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Brownstown-Sefton News

Hi, Ho! It’s Not Too Late …
…to come to the Fayette County Fair! As is our Homesteader’s tradition, we (namely Bill and Panzi) went to the fairgrounds early (Sunday afternoon) to see the 4-H kids’ animals and walk through the building for the various competitions  (cookies, art works, photography, crafts, floral arrangements, etc.).
And Eating the Delicious Fair Foods
We stopped at the pork building and enjoyed a delicious lunch of brats, French fries and iced tea … and also a visit with Charlie Depew.
We are still looking forward to a fish sandwich, which has been a tradition with me ever since I can remember the fair.
Plus…
… Meeting Up with Old and New Friends
During our visit to the cattle barn, we renewed acquaintance with Bruce Waggoner, with whom I used to work years ago and hadn’t seen since. We were happy to meet his wife, Jenny, and 9-year-old daughter,Bella, who was busy with a pitchfork, cleaning the stall area of their Bell-Mia Polled Herefords cattle.
Bella has been in 4-H for two years with the Ramsey 4-H Club. She is a second generation of 4-H. Her mother, Jenny Austin, showed 30 years ago. Many will remember Bella’s great-grandpa, Bob Austin, a former county clerk for Fayette.
Our readers will also remember Bill Waggoner  (Bruce’s brother and Bella’s uncle), who was the horticulture teacher for St. Elmo and is now in Kinmundy and teaches for Kaskaskia College. I also had the pleasure of working with Bill those years ago, and more recently (a few years ago) wrote a feature story about Bill and his work accomplishments at St. Elmo School.
We Really Need …
… to support our fair by entering the competitions. I was really surprised to see only one entry for the cookies.
I fully intended to submit at least two entries this year, for outdoor flower arrangement and photography. However, our annual family reunion had been scheduled (for months) for the same day and there was no way I could make it back for the entry time Saturday, as it involved the noontime.
But all was not in vain – we are enjoying the roadside flowers arrangement on our porch. It has been five days since picked, and it is staying pretty and fresher than I thought it would … and we will enjoy always enjoy our photos.
But …
… my excuse for not making the entry time did not help with fair support. It would help if we could get all the events in the county scheduled ahead of time, so we could plan accordingly.
Roses and tips of the hat to those who did enter, no matter if they won or not.  
The Bottom Line is …
… so many county fairs have went by the wayside, probably a lot due to the growing disinterest, lack of participation, and therefore, lack of support of the  local people, in attendance and participation.
While some might regard, in this day of electronics, the county fair as not exciting enough and/or old fashioned, we should remember that the county fairs and their activities, grandstand shows and home-style competitions (baking, sewing, growing the best vegetables, etc,.) are fun and character-building, especially for our youth, as is witnessed every year in the 4-H competitions. The county fairs are a part of our American heritage.
Most of us live in these “countryside” communities, because we like the country flavor of our lives here.  
We need to nurture and keep the values and standards of country living, such as caring about our neighbors, schools, churches, our communities, our government and the world, in general.  
The Fayette County Fair is still in progress, so hope to see you there.  Let’s keep our county fair going.
Sefton HCE Members …
… are to meet at the Brownstown High School parking lot at 10:30 a.m. this Friday for the yearly outing. This year, we are going to the Mennonite Country Store, which is located on the St. Peter Blacktop, for lunch together, then possibly making other stops in the area.
Brownstown Branch Library
Freezer Full of Chicken Raffle …
… tickets are on sale now at Brownstown Library, DeerPark Distributers and Fayette County Real Estate.
There are only 400 tickets left; one ticket for $10 or three for $20. The freezer is filled with Springer Mountain Farm Chickens, the chickens “talked about” by GUS (Arrendale) on the RFD popular show, “Larry’s Diner.” The chicken is compliments of “Springer Mountain Farms-good quality meat.”
• 1st Prize-Freezer full of chicken
• 2nd-$100
• 3rd-$50
• 4th -$25
The winning tickets will be drawn on Oct. 8 at the Nadine concert.
Liberty Christian Church
The congregation of Liberty Christian Church was greeted by Erin Schaub as they gathered for Sunday morning worship services. Gary Smith and Vernon Brazle served as ushers. John and Jacy Schaub served at the welcome table.
Bill Robison led the opening prayer. Serving at the table were John Willms and Kyle Anderson. Serving the congregation were Aaron Miller, Brad Smith, Brian Smith, Taylor Ring and Bob Buzzard, assisted by Clay Chandler and Roger Smith.
The Praise team – Teresa Mayes, Pauka Brunk, Kathy Willms, Kim Miller and Tammy Carson – led in songs of praise, accompanied by Kim Miller and Tammy Carson.
Also serving: Lisa Smith-nursery; Barb Morrison-pre-K teacher, assisted by Tyler Stonecipher; Erin Klug-Kids W teacher, assisted by Emmett Chandler; Dana Dann-PowerPoint; Dan Largent-sound system; and Barb Morrison-Communion preparation.
Announcements
Liberty Church and St. Elmo Christian Church will join together to rent out the Effingham Kluthe Center Memorial pool for an evening of fun and fellowship on July 29. Pool party will last from 7-9 p.m., and the cost is $2 per person. Snacks will be provided. They will leave the church at 6:15 p.m.
   
 

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