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Brownstown-Sefton News

Critter Barn Appreciated by Barn Critters
The critter barn is now sheltering the donkeys, Madricka and her young son, Buckwheat (Baby Bucky), and of course, Lady, the senior mini-horse.
The first night, Madricka objected to the barn door being closed and even butted her head against it. However, she is fine with that now and they have all stayed inside the barn when the weather is inclement.
We still have a few touches to add to it, mainly decorative and homey- looking, but the weather has things to a halt for a while. We have yet to build a shutter for the north window, but it is covered by a sheet of plexiglass to keep out the cold air and rain, while letting in daylight and some illumination from the pole light.
Other Effects of the Weather
Josie, the little, 15-year-old-puppy, absolutely does not want to venture out in the cold rain. She has never liked rain, but she would go out when an umbrella was held over her head … when the weather was warmer. Callie, the kitty, doesn’t really like the rain, but she likes to go outside to check out the area. She is soon back on the porch, however, ready to come back inside. She has her own room, with all the necessary facilities for any emergency or function (water bowl (fresh), food dish (filled) and litter box (filled with fresh litter).
She likes to come in the living room with us in the evenings and lounge nearby, but when she is ready to go back to her room, she looks at Bill and meows, which goes to prove she is his cat.
Katie, the blue heeler/ black lab mix, is content to stay outside. She has an igloo house, which Bill furnishes with straw. He has put rugs, pads and blankets in her house, but she drags them out.
Our late, precious, Candy, was also blue heeler/lab mix and she never liked to come in the house. She would pace and not lie down or even sit down, unless I told her to. She just did not like to be inside.
The longhorn cow girls do not like to be under a roof. When we rented the neighboring pasture, which has a large shed, they wouldn’t go in it, no matter what the weather was. Guess that dates back to their ancestors, who lived out on the open range. But, after all, we humans sometimes wear leather cowhide jackets for warmth.
We Homestead humans (namely Bill and Panzi) really appreciate the warm, dry house, electrically heated mattress pad and throws, fireplace, etc.
Add to those cups of hot cocoa with whipped cream and cinnamon, hot soup, etc., and we are two happy campers … and we know that this, too, will end and we will have warm, sunshiny days, warm summer rains, picnics, sun-warmed tomatoes from the garden, etc.; probably all are just around the corner.
Meanwhile …
… enjoy the season of Christmas, with the Christmas songs, trees, lights, even the hustle and bustle associated with Christmas. I enjoy just strolling through the stores with the “pretties” of Christmas, the Christmas carols, and remembering the Christmas story and what Christmas is all about – the birth of  the baby Jesus.
Some of you may remember the little brown paper sack of candy (candy orange slices, hard candy with colored pictures on them, chocolate drops,   peanuts,  a fresh orange and sometimes even more, all in the same sack and not “individually wrapped”). The sugar from the candy orange slices would be on everything in the sack, which made everything taste better.
Usually, we received these tasty treats from Sunday school, handed to us as we were leaving by very nice church members (who I thought were really elderly at the time, but realize now that they were probably the age that I am now).
The last time I saw the old-time Christmas candies for sale in boxes or bins so you could just scoop and sack up what and how much you wanted was when Larry and Lisa Rebbe owned the Red Fox Market in Brownstown.
We are looking forward to seeing the residents’ home lights and the village Christmas tree. Also, we enjoy seeing the tree ornaments made by the Brownstown Elementary School children, which might well become a tradition in the community.  
Caring & Sharing ….
… is once again preparing for deserving families in the Brownstown community Christmas baskets that include a Christmas dinner with all of the trimmings. Needed are non-perishable items, new toys, puzzles, games, teen items, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, Christmas decorations  and disposable dinner ware, and monetary gifts to purchase perishable food and special gifts. All collections need to be done by Dec. 18.
Fayette County HCE Board
Ten members were present for the Home and Community Education (HCE) November meeting.
Flo Allen, board president, called the meeting to order and led the pledge to the American flag. Anita Smith called the roll in the absence of the club secretary, Joyce Mueller.  
Smith read the minutes of the October meeting. The Nov. 24 birthdays of Flo Allen and Debbie Segrest were noted and the members sang the birthday song to Allen and Segrest.
At the meeting:
• Carol Bridge, club treasurer, gave the club’s financial report and presented a copy of the report to each one present. One minor error regarding a date was noted and corrected.
• Debbie Segrest, first vice president, gave reports that she had completed and delivered the new Fayette HCE Handbooks.
• Anna Jean Rhodes, second vice president, reported the club membership  started at 107. She reported two deaths – Mary Stokes of the Bingham-Ramsey Unit and Irene Reed of Vandalia Day. New members had been added, bringing the membership count to 114.
Rhodes also told of her bridge club attending of a luncheon in Effingham that featured the country of Germany. The menu featured German food. Rhodes obtained the recipes for the various dishes, which she will share with each club member at the board Christmas party.
• Anita Smith, community outreach officer, reported she is preparing to practice making crocheted mats from plastic bags for the homeless. She also reported on working on collections for club projects.
• Ashley Davis, cultural enrichment officer, has created attractive, unique, centerpieces following the HCE’s theme “Come Together, Walk With IAHCE. She is also creating symbolic ribbons to be distributed for wearing.
• Donna Blair, family issues officer, had arranged for the winner of the second annual baby quilt IAHCE Week Race to attend this meeting for the presentation of the quilt. Blair reminded all of completing their CVU Hours report and submitting them, preferably at the December meeting or mailing them to her by then.
• Shirley Klitzing, international officer, reported the country suggested to be honored at the International Potluck Dinner to be Lithuania. She said that the suggested country could be replaced by another country of the club’s choice,
• Panzi Blackwell, public relations, announced that the International Potluck Dinne, which honored Germany, with a photo of the guest speaker from Germany, Ursula Polzin, and club member Debbie Swain, who had served there in the military, were given good coverage in several area newspapers.
• The Fayette County HCE Board Christmas party will be held at Ponderosa in Vandalia on Monday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m. Blackwell reserved a room for Christmas party. In lieu of gifts, each member is asked to contribute $5, which will be donated to Lighthouse Pregnancy Center.
• The planned Cancer program for members and the public was dropped this year because of the unavailability of speaker at this time. They will plan to reschedule program next year. Blackwell will attempt to reach a speaker for possible dates.
During the meeting, Christine Mackiewicz and baby Oswald accompanied by her mother and the baby’s grandmother, Kathy Hall, arrived and Donna Blair, who had conducted the baby quilt project, presented the quilt to mother and baby.
The mother and grandmother expressed admiration and appreciation for the colorful, pretty quilt that was handmade by club member Shirley Klitzing.
The qualifications for winning the quilt was that the mother must be a resident of Fayette County and the baby was to be the first one born during the Oct. 6-12 week or after.
Baby Oswald was born on Oct. 10 at 7:08 p.m. at Greenville Regional Hospital and weighed 8 pounds and 9 ounces.
He has three siblings: brothers, Oliver, age 9, and Dexter, age 7; and sister, Aydia, age 4. Grandparents are Kathy and Dennis Hall. Baby Oswald will also be presented with a certificate.
Baby Oswald was alert and seemed interested in the proceedings, and posed for his photograph with poise and confidence.
Following the HCE Board meeting, those meeting for lunch at Huddle House in Vandalia were Allen, Klitzing, Rhodes, Smith, Segrest and Carol Bridges.
First Christian Church
The congregation of First Christian Church was greeted by Charles and Faye Watson as it gathered for Sunday morning services. Songs of praise were led by Cathy Smith, Jack Shelton and Brent Keyes, accompanied by pianist Susan Smith and guitarist Walt Kinney.
Duane Willms led the Communion meditation and Charlie Watson contributed special music, followed by the morning message, delivered by Kevin Bonifacius.
Also serving: Sunday School nursery-Faye Schwarm; a.m. nursery-Marcia Pemberton;  toddler worship-Billie Enlow and Shannon Claycomb; Quest-4-Christ-Q-4-C Team; shut-ins-Brent Keyes and Don Lovett.
Announcements
• Ladies Christmas supper and Secret Sister reveal-Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m.
• Christmas in the Chapel at LCU is Saturday, Dec. 6. Members will be going to the 2:30 p.m. performance. The cost is $12/person.
• Sunday school Christmas program is Sunday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m.
• Evening services dismissed through Jan. 4 in order to celebrate the holidays. The church will have a few special services during this time and resume regular evening services on Sunday, Jan. 11.
United Methodist Church
Pianist Bette Stolte pianist played the prelude as the congregation of the United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday morning services. Hubert Williams, Bradley Schwarm and Becca Ward lighted the altar candles.
Jim Green greeted all, recognized the November birthdays and anniversaries, shared the announcements and prayer list, and led in prayer. Green delivered the morning message.
Children’s worship was led by Pam Orr, who served refreshments. The adult class was led by Flo Allen.
Announcements
• Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m.-Emmanuel Christmas party. RSVP to Connie at 347-2203.
• Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.-All-church Christmas potluck & program at Brownstown UMC. Plates to shut-ins at 5 p.m.

                        
 

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