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Brownstown-Sefton News

Blackie (hen) Not Adjusting to Loss …
… of her bosom buddy, Anita hen.
Blackie is definitely in a state of deep depression. She has pulled her tail feathers out and is not laying eggs. She doesn’t sing and talk to us as she did before “THE INCIDENT.”
She is wary of coming out of her pen. (I suspect that sly fox is checking on her from time to time at night time.)
We know she is lonely. She and Anita always sat close together on their roost and stayed pretty close together when out bugging the yard.
It goes to prove that critters have emotions and ties (I guess hence the saying, “birds of a feather flock together.”)
We wish it were spring coming up, so bugs would be plentiful and keep her busy. (Bill still doesn’t think we ought to bring her in the house. He is probably right.)
A Thought for the Day
“Don’t cry because its over, smile because it happened.”  I guess we should apply that to our regretful feelings about losing Anita.
She enjoyed a life of freedom and bountiful bugging before she met her untimely end … and we enjoyed her singing, company and eggs. That was the closest ( emotionally, that is)  I ever was to a chicken. She was special.
Coming Events & Happenings
Purses, Bake Sale & Book Sale …
… this Saturday at Good Old Days Banquet Center on U.S. Route 40 in Brownstown,  9 a.m.-3 p.m. to benefit the Brownstown Branch Library.
Designer duplicate purses straight from New York. Big-city styles, small-town prices. Cash, checks and credit/debit cards accepted.
For bake sale donations, drop them off at DeerPark Distributing on Friday or at the center Saturday morning. Contact Connie Bingaman at 427-3174 for more information.
Mark Your Calendars
• Sunday at 6 p.m.-Union Thanksgiving Service at First Baptist Church. The Rev. John Robinson will bring the massage.
 • Sefton Unit HCE Christmas Party is Dec. 8 at Ponderosa in Vandalia at 11 a.m.
• Golden Years Christmas Dinner Potluck is Dec. 13 at the Golden Years Club Building. Free blood pressure readings will be taken from 11 a.m.-noon by the Fayette County Health Department.
• Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.-Brownstown Elementary K-6 Music Program at the high school gym.
• Caring & Sharing will once again provide Christmas Baskets in the Brownstown community. Needed are: non-perishaable food items, new or like-new toys, puzzles, games, mittens, gloves, hates, scarves, socks, teen items, Christmas decorations, disposable dinnerware and monetary gifts to purchase other foods and special gifts. Have your items in by Dec.15. Call Paul or Deb Parkison at 347-2377 or drop off at the United Methodist Church by Dec. 11.
A Tip of the Hat to …
… Mr. Glenn Hazenfield of South Alabama, who called the Homestead with the comment that he enjoys reading the column in The Leader-Union every week. He said that he has a farm in Brownstown and was here recently, but was busy on the farm and didn’t get to visit with the local people. We appreciate Mr. Hazenfield taking the time and trouble to call.
Another Tip of the Hat to …
… Ken Puleo, who presented wife, Wanda, with a bouquet of roses Saturday. The roses came from their yard, which they consider a little amazing since the date was November 12, a little late for roses. Wanda shared the rose is named “knock-out rose,” and her bush is about 4 feet tall. It is a comparatively new variety and there is now one named, “double knock-out.”
Which Brought to Mind…
… a rose bush I once had for years, years ago. My brother had brought me a start of it and it flourished over the years.
I don’t know the name of the rose, but it usually had a bouquet of five or six roses on one stem. One year it was still in full bloom when the winter snow fell. It was an exquisite sight to see the beautiful red roses highlighted with snow trimming.
A few years ago, here on the Homestead, snow fell on the bluebells, which were also in full bloom. The bluebells emerged as pretty and fresh as they were before the snowfall.
Our Creator does gift us with so much beauty through His creations. I have my computer/workspace right next to a large window. It isn’t distracting as one might think, but it gives illumination, along with an inspirational, and often entertaining (critters) to view … all seasons, in all weather and at all times. (After all, “all work and no play makes Panzi a dull writer.”)
Local Celebrations
Birthdays-David Goldsboro, Jessica Fulk, Phyllis Bruno, Dillion Elam, Kayla Summann, Bette Stolte, Eric Gurtner, Flo Allen and Darrell Sidwell. Anniversaries-Glenn and Pam Gurtner, and Hubert and Betty Williams.
Golden Years Club Celebrate Thanksgiving
Nineteen members of the Golden Years Club signed the register as they met Tuesday, Nov. 8, for their annual Thanksgiving dinner.
The club president, Charlie Reece gave the welcome and recognized the November birthdays of Flo Allen and Helen Klitzing. Allen read a blessing prayer for the potluck meal.
The turkey and dressing, prepared by Carolyn Grames, was surrounded by the dishes and desserts brought by the members. Following the dinner and the cleanup by Randy’s kitchen assorted crew, Reece called the meeting to order. All signed a card for Bill and Barb Voisin.
• Treasurer Donnie Smail reported on the club’s successful homemade soups & bazaar held Saturday. He then held a TV trivia quiz, which was answered 99 percent by the members.
•  Flo Allen read a touching, true, tribute to veterans.
•  Reece gave a reminder that dues are to be paid in December.
G.Y. Christmas Party Planned
The date for the Golden Years Christmas party was set for the club’s regular meeting date, the second Tuesday in December, Dec. 13.
A ham will be furnished by the club and prepared by Carolyn Grames, with the members providing side dishes and desserts. All who wish to participate in the $5 gift exchange are to bring a “uni-gift,” suitable for both a man or woman. (Examples:  a flashlight , box of candy, etc.). Donnie Smail will be in charge of a different method of distribution (which sounds like fun).
• Door prizes were won by Bonnie Kramer, Bill Blackwell, Lucille Fisher, Ina Abendroth, Flo Allen, Marilyn Yakel and Randy Meyer.
• Reminder – There will be only one meeting in December, the Christmas party, due to the Christmas holidays.
• All seniors in Fayette County are welcome to the potluck dinner meetings, which otherwise are the second and fourth Tuesdays in the month at the Golden Years Building in Brownstown, First and Division streets.
The group eats at noon, but people may come earlier for visiting and free blood pressure readings by the Fayette County Health Department on the second Tuesday of every other month. Free readings will be given at the Christmas party meeting, from 11 a.m.-noon.
Sefton Unit HCE Sets Christmas Party Date
The Sefton Unit HCE met on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Golden Years Club building in Brownstown. Cards were signed for Marge Weiss, Ilene Sidwell, and Leona McConaughay. Club Chairwoman Flo Allen opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance to the American flag.
Sixteen members answered the roll call question, “When do you begin Christmas Shopping?,” asked by secretary, Joyce Fisher.
Fisher read the minutes of the last meeting, which stood as approved. Shirley Klitzing, treasurer, gave the financial report.
Klitzing then read an original poem, “Tribute to Florene’s Life,” from the unit, in honor of Flo Allen’s November birthday.
•  It was noted that 19children’s books had been taken to the Fayette County Health Department and 18 Yoplait seals had been mailed in.
• Allen handed out a list of the club’s projects and some were discussed, e.g. the pink Yoplait yogurt seals.
•  Other needs mentioned: 2012 calendars to be given to the veterans homes for the residents; and old towels, sheets, blankets for veterinarians for the animals (these may be given to Betty Williams for distribution).
• The Sefton Unit Christmas party was discussed, and it was decided to meet at the Ponderosa in Vandalia on Dec. 8 (regular meeting date) at 11 a.m.. For those who wish to participate, there will be a $5 gift exchange.
• Elizabeth Kasten presented the lesson, “How to Enjoy the Holidays”  (without going broke).
Kasten gave a comprehensive, informational, presentation on enjoying the holidays with a minimal amount of stress. Kasten gave hand-out sheets listing more suggestions, including one that advised against using credit cards.
• Debbie Swain gave the lesson, “Joining the Generation with Family Mealtimes,”  explaining the benefits of the family gathering together around the table. It is an opportunity to teach children acceptable behavior, manners, and proper conversation. Swain handed out lesson sheets with more helpful suggestions for family mealtimes.
• Phyllis Pryor, assisted by Debbie Swain, presented an activity participated in by all – making attractive small, ornamental gift boxes from Christmas/greeting cards. Pryor and Swain provided all materials (Christmas cards, glue stick, and ribbon) for the project. Pattern sheets were also distributed to all.
Refreshments of pumpkin cake and beverages were served by hostesses, Lura Fouch and Betty Williams. Allen gave a reading, “10 Pounds of Living.” Shirley Klitzing told a true, funny story concerning “Liver Stew.” Door prizes were won by Shirley Klitzing, Betty Williams, Lura Fouch, Marilyn Yakel, Sally Behrends, Debbie Swain, Panzi Blackwell, Joyce Fisher, Phyllis Pryor, LaVonne Kramer, NormaLee Terry, Shirley Mattes, Delores Dukeman and Phyllis Bruno. Also present were Flo Allen and Elizabeth Kasten.
United Methodist Church
Pianist Bette Miller played the prelude as the congregation of the United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday morning worship.
Bradley Schwarm lighted the altar candles. Birthday greetings were sung to Kayla Summann. Hubert Williams and Schwarm presented the tithes and offerings. Don Thomas delivered the sermon. Jenna Townsend led the children’s class, and Flo Allen led the adult class.
Announcements
• Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m.-Ladies invited to the annual Christmas Tea at First United Methodist Church in Vandalia, sponsored by the Vandalia UMW.

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