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Brownstown-Sefton News

By Panzi Blackwell

“Git Along, Little Doggie”…
…Were the words in the song that came to mind as an “impromptu cattle roundup” took place in the vicinity of Critter Corner last week.
And, no, although I seemed to be threatening our County Deputy Sherri Miller with a tree limb, I was trying to help her keep the cows off Route 40.
It all began when Robert Rogers (of Darn Far fame) called to say there were LongHorn cows out, close to the highway.  Bill was not home yet, so I jumped in the car and hurried down the lane to find our little family of LongHorns were in their pasture, but protesting the presence of the neighboring LongHorns, who were calmly going about eating grass, but wandering far too close to the road. A very nice couple had also stopped to help and, in all the excitement, I don’t remember their names.
They had already called the county sheriff’s office, for fear of the cows getting on the road. Deputy Sherri Miller soon arrived at the scene and parked (with lights flashing) in the driveway. I had picked up a tree branch to wave at the cows and I suddenly realized it probably appeared to the (seemingly many) passing cars, that I was threatening her.
As the cows began moving south down our lane, the deputy and I followed them and tried to cut them off so they wouldn’t go into the woods. Trying to run through high, thick, weeds and cockleburs, in slip-on, backless, shoes that kept slipping off, waving a stick, and hoping the cows didn’t run me over. Well, I’d rather be reading a good mystery book.
Have I mentioned that I am not brave around the LongHorns, although I really like them? (Cowardly is a more accurate description.)
The cows’ owner (a really nice guy, whom we are glad to have for our neighbor) was at work miles away, so his dad came over to help us. We were getting them a little corralled, but there were just too many cows for us few “cowhands’ to control, so deputy Miller radioed for more help.
Soon Deputy Greg Kline and Farina Police Chief, Steve Flood, arrived on the scene and they and deputy Miller soon made short work of getting them back in their pasture. When they arrived, I had jokingly asked officer Flood if he could ride a bull. To my surprise, he actually was a bull rider a few years ago.
Worth noting deputy Miller is not afraid of LongHorns, in fact, she was very brave, calm, and patient. She could holler and whistle at them like a pro.
We appreciate Robert Rogers and the couple who stopped to help. (I hope they read this and will call to remind me of their names.)
And to deputy Kline and officer Flood—it’s good to know there is help from the county just a phone (or radio) call away. I was rather disappointed that “Phantom,” the dog, and deputy Shawn Carter weren’t on hand…And Dick Paul’s rendition of  “Cattle Call” would also have helped.
Coming Events
Trick or Treat Night…
…in Brownstown, Saturday, Oct. 30 from 5-7 P.M. for children up through the 6th grade. Curfew at 11 p.m. Halloween party at the Central Park following Trick or Treat. Prizes will be given. Brownstown Village Board and Park Board.
Fairview Methodist Church Speaker…
…will be the Rev. Bob Carter on Sunday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m. The church is located on the Avena Road, two miles north of U.S. 40.
Nov. 13—Last Date For VFW Clothes Drive For Our Veterans
Needed are new socks, underwear, sweat pants, sweatshirts, T-shirts, undershirts. Take your donations to Brownstown VFW, Fayette County Real Estate in Vandalia, or box at the First Christian Church in Brownstown.
Coming & Going
Catching Up With Jennie Alice
Little Claire Janarae is Jennie Alice’s ninth great-grandchild. Jennie Alice Harner received exciting news of the birth of a ninth great-grandchild (fifth great-granddaughter), Claire Janarae.
Daughter of Josh and Katie Jo (Harner) Mateer of Rockford, Mich., was born on Sept. 23, 2010 at 11 p.m. Claire joins big sisters Hannah JoEllen and Jordan Elizabeth. Claire’s middle name comes from her mother’s cousin, Mrs. Jana Rae Dakin.
Gary and Jorita Cook, of E. Leroy, Mich., enjoyed the October first weekend with Jennie Alice Harner. They drove her on Saturday to visit in the home of Gary, Jarielle, and Jay Winklemen in Sherman.
Jennie Alice’s grandson, Jay, is enjoying a successful senior year of golf. The following weekend Jenetia Hines of White Cloud, Mich. visited with Jennie Alice.
Jennie Alice’s son-in-law, Gary Barnes, departed Tuesday, Oct. 5, for a trip to Europe and South Africa. He will be in Prague, Czech Republic; Budapest, Hungary; and Sofia, Bulgaria, then onto Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa.
Catching Up With The Puleos’ and Debbie
Debbie Visits Sister
Debbie McDonald spent a few days recently with her sister, Connie Meskil and family in Sandoval. They attended church and enjoyed shopping and eating out.
Ken and Wanda Attend Reunion
Ken and Wanda Puleo went to the Chicago area to attend Ken’s high school reunion. They stayed at the Doubletree Hotel in Oakbrook, along with several other classmates of Ken’s.
Five or six couples, who had arrived early, went to Portillos Restaurant on Friday evening and enjoyed Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hotdogs. They then spent the rest of the evening at the suite of the reunion organizer, catching up on the news of the last five years. They ate breakfast Saturday morning at the Atrium Café in the hotel.
A dinner dance was held at the hotel on Saturday evening, with a breakfast buffet at Costa’s, a Greek Restaurant in Oakbrook Terrace, on Sunday morning.
Added Enjoyment With Family…
…Ken had recently contacted some of his cousins that he hadn’t seen in 50 or more years. They lived in Arizona, Tennessee and in the Chicago area. He invited them to join him at the Doubletree for dinner on Sunday evening.
The out-of-state cousins couldn’t come, but the Chicago area cousins (two sisters) did and they brought their husbands and their 93-year-old father. Ken recalled him and said he didn’t look any different.
Two other cousins also came and brought a friend and a daughter with them, so it was a small, but happy group to get acquainted over a delicious dinner in the private dining room.
Wanda had been accumulating family tree information the past couple of months, assembled it into quite a bit of family history, copies of which she handed out to the cousins, who were eager to learn more about the rest of their family.
They, in turn, filled Wanda in on some of the family information she and Ken didn’t have, so everyone learned a little more about their extended family.
Sunday afternoon, they went to Mt. Carmel Cemetery, armed only with the knowledge of which sections Ken’s great-grandmother and her son and his family were in. Ken and Wanda walked up and down the west one-third of the section until they were ready to drop. They decided to give up until they could get complete directions.
Undaunted and continuing on Monday, the Puleos went to the office of the Queen of Heaven Cemetery to find directions to the graves of the families, who are all buried at Mt. Carmel in Hillside.
Wanda shared that a very nice lady produced a diagram on the section and marked the exact spots they needed to go to. They found them in five minutes, a lot easier than all that walking the day before. They are still trying to learn where exactly Ken’s great-grandfather Sabato Castaldo is buried, even after receiving several suggestions from the cousins.
Each one has said “Oak-something, and of the many “Oak -something” cemeteries there, those they contacted said he wasn’t buried there. Quite a mystery, which dates back to 1915. However, Wanda said it is something to continue working on, difficult because there are hardly any older relatives to ask.
Shopping and Visiting
Wednesday, the Puleos’ and Debbie went shopping in Mt. Vernon and then to Dix, where they visited with Wanda’s mother, Ethel Pittman, who is at last feeling better.
Brother Phillip and Wife, Juanita, also visited with the family.
Along The Way…
…Wanda shared they were surprised to see so many tall windmills on the way to Chicago, especially in the area of O’Dell, where, for about eight miles, there were so many on each side of the highway.
Past And Present HCE Officers Have Lunch
Following Monday, Oct. 25 board meeting, 12 members and one guest met at the Depot in Vandalia for lunch.
Those present were Irene Reed, Dorothy Harpster, Karen Denning, Karen Hyde, Joyce Moore, Anita Smith, Evelyn Probst, Mary Smith, Carol Oldham, Flo Allen, Shirley Klitzing and Panzi Blackwell.
Randy Carpenter joined them for lunch.
Brownstown UMW Visit Brookstone Estates
Last Thursday, Oct. 21, the residents of Brookstone Estates in Vandalia, and eight members of the Brownstown United Methodist Women got together for an afternoon of music and visiting.
The party began at 2 p.m. in the nicely decorated dining hall, as Flo Allen led the singing, accompanied by Bette Stolte playing the baby grand piano.  
Carol Severns opened the meeting with a humorous reading. Bette Stolte then played three classical hits, which got everyone’s toes tapping and hands clapping.
Flo Allen then read a report on the funny replies given by children when asked, “What age should people get married?” Allen led the group in a sing-along, asking for requests from hymnals provided by Brookstone. All joined in singing many favorite church songs.
Cookies, brought by the UMW ladies, were served with cool apple cider, as a time of visiting was enjoyed by everyone.
UMW members present were: Carol Severns, Marilyn Yakel, Flo Allen, Connie Green, Phyllis Bruno, Betty Williams, Betty Stolte and Carol Henna.
Brownstown UMW next meeting will be Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Brownstown UMC Fellowship hall. Sheperadist Shirley Hardner will be the special speaker. All members are urged to attend this special meeting.
The District Conference will meet Nov. 13 in Newton. For local officer update, all officers for 2011 should attend.

Mayor Gottman Visits Fayette County HCE Board Meeting
The Fayette County Home and Community Education Board met Monday, Oct. 25, in the UofI Extension Office at Vandalia. President Flo Allen called to meeting to order at 10 a.m. and led the pledge to the American flag.
Twelve members present for the roll call were: Flo Allen, Karen Denning, Shirley Klitzing, Dorothy Harpster, Evelyn Probst, Panzi Blackwell, Irene Reed, Phyllis Pryor, Anita Smith, Karen Hyde, Joyce Moore and Carol Oldham.
In observance of “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” most attendees were dressed in pink and a pink candle was lighted.
Vandalia’s Mayor Ricky Gottman made a brief visit, viewing the dresses and commenting on the good works the Fayette County Home and Community Education accomplishes for others.
County Extension Director, Ginger Boas, visited the meeting and made the announcement that, due to the reorganization which is in progress, she will be transferring to Champaign, to fill the office there on Nov. 1.
Boas expressed a positive feeling about the future of IAHCE. She introduced Rachelle Hollinshead of Vandalia, as her replacement who will also begin on November 1.
Continuing with the meeting, Allen again noted the need for a secretary, and shared the possibility that the previous secretary, Mary Smith, who had resigned the post, may reconsider and fill the office again. Smith, who had been unavoidably detained, arrived at the meeting later and agreed to again fill the position of the board secretary.
Allen told of the proclamation signed by Mayor Ricky Gottman recognizing the week of Oct. 10-16 as Illinois Association for Home and Community Education week.
The attractive proclamation is on display in the Extension Office.
Dorothy Harpster, treasurer, gave the club’s financial report. First vice-president, Phyllis Pryor, shared excerpts from a letter received from District 6 Director, Debbie Borries.
Among the letter content Pryor mentioned included the packet of information Re: IAHCE Annual Conference, to come to county presidents in December.
Referring to the same letter Allen noted the requests by Borries of the following: to send a list of County officers; the request for the county calendars information; request for a list of this year’s and next year’s lessons for the county; noted that the County of the Year forms 2010 are due to the IAHCE State President by Jan. 31, 2011, with the theme “Unmasking the Possibilities,” used in activities, and of the need to check for copyrighted poems and information used for newsletters and lessons.
Anita Smith, Community Outreach Director gave a report and information on the Christmas Cards for the Military Project. Smith also stated the Club Gift Card Fundraiser is a project of the County HCE, not just of the Sefton Unit, as unintentionally printed by the P.R. Director, Panzi Blackwell.
Culture Enrichment Director, Shirley Klitzing, announced the 2011 “Get Acquainted Day” will be held April 14 at the Golden Years Club in Brownstown.
Shirley Klitzing dispensed fundraiser raffle tickets for the $100 Wal-Mart gift card. The drawing will be held Monday, Dec. 20 at the board Christmas party.
Allen reported on the Sefton Unit’s “Hobo Stew” meeting, for which several dressed as hobos. A photo of the group of the “Sefton hobos” was displayed and Allen read an original poem, “Remembering the Hobo,” reminiscing those more simple times of long ago.
On display were 47 brightly-colored little dresses the units have made for the “Little Dresses for Africa” project. Honorable mention was given to Nancy Shipman, a resident of Brookstone Estates who is contributing generously to the project with her skill as a seamstress. The meeting adjourned at 11 a.m.
Winkler Hired As Sub/extra Curricular Bus Driver
Jodi Winkler was employed as a substitute/extra curricular bus driver, pending completion of requirements during the Brownstown Board of education meeting in regular session, Wednesday, Oct. 20.
Approval was given for the following: grant application from the Illinois State lottery; Section 125 Plan renewal; Interagency Agreement with Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services; Audit Report for the fiscal year 2010 as prepared by Mose, Yockey, Brown and Kull, LLC of Shelbyville; Fundraising and field trip requests.
The board was given an update on the Enhancing Education Through Technology Grant, reviewed information on the proposed one percent sales tax increase, and were given a presentation on the school newspaper.
Brownstown United Methodist Church
Pastor David Bigley greeted and welcomed those present for Sunday morning worship at the United Methodist Church. He received the announcements, prayer concerns, praises, birthdays and anniversaries.
Birthday greetings were sung for Jessica Fulk and Zachary Townsend. Jeffrey Kelly served as liturgist and acolyte.
Kelly and Zachary Townsend received and presented the tithes and offerings. Jenna Townsend and Jessica Fulk led children’s worship and fellowship. Flo Allen led the adult class.
Note: Last Sunday, Carol Severns, UMW president presented Vernus Lytle with a Special Mission Recognition pin, honoring her for serving as UMW treasurer and for all she does in the church.
Announcements
•Thursday at 10 a.m. Bible Study at Brownstown UMC with Jim Green as leader. First Thursday Prayer and Fasting.
•Oct. 27-30 at 7 p.m.-Armstrongs’ in Revival at Watson UMC.
First Christian Church
Dave and Liz Oberlink greeted the congregation of the First Christian Church. Randy Watson and Steve Storm led the congregation in songs of praise, accompanied by drummer-Mitchell Smith, flutist-Kaitlyn Enlow, guitarists-Chuck Enlow and Rick Cox and pianist-Robin Lovett.
Robin Lovett contributed special music, followed by the message delivered by John Robinson. Terry Smith led the Communion meditation and prayer.
Also serving: Sunday school nursery—Barb Tackett; AM nursery-Marcia Pemberton; toddler worship—Beth Tackett and Abby Enlow; Don Lovett and Steve Storm-Communion to shut-ins.
Announcements
•Xtreme Zone: (K-5th grade) Wednesdays-3:30 to 5 p.m. Needed—packaged snacks (chips, cookies, etc.) and Hawaiian Punch or other juice jugs.
•Wednesday Night Lights (6-12 grades) Wednesdays at 6:23 p.m.
•Ladies-Beth Moore Study meet on Thursdays at 6 p.m.
•Fall Revival with Tommy and John Thomas Oaks is Nov. 5-7. More info on bulletin board.
•“Taste of Heaven” cookbook will be available Sunday morning. Suggested donation $12. All proceeds will go to building fund.

Panzi Blackwell

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