By TOM GODFREY
Hard-working Ann Marie Curtis was the first female reeve of Long Branch and is best remembered for a beautiful waterfront park that is named in her honour.
Curtis served as the reeve of Long Branch from 1953 to her retirement in 1962, and was the only woman to hold that job. She was also a member of Metro Toronto Council and the first woman on its executive.
A proud housewife, she worked hard to improve the life of residents and oversaw improvements to infrastructure in Long Branch as the installation of storm sewers, the paving of roads and planting of crab apple trees to help curb floods.
One of seven children, she was raised in St. Louis, Miss., and later moved to Long Branch, got married to husband Bryce, and worked in a hat factory.
Her friends swore her “political commentary was as crusty as the scrumptious apple pies she loved to bake.”
Curtis became involved in activism after seven teachers in the community were fired. She became president of the Home and School Association and successfully lobbied for more kindergarten classes.
She became frustrated that the incumbent reeve was “rubber-stamping’ the decisions of others and ran against him and won the position.
Curtis made a name for herself during Hurricane Hazel, which struck in October 1954, killing seven people and leaving 700 evacuated from their homes, trailers and streets.
Curtis was in charge of the relocation of flood victims and advocated for the conversion of a flood plain on which the devastated homes stood into parkland. Some 300 homes were demolished, along with the trailer park to create a 35-acre park.
The popular Curtis even delivered compensation checks personally to the flood victims.
She is still remembered for the Long Branch Arena, a new artificial ice rink which she opened In December 1962, despite issues with funding.
Curtis retired in 1962 and moved with Bryce to Flesherton. There she served for six years as secretary of the Association of Mayors and Reeves in Ontario, where she was a former president.
Curtis advocated in 1962 for the amalgamation of Long Branch with neighbouring villages Mimico and New Toronto, but the proposal went to the Ontario Municipal Board, which left the villages in place. The Ontario government amalgamated the three communities into Etobicoke in 1967.
She died in 2006 at the age of 94. The park that was destroyed by Hazel was named Marie Curtis Park in her honour in 1959. It is marked by a plaque and cairn. To top it off she was inducted into the Etobicoke Hall of Fame in 1988.
Food lovers help educate girls in India
Etobicoke Indian food lovers are helping to educate two aspiring young girls across the world through the purchase of a tasty snack.
Karan Kalia, owner of Tich Modern Indian Cuisine, at 2314 Lake Shore Blvd. W., has been putting aside about 25-cents for the Indian teens from the sale of every tasty Onion Bhaji appetizer, which are a favourite of many customers.
Kalia says the change works out to a princely sum when converted into Indian rupees.
She says the funds help sisters Jyoti, 17, and Anjali, 15, who live a difficult life in New Delhi.
The pair help their mom, who works as an ironing lady, or “press wali,” for their village. They daily help to pick up the clothing, with the ironing and then return the items to their customers.
Most villages in India have a “press wali,” who acts as the local ironing lady.
“Jyoti is passionate about dance and hopes to pursue a career within the field,” she says. “Anjali is inclined towards finance and wishes to work in the banking industry.”
Her daughter Shanaya, 19, befriended the girls while on a trip to India and vowed to help them with their education.
“My daughter was surprised to see them studying under a lamp-post in New Delhi at night,” Kalia recalls. “They started a friendship and she wanted to help them.”
She says many customers order the appetizers once they learn that part of the price goes to help the girls with their education.
“Every couple months we exchange into rupees the money we have collected and send it to them,” Kalia says. “It may not sound as much but it is a fair bit after we convert it to rupees.”
She estimate they’ve sent more than 5,000 rupees to help the girls, which is more than $100 Canadian.
“It is a small gesture but it is a start in giving back to the community,” Kalia says. “Thanks to our customers here who are helping these girls in India.”
Tich restaurant just celebrated its fifth anniversary and has customers from across the city who love their good Indian cuisine.
Popular hairdresser retires after 50-years of area service
Hairdresser Claire Bedogni will be missed by thousands of women whom she made feel and look better during her 50-years as a popular stylist in the community.
It was a shock when Bedogni, who is 74, retired last month after working for the last 23-years at Creative Image Hair Salon, at 2995 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
“I would like to thank Anthony and his team and all the nice people, many who are now my friends,” a smiling Bedogni says. “It has been a good ride.”
She has always worked in the community and previously owned a shop in Mimico called Chiari Hairdressers.
On this day a long-time customer stops by with a Tim Hortons coffee for Bedogni as she styles the hair of another customer, now friend, named Bernice.
“I come here once a week and I don’t know what I will do now,” says a saddened Bernice. “I have been coming here for at least 10-years and we have become friends.”
Bedogni says she will miss her customers and the social atmosphere of the salon.
“But at some point you have to retire,” she says. “I love the job and the people but I want to leave on my own will.”
She plans to spend some time babysitting her two-year-old twin grandchildren, travel and keep busy.
Another customer stops by the shop to chat a little about Bedogni’s retirement and promises to return.
“This has been like a dream for me to be working as a hairstylist,” she reflects. “I feel lucky to be meeting all these interesting people.”
Creative Image owner Anthony Dibiase says Bedogni is still passionate about the craft.
“She has many customers who have been coming to see her for years,” he says. “We will miss her and we wish her a happy retirement.”
Local church a busy hub for free clothes and other needs
A 105-year-old Long Branch church has been proudly outfitting many needy residents and newcomer families for free for more than three decades.
Every Friday morning a large room in the basement of the Long Branch Baptist Church is turned into a clothing outlet where new or gently used clothing, toys, or household items and necessities are available for free to those who live in the community.
Most residents in need know the Long Branch church is a place to go for clothing, or services to cater to their needs.
It is a freezing Friday morning and already a line of people form inside the lobby of the 3381 Lake Shore Blvd. W. church
A group of people sit on a staircase waiting for the outlet to open at 9 a.m. It closes at 11 a.m.
Downstairs Olga Shevchenko, an outreach director of the church, and a group of volunteers await the first eight or nine people. They can get up to 100 people or more looking for items during the two hours.
“Sometimes it gets really packed in here,” Olga says. “That’s why we only let in eight or nine people at a time.”
The clothing outlet has been in existence for about 32-years and is popular in the community.
Olga says many of their clients are from the area but others arrive from Brampton, Mississauga and other areas.
“Many of the people who we see are newcomers to Canada or those facing difficulties in their lives,” Olga explains. “They are from all over and speak different languages.”
People can arrange to leave their new or gently used clothing or other items at the church, by ringing a bell on the door. Dozens of volunteers will sort and place the items on shelves or racks.
“We can always use more mens’ clothing, gloves, boots, socks or underwear,” Olga says. “There is always a shortage of items for men.”
The outlet also accepts dishes, pots, blankets, children’s items and toys, pillows, other household goods and there are a demand for strollers. They do not accept furniture due to a lack of space.
The users are allowed to take home with them a large garbage bag filled with clothing and other items.
“Some people do need everything,” she says. “There is a big demand for the clothes and other items from those in need in the community.”
Six officers with 200-years experience retire from force
More than 200-years of combined police experience from 22 Division have been lost as six well-liked officers are among those to recently retire from the Toronto Police Service.
“We salute and wish our well-deserving retirees the best of health, happiness and peace in the next chapter of their lives,” officers said of their departing colleagues on a retirement poster.
A private retirement gala is planned for April 16.
Among those who’ve left include the popular Staff Sgt. Doug MacDonald, who has 30-years of service, working in a number of positions with the force.
MacDonald was thanked online by dozens of colleagues, including community residents from the Mimico By The Lake BIA and Lakeshore Village BIA.
“So glad to have worked with you in this great community,” according to a post by the Lakeshore Village BIA. “We look forward to seeing you in your new civilian role. Thank you and congratulations.”
Colleagues from 11 Division says “Doug will be missed and was a great guy to work for.”
Also gone is Det. Sgt. Joanne Rudnick, who served 31-years and 11-months on the force; many spent investigating and collaring some viscous sex crime offenders.
We also miss Det. Barb Kohl, who over the years has helped to search for a number of missing people in the area.
Sgt. Lisa Ferris, a former bike cop, is being congratulated on her retirement after many years in a series of roles on the TPS.
Long-time Sgt. John Clarke, an avid skier, has also moved on. Clarke and four Toronto Police officers in 2017 represented city, country, and service at the North American Police Ski-Snowboard Championships in Snowmass, Colorado.
Thank you also goes out to Booker Ed Taylor and SDO Cindy Dodardo for serving the residents of our community.
The TPS have about 5,400 uniformed officers and 2,500 civilian employees. About 11 per cent of officers in Canada are eligible to retire with full pension, records show.
Oscar Peterson lived here and is a Lakeshore Legend
Many of us walk by a portrait of celebrated jazz pianist Oscar Peterson who helped to transform music and is one of six Lakeshore Legends heroes whose mural grace a Sixth Street wall.
Many residents didn’t realize the Montreal-born musician had long ties to our community and had lived in Mimico for a number of years in the 1960s and 70s’.
Peterson, who was born in 1925 and composed more than 400 pieces, during the 1960s lived at Amadeo Garden Court Complex in two apartments overlooking Lake Ontario, according to local historians and residents.
“For years Peterson frequented the mom-and-pop stores along the Lakeshore,” and according to his widow, Kelly Peterson “loved spending time by the water.”
He was often seen in Marie Curtis Park, which he loved, before moving to Mississauga.
The portrait of Peterson made it into Lakeshore Legends due to his love for the area and its residents, according to the Lakeshore Village BIA, which sponsored the artwork.
Peterson died of kidney failure at his Mississauga home in December 23, 2007.
He loved the area because some of his musician friends as Horace Lapp, a silent film accompanist, and trombonist pal Butch Watanabe also lived in the area.
The word-renowned pianist was the winner of eight Grammy Awards and worked with top musicians as Ray Brown, Ella Fitzgerald and many others. His song “Hymn To Freedom” rose to become one of the top crusade songs of the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr.
He loved York University and served as the university’s fifth chancellor and was involved in the York music program.
Peterson was recognized by the City of Mississauga in 2003 when a street was named for him and he was presented with a Civic Award of Merit. He had postage stamp unveiled in his honour, along with his name on plaques and numerous schools. He was also inducted to the Order of Canada in 1972.
The mural, by Toronto artist Chris Irvine, pays tribute to fellow Lakeshore Legends like NHL star Dave Bolland, marathoner Jerome Drayton, skater Petra Burka, swimmer Lou Gamble and others who led extraordinary lives and contributed to the rich cultural fabric of our community.
Alderwood’s Singing O’Connors a vaudeville hit
A City of Toronto heritage plaque stands outside a Connorvale Ave., home where the famous Alderwood Singing O’Connor Sisters vaudeville stars grew up.
The sisters, who were at one time billed as the Six Singing O’Connor Sisters, included Vera, Kathleen, Madeleine, Geraldine, Kathleen and Vera. They were the daughters of farmers, who never lost their roots, even as they became a hit at vaudeville dance halls and theatres in Canada and the U.S. from 1910 to 1937.
The six girls were part of nine children of John Jr. and Ellen, who both loved music. Ellen was a professional singer and John Jr. played the violin, so there was always music at the O’Connor home and it is said that harmony singing came naturally to the girls, who would often perform at area banquets and concerts.
It wasn’t until 1910 when they received a big break. A family friend arranged for them to sing for Michael Shea, the owner of the Shea Theatre Chain, who was so impressed with their singing that he signed them on the spot.
By 1912 the singers, who were dubbed ‘the only authentic six sister group ever in show business,’ were performing on stages across North America with stars of the day, who included Jimmie Durante, Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker and Eddie Cantor.
The group grew popular packing shows and receiving rave reviews. But by 1925, three of the girls had married and the group became a quartet.
The sisters retired in 1937, but continued to sing close to home for private parties and wartime benefits. They last appeared on stage in 1973 for a CBC show. In 1989, the last surviving sister, Geraldine, moved out of the house, and it was sold and demolished.
The plaque was installed in 2009 in front of a new house that now sits at 12 Connorvale Ave.
The Singing O’Connors became known as the “Greatest Singing Voices in Vaudeville,” and some of their earliest numbers were arranged by a young George Gershwin, who was just beginning his career as a composer.
Their 12-minute act featured comedy and fans loved the expensive costumes that they wore.
It is said the girls returned home every summer from touring to help with the family’s 80-hectare farm on the west side of Brown’s Line, between Horner Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Six TPS officers with 205-years of service retire
More than 200 years of combined police experience from 22 Division have been lost as six well-liked officers are among those to recently retire from the Toronto Police Service.
“We salute and wish our well-deserving retirees the best of health, happiness and peace in the next chapter of their lives,” officers said of their departing colleagues on a retirement poster.
A private retirement gala is planned for April 16.
Among those who’ve left include the popular Staff Sgt. Doug MacDonald, who has put in 30-years of service, working in a number of positions with the force.
MacDonald was thanked online by dozens of colleagues, including community residents from the Mimico By The Lake BIA and Lakeshore Village BIA.
“So glad to have worked with you in this great community,” according to a post by the Lakeshore Village BIA. “We look forward to seeing you in your new civilian role. Thank you and congratulations.”
Colleagues from 11 Division says “Doug will be missed and was a great guy to work for.”
Also gone is Det. Sgt. Joanne Rudnick, who served 31-years and 11-months on the force; many spent investigating and collaring some viscous sex crime offenders.
We will also miss Det. Barb Kohl, who over the years has helped to search for a number of missing people in the area.
Sgt. Lisa Ferris, a former bike cop, is being congratulated on her retirement after many years in a series of roles on the TPS.
Long-time Sgt. John Clarke, an avid skier, has also moved on. Clarke and four Toronto Police officers in 2017 represented city, country, and service at the North American Police Ski-Snowboard Championships in Snowmass, Colorado.
Thank you also goes out to Booker Ed Taylor and SDO Cindy Dodardo for serving the residents of our community.
The TPS has about 5,400 uniformed officers and 2,500 civilian employees. About 11 per cent of officers in Canada are eligible to retire with full pension, records show.
Police and Midaynta sign MOU to end gunplay
Toronto Police have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a group of mothers from the Somali community to help improve safety and better serve residents.
Some mothers of Midaynta Community Services (MCS) signed the MOU on February 8 with police officials and dignitaries, including Jim Hart, chair of the Toronto Police Services Board.
“This MOU represents an important opportunity to demonstrate through action a commitment to partnership in an effort to enhance community safety,” says Hart.
Police say the MOU establishes a formal and equal working relationship between the Board, Toronto Police Services and Midaynta, who has a mandate to improve the safety of young Somali males and curb gun violence ‘currently impacting the Somali-Canadian community.’
The mothers form the Mending a Crack in the Sky (MCIS) initiative. Many are survivors of acute trauma, who organize immediate support to youth and families.
MCIS stresses the violence they respond to is concentrated among Canadian-born Somali youth whose communities face disproportionate levels of homicide, gun and gang violence, mental illness, and incarceration.
They propose culturally sensitive programing and healing which align to the city’s guidelines in addressing anti-Black racism and mental health. The proposal is unprecedented and innovated to be effective for members of the Somali-Canadian community in Toronto, officials say.
“I applaud these efforts and proud to be a part of such a great initiative,” says Deputy Chief Peter Yuen.
Members of the community called the MOU signing ‘historic.’
Midaynta was formed in 1993 and works to improve the quality of life of newcomers in Toronto. The charity provides settlement services and other programs that advances education by providing courses, seminars, meetings, counseling and other support services for refugees, immigrants and youths in need.
Hard-working family in immigration limbo
The hard-working Lang family loves Canada and toil as landscapers from sunrise to sunset to make ends meet.
They dished out almost $100,000 to a licenced immigration consultant to obtain residency in Canada only to find out the man was charged with fraud and no applications were ever filed on their behalf.
They are now facing deportation to their native Hungary and have been given until next month to leave the country.
“We have done everything that was required from us,” says Gyorgy Lang. “This man (consultant) wanted us gone and did not do anything to help us.”
Gyorgy, with wife Andrea and their daughter Agnes, arrived in Canada as refugees in 2011, and have since started a successful landscaping company.
Documents filed in court allege they were defrauded by a consultant for about $95,000 over a nine-year period.
He “manipulated both the immigration and border services process and system to ensure the applicants would have no status to remain in Canada,” court filings state. He ensured the family “would have no prospect of ever gaining status,” and would be swiftly deported.
The suspect sought a speedy deportation to defraud the family and escape criminal or civil liability, so they couldn’t appear in court proceedings against him, documents state.
Lawyer Amina Sherazee says the family has been given until late March to put their affairs in order and are to show up at Pearson airport with airline tickets ready to leave.
The family has since filed documents to remain here on Temporary Residents Permits or on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
“My clients are victims of crime,” Sherazee says. “They are the main witnesses and complainants in a significant and serious criminal prosecution.”
She says the family are required by police to remain here to testify in court against the suspect.
Peel Regional Police, in a release, say between 2016 and 2019 several victims paid money to a registered immigration consultant who agreed to file applications on behalf of themselves and family members.
“Victims were encouraged to pay in cash,” police say. “The victims learned that no work was ever completed and the consultant ceased all communication with them.”
Police in January arrested Artem Djukic, 55, of Brampton, who was charged with defrauding the public.
Detectives allege the accused operated Soko Immigration and Consulting Services in Mississauga and that there may be more victims.