Members of the community are being encouraged to proudly display their Canadian flags to show their support for frontline emergency, police and healthcare workers fighting to save lives in the war against COVID-19.
Area residents are urged by some other residents and community leaders to adorn their windows or outside of their homes with our glorious flag to show their appreciation for the frontline workers who show up work every day under challenging conditions.
Children at home from school can make their own Canadian flags rather than going outside to purchase one and risk exposure to the deadly virus.
Appreciative people the world over are taking to their balconies to clap, sing or make noise to honour the many doctors, nurses and hospital staff toiling to stem the tides of the pandemic to keep others safe.
Screaming Eagle returned to Long Branch library
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
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
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.
San Remo temporary shuts to COVID-19
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.
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.
February is Black History Month
February is Black History Month and there are a number of interesting events taking place in the community to commemorate the annual event.
The St. Margaret Church, New Toronto, is hosting a forum on February 9 to mark the occasion.
The forum is called ‘From Harriet Tubman to Black Panther; Afro-Futurism and Prophetic Imagination’ and takes place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the 156 Sixth Street church.
The speakers include Carol B. Duncan, of the Dept. of Religion and Culture, of Wilfred Laurier University.
Gideon Strauss, the Academic Dean and Associate Professor of Worldview Studies, at the Institute for Christian Studies, will also be addressing residents.
The Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment, 101 Portland St., is also staging a forum to mark the event.
Emma Asiedu-Akrofi, the Centre’s Executive Director, says the annual Black History Month Celebration and Fundraiser will take place on February 22 at the Assembly Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr.
“It promises to be great event as in previous years,” Asiedu-Akrofi says. “We’re in the process of finalizing details of the event.”
A Black History Month Cultural Celebration also takes place on February 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall.
Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday will speak and the International Decade for People of African Descent from 2015 to 2024 will be celebrated.
The City of Toronto is staging a Black History photo display and events for the public. The City last month marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day with events and speeches. January 20 is declared Martin Luther King Jr. Day and is a public holiday in the U.S.
Known for his “I Have A Dream” speech King was gunned down in Memphis on April 4, 1968. The famed American civil rights leader was assassinated at the age of 39 while on the balcony of the famed Lorraine Motel.