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To the Editor: York Durham A_cademy of the Performing Am (YDAPA) would like to extend its deepest appreciation to all of than who helped to make our fifth leuon such a resounding success. YDAPA is a not for profit corporation that focuses on providing the youth of our community with the experience of musical theatre. Unlike many other youth theatre companies, YDAPA is open to all youth, providing them with the opportu- nity to work with excellent directors, producers, choreographers and teachers in the staging and performance of an actual theatrical production. While there is a fee to be involved, the actual cost of putting on a production far exceeds those fees. Without the generous support of our sponsors, our productions would not be possible. This year we were especially blessed with considerable support from Music Mania and Pace Credit Union. Their generous donations contributed to the rental costs of performance space. lighting and sound equipment, chairs and so much more. Mthout the generous support of our sponsors listed in our thsnk you ad on page 26, our productions and the benefits to our performers would not have been possible. We would also like to acknowledge the contribution that so many pasta“ and community membets made to out props!!! last year. These volunteers m central to the success of our ptograms. Finally we would like to thank the 2.823 patrons who attended a YDAPA per- formance in our fifth season There is no question that they play a crucial part in maintaining the challenge and inspiration for our performers. The audience is, after all. the ‘raiaon d’etre' for any stage presentation. Wayne Hill Director, York Durham Academy of the Performing Arts ° Stouffvrlle Historic Photo As the downtown BIA gears up for Moonlight Madness on Aug. 23, we take a look at the Main St. of yesteryear in this undated photo. Judging by the formal dress and demeanour sported by the residents of the day, we can‘t imagine any of them donning pajamas for an evening stroll down Main St.. new patients welcome evening appointment: contact lenm fathlon eyeweu lab on premium ttate of the m technology “*- Readers Write “â€"â€" A big THANK YOU to all h _ YDAPA supporters MAIN STREET MEMORIES Stduffville npt’omrtm‘ (‘37?th 6085 Main Street “Inflatable thecp and a toy orangulan hid to replace children as the jockeys in an annual donkey derby after insurers refused to cover the event.' The above item, which appeared on the BBC News website, shows that no coun is more zealous in the protec- tion 0 its helpless, inept citizens than the United Kin m under the nanny agenda of New hour. and in panicu- lat its recentiy departed chief nanny, Tony Blair. ‘ After 38 lit’ non-free years, the above mentio almond race, orga- nized by the Llandudno Rugby Club in North Wales, was modified to preclude the possibility that a child might fall off and suffer a scraped knee or ami- lar life-threatening injury. In previous years. hordes of negligent parents had untlnnkin y signed disclaimer forms allowing t eir offspring to participate in this dangerous, inappropriately exhilarating ritual, until saner. more lemon-lipped ‘ex rts' were called in to prevent potentia future calamities. ' While riding a doctle donkey may offer fleeting joy and a sense of free- dom totheyo young and reckless. protect- in children from the lurking threats rent in everyday life has lately transcended all other considerations After all without constant v1 gilance by government tsars. health and safet I advocates insurance companies an oh yes I almost forgot parents, how will future office cubicle inhabitants and other workplace drones survive into a sale and humdrum adulthood, devoid of subversive childhood memo- ries of risky play? Killer donkeys mined in According to the BBC report, even the substitute jockeys had a dissenter in the ranks, an inanimate participant who nevertheless eloquently expressed the pain of the disappointed children. ‘One sheep deflated spontaneously so had to be substituted by an orang- utan...he was a last minute replace- By Kate Gildetdale Vs...” men! jockzy but pcrfomed admin- bly,’ explained derby organizer Robin Holden. _ In a world where protection from the slings and arrows of outrageous lifeisagrowthindustmnoriskistoo small to escape government scrutiny, which in turn has spawned a plethora of sell-appointed experts who are tire- lessly diligent about savin human- ity from itself. They are a tted an increasing] litigious culture whic encourages nvolous lawsuits and abhors personal responsibility. wyers representing the rugby club hely ted out that ntt could not b t awa children’ 3 rights, angeafi chil‘clnn themselves would be in a position to sue the club for in; mice (andpw robably loss of self- esteem if they dufn’ ’t come first in the race) the minute they reached the age of majority Parents, who were once A considered ca ble of making child care .; decrsions all themselves, now have ‘ to defer to an army of officials eager to recognize and weed out their woeful Inagleguatres. Still the race did go on, and to everyone' 5 relief, not only did the par- ticipants survwe unscathed (apart from the deflated shee ) but there were no reports of inflatagle animal abuse. For those interested in the outcome, the three Winners of the derby were named in the Daily Mail's racing results as fol- lows: 1) Sheep 2) Orangutan 3) Sheep. When the' sheep afe leading, yéu know you’re in trouble. I leave you with the wise words of CS. Lewis. “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exer- cised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robin baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”