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stouffville suntribune thursday nov 13 2003 7 roaming around with jim thomas pricelessfair honours longtime associates priceless in a single word president kim empringham described her memories of this years markham fair priceless the stoufiville mother of two used this descriptive time and again during her address to a hall filled with celebrants at the 2003 banquet and ball saturday night she was accorded a standing ovation kim used the following comparisons to make her point a family pass to the fair cost 18 but the look on a little girls face as she touches a baby chick for the first time priceless an allday ticket to ride the midway was eight dollars but clouds of dust and steam concealing cars in the demolition derby priceless beer nuts and candy floss were 5 but seeing your fiveyearold daughter dragged across the show ring by her calf priceless her listeners appreciat ing these experiences weighed on every word nor did she forget those who made it all happen the 780 volunteers who gave of their time and talents to see the big show through priceless she said but the speaker saved her best for last paying a personal tribute to her husband her daughters and her parents mom and dad you spent many years at the fair you were great sounding boards she said she praised husband murray for the way he juggled his plans around her meetings and daughters rebecca and laura my loudest supporters and homegrown cheerleaders injured stouffville resident recognized at the same time she didnt gloss over the negatives the serious injury to stoufivilles jody brown a markham fire fighter in a freak race track accident were happy youre here tonight she said youve a long road ahead were behind you all the way and ongoing confrontations with the weatherman the wind and the rain the wind and the hail the wind and the snow priceless or maybe we paid the price she said with reference to depressed attendance but true fair attendees didnt see it that way they wanted to be here regardless she said they knew where to find priceless kim said too often fair volunteers forget just how priceless they themselves are with many unique experiences to offer it was an incredible fair she told her audience its been an incredible year ambassador katie forfar said to her the fair presents something uniquely different a sharp contrast to markhams sea of houses homecraft president lorna sheehy proudly announced wendy waltons awardwinning quilt would hold a place of extinction in the display at the associations annual conven tion in torontos royal york hotel this spring 65 years exhibiting sixty four longservice awards were presented including one to lloyd ayre of oshawa a sheep exhibitor 65 years for health reasons mr ayre could not attend also recognized were barry little 45 years robert thompson 40 years bryan armstrong 35 years frank hendy lylia jones barbara hoover and bill snowball 30 years carol degeer brian lee mary mann pat marshall don miller steve mowder aloma provis and pat wheeler 25 years describing longserving volunteers as the senators club pastpresident dennis seeley said barry little robert thompson and bryan armstrong had distinguished them selves through matchless loyalty and commitment he joked that mr little had started out showing rabbits and later jersey calves quite a comedown he said passion for poultry he recalled mr thompsons great passion for poultry and how a halfcentury later mr armstrong had followed in the footsteps of his grandfather this is a great and wonderful night he said the president called it priceless jim thomas is a stouffville resident who has written for area newspapers for more than 50 years santa claus parade has childs theme sriowflakes or not santas coming to stouffville although its hard to believe the jolly old fellow with his red suit and white whiskers is set to visit stouffville saturday dec 6 as the highlight of the stouffville kinsmen santa claus parade three weeks to go there are less than three weeks for local schools businesses and community groups to create a float or entry for this tradition of more than 30 years this years theme is a kids christmas the parade starts at 2 pm from cam fella boulevard in the east end of town proceeding west along main street the father and son team of bruce and paul gribbon is again running the parade with the chairperson duties handed over to paul this year the kinsmen are hoping to beat last years total of close to 100 entries in previous years crowds lining main street have cheered on bands bagpipers horsedrawn carriages newfoundland dogs and lots of small shepherds angels and marys and josephs on school or communi ty group floats the kinsmen are assisted by stu dents from stouffville district secondary school on parade day there is no fee for nonprofit groups entering a float but local businesses are asked to pay 25 for their entries to help cover parade costs awards fob top entries entries will be judged for awards in five categories including the most humorous best school best theme and most original the best overall float receives the mayors trophy to enter the parade call 905-640- 5004 8 to to w to mark your calendar r14 to to ip to to to to to to to to to to to to markham fri10am9pm satsun10am5pm join us at canadas original display of canadas finest juried exhibitors offering the true essence of country country furnishings country decorating accents antiques country clothes accessories country crafts and affordable christmas gift ideas everything from a to z to help decorate your home garden and cottage for your christmas country hearts desire 0 hourly door prizes v free parking v free child care centre 2 older coat parcel check v atm machine 4 buildings m to over 180 exhibitors information 9059821115 don valley pxwy admission 900 adult 800 senior 200 child tax incl 200 off coupon valid on adult senior only meet some of our distinguished exhibitors a raft of craft a simpler time adris chocolates alpha critters anastasias design art of walter campbell aunt annies atuc auntie essie creations bark creek crafts bay window country bent creations berry ellen reversible coats black creek woodcrafts butcher block cim crafts caja creations callagans crafts treasures calligraphy from the heart carol b dolls caroles designs catherine simpson fine art century old crafts childhood memories chocolate sensations christmas country christmas in the country cooks gourmet country accents country affair candles country bags tags country clutter country heartfelt interior design country home custom pine furniture countryside cupboard craft magic crafty creatures creaung christmas memories curlew table linens ddcrafts dlcrafts danny pollak accessories deer ridge farm divine intervention earthly pleasures fairoaks crafts floral design by ursel nyga full o beans g s guay handmade tinware gaby monsalves gage co country designs gingerbread studio gird woods gourmet cheese platters grand flags hagerman fine art hare hugs and kitty kisses heritage sign company home tyme country crafts homemade cafe huron sands hotel preserves indulgences inspiration inta lights irenes pottery j h creations jaboli n kariboo kidswear kaymade handmade quilts kctueby treasures kilmenys folk art studio kim kraft kincades fine foods klassen brass koolkraft laptivity boxes larry bondy woodworking lartina inc lenas gifts lets get personal marilyns crafts mia lane artist mill pond loft inc moore design muskoka soap company needles and nails nili nor van woodcrafts northern lights rustic crafts ogidaki mountain country collection old cart co old english cookie and fudge co once in a blue moon peddlars post pcnhargct pantry photo decor by christine pineneedle enterprises pipestone studio play n wear by sharon playmates quality quilts grades baking quilts and creations ra mobcrley rebeccas valentines ring imports ritcrmerehurstfield rowantree sandpiper creations canada shaw woodcarving shaws creek something extra something special sparta classics sparta country candles spring creek pottery that added touch the bountiful basket the country comer the country workshop the hen house the lobo paintings the orange crate food co the original muskoka lantern the popcorn lady the rusty dragonfly the saltbox shoppe the victoria basket the wandering bean timbcrcreek country furniture tracys wine jellies tree house kidswear tricias vals best gifts valcn enterprises victoria anne heirlooms victorias wicket gourmet woodwishcs