The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

And fun it was. How- ever, the fairwell Satur- day was tinged with regrets as stafi and stu- dents past and present said their goodbyes to an educa- tion institution of 50 years. Stouflville’s Orchard Park School oificially closes the end of June. . ' As visitors, some from a distance, filed through the doors and down the halls one last time, Joy Barker, a gmdfiate from the Grade 8 class of 1964 said it for every- one: “It’s the end of an era. It’s very sad." Although then ready for occupancy the Thesday after Thanksgiving, the official ceremony didn’t take place until Nov. 12. Some couldn’t hold back tears as they checked gradu- ation photos dating back to 1958, when 'the school opened. “With the moving of so many desks, it was truly a Labor Day project," remem- bered Keith Sutherland, the school’s first principal. “Cus- todial stafl employee George Byer was a tremendous help.” Education Minister WJ. Dunlop cut the ribbon. Greetings were brought by village reeve Elmer Daniels and Eleanor Mercer, presi- dent of the Home and School Association. A Bible, provided by the Gideon Society, was pre- sented by Fred Alsop. The dedication was delivered by Stouffville United Church pastor Douglas Davis. The school board chair- person of the day was hard- ware store owner Keith Mid- dlemiss. Vice-chairperson was Cec Hendricks. Other trustees were erliam Mal- loy, Ethel Mole, Loma Button and Harry Schell Cost of ‘ construction, including land and furnish- ings totaled $150,000.? Staff teachers included Janet Baker, Terri Wmdsor, arguerite Ford, Cecile Car- nter, Iona Griffith and Gary Grundy. Enrolment was 212. The first graduation class of 1958-59 included Winnie Skinner, Linda Shiith, Betty Brown, Paul Middleton, Rayâ€" mond Rioux, lane Rioux, Don- ald Smith, Clare Byer, Kevin McWhinnie, Bruce Stride. Keith Betz, Eldon Smith, Ruby Mallett, Darlene Watson. Gail Hallman, Donna Knox. Linda Plaskitt, Virginia Foond. Paul Stover, Rick Spang, Paul lomas, Ronald Lomas, Karen Hamilton, Nancy Stover, Ast- red Osterdahl, Marilyn Cor- rigan, Roddy McInnis, Paul Otter, Carol Hoover, lim Dan- iels, Earle Grove and lim Ferâ€" guson. Mr. Sutherland’s career in education spanned 35 years including the position of assistant superintendent of human resources with the York County board. He retired in1989. Mr. Sutherland described Orchard Park as a special Glory days relived as Orchard Park closes t was a Fun Fairwell. school; a community school. Mth one exception, the six beginning staff teachers were younger than 25 Stories related to his 20â€" year tenure at Orchard Park would fill a book. One time, he recalled" 3‘ Grade 2 stu- dent bringing his mother's engagement ring to school and giving it to his girlfriend. It was hastily returned, Mr. Sutherland added. “We were a group of young people growing up together," he said. Before a gymnasium, now a libraiy, was added, physical education classes were held in hallways or outdoors. During his era, no student was ever suspended. How- ever, the strap was adminis- tered when necessary. Elaine Clendenning, a teacher from 1970 to 2002, described Mr. Sutherland as an excellent school manager with a sense of humour. “He kept us all in line," she said. Stephanie (Strickland) Sebben, now a teacher at Ross Doan Public School in Richmond Hill, spent nine years at Orchard Park “T1mes spent here were my finest days,” she said. Susan Chewins, still a teacher at Orchard Park, joined the staff in 1972. “It was and still is a wonderful place to work," she said. “Wonderful memories," said Gary Grundy, a teacher at Orchard Park for 12 years. “For me, not too much has changed. I still retain my same hair style with a wide part down the center." David Payne, now retired and living in Mt. Albert, recalled traveling by motor- cycle from his parents’ home on 19th Avenue in Markham to Orchard Park. He taught Grade 5. “A teacher never forgets his first school," he said. He recalled construct- ing the backdrop for a stu- dent performance of HMS Pinafore starring Jim Brodie, Susan Chn'stie, Sharon Mer- cer, Nancy VanKoughnet and David Herbert. A 50th anniversary cake was cut by Mayor Wayne Emmerson. current princi- pal Laura Ryckman and Mr. Sutherland. Iim Thomas isa Stoujfville resident who has written fnr area newspapers for more than 50 years. Roaming Around with Jim Thomas Asyoucanseeevenfromadisflncgoursideumlkisfullmd readymgo.Whatwillbeardvingthisweek:oomemedium size palm trees to give that 'Tommy Bahama' 10on that's what you need. Ferns are here and more hibiseueare coming on Saturday. Speaking of hibiscus, we‘ve got. some really L_‘ __. nice'doubles'ino”potsat812.95-â€"monmungmmrm MyneigbbourN‘ ,whoisaphntnutlkemqwen'ttothe gremhouseand pickbtsandlotsofhangingbasketswhich willbearrivingoverthenextda ortwo(morethanltruekfiill) â€"â€"somevery stuff. ehaven'tunpackedalltheurnsyet but we're wo oni ' ask if there's an item thatyouneed now â€" we candig it out in sure. We have a shipment of the big shade baskets that come every year â€"â€" plus a medium and a smaller size, as well as some shade window boxes (lots for sun as well). , Begonia hangers are available in reign- (all shade), tubetous (half sun), dragon win (three-quarter sun) and trailing illumination three-quarter sung as well as of all of these types, including brous, for planting either in e ground or containers. We'll be getting a few more 6" Pots of roses tomorrow and some of those beauty 6“ dahlia pots which look splendid. We've got a fresh lot of 4" million bells in, nice verbena for accent, some‘tall red fountain grass, some feseue, green and potato vine, a nevw lot of 4' bat-no (white trailea'),'some golden globe in lime, regular and ,6" sizggafresh lotofdracena, new cape daisies (osteo) and some nice bright new guinea Hens and chick planters abound, which should appeal to most of you because(a)theydon'twantlotsofwaterand(b)theywill winter over. Arriving today will be a refill of 'succulents' which give a neat show. Just now the tomato plants arrived â€" the only vegetable that we sell. We're ofl‘eriq'a fabulous ‘ price on them this weekend â€" just $5.99 for a large h y patio-size tomato plant! If your planter requires 'height', we've got some nice enia standards, flowering maples, hibiscus and solarium. A new t of elf hydrangea will be in on Friday and_we've got a nice re-fill on many varieties of 4" ivy, including the sun tolerant and perennial 'balkan' variety. Lastly, we've got some flowering potato vine in hanging baskets, in 4' (not too many) and on trellis» And Very lastly, I've got 4 giant palms at_5100 Theytakefull sun of mine, But need a good amount' of water. Come look at what we're up to! This week in our Deli we'll be ‘whomping up great quantities of our doted-upon fresh salmon salad. It's made with gently~ poached Atlantic Salmon, fresh lemon juice, celery and onions, - and pure mayonnaise .. % Heaven on a fork! mxs I'm sure you can tell that a whole lot will be cookin' at the deli. One little look through the passage window will confirm the presence of many kitchen folk busily preparing all the stuffthat we do daily! One thin they are making this week are semi~boneless stuffed 'cken legs with a combo of rice, brewoise (finely chopped vegetables) and California dried apricots C WHAT'S Really delicious! What we've made this week is a whole lot of these old- time Rhubarb Pies. We do these a couple times each year to get the Rhubarb lovers of the area excited - and they know that you can't get these just an ere, especially scratch-made. They will be availab c with either a crumble top or pastry top, either baked ready-to-go or frozen, so that your home will be filled with that amazing aroma. ' 95 VI ' 9 SIZC EACH ch.â€"$12.95 ‘ ‘ 7 5.512% AT TIIE DELI FRESH SALMON INDEPENDENY GIOCEI cw" °' "I Hours: . Mon. ll:00-7:00 ~ Tucs.-Thurs. 9:00-7:00 ~ Fri. 9:00-8:00 SPECIALS IN EFFECT UNTIL CLOSING SUNDAY JUNE 1“ lammumd Charlic(onc of mcEShguys) gthisissughmi grade tfmh â€" that’s good â€"â€" and at the same time I was warned that we have only 99 a limited 13,458 amount. WEEK WHAT’S 1" 0R INNER. D There are a few choices this‘sveek, all beginning with our t chicken. We use soft-scald airchilled chicken, and neless breasts in this case. We poach them, slice thém and serve them up in one of three amazing made-from- the-beginning sauces, much like you’d do at home if you had the time, The flavours available are lemon, orange and an amazing porcini mushroom sauce. The portion size allows a regular serving for three or an % abundant serving for two. THIS EX Reg $18.95 _ Asweflgtherhubarbpiuthiswuhwe'flhave m m-â€" these are the very delicious oldâ€"fashioned open- faced pies of Mennonite origin. It's a sour-cream custard pie with fruit baked‘in; the flavours being spiced apple, raspberry, wild blueberry and sour cherry. mmmm~thcscm themoistcakes with baked-in custard. Not only do they have fruit in them, they are topped with simmered fruit and an apricot glaze. This is something that travels well because it's even better the next day. Two sizes .............................................................. s2.4"!‘and $15” W CEUNX ooomsâ€" It's a large buttery and chewy cookie filled with chunks of dark chocolate. According to Loretta, for extra 'wowness', eat them at least at room temp and preferably at body temp. All-these items will be priced at While supplies last. BAKIfiE ? THIS WEEK O Sat. 9:00-6:00 ~ Sun. 10:00*5:00 548 Carlton Road, Unlonvdle www. thevillagcgroccr. com Thesemathrillfromthegrill.Theyare made with nicelyâ€"seasoned coarse ground pork and lots of grated old cheddar. You may want to let them 0001 just a touch before digging in because I find that the cheddar retains more heat than you % might think. Delicious! OFF Reg. $4.50 lb. 'mxs WEEK WHAT'S I 940â€"1770 S OUR CHEDDAR AUSAGE S Stouffi'ille Sun-'I'n'bunc I 'l‘hursday, May29. 2008 *o' ‘ WHAT’S FOR “T‘TDD - We've got a fresh arrival from California of raspberries and blackberries. The mix or match price this week will Product of California % OFF THIS WEEK