The South Bayview Bulldog

Homefront’s Wedding Registry window contains a century of wedding dreams. It features a gorgeous heirloom bridal gown which was designed by 1950s Manhattan couturier Eleanora Garnett. The gown was presented to the first bride in 1958. I was that first bride. It’s made of oyster coloured duchess satin and originally had a mandarin collar and wide obi front sash. It was worn in that design by the first three brides and the fourth redesigned the neckline and sash which you see today. The gown is 54 years old and still a classic. Now for a story more than a 100 years old. The veil displayed in our Homefront window is made of silk tulle and embroidered with brussels and rose point lace. It was purchased shortly after 1900 by my grandmother when my mother was just an infant. It was to be worn by my mother at her wedding, and in 1929 it was (upper right). The outdoor wedding took place in September and she walked down a spruce pathway and was married in a pine grove serenaded by madrigal singers. Centre right we see the veil worn by a wartime bride with her RCAF groom. This lady lives today at 97 to recall her fond memories. At the bottom right is a photograph of me wearing the veil.  In all, the veil has been worn by 10 brides and each time it looked different as  different headpieces were used. Today the gown and veil belong to no one bride as they have sailed into history and have become heirloom classics Trish Stuebing, President, Homefront.  Homefront is at 371 Eglinton Ave. West (416) 488-3189 

Bizarre hats made out of wooden planks, models with ‘blacked out’ faces, and some ankle swinging sportswear were among some of the truly outlandish designs which kicked off Men’s fashion week. As models dressed in outlandish outfits stalked the catwalk, British Fashion Council member David Gandy said he wants to make London the menswear capital of the world. The lesser-known men’s fashion week, sponsored by Topman, sees 60 menswear designers showcase their wares for autumn/winter 2013 over three days in the city in front of assembled press and buyers from over 45 countries. Mailonline

For flu sufferers across South Bayview there is little comfort in the knowledge that this season’s flu shot seems to have been a pretty good match for the strain that is currently infecting so many Canadians. The shot is no guarantee against getting the flu, but it’s a solid defense. Here in Toronto the activity level of the influenza outbreak is described by the Public Health Agency of Canada at “localized”. That’s the most common status as the country deals with one of the worst outbreaks in years. In all provinces there were  between 3,500 and 4,000 confirmed cases as the New Year began. The Health Canada map above shows the most severe areas of the outbreak in dark blue (widespread) in areas of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, Western Newfoundland and Central and Southern Alberta.  

Re-visiting the corner of Laird Drive and Broadway Ave. to check on the progress of the “Victorian” home being built there is a lot of fun. The brick and stone work is all in place and so are the leaded windows. They add a very elegant feeling. But it is the corner watch tower that offers a commanding view on the northeast corner of the home that is so strongly reminiscent of the 19th Century. Wait. Around back is a Victorian garage with a round window over the door (inset). Well, they didn’t have garages in the 19th century but this is what they might have looked like if there had been any.  The further progress of this property will be interesting to watch. 

Lise Lebitka

A year later, life goes on along quiet Airdrie Road, just west of Laird Drive. The row of semi-detached houses on the east side of the tree-lined street are all occupied, including the one in which Lise Lebitka lost her life on New Year’s Day 2012. The brick semis that sit between Lea Ave. and Heath Street E  are in contrast to the higher-scale semi-detached homes on the west side and a noticeable contrast to the many well-maintained middle class single families homes to see going either direction on Airdrie. Neighbors say there isn’t too much talk about the fateful events of that day. One woman recalled conversation occasionally turns to just when her boyfriend, Paul Hindle, will stand trial for Lise’s death. Some of the neighbors were friendly with the attractive 45-year-old mother of three. After her death, the stories about her relationship with Mr. Hindle suggested that she hoped to change him. In the days following Hindle’s arrest, neighbors began a blue ribbon campaign that saw many trees on the street decorated with this symbol of remembrance. There’s nothing like that to be seen today.