ww The SKELETAL VOWS n Day of the Dead at OBSERVER the Brick Works Page 4 Serving our community since 1972 www.torontoobserver.ca Friday, November 9, 2018 Fletcher eager to advocate for E.Y.

By ELLEN SAMEK The Observer

Paula Fletcher is ready to take on the new To- ronto-Danforth, but first she’s going to need more staff. With a bigger ward comes more East York- ers to serve. Fletcher says staffing needs will be one of her team’s top priorities come December when she takes over as city councillor for Ward 14. Without more staff, getting things done to benefit constituents will be more difficult, she said. For the past 15 years, Fletcher was city coun- cillor for what was known as Ward 30, Toron- to-Danforth, covering the area south of Dan- forth Avenue, including Riverdale and part of the lakefront. Now she represents all of the new Ward 14, which adds much of East York north of Dan- forth, since Premier Doug Ford reduced the size of city council. Fletcher defeated fellow East York incum- bent , who represented the old Ward 29, in the election, winning 42 per cent of the vote. Fletcher said it’s unfortunate she and Frage- dakis will no longer be working together as councillors and friends, as they have for so many years. Despite the challenge of serving more citi- zens with fewer resources, Fletcher is commit- ted to advocating for the causes that matter most to the East York community, she said. Mouhamad Rachini/The Observer Affordable housing is one issue she plans to keep fighting for until it’s solved. The sweet taste of victory “There is a huge problem right now with ‘re- no-victions,’ where landlords evict their tenants Secord Elementary School students Jessie Lynn, 9 (left), and Madeline Justesen, 8, show off the medals they to remodel homes,” she said. “Families and won in last week’s city-wide co-ed touch football finals. This was the school’s first championship in its 103- year history. Turn to page 5 for a story and team photo. n See FLETCHER, page 3 The decades-long search for an East York airman’s family Krakovsky, a pilot from a small mining town in before he died in 2005.” How one British man’s quest northern , was the only survivor of a plane Before his death, Krakovsky met and befriend- crash that killed 15 men who were travelling to Duis- ed David Mole, the son of British wireless operator for his father’s crewman led burg, Germany, for a mission. When he returned to Douglas John Mole, who died in the crash. Canada, he visited the Green family at 166 Barker Mole, a retired sailor with the British Merchant to a house on Barker Avenue Ave. He told them their son James William Green, Navy, was on a mission. He was searching for rela- By ELLEN SAMEK had died in the accident. tives of the men who died alongside his father. The Observer The two were crew members when two planes car- “The whole thing started when I visited my fa- rying British and Canadian crewman collided over ther’s grave for the first time in 1989,” Mole said. “I On Dec. 18, 1944, Max Krakovsky was falling Ardennes, France. wanted to create a memorial for all the men who died through the sky over France, everything around him “My father always had survivor’s guilt,” said Dr. in the collision.” on fire. James Carson, Krakovsky’s son. Mole has found them all except for one: the family of The next year he was in East York, knocking on the “He wrote everything down about the war in his door of a house he’d never been to. memoirs, including visiting the families of his crew, n See PORTRAIT, page 7 n GREEN 2 NEWS Friday,The November East York 9, Observer2018 The Friday, East YorkFebruary Observer 9, 2018

WHAT’S UP IN E.Y. ‘Women’s stories need to be told’ Author shares tale of Mona Parsons, Adopt a pet or two at PetSmart Canadian nurse who helped Dutch this weekend Resistance fight against Nazis National Adoption By RUSHANTHI KESUNATHAN Weekend starts The Observer Nov. 9 and runs until Nov.11 at the Women’s stories are often overlooked, marginalized, denigrated Eglinton PetSmart and dismissed, says the biographer of the only known Canadian location, 835 female held prisoner in Nazi Germany. Eglinton Ave. E., During a presentation at the S. Walter Stewart Library on Oct. 9, Dogs will be avail- Andria Hill-Lehr, author of Mona Parsons: From Privilege to Pris- able on Saturday, on, from Nova Scotia to Nazi Europe, shared the story of Parsons while cats will be with a small group of people. on hand the entire “Women’s stories need to be told,” she said. weekend. Aspiring Lehr discovered Parsons’ story in August 1994, when she was owners are en- looking for a topic for her thesis at Acadia University. couraged to bring She found a newsletter from September 1945 about an ex-Aca- a carrier for small dia student found safe at the war’s end who Lehr initially thought animals. was a man. In 2000, Mona Parsons’ biography was published. The story describes Nova Scotia-raised Parsons’ journey as an actor-turned- Buy a hand-knit nurse who was later involved in Dutch resistance in the Second hat to support World War. When Parsons moved back in the ’70s, people thought she had local hospital a drinking problem, Lehr said. However, this was just a rumour. Michael Garron “She was having mini-strokes,” Lehr said. “If you spend four Hospital’s volun- years in Nazi prisons or camps, I wouldn’t be surprised if you teer knitting and came home with a substance abuse problem or alcohol problem.” sewing group is This is the story of a woman who never wore a uniform and inviting individuals never carried a gun but laid her life on the line for what she be- to their knit and lieved was justice. Despite that, she has been denied recognition, craft event on Nov. Lehr said. 9, at the MGH “The very first prime minister of this country was a well-known Mortimer Lobby alcoholic,” Lehr said. “We tell stories of him getting up on a cam- starting at 9 a.m. paign train, vomiting and addressing people in a drunken state and The event will laugh about it.” feature crafts cre- How is that we can tell that story about the prime minister of this ated by the group country, Lehr wondered, but this woman doesn’t even get a street in the past year, named after her? including hats, Parsons did, however, receive commendations from the British scarfs, blankets Air Marshal and former U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower. and sweaters. All A bronze statue of Parsons was placed in her hometown in Rushanthi Kesunathan/The Observer proceeds go to- Wolfville, Nova Scotia in May last year — 72 years after German Andria Hill-Lehr, author of Mona Parsons: From Privilege to Prison, from Nova wards supporting forces surrendered. Scotia to Nazi Europe, spoke at the S. Walter Stewart Library on Oct. 9. patient care. This event is cash only. Anyone interested in joining the knit- ting and sewing Dancer channels Gene Kelly on roof of bus group for 2019 can sign up on the By BOBBY HRISTOVA hospital’s volun- on Instagram. The Observer teer website. “We don’t know when the video was taken because it hasn’t been an in-service bus since

The TTC is investigating after a video showing this past summer,” he said. Stretching your a man hanging from and dancing on a moving Although Green suspects the video was re- bus appeared on social media. corded last fall, TTC has no record of the report retirement funds The video, which was shared to Facebook on and no idea if the climber was caught. A workshop on Nov. 6 at 6:29 p.m., shows a hooded climber “We can have our transit enforcement look managing your clinging onto the 23 Dawes bus that seems to into it but at this point, it’s probably a lost finances will take be heading southbound from Dawes Road and cause,” Green said. place in the main Dentonia Park Avenue. Gary Long, a media relations spokesperson lobby auditorium The video shows the climber dancing in cel- at Police Service, said 55 Division is at the S. Walter ebration after managing to get on the roof, all unaware of the video and had no record of a Stewart Library while his biggest fan was behind the bus cheer- report. (170 Memorial ing and recording the video from inside a ve- “We don’t have the time to sit and scour You- Park Ave.) on Nov. hicle. Tube,” Long said. “If TTC reports it to us, we 13 from 2 to 3 Stuart Green, senior communications spe- would do some investigating.” p.m. Although it’s A screenshot from a video posted to Facebook shows cialist at the Toronto Transit Commission, said The person who uploaded the video to Face- geared to seniors, a man dancing on top of a local bus. he learned about the video after it was posted book did not comment. the drop-in ses- sion is open to the public and will cover topics like “the art of Reports of gunfire near Broadview-Danforth led to fireworks budgeting” and “how to stretch By JENNIFER TEIXEIRA a “small fire with fireworks inside” and no other evi- cers of 55 Division officers found shell casings in the The Observer your retirement dence of gunfire. area shortly after. resources.” The incident is the second of its kind reported re- “I heard shots and made sure my family was safe Toronto Police responded to reports of gunshots in the cently. inside the house,” area resident Kosta Leloudas said of ~ Tijuana Turner Broadview and Danforth avenue area on Nov. 5. But On Oct. 30, near Pape and Wroxeter avenues, police the earlier incident. “Nobody knows what happened or after searching the area, 55 Division officers located were called after reports of gunshots were heard. Offi- why it would happen here.” Friday, November 9, 2018 The East York Observer NEWS 3 Bradford n TORONTO-DANFORTH foresees smaller councils

By ERIK TWIGHT The Observer

The new councillor for Beaches-East York thinks that working with a smaller council in a larger ward could enhance local democracy. “In my view it’s an opportunity to have more citizens involved on boards… and actually, an expanded role of community council,” said. Councillors are waiting for a report from city staff before the first council session outlining the restructuring of committees and community councils. “My hope is that community council can have more autonomy over local decisions. Perhaps some things don’t even need to go to city coun- cil; we can take care of them at the communi- ty-council level,” Bradford said. The new double-sized Ward 19 merges two wards, north and south of the Danforth. The southern part of the new ward is home to many well-heeled property owners; the northern part is more mixed and has a higher proportion of rent- ers and new Canadians. Former councillor found rental af- fordability to be the greatest concern among res- Ellen Samek/The Observer idents in the northern part, while Bradford told The Observer that road safety was the issue most Ward 14 councillor-elect Paula Fletcher feels at home in East York. When she’s not at city hall fighting for afford- people brought up during his campaign, which able housing and green spaces, she can be found in the community enjoying a coffee. started in the old southern ward. One issue that literally cuts through the new ward is the Woodbine bike lane. Bike lanes in general, and the Woodbine one in particular, Fletcher ready for expanded ward have raised cheers and ire among different res- idents. Bradford would like to see safety-related said. “The needs of the local com- changes to the Woodbine bike lane but doesn’t Trustee Jennifer Story, munity is what drives our work.” think the issue should be controversial. a supporter of former Like Fletcher, creating more ac- “I don’t think that support for road safety is di- cess to child care in Toronto-Dan- vided; in fact, that is the number one issue I heard sex-ed curriculum, is forth is a priority for Story. about at the door, was making our streets safer.” She said she has already worked Comparing citywide with local concerns, also re-elected in E.Y. on creating an extended child-care Bradford sees “two levels of the canvas,” citing Cont’d. from page 1 program that is “transit, affordability and housing” as the three run by the TDSB biggest issues across Toronto. “I actually see all seniors in the east end are pan- that offers be- three of them as being completely synced togeth- icking that they might lose their fore and after @ er.” homes or get priced out of the mar- school care. Back in Ward 19, “That’s where we’re talking ket.” She is also a O about road safety; revitalizing our main streets Fletcher is working to address supporter of the l For more and supporting local businesses,” he said. Queen the issue by supporting a new de- sex-ed curric- East York East, as well as Danforth, and streets like Pape all velopment of rental units on Queen ulum that was stories, please have stretches of empty, sometimes dilapidated Street in the Beaches. removed by check us storefronts. As well, she will continue to Premier Doug out online If community councils can provide an effec- oppose rezoning that will put East Ford. Story and at toronto observer. tive neighbourhood governance, the next race to Yorkers at risk of being priced out Fletcher attend- ca watch could be which of these community coun- of the market. ed the walk-out cils can run local affairs, with or without direct Other issues Fletcher says she is protests staged by East York stu- involvement from City Hall. addressing are creating more child- dents in October. care spaces through the Danforth “As trustee, I will take a stand Garage project, a planned commu- for the curriculum our kids need,” nity hub, and supporting the devel- Story said. opment of a large park along the “I’ve also heard from concerned Don River. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Story parents that they want the new cur- Fletcher can often be found in Jennifer Story was re-elected trustee for the Toronto riculum.” the community enjoying a cup of District School Board in the riding of Toronto-Dan- Story notes that she is a parent, coffee at Broadview Espresso or forth. She captured 80 per cent of the vote. too. sampling a vegetarian treat at Mon “I have two kids in the TDSB. K patisserie. time around.” Story ran with Fletcher in the I want parents to feel like they’re “I’ve proudly represented East Also re-elected in Toronto-Dan- election and won her ward with 80 part of the system, not outside of York before and I’ve always cham- forth was TDSB trustee Jennifer per cent of the vote. it,” she said. pioned its separateness throughout Story. “I was interested in running with “I’m always available if they the years,” she said. Story’s Toronto-Danforth is now Paula because we both take the want to share their concerns with n BRAD BRADFORD “I plan on continuing that this known as Ward 15. same approach to the job,” Story me over coffee.” 4 FEATURES Friday, November 9, 2018 The East York Observer

Aileen Zara/The Observer “Til death do we part” doesn’t apply to this wedding couple, above left, in costume at the Mexican traditional Día de Muertos celebration at Evergreen Brickworks on Oct. 28. Above right, a collection of objects is placed on a ritual altar during the annual Day of the Dead tradition. Evergreen celebrates the Day of the Dead

Everywhere, everything is flooded with Mex- This year’s turnout best ican marigolds, she said. Flowers in general represent the fragility of life. This bright orange in numbers, diversity flower is used widely in Mexico. It’s called cem- pazuchiti or flower of the dead. Apparently the smell of this flower attracts them. By AILEEN ZARA Part of the tradition is to light candles every The Observer night for about a week before Nov. 2. As Rios explains, they call it a celebration be- Calavera skulls, flower crowns, marigolds, copal cause, “This is not a sad day for us, it’s very viv- incense and satirical poems remind us all of our id; you see it’s so colourful. We in Mexico use a shared fate: death. lot of colours for everything, even death.” These are all symbolic items in Mexico. The second element would be a pyramid struc- In that country, the first of November is gen- ture. Originally it would be seven levels, but at erally referred to as Día de los Inocentes, which the Evergreen Brick Works event they made only translates as “Day of the Innocents.” It’s also three. called Día de los Angelitos, or “Day of the Lit- At the top and middle levels are pictures of the tle Angels,” to remember the children who have people who have died. This is very important in died. the altar to give this ritual a purpose — to actual- The second of November is referred to as Día ly represent the person being honoured. de los Muertos or Día de los Difuntos, or Day of So they use pictures and, also very import- the Dead. ant, food, especially dishes that the person loved Locally, the Day of the Dead celebration was when they were living. “We also put out some held at Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works on Oct. drinks, like if they liked tequila or rum,” Rios 28. says. “If they liked to smoke, you would also see This year, event organizer Marina Queirolo cigarettes. If they enjoyed a particular hobby or says, “we had the best turnout, both in the num- something related to that person, you would put ber of visitors and diversity.” it there.” Tania Borja, a Mexican-Canadian a founder There is a belief that after the dead visit this and chief executive director at Aliddesa Wom- dimension, the food would be tasteless the next en’s Centre, attended the celebration with her Aileen Zara/The Observer day. Rios revels that she has never tried the food family and described it as “a nice vibe with abun- Skulls and calaveras represent departed souls. There were plenty of both in evi- to verify that. dant food.” dence at Evergreen Brick Works’ recent Day of the Dead celebrations. Skulls (calavera in Spanish) made out of choc- Peyton Dracco, a Philosophy of Science and olate or sugar are placed on the altar to represent Epistemology graduate from the University of 41-year-old facilitator and coach. you see immediately is the ground, which rep- the people that are living with pictures for people Edinburgh, believes that the Day of the Dead is Citlalli Rios, member of the Consulate Gen- resents the burial ground of the actual people that who have already died. This represents the syn- meant to instil two things. “One, to help guide eral of Mexico in Toronto, explained the Dead died. We (the living) would create a path with chronicity between death and life. the dead on their spiritual journey, and two, to altars, also known as altares de muertos or of- seeds (coco shells, lentils, beans) to try to guide “We are not afraid of death,” Rios says. “As familiarize the people who are still here to en- rendas. the deceased towards the living scenario,” Rios you can see, we celebrate it, kind of joke around sure that the idea of dead is not a taboo,” says the “We have different elements. The first one that says. it, too. It’s a very nice tradition I’m very proud of.” Friday, November 9, 2018 The East York Observer FEATURES 5 Secord team scores win of the century East York school nabs first championship in its 103-year history

By MOUHAMAD RACHINI The Observer

Coach Jason Kuuter was skeptical how far Se- cord Elementary School’s touch football team could go when the season began in mid-Octo- ber. “I knew that they were talented and that they would be competitive,” he said. “But I could not have predicted this win.” When the game-winning touchdown was scored in their 26-21 victory over Keele Street Public School on Oct. 29, Kuuter felt that it showed just how much they’ve grown as a team. “They really developed as teammates,” he said. “The kids are great athletes and very good sports. It was a pleasure to coach them.” The game was a big deal to the East York school. It was its first championship in its 103- year history, and members of the Secord com- munity made sure to support the team as much as they could. Four buses dropped students, teachers and parents off at Esther Shiner Stadium for the game. Mouhamad Rachini/The Observer Principal George Vlahos said the school doesn’t host championship games often and Members of Secord Elementary School’s touch football team pose with their championship medals. The team wanted to create a professional atmosphere for consists of seven boys and four girls, making them the only co-ed team in the league. the students. “It was like you were at a Toronto FC game,” “I took what I knew from last year and used it cord’s touch football team. They were the only compete with boys in athletics. he said. “The chanting of ‘De-fence’ and ‘Se- this year,” she said. “I also mixed it with a few co-ed side in the league and frequently came up “A lot of boys say that girls can’t do it, that cord’, the clapping and the stomping on the more strategies and trying to just be a team.” against all-boy opposition, but that didn’t hin- girls can’t beat boys,” she said. “But we showed stands. The kids had a great time.” Lynn felt proud of what she achieved for both der their performances. them that girls can beat boys, girls can get Nine-year-old Jessie Lynn is one of the herself and the school. “Some of our female students here are amaz- touchdowns and girls can do everything.” squad’s veterans. She was on the co-ed football “It was really nice that we won,” she said. ing athletes,” Kuuter said. “They just fit right in Vlahos agrees. team that lost in the conference final last year. “We hadn’t won in 103 years and it felt really because they like football, and girl or boy, we “This is 2018,” he said. “Maybe in 1968 we She said last year’s loss helped her come back good getting our medals.” play as a team.” had a different perception. But in 2018, the stronger. Lynn was one of four girls that made up Se- Lynn said the championship proves girls can myth is busted.” Millennials stymied by rising cost of real estate By DANIELLE CLARKE his daughter grow up far away from their with nothing. When you buy, you gain the The Observer relatives. value of your home, which gives you more “If we move across the city, babysitting freedom later in life.” With sky-high real estate prices, millenni- becomes a lot harder,” he explains. “We And contrary to popular belief, there are als are wondering if they will ever be able would also have to figure out a new day- millennials who are buying in East York. to afford to buy a house in East York and a care plan because getting daycare spots is “Half of my clients are millennials who vacation or two at the same time. very difficult.” are buying,” Ali says. “I would prefer to purchase in East York McHugh’s current place is a semi-de- But millennials are finding creative ways because this is where I grew up and this is tached with two bedrooms, main floor and to afford the house in their ideal location. where my family lives,” says Christopher basement, small backyard and a garage. “You’d be surprised at how many people McHugh, 34, a payroll manager from East “We pay $2,150 monthly, plus electric- don’t buy a house or condo to move into, York. ity,” he said. but instead have bought an investment He has been renting in the area for 10 Realtor Nasma Ali has a different expe- property,” Ali says. “Many will buy a con- years on and off. “My dad lives in the area, rience with millennials buying houses in do while they continue renting, then rent and he’s also renting,” he says. East York. out the condo which pays off their invest- With strong ties to the community, Ali works for Keller Williams Advan- ment property.” McHugh and his wife have been saving to tage Realty and has assisted clients — in- The trick is to buy in cities where prices buy a home for themselves and their young cluding millennials — in buying and sell- are more affordable. daughter. ing homes in East York. “They either buy it in Toronto, precon- Like many millennials looking to buy “I sold a house to a millennial last struction or outside of the city,” Ali ex- their first home, they have been forced to week,” she says. “The average cost of plains. “I have a lot of clients that go to consider buying outside of the city in hopes houses in East York is about $900,000, Waterloo, Hamilton and other university that they will find something more afford- which translates to $3,600 a month. For a cities. The great thing about those areas is able. one-bedroom condo in East York, the aver- that you break even because the prices are “That may be the solution, just looking age is about $500,000.” much lower.” at the prices in East York, the low end of Her advice for those who are hoping to And where are millennials getting the what you can get for a house is probably make their way into the housing market? money from to buy their homes? around $800,000,” McHugh says. “To af- “Get what you can, because you may not “A lot of them have saved money by ford that, I would have to save up $55,000 be able to save up as fast as the market is living with their parents, and don’t have to for the down payment — that’s the mini- going.” worry about paying rent,” Ali says. “There mum.” Ali believes millennials should aim to are young people who have also saved McHugh is currently working in Eto- own something, even if it’s not their dream money by investing in stocks.” Danielle Clarke/The Observer bicoke and is considering buying a home home in the perfect location, because they In order for most millennials to afford The average house price in East York is about closer to work. will eventually make a profit. a home in this economy, she notes, saving $900,000, says one local realtor. One of his biggest concerns is having “When you’re renting, you move out has to be a priority. 6 OPINION Friday, November 9, 2018 The East York Observer n COLUMNS n EDITORIALS Cover women’s games Did you catch the Canadian and Caribbean Association about the match, sometimes Let’s remember Women’s National Soccer Football (CONCACAF) is multiple times a day. Team’s 7-0 win over Pana- very strict with broadcasting By contrast, fans of the Remembrance Day remains as relevant today ma on Oct. 14? The one that rights. Most fans had to watch women’s team got few remind- guaranteed them qualification the games through oz.com, an ers about their games. What as it was a century ago, most Canadians agree to the 2019 FIFA Women’s online streaming service that’s was tweeted was often sand- World Cup? offering a free trial until Dec. wiched between tweets about On Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., people across Canada and other Commonwealth countries will How about their 2-0 loss to 1. American viewers were able the men’s team. pause for two minutes of silence to commemorate the end of the First World War and hon- their rivals, the United States, to catch the game on FOX It got to the point where our the people whose lives it took. in the 2018 CONCACAF Sports, but only because the Christine Sinclair called out Over the years, the day has expanded to include remembrance of those from the Second Women’s Championship final tournament was held in the the account. She quote-tweet- World War and more recent conflicts as well. Now, 100 years after the armistice was three days later? U.S. ed one of the tweets for the signed in 1918, is Remembrance Day still relevant? If you live in Canada, the Broadcasters are doing men’s game with “Hey @ Yes. answer is probably “no.” everything they can to cover CanadaSoccerEN when do the And according to Historica Canada, 82 per cent of Canada’s population agree. In the Despite the importance of the women’s team’s games. women start their World Cup organization’s 2015 Remembrance Day poll, it found that despite varying views on wheth- those games, no Canadi- In 2016, CBC broadcast qualification tournament?” er the younger generation understands the significance, the majority say the day is still as an media organization all six of Canada WNT’s If the captain of our wom- relevant today as it has ever been. broadcast the matches. Olympic games, and en’s team and the greatest And why shouldn’t it be? Fans were left searching both TSN and CTV will player this nation has ever The fact that it’s been a century does not make our war heroes’ sacrifices any less valu- for a link to follow air the 2019 FIFA produced is calling out the able or memorable. the game, and Women’s World disproportionate amount of Those who say, ‘Well, 99 per cent of the people you’re honouring have already passed,’ they made sure Cup. coverage the women gets com- are right. The last living veteran of the First World War, John Babcock, died at age 109 on their annoyanc- But there pared to the men, then there is Feb. 18, 2010. But so have many other important people whose contributions made a huge es were heard is work to be certainly a problem. difference in our history — and not just in Canada. online. done. Online Although broadcasters are In Jamaica, National Heroes’ Day is a crucial part of that country’s historical identity. “Imagine being coverage of doing their part to get more The heroes it celebrates all died before 1978, including Nanny of the Maroons, who died forced to watch a the women’s team coverage of the women’s team, in 1755 after playing a crucial role in empowering slaves to fight back against British World Cup Qualify- has been lacklustre it’s clear that players and fans colonizers. ing Final between compared to the alike don’t think the women’s Yet every year, without fail, the celebrations continue. these two teams on men’s team. Lead- team’s games are being pushed That’s because it’s not merely a celebration of the heroes’ lives. It’s a celebration of a computer screen,” ing up to the men’s out to a wider audience. how their contributions paved the way for the life we live today and the one we want our wrote one Twitter team’s October With the 2019 FIFA Wom- children to live tomorrow. user. game against en’s World Cup group stage set Veterans Affairs of Canada’s stance is to ensure “the memory of their efforts and sacri- It’s not as Dominica, the of- to take place in December and fices will not die with them and that an appreciation of the values they fought for will live though Canadian ficial account for the tournament kicking off in on in all Canadians.” broadcasters had Canada Soccer June, we need to make sure the Our veterans paid the ultimate price and their legacy deserves to live on. a choice. The enthusiastically women’s team gets the cov- Confederation tweeted erage they deserve. They are, ~ Tijuana Turner of North, Cen- Mouhamad Rachini constant after all, our most successful tral American reminders national soccer team. Put babies first Cannabis etiquette 101 Breastfeeding is best for baby and mom, but Growing up in Scarborough, the strain, the odour can be sipate and then board. When some workplaces don’t provide enough support I didn’t really know much intense. transporting cannabis, keep about cannabis, except that it Boarding the TTC and it in a sealed container. The Eliminating discrimination is part of the fight for gender equality. Yet even though it’s was a drug and that it was bad being forced to sit in a bus Ontario Cannabis Store even 2018, breastfeeding – a natural thing mothers do to feed their babies – is still stigmatized, for you. My parents associat- or train while it simply gives one to you with the especially in the workplace. ed it with addicts and criminal “danks” is not always a fun product. A 2012 survey published on Bloomberg reveals that 62 per cent of pregnant women activity, and after multiple experience, especially for The Toronto Transit think there’s a stigma attached to parents who breastfeed at work. cannabis grow-op houses non-smokers. Commission does its According to the Ontario Human Rights Commision policy, “No one should stop a in the neighbourhood were I have a sensitivity to part as well. I’ve seen mother from breastfeeding her child, ask her to cover up or move her to another place.” It raided, that became the norm smell, and so do many riders removed by is the mother’s right to breastfeed in public. in my mind. others. Depending transit security Michael Garron Hospital leads Ontario’s Baby-Friendly Initiative implementation Today, cannabis has been on the type and for reeking like strategy, which promotes breastfeeding. Linda Young, director of provincial breastfeeding legalized and Canadian can- strength of a partic- beer. But they programs at the East York hospital, says it’s important for workplaces to offer support for nabis smokers are enjoying it. ular odour, it can could go a step breastfeeding moms. From people rolling a joint to lead to migraines, further and imple- For example, employers should provide access to a refrigerator where mothers can store people smoking cannabis on headaches, and ment a scent-free the milk until they go home, she said. Employers should also understand that the pumping the subway, I’ve seen it all. sinus problems. environment for all schedule of a breastfeeding parent will require her to take more breaks. But transporting it is a However, being riders. Our part as Providing clean, appropriate and private areas for breastfeeding parents to pump at work different matter. a casual cannabis smokers is to take the is vital in making the workplace breastfeeding-friendly. According to the govern- smoker, I feel that first step. By being re- “Parents who breastfeed should never, ever have to pump in the washroom,” said Leigh ment of Ontario’s website, it’s important to spectful to non-smok- Baetz-Craft, advance practice nurse clinician at Michael Garron Hospital. “What we it is now legal to carry up to make your own ers, we can start to always say is, ‘Would you eat your lunch sitting on the toilet?’” 30 grams of legal cannabis choices freely, as remove the stigma Breastfeeding has health benefits for both the mother and baby. For instance, breastfed at a time. (That’s about the long as they don’t around cannabis. babies and mothers are less likely to develop health problems, such as diabetes and certain amount you could hold in affect others. It might not be cancers. It’s also a convenient and inexpensive way for mothers to nourish their babies. both hands.) With that quan- Simple etiquette the law, but taking Unfortunately, many mothers feel discouraged about continuing to breastfeed because tity comes the smell. A gram would be a start: responsibility not to in some places, there’s still lack of support and awareness. It’s important to recognize that is pretty easy to transport After smoking, inconvenience other breastfeeding is a human right. as it is nearly scentless, but wait a little riders may ~ Jela Tejada anything over 10 grams can while for the Jonathan Pereira be the better really smell. Depending on smell to dis- way to go.

The East York The East York Observer is published by Centennial College journalism students at the East York campus, 951 Carlaw FACULTY EDITORS MANAGING EDITOR PRODUCTION EDITOR Ave., Rm. 149. Mailing address: P.O. Box 631, Stn. A, Eric McMillan Louise Palma Ellen Samek Toronto, M1K 5E9. E-mail c/o [email protected]. Lindy Oughtred PHOTO EDITOR Telephone 416-289-5107, fax 416-289-5111. We welcome John Sakamoto Nida Zafar OBSERVER your input, including letters to the editor. Friday,Friday, NovemberDecember 9,15, 2018 2017 The The East East York York Observer Observer NEWS 7 n REMEMBRANCE DAY

Photo courtesy of David Mole Photo courtesy of Google Earth (Above left) James William Green, in his wrinkled uniform, is second from the right in this photo taken while he was on leave. Max Krakovsky is in the centre standing beside him. (Above right) The original house at 166 Barker Ave., where James William Green grew up. PORTRAIT OF A HERO: James William Green

Mole’s father survived, it would have been their It was his last mission last mission before going home for good. Green left behind his parents and a brother, before going home. Kenneth Roy Green, who continued to live on Barker Avenue. Who’s who He never made it back One of their neighbours, Roberto Ramacci- otti, has lived on Barker Avenue since 1972. in story of Cont’d. from page 1 “I remember Emily Green very well,” Ra- macciotti said. “She was always sitting in the fallen airman James William Green. front yard knitting when I would ride by on my Green was a 20-year-old East Yorker who bike.” n MAX KRAKOVSKY (CAR- grew up in Woodbine Heights. He was a The two neighbours, a Brazilian immigrant SON): A Canadian pilot who rear-gunner aboard the NP699 of 10 Squadron. and a “proper Anglican lady,” formed an un- was the only survivor of the It was Green’s home on Barker Avenue that likely friendship. plane crash on Dec. 18, 1944 Krakovsky visited to tell the family that their “She would tell me things about her life, like that killed 15 crewmen. He son had not survived. how she grew up in colonial India or that her changed his surname to Car- Green was born in Toronto on May 11, 1924, husband built the house they lived in,” Ramac- son after the war. to James Green, Sr., a boilermaker who served ciotti said. “She always mentioned how much in the First World War, and Emily Smith, the she loved her son who fought in the war. He n DAVID MOLE: The son of daughter of English immigrants. was always a hero in her eyes.” one of the men who died in According to Green’s enlistment records The younger Green son, Kenneth, lived next the plane crash. Mole has from 1943, he was a blue-eyed 19-year-old door to his mother at 164 Barker Ave. Ramac- dedicated much of his life to labourer with the Canadian National Railway. ciotti remembers him as a man who kept to finding the relatives of the He attended Danforth Technical School (now himself. men who died alongside his known as Danforth Collegiate and Technical “Ken was as quiet as an oyster, like a cloud. I father. Institute) for three years before dropping out to don’t think there was any shadow left of him.” take up the trade of metal sheeting, which he Ramacciotti said the Green family — Ken- never finished. neth, his wife and daughter — moved away n JAMES WILLIAM GREEN: Although he attended Danforth Tech, his Photo courtesy of ancestry.ca years ago after Emily Green was sent to a nurs- One of the men who died in name does not appear on the school’s memori- n JAMES WILLIAM GREEN ing home in Bracebridge. the crash. Green was originally al, located inside the library, said Danforth Tech “I miss Emily and all of our talks,” Ramac- from East York and lived at alumnus Ron Passmore. Green began his journey in 1943 when he ciotti said. “I’m sad I never got to say goodbye. 166 Barker Ave. with his par- “Unfortunately, not all of the former students joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at age 19. One day I came home and she was gone.” ents and younger brother. have been memorialized on the school memo- He boarded a ship in Halifax on March 5, Today, 164 and 166 Barker Ave. have new rial.” 1944, and arrived in England nine days later. owners, the original homes replaced by modern n KENNETH ROY GREEN: Photos of Green show a lanky young man in By the end of his training, he had rebuilds. The younger brother of James an unbuttoned Air Force uniform who hoped to completed 93 hours of “It’s humbling to know that I live where William Green. He lived in East have his own farm after the war. His favourite flight training. Green’s someone who died for our country grew up,” York until the 1980s in the hobby was photography. records show that his said Dan Farris, the new owner of 166 Barker. house next to his childhood He was a member of the ambition was to be “This house has so much history, it gives me home. No. 432 (Leaside) an officer. goosebumps thinking about it.” Squadron. He was finally For David Mole, it’s important to find Ken- n EMILY SMITH GREEN: promoted to the neth Green or any of his descendants to share The mother of James William rank of officer more details about what really happened to Green and Kenneth Roy Green. on Dec. 17, their loved one. 1944, one “None of the families (I spoke with) knew n JAMES GREEN SR.: The day before what happened until I was able to tell them my- father of James William Green his death self,” Mole said. “I remember one of the fami- and Kenneth Roy Green. in the lies was so grateful that I told them what indeed crash. He was only happened, because they knew nothing. That’s n DR. JAMES CARSON: A son 20. Had Green and David the reward of all this at the end of the day.” of Max Krakovsky (Carson). James William Green’s body was nev- James William Green’s Royal Canadian er found. His sacrifice is memorialized at the Air Force licence. Green, who lived in East Runnymede Memorial in Surrey in the United ~ Ellen Samek York, died in the Second World War at the age of 20. Kingdom. 8 FEATURES Friday, November 9, 2018 The East York Observer

Sergio Arangio/Toronto Observer (Above left) Catherine Staples and her mother, Mary, look back at their early lives in East York. “Danforth was really a hub,” Catherine says of that time. (Above right) Mary McManus and Ed Staples were married on Aug. 21, 1948. ‘Everybody seemed to know everybody’ 91-year-old woman reminisces Mary recalled feeling homesick the last time They returned to Toronto two years ago to be “Everybody seemed to know everybody,” said she drove along Danforth Avenue. All the old with family in their old age. Duncan, 66. “I lived in one part of East York but about life in her old East York houses connected to the Staples are still stand- Ed died on Jan. 19, 2017 at Sunnybrook Vet- I knew a group of people in Broadview, which ing, even the building on Dawes Road where one erans Centre. was like 10 miles away. East York was kind of neighbourhood in days gone by of her father’s shoe repair shops used to be. It’s During her high school years, Mary was in the unique that way.” since become a café. cadets. She made bullets for the war, she said, A similar sentiment can be said for other as- By SERGIO ARANGIO But a look at their old neighbourhood brought while her mother made fuses and bombs at the pects of East York. The Observer Catherine a flood of memories about the East GECO munitions plant in Scarborough. For example, while some old shops, buildings York of old. She speculated on how things have Mary also acted in school plays at the high and houses have been replaced with franchise It was a summer day in 1945 when Catherine changed while still remaining the same at its school, fondly remembering the “not-too-fancy” stores, condos and so-called ‘monster homes,’ Staples’ late father, Ed, returned to his family in core. costumes she would wear. She had nothing but the Staples think the heart and soul of the area is East York after six years at war. He was greeted “Danforth was really a hub,” she said. “We good memories of life in her hometown. very much alive. by a “Welcome Home” sign on his front door and could go to a general store and we could buy “We had lots of fun,” Mary said. “We had “It’s still East York,” Catherine said. “When- attended a party to celebrate his friend Ted’s re- anything we wanted there. If I wanted to buy enough places in East York to take care of us.” ever I go down there, I get a pang. This is my turn, also from the Second World War. some thread or socks right now, I couldn’t do it While Catherine feels there’s still a sense of home.” Ed, in full army uniform, would meet Cather- (immediately).” community, she said there used to be more of a Duncan says given the first opportunity, he ine’s mother, Mary McManus, at that party. That Both Mary and Ed and all of their nine chil- neighbourly connection throughout East York. would gladly move right back to East York from would become one of Mary’s fondest memories dren, of which Catherine is the oldest at 69, were Doug Duncan, an old family friend, agreed. the west Toronto nursing home where both he of her life in East York. born and raised in East York. They all lived in Having only moved out of East York two years and Mary now live. “It was a different life,” Mary, 91, said in an the pre-amalgamated borough until about 1997, ago, he’s certainly noticed a shift when it comes “It’s such a unique pocket in Toronto,” Duncan interview, her daughter sitting beside her. when Mary and Ed moved to Vancouver Island. to knowing your neighbours. said. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.” A drive for change at East York’s Kennedy House youth shelter

By TIFFANY FUNG they do not yet have basic living skills. previous residents of Kennedy House. The Observer The Kennedy House shelter in East “They gave us everything they had in their York has 40 beds. They’re full every wallet,” Cutts said. Along with raising money and delivering night, she said. They also said they are what they are a meaningful message, a one-day fund- The majority of the organization’s now because of the support they received raising program for The Kennedy House funding comes from the City of Toron- from the organization. “When you see the led to a heartwarming reunion between to, but that’s not enough to cover all the positives,” Cutts said, “it makes the work staff and previous residents. needs, so the organization also runs fund- worth it.” Established in 1971, The Kennedy raising programs. The next fundraising event will take House provides shelters for homeless One of those is “Change For Change,” place Feb. 23, 2019. Called the Coldest youth. The one in East York opened four which took place Sept. 28 at eight TTC Night of the Year, the annual night walk years ago at 1076 Pape Ave. (north of stations, including Pape. Cutts was in gives participants an idea of what it’s Cosburn Ave.). That location is the most charge of it. like to be out on the street in the winter. eastern shelter until Oshawa. The event raised $6,000 this year, but It takes place in 120 cities across Canada. Homeless youths can be stereotyped there’s more to it than money. “It helps The Kennedy House has been holding as criminals or drug dealers, but there are people know who we are,” Cutts said. “We the Coldest Night of the Year in Scarbor- more legitimate reasons for youths being have a lot of people stopping and talking ough for the past two years, and will con- homeless, said Michelle Cutts, a senior to us about the needs of the youths.” tinue there this year. Next year, the orga- development officer at Kennedy House. Some of those who didn’t have cash to nization will bring one to the Danforth for Among them: fleeing an abusive home donate still stopped and asked questions, the first time. and facing mental-health issues. including how to volunteer for the orga- Cutts said people can support youth “There are about 2,000 youths who are nization. shelters by donating money or in-kind homeless every night,” she said. “There “We got a lot of people going, ‘Thank items, such as canned goods and new are only 518 available (spaces) in the shel- you for the work you do,’ and that warmed pyjamas. However, if you can’t donate Photo courtesy of The Kennedy House ter system.” a lot of our hearts,” Cutts said. financially, then helping to break down Staff from The Kennedy House pose beside a poster Cutts added that youths need more care At three stations — Kennedy, Bloor- the stereotypes around homeless youths is during the “Change For Change” program. than an average homeless person because Yonge and Bathurst — staff encountered also helpful.