LeasideLife Issue 38 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 15-04-20 11:03 PM Page 1
No. 38 • May 2015
Leaside Life leasidelifenews.com
Where Oh Where has Bondy gone? Page 5
IN THE MOOD Swing it! ( 1
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to play again for Glenn Miller Orchestra By BRUCE PHILP
BRUCE PHILP, left, with Nick Hilscher, today's leader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, at Roy Thomson Hall March 13.
A long-time resident of Leaside, I have been in the Toronto music industry as a drummer/percussionist since 1960, beginning with the dance bands of the day (Frank Evans, Benny Louis, Chicho Valle). My interest in the music of Glenn Miller began with the movie, The Glenn Miller Story (James Stewart), and I later saw that orchestra at Dunn’s Pavilion in Bala, Ontario in 1962 In 1966 I joined the Glenn Miller Orchestra, touring throughout the U.S., Canada and Japan, and came back to Toronto in 1967. Sometime in 2014 it occurred to me that it would be nice to play with the Miller orchestra one more time, so I contacted them, and they agreed. On March 13 of this year, I met them at Roy Thomson Hall, did a short rehearsal, and then watched the show from the wings. The leader, singer Nick Hilscher, was very welcoming, as were the band members. The show ended with Moonlight Serenade, by which time the audience was standing and applauding. GLENN, Page 8
Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LPOA
Big plans for the old Durant site on Laird Dr. PAGE 16
Finding the site of the first brick house in Leaside PAGE 18
The thinking behind RioCan’s plans for Sunnybrook Plaza PAGE 26
Growing help for refugees from Leaside churches PAGE 30
Here comes Shane Baghai You may have noticed that right next to the driveway into the Leaside Gardens is a sign saying Coming soon – Shane Baghai. Developer Baghai has acquired the first two properties on Southvale Dr. (the former auction house and the former caterer), west of the Gardens. He proposes to build a condominium on that site. He and his team approached the LPOA with some design details, and we’ve had the opportunity to raise a BAGHAI, Page 27