WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 6,1987, PAGE 23 CULLEN'S OPENING With hundreds looking on under bright skiers, a grand ceremony was held Saturday to mark the opening of the new additions to Cullen Gardens 'and Miniature Village in Whitby. Lieutenarit-Governor of Ontario Lincoln Alexander arrived after a performanceby the.Queen's Own Rifles and introductions by Adele Stephens for the celebration to open the new Garden Gate Restaurant and the new miniature Cottage Countrv in the gardens. Owner Len Cullen, who with wife Connie, who spent years building . their dream garden before opening it in 1980, said the restaurant wasn't yet complete and he offered a reason in the corny poetry for which he has become known on radio and in print. "The reason the job's not finished is because today is free. "If you come back when the job is done, old Len can collecthis fee." Cullen, who began the landscape business in 1947, guided Lt.- Gov. Alexander on a tour of the miniature village including the new exhibit. Durham Regional Chairman Gary Herrema, because of his Dut- ch heritage, officially opened the Gardens' tulip festival. There is a Dutch theme to the display. Also attending were John Eakins, Minister of Tourism and Recreation; Whitby mayor Bob At- tersley who said the Gardens "put Whitby on the map;" Ontario riding MP Scott Fenell; Durham West MPP George Ashe; and Rev. William Chapman of the Baptist Leadership Centre in Whitby. A tree-planting ceremony was held to mark the opening and it in- volved the Cullens and the Ltd.- Gov. and Mrs. Alexander, all wearing hardhats. Eakins made an address at the opening of the new retaurant, Vic- torian style building with 150-seat capacity and affording a view of the gardens. . The Emperor Strong Quartet per- formed at the tulip festival while the Whitby Youth Concert Band played in theafternoon. The first performance of the summer theatre group was held in the Valley Theatre. BOTH YOUNG AND OLD enjoyed a performance of "Summer School" by performers from Alberta, Saskat- chewan, Ontario and the U.S. who will provide summer theatre at Cullen Gardens this year. Cast members shown in photo at right include (1-r) Sara Fairbanks, Joe Abbey-Colborne and Jeffrey Morden. Free Press photo Clen Cullen Gardens Minatureý. Village THE GARDEN GATE RESTAURANT We Cordially Invite WHITBY and DURHAM REGION 0 to Dine in our NEW GARDEN GATE RESTAURANT Fine Meals at Reasonable Prices OPEN DAILY 11 A.M. to 10 P.M. Entrance to the Gardens Not Necessary But - Be Sure to Visit Cullen Gardens & Miniature Village During our Regular Season... FOR RESERVATIONS TEL: 668-6606 FULLY LICENSED• _ - I 1