Vol. 44
No. 1 January 2007
President’s Update
Season’s Greetings and a
Happy New Year to all Markland Wood residents.
I have one question – why does time seem to go by faster as I get
older?? It seems like only
yesterday that we were preparing nervously for Y2K!
Good luck to all of you with your New Year’s resolutions.
As I began to write this
update, I had just finished taking part in the loading of three trucks from
different charities, with over 600 boxes of donated food from this year’s
Christmas Caravan. The boxes had
been stacked neatly in Marty Ross’
garage on the Sunday of the Caravan, for pickup on Monday morning.
I really enjoy the two hours on the Monday after Caravan, spending
time with Marty and a few other volunteers.
This is a truly rewarding moment, which caps off another wonderfully
successful Caravan (see Marty’s article below).
The good deed of Markland Wood really hits home as you physically
load all of the food on the trucks. The
Annual Caravan never fails to leave me with a good feeling and a reinforced
respect and admiration for the Markland Wood community.
This is a community that really comes together and answers the call.
But none of these events would take place without the hardworking,
selfless efforts of volunteers like Marty Ross. Marty makes the
Caravan run like clock work – not a small effort!
He is also a great guy to be around.
His enthusiasm is infectious and he has a deep commitment to our
community.
As a result of the last
Marklander, I had several calls and emails regarding the traffic issues in
Markland Wood. While we continue
to hear from residents who have great concern over speeding, I also heard
from those who are concerned that this issue is being pushed by a minority
of residents, with the potential repercussions being inflicted on the
majority. There is some concern
that any resulting measures, such as speed bumps or stop signs, will set a
precedent that could affect the whole community.
I want to state clearly that the MHA represents all residents,
including those with opposing views. We
will remain closely involved with the residents and City officials, until
proper studies are completed and solutions recommended.
But we will also ensure that all residents get a chance to express
their views before any steps are taken.
Late in December, I sent an
email to all those registered with our Crime / Safety committees, as well as
to our general email list. We
have consolidated our 4 committees into one all-encompassing committee,
headed by ex MHA President, Marlene Cater.
Marlene is an extremely hardworking, committed person, who will
continue to do the same fantastic job she has been doing while heading the
“At Large” committee. Everyone
who is registered on our email list will continue to get updates, and of
course I will continue to update through the Marklander as well.
We are still looking for several more individuals who would like to
get actively involved with this committee.
You should be prepared to meet once per month and to take part in
different community safety projects as they arise.
Please email me if you want to join.
I received several calls
regarding the fire that caused phone service interruption in our
neighborhood in late September 2006. Rest
assured that we are in touch at the senior executive level of Bell, and I
expect that we should have some answers for you very soon.
We are exploring the idea of
installing an outdoor pavillion near Millwood Forest, which could be used
for community events. This is in
the very initial stages and more information will follow.
I have had a lot of
correspondence regarding the “abandoned” construction site at Bloor and
Mill Road. I am concerned that
this is a safety hazard, especially as young children have been seen playing
in this “pit”. One of our
Directors, Brian Brennand, has been in touch with the developer and they
agreed to fix the fence around the site, as well as put up No Trespassing
signs. We are trying to find out
exactly what is happening with this development, as it is not acceptable in
its present state.
It was brought to my attention
that it is not easy to correspond with me because my email address wasn’t
in the Marklander. I have
corrected this oversight and will now include it with my name below.
I want to take a moment to
congratulate Markland Wood resident Franco
Vaccarino, who has been appointed to head the University of Toronto at
Scarborough, beginning next July. Franco
is a great guy and well deserving of this promotion.
He is also a personal friend and member of my band, and so I would
like to commend Franco on this big news.
Please remember, we are interested in hearing of any achievements
worthy of recognition in the Marklander.
But I need to hear from you first.
Until next month, stay warm, and have a great New Year!
Best regards, Greg Rohn
President@MarklandWood.org
2006-2007 Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE:
PRESIDENT: Patrick
Clifford
VICE-PRESIDENT: Greg
Rohn
SECRETARY: Anna Schaefer
TREASURER: Gerard
Betsch
DIRECTORS
Richard Boehnke
Brian Brennand
Paul Cavanagh
Bob
Cooke
Bev Evans
Michael Georgopoulos
Bo Lawrentiw
Graham Maguire
Paul Marano
Don Matheson
Diane McLeod
Tom Napier
Peter Sgro
Romeo Sinopoli
Associate Directors
Stephen
Blimkie, Helen Boehnke, Paul Cavanagh, Tamara Greene, Mary Lordan, Peter
Sgro, Ian Sillars, Irene Sillars, Donna Sokic, MP (Pierina) Stokes, Anne-Marie
Stoneburgh and Patti Thorne.
Outstanding MHA $10 Annual Membership
Dues – Drop Box at Suburban Drug Mart
Between October and
December each year, many of the MHA Directors and Associate Directors are
out collecting your annual dues on their assigned routes.
Consider that these volunteers are out on their own time, often on
the weekend, and typically call on each home three or four times.
Although the formal collection has now been completed and the route
books have been turned in, you may not yet have had a chance to submit your
$10 annual dues. If this is the
case, please note that you are asked to drop off your cheque payable to the
MHA in an envelope as follows. There
is a locked mailbox located in the inner doors of the Suburban Drug Mart
(just above the newspaper stands) at the plaza for your convenience.
Please drop off your envelope there by January 31st.
Our annual dues of $10 are
voluntary, and very modest when you consider all of the wonderful programs
and activities that we enjoy in Markland Wood!
Collectively, these annual dues are our major source of funding for
the year, and your attention in ensuring you are up to date is most
appreciated.
Bev Evans, Director
Christmas Caravan Update
Unbelievable, not only
described the weather, but also the amount of food and money collected
during Caravan 2006.
Once again the residents of
Markland Wood showed their generosity and goodwill by donating over 17,000
lbs of food and $820 in cash. Our
biggest year ever! As usual the
charities receiving the food were The
Salvation Army,
the Brothers
of the Good Shepherd, the Scott
Mission, while the money collected went to the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.
This year’s Caravan started like every other year, except with many
Volunteers showing up in T-shirts and sweatshirts, instead of parkas and
hats! In all my past Caravans, I can say that we have not had a more
beautiful day than this year’s. By mid- afternoon it reached 13 degrees
and off came the sweatshirts and on went the Hawaiian
Shirts. It was very encouraging to see so many neighbors out to greet
us, or so I thought. While many were out waiting for us to come, others were
out cleaning up their yards, finishing off that painting project and even
cutting their grass. Nonetheless, this was the warmest day for Caravan.
Many that volunteered were
seasoned “Caravaners”, but we had a terrific turnout of new helpers who
showed such enthusiasm that they made us proud.
I have to thank Graham and
Patrick Maguire, John Gee and Brian Brennand for showing up at my house on
the Friday before Caravan to eagerly tape the 600 boxes ready for packing
with food. Thanks guys!
The long success of such a
major event comes not only from “Marklanders” who donate, or Santa’s
Elves who collect door to door, but also to the many companies and outsiders
that we call on for support. I can only acknowledge them in print for their
generosity. Please look at every name and say thanks;
Atlantic Packaging…………………cardboard
boxes
Bruno’s Fine Foods………………...meat
and cheese trays
Cardinal Meats……………………..hamburgers
for lunch
City of Toronto……………………..washrooms
@ SCI
Collins & Greig Cartage…………...transport
truck/trailer
Victor Login…………………………Aka
“The Big Guy”
Markland Golf and Country Club…golf
carts
Markland Wood Residents…………donations
Santa’s Elves…………………………helpers
and collectors
Topps Canada………………………..Santa’s
treats
Toronto Fire Services……………….Fire Trucks and
crew
Toronto Police Services……………..Auxiliary Police
and cars
If I inadvertantly missed your
name, please accept my thanks.
By the time you read this
article, all the donated food will have been distributed to many families
and probably used up by now. There is always a real need and we should
donate as often as possible.
May the joy of the season be
with you and have a happy and safe New Year.
Sincerely
yours, Martin Ross
Christmas
Caravan Chair
HURRICANE HAZEL AND MARKLAND WOOD
In the events that helped shape
Markland Wood, perhaps none is more dramatic than Hurricane Hazel. In 1954,
on the night of October 15/16, a total of eight inches of rain fell on the
already saturated soil of Toronto. In the ensuing flash flooding, eighty-one
people lost their lives.
Some perished in near zero
visibility, driving their vehicles off the ends of washed out bridges; some
died bravely attempting to rescue others. But most victims were homeowners
whose dwelling rested on land that was simply too low to be next to a major
waterway. One minute they were in their living rooms watching the city's one
television station, CBLT on channel 9; the next they were in their attic,
desperately trying to punch a hole through to the rooftop and hope of
survival.
The speed and stealth of the
rising water is indicated by the following account, which took place right
next to the number 12 tee of the Markland Wood golf club.
Mr. Dave Ibonie lives at #3085
Southcreek Road, the second house over from number 12 tee. In the late 1940s
and early 1950s, Dave’s parents, Louie and Ivy, owned 8 acres and built
all 5 houses running along the south side of the road. The house at #3085
had just been completed by the fall of 1954, when Dave was 18 years old.
Since the age of 15, Dave had
been a part time Gauge Reader for the federal Department of Natural
Resources. Twice a day, 365 days a year, he went to the edge of the bridge
over Mill Road (back then, Southcreek Road was part of Mill Road) and peered
at the steel pole with markings up its 15 foot length, the distance from the
underside of the bridge to the river bed below.
Dave was all too conscious of
the relationship between the severity of a thunderstorm and the level of the
river. That night, when he bicycled home from his other part-time job at the
local A&P (now the No Frills at Dundas west of 427) his thoughts were of
his family and the water level. The
storm was so bad, he had been let out of work an hour early, due mainly to
lack of customers. Nevertheless,
it was still after 9pm by the time he made it home.
The water was raging higher
than he had ever seen, yet still within its banks. But within a half hour,
it was coming across the road in front of their house, bringing with it
debris from upstream. Dave recalls some strange sights. “Two farms
upstream, the Clarkson family grew lots of vegetables. I remember seeing
their cabbages heading past our house that night”. (This would be
alongside hole number 8 today).
“The farm on the other side
of the road was about 68 acres belonging to the Fenwicks. They kept cattle
and did some cash cropping.” (This would include hole numbers 10 and 11 on
the golf course.) “They strung a course of fencing right across the creek
just upstream from the bridge, along with some barbed wire, to keep the
cattle from heading down the creek valley.”
“As the water rose, it
brought big stumps and trees with it, pushing against the fencing and
creating a kind of dam, forcing the water off to the side towards our
houses. I couldn’t believe how fast it started rising and ran to each of
the five houses in turn, yelling for everyone to get out, and get out
fast!”
“By the time I got to the
fifth house, the water was above my knees and rising faster than ever. That
was where my cousin, Bill Haden and his wife Grace were living, including
their baby, Linda. They figured they could get in to their car and make
their way to Dundas. I took the baby and headed toward their car, while Bill
helped Grace. By the time Grace made it to the front of the car, it was
clear she would not make it around to the passenger side. Their split second
decision was to try to get back to their house. I later learned they barely
made it. But by then, mother and daughter were separated.”
“
I had the baby in my arms and had made it to the passenger side. Just as I
got there, the car started moving sideways right at me! I jumped back.
Instinct told me that my only choice was to try and go with the flow, so to
speak, and head to the higher ground of Dundas Street. Except I wasn’t
always on foot; the water was so high in places by then there were times my
toes were barely touching the ground!”
Dave made it to higher ground
near Miss Young’s house on Dundas, where Dave’s brother Fred took the
infant from his exhausted younger sibling. “I was so tired. As I handed
the baby over, my legs gave out and I hit my face on the front end of the
car at the end of the driveway.”
Dave then turned his thoughts
to his parents. Where were they? Mom was soon located at one of the nearby
houses on Dundas. But where was Dad?
As fast as it had risen, the
water soon started to recede. The Mill Road bridge across the Etobicoke
Creek, along with the tangle of fencing and stumps pushing against it, could
no longer stand the pressure. The entire bridge moved downstream and
sideways, never to be replaced.
By the time the water was down
to about knee high, Dave decided to head back to his house – the last
place he had seen his father, Louie. Dave found his father sitting at the
kitchen table, totally distraught. He believed his entire family had been
swept downstream.
Louie had good reason to
believe this. Upon hearing Dave’s earlier warning to get out, Louie
figured he had time to do one thing – head down to the basement and move
the furnace motor on to a bench to keep it dry. While he succeeded in this
task, the time it took was precious. When he went to leave by the front
door, the water had already made movement all but impossible. He tried to
strike out, but the water swept him off his feet towards the creek valley.
As he rounded the corner of the
house, there was an apple tree, maybe only three or four inches in diameter,
but enough to hold on to and pray the roots were strong enough. They were.
When the bridge gave way, the water level at the house dropped quickly and
the exhausted family patriarch made his way to the kitchen table, believing
he was the only one left alive.
The apple tree stands to this
day, with a noticeable lean to it.
Hurricane Hazel permanently
changed the way urban watersheds were viewed. Lands once thought to be safe
for development were redesignated. For Markland Wood, this meant there would
be a belt of land just wide enough for a golf course, rather than homes and
factories. The decision to not rebuild the Mill Road bridge over Etobicoke
Creek meant the southern part of Markland Wood would eventually become a
peaceful residential area, rather than a short cut to Dundas Highway.
School News
Silverthorn Collegiate
Holiday Excitement at SCI
The month started off on a high
note with the annual Semi-Formal on Friday, December 1st.
Silverthorn students traded in their jeans and t-shirts for dresses and
suits for the event planned by the Student Activity Council (SAC). King’s
Garden Banquet Hall was fit for royalty as for the first time in several
years, the evening was held outside of the school cafeteria. Themed
“Stars,” it was a huge success with approximately 250 students
attending.
Grad Students were picture
perfect for their Grad Photos between December 5th and 12th.
On Thursday, December 7th, the Grade Eleven Leadership class
organized Silverthorn’s Winter Talent Show; performances included hip-hop
dances, singing, a Chinese yo-yo act, classical Indian dancing, a rock band,
and magic.
Students were glad to have a
day off of school on December 8th due to an earlier schedule
change by TDSB trustees. During the following week, the Prefects sold
“Candy-Cane-O-Grams” at lunch. An Athletics Assembly was also held on
Monday, December 11th, giving coaches and staff the opportunity
to recognize and congratulate Silverthorn’s tremendous athletic
achievement during the year and in the upcoming year.
The annual winter concert,
“Sounds of the Season” took place on December 14th. The
musical extravaganza was primarily organized and conducted by Ms. Kimm.
Performances included the Stage Band, and the String Ensemble.
Through late November and
December, SCI’s multicultural club, UNITY, organized a Holiday Food Drive,
collecting non-perishable food items for the less fortunate. Despite a slow
start, over 400 cans were raised. The effort will continue after the Winter
Break. Silverthorn’s Muslims Students’ Association (MSA) also collected
money for a toy drive which resulted in bags and bags of toys for a local
charity.
Just before the Break, on
Thursday, December 21st, a Holiday Assembly was held, getting
students into the holiday spirit. Various clubs and teams presented their
interpretation of the holiday season. The Leadership Heads sang their own
rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” encouraging everyone to
get involved. The SAC danced to a collection of songs with a special
appearance by Mr. Ferguson. The Spartan Athletic Association (SAA) and the
Prefects danced to songs while the Music Council demonstrated their
transition into the holiday season while the Competitive Dance Team
performed to a mix of popular Christmas songs. LIGHT, Silverthorn’s
Christian fellowship group, sang beautifully to a Christmas Carol. The Youth
Empowerment Society (YES) presented a “Dance-Off” between Santa Claus
and other holiday characters such as Cupid. Dance group, EBT, performed to a
mix of Indian-style songs while the “Royal Order of the Cheesecake”
introduced SCI to the “Holiday Cheesecake,” a mix of holidays around the
world. UNITY displayed a video of carols and greetings in a variety of
languages. The Math Department performed a hilarious skit to “I’m Going
on a Date with Santa.” Finally, the Administration presented a video
poking fun at particular teachers and students.
When school re-opens on January
8th, students have a lot of look forward to. Grade Eight
Information Night is on Wednesday, January 10th; parents of
eighth grade students may attend to learn about courses and extracurricular
activities available at Silverthorn. On Monday, January 15th, and
Tuesday, January 16th, Grade 9 students will be writing the EQAO
test. In addition, from Friday, January 26th to Thursday,
February 1st, exams will be written.
Evidently, holiday spirit is
bountiful at SCI!
Sasi
Vinayagamoorthy
Church News
Bloordale United Church
4258 Bloor St. West. Etobicoke,
Ontario, M9C 1Z7
621-1710
www.bloordale.ca
Morning
services at 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Stephen Iverson 621-1710
St. Clement
Church
Saturday: 4:45 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m.,
11:30 a.m.
Confessions
Saturday: 9:30-10:00 a.m.,
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Renforth
Baptist Church
627 Burnhamthorpe Road. M9C 2Y9, 621-1990
Sunday services at 10:30 a.m.
PASTOR - Rev. Godfrey Green
St. James United Church
400 Burnhamthorpe Road.
Just east of Hwy 427 at The East Mall.
Sunday
service: 10:30 a.m. with inspirational music by
award-winning choirs.
Challenging sermons, children's stories and hymns.
Nursery care available.
The Church of
Christ the King
475
Rathburn Road, Etobicoke. 621-3630
Just
West of Hwy. 427
Regular
service times:
Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday: 10:30 a.m.
Feb 13:
A.C.W. Dessert and Card
Party
New Time
1:00 p.m.
Tickets are $8 per person
Afghan Draw and Door Prizes
Also
check us out on our website:
http://www.netcomsolutions.ca/Christ_the_King
Rehoboth Fellowship Christian Reformed Church
800 Burnhamthorpe Road (just east of Mill Rd.)
Etobicoke 622-9647
Worship every Sunday at 10:00
a.m.
Nursery care available. Programs for people of all ages
We welcome you!
Pastor
John Tenyenhuis
St. Matthew’s Anglican Church
3962 Bloor St. W. Etobicoke
416-231-4014 office@saintmatts.ca
Services: Sundays at 8 and 10 a.m.
Children's Program and Nursery at 10 a.m.
Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. (BCP). For more information please call the church
office.
St. Philip's Lutheran Church
61 West Deane Park Drive
Etobicoke, M9B 2S1
(near Rathburn and The East
Mall)
Phone: 622-5577
Web: www.stphilipslutherantoronto.com
Pastor:
Doug Kramer
Pastoral Intern: Gloria Ryder
Director of Children's &
Youth Ministry:
Steve Elshaw
Director of Music: Paul
Wisniewski
Sunday Worship: 10:00
a.m.
Sunday School: 11:00 a.m.
Life Church Toronto
It's no secret that Life Church
Toronto is right over there.
Sundays @ 10:30 a.m.
Eatonville Library
(Burnhamthorpe and the East
Mall)
Pastor Ian Clarke 905-970-0528
www.lifechurchtoronto.com
People and Places
GENEROSITY REQUIRED
A number of Markland Wood residents volunteer at the “Out Of The Cold”
program. This winter program is hosted by St. Matthew's Anglican
Church and Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. We are asking for
donations of "Canadian Tire Money" which will be used to buy
winter wear for our guests and we are also asking for donations of "Tim
Horton's" Gift Certificates. These will be given to our guests on
Christmas Eve, as Christmas presents. It is our intention that every
guest should receive enough "Tim Horton's" Gift Certificates to
buy themselves a coffee and a doughnut. We would like to collect
enough gift certificates for 60 guests. Please call Valerie at
622-8672 for more details. Thank you.
The Etobicoke
Newcomers’ Club for Women
Are you new to the area?
Interested in making new friendships? Join us on the first Tuesday of each
month at 7:30 p.m. at Kingsway Lambton United Church, 85 The Kingsway. For
further information call Joanne Longo 255-9032.
Parenting and
Family Literacy Centre
The Parenting and Family Literacy Centre at Eatonville School is runs
from Mondays – Thursdays, 8:45 - 1:45. We are a drop in centre where you
stay and play with your child. It is a free service run by the Toronto
District School Board. Come and play, paint, dress-up, read books and
participate in our story and music time! We are open when the school is
open. (unfortunately not March break or summer).
Ruth
Schefter, Instructor.
The Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive, Etobicoke ON
M9C 1V7
January 8-28, 2007:
In the Galleries:
"Neilson
Park Creative Centre 2007 Artists’ Choice Winter Exhibition"
Painting, drawing, mixed media,
photography, prints, sculpture, pottery, jewellery, fibre arts, calligraphic
arts and more
January 30-February 18:
In the Main Gallery:
“This Is My Neighbourhood”
The
art of junior students of the Toronto District School Board, Etobicoke West
Schools
www.neilsonparkcreativecentre.com
Email:
info@neilsonparkcreativecentre.com
Information:
622-5294
Open:
Mon-Sat, 9-3 p.m.
Tuesday,
7-9 p.m.
Sunday,
noon to 4 p.m.
Wheelchair
accessible. Free admission and parking.
MARKLANDER STAFF
President: Greg
Rohn
626-0562
Editor: Graham
Maguire
620-4398
Advertising: Brian
Brennand
622-8011
Photographer: Tom
Napier
622-9630
Distribution: Richard
Boehnke
621-5089
Creative & Design: BBS Printing & Graphics
231-3693
Printing:
BBS Printing & Signs
231-3693
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