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LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:57 AM Page 1

No. 24 • January 2014

Leaside Life leasidelifenews.com

WILL ASHWORTH

The antipasto lady in Garden Court - Page 34

The house at 21 Evergreen Gardens that sits on a 95-foot square lot

The Battle of Bennington Heights Howard Tencer and Tracey Fines have lived in Bennington Heights for almost 10 years. They are, among other things, builders of modern, contemporary homes. Two examples of their work can be found at 445 Heath St. East and 8 Evergreen Gardens. Their original development plan was to buy 21 Evergreen Gardens, sever the 95-foot (29 metres) by 95-foot (29 metres) lot into two

Will Ashworth The business of Leaside

equal parts and then build two homes, one of which their family would inhabit. ✦✦

Piper praised for Mandela effort Leaside resident John Piper, chair of the Leaside 100 committee, has been named in two Toronto Star articles for his work in Toronto for Nelson Mandela. Columnist Royson James wrote, “Gordon Cressy (United Way, YMCA, Learning Partnership, former alderman) and his sidekick John Piper (who would later found the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund here and spearheaded Mandela’s 1998 SkyDome visit) were hoping to hold a concert at Massey Hall, part of the Arts Against Apartheid initiative. “Before [Dave] McCamus [a Xerox Canada CEO] could nod, he found himself on a bus to Hamilton, along with singer Salome Bey, Piper and Cressy to convince legendary singer Harry Belafonte to perform at the concert. Belafonte did. “‘I just got caught up in the spirit of it all,’ McCamus said Friday. John and Gordon asked, I gave them a place to meet and plan; I was just an enabler on the whole thing.” And Haroon Siddiqui, also a columnist, wrote, “During Mandela’s second visit here, in 1998, John Piper, a media consultant, took unpaid leave for three months to work full-time to help fill the SkyDome with 45,000 school kids. “Piper and [Canadian South African Zeib] Jeeva have since toiled for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.” ■

Save Our Bennington is a group of concerned individuals living in Bennington Heights who’ve joined together to fight hyper-growth in the area. Well organized, their lawn signs read: Will Densification Destroy the Character of our Neighbourhood? ✦✦

That’s a perfectly reasonable question. But the answer’s not BENNINGTON, Page 4

Have we broken the $3 million house barrier? If Leaside hasn’t broken the $3 million barrier for a house sale, we can’t be far away. The 5,200 square-foot home at 128 Rykert Cres. in North Leaside, which backs on Serena Gundy Park, went on the market last October at an asking price of $3.75 million and sold in a week. Because it was an exclusive listing there is no public information on the final price. A sale that quick usually means something close to the asking price. The only previous listing over $3 million, which started on MLS $3 MILLION, Page 2

LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:57 AM Page 2

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Leaside Life, January 2014

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From Page 1

and then went exclusive and sold, was for 33 Heather Rd. in South Leaside, owned by hockey star Nick Kypreos, in the fall of 2012. The asking price was $3.5 million. The two-storey house on Rykert has a 60-foot frontage and 380 feet to the park. Counting the furnished basement, which includes a nanny suite and fitness room, there is 7,600 square feet of useable space. The previous owner had bought the house in January 2012 for $1.9 million, tore it down and rebuilt. The former Kypreos house had 5,400 square feet on a 80- by 150-square-foot lot. ■

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LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:57 AM Page 3

November homes rose 6.2% over last November This past November 15 homes were sold in Leaside and Bennington Heights, the same as November of 2012, but the average dollar value was up by 6.2 percent. There were nine detached homes sold in November this year compared to 13 last year. The average value increase for those was 25.5 percent. This high increase was partially due to a $2,590,000 sale in Bennington Heights. Of the five semi-detached homes sold the average value increase was 4.2 percent. Last year, the average November monthly value for all homes sold in Leaside and Bennington Heights was $1,190,500, compared to $1,264,567 this year. Leaside and Bennington Heights year-to-date home sale volumes are up from 184 in 2012 to 205 in 2013, a gain of 13.9 percent. Detached home sales are up 2 percent for the year, while the volume of semi-detached home sales is up 75.9 percent to date. Year-to-date,

LEASIDE HOME PRICES - NOVEMBER 2013 Home Type

Average Price Leaside

Average Price City of Toronto

All - Month

$676,592

$590,366

All - Year-to-Date

$684,196

$565,959

Detached - Month

$1,583,778

$855,188

Semi-Detached - Month

$758,400

$640,208

Condo Apartment - Month

$277,674

$385,968

Condo Townhouse - Month

$179,450

$413,944

Leaside and Bennington Heights homes have posted an average 2.9 percent increase in value. The value of the average home rose to $1,253,917 in 2013, up from $1,218,226 in 2012. Among the 150 detached homes that have sold so far this year, the average sale price is up 7.6 percent, coming in at $1,435,205. Semi-detached home values are up 5.9 percent in 2013, to $749,370 compared

to $707,892 in 2012. The highest valued sale on MLS so far this year was $2.7 million for a home on Bennington Heights Dr. The lowest was $515,000 for a semi-detached bungalow this past June. ■ Jethro Seymour is a broker at Johnston & Daniel. All figures are from the Toronto Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service.

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By JETHRO SEYMOUR

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Bennington Leaside Life, January 2014

From Page 1

nearly so simple, and the path to it has created bitterness between both parties. For those unaware of the property, it is an oversized lot with an existing L-shaped home whose east wall borders the southern portion of Evergreen Gardens Park. Although there are a number of different lot sizes in Bennington Heights, big ones like 21 Evergreen Gardens are few and far between. Some estimate the number of 100-foot lots (30.5 metres) in the area at around 12, perhaps less. The more common size is 50 feet (15.2 metres) of frontage, which is still much bigger than the 35 feet (10.7 metres) typically found in Leaside. The couple negotiated a purchase agreement with the home’s owner contingent on the severance and all variances applied for receiving approval from the city. They got the severance approval on May 8 at the Committee of Adjustment meeting in North York, but the variances they sought were rejected at the same time despite offering reductions in height, floor space index and lot coverage. Councillor John Parker says he wrote a letter to the committee on May 7 supporting the severance but opposing all three variance requests. The councillor also says he believes that Save Our Bennington made a mistake appealing the severance approval to the Ontario Municipal Board because it provided Tencer and Fines with a cross appeal on the variance requests denied by the city. The OMB held a nine-hour hearing Oct. 24 and is expected to have a decision sometime in January. Jennifer Rideout is a co-founder of the Save Our Bennington group. She’s on record stating: “This isn’t a fight against developers; this is about maintaining the integrity and character of Bennington.” She says the area around 21 Evergreen Gardens is a tree-lined, unique part of the neighbourhood. Save Our Bennington isn’t necessarily opposed to the demolition of houses to make way for new ones, it’s that they stick to East York Zoning By-Law 1916 in terms of height, floor space and lot coverage as well as matching the surrounding environment. On both of these fronts, Tencer and Fines are clearly at loggerheads 

LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:57 AM Page 5

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with Save our Benningtonâ€™s vision for the community. If you look at a summary of the variance approvals in Bennington Heights between 2003 and July 2013, youâ€™ll find that the city has made a number of decisions in favour of additional height, floor space and lot coverage beyond the zoning by-law limits. The height variance Tencer and Fines seek is 8.8 metres, exceeding the zoning by-law limits by 0.3 metres. For those metrically challenged thatâ€™s less than a foot. Meanwhile, the city has approved 9 metres or more on at least six occasions and in July this year gave the thumbs up to the coupleâ€™s own home at 445 Heath St. East, which measures 8.84 metres, 0.34 metres (1.1 foot) in excess of the zoning by-law. The bitterness thatâ€™s developed between the two parties is an example of what can go wrong when developers and residents clash over the future direction of a community. Tencer and Fines say it hurts deeply to know that despite trying to be responsible neighbours and businesspeople, a certain segment

LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:57 AM Page 6

Friday morning poop pick-up problem solved Leaside Life, January 2014

6 Throughout the month of October, a small pile of garbage -- including dog poop baggies -- kept appearing Friday mornings on Rumsey Rd. in the exact location the library garbage bins are put out for collection. The first time it happened, so as not to spoil my morning coffee view, I simply cleaned it up. When it happened the following week, I cleaned it up again. By the third week, feeling frustrated with the reoccurrence, I contacted the library to see if they could locate the source of the problem. After numerous emails and visits and a few more weeks of Friday morning poop piles, I am happy to report that the library has put a two-part plan into place and the problem has been resolved. The garbage bins are now put away after emptying on Thursday, rather than being left out overnight and put away Friday morning. In addition the library has implemented a litter abatement program and each day a member of the library staff

LETTERS leasidelife@gmail.com walks around the library property picking up litter. As part of this process, I learned something new. Not only is it illegal to litter, but it is also the responsibility of property owners to pick up any garbage deposited on their property immediately. It is good citizenship and it is the law. Picking up someone else's litter on our property is frustrating and unpleasant so I want to thank the library staff and I want them to know how much I appreciate their diligence in solving this problem. Cheryl Vanderburg, Rumsey Rd. I believe major commercial developments around Leaside should be put on hold until new traffic patterns evolve after the opening of the LRT.

In a year or so, traffic in Leaside will start to be disrupted by the LRT construction. Even lane restrictions at Avenue Rd. will be felt in Leaside. As construction gets nearer, traffic tie-ups will get worse, and more traffic will infiltrate Leaside and North Toronto. Broadway, for example, will get a lot of the overflow, but that could be disrupted by the development of the Whole Foods site. Traffic will be constrained by the loss of two traffic lanes around Leslie, including the loss of one of the east-bound left turn lanes. Already there are days when evening rush hour sees clogged roads from there west into Leaside. So how much additional traffic can Leaside handle? We won't have a reasonable idea until the LRT is operational and people adjust their commuting habits accordingly. It could well be that there is little additional road capacity in Leaside unless we open up all our residential streets to traffic from ď ľ

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LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:58 AM Page 7

Leaside Life Published once a month in Leaside,Toronto ON, by Ruth G. Publishing Inc., 66 Donegall Drive, Toronto ON, M4G 3G5 Circulation 8,500 to every door in M4G PUBLISHER: Lorna Krawchuk EDITORIAL: Harry Goldhar, Will Ashworth ADVERTISING: Ruth Goldhar GRAPHIC DESIGN: L. Choy

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I am writing to express my concern about proposed redevelopment at 939 Eglinton (SW corner of Eglinton and Brentcliffe). The formal notice posted on the site states: The application proposes to amend the Official Plan Employment Areas designation of the site to permit a mixed use development with residential, retail and office uses. The mixed use proposal would contain 1,300 dwelling units in four buildings with heights up to 29 storeys, a seven-storey, 10,000

square metres office building, 6,600 square metres of retail space along Eglinton Ave. East and Brentcliffe Rd., an underground parking garage and a public park. The picture accompanying Will Ashworth's column in the December Leaside Life shows a view of it looking diagonally across the intersection. To my eye, it is going to be massive. At 29 storeys it will be two and a half times the height of the Scenic condos down the block on Eglinton. They are only 12 storeys above ground. At 1,280 condos it is probable 20 times the size of the Leaside Terrace development on the old Canada Post site on Laird Dr. What I can't understand is why the LPOA (and Leaside Life) is not making a fuss about this. There is so much squawking about the proposed SmartCentre/Walmart development just down the block on Vanderhoof Ave. There are complaints about Costco taking over the Coca-Cola plant in Thorncliffe, not even Leaside. Yet there is not a peep about this egregious development right on our doorstep. Bob Moenck, Donlea Dr.

Leaside Life, January 2014

elsewhere, heading to and from the big box stores. Pierce Reid, Annesley Ave.

LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:58 AM Page 8

City couldn’t find planner for 2 Laird fray Leaside Life, January 2014

8 “Character of Leaside at stake” was the Leaside Life headline on my column about 2 Laird Dr. (the former post office site at Malcolm and Southvale) back in October. It’s also about having the development “fit in” to the neighbourhood. How did we get here? City Council at its Oct. 8 meeting approved the North York Community Council recommendation to reject the staff report, and asked for an outside planner to be retained to handle the matter for the city, through to the end of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal process. However, the city has now reported back that they have not been able to secure a planner to take this on. As a result the Leaside Property Owners’ Association (full disclosure, I am a vice-president) has decided to bump up to become a party at the OMB hearing, beginning Feb. 17. This allows us to call witnesses and to have the opportunity to cross examine. From the very beginning this proposal for an eight-storey condominium has misunderstood its context, at an important entry point to

Geoff Kettel

Saving old Leaside the Leaside community. If approved as submitted this development would set an unwelcome precedent for over-development of the west side of Laird Dr. For the immediate neighbours, a key concern is to improve the transition between the development and the existing single family homes on Malcolm Rd. and the town houses on Krawchuk Lane. Local architect Deni Papetti has developed an innovative alternative plan that works with the main objectives of the developer’s scheme, but addresses the neighbours’ transitional concerns. It shifts some of the density away from Krawchuk Lane and provides for a better streetscape frontage, and setbacks on Malcolm Rd. The LPOA has submitted this proposal to the developer, Knightstone Capital, for their consideration

“without prejudice”. At the time of writing, the LPOA has not heard back from them. However, if they see merit in Deni Papetti’s concept, we may be able to save all parties a lot of work and expense at the OMB. So, a creative approach to break the deadlock between developer and community is on the table. However, if the developer is not willing to entertain this proposal, we are back to the fray. The future of the built form character of Leaside is still at stake. ■

Gabby wins MVP Leaside’s Gabby Smith, the 15-year-old student who went to New Zealand early in December to play for the under-18 national team in a showdown with Australia, was named the MVP. She scored six goals in four games. New Zealand won three games and tied one in the best of five series. Smith is a New Zealand citizen because her father was born there. ■

LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:58 AM Page 9

How a small group could beat city hall Karen Fraser Memories of Old Leaside

lory, walked the cliff, and said apartment towers would be built. Park for Sale flyers outlining our fate were delivered by hand. Within hours elderly women tenants of the small apartments came to my door, many in tears, knowing that if the valley went their homes of 30 or 40 years would soon follow. Councillor Donedeal met with residents. The elderly were honoured. I told them that he worked for us – honour did not enter into it. The councillor told us that we would not hire a lawyer and we would ”behave ourselves” at the council meeting. When asked why sell a park, he said that they overspent on the civic centre so parks had to go! The park committee, formed the next day, had three types of mem-



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MOVE M OVE IIN N THE THE NEW NEW Y YEAR EA R NO OW WF OR A C OMPLIMENTARY EVALUATION EVALUATION CALL NOW FOR COMPLIMENTARY OUR HO OF Y ME! OF YOUR HOME! Leaside Sold Stats Jan - Dec. ec.. 9,, 2013 Property TType ype y

(Leaside no now w inc includes cludes llud Bennington Heights)

Sales Avg Avvg Sold Price Min Price Max Price

Semi-Bungalow Bungalow & Storey 1/2 Attached/Row/T Townhouse o Attached/Row/Townhouse 2 Bedrm Semi-Detached 3+ Bedrm Semi-Detached 3 Bedrm Detached No FFamily amily Room 3 Bedrm Detached With FFamily amily Room 4+ Bedrm Detached No FFamily amily Room 4+ Bedrm Detached With FFamily amily Room

4 18 2 7 40 23 21 10 77

$552,750 $912,034 $766,000 $667,214 $783,409 $1,007,880 $1,333,999 $1,312,855 $1,726,756

$515,000 $680,000 $592,000 $630,000 $560,000 $736,500 $1,025,000 $1,049,000 $1,000,000

$595,000 $1,900,000 $940,000 $725,000 $1,030,000 $1,415,000 $1,849,000 $1,755,000 $2,700,000

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bers, the grimly determined, the tearful and frightened of authority, and my father telling one and all that you can’t fight city hall. My father, as owner of two Mallory properties, had more than others to lose, but when asked for $50 for the war chest he refused. My mother slipped their share into my hand. We had a hotline featuring the aggressive growl of Churchill informing you that we will fight on the land…we will never surrender! It got a lot of traffic. A friend, neighbour of the mayor, casually mentioned to him our talk with Toronto’s top law firm. It was true. We had talked and when given the rates we ran away. We had a rally in the park for the media. An article mentioned that elderly resident Ken Crothers found in his files the original legal documents creating the park. Outside the May council meeting Councillor Donedeal pulled me aside and pointed out that I stood to make more money than anyone. I told him

Leaside Life, January 2014

How do you protect your (very small) street when you have little to fight with? I learned how when I moved back to Mallory Cres. in March 1989 and found the valley was under attack for the third time. The local paper informed the residents that our Mallory Green park would be sold and houses would be built along the valley rim. An official letter filled with slippery language stated that if the developer wanted even more profit he could just build something else. I called the Governor’s Bridge group that was then fighting for its valley edge. Their advice? Get all the city documents you need immediately before they magically disappear. The truth of this was made clear when East York told us emphatically that we had no proof that there had ever been a park. But I remembered all the meetings with lawyers in the ’50s to have the park established. I called a builder I knew and asked if houses would be profitable on a landfill cliff. He drove to Mal-

LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:58 AM Page 10

Councillor

John

Parker

Leaside Life, January 2014

WARD 26 · DON VALLEY WEST

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I did not care, the valley was not going to be filled with cement. He denied that they were entering the valley and then changed that to they were not going in that far. Mr. Developer in the front row apparently thought some of the councillors worked for him. We presented our case. They voted. The park survived! The legal park survived. As we filed out Councillor Donedeal, all smiles, shook my hand and said he was behind us all the way. At our wrap-up meeting a council representative breathlessly told us there was a budget for the park. We could have anything we wanted. I asked for a domed stadium and enjoyed his small panic. Heeding more sage advice we asked for signs in the park. At the celebration that followed we shared a park-shaped cake complete with running children, dogs, robins, people sitting under the trees and even the trash bins. At one point I asked my mother if she would lie in front of a bulldozer if it came to that. She said no because she would not be able to get up. I asked if she would sit if I carried her chair. She said definitely. That attitude and teamwork is all you need to fight back if densification comes to a street near you. ■

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Leaside Life, January 2014

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LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:58 AM Page 13

Congratulations to Bessborough Public School on it’s first ever Winter Wonders Holiday Market this December. Over 30 vendors, local as well as merchants from around the city, set up tables, selling everything from oysters to jewellery. The event also collected toys for the New Circles Holiday Angel Program. Big thanks to local businesses, Charlene Kalia, Chestnut Park Real Estate, and All Canada Self-Storage – Platinum sponsors. Still waiting to hear about funds raised… At long last, the pedestrian bridge over Bayview Ave. leading into the CNIB is getting fixed so it’s safe to cross! Opened in 1956, the entire structure was closed in December 2011 when it was declared unsafe. The new bridge will feature an elevator with Braille buttons and audio accompaniment. According to the CNIB almost 5,000 people a month used the bridge before it closed. Construction is expected to be completed next spring. Long-time Leaside resident and community volunteer Barry Schneider

Campbell also presented this year’s president’s award to two other hard-working volunteers, Carolynn Beange (yes, daughter-in-law of Edna Beange) and Brooke Weslak. Both live on Broadway Ave. – there’s something about volunteers from that street. Carolynn has diligently kept track of the books as treasurer for several years. Brooke has been the genius at work on the annual Magical Gardens of Leaside Tour. Lots of reasons to celebrate in Leaside these days. The community’s Sports Hall of Fame was officially opened at the Leaside Gardens William Lea Room, hors d’oeuvres catered by local vendor, Andy Elder's Grilltime. In early December, Leaside held it’s first “community trade showcase” for its many groups and clubs. A highlight of the event was a juggling act where a talented (and risk-driven) juggler selected three representative items from Lea-

Basketball fans may want to rush over to Hero Burgers to fill out a ballet to win one of two pairs of Raptor tickets. Draw takes place Jan. 9. Store manager Nazni A. is also trying to line up a live NHL hockey player for a customer appreciation event (not yet finalized). It appears the hockey players are kind of busy these days. The Fox & Fiddle may be a bar (and restaurant), but toys kept arriving for kids even after the end of the 10th annual Leaside Christmas Toy Drive and Guys Night Out last month. The drive raised about $2,600 and a couple vans full of toys. The Chicks with Sticks, mentioned last month, the women’s hockey team called RODS Hockey, has openings this month. rocshockey@gmail.com/ Leaside rodents take heed. At least one large falcon has been spotted in the area, sometimes circling with an unfortunate squirrel in its talons. Extremely fast, these birds can reach speeds of 250 mph. (Maybe we can get it to carry off some of the raccoons?) ■

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Leaside Life, January 2014

In our Hood

was awarded a Life Membership at the annual meeting of the Leaside Garden Society in December. Noting Scheider’s work in the neighbourhood keeping gardens beautiful, club president Nora Campbell remarked, “The entire community of Leaside is indebted to Barry.”

LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:58 AM Page 14

IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS IN BENNINGTON HEIGHTS

Leaside Life, January 2014

30 Bennington Heights Dr. when it was first built

Peter Weatherhead

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Remembering when there was no delivery in the countryside

30 Bennington Heights Dr. today

In the good old days in Bennington Heights, in the late 1920s, the big house at 30 Bennington Heights Dr. was too far out in the country for Eaton’s and Simpsons to deliver there. It wasn’t until the mid 1930s that there were enough people to get delivery by horse, says Peter

Weatherhead, who was born in that house. He’s since moved, but he’s not far away now, in a home just a few houses west of Bayview on Hillhurst. He still runs the law firm started in 1862 by his family. COUNTRYSIDE, Page 18

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LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:58 AM Page 16

IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS IN BENNINGTON HEIGHTS

Why school site was chosen

Leaside Life, January 2014

SMOKE GOT IN THEIR EYES THOMAS WEATHERHEAD, in his journal below, tells how the site of Bennington Heights Public School was chosen in 1936.

Thomas Weatherhead

As Solicitor for the Board of Education, it was one of my duties to buy new school sites. The Board commissioned me therefore to begin to buy a site for a new school east of the Belt Line. I looked the situation over carefully and decided on the land around where our present school stands. Some folk living south of the railway in Governor's Manor thought the new school site should be down there. At last, one night, about eight o'clock in the summer, two or three car loads of trustees and councilors came over to see where the new school site should be. They got out of their cars on Bayview and looked over the land lying west of Bayview and then drove down Pottery Road,

which was then open, and across the tracks to Governor's Manor. It was a rather rainy night and a northeast wind was blowing. As luck would have it just as the trustees got to the proposed new site in Governor's Manor near the tracks, two great freight trains came along, one from the east and one from the west, smoke belching from their smoke stacks and with a deafening noise. The smoke swirled down and almost choked the trustees, and when they came out of it they could hardly gasp. That ended all talk of buying a school site south of the tracks and that night the present site was chosen. I was commissioned to try to buy the necessary lots. The land in this district was very cheap then. Year after year, I bought lots when I could; then we held expropriation meetings and took all the lots across the top of the hill. â–

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IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS IN BENNINGTON HEIGHTS

Bennington Heights was named after Evelyn Maude Bennington, a Queen’s University honours graduate in English, a teacher and finally president of the Home and School Association of Canada. But that’s not why the idyllic settlement on the outskirts of old Toronto was named after her. It was because she married Thomas M. Weatherhead. In notes that Weatherhead wrote about the early days of Bennington Heights he told what happened: “My law firm has been solicitors for the school board… “It was therefore quite natural when in December, 1925, when I saw notices posted on telephone poles that a school meeting would be held at 434 Heath Street East which was then a small three room cottage, and that new trustees would be elected for our school section Number 10, East York, that I would arrange to attend. LADY, Page 18

Leaside Life, January 2014

The lady behind the Bennington name

Barbara, Peter and Evelyn Bennington

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Leaside Life, January 2014

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The family home has now been renovated but retains much of the striking interior with 18-foot ceilings and great beams, he says as he talks about those old days. Some reminisences: His father chose the location because of a friend, who took him to see what he called â€œthe finest building site in the Toronto districtâ€?. The family lived in a tent when the house was started in 1924. It was made of stucco because there was not enough water to mix mortar for bricks. The city didnâ€™t connect the area to running water until 1931.

Lady

Enough was done that first year so they could stay through the winter, but with few neighbours. There were a few houses built in the 1890s on Heath St. for stone cutters, and on Lumley Ave. Kids were on their own to find things to do, like hiking to the Wire and Cable complex in the industrial park of Leaside, or to the Brickworks, which he remembers as a prisoner of war camp filled with Germans during World War II. He took a bus to primary school. For North Toronto Collegiate he used his bike with an East York licence. â–

From Page 17

â€œIn those days our school district was governed by three trustees. My wife and I attended the meeting. As I recall it, there were five people present, and I was asked to be the new trustee. I accepted. â€œOur school district took in Governor's Manor and the land lying south of Moore Avenue from the

Belt-line to the C.P.R. There were about 8 houses north of the C.P.R. and about 30 houses in Governor's Manor. â€œAs there was a Rosemount in the city, I had the council change the name of our street to Bennington Heights Drive in honour of my wife.â€? â–

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Leaside Life, January 2014

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Voted the best guard in Canada Fighting back tears, Jake Apacible, 78, accepted his award Dec. 13 at Northlea school auditorium for being voted “the most popular crossing guard in Canada”. Over 250 students were there to honour him for his 10 years of work. He accepted his award, $500 and a crystal maple leaf statue, by saying, “I have to keep children from being hit by all means.” The yearly contest, sponsored by FedEx Express Canada and the national charitable organization, Parachute, promotes the role crossing guards play in keeping children safe. Early each morning, rain or shine, in snow and freezing rain, Apacible travels from his home in Markham to Leaside. “It’s a friendly community,” he says. “The children are very respectful and the parents are always polite.” “We appreciate Jake so much,” said Gabriel Smith, 12, in a speech at the ceremony. Other speakers referred to Apacible as their “guardian angel”. With increased development in

ERIC EMIN WOOD

Leaside Life, January 2014

By PATRICIA PHENIX

Leaside, and big trucks double-parking on roads near the school, Apacible notes that traffic congestion has escalated, but that bad driving habits remain the same. One close call came to mind. As he was guiding some kids across the road, a woman tried to swing her car around them. “I told her the kids must be a priority,” Apacible recalls . “The woman replied, ‘I’m in a hurry.’ “How would you feel if it was your own kid? I said, and she melted.” “I play the role of extended traffic cop,” he added, explaining that he often blocks vehicles with his body to prevent them from speeding into intersections. “Once people see my uniform, they show respect.” Apacible is also noted for helping the disabled get to vehicles, even if it

means staying late. “Our nickname for him in our division is 007,” says Wai Lau, a coordinator at Toronto Police Services, who works closely with Apacible. It’s not just Northlea School children who chat up Apacible each day, but also kids who have graduated, and moved onto Leaside High. And then there are the parents who bring him gifts such as bananas, candy, biscuits, and apples. With most people his age settling into retirement, does Apacible see himself hanging up his reflective vest anytime soon? “No. I shall always do this for as long as I am here. I am inspired by the children I help,” he replied, adding he feels loyal to the Leaside community. Nominations for next year will be posted to the Parachute website. Typically, three winners are named but this year's judging panel was so impressed with their top four choices they were all named. The other winners are in Winnipeg, St John’s, Newfoundland and Whitehorse, Yukon. ■

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Leaside Life, January 2014

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Bennington Leaside Life, January 2014

From Page 5

of the community has chosen to oppose them because their project at 21 Evergreen Gardens threatens to open a Pandora’s Box of unwanted development in the immediate area. Tencer and Fines complain that despite there being precedence for each one of their variance requests, Save Our Bennington have to date shown no willingness to negotiate a compromise. Worse still, says Fines, she was jostled by a Save Our Bennington supporter as they made their way to their seats prior to the OMB hearing. Rideout says that no one she’s spoken to had seen such an event, only that there was a discussion prior to the hearing between Ms. Fines and a Save Our Bennington supporter who previously backed the builders' plan. In a letter received by Leaside Life from Tencer and Fines, Tencer says that “one of the Save Our Bennington appellants commented to my wife, that while they will probably wish to sever their lot for sale in

a few years just as we are trying to do, they 'have' to oppose us in our application. What outright hypocrisy!” Leaside Life has not made the couple’s life any easier, reporting inaccuracies in our October and November issues. In October we wrote that the plans for 21 Evergreen Gardens called for “two identical homes” to be built. That was lifted from Save Our Bennington’s issue page on its website. That’s not true and the group is aware of this fact, say Tencer and Fines. They say Save Our Bennington was made aware that the identical homes presented in a first proposal to the city was actually the plan for a previous project using the same floor plan to get the proposal in and that officials were told that the real proposal was two different homes. Rideout says, “The designs that were received by the community before the OMB hearing were the same ones shown by the developers to the Committee of Adjustment. Those designs were the ones communicated to the neighborhood by the city in its circular and on the Save Our Bennington website. We received new drawings (not archi-

tectural plans) from Ms. Fines a few days before the OMB hearing – and she showed these same (old) drawings at the hearing.” In the same issue we also reported that “all local residents” were in opposition to the proposal. That too was lifted from the Save Our Bennington website. It’s also inaccurate. Rideout said this about the level of support: “At the OMB there were some 40 people in attendance from the community, of which two were in favor (friends of the developer, neither lived within a block of 21 Evergreen) and the rest opposed.” Rideout indicates the wording on its issue page will be changed to more accurately reflect the facts before the OMB. Our mistakes were unintentional and we’re sorry for that. In the November issue we messed up the numbers by saying the height variance sought by Tencer and Fines was 10 feet, when in fact we’d first reported it as 10 percent in the October issue. Neither figure is correct. The latter figure was obtained from Save Our Bennington’s website and says the homes will be10 percent taller than the 8.5 metres allowed by zoning bylaws. The real figure, using Tencer and Fines’ original variance request of nine feet, is less than six percent. Again, we are sorry for the misinformation. Lost in this battle between these two opposing interests is the current homeowner. Selling an oversized lot like the one at 21 Evergreen Gardens can’t be easy given the economics of building a larger home on the property. Tencer and Fines provided the owners with an opportunity to cash out their nest egg (at their price) with the sale conditional on both the severance and variance approvals from the city. When Save Our Bennington successfully lobbied the Committee of Adjustment, it pushed back the homeowner’s timeline by as much as a year. Regardless of which side you fall on, you can’t help but empathize with their situation. ■

LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:59 AM Page 23

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Leaside Life, January 2014

The inductees or representatives: Front row from left, Jack Holman representing the late Rich Ferguson, Cathy Lansdowne, Howard Birnie, Phillip Francis representing Lloyd Woods, Teri Lynn Black-Calleri, Nancy McCabe, mother of Leaside's Athlete of the Year Martha McCabe, and Joyce MacMillan representing Erica Gilbert. Back row from left: Bill Pashby representing his father, the late Dr. Tom Pashby, Peter Mahovlich III representing his father Peter Mahovlich Jr., John Child, and Dr. Ron Taylor.

Leaside Sports Hall of Fame OPENING NIGHT NOV. 29 A FAMILY AFFAIR

cepted the hall Peter Mahovlich III ac e on behalf of qu of fame induction pla vlich Jr., who is ho Ma his father, Peter ry. In his rerecovering from surge grandfather, his at marks he noted th (who ran the pro Peter Mahovlich Sr. ens) died from shop at Leaside Gard at both Frank th d an prostate cancer, Mahovlich Jr. Mahovlich, and Peter survivors. With er were prostate canc d children him is his wife Lori an a. Michael and Mirand

Joe and N a Leaside's ncy McCabe, pare nts of first Athle te Olympic s wimmer M of the Year, who could artha McC because s not attend the rece abe, he is train p ing in Flori tion da.

LEASIDE SPOR SPORTS TS HALL off F FAME AME

Leaside resident Bill Pashby, along with his granddaughter Grace Murphy, accepted on behalf of his father the late Dr. Tom Pashby, a pioneer in Sports safety and also a member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada.

LeasideLife issue 24 draft 2_LeasideLifev1 13-12-17 8:59 AM Page 25

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Life in a dysfunctional family Leaside Life, January 2014

By WILL ASHWORTH Leaside high school graduate and former Glenvale Blvd. resident Nathaniel Moore returned to his old neighbourhood Dec. 3 to read excerpts of his newly published book Savage:1986-2011 to grade 11 and 12 English students. Moore’s book is his 25-year account growing up in a dysfunctional family who happened to live in Leaside for some of those years. Part autobiographical, part fiction, it has an interesting side story about his fascination with Randy “Macho Man” Savage, a pro wrestler. Well written; readers looking for a different kind of coming-of-age story will enjoy it. Moore’s publicist says approximately half of the book’s 280 pages take place in Leaside. However, those seeking a novel that leans heavily on Leaside will be disappointed. The strength of Savage is Moore’s struggle to understand those closest to him. He had a difficult family life growing up and is estranged from the family today; he was quick to point out his Leaside experience helped shape who he is as a person and as a writer. Published by Anvil Press, it’s available at Amazon.ca, Chapters.ca and independent bookstores everywhere. ■

Food drive up 10% from last year The 42nd Annual Canned Goods Drive organized in Leaside at the end of November was up over 10 percent compared to last year. More than 16,000 non-perishable food items were collected on Saturday, Nov. 30 and distributed to the Flemingdon Park Food Bank, Evangel Hall, Christian Resource Centre, and St. Vincent de Paul Society. Over 100 volunteers gathered at Leaside Presbyterian Church to gather the food from homes in Leaside. Other local participating churches were Northlea and Leaside United, St Augustine’s, St. Anselm and St. Cuthbert’s. Also helping were Scout organizations and students earning community service hours. Craig Homewood

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Saving old Leaside

Trying to maintain our uniqueness “Can we preserve a whole street?” was the headline in the December 2012 edition of this column, reflecting the neighbourhood response to the loss of one of the original homes on Parkhurst Blvd. There are several streets like Parkhurst, with an uninterrupted block of houses similar (but no two being exactly the same), in scale, massing, height, design and materials. There is rhythm and beauty in the streetscape context of the properties, not just in the individuality of well-proportioned homes. However these streets are under constant threat from demolitions and reconstructions. Recently a nomination was submitted to the city’s Heritage Preservation Services by the Leaside Property Owners’ Association, with the support of Councillor John Parker and former mayor of East York Alan Redway, for consideration of a South Leaside Heritage Conservation District (HCD). This study would determine appropriate boundaries in the residential area south of Eglinton, north of Leacrest, east of Bayview and west of Laird. Why an HCD? Heritage preservation is about maintaining a unique quality of place, about enhancing the quality of life, and about supporting the cultural and economic vitality that accompanies areas with high conservation values (such as Wychwood Park, Rosedale, Cabbagetown), not only about saving old buildings. An HCD is an area comprising more than a single property, that offers protection from demolition and alterations that are unsympathetic to the district character. Heritage conservation districts allow for a holistic approach to managing change. The criteria for a HCD are the same as for a single property designation (design or physical value, historical or associative value, and contextual value) 

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plus social or community value, and natural or scientific value. Leaside was a “model town,” planned in complete detail before a single building was erected. Its 1912 street and lot plan was designed by Frederick Todd, who also designed the Town of Mount Royal in Montreal. When development got going in the 1930s and 40s Georgian and Tudor Revival styles were favoured by its developers, especially Henry Howard Talbot, the developermayor, and often by other builders like Brockington, Cairns and Slightham. Leaside‘s Georgian and Tudor Revival houses on streets like Parkhurst, Sutherland, Rumsey, Bessborough and Airdrie are under incremental attack from developers “from away” with no respect for the context or the history of the area. Alan Redway, in his letter of support for the nomination says: “I have lived in South Leaside for almost 75 years. During that time South Leaside developed and matured as a well-planned community where one could often see a progression of home designs side by side starting with low-rise apartments built next to several bungalows, then a number of semi-detached homes built next to a greater number of detached homes. “This was one of the well-planned features of South Leaside as originally developed. Today that type of planning and development is under attack for a number of years now. “South Leaside has been witnessing demolitions and new monster additions, many completely at odds with the long existing physical character of South Leaside. For example bungalows are almost a thing of the past. The logical progression of housing designs that I have referred to is being completely destroyed.” I might add that Mr. Redway’s “logical progression of housing designs” was accompanied by a progression of economic means also – people moved from small homes to larger ones as their means improved, resulting in a healthy mix of incomes. This also may be threatened, as the mix declines and large houses predominate, and if attempts to convert medium rent apartments into condos are successful. The LPOA has taken the first step towards an HCD. City Planning will now have to evaluate the nomination and prioritize it amongst all the other neighbourhoods interested in the same thing. It will take a while, and it will be up to the community to support the process. ■

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Leaside Life, January 2014

THUR.

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Leaside Life, January 2014

Ba Bayview yview & F Fleming le m in g 1601 B Bayview ayview A Ave ve Tor Toronto onto O ON N M4G M4G 3B5 3B 5 416-489-1873 416 489 1873

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As we come to the close of the 100th anniversary year of the founding of the Town of Leaside in 1913, let's take a look at the life and career of Leaside's inventor: Frederick Gage Todd. Born in New Hampshire in 1876, Frederick Todd apprenticed as a landscape architect with one of the most celebrated masters of the day, Frederick Olmstead of Boston, whose career included the design of Central Park in New York and Prospect Park (across from my grandmother's home) in Brooklyn. Todd moved to Montreal while in his 20s and lived there until his death in 1948. It was there that he built his enduring reputation as Canada's first landscape architect. Todd's clients included the major city builders of his day: the governments of Canada, Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland; the cities of Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Quebec City, and others; the Bank of Montreal; and a host of major corporations. It was of course a time of railway expansion. Where railways spread, land increased in value. Not surprisingly, some of the early city builders were subsidiary corporations established by the railway companies themselves. The Canadian Northern Railway (eventually absorbed into Canadian National) was one such railway company, whose operations before the First World War included lines in the vicinity of both Montreal and Toronto. The company created new towns on the rail lines near both cities: the Town of Mount Royal near Montreal and the Town of Leaside near Toronto. The railway retained Fred Todd to design both of them. Visit the Town of Mount Royal and you will be struck by its similarity to Leaside: Both show the ď ľ

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Leaside Life, January 2014

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clear early influence of the existence of the rail line. Both are characterized by a general grid pattern to their local streets punctuated by major diagonal thoroughfares reminiscent of Washington DC (no coincidence, by the way – remember the country where Todd learned his craft). The two towns also share some of the same street names: Laird, Wicksteed, Fleming, MacNaughton, and Markham were Canadian Northern Railway men. More significantly, both town plans reflect the same design ideals, which themselves show the influence of the leading urban design themes of the day. Both communities feature lots about 30 to 40 feet in width; both were built, for the most part, of single family dwellings with garages behind the houses; both have narrow streets with lots of trees. Both display Todd's enthusiasm for the City Beautiful and Garden City movements: a cohesive plan; the inclusion of institutions and apartment buildings, but mostly on major roadways apart from the areas designated for single family dwellings; the separation of functional zones (in Leaside the residential and industrial zones, of course, were originally and continue to be separated by a wide avenue). And so on. Want another example of Fred Todd's work? Visit the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City. The park that has been created to memorialize that historic site is one of his. ■

Leaside Life, January 2014

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As I write this column, near the end of 2013, I look back at the matters that the Leaside Property Owners’ Association has worked on during the past year. Traffic (too much of it) and development (not always of the right sort or size, or in the right place) have dominated the calendar. It is not true to suggest that 

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LPOA, PAGE 35

March break and summer volunteer opportunities Are you looking to gain experience volunteering in a client-based program, helping kids with special needs participate in activities to the best of their ability? Then we are looking for you! To learn more about Holland Bloorview’s volunteer opportunities, please visit www.Hollandbloorview.ca/volunteer

Leaside Life, January 2014

ratepayer groups are only ‘against’. However, acting as cheerleader for every new development is not our role. Too often ratepayer groups are unfairly portrayed as knee-jerk NIMBY. Protecting what we value about Leaside is our guiding principle, while adjusting to the challenges of a changing city. In fact, when development proposals come to light, we try to work co-operatively with city planners and would-be developers to ensure new projects are in scale with the neighbourhood. An example is the proposed condominium at the former Leaside post office site (2 Laird Dr., at Malcolm Rd.). For many months, in many meetings, we have supported efforts by homeowners on Malcolm Rd. and Krawchuk Lane to reduce the massing, size, height and scale originally proposed. Although at time of writing the developer plans to proceed directly to the Ontario Municipal Board, we are still working for a more suitable design. SmartCentre North is another example, where the LPOA and Leaside Unite have reached a financial settlement to pay for a traffic study to help shelter the residential area from excessive retail traffic, conduct a heritage study to look at protecting the history and look of Leaside, and provide start-up funds to help merchants along the Bayview shopping strip set up a Business Improvement Area. When we hear about big developments, such as the mega-complex of high-rise condominiums, stores and offices proposed for 939 Eglinton Ave. East at Brentcliffe Rd. and Vanderhoof Ave., our first priority and duty is to consider the impact they would have on Leaside as a whole. We ask the questions you would ask: Would it have a negative impact on Leaside’s residential streets, nearby homes and schools, local businesses, and infrastructure? How much car and commuter traffic would the project generate throughout Leaside? What traffic patterns would it create? How would this affect businesses in the Leaside Business Park? Additionally, in the next year or so, construction of the Eglinton LRT will create major traffic diversion problems throughout north and south Leaside. Neither the city nor the TTC has yet provided details regarding how they will deal with these problems, but the LPOA is asking the

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Leaside Life, January 2014

Jennifer and her mother Catherine Mix run the Catherineâ€™s Antipasto business

The antipasto lady who lives in Garden Court How many 85-year-olds do you know in Leaside who are active entrepreneurs? Iâ€™ve just met Catherine Mix, the Catherine of Catherineâ€™s Antipasto, and she is going full-steam ahead with the business she started 32 years ago, because, as she says, of â€œme being bored, I guessâ€?. When Catherine was a young wife and mother living in the Kingsway, she always enjoyed hosting fancy dinner parties, often starting with her grandmotherâ€™s or motherâ€™s recipes, but giving them a bit of a twist. She had the confidence and interest in food to go from that start into owning a commercial bakery on Brooke Ave. Her accountant husbandâ€™s only query was, â€œDo you think you can make any money?â€? At her store she baked in the mornings and then made preserves and the original antipasto in the afternoons. She was the first person to let people bring in their own pie plates and have Catherineâ€™s pastry and filling inserted. She stopped making pastry when her arms were giving out from rolling the dough, but she still has all her recipes. Now, the business has two copackers in different, small plants, where Catherine and her daughter,

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

Jennifer, the sales manager, are able to oversee operations and maintain the quality that is their hallmark. One plant produces the antipasti and the other the jellies. The original antipasto has recently been joined by a spicy vegetarian version. Again, Catherine developed the recipe in her own kitchen. That kitchen is now in Leaside. Catherine has been living in Garden Court on Bayview for the past 10 years. And of course, living locally, her products are in a number of the food stores along Bayview. At this time of year, a special treat is cranberry sauce with the addition of oranges, pecans and brandy. Daughter Jennifer didnâ€™t intend to join her motherâ€™s company when she graduated from university with a degree in English literature, but she followed her motherâ€™s suggestion that she try selling for the company and found that she enjoyed it, and working with her mother, so much so that she is now co-owner. They ď ľ

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Toronto City Council adopted four resolutions at its November council meeting paving the way for the Elgie House to become a heritage property. Public notice was given Dec. 4. If no objections are received by the city clerk by Jan. 3, the city will pass a bylaw designating 262 Bessborough Dr. a heritage property. Elgie House is one of three residential properties in Leaside that predate its incorporation in 1913. The original portion of the house represents typical farmhouse design from the 1880s. Built by Thomas G. Elgie, the designation would slow, but not end, Renaissance Fine Homes’ desire to move the main central portion of the house (additions to the north and south aren’t part of the historical designation request) to the front of the property creating more back yard space for the other two homes Renaissance wants to build. It plans to appeal the city’s statement of significance to the Ontario Municipal Board arguing the home’s location on the property isn’t heritage in nature. ■

LPOA From Page 33

relevant authorities for that information. The LPOA will report to you through this column and invite your feedback at public meetings. Leasiders have a lot to be thankful for. We are a community with strong neighbourhood ties and a willingness to cooperatively address any issues which need to be monitored and dealt with. The LPOA looks forward to working with you as we enter the new year, and wishes you all a very happy and healthy 2014. --The LPOA Board meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month in the Trace Manes centre (located by the tennis courts). Because the first Wednesday in January falls on New Year's Day, our January meeting will take place on Jan. 8. We invite you to join us, either as a deputant or as an observer. ■

Antipasto From Page 34

now work with two distributors to get their products into specialty and grocery stores across Canada. One product that isn’t still in their line is a chili sauce. It has a great taste, but it just doesn’t sell, says Catherine. She thinks it’s because many shoppers don’t know what it is. My husband could relate to that. It wasn’t something in his background growing up, so, when as a young man in an apartment, a recipe he was trying called for chili sauce, he promptly whipped together a lot of chili powder and water. Must have been an interesting meal for his two roommates. Catherine says, “I had a lot of energy in my day,” but that day clearly isn’t over. She was off to work a demo the weekend following our chat, and looking forward to future bookings. The distinctive label with her name inside the oval may get a bit of a tweak sometime soon, but you’ll still recognize it, and, I hope, think of energetic Catherine Mix. ■

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Leaside Life, January 2014

Elgie House waiting for designation

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Leaside Life, January 2014

Roller Derby skaters ready for the best By BETH PARKER The competition circuit for Leaside synchronized skaters has begun, and Mel O’ Drama, Wack 'em Wilson, and Parks N' Wreck are ready. They are members of the Synergy Novice team, who use roller derby names and personalities at practice and on social media. “It’s all helps the girls get into the spirit of the program,” says Meredith Tutching, their coach, preparing them for Skate Canada’s national competition Feb. 20-22 in Burnaby, B.C. The novice team is one of four in the Leaside Skating Club. The most advanced team, Synergy Junior, is heading to Rouen, France to compete internationally in the French

Cup. The team also hopes to win one of the top two spots at the annual Winterfest competition to travel to the Worlds, held this year in Italy. Both teams have been practising for months, all for a few moments in front of Skate Canada judges. And it really does seem like moments. “It’s a sport where a team like ours practises 10 months of the year for a three-minute and 30-second presentation, or a total of one hour of competition over three months,” says Tutching. Tutching’s career started at the Leaside Skating Club. She has coached the novice team, ages 1218, since 2001. A Level 3 coach (Level 4 is Olympic), her teams have won three silvers and two bronze medals

at Skate Canada’s annual national synchronized skating competitions. Last year’s silver medal win in the competitive category was a particularly proud moment. “The challenge in recent years,” says Tutching, “is to beat Quebec. Last year was the second time in the last five years that a team from Ontario was even on the podium.” All four Leaside synchronized skating teams practise weekly at Leaside, something the Junior team hadn’t been able to do in the past because the old rink was too small for their level of competition. Minergy Elementary (under 12 years) and Synergy Juvenile (under 15) also compete December through January, leading up to regional championships. ■

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He loves to drive his car on water Leaside Life, January 2014

By BETH PARKER Fred Pierce doesn’t let a lake or river get in his way when he wants to go for a drive in his car. His vintage Amphicar travels the roads of Bennington Heights and Leaside as easily as it rides along the water of Lake Ontario or Lake Simcoe. Amphicar was the only mass produced amphibious passenger car ever made. Pierce’s is the longest continually owned one in the world. It was one of about 4,000 produced in West Berlin in the mid 1960s. Pierce got his from his father-in-law years ago. “It does take a lot of maintenance,” he says, “and the only mechanic for amphibious vehicles lives in Orillia.” This past summer he had his car in the water at least 20 times, driving it into the lake at Ashbridges Bay or Bluffers Park. Apart from driving on water, he runs his own business as a manufacturer’s rep. His latest offering is a lightweight, foldable electric bike soon to make its appearance in Costco.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOUR

How long have you lived in Bennington Heights? We (his wife is Chris) moved into Bennington Heights from Cabbagetown in 1987 when we were looking for a more family-friendly area for our two young children, David and Michelle. Our first home was on Heath, and then we moved to Bayview Heights Dr.

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Have you been involved in the community? I’m a past member of the Leaside Garden’s management board, and former president of the Bennington Heights Residents’ Association. Our kids were active too. My daughter, Michelle, was co-chair of the student council at Leaside High School. What do you like about the neighbourhood? Bennington is very quiet, so it just doesn’t feel like you’re in a big city. And you can get anywhere from here. Favourite places in the hood? The Bayview strip. We especially enjoy shops like the Elegant Garage Sale and the restaurants. The merchants along Bayview work very hard. (Last summer Pierce supported an evening event at The Smokin’ Cigar by parking his Amphicar out front to attract attention, which it did.) Anything you’d like to change? Yes. The needless stress inflicted by Hydro One. (That is the result of the Hydro One Midtown Electricity Infrastructure Renewal project, underway since 2011.) ■

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Leaside Life, January 2014

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Leaside Life, January 2014