the conversation
Big Heroes in the 6 Reaction to our June cover story, which recounted the aftermath of the van attack at Yonge and Finch through the voices of people who were there that day, included such heartfelt sentiments as “Tears in my eyes,” “Proud to be a Torontonian,” “You are my Toronto” and… “Thanks for profiling ‘ordinary’ people who turned out to be extraordinary. The combination of all their stories moved me to tears and demonstrated what our Toronto community is all about.” —Earl Silver, Toronto “After the van attack at Yonge and Finch happened, we all wondered, ‘Why?’ As I write this a month later, we are still wondering. And no matter what the accused says in the future, the attack will never make sense. I did feel real comfort, however, when I read your cover feature. The short, first-person stories provided a much-needed salve to wounds we have all experienced. It did me a lot of good to know there are such brave and kindhearted people in the world.” —Paul Fraumeni, Toronto “ ‘The Faces of Yonge & Finch’ is balm for the trauma of April’s events. It is a poignant and deeply moving testament to the power of the human spirit, the selfless 18 toronto life August 2018
helpers, and what truly unites us as a human family. Thank you.” —@MariaVamvalis, Twitter “Heartwarming and beautiful to see this community come together. Loved reading the stories and the big and small things people can do in times of crisis.” —Ruby Tuesday, Facebook
I Love Lucy Anais Granofsky’s memoir about growing up on both sides of the tracks— in subsidized housing with her single mom one week, in a Bridle Path mansion with her wealthy grandparents the next—generated a vast outpouring. Some readers were initially drawn in by the Degrassi connection (Granofsky played Lucy Fernandez on the original Degrassi Junior High), others had never seen the show, but all were blown away by her story. “We had just received the new Toronto Life when my husband grabbed it first, as usual, and began reading. As I sat beside him
on the couch I saw him wiping a tear away and commenting, ‘That was a really good story’ (and he is not one to cry easily). He was referring to Anais Granofsky’s memoir. What a beautifully written and touching account of her childhood and the love she has for her family. I admit I, too, welled up at the end.” —T. B., Toronto “A remarkable story beautifully told. Life is so wondrous, rich and brimming with possibilities. Thank you, Anais Granofsky, for sharing details of your unique journey. After reading, I have this curious compulsion to hug each character on the branches of your family tree.” —David Stones, Toronto “Thank you, Anais Granofsky, for sharing your life experiences with us and in doing so, teaching us that our differences are to be shared, understood and celebrated. We need a little more of this in today’s world.” —Susan Webb, Uxbridge “Anais is the reason tissue didn’t last long in my household.” —Mr. Cool Ice, torontolife.com “What a fascinating story and incredibly well written. I remember her from Degrassi but never knew
