Braving the pre-Christmas shopping crowds, and other Churchill news
by Linda Gerow

I took my sister shopping and we braved the traffic and crowds on Sunday afternoon.

Neither of us mind the crowds, it's the people fighting for those parking spots that really bug me and the way people drive like their hair is on fire! To coin the phrase, "I've been everywhere" would be putting it mildly. We were literally everywhere and we had a blast.

Yes, we even got some of the shopping done and had more than a few laughs along the way. Am I finished shopping? No, not exactly, but I've made a dent and I'm on my way.

Library news: From Churchill branch manager, Debra Mann. Phone number is 456- 2671.

Christmas family storytime: Thursday December 13 from 2 to 2:45 p.m.

Join us for games, songs, stories and crafts. Children's Christmas crafting workshop: Also on the 13th, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. is the create your own wooden Christmas decorations with Howard Greenaway. Shape the ornament and decorate it ready for your tree. Ages 10 and up, $5 for the first ornament and $2 for any additional ornaments. Call or stop in to register.

Movie: Churchill branch: Stardust: Saturday December 15 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $2 with a snack and drink for $1.

Book sale: From Dec. 11 to 15 during regular hours, we'll also be having a book sale.

Come in and give these gently-used books, magazines, and videos a home for the holidays.

Registration is closed for F3 and Family Storytime. Our next session will run the week of Jan. 15 to Feb. 26. Registration begins on Jan. 8.

Churchill United Church news: Visit the website at www.churchillgilfordunitedc hurches.org. Check it out!

Churchill Community Play Group meets Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. at the Churchill United Church on Highway 11.

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 Junior Youth Group (COOL) has its next meeting on Dec. 13 at St. Peter's, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

This is for youth aged nine to 12 years old. Call Pam at 735-3484 for information. The youth group now has a new name, COOL (Christians Obey Our Lord).

Senior youth group: Please contact Pam for information about the teen youth group held Sundays at St. John's in Cookstown.

A big thank you to everyone who helped toward the free turkey and ham dinner at St. Peter's, Friday December 7.

It was a wonderful way for the community to come together and have some fellowship. Thank you to Maggie, Judy and Helen, who helped to organize the food and to all the ladies (and gents) who cooked and served. You guys are the best!!!

Smile: An industrious turkey farmer was always experimenting with breeding to perfect a better turkey. His family was fond of the leg portion for dinner and there were never enough legs for everyone. After many frustrating attempts, the farmer was relating the results of his efforts to his friends at the general store get together.

"Well I finally did it! I bred a turkey that has 6 legs!"

They all asked the farmer how it tasted.

"I don't know," said the farmer. "I never could catch it!"

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