Calling all collectors
Are you a passionate collector? Maybe you’re housing the world’s top collection of vintage Lego. Miniatures and dollhouses? Prized hockey cards from the glory days? Maybe even vintage beer memorabilia. If you have a world-class collection, Leaside Life wants to hear from you for a possible story in our publication. Confession: the Idler used to collect 18th-century English Toby jugs.
2026 Agnes Macphail Award – Nominations now open!
Every year the Idler looks forward to learning the recipient of the prestigious Agnes Macphail Award, presented to a resident of the former Borough of East York who has made outstanding contributions as a volunteer, advocate, contributor to community life and leader in issues dear to Macphail’s heart. The ideal candidate lives by Macphail’s motto, “Think Globally, Act Locally.”
Do you know a worthy individual? Nominations must be received by midnight, Jan. 1, 2026. The nomination form may be found at: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/awards/agnes-macphail-award/.
Do you wear pajamas all day long?
We want to hear from young readers: what would you do if you could wear pajamas all day long? Share your story and send a pic to . The Idler will select four of the most-pajama-friendly entries, who will receive a copy of Tom Scanlan’s new book, I Wear Pajamas All Day Long. The Idler wouldn’t mind a day in jim-jams.
While we’re at it….
We’re giving away five copies of Leaside Life columnist and Leacock Award winner Terry Fallis’s latest bestseller, The Marionette. Just answer this skill-testing question: What city besides Toronto was the setting for Terry Fallis’s last novel, A New Season? Write to us at if you think you know the answer.
Are you a synchro lover?
Fresh off their silver medal finish at Skate Canada’s Synchronized Skating National Championship, the Meraki Novice Synchro team is raising funds for training, ice time and competition costs. The team, which represents the Leaside Skating Club and was named the 2025 Team of the Year by the Leaside Sports Hall of Fame, is hosting a raffle. You’ll have the chance to win NHL, NBA tickets and much more (including a cash prize of $9,500) while supporting local girl sports. To purchase tickets, visit merakisynchro.ca.
Calling all LHS yearbook owners
Tresanne Busato Darling, a teacher-librarian at Leaside High, has an almost complete set of yearbooks. She’s missing only one year – 1994/1995 – and likes to have doubles. There are several years for which she only has one copy. Maybe your The Call yearbook is sitting in storage, gathering dust. Maybe you’d just like to do a clearout. Now’s your chance. If you have a The Call yearbook up for grabs, contact Tresanne: .
Book crook on the loose?
Faithful reader Will Fripp wondered if there’s a bibliophile with sticky fingers making off with books from the Little Free Libraries. He sent the Idler a photo from the Little Free Library just north of Humphrey’s (Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles) on Bayview. Someone, likely the mini-Library’s owner, posted a sign, after the library was completely emptied of its literary wares. Will also noted that late that same week the Little Free Library at Southvale and Hanna was also empty, leading him to wonder if the run on books was wider than just this particular library. Thief…or just voracious reader?