Former Beach Metro News editor Carole Stimmell is the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Beach and East Toronto Historical Society on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Her talk, entitled Saving Historic Buildings: A Tale with Three Endings, will focus on the fates of three local properties: the O’Sullivan Tavern, the Maple Cottage (of Alexander Muir’s Maple Leaf Forever fame), and the Gardener’s Cottage in Kew Gardens. The event starts at 7 p.m. at the Beaches Library, 2161 Queen St. E. Admission is free and all are welcome.
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For those who want to take the chill off winter, the swimming pool at Monarch Park Collegiate Institute will be open for community swims two evenings a week and Saturdays from now until June. An all-ladies swim will be held Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m., adult lane swim takes place Wednesdays from 8 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. are reserved for family swims. Sessions costs $2 per swimmer, or $5 per family on Saturdays. For more information, email monarchparkaquatics@gmail.com.
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Beach Metro News history columnist Gene Domagala will lead off another season of his popular historic walks with a tour of the Main and Gerrard neighbourhood on Saturday, March 1. At the turn of the 20th century, the intersection of Main Street and Gerrard Street East was the hub of the bustling railway town of East Toronto, hosting a bank, a large bakery and a post office. This walking tour will visit those sites and includes stops at the current fire hall, the former police station that now houses Community Centre 55, and Beach Metro News, a long-standing resident of the neighbourhood. Meet at MP Matthew Kellway’s office, 155 Main St., at 1 p.m. and return afterwards for refreshments.
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Sipping soup will make cents for Community Centre 55 on Thursday, Feb. 27, when the Centre holds its annual Ladle It Up! soup contest at 97 Main St. For only $5, you’ll sample a tasting menu of four soups prepared by four local restaurant chefs, then vote on your favourite. The winner takes home the Silver Ladle trophy. Serving time is 5 p.m. Call 416-691-1113 to find out more.
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Some local churches will be stocking up on maple syrup as they get ready to host Shrove Tuesday pancake suppers, a traditional meal marking the beginning of Lent. This year, Shrove Tuesday falls on March 4. At Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, 33 East Rd., the event runs from 5 to 7 p.m., $8 for adults and $4 for children. St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, at the corner of Queen Street East and Silver Birch, will serve from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets cost $6 and $3 for children under 12. Proceeds will go to the church’s outreach programs. Dinner at St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, 43 Kimberley Ave., will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with a free-will offering, and proceeds going to the Food for Friends Voucher Program.
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Glen Ames Senior Public School’s robotics team will compete against Nature’s Fury later this year after winning a provincial LEGO robotics contest with a natural-disaster theme last month. For more about the team, visit glen-ames-robotics.weebly.com.
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