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Brownstown-Sefton News

First of All, Don’t Forget the Time Change …
… is Sunday at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour.
Critters Update
Katy, the Lab/blue heeler mix (Bill’s dog) is now ensconced happily in her new quarters on the northern point of the lane (in other words, here with us).
She is adjusting much better than we thought she would, as she had never seen the longhorn cows before.
She barked very little when she first saw them and now they are sleeping in the corner near her pen (but on their side of the fence). The cows have moved their sleeping area near us since we moved here.  
She did bark early this morning when Josie had to go outside. We hope she isn’t disturbing our good neighbors, We think as she becomes more familiar with her new surroundings, she will settle down.
Josie …
… the 13-year-old puppy, continues to improve and is eating, drinking, pottying  and yapping at us. All systems seem to be working, from end to end.
Callie, the Kitty …
… will come here next. We are concerned about Callie being this close to  the highway and are trying to think of a safe environment for her. She is inside a lot, but she likes to go out sometimes. She stayed close to the house in the woods, so hopefully, she will do the same here. She will probably spend a lot of her time napping in the sun on the deck (when we get it built) and in the deep casement, sunny windows in the house.  
New Taste Treat in Mark’s Café …
… but not found on the menu. Dropping in at Mark’s for BLT sandwiches  and mushrooms one evening, we were soon involved in a conversation among Dave Sefton, Henry and Connie Harre, and Joe and Wilma Kruger. The subject of the best way to cook a duck came up. (As I have had several pet ducks over the years, namely Rosalee, Fibber McGee, Fluffy, Donald, and others), and consider a baby duck as one of the cutest things in God’s creations. However, little fuzzy chickens are also really cute, but fried chicken is a favorite of mine.
Dave’s Duck Jerky
Dave Sefton left the restaurant and returned a few minutes later with a plastic bag of duck jerky. I have to admit, it was pretty tasty (but it helped that I did not know the duck’s name).  
As I chewed the really flavorful jerky, I thought about how Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, great-great great grandpa Isaac Weaver and the old-time cowboys etc., probably depended on deer or beef jerky for food while out on the trail or cattle drive. Now a days, they would probably have granola energy bars, chocolate bars and potato chips in their knapsacks, and possibly even little cans of beanie weenies, tuna, and Spam, since a can opener is no longer required for the snap-open cans.
From the sound of the conversation, the guys seemed to have different recipes and methods to make jerky. Henry said it can be made in the kitchen oven, but can cause a lasting, unpleasant odor in the house and wife Connie  nodded agreement. Dave prefers to cut the meat into strips and fry it. Roasted duck with orange marmalade was suggested and met with approval.
Summing Up
The suppertime experience and conversation at Mark’s was very interesting and hometown-entertaining – kind of like Floyd’s Barber Shop in Sheriff Andy Taylor’s Mayberry. The BLT sandwiches, mushrooms and iced tea – and Dave’s Duck Jerky – were all good and just hit the spot.
Your Contributions to the Column …
… are appreciated. Please get your items and news to me by Monday afternoon or early Monday evening. via the black mail box under the pink mail box on U.S. Route 40, on the telephone or by e-mail.  
Coming Up in Our Community
The Golden Years Club’s annual homemade soup dinner and bazaar is Saturday, with dinner from from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
The menu includes homemade chicken noodle, vegetable and chili soups;  dessert; and drink.
Donations for the meal will be appreciated.
Vendors are welcome – tables available $5 each; for table rental, call 427-3817. Watkins, Fuller Brush, Stanley and Avon products will be available.
Note to Golden Years Club Members
All Golden Years members are requested to bring desserts for the soup dinner and bazaar.
Attention-Fayette County HCE Members
Any documents, such as your CVU hours sheet or items that require the signature of CVU (Community Volunteer  Hours) Director Donna Blair, must be given to Flo Allen for signature, due to Blair’s temporary absence..
The Next Sefton Unit Meeting…
… will be held Nov. 14, with a program on “Honey, Gardening, Flowers and Butterflies” to be presented by Julia Miller, daughter of member Betty Miller. Members are to take cookies, cupcakes, etc., for refreshments and tasting and members are encouraged to provide enough so extras may be taken home by members.  
Purses! Purses! Purses! & Bake Sale …
… at the Brownstown Fire Station on U.S. Route 40 on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m.-02 p.m. Straight from New York-designer duplicates-
big-city styles at small-town prices. Great Christmas and birthday gifts. Cash, check, credit/debit cards accepted. Benefits the Brownstown Branch Library.
Community Thanksgiving Service…
… at Liberty Church on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 6 p.m.
Finfrock Fund Fundraiser
The Brownstown Community School Unit 201 Foundation will be giving away three old-fashioned, all-steel pedal fire trucks with bells and ladders at the high school girls’ home basketball game on Dec. 19 at the high school. Tickets can be purchased at the First National Bank of Brownstown and at all JH and HS girls home basketball games. Tickets are one for $1 or six for $5. This raffle is to benefit the Charles Finfrock Scholarship Fund that the Foundation oversees.
Mr. Finfrock was a teacher for many years at Brownstown. One scholarship is awarded to a student who will be entering the education field upon graduation.
There is a fire truck on display at the bank and at the high school.  Any questions, you can call Jerry Reed at the Bank or contact any board member: Joe Sefton, Jerry Reed, Debbie Fulk, Debbie Robbins, Mary Ann Doehring, Elvera Robison, Connie Largent, Christy Warner, Suzanne Stinebring or Randy Mason.
Winter Clothes & Shoes Needed for Our Vets
Don Fruitger, member and former commander of Brownstown Post 9770,
said that clean clothes and shoes are badly needed for our veterans.
If you can spare good, clean clothes, but have no way to deliver them, Fruitger is willing to come pick them up. Call 322-8945 for pick up.
Birthday Celebration
On Sunday, Bill’s sister, Ava Taylor of Mulberry Grove, invited Bill and Panzi to join her at Denny’s in Vandalia to celebrate Panzi’s birthday. Also seen were cousin’s Ron and Mary Howard and other friends.
Fayette County HCE Board Presents Quilt
The Fayette County Home and Community Education Board met at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, at the Vandalia Extension Office.
Club President Flo Allen called the meeting to order and led the pledge to the American flag.
The board welcomed guests and winner of the baby quilt given to the first Fayette County baby born during HCE week, Oct. 6-12. Jaxson Ryder Washburn arrived on Oct. 8, 2013, at 8:41 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 13 ounces.
Jaxson and his mother, Elizabeth Washburn, and his grandmother, Rae Lynette Arnold, were invited to come to the meeting to be presented with the quilt, which was made by club member Shirley Klitzing. Young Jaxson chose to doze during the meeting, but will no doubt appreciate the quilt this winter.
Secretary Joyce Mueller called the roll and read the September minutes
Treasurer Dorothy Harpster gave the club’s financial report, which stood approved as read. Harpster gave a printout of the report to each member present.  
First Vice President Phyllis Pryor talked about the August workshop during which suggestions on desserts were made. She mentioned the November unit meeting, at which members are to bring cupcakes, candy, cookies, etc. for refreshments and tasting.
It was suggested extra desserts be brought so members may take some home. Fundraisers were also suggested.
Second Vice President Anna Jean Rhodes reported the membership numbers still stand at 113 members. She displayed a clipping dated 25 years ago that named the late Mary Reed as Homemaker of the Year. Rhodes had checked some HCE history files and reported that knitting, making over lampshades, cooking classes and crafts were some of the projects and activities the Fayette County HCE did in the past.
Harpster said that she had an old program book that had belonged to her mother-in-law.
Anita Smith reported she had been unable to deliver the shoes for the Operation Shoes project as the receptacle in Greenville was no longer in place, and she has received no response to the numerous phone calls to the telephone numbers listed at the church.
Debbie Segrest reported she had just sent 30,000 coupons to the military, the most sent at one time.
Donna Blair said Great American Family nominations need to be in, and up to 10 pages will be accepted. Blair also suggested the HCE Week Baby Quilt should be a yearly event, and in the event a baby was not born during the week, that the time be extended to include the HCE Month.
Allen reminded all off the need to have the CVU (volunteer hours) turned by the end of December. Counting and listing the minutes/hours is important for the Fayette County HCE records.
Allen announced the delivery of more tabs to McDonald’s in Vandalia, and announced that Fayette County Hospital Long Term Care has enough plastic lids for its bench. Allen also said the Pennies for Friendship deadline is Nov. 1.
Allen saod she has a lot of material about autism and hopes to have a program on it in the future. She also suggested a presentation on breast cancer, both programs to be held after the first of 2014.
Blair suggested using the Fayette County Hospital conference room and a tour to view the mammogram machine.
Panzi Blackwell, Public Relations, reported good newspaper coverage of Vandalia Mayor Ricky Gottman’s proclamation for HCE week. The club’s “Plastic caps for a Bench” for Brookstone Estates rated a photograph and article in local newspapers.
“Christmas Cards for the Military” need to be brought to be sent in time for Christmas.
Blackwell also said that the term of Sharon Middleton, Public Relations and coordinator of the IAHCE Newspaper, will end in March.
Blackwell emailed Middleton to obtain printouts on “Desserts for two from the Microwave” and  “Holiday Treats.” Middleton was to check and get back with information.
Blackwell also reported that a grandchild of  Middleton’s is waiting for a liver transplant.
Allen read a touching thank you note received from member Irene Reed.
Allen gave each one present a tiny pumpkin on which she had drawn a cheerful little face.
The meeting adjourned it 11, after which several went to Los Amigos Restaurant for a past and present officers luncheon.
Attending the luncheon were Klitzing, Smith, Evelyn Probst, Segrest, Anna Jean Rhodes, Harpster and Karen Hyde.
Present for the Board meeting also included Allen, Pryor, Blair, Mueller and Blackwell.
UMC Holds Potluck
The United Methodist Chuch held a potluck supper on Sunday evening,  followed by an open mic night.
Pianist Bette Stolte opened the program after the supper, following prayer led by Pastor Don Thomas.
The youngest offering specials were: Elaine Voelker on piano and Jarin Evans sang. Others were: Barb Morrison-vocal solo; Bill Stolte-skit;  Norma Walters-vocal solo; song by Emmanuel choir; reading by Flo Allen; Morgan Pryor-skit; Tim Carruthers- accompanied himself on guitar and sang; and Gennell Hacket-vocal solo.
Thomas told several stories and closed the evening with prayer.
First Christian Church
The congregation of First Christain Church was greeted by Faye Schwarm and Cathy Haynes. They were led in songs of praise by Kaitlyn Enlow, Cathy Smith and Brent Keyes, accompanied by guitarists Chuck Enlow and Walt Kinney, pianist Robin Lovett and Mitchell Smith on drums.
Charlie Watson led the Communion prayer and meditation. Kaitlyn Enlow contributed special music. Pastor Kevin Bonifacius delivered the morning message.
Also serving-Laura Willms-Sunday school nursery; Ron and Tena Gould-toddler worship; and Bill Smith and Don Lovett-Communion to shut-ins.
Announcements
• Kingdom Hillbillies concert is Sunday at 6 p.m. Bonifacius is a part of this gospel group. Fellowship following the concert.
Community Thanksgiving service-Sunday, Nov. 24, at 6 p.m. at Liberty Christian Church.
• Card shower for Jamesly Jesse, son of Nathan Jesse. Jamesly is being treated at Children’s Hospital in Tennessee. Address is: Jamesly Jesse, Monroe Carell, Junior Children’s Hospital, Vanderbilt Room 8419, 2200 Children’s Way, Nashville, Tenn. 37232.
United Methodist Church
Pianist Bette Stolte played the prelude as the congregation of the Brownstown United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday morning worship services. Jeff Kelly and Hubert Williams served as ushers. Bradley Schwarm lighted the altar candles.
Pastor Don Thomas greeted all; shared the announcements, prayer list and requests; recognized the October birthdays and anniversaries; and led in prayer. He also delivered the morning message.
Jenna and Zack led the children’s worship. Flo Allen led the adult Sunday school.
Announcement
Operation Christmas Child (filled) shoe boxes should be returned to the church by Nov. 17, so they can be delivered to the collection site that week.  Drop-off days are: Monday-Wednesday, 3-5 p.m.; Tuesday, 5-7 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 5-7 p.m.; and Saturday, 10-noon.
 

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