Bin there, done that!
Jim Hartley of Glenvale Blvd. contacted us recently with a nostalgic farewell to the City-operated blue bin pickup. At the close of 2025 he put out a sign in front of his recycling bin: “Toronto Civic Employees Union 416. I appreciate your years of service managing my recycling bin.” Jim, the Idler could not agree more!
Garbage in, garbage out?
Speaking of recycling pickup…am I the only one whose blue bin sat forlornly on the sidewalk waiting for the new kids on the block – GFL, under contract to Circular Materials – to pick up the blue bin contents, overflowing from the holidays? The north side of the street felt the love, while we on the south side had to wait days to say goodbye to the blue bin overflow. Grrrr!
Congrats to Eleanor Voykin
Wilmar Kortleever, constituency assistant to Don Valley West Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin, wrote to us with a very uplifting piece of news for the new year: “17-year-old Leasider Eleanor Voykin finished 30th today (January 10) in the World Cross Country Championships – U20 category. It’s an amazing result (firstly, she’s young, with two more years in this age group; second of the six Canadians; the team finished sixth). Also, it was a strong field with 13 out of the first 14 all from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.” Wilmar added, “She might have only one year left in U20. Also, in November, she won the junior girls OFSAA title as well, second in Ontario championships, and third in Canada Championships.” Eleanor has committed to attend Northern Arizona for college. Go, Eleanor, go!
notables such as Barbra Streisand, Elton John and Lady Gaga! Photo Rockie Nolan.
Leasider indie artist lands Grammy nod
Vancouver born and current Leaside resident Laila Biali has been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional Pop category alongside notables such as Barbra Streisand, Elton John and Lady Gaga! The Host of Saturday Night Jazz on CBC and Juno winner was featured on the cover of Leaside Life eight years ago in February of 2018. Her 10th studio album Winter Songs was co-produced by her husband Ben Whitman. Good luck Laila!
Sweet!
Avoca Chocolates has chosen to keep its 850 Millwood Rd. (at Rumsey) storefront location open to serve the loyal Leaside (and beyond) community. The chocolatier recently closed its longstanding Danforth store because of rising rent. Thank goodness they’re still in Leaside since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Say it with chocolate!
Hair today, gone tomorrow
After more than a decade serving the neighbourhood, Lena’s Barber Shop at 909 Millwood Rd. will be closing permanently as Lena prepares for retirement. A typewritten note on the door thanks the community for years of trust, friendship, and support, and shares
that the shop officially closed on Jan. 1, 2026.
Lena’s has long been a familiar stop for many local residents, and her message makes clear how much those relationships have meant to her over the years.
Wishing Lena all the best in her next chapter.
We stand corrected
We’re trying to follow up on a very interesting email that came our way, from Steve Patterson of Bear River, NS. Commenting on a sports personalities story we ran at the close of 2025, he wrote: “You have a list of sports personalities born or raised in Leaside. You forgot one. Namely, Tom Edur. Tom lived around the corner from me (our family home was on Fleming Crescent, and he lived on Donegall Drive). I hung out with him for a bit. Tom played in the WHA and the NHL but became a Jehovah’s Witness and could not tolerate the violence in the game. After only two years, because of his religious beliefs, Tom retired from the NHL at the age of 24 years.” Who knew? And…just as interesting, it turns out that our correspondent, Mr. Patterson, is Margaret Atwood’s cousin. For those who don’t know, Ms. Atwood grew up in Bennington Heights and graced the halls of Leaside High.