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The 24th annual Strawberry Festi- val officially opens tonight. It runs thought Sunday then reconvenes Tuesday for Canada Day festivities. It's upon us, Whitchurch- Stouffville. It’s six solid days of fun, “with something for everyone,” as organiz- ers are saying. From the Stouffville Lions bar- becue tonight and Ballantrae Lions pancake breakfast Saturday, to the free strawberry social Sunday and Canada Day cake Tuesday, there's plenty of food. Entertainment, you ask? Movies under the stars tonight, a comedy show Friday and disco night Satur- day. One of the highlights is the clo- sure of Main Street all day Satur- day. Instead of vehicles, the main drag will be lined with vendors and entertainers all there for the thou- sands of people who will pack the pavement. Thousands more will be in Memo- rial Park Tuesday night for the annual fireworks show. But beyond the food, fun and games, there's a lot going on with the festival. An event of this size doesn't just happen. It started in the early 19805 as small Canada Day event tacked onto a men's softball tournament. lt expanded, changed and became the large festival it is. Over those years, hundreds of people have volunteered to put on the festival for their neighbours. They deserve our sincere thanks. The festival is a reflection of our community. Service clubs, sports organizations, businesses and others take part. Those who don’t are missâ€" ing a golden opportunity to connect with a large number of Stouffville- area residents. ’ They can quickly learn what makes Whitchurch-Stouffville tick. All at the Strawberry Festival. All officially starting tonight. See you there, Whitchurch- Stouffville. That’s especially true of our new residents, who number in the thou- sands. .. Newcomers, hopefully, are using the festival to research their com- munity. They can discover services for their families to use year round. They can find ways to get involved. Festival more than fim and games lETTERS POLICY than 400 words and must include a daytime telephone- numher, name and addmss. 1119 Sun~THhune mserws the right to publish or not publish and to edit for clarity and spare. Later: to the Edltov. The SunoTrlbune 8290 Main St. StoufMllo, GM LM IG‘I The Sunlflbune welcomes your letters‘ All submissions must be less Stouflville Sunâ€"Tribune I Thursday, June 26, 2008 )muanumgxom Editorial lmmcnva MEDIA Marketing 81 Advertising Manager Dawna Andrews dandmu:30yrmg.mm EDITORIAL Editor Iim Mason j mason @‘yrmg. mm Re: Friend of swans a reservoi r fixture, column by Jim Thomas, June 12. However, as a wildlife veterinarian, I would encourage Chris Stainton and other bird lovers to admire these beautiful creatures from afar. While his intentions are obviously of the purest sort, he is inadvertently doing far more harm than good. The regular feeding of a food such as bread, that offers little' nutritional value, can cause the birds to become deficient in many nutrients. As a result, their overall health will suffer. Enjoy swans, but don’t feed them It's wonderful that we can enjoy the sight of trumpeter swans and other waterfowl at our local reservoir. The cumulative efl‘ect of this can render them unable to withstand the demands of life in the wild. Their natural diet is quite diverse and nutritious and sets them up best forthe rigors 9f competing. breeding and migrating. Artificial feeding can also cause these birds to be reluctant to leave during migration time and can cause them to succumb to the cold. The fact they now eat out of his hand is also of grave concern. Alack of fear of humans could lead them to approach others who may not have such honourable intentions. Sadly, I have seen the tragic end result of this too 5‘ many times. . So, I ask on behalf of the waterfowl, please do not feed them. Enjoy their beauty from afar and help keep them healthy and wild as a result. Classified Manager Bonnie Rondeau hrondmufifyrmgmm ADVERTISING Retail Manager Stacey Allen Sfifiw-Tribune 6290 Main St. Stouflvflle. 0N. MA 167 www.mgionmm PUBLISHER Ian Proudfoot Letters to the Editor DR. SUE CARSTAIRS STOUFFVILLE Pnonucnon Team leader Relay for Life walkers, sponsors remind us cancer never sleeps On behalf of the Whitchurch-Stoufiville Relay for Life planning committee, I would like to extend our thanks to: - our sponsors and donors who made each area of the event possible, our volunteers who worked tirelessly on many different tasks, even in the mid- dle of the night 0 a heartfelt thanks to the teams Who raised the money for the Canadian Cancer Society, braved the elements and walked the night away on the track at Willowgrove. 0 our survivors who walk that first important roundAof the track to start the evening and; You are all wonderful examples of what Relay for Life is about. Relay for Life is an important time to remember cancer never sleeps. See you all next year for Stout‘fville’s third annual Relay for Life. b What do you think of these issues or others? E-mail letters to the editor to jmason@yrmg.com HAVE YOUR SAY, WHITCHUBCH-STDUFFVILLE A ctr-4d! A (trait Busmnss MANAGE! Robert Lazurlco Bum): nu Cum Debora Kelly DRESS. STRAWBERRY FESTlVAL Too‘. IT‘S MY END - OF-SCHOOL ( llamficd 905-640-2612 Fax: 905â€"640â€"873 ADVERTISINU 905â€"640â€"261 2 sificd: 1-800‘743- Fax: 905-640-873 DISTRIBUTION 905-640-2612 HEATHER ANDREWS WHITCHllRL‘Hâ€"S'IY )UHWILLE EDITORIAI Duncmn [mu MEDIA a Mom john Futhey 3353 A York Region Media Group community newspaper The Sun-Tribune, published every Thursday and Saturday. is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd, a whollyowned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. Metroland is comprised of 100 community publications across Ontario. The York Region Newspaper Group includes The Liberal, sewing Richmond Hill and Thomhill, Vaughan Citizen. The EraABanner (Newmarket/Aurora). Markham Economist Sun, Georgina Advocate. York Region Business Times. North of the City. yonrregioncom and York Region Printing. DIBBCIOB, CIRCULATION SYSTEMS Lynn Push k0 Dmmmon, Ammsmu You Ramon Pmu'rmc g. Dls'nunu'nou GENERAL MANAGER Barry 13ka Bob Dean Welcome to WhitchurCh-Stouffville, newcomers. Unless you're First Nation, you've all been new here at some point. For the newest of the newbies, those folks in the subdivisions that have cropped up at all corners of Stouffville, a few tips on life here: 0 We may work in “the City". Cheer for Toronto sports teams and go to the theatre south of Steeles. but we're from Stouffville. We're Stoufi‘villites. Stoulfvillians or Whitchurchians It's a point of pride. 0 I know it sounds like a bizarre con- cept. especially if you are from Bramp- ton or Scarborough. but we say hello to each other. Perfect strangers do it. ()n the street. in line at Sobeys and in the park. lt‘s friendly. It's so Stouffville. It separates us from the impending mass of Civilization on our southern doorstep, at least for now. 0 We know our neighbours and not just those of the next-door variety. We know the kids down the street, the people who own the variety store in the plaza, the guy from across town who was drafted by an NHL team and the couple on the next street with health problems. And when this is done for you, it's appropriate to acknowledge with a wave. using all fingers in your hand. There's that wave thing again. 0 There's no need for Main Street because we le in front of us. We hold fundraisers for people in need, financially and emotionally. And half the town shows up. 0 We celebrate together. Residents show up in large numbers for minor hockey championships. fire- works displays and Santa parades. 0 We grieve together. Funerals and memorial services draw large numbers, even for those who thought of themselves as little. known. lim Mason is editor of The Sun 'Ih'bune. (SW-Tribune Your guide to life in this small town with Jim Mason Off The Top butting in on t other drivers