The Lakeshore Christmas Parade was one of the best this year.

So were the Christmas trees. The first prize of the best-dressed Christmas tree as awarded by the Lakeshore Village BIA included first prize (in photo) went to Valentina’s Boutique.

Second prize for best dressed Christmas tree went to Woodgreen Community Services, whose staffers were delighted.

And third prize went to Maple Leaf Grill House and Banquet Hall. Their creation was stolen but was viewed before.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Mimico senior Rod Flynn was in tears after being presented with a fairly new motorized scooter purchased from funds raised by concerned members of the community.
More than $600 was raised for a scooter in a Go Fund Me campaign to help the ailing senior, who has lived in the community for 58 years.
“I never expected something like this from anyone,” Flynn sobbed. “I needed help and I want to thank all the people in the community who helped me.”
There were kind residents who sent cheques to The South Etobicoke News to help Rod get his ride.

The scooter, which was inspected and is in good shape, was put up for sale by a widow in the area. It belonged to her late husband.
A presentation was made last month at the Lucky Dice Restaurant in New Toronto and Flynn was given tips on how to operate the device.
The campaign was organized by Laura Doberstein and Charles Smith, who helped select the scooter.
“Rod has been diagnosed with an ailment which makes it very hard to breathe,” Doberstein said. “He cannot afford a scooter and it is life changing for him to have one as he could get around.”
Smith said Flynn, 77, “is a lovely, decent man who is known by many in the community.”
Flynn, who has lived in Mimico and New Toronto for almost 60 years, suffers from a chronic lung disease, which makes it hard to breathe and he requires a walker. He has to make frequent stops to breathe and frequently misses his bus and trips can take a long time.
The transplanted Newfoundlander said he visited a social worker at a local hospital to seek help.
“She called back to say she couldn’t help me get a scooter. The hospital didn’t have that program anymore.”
“I am a senior citizen and I cannot get help in my own country,” he vowed. “I cannot go shopping or get around and all I want is a better life.”
Area residents describe Flynn as a “polite, responsible and honourable” senior who helps others in the community.
Any funds left over from the campaign will go to St. Margaret New Toronto church, according to organizers.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE operating from St. Margaret’s Church on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meals, snacks, washrooms, showers, and laundry available for folks who are unhoused.

DECEMBER 2 – 9 VIRTUAL HEALING ART WORKSHOPS with Natalie Very B. ‘Let’s create light within the Darkness of Winter’ Friday December 2 and 9 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. online. To register call 416-252-6471 ext. 308 or e-mail jasmind@lampchc.org Bring your art supplies and a beverage.

DECEMBER 10 ETOBICOKE CENTENNIAL CHOIR performs a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. at Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd. The Cantabile Children’s Choir of Young Voices Toronto will join ECC for the whimsical Brother Heinrich’s Christmas by John Rutter. Vocal soloists are Érika Wood, soprano; Mélissa Danis, mezzo-soprano; Lauren Halasz, alto; Ryan Downey, tenor and David Finneran, baritone. Tickets $30 available at website www.etobicokecentennialchoir.ca ; by e-transfer to treasurer@etobicokecentennialchoir.ca or call 416-779-2258. Admission is free for children 12 and under.

DECEMBER 10 TOY DRIVE ALDERWOOD Cares Christmas Toy Drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 44 Delma Drive. Please donate a new unwrapped toy to help bring a smile to an Etobicoke child.

DECEMBER 16 ENJOY A LITTLE BIT OF CHRISTMAS with the Queensmen Male Chorus at 7 p.m. at Richview United Church, at 149 Wellesworth Drive. Pay what you can at the door to help support the band. For more information phone 647-894-3619 or 416-697-9679 or visit www.queensmen.net

NOVEMBER 26 St. MARGARET NEW TORONTO is hosting a Christmas Market-Bazaar fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, at the church at 156 Sixth Street. After 115 years St. Margaret still provides a welcoming and accessible space in the community by offering free meals, personal care support, showers and laundry to those in need. The church is seeking donations as raffle items, gift cards, food or beverages for the event. Contact Rev. Jacqueline Daley at 416-259-2659.

NOVEMBER 28 COMMUNITY DINNER takeout from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Margaret New Toronto, at 156 Sixth Street. All is welcome. Contact Rev. Jacqueline Daley at 416-259-2659.

ADULT DROP IN PROGRAM MOVED – If you are hungry and in need of food LAMP’s Adult Drop-In program has moved to St. Margaret’s Anglican Church 156 Sixth Street. Meals are take away and dine-in from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Services Available: Meals (take away and dine-in), access to laundry and showers, referral and case management, harm reduction supplies, hygiene kits, period bags and pet food.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT at St. Margaret New Toronto, at 156 Sixth Street, is Maggie’s Family Friday, where families with school-aged children can enjoy a free meal, programming, free laundry services, groceries and care packages or donations from the community. Contact Rev. Jacqueline Daley at 416-259-2659.

THE STONEGATE CHC GOOD FOOD BOX in which a $22 donation buys a local family in need a large Good Food Box brimming with fresh fruits and veggies as a gift. Call Stonegate Community Health Centre at 416-231-7070 ext, 229 or visit their website at www.stonegatechc.org.
IMPROVE YOUR READING, WRITING AND Computer skills by using an iPad? Adult Learning at LAMP Community Health Centre is offering free small group, in-person learning Tuesday afternoons at 185 Fifth Street. Participants must be Ontario residents, 19-years of age and up, speak English and have a valid SIN number. Please email anitad@lampchc.org or call: 416-252-9701 EXT. 242 or 243 for details.

EVERY THURSDAY FROM 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. the Cooper Mills-Gooch Community Food Bank provides fresh groceries and essential food items every Thursday in the Jane St. and Dundas St. W. area. Contact 416-358-0031 for more information.

AFFORDABLE FOOD EVERY THURSDAY from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Good Food Market at Stonegate Community Health Centre, Second Floor, 10 Neighbourhood Lane. Affordable produce. Bring your own bag. For more information call 416-231-7070 ext. 307.

THREE THURSDAYS IN DECEMBER FREE chair yoga session in person or online for three weeks..
Learn how to stretch and strengthen your muscles, back and core area Dec. 1, 8 and 15 at 11 am. Meet our Yoga Coach Briar Boake who has been specializing in Chair Yoga for over 10 years. She has a background in music theatre, dance and performing and brings a creative approach to her classes. To register contact jasmind@lampchc.org or call 416 252 6471 ext. 308.

DECEMBER 4 and 18 St. MARGARET NEW TORONTO will be having their Hope with Wheels Lunch from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in partnership with Haven on the Queensway. To register contact jasmind@lampchc.org or call 416 252 6471 ext. 308.

DECEMBER 24 IS THE 3OTH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS WITH FRENDS St. Margaret New Toronto takeout meal takes place from 12 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations are required. Call 416-259-2659 to reserve now.

 

Police are warning busy merchants to be on the lookout for counterfeit $100 bills as shopping activity picks up for the Christmas holidays.

An investigation, dubbed Project OCedarwood, by the RCMP has led to warrants being issued for the arrests of three people for a list of counterfeit money charges, including the seizure of a number of the fake bills

The probe began in June 2022 when police obtained information from Home Depot that its Loss Prevention Department had identified a group who were purchasing goods at various retailers with suspected counterfeit money and then returned the products at other locations to obtain full refunds.

“The accused purchased store merchandise with counterfeit bills,” the RCMP said in a release. “The accused would return the merchandise at a separate retail location to obtain a full refund on the initial purchase.”

The RCMP allege the counterfeit bills were circulated at a number of large box store retailers in the Toronto area, along the Highway 401 corridor between Belleville and London, and North to Barrie and South to Hamilton.

“Although the counterfeit $100 bills were quite sophisticated in an attempt to replicate current bank note security features, these counterfeit bills can be distinguished from a genuine due to various print defects,” police said.

Manuel Parreira, a Bank of Canada Regional Director, said the financial loss from a counterfeit note can be significant for individuals and businesses alike.

“The number of counterfeits in circulation in Canada remains low with bank note security features continuing to demonstrate they are reliable, quick and easy to use,” Parreira said. “Knowing the security features on a bank note allows you to detect a counterfeit at a glance and protect yourself from fraud.”

Warrants have been issued for Raj Kirubananthan, 31, of Markham, Jessica Mitchell, 38, of Belleville, and Bleu Lawrence, 28, of Burlington. They are sought by police for five counts each relating to uttering and possession of counterfeit money.

If you have any information in relation to counterfeit money, suspect that you are in possession of counterfeit money, or believe someone has attempted to pass along counterfeit money to you, please contact your local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.

 

 

Alderwood Cares Christmas Toy Drive

Christmas Bazaar at St. Margaret New Toronto

 

Salvation Army Mini Miracles

 

The RCMP is celebrating its 12^th Anniversary of the Toys for the North campaign.

The national police force’s O Division will again coordinate transportation and delivery of toys to children living in remote northern communities.

The RCMP, along with partners from the Canadian Toy Association, Thomson Terminals Limited and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) are working to receive toys and arrange transportation and delivery.

“We want to continue to bring joy to children across Canada’s North and reach as many children as possible,” said Cpl. Angelique Dignard. “We are overjoyed that this year we are able to expand the program into communities in the Northwest Territories.”

The Christmas campaign began in 2010, originating from a partnership between the Santa Claus Parade, the Canadian Toy Association, The Toronto Zoo, O Division RCMP and the Toronto RCMP Veterans Association. That year we delivered toys to northern communities in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The force has since made the holidays a little brighter by distributing over $1,000,000 worth of toys to children in Northern communities.

Should you wish to donate a new unwrapped toy, you can do so at one of our three GTA detachments in Toronto North and Airport Detachments or at our Hamilton-Niagara Regional Detachment in Stoney Creek. Donation boxes will be available at the three offices, Monday to Friday, between November 1^st, 2022 and November 24^th, 2022, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm.

Be sure to follow the journey of the toys from the GTA to Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Northern Newfoundland/Labrador and Ontario on our Twitter, Facebood and Instagram feeds or by following hashtags #CTAT4N and #ToysForTheNorth.

“We are very grateful for everyone who has supported the Toys for the North campaign for the past 12 years,” Dignard said. “Together, you helped create happy memories for children across Canada’s remote north. The smiling faces of the children have been the best gifts we could ever imagine receiving.”

You can contact Dignard by email at  angelique.dignard@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

 

 

Hundreds of Canadian military veterans and their families and friends paid their respects to loved ones who lost their lives in battle on Remembrance Day.

A large amount of the young soldiers who left for wars overseas were from the South Etobicoke area or had families here.

There were a number of well-attended memorial services on November 11 starting with a 7 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony held at the New Toronto Cenotaph, at Colonel Samuel Smith Park.

Other services were held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 101, in Long Branch, Branch 643, at 101 Jutland Road with many more showing their support for our soldiers at the Etobicoke Civic Centre service, on the West Mall.

Residents braved the cold to pay their respects to the many Canadian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for this country.

All were invited back inside Branch 643 Legion Hall to share memories and enjoy a warm soup and snacks.

 

 And you thought you had a hard day at work.

A merchant in the St. Clair West and Runnymede Road area had to fend off an axe attack after he tried to stop a man from stealing goods at his store.

Luckily the storekeeper suffered minor injuries on October 25 after Toronto Police Hold Up Squad officers responded to a robbery at the convenience store.

Police allege a man and woman entered the store and began concealing items.

They both attempted to leave, making no attempt to pay, according to police.

“The woman was confronted but managed to get away and flee,” according to a release. “When employees approached the man prior to him leaving, he swung an axe striking one victim causing minor injuries and forcing them to back away.”

Both suspects fled the area on foot.

The man is described as white, approximately 20 to 30 years old, 5’7” with a slim build.

The woman is described as black, approximately 20 to 30 years old, 5’5” with a slim build and hair partially dyed blue.

If located, do not approach, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Photographs of the suspects have been released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

A patient care assistant who worked at Trillium Health Partners (THP) has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a vulnerable elderly female patient.

Peel Regional Police officers of a Special Victims Unit have arrested a part-time employee of the huge hospital that is made up of the Credit Valley Hospital, the Mississauga Hospital and the Queensway Health Centre.

Police allege the sexual assault against the vulnerable elderly woman occurred in early November 2022.

“The victim did not suffer any physical injuries as a result of the incident,” Peel police said in a release.

Officers did not disclose how old the woman was but said the incident occurred at the THP’s Mississauga location.

William Soto, 32, of Toronto, has been charged with sexual assault. He was slated to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on November 13.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims and encourage anyone with information to contact investigators Special Victims Unit at 905-453-2121, extension 3460.

Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

Words and Photos By REJEAN CANTLON

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) Cup was in South Etobicoke earlier this month courtesy of former Mimico Mountaineer Jr A lacrosse player and captain, Warren Jeffrey.

Jeffrey, fondly referred to as “Moose”, is described a stellar and menacing 6’3”, 235-pound beast of a defenceman on the Colorado Mammoth lacrosse squad who helped commandeer the 2022 championship bragging rights from the Buffalo Bandits.

Jeffrey was born and bred in Mimico. He played his amateur career with the Mimico Mountaineers, winning provincial minor championships seemingly at will.
He went on to play high school ball with St. Michael’s College School and graduated to varsity stick with the NCAA Division 1 University of Vermont Catamounts.

Jeffrey’s athletic allocates do not stop with lacrosse, he was also a stand-out athlete in minor hockey with the Queensway Canadiens, West Mall Lightning, Mississauga North Stars, AAA Senators and St. Michael’s College School.

Proud parents

Cameron and Georgia embraced the victory celebration at Dakota’s Sports Bar with family, friends and fans.

In the midst of the excitement at Dakota’s, Colorado Mammoth Head Coach, Pat Coyle, sent this message stating, “Warren has become one of our most dominant and dependable defencemen. Sometimes he does his job so well and efficiently that you don’t even notice him. But his teammates and coaches know that he is one of the most imposing defencemen in the NLL and that we are lucky to have him.”

Jeffrey brought the Cup back to his roots, giving young Mimico athletes like Slade, Jameson and Rowan a chance to see and touch the 50-pound iconic trophy in person.

Interesting fact: brothers Jameson and Rowan are originally from Denver, where Warren plays. They recently moved to the South Etobicoke area and carry a fond respect and admiration for the game. They are now clearly part of the Mimico Mountaineer family. Without a doubt, many lacrosse fans in the South Etobicoke area will be cheering on Warren to bring the NLL Cup back next season.

Item of note: newly acclaimed OLA President, Sean O’Callahan was also in the house at Dakota’s. Congrats O’Cal or should we say… Mr. President (a.H)