Horticulture, Halloween and a Christmas Bizaar coming up
CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow

Can you feel it? There's that nip in the air, feeling more like Fall than ever. There's something reassuring about this even though most of us would like to skip right back into summer! But wait .... Halloween is coming, one of my favourite times of the year. Who can miss that? Not me. So rake up those leaves, and put out the scarecrows and pumpkins. It's not over until the fat goblin wails.

Library News

Churchill Branch: Branch Manager: Debra Mann. Phone number: 705-456- 2671.

Paws to Read program Oct. 30, 15 minute sessions from 6 to 7 p.m. These gentle, lovable dogs just love it when children read them books! Some spaces are still available. Please register by phone or in person for these two activities.

Movies: Transformers: Oct. 20, 1 p.m. Tickets $2, snack and a drink for $1.

2007 Seepe Writing Contest: Children and youth in grades 6 to 12 entered Innisfil Public Library's annual story writing contest. The award ceremony will take place during Ontario Public Library Week (Oct.15 to 21), the date to be announced.

Halloween Fun: Spookfest - Sign up (if you dare) for the library's spookiest Spookfest ever - wear your Halloween costume for a chance to win a prize! Saturday, October 27 at 11:30 a.m., ages five and up, cost is $3.

Pumpkin Decorating: You supply the pumpkin and the creativity, we provide the craft supplies! Come prepared to make a fabulously spooky pumpkin. This program is for all ages, but children five and under must be accompanied by an adult. Tuesday October 23, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., cost $1. Please register for these two events, either in-person, at the library or by telephone.

Best Dressed Pumpkin Contest: Bring in your decorated pumpkin (not carved, please!) to the library by the morning of Saturday, October 27, and let the public vote for their favourite pumpkin! Family entries are welcome - remember to name your pumpkin. Voting will take place all day Oct. 27. Any pumpkins not picked up by Wednesday, October 31 will be made into pumpkin pie for library staff!

GDHS: The Annual General Meeting of the Gilford and District Horticultural Society will be held at the Churchill Community Centre, Yonge Street , on Nov. 11, at 5.30 p.m. This will be a great pot luck dinner affair. Further notices will be posted. For information, call president Cathy at 905- 853-8785.

Churchill United News

New website: www.churchillgilfordunitedc hurches.org. Check it out!

Music night: Join us at Churchill United Church on Saturday, November 17th at 7:30 p.m. for a music night featuring The Mudde Family. There will be refreshments following the performance.

Churchill Sunday School is looking for helpers for the upcoming year. Please contact Betty Stewart at 435- 4267 or Lynn Rutledge at 456-5677 if you are interested in being a teacher or assistant. There will also be youth groups for grades 5 to 8 and 8 to 12. If you have any questions please e-mail zanywlp@yahoo.ca or call 456-4692.

Churchill Community play group meets Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. at the Churchill United Churchill on Highway 11 in Churchill. Toys, crafts, songs, books and snacks are available along with coffee and friendship. Please call Kim for information at 456-1859.

The Parish of Churchill and Cookstown youth group's next meeting is Oct. 18 at St. Peter's, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is for youth aged 9 to 12 years. Call Pam at 705- 735-3484 for information.

The senior youth group (ages 12 to 18) met at St. John's in Cookstown for lunch and discussion, as they began a seven week study on challenge from the Serendipity Youth Identity series. Come out to explore your faith and meet new friends. For more information, please contact Pam for upcoming dates.

Christmas Bazaar: St. Peter's Anglican Church is holding its annual Christmas Bazaar and Tea on November 3rd, 2007 in the Stroud Arena Banquet Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some table spaces but these are limited.

Bazaar features tea and luncheon area, baking and preserves, home made goods, youth table, gifts for all ages, raffle, silent auction, unique hand crafts and much, much more. Please call Carolyn at 705-458-0748 for all information.

Smile : Here are some actual announcements in church bulletins: "Don't let worry kill you...let the Church help"; "At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What is Hell?'... come early and listen to our choir practice"; "The sermon this morning is 'Jesus Walks on the Water". The sermon tonight will be, 'Searching for Jesus'. (Thanks to Don Richardson for the announcements.)

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