It is a sign of our times as workers with a sense of pride placed a custom-sized mask on this bull standing outside Royal York Meat Market at 392 Royal York Rd. The mask has become a symbol of support and in solidarity for our hardworking frontline health care workers and emergency personnel battling COVID-19. Thank you for all your work
Photo by Ian Robertson.
Honouring our slain police officers
For the first time, the Ontario Police Memorial Ceremony of Remembrance honouring officers who have died in the line of duty was held online.
A virtual ceremony was held on May 3 to honour 267 Ontario police officers who have died in the line of duty.
Instead of the usual crowds, five lone pipers played Amazing Grace, which was streamed live. Viewers were encouraged to stay home and tune in online.
“Today and everyday throughout the year we remember and honour those brave men and women who have died in the line of duty,” says Mike Adair, president of the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation.
Adair said the 11 a.m. ceremony gave viewers a moment of silence “to reflect and remember all of our brothers and sisters from police services close to home and across Canada.”
He said the ceremony is in memory of the valiant Ontario officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.
If it weren’t for restrictions placed upon the province as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual ceremony would have attracted hundreds of people as it does yearly to the Ontario Police Memorial site, located on Queen’s Park Crescent.
The flag was lowered to half-mast to acknowledge fallen officers, including Const. Heidi Stevenson of the Nova Scotia RCMP, who was killed last month in the country’s worst mass killing spree that left 22 people dead.
“Recent tragic events in Nova Scotia earlier bring into sharp focus the need to recognize and honour those officers who have given their lives in service to their communities,” says Timmins Police Chief John Gauthier.
Health and Wellness with Adrianne
By Adrianne Szabo-Payne
Springtime, particularly May is one of my favourites times of the year, because it brings a promise of colourful flowers, fresh cut grass and the warm days of summer ahead.
This year, in this strange season we are living, being shuttered in our homes, hiding from this invisible menace, getting excited for spring may be tough for many who have to stay home while we wait this out. I struggle daily with keeping routine and finding ways to boost my spirits, because I easily get sucked into the what-ifs, and the feeling of when will this be over? But, as is for all seasons, there is an end and this too shall pass.
So this month, instead of giving into our anger, sadness and anxiety, let’s challenge ourselves to find the silver lining of each day. Some helpful tips I recently picked up from a coaching program I follow suggests to:
Keep a gratitude journal. Log the little things that make your day brighter, whether it’s calling a friend to wish them a beautiful day; getting excited about the new bud you found growing on your orchid plant; or simply being able to share precious time with your loved ones, without the rush of daily life. There are a million things that bring us joy, so long as we look for it.
Start your day with purpose and set a routine. Tonight, think about what your day will look like tomorrow. Set an alarm for 20-30 minutes earlier than you woke up today and when it goes off, get up, wash your face, drink a big glass of water and take that extra 20-30 minutes to do some exercise to get your heart pumping. Take a shower and get dressed. Make a list of todos and make sure it’s achievable. Check off your completed tasks. You’ll finish your day feeling productive and satisfied.
Set an intention for the day. This can be as simple as choosing to respond with kindness to something that irritates you; or making a point to stay away from your couch and keep the TV off until after dinner.
I know these tips are not new or revolutionary, but sometimes the reminder of them is helpful. And so, as we work through this month, look for the silver lining in every situation because of the gift it will yield in the end.
Adrianne Szabo-Payne can be found at Monkey Tree Fitness & Wellness located at 800 Islington Ave. As a certified holistic nutrition and wellness practitioner, her passion for helping others find their path to wellness drives her to bring unique tools and methods for healing to her community. Connect with us @monkeytreefitness on Facebook or #monkeytreefitnesswellness on Instagram, or on our website at www.monkeytreewellness.com
Top take-out eateries in our community
By Wayne Gibson
It has been a difficult for the small independent businesses, with many of them barely keeping afloat. Our many restaurants can only open for takeout or delivery. With this is mind, here are some of the top Take Out restaurants thriving in our community:
VIKING FISH & CHIPS; 2416 Lakeshore Blvd. W., recently moved to Mimico from their Queensway location, where they have been in business since 1952. They are best known for their wholesome halibut or haddock fish along with fresh cut fries. You can reach them at 416-259-2051 or www.vikingfishandchips.net
KITCHEN OFF SIXTH; 2976 Lakeshore Blvd. W.: is always a popular spot with an impressive and interesting menu; they are offering a Fish and Chip special with 2 beers for $35. It looks sumptuous. In addition to the good food you can also order booze, since any venue that was licensed for table service is now able to sell beer or wine for takeout and delivery. You can reach them at 647-349-4412 or www.kitchenonsixth.com
FBI PIZZA; 2336 Lakeshore Blvd. W., features lots of exciting choices, but even their basic
Margherita is a pizza ‘work of art’. The food is good. Both beer and wine are available for either takeout or delivery. They can be reached at 416-251-0101 or www.fbipizza.com
CALABRESE PIZZA, 3019 Lake Shore Blvd. W., for one of the best ‘thin crust’ pizza in the area. All natural products, no corners cut. You will like it. Call for pick-up or delivery at 416-503-0999 or calabresepizza.ca
DINO’S WOOD BURNING PIZZA; 820 The Queensway; with three locations, Dino continues to cook his fabulous wood-oven pizza. Not only is he trying to service regular customers, he is also providing free pizzas for the health care workers at Trillium Health Centre. They can be contacted at 416-259-0050 or www.dinos-pizza.ca
APACHE BURGER, 5236 Dundas St.W., is a trip back down memory lane to the sixties with their classic fast-food burgers and fries. An iconic burger-joint that opened in ’69 and still going strong. Still a favourite with the regulars. Phone them for pick-up at 416-233-3046.
WOODY’S, 3795 Lakeshore Blvd. W. is always a must have for many loyal fans. A Long Branch institution for fresh burgers and great fries, no holds barred. Reach them at 416-546-2093 or www.woodysburgers.ca .
OBQ BURGERS, at 602 Brown’s Line, for their “mouthwatering burgers bursting with flavour.” Try their Greek or Texas burgers, which are a must. Visit OBQ for a ‘clean, honest’ burger. Call for pickup or delivery at 416-253-0835 or obqburgers.com.
Quiet times ahead as local events nixed
It will be quieter in the community this summer as many of our local events are cancelled due to COVID-19.
Organizers of the annual New Toronto Grill Cheese Challenge say the June event has been postponed to a later date due to the pandemic, which requires social distancing and people to remain indoors.
Chris Korwin-Kuczinski, chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA, says the health and safety of the community is their number one priority.
“It is one of our more popular festivals and people understand,” he says.
Many stores are closed, or workers laid off, until the situation improves.
Also cancelled or scale back this summer are high-profiled City events as Pride parade, Toronto Caribbean Carnival, hockey, baseball, basketball and most sports.
Residents say the Humber Bay Shores Farmers’ Market is also on hold since the City has stopped issuing permits due to COVID-19.
Organizers, it is reported, are looking at other venues to stage the popular market, or a virtual market or to postpone it until the situation improves. No decision has been made if the market will begin on May 30 as planned.
The popular market is has been a mainstay at Humber Bay Park West for many year with dozens of farmer and artisans selling their goods such as fresh produce, meat, herbs, cheeses, preserves and arts and crafts.
New scam preying on those who work at home
Police are warning that are seeing new computer scams as more people work from at home during these times of COVID-19.
Detectives are warning of an increase in reported occurrences involving the hijacking of virtual meeting spaces as more people remotely log in.
Police say the meetings are interrupted by uninvited guests who share hate-related content or child sexual abuse material, or worst.
Sex Crimes Det. Sgt. Paul Krawczyk says meetings are being hijacked in order to spread hateful messages or, in several cases, disturbing images.
“Horrible things are being said,” he said, of references to racist rants. “Or child sexual abuse imagery or videos are being streamed alongside during the meeting, and, obviously it’s very traumatizing for those involved.”
Police are warning not to make your meeting ID public, create a unique meeting ID for each session, require a password that is only known to invited guess, preview attendees in a virtual waiting room before having them join in and only host stream video and not transfer files during meetings.
If you have concerns call Toronto Police at 416-808-2222, or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477.
No amateur sports or programs until late June at least
By REJEAN CANTLON
It won’t be until about June 28 when City of Toronto officials look at reopening dozens of sports facilities or classes that were shut or cancelled due to COVID-19.
All classes, drop-in programs at city centres, programs as skating or swimming and after-school recreational care will be reassessed by City officials in about two months. They have been shut since March.
All City permits are cancelled until June 30 including, indoor recreation, pools, arenas, outdoor sports fields and seasonal permits, according to the City.
All City facilities will remain shut including community recreation and fitness centres, Toronto Pan Am Sports and Toronto Track and Field Centres.
Kids can keep busy in other ways as they await registration for amateur lacrosse, baseball or soccer teams, which are on hold.
Siblings, Brady, 10, and Keaton McCharles, 8, resorted to a classic South Etobicoke, and Canadian, way youngsters have always found to pass the time and stay fit. That would be playing road hockey.
“The main rule we have is to stay two hockey sticks apart from one another if friends from the neighbourhood want to join in,” Brady says. “That means no dekes or going top-shelf from the top of crease when we have a goalie.”
Mimico fitness enthusiast John Dalton says residents can remain active by visiting great parks like Colonel Samuel Smith, Amos Waites, Lakeshore Village or Alderwood Memorial to name a few.
“Take your dog for walk. You don’t need to feel like you have been trapped inside, just remember to social distance,” Dalton says. “One of the great things about living in our area is the variety of resources we have to stay active and healthy.”
No matter what type of exercise you chose to do, it can help you maintain your fitness level. And it may certainly help alleviate the stress caused by the coronavirus.
Alderwood vets birthdays celebrated by community
Happy social distancing birthday to Canadian Armed Forces vets Ardie and Les.
Jubilant Toronto Police, Firefighters and Alderwood residents lined up outside the homes of the two veterans on Wednesday to bring them birthday greetings. A police officer brought ballons for them.
A spry Ardwell Eyres, of Gair Dr., turned 96 while about a block away his neighbour Les Baldock, of Delma Dr., turned 97.
Friends had posted their birthdays on Facebook and asked residents to stop outside, or drive by, their homes to wave and wish them long lives with many more years to come.
A drive by of police cars with lights flashing wished the men happy birthday as a line of fire fighters outside their homes together with residents belted out happy birthday.
Each smiling vet was serenaded with happy birthday, as a violinist played; then there was a loud hi-hip hooray and they were presented a senior’s calendar about fire safety as well as a poppy, thanking them for their service.
“I know he is feeling lonely with all this social distancing so if you are walking by Delma, he is usually sitting in his chair in front of the window and will see you wave,” the online post says of Baldock.
Many residents took to social media due to COVID-19 to thank the men for their services.
“My son and I had the pleasure of meeting both of these wonderful men early this evening,” says Sharon Hamilton. “Thank you both for your service.”
“Congrats to the Toronto Fire Service for doing this and happy birthday to our two Alderwood veterans,” wrote Sheila McKinnon.
“My son and I made a sign and drove by Mr. Baldock’s home,” says Barb Gardhouse. “He came out to wave and looks amazing.”
Socialite Pearl Horner loved her community and church
Alderwood songstress Pearl Horner in her heyday was a popular opera singer and socialite who was born into a prominent farming family.
Pearl was the daughter of Daniel Fisher Horner, a farmer whom Horner Ave. was named after, and whose grandfather settled a 350-acre farm bounded to the north by Evans Ave., Brown’s Line to the west, south to Horner Ave. and east by Kipling Ave.
Daniel in 1856 invented and patented the first “butter print,” a device to mould butter, featuring a raised Horner emblem on the top. That patent was passed on to granddaughter Pearl.
The Horners’ had one son, Franklin, and six daughters who included Ethel, who was a graduate of the Toronto Bible College and an ordained Anglican deaconess.
Franklin was active in local politics, community and church affairs, according to The Aldernews, which was published by the Etobicoke Historical Society. The Franklin Horner Community Centre is named after him.
He had two children, Goldwyn, who died at an early age, and daughter Pearl, who lived at the family’s 183 Beta St. homestead called “Ashfield” until it was sold in 1960.
Pearl loved “Ashfield,” which is described as a ‘copy of an old English manor.’
She was a well-known personality in 1921 having gained fame as a “renowned singer and socialite,” who was a mezzo-soprano with the prominent Toronto Mendelsohn Choir.
The choir is one of Canada’s oldest, largest and best-known choral ensembles. It was founded in 1894 by Augustus Vogt and presented its first concert in Massey Hall in 1895.
“She (Pearl) graciously entertained her fellow parishioners of the Church of the Atonement at Ashfield,” wrote historian Katharine Williams. She threw large parties for her friends and neighbours.
Pearl, like her dad, was interested in the church and community activities. She loved the arts and was called ‘a respected art patron.’
Franklin was a member of the original Mimico Lacrosse Team, who worked the farm from 1920 until his death. The property was sold in 1942 and subdivided.
The Horner family has long been affiliated with the Church of the Atonement, on Sheldon Ave., and Pearl took part in a sod-turning ceremony of an addition of the church in 1953.
Developer Rex Heslop built Alderwood and Rexdale
Former gold prospector Rex Wesley Heslop didn’t strike his fortune until he began building affordable housing developments in Alderwoood, Rexdale and Georgetown.
Heslop, who died in 1973 at the age of 68, was a top Etobicoke real estate developer, who was one of a few persons to have a phone in his Cadillac back in the day before they gained widespread use.
The father of two worked with in the family construction business before moving to Detroit, where for a time he drove a cab and worked as a car salesman.
He left ‘Motor City’ for Northern Ontario, where he worked as a prospector in the mines. He was injured in a rock slide and moved back to Toronto to work in construction.
Toronto at the time was facing a major housing shortage with many veterans returning home after WW11.
Local historian Denise Harris wrote that around 1947-48, Heslop acquired land on the southeast corner of Foch St. and Horner Ave., across from Sir Adam Beck Public School, where he built three houses using a precast and concrete wall system which sold immediately.
A year later he purchased more land on the north side of Horner that was subdivided in large lots and L-shaped streets. The so-called ‘army homes’ were mostly identical to each other and were on streets with names of English locations like Chelsea Dr., Fulham Dr., Norfolk Dr., and a Heslop Dr., named after him.
The Alderwood development with 400 homes was a success and Heslop purchased more farm land in the area and repeated his home-building sales.
Heslop by 1955 had purchased farmland in Thistletown, on which he built hundreds of homes. Soon, there were soon 330 families living in a development called ‘Rexdale,’ where Heslop opened the Rexdale Shopping Centre, now Rexdale Mall.
His homes were popular with working folks since were well-built and affordable selling for up to $10,000 then. They made Heslop a very rich man.
Heslop after building the Delrex subdivision in Georgetown, sold his interest in the firm and retired at the age of 61.