Brownstown-Sefton News

“Sweetly” is the name …
… of the new, sweet little face at the Charlie and Kathy Depew home.
And the Rest of the Story
While having lunch at Mark’s this week, we saw Charlie and Kathy Depew, and Charlie told us an endearing story about his wife, Kathy (who is a very lovely, kind, compassionate and intelligent lady!)
It seems they were at a sale and Kathy saw this little donkey that was to be sold to the highest bidder. She fell in love with the little animal (I can understand that!) and looking around, saw no one who she felt would really take good and proper care of the little donkey.
She did notice some people who seemed interested in the little fellow, but did not seem likely to really take good are of it.
She stood there for a while and then decided she could not bear to watch it just sold to the highest bidder, maybe to someone who wouldn’t really be good to it, so she just walked away.
When she returned, she wondered about the little donkey, but didn’t really want to know if the wrong people had bought it. Then Charlie told her they “better get your donkey loaded up!” (Therefore, I really like Charlie too!)
The little donkey’s name was “Sweetly,” and as it fitted him, she didn’t change it.  
Charlie and Kathy Depew have “rescued” several animals and have given a good, caring home, complete with veterinarian treatment whenever needed.  
Kathy commented that she is a sucker for animals – I believe she is an “angel” for caring about God’s creatures … and Charlie is too!
Katie Comes in the House
Katie, the black Lab/blue heeler mix, has never seemed to like being n the house, but with the forecast of bitter, cold temperatures, we just couldn’t leave her outside … and she doesn’t seem to mind this time.
Her coat is not long, but it is thick and dense, so she is more comfortable outside normally.
Because of Callie, the kitty, and Josie, to avoid problems, Bill brought in the really large cage for her and she seems quite content in it. It is roomy enough that she can stand up, move around and lie down comfortably.
She has food and water in one of the corners, and she gets an occasional doggie treat. It is out of the line of traffic, but she can see what is going on and she seems mildly interested, but not overly so. Bill accompanies her on her “outings,” as we are afraid she might run out onto the highway, as she is not used to being so near it.
Rhonda and Blackie Hens …
… seem snug and comfortable in their new chicken dwelling, as they were out clucking in the sunshine for a while this morning. They sit close together on their enclosed roost, so that seem to be keeping warm.
And …
… spring is just around the corner, waiting until the ground can soak up the nitrogen from the beautiful snow.
Christmas of 2013 and New Year’s Day 2014 are now history, but the spirit and meaning of Christmas should remain with us all year long, and should begin the new year with renewed hope and optimism and (in my case) try to manage my time better and do more for others, starting here on the Homestead and radiating outward.
The Early Deadlines …
… are over for the time being, but please be sure to get your news, church news,  and other items to me by early Monday afternoon to be assured they will be in that week’s news column.
Announcements
Sefton HCE
This Thursday’s meeting has been canceled because of the cold weather and snow. The next HCE Unit meeting will be the annual Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Potluck on Thursday, Feb. 13. Be sure to take a signed Valentine for drawing out of the old-fashioned Valentine box (like we used to have in grade school).
Winners of the Fire Trucks
The winners in the raffle of the three fires trucks that the Brownstown Community Unit 201 School Foundation held were Lucian Chandler, Tony Thomason and Tracy Ogle.
The money raised from this raffle will be used toward the Charlie Fimfrock Scholarship, which the foundation administers and which is given to a graduating senior who will be entering the field of education.
Many of you know that Charlie was an educator/boys basketball coach in the Brownstown School District for many years before leaving to teach in the Vandalia School District, from which he retired.
Coming & Going
Shirley’s Annual Family Christmas Celebration
Shirley Behrends of rural Sefton had all of her children, their spouses, their children and their spouses and/or friends, along with her first great-granddaughter, arrive at her house on Friday night, Dec. 20, for their annual Christmas sleepover.
All of the group first attended the St. Elmo Holiday Basketball game, in which her youngest grandson, Jacob Behrends, played for the St. Elmo/Brownstown team. The team won in overtime (the overtime was much to the dismay of the group, as they wanted to get to Grandma’s for snacking and opening presents).
Once the group arrived at Grandma’s, they decided to open presents, as David Behrends had to work on Saturday, as he is the owner/manager of Denny’s in Vandalia.
Once this was done, it was time for the airbeds to be aired up for all of the grandchildren/spouses/friends in her long living room.
It was a sight to behold. Shirley’s three oldest children went upstairs to sleep in the rooms they had slept in when they lived there. There was a total of 25 sleeping over, besides Shirley.
On Saturday morning, after a huge breakfast, it was time for the tradition of making and decorating sugar cookies, gingerbread houses and hard rock candy, which the youngest granddaughters enjoyed.
On Saturday night, several of the group returned to St. Elmo for the championship game in which Jacob again played.  The team lost, but it was just nice to have so many members of one’s family supporting a team member.
Those who enjoyed the Christmas activities at Shirley’s were: Jim, Debbie, Jacy, and Cody Robbins, Brady Deutsch and Tessa Davison of Vandalia; Mark, Tracy, Marissa and Ashely Schmid of Auburn; Jody, Jamie, Brooke and Gracie Meador of Virden; Mark, Sarah and Briley Schmid of St. Elmo; David, Joyce and Jacob Behrends, Daneille Austin, Joshua and Jenny Behrends, and Steve Behrends, all of Sefton; and Jessica Behrends of Bolivar, Mo.
Sally has Christmas Guests
Christmas Eve guests in the home of Sally Behrends of Sefton were: Phil, Karen, Shane and Nicole Zimmerman, Effingham; John David, Krista, Kaitlyn and Johnnie Behrends, Normal; Bob, Cindy, Mary Beth and Rebecca Blair, Geneva;  Jim and Debbie Robbins, Vandalia; and Martin and Carol Ann Behrends, Elizabeth Kasten, Steve Behrends and Shirley Behrends of Sefton.
Christmas Day at Shirley Behrends
Christmas Day guests in the home of Shirley Behrends were: her sister, Sharon Downs, Taylorville; Wendy, Susie and Alexandra Posnock, Highland Park; Todd, Michelle and Alex Chambers, Jenni Goodman, Taylorville; DJ, Katie, Nathaniel and Madison Wilson, Midlothian, Va.; Jim, Debbie and Cody Robbins, Vandalia; Mark, Tracy, Marissa, and Ashley Schmid, Auburn; Jody, Jamie, Brooke, and Gracie Meador, Virden; Christopher, Sarah and Brylie Schmidt, St. Elmo; Josh and Henny Behrends, Steve Behrends, Steve Behrends, Sefton; and Jessica Behrends, Bolivar, Mo.  
Homesteaders Enjoy Coffee with Sister
Bill and Panzi Blackwell saw his sister, Ava Taylor of Mulberry Grove, going into a store in Vandalia on Saturday, and invited her meet them at Denny’s Restaurant in Vandalia for a cup of delicious pumpkin coffee (with whipped cream). The visit was enjoyed very much, as was the time of relaxation in the warm and pleasant atmosphere.
Being Enjoyed During This Cold Weather…
… is just being at home at night (including New Year’s Eve) with a fire burning in the fireplace, hot chocolate and snacks, our little in-the-house critters and just  relaxing and being thankful for our home and all our blessings.
Bill enjoyed the TV programs and football games, while I enjoyed reading some really good mystery books from Joanna’s WW&W bookstore.  (I am reading a series from the Guideposts magazine at present entitled “Secrets of Mary’s Book Store.”  (The books are really interesting and challenges me to try to figure out “who done it.”)
Also enjoyed….
… was a visit with Brad Elmore, who resides at the Fayette County Hospital Long Term Care. We found Brad cheerful and looking well. He played a song for us on the piano before we left.
   I also saw a long-time friend, Doris Hopkins, another LTC resident. She too, looked good, and we had a pleasant few minutes to visit.
And …
… also on hand, visiting others in LTC were two special Brownstown ladies, Connie Largent and Connie Bingaman.