The big storm hit Innisfil hard
CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow

The big topic of conversation this past weekend had to be the big storm. It lived up to the hype and dumped centimetres of the white stuff on us, snowing us in and leaving us to shake our heads in wonder.

Sunday morning, everyone was digging themselves out and wishing they were anywhere but here, maybe the Caribbean would have been nice. This winter has been the longest and whitest and the most miserable (to me) in recent memory.

So now I'm thinking that we can look forward to a kinder, gentler March. I have long given up on Wiarton Willy and his prediction, and instead have chosen to believe that old adage, "in like a lion, out like a lamb". Baaaa, I'm ready.

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: 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.

The Water Horse: Saturday March 29th.

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.

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) has its next meeting on March 13th at St. Peter's, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is for youth aged 9 to 12 years old. 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.

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.

Churchill United Church is hosting their annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner on Monday March 17th. Sittings are at 5 and 6:30 p.m.

Adults admission is $12, Children 12 and under are $6 and the family rate is $30. Come and meet the big leprechaun.

On March 9th, family and friends of the late Evelyn Gardner joined together at St. Peter's Anglican Church to bid a bittersweet farewell to a very special lady. With approximately 160 in attendance, Eve was lovingly eulogized by her three daughters Nita Acker, Lorna Embrey and Donna Mitchell.

The homily was delivered by incumbent of St. Peter's, Fr. Robert Mitchell. Evelyn, along with husband Reg, had been a long time parishioner at St. Peter's and will be sorely missed.

A loving, caring and warm person, Eve always wore a smile and had a good word for everyone. The door was always open, her hand forever outstretched. A reception followed the service in the parish hall, where everyone present could look at several picture boards of Eve's long and happy life.

She will forever be in our memories.

We send our best wishes to Marie Ward. We're thinking of you, Marie.

Smile: An Orthopedic surgeon was moving to a new office, with the help of his staff. One of the nurses sat the display skeleton in the front of her car, a bony arm across the back of the seat.

On the drive across town, she stopped at a traffic light and the stares of the people in the neighbouring car compelled her to roll down her window and yell, "I'm delivering him to my doctor's office."

The other driver leaned out of his window.

"I hate to tell you, lady," he said. "But I think it's too late!"

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