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Vol. 40 No. 5 May 2003 Markland Wood’s Miracle Child Sunday, April 27, began like every morning for precocious two-year
Rachel Riddell – which consisted of breakfast, cartoons and playing in the
backyard. How quickly the routine changes . . . Rachel Riddell, the proud daughter of Gerry and Julie Riddell, who
live on Mountain Ash Court, wandered from the backyard mid-Sunday morning. Within a couple minutes mom noticed the child was missing. She
instantly called 911. Immediately officers from 22 Police Division were on
the scene investigating the disappearance. Frantic searches were made around
the neighbourhood, but to no avail. They say that heroes are not born – they are made. And one was
truly made on that frightful Sunday morning. The courageous efforts of
Darren Cook, who lives two doors down from us, noticed no one was searching
the Markland Golf Course behind our cul de sac. Mr. Cook spotted our
daughter’s bright pink windbreaker in a pond on the golf course and
without hesitation dove in, pulled Rachel out of the water. He gave Rachel a
chance to live. Police and ambulance crews were also on site and she was
resuscitated, and then taken to Sick Kids Hospital. At Sick Kids they fought
to keep her alive. In the hospital Rachel remained in critical condition, but within 24
hrs she was up and incredibly running around demanding to “go home.”
Miracles do happen. And we witnessed one that day . . . We want to thank the entire neighborhood of Markland Wood, and in
particular all those on Mountain Ash Court. Without you, there would truly
be no sense of “community” or extended family. Thanks for your prayers,
gifts, cards and well-wishes. We love you all so much. Thanks also to 22 Division’s Craig Davies, who was at the rescue
scene and ambulance unit #839, who delivered critical life saving measures
to Rachel. Finally and most importantly, we don’t know how to say thank-you
to Rachel’s guardian angel, Darren Cook, who ultimately rescued our child
and gave her a second chance at life. Words seem almost meaningless – but
nevertheless we are grateful and we know at least one reason why God put you
on this earth. You are Markland Wood’s true hero. Rachel Riddell is Markland Wood’s miracle child
– she is a bouncy, happy two-year old, whose mother and father are
grateful to the Lord, to the citizens of Markland Wood and to their angel on
earth, Darren Cook. Thank you for everything – our entire family will
never forget you in our prayers. Thanks All, Gerry & Julie Riddell Annual
Spring Garage Sale, Saturday May 24th (rain or shine!) Other important dates: Saturday June 7th – People’s Forum @ Metro
Hall Tuesday June 10th –
Markland Wood Annual General Meeting President's Update As I write this article, there has been a tremendous explosion and
tragedy in a little strip mall on Bloor Street, between Shaver and Kipling,
which you will all be aware of by the time you read this. Many of us know of
or have frequented those establishments, which were lost and were “close to
home”. Our sympathies go out to the families of those affected by this
tragedy and the Markland Homes Association will be forwarding condolences to
those affected. We ask that you keep them in your prayers during this very
difficult time. May 24th is the Annual Garage Sale for Markland Wood. As
Spring seems to be making its way gradually upon us, this is the perfect time
to clear out the attic, garage or basement and take stock of your possessions
and determine whether you are ever going to use any of these items again. If
not, you may want to participate in the garage sale as a “vendor”.
If you still have use for the item or it is a prized possession, is it
adequately insured? Following up from my January article, where I talked about the value of
recording your personal possessions, in the event you are a victim of a
burglary or fire, I will say a few words here about home insurance. Typically
your home insurance will cover two things: the house itself and your personal
property contained therein. Note: there may be an additional coverage for a
home business under the personal property portion. In the spirit of the annual garage sale, I will discuss the
personal property coverage in this month’s article. Home insurance and the extent of coverage available varies between the
numerous companies offering it. The bottom line is that you should take the
time to review your home insurance policy and review the inventory of your
possessions to see if you are adequately covered. No matter the extent of your
possessions, there will be a cap amount on your policy covering them. The
issue is whether the cap amount is enough to cover any loss. Typically, your
personal property coverage is set at some percentage of what your home is
covered for to replace. This may or may not be enough, depending on the value
of your personal possessions. For
example (in the event of a fire), your home may be insured for $400,000 and
your personal contents insured up to a capped amount of $200,000.
The question is whether that $200,000 is enough to replace all your
possessions (assuming they are all destroyed). You may be surprised upon
adding up these items as to what you have accumulated over time. Secondly,
what would it cost to go out now and buy each of these items? After analyzing
this, you are in a better position to assess how much insurance coverage you
need. Next, there are special items insurance companies treat differently.
Typically, these are jewelry, art or antiques. Even though you may have
$200,000 worth of personal property coverage, there may be a separate cap on
what you can recover for lost jewelry – say $5,000. In the example above, if
your personal items lost amounted to $150,000, including $10,000 worth of
jewelry, you would only collect $145,000 because of the $5,000 cap. The
solution is to keep your insurance company or your broker informed of any
special items of art or antiques or excess amounts of jewelry. Brokers, in
particular, may not ask you this as they renew the policy from year to year.
All the more important for you to be reviewing your needs periodically.
When reviewing insurance policies, check to see what the payout or
reimbursement procedure is. For example, some companies may require you to
repurchase the personal property item before you will be reimbursed. Some may
only pay you for the current depreciated value of the item as opposed to
replacement cost. Are there any exclusions stipulated as “not covered” in
the policy? As you can see from the above, these are just a few of the issues to
consider along with the amount of premium and the deductible when initially
purchasing or renewing your home insurance. If you use an insurance broker,
lean on them for any questions as to your policy or coverage and have a copy
of the policy with you when you are reviewing it with them. Next month: Home insurance on the house itself. Best regards, Patrick J. Clifford President, Markland Homes Association 2002-2003
Board of Directors EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT: Patrick Clifford, 8 The Green Pines 621-7695 VICE-PRESIDENT:
Tom Napier, 1 Markland Dr. 622-9630 SECRETARY:
Don Matheson, 30 Markwood Cr. 621-4291 TREASURER: Gerard Betsch, 14 Winsdale Road 620-4896 DIRECTORS Stephen Blimkie, 197 Markland Drive 695-7734 Richard Boehnke, 67 Markland Dr. 621-5089 Brian Brennand, 2 Markland Dr.
622-8011 Bev Evans, 8 Winsdale Rd. 621-2153 Graham Maguire, 2
Broadfield Dr. 620-4398 Diane Mcleod, 15 Aymarn Crt. 622-2183 Associate Directors Helen Boehnke, Bo Lawrentiw, Ian Sillars, Irene Sillars and Patti
Thorne, 2003 Markland Wood Scholarship Awards….reminder
of deadlines May 31: deadline for receipt of (a) an essay and (b) two letters of
support. July 31: student’s letter of acceptance and enrolment in an accredited
Canadian University or Community College. All completed submissions should be forwarded to: The Markland Homes Association, PO Box 11, Station “A” Etobicoke, Ontario Attn: The Blinder for the Award Committee From Tom’s Desk I must apologize, as I got a couple of dates mixed up in last month’s
publication. The Markland Wood AGM is on Tuesday June 10th and the
People’s forum has been moved to Saturday June 7th. April was our month to get moving on the garden. We noticed the trees
needed a good trimming. I contacted the City to find out what trees they were
responsible for. The Forestry division of the Parks & Recreation
department responded very quickly and had their personnel out to determine the
trees they would prune. The person that contacted us was very informative. If
you are interested in having the City trim their street trees on your
property, you can contact the Forestry Clerk at 416-394-8519. Tree pruning
operations are performed year round. The People’s Forum is set up and ready to receive your registration.
You can register at http://www.peoplesforum.ca
or contact me for an application forum. I will be attending this event, as I
think it is very important for the Toronto Homes Associations and their
members to voice their concerns about the way Toronto is being run. The fee is
$25.00 and includes lunch. Mr. Robert Fung will be the keynote speaker. I contacted Minister Allen Rock’s office, regarding the SARS issue as
the World Health Organization placed a travel advisory for Toronto. Somehow, I
feel there should be more leadership and a stronger presence from our elected
representatives on serious issues such as this. Hon. Allan Rock is the Federal
Minister of Industry and former Health Minister. These were the two quotes
sent to me from Min. Rock’s office on April 23rd: “I'll be there to work closely with my
Provincial partners and with the City to make sure at the appropriate time,
all steps we can take are taken to restore Toronto’s place in terms of
tourism and business” and, regarding the WTO advisory, “It’s not helpful to us from an economic point of view. Let’s keep this in perspective. It’s very serious and it’s important to contain it and that’s what officials are doing”. Please try to remember to wash your hands
regularly throughout the day, to help prevent the spread of SARS. One last note; the Markland Wood Garage
Sale is on Saturday May 24th. If you put up a sign
(I strongly suggest you do, to attract attention to your street), then please
take it down after you are finished. This way, we keep Markland Wood tidy and
our neighbours friendly. Thanks, Tom Napier VP-MHA Stoneglen Dr. walkway update On April 9, Brian Brennand, representing Markland Homes Association, and Bob Bell, representing the residents of Stoneglen Dr., met with the Silverthorn Collegiate Environmental Protection Association Committee (SEPA) to discuss vandalism and littering concerns, related to the walkway that leads onto the football field from Stoneglen Dr. This meeting was a follow up to the meeting held on February 20 with the school’s principal, vice-principal, caretaking staff and two SEPA representatives. This get together was very positive and productive, and Bob and I were very impressed with the students that were in attendance. They were all eager to offer suggestions and assist in the project. Silverthorn should be proud to have such dedicated representatives. As requested at the initial meeting, the issue has been communicated to the school leadership heads and to the general student body, requesting co-operation from all who use the walkway. Once the ice has melted, Steve Innes of the caretaking staff will be bringing the concerns relating to the deteriorating physical condition of the pathway to the School Board’s attention, with a view to having the necessary repairs done to bring the path up to proper safety standards. The suggestion to have Neighbourhood Watch signs erected along the pathway has been acted upon with the assistance of PC John Courtney of 22 Division, and these should be installed shortly. In addition, on Steve Innes’ suggestion, the Board Security number to call, if students are observed committing violations on school property –416 395-4620- was published in the April MARKLANDER. Among the many helpful ideas brought forward was the suggestion that students who were still seeking ways of acquiring their 40 hours of community service could obtain credits toward this program by volunteering to keep the walkway free of litter. A student contact was obtained, and the MHA executive will work with this person to hopefully benefit both students in their quest for volunteer hours, and the community through a visible improvement in the cleanliness of the walkway environment. Down to Earth…West Nile Virus Last month’s article described the life cycle of the mosquito and ways
to diminish their population in our community. This month I would like to pass
on some information regarding prevention of the disease. This obviously
entails not being bitten! One way to avoid this is to stay indoors. Otherwise,
apply a repellent before venturing out. For information regarding use of the
most effective repellent, DEET, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm Some facts taken from the site: Many of the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus are especially likely to bite around dusk and dawn. If you are outdoors around these times of the day, it is important to apply repellent. Follow the directions on the product you are using in order to determine how frequently you need to reapply repellent. Sweating, perspiration or getting wet may mean that you need to re-apply repellent more frequently. If you are not being bitten, it is not necessary to re-apply repellent. Mosquitoes are attracted to people by skin odours and carbon dioxide from breath. Many repellents contain a chemical, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), which repels the mosquito, making the person unattractive for feeding. DEET does not kill mosquitoes; it just makes them unable to locate us. The more DEET a repellent contains the longer time it can protect you from mosquito bites. A higher percentage of DEET in a repellent does not mean that your protection is better—just that it will last longer. DEET concentrations higher than 50% do not increase the length of protection. Products containing DEET are very safe when used according to the directions http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/DEETgen.pdf Always follow the recommendations appearing on the product label. Use enough repellent to cover exposed skin or clothing. Don't apply
repellent to skin that is under clothing. Heavy application is not necessary
to achieve protection. Do not apply repellent to cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water. Do not spray aerosol or pump products in enclosed areas. Do not apply aerosol or pump products directly to your face. Spray your
hands and then rub them carefully over the face, avoiding eyes and mouth. DEET and children Repellent products that do not contain DEET are not likely to offer the same degree of protection from mosquito bites as products containing DEET. Non-DEET repellents have not necessarily been as thoroughly studied as DEET, and may not be safer for use on children. Persons who are concerned about using
DEET or other products on children may wish to consult their health care
provider for advice. The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) can also
provide information through a toll-free number, 1-800-858-7378 or http://npic.orst.edu Always follow the recommendations appearing on the product label when using repellent. When using repellent on a child, apply it to your own hands and then rub
them on your child. Avoid children's eyes and mouth and use it sparingly
around their ears. Do not apply repellent to children's hands. (Children tend to put their
hands in their mouths.) Do not allow young children to apply insect repellent to themselves;
have an adult do it for them. Keep repellents out of reach of children. Do not apply repellent to skin under clothing. If repellent is applied
to clothing, wash treated clothing before wearing again. Using repellents on the skin is not the only way to avoid mosquito bites. Children and adults can wear clothing with long pants and long sleeves while outdoors. DEET or other repellents, such as permethrin, can also be applied to clothing (don’t use permethrin on skin), as mosquitoes may bite through thin fabric. Mosquito netting can be used over infant carriers. Finally, it may be possible to reduce the number of mosquitoes in the area by getting rid of containers with standing water that provide breeding places for the mosquitoes. For more information about using repellents safely: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/citizens/insectrp.htms
Hats Off Congratulations to Jacquelyn Graham for going to The Canada
Winter Games and bringing home the GOLD MEDAL in Rhythmic Gymnastics!
From your friends and family in Markland Wood. Good Samaritans in Markland Wood. In Markland Wood, there are still thoughtful people like Martin, a local
boy scout leader, who, on route to his meeting, made the time to help an 84
year-old shovel her sidewalk and driveway, during the last monumental snow-ice
storm. Aren’t those scouts fortunate to have a leader who practices what he
teaches? Many thanks, Martin, from a Markland resident of 40 years. School News Millwood Junior School It’s hard to believe that in a few months the school year will be
coming to an end! Since the March break, the days at Millwood have been filled
with all sorts of activities and events. March found many of the students attending various music concerts,
including a Toronto Symphony Orchestra presentation of Music and Dance, which
featured dancers from the Etobicoke School of the Arts. Another visit to Roy
Thomson Hall found the Toronto Symphony Orchestra performing entirely in
French for several classes in the French Immersion program. Bach to Beatles was performed by Doug and Wendy Pullen, a
Canadian sax duo that visited the school. Our thanks go to Madame Doiu for
organizing these wonderful events! Our musical direction continues with Millwood once again planning its
famous Dance-a-Thon for June 5. Children will be learning various dances
during gym class and during Dance Club. Millwood bid farewell to winter at the Millwood Family Skate hosted by
the Home & School. All those who attended, including moms, dads and
siblings, had a good time. Lunch hour clubs this year have proven to be very popular. Clubs are
continuing to meet, including the Chess Club, Drama Club (English and French),
Silver Birch Reading Club, Primary Choir and the Painting Club. The Gardening
Club, directed by Mrs. Szot, is regrouping to work on the garden as soon as
the ground is workable. Millwood School has donated $500 towards the garden
for additional plants and in order to keep our neighborhood looking beautiful! Teaching our children civic responsibility is important. For this
reason, Millwood Junior School engages in many various projects aside from
fundraising for charities. The school collects used stamps all year round to
support the Guide Dog Institute. Old eyeglasses are being collected, to be
sent to various underprivileged countries.
Used cartridges from inkjet and laser printers are also being collected
for the THINKGREEN Cartridge Collection Program, to divert used cartridges
from landfills. Through their
partnership with the Tree Canada Foundation, THINKGREEN will sponsor the
planting of one tree on behalf of the school for every 12 recyclable
cartridges. So far, there have been two trees planted on our behalf, as a
result of our collecting 27 recyclable cartridges. We welcome any community
member to stop by the office with their contribution(s). Larissa Bayrachny Silverthorn Collegiate Institute The Silverthorn Athletic Association (SAA) helped SCI become a
successful participant in the Hoops for Heart campaign. Numerous students gave
up their lunch to play basketball and raise money for the Heart and Stroke
Foundation. Students also raised money for this year’s 30-Hour Famine,
organized by Students Offering Services (SOS) and Living In God’s Holy Truth
(LIGHT), a Christian club at SCI. The hungry students maintained their fast
and stayed at SCI until 10:30 p.m. What did they do all that time on empty
stomachs? Watched the Leaf game,
of course! There was huge interest in the girl’s soccer team, and the competitive
try-outs were held in the snow on a soggy field. The track and field season
has also begun and the athletes run in the halls, when it gets too muddy
outside. The co-ed volleyball team started off their year by participating in a tournament. Sixteen schools competed at Woburn Collegiate in Scarborough, and SCI placed well. Due to the teachers’ work-to-rule, Parents’ Night was cancelled. We had a school assembly, sponsored by the Toronto police, about Crime
Stoppers. An energetic police officer informed students of the consequences of
illegal activities and the merits of calling 222-TIPS, if they have
information on any crime that has been committed. A cash reward of up to a
thousand dollars is given, if a caller has good information, and all calls are
kept completely confidential. This valuable program has helped to solve
thousands of crimes in Canada and the U.S.
Prefects has arranged for a Blood
Donor Clinic to be set up at SCI on Tuesday, May 27th.
All residents are invited to drop by during the day to donate blood to
the Red Cross. Heather Foulkes Church News Bloordale United Church 4258 Bloor St. West. Etobicoke, Ontario, M9C 1Z7 416-621-1710 ALL WORSHIP SERVICES ARE AT 10:30
a.m. St. James United Church 400 Burnhamthorpe Road, Etobicoke (Just west of 427 on the south side of Burnhamthorpe Road.) Phone 416-622-4113 Celebration Service 9:00 a.m. (includes Sunday School) Traditional Service 10:30 a.m.
(includes Sunday School, baby sitting) Fellowship with tea or coffee after service The Church of Christ the
King 475 Rathburn Road,
Etobicoke Just West of the 427 416-621-3630
June 1st: Outdoor Service and Picnic. 10:30 a.m. PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND
Also CHECK US OUT ON OUR
WEB SITE http://netcomsolutions-ont.com/Christ_King
People and Places Thank you to all the generous clients of Frank's Cut n Curl who sponsored Frank, once again, for the "Super Cities M.S. Walk" which took place on April 13. Together with his team, Frank raised over $3000 for this worthy cause. A Warm Welcome to Markland Wood
for Cathy O’Toole and Fred Fulton, and their 3 children, Tom (10), Julia (8)
and Christopher (6). Parent and Tot Coffee Time On alternate Tuesday
mornings at Bloordale United Church. Rm 13. Coffee is provided, but bring a
snack for your little one. Make a friend, bring a
friend, be a friend. For more information, call
Sylvia at 626-2424. “Gifts
that Give” Please come to “Gifts that Give” a Jewellery Fundraiser in support of Parent Education Network. A beautiful selection of handmade jewellery from Fifth Avenue Jewellers
and KaKo Designs, and Isabelle Robinson, jeweler on display and for sale. Prices for every budget ranging from $15 to $3000!
A portion of each sale generously donated by our local artisans to the
parenting courses and seminars of Parent Education Network, a non-profit
community group. Date: Friday, May 9, 2003 Location: at the home of Mary Celovsky, 97 Mill Road, Etobicoke (south
off Bloor, west of Hwy. 427) Hours of Display: 2 – 6 p.m. and 7 – 10 p.m. Perfect for Mother’s Day,
Retirements, Birthdays, Graduations…or a beautiful treat for oneself.
For more information, please call 416-255-8969. PILATES PLUSä
for 50+ With Kim Smith RMT Have you seen the ads for Pilates on TV or in magazines and did you
think maybe it was too difficult for you? The basic principles of Pilates can
be adapted to benefit anyone of any age or ability. This small group class
with an experienced instructor will focus on:
improving posture: building
deep abdominal and back muscle strength:
improving balance, coordination, and flexibility:
improving range of motion of neck, shoulder, and hip joints:
relaxation and decreasing muscular tension and pain:
improving body awareness: improving
function in daily activities or other sports.
Classes are held at the Neilson Park Creative Centre until mid June and
will resume again in September. Regular beginner and intermediate classes also
available. For more information call 416-528-6472. Kim Smith has been a Registered Massage Therapist at Rutherford Massage Therapy Clinic in Etobicoke since 1995. She is also a Certified Second Wind Pilates Plusä Instructor. ANNOUNCING CHALK AND CHOCOLATE
-an innovative art experience. Explore your artistic talent in a relaxing, small group, followed by dessert and
lively discussion. We'll use pencils, chalk and paper to create STILL LIFE AND
LIFE DRAWING while exploring your individual creative styles. My focus is the
use of stress reduction techniques, art skills development and friendship .New
or moderately skilled artists are welcome. Sessions run from May 13 to June 10, six TUESDAYS, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. Karen Henderson is an Occupational Therapist BSc.OT., MEd. for the past
30 years. She is a life-long artist, traveller, teacher and gourmand,
and is currently studying at the Ontario College of Art and Design. Enrollment is limited, so call soon at 416-621-1073. Fair Havens Bible Conference and Youth Camp Chamber
Music at the Assembly Hall 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive (Kipling and Lakeshore) UNRAVEL RAVEL Gryphon
Trio and Gary Kulesha Friday May 16 at 8:00 p.m. Lakeshore and Arts and Music
Toronto present a guided exploration into the forces and influences that
inspired Ravel’s Piano trio in A minor, with commentary by composer
Gary Kulesha. The Gryphon Trio will highlight the commentary with musical
excerpts and perform the complete Piano trio. GRYPHON TRIO Friday
May 30 at 8:00 p.m. Celebrating their 10th season, the Gryphon Trio has been hailed as one of Canada’s finest chamber ensembles. Adults: $20, Seniors: $12, Students: $5 (accompanying adults: $10) 416-201-7093. email lakearts@web.net The Neilson Park Creative Centre 56 Neilson Drive, Etobicoke ON M9C 1V7 Information:
622-5294 Open: Tues-Sat, 9-4 p.m. Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Wheelchair accessible. Free admission and
parking. www.neilsonparkcreativecentre.com Email:
npcc@idirect.com Giant
Book Sale – Saturday, May 10th Stock up now for your summer reading! Hundreds of books for sale – everything from romance to Romans! Books sorted into categories for easy picking. Plant
sale Wednesday, May 14th Gardening time is fast approaching. Beat the commercial nursery rush! Get your bargain perennials, houseplants and annuals while helping to support Neilson Park Creative Centre. Donations welcome. A FAMILY AFFAIR! ART IN THE PARK 2003 Sunday June 1st 10:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. featuring magnificent art & crafts 70 vendors, indoors and outdoors MUSIC . REFRESHMENTS . KIDS' CORNER FREE ADMISSION & PARKING MARKLANDER
STAFF President:
Patrick Clifford 621-7695 Editor:
Graham Maguire
620-4398 Advertising:
Brian Brennand
622-8011 Distribution:
Richard Boehnke
621-5089 Setup
Spalding Creative
255-9033 Printing Stu McNair
621-5272 Rose's Recipes Stuffed Peppers 6 medium sweet peppers (red, green, yellow, orange) 1 medium onion 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup cooked white or brown rice ½ lb. Lean ground beef or lamb 1 cup crumbled feta cheese 2 tbsp. Chopped fresh dill or parsley 1 tsp. Crumbled dried oregano ½ tsp. Salt ¼ tsp. Cinnamon ¼ tsp. Black pepper 1 cup tomato sauce (plain or seasoned) |