Photo by Jeanpaul Wright via Pexels

Leaside Garden Society always welcomes Guests and New Members to join the Society for their meetings. Visit our website: www.leasidegardensociety.org or email: leaside@gardenontario.org.

Leaside Garden Society – Speaker Series presents:
Peonies and Friends: The Stars of the June Garden
Speaker: Ingrid Janssen
Date: Thursday April 13th, 2023
Time & Place: 7pm on Zoom

Ingrid Janssen, is a horticulturist, speaker, blogger and Master Gardener. She has been gardening for most of her life and is a passionate, some would say “crazy” gardener. How else to describe someone who plants bulbs in January despite 15cm. of snow! She has appeared on Rogers TV Durham and has spoken at Canada Blooms many times. Ingrid is a recent peony enthusiast with a special interest in Canadian bred peonies and the peony hybrids of Professor A.P. Saunders. Her collection has grown from 1 to over 130 peonies in the last 6 years. Ingrid received her Horticulturist Diploma from the University of Guelph and is an active member of several horticultural and plant societies including the Canadian and American Peony societies. She volunteers on many garden projects in her community the most notable being the restoration of the perennial borders at the Parkwood National Historic Site in Oshawa.

Peonies are beloved for their gorgeous blooms and captivating fragrance. They are adaptable, easy to grow plants that fit into any garden style. Along with many plant companions, they are the stars of the June garden. Ingrid will talk about the different types of peonies you can grow, how you can achieve 6 weeks of peony blooms in your garden and the wonderful plant friends that bloom alongside them.

While the weather outside might feel frightful, the early spring flowers are not deterred. Spotted today on Millwood Road, a lovely cluster of crocuses that appear to be waiting for the right moment to bloom. It’s always a treat to see that first burst of colour in our gardens.

A tree on the front yard of a house on Belsize Drive (between Cleveland & Thurston) was partially toppled in the windstorm on Saturday night. The tree snagged a power line and the that block of Cleveland was cordoned off. Midday on Sunday, Toronto Hydro turned off the power to facilitate the safety the crew on site tasked with removing the tree and freeing the powerline. The roof on the neighbouring house was partially damaged by the tree. The tree removal and the restoration of power took about seven hours. There was much excitement on the street and many residents gathered to watch the hard working crews.

“The tree” before it fell. Image captured by Google Maps in 2021.

The 2023 Agnes Macphail Award recipient, Dr. Shakhlo Sharipova /City of Toronto

On Sunday, March 19, the City and the Agnes Macphail Recognition Committee will host an awards ceremony to recognize Dr. Shakhlo Sharipova’s contributions to the East York community. The City’s annual Agnes Macphail Award is presented to an individual in East York for their volunteer leadership in community-building and social justice issues.

A skilled ophthalmologist specializing in the treatment of glaucoma, Dr. Sharipova came to Canada from Tajikistan in 2009. A mother of four and grandmother of two, she has lived in East York since 2010. Dr. Sharipova founded the Thorncliffe Park Autism Support Network (TPASN), which stemmed from her experience as a mother with a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. TPASN provides information and inclusive activities for children living with autism and their families. During the pandemic, she organized outdoor and inclusive camps for children living with autism with special needs and their siblings, providing respite opportunities for families.

Dr. Sharipova supports her community by organizing a toy drive for low-income families and the Ramadan Free Hot Meal Project. With a team of volunteers, she has provided 4,240 meals since the program started, delivering meals door to door during the pandemic. Dr. Sharipova also fundraises to provide food and supplies to families and seniors in need. She is also dedicated to creating opportunities for youth to engage in community development.

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• New or lightly worn dresses
• Slim fit suits / tuxes
• Slim fit shirts & pants
• Ties & accessories
• Evening bags & jewellery
• Shoes
• New makeup
• Socks

Drop off your donations at: Bosley Real Estate at 103 Vanderhoof Avenue, Bayview ValuMart at 1500 Bayview Avenue, or New Circles at 161 Bartley Drive by April 3, 2023.