Issuu

Leaside Life

No. 74

leasidelife.com

THE DOORS OF LEASIDE • 1920-1960

J U LY 2018

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Leaside Life â€˘ July 2018

Committed to our community by RAYMOND WHITE

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416-646-2439 www.UrbanNatureStore.ca

May 31st marked the first community education session under the auspices of the Leaside Gardens Safety Committee. The free CPR, AED and Choking response clinic was attended by a full house of 80 participants. Made possible through a donation from the Dr. Tom Pashby Sport Safety Fund, the session saw Panno Medicalâ€™s front line paramedics put the enthusiastic group through the paces of these critical life-saving techniques. The gathering also gave the Gardens board the opportunity to publicly thank The Mikey Network (dedicated to placing defibrillators in locations across the province), Executive Director Morty Henkle, and the Daiter family for their donation of

four defibrillators to the facility. The Mikey Network is also committed to teaching people how to use defibrillators, so cardiac arrest victims may have a second chance at life. This gives Leaside Gardens an unprecedented six defibrillators strategically located around the facility and all marked with highly visible red signs and the Mikey logo. The safety committee will be following up this successful clinic with another no-cost seminar on September 27th focusing on concussions. Our guest speaker that evening will be noted concussion expert Dr. Michael Hutchison, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education at the University of Toronto. Dr. Hutchison holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Science and is a registered kinesiologist who specializes in sport-related concussion research in various populations, including adolescent students, university level students, and professional athletes. He has pub-

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In August and on Sept 2nd, visit Leaside Presbyterian, 670 Eglinton Ave. E. Church school and Nursery care provided. 416 422 0510 admin@leasidepresbyterianchurch.ca www.leasidepresbyterianchurch.ca

Leaside Life • July 2018

lished widely and presented internationally in the area of sport concussion. Pre-registration is required; details will be available soon. The new electronic sign became operational in May. We are particularly excited about the community notice portion of this sign that faces north up Laird Drive and is visible to traffic coming south to the Gardens. We are making this screen available at no charge to not-forprofit community groups in Leaside, Thorncliffe and surrounding neighbourhoods. Schools, libraries, youth organizations, religious organizations, and local sports groups are encouraged to use this modern means of communicating their news and events to the community. Leaside Gardens user groups and the Leaside Gardens Arena board will also use the sign for community outreach. Commercial entities and political messaging are not allowed. The sign will not be illuminated from dusk to dawn. Again, the sign’s use is free of charge to groups who qualify. Call the office for information on how to get your message out to our community: 416-421-4944. Raymond White is vice chair of the board of Leaside Memorial Community Gardens. ■

LEASIDE PEOPLE • MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS

Leon Bragg is definitely a woman – but when her family was sending in the requests for honouring her 100th birthday on February 24, 2018, they didn’t bother to mention that fact – so they have a few acknowledgements of “his” significant birthday in addition to the correct ones now on display. Leon Bragg, named in honour of an uncle, was born in what was then Grand Falls Station, now Grand Falls, Newfoundland – then a colony of Great Britain. Her father died at age 29 when she was only 2, but her mother lived until she was two months shy of her 102nd birthday. Leon’s stepfather was with the railway and originally from Newfoundland’s west coast. So, when the time came to choose a career, Leon chose nursing over teaching and went to Hamilton Memorial Hospital in North Sydney, because it was closer to home than going east to St. John’s. After graduation, she came home

Ages 4 -18

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

and first worked at the military hospital in Stephenville, but during World War II transferred to Gander Hospital, where she became the matron. While there, she met and became engaged to Jim Bragg from Pouch Cove, who was working in the ranger force (policeman) in Gander. The couple didn’t see a future for them in Gander, or Newfoundland, after the war. Jim had a friend in Toronto, so that is where they headed in December 1947. Jim quickly got a job on the police force in Toronto, and Leon was hired for private duty nursing at St. Michael’s Hospital. After they married, she worked part time at the Branson

LORNA KRAWCHUK

Leaside Life • July 2018

Lots to “Bragg” about for this Leaside centenarian

Hospital on Finch Avenue in the 11 years before their three children were born. She particularly remembers enjoying staff lunches of “dill pickles and cottage cheese.” They found a home for their

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family on Maughan Crescent in the Beaches and Leon happily lived there even after Jim died in 2002. But she had an elderly dog, Calvin, who really needed to live somewhere with no stairs and easy access to the outdoors. That place turned out to be in a condo building in Leaside, where there was a ground floor unit available with a terrace to the back common area. The dog has since died, but Leon continues to “live a peaceful life.” She “figured she could look after herself” and manages very well, but “is not as independent as I’d like to be,” she says. She is “fortunate to have a supportive family” who keep an eye on her. This is one practical, no-nonsense woman. She says she is “ready to go,” has paid for her funeral, and made her wishes known to her family that there is to be no service, “no nothing.” She was also trying to avoid a fuss on her 100th birthday. But her family begged, so there was a family dinner and an evening get-together, which, in the end, Leon was pleased had happened. Many happy returns, Leon! ■

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Leaside Life • July 2018

LEON BRAGG, continued

LEASIDE PEOPLE • MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS

Hair today, gone tomorrow as Leasider donates her locks Leasiders never fail to amaze with their generosity. Whether it’s a family in crisis getting dinners made by neighbours, an event run to benefit charities, or a group of strangers on the hunt for a lost dog, help in Leaside always seems to be just around the corner. And it’s not just the adults in the neighbourhood who are altruistic. Leaside has a great number of children and teens who give unselfishly of their talents, time, and possessions to help others. One such Leasider is 6-year-old Hadley Spraggs. When Hadley learned that patients undergoing cancer treatment often lose their hair, she decided to donate her hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program. The organization collects human hair and has it made into wigs, which are then provided, free of cost, to the Canadian Cancer Society and its patients. Since 2007, over 70,000 ponytails have been donated to the program with eight to 15 ponytails required to make

Susan Scandiffio Columnist

one real-hair wig. With her mom Robin and a friend in tow, Hadley, whose mother usually cuts her hair, happily visited a salon this past February and had 15 inches of her beautiful hair braided and cut. Not regretting her decision, Hadley now sports a very chic short cut, which she says “is far easier to brush in the morning.” While the boys in her school told Hadley they didn’t like her new do, Hadley was unfazed and has encouraged other classmates to consider donating their hair. Hadley is one busy 6-year-old, partici-

Above: Hadley smiles after the big cut and right, shows off her new short ’do.

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Leaside Life • July 2018

pating in baseball, hockey, swimming, and Brownies. She also has two sisters, Audrey, 8, and Noa, 5, who have been inspired by Hadley’s donation and now want to donate their locks. Three-year-old brother Smith and dad Len are happy just to watch! Hadley’s next project? Her mother, Robin, explains that as the family grows out of the numerous handme-downs they are fortunate to receive, Hadley has been sorting the clothes and setting them aside to donate to charity. She has also begun to grow her hair out again hoping to be able to make another donation for a real-hair wig. Have more hair than you need, and want to learn about how you can donate hair to be made into wigs for cancer patients? Visit www.cancer.ca. ■

Waving the Borough of East York flag

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By ALAN REDWAY On December 31, 1966 the Town of Leaside was one of 13 incorporated municipalities that made up the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto (now the City of Toronto). But when the new year dawned, the province of Ontario reduced those 13 municipalities to only six. The Town of Leaside ceased to exist. That day January 1st, 1967, the Province merged the former Town of Leaside with the former Township of East York to create a new municipality, the Borough of East York. Six years after the merger I was elected to the borough council as one of two aldermen (now called councillors) representing what had been the former Town of Leaside (excluding Thorncliffe). Four years later I was elected as the mayor of the entire Borough of East York. Many residents of both the former town and the former township believed that the people on the other side of the bridge spanning the Don Valley were different from themselves, but the truth is quite the opposite. Soon after my election to the borough council it became evident to me how similar the people of the former town and the former township really were. Together they demonstrated the characteristics that I have often described as one small town within a big city. No matter where they lived, all the people of the Borough of East York were proud of living in a clean, safe

and friendly community in which residents cared about each other and cared for the well-being of their neighbours. As well, all were very watchful of the way their council spent their hard-earned tax dollars, demanding excellent local services but at the least possible cost. As mayor I recognized that what this new municipality needed was a symbol that would bring us altogether as one community. At that time, the relatively new Canadian maple leaf flag was a symbol that had made all Canadians proud of our country. What about a flag for the Borough of East York? All of the six municipalities that made up Metro Toronto after 1967 had their own flag except for the Borough of East York. Here was the opportunity to create our own symbol. So, I applied for and received authorization from the borough council to hold a design contest for a borough flag. Every contest needs a prize but knowing our taxpayers on both sides of the bridge, I knew enough not to burden them with the cost. So, I wrote to each of the industries and businesses in the borough asking for a modest cash donation of $200 towards the prize. Many companies responded positively. However, Seven Up Bottling Company sent me a cheque accompanied by a note saying this was a foolish idea. I promptly sent back their cheque reminding them that this was a matter of civic pride for a very special municipality with an EY FLAG, Page 17

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Leaside Life â€˘ July 2018

LEASIDE/BENNINGTON PEOPLE • MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS

A fond farewell to Bennington’s beloved letter carrier

Leaside Life • July 2018

by SUE BARRETT Dan Thornback has been a fixture in the Bennington Heights community for nearly two decades. He’s also spent time in the Leaside area over his long career. Dan started with Canada Post in 1989; it had been his childhood dream to become what was referred to as a “mailman” back then. Until his retirement in June, Dan could be found Monday to Friday going from house to house, not at a leisurely pace but at quite a clip. There is some debate among residents as to whether or not Dan can actually walk with a normal stride. After close to 30 years, Dan delivered his final piece of mail on June 15th. Dan was more than just the guy who delivered letters, parcels and those dreaded bills; he was a friend to many in the neighbourhood. He made a point to know people by name and quite often would stop to have a chat with them while on

his route. He’d ask about the kid who was away at school, the family pet, your vacation, or even just the weather. One could tell it wasn’t just idle chit chat; he did it because he genuinely cared. Even the dogs in Bennington loved seeing Dan, possibly because he always had a treat for them. One resident mentioned that when he first moved into his home Dan was one of the first people to intro-

duce himself and welcome him to the neighbourhood. Another resident mentioned that Dan always took an interest in her family and clearly enjoyed watching her kids grow up. For me it was the time several years ago as I was parking at a local grocery store. A Canada Post truck pulled up and parked right in front of me. It was Dan. He signalled for me to wait a second and disappeared into the back of his truck. A couple of minutes later he emerged with three envelopes. Dan knew he would miss me at my house and that the envelopes – containing passports – would have to be signed for. He wanted to save me a trip to the post office to collect them the next day. Now that’s service! Apart from his day job Dan also coached with the Leaside Soccer and Leaside Hockey associations when his son played several years ago. During his final week, many residents decorated their mailboxes with balloons, streamers, bows and personal notes of thanks to Dan for his years of service. On Thurs., June 14th the residents of Bennington Heights held a farewell celebration for Dan, where he was given a gift from the community as well as a letter of appreciation from Mayor John Tory and Councillor Jon Burnside. Dan plans to enjoy his retirement with his wife, three children and three dogs. Maybe even pick up a golf bag and work on his game. Dan wears a size 10. Whoever takes over from him has some mighty big shoes to fill. Happy retirement, Dan, you will be missed! ■

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The Leaside Pool was our playground During those hot and hazy summer weekends of our adolescence, when for some reason we weren’t at the family cottage, my brother Tim and I would end up spending a good part of our Saturdays at Leaside Memorial Gardens Pool. For the uninitiated who think there’s only a hockey arena there (now with two rinks), tucked in behind is a pool, not to mention a curling rink. Saturday afternoons at the pool yielded some of my clearest childhood memories. First you needed a membership to swim. For $7.00/year, you got a yellow card in a plastic sleeve that hung around our necks on a string – long before lanyard became more than a part of a sailboat’s rigging – and you could swim till you were waterlogged for free. There was also a lower-priced annual membership with a blue card, but that required a payment of 50 cents each time you used the pool. With twin sons who loved the water, my parents knew a good deal when they saw one and signed us both up for the $7.00/year all-you-could-swimbuffet membership. Free swim was 2:00-5:00 Saturday afternoons. At about 1:50, Tim and

Terry Fallis Columnist

SHUTTERSTOCK

Leaside Life • July 2018

I would jam our rolled-up towel and bathing suit between the seat and crossbar of our bikes, mount up and pedal to the pool, our yellow membership cards around our necks flapping in the wind behind us like a superhero’s cape. Naturally, this was back in the day before bike helmets were a thing, but somehow we made it unscathed every time. We’d flash our membership cards, be given a little key hanging from what looked like

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a brass safety pin on steroids with a locker number etched on it. We’d get changed as fast as we could with all the other kids in the locker room. A few of the younger boys were accompanied by parents who often looked as if they’d rather be at the dentist on the wrong end of a root canal. After throwing our clothes into the locker – and I mean literally throwing – we’d pin the key to our bathing suit, run through the mandatory preswim shower with just enough drops of water on our face to appease the eagle-eyed lifeguard, and leap into the pool without ever actually running on the deck. But we learned to walk very, very fast. It was, and remains, a great pool. As I recall, it was 75 feet long with a large shallow area and then the deep end. Back in the 1970s, insurance liability was clearly not the concern that it has become. So, at the deep end there were two low diving boards flanking the granddaddy 12-ft. high diving board, and they were all quite springing. It took a while, but Tim and I became very proficient diving off the high board with maximum arc and altitude. It really was the closest thing to flying we could imagine, at least until we built the hang gliders. Diving off that 12-footer remained the closest thing to flying. I think the high board was taken down a few years later, perhaps for good reason. Lots of our friends and classmates would show up to swim, too, including a few girls in our class who were Saturday regulars at the pool. I can’t say for sure, but there may have been some showing off going on but they never seemed particularly impressed at our high board diving prowess. With so many pre-pubescent kids in the pool, matters sometimes got out of hand. Occasionally when the yelling, splashing, and crazy dives pushed the lifeguard’s patience just a little too far, she would blow three long blasts on her whistle, and we’d all have to get out of the pool for a much-deserved lecture. This often entailed being exiled to the sun deck for 15 minutes to cool down. Sometimes when we were tired of flying off the high board, we’d dive for our locker keys in the shallow end or try to glide underwater from one side of the pool to the other in a single breath. Everything was a contest. We’d keep one eye on the clock, lamenting just how quickly the three hours zipped by. Then we’d towel off, ride our bikes home, and do it all again a week later. ■

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Waving Leaside’s orange flags

By now, most Leasiders recognize the colourful crop of orange flags gracing a number of our intersections. They are the work of the Crosswalk Company of Quinlan Birmingham, Arnav Shah and Oliver Wong. These three Grade 6 students at Northlea Elementary and Middle School wanted to find a way to make intersections near their school safer for pedestrians, given the increased traffic on our streets and in the wake of the death of Georgia Walsh in 2014. Sadly, the boys have encountered some challenges during the past months with the theft of several flags and the difficulty of maintaining the flag canisters, flags and signs. When Oliver’s father, Joseph Wong, who works at the University of Toronto, introduced the Crosswalk Company to his colleagues at the I-Think Initiative at the Rotman School of Management, directors Josie Fung and Nogah Kornberg spoke to the boys and decided their situation would make an excellent challenge to pose to schools for their 2018 Celebration of Thinking.

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The Grade 5/6 Northlea Class (l to r): Arnav Shah, Zane Beauregard, Quinlan Birmingham, Oliver Wong, Samantha Reid, Jackie Rendle, Rylan Maheu, Eve Gilady, Charlie Cummins, Aidan Boyd, Alexander LeDrew, and teacher Kalina Butts.

flags. Their teacher, Kalina Butts, The I-Think Initiative is a group explained, “Different classes would whose members place a high priority be responsible for maintaining the on teaching students problem-solvflags around the school, and coming skills through a practice called munity members living near other Integrative Thinking, which seeks to flag locations would be responsible combine the best elements of several for those flags.” approaches to a problem. Northlea Principal Barbara Sandler This spring, 17 elementary praised the event as “a reflection of and middle school classes from the work done throughout the year Hamilton, Peel Toronto and York in terms of encouraging students to Region, worked on the two issues engage in integrative thinking and a facing the Northlea boys. Each chance to see themselves as agents school received an explanatory of change.” video, some integrative thinking Quinlan spoke for all the boys materials and the supplies neceswhen he said they “felt proud that sary to set up their own crosswalk a lot of kids got to hear our ideas donated by Ashoka Canada, a and give us some solutions." They global charity dedicated to finding are now sorting through the sugsolutions to real-life problems. gestions and will integrate the most On May 17 at the Celebration useful ones. of Thinking, when the classes preEveryone involved is looking sented their solutions in a sciforward to seeing the Crosswalk ence-fair format, Oliver and Arnav Company flourish throughout the felt “excited and honoured” to GTA, thanks to the work of three be there and have “the support of Leaside changemakers. ■ other classes spreading knowledge of their initiative and Baiju Shah and son, Arnav, making a change in Roger Martin, former dean of Rotman, Southern Ontario.” Jennifer DiDomenico and son Oliver Wong, The solutions preLucy Birmingham and son Quinlan. sented ranged from colour-coding crosswalks and enlisting school clubs to using a rotating schedule for maintenance. The Grade 5/6 Northlea class focused on two possible candidates for maintenance of the crosswalks: the school and the community. They suggested that students first educate the school and community about the importance of the

PHOTOS BY JANIS FERTUCK

Leaside Life • July 2018

by JANIS FERTUCK

There goes the neighbourhood…(Part 1) According to the 2016 Preliminary Neighbourhood Census Profile for Leaside-Bennington, there are 2,190 ‘Millennials’ living in Leaside. That compares to 5,260 ‘GenXers’, 3,795 ‘Baby Boomers’ and 1,090 ‘Matures’. In 2017 Statistics Canada reported the proportion of Millennials (20 to 34 in 2017), surpassed that of Baby Boomers (53 to 71), in the Canadian work force and will shortly do the same to us Gen-Xers, becoming the largest generational cohort to lead. There has been much academic work on generational differences in the workforce, but not so much for what this particular demographic shift means for our neighbourhoods. I suspect that this shift will also occur in Leaside as the group also becomes the largest cohort of residents. So, last month, armed with a list of questions, I embarked on a quest to speak with some Millennials living in Leaside to learn more. The takeaways Apparently, Millennial does not equal ‘Hipster’ – a sometimes loathed, sometimes widely followed trendsetting subset of the gener-

Glenn Asano The Business of Leaside

SHUTTERSTOCK

Leaside Life • July 2018

ation. Surprisingly, upon further research Hipsters can include my own Gen-Xers too (sadly, or maybe happily, I am by no means a Hipster as my kids can attest). Alas, we apparently will rarely if ever see a Hipster in Leaside as I am told they seldom venture north of Bloor and congregate and live mostly on the lower west side of the city (think: The Junction, Ossington, Liberty Village, et al). Leaside has an abun-

dance of Millennials because at the younger end of the age category many grew up in the ’hood and are still living with their parents. I sought out individuals who had chosen to buy in Leaside over many other neighbourhoods. Will their increasing presence add to the local economy? Will it affect property values? These residents are purchasing the growing number of condominium units coming onto the market. According to my sample, Millennials love city life, are huge foodies, love to try new places all over the city, are out of their home more than 75% of the time, and eventually came to the conclusion that “on occasion downtown did not feel homey or safe.” Originally the Millennials I spoke with weren’t sold on Leaside…Yonge & Eglinton has “so much more to offer,” there was Yonge & Lawrence, the Distillery district (“not yet fully established”), then there is “the burbs.” A quandary shared with this maturing generation is, although nearly everyone loves the city, many grew up wanting a front lawn and a backyard…but, along with proximity to the city and all it has to offer, that is “just not a financially feasible option.” It boils down to individual priorities. Friends have already taken the plunge, while others, like my new friends, have firmly chosen to live in the city and accept the compromises that implies. What would they like to see in Leaside? Many “more ‘indie’ restaurants and shops.” Adamson BBQ is on their list to try, but they would love to see our local retailers tailoring more offerings to their generation and they are willing to work with owner-operators to make things happen. For now, in answer to my two questions, most of their discretionary and entertainment dollars are being spent elsewhere, and with regard to when they will be ready for a move-up property, well that’s TBD. What we already know “Maybe Leaside will never get or will never need that trendy hole in the wall, but it’s the fact that Leaside is an established neighbourhood that is perfectly positioned to access those places quickly at any time that makes it so amazing.” Proud new Leaside residents After four months of living in MILLENNIALS, Page 26

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Meet this year’s Ian Shaw Memorial Scholarship winner While the Stanley Cup finals just ended (yes, they play hockey in June), the game is never far from mind in Canada. Games, clinics, and off-ice training are all part of spring and summer hockey for thousands across the country. But the warm months are also a time when several leagues recognize and celebrate the successes of players both on and off the ice. One player being recognized for her outstanding commitment to hockey, community, and education is 17-year-old Erin Parsons, who was awarded the second annual Ian Shaw Memorial Scholarship by the Toronto Leaside Girls Hockey Association (TLGHA). The scholarship is named in memory of Ian Shaw, who in his 25+ years volunteering with the TLGHA served as head coach, assistant coach, trainer, and manager for several teams, as well as tournament director and referee-in-chief. TLGHA board members Erin Loft and Beth Brotherstone, along with Ian Shaw’s daughter, Jenny,

SUSAN SCANDIFFIO

Leaside Life • July 2018

by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO

LEASIDE SPORTS

Back row l-r: board member Andrew Smyth, board president Jennifer Smith, Erin Parsons’ mom Miah, Erin, board member Erin Loft, board member Beth Brotherstone, and Jenny Shaw. Front: Erin’s dad Jeff, sister Moranne, and board member Mark Schrutt.

reviewed all scholarship applications and chose Parsons to be the recipient based on her impressive achievements. Jenny Shaw remembers her father speaking very highly about Parsons’

growth as an official and noted what a pleasure it has been to see her dedication continue. Parsons, who attended Northern Secondary School, played nine years with the Wildcats, and worked as a timekeeper and referee with the organization for five years. She also was a referee with the Withrow Park Ball Hockey League. Off the ice, Parsons has lent her talents and time as a volunteer at a Learning Code Camp for girls, co-leader for Northern SmartRisk, which runs activities related to IAN SHAW, Page 26

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From Page 7 incredible community spirit. Design submissions came from a great many adults and especially from children some of whose teachers made it a class project. The winning design was submitted by a Scarborough resident, Raymond Taylor. The prize for Mr. Taylor was $1,000 and $100 for the winning student. The colours of the design were not the blue and gold of the former township nor the green and gold of the former town but rather red, white and blue, which symbolized our new municipality. In addition, the “Y” represented the two branches of the Don River flowing through the borough. From then on, the flag has appeared throughout the borough including prominently on all our street signs. After total amalgamation in 1998, in its efforts to ensure we are first and foremost all Torontonians, the city started to replace our street signs with large Toronto blue and white signs. Recently, however, Toronto city council has agreed to allow the logo of each of the six former Metro municipalities on their street signs. We will continue to see the Borough of East York flag on our street signs as the symbol of the municipality in which Leasiders resided for the 30 years before amalgamation. I am flying a Borough of East York flag at my home. You can obtain your own Borough of East York flag from the Borough of East York Historical Society by calling Margaret McRae at 416-429-7821. Alan Redway served for six years as Mayor of the Borough of East York and as a member of Metropolitan Toronto Council and Executive Committee. Later he was elected to the parliament of Canada where he served for almost 10 years as a Progressive Conservative member of the House of Commons and as Minister of State (Housing). ■

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Leaside’s track triumphs

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Top: Isabella Goudros, Chloe and Sophie Coutts. Below: Championship team members: Jeffrey Chen, Lorryn Felix, Weajue Mombo, Weadee Mombo, Isabella Goudros, Bob Thacker (community coach), Helen Panayiotou (teacher coach).

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Leaside Life • July 2018

HELEN PANAYIOTOU

The Leaside High School Track Team was named the Overall Girls and Overall Combined Champions at the TDSSAA City Track and Field Championships held at Birchmount Stadium on May 30 and 31, after winning a total of 13 individual and event medals. It’s easy to understand why Coach Helen Panayiotou is so proud of her exceptional team and their accomplishments. Grade 9 student Isabella Goudros won four gold medals in the Novice Girls 100m, 200m, sprint hurdles and in the 4 x 100m Senior Girls relay along with twins Weajue and Weadee Mombo and Lorryn Felix where they set a modern record. Also in Grade 9, Sophie Coutts won gold in 800m and 1500m and her twin, Chloe, gold in 3000m and bronze in 1500m, and Jeffrey Chen, silver in the sprint hurdles. Liam Rivard was the champion in Senior Boys 400m and 800m, Weadee Mombo won silver in Senior Girls 100m hurdles while Weajue won bronze in Senior Girls triple jump. Finally, the Senior Girls 4 x 400m relay team of Sophie Coutts, Remy Cattell, Kate Denomme and Julia Elliott won the bronze medal, and Lorryn Felix finished fourth in the Junior Girls 100m. Weadee Mombo spoke for the whole team when she said that their success at Metros felt “very natural and comfortable, and everything just clicked.” Janine Davies, the TDSB’s co-curricular lead teacher for secondary health and physical education/athletics, noted that the girls’ scores were “incredibly impressive…as was winning the overall title without a boys’ team in the top 7.” Ms. Panayiotou credits the students’ natural talent, discipline and attitude for their outstanding achievements. In addition, the other teacher coaches, Lisa Bourgard, Nicole Rampersad, Dan Way, and community coach Bob Thacker, the parents and various club coaches have played an important part in the athletes’ success. All of this hard work and dedication resulted in several athletes advancing to the Ontario high school championships, OFSAA, held at the Pan-Am Stadium in Toronto on June 7, 8 and 9. Despite the gruelling schedule of qualifying heats and finals, the team won five medals and had six other top 10 fin-

ishes. The Midget Girls once again claimed the team title with Isabella Goudros winning gold in 200m and 80m hurdles and silver in 100m, and Sophie Coutts winning silver in 800m and 1500m. Ms. Panayiotou describes this as “an exciting time for track and field at Leaside” and enjoys working with this dedicated and supportive group. “The athletes’ hard work and grit paid off and their coaches couldn’t be prouder. Despite their amazing accomplishments, they each want to improve for next year.” Watch for more medals and team banners in the future. ■

JANIS FERTUCK

by JANIS FERTUCK

LEASIDE SPORTS

Come and cheer our boys of summer, the U18 Leaside Leafs

I LOVE live sporting events. Whether it’s watching my kids, amateurs, or professionals playing a myriad of sports, the thrill of the game rarely fails to entertain. But live sports can sometimes be costly. Want to bring the family to a Blue Jays game? By the time you factor in the price of tickets, parking, and the requisite snacks, you could be looking at a number higher than the years before Toronto gets a TTC relief line. But no one should miss out on the excitement of cheering on a team and experiencing the taste of a stadium dog. With premium snacks, DJed music, and an amazing team on the field, an afternoon or evening of exciting sports awaits at Leaside’s Talbot Park. All for the grand total of...free. The team providing the entertainment is the U18 Leaside Leafs, who, in just their second year playing in the Elite Baseball League of Ontario (EBLO), has been promoted to the top, or Premier, division. The Leafs face teams from across Ontario and play in tournaments in both Canada and the U.S. In the past four years alone, over 80 players from EBLO have signed on to play university or college baseball with Canadian and U.S. schools. What differentiates this team from others is not just the high calibre of their play, but the approach of the players, parents, and coaches. Under the guidance of a fully

CHRISTIAN HASSE

Leaside Life • July 2018

by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO

non-parent coaching staff led by head coach Peter Nash and six other top-level coaches, the players are held to high standards both on and off the field. As parent Jeff Henry notes, the coaches “are instilling in the players a strong sense of accountability, pride, and commitment, at both the individual and team level,” and emphasize the importance of education above all else. The coaches, in fact, have hired an instructor who has worked with the players on time-management and study skills. Long-term education and baseball goals are addressed concurrently with baseball scouts and coaches from post-secondary institutions assessing players while guidance is provided for the best educational fit. The coaches also offer the players lessons in nutrition, sports psychology, and physiology as part of their skill development. The players, as Nash points out, are expected to take ownership of their actions and adhere to high work ethics, including “doing work when nobody is looking.” Most of the players participate in other sports and extracurricular activities and have an impressive understanding of the need to manage their time effectively. Player Christian Del Giudice comments, “It’s important as a student-athlete with post-secondary aspirations to learn how to manage his/her time efficiently to achieve success both on and off the field.” The ability to juggle multiple commitments is a skill the coaches emphasize. The high level of training available to players both during and off-season includes instruction from an

Olympic weight-lifting coach, biomechanical analysis and refinement, speed and agility training from an ex-varsity sprinting coach, and motor pattern analysis and refinement. The expression “practice makes perfect” is redefined as “perfect practice makes perfect.” Players also have the opportunity to mobilize funds through sponsorship appeals to lower their fees. Sponsors are recognized with banners at home games. Between high level training, and the emphasis on educational goals, the U18 Elite Leaside Leafs are learning life skills far beyond the field. But on the field is also top notch. Check out EBLO’s website (www. elitebaseball.ca) for home and away games and bring your friends and family to catch exciting baseball. ■

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Tribute to a piece of paradise at Randolph and Kenrae 1 Kenrae Rd. is now sold, and the neighbours are worried – not for the usual reason (think monster home replacement) but because of the future of the jewel of a garden that graces the property. Twenty years ago, Marilyn Kenny and Ian Hallett moved into the bungalow on the corner lot of Randolph and Kenrae Rd. There was only a tiny front garden and a lawn surrounded by a chain link fence. As two avid gardeners, this creative duo imagined instead a mixed perennial and shrub garden, so they began by removing every inch of grass. Ellie, the next-door neighbour, remembers it well. “I was here when they moved in and I know exactly what it looked like; it was nothing.” Soon trees, evergreens and shrubs were planted and year after year, more perennials and bulbs were added as Ian was busy making arbours, obelisks and creating the shade patio. “I watched the garden take shape after many years and have quite vivid memories of Marilyn standing on the sidewalk (many times mid-March or earlier) staring thoughtfully at the open space, plotting and plan-

The Leaside Gardener: Debora Kuchme Columnist

ROBIN DICKIE

Leaside Life • July 2018

ning what plant to put where,” says Andrea, the neighbour from across the street. But in 2005 at 52, Marilyn suffered a severe stroke and lost the use of her right side. Daunted but not defeated, she was determined to return to her garden because she needed it as much

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as the garden needed her. “At first, I could only sit on a small tractor and pull a few weeds; I tired very easily. I began to think of creative ways to help me function in the garden. I used the old chain link posts to hold onto, and when I garden deeper into the beds, I use an old ski pole as a gardening cane.” The garden seemed to energize Marilyn and bit by bit she regained her strength by doing more and more gardening. It wasn’t long before she could do almost any garden chore including transplanting, staking and dressing the beds with compost. So, each year the garden grew fuller, more diverse and ever more beautiful. In 2014 the Leaside Garden Society honoured 1 Kenrae Rd. with a well-deserved garden of distinction award and in 2016 it was one of the eight gardens on The Magical Gardens of Leaside tour. “In my view, the owners made a very challenging corner lot into an asset to be enjoyed by their Leaside neighbours. They know and love every plant, shrub and tree. It’s a plant lover’s paradise,” says Joanna Blanchard, president of the Leaside Garden Society. According to Andrea, this garden attracts people as flowers attract bees. “I see people stop for quite a while and truly look at this garden, fascinated by the results of Marilyn and Ian’s hard work.” Neighbourhood children are attracted too and known to enter the garden looking for the fairies that allegedly make their home among the magnolia branches. Perhaps it’s the pixie in me but like the children, I too tip-toed into the enchanted garden. The winding path drew me in and I just couldn’t help it. Marilyn told me after, that’s why she put the paths there. It’s easy to understand why these neighbours are as deeply connected to the garden as they are to Marilyn and Ian and this is why they are so concerned about what the future holds. Marilyn and Ian are moving on to their next big adventure as five acres of land await their magical touch. I can’t help thinking how lucky that land is to get them and, like the neighbours, wonder what will become of this piece of paradise. Visit leasidelife.com to read the extended version of this story along with a letter from Marilyn and Ian to all of their Leaside friends and neighbours. ■

Kids on two wheels – will yours be road ready?

practising bike-handling skills, and older campers are getting to know the rules of the road.

HOLLY REID

Leaside Life • July 2018

Site Manager Claire Scott (far right), and three of her instructors, who welcome up to 150 young cyclists each week to Leaside Pedalheads.

By HOLLY REID Cycling culture definitely has a future in Leaside if the number of children participating in local Pedalheads camps is any indication. Pedalheads is a skills-based camp that teaches kids to ride a bike safely and with confidence – skills to draw on throughout their lives. Wander past Trace Manes Park on any weekday in the summer and you’ll see kids of all ages pedaling across the grass. Some are learning to ride without training wheels, others are

Learning to Bike 2.0 According to Matt Raponi, regional manager, Ontario at Pedalheads Bike Camps Inc., parents are primarily concerned about their child’s safety and want them to develop a positive relationship with their bike. So skinned knees are out and building confidence and bike-handling skills are in. This is “Learning to Bike 2.0” and the appeal to parents is not surprising. Graduating from training wheels A big draw for parents of young kids is to see them develop cycling skills so training wheels are unnecessary. At Pedalheads, kids earn the right to remove training wheels by demonstrating the pedaling ability to propel their bike forward and the control to manoeuvre around pylons and stop on demand.

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Getting road ready In Toronto, only children under age 14 are allowed to ride on the sidewalk. Ontario law requires approved helmets for everyone under the age of 18. Pedalheads introduces road rules and cycling with traffic to older kids with strong bike handling skills, a group classified as Level III/IV riders. The main difference between levels is maturity and only Level IV riders are taken out on the road. A simulated road experience in camp tests bike-handling ability – can they ride in a straight line, ride single-file within a group and navigate around a simulated parked car? Maturity is evident when riders listen to instructors, follow the rules of the road and demonstrate responsibility. When Level IV riders have met the criteria on the road skills checklist, they will practise on quiet local roads with a speed limit no greater than 40 km/ hr., bookended by instructors. How parents can help Leaside was one of Pedalheads’ first camps in the GTA and today is its largest in Ontario. This summer they expect to welcome 1,500 kids to the Leaside camp. The City of Toronto also runs cycling lessons and workshops for all ages through Parks, Forestry and Recreation. And while kids can learn to bike at camp, there’s still a role for parents to play. “Parents can reinforce the camp experience by modeling safe cycling practices when riding with their kids – wearing a helmet, following the safety rules and riding responsibly,” says Matt Raponi. Holly Reid is a recreational road rider and cycling commuter who has lived and worked in Leaside for 30 years. An advocate for safe cycling, she writes the Ask a Cyclist column for Cycle Toronto (cycleto.ca). ■

Steps for success • Right-sized bike. No need to buy an expensive bike, just one that fits. Toes should touch the ground when seated. • Helmet on tight. Watch https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=CDDmkRV48kg to see how a helmet should fit. Pedalheads counsellors check this. • Protective gear. Plenty of kids wear kneepads and wrist guards to feel more secure – nothing wrong with that.

Here’s to a cleaner future!

ROBIN DICKIE

Park programs. Perfect, I thought. A public-private partnership between Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PF&R) outdoor maintenance, community centre and wading pool staff; park stakeholders including the library, tennis club, and the sports field permit holders; and local residents. I put on my business and marketing hat, created an Adopt-A-Park proposal for the City of Toronto, and sent it to the councillor’s office and PF&R management. Sadly, but not unexpectedly, I never heard back. So, I did my best to hold the park stakeholders accountable and continued my litter walks in the hopes of inspiring others to join me. The letter I received from Heather Matthews really struck a chord (Letters to the Editor, June 2018). Maybe she was right that the City needs to step up and keep our Leaside parks clean, as their vision statement says. If I am doing their job for them, perhaps I’m letting them off the hook. Instead they need to ensure they continue to invest in park operations and maintenance. I wrote the following letter:

Cheryl Vanderburg Leaside Litterati

Dear Councillor Burnside and Doug: I am resigning from my unofficial position as community caretaker of Trace Manes Park and turning this responsibility back to the City. It is no fun for me to continually have to pester LABA to clean up the dugouts and bleachers after their games. To their credit things have significantly improved year over year, however last weekend things digressed again and I am no longer interested in being the one to clean up after them and cause controversy by bringing it to their attention. Pedalheads will be starting their summer bicycle camp soon and it will bring with it snack, lunch and handlebar streamer litter and I cannot continue to email them and pick up after them. Again, no fun for me. I will do my best around the children’s park as I look at it every day and there is no one to hold accountable. I leave it in your good hands to bring all the resources the City has to keep Trace Manes litter free for everyone to enjoy. I’d also be happy to be part of a stakeholders committee to brainstorm solutions. Working together, we could really make a difference and happily coexist. We might also be able to solve some of the litter issues in the other Leaside parks.” The good news is that after I wrote this letter, things began to change. Additional waste bins appeared behind the baseball diamond. And tonight, as I was doing my litter walk around the park, the baseball game was just ending. Of course, I got a few strange looks from families in the bleachers. But as I rounded the Millwood dugout I heard the coach say to his team: “Hey guys, the game is over. Go shake hands with the other team and then come back because we have to do a sweep of the dugouts.” Music to my ears! ■

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Leaside Life • July 2018

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Millennials... From Page 14 and working from their beautiful new home (both are digital media and marketing gurus), they have already experienced firsthand what we Leasiders already know. The neighbourhood is “awesome.” They didn’t think it would make a difference…but seeing the mature trees, relatively wide streets, people walking dogs, kids playing street hockey, people saying hello to one another, the pride people seem to take in their gardens, convenient access to day-to-day necessities, and the proximity to everything they love about the downtown core… Leaside is now home. One day, will they want to purchase a detached home in Leaside? They used to say to themselves, “If we had $6 million, we would buy a condo in Yorkville.” Now they are at least thinking about other options. Leasider Glenn Asano is a partner and principal consultant for the strategy and business development practice at Centred Performance. He is also an Instructor with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. ■

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school safety, an English assistant at a Korean Sunday School, and as a timer at a Northern Secondary School debate tournament. Over the summer she will continue to work with children at a coding camp. Parsons will be attending McGill University in the fall to pursue a degree in arts and science and is hoping to find an intramural league in which she can play. With her parents Jeff and Miah beaming at her side, Erin reminisced about having played in arenas across the city and the lifelong memories she will have. “It’s the end of a great chapter,” Parsons noted. “It’s been a wonderful nine years and I’ll miss the Wildcats.” The TLGHA has a long history in the development of young women not only as successful hockey players but, with the guidance of mentors such as Ian Shaw, as confident on-ice officials, and valuable, contributing members of society. Erin Parsons is a worthy recipient of a scholarship celebrating the well-rounded young woman she has become. ■

Two LHS students make a difference with mental health issues

Vishar, Rob Oliphant and Anna at the Roundtable Consultation at Bellwood.

to make a difference in the world” that he invited them to continue their involvement by taking part in the May meeting of the Don Valley West Constituency Youth Council. For their part, Vishar and Anna felt honoured to represent their community. “We are proud that our work was recognized and that we had a chance to make a difference with the government,” said Anna. Both young women plan to continue their mental health work. Vishar is heading to Queen’s in health studies to focus on her joint interests of science and politics and

hopes to “be involved with mental health issues” wherever she goes. Anna plans to combine engineering studies at the University of New Brunswick with her interest in business to help “solve problems and create positive change in the world.” Denise Wilson, curriculum leader for student services and staff advisor to the Mental Health and Wellness Committee, commented that she has watched Vishar and Anna “use their passion for fairness, love and understanding to achieve remarkable results and make the school a better community.” ■

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When Don Valley West MP Rob Oliphant hosted a Roundtable Consultation on Youth Addictions and Mental Health on May 11 at Bellwood Health Services, two of the participants were the co-chairs of Leaside High School’s Mental Health & Wellness Committee, Anna Postill and Vishar Yaghoubian. These two Grade 12 students joined a group of experts including social workers, psychiatrists, doctors and directors of support services as part of Mr. Oliphant’s investigation into these issues. In the past, Mr. Oliphant has worked to pass legislation related to medical assistance in dying, genetic discrimination and Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The youth addictions and mental health initiative is aimed at developing “practical and innovative ideas and policies in the areas of both justice and health care that will help keep young people safe, productive and happy.” Mr. Oliphant’s constituency assistant, Michael Fontein, suggested the invitation to the Leaside committee after reading an article about them in Leaside Life last year. The group has made it their priority to lessen the stigma associated with mental illness by raising awareness throughout the school community. They have attended conferences, organized intensive weeks of related activities and initiated “Green Tea Wednesdays,” visits by therapy dogs before exams, and regular morning announcements. All of this work made Anna and Vishar ideal candidates to provide the students’ perspective at Mr. Oliphant’s Roundtable Consultation where the topics included barriers to treatment, delivering care and improving outcomes. During the discussion, Vishar stressed that it is “never too early to introduce mental health issues in school so that students become more comfortable with sharing them, thus lessening the stigma.” Anna emphasized that support is needed in schools for those with mental health issues or “they won’t go to school and might seek comfort in drugs and alcohol in order to blend in.” Mr. Oliphant was so impressed with these “engaged, thoughtful and passionate young women who want

LEFT: COURTESY ROB OLIPHANT; RIGHT: JANIS FERTUCK

by JANIS FERTUCK

Here we go again! Redesigning our City You may recall that some months ago all of Toronto’s local ward boundaries were redrawn. Some municipal wards represented as many as 76,000 residents; others as few as 19,000. Consultants were hired to design models to create more equal distribution of the city’s population. The models they developed, and the five options they presented, created new problems. Nobody really liked any of them. Eventually, after a lot of controversy, not to mention political horse-trading at City Hall, a map was decided upon that added three new wards, enlarging City Council by three wards to 47. That’s where we are now, but only for the moment. A new version of Let’s Redesign Our City is again underway, with potentially major impacts on communities like Leaside. You may not have heard about it, because it’s had remarkably little media attention. You may also not have heard about it because the public was given only three weeks to comment on proposals to realign Community Councils, during a

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Leaside Life • July 2018

period where the media were focused on the provincial election rather than matters municipal. In the beginning of May, the City issued a press release: “Toronto City Council must adopt new Community Council boundaries now that the City’s ward boundaries are changing....The old Community Council boundaries won’t line up with the new ward boundaries, and adjustments are needed to accommodate the three new wards.” How many

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Community Councils should there be? Four? Five? Six? How large should each be? Only three options were presented. Given the short deadline for replies, Council is rushing to make decisions before the summer. Not enough time has been allotted to permit meaningful and detailed analysis, suggestions, and consideration from ratepayer groups, community associations, and interested citizens. The City has been aware of this issue for many months. But now, because the upcoming October municipal election will be adding the additional new wards, there’s suddenly a big rush to rearrange which wards – all across Toronto – should be shoehorned into which Community Council, and to decide how many Community Councils there should be, primarily to equalize each one’s work load. Why should we care? The decisions taken at Community Councils affect the look and feel of our neighbourhoods in a direct and immediate way. Community Councils deal with local issues and concerns, from tree removals to traffic and development applications. The wards in each Community Council generally should share similar characteristics, but some wards are less – or more – concerned about free-flowing traffic on residential streets than others, or about high rise developments, or historic designation. It matters to us whether the other members of our Community Council are supportive of our priorities, and we of theirs. Rearranging Community Councils offers an opportunity to redefine how well our city should, or could, work. Three weeks is not enough time to decide on such an important issue. At the very least, City Council should defer decision-making until closer to the October municipal elections and actively seek public input. You’ve heard the old phrase, “Create in haste, repent at leisure….” Let’s hope City Council will not give us cause for long-term regret in their zeal for speedy action.

LPOA’s next board meeting is WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, at 7:30 p.m., in the Trace Manes building. These meetings are always open to the public. We invite you to attend. Contact us anytime via our website, lpoa.ca. ■

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Are Leaside’s gardens threatened by development? Geoff Kettel

1 Kenrae Mid-June and it’s time for the annual Magical Gardens of Leaside tour, an opportunity to view and admire the most interesting, creative, and beautiful gardens in the community. But are we in danger of losing our gardens as homes get bigger footprints? A quick check of the recent Committee of Adjustment applications reveals that 30 out of 84 approvals involved an increase in lot coverage beyond the 35% bylaw limit.

ROBIN DICKIE

Leaside Life • July 2018

Saving old Leaside The question was raised with the recent sale of a property flanking the corner at the intersection of Randolph and Kenrae, a triangular shaped lot with a modest bungalow in the centre which has had the “garden of distinction” certification for many years. I regularly hear from neighbours of a pending demolition and reconstruction project that they are worried they will lose their beloved garden due to the shadow from an extended building wall at the rear. This should not affect the front yard though – we rarely see variances for front yard setbacks. Need for an expanded vision for Leaside Centre A vision as new civic hub for Leaside at Laird and Eglinton...a public place that celebrates its importance in the city, not just a “mixed

use centre” that (laudably) includes a community centre. Are we there yet? No, but RioCan heard loud and clear from the LPOA at the May 28 meeting called by RioCan to discuss the latest plans for their development. With the developments on Eglinton, the centre of Leaside will shift north. Laird and Eglinton has an opportunity to become a hub, connecting north and south Leaside. While the elements of the RioCan plans would be much the same, the layout, and the scope and focus of public realm at Laird and Eglinton, would be different. The intersection should become open, anchored by a plaza, and visually connecting the two LRT station entrances and the community centre. The current plan misses this opportunity because it is too internally focused. The open space, though quite generous, will be perceived as private and fail to serve a larger role as plaza and meeting place. Recall that this expansive civic vision for the property in this location was first raised at the Laird in Focus public meeting in December, 2017. Urban designer and Leaside resident Carlos Moreno recommended placement of the community centre adjacent to open space at the southeast corner of Laird and Eglinton in order to “create a civic node, a community piazza framed by the new transit pavilions, serving as a grand entrance to the new iconic Leaside community centre.” Garden Court Apartments heritage appeal dropped City Council recently passed a bylaw to revise the reasons for heritage designation of Garden Court Apartments, 1477 Bayview Ave., Leaside’s iconic Art Deco housing complex. The revised designation describes the property’s cultural heritage value and heritage attributes, including the buildings, the landscaped settings and views. It’s taken over 18 months, but don’t blame the City! After City Council approved revised reasons for designation in October 2016, the owner appealed to the Conservation Review Board, a sister body to the Ontario Municipal Board. In March, 2017 the appellant was asked to explain the reasons for the objection, following which there were several cancelled hearing dates, until finally the owner withdrew the appeal in May, 2018. The property was originally designated in 1987 by the former Borough of East York. ■

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