CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow

It was with sadness I learned of the passing of Carol McPherson on March 13th. Carol was the person who first asked me if I'd be interested in doing the Churchill column for The Scope newspaper about four or more years ago. I wasn't sure that I was the right person for this job; I don't live in Churchill and I wasn't even sure how to go about writing a column. But Carol assured me that I'd do fine and she'd help me in any way that she could. For the first few issues, I had little, if anything, to submit, but as time went on, people warmed up to this novice and with Carol's encouragement, I began to find snippets of information here and there, sometimes to the chagrin of friends who would find their names in the paper. They would joke that they'd have to be careful what they said and did around me or they'd end up front page news! Carol and I also had something else in common...we both loved Elvis!! Who could go wrong with someone like that? I send to Carol's son, Craig, and to her whole family, my deepest condolences but as Craig said, "Now it's time to say goodbye."

And so goodbye Carol, we'll miss you.

Library News: Churchill Branch: 2282 4th Line, Churchill, Ontario: (705) 456-2671 "Due to staffing shortage, Innisfil Public Library Board will continue to change the Churchill Branch Wednesday hours to 1-8 p.m. 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.

Out read! Out play! Out party! Join in the reality T.V. adventure. Be part of a reading expedition! Help your team be the first to the top of the mountain by reading!

The team that reads the most during March Break will reach the summit first! Runs Sat. March 10 to Sat. April 7: Check out your teams progress at your local branch.

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.

The Youth Groups are planning an upcoming retreat the end of May to Camp Couchiching.

Ask Pam about all the details.

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 Gilford and District Horticultural Society hold their meetings from March to November each year at the Churchill Community Centre.

The meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. and there is often a guest speaker.

If you have any questions, please contact President, Kathy at 905-853- 8785.

Branch 547 Lefroy Belle Ewart Legion News: Karaoke is back for five weeks of singing every Friday evening. Prizes total $1,000. Registration is 8:30 p.m. with the contest starting at 9 p.m.

I attended the first Friday of Karaoke on March 16th and had a great time. Come on out and have some fun!

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.

Saturday Meat Draws: Come out Saturday afternoons and get in on the meat draw. Everyone is welcome. There are good cuts of meat! You can't win if you don't enter. This is lots of fun so see you there.

Attention Veterans: The Legion Service Officer is coming to the branch in March. Please call Jack at 458-1966 for an appointment. It is all strictly confidential.

He can discuss VIP, Pension adjustments or whatever else you may wish to talk about. Good things can happen.

Chili 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.

Ham and Scallop Potato Supper: St. Peter's Anglican Church is having a ham and scallop potato supper on Thursday, April 26th, 2007 from 5-7 p.m. All tickets are $10. Don't miss out on this scrumptious meal. Also, mark your calendars for St. Peter's annual Strawberry Supper on Thursday, June 21st from 5-7 p.m. Tickets are $10 each.

More details to follow. For information, call Maggie at 705-456-7293.

St. Peter's Anglican Church is having its annual Palm Sunday parade on Sunday, April 1st beginning at 9 a.m. at the Churchill Library on the 4th line of Innisfil.

The parade will process to the church around the corner where regular service will take place at approximately 9:15 a.m.

Everyone is invited to join in the parade or cheer us all on from the sidelines.

Smile: A Texan, while visiting Toronto, found himself in the back seat of a taxi cab on the way to his hotel. Passing by the Royal York the Texan asked the cab driver "What's that building there?" "That's the Royal York Hotel" replied the cabbie. "The Royal York? How long did it take to build that?" asked the Texan. "About 12 years" replied the cabbie."12 years? We build 'em twice as high, twice as wide and four times as long down in Texas, and we do that in six months." Then they went past the Metro-Toronto Convention Centre. "What's that building over there?" asked the Texan. "That's the Metro-Toronto Convention Centre" replied the cabbie. "Convention Centre? How long'd it take to build that?" asked the Texan. "About three years" replied the cabbie.

"Three years? We build 'em twice as high, three times as long and four times as wide as that down in Texas, and it only takes us about two weeks." Shortly thereafter the cabbie drives past the CN Tower. "What's that building there?" asks the Texan, pointing at the tower. "Danged if I know" replied the cabbie, "It wasn't here when I drove by yesterday."

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