The South Etobicoke News

Serving Humber * Mimico * Lakeshore Village * Long Branch * Alderwood

Former Almont Hotel marks 130-years

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By DAVE KOSONIC

The historic and former Almont Hotel is more than 130-years-old and still sits gracefully at the corner of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Kipling Ave., as a reminder of having seen grander times.
Today the iconic building at 3166 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is owned by Humber College and is used as a fashion design facility by students.
It is chronicled that the pub was built in 1890 by John Sheene, an Irishman, who always wanted to own a hotel in New Toronto.
“Being across the street from the asylum, young people were often sent invitations to dances held to give the patients a chance to socialize,” according to records. Its location was halfway between Peel region and Toronto and farmers would often stop overnight for a toddy on their trips to the market.
There were many horse-drawn buggies parked in front of the hotel as travelers on their way to Toronto and beyond slept, ate and drank. As the years passed by, the second level at the west-end of the hotel was removed after the horse-and-buggy days were overtaken by the motor car and disappeared into history.
In 1924 when the Long Branch Racetrack came into operation business at the Almont was booming and featured a shuttle service between the Horner Ave., racetrack and the hotel.
If the tavern in the Almont could talk it would have stories to tell, says John Surmachynski, of Etobicoke, who recalls going to the mens’ beverage room during the early 1960’s after work to drink cold beer with his co-workers
“Draught beer cost 10-cents a glass and you could only be served one glass at a time,” he says, adding the beverage room could get rowdy at times if some of the guys had a bit too much to drink.
During the 1950’s, a large sign above the front entrance advertised a ‘Giant Television’ which was a luxury then. Apparently there was also a ladies and escorts section at the Almont and it is said that teachers-in-training from the nearby Lakeshore Teachers’ College would drop by for a few pints now-and-then.
Still this building and its distinctive spire constructed at the front corner of the Almont 130-years-ago remains intact as a symbol of a historic and happy place.

Screaming Eagle returned to Long Branch library

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Officials of the Toronto Public Library: New Toronto Branch are happy to recover a cherished wooden art sculpture of a screaming eagle by talented Canadian wood-sculptor Frederick ‘Freddie’ Kempf.
The lovely and heavy wooden artwork had been stored in a library supply room for many years until it was recently found. A new home at the New Toronto Branch, on 110 Eleventh Street, is planned for the long-lost sculpture of the screaming eagle.
“We are so very happy to have this precious sculpture returned to us and we will find it a nice home,” says Branch official Anna Carmela Mann. “Frederick Kempf was a very talented sculptor who was ahead of his time.”
The Kempf family, who had eight children, lived on Fifth Street. The elder Kempf worked as a contractor hauling stones from the mines and dragging logs from a nearby forest, according to records.
The family had emigrated from a small town near the German city of Alsace-Lorraine to Toronto and made New Toronto home when Freddie was a boy.
Frederick always carried a carving knife and at the age of seven was whittling soft-wood models of horses, birds, deer and other animals.
He, his wife Alice and son Freddie, had lots of carved animals and birds decorating their home.
Frederick, while running his late dad’s contracting company, had fashioned from tough, hard wood like maple, oak and elm statues of soaring eagles, fighting stags, replicas of famous race horses, the Blessed Virgin Mary and many others.
The artist’s fame was growing and soon he was commissioned by the Town of New Toronto to make an official reception foyer, which adjoined the council chamber on the second floor of Town Hall.
“It (table) was considered by many to be one of the most imaginative pieces of wood design in Canada,” according to one article back then.

Area residents loved their movie theatres

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South Etobicoke residents have a long love affair with the movies and long before filming began here there were three bustling air conditioned theaters that entertained the community for decades.
Adults and their children during the movie-crazed heyday, which ran from 1910 to the 1970s, would pay anywhere from 10 to 75-cents to purchase a ticket to attend a Saturday matinee or feature and relax in air conditioned comfort, which they didn’t have at home.
New Toronto fans after a week of work would flock to the Odeon Lakeshore Theatre at Lake Shore Blvd. W., between Second and Third Streets, to catch the latest offerings from Hollywood and indulge in large amounts of popcorn and cola.
The Odeon began life as the former Biltmore New Toronto, which opened in 1947 and had 676 seats. It is now the office of a law firm.

Philip Barker, of the Long Branch BIA, worked as an usher at the Odeon as a student.
“Back then the movies were a big thing,” Barker recalls. “It was affordable entertainment and people loved the air conditioning.”
Across the street was the Capitol Theatre, which stood for 45-years at the south-west corner of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Fourth Street. The large 1,042-seat movie house was opened in 1929 and showed flicks until 1975, when the last projector went dark.
It is now a high-rise apartment building for seniors with a variety store on the street level.
Just west the busy Royal Theater stood at Long Branch Ave., and 35th St., and was always packed with movie lovers. It was one of the earlier theaters in the area dating back to the 1910s and had 619 seats. Movies were screened there until 1960, when it was closed.
“We were there every Saturday for the matinees,” recalls Barker. “All the kids from the neighbourhood went there on Saturday.”
He says the Royal, with 400 seats, had a small lobby and concession stand. Most of the theatres played two features during the week and three, including an animated cartoon, on the weekend.
Barker says it cost 75-cents to watch a flick when he was working at the Odeon.
The area over the years has been a location of choice for U.S. and Canadian movie and TV production firms. We have several major studios here where some of the biggest-grossing TV and movies are produced.

Police checking for booze in COVID takeouts

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Some people just never learn.
Officers from 22 Division have been busy checking some area bars, restaurants and cafes after complaints of booze being sold to patrons awaiting their take-out orders.
The Ontario government last March 17 declared a State of Emergency to help contain the spread of COVID-19, which meant only take-out food can be served in restaurants and coffee shops, which were ordered to remove their tables so customers cannot gather to avoid spreading the virus.
Also shut were parks, recreation centres, private schools, public libraries, bars, movie theatres, concert venues and places of worship until March 30, at least.
“It has been pretty hectic in dealing with some establishments,” says Sgt. Lhawang JongDong, of the Community Response Unit.
Police say a number of establishments have been charged under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
Officers say the enforcement effort is to protect the public and reduce the harmful spread of COVID-19.
The establishments have been charged with; fail to comply with an order made during declared emergency, obstruct any person exercising a power in accordance with an order made during declared emergency and obstruct any person performing a duty in accordance with an order made during declared emergency.
The fines if convicted range from $880 to $1,130.
Police plan to continue their crackdown until the Ontario government lifts the emergency order.

Community alerted to fake $50 bills

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A Long Branch merchant is warning other small businesses to be on the lookout for fraudsters trying to circulate fake $50 bills in a bid to scam local store and business owners.
The well-known fast food store owner says he has intercepted three fake Canadian orange $50s in the last month from alleged thieves.
He shows one of the fake $50, in which you can feel a clear piece of plastic tape wrapped around the transparent, plastic section of the bill.
“I just take it away from them (fraudsters) and I tell them that I am calling the police,” the long-time area resident says. “They just take off.”
Community officers from 22 Division say they’re coming across many phoney bills and merchants and others have to look closely at the bills that they are accepting from customers.
“These guys are new to the area,” the store owner says. “I haven’t seen them here before.”
Police are warning business owners of an online telephone scam in which a caller claiming to be Customer Service agent claims their company is owned money for outstanding bills and services will be cut off unless they pay up, usually in bitcoins.

San Remo temporary shuts to COVID-19

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Community Events for April 2020.

ADULT DAY PROGRAM at Storefront Humber, 2445 Lake Shore Blvd. W.,Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. is a supervised program for those who are frail, cognitively impaired or physically disable. Call 416-259-4207. There is also a hot lunch program from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
EVERY FRIDAY MORNING the Long Branch Baptist Church, at 3381 Lake Shore Blvd. W., offers a free clothing outlet from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for those in need of clothing for themselves or their families. You can also donate gently used clothes that others can use. Contact 416-251-1525.
APRIL 4 JAPANESE PAPER PLACE WORKSHOP: 3D Washi with Cybele Young. Come try something new in the community. Tickets required. Workshop takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 14 Sousa Mendes St. Contact 416-538-9669 or visit www.japanesepaperplace.com
MARCH 15 FELLOWSHIP LUNCH AT LONG BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. that is open for all in the community at the 105-year-old church at 3381 Lake Shore Blvd. W. The free lunches take place on the third Sunday of each month. For more info call 416 251 1525.
MONDAY NIGHTS LAKESHORE OUT OF THE COLD ministry that provides a hot meal and emergency overnight shelter to people who are homeless or hungry. Takes place every Monday at 6 p.m. until April. Volunteers prepare dinner plus bag lunch. To volunteer contact Cara at 416-255-5224.
FEBRUARY 21 FREE COMMUNITY MONTHLY HOT DINNER for pay what-you-can home-cooked meal, with live music and fellowship at St. Margaret’s Church, New Toronto,156 Sixth St., from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteers and sponsors needed. For more information call 416-259-2659.
APRIL 19 FOR 16th ANNUAL COLONEL SAM SMITH PARK CLEANUP from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and join Watershed Champion Alan Roy, for the annual Col. Sam, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive, litter cleanup to help get rid of plastic bags, bottles, cans and other refuse along the trail. Event goes rain or shine and dress appropriately. Meet on the path, south of the cul de sac. Contact 416-661-6600 ext, 5575. Subject to cancellation due to COVID-19.
APRIL 26 SPRING LITTER CLEANUP AT MARIE CURTIS PARK for all ages takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Marie Curtis Park, 2 Forty Second Street. Join the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority and Friends of Marie Curtis Park for a nature hike and litter cleanup. Meet in the large parking lot near the lake on the west side of the creek. Subject to cancellation due to COVID-19.
MARCH 28 ONTARIO POPS ORCHESTRA CONCERT nixed and rest of season cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation. Programs will be incorporated in the upcoming season. Please visit our website www.ontariopops.com for further information or questions.
APRIL 30 HISTORY WALKING TOUR OF COL. SAM SMITH PARK, at 29 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive, traces the history of the traditional lands of the Ojibwe Anishinabe, which was home of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital before it became the Humber College Lakeshore Campus. Tour runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. meet outside K Cottage. Subject to cancellation due to COVID-19.
MAY 5 LANDSCAPING FOR BIRDS FROM 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Small Arms Inspection Building, 1352 Lake Shore Rd. E., with expert Melissa Creasey to discover the most common and unique birds in your area. Learn how to attract them to your yard and how to keep them safe. For more information call 647-646-9695. Subject to cancellation due to COVID-19.
MAY 9 SPRING LITTER CLEANUP AT HUMBER BAY PARK from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Humber Bay Park, 2225 Lake Shore Blvd. W., with Friends of Humber Bay Park and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to clean up plastic bags, bottles and other items from the trail and shoreline. Goes rain or shine and dress appropriately. Subject to cancellation due to COVID-19.
MAY 23 SPRING BIRD FESTIVAL at Colonel Samuel Smith Park at Kipling Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd. W., and register to receive free trees to plant on private property. All is welcome to come out and enjoy the outdoors.
HAVEN ON THE QUEENSWAY HAS SHUT MOST of its programs and services due to COVID 19 but will continue to serve its food bank users by appointment and pick-up at their 1533 The Queensway office. Call 416-640-2005 to make arrangements to access the Haven food bank, First Care or other services still open.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING, Al-Anon is a mutual support group for those whose lives are affected by someone’s drinking. Meetings are free and anonymous. Long Branch Al-Anon Group meets every Monday at 7 p.m. at LAMP, 185 Fifth St. Also Kingsway Al-Anon Group meets every Monday at 8 p.m. at St. Georges on the Hill Church, 4600 Dundas St. W.
CHILDREN’s BOOK CENTRE FOR FREE new and slightly used kids books available to parents, guardians and children to develop and encourage your child’s learning and reading abilities. Books, food bank and other services available at Haven on the Queensway, 1533 The Queensway. Contact 416-640-2005.

Concord In The City progam

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Katherine Martins, an interim co-program director at Concord In The City, with Jason, who suffers from autism, at their organization’s coffee shop at 3407 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
The charity operates a day-program for adults with autism that provides work and on-the-job training for about 10 adults who suffer from autism. The shop is opened at different hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The program, which was founded by two area residents, teach the adults money handling skills, food handling, stocking and their expiry dates. “This is a wonderful program,” Elizabeth Whitwell wrote. “The staff is very caring and provide a very interesting program for the participants. My daughter loves coming to Concord.”

Iconic Gretzky-Horton TV ad filmed in Alderwood

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Many residents are still shedding tears after watching a young Wayne Gretzky meet his hero Tim Horton for an autograph in an emotional commercial that was mainly filmed at Brown’s Line Donuts in Alderwood.
“The Autograph” portrays a young Gretzky, played by Gordie Gilders, visiting a Tim Hortons location in 1968 in Brantford and getting an autograph from Hortons, the late Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman and restaurant co-founder.
The Great One would say he was inspired to become a professional hockey player after that meeting.
“They were filming here for two days last summer,” says Rina, who with her husband own the 744 Brown’s Line 1950s-style eatery. “Thousands of people have seen that commercial. It is very famous and people are still talking about it today.”
Many of the regular customers say they did not recognize their favourite restaurant at first.
“They (producers) did a great job transforming this place,” says Stan. “I come here every day and I still didn’t recognize the place. Someone had to tell me.”
The extras and actors in the commercial were dressed in 1960s clothing with ’60s hair and makeup, officials said.
The ad was shot “in an old diner off of Brown’s Line that they had converted into an original Tim Hortons with stools inside and tables. I couldn’t believe it,” one of those involved recalled.
Gretzky, or his dad, Walter, were not at the diner because their scene was filmed elsewhere.
At the end of the commercial, Gretzky is shown with tears welling in his eyes.
The story is an emotional tribute to Horton, who was one of the greatest defensemen of all-time. Horton spent 24 seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres
His career tragically ended in 1974 when he crashed his sports car in St. Catherines. Horton, a member of the Sabres at the time, had played against his famous former team, the Leafs, the night before and was driving back to Buffalo. He died at age 44.
Horton opened his first doughnut shop in Hamilton in 1964. By 1968, Tim Hortons had become a multi-million dollar franchise. After Horton died, Ron Joyce, Horton’s business partner, bought the Horton’s family’s shares for $1 million becoming sole owner.
Today there are almost 5,000 Tim Hortons stores in Canada.

Tips for staying safe from COVID-19

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Here are some Toronto Public Health tips for staying safe from COVID 19
– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
– Avoid close contact with people who are ill
– Stay home when you are ill
-Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands
– If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
– If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, call Toronto Public Health
at 416-338-7600 and self-isolate.

Thieves preying on seniors in COVID scams

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By TOM GODFREY

They are the lowest of the low.
Police are warning residents to be on the alert for scammers going online and door-to-door peddling a range of fake COVID-19 test kits, face masks, hand sanitizers and miracle cures to try and defraud members of our community.
The conmen may advertise on what appear to be government programs or fake charity appeals to try and steal money from residents. They usually target seniors.
“Beware of unsolicited calls, texts and emails offering ‘free’ medical or health products, and those with links or attachments,” police say, adding residents should not respond to suspicious messages.
“Clicking on the link will take you to a scam website and that’s where the hack begins,” officers say.
There have been warnings about the scam issued by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), the Better Business Bureau (BBB), City of Toronto and a list of police forces.
The CAFC say people should be wary of private companies offering face masks or COVID-19 tests, which are currently only available at hospitals.
“Fraudsters are creative and want to profit from consumers’ fears, uncertainties and misinformation,” the CAFC said in a release.
They say people going door-to-door offering de-contamination services should be avoided.
Police say one hacker even went as far as creating a fake Public Health Agency of Canada website to try and defraud residents.
The BBB have received complaints about alleged scam websites selling masks and other goods online.
They are urging residents to be vigilant and avoid “fake cures, phony prevention measures and other coronavirus cons.”
“The best way to avoid getting scammed is to buy the goods directly from a seller you know and trust,” the BBB stated.
Even Fire Chief Matthew Pegg, General Manager for Emergency Management for the City of Toronto, is warning of the crooks preying on residents by selling COVID-19 test kits.
‘This is a total scam,” Pegg says, noting that residents can obtain accurate information by visiting City websites.
“This is terrible news,” warns resident Helen Filipe. “This is an all-time low. Yikes.”
City officials can be reached by dialling 311, or at toronto.ca. The number for Toronto Public Health is 416-338-7600 and their email is publichealth@toronto.ca