“The Whole Town Thanked Us for Planting the Trees.”
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Coming soon: Voice of the Community since 1949 June 2017 Vol. 02, No 6 CCRA membership drive. See page 2 in this edition for more Centennial News information. A publication of the Centennial Community and Recreation Association www.ccranews.ca “The whole town thanked Mayor John Tory’s us for planting statement on Councillor Ron Moeser the trees.” April 18, 2017 “It is with great sadness that I learned today of the death of Councillor Ron Moeser. Ron was a friend, a devoted husband and father and a man who proudly served his city Jake Forsyth stands in front of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial during his trip to France with Canadian Scouts. The group participated in Maples for and the people of Scarborough for more than Vimy, a project commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge that partnered with French students (inset) to plant memorial maple 20 years. trees. Photos: Courtesy Jake Forsyth He believed in representing and respect- ing the needs of his community and those of Centennial youth leaves living memorial at Vimy Ridge the entire city. During his time as a councillor – both By Janice Bennink whole town, there were Canadian flags and banners before and after amalgamation – Ron fought saying ‘welcome Canada.’” for the creation and protection of public space he April 9th commemoration of the 100th anni- “We had locals asking to take pictures with the and the natural environment, and was instru- versary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France kids. At the school where we planted, we had 40 kids mental in the creation of Rouge Park, Canada’s was viewed by thousands around the world. throughout the day come up and talk to us.” largest urban park. TApart from the main ceremonies, memorials took place The group also toured war memorial sites in northern He represented the interests of his across the country. Last month, Centennial resident France and Belgium including the Beaumont-Hamel residents on a variety of public committees, and CCRA executive Jake Forsyth returned from France Newfoundland Memorial, St. Julien Memorial and as the Chair of the Scarborough Community with his own memories as a participant in the Maples Menin Gate Memorial. They visited war cemeteries and Council, as a member of the Toronto Regional for Vimy project. toured historic sites, including preserved trenches and Conservation Authority, the Toronto Hydro When Jake, a leader from 2nd Highland Creek tunnels. Scouts, learned about Maples for Vimy last fall, he felt Visiting the cemeteries and memorials was, for Jake, and Toronto Zoo boards and through his work compelled to participate. After months of fundrais- an “eye-opening” experience. on behalf of youth, seniors and the people of ing, he was able to join Scouts and Girl Guides from “After you learn about it in high school history, you Scarborough, a part of the city of which he the London/Strathroy area on a trip that would leave a see for yourself instead of a bad textbook photo. To see was so proud. living memorial honouring the veterans of Vimy Ridge. hundreds of thousands of headstones and to read them, He will be missed by his Council col- Throughout the week preceding the anniversary date, looking for the Canadian ones, you realize ‘that guy was leagues, City staff and the communities he the group toured and planted maple trees on the Ridge my age and he was fighting.’” served with integrity and passion. and in communities surrounding the Canadian National When the Scouts toured Flanders Fields, they visited My thoughts are with Ron’s wife Heather Vimy Memorial where Canadian soldiers were deployed. the tomb of a 15-year-old boy who had lied about his and their three daughters, as well as his many The significance of tree planting became clear once age to enlist. friends, residents and colleagues.” the youth began their work. The sites are located where Jake recalls that “almost everyone was crying because A book of condolences for the family can be Canadians fought – one of the sites, currently a school the Scouts were all 14 or 15 themselves.” signed online at cityoftorontocondolences.ca. property, was a former landing strip. Jake said “in these For him, one of the trip highlights was a group small towns, they are very grateful. Throughout the reading of ‘In Flanders Fields’ at the site of the field The CCRA executive would like to » Continued on page 3 express deep sympathy and offer our sincere condolences to the family of Councillor Ron Moeser, a long time supporter of this association. We invite members of our community to submit their remembrances of Councillor Moeser to [email protected]. CCRA will publish a tribute to and remembrances of Councillor Moeser in the June issue of this newspaper. 2 CCRA CENTENNIAL NEWS - MAY 2017 Vol 02, No. 5 CCRA Centennial News CCRA Executive Team Publishing Policy Advertising Rates - * NEW sizes available April 2016 President – Jennifer McKelvie 416.931.0960 CCRA Centennial News invites submissions of articles, Size Per Issue Prepaid Vice-President/Secretary – Kathy Rowe 416.283.9987 signed letters, art and photography from Centennial 10 issues Past President – Jeff Forsyth 416.282.8346 community members and all elected representatives. Treasurer – Michael Quinlan We will consider all submissions for publication that Business Card 50.00 475.00 Distribution – Wanda Wierzbicki 416-282-2951 are information-based and relevant to the community. Eighth (formerly 1/4 Page) 75.00 712.50 Not-for-profit and community groups are also invited Communications – Kathryn Stocks 416.281.0436 Quarter (formerly 1/2 Page) 125.00 1,187.50 to submit event listings to be published free of charge, Community Events – Heather Lemieux 416.284.4751 space permitting. CCRA Centennial News reserves Three-eights 185.00 1,757.50 Police Liaison – Marilyn Hodge 416.284.9984 the right to decline material considered to be unpaid Half Page (formerly Full Page) 220.00 2,090.00 Planning – Rob Elbertsen 416-282-2951 advertising, politically partisan or likely to offend. Half Page Inside Cover 250.00 2,375.00 Transportation – Gerry Divaris 416.540.9569 CCRA reserves the right to edit all submitted material. Full Page 400.00 3,800.00 Membership – Denise Bacon 416-282-3561 The opinions expressed in CCRA Centennial News do not represent the views of the CCRA Executive. Conservation – Jennifer McKelvie 416.931.0960 Front Page Banner 200.00 N.A. All submissions will be considered for both print and Inside Page Banner 100.00 950.00 Fundraising – John Sinclair 647.462.3046 online publication unless otherwise instructed by the Youth Representative – Lakshmi Anandaraj author. CCRA will notify all authors prior to publication. Notice to Advertisers Member at Large – Jake Forsyth 416.282.8116 Advertising copy must reach the CCRA no later than the Newspaper & Web Team To be published in CCRA Centennial News, articles must reach the Communications team by the 15th day of 10th day of the preceding month for publication. Files the preceding month. To submit an article or suggest a should be in high resolution PDF, TIF, EPS or JPG format for best results. Please e-mail your advertisement to Advertising – Kelsey Dorval 416.724.8693 story, please contact any member of the Executive by phone, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Kelsey Dorval at [email protected]. Cheques Editor – Kathryn Stocks 416-738-4848 in the correct amount are to be addressed to “CCRA” and [email protected] Mailing address: deposited in the CCRA mailbox at 5450 Lawrence Ave. Editor – Janice Bennink 416.283.2200 Centennial Community & Recreation Association East, in the Port Union Recreation Centre, opposite the centre’s main office. For more about advertising, visit Design and Production – Don Lawrence 5450 Lawrence Ave. East, Scarborough ON M1C 3B2 www.ccranews.com/advertising.html Membership report Did you know that the CCRA is one of the oldest continuing community organizations in the GTA? This year the association will be 68 years young! Please join the CCRA! We are part of a beautiful and safe part of Toronto, thanks to CCRA members who support the preservation, development and improvement of our Centennial community here in Scarborough. Your membership funds activities that enrich all our lives, and keeps you informed about: • Highland Creek Treatment Plant Environmental Assessment • Port Union Road Widening • Metrolinx GO Train Public Consultations • Rouge National Urban Park • Social events • School awards and 2nd Highland Creek Scouts group As our founding president William Dempsey said: “The creation of something better, rather than accep- tance of something less worthy remains the watchword.” Please join the CCRA and be part of “something better” here in our own community! Each one of us makes a difference! There are many easy options to join: Please see page 20 for the membership form and details. The CCRA Executive Team listed in this publication is planning a Membership Drive this summer. If you haven’t joined as a member, you may hear from the Member- ship Drive team within the next few months! www.ccranews.ca Voice of the Community since 1949 3 President’s Message CCRA President Report By Jennifer McKelvie or submitted written comments. In particular, the CCRA executive n behalf of CCRA, I would would like to extend their thanks to like to express our deepest Frank Moir and Allen Elias for their sympathies to the family, many years of hard work advocating Ofriends and staff of Ward 44 Coun- for an environmentally and socially cillor Ron Moeser. While serving as responsible approach for biosolids councillor for over 25 years, Ron‘s treatment at the HCTP.