History + Community
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Is Greektown still Greek?
The changing of Greektown through the eyes of its past and present residents. Greektown has always been close to my heart. When I lived in a small town without any other Greek people around me, I yearned for a connection to my culture. Every March break, I would get so excited to visit my cousins for a week and walk the Danforth with them. Reveling in the smell of fresh pastries and the sounds of bouzouki music coming from the shops around me, It was a great place to connect with my culture and talk to interesting individuals. Recently, however, after moving to Toronto this past September, I realized that…
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8 Holiday Festivals in Toronto this Year
It is holiday festival season in Toronto! From artistic displays to holiday shopping, visiting Christmas markets and holiday festivals is the best way to get into the holiday spirit. Here is a list of some of the holiday festivals in the city this year.
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In Honour of Saul Korman: The Shining “Duke of the Danforth”
Dubbed the “Duke of the Danforth,” Saul Korman was more than just a businessman; he was a pillar in the Danforth community, and a beacon of light for all of Toronto. He passed away on Sunday, January 31st at the age of 86, and that light he cast over Toronto? It dimmed, noticeably so. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Saul, his honorary title of “Duke of the Danforth” given to him by former Toronto Mayor, Mel Lastman, is no exaggeration. In the ‘50s, Saul opened Korry’s Clothiers to Gentlemen, one of the first businesses to grace the Danforth apart from service businesses and various used car…
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Pandemic Cravings: A search for comfort
During the pandemic, I’ve happily enjoyed eating my mother’s delicious home-cooked meals while working from home. Though I treated myself with the occasional bubble tea and local takeout, I discovered a desire to indulge my taste buds by trying something new. Over the years, I had always been able to try new foods and explore different cuisines at food festivals held in Markham and Toronto. However, the pandemic changed this, and I began to experiment with food in my own kitchen. In the past, I considered myself an expert at whipping up breakfast and baking cookies, but I had always avoided experimenting with new recipes after an unsuccessful attempt at…
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Alisha Sevigny: Author, Leader, and Mom
Alisha Sevigny is a rising star in the middle-grade fiction world with her new series, The Secrets of the Sands. She is also a yoga instructor and Tarot enthusiast, a wife, a mom, and an instructor/editor for both rookie writers and experienced ones. Anyone that sees this list of attributes applied to one person must immediately think of the Sarah Jessica Parker film, I Don’t Know How She Does It (2011). But, Alisha carries it with grace, enthusiasm, and passion for her work. She sat down with OTD this past week to discuss her experiences as a writer, leader, and mother, and passes on some words of wisdom she has…
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Parks of the Danforth
Green spaces are a hot commodity in Toronto from the Rail Deck Park project in downtown Toronto to the Meadoway project spanning from East York to Scarborough. As Toronto continues its urban development, it’s important to preserve and create green spaces because they give people a chance to get outside and connect with nature. If you glance across the Danforth’s skyline, you won’t see high rises or skyscrapers. Instead, walking through the neighbourhood will have you meeting independent businesses, fresh produce, and friendly faces. The Danforth is home to three urban green spaces: Todmorden Mills Park, Withrow Park, and Monarch Park. Each space has something unique to offer the community…
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How much do you know about COVID-19?
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What is Paint Nite?
“Locally hosted,” “one of a kind experiences,” “something to shout about,” these are just some of the buzzwords used on the Paint Nite website to describe their events. But what is exactly is Paint Nite? Paint Nite (recently rebranded as YayMaker) is an event company that hosts creative events like paint nights, candle-making and plant-design classes, held in local bars and restaurants, and run by “creative hosts” who walk you through how to complete a given work or craft. Events range from around $40-$55 per person and last approximately two hours. The experience is supposed to provide a fun night out, drinking and eating with friends, while also doing something…
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Coronavirus Update: How to Handle the ‘Pandemic’
In the wake of the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we must all remember to stay calm and listen to the advice of authorities who have been working around the clock. The world faces a global standstill as the reactions to the recent ‘pandemic’ have reached the world news. Stock markets are on the brink of some of the greatest crashes of all time, global sports leagues close down and displace fans for coming weeks, and whole countries have been quarantined as precautionary measures. The coronavirus or COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that emerged in December 2019 from the Wuhan area of China. As of March 12, 2020, it has infected…
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Best Pubs on the Danforth to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Tuesday March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day, and Torontonians love to celebrate by hitting up their local pub. Since St. Patrick’s Day falls on a weekday this year, we expect the festivities to begin over the weekend, leading up to the day where everyone can celebrate the Irish holiday by decking themselves out in whatever green apparel they have in their closet. St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious celebration of Saint Patrick, who, according to legend, died on March 17th 461 AD. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the original minister of Christianity in the country. Believed to originally be British, Patrick’s life led him…