Help celebrate Canada's confederation

Canada Day celebrates the events that occurred on July 1, 1867, when the British North America Act created the Canadian federal government. Dominion Day was officially renamed Canada Day by an Act of Parliament on October 27, 1982. This change reflected the policy of successive governments to down play Canada's colonial origins. Canada's national celebration is always observed on July 1, unless that date falls on a Sunday, in which case it is observed the following day. Happy Canada Day everyone, it's more than just a day off work!

Library news: Churchill branch manager, Debra Mann. Phone number is 456- 2671. The branch is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays.

The theme for this year's Summer Reading Club is Laugh Out Loud! Register today and receive a cool poster and log book to record all the books you read or have read to you over the summer. For every five age-appropriate books you record in your log book, you will receive a prize. After 25 books, your name is entered into a draw for the grand prize.

June summer programs at the Churchill branch are for ages three and up. Space is limited, so register today for programs or the Summer Reading Club . You can register in person at the Churchill branch or call 456- 2671. Proof of age for children will be required.

Kick-off party - July 3 from 2 to 3 p.m., free; Funny Fairy Tale Week - July 9, 2 to 3 p.m., $2; Comedy Week - July 16, 2 to 3 p.m., $3; Robert Munsch Week - July 23, 2 to 3 p.m., $2; Clowning Around Week - July 30, 2 to 3 p.m., $2.

Mini Quests contests will be held all through the summer, win fabulous prizes for the whole family. Call or drop by for more details.

Movies ($2 ticket, $1 snack and drink): Nim's Island - July 10; Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the classic one with Gene Wilder) - July 17; The Forbidden Kingdom - July 24; Son of Rambow - Aug. 7; Speed Racer - Aug. 14; and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Aug. 28. All movies begin at 1 p.m.

Skip to the Library: Thursday June 26th, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., bring your own skipping rope, a friends, and skip 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. All skippers are welcome, but pre-registration is required.

In the community: 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.

Junior youth group: The Parish of Churchill and Cookstown Junior Youth Group (COOL) meet every Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Anglican Church. Next meeting is June 26th. If you would like to join us, please speak to Pam at 735-3484. This is for youth aged nine to 12 years old.

Senior youth group: The teen youth group meet on alternate Sundays at St. John's Anglican Church in Cookstown from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Lunch is included at 1 p.m.

All teens are welcome to attend. The next meeting is to be announced. Please contact Pam for any information and upcoming dates at 735-3484.

Guest Speaker at Lefroy United Church: The church, located on Church Street North in Lefroy, will present a special speaker on Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans relief aid two years later, on Sunday June 29, at 10 a.m. Debbie Siertsemais, a United Church member, youth leader, and program assistant with Aboriginal Ministries will give an update two years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and the poorest of neighbourhoods in New Orleans.

Homes were left uninhabitable and government red tape made it nearly impossible for people to rebuild. Local churches put out calls for help and an organization called Churches to Churches responded. Debbie heard the call and signed up to go with a busload of volunteers from across Ontario. She brings pictures of the devastation, stories of the frustration of people abandoned by their state and country, and tales of courage and love. Everyone is welcome to attend. Should you require more information please contact Pat Rodgers at 436-3575.

Gilford/Churchill United Church news: Visit their website at www.churchillgilfordunitedc hurches.org for all the latest news.

Euchre: Bid euchre at St. Peter's Anglican Church on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to drop by any Wednesday and join in the fun. Light refreshments are served. Call 458-1801 for details.

Strawberry supper: Stroud Presbyterian Church, located at 2180 Victoria Street, is having a strawberry supper on Wednesday June 25, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. with cold cuts, homemade salads and local strawberries. It will be continuous seating and takeout is available. Adult admission is $12 and children under nine years old eat for $5. For more information, please call 436- 3107 or 431-1282.

Strawberry supper: St. Peter's Anglican Church will be having a strawberry supper on June 27th. Come and enjoy some fresh strawberries and a delicious dinner. The time is 5 to 7 p.m. first come, first served. Adults are $10, children under 12 are $5, and preschoolers are free. Please call 456-6731 or 436-9769 for information.

Open house: Lakeview Gardens invites everyone to their annual open house on July 12th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You are invited to experience all the delights of the formal herb garden and discover how fragrant and decorative herbs can be used. Browse through the large selection of potted herbs and perennials available in the garden centre. A favourite for many is the opportunity to sample herbal treats both savoury and sweet, lovingly made by Gaynor and Rose, along with herbal teas and drinks. You should not miss this wonderful event. Best of all, it's completely free. If you wish to learn more about Lakeview Gardens and all the upcoming events, visit their website at www.lakeviewgardencentre. com.

The Gilford and District Horticultural Society is hosting the Welcome to My Garden Tour Saturday July 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy a delightful summer day in the country by visiting a variety of gardens of interest for everyone. The society has arranged for you to view gardens that are newly designed, minimal care, traditional, shaded woodland, waterfront, large properties with established beds, plus their tree garden at the South Innisfil Arboretum, where many specimen trees have been planted on the nine-acre site. Other attractions at the arboretum include a 34-foot tall totem pole, a perennial bed, an ornamental grass garden and a Water Wise Garden. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Royal Canadian Legion during your travels.

Tickets are $10, while lunch costs $5.

For more information, contact Sheila Allen at 905- 589-0202 or crashallen@rogers.com, Judith Matchett at 456-3299 or w.matchett@rogers.com, or Jenni Murrell at 456-3163 o r jenni.murrell@rogers.com.

Vacation bible school: St. Peter's Anglican Church vacation bible school will be held from July 14 to 18, with the theme Jesus' Power Lab. It runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Our sister church, St. John's in Cookstown, holds its bible school from July 21 to 25. All children in the community are invited to join in regardless of denomination. If you would like to be part of our group this year, please call Pam at 735-3484.

Smile: A man and his nagging wife were vacationing in Jerusalem when the wife unexpectedly dies.

The undertaker tells the husband, "You can have her shipped home for $5,000 or we can bury her here for $150."

The man thought about it and said he would have her shipped home.

"Why would you spend $5,000 to ship her home when you can have her buried here for $150?" asked the undertaker.

"Well," said the man, "a long time ago a man died here, was buried here and three days later he rose from dead. I just can't take that chance."

Thank you Carole, for the joke.

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