CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow

Everyone knows that the "dog days of summer" occur during the hottest and muggiest part of the season. Webster defines "dog days" as... the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere: a period of stagnation or inactivity. But where does the term come from? Why do we call them "dog days?" In ancient times, when the sky was clear at night, people would look up and 'connect the stars', often making shapes of animals out of them. The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky. During late July, Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, "dog days" after the dog star. Today, dog days occur during the period between July 3 and August 11. So now you know.

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

The Churchill Branch is ready for it's summer programming: Follow "Zack" through the library as he visits exotic lands. You can even write to him or colour his picture. Just visit the website at www.innisfil.library.on.ca

SUMMER READING CLUB: For every 5 books read (age appropriate), kids receive a prize from the library! After 25 books, your name is entered in a draw for the Grand Prize. Register now and receive a poster and a logbook with lots of fun activities. IT'S FREE!

Egypt Day 1: Mummy Madness! Help Zack the Explorer find the missing mummies at the Library. Also, try your hand at making a mummy case in which you can keep your treasures hidden.Ages: 5-12: Cost: $3.00: Wednesday,July 18, 2:00- 3:00 p.m.

REPTILE WRANGLERS!Meet some cool creatures and at the end you may get to hold some!

Ages: 6-12: Cost: 5.00: Thursday, July 19, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Arctic Day 1: Chill Factor! We are diving back into the snow! Come join us for some winter fun activities such as building your own igloo! Ages: 5-12: Cost: $3.00 : Wednesday,July 25, 2:00- 3:00 p.m.

Jungle Day: Animal Cracker Safari: Come on a wild safari where we will meet some animal friends! We will also be creating animal cracker collages! Ages: 5-12: Cost: $3:00: Wednesday,August 1, 2:00- 3:00 p.m.

Atlantis Day: Sandcastle Magic Come spend some time on the shores of Atlantis. We will be designing sandcastles and bringing them to life by sprinkling sand! Ages: 5-12: Cost: $3:00

Wednesday,August 8, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Grand Celebration: A library party to end the summer. Ages: 6-12: Wednesday, August 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

SUMMER MOVIES @ the Churchill Branch library: All tickets are $2/refreshments are $1:

Firehouse Dog (G) Rexxx, Hollywood's top canine star, gets lost and is adopted into a shabby firehouse. He teams up with a young kid (Hutcherson) to get the station back on its feet.*

Churchill Branch: Tuesday, July 24, 1:00 p.m.

High School Musical (G) Troy and Gabriella - two teens who are worlds apart - meet at a karaoke contest and discover their mutual love for music. Churchill Branch: Tuesday, July 31, 1p.m.

Disturbia (PG-13) A teen living under house arrest becomes convinced his neighbour is a serial killer.Churchill Branch: Thursday, August 9, 1:00 p.m.

Shrek the Third (PG) When his new father-in-law, King Harold falls ill, Shrek is looked at as the heir to the land of Far, Far Away. Not one to give up his beloved swamp, Shrek recruits his friends Donkey and Puss in Boots to install the rebellious Artie as the new king. Princess Fiona, however, rallies a band of royal girlfriends to fend off a coup d'etat by the jilted Prince Charming. Churchill Branch: Tuesday, August 21, 1:00p.m. *take note that the Lakeshore Branch is showing films for $5 beginning on July 4th at 3 p.m. (Souvenir of Canada) and showing different films until August 16th. They're calling it "By the Book Movies, meaning that you may have read the book of the same title, now see the movie...enjoy!!!

Junior and Senior Youth Groups: The Parish of St. Peter's and St. John's (St. PJ's) youth group and the Senior youth group, will be back in September with regular meetings. We wish all the youth a very happy and safe summer vacation. See you in September! Call Pam at 705-735-3484 for information.

VBS (Vacation Bible School): St. Peter's Anglican Church Vacation Bible School theme this year is Avalanche Ranch. Get ready to take a wild ride through God's word with unforgettable songs, amazing bible adventures, cool crafts and life-changing missions. St. Peter's will be hosting VBS this year during the week of July 16- 20th. Please speak to Pam Gervais (735-3484) if you are interested in registering your children or helping this year. Assisting with the VBS this year will be Michael Caines the Parish summer intern. Welcome aboard, Mike!!

The Gilford and District Horticultural Society: Meet every second Monday in the Churchill Community Centre at 7:30 p.m. from March to November. Everyone is welcome to attend and new members are always welcome. For information please call Kathy at 905- 853-8785.

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 information. All proceeds go to the St. Peter's building fund.

Blood Donor Clinic: There will be a blood donor clinic at the Churchill Community Centre on Saturday, July 21 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Remember that only you can give the gift of life.

2nd Annual Boat Cruise: St. Peter's Anglican Church is having its 2nd annual boat cruise on Tuesday, August 14th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The boat will leave the Port of Orillia on the dot of 6:30 and return at 8:30 p.m. There will be a light luncheon served on board. A cash bar is available. Tickets are $25/person. Please call Dean at 705-456-2202 prior to August 14th. A special invitation is extended to all those at our sister church, St. John's Anglican in Cookstown. Last year was a wonderful trip...let's make this one even better. Bon voyage! All proceeds go to St. Peter's general fund.

Smile: Bill and Ned walk into a fast food joint to get lunch. Bill orders and the cashier gives him his meal. Ned goes up to order and the cashier greets him with "Hello Ned! How are you? Hey everybody! Ned's here!" Everybody in the restaurant comes up and says hello to Ned. Bill says, "Ned, you're pretty popular!" "I'm the most popular man in the world," says Ned. "Now Ned," says Bill, you're pretty popular but you're not the most popular man in the world." "Yes, I am,"Ned says. "I'll bet you a thousand dollars that I'm friends with anybody you can name!" "That so?" answers Bill, "How about the President of the United States?" "Let's go!" says Ned. The two fly to Washington and knock on the front door of the White House. The president answers, "Ned! How are you doing? I haven't seen you in ages!" The three go play a round of golf and then leave. "That was luck!" says Bill, "Two thousand says you're not friends with the Queen of England!" "Let's go!" says Ned. The two fly to Buckingham Palace and, sure enough, are greeted by the Queen. ''Hello Ned my boy! What have you been up to these days?" They have some tea and leave. Frustrated, Bill says, "Double or nothing, you don't know the Pope!" "Billy!" says Ned, "Let's go!" When they get to the Vatican, Ned instructs Bill to wait outside and Ned will come out on the balcony with his arm around the Pope. After a while, a crowd gathers to hear the Pope speak. When the Pope comes out, Ned's arm is wrapped around him. Ned looks down from the balcony and sees Bill passed out on the ground. He rushes down and wakes him up. "Bill! Bill! Wake up!" Bill opens his eyes and says, "Ned. You ARE the most popular man in the world." "I told you that, Bill, but you didn't faint when I knew the President! You didn't faint when I knew the Queen!""Well, I was shocked that you knew the Pope," says Bill, "but I just couldn't take it when the guy next to me tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Who's that up there with Ned?"

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