Editor’s Welcome September 2022

As LRA’s co-president Carol Burtin Fripp says in her column this month, “I’ve always felt that it’s the beginning of September that feels like the start of a new year. The weather begins to change, summer vacations end, schools reopen. Life changes and becomes more organized. There’s a new energy, a sense of fresh starts. It’s an opportunity for rebirth.”

I couldn’t agree more. There’s something about the (almost) end of summer, the start of a new school year, the hint of leaves tinged with colour that spells renewal.

With that renewal also comes a sense of optimism. And, after the lazy days of summer there’s that burst of energy.

This issue we’re featuring a number of Leasiders who are filled with energy and, dare I say, passion. Here are two you’ll want to read more about:

Susan Scandiffio profiles 76-year-old Avtar Dhanota, who just won the lightweight Masters race at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. This is one of many race wins for Dhanota, who, at age 76, is faster than many much younger athletes. This Leasider has never met a challenge he didn’t want to meet. He’s unstoppable!

Janis Fertuck spoke with Leaside’s Ironman couple, Brandon and Fiona Whitby, who will once again challenge the World Championships in Hawaii in early October. Remarkably, this will be Brandon’s seventh and Fiona’s fifth time participating in the event.

Glenn Asano, back in the pages of Leaside Life after a summer break, brings us up to date with big changes coming at Leaside Memorial Gardens. A great read!

And let’s not forget that next month there’s an election. (Wait! Didn’t we just have an election?) We’ll be sure to feature election coverage in our next issue. More renewal!

About Jane Auster 53 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.