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It would also be a fine time to introduce the festival vo nteers to the community and hopef y recruit more help for future festivals. And to say thanks. 0 Speaking of bigger audiences, should the citizen awards move back to Canada Day from Thursday night when many more people can honour our best residents? Or what about a three-on-three basketball tournament? Is there room and time for a fall festival in Stouffville? Festivals, like local clubs and busi- nesses, must grow and change or face the same fate. A few suggestions for our festival: 0 Would the Saturday people parade held at 9 a.m. still work later in the day when crowds are much larger? The one-day street closure isn't unique to Stouffville by any means, but still remains one of the coolest scenes in town. And with alternative east-west route opening, can we close Main for other events? How about amalgamat- ing the Elvis festival with a classic car show and lining the downtown core? But there are no guarantees the festival will go on forever. When the Strawberry Festival was in its forma- tive years, it was often compared to the much larger and older Spring Water Days festival in Uxbridge. That event, which once stretched over two weekends, eventually died. lETTERS POLICY It's 'come a long way from a soft- ball tournament with a craft sale and pancake breakfast to a six-day cel- ebration centred around the Canada Day holiday. It's important to note the festi- val is run by volunteers who solicit an annual grant from the town and money from sponsors to put the show on. » From our service clubs and busi- nesses, to our sports teams and per- formers from the arts community, they all have their chance to shine. The Sun-thlm welcomes your letters. All submissions must be less than 400 words and must include a daytime telephone number. name and address. The Sun'Trihune reserves the right to publish or not publish and to edit for clarity and space. Letters to the Edltor, The Sun-Tubum 6290 Main St Stou'Mlto, 0N LM I67 The festival is showcase of the beS‘ Stouffville has to offer. They deserve a large ovation for this yea_r's big show. There literally was something for everyone, as organizers promised, from events for babies to seniors. The 24th annual Strawberry Festi- val is history, with organizers already preparing for the silver anniversary edition in 2009. 6 Wm-mmlmlwxo,m lmasonOyrmgxorn Ensuring our festivals prosper Editorial is a wonderful best Whitchurch- lmmcnva MEDIA Marketing Advertislng Manager Dawna Andrews jmmonwynngcom Enmmm Editor lim Mason Residents went out of way to help senior visiting Stouffville Even with my cane, walking is sometimes stren- uous as I’m frequently short of breath. I'd like to thank those who offered me assistance in Stouffville June 4. I am an 86-year-old senior from California visit- ing my family here. Finally, a huge thanks to those who took the trouble to send in a nomination on my behalf. I will try to ensure that their confidence in me is sustained. ~ The Strawberry Festival Committee that has worked so hard to produce one of the region’s out- standing happenings also gave me a plaque I shall treasure. I also want to thank the Town of Whitchurch- Stouffville for the beautiful inscribed watch. I was certainly surprised and delighted to be named your Whitchurch-Stouffville Citizen of the Year for 2008. I want to thank The Sun-Tribune for sponsoring the award and the event and for the commemora- tive plaque. Thanks also to MPP Dr. H. laczek for her interest in our festival and for the scroll. I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the honour given to me last week. Citizen of year award delightful surprise A sroUFMLLE FARMER SAYS cows CAN TRAVEL SEVERAL MILES WALKiNCv THROUGH m5 NIGHT"! Classified Manager Bonnie Rondeau brondeaufiyrmg. mm ADVERTISING Retail Manager Stacey Allen SWâ€"‘Ii‘ibune PUBLISHER Ian Proudfoot Letters to the Editor 6290 Mn 8:. StoufMlle. 0_N. MA 167 www.yomreg|on.com DON PETRIE STOUFFVILLE PRODUCTION Team under Sherry Day sdayGyi-mgcdm I was extremely touched by the generosity of these people who went out of their way for a total stranger such as myself. ‘ I am sorry to say I did not get her name to thank her personally. She did mention her husband is a firefighter stationed in Stouffville. I would also like to give thanks to Mr. Frano himself for looking after me. Once my hair was cut, he glrove me backto my family’s home. She offered to take me to Frank’s and, once there, proceeded to ask proprietor Frank Frano to look after me. I was on my way to Frank’s Hairstyling, trying hard to cover what may be a short distance for some from the comer of Tindale and Manitoba streets to Main Street, though to me, seemed end- less. A car with a young mother of two children pulled out of the fire hall lot, stopped and asked me if] was OK. b What do you think of these issues or others? E-mail letters to the editor to jmason@yrmg.com MM HAVE YOUR SAY, WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE Aug-41"; 803mm Mmsnn Robert Lazurko Emonm Cum! Debora Kelly ADVERTISING 905-640-2612 Classified: 1-800-743-3353 Fax: 905-640-8778 EDITORIAL 905-640-2612 Fax: 905-640-8778 DISTRIBUTION 905-640~2612 CHARLES E. SPITER] CALIFORNIA 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 whollyâ€"owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. Metroland is comprised of 100 community publications across Ontario. The York Region Newspaper Group includes The Uberal, sewing Richmond Hill and Thomhill, Vaughan Citizen. The Era-Banner (Newmarket/Aurora), Markham Economist Sun, Georgina Advocate. York Region Business Times, North of the City. yorkregioncom and York Region Printing. Dmncmn, Cucuumon Saunas Lynn Pashko a mmunou Barry Black Another tip? The Stouffville Reser- voir, Bruce's Mill Conservation Area and York Regional Forest have their own trails, complete with wildlife. All are in Whitchurch-Stouffville. Get out there, right at home. Jim Mason is editor of The Sun- Tribune. A tip? Don't stare at someone’s home for too long even if to only admire the landscaping or trim colour. It's unnerv- ing for someone inside to see the gawk- ers and pointing fingers. Start with sidewalks, something many older areas could still use. Ever try walk- ing to the Stouffville Country Market while battling highway-like traffic? The trail system being installed in our newest of subdivisions may create a privacy issue in homes that back on to the paths, but it’s a wonderful alternative for walkers. Want to see some early row housing, from the young 19008? Check out of the Albert Street Terrace. Can’t miss it. You can discover Stouffville‘s oldest homes, built in the 18005. My favorite streets are stately Church and O’Brien with their mixes of architecture from so many generations. At the opposite end of the spectrum, our newest developments have their redeeming qualifies, if not the heritage. It’s great medicine, as long as you don’t stop for a milkshake every time. Or one of Stoufiville’s finest drivers, the ones who think STOP means slow down so you can take the comer on two wheels, doesn't get you. Another Blue Jays’ season was over just after it started. You can only watch replays of leop- ardy so often, even if your new intellect is impressive to visitors. The lawn doesn't need cutting again. So, what are you to do with your steamy, summer evenings? Take a hike. Literally. Strap on the walking shoes and explore the back streets, new horizons and green spaces of your home town. It's the cheapest 70f dates, as well as being healthy and educational. (W-Tribune Discovering your home town one step at a time with Jim Mason Off The Top me You REGION Plunrrmc u Guam MANAGER Bob Dean