I'm already thinking about spring
CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow

Think spring! That's what the sign said at Trotter's this week. I'm with you guys. I'm on the big countdown to March 20th, when we can officially celebrate the first day of spring.

It won't come soon enough to suit me. My hibiscus tree is in bloom for the second time since January and while I'm thrilled to see this, I'm used to seeing it outdoors in the front garden.

To it's benefit, I was told that it would likely die in the house if I dug it up and brought it in, but my other alternative was to leave it outside and let it die a horrible death. This I couldn't do.

I babied it, talked to it, watered it and made sure it had all the sunlight I could manage and I sat it near a heat vent. Behold, it's blooming for the second time. I long for the day when I can take it back outside to sit in the front garden where it will bloom non-stop until I bring it in again.

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

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.

March Break Madness at your library: Registration has already begun.

Mad as a Hatter Party: Tuesday March 11 at 1:30 p.m. - we'll have flamingo croquet, Cheshire cats, jabberwockies and more at our Alice in Wonderland party. Ages five to 12 are invited to attend. Admission is $2.

Dance Madness: Wednesday March 12 at 1:30 p.m. - learn to dance like your favourite stars in this hour of dance instruction. Ages six to 12 can attend, admission is $5.

Mini Madness contest: Pick up a Mini Madness canister from the circulation desk between Feb. 26 and March 15 and fill it with as many different objects as you can find, and drop it back at the library by March 15. If you have the most different, whole objects in your canister you win the Mini Madness grand prize. March Break movies are $2 for a ticket, and $1 for a snack. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Thursday March 13 at 1 p . m . Thief Lord: Saturday March 15 at 1 p.m.

March activities for kids: Egg Hunt: Saturday March 15 from 11 a.m. to noon. Hop through the library to find eggs and take part in games and activities. There will be goodie bags for all and you may even win the grand prize. All ages, admission is $2.

Regular movies - $2 for a ticket, $1 for a snack. Bee Movie will run March 1 at 1 p.m., while The Water Horse will play March 29 at 1 p.m.

For adults: Survive the madness of March Break and have the chance to be rewarded with a manicure and pedicure generously donated by The Spa At Lake Simcoe - enter the draw at any one of our four branches.

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) is for youth aged 9 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 alternate 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.

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. Light refreshments are served.

World Day of Prayer: March 7th at Lefroy United Church, beginning at 1 p.m. The country represented this year is Guyana. For information call Lynn Johnston at 733-3692.

Palm Sunday parade: St. Peter's Anglican Church holds their annual passion parade on Palm Sunday, March 16th, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Churchill library. The parade will be led by Eeyore the donkey and end at the church on Hwy. 11 at approximately 9:15 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join the children as they proceed in costume to the church, reenacting Jesus' journey into Jerusalem. Please feel free to stay for the service immediately following the parade.

Ham and scalloped potato dinner at St. Peter's Anglican Church, Friday April 4th from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for the students (12 and under). Preschoolers are free. Call 456-7293 or 436- 9769.

Our thoughts are with Eve Gardner and Marie Ward. We are thinking of you both.

Smile: There is a guy who wants to go ice fishing, so he goes to the ice and cuts a hole in it.

He hears, "There are no more fish in here."

He leaves and goes to another spot on the ice.

He hears, "There are no fish in here."

Baffled, the guy asks, "Is this God?" The voice responds,

"No, this is the hockey announcer!"

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