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Brownstown-Sefton News

A Dog’s Life (On the Homestead, That Is)
Bertha, the Great Pyrnese and her daughter, Pricey, are much more comfortable in the snow, ice, sleet and bitterly cold weather because their coats are so thick and long.

We gave Pricey her summer hair-do recently and the hair length was at least 12 inches long and so thick. Even with her short haircut, she has such a layer of insulation “fur” that you cannot part it enough with your fingers to see her skin, which makes applying the anti-flea, tick and other little varmints preventive liquid very difficult.
She stood quietly between Bill and me, and while one of us clipped, and the other combed. She is very large, but such a good loveable doggie.
Bertha’s coat is not quite as thick, probably because she is older, but she still has plenty of heavy, long, coat, enough that she is uncomfortable in the summer time.
“Papa Bear” Bill (who is still the head critter-caretaker here), has put a wading pool of water in each of their pens, besides their community waterin’ hole, the water tank, and each has a box fan running to help keep them cool. Bertha likes to just stand in her pool. Pricey has never shown much interest in her pool, but it is there if she needs it.
Pricey spent all of last summer on the closed-in front porch as she was so ill. We ran the air conditioner for her all summer long, because she was just too ill to cope with the hot weather.
She recovered and is fine now, so now we will have a chance to recover…from the electric bill. But there is no doubt, she is worth every penny!
Josie, the late Mandy’s little 11-year-old-puppy, has it made. The house is air-conditioned, and when she gets to go for a car ride, the car is air-conditioned.
We aren’t taking her in the car much now, because of the heat and she really looks sad when we go out the door.  It seems that her “thermostat” is like those of our little dachshunds, “Missy” and “Connie” were.
They cannot stand much heat nor cold. We always turned on the air for them before we really felt we needed it on.  However, even with the hot weather, Josie still wants her “Tinkerbell blankie” near her, so it travels with her in the car and in the house.
The rest of the Homestead Critters seem to be faring well. Smokey, the little (adorable) donkey, doesn’t seem to mind the weather, whatever it is, but his buddies, Lady, the mini-horse, Sugarfoot, the mini-stallion, and Sudy, their daughter, are less active in hot weather.
The Long-Horn ladies don’t seem to change their routines. Eat, rest and chew their cud, graze a little and rest again. Annie, the little goat follows the same routine.
The girls, Anita and Blackie, (hens) like to make a little hole in the dirt and rest in it after and between times bugging. Callie, the kitty, is about the same in all weather. She likes to go out, but not for too long at a time. She prefers the controlled climate of the house. She hates being out in the rain, and scolds us when she gets wet.
Star, the little white dove, is always in the house. We watched her cleaning her feathers this morning. She would go the whole length of her feathers, one at a time, grooming very carefully and thoroughly.
As we lose our little friends, such as “Candy,” my blue-heeler plus, and Bill’s “Dolly, the collie,” (both rescue doggies); “Mama Kitty”; “Cloudy,” the wonder horse, his stable-mate; “Andy” the goat (who received fan mail addressed only to him); “Tammy” the sweet, little miniature horse; “Elizabeth,” the little yellow parakeet; and “Angel” the ring-necked, white dove, we think of all of our critters over the years.
Special in our memories are “Mandy,” Josie’s mother, who we lost while she was still young, due to an inoperable illness. She was the perfect little dog; “SnowWhite,” the lovely goose that Bill called, “Miss America” “Fred” the pet turkey who followed us around and even tried to go mushroom hunting with us; “Charlie, the Raccoon” who came to us fully-grown from people we never met, and finally left us for the woods, only to return eight years later to eat a chocolate chip cookie and say good-bye; “Erkle” the pig, who grew so large, but gentle; “Jonetta,” the first little pig we had; and “RoseyLee,” the white duck from Missouri, who experienced unrequited love and a broken heart when “Fibber Magee,” the white mallard, toyed with her affections and then flew away, never to return to her.
We grieved for them and still we miss them, but we never forget the joy and affection they brought to our lives.
Village of Brownstown Cleanup Day is Friday
All residents and property owners are encouraged to help cleanup their properties
DBS Disposal will pick up all unwanted items this Friday. Village residents are to pace all unwanted items in the same place they place their weekly garbage. Any items to be picked up are not to be placed out for pickup before Thursday.
Items that will not be picked up are tires, batteries; shingles, siding and other building materials; vehicles; and any type of landscape waste. These articles cannot be dumped in the landfill.
If any questions concerning cleanup day, contact the village hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (427-3345).
Red Cross Blood Drive…
…in Brownstown on Monday, from 2-6 p.m., at the Golden Years Club building.
Reminder to Fayette County HCE Members…
…the Home and Community Education annual potluck dinner will be held Tuesday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Vandalia.
Registration is at 11 a.m. The theme is “Circus Extravaganza.”  Committees appointed are: St. Elmo-registration; Sefton-decorations; Wheatland-food placement; Vandalia Day-drinks; and Bingham-Ramsey, Wright’s Corner and St. Peter-clean up.
Nadine, The Church Lady Is Coming To Town…
…she will be visiting us, fresh from Tennessee and the TV show, “Larry’s Country Diner,” the weekend of June 25, bringing with her a good time for us as she keeps everyone laughing with her hilarious, clean humor.  
The Friends of the Brownstown Library is sponsoring a country music and comedy show at the Brownstown High School Gym at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 25.
The show features “Nadine,” a Nashville Tennessee comedienne who stars on the RFD-TV show, “Larry’s Country Diner.”
The show will also feature a local band, “Thunder Road.”  Nadine brings her popular style of family humor to the stage.
Limited reserve seating is available for $15 per ticket or two for $25. General admission is $12 each or $15 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased from the Friends of the Brownstown Library members or at the Brownstown Branch Library.
Library hours when tickets can be purchased are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 1-5 p.m.; and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Payment can be made by check, money order or cash. For more information, call Connie Bingaman at 427-3174 or 292-9579.
Celebrations
Birthdays: Bill Blackwell, Kenny Nickels, Christy Smith, Charles Francis, Betty Williams and Joann Gelsinger. Anniversary: Andrew and Rita Grull.
Coming & Going
Marilyn And Louella Visit North Carolina
Louella Christensen, the “De-Clutter Gal,” took enough time off from her business to accompany her mother, Marilyn Yakel, and Wanda Miller of Charleston to North Carolina.
There, they visited two weeks in the home of Duane and Fayetta Wilson in Huntersville, NC.
While there, they attended the Liberty University Commencement in Lynchburg, Va., where Mallory Chacon, daughter of the Wilsons, was a graduate, and also a birthday party for Micah Chacon’s fourth birthday.
Saturday, they attended the 60th wedding anniversary of Joe and Wanda Miller in the Chapel of the Odd Fellow-Rebekeh Home in Matoon. Hubert and Betty Williams, and Don and Rosemary McMillan also attended from this area.
Travis Redden Employed
as Scholar Bowl Coach
Travis Redden was employed as the Brownstown High School scholar bowl coach during the May 16 Brownstown Board of Education meeting.
Also employed were: Shannon Claycomb-media specialist; Chelsie Schwarm-high School assistant volleyball coach; and Brittany Kraft-junior high assistant volleyball coach.
Other action taken during the meeting were:
•The resignation of Travis Redden as school play director was accepted effective at the end of the 2010-11 school year.
Approval was given the following:
•Preparation of tentative budget for the 2011-12 school year by the superintendent;
•Amended budget to be put on display in the unit office for the 2010-11 school year;
•Advertisement of bids on bread, milk, and bus maintenance for the 2011-12 school year;
•Renewal application for Child Nutrition, Illinois Free lunch and breakfast, and Food Distribution programs;
•I.A.S.B. PRESS Plus service agreement for the 2011-12 school year;
•Brownstown Elementary and Junior/Senior High School handbooks; and memorandums of understanding With the Brownstown E.S.P. Association.
Grant applications were approved for the 20111-12 school year as follows: Title I-Improving Academic Achievement; Title II-Teacher Quality; Title IV-Safe and Drug Free Schools; and Title V-Innovative Programs.
The board was given an update on the Enhancing Education Through Technology Grant for the fiscal years 2011 and 2012.
First Christian Church (Sunday, May 29)
First Christian Church honored the military past and present during the morning worship service.
As they made their way down front, the veterans received a standing ovation, while a video was shown on the screen.
“God Bless America” was sung, followed by a poem, “Veterans,” read by Matthew Smith.
All received a gift presented by Sherry Meador.
Those honored included: Ervin Garrison, Jack Shelton, Don Willms, Earl Hovious, Bonnie Shelton, John Robinson, Larry Keyes and Mr. Watson (the father of youth minister, Michael Watson).
United Methodist Church (Sunday, June 5)
Bette Stolte, pianist, played the prelude as the congregation of the United Methodist Church gathered for Sunday morning worship, following Sunday school classes.
Bradley Schwarm lighted the altar candles. Pastor David Bigley greeted the congregation and reviewed the announcements and prayer concerns.
Birthday blessings were sung to Jenna Townsend. Bigley led in prayer and praises shared. Jenna Townsend served as liturgist.
Hubert Williams and Schwarm presented the tithes and offerings. Bigley led the children’s time and delivered the sermon. He served Communion, assisted by Jeffrey Kelly and Schwarm, and closed with the benediction. Townsend led the children’s Sunday school fellowship and worship. The adult class was led by Flo Allen.
Announcements
•Bible study at the UMC, led by Jim Greene-Wednesday-at 7 p.m. and Thursday and 10 a.m.
•Wednesday, June 15-9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The Altamont UMW will host the Embarras River District UMW Day Apart at their church at 308 N. Second St., Altamont.
Speakers are Carol Pringle, who will tell about her mission trip to Liberia, and Debbie Reese, who will speak in the afternoon. Grooming supplies will be taken for abuse centers.
Liberty Christian Church (Sunday, June 5)
The congregation of Liberty Christian Church was greeted by the Tommy Beshears family and led in songs of praise by Katie Carson, Hannah Dann and Barb Morrison, accompanied by Eddie Carson on drums; Kim Miller, pianist; and Tammy Carson on keyboard.
Special music was an instrument medley by Tammy and Connie. Jim Dann delivered the message. Vernon Brazle led Communion and prayer devotion. Brian Smith led the offering prayer.
Also serving: serving at the table: Kyle Anderson, Vernon Brazle; serving the congregation: Brad Smith, Charles Moore, Brian Smith, Frank Stringfield, Craig Daughtery, Ken Lamb; assistants: Barry Jennings, Duane Carson; ushers: John Schaub, Brian Smith; sound system-Dan Largent; Powerpoint-Aaron Miller; nursery: Alison Brunk, Kaylee Sefton, Paitlyn Miller; Communion preparation: Diana Smith; Communion rounds: Bill Robison, Brian Smith; welcome center: Paula Brunk; and junior church: Diana Smith, Holly Grames, Matt and Sarah Stonecipher.
Birth
Elijah Wade William Robison was born on Monday, May 23, 2011, weighing 9 pounds, 11 ounces, and was 21½ inches long. Parents are Josh and JaLana, and he has a sister, Ellyana.
VBS-Pandamania!
VBS – June 20-24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. See Erin or the office to be a part of VBS this summer.
You are invited…
…to celebrate with Paige Miller and Jeff Garrison at their wedding on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Liberty Christian Church. A reception will follow at the Moose Lodge in Vandalia.
Ice Cream Social…
…June 12-Invite your friends and neighbors to our ice cream social. There is a signup sheet for ice cream, cookies, toppings, etc.
A Bridal Shower…
…all ladies and girls are invited to an open house bridal shower for Hannah Dann on June 18, from 2-4 p.m., in the pavilion. Pick up a recipe card from the office to fill out for Joe and Hannah.

Panzi Blackwell

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