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Brownstown-Sefton News

Critter Corner
A Sudden, Startling, Blood-Curdling Scream…
…erupted right at our feet the other night while we were peacefully (and drowsily) watching a TV show, scaring us almost out of our wits and sending Josie, the 12-year-old “puppy” into a frenzy.
It was just Callie, the (former) woods cat, when she apparently saw some unidentified predator at the patio screen door.
Callie isn’t a small cat by any means, but the scream/growl/hiss she emitted seemed far too loud and ferocious sound to be coming from her. She stalked to the door, tail switching, and Papa Bear Bill hurriedly jumped up and shut the glass door for fear of her going through the screen to attack who knows what type of, and how big, a creature. We didn’t hear a challenging response, so whatever it was must have high-tailed it back into the woods.
Callie is really a nice and affectionate cat, but she does have her moments. She loves to aggravate Josie, but never offers to hurt her. Instead of threatening her, she likes to cuddle up to her, which Josie hates.
To her credit, we have never seen her try to catch a bird, nor does she ever bother Star, the little white dove.
She will sometimes keep after us to get us to refill her bowl, but she acts the same way when she just wants us to come to her already-filled bowl and just watch her eat. Guess she doesn’t like to eat alone.
Thus, when we were so relaxed to be suddenly subjected to that terrible, ferocious scream that jangled our nerves, it sure put an end to the tranquility of the heretofore peaceful evening.
But we didn’t say anything to her. Guess she was just protecting her territory … and even, maybe us. (We are just thankful Callie doesn’t weigh about 150 pounds, and is 6-feet long, and 3-feet high.)
Coming Events
Easter Egg Hunt
• Saturday at 2 p.m., at the Brownstown Park, sponsored by the Brownstown Christian Church. Ages categories: 2-4, 5-8 and 9-12.
Easter Sunday Services
• Brownstown First Christian Church and Liberty Christian Church SONrise service at 6:30 a.m.; fellowship breakfast at 7:15 a.m.; resurrection worship-9:30 a.m.; family Sunday school (classes for the whole family) at 10:45 a.m. An Easter offering will be taken. Regular Sunday services will be held at Liberty following the breakfast.
There will not be an evening service at FCC or Liberty.
• Brownstown United Methodist Church and Emmanuel Methodist Church will hold a joint sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. at the Brownstown Church, with breakfast to follow. Each church will then have its own regular morning services.
Coming & Going
Homesteaders Take a Break
We – Bill & Panzi, the human inhabitants of the Homestead – decided to take a break, something we rarely do.
As our anniversary is coming up and we both have to work that day, we decided to celebrate it early by going to Giant City State Park. After making the cabin reservations, we discovered via online weather that they were slated for severe storms.
We decided to cancel and go at a later date. However, when I called to cancel, I was put on hold and then disconnected. As we really wanted to go, we took that as a sign and forged ahead with “the plan.”
The weather was perfect … all the way down and back, and in between. Although the TV continued offering warnings of severe storms with possible hail in the county we were in, not a drop of anything fell. In fact, the sky stayed a beautiful blue with some cumulous, beautiful white clouds.
We stopped at the lodge to be admitted, which is a history lesson in itself. There is a lot of information supplied about the construction of the building.
As you walk in the door, you are met by a huge buffalo and a baby buffalo. Of course, they are stuffed, but still very lifelike.
They do serve buffalo meat in the restaurant, supplied by a local buffalo farm/ranch. We never tried the buffalo burgers.
Our cabin was very comfortable, with huge rocks, trees and pretty scenery right in our yard. The restaurant served bountiful, delicious, home-cooked meals at reasonable prices. They also had fried green tomatoes on the menu. Our two waitresses, Jennie and Roxanne, were very efficient and friendly, and really made us feel welcome, and mealtimes so enjoyable.
We explored the historical, beautiful surroundings. There were attractive, informative signboards, which blended in with the landscape.
We drove down a very steep hill and saw the town of Makenda, which was an interesting experience.
It consists of one short, but interesting, main street, on which sat several local, colorful characters. They were all older men, one with a long white beard.
The town, which sits right alongside a now defunct railroad track, also has a history. The population is now about 500. We also visited the information center, which was well-worth the time spent there.
Needless to say, we really enjoyed our celebration days off, but were glad to get back home with our critters and to our home-in-the-woods, which is also beautiful, especially at this time of the year.

A Plea for Help in Locating…
…addresses for Brownstown High School graduates of the years 1993 and on. Nancy Pryor is appealing to parents, graduates and anyone else who would know these addresses to contact her via e-mail at npryor@frontiernet.net or call 427-3592.
Golden Years Meets and Schedule Work Day
Fifteen members and three guests were present for the Golden Years potluck/meeting on Tuesday, March 27. Welcome guests were Lola Gehle, Lou Christensen and Dorothy Emerson.
Spring flowers, lilacs, bluebells and a potted pansy decorated the tables. Charles Reece gave the welcome and recognized the guests.
The birthday of Lenore Parkison and the anniversary of the Rev. Mark and Marlys Thomas were acknowledged, and they were invited to be served first.
Rev. Thomas offered the blessing for the Thanksgiving-like potluck meal.
Among the offerings on the laden tables were Davis Redman’s S’mores,  apricot and lemon cupcakes, the reverend’s custard pie and chicken/dressing, and Carolyn Grames’s turkey dressing.
Following the meal, and Ina’s butterbeans, Donnie Smail’s  kitchen crew completed the cleanup detail.
Reece called the meeting to order. Treasurer Smail gave the financial report of expenses paid and a donation from the club’s friends, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Voisin.
A discussion was held on the club’s cleanup day, and it was decided to meet at the club building between 8:30 and 9 a.m. this Thursday. Cleaning supplies will be furnished, but all are welcome to bring favorite tools or cleaners. The more hands on deck, the faster and easier the work will go.
The next Golden Years Potluck meeting will be April 10, at noon; all seniors are welcome.
Brownstown United Methodist Church
Pianist Bette Stolte played the Sunday anthem, “Filled with Excitement,” as the congregation of the United Methodist Church gathered for the Palm Sunday service.
Bradley Schwarm and Kierah Thorp lighted the altar candles. Herbert Williams and Schwarm presented the tithes and offerings.
The Rev. Don Thomas delivered the morning sermon, and followed with Communion, assisted by Flo Allen.
Zach and Jenna Townsend led the children’s Sunday school. The adult class was led by Flo Allen.
Announcements
• Wednesdays-10 a.m and 7 p.m. Bible study, led by Jim Green at the church.
• Sunday-Easter Sunday sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., with breakfast to follow.
• April 15 Free Community Potluck Dinner at Brownstown UMC. Open to the public-come & enjoy the fellowship & dinner.
• April 19-United Methodist Women will meet.
First Christian Church
The Palacek family greeted the congregation of the First Christian Church as it arrived for Palm Sunday services.
Following songs of praise and special music, Jim Quick, camp director of Bond Christian Service Camp,  spoke on the camp and encouraged church involvement. Also serving: Faye Schwarm-Sunday school nursery; Tena Gould-a.m. nursery; Rae Lynn Koehler and Robbi Edwards-toddler worship; and Morgan Pryor, Terry Smith, and Don Williams- shut-ins.
Announcements
• Easter Egg Hunt-Saturday at 2 p.m. Rain date is April 14.
• Easter Sunday Service-SONrise service and breakfast at 6:30 a.m.; worship at 9:30.
 

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