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  • [ March 1, 2023 ] This Leaside teenager brought Elvis to Toronto History
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HomeAuthorsTed DeWelles

Articles by Ted DeWelles

About Ted DeWelles
Ted DeWelles is a retired public relations professional and community college professor. A Leaside resident for more than 20 years, Ted currently serves on the board of the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society. He loves reading, cycling and researching and writing about Leaside’s history.
Carol Vanderleck and Elvis, backstage at Maple Leaf Gardens, April 1957. Photo Toronto Telegram.
History

This Leaside teenager brought Elvis to Toronto

March 1, 2023 Ted DeWelles

Elvis Presley delivered only five performances outside the U.S. during his career. All five took place in Canada in 1957. The King did two shows in Toronto on April 2, two more in Ottawa on …more

Dr. Fleming’s house as it appears today.
History

Let’s peek inside the house of Dr. Joseph Fleming

February 1, 2023 Ted DeWelles

Leaside has had more than its share of interesting and unique homes. Maybe you know some of them: -The famous Octagon House of John Lea, after whom Leaside was named. -“Divadale,” the long-gone mansion of …more

Photo credit: Regina Leader Post, August 3, 1956.
History

The Video-ettes: Leaside’s husband-and-wife novelty musical team

January 1, 2023 Ted DeWelles

In the 1950s and early 1960s, Leaside was home to two entertainers who claimed to have the only musical act of its kind in North America. Their names were Arthur and Mabel Guinness – aka …more

Photo Robin Dickie.
History

Behold the bright lights of 1960s 
Christmas in Leaside

December 1, 2022 Ted DeWelles

Anyone who’s watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will remember the scene where Clark Griswold switches on a blinding display of outdoor Christmas lights at his home, nearly draining the city’s electricity supply. Clark’s obsession with …more

LHPS board member Susan Parr reads the biography of a fallen Leaside solider in front of his memorial sign and former home on Millwood Road.
History

LHPS honours Leaside’s war dead with 
Remembrance Day signs and walk

December 1, 2022 Ted DeWelles

Last month, over a dozen dedicated current and former Leaside residents met on a wet and rainy afternoon to participate in the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society’s (LHPS) first-ever Remembrance Day Walk. The event was organized …more

Glover beside his F-86 Sabre jet in Korea. Dept. of National Defence, Canada.
History

Remembering Ernest Glover: Leaside’s forgotten Korean War ace

November 1, 2022 Ted DeWelles

The Korean War (1950-1953) is sometimes called Canada’s “Forgotten War,” despite the participation of over 26,000 Canadians in the United Nations-led initiative to halt Communist aggression against South Korea. One of those participants was Flight-Lieutenant …more

Beth Nealson. Courtesy Toronto Public Library.
History

A vote to remember: Leaside elects its first woman mayor

October 1, 2022 Ted DeWelles

As Torontonians prepare to vote later this month, some Leasiders may remember when this community had its own mayoralty elections. One of the most memorable occurred in December 1962 between Leaside councillor Beth Nealson and …more

Leaside, Toronto and the great fluoridation controversy.
History

Don’t drink the water: Leaside, Toronto and the great fluoridation controversy

September 1, 2022 Ted DeWelles

As the COVID pandemic has shown, some people will always suspect – and resist – public health measures. This was certainly true in Leaside during the mid-20th century. The issue was fluoridation – adding fluoride …more

Edwards installed a carillon at his Leaside factory in 1958. Photo THE TORONTO STAR, APRIL 9, 1959.
History

The Bells of Leaside: Remembering the Canada Varnish Carillon

August 1, 2022 Ted DeWelles

From 1924 into the 1970s, Canada Varnish Ltd. was among Leaside’s most established companies. The firm manufactured paints and varnishes at its plant on Canvarco Road off Laird Drive, and its founder/president, Rupert E. Edwards …more

History

Leaside’s indispensable public servant

July 1, 2022 Ted DeWelles

To the adults and children who go there to socialize and play, R.V. Burgess Park at 46 Thorncliffe Park Drive is a popular and valued community asset. But like many other civic landmarks in Toronto …more

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Digital Edition

Trace Manes Park on a snowy day
Pat Jeffreys. Photo Lorna Krawchuk.
In the Spotlight

Pat Jeffreys celebrates four decades of volunteer service

by Lorna Krawchuk in People

Bob Cairns was building houses for returning veterans in North Leaside at the end of World War II. A number of the semis on Beaufield, Glenbrae and Broadway were his creations. These houses took on ...more
Recent Posts
  • Pat Jeffreys celebrates four decades of volunteer service
  • Curious Idler March 2023
  • Let the gardening year begin – now!
  • Editor’s Welcome March 2023
  • Leaside Events March 2023
  • Leaside, standing together and strong!
  • Jamie Behan races hard to the snowboard Worlds
  • The Leaside Business Park is open for business
  • Will the Leaside Station overbuild be allowed to destroy the Bayview Quads?
  • Remembering my high school dances
  • Stoop. Scoop. Drop. Or not?
  • Congratulations to 2023 Agnes Macphail Award recipient Shakhlo Sharipova
  • Why the Yonge complete street matters for Leaside
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