A large sign advertising the long-gone Toronto Telegram newspaper on a shut Long Branch convenience store is garnering attention these days.
The desirable sign at Thomas Variety & Confectionary Store, at 3581 Lake Shore Blvd. W., near Long Branch Ave., has caught the eye of old Toronto newspaper lovers in the community.
The Toronto Evening Telegram was a conservative, broadsheet afternoon newspaper published for almost 100 years from 1876 to 1971. It had a reputation for supporting the Conservative Party at the federal and the provincial levels.

The paper competed with The Toronto Star, which supported the Liberal Party of Ontario. The Telegram strongly supported Canada’s connection with the United Kingdom and the rest of the British Empire.
The newspaper was the voice of working-class, conservative Protestant Orange Toronto. It was located on Melinda Street, near King and Bay Sts. John R. Robinson was editor-in-chief until he died in 1928.
The battle for daily newspaper readership then was fierce and they employed dozens of newsboys to hawk the publications on city streets for five cents a copy.
The Tely, as it was dubbed, gained notoriety for scuttling away by ambulance South Etobicoke swimmer Marilyn Bell after her 1954 historic Lake Ontario 26-mile swim to a downtown hotel so she could not be interviewed by The Star and rival dailies.

Former Toronto Star, Tely and Toronto Sun reporter Cal Millar joined The Telegram in 1967.
” … it was the tail end of the newspaper war, the business was still highly competitive, ” Millar told the South Etobicoke News. “You were expected to have a better story than the Toronto Star or the Globe and Mail with exclusive material that only readers of the Tely would see in print. ”
He recalled reporters were expected to beat the opposition to the scene of news events and garner as much information as possible before the Tely’s deadline.
The paper in its heyday had bureaus across Canada and abroad in Moscow, Tel Aviv, Hong Kong, London and Paris.
A day after The Tely sadly shut down, on November 1, 1971, some former Tely staffers led by Doug Creighton, Peter Worthington and Don Hunt introduced The Toronto Sun, a tabloid that was heavy on local crime news and its use of photos. It was a success and is still in publication today.

A $90 million Russian cargo jet that has been parked at Pearson Airport for more than a year is in the process of being handed over to Ukraine.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said arrangements are being made for the jet to turned over to the Ukraine government “so that it cannot be used to support Russia’s war effort.”
The Russian-registered aircraft has been grounded at Pearson for 17-months ever since the war against Ukraine was launched. It was grounded in February 2022 after arriving from China, via the U.S., with a shipment of COVID masks.
The Russian government has called the seizure a “cynical theft,” and threatened to sever diplomatic ties with Canada if the expensive jet is not returned.
The Antonov 124 is believed to be owned by a subsidiary of Volga-Dnepr Airlines LLC and Volga-Dnepr Group, two entities against which Canada has imposed sanctions due to their actions in the war against Ukraine, according to Global Affairs.
The plane had its return flight cancelled when the Canadian government closed the country’s airspace to Russian aircraft operators, grounding it indefinitely.
The owner of the plane has been billed 74 cents per minute to park at Toronto Pearson, which adds up to $1,065.60 for each 24-hour period, according to airport officials.
The seizure is the first in the Government of Canada’s plan of action to put pressure on Russia to stop its war against Ukraine by straining its economy and limiting its access to resources that fuel the war.
The large white and blue cargo jet, which can carry up to 50 tonnes, had arrived in Canada on the same day sanctions were announced. Neither the Greater Toronto Airport Authority nor Transport Canada have said what happened to the pilot or the passengers.
Some members of the Russian community said they filed refugee claims to remain in Canada.
The government also announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions against 24 individuals and 17 entities in Ukraine as part of the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations.
The jet is priced up to $90 million and remains the largest military transport aircraft in the world. It was designed for long-range delivery and air-dropping heavy or bulky cargo, including machines, equipment and troops. It can travel up to 700 kilometres an hour and carry 400 plus troops a distance of about 5,400 kilometres.

JULY 9, JULY 30 FREE COMMUNITY LUNCH
from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Margaret Church New
Toronto, 156 Sixth Street, in partnership with Haven on
The Queensway and sponsored by Robert Kerr
Foundation. Donations of non-perishable foods,
toiletries, shampoo or feminine products are also being
accepted. Call St. Margaret at 416-259-2659 for further
information.
JULY 12 WORKING GROUP for a land trust in
South Etobicoke hosts its first meeting. Join some very
progressive residents in taking action to form a land
trust. For more information contact brig@lampchc.org.
Meeting tentatively set for Wednesday July 12 to 6
p.m. at LAMP in person.
JULY 19 and AUGUST 2 TWILIGHT CONCERTS
IN THE PARK at 7 p.m. at Applewood – The Shaver
Homestead, at 450 The West Mall. This free event is
open to everyone. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair
and come enjoy the live music. All concerts are on
Wednesday nights, starting at 7 p.m.- a great way to
enjoy the warmth of a summer evening and meet new
friends in your community.
JUNE 24-JULY 29 OPEN AIR DANCE all Saturdays,
various times, Mimico Square.
This festival transforms the neighbourhood through
open air dance space with free workshops and
community events that celebrate positive and accessible
dance experiences. It continues July 8th-29th with open
dance workshops in Afro Cuban, West African, Vogue,
Brazilian Samba, Popping, Ukrainian Folk, Latin Fusion
and Contemporary Indigenous Dance. This year will
also feature community mural painting, live music and
dance performances on the mural. Open to all ages,
levels and abilities.
JULY 24 – 28 HOLIDAY “SPACE CAMP” run by
Mimico Baptist church, at 80 Hillside Ave. It is a day
camp that runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from July
24-28 and August 14-18. Children do a wide range of
games, arts and crafts, science, music and more.
Registration is $100 but subsidies are available upon
request. Register
at https://mimicobaptist.ca/holidayclub2023/. For
further information or questions
email: holidayclub@mimicobaptist.ca
JULY 24 AN INTRODUCTION to Women’s Self
Defence Wen-Do and community safety is being offered
from 6 to 8 p.m. Protect yourself and others in
vulnerable situations. Learn new ways to deal with
unsafe situations. A new in-person community safety
program for women is being organized in person. For
more information or to register in advance
contact jasmind@lampchc.org or 416 252 6471 ext.
308.
UNTIL AUGUST SIGN UP FOR new online
Mindful Renewal program at LAMP. It’s free and runs
on Wednesdays 3 p.m. to 4 pm to the end of August.
Corin De Sousa is a certified mindfulness teacher
through the Canadian College of Educators and
provides evidence-based mindfulness programs
throughout the GTA. For more information
contact jasmind@lampchc.org or call 416 252 6471
ext. 308
FREE SUMMER CHAIR YOGA SERIES; Join us
on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. with Meaux for a good workout
to strengthen muscles and improve balance.
Wednesdays at 1 p.m. we offer a gentle, seated yoga
with certified Hatha Yoga Practitioner Briar
Boake. Stretch and enjoy some music and movement at
the These sessions are offered both in person and
online. For more information
contact crystaln@lampchc.org or call 416 252 6471
and ask for Idman
JULY 14 AND AUGUST 18 TORONTO
MEMORY PROGRAM; are you noticing some
problems hearing? Sign up for hearing screening at
LAMP, 185 Fifth Street. Get tested by the Canadian
Hearing Services. Screening for hearing loss; check for
ear wax. Call reception at 416 252 6471 to register.
JULY 28 FREE MEMORY SCREENING; are you
aged 50 – 90 and noticing changes in your memory?
Come get a check on July 28 at LAMP, 185 Fifth
Street. Sign up at reception 416 252 6471.
SENIORS SOCIAL; Contact brig@lampchc.org for
more information and date.
SALVATION ARMY summer camp space still
available. Call Jenn at 416-251-8372 ext 101 or visit
www.salakeshore.com
JULY 24 JEAN AUGUSTINE CENTRE summer
camps and programs are in full swing! Next session of
summer camp starts Monday, July 24 to August 4.
Programs include Girls In Sports, All About Me. Call
416-253-9797 or email info@jeanaugustinecentre.ca.
Training Tips Corner for Summer
Sports;
For Parents and KidsHYDRATE BEFORE YOU GO
-Drink plenty of water before you head out to the ball
game (1-2 hours before)
-Your kids will learn by example and they will play their
best game
Why:
Our body takes a few hours to tell us we are
dehydrated. Don’t wait until you are thirsty.
Dehydration can cause fatigue, poor concentration,
reduce muscle power and strength
WARM-UP ON THE SIDELINES
-As your kids warm up on the pitch, warm up as well
along the sidelines. Walk and get your steps in. Your
cheer will be in good form and your joints will thank you.
Why:
We sit so much every day for work, meetings and
commuting. Warming up with walking and active
stretching shows your kids support and keeps you
healthier. Warming up before cheering also helps
reduce injuries!
-Enjoy going over the practice or game highlights with
your kids and their teammates? Sit on the grass and do
some stretches with them. Relive some of their best
plays and lengthen those hamstrings. Then, head over
to the bbq and eat a well deserved dinner!
Why:
Stretching can keep you young in body and young at
heart. Taking time to stretch and rehash the game
means you are actively supporting your spine, your
muscles and your family.
Training Tips Corner by Monika Meulman
For Ontario Performance Rehab – Y

A man and woman were taken to hospital  after being pulled out of Humber Bay in one of Toronto Police’s first Lake Ontario rescue of the year.

Members of the force’s Marine Unit are again warning boaters and those riding Sea-Doos to wear properly attached life jackets since the water is still very cold.

The incident occurred 12 p.m. on May 22 after emergency services were called to the Humber Bay Substation to respond to a suspicious incident.

Toronto police said its marine unit was at the scene after reports of an unoccupied Sea-Doo in the water. A man and woman were found and taken to hospital.

Paramedics said they rushed a man to hospital in critical condition. He was transported under an emergency run. The woman was in serious but stable condition.

Police are investigating the incident.

The lake and dock is a popular for police and area boaters in the hot weather.

In July 2022 a man drowned after falling off a tour boat into Lake Ontario near Ontario Place.

Police said the marine unit found him, medics performed CPR, and the man was rushed to hospital.

In August last year a woman was pulled from Lake Ontario near Marie Curtis Park  when the marine unit responded to a call of a body found at the edge of the beach.

Medics performed life-saving measures but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

And in July 2021 the body of a 40-year-old man was found after he went missing while scuba diving at Humber Bay Park marina.

The police responded to a call at about 7:57 p.m. that two men went underwater and one of them didn’t resurface. His body was found the next day.