CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow

May 24th, Queen Victoria's birthday, was declared a holiday by the Legislature of the Province of Canada in 1845. After Confederation, the Queen's birthday was celebrated every year on May 24th, unless that date was a Sunday, in which case a proclamation was issued providing for the celebration on May 25th. After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, an Act was passed by the Parliament of Canada establishing a legal holiday on May 24th in each year (or May 25th if May 24th fell on a Sunday) under the name Victoria Day. The first birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1952, was celebrated in June, while Victoria's birthday was continued to be celebrated in May. From 1953 to 1956, the Queen's birthday was celebrated in Canada on Victoria Day, by proclamation of the Governor General, with Her Majesty's approval. In 1957, Victoria Day was permanently appointed as the Queen's birthday in Canada. In the United Kingdom, the Queen's birthday is celebrated in June.

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 Spring Session. We thank our customers for their understanding and patience. If in doubt, please call ahead to 705-456-2671 to confirm open hours.

Skip to the Library: Bring your skipping rope, bring a friend, and skip for as long as you can! Sign up today for this exciting, FREE event. All participants will receive a certificate of participation and a refreshing snack. Preregistration is required.Sign up today at your local branch. Ages: all skippers welcome. Cost: FREE...Churchill: Thursday, June 21, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

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 from June 8-10th, 2007, to Camp Couchiching. All youth aged 9-18 are welcome to attend this fun and faith filled weekend. Fundraising will help to cover the costs, the first is the following announcement. Ask Pam about all the details. Pam would like to thank everyone who came to the Spaghetti Supper on Friday, May 18th to help raise funds for the upcoming retreat. A big thank you to Helen Goodeve for helping with the meatballs and to all the youth who came to help.

Garage Sale: Churchill United Church is having a Treats and Treasures Garage Sale from 8 a.m. to 1p.m. on Saturday May 26, 2007. Drop by to find a special treasure.

Purina Walk for Dog Guides: The Gilford and District Lions Club is hosting the Purina Walk for Dog Guides, a fundraising event that starts at 1:30 p.m. at the Gilford Community Hall. All ages and fitness levels are welcome to attend, with or without a dog. For more information or to register to walk, go to www.purinawalkfordogguid es.com.

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. Friends and guests are most welcome. The next meeting is June 11th when the topic will be an interesting and amusing discussion on Humour & Passion in the Garden by David Hobson and a flower show featuring Roses, Peonies and Irises for which trophies can be won. Come and enjoy !

Giant Plant and Yard Sale: The Giant Plant , Yard Sale & B.B.Q. will be held May 26th at the South Innisfil Arboretum, Shore Acres Drive & 20th Sdrd, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Call Kathy at 905-853-8785 for information or questions.

Euchre: Join Reg at St. Peter's Parish Hall for his weekly euchre game every Wednesday afternoon. Start time is 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. Come on out and join in the fun and fellowship. Call Reg at 705- 456-6801 for all info. All proceeds go to the St. Peter's building fund.

Musical Evening: The St. Peter's Anglican church choir is planning a musical evening on Sunday, May 27th at 7:00 p.m. There will be traditional, contemporary and old favourites presented. The Junior choir and Youth Group will be singing some of their own selections. Everyone is welcome to attend. Donations only. For more information, call Linda at 705-436-9769.

Car Trunk Sale: Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 9th for the car trunk sale from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Churchill Community Centre parking lot. The cost to vendors is $25.00 per car/truck and shoppers get 'free admission'. Also available is a delicious all day BBQ and a silent auction of some amazing articles. What you don't sell, you close the trunk and away you go! Contact Dean Williamson at 456-2202 and book your space early.

Strawberry Supper: St. Peter's Anglican Church is hosting its 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.

Smile: Two rednecks are out ice fishing at their favourite fishing hole, just fishing quietly and drinking beer. Almost silently, so as not to scare the fish, Mel says, "I think I'm going to divorce my wife - she hasn't spoken to me in over 2 months." Earl continues slowly sipping his beer, then thoughtfully says, "You better think it over, Melwomen like that are hard to find." (thanks to my brother for this one)

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