CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow

Is it cold enough yet? I've about had it with the frigid temperatures but I'm hoping that the news I heard today is true...we're in for a warming trend. I'll take it! All my friends are either away on holidays or just returning from Cuba and Panama and Florida. I'm getting anxious for the spring and the warmer weather.

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

Movie Madness: @ the Churchill Branch: Happy Feet! Into the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soul mates through song, a penguin is born who cannot sing. But he can tap dance something fierce! March 13th at 4:30 p.m.

Night at the Museum (G) A newly recruited night security guard at the Museum of Natural History discovers that an ancient curse causes the animals and exhibits on display to come to life and wreak havoc. Saturday, March 17, 1:00 p.m.

Winterfest begins Friday, February 23rd. Don't miss out on all the fun. Check your local paper for all the events.

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.

The Grange Cafe will be held from 7-10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24th, 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

Roast Beef Dinner: February 21st at the Gilford United Church. The cost is $13 for adults; $5 for children under 12. There will be two sittings at 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. For tickets call 705-456-2006.

World Day of Prayer: This year the annual World Day of Prayer will be held at the Gilford United Church on Friday, March 2nd, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. This year the theme is "United Under God's Tent" from Paraguay. Please come and join in the celebration, along with St. Peter's Anglican Church/Churchill; Lefroy United Church; Churchill United Church and Gilford United Church. All denominations are welcome to attend.

Branch 547 Lefroy Belle Ewart Legion News: Karaoke is coming back March 16 for five weeks of singing and fabulous prizes. Prizes total $1,000. Registration is 8:30 p.m. with the contest starting at 9 p.m. There will be a St. Patrick's theme the first night, followed by a dance. Monday night darts begin at 7 p.m. and last about 3 hours. You don't have to be a member to join in the fun. Thursday Euchre continues from 1 p.m. There is regular and bid Euchre, followed by snacks.

Chilli Challenge: The Ladies Auxiliary, Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 547 are challenging you to a Chili cook-Off on March 24 from noon to 3:30 p.m. Bring a pot of chili and let the public decide who is the best cook. Come on in and get a bowl, bun water and ballot for only $4. Anyone wishing to enter a pot of chili please contact Bev Pring at 456-0704 or Dianne Hubbard at 431-5344.

Get well wishes are extended to Olwen Alksnis from all her friends at St. Peter's. We miss you and hope you're feeling better soon.

Smile: This guy sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and says to the dog, "You talk?" "Yep," the mutt replies."So, what's your story?" The mutt looks up and says, "Well, I discovered this gift pretty young and I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies eight years running. The jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger and I wanted to settle down.

So I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security work, mostly wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings there and was awarded a batch of medals. Had a wife, a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired."The guy is amazed and asks the owner what he wants for the dog. The owner says, "Ten dollars."The guy says, "This dog is amazing. Why on earth are you selling him, so cheap? "The owner replies, "He's such a liar. He didn't do any of that stuff."

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