Issuu

N O V E M B E R 2026

LEST WE FORGET Page 2. No. 174

Leaside’s winning spirit!

TING OR PP

L. CARTE

LOCAL B

US IN E

OUR SECOND ANNUAL SCAVENGER HUNT BRINGS NEIGHBOURS TOGETHER. MEET THE VENEGAS BOLIVAR FAMILY AND MORE PARTICIPANTS ON PAGE 26

Editor’s Welcome 2 Leaside Life • November 2026

November 11th is Remembrance Day

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Jane Auster Editor Leaside Life

In 2019, as part of our Remembrance Day coverage, columnist Susan Scandiffio spoke to a true hero and veteran who continues to give back to our veteran community – Fraser Holman. She wrote: “Holman is a firm believer in the need for veterans to support each other in retirement. He has spent more than five years volunteering at the Sunnybrook Veterans’ Centre, where he transports residents in wheelchairs to programs, therapies, and appointments within the centre and hospital, all the while sharing stories, camaraderie, and friendship.” Seven years later, heritage writer Mitch Bubulj visited Fraser at Sunnybrook Veterans Wing where he told our columnist about ambitious plans to reimagine the hospital’s K Wing. The number of veterans is now only 125, including several women as well as centenar-

ians, all of whom have moved to the L Wing. Fraser continues to staff the Johnny Bower Pub, named in honour of the Hall of Fame goaltender who championed veterans’ causes and was a frequent visitor to K Wing. Fraser himself shows no signs of slowing down. Thank you for your continuing service to the veterans’ community! Volleyball on our radar Also, in this issue we are pleased to welcome back writer Maria Stefanishina, an accomplished volleyballer talking about her passion and the roots of volleyball’s popularity in Leaside. What is it that makes Leaside such a volleyball-friendly community? Read on to find out! n

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Honouring Sunnybrook veterans and reimagining K Wing

Have you thought about the Kilgour (K) Wing lately? Most Leasiders know it to be the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, but many are unaware of the changes taking place at 80 Raab Blvd. There are now only 125 veterans living at the centre occupying a fraction of the 500 beds originally meant to accommodate those who had once served in combat. And so, K Wing is being repurposed in myriad ways to reflect present day realities.

Fraser Holman

MITCH BUBULJ

Military roots “It is important to remember that what we today call Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre was first named Sunnybrook Military Hospital when it was officially opened,” says Fraser Holman, longtime volunteer and retired MajorGeneral of the Royal Canadian Air Force. And while that was on the 12th of June 1948 with the ribbon cut by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, the first patient arrived in January 1946.

Leaside Life • November 2026

by MITCH BUBULJ

He was Private Raymond Scott, who had survived the Dieppe Raid in 1942, and lost an eye in Normandy in 1944. The original building still stands at the south end of the hospital site with its distinctive clock

tower. One of its architects was Hugh Allward, son of the renowned sculptor Walter Allward, creator of the Vimy Memorial.

VETERANS Page 36

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What do photography and fish have in common? Donna Miller! Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

LEASIDE PEOPLE

Photography, sailing and restoring a 1964 sloop, creating canvas and upholstery for the yachting community, advocating for women sailors, becoming a market vendor of frozen west-coast fish. And who is this multi-talented dynamo? One woman – Donna Miller. Many a Leaside home features a family portrait by Donna Miller. Her work also shows up in the corporate world and in some of the official portraits of Agnes Macphail Award recipients. Her father, Ron, started his photography business in his house in Don Mills, and by 1979 made his way to the recently vacated Robert Lowrey Piano Studio. When Donna took over from her father, she kept the studio name as Ronald Miller Photography in his honour, even when she later moved the business to the coach house off Laird Drive north of Parkhurst Boulevard. While she has “retired” from running a studio, she is still an active photographer. She recently made the difficult decision to stop storing negatives, feeling, that “in a world of now, the real archive is in people’s homes and memories.”

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Avid sailor Donna has been sailing most of her life, starting when she was a kid at camp. Truant is the name of the 1964 Pipedream sloop, built at the Smith and Rhuland Shipyard in Lunenburg, N.S. in 1964, that she is lovingly restoring. She owns Comfort Boat Upholstery and Design and is an excellent designer and seamstress particularly in the media of canvas and upholstery. Right now, she isn’t taking on many other boat upholstery projects, as her focus is on Truant, but she can be persuaded…. Still with sailing, Donna is part of WOW, or Women on the Water, a community of women sailors that has been operating out of Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club for the past four years, with Donna as an enthusiastic leader and participant. There are now more than 100 women on their WhatsApp site. WOW, she says, “fosters a supportive environment for women sailors.” There are regular sailing days and educational seminars aimed at enhancing sailing skills. Salmon vendor How did Donna make the leap to west coast frozen salmon? When she

and Brad MacMath’s son Morgan attended Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., he got a summer job at Fisherman’s Wharf. The idea of working on a fishing boat intrigued him, so he signed up with the 43-ft. Pacific Provider boat for the season, fishing off Haida Gwaii. At home for Christmas, he brought frozen Coho salmon as presents for everyone. The Pacific Provider had many west coast restaurant contracts and was doing well until Covid hit, at which point there was an oversupply of their high-quality west coast ocean fish, but no market. Morgan saw opportunity in Toronto. Donna made some calls and got them into the Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market. They sold out on their first day and have been doing steady business since, expanding into other markets they can manage across the city. If you’re not up for market shopping, or the markets are closed for the winter, there is free delivery within the city through PacificProvider.ca. What’s next for this multi-talented dynamo? Stay tuned for Donna’s next adventure. n

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Teen dares Leasiders to make the impossible possible Suzanne Park Columnist

At just 15, Amira Zarem is an inspirational teen daring fellow Leasiders to contribute to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s Together We Dare $100million campaign. Amira radiated confidence when she declared, “I believe we can do anything we take action to achieve. Just last week, I was so happy when Sandra Hawken, president and CEO of the hospital’s foundation, told me that $72 million of the $100-million Dare campaign goal has been raised.” Amira added, “There’ve been lots of big donations and so many smaller, $5 to $10 ones getting us closer to reaching the goal.” Sandra Hawken elaborated on why the lofty goal is so important. “The need has never been greater. Today

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Leaside Life • November 2026

Amira at Holland Bloorview

there are only 159 developmental pediatricians serving the more than one million children and youth with disabilities across Canada. Compounding this challenge, one in four is expected to retire within the next three years, deepening an already critical shortage of specialists and threatening access to early diagnosis, care and support for children with disabilities and developmental differences. “These funds will improve access to care for children across Canada including groundbreaking brain computer interface technology (BCI) and pioneering digital technology in orthotics and prosthetics,” she continued. In these fields, researchers focus on restoring mobility, communication, and independence. Success in BCI requires a mix of neuroscience, computer science, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, and applied mathematics. Amira and Holland Bloorview Amira has been coming to Holland Bloorview since she was two, shortly after being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both she and her mom, Adrienne, have been making impactful contributions ever since. Over the years Amira has taken part in music therapy, swimming, and summers spent at Spiral Garden camp. She’s also been involved in several research studies, including getting scans of her brain through Holland Bloorview’s fully accessible

and child-friendly MRI machine. She was an actor in a 2025 Together We Dare video, and she’s a keen booster of the campaign. Mother Adrienne’s own list of contributions is extensive. She’s a family leader. She facilitates ‘While We’re Waiting,’ a discussion group designed by families for families awaiting their child’s diagnostic assessment. She’s contributed to the family advisory committee working with staff to promote family-centred care that helped develop a parent welcome package and education sessions. She’s also part of the internationally recognized ‘Family Leaders Accreditation Group,’ a partnership with clients and families. This family engagement partnership model enables clients and families to be full and equal partners actively working on improvement initiatives across the hospital to ensure compliance with Accreditation Canada’s standards and required organizational practices. When asked what she’s enjoyed at Holland Bloorview over the years, Amira quickly responded, “The care and attention I’ve received. Whenever I had a question or was worried, staff were nearby and my concern was taken seriously, building my confidence and ability to handle challenges. As a teen, talking with and solving problems with other teens always lifts my spirit.” To learn more about how you can change a child’s life: https://www.togetherwedare.ca/ https://leasidelife.com/the-spiral-garden-an-oasis-in-leaside/ n

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Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with a brokerage. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description.

Leaside Life • November 2026

Start with knowing what your home is worth.

Leaside Volleyball Club – Aim, serve, volley! By MARIA STEFANISHINA Volleyball has become an increasingly visible part of youth sports, with opportunities for young athletes to learn the game, play recreationally, and compete at higher levels. In Leaside, this growth is clearly reflected in the development of the Leaside Volleyball Club (LVC), which has expanded from one girls’ team at a local school into a program with 20 competitive teams. Founded in 2008, LVC began when John Child, a Leaside resident and former Canadian beach volleyball player who competed in three Olympic Games and won a bronze medal, learned that his daughter, Jenna, wanted to play the sport. Having the background and expertise, he saw an opportunity to introduce local children to volleyball. As Child put it, “I had the knowledge of how to do it… so why not?” Since his family lived in the neighbourhood and his children attended Northlea Elementary & Middle School, the first team was based there. Word spread quickly through

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Leaside Life • November 2026

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the school community, and interest grew rapidly enough to form a second team the following year. Child had not expected the club to become a large regional organization; the initial goal was simply to give local children a place to play. Ambitious growth A key factor in the club’s long-term growth was creating opportunities for children who were not yet ready for competitive play. About 15 years ago, Child established LVC’s House League after noticing that sports such as soccer and hockey offered recreational programs where children could participate without tryouts. House League gave young players a low-barrier way to learn volleyball, build skills, and enjoy the sport without the pressure or heavy

commitment of rep teams. For many local athletes, that initial experience became a launchpad for years of participation. Child notes that around six players on the club’s current 18U team began in House League and continued developing with LVC from the 13U level. That same group went on to win a 17U national championship last year, illustrating how recreational programs can provide a starting point for high-level athletic success. The high level of performance reached a high point this past season. At the 2026 Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships, Leaside earned more Championship Tier gold medals – the highest level of competition – than any other club in

VOLLEYBALL Page 29

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Leaside Life • November 2026

The Leasiders hit the ice as players and friends LEASIDE SPORTS

Susan Scandiffio Columnist

The saying “the couple that plays together, stays together” has been embraced and enhanced by a group of Leasiders to reflect their lifelong friendship in sport. Originally a group of hockey players from both the Leaside High School Lancers hockey team and the Leaside Flames, 15 friends have taken their love for the game and their bond with each other to life on the ice beyond their post-secondary days. As a sign of their dedication, they have formed a new team, The Leasiders. The Leasiders team, made up of recent graduates in their early 20s, plays with the Adult Safe Hockey League (ASHL), a national recreational league for males and females, in operation for over 23 years.

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The brothers Frotten set up the team Organized by brothers Brayden and Scott Frotten in 2025, the Leasiders

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team plays in a division with those who played AA hockey. By all accounts they have taken the league by storm. The players love the game and spending time together so much that they play year-round in both the winter and summer sessions. This past August they won their summer league championship in a tightly fought best-of-five finals. For the players, their friendship throughout post-secondary life included short visits during reading week, holidays or in the summer. Now that they’re back in the city full-time, even with new jobs and commitments, the opportunity to meet up every Tuesday night for a game is a welcome way to ensure consistent time together. As player Jack Kiely notes, “It doesn’t matter if you were separate for a couple years after high school, there’s no reason not to connect again later. These are guys that I’ve had similar stories and similar interests with for many years.” He adds with a laugh, “I’m sure everybody missed being competitive with each other too.” n

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by MITCH BUBULJ This is the second article in a twopart series, “When the car was king in Leaside.” In the 1950s, Leaside was well serviced with no fewer than 20 automotive stations along Bayview, McRae, Laird and Millwood. Fast forward to 2026 and that number has dwindled to single digits. Many would call that progress. But for those of us with a taste for nostalgia and friendly auto service there are a few shops still standing. Back then service stations were roadside businesses that combined fuel sales with mechanical repairs and a whole lot of personal customer service. And even with a seeming glut of businesses for Leaside drivers to choose from – three of the four corners of Bayview and Millwood had stations with pumps – service stations thrived. According to an April 1982 article in Service Station and Garage Management, “gas pumps are not big money makers, but they serve as important tools for helping to draw

LAYERS OF LEASIDE

Mike Delic (third from left) and sons

RICK DELIC

Leaside Life • November 2026

Fill ’er up, Leaside!

in business.” The gas pump attendant, often dressed in crisp white and sporting a bowtie, would clean the windshield and check the oil, which afforded “the business owner

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the chance to give the customer a full report and likely gain a client.” Self-serve changes the landscape This all came to a halt in the ’70s with the advent of self-serve stations. In 1970 Esso introduced the first self-serve retail stations to Canada, in Toronto and Montreal, with a promise of cheaper gas. By the end of the decade, they dominated the market. The myriad Leaside stations sporting large colourful signs out front selling BP, Shell, Esso, Fina, Texaco and Sunoco fuels were shuttered or else repurposed. Jack Craig’s service station at 851 Millwood by Trace Manes Park became a Kentucky Fried Chicken and ultimately townhouses. Townhouses also replaced the Texaco and Sunoco stations on the southwest and southeast corners of Millwood and McRae. And Millwood Auto Service at 921 Millwood became…921 Millwood, a retirement residence (now called The Millwood). James Taylor Auto Service Station at 214 McRae – selling Supertest gas, “Canada’s all Canadian Company” – got tweaked rather than repurposed. In 1977, the new owners removed the pumps and renamed it M & S Auto Centre. Brothers Mike and Steve Delic bought the business from a developer who wanted to build townhouses but did not get City approval. Mike still comes to work from time

FILL ’ER UP! continued

Bayview Motors was big Another Leaside automotive legend was Bayview Motors. Started in 1931 by Earl Lepard, it found its permanent home at the corner of Randolph and McRae in 1948 (now a condo building). He passed it on to his sons Howard and Lloyd in 1952. The business kept running in the hands of Margaret Lepard, Howard’s wife, after he died in 1985. It contained the Motor Vehicle Licences bureau, which Margaret ran – having been appointed by the

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Queen to do so – and was one of the first private offices of its kind. Daughter and North Leasider Susanne Lepard carried on her mom’s licensing role in various locations for two decades. When getting your renewal sticker on Millwood beside the Sleuth of Baker Street Bookstore, you may remember her, her golden retriever Bailey, her cockatoo California and even her infant son Taylor in his jolly jumper. All were fixtures at the office! With the rise of self-serve stations and most recently the popularity of e-vehicles, the classic service station is gone – mostly – but certainly not forgotten. n

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to time although the business is now run by his five sons David, Sam, Philip, Rick and Jeremy – in that order. David jokes that it’s just as accurate – if not more so – to call it “Mike and Sons” or McRae and Sutherland. Mike says that “Leaside and Leasiders are the best; I cannot imagine a better place to do business.” David explains that customers come to them for everything from brakes to shocks, tires to tuneups. The family legacy is strong with Mike’s grandson now showing an interest in working there.

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Leaside Life • November 2026

Leaside road rage? Try a (friendly) wave! By ANDREE SHORE I live on one of the main thoroughfares in Leaside – Bayview Ave. – and have suffered, along with our neighbours, the increase in traffic (at all hours!). The drivers are getting desperate, and as you know, they then do desperate things. A few years ago, I took up a new hobby – trying to be the one person making a difference in our experience of driving in Leaside and therefore hopefully in the decorum of us all on the road. No, it was not complaining, writing letters, sending emails, gnashing teeth. I was trying to make change through shared humanity: the proverbial “be the change you want to see” or, rather, demonstrate that it is more fun to be kind than ornery. Here’s my story. Today I got another notice about construction on Bayview that was

not a complete surprise, as it had been down to one lane for a week already, populated by the ubiquitous storm sewer crew. It was nice to get the notice though.

I felt special, as there had been countless other lane closures over the past year in Leaside, workers mysteriously cutting rectangular holes in the road and spooning something out of storm sewers without ceremony or a notice or explanation.

Nonetheless we Leasiders could figure it out: the ubiquitous cones and maintenance trucks parked on Bayview, Broadway-Eglinton, and all the other critical routes, and as we moved through the slowdown to the drain cover there were generally several gentlemen looking downwards into the hole. Wave at other drivers Anyway, trying to feel positive, I told myself this was a prime opportunity to practise my new hobby – waving to other drivers. Not just to say ‘hi’ but to gesture emphatically that I welcome them to cut in front of me either to turn, or in this case, merge. The waving is for sure not to communicate my irritation about whatever they might do, it is to say hello, thank you for waiting, all the best: all the things I might say if we were on the sidewalk together. Perhaps this is one of the benefits of our congested traffic; we see each other. I have started being as helpful and courteous as possible when I drive. Letting cars in, thanking them for letting me in, stopping for pedestrians as they approach the intersection and showing I am ready for them to go ahead, motioning for cars and people alike to do what they are waiting hopefully to do. I want to let them see that I noticed them, am happy to be thoughtful, and equally happy to say a big thanks when I am the recipient of the courtesy. This is not from altruism; the practice has shown me how fun it is to meet and share with my neighbours. I hope these gestures, meant with community spirit and goodwill, are understood and received as intended, and others might try them when the moment presents. If they do try this drivers’ handshake, so to speak, they will realize how good it feels, that it is a joyful moment of shared humanity, and that being connected is like making a new friend. Our cities are stressful enough. Calling out to another with the gift of letting them into a busy turn lane, or to bypass a construction vehicle blocking one of the lanes, or smiling and waiting while pedestrians get on their way – it’s good for both of us. Why not try it? n

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Buzzing, barking, bushes and birches

Leaside Life • November 2026

By DAVID CRICHTON

the Bayview extension and Don Valley Parkway. Too tired to obsess Having been away for a while, about it, though, I head to the front with just Jerry the Wonder Mutt door. Jerry pees where I wish he and the sound of the gears in my wouldn’t. Thanks to him and every own head, I was looking forward other dog in the neighbourhood, I to coming home and using my vocal have my very own burning bush. cords for making words other than Minus the ventriloquism. “Go pee” or “Stop licking that.” I chuck my bag on “A man and his dog” might the floor and play well in a Jack London head straight up novel but it loses its rugged to bed. THE romanticism pretty quickly I’m awakened LEASIDE when you’re talking about the next day by OBSERVER a neurotic 17-lb. coyote a barking dog. appetizer that jumps at the Then two, then sound of his own farts. three. Until there I pull into the driveway around are at least half a 10 at night and Jerry wakes on cue, dozen all yelling “Good squeaking to get out. Yes, I agree morning” to one another. (A story audibly, it feels good to get home. for another day, perhaps.) Between Until I open the car door. It’s a them and the internal combustion warm fall Friday evening and that buzz through the night, I decide to can mean only one thing in Leaside: recapture some of the nature I left motorcycles. Or tuner cars. Or both. 24 hours before and visit my tree. I We’ve all heard them. I’ve even tried slug back my black coffee and strap to suss out the source. I’ve asked a walking harness on the fur-covered people in the neighbourhood. I’ve bouncing ball at my front door. It’s called the police. I’ve driven, in my a relatively quiet, sunny Saturday pyjamas, at 2 in the morning, down morning and I’m already feeling

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better. I head up Sutherland, across Eglinton and east on Broadway, then Rykert to the entrance of Serena Gundy Park. It’s MY tree Now, I probably shouldn’t tell you about my secret tree, but I will. Just know that it’s my tree. Sure, your eyeballs can rent it now and then, but it’s still my tree. There are plenty of others in the park, so you can find your own. As I make my way down the path into the park, the small ravine on the right and the backyards of houses up on the left, I pass one small clearing, then another. Until I get to a third. And there it is, down in the valley: the tall paper birch. What sets it apart from the rest of the forest is that it is the only birch. A big one. Maybe a hundred feet high. Which puts it at its maximum height for this species. And they’re all the rarer since the city stopped planting them after the ice storm in 2013. “Too fragile,” they told me when I tried to plant one in my front yard. You can see it easily through the clearing in late fall when most of the leaves on its unrelated brethren are down. Its white bark and yellow leaves contrast starkly against the green coniferous and surrounding brownscape. In the evening, the sun sets almost perfectly in the “V” of the valley from this vantage point. It irradiates the bark, creating a parallax effect. I lean against a tree and hang there for a while. No people. No motorcycles. No dogs. Except the best one, at my feet. After a long while, Jerry shakes the way dogs shake. I take it as my cue to go down and have a visit. We arrive at the birch. Its bark is clean and white with a velveteen touch. It’s tempting to pull off a strip. I don’t, of course. Jerry sniffs and gets up close to the base. I can tell by his general demeanour what he means to do next. I quickly pull him back. “No, not there.” He chooses another victim. Some breaking twigs in the distance signal that someone may be coming. I don’t want them to get curious and visit my tree, so I decide to end the moment. I look back to see Jerry sitting, head between his legs, enthusiastically busying himself. Setting off, I interrupt him. “Stop licking that.” n

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Leaside Life • November 2026

Information • Inspiration • Resources for Living Well

Leaside – a neighbourhood we choose to live in I lived, I’d still be dealing with buses and longer walks rather than popping onto Line 1 or Line 2. It’s also pretty spread out compared to the neighbourhoods I gravitate toward. I completely understand why someone would want to raise a family there, but at this point in my life, I’d be bored.” What about the other neighbourhoods she mentioned? The other seven are King Street West, Liberty Village, Kensington/Chinatown, Yonge/Eglinton, The Beaches, Distillery District, and The Garden District. Unusual company? Perhaps. Leaside is one of only two north of Bloor, and (along, arguably, with The Beaches) is the only so-called suburban neighbourhood. Of course it’s intensifying; some would call it “tall and sprawl.”

Geoff Kettel Saving Old Leaside

Leaside has taken a hit recently, both from new media, and even from our own media! First, there was “8 Toronto neighbourhoods that I would (never) live in (from a local)” by Brittany Barber in Narcity1, a Canadian digital media publication that “targets millennial and Gen Z audiences through socialfirst lifestyle, local news, travel, and entertainment content.” “Leaside is lovely. It’s green, quiet, full of nice houses, has plenty of shops along Bayview and feels pretty comfortable,” Barber wrote. “But for me, it’s all a little too comfortable. It has always felt more suburban than I’d want my everyday experience of Toronto to feel. Transit has improved massively with the Eglinton Crosstown (apparently), but depending on where

MITCH BUBULJ

Leaside Life • November 2026

Radar Park

What defines liveability? What’s the basis for Barber’s judgment of liveability? “My reasons mostly boil down to my own experiences,” she explained. “Perhaps an area that has always been a nightmare for me to get to, somewhere that’s too noisy, or a place I’d rather keep some distance from so that when I do visit, some of the magic remains.” Not sure I understand how Leaside relates to those comments. Another hit on Leaside came in the September 2026 Leaside Life review by Andrew Moore, aka “Danforth Dad,” of newly opened Radar Park on Brentcliffe, south of Eglinton.2 “It’s terrible. And it’s a missed opportunity,” he wrote. He thinks the execution failed to capture the heritage story behind the name “Radar” for the park. But talk to the residents of 36 Brentcliffe next door – they love the place – they just want more places to sit. So Camrost-Felcorp, the developer behind 36 Brentcliffe, has agreed to add more seating! Radar Park is heritage, and more, like the innovative rain gardens for the environment. Plus, it is a nearby haven for the growing number of residents in the new tall towers to enjoy the outside and a bit of green. We choose to live in a neighbourhood – and Leaside is the neighbourhood we choose! n 1 https://www.narcity.com/toronto/ toronto-neighbourhoods-i-would-never-live-in 2 https://leasidelife.com/off-the-radar/

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Demoviction comes to Thorncliffe in proposed Milepost Place redevelopment by JASON ASH One hundred and fifty-four families living on a quiet cul-de-sac in Thorncliffe Park have received unwelcome news: Their existing rent-controlled homes on Milepost Place are proposed to be torn down and replaced with 1,300 new rental units, most to be offered at market rate. Earlier this year, residents of 2 and 4 Milepost Place were notified that a development application had been submitted to the City of Toronto by two related companies – Mohican Holdings Limited and Park Property Management – to replace the two mid-rise, six-storey apartment buildings with three high-rise rental towers of 39, 44, and 49 storeys, respectively. Seventy-six families in a third midrise rental apartment building on the same street, 8 Milepost Place, recently received notice their building had been sold, too, according to Lindsay Blackwell, a representative

THE BRIDGE

2 and 4 Milepost Place, Thorncliffe Park

JASON ASH

Leaside Life • November 2026

of the No Demovictions advocacy group working with Thorncliffe Park tenants. Why is this happening now? Not because the buildings are unsuitable or unsafe. In building audits performed by the City of Toronto’s RentSafeTO division, 2

Milepost Place scored 92 per cent for building maintenance, and 4 Milepost Place scored 95 per cent. Impressive scores considering the apartments opened in 1960 and are among the oldest buildings in Thorncliffe Park. Rather, it appears to be a direct response to Ontario Line construction, given the properties are within 250 metres of the future Thorncliffe Park Station. With no significant public sector investments or economic development efforts in the neighbourhood for decades, the Metrolinx project is likely the best opportunity corporate landowners will ever have to maximize their return on investment in Thorncliffe Park. What options do the existing tenants have? Not many. Don Valley Community Legal Services (DVCLS), which operates in the neighbourhood, told Leaside Life it can provide legal advice, information, and other supports for tenants, but a demoviction cannot be fought at the Landlord and Tenant Board. “We have been predicting for a while that we would start to see demovictions in Thorncliffe Park with the progression of the Ontario Line. These buildings are the first of what will likely be several in the community,” said Laura Anonen, who works at DVCLS. What’s next? In order for the demolition of 2 and 4 Milepost Place to be approved, the City will require the property owner to (i) replace all of

DEMOVICTION Page 27

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Rosedale Readers finds a following in Leaside Janis Fertuck Columnist

Rosedale Readers, a learning centre operating out of Leaside United Church, which opened a year ago, specializes in programs for children with diverse learning needs such as dyslexia. Ivana Nina Maric, founder and director, says it is her mission to enable all students “to feel supported and guided toward becoming confident, fluent readers, whether they have dyslexia or not.” The business name stems from Ivana’s fondness for Rosedale and she feels it creates a warm, welcoming and educational feeling. With her desire to work with children, Ivana started out as an early childhood educator but soon became a resource consultant with the TDSB working with students with a variety

JANIS FERTUCK

Leaside Life • November 2026

Left: Ivana Maric, director, and Margarette Cabrera, teacher, in their classroom at Leaside United Church.

of learning needs, mostly in kindergarten classrooms. During her six years in that position, Ivana discovered how many children were struggling without the right supports and

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began tutoring part-time as well as training in the Barton Reading and Spelling System with the goal of opening her own space where dyslexic students could feel comfortable in a learning environment designed for them. The Barton method The Barton method is a researchbased reading and spelling program built on the same principles as the well-known Orton-Gillingham approach that has been helping dyslexic students for decades. It teaches reading and spelling in “small, logical steps, starting with the basic building blocks of sounds and letters so that nothing is left to guesswork,” says Ivana. Lessons engage multiple senses so the information sticks with the students, who move at their own pace, only progressing once a skill is mastered. As a result, the students develop “lifelong strategies” and gain confidence and a love for learning. Rosedale Readers offers four different programs, each conducted on a one-to-one basis, so lessons are tailored to the individual student’s needs. “Foundation in Sounds” builds the core sound-based skills reading depends upon. “Dyslexia Tutoring” is an Orton-Gillingham based program aimed at building reading, spelling and comprehension skills for students with dyslexia. “Learning Enrichment” is designed to help children aged 4 to 9 to continue learning during the summer to address any gaps in learning and

READERS Page 39

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Leaside Life • November 2026

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“Mayrik” knows best on Bayview

Mitch Bubulj Columnist

Restaurateur Aram Gabrielian is proud of his mom, Maral, for many reasons, not the least of which is her cooking. And so, in 2017, when Aram was ready to open his restaurant on Bayview, the name “Mayrik” was a natural choice; it is the affectionate diminutive of “mother” in Armenian. This month’s dish is Lebanese, and one of Maral’s favourites. Although of Armenian descent, she was born and raised in Beirut. And since this is Lebanese Heritage Month in Canada, we have on offer Lebanese lentil soup with an Armenian twist. Lebanese cuisine’s long history There are many layers to Lebanese cuisine dating back to 1500 BCE.

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Leaside Life • November 2026

Maral & Aram

Find the recipes online by clicking the Leaside Cooks tab.

The Phoenicians introduced olives, grapes and wheat while the Romans left their mark with pickling, curing and multi-dish eating traditions. Arab and then Ottoman domination brought spices such as cumin, coriander and cinnamon, not to mention lamb, yogurt and slow-simmered stews. The 20th-century French years of rule offered up delicate pastries, flans and refined baking, making Lebanon stand apart gastronomically from its Middle Eastern neighbours. Maral’s lentil soup, or adas bi hamod, combines the distinctive flavours of Lebanon such as lemons, olive oil, cumin and lentils. Maral learned how to create it from her family. Her grandparents, like many other Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire in the early part of the 20th century, escaped the Armenian Genocide of 1915, which claimed the lives of some one million people. Maral’s family history Maral’s family settled in Beirut. Her husband’s family were also fortunate enough to escape the atrocities and ended up in Iraq. Aram says his dad “Armen studied electrical engineering in Mosul and left to work in North America just before

the rise of Saddam Hussein.” He settled in Toronto, working in the aerospace industry. Maral left Beirut as a teenager because of the Civil War. She came to Montreal to live with her older siblings, and it was in Toronto that Maral and Armen met and married. Aram grew up in North York close to the large Armenian church, school and cultural centre at Victoria Park and the 401, which he and his two siblings attended regularly to stay connected with the community. His brother is a bass baritone with the Opéra national de Paris, while his sister is a high school teacher in Toronto. “Armenians are apt to assimilate to the culture – including the cuisine – of wherever they grew up,” explains Aram. This explains Maral’s familiarity with Lebanese lentil soup. The soup is also a staple dish in Syria and Egypt, Aram tells me. What makes Maral’s stand out – and accounts for the Armenian twist – is that “the lentils are choppier, not

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pureed; they don’t disappear,” says Aram. “You can feel the texture on the tongue.” As well, his mom adds onion shavings for extra flavour and interest. Mayrik on Bayview pledges to “pay homage to a mother’s kitchen” – something Aram has been doing for close to a decade. Try the Lebanese lentil soup recipe found at Leaside Cooks online this month for Lebanese Heritage Month, or any month, and bring home a taste of Maral’s kitchen. n

Leaside Life • November 2026

R E G N E V A C

HUNT

The response to our 2nd Scavenger Hunt was enthusiastic! Here are some of the submissions by Leasiders out and about in the ’hood looking for answers... Super Grand Prize: Linda Wright Prize winner: Family Venegas Bolivar Prize winner: Geoffrey & Caroline Sugar I have just finished your very imaginative Scavenger Hunt. What fun...I really enjoyed exploring Leaside in the quest to find all the answers and discovering many things I’d never noticed before. — Linda Wright.

Thank you for another awesome scavenger hunt! It’s so much fun to get together with friends and wander the neighbourhood searching for answers while learning more about our fabulous area!— Wendy Cragg.

Thank you so much for putting this together! We just moved into our forever home in Leaside, and it was an amazing opportunity for us to explore and learn more about our new neighbourhood.— Mari & Zach Kuzmicz

My son and I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the scavenger hunt this year. It gave our stroller walks a destination every day! — Lia & Damian.

Thank you for organizing a great scavenger hunt for the residents of Leaside. We enjoyed the new routes we were taken on while searching for the clues during our dog walks. — Caroline & Geoffrey Sugar. We’ve had a lot of fun and shared some great moments with this scavenger hunt. — Venegas Bolivar Family.

We had a great time this weekend walking and riding our bikes around Leaside. Looking forward to the next one! — Nancy, Ian and Parker Henderson. A great adventure had by all!— Jackie Burger.

the demolished units with similar units at similar rents and (ii) have a tenant assistance plan, including: advance notice to vacate the unit, an alternative rental unit or rent gap assistance, moving allowances, assistance for tenants with special needs, and the right for existing tenants to move into a replacement rental unit in the new building when it is completed. But the City’s requirements cannot account for all the impacts of being forced out of one’s home. For young families, demoviction might require children to be transferred to a new school mid-year, resulting in a loss of friends. For individuals on a fixed income, it could mean higher grocery and transportation costs. For seniors who chose to live in Thorncliffe Park for decades, relocation can mean a loss of community, and perhaps a loss of identity, too. The redevelopment application of 2 and 4 Milepost Place is not approved yet, and a public consultation with the developer, city planner, and local councillor is expected to be scheduled. For the 154 families impacted nothing is finalized, and Park Property Management owns five additional apartment buildings, 542 rental units, in Thorncliffe Park. For the broader community, the immediate question is what improvements to local parks, library, and recreation facilities will Mohican and Park Property provide as compensation if the City approves a +744 per cent increase in rental units at 2 and 4 Milepost Place. The biggest question for residents of this majority renter district is whether Thorncliffe Park is destined to become another largescale redevelopment project like the nearby “Crosstown Community” at Eglinton and Don Mills, or if it can hold on and remain a vibrant Toronto neighbourhood. What can non-tenants of 2 and 4 Milepost Place do to help? The tenants of 2-4 Milepost Place have an online petition circulating, which can be found here: https://www.change.org/p/stop-thedemolition-and-protect-2-and-4milepost-place-tenants. Neighbourhood groups and allies can also reach out to the 2-4 Milepost Tenants Association at: 2and4milepost@gmail.com. n

Canadian Tire LEASIDE HR Coordinator

The Canadian Tire Store in Leaside is hiring an HR Coordinator to support recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, and staff engagement. Responsibilities include CTU compliance, Windley Ely administration, vacation scheduling, Joint Health & Safety, uniforms, contests, and assisting with store scheduling. Must understand Ontario employment legislation, ESA standards, and Labour Board requirements. Strong communication, organization, and confidentiality required. The position is part-time and offers flexible work hours. Pay can range from $20-34/hour based on experience. Please email resume with cover letter to: amarshall@ctcstores.ca

LEASIDE

27 Leaside Life • November 2026

DEMOVICTION From Page 20

A new honour for Leaside’s Michael Stevenson by LORNA KRAWCHUK Leasider Michael Stevenson has been profiled twice in earlier editions of Leaside Life – once by Allan Williams in November 2016 and once by me in August 2021. Both stories are worth a fresh read. Michael is being acknowledged once again. In a special invitation, the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, has requested the company of Michael Stevenson at a reception celebrating the book launch of Swift and Bold: The History of The Queen’s York Rangers (1st American Regiment RCAC). This edition of the regiment history is dedicated to the Leasider, as “LieutenantColonel Michael A. Stevenson, CD for his service to the Regiment.” While the 96-year-old is no longer actively volunteering with the veterans at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, he regularly asks for prayers for them as part of his Sunday worship at St. Cuthbert’s, Leaside Anglican Church. n

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Leaside Life • November 2026

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VOLLEYBALL From Page 8

Why the interest? When discussing why youth volleyball is expanding so rapidly, Child notes that while the reason for its success is complex, several key factors stand out. Many children initially balance volleyball alongside sports like soccer, basketball, and hockey, but frequently choose volleyball as their primary focus once they reach high school. n

29 Leaside Life • November 2026

Canada, winning the 14U, 16U, and 17U girls’ titles alongside a bronze medal in 15U girls, as well as earning nine medals for both boys’ and girls’ teams in the Ontario Provincial Championships. The club’s competitive results reflect the broader growth of volleyball in the area. LVC athletes now compete at provincial and national championships, while former players have gone on to play at universities and colleges across Canada and the United States, professionally overseas, and on Canada’s women’s national team, including alumnae Julia Murmann and Katerina Georgiadis, who is currently playing on the Canadian National Women’s team.

Vows revisited: John and Terry’s deep Leaside roots Life came full circle for John and Terry Simpson recently and in the most surprising way. Daughter Jacquie Platten worked stealthily for months arranging visits to Leaside High School (LHS), where her parents fell in love, and Leaside United Church (LUC), where they were wed. They even got to tour John’s childhood home on Sutherland Drive as the couple celebrated 60 years of marriage. Leaside roots John Simpson and Terry, née McKinnon, were born and raised in South Leaside, both attending Rolph Road School. John recalls going to a Rolph Road class reunion and meeting his old Grade 5 teacher, beloved Mr. Franklin (who turned 100 this past summer; see “Mr. Franklin’s sad cake will make you glad” in Leaside Life February 2025). John remembers saying to him “I wasn’t much of a student so you probably wouldn’t remember me,” to which Franklin responded,

LEASIDE PEOPLE

Above: John and Terry at Leaside High and (right) at Leaside United where they took their vows.

JACQUIE PLATTEN

Leaside Life • November 2026

By MITCH BUBULJ

“I remember you, John, and I recall your loving sports!” John was athletic then and still is today. His LHS yearbook write-up shared that “John is a rugged football and hockey player, who can put the pressure on when it’s needed most. He also curls and plays golf.” He and Terry both enjoy golfing and he is gearing up for the curling season, these days donning a helmet since he has seen enough mates fall on their heads. Terry grew up at 39 McRae and has great memories of walking on stilts up and down Heather Road. She also remembers her three siblings and her spending hours riding in their unique go-kart, custom made by her dad. She also was adept at baton twirling, which was all the rage in the ’50s. Terry was a competitive swimmer and was poised for the summer Olympics under her coach Gus Ryder, who also trained Marilyn Bell. But her father firmly directed her to pursue school rather than the pool. Making memories They started dating at LHS and wed at LUC – in 1966 - four years after their high school graduation. Like many young couples at the time, John and Terry moved to the suburbs, buying a new house in Unionville where they raised their three children Ted, Julie and Jacquie. Youngest daughter Jacquie, a

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Leaside Life • November 2026

self-professed “planner,” knew she wanted to do something memorable for her parents’ 60th wedding anniversary. “I consider myself blessed to have two such loving and active parents and so I knew the celebration had to be an adventure.” She arranged a guided visit to their alma mater with principal Rosanna Kerrigan and a stop at the church, supported by new minister Chris Hawk. A bonus was visiting John’s childhood home. The new owners, Josh and Michelle, graciously invited the family for a tour. John was pleasantly surprised to find most of the original features intact, including the laundry chute that went from bathroom to basement furnace

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room. “The door to the chute in the kitchen was just where it always was,” he recalled with a smile. The adventure culminated at Casa Loma for dinner. “It was 14 of us around the table, at the same venue where my parents had their wedding dinner 60 years ago to the day,” said Jacquie. Everything went off without a hitch, with Terry reflecting that visiting the church where they exchanged their vows especially warmed the heart. “God has blessed us with an amazing life and family.” It’s a life and journey rooted in Leaside. Did you grow up, meet and marry in Leaside? We want to hear your story. Contact us at leasidelife@ gmail.com. n

leasidelife.com Editor: Jane W. Auster Publisher: Lorna Krawchuk Graphic Design: Robin Dickie Advertising: Karli Vezina

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leasidelifepublishing@gmail.com leasidelife@gmail.com Published monthly in Leaside, Toronto, ON.

Circulation 10,000 to every home and business in Leaside & Bennington. No part of the editorial content of this publication may be reprinted without the publisher’s written permission. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. All advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. Such approval does not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised. Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising that does not meet the standards of the publication.

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In 1966 the facility transitioned into an academic, general-access teaching hospital, changing its name to Sunnybrook. And while this was a shift in mandate, the hospital maintained its commitment to veteran care. Holman has been volunteering since 2012 and knows the centre well. He staffs the Johnny Bower Pub, the popular room named to honour the Hall of Fame goaltender, himself a veteran, who championed veterans’ causes and was a frequent visitor to K Wing. He explains that with the dwindling number of veterans – presently at 125 – they migrated to L Wing, thus opening K Wing to new possibilities. It is impressive to note that of the 125 veterans – many of whom are women – a third are over 100 years old. Veterans Affairs funds their care, underscoring a commitment to giving back to those who gave so much. As Holman says, “I have got to know these folks over the years, and they are true survivors in every sense of the word.” Services and activities Residents have access to many services and events. Other than the pub, there are movie viewings,

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pendent and out of hospital. What has remained consistent is the cadre of exceptional volunteers like Fraser Holman and the excellent nursing, medical and interprofessional staff.

MITCH BUBULJ

Leaside Life • November 2026

COURTESY FRASER HOLMAN

VETERANS From Page 3

bus excursions, live music as well as access to gyms, a physiotherapy centre and even a hair stylist. Larry Donald, at 75, is one of a new breed of veteran. He was a corporal at the Moss Park Armouries in the ’70s, involved with training. “I lived alone up till this past May when I moved in here; the centre is bright and inviting, the nursing staff are great and the people on my floor have become friends.” Other than social activities in Warrior’s Hall and dental offices, not much of the old K Wing is recognizable. The Peter Cipriano Centre for Seniors Health, which opened officially in it last October, offers patient-centred care, helping more seniors remain healthy, inde-

Join in on Remembrance Day This November 11th, around 11:20 a.m., as always, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph on Bayview Avenue. Holman encourages the public to attend; in previous years there have been fly pasts by three or four vintage Harvard planes as well as performances by local elementary school choirs, and ultimately the playing of the Last Post and Reveille. Get reacquainted with K Wing, consider applying to be a volunteer and go ahead and make a point of attending this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the recently refurbished cenotaph on the grounds of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Lest we forget! n

November Events

For a complete listing of local events for November 2026 visit our website at https://Leasidelife.com/events

Last year we featured a Remembrance Day poem by local resident Richard Grace. We are pleased to feature his latest poem to honour the occasion.

The Obligation by Richard Grace No face down heroes sleep with me There are no flowers on the grave, And should you pass this place It is only silence that I ask, Not the breeding of flags or psalms, Nor smiles stepping smartly For some lump of earth Trapped once in a name In all of one and twenty, But only just a nod For all we lose in this strange giving of lies And all the names we are obliged to take Even to a nameless sleep Only just a nod Mind you For that at which at last .... we care to keep

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37 Leaside Life • November 2026

Remembrance Day

Leaside Life • November 2026

80 years of service, and counting November, the month of remembrance, is upon us. Eighty years ago, in 1946, a world war had at last come to an end. A memorable time. 1946-7 also saw the birth of a small but feisty ratepayer group, the Leaside Property Owners’ Association (LPOA), to protest a high-rise development proposal and its resultant traffic impact. Now known as the Leaside Residents Association, our work continues. Many of the same issues remain, although on a larger scale and more frequent timeline. Attendees at the LRA’s recent Annual General Meeting might well have commented that the more things change, the more they remain the same. As a result, there will always be a need for groups like the LRA. Leasiders are not only stakeholders. Importantly, we are also residents, with knowledge of our community and opinions about how it should be maintained and improved. We do not sit back and just let things happen. Whether it’s traffic problems, over-development, provincial overreach, or problems with local bylaw enforcement, we speak out.

Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president LRA

It’s your turn Now I’m asking you to play a more active role. In my Leaside Life columns I often invite you to join the LRA, either as a board member or as a participant in a particular effort or project. We all volunteer our time and depend on financial contributions from community members to cover legal and planning fees. You do not need to be an expert. All you need is a commitment to this community, the time to attend the occasional meeting, and an interest in Leaside’s future. Help us to help Leaside. Welcome to the new LRA board The following were elected and re-elected as members of the 2026 board of directors at our recent

AGM: Carol Burtin Fripp, Jacinta Cooper, Paul Green, Karin HwangLew, Geoff Kettel, Helen Koyama, John Lea. Doug Obright, Robin Rix, Frank Schimpl, Agnes Vermes. The 2026 board includes two changes from 2025: the resignation of a long-standing board member and the addition of a new member. Andrea Villiers resigned because of moving out of the area, and Karin Hwang-Lew joined the board. Karin has a strong background in community engagement, most recently serving on the board of the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens. n NEXT MEETING The LRA board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., in person at Trace Manes or, in the winter, via Zoom. You’re invited to attend as these monthly meetings are open to the public. The next one is on Wed., Nov. 4. Check out our website for more info: leasideresidents.ca/contactus. n

The 11th Annual Reception and Induction Ceremony Friday, November 20, 2026 William Lea Room Leaside Memorial Community Gardens

Tickets $40.00 Doors open at 6:30 pm • Reception and Cash Bar • Induction Ceremony and Presentations • 7:15 pm Tickets are now on sale on our website Please visit our website at leasidesports.com for further information

The following will be inducted into the LSHOF on November 20, 2026: James (Jim) Georgiadis and John Parker Recognition of Teams of the Year: Leaside Baseball Association’s Leaside Leafs AAA ( over 22) and Leaside Skating Club’s Synchronized Skating Team, Meraki Gold.

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SENIOR FITNESS

to prepare for the future. New this October is “Math Tutoring,” using a similar approach to the literacy programs to break down math concepts into manageable steps using multi-sensory techniques. The concept is growing The current enrolment of 25 to 35 students is a clear indication of the growing popularity of these programs. The staff are enthusiastic about the rewarding nature of the work. Hanna Bridpoint enjoys the “meaningful connections” she makes as well as seeing the progress and growing confidence of the students “when something finally clicks.” And Margarette Cabrera is pleased when she finds the approach that works for each child. Best of all, parents seem very happy with the learning centre. Tatiana Campbell’s family tried several other tutors in the past, but thanks to Ivana’s methods, her daughter has become more confident in school and now believes in herself. Another parent, Irma Vilora, says that her son Miguel was struggling to read and write independently, but after a few months has gained in confidence, and never wants to leave the classroom, “which has been created as a safe, welcoming and comfortable space where the children feel supported.” Thanks to the success of the first Leaside location, Ivana reports that the learning centre will open a second location just off Bayview at 469 Manor Rd. East this December. In addition, Ivana is now working with families of children who need extra support at Sunnybrook School on Merton Street using the same approach as at the centre. She says this reflects the commitment to collaborating with neighbourhood schools deeply invested in students’ success. n

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Leaside Life • November 2026

Leyli Goodale

READERS From Page 22

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