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We will leave behind many tre§sured friends. and we will take with us memories to last a lifetime. This column isn‘t long enough to list everyone who has made the last four decades unforgettable, but here is just a sample. One day our friends told us there was a house for sale on Main Street they thought we'd like. We instantly fell in love with it. but obvnously we couldn't live here: it was miles trom anywhere â€" beyond the tree line as one of our Toronto friends put it â€" and public transn was non-existent A few weeks later we moved in. telling ourselves we'd be here for a year or two at most. Thirty-nine years. two children. seven cats and one grandchild later. we are finally decamping for High Park. switching our allegiance from Musselman's Lake to Lake Ontario and our 'hood from Main Street to Roncesvalles and Bloor West Wlage. When we first got here. we knew a grand total of six people in all of Canada â€" none ol them well. One couple lived on a beautiful farm on 10th Line. on land now occupied by estate homes. and we spent many magical weekends there ballng hay. imbibing bottles oi Old Vienna by the neck. watching the fireflies and swmming under the stars. * We came to Canada in 1975 With dreams of living in the city. until we realized that our budget would barely cover the cost of a garden shed in the centre 01 the universe (aka Toronto). In our first year we rented an apartment on Thornclifle Park Drive while searching for a suitable spot to grow the Gilderdale brand. As Mr. Wallethead and I say a fond tarewell to. the ‘vltle. I find myself revisiting the circumstances that led us to settle in a town whose name. at the time. no one south of Markham could pronounce or spell and which. back then. most people had never even heard of. ' Welcome to our Farm Market 'f‘ow-n Market for lots of fresh-picked strawberries, green peas; yellow green beans, baked goods and more! ' Sweet corn in mid-July Reesor’ 8 Market Bakery 5758 Main Street, Stouffville 995- 640- -2270 - MON. -Flu ”SAT. 9-6 LOCAL PRODUCE BAKED GOODS GROWING t1 MAKING GOOD rodb By Kate Gilderdale Stouffville Free Press Teesor’s i. Going South reesors.'ca Reesor’s Farm Market 10825 9th Line at Elgi'n Mills 905â€"640-4568» MOM-SAT, 9-6330 And as we prepare to close the door on this house 53 this chapter ol our lives. we would like to thank everyone who made a couple of superannuated Bnts and proud Canadian citizens feel so welcome for so many years. Sloullvulle gave me opportunitles I doubt I would have found anywhere else in the world. My chlldren grew up here. in a house they â€" and we â€" still love and will find very hard to leave. It was built back In 1927 by the Schells. and whenever we renovated it, Schell Lumber was where we went tor supplies. Of course. I can't throw in the towel without a big thank you to the Free Press gang - Bruce. David, Sheri. Travis. Nicole and Jann. not to mention all our wonderful freelancers â€" who have patiently put up with my qwrky, some might say bizarre. headlines. my elastic Idea of what constitutes news and my pathological tear ot rogue apostrophes in all the wrong places And then there's Sandy Schell Kennedy. whose incredible volunteer work for so many causes, including the local Terry Fox Run. has made her one 0! my all-time heroes. Right up there with Sandy us Joe Cote. a long-serving member of the amazing Stouifville Lions Club and one at the kindest. gentlest and most giving people I have ever met. Our wonderful local pals - Tim and Joey. Joe and Marie. Ben, Nyree. Jasper. Fred and Reg. John and Jan. Jennet. Jack. James and Cynthia to name just a few â€" have shared our poys and sorrows. and have been there for us through thick and thin‘ Jim Thomas gave me my first freelance assignment when he was editor of the Stoufiville Tribune. back when my journalistlc credentials could be written on the head of a pm. I will never forget his support and and feel very fortunate that he and Jean have friends. A 1932 Ford Deucenberg owned by Scott Murray of Stouffville (centre) seen here with Jen'y Cprben (left) and Peter Fraunberger of WhiSt/e Radio. Accepting new and transferring patients Every year‘vve give back a portion of our revenue to supportiocal arts and athletic organizations and charities promoting human health and, the environment optometry DID” YOU KNOW . . n6 encouragement become special StJuffVille “I: u m MOXTAIL PROPERTY SERVICES INC (6'. www.foxtailpropcrtyserviccs.com fl 905-591-1323 \\’Hl l'(’Hl'R( :H-N’HH ’FFVILLI 905.642.3937 1'. mm (3111)} IiIII,\ ,(Gm A‘R‘lDHX, [S'PF-(OJ'IWI 'I-STjg Stouffvi/le Free Pre 6085 Main-\Street evening appointments ,. con tact lenses {. fashion cyewear lab on premises state of the-art technology new patients welcome ju/y 2015 79