Leaside Life Issue 132 May 2023

Jane Auster Editor Leaside Life

Full confession. I am not from Leaside. In fact, I am not even originally from Canada, though I’ve now lived here most of my life. I am one of those come-from-away people who fall in love with their new home, never want to leave, and become obnoxious singing its praises to anyone who will listen (and many who will not).

More and more, Leaside is attracting new residents who realize what a gem the community is, how vibrant, and how much it offers. We’ve started sharing their stories – your stories – in our publication under the heading “My Leaside Life.”

This special issue of Leaside Life, though, features a particular focus on the Town of Leaside as it turns 110 in May. Leaside is steeped in rich history, especially of people who were community builders far beyond the original town’s borders.

We’re not talking about musty, dusty history, however, but living reminders of what makes this community special.

So, while this issue does nod to some of the key dates in the town’s history, we also look at Leaside through different lenses. Just a small sample: to celebrate the 110th, we take you around Leaside by bike on a special cycling tour, on foot to a sampling of historical homes, and even past some lesser known Leaside landmarks you didn’t even know existed. We also celebrate key milestones in Leaside’s history, including significant sports achievements that have put Leaside on the map at home and abroad.

I hope you’ll find at least 110 things to enjoy in this celebration of a very special town. Tell us your Leaside stories at leasidelife@gmail.com. n

Come to the Leaside 110 panel

by LORNA KRAWCHUK

Leaside 110 celebrations will end the month with a panel of distinguished speakers at the May 30 meeting of the East York Historical Society at the S. Walter Stewart Public Library, 170 Memorial Park Ave., starting at 7:30 p.m.

John Lea will share the background of the various branches of his family, whose name was chosen for the newly incorporated Town of Leaside in 1913, and continue to the early years of the railway town during World War I. John and his wife made a purposeful decision to raise their two children in this community.

John Bech-Hansen will be our second speaker. His family came to Canada from Denmark after WWII. He grew up in Don Mills, but after marriage, he and his wife “aspired” to live in Leaside and were lucky enough to be able to buy here in 1999. This was just two years before he decided that working in the financial sector wasn’t really his cup of tea. He has operated his own company, Home Reborn, success-

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

fully since then. Home Reborn is a “fast, focused and efficient design/ build general contracting firm.” You can see some of his handiwork at his own home at 11 Rumsey Rd., where he converted the one-time garage into living space, using Credit Valley stone, and handled the leading in the window himself to match with the original house. He’ll discuss Leaside’s built form and the challenges we all need to be cognizant of, with climate change a growing issue, and the need for greater energy efficiency in our homes.

I will be rounding out the panel, talking about the 30 years that Leaside was part of the Borough of East York, and my election as councillor for the nine years before amalgamation in 1997. My family and I have lived in Leaside since 1970. Before we bought, our sum knowledge of Leaside was that Southvale was a pretty street with trees on it that got us from our apartment in Thorncliffe Park to downtown. I’ve learned much more since then.

Hope to see you on May 30. Info: eastyorkhistoricalsociety.com n

Lorna Krawchuk as East York Councillor.

Leaside author Dane Jensen: No pressure, no diamonds

by STAN FLEMMING

Given the choice, most people would prefer to avoid pressure-filled situations. For Leaside’s Dane Jensen, author of a new book The Power of Pressure (HarperCollins), pressure is not something to be feared, rather something to be embraced and harnessed to help drive performance. Throughout his book, Jensen advocates accepting pressure as a natural part of life and helps the reader reframe pressure and use it as a catalyst for both personal and professional growth.

The CEO of Third Factor, Jensen is a graduate of Queen’s Smith School of Business and has been collaborating with his father, noted sports psychologist Dr. Peter Jensen to train organizations in the areas of leadership, coaching and resilience. Having worked with more than 50 Olympic medal-winning coaches, Third Factor uses approaches embedded in the teambased MBA and EMBA programs at

Queen’s Smith School of Business. In addition to his work with corporations, athletes and coaches, Dane Jensen is an instructor at his alma mater and an affiliate faculty member at the Kenan-Flagler Business School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

When speaking with Leaside Life, Jensen spoke fondly of his teenage years and his Leaside friends. He appreciates Leaside’s “amazing schools, easy access to everywhere in the city, and as a runner, the

trails in the nearby Beltline and Mount Pleasant cemetery.” Jensen, who grew up in North Toronto, moved to Leaside in 2020, and like us all, found himself, his wife and three children living under the umbrella of a pandemic lockdown. What better thing to do during a lockdown than put pen to paper and author the book that had been percolating for years.

Dinner table conversation at the Jensens’ often turned to performance and how one can achieve peak performance in times of extreme pressure. Jensen’s mother holds a double master’s degree in adult education and counselling psychology, and his father has attended 10 Olympic games as sports psychologist for the Canadian Olympic team.

For over five years, Dane himself had been asking everyone he met: what is the most pressure you have ever endured? From peak-performing Olympic athletes, politicians, and executives to busy parents and even Navy seals, Jensen discovered that while every experience is unique, pressure follows distinct patterns and develops in predictable ways. Jensen’s book offers readers practical tools and strategies to recognize the patterns and to use the energy one can derive from pressure-filled situations to thrive and move to greater levels of performance.

When asked which key takeaways he would like the reader to adopt, Jensen said that pressure does not have to be negative and, when carefully managed, can be the solution to a problem. He writes how the importance of an anticipated outcome along with the uncertainty of that outcome can lead to pressure-filled situations. “But what can make pressure relentless – especially in the modern world – is that third variable: volume.” He then helps the reader understand what is important and what is not, what is at stake and what is not, as well as how to develop techniques to manage the uncertainty and to build a platform to control the volume of things we are dealing with in our lives.

Learn more at thirdfactor.com

The book is available on Amazon or Chapters/Indigo Books. n

Let the Xplore Games begin on Millwood

The pandemic has brought an increased awareness of the importance of finding optimal work-life balance in our hectic lives. Christine Hibbard, the owner of Xplore Games at 858 Millwood Rd., agrees with this sentiment, saying that “the element of play should be incorporated into everyone’s life” and it is her goal to facilitate that for Leasiders.

She adds that “games do so much for us as they teach cooperation from a young age, allow for bonding with friends and family and are even good for cognitive health.” She first started sharing her passion for games when she opened an escape-room venue, Looking Glass Adventures, at Danforth and Victoria Park, seven years ago. That experience inspired her to open a retail space to house all the new games and activities now on the market. She was drawn to “the hidden gem” of Leaside since she grew up here and still has family

Janis Fertuck Columnist

and friends in the area. It is also a convenient location for her customers and is close to the family home at Danforth and Greenwood, where she lives with her husband and business partner, Jon Hoult, and their three children, Andrew, 18, attending Sheridan College for game

design, Evan, 16, and Juliet, 12.

The store opened in August, 2022, and features a dazzling array of games for every age group in every category: table-top or board games; jigsaw puzzles (very popular in Leaside); toys and licensed collectibles such as Harry Potter gift sets; a variety of card games; sensory toys such as putty and fidget toys; a STEM line including National Geographic kits; and mystery or escape-room style games.

Christine and Jon have fun researching and trying out the new, streamlined games, which are easier to learn and faster to play. Along with staff members Caroline Spurr and Lizzy Carey, they also enjoy making suggestions to customers and will give demonstrations and teach them how to play games.

Not surprisingly, the store’s reception in the community has been “amazing,” Christine says, with word-of-mouth recommendations attracting new customers who quickly become regulars. Comments posted on an online Leaside group resulted in many sales over the holidays, which then generated a lot of feedback about the success of those

JANIS FERTUCK

The Daughter joins the Bayview family

by JANIS FERTUCK

Leaside recently welcomed a unique addition to the family. The Daughter, a natural wine bar and bottle shop, opened on Nov. 23, 2022 at the corner of Belsize and Bayview, with owner and head chef Marissa Goldstein at the helm.

After finishing her law degree and working in real estate, Marissa decided to follow her true passion for hospitality and cooking by taking a specialized farm-to-table program at the International Culinary Center in New York where she learned about French culinary techniques and organic farming, and worked at restaurants in Greenwich Village and upstate New York.

Back home, Marissa was looking to open a “smaller, sustainable food business with natural wine as the focus.” In the early days of the pandemic, when the government allowed restaurants to sell liquor at retail prices, the wine bar and bottle shop concept was born. The name “The

Daughter” is an ode to Marissa’s “mother, grandmother, sisters and all the great women out there.”

The choice of Leaside came from Marissa’s love for the neighbourhood

after playing baseball nearby in her youth and enjoying the many local restaurants. She also praises Leaside’s lively “village” atmosphere and community support for local businesses providing quality goods and services.

Renovations to the Bayview space took about a year with Marissa herself acting as the general contractor for the project, spending every day on site working with the architect Andria Y. Y. Fong of Y. Y. Architecture Studios. Andria used Marissa’s ideas and blended elements of Japanese and Scandinavian minimalist design with natural materials to showcase the products.

The centrepiece of The Daughter is its rotating by-the-glass selection of natural wines. These wines are made using organically grown grapes fermented with little or no intervention and additives. Marissa explains that she and general manager and beverage curator Lauren Wilkins work together “to curate an elegant and dynamic selection of classic varietals and young, funky wines.” Their stock varies month to month and includes 60 to 100 wines from around the world.

Marissa, Lauren and their serving staff suggest suitable wines to their customers after asking about their usual preferences, mood and the occasion. Local craft beer, cider and cocktails are also available. The food menu consists of “elevated bar

Owner Marissa Goldstein

JANIS FERTUCK

Get ready for some lesser-known Leaside milestones

This month, we celebrate the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Town of Leaside back in 1913. You’ll notice a number of articles in this issue commemorating this auspicious anniversary. So, in the spirit of the occasion, and not wanting to cover the same ground as fellow contributors, I thought I’d remind us all of some lesser-known – and definitely less auspicious – Leaside anniversaries around which there was insufficient hoopla, celebration, or media coverage. Here we go, in no particular order:

• This coming June will mark the 50th anniversary of the maiden “flight” — the word is in quotations for a reason — of Falcon II, in Talbot Park. My Grade 8 classmate, Geoff Elmer, and I tested our homebuilt, full-sized hang glider by running down the hill at the foot of Donegall Drive. Let’s just say our aviation careers did not exactly get off the ground that day.

• This year also marks the 56th anniversary of my first taste of China Food’s famous sweet and

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Terry Fallis Columnist

Leaside. If you were out late on a particularly humid Friday night in August of 1974, you will have witnessed three 14-year-olds running up and down Parkhurst Boulevard naked save for their underwear, which they dutifully wore on their heads to avoid identification. I have no idea who those intrepid Leaside trendsetters were. Not even an inkling. Really.

• This coming October, it will have been 55 years since my very first Leaside house league hockey practice. I arrived at Leaside Memorial Gardens fully dressed in my hockey gear, including my mother’s purple leggings, bearing crookedly applied white tape stripes to look like real hockey socks. I’ve played Canada’s game ever since, and still do.

sour chicken balls. It kicked off an addiction that endures to this day. In fact, just writing this has triggered a craving I may have to address very soon. Like now.

• It was 49 years ago this summer that the streaking craze came to

• Speaking of Leaside Memorial Gardens, it was 57 years ago when I had my first Tadpoles swimming lesson at the pool. That led to many, many Saturday afternoons swimming, goofing around on the low and high diving boards, and

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• The previous year, 56 years ago, was when Dominic Badali first delivered a box of groceries to our home on the corner of Parkhurst and Donegall. Dom knew where we kept our secret hidden house key and would deliver our grocery order weekly for decades to come.

• It was about 51 years ago when three Grade 7 students unwisely, but quite accurately, threw an apple core at the front door of a house on Cameron Crescent on their way to school one morning. The homeowner was so quick to open the door that our three heroes scrambled to hide, lined up in single file behind the big maple on the home’s front lawn, to avoid detection. A legendary and gutsy performance. Again, no idea who the three gifted but thankfully very skinny young Bessborough students were.

• Forty-eight years ago, I started working at Gyro Motors at the tender age of 15. Over the years, of all the after-school workers who mopped that showroom floor and swept what felt like a 200-car, oil-

stained garage, I was definitely… one of them. A couple of years later I started working at Don Verity’s Esso at Bayview and Millwood — a little closer to home.

• Finally, it’s been 25 years since our elder son started school at Northlea, eventually graduating from Leaside High. Our younger son started at Northlea three years later. There are many more personal Leaside anniversaries I could have included in this humble offering, but I felt compelled to leave them on the cutting room floor. After all, I feel I should act responsibly and not unduly influence the current generation of kids growing up in Leaside. Let them find their own adventures — ill-advised or not — as we did all those years ago in Leaside.

Happy 110th anniversary, Leaside!

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

Celebrating Leaside’s sports pioneers

by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO

As we reflect on the past 110 years of Leaside history, we can’t help being grateful for those pioneers in establishing athletic organizations and sporting facilities for our community. We also celebrate the many outstanding athletes who continue to inspire us. Since 2013, the Leaside Sports Hall of Fame has honoured those who have played a role in the rich heritage of sport in the community and we continue to celebrate them as the past, present and future of our neighbourhood’s rich tapestry.

Notable Leaside Sports Hall of Fame inductees

(in alphabetical order)

George Armstrong

George Armstrong played 21 seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs. As captain for 13 of those seasons, he led the team to four Stanley Cup victories. He also coached local sports including girl’s baseball at Trace Manes Park.

Howard Birnie

Birnie has been president of the Leaside Baseball Association since 1973. He has participated in baseball as a player, a coach and an umpire locally, nationally and internationally. Birnie has also acted as the president of the Toronto and Ontario baseball associations.

Teri-Lynn Black Calleri

In 1982, Black and her partner Mirko Savic won the Canadian Junior Ice Dance Championships. In 1986, she became a coach for the Leaside Skating Club, a position she held for almost 37 years.

Mike Bradwell

In Grade 13, Bradwell was named football player of the year and led Leaside to their first tier one playoff win in the school’s history. He played with the Argos for four seasons, winning the Grey Cup with the team in 2012. For two years as an Argo, Bradwell was an assistant coach with the Leaside High team.

Jack Caffery

Jack Caffery signed contracts with both the Toronto Maple Leafs (hockey) and the Milwaukee Braves (baseball). The first “home grown” Leasider to play in the NHL, Caffery played three seasons and finished his hockey career in the EHL. As a ball player, Caffery played mainly at the AA and AAA levels for eight years.

Rich Ferguson

Rich Ferguson was a track and field sensation, who, at the age of 19, was ranked the top junior runner in North America. Ferguson represented Canada at the 1952 Olympics and at the 1954 British Empire (now Commonwealth) Games. At the 1954 games, he set the Canadian record in the “miracle mile” race against Roger Bannister.

Cal Gardner (father)

After returning from serving in World War II, Cal Gardner played 12 seasons in the NHL. As a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he won two Stanley Cups and was twice named to the All-Star team. Gardner went on to coach the Kingston Frontenacs in the EPHL.

Arthur (Laurie) Irwin

Laurie Irwin started coaching both men’s and women’s basketball in the 1920s, winning multiple Toronto and provincial titles. As president of the Canadian Amateur Basketball Association, he was manager of the Canadian team for the 1948 Summer Olympic Games. As a senior executive at Canada Wire, Irwin garnered the company’s support of the Leaside Baseball Association, which included sponsoring teams and funding the construction of both scoring booths at Talbot Park.

Catherine (Carpenter)

Lansdowne

Catherine Carpenter represented Ontario as a speed skater in the first Canada Winter Games in 1971, winning two gold medals and a bronze. She also represented Canada at the 1972 Winter Olympics. She went on to spend 36 years as a phys-ed teacher at Leaside High School.

An eyewitness account of 1913 Leaside –the diary of Wendell Lawson

by TED DEWELLES, Leaside Heritage Preservation Society

Deposited at Library and Archives

Canada in Ottawa are two unpublished diary volumes written by Canadian architect, academic and artist Wendell Lawson (18981952). The document is important to Leaside for several reasons: Wendell’s father was Arthur T. Lawson, one of the founding members of the municipality and its first clerk-treasurer; the diary covers the years 1913 and 1914 –the exact period when Leaside was incorporated as a town; and with few exceptions, all the entries were written soon after young Wendell and his family moved from downtown Toronto to their new house at the southeast corner of Eglinton near Bayview – the current site of Leaside High School. These factors, combined with Wendell’s numerous topical references and descriptions, make this a treasure-trove of information about what living in Leaside

was like for a young adolescent in the early 20th century. Here are some examples:

The Lawson house

Before moving to Leaside, Wendell and his family lived at 96 St. Vincent St. (south of Grosvenor between Bay and Yonge). Starting in early March, the family – comprising his parents and two brothers, Stuart and Stanton – began gradually moving their belongings to Leaside. During the process, they sometimes stayed overnight at the home of Harvey Fitzsimmons – a member of Leaside’s first municipal council and a colleague of Wendell’s father. By the end of April, the move was complete as Wendell notes on April 27: “We are living up at Leaside now but sleeping at Mr. Vit[simmons].”

Wendell liked his new home and (foreshadowing his career as an artist and architect) even sketched several pictures of it. As the diary reveals, the house was more rural than urban – consistent with Leaside’s farming heritage. It had a barn, stable for horses, hay loft, and garden where Wendell planted beans. It also had a “chicken house” and an orchard. They also had amenities, like telephone access and a maid; and there was even talk of installing a “swimming tank” (pool).

Life in the country

One of only a handful of houses, the Lawson family home was relatively isolated – which meant that Wendell and his brothers had to find ways to entertain themselves. They did so by taking full advantage

of their rural surroundings. They were outdoors almost continuously. They climbed trees, picked cherries and apples in nearby orchards and went exploring and swimming in the Don Valley. In winter, Wendell played hockey and went skating and sledding – often on the hills near his house at Bayview and Eglinton, where Leasiders sled and toboggan to this day. In warmer weather, his activities included baseball, cricket, rugby, football, target practice, horseshoes, leap-frog and even walking on stilts – which he made himself. Some of the games he played are obscure today – like “pillow ball,” “red line,” “man polo,” and a game called “Wild Men.” He rode a bicycle. He rode a pony. He and his bother Stuart even rode in a cart which they equipped with roller skates and a sail. On Victoria Day and Guy Fawkes Day he shot off firecrackers.

When he wasn’t outside playing, Wendell was either busy at school (he attended Brown School on Avenue Rd. near Balmoral), reading popular boys’ fiction like Crossbone Island and The Swoop of the Eagle, drawing pictures, or practising his clarinet – which he sometimes played at St Cuthbert’s Church on Bayview along with Stuart on the violin. In a world with no radio, no TV, no smartphones or TikTok, young Wendell was rarely bored in the Leaside of 1913.

Topical references

Among the diary’s most interesting parts are Wendell’s many references to contemporary people, places and events. He writes about going to the

Wendell Lawson as a young adult, Edmonton Bulletin, July 5, 1924. Diary entry for April 8, 1913.

CNE and Massey Hall, watching the Toronto Maple Leafs minor-league baseball team play their opening day game against Newark on Toronto Island, marching in the Empire Day parade (May 23) and attending with his father the unveiling of a plaque honouring his late grandfather, Joseph Lawson, at the Carlton Street Methodist Church.

Equally absorbing are Wendell’s Leaside references. He records in vivid detail a terrifying experience with a “bush fire” that broke out in the Don Valley near “the corner of Brent Wood and Eglinton” in mid-October. That same month, he describes preparations being made in Leaside for military manoeuvres (which he calls the “sham battle”) and his disappointment when they are cancelled due to bad weather. He attends St Cuthbert’s Church in August (“the Little Church on Bay View”) and again in December when he and Stuart play in a concert there. He often mentions that Leaside municipal councillor Harvey Fitzsimmons and his wife are frequent visitors to his family home. There is even a possible reference to the famous Kilgour (“Hilgors”) estate north of Eglinton. Finally, in one of his most remarkable entries, Wendell records how he went horseback riding on August 7 and encountered “Lee’s 100-yearold house.” This could refer to the brick house built in 1829 by the area’s pioneering settler, John Lea Sr. It might even refer to the log house Lea is said to have built 10 years earlier. Either way, it’s a suggestive and intriguing reference. This article has mentioned only a fraction of the fascinating historical material in Wendell Lawson’s diary. Future heritage articles will hopefully contain more. n

Happy anniversary Leaside!

here to help and proud to serve our community!

Would that which we call Leaside by any other name smell as sweet?

With apologies to William Shakespeare....

Leaside, along with other notable brands like Seiko, The Ritz-Carlton and Aston Martin, is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. Leaside will mark the occasion with a variety of events, while Seiko has launched two limited edition watches, The Ritz is offering a special “Royal Experience,” and Aston Martin is ready to “unleash” the first of its highly anticipated next-generation sports cars. Brand experts love to make a bit of noise when it comes to milestone anniversaries because they provide an opportunity to tell their brand story, engage customers, build trust, refresh the brand, and boost the morale of its stakeholders. Yes, neighbourhoods can be branded and all neighbourhoods have a brand. Brands are a combination of tangible and intangible attributes that create a unique identity in people’s minds when they think of a neighbourhood. Anyone aware of Leaside will already have a set of images or emotions they associate with our ’hood as well as us as individuals who live here. Successful neighbourhood brands offer the promise of something positive and unique, and are not what we say about ourselves, but what others believe about us.

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”

(Warren Buffet)

Urban and neighbourhood branding is an effective tool for the development of cities, and on a smaller scale, neighbourhoods. Research has shown that a strong brand can increase the distinction and success of living places and the value of their social capital. Branding a neighbourhood involves creating an identity for the area that sets it apart from others, and highlights its unique characteristics and features while establishing a positive reputation. Successful neighbourhood brands promise something that users value and then deliver on that promise, increasing the popularity of the brand and creating demand. Today, more than ever, buyers are wary of brands they interact with, and if a brand breaks its prom -

Glenn Asano The Business of Leaside

ises, those buyers will not only cease interacting with the brand, but in this age of social media, they will tell friend after friend and the damage of viral word-of-mouth communications can be irreversible.

So, what’s triggered my interest in Leaside’s brand? Well, given the amount of ‘intensification’ that is currently enveloping us, we could be facing population growth greater than 50 per cent over our current level. Frankly, I’m concerned about the sustainability of the brand’s strength and the neighbourhood’s ability to live up to its ‘brand promise’ in the future. After all, keeping promises matters and breaking them can be damaging since a brand is really only a perception, and perceptions will eventually match reality over time.

In my investigation, Leaside’s brand appears strong. Except for the higher cost of living – 42% more expensive than the Canadian average according to areavibes. com – and the occasional NIMBYbombs that are lobbed our way, Leaside frequently scores well in various Toronto neighbourhood comparisons and ‘livability’ assessments. As an example, areavibes. com rates our livability as “exceptional” with a score of 84, ranking Leaside higher than 99 per cent of all others in Ontario and securing our spot as one of Toronto’s “top six” neighbourhoods (refer to table).

In the September 2019 issue of Leaside Life , I wrote, “Even if a city or neighbourhood is densely populated, it may still be able to offer strong characteristics that make living there worthwhile.” Still, I can’t help wondering if the strength of our brand is steeped in past glories, and that the brand promise that developers have relied upon to attract buyers will ultimately become a shadow of its former self. Especially if it becomes evident that the brand promise, as promoted in those glossy condo brochures and websites, falls below expectations over time.

“A neighbourhood is more than a place. It is a state of mind.”

(Branding Strategy Insider)

To address this unacceptable scenario, our collective attention needs to focus on ensuring that Leaside’s brand promise will be able to sustainably support the forecasted population growth without further degrading our current level of infrastructure and services, many of which are already aging and under strain, or negatively affecting the enviable social capital Leaside is known for.

I’m intrigued by this quote in Branding Strategy Insider: “In this turbulent, unsettling, uncertain, fragmented world, the idea of neighbourhood is more relevant than ever. A neighbourhood is more than a place. It is a state of mind.” When Shakespeare’s Juliet pondered the question “What’s in a name?” she concluded that names are meaningless and I suppose in her context that could be true. But the story of Leaside is one of non-fiction, and the branding experts in our midst might see our situation differently. Places can be emulated, but a state of mind is something intangible that resonates with individuals.

A well-executed neighbourhood branding strategy can help attract residents, businesses, investment and visitors and enhance the area’s overall attractiveness and vitality, which subsequently improves the quality of life for its residents. It is also acknowledged that a neighbourhood’s brand can have a significant impact on home prices. All

LEASIDE continued XPLORE GAMES From Page 6

other things being equal, homes in neighbourhoods with strong brands are those with desirable amenities, attractive architecture, or a strong sense of community that can command higher prices than comparable homes in neighbourhoods without similar features.

Unlike Seiko, The Ritz or Aston Martin, Leaside does not have a marketing department brimming with brand experts. Rather, our local businesses, residents, community organizations and leaders will need to work in unison to ensure Leaside continues to deliver on its brand promise for another 110 years, despite the significant change we witness all around us.

Happy birthday, Leaside!

How would you describe Leaside’s brand? How closely does it match the description provided to you by friends living elsewhere? Will the intensification of our ’hood have a positive or negative impact on Leaside’s brand on the next 10, 25 or 110 years? Let us know at leasidelife@gmail.com. n

holiday gifts.

Sam Craven, father of two young sons, is very impressed with the staff’s expertise and recommendations. He values board games as an alternative to “screen time” in developing social and problem-solving skills. He placed a special order for a game from his youth, HeroQuest, and feels fortunate to have a game store right here in Leaside. That sentiment was echoed by Leaside Life writer Susan Scandiffio, who also praised the “breadth of the selection” in the store and Christine’s knowledge and enthusiasm.

Always interested in finding new products, Christine reports that she and Jon are looking to expand their inventory to suit the needs of the community. They already carry outdoor items like bubbles and super bouncy balls, and are adding to their line of snacks and treats with the Pop Stand’s handcrafted popsicles and “unicorn fluff,” a mixture of cotton candy and candy popcorn. They also plan to host events featuring Pokemon trading cards, Dungeons and Dragons, and

puzzles.

Both Christine and Jon appreciate the “sunny and cheerful” location of the store and encourage everyone to stop by for a chat, either inside or on the welcoming bench out front. n

Lizzy Carey of Xplore Games

The Layers of Leaside are Redux!

No, Leaside is not getting backyard chickens, at least not yet!

But Leaside is getting the Layers of Leaside Redux – a revival of the Leaside Centennial archival exhibit from 2013 as part of the Leaside 110 anniversary program – for three days, from May 4 to May 6. What are the Layers of Leaside? They are the major periods of human settlement in the area, and in 2013 we counted six:

• Pre-settlement and Indigenous (pre-1800)

• Pioneers and Early Settlement (1800-1910)

• Early Industrial Development and Establishment of the Town (1910-1929)

• Late Industrial and Tract Development (1930-1954)

• Modern Transition and Thorncliffe Park Development (1955-2000)

• Recent and Contemporary (2000-2013)

Today we are still in the Recent and Contemporary period.

In 2013, the Layers of Leaside tableau display consisted of six large board panels describing the Layers,

Geoff Kettel Saving old Leaside

along with a related exhibit of maps, archival photos and text descriptions. For Leaside 110 the 2013 content has been converted (and partially updated) into a booklet (which will be on sale for a small price), and the full display is available on the Leaside Life website. The Layers of Leaside booklet and digital content together with the physical exhibit available May 4-6 describe, explain, and interpret the cultural landscape of Leaside. Building on the historical periods and their themes, they display many of the significant events, buildings, and historical association of people and places through maps, pictures, and text.

The Leaside 110 archival exhibit will again include special maps of Leaside researched and drawn by local historian and cartographer John Naulls:

• the original plan of Leaside (1912) by Frederick Gage Todd, the landscape architect and planner of Leaside

• a map showing the historical development of Leaside from 1913 to 1934

• a map compiling all of Frederick Todd’s plans of subdivision from 1913, and

• a drainage map showing the so-called “lost rivers” of Leaside. The archival exhibit will include interesting artifacts, such as a World War I shell, a switch used by the railways to signal the safe changing of tracks, and scale models of an airplane (Brian Peck’s twoseater biplane – Curtiss JN4) and a Canadian Pacific train typical of what picked up passengers at Leaside Junction station, and radar manufactured by Research Enterprises in Leaside during World War II.

In addition, the special quilt created for Leaside 100 will be on display, which features the coats of arms of the Town of Leaside, the Borough of East York and the City of Toronto, together with the Leaside 100 crest. Designed and created by Margaret Carscadden, the quilt was accepted by the Leaside Public Library.

There will also be pop-up exhibits by the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society, Leaside High School alumni, and Leaside Memorial Community Gardens. The latter is a teaser for a major exhibit of Sports and Remembrance Day-related memorabilia to be held this fall. n

LEASIDE Est. 1913

Captain Brian Peck

CELEBRATING A COMMUNITY DESIGNED FOR LIVE-WORK-PLAY HARMONY

Upcoming Events

Celebrating Leaside:

• May 4th - 6th - Archival exhibit (Leaside Library)

May 4th, 9 am - 8 pm

May 5th, 9 am to 4 pm

May 6th, 9 am to 4 pm

Archival Exhibitors:

John Naulls, local resident historian and cartographer

Leaside High School Alumni

Leaside Heritage Preservation Society

Leaside Memorial Community Gardens

• May 5th and 6th, 1 p.m. - Jane’s Walk (Leaside Library)

• May 10th - Leaside 110 Anniversary Celebration (Amsterdam Brewhall) $25.00. For tickets or info email leasidelife@gmail.com

• May 19th - Bridges to Thorncliffe Park/ Community Bazaar

• May 30th - East York Historical Society (S. Walter Stewart Library)

• Oct 12th - Leaside Garden Society - “Leaside - A Garden City?”

Community Events:

• May 27th - Bessborough May Fair

• June 10th and 11th - Bayview Art Tour and Sale

• June 24th - Garden Tour (Leaside Garden Society)

• Sept 17th - Leaside Rotary Corn Roast

Memories of Leaside

“l remember my father playing pick up hockey at the side-byside outdoor rinks at Trace Manes Park. After changing in the Centennial Building, we kids glided down a slope getting us moving onto the rink.” – Susan

Lum (Durant)

“Growing up in Leaside in the 1950s felt like living in a small town. There was a milk man, an egg man, and mail was delivered twice each week day and once on Saturday.”

– Charles Rance

“Growing up in North Leaside I remember buying fudgsicles at Jerry’s Smoke and Gifts at Sunnybook Plaza and eating delicious grilled hamburgers at the Go-Go Burger restaurant on Eglinton Avenue.” – Jim Lee

Into The Next 110 Years

Anniversaries are good times to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Leaside’s built heritage, typically Georgian and Tudor Revival architecture, defines Leaside’s character and is worth protecting. To read more about the residential character guidelines, visit: Ieasideresidents.ca ...continued on page 22

Leaside Facts

Canada’s first bag of air mail arrived in Leaside on June 24th, 1918. It took 7 hours and 2 stops along the way from Montreal but Captain Brian Peck and his co-pilot arrived safely, promoting the idea that aviation was the way of the future.The aerodrome was located just north of Canada Wire and Cable at Laird Drive and Wicksteed Avenue, extending north and east to Broadway Avenue. Today an historical plaque located at the Broadway/Brentcliffe parkette commemorates the first airmail flight.

Arrival of first bag of air mail, 1918.

Durant Motors occupied the Canada Wire and Cable factories in the 1920s, becoming the 3rd largest car manufacturer in Canada. The Durant was marketed as “Just a real good car” and was meant to be the direct competitor of GM’s Oldsmobile line. The Durant Motors Headquarters Building at 150 Laird Drive was built in 1928, and later used as offices by the Catholic School Board. Together with the adjoining site it will become part of a new rental retirement project. The street facing and side wall facades have been retained and will be incorporated into the new building.

Durant automobile in production, 1920s.

1890 St.

1912:

Population 43

Town of Leaside is incorporated

LEASIDE: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 1913

1913: Randolph McRae elected 1st Mayor

• Canada Wire & Cable opens

• William Lea octagon house destroyed by fire

1914: Britain declares war on Germany, Canada drawn into World War I

• Lincoln Electric opens

1916 Leaside Munitions Co. formed

1921: Future Leasider Agnes Macphail is the 1st woman elected to the House of Commons

1922 Durant Motors approved to establish car factory in Leaside

1924: Bessborough School opens

Population 500

1927: Leaside Viaduct opens

1928 Leaside transformer station opens

1930

1934 Thorncliffe Ski Jump opens

1937 Howard Talbot elected Leaside Mayor

1938: Henry Talbot is Mayor (until 1947)

1939: Rolph Road Public School and St. Anselm Catholic School open

• Leaside Lions Club launches annual carnival

Population 9,800

1917: Leaside Airfield opens

• Canadians victorious at Vimy Ridge, France

1918 June 24 First Air Mail in Canada arrives at Leaside Aerodrome.

• First Leaside house raffle

1940: Research Enterprises opens, employs 7,500 as part of war effort

• HMS Leaside serves in WWII

1820: John Lea arrives in Leaside from England

1867: Dominion of Canada created, John A. MacDonald 1st Prime Minister

Cuthbert’s Church opens on land donated by the Lea family.

1843: William Lea builds the octagonal house called Leaside

1894: CP Railway opens Leaside Junction train station

Landscape Architect Frederick Todd begins Garden City design for Leaside

1944: Northlea Public School opens

1947 Trace Manes named Leaside Mayor

1948: Leaside High School opens in present location

1950 Leaside Library opens at Rumsey and McRae

1952 First hockey game at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens

• Leaside Hockey Association founded

• Last horse race at the Thorncliffe Racetrack 49

Population 14,826

1954 OMB authorizes Leaside to annex the Thorncliffe racetrack site

1957: Margaret Atwood graduates Leaside High School

1959 June 30 Queen Elizabeth II visits Sunnybrook Hospital and the CNIB and then drives through Leaside in motorcade

1963: Beth Nealson is mayor of Leaside until 1966

• Leaside turns 100

The land that is now Leaside sat on the shores of an ancient Lake named Iroquois and remained untouched for millennia. Reports from the European settlers above the Don Valley in Leaside stated that many Mississaugas remained in the valley for years after signing the Toronto Purchase. With the arrival of settlers, the land was first farmed, then industrialized, and finally modelled for comfy homes. The combination of all these activities has morphed into the community we know (and love) today.

Population 16,828

1967:

• Canada turns 100

23,000

• Canada turns 150

Town of Leaside is amalgamated with East York, population

1974: Leaside Girls Hockey founded

1998: East York is amalgamated to form mega city of Toronto

2013: Local MPP Kathleen Wynne elected as 1st female premier of Ontario

2017 Don Valley West MP Rob Oliphant introduced the new $10 bill featuring Agnes Macphail to students at Leaside High School

1989 Village Station Restaurant closes

1969 Prince Philip visits Leaside High School

1953 Lawn Bowling Club opens at Leaside

Town of Leaside

Leaside became an incorporated municipality by Act of the Provincial Legislature on May 7, 1913. It was the now defunct Canadian Northern Railway Company (CNorR) that bought up close to 1000 acres, much of it from William Lea, eldest son of pioneer settler John Lea. The land was east of Bayview Avenue and south of Eglinton Avenue; it was to be a railway town much like the others the company built in Vancouver and Montreal.

The CNorR hired Frederick Gage Todd, a visionary landscape architect, to lay out the new town. He designed Leaside to reflect the ideas of the garden city movement, a U.K. concept that brought residences, industry, parks and agriculture harmoniously together.

Industries

Industry came first; the residences came later than hoped due to war and economic downturns.

Housing

The company built houses for its workers keeping in the spirit of the garden city. The plan was for over 100 utilitarian mostly semi-detached homes to be built; 68 were completed. Most still stand on streets like Randolph, Sutherland, Airdrie, Rumsey and Kenrae. Some were built using the same bright red brick that defined the offices and factories of Canada Wire and Cable, which took up the large block that is now occupied by SmartCentres Leaside, at Laird Drive and Wicksteed Avenue.

Canada Wire and Cable was the earliest and most successful factory in Leaside. Built in 1914 it first produced artillery shells for the war and gained a reputation for making them faster and more efficiently and economically than any other similarly sized munitions factory.

The majority of Leaside residences were built in the 1930s, by reputable builders who defined the Leaside architectural character, predominantly Tudor and Georgian revival styles.

Acknowledgments: Leaside 110 Committee; Leaside Life Toronto Public Library, Leaside Branch. Created by Mitchell Bubulj and Victoria Bubulj.

MANY THANKS TO THE LEASIDE 110 SPONSORS: JOIN US FOR A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION EVENT ON MAY 10TH – TICKETS $25.00 ON EVENTBRITE

TITLE SPONSOR GOLD SPONSORS COMMUNITY SPONSORS

Map of Leaside as envisioned by Frederick Todd.

Canada Wire and Cable Factory in Leaside, circa 1920.

Production of six-inch shells, 1917.

“Canada Wire & Cable” housing, Airdrie Road.

South Leaside 1930s homes.

Leaside Lawn Bowling Club turns 70!

by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO

As you pass Talbot Park at the corner of Bayview and Eglinton on a warm evening, you’re likely to hear the sounds of kids playing baseball, see runners on the track, and smell popcorn being made at the snack bars.

And when you head to the eastern end of the park, you’ll come across a neighbourhood gem which has attracted residents of all ages for 70 years, the Leaside Lawn Bowling Club. In its seven decades, the Leaside Lawn Bowling Club has been a community hub for play, fun and friendship.

The roots of the club date to the late 1940s when the Town of Leaside began plans for a park and sports complex, now known as Talbot Park. The project included the development of a baseball field at the west end of the land and proposed the inclusion of two lawn bowling greens equipped with overhead lighting and an underground water sprinkler system at the east end.

With a loan of $20,000 from the town, a contract was drawn up between the lawn bowling club and the town, which stipulated that until the loan had been fully repaid, all monies received by the club were to be paid to the Town of Leaside at the close of each season. This amounted to approximately $2,000 a year.

A clubhouse was built in 1952, and

in 1953, the Leaside Lawn Bowling Club opened officially, with Joe Davis as its first president.

While the City of Toronto now owns the property, the club is managed by a board of directors and runs with an enthusiastic team of volunteers.

Volunteers generously and happily take care of the club’s plants and flowers, prepare snacks for various events, maintain equipment, devise daily schedules, tend to the greens, schedule tournaments, and find sponsors for a myriad of events.

Over the years, the facilities have evolved and been updated. The club now boasts two greens with 16 rinks on each, covered seating and standing, excellent lighting for evening bowling and an accessible clubhouse with a kitchen, washrooms and locker room.

Games take place during the day and on evenings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with an occasional special event on Saturdays. There are also in-club tournaments, open tournaments and opportunities for group or company rentals.

Club members also hold an annual in-house tournament where they raise funds and/or gather items for charity.

Gloria Paisley, who has been a member for the past 10 years, describes it as “a very friendly and welcoming club.” She notes that “by playing together as well as working together, members get to know each other and friendships develop.”

Club members become such close friends, in fact, that when the greens close in October, activity moves indoors. Cards, board games

MARY LOUISE MATTHEWS

Karli Vezina of Leaside Life learns to bowl at the Leaside Lawn Bowling Club.

and indoor bowling take over the clubhouse.

Paisley encourages anyone not familiar with lawn bowling but interested in playing to check out the Rock ‘n Bowl League. Held on Wednesday evenings in May and June (beginning on May 10th), the league begins with a session of coaching and practice followed by six weeks of play. People can join as individuals, couples or with friends

or family.

Interested in playing on other days? An open house is set for Sat., May 13th, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. where you can check out the facilities, watch the game being played, ask questions and enjoy the extremely friendly atmosphere.

You might even run into the league’s current longest-time member, Dorothea Sutton, who has bowled with the club for 26 years. n

Humphrey Funeral

KARLI VEZINA

Walking down memory lane to Leaside’s historic homes

by SUZANNE PARK

Leasiders seem to love walking. Venture out any day of the week and you’re sure to cross paths with others, and especially on Bayview Avenue. Back streets tend to be quieter, but look closely and you’ll discover they showcase many treasures of Leaside’s past.

With Leaside celebrating its 110th anniversary of incorporation as a town, why not curate your own historical walk by strolling by a few historical homes researched by Alex Corey? He’s a local realtor at Heaps Estrin with a master’s degree from Columbia University in historic architecture and preservation. For a more detailed walking guide, check out Geoff Kettel’s May 2020 article ( https://leasideresidents.ca/ leaside-is-turning-110/).

Here are some of the top picks:

33 HEATHER RD.

“Stroll by 33 Heather Rd. There you’ll find the house of John Edmund Lea, grandson of John Lea. Built in 1902, its tall windows, sheer size and width are unique and, surprisingly, Leaside’s street plan resulted in the home’s back wall facing the street and entranceway facing the back yard. Otherwise, the home remained virtually as Lea had built it until 2004 when the Kypreos family purchased it and added a wraparound porch and front door facing the road.”

201 SUTHERLAND DR.

“Wander over to 201 Sutherland Dr. There you’ll see John Edmund Lea’s brother James Lea’s house built in 1909. The house is a typical Georgian Revival type constructed between 1880 and 1940s in rural Ontario. It’s a simple symmetrical brick two-story farmhouse with steep gabled roof, matching brick chimney and centred front door, which was also disoriented to face the side of the neighbouring house, by the 1912 street plan.”

Perhaps, like Leasiders today, the brothers grumbled around the kitchen table about local planning decisions.

85 MCRAE DR.

“At 85 McRae Drive you’ll find the house of former Mayor of East York Alan Redway with a centre hall design, large windows and a hip roof where all four sides slope downwards from the peak.”

720 MILLWOOD RD.

“Next, at 720 Millwood Rd. you’ll find Agnes Macphail’s house, the first woman elected to the House of Commons. Built in 1937, it represents a change in housing style and purpose. It is a multi-family duplex with a flat roof and minimal brickwork emphasizing horizontal lines. Its one extravagance? A six-sided porthole window over each door.”

262 BESSBOROUGH DR.

“At 262 Bessborough Dr. you’ll find the Thomas G. Elgie farmhouse built in 1883. Its details are described on an historical designation plaque viewable from the sidewalk. Unfortunately, you won’t find the octagonal house built in the 1850s by William, son of John Lea. Inspired by Orson Fowler’s 1848 book The Octagonal House, it had features similar to octagonal houses built in North America between 1850 and 1860, but, sadly, it burned down in 1913.”

201 SUTHERLAND DR.

John Lea, current Leaside resident, and great-great-great-grandson of 1819 pioneer farmer John Lea reminisced, “As a youngster, my dad, Tony Lea, always commented when we walked by 201 Sutherland, ‘that house is where your granddad, Edgar Lea, was born.’ Built by James Lea, my great-grandfather, the house was located just a few doors down from my childhood home on Sutherland.”

Both John and his dad Tony Lea spoke at the 2013 celebration of Leaside’s 100th anniversary. If you attend the 110th celebration you’re sure to cross paths with John, whose family gave Leaside its name.

Learn more:

• Alex@HeapsEstrin.com • https://leasidelife.com walking-tour-of-west-central-leaside

• http://www.torontohistory.net/williamlea-house-leaside n

Lea descendants: l-r Alayna, William, Victoria, and John Lea.

SUZANNE PARK

DO YOU KNOW A GREAT SPORTS LEADER, VOLUNTEER, ATHLETE OR TEAM?

Nominations are now open for the Leaside Sports Hall of Fame and for Athlete/Team of the Year, 2023. ALSO

Nominations are now being accepted for Historic Teams for induction into the Leaside Sports Hall of Fame. Visit leasidesports.com to nominate or for eligibility criteria.

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS MAY 31, 2023.

The Leaside Sports Hall of Fame gratefully acknowledges the generous support over the years from

Thank You!

PATRICKROCCA .com Broker

and from the following community partners: G.M. Thornton & Sons • Grilltime • State of the Art Gallery • Classic Signs • Leaside Life

An Induction Ceremony and Community Reception will take place at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Arena on November 17, 2023.

A f a m i l y - f r i e n d l y , s e l f - g u i d e d b i k e t o u r

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“ b a c k w a r d s ” o r “ s i d e w a y s ? ” N o – i t f a c e d a s t r e e t t h a t n o l o n g e r e x i s t s – J a m e s L e a L a n e

4 N o r t h l e a S c h o o l

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G I R L S s i g n o v e r t h e e a s t e n t r a n c e F u n F a c t : W h e n t h e s c h o o l o p e n e d b o y s a n d g i r l s h a d t o l i n e u p s e p a r a t e l y b e f o r e e n t e r i n g t h e s c h o o l

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7 F a t h e r C a u l f i e l d P a r k e t t e W h e n h e c a m e t o S t A n s l e m R o m a n C a t h o l i c P a r i s h i n 1 9 3 8 , F a t h e r C a u l f i e l d m a d e f o u n d i n g a s c h o o l h i s p r i o r i t y T h e s c h o o l a n d c h u r c h a r e n a m e d a f t e r S t A n s e l m , a n 1 1 t h c e n t u r y t h e o l o g i a n a n d A r c h b i s h o p o f

C a n t e r b u r y i n E n g l a n d S e e h o w t h e s u n s h e d s l i g h t o n S t A n s e l m ’ s s t a t u e .

Written and designed by Holly Reid

5 L e a s i d e H i g h S c h o o l L e a s i d e H i g h S c h o o l o p e n e d i n 1 9 4 8 B e f o r e t h e s c h o o l w a s b u i l t , t h e r e w a s a n a b a n d o n e d h o u s e o n t h e g r o u n d s t h a t L e a s i d e k i d s t h o u g h t w a s h a u n t e d ! T h e h o u s e w a s p a r t o f a b e a u t i f u l e s t a t e a n d g r o u n d s o w n e d b y T h o m a s E l g i e F u n F a c t : T h e a r e a a l s o h a d a s m a l l s t r e a m a n d s w a m p W h e n c o n s t r u c t i n g t h e s c h o o l , t h e y f o u n d q u i c k s a n d

@ l e a s i d e l i f e o n i n s t a g r a m .

# l e a s i d e 1 1 0

Spring heralds the fickle season of change

Spring is always an uncertain season, and this year Toronto faces more uncertainties than usual. We are experiencing massive fallout from recent provincial legislation targeting municipal and local planning. We are in the midst of a mayoral election until the end of June. The city is in effect leaderless, at a time of great need.

The election does, however, also create opportunity. Residents can consider what kind of mayor to elect. As I write this column in midApril, it’s not yet clear how many candidates’ debates will take place, how many candidates there will be, and how accessible they will be to answer voters’ questions. By the time Leasiders receive this magazine’s edition at the end of April or early May, such arrangements should be clearer.

The Leaside Residents Association hopes you will spend a few minutes considering how we should be measuring the candidates competing for the top job. What are their policies on protecting heritage and neighbourhood character? Do they

Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LRA

province government city vote

support high-rise development? If so, with what limitations? Do they favour alternative ways of creating density? What policies do they have on homelessness, the drug crisis, and social services? Do they have ideas on how to boost TTC ridership and effectively manage TTC policies, practices, and security?

issues transportation

drug crisis election

LRA transit

policy homelessness TTC densitychange

development tra c

ontario place mental health heritage mayor choice safety

Where are they on the future of provincially owned properties such as Ontario Place? How, in fact, do they propose to deal with an Ontario government which is not only hands-on but also fingers-in when it comes to both city-wide and local community decisions? Do they have a workable plan? What is their position on the mayor’s powers?

Make no mistake, Leaside will be directly affected by the answers to those questions. Take traffic issues, for instance: how will large-scale development (“up-planning”) on or along Bayview and Eglinton avenues impact not just Leaside’s already very busy arterial streets but also our residential streets?

Fortunately, the city’s Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan is underway. Having been delayed by the pandemic and by municipal organizational rearrangements, the LNTP team has not yet announced dates for new public consultations, or details of their recommendations. But timing is important. Leaside is experiencing ever more construction sites and new applications to increase density.

We need to have traffic control measures firmly in place if we want to protect our streets before they become overwhelmed – and the neighbourhood eroded– by increased traffic volume.

Throughout the pandemic, the LRA board’s monthly meetings have been held on Zoom, at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. We had hoped to hold our upcoming May 3rd meeting as a hybrid (Zoom plus in person at Trace Manes), but have just been informed by the city that the scheduled installation of WiFi there has been delayed. As a result, we will proceed with an in-person meeting and aim for a hybrid version in the near future. Meanwhile, we hope you will want to join us in the spacious Seniors’ Room on May 3rd at 7:30 p.m.!

For more details and updates between now and then, you can find us at www.leasideresidents.ca. n

Celebrating 110 years of Leaside’s Garden City Principles

As we celebrate our 110th anniversary, I can’t help thinking about the importance of gardening to our neighbourhood.

Rooted in the DNA of the design Frederick Todd created for us by using the Garden City Principles, gardens and the love of nature might be the very glue that has held our community together so strongly –and greenly.

As our lives and times have changed throughout history, so have our gardens, and they continue to evolve.

Let’s take a look back at how we came to where we are today.

The Frederick Todd plan was officially adopted in May of 1913, but development got off to a slow start.

Fun Fact: Coincidently, Sheridan Nursery opened their doors in 1913. According to their well-documented history, there wasn’t much gardening here at that time. They started their own nursery specifically to bring the “English garden style” to Toronto. By 1929, there were only 68 homes

The Leaside Gardener

Debora Kuchme Columnist

In the spring, there were lovely wildflowers at the Waterworks, such as jack-in-the-pulpit and dogwood. Leeks were also in plenteous supply!”

There are others who mention the many Victory Gardens and picking wild fruits and berries.

As Leaside became more developed, so did the look of our gardens.

But it wasn’t until the ’50s that the ‘Leaside Look’ became a thing. By that time, street trees had been planted and the dirt roads paved. And like so many other suburbs built at that time, the neat, weedfree lawn was considered a key element in the landscape. Individual expression was seen in the choice of foundation plants of flowering shrubs...and most likely purchased from Sheridan Nursery.

surrounded by vacant lots where wild fruit trees grew freely on the remnants of old farmland.

In Jane Pitfield’s book Leaside in the section ‘Memories of Leaside,’ an early resident wrote: “My mother grew all of our fruits and vegetables.

Fun fact: Most gardeners know that Canada Blooms was the brainchild of the Garden Club of Toronto. But did you know they launched their first flower show in 1954 at Leaside Memorial Gardens?

Welcome, Leaside Garden Society

1986 saw the birth of the Leaside Garden Society and ever since, it has had a tremendous influence on how many of our gardens look. Along with their garden tours and awards, they have set the bar with their knowledge and high standards.

While other garden groups have seen dwindling membership, the LGS is a true success story. I think it’s because they are so connected to the community with all the good work they do and their ability to adapt to our changing world. Along with their new Territorial Acknowledgement to our First Nations, our LGS has become more concerned about the health of our environment and committing to such important issues as protecting pollinators by planting native habitats. They even won an award for their Butterfly Canoe!

From forest to farmland to a Garden City, the nature of this land (we call Leaside) has changed dramatically over time. And will continue to change – just as we do.

I wonder, what will Leaside gardens look like 15 years from now when we celebrate our 125th?

michael.solway@sympatico.ca

Visit leasidelife.com for the extended version of this article along with more fun facts! n

James Henderson celebrates his 104th during Leaside’s 110th

DAUGHTER From Page 8

snacks” featuring charcuterie, local cheeses, sandwiches, dips, salads, preserves, vegetables and desserts to pair with the drinks. One highlight is a salute to Marissa’s heritage –toasted challah – and grilled cheese challah for kids.

Born during the Spanish flu in 1918, James Henderson is now recovering from COVID-19 in hospital. He is quite probably the only still living employee of Research Enterprises Limited, which operated in Leaside during World War II. Leaside Life covered the celebration of his 100th birthday in the February 2019 issue. The family home on Parklea, which he bought in 1945, sold last year, and James no longer lives in Leaside, but continues to think of himself as a Leasider. Can anyone beat 104? Let us know at leasidelife@gmail.com. n

Marissa is pleased with the “amazing reception” the bar and shop have received both from local residents and those from other parts of the city, all curious about the bar and shop. Many say they have been “waiting for 20 years for a wine bar to open up in the area.” In addition to the bar, there is also a private room for hosting special events for up to 30 people, including tasting events and “pop and pours” where guest producers showcase their wines. More events are in the works for the coming months with an e-commerce site launching soon. In addition, the menu will change to reflect the different seasons while maintaining the focus on locally sourced products. The Daughter seems destined to become a new local attraction. Why not consider celebrating Leaside 110 with this latest member of the Leaside family? n

JOHN HENDERSON

Peter Mahovlich

Peter Mahovlich Jr. spent 16 seasons in the NHL winning four Stanley Cups. He was also a member of Team Canada in 1972 and 1976. Peter Mahovlich is now a scout with the Florida Panthers.

Robert (Bob) Moore

An outstanding runner, Moore finished fifth in his first Boston Marathon and seventh in his next three. He placed second a remarkable six times at Hamilton’s Around the Bay Road Race and represented Canada at the 1970 Commonwealth Games.

Shawn O’Sullivan

O’Sullivan had an outstanding amateur boxing record of 94-6. At 16, he won the Canadian Junior title and at age 19, won the gold medal as a light middleweight in the World Amateur Championships. O’Sullivan was named Canada’s Athlete of the Year in 1981 and won silver at the 1984 Olympics. As a pro, O’Sullivan recorded 23 wins, 16 of them by knockouts.

Dr. Tom Pashby

Dr. Tom (“Doc”) Pashby was a leading advocate for mandatory helmets and face guards and led the fight for penalties for cross-checking and other actions that could lead to major injuries. His pioneering efforts to promote sports safety earned him the Order of Canada.

Christine Pellerin

Pellerin has served as a coach, head trainer and board member of the Toronto Leaside Girls Hockey Association, supervisor and instructor for the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association, and a vice president of the Ontario Ball Hockey Federation.

She won three national ball hockey championships as a player and three as coach. She also coached Women’s Team Canada to three world championships. Pellerin was inducted into the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame in 2013.

Dr. Ron Taylor

Dr. Ron Taylor played 11 seasons of baseball in the MLB, twice winning the World Series. Following his playing career, he earned his medical degree and served nearly two decades as the team physician for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Norm (Charlie) Ahier Baseball

Terry Caffery Hockey

Jan Carwardine Curling

John Child Volleyball

Peter Dudley Baseball

Annie Fahlenbock Hockey

Pat (Watt) Friesen Multisports

Dave Gardner (son) Hockey

Paul Gardner (son) Hockey

Erica Gilbert Tennis

Tom Kalweit Figure skating

Bill Kennedy Hockey/Baseball

Joe Krol Football

Kim McCullough Hockey

Mike McEwen Hockey

Philip Parsons Croquet

Matthew (Matt) Sayliss Tennis

Ian Shaw Hockey

Dr. Sidney Soanes Skating

Phil Stein Baseball/ Hockey

Bob Weir Swimming

Lloyd Woods Lawn Bowling

1974 Leaside Lancerettes and Blazerettes Hockey

Metropolitan Motors Baseball Teams (1953-1956) Baseball

To read brief profiles on all the inductees to the Leaside Sports Hall of Fame visit leasidelife.com or leasidesports.com/inductees. n

The 1974 Lancerettes

Retirement is not a part of the Goldhars’ vocabulary

by STAN FLEMMING

When the original founders of this publication, Ruth and Harry Goldhar, retired for the second time back in 2017, writer Allan Williams mused about what might be next for the pair. The Goldhars certainly have had more time to enjoy their family and friends and explore their lifelong passion for travel. They have also continued to find ways to reach out and help people in need. Most recently, the Goldhars have been part of a private citizen sponsor program which allows Canadians to assist in resettling specific individuals or families who qualify as refugees under Canada’s refugee and humanitarian program.

In 2022, the Goldhars opened their home to a young man from Afghanistan who, at age 17, had to flee his home after his father was killed by the Taliban. Hassan (not his real name as publishing his name would endanger other family currently living in Afghanistan), has now settled nicely in his new country and has found employment and a safe place to live.

For Hassan, whose life situation has improved dramatically since his arrival in Canada, thoughts of those who remain at risk back in Afghanistan are always uppermost on his mind. Among those at risk is Hassan’s cousin, Amir (also not his real name), who is the eldest of four siblings and part of the visible

ethnic minority group, Hazara, who have been persecuted and attacked by the Taliban. A 2020 paper by the Hazara Research Collective, states: “The Shia Hazara minority in Afghanistan are regularly subjected to targeted killings, violence, and discrimination based on their ethnic and religious identity.” The report adds that “…Hazaras continue to face what amounts to a genocide under international law.”

Hassan, the Goldhars and others have formed a group to rescue Amir and bring him to Canada. The private sponsor group agrees to support the sponsored refugee during resettlement in Canada. This support includes assistance with everything from housing, clothing, and daily necessities to helping with employment, language training and general orientation with their new country.

In accordance with the private citizen sponsor program, before submitting the application to Canadian immigration, $16,500 must be raised and held in trust to support Amir in his first year in Canada.

To date, the group has raised almost $10,000. They would welcome help from the Leaside community to contribute any amount, large or small, to help change or save the life of a young man.

Interested in contributing or finding out more email leasidelife@ gmail.com or visit https://gofund. me/b3e64407. n

WHERE

MAY EVENTS

LEASIDE HIGH CLASS OF ’73 REUNION

At the Leaside Pub, June 24, from 4 p.m. Open mic, trivia contest, music from our era, meet and greet and time to reminisce over food and drink. We are raising money for LHS to help refurbish a student lounge which first was established in our graduating year. We also hope to arrange a tour of LHS for those wishing to participate during the afternoon. More info: contact Earl Manners earlmanners@gmail.com.

RECYCLE YOUR ELECTRONICS

Sponsored by Rotary Toronto-Leaside.

May 6 and 7, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. East York Town Centre. Anything electronic! TVs, VCRs, monitors, cell phones, batteries, laptops, cables, cameras radios, computers etc. No appliances or light fixtures. Proceeds to local charity. For more info contact Ken Lum at klum1957@gmail.com.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITY NETWORK EVENT

Eglinton St. George’s United Church

Wed. May 3, 6-10:30 p.m. Join us for an uplifting evening of inspirational speakers, connection, laughter and support local artisans/businesses with the WCN Marketplace! Wine bar and appetizers. For all details and to register: www.torontowomensnetwork.com.

ST. AUGUSTINE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH

1847 Bayview Ave.

Listen to great live music by local artists and have a coffee and dessert with friends. The next Groove Room Coffee House is Friday, May 12, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Cost is $5 with all proceeds going to the Flemingdon Food Bank. We are looking for performers. Contact info@saintaugustine.ca.

ST. CUTHBERT’S, LEASIDE

1399 Bayview Ave. 416 485 0329 www.stcuthbertsleaside.com

Tai Chi: Tuesdays 1:30-2:30 p.m. Donation: $4

Spring Book and Bake Sale Sat., May 6 from 11 a.m-2 p.m. Contributions welcome beforehand. Volunteers needed. Spring Cheese Sale from Empire Cheese Co-op. Orders accepted until Tues., May 23, for delivery to the church on Tues., June 6.

Volunteers welcome to assist in our community vegetable garden, providing fresh organic produce to Flemingdon Food Bank. Main “work party” day: Wednesdays 10 to noon.

LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH

822 Millwood Road 416-425-1253

leasideunited.org alison@leasideuc.com

The Awesome Sale May 12 (3-7 pm) and May 13 (10 am1 pm) Drop off donations on weekdays (10 am-noon).

LEASIDE GARDEN SOCIETY

Zoom Speaker Series on May 11th. Our special guest is Paul Gellatly – The Tattooed Gardener. Topic: Falling for Autumn: Preparing for the Fall. 7p.m. The Leaside Garden Society always welcomes guests and new members to join the society for our meetings. Visit www.leasidegardensociety.org or email: leaside@gardenontario.org.

LEASIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

670 Eglinton Ave. East

Monthly luncheons on the second Wednesday of the month at 1p.m. May 10th. Gord McGregor shares three river trips

Celebrating Leaside 110 in May:

• Archival exhibit (Leaside Library)

May 4th, 9 am - 8 pm, May 5th, 9 am to 4 pm May 6th, 9 am to 4 pm

Archival Exhibitors: John Naulls, local resident historian and cartographer

Leaside High School Alumni

Leaside Heritage Preservation Society

Leaside Memorial Community Gardens

• May 5th and 6th, 1 p.m. - Jane’s Walk (Leaside Library)

• May 10th - Leaside 110 Anniversary Celebration (Amsterdam Brewhall) $25.00. For tickets or info email leasidelife@gmail.com

• May 19th - Bridges to Thorncliffe Park/ Community Bazaar

• May 30th - East York Historical Society (S. Walter Stewart Library)

• May 27thBessborough May Fair

in the Yukon and NWT. Bring your own bagged lunch. Coffee and tea provided. RSVP to 416-422-0510 or admin@ leasidepc.ca.

LEASIDE BRANCH PUBLIC LIBRARY

165 McRae Drive, 416-396-3835.

TEEN ACRYLIC PAINTING

Wed., May 17, 3:45-5:15 p.m.

Meet other teens who share your passion for painting. Participants will be guided step-by-step to recreate a painting using acrylic painting techniques. All materials provided. In-person program and spots are limited. Please register in person or by phone at 416-396-3835.

GROW A POLLINATOR CONTAINER

Mon., May 29, 10-11 a.m.

The demonstration, led by Toronto Master Gardeners, will show how to choose the right container and soil, show plants and arrangements. The container will be raffled off. This program is part of TPL’s Our Fragile Planet series, supported by TD Friends of the Environment. No registration required.

LEARN TO CAMP WITH PARKS CANADA

Tues., May 30, 3:30-5 p.m.

Find out how to plan for your first camping trip with tips on equipment, safe campfires, and wildlife sightings. Designed for adults, but supervised children are welcome. Registration required. Call 416-396-3835.

Display booth from 12-3:30 p.m. about camping and our local Rouge National Urban Park. n

SENIOR

Toronto Finnish-Canadian Seniors Centre 795 Eglinton Avenue East

Books

CD’s/DVD’s/Records

Designer Clothing

Home Décor

Hats/Accessories

Housewares

Jewelry

Office Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9 am–5 pm

For more info contact: 416-425-4134 x 225 Email: emas@suomikoti.ca

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

Purses

Toys/Games Small Appliances Electronics Treasures Baking Sports Equipment Help