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stouffville sutirtribunet thursday june26 2003 7s roaming around with jim thomas the i9th annual whitchurchstouffville strawberry festival hits the stage tonight despite the fact its roots were initially embedded m shifting sand ifs now the largest cele bration of its kind in canada so large in fact with a benevolent blessing from civs dave duvajl an estimated 35000 men women and children will transform this quiet bedroom community into a thriving sea of sunsoaked humanity- festivities extend from tonight through sunday then after a oneday breather well pull out all the stops for agrand finale july 1 when all is over no one will heave a greater sigh of anticipated ecstasy and welcomed relief than committee convenor liz fraser since last september ifsbeeri a rollercoaster ride for liz culminating in a decision to see festivities through even though a concern of greater urgencys been on her mind for it was back last winter she learned her grandson 4yearold dawson fraselr of uxbridge was suffering from an illness called neuroblastoma a disease requiring many weeks of treatment including a bone rftarrow transplant arid fol- lowup radiation ii at one point i wanted to quit- she says but now im glad i didnt the festivals given me another focus something else to think about ive had trernendous support so much support she may retain her presentposi- tion in 2004 ill take it one year ata time she states liz is loud in praise of the festival eomrriittee that includes- anne gbuard anne pride barb sharp peterv arid carol guinane dave duggan hva newmaren doris imscpmjuke monette mike morrison ruth leblanc lesley kuric and- peter and sue sherban preparations began last fall explains liz by assessing suc cesses and failures of festival 2002 we wanted to continue what worked and replace what didnt she explains v what has worked is tonights stouffville lions beef barbe cue the main street parade saturday morning the craft dis plays tomorrows sacred music concert sundays communi- ty church service and strawberry social the baby contest the spelling bee strawberry pie and jamjudging the bikedeco- rating contest firewbrks the yukyuk sstsatepiomi petitionsja freckles contest free swjriiriiing at the outdoor pool and more new is the cqnklirimidway and aluiriberjackshbwthere will be ongoing entertainment under the marquee in franklin park shoppers drugmart is again providing plenty of fun- things for cmdren a teeri darice washed put last year has beendropped opening ceremonies tonight t mayor wayne emmersori is officiating at the opening tonight hell be accompanied by mpp frank k3eesmp bryon wilfert cant atterid- but is participating in the parade sandy schell kennedy wnitchufchstbuffvilles citizen of the year and wayne jackson sports personality of the yean are being- horipured by the suntribune wanda stride 2003 music town award recipient- will be feted tomorrow strawberries for the social following sundays service are coming from ted barry of barrys gardens the royal canadian legion br 459 indies auxiliary headed by gladys clarkson will prepare these for serving to help cover the cost of an event so massive town coun- cil has approved a grant of 15000 additional revenue comes frbrn sponsors and exhibitors we warit to break even liz says if theres money left over thats a bonus v iiz admits parking is a problem wed like as many people as possible to leave their cars at the leboviccentre shesays drivers canaccess this site via blake street a 2 fee will be v charged the parking lot at stouffville missionary church is also available liz admits so much depends on th6 weather weve been r very fortunate the last few years im not even listening to longrange reports f v v whats her motivation why take on the responsibility ive lived in stouffville 34 years this towns been good to me and to my family in the form of a little bit of time im happy to give sqmemirig back v- and shefe already looking forward to next year the festi vals 20aaririiversary and hopefym jimlhomasis a stouffville resident who has written for l6newspapersjprnwrepum50years toronto east egttatonlrfd southeast comet mississauga oundmshwylmdj west of winston chunhl mississauga hmathesonkwrtv hewttmd tbwn centra c0smvw4s nrecmttooal ottawa london l call the canadian ganger societys toll free smokers helpline18775135333 this message brought to you as a community service of economist suntribune