| One of the lessons travel has taught me is to not | | | | entered the Beaches Mall, a large building that used to |
| only get to know the beauty of the foreign places, | | | | be called the Allen Theatre, one of several historic |
| but to appreciate the uniqueness of home. The more | | | | theatres in the Beach, all of which are still standing |
| I travel, the more I have fallen in love with my | | | | and most of which have been refunctioned. Only the |
| chosen home town, Toronto, a city that offers a | | | | Fox Theatre, Toronto's longest continuously running |
| myriad of possibilities for travelers and residents alike. | | | | movie theatre, is still used for its original purpose. |
| In this spirit I have embarked on a path towards a | | | | A few steps further west at the intersection of |
| series of articles and photo exhibitions to explore and | | | | Kippendavie Avenue and Queen Street is a beautiful |
| celebrate my chosen home town. A batch of recent | | | | historic building that today holds one of my favourite |
| visitors from Europe has confirmed to me that | | | | restaurants in the Beach: Nevada's. This is the former |
| Toronto is a great city, as each one of my visitors | | | | Home Bank of Toronto building, a financial institution |
| have ended up falling in love with this city, intending | | | | created by famous Toronto entrepreneur Henry |
| to come back and to get to know the Big Smoke | | | | Pellatt, builder of Casa Loma. The name of the bank |
| better. | | | | can still faintly be seen under the painted sign on the |
| One of my visitors' and my own personal favourites | | | | façade. |
| is Toronto's Beaches neighbourhood, or, as most local | | | | A few steps south on Kenilworth is the former |
| residents call it "The Beach". It is a beautiful | | | | Kenilworth Avenue Baptist Church that was |
| neighbourhood, located - you guessed it - right on | | | | converted into a synagogue in 1920 and named the |
| the shores of Lake Ontario, and it has the feel of an | | | | Beach Hebrew Institute. Often this building is referred |
| ocean-front resort community combined with the | | | | to as the Beaches Shul. Sure enough, Gene had the |
| ambience of a small town from yesteryear, with its | | | | key and we entered this historic building. The original |
| dozens of individually owned stores, galleries and | | | | church façade was considerably altered to |
| restaurants. | | | | more closely resemble the architecture of |
| But what makes any neighbourhood special is not | | | | synagogues in small Eastern European communities. In |
| just its physical characteristics, its buildings and its | | | | the early years, during a time when local residents |
| architecture - it's the people that make the | | | | were not particularly hospitable to Jewish citizens, the |
| difference. Every community has its key personalities, | | | | term "synagogue" was intentionally omitted in the |
| its human pillars, and my mission has been to search | | | | name of this place of worship. Today the Beach |
| out the individuals that stand out through their | | | | Hebrew Institute is a small welcoming institution |
| commitment to the community. Often these are the | | | | without a rabbi whose members lead the prayers and |
| unsung heroes who dedicate so much of their | | | | are very active in the community. |
| personal time to help others while shunning the | | | | Just up the street, across from Nevada's Ristorante, |
| limelight. | | | | the former Whitelock's Grocery Store has morphed |
| My quest for community heroes began with a | | | | into today's Whitlock Restaurant (which, by the way, |
| meeting with local representatives and experts on | | | | features a delicious brunch), and is one of the few |
| the Beaches, which included Deborah Etsten from the | | | | wooden corner buildings left in Toronto. With a |
| Beach Business Improvement Association, and Michael | | | | growling stomach and all these wonderful restaurants |
| Prue, the Provincial Member of Parliament | | | | around I persuaded Gene to go for lunch, and we |
| representing the Beaches/East York neighbourhoods. | | | | headed into another institution in the Beach: Lick's, a |
| Both of these experts pointed to Gene Domagala as | | | | restaurant that features a variety of burgers, salads |
| one of the key people in the Beach community. | | | | and one of my favourites: poutine (a popular sloppy |
| On one of the first really wintery days in Toronto, | | | | yet yummy French-Canadian concoction of French |
| just a few days before New Years, I met Gene at a | | | | fries, gravy and cheese curds). |
| real local landmark: the Toronto Beaches Library. We | | | | Gene and I headed upstairs and sat down for a chat |
| met near the checkout counter where Gene | | | | when he showed me his home-knitted sweater |
| introduced me to Barbara Weissman, the head | | | | featuring "Centre 55", a local community centre that |
| librarian, who would later help me with some of my | | | | serves the Beach / East York neighbourhood. Gene |
| research by compiling relevant materials about the | | | | regularly helps with their Christmas activities which |
| Beach. | | | | feature the "Christmas Hamper" where more than |
| Gene's charitable spirit immediately became obvious | | | | 900 needy families in the Beach receive a hamper full |
| as we stepped out of the library when he promised | | | | of goods including ham or turkey, milk, bread, pasta |
| to get a cup of coffee for a local homeless man in a | | | | and toys for the children. Gene has volunteered for |
| wheelchair who had set himself up just outside the | | | | this organization for the last 25 years. |
| library. Gene regularly helps out in local drop-in centres | | | | He is also very active with the Toronto Star Santa |
| who open their doors to the homeless on different | | | | Claus Fund, a Christmas initiative that involves |
| days of the week. | | | | volunteers delivering boxes full of Christmas gifts to |
| After dropping off the coffee Gene introduced me | | | | needy families. He has been delivering Star Boxes for |
| to one of Toronto's most beloved outdoor spaces: | | | | about 47 years now in the Parkdale area. Gene |
| Kew Gardens, originally created by one of the first | | | | Domagala traces his commitment to charity back to |
| settlers in this area. Joseph Williams and his wife Jane | | | | his mother who used to cook for poor people in this |
| bought a four acre property in 1853 to turn it into | | | | west-end Toronto neighbourhood. Gene's parents |
| farmland. Joseph, originally from London, England, | | | | were Polish immigrants who settled in the Bathurst |
| always had fond memories of Kew Gardens, the | | | | and Queen area, and even as a child Gene got |
| Royal Botanical Gardens in London, and in this spirit he | | | | exposed to children of all different backgrounds and |
| named his property "Kew Farms". In 1879 he opened | | | | nationalities. All the children played together in this |
| a twenty acre pleasure ground, suitable for camping | | | | poor neighbourhood. Gene continues this spirit of |
| and picknicking which he named "The Canadian Kew | | | | inclusion today with his anti-racism work. |
| Gardens". Gene explained that as a teetotaler, Joseph | | | | His interest in history was stoked early when he |
| Williams would serve meals and refreshments, but | | | | played with a bunch of boys in Toronto's historic Fort |
| definitely no alcoholic beverages. | | | | York. Gene attended a technical high school and by |
| A well-used bandstand anchors the park and Gene | | | | his own admission, Gene realized early that his future |
| pointed out a dedication to a lifelong resident of East | | | | would not lie in the trades. His favourite person in |
| Toronto, Alex Christie (1917 - 1992) whose actions | | | | high school was his social studies teacher who got |
| improving the community received permanent | | | | him a subscription to TIME Magazine. He also was |
| appreciation in the plaque adorning the bandstand. | | | | inspired by the history teacher and the librarian. |
| A few steps eastwards is the Dr. William D. Young | | | | Gene's early interest in history has resulted in |
| Memorial, a Renaissance style drinking fountain which | | | | hundreds of articles on local history. In addition, Gene |
| was erected in 1920 to commemorate a local doctor | | | | regularly provides historical walks in the Beach that |
| who had dedicated himself to public service, and in | | | | have become so popular that they are often |
| particular, to the wellbeing of children in the area. | | | | attended by dozens of people. |
| Gene pointed out that when Dr. Young passed away | | | | After high school Gene worked in a variety of odd |
| in 1919, he was almost penniless. | | | | jobs, including a job at the CNE. Several years later |
| We strolled south on Lee Avenue, the main | | | | he started working at the Boy's Club, a non-profit |
| north-south artery in the Beach, and Gene pointed | | | | organization operated by the Knights of Columbus in |
| out a former hotel with 13 rooms, today a private | | | | Little Italy, where he became the program director. |
| residence. For well over a hundred years, the Beach | | | | His knack for organization and community work |
| has been a popular recreation area, and from the late | | | | became evident early in life. |
| 1800s onwards, people used to come from | | | | Gene explains that he was supposed to attend a |
| downtown Toronto in steamers to enjoy the | | | | program for social work at George Brown College |
| serenity and outdoor opportunities offered by the | | | | but ended up taking a program in architecture instead |
| Beach. | | | | and then worked for many years for a Toronto |
| By the late 1800s the Williams family had subdivided | | | | engineering firm until he was downsized in the early |
| their plot and built an entire subdivision of homes in | | | | 1990s. Gene's life hasn't been easy, his two twin adult |
| parts of today's Kew Gardens. Joseph and Jane | | | | daughters suffer from Asperger's syndrome, a |
| Williams' son, Kew Williams, had built a house adjoining | | | | neuro-biological developmental disorder, and over the |
| Lee Avenue for his own family. According to Gene, | | | | years Gene has had to become an expert on mental |
| the grey stone was brought in by barge from | | | | health. He is also a board member of an organization |
| Kingston, Ontario. To the Williams family's dismay, the | | | | called "Friends of the Shopping Bag Lady", a drop-in |
| City of Toronto expropriated their property in 1907 | | | | centre for women at 416 Dundas Street. During the |
| to create a large park. | | | | early part of the 1990s Gene spent some time in |
| All of the residences built in the park were | | | | court to fight for custody of his grandchild and now |
| demolished with the exception of the Kew Williams | | | | looks after his granddaughter Siobhon. Since that time |
| House, which today is also referred to as the | | | | Gene has dedicated himself on a full-time basis to his |
| Gardener's cottage, the only residential building west | | | | family and to his extensive charitable and community |
| of Lee Avenue still standing in Kew Gardens. Gene | | | | work. Gene is not a wealthy man, which makes his |
| mentioned that one of Kew Williams' daughters never | | | | commitment to others even more admirable. |
| set foot inside of the house until about 12 years ago, | | | | Gene's eyes light up when he tells me about his |
| in memory of the traumatic experience that her | | | | proudest moment: when he was invited to become a |
| family had gone through. | | | | member of the Toronto Historical Board. He even |
| From the foot of Lee Avenue we went southwards | | | | had a chance to meet the Queen Mother during one |
| where Gene pointed out that years ago, the | | | | of the organization's functions. Gene has been |
| waterfront at the beach was composed of a sandy | | | | actively involved in a variety of historical preservation |
| barrier island with a stretch of water flowing just | | | | projects, including salvaging the Leuty Lifeguard |
| inland. This inland river was later filled in. More than | | | | Station, probably the most well-known landmark in |
| 100 years ago, the waterfront would have been full | | | | the Beach. The structure had been ravaged by time |
| of cottages and houses. Today this area is a large | | | | and by the early 1990s it was deemed to be |
| public park with a wide sandy beach. Gene's | | | | structurally unsound. Gene was one of the concerned |
| extensive history knowledge (he has written more | | | | citizens who started talking with the city and initiated |
| than 300 articles for the local Beach Metro | | | | numerous fundraising events to start the restoration |
| Community News) touched on the Kew Beach Club | | | | of the Leuty Lifesaving Station.Various special |
| which existed here from 1903 and was demolished | | | | events, music nights, a volleyball tournament, and |
| around 1930. The activities at the club included | | | | sales of t-shirts, buttons and mugs ended up raising |
| bowling, tennis and water sports. Numerous photos | | | | tens of thousands of dollars. Of the total cost of |
| of the era show hundreds of canoes in the water | | | | about $95,000, about 40% came from the |
| and thousands of people partaking of various water | | | | community while the City of Toronto contributed |
| sports. Three major amusement parks also adorned | | | | about 60%. Gene is always one of the people at the |
| the Beaches at different times, all of which were | | | | forefront of community developments and initiatives. |
| demolished long ago. Landowners more than 120 | | | | Gene's other local involvements include the Spring |
| years ago recognized the potential of this waterfront | | | | Sprint, a fundraiser started 20 years ago by the |
| area for entertainment. | | | | Beaches Recreation Centre. He also is one of the |
| Throughout its history, the Beach has also been a | | | | volunteers at Slobberfest, a special event for dog |
| centre of physical recreation. Even today there are | | | | lovers held once a year on a Saturday afternoon in |
| facilities for lawn bowling, tennis, a big public | | | | June, that includes such humorous activities as pet |
| swimming pool, a boathouse for canoes, hundreds of | | | | owner look-a-like contests, best pet/owner singing |
| permanently anchored wooden posts for beach | | | | duo, best pet howls, best pet trick, and many other |
| volleyball, the boardwalk and the Martin Goodman | | | | entertaining activities. I even bumped into Gene |
| all-purpose recreational trail which are widely used by | | | | myself on New Years Eve when I went skating at |
| joggers, cyclists and rollerbladers. For about a century | | | | the outdoor rink at Kew Gardens when Gene came |
| now, the Balmy Beach Club has been a recreational | | | | by to announce free hot chocolate and marsh |
| institution at the east end of the neighbourhood. | | | | mallows for the New Years Eve Party at the skating |
| Kite-flying on blustery spring and fall days is also a | | | | rink. Gene undoubtedly is an omni-present and |
| popular practice along the long sandy beach. Dog | | | | well-treasured pillar of this community. |
| lovers flock to this area as well due to its extensive | | | | Our lunch at Lick's had been the perfect time to get |
| off-leash areas where they can let their furry friends | | | | to know Gene a little better before we headed off |
| run free. | | | | and continued our walk west on Queen Street. Back |
| On this cold and windy winter day, Gene took his big | | | | on the street we ran into a colourful local personality: |
| bundle of keys and opened the seniors' room next to | | | | Harold Weisfeld, a.k.a. "Zoltzz", owner of "Ends |
| the club house of the Beaches Lawn Bowling Club so | | | | Designerwear Boutique", a famous designer label |
| we would be able to continue our conversation | | | | discount store near Queen Street and Elmer Avenue, |
| sheltered from the icy breeze. Once inside, Gene | | | | a place where I personally have found many a |
| showed me a variety of oversize photo boards that | | | | bargain over the years. We headed further west and |
| illustrate the history of the Beach. He explained that | | | | Gene pointed out the former Bank of Toronto |
| the original Bell Telephone Exchange for the Beach | | | | Building, which today houses the "Lion on the Beach", |
| neighbourhood is located at the north east corner of | | | | a popular local pub. Just a few steps further west |
| Queen and Lee, and years ago was converted into a | | | | we briefly went into "Morguet", a jewellery shop that |
| residential apartment building. After showing me | | | | offers hand-crafted jewellery, custom gold and silver |
| various historic views of the area he also mentioned | | | | smithing, where we said hello to the owner Sergio |
| the Victoria Park Forest School that was dedicated | | | | who had come to Toronto years ago from Latin |
| to sickly children to help them regain their health. The | | | | America. |
| Forest School was closed in 1932 due to the | | | | Just across the street, Gene pointed out a |
| construction of the R.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant. | | | | convenience store that used to be the childhood |
| As we were talking all of a sudden the doors of the | | | | home of world renowned director Norman Jewison, |
| building opened, and we had an unexpected visitor. | | | | one of the prominent (former) residents of the |
| Angela Miller, a foreperson for the Toronto Parks and | | | | Beach. We then admired the Kew Beach Firehall No. |
| Recreation Department had entered to see what | | | | 17, a historic masonry building in the Queen Anne |
| was going on, and this was a perfect opportunity to | | | | architectural style dating back to 1905 / 1906. |
| find out more about the City's role in the upkeep of | | | | We continued on and turned south at the corner of |
| the Beach. Angela explained that her unit is | | | | Woodbine and Queen where Gene showed me what |
| responsible for maintenance, garbage pickup and | | | | he refers to as the "Psychedelic House", a brightly |
| special events in the area which spans about 80 | | | | painted Victorian house with interesting ornaments. |
| acres. In the summer she runs a crew of 14 full-time | | | | On our way back towards the Beaches Library Gene |
| workers while in the winter Angela and her colleague | | | | explained that several churches and the local |
| Laurie are the only ones permanently entrusted with | | | | synagogue offer drop-in services for the homeless. |
| the maintenance of the public parks in this area. | | | | This program is offered at a different location every |
| Laurie went on to say that the area requires a lot of | | | | weekday and gives street people a chance to come |
| upkeep due to the frequent special events that are | | | | in from the cold. |
| being held here. Virtually every weekend there is a | | | | Our official tour had concluded and Gene dropped me |
| permit for a special event, and big events like the | | | | off at the Beaches Library, where I thanked him for |
| Beaches Jazz Festival require a lot of setup in | | | | his time and all the interesting stories he had shared |
| advance and extensive cleanups on a daily basis. | | | | with me. He left me with Barbara Weissman, the |
| The logistics of public events are sometimes | | | | librarian who helped me put together books and |
| underestimated, and especially in a popular and busy | | | | articles about the Beach. |
| area like the Beach, seemingly simple questions of | | | | It was only after reading these articles that I realized |
| maintenance and garbage removal are of critical | | | | that Gene has been the recipient of the first "Citizen |
| importance to residents and visitors alike. Gene and I | | | | of the Year" award, given out by Community Centre |
| headed back out into the cold and we briefly | | | | 55. Not surprisingly, Gene in his modesty had not |
| stopped off at the skating rink that was busy with a | | | | even mentioned this important fact. In 2001, a stone |
| group of hockey fanatics. In the summer this facility | | | | was unveiled in the "Walk of Fame" located in the |
| is used for roller hockey and lacrosse. | | | | Millenium Gardens at Coxwell and Eastern Avenues, |
| We then walked up Waverley Road, and Gene | | | | commemorating Gene and the various other Citizens |
| pointed out one of the many historic homes in the | | | | of the Year that have followed into his footsteps |
| Beaches: a residential property called Inglenook, which | | | | since then. A major article in the Toronto Star |
| was originally the Charles Frederick Wagner House, | | | | featured Gene's accomplishments and his dedication |
| built around 1900 and saved from demolition by a | | | | to others and referred to Gene Domagala as a |
| local petition. Just a few steps away is the John | | | | "human convenience store for people with problems" |
| Wright House, constructed just 3 years later in the | | | | in the words of Glenn Cochrane, another prominent |
| popular Queen Anne Revival style as one of the first | | | | resident of the Beach. |
| mixed-use residential-commercial properties on Queen | | | | It was a real privilege meeting Gene Domagala and |
| Street East. Today the building features a storefront | | | | spending some time with him getting to know his |
| that hides the original north façade. | | | | neighbourhood and his way of thinking. The dozens |
| Gene pointed out that houses were originally set | | | | of people whose faces lit up when they greeted him |
| back from Queen Street and the front lawns were | | | | during our walk attest to the fact that Gene is one |
| later filled in with commercial storefronts. We | | | | of the true heroes of the Beach. |
| continued our walk westwards on Queen Street and | | | | |