Did you know that May 7, 2023 will be the 110th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Leaside? The Leaside 100 Gala on April 27 2013 was a really great party, and remains a treasured memory for Leasiders…together with the other memorable activities like the archival exhibit and Layers of Leaside tableau, the Leaside – Then and Now video, John Naulls’ special maps of Leaside, the Leaside 100 quilt, the walking tour, the planting of three trees, and the hymn sing!
So how do we celebrate Leaside 110? A small group convened by Leaside Life recently met to discuss this. Much has changed since 2013, a major one being that the municipal ward boundary changes, made in 2018, mean that the ward of which Leaside is a part today (Ward 15) is so much larger than the former Ward 26, and the amount of attention (and support) received from the former Councillor (John Parker) would be impossible today. But we continue to have vibrant community organizations like the Leaside Residents Association, the Leaside Garden Society, and even new ones like the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society (LHPS). Plus of course the churches, schools, and numerous sport and recreation organizations.
Maybe the way to go is to invite Leaside organizations to focus on holding a special event for early May next year (and every year perhaps). So likely no Leaside 110 Gala next year, but we can still take the time to celebrate and also to look forward to the next phase in Leaside’s history.
