Valentine’s day has come and gone, and there is still so much love happening in #FebruaryMonthofLove. Today, our Love blog is about Love, History of the Maple Leaf, and 50 year celebrations. February 15th is the 50th Birthday of the Maple Leaf – our beloved Canadian Flag . On Parliament Hill, at noon on February 15, 1965, The Maple Leaf flag made its first official appearance. Since then, February 15 has been recognized annually as National Flag of Canada Day .
The East End has deep roots (parden the pun) with the Maple Leaf. In 1867, local resident Alexander Muir composed the patriotic song “The Maple Leaf Forever“, which became an unofficial anthem in English-speaking Canada. The tree that inspired this song stood strong and proud for well over 140 years on Laing St near Queen E and Leslie (in the BIA of our Easterly Neighbours of Leslieville). The tree fell in a storm in 2013. However, over 48 logs of various sizes were salvaged. The City of Toronto has engaged local designers and artists to create over 400 items to preserve the tree’s legacy.
Make Love Happen on February 15, 2015 – I challenge you to “Share your Moment with the Flag”
Coinciding with National Flag Day, from February 15 through to the 18, a selection of the 410 items produced from the tree will be on display in the City Hall Rotunda. The items include pieces commissioned by the Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Heritage Trust and the Toronto Public Library. Additionally, many of the items produced from the tree will be on display in museums and historical societies across Canada.
If you can’t get out to City Hall – you can celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Maple Leaf anywhere, by taking part in the “Share your Moment with the Flag” Challenge.
This challenge gives us an opportunity, as Canadians, to show our love for, and to honour the National Flag of Canada, a symbol that is recognized and respected around the world and an enormous source of pride.
How do I take part?
It’s very simple: Take a picture or a video! Share it! Spread the word!
- Take a picture or video of you and the flag. You can also use an existing one.
- Share it on social media with the hashtag #flag50
- Challenge your family and friends to do the same.
Express yourself! Fifty years is worth celebrating in style! And..as East Enders – we can be Especially Proud that we are home to the Maple Leaf Forever Inspiration!
But Wait a minute…….we couldn’t do a blog about the East End and 50 years without giving a shout out to George ‘the chess playing barber’ Iliadis . While quite a few years after Alexander Muir’s time; George has watched the Riverside neighbourhood evolve from a former working class area to one of the most coveted communities east of the Don River, all from the front window of his Broadview Beauty Parlour and Barber Shop at 741 Queen St E
During that time, he’s cut the hair of generations of area residents, many of whom he views as family and friends.
George is als0 is a card-carrying ACTRA member, he’s appeared in several commercials and films in recent years including Cinderella Man, Nikita and Soul Patrol to name a few.
George recently celebrated 50 years of business and 50 years of marriage. In honour of George’s 50 years of business, he received a scroll from the City of Toronto, a plaque from the Riverside BIA, as well as certificates from Mayor Rob Ford, Premier Kathleen Wynne and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, among others.
Do pop in to 741 for a hair cut, shave…and a game of chess! George will treat you like a king!
Happy National Flag Day!
Don’t forget to come back and read tomorrow’s Blog on the 16th Day of #FebruaryMonthOfLove!