September marked the 20th anniversary of the Leaside Rotary Corn Roast, held each year at Trace Manes Park at Millwood and McRae. That’s 20 years of fresh corn on the cob, hot dogs, ice cream, face painting, craft tables and those favourite motor scooters. With the estimated 500 plus people who attend each year, we estimate over 15,000 hot dogs!
Leaside’s public schools are gearing up once again for Sarah’s 6th Annual Food Drive. From Sept. 30 to Oct. 13, students from Rolph Road, Bessborough and Northlea schools will be collecting food items in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank. Part of the fun is to challenge each other on who can raise the most. This year’s goal is 24,000 pounds of food. Starting Sept. 28, anyone can drop off food at Tremblett’s at 1500 Bayview. sarahsfooddrive.com
Leaside United Church’s nooks and crannies are filling up again with items for this year’s annual fall Awesome Sale Oct. 18 and 19. The popular sale offers its usual wide assortment of great bargains: furniture, small appliances, clothes, etc., in 15 departments. Proceeds fund both the church programs and outreach programs.
Leaside resident John Morgan is also known as Leaside’s soccer man. Since 1975 Leaside-East Soccer has been organizing games for kids and youth in Leaside, Bennington Heights and surrounding communities of Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park. In celebration of Leaside 100, Morgan designed this year’s crest to recognize the anniversary. “Hopefully, it will remind at least some of the kids of the history,” he says. The final tournament weekend for Leaside-East Soccer took place mid-September at fields in Flemingdon Park and Leaside High School. The annual event included over 1,500 kids and youth, followed by the adult soccer finals a week later.
At the site of the new hockey arena, curlers and swimmers no longer have to wend their way through a pathway to reach the pool and clubhouse. “The parking lot is now freshly paved and is spacious and bigger than expected. The arena looks beautiful,” reports Peter O’Neil, communications chair at Leaside Curling Club.
Speaking of curling, the official season there began the week of Sept. 22. “Open House at the curling club was Sept. 5,” says O’Neil, “It was the busiest we have seen in years – 100 plus new members signed up so far.” He also notes that Mixed League and Women’s Wednesday evenings may still have openings available.
Congratulations to Leaside Lawn Bowling Club, host this year to Cystic Fibrosis Lawn Summer Nights. Proceeds from the event at last count were over $53,000 for the Toronto and District Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Held at various clubs across Canada, the fundraiser was started by a young Canadian women who died of cystic fibrosis in 2010. Typical of the event, the Leaside Summer Nights attracted young people, many new to lawn bowling, dressed in costume.
Community program groups in Leaside have a chance to raise their profile and promote what they do at a special Celebration Event Sunday, Nov. 24 in celebration of Leaside 100. Sport clubs, arts, cultural, community groups — sign up for this special Community Trade Show. Call Councillor John Parker’s office for more information, 416-392-0215.
