Leaside's birthday plans get underway

The countdown is on to Leaside’s 100th birthday.

Councillor John Parker announced on April 23 he had formed a planning committee with Leaside residents Virginia Evoy, Geoff Kettel, Lorna Krawchuk and John Piper to set up events leading up to the April 2013 milestone.

“I am pleased that we have such a strong group to help put together the plans to draw attention to this milestone in the story of our community,” Parker said in a prepared statement to media. “Each member of our organizing group brings a wealth of experience and talent to the project in particular ways. Most of all, each is a committed Leaside resident with a passion for the community that they call home.”

The centennial will be called Leaside One Hundred, and Parker says he hopes to see as much community involvement as possible.

“My personal goal — and the goal of our committee — is to encourage each and every Leaside resident and institution to be a part of the celebration,” he said.

Settled by William Lea in the middle of the 19th century, Leaside was incorporated as a town in April 1913. The official plan was commissioned by the York Land Company, a subsidiary of The Canadian Northern Railway, which was the most significant stakeholder in the community. Upon incorporation, Leaside had 43 residents with the motto “Stability and wisdom of purpose.”

The planning committee for Leaside One Hundred will rely mostly on the help of volunteers and local sponsorships, however has applied to the city for money to finance a website and cover costs of some printing and mailing.

The group has been doing some brainstorming so far, and even had its first formal initiative. On April 24, Parker visited the seniors’ home at 921 Millwood Rd.

“My own family is into its fourth generation as Leasiders,” Parker said in the media release ahead of the event. “My father worked here, my brother and I both live here, I have a niece and nephew who both live here, and they are raising their own families here.

“But my personal connection only goes back as far as 1945. I intend to start my preparation for the special year by spending time with some of Leaside’s oldest residents. That is why I am starting with the folks at 921 Millwood.”