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Brownstown-Sefton News

Some Things We Take for Granted…
…and do not bother inquire to whom we should give the credit.

If you drive around Brownstown, Sefton and surrounding countryside, you see many areas and objects of beauty that we enjoy, but too often just take for granted.
For instance:
• Brownstown City Park is the site for many of our community events, such as the recent VFW Post 9770 Memorial Day program.
The Veterans’ Memorial Wall is very impressive and a lasting memorial to those who served and are serving.
The American flags billowing in the wind, against the blue sky were beautiful, yet almost poignant in their beauty as one considered the occasion and for whom and what they were representing … and the well-kept grounds of the park served as the foundation and background for the memorial scene.
Likewise, during special community events, such as the  Brownstown Library events (chicken dinners), Scout meetings, National Road Festivals, gospel singings, Vacation Bible Schools, etc., the grounds and building have always been neat and clean.
And, perhaps even more important, when we see children playing on the playground equipment or teenagers shooting baskets, the grounds appear to be a clean and safe environment for them.
We feel the village officials and workers, and interested, caring citizens (such as the late Gene Watson) of the time were behind the original planning of the park, and the same type of body (of government, workers and citizens), but different  faces, is endeavoring to follow through with the maintenance. Thank you.
• The rural cemeteries are also well-maintained, serene and pretty in their natural settings, thanks to the dedicated people who care and take on the responsibilities.
• The Fayette County Fairgrounds, which most of us probably drive by without considering the work done by the few to ensure it, including the 4-H building and other structures, are in good shape for the County Fair every year.
All of you, past and present, are appreciated and to be commended for all you do. Thank you.
Announcements
“Church Lady Nadine” will be in town, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, at the Brownstown Community High School for lots of good, clean humor, straight from Tennessee.
Local Celebrations
Birthdays-Kenny Nickels, Christy Smith, Charles Francis, Betty Williams, Joann Gelsinger and Braden Schwarm.
Coming & Going
The Puleos & Debbie Attend Reunion
Ken and Wanda Puleo and Debbie McDonald went to on Dix Sunday to attend the annual Hawkins family reunion and dinner at the Community Building. Brother
Louis Crouch of Indiana led the group in prayer. Forty-six members of the family were present to enjoy the meal, visiting with each other and taking pictures.
Recipes were exchanges and names drawn for gifts. Everyone was grateful for such a beautiful day for the reunion, and look forward to seeing each other next year.
Sefton Unit HCE Meet
The Sefton Unit HCE met Thursday, June 9, at the Golden Years Club building in Brownstown. Fourteen members answered the roll call by each sharing something special about their wedding or a favorite anniversary memory.
Also present was one guest, Lisa Gould, granddaughter of Phyllis Pryor.
Chairman Flo Allen called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. Treasurer Shirley Klitzing gave the financial report with the reminder that all dues should be in by the end of this month.
Allen led a discussion that included the following topics:
• The unit was to sponsor the Red Cross blood drive on Monday at the Golden Years Club building. Normalee Terry and Shirley Mattes volunteered to serve as walkers for the blood drive.
• The Fayette County Home and Community Education annual potluck dinner and program, including the installation of officers, which will be held at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Vandalia.
The special feature, “Let’s Make HCE the Place To Be,” with suggestions to finding new members given by Shirley Klitzing. The question was asked, WWhat is it that we find attractive, useful, encouraging,  energizing and educational about HCE?”
We think of the friendships we have made through HCE, what we learn through helping others, such as making the little dresses for African children, making teddybears for the hospital emergency room, collecting “Pennies for Friendship” and the numerous other projects and acts of caring for others.
We remember our members who are ill, in nursing homes or just needing encouragement, with cards.
We learn from our monthly lessons on subjects related to the present times and situations, such as health issues, diets, handling our finances, information on reverse mortgages, cooking, gardening, etc.
We have fellowship and fun at the monthly meetings, sharing potluck meals on special occasions, refreshments at each meeting, taking road trips, humorous readings and funny stories.  
The club has a high percentage of attendance and one is missed if absent from a meeting.
Each member, although the ages, personalities and walks of life may differ, contributes to the unity and enjoyment of  HCE. New members are coveted, welcomed and appreciated. Klitzing emphasized the importance of attracting and welcoming new members, contributing growth of the club and adding new interests, ideas and social gatherings, as well as educational contributions, with each new member. HCE is the fun place to be, as well as being an asset to the community.
Flo Allen presented the major lesson, “Making Your Own Cleaning Supplies”, demonstrating by distributing packets of homemade soap she mixed in her kitchen.
Winners of the door prizes were Gould, Elizabeth Kasten, Betty Williams, Terry, Sharon Wilhelm and Delores Dukeman.
Also present were Allen, Sally Behrends, Joyce Fisher, Klitzing, Mattes, Marge Weiss, Marilyn Yakel. Phyllis Bruno and Pryor served refreshments of cakes, mints, and nuts, tea and coffee, assisted by Gould.
The next Sefton Unit meeting will be a special outing with a picnic at Sally Behrends’s pond on July 14 at 11:30 a.m.
“Inside Out & Upside Down on Main Street”…
…was the theme and of the First Christian Vacation Bible School this year, which the kickoff started on Sunday, June 5, at Brownstown City Park.
It included registration, a carnival, giant blow-up toys, games, prizes, cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs, chips, cupcakes and drinks.
The VBS was held the evenings of June 6-10. The missionaries of the week from India, the Lall family – Vivert and Neelam, and their son and daughter – were introduced. They shared their work in India, spreading their ministry in growth in four different states and Nepal, India.
“Main Street” included “Fun Factory” (crafts), “Brown Bag Bistro” (kitchen), and “Firehouse Fitness” (games). All “establishments” were decorated appropriately to simulate the  “business.” Co-directors were Billie Enlow and Laura Willms; registration and secretary-Sheryl Brazle; and sound and Powerpoint-Matthew and Jamie Smith.
Junior high group-youth minister Michael Watson held a scavenger hunt on Monday; cleaned yards on Tuesday; took cookies to nursing homes on Wednesday; and cleaned the roadsides from the railroad tracks on north; and on Friday, all were awarded with a trip to a water park.
Lesson nights were called “Parable Productions.”
Each night, a different “Word on the Street” (gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, grace, faithfulness) was told to the children. A prize was given to each child saying the memory verse (Psalms 25:4 -5).
A contest was held between the boys and girls for the money collected for the mission with a goal of $500. The boys won, so Watson agreed to a Mohawk haircut, colored blue. The amount collected was approximately $900, so they far exceeded the goal of $500.
A small program was held during the Sunday morning program.
Susan Smith led the children in songs pertaining to the theme along with sign language to the songs. Billie Enlow told about the mission and the collection, gave the attendance count – about 109 each night – and thanked all who participated. A skit was presented.
Following the service, refreshments of muffins, donuts, cookies, fruit and vegetables. Then, the big moment of the week occurred when Watson underwent a Mohawk haircut, colored pink.
Gifts were presented to co-directors Enlow and Willms.
Many served to make the First Christian Church VBS a success, including those of Ron Gould, who had a special job of making all the wooden objects used on “Main Street” (bus awning, signs, cross, etc.).
United Methodist Church
The congregation of the Brownstown United Methodist Church was called to worship by the prelude played by pianist Bette Stolte.
Pastor Bigley greeted the congregation, reviewed the announcements and prayer concerns, and and led in prayer.
Hubert Williams and Jeff Kelly presented the tithes and offerings. Bigley delivered the sermon and closed the service with the benediction.
Jenna Townsend led the children’s Sunday school fellowship and worship prior to their classes. Flo Allen and Louella Christensen led the adult classes.
Announcements
• June 19-Jim Green will bring the morning message.
• June 26-Farewell dinner by the Brownstown and Emmanuel Churches at noon for Bigley and son Noah as they move to a new charge in Mt. Carmel.
• June 27-Brownstown UMW will take cookies for Evergreen Outreach in Vandalia.

Panzi Blackwell

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