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BY ALYSHIA HIGGINS Hundreds of butterflies, to be released over the countryside of Whitchurch-Stouflville next weekend, will symbolize not only beauty, but memories of loved ones. “(Last year), it was absolutely beautiful,” she said. “It was so sad, yet it was so meaningful. It just felt right to do it." They include Dan McNeil. Sheila McNeil, Dan’s mother, will participate again in the sec- ond annual butterfly release July Dan, 3 popular Stoufiville Dis- tn'ct Seconday School graduate, died in 1992 in a car crash. His name is on an award presented annually to an outstanding play- er by the Whitchumh-Stouffville Minor Hockey Association. Since his death, Mrs. McNeil has been involved with Bereaved Families of York Region. This year, proceeds from the butterfly release will benefit the charity, as well as St. Mark’s Church in Stoufl‘ville. Live music, inspirational readings and the announcement of each person's name will take place at the release. The event takes place at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area on Stouffville Road, between Kennedy Road and Warden Ave- nue. Bruce’s Mill butterflies remember loved ones Mrs. McNeil] said the butterfly Memorials help bereaved families Si'Ii'ib une SeerflERFUES, page 7. mmmnzoos I SERVNGMWOFWW I 32PAGESI$1|NCUJDINGGST Yoga, Meditation and Wellness Studio ° ° Mr. Vella, 0r “Per Mario" as he is called, has been the man behind the fireworks in Stoufl’ville Memo- rial Park on Canada Day for several years. STAFF PHOTO/SJOERD WITTEVEEN Stoufivflfl€s Mario Vella handles a sparkler in prepartion for his annual fireworks show in Memorial Park on Canada Day. He loves his work. BY ALYSHIA HIGGINS During the day, Mario Vella con- structs buildings. At night, he blows things up. “I love it," he said. “We are the artists of the sky, as the saying goes.” He is looking forward to light- ing up the sky with another unique show Thesday at dusk. WE are walking distance to Musselman’s Lake Firewarks are in sky artist’s blood PYRO MARIO’S PRIMED T0 LIGHT UP YOUR CANADA DAY Mr. Vella has lived imStouflville for lByearsandisaIzwelZPyro Technician. Only 300 exist in Can- ada. \ “(As a Level 2), I can fire eight- inch to 16-inch fireworks which go anywhere from 800 to 1,600 feet intheairandareBOOto 1,600feet wide," he said. b Setting off your own fireworks? Be very careful. See story on page 8. Being of European background, “I saw fireworks; almost every- day,” he said. “It's in my blood.” The 45-year-old father of two does fireworks shows all over Ontar- io and Quebec. He puts on about 12 a year, including corporate events, weddings, birthdays and festivals. Mr. Vella said, as a child, he was “It’s a big hit with the kids. They interested in fireworks and was see the happy faces and the stars exposed to them regularly. and they love it,” he said. The fireworks he uses at the fes- tival come from around the world, and have a variety of difierent effects, including exploding into shapes. Sign Up for (56 ' Summer Session Now! Despite being around explo- sives, Mr. Vella said he’s never had an accident. “I still have all 10 fingers," he joked. As for what the future holds, he's happy to continue lighting up the sky- a piece of me that I can show to everybody. ” “I'm probably going to do this until the day I die," he said. “It’s Charity . Opinion Classified 0|u24fl1amualfestivalis undetwathemotialPatk