Some thoughts on the celebrated life of Robbie Burns
CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow

Humanist, humourist and patriot Robbie Burns died in 1796. By 1801, a group of Ayrshire men were already honouring their friend at an annual dinner, "Whiskey and freedom gang t'gither."

Imbibing a wee dram would have enhanced many of the things he loved best: Sociability, earnest argument, music, dancing and, of course, the lassies! He may have scandalized polite society with his brashness, but despite this, or perhaps because of it, he had a phenomenal way of raising people's spirits and making them glad. He emphasized decency in a world that barely knew it, and fostered a sense of dignity and self worth in his all but broken people.

Every year people celebrate Robbie Burns with dinner, eating the haggis, or dancing the night away. That's what they'll be doing at the Legion in Bell Ewart on the 26th.

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

Registration for programs: Our next session will run the week of Jan. 15 to Feb. 26. Registration began on Jan. 8. Check with the branch for space availability.

F3 (Food, friends, fun): Hang out with us as we make tasty snacks, play games and do other activities in this after school club. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Family storytime: A storytime for children of all ages accompanied by their caregivers.

This storytime includes games, rhymes, fingerplays and stories is designed for the whole family to enjoy. Thursdays 2 to 2:45 p.m.

Family Literacy Day: Visit our local branch on January 26th at 1 p.m. for a chance to win fun prizes. Families are invited to join in on the ABC Family Literacy board game, an oversized board game that allows the people to act as the playing piece. Please register in person or by phone. This is a free event. Call 456-2671.

Celebrate Family Day with the Frosty Challenge by building a snowman together! Teams of two to five people will have one hour to build a snowman. The team with the best snowman will win four passes for tubing at Snow Valley.

This a free event, registration. Saturday February 23 at 1 p.m. See library for rules and regulations.

Silver Birch: A reading program for children in grades 3 to 6. This program includes 10 fiction and 10 non-fiction titles. It also includes 10 express titles that are aimed at grades 3 to 4. Children are invited to read at least five titles from each category and vote on their favourite title. Call your branch for details.

Movies: All tickets are $2, refreshments are $1. Churchill branch: Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - Feb. 16 at 1 p.m.

Bee Movie - March 1 at 1 p.m.

Coming soon - Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Water Horse.

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.

Pancake supper: St. Peter's Anglican Church hosts their annual pancake supper on Tuesday February 5th at 5 p.m. Donation only. Come and enjoy some great food and fellowship.

Euchre: Until further notice, the euchre at St. Peter's Anglican church, Wednesdays at 1 p.m., has been postponed.

Robbie Burns dinner: Jan. 26th, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the RCL in Bell Ewart, Branch 547 located on Robinson Street. It will feature a traditional Burns dinner with all the trimmings, including Maggie's own haggis. The Innisfil Pipe Band will be in attendance and the haggis will be piped into the hall. After a concert from our pipe band, we will be entertained by the legion's DJ, Bill Van Berkel. Karaoke will be available for the singers in the crowd. This event is now sold but you can always go on the waiting list. Call Joyce for details at 431-9231.

World Day of Prayer: The annual World Day of Prayer service will be held at Lefroy United Church on Friday March 7 at 1 p.m. The origins of World Day of Prayer date back to the 19th century when Christian women of the United States and Canada initiated a variety of cooperative activities in support of women's involvement in mission at home and in other parts of the world. This year, the country represented is Guyana. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please call Lynn for information at 733-3692.

Smile: Dean and Jerry were riding a train across the west. Jerry looked out the window and saw a whole lot of buffalo roaming the range.

"Look at that big bunch of buffalo," said Jerry.

"Don't say bunch, say herd," replied Dean.

"Heard what?" said Jerry.

"Herd of buffalo", replies Dean.

"Sure, I've heard of Buffalo," exclaims Jerry.

"No, you don't understand, a Buffalo herd!"

I don't care what a buffalo heard," says Jerry. "I ain't said nothing that I'm ashamed of."

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