickets may be purchased from any student in sports or cheerleaders, and at the high school office or at the door.
Proceeds for this event will be used to purchase new uniforms and equipment for grades 5-12. This fish fry fundraiser has been selected to eliminate the burden of individual fundraisers on parents and sports teams.
The Sports Boosters purchase all uniforms for baseball, girls and boys basketball, cheerleading and scholar bowl. The cost of uniforms has sky-rocketed, and the club tries very hard to keep the uniforms nice and in style.
Local Celebrations
Birthdays: Matt Sefton, Katrina Wollerman and Brett Fergusen. Anniversary: Luke and Holly Robison.
Sefton Unit HCE Visit Brookstone Estates
Eighteen members of the Sefton Unit Home and Community Education visited the Brookstone estates Assisted Living Facility on Thursday, Sept. 9, bearing cookies and favors.
Sixteen residents of Brookstone gathered in the dining room for the HCE party of entertainment and refreshments. Beth Smith, assistant administrator, and Paige Miller, CNA, also joined the group and provided the iced beverages. .
The room was decorated with autumn colors, with each table holding a colorful centerpiece.
The club presented a sing-along program of old favorite songs, with pianists Tammy Carson and Connie Largent providing the accompaniment, leading the singing and contributing vocal solos.
Prior to the music program, President Flo Allen held a brief meeting and made the following announcements:
• Bond County HCE will hold a dinner and craft show on the morning of Oct. 11, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the HCE Building at the Bond County Fairgrounds. If you buy a craft, you will get your lunch free. A display of crafts will be available prior to the event. Call for (lunch) reservations at the Bond County Extension Office 664-3665.
• The annual baby shower for Lighthouse Pregnancy Center in Vandalia will be moved from the October HCE meeting to the November meeting:
• Kate Jennings will be taking a trip to Mansfield, Ind., to the Covered Bridge Festival.
• A Sefton Unit HCE  “hobo stew” dinner will be held for the Oct. 14, noon meeting at the Golden Years building. Each member is to take two cans of food, one of vegetables to put in the stew pot and one can for the food pantry.
Members are to take items for Vandalia Rehabilitation and Health Care Center for bingo prizes, the country store, etc. Desirable items include figurines, jewelry, knick-knacks, books and toiletries.
Allen also display a child’s dress she made from the pattern to be used for the club’s project, “Little Dresses for Africa.” The dress pattern is simple and easy-to-follow, with two variations for the top, using elastic or bias tape.
The sizes include 3-5, 7-9 and 10-12. Allen’s sample dress was cotton print, in cheerful, bright colors, and was relatively inexpensive to make. A third variation in the pattern is modifying a pillowcase to make a dress. Allen distributed copies of the patterns to the members.
Allen then shared several humorous readings and jokes with the residents. The musical segment opened as Largent accompanied Carson as she sang, “God Bless America,” and moved on into a medley of patriotic songs with many singing along. Favorite hymns were sung, including “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “Amazing Grace.” “Happy Birthday” was sung to Bernadine Stanley, who was celebrating her 93rd birthday. HCE member and resident Leona McConaughay had also celebrated her 93rd birthday on Sept. 5. She expressed her appreciation for all the beautiful cards that she had received.
Favors of refrigerator magnets were given to the residents.
Residents present were Ruth Reeter, Eithal Hoffman, Norma Willms, Arvella Abendroth, Dorothy Cole, Bernadine Stanley, Berniece Walton. Virginia Bolyard, Adell Heidbreder, Betty Stone, Romona Jackson, Edith Simmons, Leona McConaughay (also a member of HCE), Marge Thoman, Millie Thull and Nancy Shipman.
Members present were Lucille Fisher, Margaret Yakel, LaVonne “Bonnie” Kramer, Sally Behrends, Panzi Blackwell, Leona McConaughay (also a resident), Flo Allen, Shirley Klitzing, Shirley Mattes, Joyce Fisher, Phyllis Bruno, Phyllis Pryor, Carol Oldham, Betty Williams, Normalee Terry, Rosemond Hobler, and Connie Largent and Tammy Carson.
Next HCE meeting is on Oct.14, a hobo dinner at noon.
Brownstown First
Christian Church
Ron and Tena Gould greeted the members of the First Christian Church as they gathered for Sunday morning worship.
A ladies’ trio, Cathy Smith, Susan Smith and Joann Strobel, contributed special music. John Robinson delivered the message. Mitchell Smith led the Communion meditation and prayer.
Also serving: Sunday school nursery: Ellen Willms; a.m. nursery: Yena Gould; toddler worship: Bonnie Shelton and Karen Willms; Quest-4-Christ: Michael Watson & Quest-4-Christ Team; and Communion to shut-ins: Terry Smith & Matthew Smith.
Announcements
• Xtreme : (K-5th grade) is Wednesdays, 3:30-5 p.m.
• “Bad Girls” Bible study resumed this Tuesday at the church, featuring “Unveiling Mary Magdelene” by Liz Curtis Higgs. See Joan Strobel for more details.
• Catch-Up offering is this Sunday. During the morning worship service, a second offering will be received to help catch up the 2010 budget.
• Baby Bottle Boomerang for Lighthouse Pregnancy Center has begun. Take a bottle, sign the sheet, fill it with money and bring it back Oct. 3.
Life-Chain Sunday is from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. the same day.
Liberty Christian Church
The congregation of Liberty Christian Church was greeted by Rosalie Cox and welcomed by Jim Dann with the call to worship. Erin Klug, Kara Barker and Barb Morrison led the congregation in songs of praise, accompanied by Kim Miller, pianist, and Tammy Carson on the keyboard, sound by Tom Mayes and Power Point by Dana Dann.
Aaron Miller shared the praises and prayer requests, and led in prayer. Kara Barker contributed special music.
Jim Dann delivered the morning message. Dave Morrison led the meditation and prayer. Kyle Anderson led the offering prayer. Vernon Brazle shared the announcements and Delmar Miller gave the benediction.
Also serving: welcome center: Dorothy Durbin; serving at the table: Delmar Miller, Dave Morrison; serving the congregation: Kyle Anderson, Aaron Miller, Charlie Moore, Brad Smith, Frank Stringfield, Bob Buzzard; ushers: John Schaub, Brian Smith; nursery: Margaret Luster, Nathan Schaub; Communion preparation: Elvera Robison; Communion rounds: Delmar Miller, Ken Lamb; and youth refreshments: Barb Morrison.
Announcements
Second Annual Jump for Joel…
…in St. Elmo. A spaghetti dinner fundraiser is from 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 24; and the marathon (half & full) is at 9 a.m. on Sept. 25.
Missionary Visit
Antonio and Jenny Gomez will be at Liberty on Sept. 26 with the update about Monterrey Christian Mission (a mission Liberty supports on a monthly basis).

Panzi Blackwell