Editor’s Welcome June 2023

They came, they saw, they conquered. They walked, they talked, they spread the word: Leaside is one great place to call home and do business.

Leaside 110 brought out proud Leasiders and Torontonians from other parts of the city interested in the little town that grew. Newcomers and “old-timers” alike showed their pride in this community.

Leaside Life columnist Geoff Kettel was instrumental in making Leaside 110 such a huge success – perhaps an even bigger success than the centennial in 2013. He took dozens of walkers on a Jane’s Walk that coincided with Leaside 110. And he worked tirelessly with many other Leasiders, like John Naulls and Mitch Bubulj, to bring Leaside’s history to life. We have several stories in this issue on Leaside 110’s success. If you were there, you can relive the memories, and for everyone else: enjoy this snapshot of Leaside’s proud history.

Speaking of Mitch Bubulj…I’m pleased to welcome him back to our pages. Mitch, who wrote a story for us in April 2017 on taking a student class to France for the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge, is in this issue with a profile of a couple who are renovating their home with deference to the “Residential Character Preservation Guidelines for House Renovations, Additions and Infill Development in the Community of Leaside.” It can be done!

And a brand-new writer to Leaside Life – Paul Barker – has profiled an extraordinary Leaside High grad and University of Toronto Faculty of Arts & Sciences student, 20-year-old Rachel Smith, who was recently awarded a Duke of Edinburgh gold award…by Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, himself.

This 110-year-old community is certainly home to a lot of talent. Enjoy the issue!

About Jane Auster 60 Articles
Jane Auster is the editor of Leaside Life. Jane is an award-winning professional editor and writer for print and digital who has covered a variety of industries in Canada for more than 25 years. As a print journalist, Jane has contributed to many of the major consumer magazine markets in Canada, including Maclean’s, Canadian Business, and The Globe and Mail.