It is about time and most merchants are pleased.

Many small storeowners like those in Lake Shore Village, Long Branch and elsewhere say  the financial hit suffered by their businesses have already been done and they are hoping for a good Christmas season to help stem the losses from more 18-months of COVID-19 closures and staff reductions.

Starting this month all capacity limits have been lifted from bars, gyms and some other places for patrons, once they have been vaccinated and have a certificate of proof.

Premier Doug Ford said that the phasing out of public health measures will end by next March, with the masks gone by mid January.

The Premier’s plan calls for an end to mandatory proof-of-vaccination as of January 17 for restaurants, bars, bingo halls, casinos and gyms and the lifting of mandatory indoor masking mandates by March.

By November 15 capacity limits will be lifted in night clubs, wedding hall spaces with dancing, strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs.

And by March 28, all public health measures end, including mandatory face coverings in public and remaining mandatory proof of vaccination orders.

Many of us have been so used to carrying masks, ordering takeout, staying away from huge crowds and no handshaking; that it will be a hard for us to break the COVID-19 rules. I can see the use of masks staying with us for years to come.

The suffering and loss of friends has also brought out more empathy and compassion in area residents and people seem to care a bit more for their friends and neighbours.

We will not miss the boring daily press conferences by Ford and medical health experts who for months have worked so hard to bring us updates and remind us how great we are doing in battling the virus.

Let us not forget the bars, gyms, restaurants, salons and other businesses which have been hurting financially for more than a year. Still today owners say their facilities are struggling as people are staying at home as do not want to show, or have obtaine, proof of vaccination certificates.

Ontario health officials maintain the provincial COVID-19 daily caseload is low and stable so a new approach is warranted to acknowledge people’s sacrifices to get here.

The lifting of limits, off course, had nothing to do with Ford weeks ago lifting capacity limits to which hockey arenas, baseball and soccer fields can jam thousands of fans inside without masks sitting six inches apart.

There was such a surge of outrage from residents, small business owners and others that the Ontario government was forced to do something.

Small business owners, which are the mainstay of most communities, claim they were sold out down the river by the Premier, who first looked after his rich corporate friends, rather than working people trying to get by.

The government have said that the dreaded coded and paper vaccine certificates patrons need to show to enter restaurants, gyms and other high-risk settings will be done away with as early as January 17.

Area restaurant and bar owners point out that business fell 50% with the introduction of the vaccine certificates to enter businesses.

“People just stopped coming in,” one restaurant owner lamented. “People are still staying at home and don’t want to show their vaccine documents.”

Some owners say they’ve stopped asking to see the vaccine certificates since it leads to disputes and confrontations with customers.

“I am only one person working here,” another storekeeper pleaded. “These people are my regular customers and I cannot kick them out or they will never come back.”

Tom Godfrey is Publisher of  The South Etobicoke News, who lives in the community. He was a reporter at the Toronto Sun for many years before deciding to use his skills to work in community journalism. 

Giving thanks – A way of healing in November

Walking along one of the many river banks in the city, crunch of a multihued array of leaves underfoot, I count my blessings. Today it is easy. Some days it is not. A happy dog in tow, mature trees bend towards each other creating a lush full canopy in this golden fall.

I dedicate this month to being thankful. I look to the morning light and embrace the healing light of gratefulness. 30 days of gratefulness. I also acknowledge the dark side. What leads us to being grateful? Often, at least for me, it is a time of stress, a time of great difficulty. I find the need to be most grateful when feeling I have failed or when I have been sick. It is in my darkest days that I remember to go the light side: remember the healing of being grateful for what I have. I try to remember daily what I embrace, what I allow, what to forgive, what to smile about.

I’m encouraging you to check in with yourself – listen to your heart. What does your heart and body tell you right now?  Is your heart happy with you?  Is your body happy with you? If not, why not? What are you lacking, if anything?

When you take time to check in you will recognize that you’re doing OK as a human. Maybe today you are not a superstar. But let us begin with: today I am ok. Most of us are doing really really OK. We may be tired or a bit congested .  Allergies anyone? Maybe we don’t sleep as well or eat as well as we could. Majority of these times: it’s our choice. For that choice, I am so grateful. I can choose how much or how little I get to sleep most days. I can choose most of the foods, if not all the foods,  I eat. That is truly a personal blessing.

You too have complete choice about how well you eat, how well you sleep and how well you move your body. These three choices are the pillars of health.

November is a gentle ‘sleeper’ easy on the senses month. There’s almost a soothing, calming hum to the month before the frenzy of the December holidays approaches. It’s also not too cold and not too hot. Food is abundant. This November, I invite you to take stock of your life.

Have a look and see the abundance of resources in your life. Explore them. Enjoy them. Write them down; list them. Sometimes we lose track and we think we are being short changed or we don’t have enough. And I urge you to reconsider. Take a look at some of the following. How many spices are in your pantry? Or how many apps are on your smart phone? How many pairs of shoes do you choose from every day? Is it more than one?

When I glance over at our dining room table and see more than one pepper grinder and a handful of extra reading glasses lying about, I know I am blessed. Around the corner, in the hallway, I have more than one scarf to choose from to match my outfit. Our room of life contains countless plants.

None of these things were purchased because we have an abundance of cash. Some were gifts, some were shared by family or friends or gardeners and some were bought secondhand. The many vibrant, rich layers in our lives are often taken for granted. Let us embrace the comfort and ease they bring into our lives.

Let us remember not just Remembrance Day, but also that we are fortunate to be so full of life. Sometimes we forget. What we’re actually stressed out about or struggling with is having too much in our life.

Consider some of the most common diseases in our society: diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s or strokes. Science is showing us with greater detail every year, that more often than not it’s too much food or not enough sleep, or too many sedentary activities, not enough exercise that promote the development of the most common diseases.

Please excuse the blanket statement here, for I simply wish to bring focus, your attention, to what is possibly our greatest modern demise: too much of things and not enough of people…

Allowing more interaction with friends, family, pets, wildlife or plants supports our well being, promotes sharing time AND sharing resources. When we live well, we embrace live, fully. Thankfully.

So what is the first step? Recognize what is off-balance in your life.

Then, begin to restoring balance by looking at what you have in abundance. Write it down. At least once every week this month of November, sit and write down all the things that fill up your life. If you notice some are not so wonderful, you will see them written in black-and-white on paper. Staring back at you.

Once you concretely look at what is plentiful in your life, it is much easier for you to create a plan of action. The plan is to identify what you are lacking, if any at all. Lastly, to restore balance in your life, look at your abundant resources and ask yourself if having too much of these items is actually hurting you in someway. Then, it’s time to decide what you can share with others: help improve their world and fill up their resources.

A month of giving thanks may be also be one of giving…Before December, before Christmas, before the obligated gift giving: give thanks by sharing with yourself and others this wonderful time of restoring your harmony and balance.

Monika Meulman, Founder & Owner
The Healing Muse

2859 Lake Shore Blvd. W
416-347-5449
The Healing Muse Apothecary
Inspired Living
@healingmuse
www.healingmuse.com

 

Choosing the right words is important.  It’s not simply political correctness; rather its showing respect for fellow humans, removing biases and forming clear pictures to both sides of what we mean.  The wrong word or action, even with good intentions, can trigger wrong images and emotions.

Some words have a false or a corrupt history that we have forgotten over the years, like ‘Indian,’ ‘Redskin’  or ‘Squaw.’ Even ‘chairman’ generates a male only leadership image.  A Judge represents a collection of cultures, races, genders, and such must be aware of language and history.  Indians were never from India.  The words tend towards generalizations, false images and beliefs or references to difficult histories.  It denigrates a segment of our country.

There are some words that send confusing messages.  ‘It’s My Body’ is interesting.  It appeals to anti-vaxxers but not pro-choicers. The anti-maskers and vaxxers speak of freedom.  But the requirement is not about individual rights; rather, it’s about their freedom  to kill others, by spreading the disease.  We over-react to ‘Defund  the  Police,’ it’s designed to draw attention and not solely to eliminate police services.  Many see it as a need to re-adjust their role for our modern society.  Some words we need to avoid because of an evil history such as slavery, or b_tch as a dehumanizing term.  Yet, sometime we need to relax and see a wider explanation for their use – simply to provoke debate.

As a Judge, I was aware of the need to avoid even an appearance of bias in my comments.  I had to be trusted as objective.  However, I too unintentionally could err.  There was a case involving a young Nigerian man charged with Immigration Fraud.  It was alleged he was escorting a young mother and using false papers for her to gain entrance to Canada. For $20,000 certain crime syndicates would offer these personal services.  At the airport’s Customs he was found carrying the woman’s false papers.

His defense was that he met her on the plane, saw her with a baby  and wanted to help.  In summing up the defense, to make sure I understood it, I said “What you are trying to tell me is that you were acting as a ‘White Knight.”  I immediately realized the alternative image I had created.  Black is bad and white is good. My words took me back to my childhood of cowboys and  tales of black knights, the good guys in white and the bad in ones in black.  I quickly apologized.  Judges must understand they represent the voice of all people equally, Black, White, Brown etc. without any words that may be conceived as bias.

In dealing with words or even actions, it is very easy to generate mixed feelings even when not intended.  I too, have experienced this unintentional reverse messaging.  Occasionally, on public transit some younger person, usually a woman, offers me their seat.  Now I don’t see myself as an old stumbling man; rather, my self-image is a grey-haired gentleman looking a frisky 50 with a bit of backache and lines of wisdom.  Actuality, without my glasses I look much younger in the mirror.  The wrinkles disappear.  I appreciate the offer of a seat and the persons thoughts yet I feel inwardly offended especially if the person appears older than I see myself I find it  challenging, If I say no thank you, I have  likely embarrassed their kindness.  If I accept, I effect my self-image. There is no answer here.  What I am saying to those who attack political correctness is that sometime we must understand and not over-react.  At the same time there are words that are totally inappropriate considering their history or purpose.

Judge Lloyd Budzinski retired after 28 years and was a former Crown Attorney, Defence Counsel and Ontario’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Criminal Law. He was Chief Prosecutor in the trial of ex-RCMP officer Patrick Michael Kelly, found guilty of murder for throwing his wife from a 17th floor Etobicoke balcony in March 1981. He can be reached at lbudzinski@talkjustice.info

NOVEMBER 2 to DECEMBER 16 on Zoom every Thursday at 3 p.m. improve wellbeing and mindful techniques and reflective writing. LAMP’s Adult Learning Program is taking registration for this new series. Must be 19 and older, out of school, have SIN number and access to computer and email account. Must also be fluent in spoken English and provide proof or permanent residency.  Contact anitad@lampchc.org for more info.

NOVEMBER 6 OUTDOOR FLU CLINICS hosted by West Toronto Ontario Health Team from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at LAMP Community Health Centre at 185 Fifth Street, and Silver Creek Park, at 44 Strathdee Drive, Etobicoke. Flu vaccinations available for those six months and older. Bring your health card. Those without health cards welcome. Visit lampchc.org or contact Jasmin Dooh at 416-252-6471 ext. 308.

NOVEMBER 9 to 30 EVERY TUESDAY at 2 p.m. LAMP’s Wellness Workshops. A four-week virtual Wellness series titled” Self-Care During the Holidays.” Be a part of this life changing program and boost your energy, through relaxation, meditation gentle Qi Gong  and stretches. To register contact jasmind@lampchc.org or call 416- 252-6471 ext. 308.

NOVEMBER 3 to DECEMBER 8 every Wednesday for six weeks is all it takes to reduce stress in a virtual Meditation workshop series at LAMP CHC. To register contact Jasmin at address above.

NOVEMBER 11 NEW TORONTO SUNRISE Remembrance Day ceremony will take place on November 11 at 7 a.m. at the New Toronto Cenotaph, at Colonel Samuel Smith Park, at Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Kipling Avenue. COVID-19 rules upheld.

NOVEMBER 13 FEED OUR NEIGHBOURS from 12 noon to 2 p.m. contactless, curbside, food drive and drop off at Royal LePage Porritt Real Estate, 3385 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Twenty Eighth Street. Pull up to pylons at the rear of building at Twenty Eighth Street and open your trunk. Donations go the Daily Bread Food Bank.

COMMUNITY NUTRITION FALL HARVEST cooking demo on Zoom. The first four people to register will receive a $10 food card. Be part of this healthy LAMP lifestyle program and learn how to cook more healthy and seasonal foods. To register contact Calla at 416-252-6471 ext. 271 or callaf@lampchc.org.

HELP US TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE with this exciting new project through exploration, discussion and community engagement. Train the trainer. Volunteer now. Contact Sandrav@lampchc.org or call 416-252-6471.

 NEIGHBOURHOOD PODS PROJECT. Neighbours helping neighbours. Mutual aid and support phone check-ins, making a difference. Community Leadership. Volunteer run.  For more information contact Daniel Plant at 416-553-8263.

NEW TO CANADA-LAMP’s Settlement Services offer a wide range of support and referrals to government services, employment and immigration supports, health and education and more. For more information call Ask! At 416-252-6471.

 FREE EMERGENCY FOOD TAKEOUT MEALS still offered Monday to Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. through LAMP’s adult drop-in program. Thursdays harm reduction supports from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

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.

NOVEMBER 22 ETOBICOKE CAMERA CLUB presents Jim Brompton, who will discuss and demonstrate different kinds of filters. Q&A session will follow his presentation. Purchase tickets at https://www.facebook.com/etobcc

DECEMBER 6 ETOBICOKE CAMERA CLUB presents Harold Davis, an internationally-known

Digital Artist and Professional Photographer. Purchase tickets at https://www.facebook.com/etobcc.

 LAMP’s COMMUNITY CHIROPODIST is now taking new patients for foot care services for people who are prediabetic or diabetic. For more information on call 416-252-6471 ext. 264.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timothy J. Stewart CD                                                                                           Regimental Historian

 

When Canada declared war against Germany in September 1939, thousands of volunteers stepped forward to serve King and Country.

Conn Smythe part owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and a decorated veteran of the Great War volunteered for active service a second time and encouraged his players to consider it as well.

Many did. Names that are synonymous with the great Leaf teams of the 1930s and 40s including: Syl Apps, Turk Broda, Hap Day, Bob Davidson, Red Horner, Gordie Drillon, plus eleven others enlisted with the 2 nd Battalion The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Machine Gun) on the same day, August 6, 1940.

As new recruits they underwent basic training including rifle drills and specialized training on the .303 water-cooled Vickers machine gun.

The 1 st Battalion of The Toronto Scottish had arrived in England prior to Christmas 1939 and the 2 nd Home (Reserve) Battalion, organized in 1940 was to supplement the overseas battalion.

With the increase of NHL players volunteering for military service, thus diluting the competitiveness of the league, there was discussion of halting play.

Continuing however was seen as an important morale booster to hockey fans in Canada and the United States.

Several NHL team owners wanting to protect their star players ensured they were kept out of combat roles and given duties on military bases or jobs in critical war industries.

Many of those who shipped out to England ended up playing hockey for any number of service teams that started up, once again to keep morale high amongst the troops and the civilian population.

Chris Korwin-Kuczynski of the Lakeshore Business Improvement Area will be making a presentation of photos to the regiment later this year of the 17 Maple Leaf hockey players who volunteered during World War II.

It is 78 years this month since the tragic death of New Toronto’s Irene Watson, who enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and would become one of the first airwomen reported missing and killed in action.

Watson was a Globe and Mail correspondent and a stenographer-reporter for The New Toronto (South Etobicoke) Advertiser, one of Ontario’s largest weekly newspaper at the time.

She lived on Eighth Street and worked as a clerk at Silvert’s Shop before enlisting in February 1942 and requested to work in an administrative role.

Watson was born in England and lived in New Toronto with her family for 19 years. She attended New Toronto Public School and Mimico High School, where she excelled. She was the president of the Members’ Council, YWCA in Toronto from 1941-1942.

She was described ‘as a conscientious, keen and a progressive officer.” The RCAF said: “Watson has special qualifications training and aptitude for recruiting and doing valuable missionary work. In interests of recruiting, strongly recommend reconsideration of posting.”

Watson received a noteworthy commendation from Brigadier General John B. Brooks, of the U.S. Army, for organizing and presenting a show, songs and stories for stranded passengers.

Section Officer Watson was serving in Newfoundland as part of #116 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron during her last days. She and 11 others were flying in a Canso aircraft when the pilot attempted to land in bad weather and poor visibility.

Tragically, they crashed nose-first on a lake in Newfoundland.  The plane sank right away and only five people aboard survived.

Watson was 24 when she was killed on November 8, 1943. She had been in the RCAF for just 21 months.

She is believed to one of the first airwomen in Canada to be reported missing and killed in active service. Sadly, she was declared dead but  her body was never recovered.

Her name is inscribed on the Ottawa Memorial commemorating members of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth who lost their lives.

She is also one of only five women listed in Toronto’s Golden Book of Remembrance.

The City’s Golden Book of Remembrance pays tribute to those who perished in the Second World War. These books contain the names of service people from Toronto who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The book was officially dedicated by the City on December 28, 1947 and contains the names of servicemen and servicewomen from Toronto who gave their lives between 1939 and 1945.

Watson left behind two sisters and two brothers. One was Sgt.-Maj. David Watson, of the Tank Corps.

 

 

 

Royal Canadian Air Force pilot and former Town of Weston Mayor Charles Wesley Boddington was a true Canadian war hero.

Boddington was born in Weston in 1921 and died in 1984 at the young age of 63. He is buried at Sanctuary Park Cemetery, on Royal York Road.

The Toronto native served in World War II, where he lost an arm and leg when a bomber he was flying was hit by gunfire and ‘exploded’ over Dusseldorf, Germany.

He spent the rest of the war in a German Prisoner of War (POW) camp.

Military records show that Flight Lieut. Boddingtown and a crew of about five from 426 Squadron were shot down as they flew a Thunderbird aircraft over Germany in November 1944. They had taken off from a military base in Linton-on-Ouse, near Yorkshire, England.

RAF records state that “a Thunderbird crew captained by F/L C. W. Boddington also went missing.”

“Four of this latter crew (including Boddington) were made prisoners of war,” according to the military, which added Boddington was injured from the blast, which set a section of the plane on fire.

Three crewmembers were killed.

Boddington and four of his colleagues spent more than a year at a German POW camp.

Life at some POW camps were damn dreadful. There was limited rations, clothing or medicine for ailments. The POWs lived in constant fear.

On his arrival back home in Weston in 1947 Boddington carried on with his loss of limbs. He managed to establish and operate a motor vehicle licensing bureau, which he ran until his death.

With much to offer and money in his pocket, he dabbled in politics and ran as a Progressive Conservative in the riding of York West in the 1968 federal election. He placed third.

Undeterred, he ran again in 1969 for the position of Mayor of York, in a tough race, in which he was defeated by Philip White. He ran a third time and was elected Mayor of Weston, before it was swallowed up by York.

He also served on York’s Board of Control after the town was amalgamated with the City of Toronto.

Boddington was named to the Order of Canada in 1977.

The feisty veteran was again in the news in 2014, more than three decades after he passed.

It turned out that the former Town of Weston mayoral chain was missing for a number of years.

Workers noticed that the display case hold the chain had disappeared.

After much investigating, it turned out that the town’s final mayor, Boddington, kept the chain to make sure it didn’t end up stolen of placed in a dusty archive when York became part of Weston.

Boddington was a tough man. In his years as a prisoner of war in a German camp, he was never known to complain or make a scene.

There were as many as 9,000 Canadian soldiers, airmen, naval sailors and merchant seamen who were captured by the enemy and held as POWs during the Second World War. Many were held in miserable conditions in some of the worst prisons.

Perhaps the worst atrocity committed against Canadians during the war occurred after the D-Day invasion in June 1944, when as many as 156 Canadian soldiers were executed by their German captors in the Normandy countryside, after being taken prisoner.

 

And you think you had a hard day.

This senior was in hand-to-hand combat with a huge black bear and is alive to talk about it.

A tough Norman Ruff, 80, was last week awarded an OPP Commissioner’s Citation for bravery for punching the large bear in the head repeatedly with his fist, just like a boxer in a ring.

The bear in July 2019 entered their Township of Muskoka Lakes home around 1:53 a.m. through an open kitchen window, the OPP said in a release.

Ruff left his wife, Lois, in their bedroom for safety, as he went to investigate the ‘rustling noises in his residence.’

He turned on the light and “observed a black bear rummaging through his kitchen.”

“Then bear was startled, reared up and began growling and snarling,” said the OPP. “Without regard for his safety, Ruff stood his ground even as the black bear began to approach him.”

“To protect himself and his wife, Ruff began to fight the bear by repeatedly punching it in the head,” the OPP continued. “The bear fought back, scratching Ruff while continuing to growl and snarl.”

“Mrs. Ruff managed to navigate around the fight to open a door, allowing a bear to eventually exit the house,” police said. “Ruff received cuts to his chest and injured his arms and hands from fighting with the bear, but luckily did not incur serious injuries.”

The senior’s heroic actions were incredible given the immediate dangers he faced, police said.

He was commended by the OPP for his ‘selfless and quick actions that protected his wife and himself from potential serious harm.’

Presenting the citation (in photo) were Superintendent Laura Houliston, Lois Ruff, Norman Ruff, Inspector Mike Burton and Provincial Constable Will Forrest, who responded to original occurrence more than two years ago.

The owner of a popular Long Branch pizzeria is red hot today after someone stole a poppy donation box with the cash inside that was meant for members of the Royal Canadian Legion.

The donation boxes are a major part of the Legion’s fundraising campaign around Remembrance Day, on November 11. The legions have been hit hard for funds after being forced to shut their income-earning rental halls due to COVID-19.

“It is very disappointing,” says Adrian, of Adriano’s Pizza and Pasta, at 3329 Lake Shore Blvd. W.,  near Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Thirtieth Street area. “This money is to help the veterans who fought for this country.”

The well-known pizzeria has been in the community for a long time and is a proud supporter of many area charities.

Adrian has been known to give out free slices, even clothing, to the homeless or those in need.

He says the theft occurred on November 1 after a woman came in for a slice but did not have enough money.

The pizza maker offered her a slice for free.

He says the poppy donation box and woman disappeared as he was in the kitchen preparing a slice. There was no one else in the store.

“There was some money inside the box,” he explains. “It is a terrible thing to rob the veterans.”

He recalls  police was not called and the woman did not return.

Adrian says he seen the woman in the area before.

Also, residents are being reminded that there are four places in the community to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Poppies can be obtained until November 10 at the Long Branch Legion, Branch 101, at 3850 Lake Shore Blvd. W., with all proceeds going to the Poppy Fund.

On November 11, there is a sunrise service at 7 a.m. at the New Toronto Monument at Colonel Samuel Smith Park, near Kipling Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd. W.

There are 11 a.m. ceremonies also taking place at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 101, at 3850 Lake Shore Blvd. W., just west of Brown’s Line.

There is another 11 a.m. service at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 643, at 110 Jutland Rd., near Islington Ave.

And a fourth taking place at 11 a.m. at the Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 West Mall.

COVID-19 rules in place.

 

 

Time is a factor as police work hard to find whoever stole an expensive array of  jewelry and heirlooms from a high-rise condo at Humber Bay Shores.

The elaborate pieces of jewelry are costly and of “immense value to the victims,” Toronto Police said in a news release on November 1.

Police were notified of the incident on October 27 at 7:30 a.m. when officers were called to a condo in the Marine Parade Drive and Lake Shore Blvd. W. area.

Detectives said between December 2020 and October 2021 someone broke into a residence and stole the valuable pieces.

“A quantity of jewelry and personal items were stolen,” according to investigators. “Some of the pieces of jewelry are family heirlooms and have immense value to the victims.”

Police have released photos of some of the jewelry that were stolen.

Officials are not sure if it was an inside job and are going through security camera footage in search of clues.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200,

Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).