Leaside Life Issue 130 March 2023

Jane Auster Editor Leaside Life

Quite often a theme will emerge when Leaside Life’s creative people sit around a warm Zoom screen to discuss the next issue.

That happened as we started planning the March publication. Nearly every proposed story touched on the idea of building bridges. Not just the physical kind, though Leaside is currently engaged in discussions with neighbours across that bridge about the City of Toronto’s plans to redesign Millwood Road, which straddles Leaside, Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park.

The bridges that came up in our Zoom conversations were more about the emotional ties between Leaside and Thorncliffe. Columnists like Susan Scandiffio have written often about the relationships between the communities. Those ties seem to be strengthening.

That’s why we’re introducing a

feature called The Bridge, to shine a light on the growing connections between neighbours. In this issue, former TDSB Trustee for Leaside, Gerri Gershon, has written about a Ukrainian refugee couple and the important work the The Neighbourhood Organization has done to help them acclimate.

We’ve written about TNO before, but it can’t be emphasized enough what a difference they are making in so many people’s lives. As Gerri writes: “TNO ... underpins the struggles of community members by building a firm foundation for their lives, providing housing, employment counselling and language classes.”

What a great way to introduce our new Leaside Life column.

Do you have a good bridge story to share? Let us know at leasidelife@ gmail.com n

Wars. Thousands of tragic compelling stories. A compassionate

by GERRI GERSHON

To the southeast of Leaside our neighbours in Thorncliffe/ Flemingdon fill the streets, as well as Costco and the mall, with energy and optimism. Many, in their traditional clothes, push toddlers to the parks, go back and forth to the mosques, shop at stores specializing in Middle Eastern and Asian specialties and travel back and forth to ESL lessons, food banks, social groups, and work. This neighbourhood, which has the youngest average age in Toronto (lots of babies), is home to many newcomers – a number of them refugees requiring assistance to settle in Canada. Many come to rely on the The Neighbourhood Organization to help them find their way in a new country.

TNO is an award-winning, nimble agency with connections throughout the neighbourhood. It underpins the struggles of community members by building a firm foundation for their

lives, providing housing, employment counselling and language classes.

TNO was there for the Kurtveliev family. Ruslan Kurtveliev and his

wife were two of the many desperate Ukrainians fleeing to Canada. When war broke out in February

OLI ZUBENKO

Ruslan Kurtveliev

THE BRIDGE

Pat Jeffreys celebrates four decades of volunteer service

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

Bob Cairns was building houses for returning veterans in North Leaside at the end of World War II. A number of the semis on Beaufield, Glenbrae and Broadway were his creations.

These houses took on personal meaning when they brought his cousin and her family to Beaufield. Pat (then Wilson) attended Northlea School when it was still a one-storey building, and then Leaside High. A friend’s older brother was Don Jeffreys, whose family had moved to McRae when he was 10. As Pat was finishing high school, Don invited her to a football party at the University of Toronto. They married in 1964 and moved to 970 Eglinton Ave. East (the yellow brick

apartment building closer to Brentcliffe).

Their “Centennial project” for 1967 was buying a house in Leaside. The requirements? That it not be a semi, that it have a private drive, and... that it not cost too much. They lucked out by finding what was to be a starter home on Field Avenue. Don and Pat still live there.

When sons Ian and Cameron were born, the support systems for mothers returning to work were virtually nonexistent. Ian was born before maternity leave was even introduced in Canada. Daycares were just coming into existence. Lunch at school was run as a volunteer program with one paid staff. Pat’s previous office work was changing with the

advent of computers, which made heading back to work all the more challenging.

Pat Jeffreys had just turned 40 when she became a volunteer at Princess Margaret Hospital, agreeing to join a friend who wanted company when she signed up. Forty years later, Pat still has Tuesdays at PMH on her calendar.

When she first started, Princess Margaret was on Sherbourne Street, just north of Wellesley. Volunteers were given bright daffodil dresses as a uniform, and were also required to wear white closed-toe shoes and nylons, even in the heat of summer. Someone came up with the idea of opening a patients’ wig boutique and asked for volunteers to run it. Pat signed on, learning as she went. This small operation continued two afternoons a week at the old location, using the basement hair salon of Princess Margaret Lodge on Jarvis, which was connected to the hospital. None of the volunteers were professional hairdressers, but they learned how to work with wigs to help the patients.

Now, of course, Princess Margaret is at the north end of hospital row

LORNA KRAWCHUK

Congratulations to 2023 Agnes Macphail Award recipient Shakhlo Sharipova

by LORNA KRAWCHUK

The 2023 recipient of the East York Agnes Macphail Award is Shakhlo Sharipova, a Thorncliffe resident since 2009. The award is presented each March to a resident living within the boundaries of the former Borough of East York who shows consistent volunteer leadership in social justice issues.

2006 in Tajikistan was not a good year for Shakhlo Sharipova. Because of the authoritarian regime, her husband became a refugee, leaving Shakhlo and their three children behind. She worked as a doctor at the National State Hospital in Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital city, specializing in glaucoma, but their younger son, who was autistic, needed supports that demanded Shakhlo’s time.

Three years later, her husband, now with permanent residency in Canada, was able to sponsor his family to join him. He first came to Montreal, but realized there were more job opportunities in Toronto and found Thorncliffe Park a good

neighbourhood because a few friends had already settled there, plus there were halal stores.

Shakhlo’s first years in Canada were

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hard. She was taking ESL classes, starting at level 3-4, and working towards academic level competency. She went to college to study sonography for a year, but couldn’t find a job nearby to enable her to care for her younger son. Years later, she realized that she was probably suffering from depression at the time.

Shakhlo’s path to social justice leadership really started in 2017. Others in her building at 43 Thorncliffe Park Drive would shy away from joining her and her son on an elevator. She asked the management company for the building, Morguard Property Management, if she could set up a table in the lobby to provide information about autism and help to erase its stigma. Morguard agreed to support the initiative, and even supplied coffee and cookies. This led to building a network of families with special needs and spawned other autism awareness events.

In 2018, with a $1,000 grant from the City of Toronto, she organized a “night out” event for women. It was an opportunity to be with other women, without children present, that wasn’t expensive, and by comparing stories, they were able to identify the needs of women living in Thorncliffe. The group has grown, meets informally via WhatsApp , and with regular in-person gatherings, the next, SHARIPOVA

LORNA KRAWCHUK

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Let the gardening year begin – now!

Spring is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been counting the days since the middle of January – or even earlier. As each day gets longer, the urge to garden gets stronger.

Gardeners with itchy green thumbs will need to exercise some patience though. That doomsayer, the Farmers’ Almanac, is predicting another cold and wet spring. But don’t let that forecast get you down. From what I’ve learned, Leaside gardeners can look forward to an amazing gardening year ahead, and one that’s full of adventure and inspiration and is deeply connected to the environment.

It’s all happening in the ’hood

The Leaside Garden Society has already set the tone for a gardening year that sings like a choir in perfect harmony.

They have an exciting lineup of speakers scheduled to take place on the second Thursday of most months. This month, on March 9, guest speaker Sean James will present “Proud of my Pruning”

The Leaside Gardener

via Zoom. And there is hope that in-person meetings will resume very soon.

The LGS will be awarding another $1,000 scholarship to a student engaged in a post-secondary course of study in a subject related to horticulture or the environment. And following on the success of last year’s event, they are planning another tour of neighbourhood gardens on June 24th.

There’s still more. This year the LGS will partner with the City to refurbish the current mud patches at the entrance to the Leaside Library and create a new pollinator garden filled with predominantly native plants!

If you’re still not a member of this great garden club or you’re new to the neighbourhood, this is a perfect time to join.

All of this and more can be found on their recently refreshed website leasidegardensociety.org

Still feeling a little down about that forecast? Don’t. There’s so much we can do right now to get a head start on the growing season, regardless of the weather.

Start seeds indoors

Now is the ideal time to get your hands on some quality seeds, and this year Seedy Saturdays are back in full force.

This is where you can trade/swap or purchase local heritage and heirloom seeds of vegetables, herbs, flowers and native species. If you have never been to a Seedy Saturday before, I strongly suggest you check one out.

You will find a Seedy Saturday at the Evergreen Brickworks on Sat., March 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at The Toronto Botanical Gardens on Sat., March 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I heard it through the grapevine

Over the years, I’ve been paying a lot more attention to the health of my garden soil. So, you can imagine how excited I was when I learned about Crooked Farmz.

This is an East-York-based ‘microfarm’ that produces high quality composts and vermicomposts for use in brewing fresh actively-aerobic compost teas and extracts.

Currently their regenerative teas and extracts are sold across the city

Debora Kuchme Columnist

Remembering my high school dances

I’ve already written in this space about school dances back when I was in Grade 7 and 8 at Bessborough Drive Public School. In hindsight, I considered those dances to be a significant rite of passage. At the time, the notion of “slow dancing” just blew my mind. Standing on the periphery of the Bessborough gym with the lights off and the psychedelic light show flickering on the walls, courtesy of a bowl of coloured water, a student blowing bubbles through a straw, and an overhead projector. I remember my stomach in knots as I mustered the courage to approach a wallflower girl on the other side of the floor. First-time experiences tend to make a bigger impression and stay with you longer. I still remember those

Terry Fallis Columnist

bands. Believe it or not, Rush played at a dance in my Leaside years, though I honestly don’t remember being there. Perhaps I was lamenting the distinct lack of slower songs. Dancing to fast songs was hard and I’m quite sure I looked ridiculous when attempting it. Moreover, slow dancing was just more, well, fun. We also had the Stampeders and Goddo play live for dances. Those names may have receded from public consciousness now, but they were popular bands back then. And man, was it loud in the gym with all those flat, hard, and shiny surfaces. The sound ricocheted off the walls and the floor and the ceiling until it enveloped us in an incredibly loud maniacal maelstrom of music that occasionally sounded

First of all, often the disc jockeys we were accustomed to at Bessborough were replaced by actual live bands. To be honest, I’m not even sure I’d ever seen a live rock band when I arrived at Leaside High in the fall of 1973. Over my years at Leaside, we somehow attracted some big-name

years

FALLIS

remember being really impressed with how tight they were as a band. Being dressed up formally in a fancier offsite venue (it was Ontario Place that year for us) gave the dance a different, more grown-up vibe. Being in a tux tends to moderate your behaviour, not that mine was questionable to begin with. I was a good boy.

But there were other differences between dances at Bessborough and Leaside High. The dances in high school were in the evening, usually on a Friday night. That seemed cooler than our Grade 8 dances that ran from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. with our parents parked outside waiting to pick us up afterwards. Hard to be cool as you climb into the backseat of the family station wagon. So, there was just something about going to a dance on a Friday night that made us feel a little more grown up. However, there was often some drama around those dances that usually involved a few students experimenting with alcohol before showing up at the gym. It seldom ended well for them, but certainly

spiced up the proceedings and kept our tongues wagging in the school hallways for days to come.

Arriving at high school, I found life was more complicated. In primary school, my principal concern each day was what my mother would be serving us for lunch. But in high school, life changes. You begin to think about your future and what courses you need to take to be eligible for that university or college program. There was more stress in our daily lives. So, we needed those dances to blow off steam and decompress as we learned how to deal with the pressures of life as a teenager. I remember those dances fondly, though I don’t think I’m any better a dancer now than I was back then. And I sure wasn’t great then.

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

Leaside’s Sheen for She celebrates women and girls

Circus

Step Right Up to... March Camp

by SUZANNE PARK

International Women’s Day is March 8th, an annual globally recognized celebration focusing on the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls and the challenges many continue to endure. The Canada.ca website confirms Women’s Day was first officially celebrated in Canada in 1975 but it took another six years before women’s rights were finally enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, in 1981.

Along with government agencies, many charitable organizations are dedicated to addressing challenges faced by women. One registered charity, Sheen for She Foundation, on Esandar Drive, provides selfcare workshops, self-defence training, healing circles and aesthetics for women facing significant life challenges.

Co-founders CEO Mary Hawk and Managing Director Sophia Hawk were inspired to launch the foundation after noticing a gap in charitable services for women. “We noticed that when it came to tackling weighty issues like homelessness, domestic abuse, and addiction, self-care was rarely part of the con-

versation,” says Mary. “The focus tends to be on rehoming, financial stability, and employment. These are all critical issues that other organizations are focusing on that make meaningful contributions to women’s lives. Our focus is based on our belief that for a woman to move forward, self-care around personal hygiene, grooming and safety are prerequisites for wellbeing and building confidence.”

She adds that “the Foundation was started in 2018. As a young entrepreneur and university student, I was content to see it grow slowly. Then, at the start of the pandemic the numbers of at-risk women isolated at home or vying for shelter beds was rising. We launched our Love Boxes. The kits included body lotion, tooth and hair brushes, feminine hygiene products, nail files, and to lift spirits, lipstick, facial masks and a few treats for children. Thousands of our self-care kits were delivered with the assistance of our tireless volunteers, predominantly Leaside students.”

Sheen for She’s Instagram has many expressions of appreciation from event attendees, kit recipients, and staff at Robertson House, Scott Mission, Fred Victor Mission,

JOHN WEIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Sheen for She CEO and co-founder Mary Hawk.

Ernestine’s and other women’s shelters and agencies.

The foundation relies on grants and donations from generous individuals and organizations, including the Red Cross, Leaside businesses such as Home Depot, Healthy Planet, Mary Brown’s Chicken, and even the Beer Store, which donates gift cards that can be used at fundraisers.

As Jason Koonin, CEO at Bluebird Self Storage, says, “Bluebird was thrilled to partner with Sheen for She when they approached us to assist them in scaling their Love Box project. Their volunteers were assembling thousands of self-care kits outside during the winter. We saw the benefits of the foundation’s mission and services for women. We donated several large, climate-controlled storage units at our Esandar location in Leaside and will continue to support the foundation as it grows.”

Watch for news from the foundation about a fundraiser in March. Details will be posted on their social media platforms soon.

TO LEARN MORE:

https://women-gender-equality.canada. ca/en/commemorations-celebrations/ international-womens-day.html

https://www.instagram.com/ sheenforshe/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/ SheenforSheFoundation/ https://sheenforshefoundation.com. n

GARDENING From Page 8

by CSA subscription and at farmers’ markets for home gardening and urban agriculture use. But I’ve also learned they will soon be delivering to Leaside.

This month, Crooked Farmz will be offering a two-hour intensive workshop designed to provide a deeper understanding of soil composition and chemistry.

On March 19 from 10 a.m. to noon you can attend the Soil Health and Microbial workshop (via Zoom) for just $20.

Find out more about Crooked Farmz and how to register for this workshop at crookedfarmz.net

As you can see, there’s lots to do without digging in right now.

Let the gardening year begin! n

This Leaside teenager brought Elvis to Toronto

by TED DEWELLES, Leaside Heritage Preservation Society

Elvis Presley delivered only five performances outside the U.S. during his career. All five took place in Canada in 1957. The King did two shows in Toronto on April 2, two more in Ottawa on April 3 and one in Vancouver on August 31. In Toronto alone, more than 23,000 screaming, adoring fans packed Maple Leaf Gardens to see their idol – with over 100 police on hand to keep order. It was the biggest thing to hit Hogtown before the Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967. And it was mainly due to the efforts of a young Leasider named Carol Vanderleck.

Born in Ottawa in 1943, Carol came to Leaside with her parents in 1946 and lived here for the next 20 years – first at 196 Airdrie and then at 91 McRae. She attended Bessborough P.S. and Leaside High, where she was an excellent student. Like many teenagers of her era, Carol worshipped Elvis Presley and his music. In 1956, after watching

his first film Love me Tender, she was determined to bring her hero to Toronto and launched a petition designed to make her dream a reality. Within three months she had obtained more than 2,400 signatures, which she then sent to Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Impressed by her effort, Parker phoned her personally to say that Elvis would indeed perform in Toronto in early April. As quoted in Brandon Yip’s Elvis Presley: “All Shook Up” in Canada, Carol recalled in 2000, “You can well imagine how exciting, if not overwhelming, this was to a star-struck, typical 14-year-old girl.”

The excitement, however, was just starting for Carol. The Toronto Telegram picked up the story, and on March 20 printed a front-page article, with Carol’s photo, crediting her with bringing Elvis to Toronto. This was quickly followed by an invitation to meet Elvis backstage after his press conference on the night of his performance. An Ontario shoe manufacturer named Robert Woolley had acquired the rights to make Elvis Presley ballet shoes, and he wanted Elvis to present a pair to Carol as part of an advertising campaign and photo op, as journalist June Callwood wrote in Chatelaine magazine.

Carol was ecstatic. But as she later recalled, she remembered nothing of what Elvis said to her when he presented her with the shoes. (He apparently said, “Here you are, honey; wear these for me.”) She also remembered very little of the concert itself other than the screams of the audience and that Elvis wore a gold lamé suit during his performance. (As it turned out, this would be the last time Elvis ever wore the full gold suit on stage.)

What Carol did remember vividly was the way Elvis moved – not just on stage, but especially during his press conference, which he conducted while sitting on a table. As quoted in Brandon Yip’s book, she said: “He truly was like a big black

Carol Vanderleck and Elvis, backstage at Maple Leaf Gardens, April 1957.

Above: Elvis’ Toronto performance ad. Opposite: Carol Vanderleck’s Leaside High School report card, 1955-56.

panther, and his eyes sparkled and shone…. He was lithe and strong, and he was fast.”

A few months later, after all the pandemonium had subsided, Carol’s experience was documented and analyzed in detail by June Callwood in Chatelaine.

Callwood’s piece strongly suggested that “Carol will outgrow Presley long before she outgrows her new tartan suit” – a reference to the outfit Carol wore when she met the King backstage.

But the writer was mistaken.

Like millions in Canada and around the world, Carol remained devoted to Elvis virtually her entire life. Thirty years after the Toronto performance, she still treasured the photos of Elvis giving her the shoes. And in 2000, she boasted that she had turned her 85-year-old father into an Elvis fan.

Carol Vanderleck died in 2011 and is buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Following her death, her niece Sarah posted this touching online tribute:

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and intelligent aunt. Like Elvis, your legend will live on.” n

Jamie Behan races hard to the snowboard Worlds

Susan Scandiffio Columnist

Years ago, Jamie Behan’s family bought him a shirt with the message, “Race hard, be humble,” on the front.

This was already the way Behan was living his life, so as his father Don says (as only a dad can), “it fit him to a T.”

A son his dad describes as “proud but soft spoken” has taken the snowboarding world by storm.

While his humility and gentle spirit are deeply apparent, his determination and confidence have also combined to make him an exceedingly successful athlete.

Leasider Behan was on skis at 15 months old and made the move to snowboarding at the age of 9. With dogged determination and commitment to his training, he com-

peted among the best snowboarders in Canada and around the world. In 2019, Behan placed first in the National Junior Championships in

LEASIDE SPORTS

Giant Parallel Slalom and third in Parallel Slalom at the World Junior Championships in Slovenia.

Over the past three years, he has worked hard to improve his skills and in January was chosen to represent Canada at the 2023 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia.

Canadian coach and former Olympian Ingemar Walder notes that Behan’s commitment is unwavering, adding that, “it’s impressive how quickly he can adapt to something new. This is important in becoming a high-performance athlete.”

Nine World Cup races were held across Europe and in Canada. From those, Behan qualified for the Worlds.

While training itself is a full-time commitment, Behan is also studying Business Management at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Virtual learning can be a challenge when he’s training and racing in different time zones around the world. He recalls once having to write an exam at midnight, but for him, it’s all worth it.

With his parents Juliet and Don in his corner along with his two brothers, coaches and trainers, Behan has a large cheering squad for the Worlds and every other race in which he participates.

With the utmost humility, Behan comments that he is “stoked to be going and to be seeing his hard work paying off.”

(As of publication time, the Worlds had not yet occurred. We offer massive congratulations to Jamie Behan for qualifying for the illustrious event!) n

BRIAN MOK

Jamie on the slopes and off.

Celebrating 15 years in Leaside

by ROBIN DICKIE

There was a big snowstorm in early 2008, the day we moved in to our Leaside home. As I stood outside directing the movers in the blowing wind, I met my immediate neighbour (let’s call her Sara) who told me she had two young sons the very same age as ours. This was a great sign.

I hadn’t been sure about Leaside. I grew up downtown, lived in New York for 10 years and bought my first house in Trinity Bellwoods. After my husband and I bought a small Victorian together on Major Street, we enjoyed the kidless life near all the great bars and restaurants on College. However, when we had two sons in short succession, we knew we needed a yard.

We looked everywhere across Toronto. As far west as Swansea and Roncesvalles, over the Danforth, East York and a few houses in Leaside.

My husband’s family had lived on Killdeer Crescent and he liked the neighbourhood. I thought it was the sticks! So far from everything!

When our agent had just about had enough, he showed us our house on Malcolm Rd. and I fell for it.

It was more than we intended to spend and we spent a stressful night waiting at the old Golden Griddle on Laird while our agent negotiated. We hadn’t sold our house downtown yet. I remember asking for a sign if it was the right decision. There was no lightning bolt, but I knew it was right. We never looked back.

Our older son turned five a few days after we moved in. Both boys started at Rolph Road that September in SK and JK.

We walked to school every day, and then my boys walked to Bessborough and Leaside High. We walked to the arena for home hockey games. In early days we walked or biked to local soccer and baseball. I became very involved in the boys’ school and ran my graphic design business from home. St. Cuthbert’s Church welcomed us. We made friends through the school, through sports and the sheer proximity of neighbours.

We walked to a wonderful strip of restaurants and stores on Bayview. An eclectic mix of just about everything one could want. And at least five major grocery stores in the vicinity and big box stores if needed.

Far from downtown? Not really! The Bayview extension is the best kept secret for Leasiders to be downtown in mere minutes. But I found I didn’t need to go there as often anymore.

I woke up every morning to the sight of a gloriously large pine tree in my neighbour‘s yard.

Honestly, it felt like the country after all those years downtown. Now that the boys are at university, I look back and think what a great life we have had in Leaside. How lucky we have been to raise our family here, the friends we all have made including the amazing neighbours all around us, the good times. A big city life with a community feel. Priceless.

This year Leaside celebrates its 110th anniversary. We will be exploring this theme in 2023 and thus we are interested in stories about how people ended up here and why. Tell us your story at leasidelife@gmail.com n

Will the Leaside Station overbuild be allowed to destroy the Bayview Quads?

The development application for 1787 Bayview Ave. submitted in October 2022 by Countrywide Homes (a branch of Condor, a Vaughan-based developer), proposes to build over the LRT station, but also incorporates the properties currently occupied by two four-unit apartment houses next door that we call the Talbot Quads. The developer’s plan is to demolish the quads to accommodate the 35-storey tower on the site.

But aren’t the quads heritage properties?

Well yes and no. Of the two, 1783-85 Bayview Ave. is protected by heritage designation, while the other, 1779-81 Bayview Ave., is not. Let’s do a deeper dive, and review the challenge facing the community, and what we are doing about it. I have previously discussed the various interactions with the Bayview quads next to the LRT station. This piece describes the efforts undertaken by the Leaside Residents Association to attempt to ensure protection of the two quads by examining the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) submitted by the applicant. The LRA commissioned heritage planner Paul Dilse to undertake a comparison between the HIA for 1779-1787 Bayview and the City’s Terms of Reference for Heritage Impact Assessments.

The northernmost quad, at 1783-85 Bayview, is owned by Metrolinx, but is to be transferred to Condor upon completion of the Leaside Station per the purchase agreement. In 2016, 1783-85

Geoff Kettel Saving old Leaside

The LRA asked Dilse to review the revised ERA Strategic Conservation Plan. It was materially the same as the draft.

The LRA is recommending that with respect to 1783-85 Bayview, Heritage Planning staff require a

was named a Provincial Heritage Property by the Metrolinx Interim Heritage Committee. In 2019, the City of Toronto designated 1783-85 under the Ontario Heritage Act.

In 2022, Metrolinx commissioned ERA Architects to undertake a Strategic Conservation Plan. In March 2022, the LRA commissioned Paul Dilse to do a comparison of the draft ERA Strategic Conservation Plan with the Standards & Guidelines for Conservation of Provincial Heritage Properties. He found that ERA’s recommendations in favour of the redevelopment of the site hinge on a reassessment of the property’s cultural heritage value, with conclusions contrary to the previous evaluations.

peer review or ask the applicant to resubmit its HIA and utilize the Dilse report as input to the staff report.

When it is transferred to the private developer, the heritage designation bylaw in place will give the City control over demolition. However, while in provincial hands its preservation is not guaranteed. There is the possibility that despite the provincial designation, Metrolinx may request a demolition permit while the property is still in its ownership, which the City may not be able to refuse.

Consequently, the LRA is recommending that Heritage Planning staff closely monitor any forthcoming demolition permit applications on

SCOUTS GARDEN PRODUCTS SALE

BAYVIEW QUADS continued

the property and that the City be prepared to seek an injunction to delay the issuing of a demolition permit.

The second quad, 1779-81 Bayview, has been owned by Condor for several years. It has no heritage protection, despite being nominated along with each of the row of quads in 2011.

The GBCA (architectural firm) heritage impact assessment applied the criteria in Ontario Regulation 9/06 to an evaluation of 1779-1781 Bayview Ave., and determined that it meets six of the nine criteria in all three categories of the regulation –design value or physical value, historical value or associative value, and contextual value. The report’s authors, however, did not recommend heritage designation. A draft statement of significance and a draft list of heritage attributes were not presented in the report. The HIA dismissed conservation of the building because that would interfere with development potential.

Based on the Dilse review, the LRA recommends that, with respect to 1779-81 Bayview Ave., Heritage Planning staff:

(1) ask GBCA to revise and resubmit its heritage impact assessment and,

(2) if the second submission is still inadequate, request a peer review of the heritage impact assessment.

The LRA also recommend that within the 90-day window when the City can act, City staff prepare a Notice of Intention to Designate 1779-1781 Bayview Ave. by using the designation bylaws for 17831785 Bayview as a template.

In summary, 1783-1785 Bayview is protected heritage property and according to the evaluation presented in the heritage impact assessment, 1779-1781 Bayview also meets the criteria for heritage designation.

The applicant’s heritage impact assessment acknowledges the importance of the row of quads to Leaside. Despite this, it states that removal of two out of the 10 is justified because eight remain to support neighbourhood character! Of course, we expect that demolition of the two will inevitably lead to further demolitions.

The work of the LRA reaffirms and hopefully buttresses the resolve of the City to fight for preservation of the quads. Unfortunately, Bill 23 puts the City in a different position, now being much more stressed in its efforts both to protect existing heritage properties and also to designate ones not currently protected.

City Planning’s community consultation (virtual) meeting for the 1787-1779 Bayview Ave. application is set for Wed., March 1 (details TBC). n

The curious case of the Sleuth of Baker Street

Marian Misters and J.D. Singh, the much-loved co-owners of Leaside’s Sleuth of Baker Street, announced in their recent monthly newsletter, The Merchant of Menace, that after 40 years of business, they are going to retire. The store, at 907 Millwood, will remain open during the transition period, and there are still a lot of books to sell and a lot of goodbyes to make before the final closing. In 2021, Misters was presented with the prestigious Derrick Murdock Award , presented by The Crime Writers of Canada, for the significant contribution made to the development and support of crime writing in Canada. If you have never had the opportunity to visit, and before the final chapter is written, please do not miss the chance to visit one of Leaside’s treasures before it is gone. Look for a full profile of Marian, J.D and the Sleuth in an upcoming issue of Leaside Life

Calling all wannabe journos

Applications are still open to 2023 graduating students of Leaside High School for the Ruth & Harry Goldhar Journalism Award . In honour of the founders of Leaside Life, the $1,000 award is presented annually to an LHS student who intends to pursue a post-secondary degree in creative writing or journalism. A brief application and a writing sample will meet requirements for eligibility. For more information, email leasidelife@ gmail.com.

Garbage dumped, can spring be far behind?

As spring emerges from the grips of winter, so too does, well, a whole lot of trash. One does wonder how a stainless-steel sink ends up nestled up against a tree in the woods behind the Loblaws on Redway. Unless it has been dropped there by a passing plane, someone has made the conscious effort to remove a sink from their home, transport it to their vehicle, drive in the dark of night and then heave said sink into the woods. Bikes, plastic containers, tires, clothing, furniture, and yes, even the kitchen sink, find their way into our green spaces, but thanks to good work of the group Don’t Mess with the Don, the battle against garbage is being waged. So far, the group has been instrumental in removing over 200,000 pounds of

trash from the Don Valley. DMWTD is an all-volunteer, stewardship and advocacy group, now a registered charity, committed to protecting and enhancing the natural heritage of the Don Valley. The group hosts frequent clean-up events, and they are always looking for volunteers to lend a hand and a few hours. To help this spring, contact DMWTD though their website: dontmesswiththedon.ca

Don’t mess with my mailbox!

What the heck is going on with Leaside’s mailboxes? The Idler was out for a walk last week and was looking to mail a few Easter cards, only to find that both Canada Post mailboxes on Bayview were wrapped and taped shut. It has been this way for a while and seems to be happening across midtown, on Bloor, Yonge, Davenport, Mt. Pleasant, and Bayview. Responding to an inquiry by Toronto Star “Fix-It” contributor Jack Lakey, Canada Post stated that their Security and Investigations team are working with local law enforcement looking into numerous incidents of vandalism on street letterboxes. It does seem strange that the letter boxes have been sealed in plastic wrap for several weeks. Is this Canada Post trying to see if we need these boxes and then, like a few years ago, they disappear in the night. Let’s hope not, as the Idler is still one of those folks who enjoy sending and receiving snail mail. n

LAND TITLES ACT NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ABSOLUTE TITLE

(Subsection 46(2) of the Act)

RE: PART OF PINS 10384-0304 (LT), 10384-0305 (LT) and 10384-0277 (LT)

TO: 122 Laird Property Development Limited Partnership, its successors and assigns

AND TO: 122 Laird General Partner Inc., its successors and assigns

AND TO: Adrian Johansson, his heirs and executors

RE: PART OF PIN 10384-0304 (LT) – 126 Laird Drive, Toronto

Part of Lots 602, 603, 604 and 605, Plan 2120 designated as Parts 2 and 4 on the attached draft reference plan, prepared by Ophir Dzaldov, Ontario Land Surveyor, dated September 27, 2022; City of Toronto; Subject to a Right of Way over Part 4 on the attached draft reference plan, prepared by Ophir Dzaldov, Ontario Land Surveyor, dated September 27, 2022, as in EY218064; Together with a Right of Way over Part 5 on the attached draft reference plan, prepared by Ophir Dzaldov, Ontario Land Surveyor, dated September 27, 2022, as in EY218064

PART OF PIN 10384-0305 (LT) – 132 Laird Drive, Toronto

Part of Lots 606, 607 & 608, Plan 2120 designated as Part 3 on the attached draft reference plan, prepared by Ophir Dzaldov, Ontario Land Surveyor, dated September 27, 2022; City of Toronto

PART OF PIN 10384-0277 (LT) – 134 Laird Drive, Toronto

Part of Lots 609, 610, 611, 612 & 613, Plan 2120 designated as Part 1 on the attached draft reference plan, prepared by Ophir Dzaldov, Ontario Land Surveyor, dated September 27, 2022; City of Toronto

The said plan is available for inspection at:

Robins Appleby LLP, Suite 2600, 120 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5H 1T1

TAKE NOTICE THAT LEASIDE RESIDENCES I INC , herein called the applicant intends to apply to be registered as the owner with an absolute title to the above-described land

AND TAKE NOTICE THAT any person claiming to have any title to or interest in the said land or any part of it is required on or before March 31, 2023 to file a statement of objection, which sets out the nature and extent of the interest claimed in the objection, together with all evidence, documents or legal provisions and precedents relied upon in support of the objection, directed to the land registrar at the address of the solicitor at the following address:

Robins Appleby LLP

Barristers and Solicitors

Suite 2600

120 Adelaide Street West Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1T1

Attention: Ladislav Kovac

If no such statement of objection is filed by March 31, 2023, I will proceed with the application and any interest you may claim in the subject property will be thereby extinguished and you will not be entitled to receive any further notice with respect to the proceedings.

DATED at Toronto this 14th day of February, 2023

LEASIDE RESIDENCES I INC. by its solicitors

ROBINS APPLEBY LLP

Barristers and Solicitors Per:_ LADISLAV KOVAC

Leaside, standing together and strong!

Back in October I reported that the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario (FEBCO) proposed changes to Don Valley West’s boundaries which would have split Leaside into two separate federal ridings, and into two separate provincial and municipal ones. Given Leaside’s location, under that proposal we likely would have had to work with two separate and divergent community councils. Every item of business would have to be dealt with separately at each level of government, complicating and delaying progress on every one of Leaside’s issues.

At the time, I wrote that there were fairer ways to correct voter inequality (riding sizes) without overriding the identity, interests, and survival of a 110-year-old community, with a well-established history and identity.

The Leaside Residents Association urged Leasiders to contact FEBCO to express your and our opposition to their proposals. We deputed in writing and in the public hearing. And today I am the bearer of

Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LRA

The Commission received dozens of submissions from members of the public urging the Commission to make Leaside whole. The Commission found these arguments persuasive. Leaside has been reunited in its entirety in the district of DON VALLEY SOUTH.”

Don Valley South’s western boundary is largely the existing Don Valley West boundary, which includes Bennington Heights to the Beltline. The southern boundary, for the most part, runs eastward through the Don Valley.

GREAT NEWS! Bold letters are warranted. The Commission’s final report has just been released. Here’s the key quote: “The Commission’s proposed boundary was heavily criticized.

Spiral Garden Summer Day Camp Program

Spiral Garden is an integrated outdoor art, play, music and garden program for children with or without disabilities. Children choose activities including music, clay, woodworking, puppetry, sand and water play, painting and gardening.

Program runs 9am to 4pm. Participants must turn 6 on or before December 31, 2023. Dates and costs outlined below.

Session A: July 10 – 21, $660

Session B: July 24 – August 4, $660

Session C: August 8 – 18 (9 days), $595

Session D: August 21 – September 1, $660

For more information or to register, visit HollandBloorview.ca/SpiralGarden

The eastern boundary of Don Valley South will no longer be Leslie Street, but east of the Don Valley Parkway. This change adds much of the Don Mills neighbourhood into the renamed Don Valley South. The northern boundary will be York Mills, rather than the present boundary at the 401.

So, thank you, Leasiders, for your support!

In my next column I’ll look into some of the interesting implications of the newly redrawn riding. We are living in a remarkably fluid political landscape these days!

Revisiting traffic

More news, this time on the traffic front. We are about to hear details in a public meeting of the Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan’s near-term plan. We will be able to offer our detailed feedback on the measures as they are proposed. Once a date for the meeting is set, the City will send a mailing to Leaside residents (or an email to those who may have already subscribed to get updates on the project).

This is a good time for you to visit the plan’s website www. toronto.ca/LeasideNTP or write ( LeasideNTP@toronto.ca ) to ensure the planners know you want to be contacted, and to show your support for making Leaside’s streets safer through effective design. We should all attend the consultation meeting, targeted for the end of March.

In the meanwhile, the next LRA board meeting will take place on Wed., March 1st at 7:30 p.m., on Zoom. If you’d like to join us, please let us know by that date and we’ll be glad to send you the Zoom access details. You can find us at www.leasideresidents.ca n

Leaside Children’s House Montessori School

Toddler, Preschool & Kindergarten

We offer early learning experiences for young children to build the skills they need for life.

Info@leasidechildrenshouse.com Instagram @leaside_childrens_house

MEETA Leaside Service Club!

Rotary Toronto-Leaside

Worldwide, there are more than 46,000 rotary clubs supporting a membership of 1.4 million. For over 75 years, the Leaside chapter, now led by newly elected president Paige Fernandes, has been active in our community. Many readers will know the club from their annual community corn roast at Trace Manes Park, and more recently, the drive-in movies they have hosted as well as the annual electronic recycling event. The club comprises a dedicated group of members with a passion for community service and developing friendships with neighbours. Over the past couple of years the club has supported the building fund for a new Toronto hospice, sponsored young people in the Thorncliffe Park area to attend summer camps, provided funding to assist in sending local boy scouts to the World Scout Jamboree, and worked with Leaside schools to plant trees. Internationally, in conjunction with the broader Rotary network, the club continues to work to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, has helped build public toilets in Pakistan and schools in Uganda.

The club meets regularly and is always open to welcoming new members.

Learn more at torontoleasiderotary.com

Paige Fernandes, who at age 30, is the youngest president in the club’s history, says she got involved because the club aligned perfectly with her personal goal of becoming more active and engaged with the community. Although the club does value tradition, she stated that they are also open to innovation and welcome new members from all parts of the community.

Why the Yonge complete street matters for Leaside

by HOLLY REID

A new vision for our city streets is now here to stay. Following a positive staff report and the strong recommendation of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, the mayor and 21 councillors listened to the evidence and voted in favour of making the Midtown Yonge Complete Street Pilot permanent. Complete streets are proving to be a key solution for calming traffic and boosting main street retail while also supporting the priorities of Vision Zero for road safety and TransformTO for Net Zero.

Since implemented in June 2021, the pilot has consistently delivered on its objectives – more people walking, up 132%; people biking up by as much as 180%, while vehicle volumes fell by up to 11%. On-street cafés increased from 10 to 21, providing more streetside ambience, and people noted that traffic was calmer, quieter, and the street

Leaside Life

leasidelife.com

Editor: Jane W. Auster

Publisher: Lorna Krawchuk

Webmaster: Erin Sorhaug

Graphic Design: Robin Dickie

Advertising: Karli Vezina

FH Publishing Inc.

1 Wiltshire Ave, unit 114 Toronto, Ontario M6N 2V7

Comments, Letters to the Editor, Advertising Enquiries: Contact: 416-504-8047

leasidelifepublishing@gmail.com

leasidelife@gmail.com

Published monthly in Leaside, Toronto, ON. Circulation 10,000 to every home and business in Leaside & Bennington.

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.

felt safer. Throughout the pilot, staff made adjustments to address concerns through signal timing, additional turn lanes and design improvements. More of these types of adjustments are expected as the pilot transitions to a permanent installation.

So, why is this important for Leaside (besides offering us a protected cycling route to the Bloor/ Danforth bikeway)? A complete street is coming to Eglinton (Phase 1 – Keele Street to Mt. Pleasant Road in 2023 and Phase 2 from Mt. Pleasant Road to Brentcliffe Road in 2024), and we will see a near-term proposal for the Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan in a few weeks. These are opportunities to make sure we can all move safely through our neighbourhood and refashion Eglinton as a street where people want to walk and bike.

As Geoff Kettel noted in the February issue, Leaside is facing an influx of development proposals to complement new transit along Eglinton. Reviewing the eight developments Geoff identified, it is clear that the majority of residents and visitors are expected to walk, cycle and take transit. Collectively, the developments, which account for 2,822 units, offer 1,074 vehicle

CYCLING IN LEASIDE

parking spots and 3,118 bicycle parking spaces. So, how do we design our streets for people to feel safe and make these climate-friendly transportation choices?

The Midtown Yonge Complete Street experience offers some insights. For example, shortening the distance for pedestrians to cross the street with curb extensions has the added benefit of slowing down turning vehicles. Incorporating leading pedestrian intervals (and bike signals) make these vulnerable road users more visible to drivers. Protected bike lanes encourage people to bike and provide a comfortable buffer between those walking and the vehicle traffic. Integrated transit stops are more accessible for people taking transit and safer for people on bikes. Narrowing travel lanes to make more space for everyone encourages slower vehicle speeds. And when more people walk, cycle or take transit, fewer cars are on the road, leaving more room for those who must drive.

With a complete street planned for Eglinton and consultations coming for the Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan, let’s be proactive and ensure our streets offer safe, equitable and efficient options for everyone. n

Yonge & St. Clair: Complete streets provide safe space for everyone.

2022, Ruslan was working in Qatar while his wife remained home in Ukraine. She was terrified that she would never see him again. After being trapped in her home for three months, she was able to flee to the Romanian border where she met up with her husband.

When they arrived in Toronto, they knew no one. They found it challenging to complete reams of paperwork, they had nowhere to live and they lacked a credit history as newcomers. That’s where one of the amazing TNO settlement workers came in to help fill out forms, find them housing and connect them to the Furniture Bank. While looking at the TNO’s website Ruslan noticed a job opportunity as a social media analyst. He applied for the job and was hired by TNO. This is only one small story of involuntary displacement, struggle and second chances.

Ruslan feels safe in Canada but worries about his family and friends back home. He misses the fields of sunflowers. He is also an artist. He uses his talents to spread awareness of the horrors experienced by Ukrainians. His installation, called “Doors” (www.ruslankurt.com) displays doors from homes damaged by war. Ruslan will be forever grateful to TNO.

DID YOU KNOW?

• TNO serves over 30,000 clients a year.

• TNO not only supports newcomers but also provides employment, senior programs as well as skills-based training and youth programs.

• TNO features a hockey program and supplies all the equipment needed by youth.

• The TNO fundraiser Flavours of Thorncliffe is returning to our community. After a Covid hiatus this delicious fundraiser will return this year. Stay tuned for more information and plan to attend.

SHARIPOVA From Page 6

appropriately enough, on March 8 – International Women’s Day. Another project that was a Shakhlo initiative involved 22 children who were able to attend a three-week day camp in Burgess Park in the summer of 2021, with breakfast, lunch and activities provided. The camp expanded, thanks to grants and fundraising, to 45 children in 2022 – half of whom were so-called “typical kids.” Parents of these children reported they showed more empathy from their interactions.

There are quite a number of groups catering to different interests in and around Thorncliffe – ranging from food distribution, development of community parkland, climate change, updating the Overlea Bridge...and many more. This past February, Shakhlo coordinated a day-long event to enable representatives from all these groups to come together –12 groups in total – to collaborate and showcase their activities.

Ramadan starts this year on March 22. One hundred families in the Thorncliffe/Flemingdon neighbourhood who might otherwise not be able to celebrate will have homemade meals, courtesy of Shakhlo and her network. The giving even extends to seniors in Crescent Town and Taylor/Massey creeks as well as homeless people in the neighbourhood.

Shakhlo’s life as a community leader is very different from her life in Tajikistan. “I enjoy the life I have now,” she says. “I am good at it, and feel alive. Life is not passing me by.” She certainly knows how to get things done. Shakhlo is very adept at making sure elected officials know what is going on in her neighbourhood and ways they can help. And Shakhlo and her husband also have a Canadian daughter, now 7½, who is adored by her autistic brother. Two older children are living on their own. Someone said to her recently, “You’re going to burn out.” Her reply – “I’m not burnt out – but I do go out.” Most emphatically.

Shakhlo will be honoured at this year’s Agnes Macphail Award ceremony to be held in person, for the first time since 2019, at the East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave., at 2 p.m. on Sun., March 19. Donations towards her chosen charity –TNO for grassroots-led initiatives –will be accepted by the East York Foundation. n

HELLO LEASIDE! IS YOUR BIKE READY FOR SPRING?

Proper maintenance is essential for carefree riding. Give us a call to discuss how we can get your bike ready for the outdoor season.

LOOKING TO GET STRONGER?

We work one-on-one with you to help you reach your fitness goals! Regardless of your level we will help you keep moving forward.

YEAR-ROUND CYCLING PROGRAMS ON-LINE

Using your own bike and Smart Trainer our program will help you achieve next level fitness.

WE ARE LOCAL

Just down the street in the Leaside industrial area. Although new to the neighborhood, mindset CYCLING has been in operation since 2015.

We are a cycling-focused fitness centre. Come ride with us!

Gerri Gershon is a retired TDSB Trustee, past president of the Canadian School Board Association, and a TNO board member. n

The Leaside Business Park is open for business

by LESLIE KELLEN, president, Leaside Business Park Association

This year Leaside will celebrate its 110th anniversary since the Town of Leaside’s official incorporation in 1913 with a population of 43 residents. Originally designed as a “model town,” Leaside was planned by Frederick Todd as a townsite of residential and commercial areas, reserving the southeast quarter for industrial development. This planned neighbourhood where one can live, work, and play within a short walk or bike ride made Leaside a unique and coveted community then, and today.

Sales of residential sites in the Town of Leaside began in September 1913, and the following year, the first business – Canada Wire and Cable – made the Leaside industrial area home. By the end of 1930, 52 companies had set up in the industrial area, providing employment and spurring infrastructure development. Lincoln Electric moved their operations to Leaside industrial park in 1940, and with subsequent expansions, is one of the largest businesses in the industrial park today. Some family-owned businesses also took root in the industrial park with some having transitioned to the next generation and new ones sprouting up.

The Leaside industrial park also brought other benefits to the Town of Leaside; in 1967, residents were opposed to the amalgamation with the Township of East York to form the Borough of East York, fearing the loss of identity and residential tax increases (the residential taxes in the Town of Leaside were lower than the surrounding regions as they were subsidized by those from industrial areas).

There has been an incredible amount of growth and change since 1913. Now more than ever, as I represent the Leaside Business Park Association as president, I am excited for our future, the future of business and the future of our intrinsically connected community of Leaside and our neighbour Thorncliffe Park to the south; I am proud to represent the LBPA in sharing our successes of last year

and our goals for this year.

The Leaside Business Park is a strategically important industrial area for the City of Toronto; approximately 90% of all manufacturing jobs in the city are located in employment areas similar to our business park. We need to protect the employment lands within the park and preserve and grow the jobs that are in this area. We want our business park to be core to a neighbourhood where you can live, work and play all in the same area.

We now have synergistic relationships with a disparate group of stakeholders. Along with the Leaside Residents Association, we can add the LBPA’s voice to positively affect new development and transportation projects in our community. For example, on February 2nd the LBPA, along with the LRA, took part in the Ontario Land Tribunal case management conference for the Hyde Park development on Eglinton Avenue East and Brentcliffe Road. LBPA is now recognized as an official participant by the OLB. Being at the table for these decisions and being able to share the opportuni-

ties for businesses and the knock-on impacts for the entire community with respect to safety, traffic and density are all a significant step forward for the LBPA and allow us to unlock a tremendous amount of potential for the community.

Another highlight for the LBPA is our grant and funding subcommittee where we hope to, for the first time, be able to unlock a new source of funding to benefit the business park and communities. In 2022, we were successful in supporting The Neighbourhood Office in Thorncliffe in securing a Main Street Innovation grant.

We also restarted our in-person networking events in 2022. On February 22, we hosted a business panel discussing the most relevant issues for businesses in the community and throughout the GTA.

We are cautiously optimistic that the supply chain disruptions, inflation, soaring commodity and raw good prices will settle down this year and that we will avoid a recession. Or, if we are not able to avoid a recession, it will not be severe or protracted.

I am proud of the achievements of all our members and their businesses in 2022. I am proud of the work the LBPA has done and continues to do. We stood up and made our voices heard, we actively contributed to important discussions across all levels of government and community stakeholder groups. We provided more opportunities for engagement for our members and many of the businesses within the community. It’s fair to say 2022 was an impressive year for our association. We were able to hold our very first hybrid AGM, which turned out to be the most successful yet. We also were able to host our first in-person networking event since 2019.

In 2023, LBPA’s membership will afford access to multiple services, programs, and events. We have networking events planned, panel discussions, and many more exciting events. As well, we have subcommittees, including a new Retail subcommittee, looking for participants in the community to contribute and network with other businesses.

We are open for business. n

Leslie Kellen promoting the LBPA.

BRUCE REDSTONE

on University Avenue. The move started in 1995. Pat was in Australia in 1996, so when she returned the next year, the move was complete. A number of the old Tuesday cohort of volunteers at the old PMH found it too taxing to work in the new, larger, multi-floored building and didn’t make the switch. Another big change for the volunteers was a shift in uniform from the daffodil dresses to a burgundy jacket and a choice of a skirt or trousers.

When Covid hit, as with many other places, volunteers were asked to stay away. Pat was surprised this past fall when she was asked if she’d like to return. After saying yes, she was surprised by the enthusiastic greetings she got in the morning clinic where she helps patients prepare for their appointments and the afternoon radiation clinic where she helps patients be in the right place at the right time. 40 years! With some time off for visiting her now out-oftown children and grandchildren, and for travelling with Don. Congratulations. n

Leaside Life

acknowledges we are hosted on the lands of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Wendat.

We also recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis and the Inuit peoples.

We also recognize our responsibility in respecting and protecting the land and water systems that surround us in the east end of Toronto, that being the Don River, or Wonscotonach in Anishinaabemowin, so that these resources can be enjoyed and flourish for all life and for generations to come.

Re: Dr. Fleming

I wanted to say thank you for doing an article on my grandfather. My grandfather told me all kinds of stories about Leaside. Apparently, the Mahovlich Boys used to come downstairs to visit my grandfather. My son recently graduated from U of T. I was so proud to be in Convocation Hall possibly sitting in a seat that my grandfather had sat in. My father recently passed but is within eyeshot of his parents at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

Best Regards, Patricia (Fleming) McKenna n

Stoop. Scoop. Drop. Or not?

by DAVID CRICHTON

After 27 minutes of being stared down by Jerry, I finally abandoned my Scrabble Go game with Warriorboy88 and headed to the front door. Jerry knew he had won. He started jumping and bouncing off my leg. Jerry’s a dog. But don’t tell him that. And he’s slightly neurotic. I’m pretty sure he knows that. And so begin most of our walks. A little background on Jerry: I made the mistake of thinking that if I got the same cross-breed of dog I had before him, I’d end up with a similar personality. My previous dog, Billie, was a fur-covered, air-breathing goldfish. She was THAT low maintenance. Except for just one tiny little thing. She ate her own poop. (But then, so do goldfish, I’ve noticed.) Mind you, it did come in handy whenever I forgot poop bags.

Jerry, on the other hand, has his own “tiny things.” Ever hold an open umbrella in a wind storm? Or thrown a super ball down a flight of stairs? No? Well, then imagine a

red squirrel drinking three cans of Red Bull. But hey, sometimes you get a poop eater, sometimes you get crazy. And aren’t all relationships about trade-offs, really?

Jerry pushes past me as we head out the door. I notice my open green bin still on the street at 5 in the afternoon. (Thanks, 17-year-old son.) And sure enough, there it is, inside…a lone baby blue poop bag, filled with its owner’s contents. In MY bin. This shouldn’t bother me, but it does. A lot. Every time it happens. Which is a LOT. It just seems so, oh I don’t know…presumptuous? Lazy? Invasive?

Jerry reminds me with a pull on his leash it’s time to stop obsessing and get on with it. (Of course, I will be keeping a lookout for anyone with blue poop bags.) We take one of our usual routes, through Trace Manes, then along Rumsey and Rolph. By the time we get to Sutherland, Jerry has quickened the pace and all 18 pounds of him are leaning like a sled dog, in anticipation of our destination – the Batman park! Jerry squirms like a ferret fighting a snake

as I snap his leash free. He bolts off to join his friends and that’s when I see it. Another poop bag. This one is pink, and tied to the chain link fence.

Related to the green bin poop bag, this species of poop bag is even more of a menace. You can spot it growing out of the top of fence posts, or sprouting from large rocks. Once, I spotted a very rare one, flowering at the end of a tree branch. And they must be extremely hardy because I came upon one during that recent cold snap, just lounging on the trunk of someone’s car, at the end of their driveway, its hot breath visible in the cold air. I think it was meditating. Captain Kirk’s Tribbles have got nothing on these little monsters. Having spent some of his plutonium-fueled energy, Jerry was ready to leave. Me, too. I was spending far too much time thinking about poop. We headed back down Sutherland and onto Bessborough when Jerry started with his dog sign language for “must poop now” – the good old ‘arch & waddle’. Of course, it had to be now. Never at the park. I reach into my little bag holder, and…. empty. Perfect. But as luck would have it, someone else must have a 17-year-old son, because their green bin was still out…its mouth open for the feeding. Hmmm. What to do, what to do. … Do I kick it to the road? A bit gross, but at least people wouldn’t step on it. Or, do I get a stick and drop it in the green bin? Then I’d be an even worse offender than the Poop Bag Bandits. No. I couldn’t. Even Jerry was giving me a judgmental look. And that’s when it hit me. I’m not proud of it, but desperate times and all that. …

“Hey Jerry…Treat?…

“Good boy.”

Along with being co-founder of advertising agency Grip Limited, and partner in ManleyUnderwear. com, David Crichton has won numerous awards for his writing, including a Kitchener-Waterloo Kiwanis Club Silver Trophy, in Grade 7. n

MARCH EVENTS

LEASIDE BRANCH PUBLIC LIBRARY

165 McRae Drive, 416-396-3835

ADULT BOARD GAMES

Tuesdays, March 7, 14, 21 & 28 - 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 some new ones as you battle it out over board games. No registration required.

MONTHLY ART EXHIBITS

We are pleased to feature free monthly art exhibits in our community room. Each exhibit is by a different artist and reflects the cultural diversity of Leaside and Toronto as a whole. Please visit www.tpl.ca/leaside and view “All Branch Programs and Events” for more information on the current exhibit.

BUTTON MAKING WORKSHOP

Wed., March 15 - 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Join us for a fun button making program. Express yourself through creative buttons. Design your own buttons using your imagination, catchphrases, or a collage of images. All materials will be provided. Drop-in. No registration required.

For more details on current and future Leaside branch programs and activities, including Baby Time, Toddler Time, Needleworx Knitting and Crocheting Group and March Break programming, visit www.tpl.ca/leaside.

CFUW LEASIDE-EAST YORK - IN PERSON

FOUR PILLARS OF WATER SUSTAINABILITY

Speaker: Dr. Romila Verma, Environmental Geographer, Professor of Hydrology at the University of Toronto and Brock University. March 16, 7:30 p.m. Northlea United Church

LEASIDE GARDEN SOCIETY

The Society will continue their speaker series with Zoom meetings on March 9. Our special guest is Sean James. The topic is “Proud of my Pruning.” The meeting will commence at 7 p.m.

The Leaside Garden Society always welcomes guests and new members to join the Society for our meetings. Visit our website: http://www.leasidegardensociety.org or email: leaside@gardenontario.org

LEASIDE WILDCATS MARCH BREAK MADNESS TOURNAMENT

March 10-12, 2023

Toronto Leaside Girls Hockey Association 42nd annual tourney! Tournament headquarters: Leaside Memorial Gardens: 1073 Millwood Rd. Info: tournament@torontoleasidewildcats.ca

ST. CUTHBERT’S, LEASIDE

1399 Bayview Ave. 416 485 0329 www.stcuthbertsleaside.com stcuthbertleaside@toronto.anglican.ca

TAI CHI

Tuesdays 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Donation: $4

NORTHLEA UNITED CHURCH & LEASIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

125 Brentcliffe Rd. 416 425 5252 Tricia@northleaunited.ca www.northleaunited.ca

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

Friday, March 3 at 1:30 p.m. for 2 p.m. service. Service prepared by the women of Taiwan. All are welcome.

AGNES MACPHAIL AWARD CEREMONY

Sun., March 19 at 2:00 p.m.

East York Civic Centre

850 Coxwell Ave.

Honouring 2023 recipient Shakhlo Sharipova

All are welcome.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS (VIRTUAL)

1779-1787 Bayview Ave.

Wed., March 1, 6-8 p.m.

1840 Bayview Ave. (Esso station)

Tuesday, March 7, 6 - 8 p.m.

2-20 Glazebrook Ave.

Thurs., March 9 at 6-8 p.m.

For more information and to register: https://www.toronto. ca/community-people/get-involved/public-consultations/ city-planning-consultations.