CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow

This year marks 51 years of Wiarton Willie predictions. More than ever before, people all over the world are taking about the weather! It is snowing where it usually does not snow, we are golfing where we usually do not golf, people are walking around in t-shirts in January…what is next? Well for the real scoop you will have to come to witness the awesome, mythical prognosticating powers of that resident albino groundhog, Wiarton Willie. What a year to make his debut! Willie, along with the Mayor, Gwen Gilbert will be making their predicting debut. Being his premier year, Willie has been consulting with his colleagues and the Mayor has taken language training, to learn Groundhogese. Many of Willie's faithful fans come out dark and early to support Willie and our new Mayor. Given our whacky weather, the pressure is really on the little guy!; an early spring or in the case of this year, 6 weeks of actual winter? Only time will tell...(source: Wiarton Willie website)

Library News: Churchill Branch: 2282 4th Line, Churchill, Ontario: (705) 456-2671

*I was asked by the Innisfil Library to announce the following: "Due to staffing shortage, Innisfil Public Library Board will temporarily change the Churchill Branch Wednesday hours to 1-8 p.m. as of February 1, 2007 and all Churchill programmes will be CANCELLED for the current Winter Session. We thank our customers for their understanding and patience. If in doubt, please call ahead to 705-456-2671 to confirm open hours.Please remember that there are four branches of the Innisfil Public Library. Please check with the other branches for dates and times of special programmes and continuing storytimes.

Junior Youth Group: Parish of St. Peter's and St. John's (St. PJ's) hold their weekly meetings at St. Peter's Anglican church in Churchill from 6:30-8:00 p.m. each week. All youth aged 9-13 are welcome to join. Call Pam at 705-735- 3484 for information.

Senior Youth Group (ages 13-18): meet every second Sunday at St. John's Anglican church in Cookstown for lunch and bible study at 1:00 p.m. All high school aged youth are welcome to join. Please call Pam at the above number for all information and meeting dates.

Euchre: Euchre is held every Wednesday afternoon at St. Peter's Anglican church parish hall beginning at 1:00 p.m. Call Reg at 705-456-6801 for information. All proceeds go to the church Building Fund.

Blood Donor Clinic: Please give blood at the Churchill Community Centre on Friday February 2nd, from 3:30-7:30 p.m. Make an appointment by calling 1-888-236-6283 and save a life. This is the first Churchill Blood Donor Clinic. Check out the website at www.blood.ca . "It's in us to give".

Looking ahead: On Saturday, Feb. 24th, The Grange Cafe will be held from 7-10 p.m. at the Grange Hall in Lefroy. This is a community event geared towards all ages. If you love coffee, tea, espresso and delicious desserts, call for information to Andrew at 705-436-7171 or Pat at 705- 436-3575 or you can email simcoeliving@rogers.com.

Smile: A young man who was an avid golfer found himself with a few hours to spare one afternoon. If he hurried and played very fast, he could get in nine holes before he had to head home. Just as he was about to tee off an old gentleman shuffled onto the tee and asked if he could accompany the young man as he was golfing alone. Not being able to say no, he allowed the old gent to join him. To his surprise the old man played fairly quickly. He didn't hit the ball far, but plodded along consistently. Finally, they reached the 9th fairway and the young man found himself with a tough shot. There was a large pine tree right in front of his ball - and directly between his ball and the green. After several minutes of debating, the old man finally said, "You know, when I was your age I'd hit the ball right over that tree." With that challenge looming, the youngster swung hard, hit the ball up, right smack into the top of the tree trunk and it thudded back on the ground not a foot from where it had originally lay. The old man offered one more comment, "Of course, when I was your age that pine tree was only three feet tall."

Extra Smile: In the early 1930's, a farmer and his wife went to a fair. The farmer was fascinated by the airplanes and asked a pilot how much a ride would cost."$10 for 3 minutes," replied the pilot. "That's too much," said the farmer.The pilot thought for a second and then said, "I'll make you a deal. If you and your wife ride for 3 minutes without uttering a sound, the ride will be free. But if you make a sound, you'll have to pay $10." The farmer and his wife agreed and went for a wild ride. After they landed, the pilot said to the farmer, "I want to congratulate you for not making a sound. You are a brave man." "Maybe so," said the farmer, "But I gotta tell ya, I almost screamed when my wife fell out."

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