A Groundhog Day history lesson
CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow

Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, was inspired by an old Scottish couplet, "If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year." How groundhogs got a reputation for predicting weather patterns is a mystery, because they are not the least bit interested in their shadows or the number of winter weeks remaining. In Canada, it was 1956 before Wiarton Willie became a household name for his early February prognostications. This being an expansive nation, there are other groundhogs in other jurisdictions. Nova Scotia has Schubenacadie Sam, who's the first in the country to rear his head on Groundhog Day. The original Wiarton Willie, an albino groundhog said to be 22 years old, died during hibernation during the winter of 1998-99. Willie's death made headlines around the world. Will we have six more weeks of winter? Of course we will no matter what Willy says, but hey, it's fun to wait and see what happens. I'm counting on you, Willy, for an early Spring!

Library news: From Churchill branch manager Debra Mann. Phone number is 456-2671. The branch is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. Our next session of programs runs from Jan. 15 to Feb. 26. 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 from 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 from 2 to 2:45 p.m.

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 registered free event. 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. Call your branch for details.

Movies - All tickets are $2, Refreshments are $1. Churchill branch will show Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium on Saturday February 16 at 1 p.m. and Bee Movie on Saturday March 1 at 1 p.m. Coming soon are 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.

The Parish of Churchill and Cookstown Junior Youth Group (COOL) has its next meeting on Jan. 31 at St. Peter's, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is for youth aged nine to 12 years.

Call Pam at 735-3484 for information. The youth group now has a new name, Christians Obey our Lord (COOL).

Senior youth group: The teen youth group will meet Sundays at St. John's Anglican Church in Cookstown from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Please contact Pam for any information and upcoming dates at 735-3484.

Pancake supper: Churchill United Church will be hosting their annual pancake supper on Tuesday February 5th at 5:30 p.m. Adults $6, Children $3 and preschoolers free. Come and help support our youth.

Pancake supper: St. Peter's Anglican Church hosts their annual pancake supper on Tuesday February 5 at 5 to 7 p.m. Donation only. Come and enjoy some great food and fellowship.

Euchre: Euchre at St. Peter's Anglican church takes place on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to drop by any Wednesday and join in.

Smile: One day Mr. Jones was playing golf and died of a hear attack. Nobody wanted to tell Mrs. Jones. When Mrs. Jones got worried one of his friends told her that he lost five thousand dollars playing poker.

Mrs. Jones said, "He probably dropped dead when that happened."

"Funny you should mention that," said his friend.

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