A Letter From George – 2025 Holiday

Letter from the editor

The holiday season is upon us — a time that should be of family and joy. I typically write this note just ahead of publication, which for this edition is Sunday morning. I woke up to the news of the horrific antisemitic attack Sydney, Australia. While we may each hold different views on politics, it is my hope, as a secular Christian, that we are aligned in our abhorrence of terrorism. In a time when it feels like the world is spinning off its axis, I hope you will join your neighbours for what has become an annual event at The George, the lighting of the menorah in the lobby throughout the eight days of Chanukah. Nancy Lee-Sing has provided the details below. Sandy Biback has provided the blessing last night, and we’ve included it here.

All are welcome, and it is my hope that our annual gathering is a reminder that there is more that unites us than divides us.

I would also like to welcome some new contributors to our quarterly newsletter: Sandy Biback, Carol Fitzpatrick and Lesley Taylor. Thank you for adding to our December letter.

Principals with Principles: Beckanne and Chase

To anyone who knows me, it is pretty evident that I adore this George community. That is why, when new tenants/owners land at 1331 Queen St E, I try to meet as many as I can.

We recently gained a pretty amazing couple and their dog, Panda.  What makes them so amazing and worthy of a newsletter shoutout? Read on:

Meet Texas transplants Beckanne Sisk and Chase O’Connell. They made the journey to Canada for work. Filled with grace, elegance and undeniably a beautiful presence, they are the newest principal dancers at The National Ballet of Canada.

Beckanne always loved music and dancing and performed for her family as soon as she could walk. At 17 she was offered her first contract with a ballet company, chose to follow her dream and signed it.  Chase, at the age of two started classes and enjoyed it so much he went to a ballet boarding school and by 13, realized that this is what he wanted to do, become a professional dancer. Both are now living out their dreams.

The graceful couple met in 2012 when Chase joined Salt Lake City, Utah’s Ballet West. That had been Beckanne’s home for two years and it took another two before they danced together in The Rite of Spring. Learning how to cope with the intensity of performing together and be a couple was stressful. “We’ve learned so much through the years of working together, how to navigate it. Of course there are still difficult times but we have gotten much better at learning to move on and remember how much we love being able to work together. 

“We are so lucky to be able to share this art form and experience it together. So, it’s important to remember how special it is,” says Beckanne.

After spending more than a decade with Ballet West, it was time to explore other companies and expand experiences. At this point Texas was calling and the couple joined the Houston Ballet. While a wonderful company, they knew there was more to explore and it wasn’t where they wanted to finish their careers. Three years later, they call Toronto home.

“National Ballet of Canada has always been world renowned and a company that we enjoyed following. In the last few years Hope Muir became the Artistic Director and we really liked what we were reading about her vision for the future. We reached out asking to take company classes to audition last January. She offered us contracts and we happily accepted!”, recounts Beckanne.

The Nutcracker recently opened its annual run. Sadly, Beckanne and Chase are not paired this go round but you can still see them individually. Beckanne performs the role of Snow Queen (December 17th, 21st, 28th and 31st) and Chase performs two roles of Snow or Coffee (December 20th, 27th, 30th matinee).

I guess we’ll have to wait for the stars to align at the National Ballet of Canada to see the magic of Beckanne and Chase perform together. I hope it will be in Romeo and Juliet as favourite rolls for Beckanne include Juliet and for Chase, Romeo.

The move and adjustment to living in Leslieville has been smooth. Beckanne, Chase and Panda have settled in and enjoy exploring the neighbourhood. They look forward to meeting more of The George community and to the George community, I hope you get the opportunity to take in a performance or two. The National Ballet of Canada has always been an incredible dance company and now with the addition of Beckanne and Chase, even better.

Nancy Lee-Sing

Greetings from the Board

Hello and Happy December Neighbours!  Just before we launch into full holiday mode, we’d like to update you on some matters in and around The George.  

First, we’d like to offer a warm welcome to our new Property Manager, Basheer Rahimy.  Basheer brings 10+ years of experience in the concierge and customer service industry and holds a degree in accounting and finance. Basheer is being supported by the site Regional Director, Angelo Kaja, to ensure a smooth transition.

We are pleased to announce that, at long last, the Board Minutes have been updated on Building Link.  To access the minutes, click on “Building Library” then “Minutes”.  

In an effort to strengthen building security, we have adjusted the length of time for which the garage door remains open.  The closing interval has been shortened from 30 seconds to 20 seconds.  As always, please be sure to use your garage fob when entering the garage, even if the door is already open.

The high volume of repairs and maintenance at the George have made for a challenging year.  We have appreciated both the input from, and patience of, the residents and will be prepared to discuss any questions/concerns at the AGM which is set for January 19^th.  You will receive notices from management in the coming weeks.

Before we glide off into the holidays, thanks goes out to Nancy Lee-Sing and Susan Prince for putting up the trees in the lobby.  We’d like to wish all our residents Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as well as Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate.

Sincerely, 

James, Noëlle & Stephen

Did you know? Building Link edition

There are quite a few features, useful tools and forms on Building Link that many residents don’t know are there. 

Did you know that you can log on to Building Link and add a vacation notice that only management and security can see?  A useful tool when it comes to package delivery while away and letting the staff know your unit will be vacant while enjoying some vacay time.
All you need to do is go to RESIDENT SERVICES and click on MY FRONT DESK INSTRUCTIONS and then ADD INSTRUCTION. Click on the dropdown for INSTRUCTION TYPE and there you go. 

Calling all party planners

For the past couple of years, the Recycling Committee planned our annual George Socials and funded it with the proceeds of the bottle returns.

At the request of the recycling team, these will now be two separate responsibilities. The recycling committee has committed to providing a fixed amount from the collection to put towards celebrating all things George.

This means it’s time to put together a stand-alone Social Committee.

Over the past few years Nancy Lee-Sing has organized the George residents’ annual social. She is a natural people connector and the George neighbourhood continues to benefit from her ability to create memorable gatherings. Nancy has graciously offered to put together a new social committee. Once formed, a point person can be selected to be the communicator with management, and the Board. Sound like fun? Shoot Nancy an email at nancyleesing@gmail.com with SOCIAL COMMITTEE in the subject line.

This committee can be much more than planning one annual event. Other gatherings, such as games nights, dog socials, and outings are all possibilities for this team.

Let’s get this party started!

Susan Prince

And speaking of recycling…here’s an update from the recycling committee

We appreciate the residents’ ongoing commitment to recycling wine, spirits, and beer cans and bottles. To date the recycling team has been able to collect $1055.10 so far this year. 

 The primary goal of the recycling team is as follows: 

1.     Donate at least 70%-80% of the funds collected to a charity. Last year we donated $700.00 to the Daily Bread Food Bank. We received overwhelming positive support from the condominium residents for that initiative. We plan to donate to the food bank again this year. 

2.     Keep cans and bottles out of landfill.

3.     Provide a fixed portion of the funds collected toward having an annual social gathering for the building.

The recycling team is Christine Oddy and Carol Fitzpatrick. 

If you are interested in helping, please email thegeorgerecycles@gmail.com

Carol Fitzpatrick

Neighbourhood discoveries — Baked by Bean

Shana, the owner and baker at Baked By Bean, a new, bright pink cupcake shop at Queen & Leslie, starts her days early. She’s at the shop by 6:30AM, five days a week, ensuring her display case will be filled with cupcakes by the time she opens at 11AM.

Unlike many businesses in the area, she’s open on Mondays (Tuesdays and Wednesdays are her days off,) “What if someone has a cupcake emergency on a Monday?” she jokes. But on that Monday when I visited the shop, her first customers were at the door right at 11AM. In just a few short months—the shop only opened in August—she’s already built a thriving business and a loyal customer base.

Raised in Dubai to British parents, Shana is a true citizen of the world, so when she made the decision to go to baking school, it wasn’t that much of a stretch to decide to come to Canada. In 2015 she enrolled in the brand-new Baking and Pastry Arts Management program at Centennial College in Scarborough.

After professional stints at The Hummingbird Bakery in London (UK) and Le Dolci in Toronto, she was itching to start her own business. After working and learning the management and operations side of a bakery, she wanted to get back to her true love, decorating. And so, in October of 2024 she quit her job, and the search for a space to open her bake shop was on.

After having visited multiple spaces in and around Toronto—most of which weren’t suitable as a bakery without major renovations—she stumbled upon a listing for a bakery business that was for sale (the former Icing on the Cake, where owner, Linda, was retiring.) Four months (and many renovation headaches later) Shana had her Grand Opening in August of 2025. Cupcakes flew out of the case all weekend long, and she was barely able to keep up with demand. In fact, she sells out pretty much every day.

Today, with a regular menu of chocolate or vanilla cupcakes with a variety of frostings (she sometimes makes special cake and frosting flavours to go with the seasons) her bestsellers are the Cookie Dough and the Salted Caramel (yes, she makes her own salted caramel, too.) Shana also does custom cakes and mini cupcakes by order on the Baked By Bean website.

Shana has truly built her business with love and has become a go-to spot in Leslieville, as evident by her many loyal and repeat customers. And as she walks to the front of the shop to open the door for her first customer of the day, she tells me, “It’s really special to form relationships with my customers and get to know them and get to know other businesses in the area.”

Lesley Taylor

Naughty, nice … and fully caffeinated: Fuel for the Holiday

An Espresso Martini is the perfect holiday cocktail thanks to its cozy coffee warmth, festive richness, and caffeinated energy boost. I’ve paired the martini with a prosciutto-wrapped date which makes for an irresistible savory-sweet combination. The cocktail’s rich espresso and subtle sweetness highlight the caramel notes of the dates, while the salty prosciutto adds just enough contrast to keep each sip and bite vibrant. Together, they strike a perfect balance of indulgent and satisfying.

Espresso Martini

Ingredients

Give a little, get a lot

Our 2nd annual drive for the Red Door Shelter is underway.

As a community, the people of Leslieville have a great reputation for shopping local and supporting our neighbourhood.

The Red Door Shelter is part of our community and their reach goes well beyond our boundaries. Since 1982, they have been supporting women and children fleeing violence, families experiencing housing crises, and refugee claimants.

It is hard to live in Toronto and not hear about or experience food insecurity and the lack of affordable housing.  Now imagine, leaving an abusive relationship with nothing but the clothes on your back. Imagine doing so with children. Those who end up at the doorstep of The Red Door are some of our most vulnerable. I acknowledge that even at The George, many of us have or are experiencing some sort of struggle. However, if each person were to donate something as simple as a shelf stable food item, a full size personal hygiene item or new household or clothing item, it would make a great difference in the lives of our neighbours who find themselves in heartbreaking struggles.

Items in the highest demand are:

• nonperishable food items 
• full-size hygiene products
• gift cards
• baby formula
• baby diapers in sizes 5 and 6

We still have a week to contribute to the collection. I know the Red Door Shelter will be most appreciative. 

Nancy Lee-Sing

A reflection on the traditions many cultures share at this time of year

Editors note: Sandy wrote this in November and as we were putting the article in the layout, I had some concern that we had plenty of content for the end of the year. And then December 13th happened. Since Sandy had written on all the things that tie many cultures together, it seemed apt to share her reflections.

It’s Sunday November 30^th, 2025 as I sit down on this dreary day to write about:  Christmas?  No. Chanukah? No. Santa Lucia Day? No. Yule? No. Post Diwali? No.

About all of them-a bit – This is about where we live-in a mosaic of the world-where we can have Japanese, Italian, Spanish food and more all within walking distance of the The George.  And yet…everywhere we turn now we see signs of Christmas and sales pre-Christmas.  This isn’t wrong-it just doesn’t represent the mosaic world we live in here in Leslieville.

So, as I explored, I realized a ‘sameness’ to many traditions around this time of year; and many around the equinox—so related to possibly the quiet of the soil in our part of the world; or the awakening of the soil in the Southern Hemisphere.  So, are our traditions around this time of year based on agriculture? Astronomy?  

Christmas:  I googled Christmas Trees and know what came up?  Ads, ads and more ads about where to find one in Ontario, on-line.  Is that Christmas?   Then I asked the meaning of Christmas and AI said this:  The spiritual meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, representing God’s love, incarnation, and a message of hope, peace, and salvation. For Christians, it signifies the moment God became human in Jesus to bring a way for humanity to be reconciled with the divine. The season encourages spiritual reflection on this gift, prompting acts of love, generosity, and gratitude. 

A message of hope and peace:  in my world, you don’t have to be Christian to want hope and peace.  We all need to be generous, be loving and grateful for what we have.

Hanukkah means “dedication” and is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean revolt in the 2nd century B.C. The holiday, also known as the “Festival of Lights,” celebrates the miracle of a small amount of oil that miraculously lasted for eight days while the Temple was being purified and rededicated.  

For me, celebrating how we can take a little and stretch it to so much more.

Diwali and Post Diwali:  I talked to Rupam a bit about this.  And this is what AI gave me:

Diwali is another “Festival of Lights,” a time for celebration, feasting, and family. The period after Diwali, often referred to as the “post-Diwali” period, can bring about physical and emotional fatigue due to overindulgence and disruption of routines. Post-Diwali, many people experience a need to “reset” with mindful eating, rest, and gentle exercise to recover from the festive period and deal with potential issues like bloating, weight gain, and exhaustion. The period also includes specific cultural celebrations like Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. 

Chanukah, Christmas, Diwali:  times of celebration, eating, feasting and so on.  And then — time to ‘reset’. You know after too many latkes, too much turkey and too much food during Diwali.

Older traditions? Many occur around the Winter Solstice.  Here are a couple:

Canada’s Indigenous Peoples — The winter solstice falls on December 21, the “shortest day of the year” with the least amount of total daylight. For thousands of years, First Nations communities around the world have recognized the winter solstice as a day of celebration, ritual, and tradition.

The Pagan Yule:  Celebrating on the Winter Solstice, related to Norse  & early Germanic times Yule is a pagan holiday that celebrates the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. This minor sabbat on the Wheel of the Year falls between Samhain and Imbolc and is opposite Litha, the Summer Solstice. Observed between December 21st and 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere, Yule’s roots trace back to ancient Norse and Germanic midwinter festivals historically called Jól.

Jól was originally a holiday that included a few nights of feasting and sacrifices honoring gods and ancestors, and later expanded into a twelve-night celebration tied to Odin and the Wild Hunt. Many customs from this era—including evergreen trees, Yule logs, and mistletoe rites—are now woven into modern Christmas traditions.

Any similarities to Christmas?

And a newer tradition: Kwanzaa

As an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community, Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. 

I could go on-we live in such a multi-cultural city.  I see so much unity: lights, giving, gratitude, caring and all swirling around the Winter Solstice!

As we roll into 2026, wishing each of you health, safety, love.  See you around The George over the holidays

Sandy Biback

The George Staff

As the year draws to a close, it is always nice to acknowledge those who have kept The George Condos and Towns running.

Building Manager:  Basheer Rahimy (since November 2025)

WeekdayConcierge/Security: “Rupam” Rupamdeep Kaur Nagi (since September 2022) WeekendConcierge/Security: Niharika Mehta (since December 2025, welcome to the building)
Superintendent/Cleaner: “Ben” Benigno Gil (since November 2024)

Do you still have some gifting you need to finish? Consider a Leslieville BIA gift card!

This year the Leslieville BIA launched the Leslieville Neighbourhood e-Gift Card. Available in different denominations, it is a perfect local gift this holiday season.

This e-gift card is the ultimate way to show your love for Leslieville, redeemable at a growing list of our neighbourhood’s shops, restaurants and services. It ensures your spending supports the businesses that make our community vibrant and unique. A full list of participants can be found in the link below – anything and everything from Betty’s to ÜNDA to Maude & Arte to K’s Pot Shop

Purchase your e-gift card online today: 
https://www.anycard.ca/store/leslieville

The Leslieville BIA wishes you a happy and joyful holiday season!