Letter from the editor
There is an admonition in journalism to ‘never bury the lede’. In other words, get to the point at the top of your story. This month the lede is our neighbours’ celebration of 50 years together! The summertime edition of A Letter from George is packed with good music and great ways to enjoy our neighbourhood. I’m also happy to welcome new (and newish) contributors. Welcome Mitchell, and welcome back Lesley!
And with that…Here’s the lede:
Celebrating 50 Years together
Just like the hit song, longtime residents Leo and Maryann Madore are going to be golden as they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 17th.
Leo, who spent his career in the field of education, is retired from the Canada School of Public Service.
Maryann, who spent a career in the investment industry, works seasonally with the JaysCare Foundation at the Toronto Blue Jays home games.
Their daughter Andrea, who currently works in the UK, will fly home in July to help them celebrate.
From your neighbours at The George — congratulations on 50 years of creating memories together!
Return of The George Social
After a couple years on hiatus, it’s back! We’re so happy to let everyone know that a gathering is in the works. Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 13th. By then summer vacays and weekend getaways should be done and we’ll be able to get a great crowd up to the 8th floor amenity space.
Funding this initiative has changed and funds are no longer coming from the recycling committee. The Corporation will fully sponsor this event. Thank you to the Board for allowing this to happen. It is appreciated.
Lesley Taylor and I will be spearheading this shindig. Should anyone be interested in joining our little team to pull it all together, email me at nancyleesing@gmail.com.
More details will follow via email notices and on our Facebook page.
We look forward to an afternoon of socializing, getting to know our neighbours and celebrating all things George.
Nancy Lee-Sing
Gooooal! Our Leslieville soccer history goes way back
Let’s go back more than 2,000 years and let’s imagine being in Greece, Rome or China. Now imagine playing a game kicking around a ball made of rock (ouch!) or animal hide filled with hair. That was the beginning of a sport that is still played today. In fact, it is the most popular sport in the world. With global fans approaching the 5 billion mark, it is no wonder why the FIFA World Cup has created such hype and why Toronto as a host city is so pumped up.
Whether you call it ‘soccer’ or ‘football’, the sport as we know it now came about in 19th century England. Obviously, here in Leslieville we can’t trace its history back that far, however we can go back to the early 1900s.
In 1914 The Ulster United Football Club, (aka the Red Handers) was founded and began playing in the Toronto and District League.
In 1925 Ulster Stadium (aka Maple Leaf Stadium) was opened by the club. This large, covered stadium was big enough to accommodate well over 10,000 spectators and was located south of Gerrard Street East and west of Greenwood Avenue. Sadly it closed in 1942 due to unpaid taxes. The land was taken by the City of Toronto and then sold and replaced with housing projects to house the booming population.
The Ulster United Football Club had a successful history as a team which led them to being recognized as an Organization of Distinction in the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame. Much of that was attributed to winning the Dominion of Canada Football Championships three times. Despite being that successful, due to lack of finances they had to pull out of the 1962 National League Playoffs and that was the end of the organization.
On a side note, our very own Ulster United Football Club helped to create the National Soccer League in 1926. This was the first significant league of professional caliber in Canada.
If you are interested in playing the game, there are leagues here in Leslieville which you can join, meet some new people, get some exercise and hone your skills.
If you’re game, give these a try:
East York Soccer Club for youth and adults
JAM Sports , Adults only (at Cherry Beach or Polson Pier)
Extreme Toronto Sports Club (XTSC) (turf soccer at Cherry Beach)
Nancy Lee-Sing
Greetings from the Board
Welcome to summertime, neighbours! Since the last newsletter, here’s a little of what is going on behind the scenes at The George ….
We are awaiting a finalized Reserve Fund Study from WSP and hope to be able to make it available to owners in the coming weeks. Management will notify owners when the document is available on Building Link.
We are moving forward with a strengthened security program — preventing access from the parking levels via the stairwells as well as adding a hall camera on all condo floors. We are in the permitting process with the city and anticipate installation of the security upgrades to be completed later this year.
Management and the board are in budget planning mode for the next fiscal year. We expect to have the budget out to all owners in late July along with updated maintenance fee information.
The windows cleaning was completed recently as was a much needed garage cleaning. While we are looking at budgets we are hoping to make provisions for garage cleaning two times next year, rather than one.
We’d like to thank the George Social Committee for planning the next George Social. Save the date: September 13th. Looking forward to seeing you all there.
As well, thanks to the newsletter team for this summer edition of A Letter From George.
Enjoy your summer!
James, Noëlle and Stephen
V(ery) I(mportant) P(ets), two for one this month
Meet Lola and Easton. Lola, or “Loli” as she’s affectionately known, is 9 years old and came from a rescue in Muskoka. Easton, age 11, made his way all the way from Louisiana, which may explain the slight southern drawl you hear in his bark from time to time. As their dog Dad, I am the centre of their world (and the provider of pizza crusts on Sundays).
Lola is full of energy and curiosity. Her favourite toys are her teddy bear, bunny rabbit, and absolutely any type of ball she can chase. Her current mission in life is to finally catch the raccoon who keeps trying to move onto her balcony. She’s named him Rocky, and the two have developed a full-fledged neighborhood rivalry. Lola’s favourite quote is, “We gets pizza on Sundays,” which conveniently also happens to be her favourite guilty pleasure. As for her secret crush? Probably the entire Toronto Blue Jays roster. She never takes her eyes off the game when baseball is on… though it’s possible she’s really just hoping someone hits a ball her way.
Easton, also known as “Easto” or “Beaston” has already achieved his life goals. Retirement suits him perfectly, and he now dedicates himself full-time to sleeping, lounging, and claiming Dad’s spot in bed as his own personal luxury suite. His favourite quote is simply “zzzzzz,” usually performed live several hours a day while snoring peacefully. Easton’s secret crush is anything or anyone soft enough to nap on, whether it’s a blanket, couch cushion, or freshly made bed.
Mitchell Sager
An occasional series — neighbourhood finds
As I was scrolling through Instagram one day, I came across an add for Walking Pigeon Wine Tours who were hosting a 3-hour walking tour to three different wine bars. Since this event was billed as “East Side” I was all in! In fact, the final stop was a little over a kilometer from home, so how could I pass that up!
Note: If you want to read my full review (including all my geeky wine notes) you can check out the full post on my Substack (it’s free!)
Our tour guide was Jayden Robins, a fellow graduate of George Brown College’s Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 wine program. It was fun to chat with him about the program, as well as some of our favourite wines. Jayden came prepared with a knapsack full of water and snacks (which came in handy by the time we got to our final stop) and provided us with a helpful tasting sheet.
A bit of a shaky hand drawing this, but this was the route we took. Starting at the St. Lawrence Market (North Side) then to Buvette Pacey, Region Food + Wine Bar, and finally Chez Nous Wine Bar. The total distance was about 3.75 kms.
Stop 1: Buvette Pacey
We made our way eastward along King Street then over to Buvette Pacey on Berkley St., just south of Queen. We were hosted by the owner, Shabri Kapoor, who has a love of interesting wines from around the world, both conventional and natural. She poured two wines: a Grüner Veltliner from Austria, and a Natural Sparkling wine (Pét-Nat) from Australia. She then offered us a Kir Royale, a French apéritif made with sparkling wine and crème de cassis. Delicious!
Stop 2: Region Food + Wine Bar
Our next stop was a 15-min/1.2km walk south/east into the Canary District. This was a different type of tasting from the previous one as we were tasting all Italian wines from indigenous grapes. The Sommelier, Dries Caems, poured four wines for us: two whites, one red, and one orange wine. I was thankful for the tasting sheet provided so that I didn’t have to take as many notes myself! Another fun coincidence, Dries (the Somm) and I wrote our WSET Level 3 exam at George Brown on the same day (and we are both still waiting on results.)
Stop 3: Chez Nous Wine Bar
Next, we had a 20-min / 1.7K walk up to Queen Street, then east over the Don River into Riverside. The wine bar was hopping on Friday night and we were seated outside, which was perfect on a warm (almost) summer evening. Our host was the owner, Laura Carr, who poured us three lovely Ontario wines: one sparkling, a dry Riesling, and a Gamay.
Summary
After nine wines (and a Kir Royale,) I was ready to call it a night. Keep in mind, these were 2oz pours (and I didn’t finish all my samples) and we walked a lot over the 3+ hours. I was hardly wasted, but certainly glad that I was only a short streetcar ride from home.
I would absolutely recommend Jayden and his Walking Pigeon Wine Tours for anyone who wants to try a bunch of different wines in different settings without having to worry about transportation.
Lesley Taylor
Update from the Leslieville BIA
The Leslieville BIA has been hard at work. This summer will be a fun one in our ‘hood.
On June 20th from 2:00-5:00, head to Jimmy Simpson Park for a family friendly and fun filled, FIFA inspired Soccer Picnic. This BIA event will have plenty of giveaways and activities such as a youth soccer clinic, face painters and a live DJ who will have everyone dancing around the park. A great way to spend a hopefully (fingers crossed) sunny afternoon.
You’ve all noticed that patios have sprung up street side along Queen for the seasonal Queen East Eats. The Riverside and Leslieville BIAs have teamed up for this, from Il Ponte in the west to Maru in the east, patios are open. Staying up and open through September with later hours for some locations, it’s a great way to animate our stretch of Queen and support our local businesses. Want another incentive to partake? There will be monthly giveaways and prizes. The attached link provides an interactive map and is a handy little resource when trying to pick a place to dine at. With high gas prices and traffic, it is a real treat to be able to walk to one of our great places to have a coffee, a meal or a cocktail.
The BIA is looking for community members to share suggestions and inspiration for a New Mural project which is just beginning. Local artist, Catherine Cachia will be creating a new mural, on the side of the townhouse complex at 1209 Queen St E. The theme is ‘Vintage Badges’. What are your suggestions for badges that represent the spirit and heritage of Leslieville? Wouldn’t it be great to have your thought/idea depicted on the mural? Share your ideas with the BIA, they’ll appreciate it.
The Keays behind K’s
“We are grateful for the community support that kept us open through the last 6 years and we are grateful to still be here doing something we love”
– Sean & Elisa Keay
After beginning a build out at 1352 Queen Street East in March 2020, K’s Pot Shop opened their doors on August 15th, 2020. Following that, many stores started to pop up only to shutter their doors not long after.
Staying power, authenticity, determination, passion and a genuine love for Leslieville are qualities Sean and Elisa Keay have. For those reasons and more, they have weathered the ups and downs of the business and kept their doors open while other pot shops couldn’t make it.
The industry was just budding and needed to work through legalization and setting up the Retail Cannabis Council of Ontario. Being users and passionate about the product and after a 6 month stint in Europe, where most countries were ahead of our cannabis curve, they came back with knowledge that was and continues to be valuable. So much so that they are top advocates in the industry and Elisa spoke at the Cannabis Act review panel in Ottawa. Because of their activism, changes have been implemented. “For one, being able to take the awful window coverings down. It’s so nice to be part of the streetscape and not feel totally cut off from the community”, says Elisa. She continues, “Owning a shop is not without challenges. The industry is highly – and I mean HIGHly regulated and it’s still coming into its own. That said we have a lot of fun with it.”
In 2009 Sean was busy in the film industry and Elisa, a writer and editor, had a house on Alton Avenue. They were residents and Leslieville supporters as they lived and raised their kids here, shopped and dined at our local businesses and were fully committed to growing with the neighbourhood. To this day, they still enjoy living in this delicious location and frequent Lambo’s, Lake Inez, Tropical Joe’s and venture out to Limon in the beach. Another favourite shop to visit, Queen Convenience. To quote Elisa, “Our boys love popping into Judy’s because she has the world’s best selection of soda.”
“We lived the area and when legalization happened, we wanted to bring a cannabis store to our community that respected the values we share with the neighbourhood. We employ people from the community and look after people from the community. We engage in community initiatives and strive to be a positive part of Leslieville”, says Elisa. They do care about the neighbourhood and their patrons. To quote one of their frequent flyers, “They’re knowledgable and really helpful with any questions you might have. It’s also great to have a business in the neighbourhood by people who know the ‘hood.”
What are the qualities that actually make a difference from any of the other pot shops to K’s?
- When walking past, you first notice that dogs are welcome and there is alway s a stockpile of (non-cannabis) dog treats to be doled out. If you’re short on a needed poop bag, they’ve got you covered too. Per K’s, “The front window has little memorial bones with the names of the neighbourhood doggos that have crossed the rainbow bridge. Even cats, pigeons and snakes have visited.
- This store is not slick and clinical and staffed by budistas carrying iPads behind their fancy sleek cabinets.
- Inside – what trip!!! you feel as though you’re wallking into a basement of years gone by. All that is missing is the shag rug! “The place is filled with tchotchkes and collectibles, most of which are Sean’s. If he keeps collecting, I may need to open another shop just for room to put it all!” says Elisa. Sean is happy to share his collectibles – an assortment of sports memorabilia, toys, games and all sorts of art and oddities. In addition to all that, the plants are all Sean’s doing. Grown from clippings, they’re his babies and cared for lovingly by him and his green thumb. Certainly he’s a jack of all trades.
When not at the shop, which is open everyday from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm, Sean and Elisa spend time with their boys, a lot of that on the football field. They love heading to the beach to catch a few rays and hang with the pups at Cherry Beach, which happens to be Elisa’s favourite. Aside from that and dining out in the hood as previously mentioned, travelling is a must when time allows.
Elisa sums up their experience as shopkeepers in the neighbourhood, “Our customers are fantastic. We know many by name, learn about their lives and get to know them. We love the plant and really enjoy being able to share information and teach people about it and help them find what they need. It’s a unique experience and it’s even more enjoyable than we had anticipated. We are very happy with what we’ve done and grateful for the support of our community that allows us to be here”.
Nancy Lee-Sing
Summer sipping and appetizer
Early summer cocktail and appetizer pairings are designed to highlight the fresh, vibrant flavors of the season. As the weather becomes warmer, people often prefer lighter drinks and small bites that feel refreshing rather than heavy making this combination both satisfying and easy to enjoy at gatherings, brunches, or outdoor celebrations. The Spritz is currently the cocktail du jour so I’ve paired a Lemon, Basil Spritz and a burrata, tomato, basil Crostini.
Lemon Basil Spritz
Ingredients
- 1 oz limoncello
- 2 oz vodka
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 4 oz prosecco
- A splash of soda
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves
- Lemon slice and basil stem for garnish
Method
Muddle the basil: Place the basil leaves and simple syrup in a shaker or sturdy glass and gently muddle to release the basil’s aroma.
Add lemon juice, stir or shake lightly with ice to combine. Fill a wine glass or large cocktail glass with ice. Strain the lemon–basil mixture into the glass and top with prosecco. Add a splash of soda water for extra lightness and bubbles. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon slice and a fresh basil sprig.
Tomato, Basil, Burrata Crostini
Ingredients
- 1 baguette
- 2-3 ripe tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
- 1 ball or burrata
- Fresh basil leaves
- 1-2 cloves garlic
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: balsamic glaze
Method
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Slice the baguette into 1/2 inch slices. Brush lightly with olive oil. Toast for 6–8 minutes until golden. While still warm, rub each slice lightly with a cut garlic clove.
While the bread is toasting, dice the tomatoes (or halve cherry tomatoes). Toss with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a few chopped basil leaves. Let sit for 5–10 minutes to develop flavor.
Spoon the tomato mixture onto each toasted crostini. Tear a piece of Burrata and place on top of the tomatoes. Garnish with whole basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and optional balsamic glaze. Add a pinch of flaky salt and cracked pepper.
Quick chef tip – For extra flavor, lightly marinate the tomatoes with a splash of balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper for a few minutes before assembling.
Diana Harris
…and some music to sip to
We’ve had the first taste of humidity as I’m writing this. Quite appropriate for some smooth sounds of summer: samba, bossa nova …. and the sound of ice in a glass of something tasty. Sit back, pour yourself a libation and enjoy “George’s Summer Samba”
Noëlle Jenkinson
Recycling Update
Recycle today, Save tomorrow, Help Feed Our Community
Thanks to your ongoing efforts to recycle bottles and cans, The George Condominium and Towns are on track to make another meaningful donation to The Daily Food Bank this coming holiday season. If you remember, we donated $750.00 in December 2025.
The donation model has changed this year. Funding for The George social event will not be linked to our recycling efforts.
The funds collected by the Recycling Team will go to supporting charities in our community.
The Recycling Team consists of Christine Oddy and Carol Fitzpatrick. We continue to take the collected bottles and cans to the Beer Store every week or so.
Due to vacation schedules, the Recycling Team will need some assistance over the summer.
If you are able to help with our recycling efforts, please contact the team at georgerecycles1331@gmail.com
Carol Fitzpatrick
A Letter From George 