CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow

"How are those pumpkins coming along?" It was a simple question and I could see the patch at the far end of the property had lots of leaves and blooms. As I trekked across the backyard, I spied my husband surveying the patch with some speculation. "Well, I see that we have one pumpkin coming!" was the dubious reply. One??? I had been counting on at last five or six but upon closer inspection, I could see only one, rather sad looking, very green and skinny bulge that may have been the start of something resembling a pumpkin. I began counting the weeks until Thanksgiving in my head and then decided I'd better aim for Halloween. The patch itself was thriving but it wasn't producing much in the way of pumpkins. Never one to give up, I have decided I shall harvest my one lone pumpkin, clean him out, save the seeds and start afresh next year. However, don't look for me at any "giant pumpkin weigh offs" this year.

Library News: 2282 4th Line, Churchill, Ontario (705) 456-2671: Branch manager: Brianne Wilkins: Hours: Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 1 p.m.7pm.;Wednesday: 10am.8p.m.; Thursday: 1 p.m.7p.m.; Friday: Closed; Saturday: 10a.m.-5p.m. Library website: www.town.innisfil.ca (click on Library under "Living in Innisfil) Stroud: (705) 4361681; Lakeshore: (705) 4317410; Cookstown: (705) 458-1273.

Book Magic: An afterschool club for children grades 1-3. Wednesdays 5-6 p.m.

Board Game Club: Play a variety of games and make some new friends while you're at it! Dates TBA. Thursdays 5-6 p.m.

PAWS to Read: Improve your child's literacy skills READ TO A DOG! PAWS is designed to improve literacy skills by using Certified Therapy Dogs. These gentle, loveable dogs just love it when children read them a book! Sign up today for the chance to read them a story. Perfect for beginning readers, struggling readers, shy readers or ANY child that loves to read to dogs! Ages: 5 & up: Cost: FREE!! Saturday, November 4, 10:30-11:30 a.m.@ Churchill Branch.

Spookfest: You've seen Fear Factor but have you experienced it? Join us for chills, thrills, and a spooky good time! Sign up (if you dare) for the library's spookiest Spookfest ever! P r e r e g i s t r a t i o n required.Ages: 5 & up: Cost: $3. Thursday, October 26, 5:00-6:00 p.m.@ Churchill Branch.

Pumpkin Decorating: You supply the pumpkin and the creativity, we provide the craft supplies. Come prepared to make a fabulously spooky pumpkin! Take it home with you or keep it at the library for a couple of days and enter it in our Best Dressed Pumpkin Contest. Preregistration required; pick up your ticket today at your nearest branch: Ages: all (children ages 5 & under must be accompanied by an adult): Cost: $1: Wednesday, October 25, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Churchill Branch

Best Dressed Pumpkin Contest: Bring in your decorated pumpkin (no carving please) to the library by voting day (see below) and let the public vote for their favorite pumpkin! Remember to name your pumpkin. Pumpkins not

picked up by Saturday, October 28 will be made into pumpkin pie for library staff! Family entries welcome! Ages: All Family entries welcome: Cost: Free: Voting Days: Thursday, October 26, All Day @ Churchill Branch.

MOVIE MADNESS! We're CRAZY for Movies! All tickets are $2, Refreshments are $1. Contact the appropriate branch for more information.Monster House: Saturday, October 21, 1:00 p.m @ Churchill Branch. Three teens discover that

their neighbor's house is really a living, breathing, scary monster.

Christmas Bazaar: St. Peter's Anglican Church Christmas Bazaar will be held at the Stroud Community Centre on Saturday, November 4th from 9 a.m. 3 p.m., upstairs in the banquet hall. Vendors who wish to lease table space can get their request in early by calling Carolyn at 705-458-0748. Cost is $25 per table and space is limited. This hall has elevator access to the top floor; there will be the usual baked goods, preserves, sewing/knitting, penny draw, hand crafts and raffles. Don't delay, call today.

Euchre is held at St. Peter's Anglican Church parish hall, Hwy #11, every Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m. For information, call Reg at 705-456-6801.

Legion News: Branch 547 Belle Ewart: Karaoke is starting again at Branch 547 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Belle Ewart. Mark your calendars for Friday, September 29th at 8 p.m.

The contest will run for five weeks with $1,000 in prizes.

Turkey Dinner: Belle Ewart Legion: A Sunday dinner is scheduled for October 1st with turkey and all the trimmings starting at 5 p.m. It would be a good idea to call ahead and see about space availability. The office number is 705-4566879.

Darts is starting up again @ Branch 547 on Monday, September 18th at 7 p.m. for the first couple of weeks so that everyone can have a chance to signup and allow for practice. What a great way to join in and meet new friends.

The Gilford and District Horticultural Society meets at the Churchill Community Centre the second Monday of each month from March to November. New members are always welcome. Call Judith Rogers at 431-9278 or Kathy Barraclough at 95853-8785 for more information.

Churchill United would like to welcome all children from kindergarten to grade 8 to join them for Sunday school at 11 a.m. Call 705435-4267 for more information.

Bus Trip to Rama: Join the ladies of the Branch 547 Royal Canadian Legion, 1017 Robinson St., Belle Ewart for a bus trip to Casino Rama on Tuesday, September 26th. There is a $5 fee. The bus leaves the Legion at 8:45 a.m. with pick up at Stroud Arena at 9 a.m. Please contact Myrtle Hastings at 436-4895 or Elaine Maynard at 4566961.

Smile: A woman is driving home in Northern Arizona when she comes upon a woman hitchhiking. Because the trip has been long and quiet, she stops the car and the Navajo woman climbs in. During their small talk, the woman glances surreptitiously at a brown bag on the front seat between them. "If you're wondering what's in the bag," offers the woman, "it's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband."The passenger is silent for a while, nods several times and says, "Good trade!"

If you have any items/events/news for this column please contact me at lagerow@rogers.com or call me at 705-436-9769.