Joyce Inez Davidson-Susskind

Television personality Joyce Inez Davidson-Susskind has died at the age of 89 from complications of the COVID-19 virus. She was a resident at the Meighan Manor home on Millwood Rd. Joyce Davidson first appeared on the CBC as a presenter on the early evening public affairs program Tabloid. She later hosted The Joyce Davidson  Show. Her career continued in the US where she worked with well-known presenters such as Dave Garroway and Mike Wallace. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Daily Bread Food Bank. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com. Obituary

Frost advisories are in place for parts of southwestern Ontario recalling the old advice not to plant your annuals before the 24th of May. Whatever, the Weather Network is predicting a sweltering 9 ºC for Sunday. Cold enough for you?

The Ministry of Health reports 347 new cases of COVID-19 infection, a heartening low. This is especially so in the context of the furious testing being done across the province. The past 24 hours have seen 19,227 tests completed.  Saturday’s case count is the lowest since 309 new cases were reported on April 6 at a time when there were far fewer tests being done. The ministry reports another 59 deaths in people who had contracted the virus bringing the known total fatalities to 1,599. Website

A scheduled flyover of Toronto and the GTA on Saturday by the Snowbirds has been delayed until Sunday because of snow and hail near Bowmanville.  Below we see the Snowbirds over Smiths Falls Friday. Flying over Brighton, and Coburg, Ontario. Watch their social media for updates.

Over Smiths Falls Friday/Smiths Falls Police Service

Dad and son bond on Freaky Friday

Cynda Fleming advises walking in a certain way

Virtual Variety Show planning at LUC

We are all suffering through a long and uncertain trial with you know what. But look here as inventive dad Scott Edgecombe (left) bonds with his son in what they’ve called Freak Friday. Laughs now and future good memories for that lad. Upper right, Hanna Rd. resident Cynda Fleming is the founder of the South Leaside branch of the Ministry of Silly Walks as reported by Joanna Lavoie at Toronto.com. Yes, Minister Fleming. Then, some typically inventive planning by organizers at Leaside United Church where a Virtual Variety Show (VVS) is being prepared for broadcast starting at the end of May.

MOH Dr. de Villa warns people not to let down their guard on social distancing/CP24

The Ministry of Health has reported 477 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, the highest number in nearly a week. The number is still off the record 640 cases confirmed on April 24. And as shops begin to re-open, Toronto Medical Officer of Health Eileen de Villa has warned that Ontario is “not out of the woods” in its battle against the virus. She appeared on CP24 urging continued and vigilant social distancing. Ministry website

This morning, @JohnTory placed a lone wreath in memory of the fallen at the Old City Hall Cenotaph to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. https://t.co/dOhBn9OqCs #VEDay75 pic.twitter.com/xEbkMN12fV

— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) May 8, 2020

Mayor Tory has placed a single wreath on the Civic Cenotaph at Old City Hall Friday. Below are shots from a much more boisterous day — May 8, 1945 — when “peace broke out” in Toronto.

A colourful flypast over London by the RAF Red Arrows has marked the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Ceremonies on the ground were sombre and notable for the lack of crowds because of COVID-19 rules. ITV

Cockpit footage from a flypast by the #RedArrows this morning to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Several #London landmarks in sight as the @RoyalAirForce Aerobatic Team paid tribute. Video by Corporal Adam Fletcher. #VEDay75 #VEDay #ThisIsYourVictory pic.twitter.com/ejtk3XHjiz

— Red Arrows (@rafredarrows) May 8, 2020

A Lawrence Park man says he has avenged the theft of Amazon deliveries off of his porch by filling an empty box with dog feces and placing it outside the door. “Fully on board with the idea, I filled a large Amazon box to the brim with the dog poop I collected from my back yard, and I am happy to report that it was stolen today off of my porch. How I would love to see their faces when they open it and find 10 pounds of dog crap produced by two well-fed Labrador retrievers inside.” FB

Brampton rooming house fire/City News Bert Dandy

Two people are dead in a rooming house fire at 5 MIll St. in Brampton overnight. One person was rescued from the roof. Fire service personnel searched the house to find the bodies. CBC

Sidewalk Labs, a Google-affiliated company, is abandoning its plan to build a high-tech neighbourhood on Toronto’s waterfront, citing what it calls unprecedented economic uncertainty. The Quayside project still didn’t have all of the government approvals it needed to go ahead. Many had raised concerns about the privacy implications of the project and how much of the city’s developing waterfront Sidewalk Labs wanted to control. FB

Open limited hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Mount Pleasant Cemetery will reopen its gates ahead of Mother’s Day but it plans to close them on Sunday in order to prevent large crowds from paying their respects on what is usually its busiest visitation day. The new hours will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday but closed on Mother’s Day on Sunday Toronto news releases