Pictured (l to r) Eli Brown, Chris Neal, Jim Gardner, David Crichton, Peter Neal; (front) Paul Manley.
I don’t know about you, but I am back in full mask mode. I know, I know, there’s no mask mandate as such, but Ontario’s top doctor, Kieran Moore, has strongly recom mended a return to masking as Ontarians face a trifecta of viruses – RSV, flu and, of course, that other one, the dreaded “C” word.
It’s hard to believe, but we’re now in our third winter holiday season under the watchful eye of the pandemic. Even twotime Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour winner, and Leaside Life columnist, Terry Fallis sounds a little less buoyant this month as he searches for the proverbial silver lining: “We can all still enjoy family and friends even if it means rooting around in both
Jane Auster Editor Leaside Life
nostrils with a cotton swab before the warm embraces begin.”
Like him, I’ve been poked and prodded way too many times for my liking...yet I still got Covid. Has it gotten you yet?
So, what are people to do to enjoy the ho-ho-ho-hol idays? Going back into full hermit crab mode no longer seems an option, or at least not the best option. I like Terry’s advice: “I think the key to navigating this strange new world without losing our collec tive marbles is to accept that Covid and its offspring may well be with us for a long time to come, and not to hang our hopes on a final and definitive eradication of this
by TED DEWELLES, Leaside Heritage Preservation Society
Anyone who’s watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will remember the scene where Clark Griswold switches on a blinding display of outdoor Christmas lights at his home, nearly draining the city’s electricity supply.
Clark’s obsession with holiday outdoor lighting would not have been out of place in mid-20th century Leaside. For nearly a decade, the town held an annual Christmas lighting competition that captured the attention of homeowners, busi nesses and even outside onlookers.
Like most North Americans, Leasiders almost certainly decorated their homes with Yuletide lights long before this time. But around 1956, the idea of turning the practice into a contest was introduced. Sponsored by the Leaside Horticultural Society and the Leaside Kiwanis Club, the competition grew and became so popular that by 1961 the number
of finalists alone totalled some 60 homes.
Prizes were handed out in several categories, including awards for the best-decorated doorway, house, and religious scene.
The contest’s judges were qualified individuals who lived in the com munity. In 1964, for instance, both judges were Leaside residents who
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With ceremonies having been on hold for the past two years, the Leaside Sports Hall of Fame was thrilled to be back celebrating excellence in sports from the Leaside community.
On November 18th, the Class of 2020 was inducted into the Hall, and the George Turrell Lifetime Contribution Award and Athlete of the Year awards for 2020 and 2022 were presented.
Lifelong Leasider Peter Dudley once commented that “my goal is to provide the opportunity for every young person in Leaside to have the opportunity to play baseball.”
It was a goal he pursued vigorously.
In 1952, Dudley founded the Leaside Atom Baseball Association (LABA) for children aged 10, 11, and 12.
From registration, uniform and supply coordi nator to coach, Dudley was involved in all aspects of building a vibrant and successful baseball association.
NHL superstar Cal Gardner was a player, a member of the Canadian military serving in World War II, and a hockey dad cheering on Leaside players and sons Dave and Paul.
The Leaside resident was a member of the winning 1943 Memorial Cup team and in that year enlisted in the Canadian military serving until the end of WW II.
In his 696 regular season NHL games, Gardner scored 154 goals and racked up 238 assists. In 61 NHL playoff games, he scored seven goals and had 10 assists.
A two-time All-Star, Gardner won two Stanley Cups in 1949 and 1951 with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Lifelong Leasider Bill Kennedy was a dominant athlete on the ice and on the field.
As a member of the Toronto Marlboros, Kennedy won Memorial Cup championships in 1955 and, as team captain, in 1956.
Kennedy played for the Varsity Blues from 1958-62 and was the leading scorer two of those years. He was also named to the Canadian Olympic team in 1960.
On the field, Kennedy played with the Leaside Baseball Association for many years and was a member of the 1950 Leaside Rotary Peewee team that won the association’s first Ontario Championship. He was a member of eight city and provincial baseball teams, includ ing the Metropolitan Motors teams that won four consecutive Toronto Championships from 1953-1956.
Jim Garvie was devoted to helping others whether in their athletic pursuits, as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, or as a friend driving neighbours to medical appointments.
In Leaside sports, Garvie coached hockey and baseball for decades and was an executive on both the Leaside Hockey and Leaside Baseball Associations. Wanting all kids to participate, Garvie would anonymously support families unable to afford to have their kids play.
Kintako Sushi Japanese Restaurant has been serving delicious Japanese food at 214 Laird Drive since 2014. They made it through the restau rant lockdowns of the pandemic, so it seemed like a good idea to visit and see how they fared.
Much to my surprise, Kintako has new owners, as of July of this year – Kris and Rosalie Lee, originally from Seoul, Korea. Like the previous owners, they too seem to be enjoy ing success at this location. When I interviewed them at what was to be a quiet time, mid-afternoon, four separate sets of customers came in –one, for sure a regular, as she knew exactly what she wanted from the menu, and another a new customer, on her second day in a new job in the neighbourhood, who announced as she was leaving, “Thank you. I’ll be back.”
It also happened to be the day that Kris and Rosalie’s daughter, Amy,
was spending the day with them as “Take Your Kids To Work Day,” for a Grade 9 assignment. It was Amy who encouraged the “thumbs-up” sign from her parents for the photo with this article.
In Korea, Kris originally worked as a construction manager at his father’s company. During his mil itary service, he was placed in the kitchen, and discovered that he really enjoyed preparing food, and was good at it. Rosalie says, “We didn’t know he was a good cook.”
Once their three children were born, they really wanted to leave Korea for an English-speaking country, where there would be good opportunities for this next generation. With her background in daycare, Rosalie got perma nent residency for the family in Canada – their first stop in 2014 was Halifax. Kris was able to find restaurant work, and continued to learn more about specialty cooking. He realized that he had a real talent as a sushi chef – “good hand skills, a good sense of taste, an artistic touch, and an ability to do a pre sentation nicely.”
The Tyers brothers have been tearing up go-kart tracks around the country and recently, around the world.
If you take a look at kart racing results, you’ll find 10-year-old Quinn and 8-year-old Ethan’s names at, or near the top, of every race in which they’ve competed.
Go-kart racing isn’t your amuse ment park type of fun. An amuse ment park, though, is at the root of where their involvement in the sport began.
At the age of 4, Quinn was annoyed to discover that the car he believed he was driving at a theme park was actually self-driven.
A couple of years later, knowing Quinn’s interest in driving, dad Steve suggested that he try his hand at karting. After two years of learn ing in karts, Quinn moved up to the club level of competition and his involvement in racing began.
As younger brother Ethan watched Quinn’s racing, he too got hooked and started driving when he was six.
“I really liked it even though I was super nervous when I moved up to the club level,” says Ethan.
The nerves didn’t last long as he joined Quinn in his love of compe tition and speed.
Ethan notes that he’s gotten up to speeds of 106 km/hour, “when
it sometimes feels like your seat is vibrating off the ground.”
For Quinn, “the speed is exhilarat ing,” while he also notes that their “mom is more scared than we are.”
The brothers would both love to be Formula 1 drivers and never miss a televised race. While they each, along with parents Jennifer and Steve, have their own favourite drivers, the family is united in their love of the sport.
Their racing results definitely point to future driving success.
Both boys race in the two main cat egories of racing in Ontario, which are based on the type of engines in their karts: Briggs (Briggs & Stratton) and Vortex ROK. Each boy has both a Briggs and an ROK kart.
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The two participate in TRAK (Toronto Racing Association of Karters), which features a series of 15 races per year as well as in a provincial racing series, Kart Stars Canada, a five-event race series that includes the National Championship.
Their results have been impressive.
Ethan finished this year’s TRAK Briggs season fourth out of 32 overall and the TRAK Mini ROK fourth out of 14 overall. In the KartStars Briggs season, he finished fifth of 32 overall and fifth overall in KartStars Mini ROK.
Quinn, meanwhile, finished the TRAK Briggs season first out of 32 overall, and third out of 14 overall in the TRAK Mini ROK KartStars. In the KartStars Canada Briggs season, he captured first of
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Ethan (far right) celebrating 3rd at the Kart Starts Canada race.
32 overall and third in Mini ROK KartStars.
Quinn’s accomplishments quali fied him to represent Canada at the World Super Finals in Italy this past October.
The boys have just begun training for biathlons and also play golf and tennis. But for both, racing is their
number one sport.
While they are in the drivers’ seats, their success comes with a lot of parental support. As their mom Jennifer points out, “Steve is ‘chief mechanic,’ and I am ‘pit boss.’”
Follow the boys as they take on the karting world on their Instagram account, teamtyers. n
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If you had told me back in late 2019 that in December 2022, we’d be approaching our third – yes, third – Covid Christmas, I’d have sug gested you’d dipped into the spiked eggnog a little too often.
Of course, for starters, back then I’d have needed you to explain what exactly the word Covid meant. That’s no longer a problem! I’m now all too familiar with the word and what it means. I’ve been jabbed five – count ‘em – five times, yet I still tested positive in early November and spent a few days isolated with nothing more serious than a few sniffles and a mild but irritating cough (thank you, vaccinations!). Some “experts” are suggesting that before we’re past this (if we ever are) the vast majority of Canadians will
Terry Fallis Columnistour collective marbles is to accept that Covid and its offspring may well be with us for a long time to come, and not to hang our hopes on a final and definitive eradica tion of this pernicious virus. Rather, we have to figure out how to live our lives and find joy in our days, while still protecting ourselves and one another – to the extent we can – from Covid. As daunting as it sounds, that may well be our… (what’s the current buzz phrase? Oh yes…) “new normal.” I do think it’s possible. We can all still enjoy family and friends even if it means rooting around in both nostrils with a cotton swab before the warm embraces begin. We can still bundle up and walk the ravine trails in an around Leaside, nodding amiably to neighbours and strangers alike along the way. We can still skate, ski, and skedaddle to other parts of the city, province, country, continent, or globe, if we’re careful. What a cheery thought to accompany us all through the holiday season. So, take
We’ve learned so much in the last two and a half years about how to live with this viral interloper. I’ve gained a new appreciation for sweatpants – actually, “apprecia tion” is an enormous understate ment. I love them and wear them, well, far too often. (Yes, I’m still beating the sweatpants drum.) I’ve also mastered Zoom and Teams, although it does mean that when I do leave the house, I have to remem ber that the other shoppers at the grocery store can actually see all of me, and not just my upper half. And much of the world has learned to work remotely, and arguably just as effectively as when we used to work in tall, glass office buildings.
Yes, this pandemic has reminded me that the human race is quite adaptable. We’ve kept calm and carried on. Sure, we’ve had a few glitches along the way, but for the most part, we humans have done the right thing and conducted ourselves responsibly. I repeat, for the most part. We’ve worn masks, kept our distance, been vaccinated… several times, and tested ourselves when dreaded symptoms arise. Save for a few vocal and contrarian outliers, we’ve generally acted in the public interest.
So, with Christmas just around the corner, we shouldn’t be sur prised to see masked carolers on our streets and perhaps even facecloaked Clauses in our malls. In fact, we should applaud them. And of course, we should spare a thought for the tireless dedication of our frontline workers who remain, well, on the front lines of this pandemic, even as most of us do our best to inch safely towards a version of the life we used to know.
I know it’s been a long, hard road and there are miles to go yet. But this is the time of year when we give thanks for what we have while sup porting those who have less. ‘Tis the season of giving, after all. I truly hope there are family, friends, laughter, gifts, carols, and even some spiked eggnog in your future. Maybe a lot of spiked eggnog. Happy holidays!
A two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Terry Fallis grew up in Leaside and is the award-winning writer of eight national bestsellers. His most recent, Operation Angus , is in bookstores. You can also subscribe to his newsletter: https://terryfallis. substack.com. n
Last month, over a dozen dedicated current and former Leaside residents met on a wet and rainy afternoon to participate in the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society’s (LHPS) firstever Remembrance Day Walk. The event was organized as a tribute to the 18 young Leaside servicemen killed during World War II.
In preparing for the walk, the LHPS identified the names and addresses of each of the young men who had died serving their country. LHPS representatives then visited each house, asking the owners for permission to place a memorial sign on their lawns in honour of the fallen soldier who once lived there.
“The response was overwhelming,” said LHPS board member Jennifer Avveduto, the originator of the sign campaign. “Virtually every Leaside homeowner we contacted said ‘yes’ to having a sign on their lawn –
an almost 100 per cent acceptance rate.” As one resident on Sharron Road put it: “We are honoured to participate in this project and would welcome it on an annual basis.”
The signs were installed about a week before Remembrance Day, allowing the LHPS plenty of time to promote them – and the upcom ing Walk – through Facebook and Instagram posts, information on the LHPS website, and emails to members.
The walk, open to LHPS members and their guests, began at noon, November 11, at Trace Manes Park where board members Susan Parr, Catherina Maughan and chair Ann Brown met participants. Each par ticipant received a map and itinerary of the houses to be visited. As the group stopped before each house, a board member read a short biogra phy of the soldier being commem orated – including how and where he died. Photos of each serviceman were also made available.
“The bios made it come alive,” said participant Gerry Turrin of Sutherland Drive. “They helped me realize the huge sacrifice these boys made – not just here in Leaside but
The 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Leaside Business Park Association took place on November 9th at the Amsterdam Brewery. It was the first time in three years that the AGM had been held in-person in addition to virtu ally. There is no denying the advan tage of being physically present with the group of stakeholders who care deeply about the future of Leaside’s employment zone, a strategically important industrial area for the City of Toronto as confirmed by Tyson Ma, the newly appointed eco nomic development officer for the city, whose area includes Leaside.
In February 2021, Leaside Life fea tured an interview with then incom ing LBPA president Leslie Kellen. At the time he said, “The key to the LBPA’s future success leading business in the park is the ability to adapt and grow and to work together with all our stakeholders but through the lens of the business park while continu ing our advocacy efforts to answer the needs in the community. [We] will be inclusive and support innovation and explore synergies with the excel lent and diverse stakeholder groups in the park and throughout the city of Toronto.”
More common ground than opportunities to disagree Fast forward 20 months and the LBPA has remained laser-focused on operationalizing that vision. Leslie opened the meeting by reminding the audience that “over the next decade, there’s going to be many, many changes coming in with gener
The Business of Leaside
ational projects well underway, and these are going to bring with them many opportunities. But with these opportunities comes change that needs to be managed.”
He told the audience that “we’ll do it together and we’ll do it through collaboration. If we’re all at the table, if we’re all having dis cussions, if nothing is swept under the rug. So often you have diverse opinions that are often easier to talk about behind closed doors than to bring out in the light of day.” He mentioned that over the last year while working closely with all stakeholders, there appears to be “much more common ground than there are opportunities to disagree.”
What I witnessed this week at the AGM was the LBPA using the meeting as a platform to further strengthen the relationships it is developing to forge among those ‘diverse stakeholder groups’ Leslie referred to at the start of his term.
AGM Page 34
by SUZANNE PARK
When asked how Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital keeps spirits bright over the holidays, Jordan Cullum, out reach coordinator for the Dear Everybody program, didn’t hesi tate. “Some clients spend their entire holidays at Holland Bloorview. The staff, especially the therapeutic clowns, seem to find a sixth gear and the whole atmosphere is full of magical holiday cheer. Although I was always an out-client, I enjoyed the holiday joy, and every year it continues to brighten everyone’s day.”
Jordan is passionate about his full-time position with the Dear Everybody program, especially when his role entails speaking with various student groups and commu nity organizations. As the face of the program, whose tagline is ‘It’s time to end ableism. Start by talking about it,’ Jordan’s enthusiasm for raising awareness and reduc
ing ableism through these discussions is inspiring.
Jordan has spina bifida. “I require an AFO, an ankle foot orthosis brace, to walk. My lived expe rience since I was a child has equipped me to design and deliver presentations and facilitate discussions on how language and interactions at school, in workplaces and other community set tings can model and encourage inclusion and reduce ableism.”
When asked what advice Jordan has for crafting and initiat ing conversations, he commented, “I realize it can be confusing for people to choose and use appropriate
language when attempting to learn about disabilities or asking if any assistance is desired or required.”
Language is continually morph ing and changing. Decades ago, common euphemisms for disabil ities included words and phrases like “exceptionalities” or “special needs.” Although well intentioned, when used such words reinforce ste reotypes. A 2017 research document (link below) offers advice on how to avoid reinforcing stigma, stereo types and ableist language. It raises awareness and provides guidelines for appropriate language.
After talking about ableist lan guage, Jordan was quick to add that “the groups I speak with are typi cally eager to learn about disabili ties, the experiences of people living with disabilities and how best to broach the subject of disability and beneficial supports or hindrances to daily living and working.”
In addition to enjoying his involve ment with the Dear Everyone program, Jordan mentioned casu ally that something else keeps his personal time and holidays bright.
“I am both a fan and a sledge hockey athlete, having played sledge hockey for almost 20 years. I got into it because I grew up watch
ing hockey, my favourite sport. Now I play for the Halton Peel Cruisers in a recreational league. It’s so great to have the opportu nity to play a sport that’s adapted for people with a disability. Adding to my hockey delight was being in a commercial with ‘Sid the Kid’.”
A quick LinkedIn search revealed in Jordan’s words more about his hockey journey: “I was a member of the Men’s National Sledge Hockey Team for two seasons 2006-07 and 2010-11. I was also a member of the national development sledge hockey team, taking a leadership role as an assistant captain for multiple seasons 2012-14 and 2015-16.”
Like Jordan and his Holland Bloorview colleagues, we can all contribute to making the holidays bright for children.
LEARN MORE: https://dearevery body.hollandbloorview.ca Home Imagine Everybody: https://www.humber.ca/making accessiblemedia/modules/01/tran sript/Inclusive_Language_Guide_ Aug2019.pdf n
Spanning 1,830 well-appointed and fully-customized sq. ft., this one-of-a-kind, light-filled, stunning and meticulously designed oasis offers fantastic entertaining space with breathtaking, tree-lined forever views, featuring both a private terrace and balcony. Bedrooms: Two +
Coached by Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Sylvan “Ron” Roncetti, the Leaside Metropolitan Motors baseball teams won an unprecedented four straight Toronto Championships at the Juvenile and Junior levels.
Among the list of outstanding athletes, the team included two-time World Series Champion Dr. Ron Taylor, NHL player/coach and Memorial Cup Champion Charlie Burns, and legendary Toronto Argonaut Assistant Coach Joe Krol.
Leasider Zach Edey grew up playing hockey for the Leaside Flames and baseball with Leaside Baseball.
In his Grade 10 year, Edey picked up the game of basketball and in April 2018, only six months after starting to play, was recruited to play for the U17 Team Canada.
Recruited by the University of Purdue, Edey was named to the Big Ten’s All-Freshman Team in his first year, and as a sophomore was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten.
More recently, Zach was chosen to represent Canada on the senior men’s team attempting to qualify for the Olympics in 2024.
From the age of four Kayla Briggs played with the Leaside-East Toronto Soccer Club and at five began playing with the Leaside Hockey Association.
Briggs played both sports competitively, as a Leaside Tiger from 8-12-years-old, and as a Leaside AA Flame from 9-12-years-old.
As a long-distance runner, Briggs won the TCDSB City Championships three times in elementary school.
Briggs was invited to join Ontario’s National Development Centre (NDC), a part of Canada Soccer’s Long-Term Player Development program. As a member of Team Ontario, she won gold at the 2022 Canada Games.
She was also named to Canada Soccer Women’s U-17 squad and represented the country at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India this past October. n
How do you define an aha moment? A sudden insight into a problem that leads to a great invention.
• Ingvar Kamprad couldn’t fit a table he had purchased into his car – aha –IKEA is born!
• Surfer Nick Woodman wanted to take pictures of himself surfing –aha – he founded GoPro!
• Jan Koum couldn’t afford to call his father back home in Ukraine –aha – he launched Whatsapp!
But maybe you haven’t heard about a unique Leaside aha moment. Here’s that story.
Leaside friends Paul Manley and Peter Neal have been spending time together to support one another through challenging times. In the fall of 2019 Paul lost his wife Teresa to mental illness and Peter was dealing with his own challenges around depression. They found solace in being together, walking their dogs and talking. These occasions became
their survival therapy.
As time went on, their conversa tions took on flights of fancy. The men started coming up with some crazy ideas to make each other laugh. Do you think anyone would buy charcoal filtered underwear? How about an ear wax candle? Or even better, what about a spa where you could have your nose hair braided? Maybe absorbent under wear that could help eliminate that annoying “pee” stain that shows up so often on men’s pants whenever they urinate. Wait a minute! That one may have merit.
Aha! Manley Underwear was born.
It is underwear equipped with the proprietary “Manley Barrier Apparel Technology” that creates an impenetrable shield to prevent any “pee dribble” from staining a gentleman’s trousers.
The “pee spot” problem is a real one. It is known as post-micturition dribbling (PMD) and is common among men of all ages. PMD is the
name given to the problem when men experience an involuntary loss of urine immediately after they have finished passing urine, usually after leaving the toilet. It is easy to spot. The man returning to his seat with his t-shirt pulled down suspiciously low or his shirt untucked has proba bly just experienced a bout of PMD. But how to bring this somewhat embarrassing aha idea to market?
Assemble a larger group of Leaside guy-pals from a variety of business backgrounds to the group. There are now six partners, Paul Manley, Peter and Chris Neal, David Crichton, Eli Brown and Jim Gardner.
Paul Manley, who lives in Leaside with his two children, spent many years in the education field and is now focusing on building his namesake company. Says Manley, “Since the first-time man donned a loin cloth, he has been plagued by the inconvenient pee spot. I’m no
anthropologist, but that seems like a long time.”
Many Leaside readers will recog nize the name Peter Neal, who along with his brother Chris, founded Neal Brothers over 35 years ago. The brothers who started in their mother’s kitchen making crou tons have successfully grown their company into one of the most highly regarded Canadian producers in the “good-for-you” snack category. The brothers certainly know how to bring a product to market.
David Crichton, co-founder of the multi-disciplinary advertising company Grip Limited, is widely considered to be one of Canada’s leading creative minds. Crichton has developed the advertising and digital media to support the brand and has been credited with coining the phrase “Presenting Pouch,” the material which houses the “Manley Barrier.” Recently launched at Yonge-Dundas Square, Manley Underwear features an out-of-home advertising campaign that cleverly uses humour to remind consumers that with Manley Underwear “A man can change his spots.”
Eli Brown is founder and CEO of Shine the Light On, a clothing company designed to raise awareness of mental health issues. Brown, who personally struggled with depres sion and anxiety during his univer sity years, wanted to do something to end the shame and stigma that causes people to suffer in silence.
Jim Gardner is behind The Thoughtful Design Group, an enter prise which helps other companies strategically move their apparel ideas from concept to completion by assisting with trend and design analysis, product development and production logistics. While in uni versity, Gardner founded Bruzer Sportsgear, an apparel company focused on collegiate apparel. What’s next for the Manley crew? According to Statista, the under wear market in Canada has annual volumes more than $400 million and over $5 billion in the United States. Will this made-in-Leaside brand be the next to break through in the underwear category? Will this company whose origin story is so closely tied to mental health challenges help break the silence around mental health? Will this tal ented six-pack of founders be the next aha company? Watch this spot! manleyunderwear.com. n
in communities across Canada. I’m looking forward to more tours like this one.”
Millwood Road resident and retired Canadian history teacher John Lord agreed. “This was very valuable. Going forward, I hope stu dents as well as adults will partici pate. It would be such a great learn ing opportunity for young people to know about these servicemen, who were themselves not much older than high school students.”
In total, participants visited nine of the 18 scheduled homes before the persistent rain forced the tour to be cancelled. No one, however, was dis appointed, and all seemed to agree that it had been a worthwhile and moving experience.
“We’re very pleased with the outcome,” as I myself observed. “But even more important, we’re glad we could raise awareness about the sac rifice these young men made for their country. All of them, except one, were in their 20s. They didn’t just give up their lives, which had barely begun, they gave up their entire futures. We owe them so much.”
We do indeed. Let us remember. n
EDITOR From page 2
pernicious virus.”
Being outdoors as much as possible still seems to be a good strategy to enjoy the holidays. Did you know that in past years Leaside held an annual Yuletide lights competition? A panel of qualified judges roamed the neighbourhood in search of the sparkliest decorations. Ted DeWelles tells us more in his heritage column. While that contest ended decades ago, I like the idea of walking Leaside to admire the lights and colours of the holiday season, both at homes and shops. The vibrant displays help to dispel some of the Covid gloom. May your season be bright! n
Gardening As We Age.
Zoom meeting January 12, 7pm.
Special Guest: Charlie Dobbin, internationally known horticulturist and landscape designer. Visit www.leasidegardensociety.org or email: leaside@gardenontario.org
By the time you read this piece, Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, may well already have been passed into law – less than a month after being introduced in the Legislature on October 25, 2022. Such is the unseemly haste of a gov ernment anxious to please its devel oper friends!
It’s an omnibus bill that amends 10 statutes that, if passed, will dra matically change land use planning in Ontario, even if it likely will not produce more homes, or homes built faster, and certainly not housing that is more affordable.
Let’s consider how the legislation would affect Leaside, in just three (of the 10) areas:
Infrastructure. If growth will not pay for growth, existing taxpayers will have to! Roads, transit, sewers, fire stations, and libraries in new developments are funded through development charges and community benefits charges – the familiar “Section 37.” These charges are paid by develop
Geoff Kettel Saving old Leasideers on all new homes and businesses built in the community. The bill adds more restrictions on how much the City can charge developers for infrastructure required to support new growth. And Section 37 will be replaced by a new fixed rate com munity benefits charge based on
property value. City staff estimated that this new scheme would raise 40% less than the Section 37 charge. Existing Section 37 agreements in Leaside include $4.6M in the case of 939 Eglinton Ave. East – the highrise development under construc tion at Brentcliffe and Eglinton, and $1.25M at 126-232 and 134 Laird Drive – the mid-rise development on either side of Stickney. The new scheme reduces costs to developers, but leaves the City no option other than raising property taxes for all, to pay for the required infrastructure to support the growth.
Cultural heritage protection dismantled
Bill 23 proposes major amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) that, if passed, will destroy the municipal system of cultural heritage protection in Ontario, based as it is on “listing” and “designation.” The heritage register represents a “watch list” of buildings that have heritage value, which are protected from demolition for 60 days, whereas
with LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH
In Person and on YouTube
Advent Services
Nov 27, Dec 4, Dec 11, Dec 18 at 10:30 am
Carols by Candlelight
A joint musical celebration with Northlea United Church & Leaside United Church, in support of Out of the Cold Dec 4 at 7:30 pm
Quiet Christmas
This reflective service with instrumental music offers space for all of the emotions we carry at the end of a challenging year Dec 15 at 7:30 pm
Christmas Eve Services
An opportunity for all ages to sing together and celebrate Christmas!
Dec 24 at 4:30 pm with Junior Choir
Dec 24 at 8:00 pm with Chancel Choir
Join us from your home for a casual Christmas morning service. Pj’s and elf hats welcome!
Dec 25 at 10:30 am ZOOM ONLY 822 Millwood Road (at the corner of Millwood & McRae)
https://www.youtube.com/LeasideUnitedChurchToronto
Sign up for church emails to get our Christmas Zoom link and other worship and event information. www.leasideunited.org
designation provides legal protec tion for a property.
Under Bill 23, all listed properties on the municipal heritage registry (that are not officially designated) will no longer have listed status after two years, unless they are des ignated within that period. Right now, municipalities have 60 days to prevent the demolition of buildings with potential heritage value. Under the new provincial rules, there will be only 30 days to protect the build ing, which is too short for municipal council action – and some buildings may even be exempt from heritage designation the moment a develop ment application is submitted. This is turning back the page on nearly 50 years of cultural heritage protec tion in Ontario.
Let’s consider the risk to cultural heritage in Leaside resulting from the OHA amendments. Reviewing the listed properties (i.e., not those designated) in Leaside that were either listed by the Borough of East York (1975-1997) – four properties (including two original Lea family homes) – or the City of Toronto (1998 to present) – 33 properties
including 22 Research Rd., a World War II industrial property, and main street commercial properties on the east side of Bayview Avenue. These properties would be automatically delisted by Bill 23, unless designated within two years.
This creates a real risk of irre trievable loss of cultural heritage due to demolition, not to mention the wasted energy by generations of municipal councils (East York, Toronto), staff, and volunteers.
Thirdly, Bill 23 prohibits any third party (i.e., citizen/resident group) appeals of development applica tions to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), thus making the OLT exclu sively a developer forum. This prohi bition will also apply to the Toronto Local Appeal Board (TLAB) appeals of severances and minor variances, making it impossible to appeal what’s happening with a rebuild next door.
The legislation does many regres sive things, but this is surely the most egregious. No question, I
can say as a not so frequent trav eller to the OLT and its predeces sors (the OMB and LPAT), one does not “enjoy” attending, but it is sometimes required to defend and maintain our community values. Appeals by the Leaside Residents Association (full disclosure, I am co-president) generally lead to better results for the community, and are often settled through medi ation, rather than following an expensive hearing process. I think every citizen and residents’ group should be up in arms about this attack on our fundamental demo cratic rights. It is unfair and makes a mockery of Ontario’s legacy of participatory land use planning.
I started with ... “by the time you read this.” Maybe you think – surely this cannot be happening. Unfortunately, it is and without the input of our newly elected City Council, which was sworn in on November 15th. The timing chosen by the government pre vents the receipt of sound advice that I am confident Toronto City Council would have been pleased to provide. n
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One day, these hands will save lives, solve problems, explore new frontiers, and build a world we've only dreamed of.
As it did for Plato, DaVinci, Jane Austen, or Einstein, music is waiting to enhance your child's potential too.
Kris found work at Kintako when the family moved to the Toronto area three years ago. The previous owners decided to sell and move to a franchise north of the city this past summer. Their timing was perfect for Kris and Rosalie, who were looking for a business they could run and own. The previous owners believed in Kris and Rosalie and were willing to sell them the restau rant, along with its name. The “kin” part means “gold,” and “tako” is variously “octopus” or “alchemist.” Either way, a good omen.
Visit us for a tour, or call (647) 484-7786 for more information. Join Merriam, Canada's renowned university-endorsed music school, and leave their hands in great hands.
Kintako has proven to be more than just a good business for the Lees. “The neighbours are nice, the neighbourhood is attractive, the cus tomers are gentle and nice, the Laird LRT station is nearby and opening soon, there are new condos nearby, we are proud of Kintako’s reputa tion,” says Rosalie. “We believe we can grow here.” Rosalie trades being front-of-house some days with being at home in Vaughan other days with their children. On her home days, another woman does restaurant duty. Also important for the busi ness are the two other chefs in the small kitchen – a “kitchen chef” and a “maki man.”
Luckily, many of their suppliers deliver regularly, but being open continuously from lunch through dinner, plus the need for other shop ping, makes for long days. Kris and Rosalie are only too happy to put in the work to pursue their dream.
Eglinton Ave E
Within days of your reading this article, Toronto’s newly elected and officially sworn-in City Council will be at work.
There’s lots to do, not to mention challenges.
Action on the Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan (LNTP) will resume. Back in the summer, Ward 15 Councillor Jaye Robinson recommended that there be a report to the first meeting of the North York Community Council with an update on the LNTP. This should include an over view of what has been undertaken so far, plans for future public con sultation, and a time line for the next phase of the plan.
Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LRA
problem, as is increased traffic volume, even on inner streets.
Then there’s a major and growing source of heavy traffic: rampant development. Wherever you look you’ll notice large signs indicating that “a proposal” has been made to develop properties, especially on the arterial roads surrounding Leaside.
We are very concerned about the impact that the provincial govern ment’s policies promoting and facil itating Ministers Zoning Orders will have on Leaside, and the rest of the city, ordaining more and more high-rise density through out. The result: more pressure on our already overloaded roads and municipal services such as water and sewage capacity, not to mention on Leaside’s already over-capacity schools.
I know that Leasiders are impa tient for details, and, more impor tantly, assurance that there is hope for effective traffic calming to create safer streets throughout the neigh bourhood. So am I! Over the years the Leaside Residents Association has initiated and supported studies and designs which never got imple mented in spite of support from residents. Speeding remains a big ba
Meanwhile, construction-site-re lated trucks continue using local streets, in greater numbers than ever, and at all hours, thanks to all of the construction taking place in and around Leaside. The LRA, and city councilors, hear frequent com plaints about building sites which spill over onto – or completely block – sidewalks and occupy road space, endangering pedestrians and cyclists as well. We hear about “near misses,” accidents averted only at the last minute, as truck drivers speedily turn off Bayview, Eglinton or Laird into otherwise quiet residential streets.
Let’s work with the new City Council, and our recently re-elected Councillor Robinson, to make 2023 the year we make real progress in creating safer streets. It’s essential that a traffic plan for all of Leaside be put into place before our streets become even more dangerous.
The board of the Leaside Residents Association meets via Zoom on the first Wednesday of every month, at 7:30 p.m. These meetings are public, and we invite you (encour age you, even!) to join us. It’s a great way of getting up to date on current and potential issues. Our next board meeting is on Wed., Dec. 7th. If you’d like to partic ipate or watch, please let us know by that date and we’ll send you the Zoom access details. You can find us at www.leasideresidents.ca.
That’s right Leaside, we are now walking distance for you and if you want to drive we’ve got FREE parking!
RIDE WITH THE MINDSET COMMUNITY THIS WINTER. Great fun and get fit all at the same time. Space for 8 each session.
For more information call or text Peter at 647-545-6587.
Agnes Campbell Macphail was once described as “the most important woman in public life that Canada has produced in the 20th century.”
In 1921 she blazed a trail for women with her election to the House of Commons in Ottawa where she served for 19 years until 1940.
In 1943, she became the first woman to sit in the Ontario Legislature, representing the riding of York East.
On March 24, 1993, Mayor Michael Prue proclaimed the first annual Agnes Macphail Day in the Borough of East York. In January 1994, East York Council established the Agnes Macphail Award.
The purpose of the award is to rec ognize the importance to the East York community of the issues that Agnes Macphail espoused in her long career:
• Women’s rights
• Fairness to seniors
• Criminal justice system and penal reform
• International peace and disarmament
• Access to adequate housing, health care and education.
The annual award is presented to an East York resident who has made outstanding contributions as a volunteer, advocate, contributor to community life and leader in one or more of the above fields, but is not limited to them. These contributions should be over considerable periods of time.
All residents living in the former Borough of East York are eligible, with the exception of federal, pro vincial and municipal elected offi cials, and judges while in office. Posthumous nominations are not accepted. Previous nominations which were not successful can be resubmitted for consideration.
The deadline for receipt is mid night, Thu. Jan. 5, 2023.
The following details must be included as outlined on the nomi nation form:
• Nominator’s testimonial
• Biography/profile of the nominee
• Affiliations
• Letters of support
The nomination form may be found at: https://www. toronto.ca/city-govern ment/awards-tributes/ awards/agnes-macphailaward/ Agnes Macphail Email: agnesmacphaila ward@toronto.ca.
The Agnes Macphail Award
Ceremony will be held in March 2023, close to Agnes Macphail Day on March 24.
The recipient is honoured with a medal, framed certificate of rec ognition, and their portrait on an honour wall in the East York Civic Centre with other recipients. n
Kam Babulal 2022
Paula Davies 2020*
Raymond White 2020*
Karen Fraser 2019
Carol Burtin Fripp 2018
Rev. Jim Parker 2017
Patrick Rocca 2016
Muhammad Masood Alam 2015
Sheila Lacroix 2014
Alan Redway 2013
Alice Carriman 2012
John Carter 2011
Bill Pashby 2010
Patricia Moore 2009
Geoff Kettel 2008
Lorna Krawchuk 2007
Shamsh Kara 2006
George Hurst 2005
Vi Thompson 2004
Dorothy Rivers-Moore 2003
Bob Hart 2002
Grace Stephens 2001
Audrey Tobias 2000
Barbara Thompson 1999
Elisabeth & Robert Lister 1998
Ruth Goldhar 1997
Marjorie Lewsey 1996
Eileen Morris Adams 1995
J. Edna Beange 1994
*The 2020 award recipients were chosen in 2020 and their awards were presented in 2021.
Leaside Life • December 2022
ST. CUTHBERT’S, LEASIDE
ANGLICAN CHURCH
1399 Bayview Ave. 416-485-0329 www.stcuthbertsleaside.com stcuthbertleaside@toronto.anglican.ca
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
St. Cuthbert’s invites you to enjoy a dramatic reading of the Charles Dickens’ classic with musical guests Take Note Vocal Ensemble Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m.
(Refreshments at the interval)
Tickets $20 with proceeds to support St. Cuthbert’s Music Ministry.
TAI CHI
Tuesdays 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Donation $3.
CFUW: LEASIDE - EAST YORK
UNSAVORY PODCAST:
MISLEADING FOOD LABELLING
Speakers: Rebecca Harris, Nutritionist/ Ex-Criminologist; Sarah Muncaster, Nutrition educator, food and recipe writer January 19, 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. To request link, call 416-347-6193.
TRINITY GRACE CHURCH
826 Eglinton Ave. East Toronto, ON M4G 2L1 416.669.8788 info@trinitygrace.ca, trinitygrace.ca.
HYMNS IN HARMONY
Choral Workshop
December 2nd - 7-9 p.m.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE PARTY December 3rd - 3-5 p.m.
CHRISTMAS SERVICE
December 18th - 10:30 a.m.
LEASIDE BRANCH –TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY
165 McRae Dr. 416-396-3835
LEASIDE WRITERS’ GROUP
1st and 3rd Wed. of each month, 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 7 and 21. Join a creative and safe environment for writers of all levels! Bring your work and share with your peers if so desired. Take part in exercises to keep your mind and pencil sharp! Register at Leaside branch or by calling 416-396-3835.
NEEDLEWORK
(knitting & crocheting at the library) Thursdays, 10:00-11:30 a.m. Bring your own knit ting or crocheting project, or start something new while learning about different library programs, services and resources. All are welcome!
TODDLER TIME & PRE-SCHOOL TIME Fridays, December 9, 16, 23, 30 - 10:25-11 a.m.
Join us for stories, songs, and rhymes. For children (19 months to 5 years old) with their parents or caregivers. Registration is WEEKLY. Registration open at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays - by phone or in person. Please arrive at 10:25 a.m. in order to maintain your spot.
BABY TIME & PRE-SCHOOL TIME
Tuesdays, December 6, 13, 20 - 10:25-11 a.m.
Join us for bouncing rhymes, songs, and stories. For babies (0-18 months) with their parents or caregivers. Registration is WEEKLY. Registrations open at 10 a.m. on Fridays - by phone or in person. Please arrive at 10:25 a.m. in order to maintain your spot.
Tuesdays, December 6, 13, 20 - 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Come and join us for a night of fun at the Leaside Branch. Bring your friends or come make new ones as you battle it out over board games. No registration required. n
worked in the display department of Eaton’s department store
Once the winners and runners-up were chosen, their names and addresses were published in the Leaside Advertiser and occasionally in the Toronto Star . Photographs of winning homes were also pub lished – one example was the 1961 winning doorway at 36 Parklea Drive, which appeared on the front page of the January 1962 issue of the Advertiser.
Not to be outdone, Leaside’s busi ness community also got involved – voting in 1960 to spend $3,000 for Christmas lighting on Bayview Avenue. Local churches mounted displays as well. Even the Toronto Hydro substation at Sutherland and Parkhurst was brightly lit. So was the town’s municipal building.
Word soon spread that Leaside was worth seeing during the holidays, attracting onlookers from other parts of Toronto. Chartered buses toured local streets – including in 1957 a group of 170 patients from a downtown hospital.
Unfortunately, the increased popu larity also attracted thieves. One res ident – a Don Mills police sergeant –reported in 1966 that 40 light bulbs were stolen off the tree on his front lawn. A year earlier, another home owner, on Randolph Rd., erected a sign sarcastically wishing “Merry Christmas” to hooligans who had taken his outdoor lights.
While people continued to illu minate and decorate the outside of their homes for Christmas, the practice of giving out prizes seems to have faded after 1964. No subse quent mention is made of the awards in either the Leaside Advertiser or the Toronto Star or Globe and Mail. A few years later, area merchants on Bayview also suspended the practice of Christmas lighting.
In both cases, lack of financing was a factor. So, too, perhaps was the impending 1967 merger with East York, which would certainly have greatly expanded the house lighting competition – thereby sig nificantly increasing the cost of administration.
The Yuletide Lighting Contest is long gone. But it left its mark, enhancing a tradition that persists to this day. The result is that Leaside still has some of the most inventive and impressive Christmas displays in Toronto.
Clark Griswold would approve. n
Weekly Sing-Along All Singers welcome ! Pop C lassics & Show Tunes
We are a group of friendly people who just love to sing! Led by conductor Patrick Rose. Piano accompaniment by a variety of talented local musicians.
Mondays from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Church of St. Peter and St. Simon-the-Apostle 525 Bloor Street East, Toronto
*** Registration is Required *** SingOutLoudToronto.ca info@singoutloudtoronto.ca
During the meeting, the 2022-23 board of directors was confirmed: new directors Matt Peacock and Andre Grace Estrella of Amsterdam Brewery and Leaside resident Vanessa Rose. They will join returning members Leslie Kellen (President), Dag Enhorning (Treasurer), Jeff Hohner, Kendall Fullerton, Glenn Asano, Mary Chong, Andy Elder, Ahmed Hussain and Annissa Rodriguez to form the 2022-23 LBPA board of directors. The board also thanked departing board members Iulian Sandu (Tremco) and Jeff Carefoote (Amsterdam Brewery) for their years of volunteer service.
In addition to its members, the LBPA’s “Community Partners” were out in full force with all three levels of government represented, includ ing our freshly re-elected councillor, our new MPP, and a representative for our MP. In addition, representa tives from the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, the City of Toronto’s busi ness growth services unit from the economic development and culture division, the Leaside Residents Association, The Neighbourhood
Organization, Leaside Heritage Preservation Society, Metrolinx, the BDC, property developers and others. True to Leslie’s original aim, the occa sion was an opportunity for the LBPA to demonstrate how it is working to facilitate inclusion and collaboration with a lineup of relevant speakers who provided updates, shared per spectives, and offered their support for the work the LBPA is undertaking.
Protecting our employment lands and increasing the number of higher value jobs are key
With 13 different speakers and two-plus hours of content, it is not possible to do justice to all the per spectives shared at the AGM. The key takeaways I noted include:
• Protecting the employment lands and increasing the number of higher value jobs is a key objective.
“I’ve worked very hard to protect your area [from being turned into non-employment lands] and my commitment is to continue to do that,” noted Councillor Robinson.
Tyson Ma said “the Leaside Business Park is a major industrial and commercial park in the heart
of Toronto, and approximately 90% of all manufacturing jobs in the city are located in employ ment areas similar to this site. We need to protect the employment lands within the park and preserve the jobs that are in this area. We want this site to be a neighbour hood where you can live, work and play all in the same area.” Geoff Kettel added, “What we need are jobs, not just more homes. …The wonderful opportunity we’ve got coming [is to be able to bring in] exactly the kind of 21st century high tech and practical jobs that are good and fantastic.”
• Increased representation and community engagement will be required to effect change. Councillor Robinson said she felt “quite frankly, a bit depressed in the record low voter turnout [29%] we had in our October elec tion. … It really matters at City Hall. Your voices are heard defi nitely through me at City Hall. So many people chose not to bother to vote. And that’s a trend we don’t want to see continue. We want people to feel connected to City Hall … [and] that’s why your association is such a great example of why we need community voices at City Hall on a continued basis. And I’m so glad that you continue to meet and engage in and really work on one of the last protected employment lands in Toronto.”
• Collaboration among LBPA stake holders will be key to successfully navigate the changes affecting the business park. MPP Stephanie Bowman commended the associ ation for its work “to strengthen those partnerships between public and private enterprise,” and Geoff Kettel acknowledged the benefits of working more closely with the LBPA, in particular in the areas of transportation and safety. Andy Elder, board member and owner of Grilltime, shared his view that the retail sector had historically been under-represented at the LBPA. He explained that the creation of the LBPA’s new retail-focused commit tee this year casts aside that out dated thinking. As the chair of this new committee, Andy appealed to other retailers to build stronger ties among retailers in Leaside to increase the value of LBPA mem bership for this segment of business in the future.
• To accelerate the pace of com
mercial development we need to eliminate unnecessary “red tape” and implement the official plan.
Charles Goldsmith, developer of the Leaside Innovation Centre on Wicksteed, made the point that a fundamental problem slowing commercial development in the business park is that zoning bylaws are not consistent with the City’s official plan. The need to apply for rezoning pushes up the cost and adds unnecessary delay to each project’s timeline. “That is, to me, one of the biggest impediments to the development in the Leaside employment zone. It’s time-con suming. It’s gut-wrenching. It’s incredibly expensive. If you happen to be an owner of a smaller prop erty and you’d like to do something about redeveloping it, that would be a massive decision.”
The most recent AGM is proof that the LBPA’s strategy of inclu sion and collaboration bodes well for the future of business in Leaside. The need for a unified voice and broad representation of businesses located in the Leaside employment zone comes at a time when there
are several external factors affect ing the business park like recover ing from the pandemic, the arrival of the Eglinton Crosstown stations, Metrolinx investment and job growth, various development initia tives including conversion requests, and a shift in the composition and nature of businesses operating in the park. It’s only through this kind of collaborative approach that the LBPA will be able to craft the nar rative and work on a plan to bring the next 10 years of prosperity to our community. n
acknowledges we are hosted on the lands of the Missis saugas of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confed eracy and the Wendat.
We also recognize the en during presence of all First Nations, Métis and the Inuit peoples.
We also recognize our responsibility in respect ing and protecting the land and water systems that sur round us in the east end of Toronto, that being the Don River, or Wonscotonach in Anishinaabemowin, so that these resources can be en joyed and flourish for all life and for generations to come.
The Idler has been busy trying to keep up with all the activities in Leaside and the greater Don Valley West area. May your season be bright!
Leaside
Santa is coming to Bayview and everyone is invited to celebrate the holidays on Sat., Dec. 3rd and 10th (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.) with the mer chants on Bayview. There will be lots going on – free beverages from select merchants, free reusable shop ping bags and take-home gift-wrapping packages, a photo booth and street carolers! It is also a great time to support all the won derful mer chants who call Leaside home.
In the April 2021 issue of Leaside Life , columnist Susan Scandiffio wrote about local Leaside company BLT Construction and their work in building Pandemic Response Units as well as their humanitarian
outreach work. BLT is a leader in construction and design-build ser vices with a focus on the restaurant and hospitality sector. The folks at BLT are back at it again this year. Together with their staff and part ners, they have launched a campaign to collect and donate 500 sleep ing bags and 500 blankets to help keep people experiencing homeless ness warm this winter. CFO Danny Gollogly stated that this year BLT is “building on our campaigns to give back to the homeless in the commu nities where we work and live – to date – giving away over $500k.”
Half of the collected sleeping bags and blankets will go to a local Toronto homeless outreach partner and half to a Vancouver charity for their office out west. Interested in contributing, email Danny at dgol logly@bltconstruction.com.
Tabatha Bull named OCC’s 2022 CEO
Tabatha Bull, President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, was recently awarded the Ontario Chamber of Commerce 2022 CEO of the Year. “We are extremely proud to honour Tabatha Bull as this year’s CEO of the Year recipient,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “Tabatha has led her team to expo nential growth and success, while advocating for economic reconcili ation at a critical time in the coun try’s history. Her work helps build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations to foster an inclusive economy for all.”
“I am humbled and honoured to receive the CEO of the Year Award and owe it to my tremendous staff and all those that have supported the work that we do at CCAB,” said Bull. “Over the last couple years, I have seen tremendous growth and progress in our work to help improve economic reconciliation for Indigenous communities and busi
nesses. We all stand to benefit by sup porting, partnering, procuring from, and investing in Indigenous busi nesses, communities, and peoples.” Visit LeasideLife.com to reread our 2019 profile of Tabatha Bull.
him for his beautiful smile, for his passion for the trade of hairdress ing and for always wanting to make people he met feel good about them selves.” Despite the challenges she is facing, Hillary is determined to keep the business alive to honour Billy’s legacy. Hillary is also very thankful for the incredible support she has received from the community. If you are finding yourself walking by 221 McRae Dr., pop in and say hello and let Hillary know you are thinking of her and Billy. One of Billy’s favourite quotes attributed to George Bernard Shaw – “Life isn’t about finding yourself; Life is about creating your self.” RIP Billy.
In April 2017, Vicki Hall wrote a profile on Salon Ten Ten and its founders Billy Tsopotos and Hillary Comiskey. We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of one of the founders, Billy Tsopotos, at the young age of 41 from a very rare genetic blood condition diagnosed in December 2019. Billy grew up in East York, attended East York Collegiate, and honed his craft at the Marca College of Hair & Esthetics. As Vicki wrote in her column, “As a young boy, Billy spent summers in Greece watching his grandfather, a barber, groom the men of the village.” It was the love of his life, Hillary, a third generation Leasider, who brought the couple back to Leaside to open their first salon together in December 2016. The couple, who married only in 2021, met 18 years ago and had been together for the past 11 years. Hillary was the recep tionist and Billy was a stylist at the salon where they both worked. Hillary has since trained at the Fiorio Beauty Academy. When asked what she would like the neighbour hood to know about Billy, Hillary said, “He was larger than life and he was a beautiful soul. Remember
This past October Leasiders were once again called to the polls, and we have re-elected the three incum bents running. Returning to City Hall is Councillor Jaye Robinson who garnered an impressive 74.2% of the vote. In the contest for Ward 11 Toronto District School Board Trustee, Rachel Chernos Lin won by over 6,000 votes, receiving 64.1% of the vote. She will be returning for her second term and was recently named chair of the TDSB. For the Toronto Catholic District School Board Trustee, long-time incum bent Angela Kennedy renewed her mandate with 52.3% of the vote.
And congratulations to Jon Burnside, who served Leaside from 2014-2018. After losing to Jaye Robinson in 2018, Burnside left pol itics but returned this past October to run for councillor in neighbour ing Ward 16, Don Valley East.
Leaside Bridge Club president Stanley Gronski is working hard to re-energize the club, which meets each Wednesday at the Trace Manes community centre. Gronski says they are actively looking for new members from the community to join this recreational club. Experienced or not, all are welcome and if you love it, annual member ship is only $5. Interested in finding out more, reach out to Stanley at 416-302-2021. n
416-486-5588
Lynda.Gorges@gmail.com www.lyndagorges.com
leasidelife.com
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Comments, Letters to the Editor, Advertising Enquiries: Contact: 416-504-8047
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Published monthly in Leaside, Toronto, ON. Circulation 10,000 to every home and business in Leaside & Bennington.
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I’m honoured to be contributing to Leaside Life as the newly re-elected City Councillor for Ward 15 – Don Valley West. I’ve already heard from many new and familiar Leasiders, and look forward to connecting with more of you as the term progresses.
Working together, I’m optimistic that we can meet the challenges that await us this term and continue to build on the many things that make Leaside such a great place to live.
I campaigned on a platform of community consul tation and remain committed to being a strong voice for the neighbourhoods of Don Valley West while pro viding leadership on critical, city-wide issues. With your input, we have already made progress enhanc ing Leaside’s public spaces, protecting and growing the mature tree canopy, addressing road safety concerns, and much more. Your feedback is vital to these initia tives, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
On that note, you can contact my office by email at councillor_robinson@toronto.ca or by phone at 416-395-6408.
For those interested, you can also sign up to receive my e-newsletter – which includes regular updates on local and city-wide initiatives – by visiting my website at www.jayerobinson.ca. n
LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH 822 Millwood Road Toronto, ON M4G 1W4 Tel: 416 425 1253 www.leasideuc.com LOCATION
Leaside United Church (Hearth Room)
This Grief Support Group will be held bi-weekly for a total of 9 sessions. It is open to adults 19 and over who have experienced the loss of a family member or friend and it provides an opportunity to talk about your own grief and learn from the experiences of others. Please call or email Alison Jane, Office Administrator (alison@leasideuc.com ) by January 3, 2023.
Jean Marie Suchora (MA, Minister of Pastoral Care) Barbara Kinnear and Graham Lute (Members of Leaside United Church)
