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President’s Update
Greetings!
It is great to be back. Back in Markland Wood. Many of you know why I say this. For those who have been away much of the
summer, I trust it has been a good one despite the unusual cool and rain. For those of you who are new to the
community – Welcome – to one of the best neighbourhood communities in the City
of Toronto!
I am happy to serve as your President for one
more year. Diane McLeod has
graciously agreed to assume the role of Secretary for the Board this year,
replacing Don Matheson who stays on as a director. I thank Don for his extra assistance in this
role over the past two years.
At this past June’s Annual General Meeting we
were given a presentation by Ms. Janet McKay from the LEAF Organization about
native trees as well as shrubs and perennials found in our area. As usual, so many of the gardens in the
neighbourhood were spectacular with flower arrangements this summer. Having been away for a while, it is striking
to see the care so many Marklanders put into their lawns and gardens that
beautify the neighbourhood.
I am pleased to report to you that the MHA
has increased its number of directors for the coming year from ten to
fifteen. In addition to the nine solid
people who have served as directors with me the past two years, we have five
new people who have come forward to join us. They are: Paul Cavenagh of
Mountain Ash Court, Michael Georgopoulos of Cosway Court, Paul Marano
of Markland Drive, Greg Rohn of Mill Road and Anna
Schaeffer of Cherry Post Crescent. We also have a number of new
associate directors (listed below).
Associate directors work on special activities or help out with dues
collection but do not regularly attend the monthly meetings. All of these additional
directors will give the MHA more strength and give us the ability to accomplish
more as a group / community than we would with thinner ranks. I welcome the valuable input from each of
them and ask you to give them your support.
We want to congratulate Boris Wrzesnewskyj,
our new MP for Etobicoke Centre on his election victory in June. The MHA will
work to have a continuing dialogue with Boris on matters important to the
community and coming under the jurisdiction of the federal government. We also
communicate regularly with Donna Cansfield, MPP for our area, on provincial
matters and Doug Holyday, our representative on the City of Toronto
Council. For your information, there is
a town hall meeting on Monday evening, September 20th, at the Etobicoke
Civic Centre at 7:00p.m. See the front cover for details.
The coming year will see the usual set of
activities you expect from the Markland Homes Association. Early in September,
the college scholarship committee reports to the Board the winning recipients
of the two $1,000 annual scholarship prizes.
This comes after the committee reviews over the summer the submitted
applications from first year college- bound students, whose names are kept
blinded from the committee. Later in September is the annual Champagne Social
Extravaganza being held this year on September 24th. The format for this event changed about four
years ago and has become increasingly more popular than ever. The yearly
collection of membership dues ($7) is carried out in the autumn months by your
directors. The annual Christmas Caravan takes place on a Sunday, early in
December. Last spring the MHA sponsored
a clean up of the area creeks, which was immensely successful and upon which we
received a lot of good feedback. As the year progresses we’ll let you know when
the next one will take place. And finally, late in May, is the annual garage
sale, which sees many homeowners dispensing with some of there no longer used
belongings. In order to plan and
execute these activities, as well as keeping abreast of issues arising in the
neighbourhood, the MHA meets on the first Monday evening of every month,
beginning in September and culminating in June with the Annual General Meeting.
All are welcome to attend any of these meetings.
Beyond the activities listed above there may
be special events or meetings, which take place in the community due to a
current issue. For example, there were three elections held in the past year
and the MHA sponsored or co-sponsored three different “All Candidates
Debates”. Another example is the
development of the site of the former Petro Canada Service Station at Bloor and
Markland. We will have an initial presentation given to us at the September MHA
meeting. If there is interest from other members of the community, we can try
to arrange a bigger presentation in the near future. As of this writing, the
plan has not been approved by the City. You can inquire further by contacting
the Planning Office at the Etobicoke Civic Centre or by contacting one of the MHA
Directors.
I anticipate there will be issues in the
coming year interpreting the meaning of the new City Plan. This may have an
effect on the way property may be developed. The airport and the use of the
runways, which touch and concern Markland Wood, will continue to be monitored
by us. I would also like to receive ideas on how we, the community, can further
promote the positive aspects of this great neighbourhood even more.
After we have our first meeting this month, I
will report to you on what the Board of Directors hopes to accomplish this
coming year. In the meantime, it is important for you to remember that we are
all members of the MHA and we are stakeholders in the future of this community.
If we stay involved and stand together as a community, there are many positives
we can accomplish and the better prepared we will be to ward off any potential
negatives.
Wishing all of our students a great start to
the new school year.
Best regards,
Patrick Clifford
President
Markland Homes Association
2003-2004 Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE
PRESIDENT: Patrick Clifford, 8 The Green Pines 621-7695
VICE-PRESIDENT: Tom Napier, 1 Markland Dr.
622-9630
SECRETARY: Diane Mcleod,
15 Aymarn Crt. 622-2183
TREASURER: Gerard Betsch, 14 Winsdale Road 620-4896
DIRECTORS
Richard Boehnke, 67 Markland Dr.
621-5089
Brian Brennand, 2 Markland Dr.
622-8011
Bev Evans, 8 Winsdale Rd.
621-2153
Michael Georgopoulos, 21
Cosway Crt. 626-1061
Bo Lawrentiw, 110 Mill Rd,
622-9522
Paul Marano, 12 Markland Drive 626-8604
Don Matheson, 30 Markwood Cr.
621-4291
Graham Maguire, 2 Broadfield Dr.
620-4398
Anna
Schaefer, 33 Cherry Post Cr.
695-3601
Associate Directors
Stephen Blimkie,
Helen Boehnke, Bob Cooke, Pat Currie, Tamara Greene, Mary Lordan, Ian
Sillars, Irene Sillars, Donna Sokic, MP (Pierina) Stokes, Anne-Marie
Stoneburgh and Patti Thorne.
Airport Noise Complaints: (416) 247-7682
-- THE VITAL ROLE THEY PLAY IN OUR COMMUNITY --
We are entering the 37th year of continuous publication of
our MARKLANDER newsletter, possibly the finest community newspaper in
the entire Toronto area.
It is important to keep in mind that the printing and distribution of
the MARKLANDER is possible only with the ongoing support of our
advertisers, and without their continuing commitment, our monthly news bulletin
would cease to exist.
As I am sure you all recognize, they represent a wide cross-section of
quality products and services, which we as homeowners require and seek out from
time to time, as needs arise.
My purpose in writing is to highlight the very important contribution
made by these businesses to our community, when they choose the MARKLANDER
in which to promote their various products and services. With this in mind, I
would ask that, as each of you find yourselves in the position of choosing a
company with which to do business, you give consideration to an appropriate MARKLANDER
advertiser. By doing so you create a win-win situation. You, as a homeowner,
benefit from selecting a recognized professional, who has a reputation to
uphold in our community, while the advertiser perceives a financial benefit
from choosing our publication in which to promote his business, and an
incentive to continue supporting this relationship.
Our advertising partners are of course interested in knowing that their
exposure in the MARKLANDER is directly resulting in additional business.
To this end, we can assist in providing this important feedback to them by
mentioning that we are using their products or services as a result of seeing
their advertisement in our newsletter.
Brian Brennand
Director of Advertising
Wanted: Help with our proposed website
The MHA would like to go
online and introduce a website to represent our community and keep our
residents informed. Would those who have experience in web design kindly
contact the editor - students and professionals welcome. Timeline - immediate,
terms - to be determined.
From Tom’s Desk
¯Summertime, summertime, oh summer, summertime¯… Hey, what happened? That was the coldest, wettest, July and August I
can remember. I’m blaming the poor summer on PM Paul Martin. The spring
election was held on June 23, 2004. For as long as I have known, spring ends on
the 21st of June, so Mother Nature must have gotten confused and
extended the spring weather throughout the summer. All kidding aside, I would
like to congratulate Borys Wrzesnewkyj for his
decisive victory over his rivals on Election Day to become our new Etobicoke
Centre MP. Borys’ Etobicoke headquarters is located at the La Rose Plaza, 140
La Rose Ave., Unit 14, between Royal York and Scarlet Rd.
During the election campaign, the MHA held an All
Candidates’ Meeting. I would like to thank all of the candidates, panelists and
the Markland volunteers for their participation. I had the opportunity to
moderate the event. I must let you know, it was a little more difficult than I
had anticipated. However, I had fun and I hope it was informative to the
audience. We had approximately one half of the Silverthorn auditorium filled,
which was significantly fewer than expected, but that seems to be typical of
today’s political apathy. We had three rounds of questions from the panelists
and fifteen questions from the audience. There were four candidates, who each
had a chance to answer the questions asked.
Welcome all newcomers to Markland Wood. I see
there are quite a few of you. Markland Wood is truly a great place to live.
However, sometimes we have our challenges. I have had discussions with the
Toronto Police, Parks and Traffic over the summer break. Once again, we seem to
be having an increasing number of automobile collisions along Bloor St. and the
never-ending late night parties at the Millwood and Renforth Creek Parks. I’ll
delay the traffic collisions’ debate until the next Marklander issue. The “Park
Parties” are becoming a regular occurrence, with Markland Wood residents’
garden furniture being stolen and vandals throwing rocks at windows. I
discussed these occurrences with the police and the parks’ manager. Both have
committed to increase their surveillance of the two parks. However, if you see
anything that remotely resembles a party at either of these parks, please
contact the Police Dispatch at this telephone number; 416-808-2222.
They will send a patrol car as soon as they can. The Toronto Parks department
is sending a by-law officer around to patrol the parks on the weekends to help
discourage the parties as well.
I would like to acknowledge the receipt of an anomalous
letter dropped off to me in June. The letter was taken seriously, forwarded to
the police and the issue was followed up.
Thanks,
Tom Napier, VP-MHA
Email: tlcnapier1@rogers.com
Borys Wrzesnewkyj , Etobicoke-Centre MP
140 La Rose Ave, Unit 14 (La Rose
Bakery plaza)
Etobicoke, Ontario M9P 1B2
Tel: 416-249-7322
Email: N/A
Contact information for our elected representatives:
Doug Holyday, City Councillor, Etobicoke Centre
Tel: 416-392-4002
Email: councillor_holyday@toronto.ca
Donna Cansfield, MPP Etobicoke Centre
Tel: 416-234-2800
Email: dcansfield.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Constituency Office, Etobicoke Centre Federal
Tel: 416-231-2301
Email: etobicoke-centre@rogers.com
Other important telephone
numbers:
Parks - 416-394-8527
Street Lighting - 416-395-4448
Roads & Sidewalks - 416-394-8615
Traffic - 416-394-8453
Emergency Medical Services - 416-392-9833
Police - 416-808-2200
911 – For Real Emergencies!
Toronto Department Web Site: http://www.toronto.ca/departments/
Deadline for the October
issue: Wednesday September 22nd.
Please note: All submissions for the Marklander should be sent to:
Graham Maguire, 2 Broadfield Drive, 620-4398.
If "lengthy", it helps if you send it as a Wordperfect or
Word document to my e-mail address: daffodil@pathcom.com. However, short notes
dropped in my post-box are fine!
School News
St. Clement School FUN Fair
Saturday October 2nd
10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
All Marklanders and
Friends are invited to the Annual Fall Fun Fair at St. Clement School. This all-ages event includes a BBQ lunch, sweets,
prizes, games for kiddies, and a silent auction. Rain or Shine, please join us for a fun day.
Bloordale United Church
4258 Bloor St. West. Etobicoke, Ontario, M9C 1Z7 621-1710
Morning
services at 10:30 a.m.
RENFORTH BAPTIST CHURCH
627 Burnhamthorpe Road. M9C 2Y9
621-1990
Sunday services at 10:30 a.m.
PASTOR - Rev. Godfrey Green
Renforth Baptist
Church begins the new fall season with the Church Women's first meeting
on Tuesday September 14th at 7:30 p.m. The speaker will be "LYNN
HARRET" of the Community Care Access Centre, speaking on HOME
CARE DEMANDS.
The Renforth Annual Concert will be on October 22nd at 7:45
p.m., with the "MARJORIES CHORUS" presenting an evening of
music for everyone.
Tickets $10. Information at the church.
400 Burnhamthorpe Road,
Etobicoke
(Just west of 427 on the south side of
Burnhamthorpe Road.)
622-4113
(includes Sunday School,
baby-sitting)
Fellowship with tea or coffee after service
Saturday, November 13th. Table rental $45.
For more information please call: (416) 242-8277
The
Church of Christ the King
475 Rathburn Road, Etobicoke
Just West of Hwy. 427
621-3630
M.M.P. 1st and 3rd Sunday
Communion 2nd and 4th Sunday
Regular service times start
September 5th
Sundays at 8:30 a.m. & 10:30
a.m.
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
September
12th:
WELCOME BACK BBQ after the 10:30 a.m. Service
Kids Club Registration & First Day
October
3: The
Gathering West at 4:00 p.m.
Also CHECK US OUT ON OUR WEB SITE
http://netcomsolutions-ont.com/Christ_King
Rehoboth Fellowship Christian Reformed Church
800 Burnhamthorpe Road (just east of Mill Rd.)
Etobicoke
622-9647
Reverend John Tenyenhuis
St. Matthew’s Anglican Church
3962 Bloor St. W. Etobicoke
416-231-4014
Giant Auction (both live and silent) and
Barbeque.
Saturday September 25 from 4-8 p.m.
Tickets: $10 (includes BBQ)
People and Places
A warm welcome to Leslie and Jeff Wang to 3
Boxwood. Leslie Swift grew up on Winsdale, just around the corner from the new
house and it is great to have her back in the neighbourhood. We wish Jeff,
Leslie and their dog Tork a lifetime of happiness in their new home!
The
O'Donnell's
401st Scout Group
Registration will be held on
Thursday September 9th at
7:00 p.m. in the gym at Bloordale United Church. (Bloor St. W, east of
Markland Dr)
Beavers: 5-7 years old
Cubs: 8-10 years old
Scouts: 11-14 years old
Venturers: 15-17 years old
Rovers: 18-26 years old
Our Scouting is fully co-ed
and we are very fortunate to have excellent programs and leadership in all the
above sections.
If you require any further
information, please do not hesitate to call me, or one of the leaders. Hope to
see all returning youth and new members on September 9th.
Sincerely,
Martin Ross
401st. Scout
Group
(416) 621-6931
CENTENNIAL
PARK SKATING CLUB announces our new season for
2004/2005.
Skate Canada learn-to-skate
programs for the entire family start September
25. Classes are for Pre-Canskate
(ages 3 to 6) and Canskate (ages 6 to Teen)
and adult.
Our schedule is as follows. Mondays 5:10-6:00 p.m. Wednesdays from
5:10-6:15 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Thursdays 5:45-6:45 p.m. and Saturdays 3-4 p.m.
New this year is pre-power
skating for the absolute beginner who already knows some basics of skating but
would like to learn to power skate.
Registration is Wednesday, September
15 from 6-9 p.m. or Saturday, September 18 from 2-5 p.m. Location is Centennial
Arena 2nd floor. Our club line is
621-4439.
Parenting
and Family Literacy Program
The Toronto District School
Board’s Parenting and Family Literacy Program will be open again starting
September 7. It is a free drop-in that operates in Eatonville Public School,
Monday to Friday: 8:30 - 12:30.
Parents! Caregivers!
Grandparents! Bring your children, up to 6 years
We have a complete childrens’
programme, including Music and Story time, snacktime, arts and crafts, puzzles,
books, toys! Drop in with your child any day!
Carsbrooke Park Rejuvenation
Project
As many area residents and
businesses may be aware, there is currently a fundraising effort taking place
to raise money for the Carsbrooke Park Rejuvenation Project.
I am proud to be a member of
this group of local parents who are putting their time and effort into making
our community even better than it already is. I would like to take this
opportunity to bring everyone up to date on our efforts and ask for your
support in this great project.
Carsbrooke Park is located
on the east side of Renforth Drive between Burnhamthorpe Road and Rathburn
Road. As the park has not been updated
in almost 40 years, the playground is not as safe as it could be and the play
value of the equipment is limited.
Other Etobicoke neighbourhoods have successfully worked together to
improve their local parks. Our goal is to raise $50,000 by December 2004. We
are amazed at the cost of new playground equipment: swings $3,000, park benches
$2,000 and $20,000+ for play structures. Our goal is for the new park to
include a junior play structure for children aged 2 – 5 years, a senior play
structure for children aged 5 – 12 years, junior and senior swings and a
covered sandbox play area. We hope to have equipment and new landscaping
installed by summer 2005.
A number of fundraising
events have already taken place, most recently a very successful children’s
concert featuring Markus from Treehouse TV. On August 17th more than
70 local children enjoyed the music and dancing of this award-winning
performer.
We are pleased to announce
that we have already raised $20,000 towards our goal. With the help of the
Markland Wood community, our new park can become a reality. How can you help?
Financial
donations are a critical part of this fundraising initiative. Tax receipts will
be issued by the City of Toronto for donations of $10 or more. In addition, donations of $250 or more will
be given Legacy Status and the donor’s name will be engraved on a plaque to be
on permanent display in the park.
Individual pieces of equipment and benches are available for sponsorship
at levels above $500 with permanent signage.
In addition to financial
donations, we are hosting a Pub Night & Silent Auction on Saturday,
November 13 at The Wild Goose. We hope to see many of our community friends
at this event, so please mark your calendars, talk to your friends and plan for
a fun night out. If you or your
company/employer have items to donate to this event, please contact me as soon
as possible.
So often we make donations
to charities and never really get to see our money make a difference. This time
you will. The Carsbrooke Park Rejuvenation Project is an excellent opportunity
for you to make a difference in your neighbourhood and provide your children
and grandchildren with a safe, stimulating and exciting park. Please contact me to find out how you can
make a donation.
Danielle Eveleigh
34 Grasspoint Cres.
626-9567
Renowned educator and award-winning author, Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, will
be in
Etobicoke as the keynote speaker for a workshop on "Challenging Child
Behaviours" on Wednesday, October 6th from 7-9 p.m., at The Old Mill Inn.
Tickets are $30 (free parking) and are available through Ticketmaster
416-870-8000.
For
further details, please visit www.educationalpathways.ca
Centennial
Park Power & Sail Squadron
Boating
Course
(Canadian
Coast Guard Approved)
Learn the essentials of operating
all types of power and sail craft and obtain the CCG approved Pleasure Craft Operator Card
13 weekly sessions cover more
than 20 topics, including rules of the waterway, mandatory and optional safety
equipment, magnetic compass, handling boats under power and sail, collision
regulations, lights and buoys, navigation, anchoring and weather.
26 hours of instruction,
examination, all texts, charts and reference documents included.
Fee $175 ($275 family special).
Classes
start Tuesday September 14th
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Etobicoke Collegiate Institute
(Montgomery road, north of
Bloor).
To register in advance, call
Tanyss Burt at 416-233-9115
http://centennialpark.cps-ecp.org
Markland Wood Motorcycle Enthusiasts
We are a small informal group of riders living in the Markland Wood area. If
you are interested in getting together for rides or helping out with each
other’s motorcycles, please email/call Tony at tsokic@amtca.com or
416-993-8586. No formal meetings or structure, just a mechanism to meet
like-minded individuals. If someone wants to initiate a ride or has a question,
just send out an email to the group. Keep safe out there.
At Bloordale United Church, Room
13, on alternate Tuesday mornings between 9:15-11:15 a.m. Coffee is provided, but bring a snack for your little one(s). Next
dates: September 21, October
5 and 19. Make a friend, bring a friend,
be a friend. For more information, call Karen Miteff at 621-2293.
Parent Education Network
605 Royal York Road, Suite 108 Toronto, ON M8Y 4G5
Telephone: 255-8969 Fax:
255-4162
Email: parentednet@onaibn.com