Brownstown-Sefton News
The Pasture Critters …
… Betsy Longhorn and her bovine family are enjoying the “Green, Green, Grass of Home,” and it really is green and lush. But they still seem to resent us confiscating part of their pasture. They don’t understand “public domain” (which, I have to confess, I don’t approve of it, either). When we are mowing the yard, they all run to the fence and follow the mower and person mowing. I personally feel that is their form of a protest.
However, they still want Josh’s good hay to go along with the grass.
Josie, the precious little senior doggie, has been diagnosed with dementia and her symptoms and behavior do seem much like people’s actions. Her main concern now seems to be an instinctive hunt for food, which is concentrated on her food bowl.
Rummage Sale & Bake Sale at Brownstown Methodist Church …
… this Friday (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Saturday (8 a.m.-noon). There is a need for baked goods for the bake sale. They will meet at 1 p.m. on Thursday to set up the rummage sale. Proceeds will go to missions.
Cleanup Day & Garage Sales
The Village of Brownstown has scheduled Cleanup Day for Friday, May 15. This is for those who pay for weekly trash pickup. Items should be placed in the same place as the weekly trash pickup.
The following items will not be picked up: tires, batteries, shingles, building materials, leaves, sticks, shrubs, trees, grass, garden clippings, any electronic equipment. Anyone having questions should contact the village hall during regular business hours – Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4p.m. or call 427-3345.
Reminder to Sefton HCE Members
The next meeting, on May 14, will be the Mother’s Day potluck at 11 a.m. Dues will be due. Elizabeth Kasten will present the lessons.
First Christian Church VBS …
… is June 7-12, 6-8:15 p.m. The theme is “Blast to the Past.”
Fayette County HCE Holds Board Meeting
The board members of the Fayette County Home & Community Education met Tuesday, April 27, at the Extension office in Vandalia. The club president, Flo Allen, opened the meeting at 10 a.m. and led the pledge to the American flag.
Joyce Mueller, secretary, gave the roll call, which found the following present: Flo Allen, Shirley Klitzing, Anna Jean Rhodes, Panzi Blackwell, Carol Bridges, Ashley Davis, Anita Smith, Joyce Mueller, Debbie Segrest and past officer Dorothy Harpster,
Mueller read the minutes of the March Board meeting.
Carol Bridges, treasurer, gave the financial report and gave each one present a print-out.
A discussion was held regarding the next district workshop and the location (Peoria).
Joyce Mueller gave information on the number of volunteers and average of hours. She stated that a ratio should be used according to the number of volunteers and hours reported.
Treasurer Carol Bridges suggested some changes be made in the budget. Anna Jean Rhodes suggested increase to $600 to the annual meeting and decrease amount for district workshop to $300. The April ending balance will be add to the reserve.
Debbie Segrest, first vice, reported that Fayette County HCE now has a Facebook page at FAYETTE COUNTY ILLINOIS HOME AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION.
Segrest also suggested that the HCE walk in parades when possible and distribute information regarding Fayette County HCE.
Second Vice Anna Jean Rhodes thanked the group for the desserts donated for the Extension Foundation dinner. She also asked that dessert donations for an upcoming dinner be in the form of pies and/or cobblers.
Rhodes said that Fayette HCE membership had raised from 115 to 117. The Vandalia Day unit recently acquired a new member, Katy Fromm.
Rhodes also showed a 35-year-old newspaper contained an item stating that Fayette County HCE was selling Abe Lincoln license plates for $5.
Ashley Davis, cultural enrichment officer, announced that Aperion Nursing Home in St. Elmo will be holding a program for the Alzheimer’s Unit called, “The Longest Day,” from 1 p.m. until dark on June 21.
There will be activities including a silent auction. Davis suggested the HCE donate a gift basket for the auction, which was approved.
Segrest suggested that members start planning for entries for the Fayette County Fair.
Shirley Klitzing, international officer, said that speakers for the International Dinner have been contacted and they have accepted.
The annual meeting will be held at Northside Christian Church in Vandalia on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. this year. More information will follow.
Flo Allen reminded all of a one-time project – “Shoes for Mongolia.” Members are to donate 10 cents for each pair of shoes they own.
Allen also shared a letter received from the IAHCE State president Marilyn Daughhetee, with information regarding a project to help other countries.
The project entitled, “Mongolia, Greenhouse Development” is supported by the USA Area ACWW. The letter shares, “The Mongolian Project will develop skills and livelihood for many families. The project is to build greenhouses in which crops can be grown effectively. The area of Mongolia is a rural area and sparsely populated. The project also seeks to improve the capacity of the female farmers with financial and training programs. “
The letter also contained an appreciative recognition of the club’s efforts in supporting NVON, a project to help provide safe drinking water for families.
The upcoming annual meeting was discussed. Anna Jean Rhodes volunteered to invite the new state president, Jean Chapman.
Reminder-Dues are due in June.
It was decided to move the project “Shoes for Mongolia” to the International meeting instead of the annual meeting. The annual meeting responsibilities for each unit were named.
Anna Jean Rhodes will send the nomination forms (Homemaker of the Year and Unit of the Year) to each unit with the board notes.
It was voted to name only one person for each unit and the person is eligible to win the honor only once.
Carol Bridges, Shirley Klitzing, Flo Allen and Anna Jean Rhodes will serve as the audit committee.
Appointing a nominating committee was discussed.
Rhodes reminded units of the need for information regarding perfect attendance and new members for each unit to be given to her before the annual meeting.
Meeting adjourned with the following attending the past and present officers luncheon at Los Amigos’ restaurant: Allen, Klitzing, Rhodes, Blackwell, Smith, Harpster and Segrest.
Golden Years Club
Twenty Golden Years members and friends signed the register Tuesday for the potluck meal, business announcements and entertainment.
Pastor Don Thomas, president of the club, welcomed all, asked the blessing and invited those celebrating April birthdays and anniversaries to be served first.
Following the meal, Thomas called the meeting to order and discussed mushrooms and the finding and the disposing of.
Treasurer Donnie Smail gave the financial report and said that he had learned that you do not have to take and pay for terrorist attack insurance, as had recently been discussed.
Smail also announced that the Golden Years Club is officially a Federal non-profit, tax-exempt club.
Nomination of Club Officers will take place at the club on May 12. The vote for club officers is May 26.
Thomas suggested a sandwich and beverage table in front of the building during the village-wide rummage sales on the first Saturday in June.
Thomas told a humorous and delightful story about his little granddaughter who wanted to go mushroom hunting with him.
Lucille Fisher and daughter Helen Klitzing said that Arbor Day at their house was really a big day. They had been informed that a tree was going to be brought to their home and planted to replace one that had been lost.
It turned out to be a big deal, as about 50 people gathered in their yard, including the mayor and the former mayor. One gentleman was on the scene passing out big cigars.
Betty Williams told a story about losing her jacket with the car keys in the pocket.
Pat Wojnar shared a joke about a spoon collection.
Brownstown United Methodist Church
Junior Williams and Jeff Kelly served as ushers as the congregation of the United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday morning worship. Eric McKinney, Dillian Elam, Jarin Evans, Emma Lwson and Brayden Elam lighted the altar candles. Pastor Don Thomas greeted all, recognized the birthdays and anniversaries, shared the announcements and prayer list, and led in prayer.
Children’s worship was led by Rebecca Evans, who also served cakes and juice. Flo Allen led the adult worship.
Announcements
• May 10-Mother’s Day and golden cross Sunday. The offering helps: Baby Fold, Chaddock, Lessie Bates Davis NH, UM Children’s Home, Alton Memorial Hospital, Evenglow Lodge, Sunset House, UM Village, Lawrenceville, Wesley Village and Unity Point Methodist Hospital in Peoria.
Brownstown First Christian Church
Matthew and Jamie Smith greeted the congregation of the First Christian Church as they arrived for Sunday morning worship. They were led in songs of praise by Susan Smith, Don Lovett and Cameron Calloway, accompanied by pianist Robin Lovett and guitarist Walt Kinney.
Special music was contributed by Karen Underwood. Kevin Bonifacius delivered the message.
The Annual Memorial Service…
… was held Sunday for church members who died during 2014.
Those memorialized were: Gary Haslett-July 2, remembered by Don Lovett; Morgan Pryor Sr.-Aug. 9, remembered by Faye Watson; Wilma Tackett-Oct. 29, remembered by Duane Willms.
A candle was lighted in memory for each, and a rose was given to family members. All of the music for the congregation and the special music were about heaven.
Also serving: Sunday school nursery-Ellen Willms; a.m. nursery-
Tena Gould; toddler worship-Joann Strobel and Bonnie Shelton; Quest-4-Christ- Q-4-C team; and shut-ins-Matthew Smith and Charlie Watson.
