Willowdale is a neighbourhood in the north end of Toronto filled with incredible people and we think you ought to meet them! Each week on Meet Your Neighbour, the NeighbourLink North York team will bring you "over the fence" style conversations with some of the amazing people that live in the neighbourhood. Whether you actually live in Willowdale or you're on the other side of the country, you'll be glad to have spent some time with these special members of our community!
We believe life is better when you know your neighbours!
"The Canadian Helen Keller Centre" with Jennifer & Elio
Did you know that there is an incredible community of deafblind neighbours here in Willowdale? The Canadian Helen Keller Centre (https://www.chkc.org/) provides training, events, community and resources to individuals who are deaf and blind.
We spoke with Executive Director Jennifer Robbins and Consumer Relations Coordinator Elio Riggillo about the organization. We were joined by Elio's intervenor Amy Lawson and Interpreter Monique LeDrew. It's a great conversation to learn about the experiences of the deafblind community in our neighbourhood and how you can connect with them!
6 Jul 2022
"North York’s 100th Birthday" with Susan Goldenberg
Meet Susan Goldenberg, the Membership Director of the North York Historical Society (https://nyhs.ca/)! Her team helps to preserve our neighbourhood's history!
She joined us to talk about the North York Centennial! That's right, our suburb turned 100 this year! She provides us with plenty of interesting facts and even takes us through a Willowdale Hall of Fame! It's a great conversation, take a listen!
Check out this 2015 article Susan wrote which provides information about Earl Bales Park HERE (https://www.toronto.com/news/plaque-celebrates-history-of-john-bales-house/article_3df55f18-7b66-5c81-ad25-f1b8807be26d.html)
30 Jun 2022
"Mastering the Garden" with Gail Bebee
Take a listen and meet a very active member of our community! Gail is a master gardener so if you're in need of some gardening advice, she provides plenty of tips in this informative conversation!
Gail has served as the President of the Bayview Village Neighbourhood Association and as President of the North York Garden Club (http://www.northyorkgardenclub.ca/). The club is a volunteer organization that promotes the love of gardening and is open to all!
23 Jun 2022
"Community through Art" with Fiona & Elisa
You'll meet Fiona Su, a latin dance champion who runs Star Dance Centre (https://www.stardancecentre.com/) at 4750 Yonge St! Learn about the dance classes available for all ages!
Then you'll hear from high school student Elisa about her passion for film.
16 Jun 2022
"Golden Stars" with Alana & Ella
Lily and special guest co-host Howie Kluger spoke with Alana Doria, a member of the family behind the infamous Golden Star Restaurant!
Then we hear from local post-secondary student Ella about why she believes young people should be more involved in politics!
These are two incredibly hard working neighbours we can't wait for you to meet!
9 Jun 2022
"Leading from the Heart" with Claire & Haedong
Lily spoke with Claire and Haedong, a wonderful Willowdale couple about raising their family AND running two businesses in the neighbourhood. Claire is a florist who operates Alisera Design (https://www.aliseradesign.com/)and Haedong is a Hearing Instrument Specialist with his own practice, the Better Hearing Clinic (http://www.betterhearingclinic.ca/)!
There are such a sweet couple! Take a listen!
2 Jun 2022
"Two Magical Neighbours" with Sawyer & Aksaya
Lily speaks with award-winning illusionist and pastor at Bayview Glen Church, Sawyer Bullock (https://sawyerbullock.com/)! It's a great conversation about his worlds and how they compliment each other! He tells about his trucks and how he proposed to his wife!
Then Mahdis speak with superstar student volunteer Aksaya who has logged over 170 hours with NeighbourLink! She tells about what motivates her to volunteer and what she's gained from it!
You can volunteer with us by signing up here (//www.neighbourlink.org/volunteer)
19 May 2022
Meet Your Neighbour: Willowdale Provincial Candidate Roundtable
On this special edition of the podcast we introduce you to the neighbours courageously running to represent Willowdale at Queen's Park.
This roundtable is a chance to get to know the candidates as people, and not a policy debate! Candidates spoke about what inspired them to run, challenges they've faced, favourite restaurants in the neighbourhood and more!
Those in attendance were Liberal Candidate Paul Saguil, NDP Candidate Hal Berman, Green Party Candidate Monica Henriques, Ontario Party Candidate Gian Arella and New Blue Party Candidate Joanne Csillag
Watch the video HERE (https://youtu.be/2S3f2YUscns)
12 May 2022
"Forging New Identities" with David & Juslin
The NeighbourLink North York (//www.neighbourlink.org) team has two impressive community members for your to meet!
Lily speaks with Dave Slonim the Mentor Coordinator at Community Head Injury Resource Services (CHIRS) (https://www.chirs.com/home)and illuminates the incredible work happening at this local organization and how we can support our neighbours living with acquired brain injuries.
Mahdis speaks with Juslin a Grade 11 student and clothing designer who started a local clothing brand 98 Apparel (https://www.the98apparel.com/shop), now Ayodeji Apparel with his friends.
5 May 2022
"Willowdale in the 70s" with Bruce, Howie & Kirsten
Lily spoke with Bruce Anderson, Howie Kluger and Kirsten Ness, the founders of the Facebook group Willowdale in the '70s, a thriving online community of 19K members!
The three haven't been together since 1976 but despite the physical distance between them, their friendship is stronger than ever. They relive memories of growing up in Willowdale in the 1970s, how the group came to be and what reconnecting with old friends has meant to them!
It's a great conversation about the power of reconnection and the bonds we form as children!
You can join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/252011225475454
28 Apr 2022
"North York of Yore" with Marla and Grace
We sat down with two members of the North York Historical Society (https://nyhs.ca/) who work hard to keep our local history alive! Sebastian interviewed Marla Weingarten who sits on the board and Mahdis interviewed Grace Sun who is on the student team at the NYHS!
Did you know that this year is the centennial anniversary of North York becoming its own town!
Listen for many interesting local stories and fun facts about our suburb's rich history from these two experts!
You can learn more about the NYHS and their monthly speaker series at https://nyhs.ca/ (https://nyhs.ca/)
21 Apr 2022
"Belonging" with Tannia and Maggie
Sebastian filled in for Lily as host and interviewed Tannia Gonzalez! Originally from Ecuador, Tannia now proudly calls Willowdale home. She's passionate about her work in Canadian Immigration as well as volunteering at Toronto Dance Salsa, a dance school that is more like a dance family! This conversation will make you want to take a dance class immediately and you can do so at torontodancesalsa.ca (https://torontodancesalsa.ca/)
Then Mahdis chats with student Maggie Wang! She’s got some positive ways on how the past two years have impacted her, and a beautifully optimistic outlook on life and languages. We also talk a little bit about the different facets of the English language.
Enjoy!
14 Apr 2022
"Planting a Seed" with Steven & Emma Biggs
Lily spoke with Steven and Emma Biggs, the father/daughter team behind the Food Garden Life Radio Show and Podcast! These local gardening gurus provide a plethora of tips for gardeners of every experience level and discuss what working together in the garden and on their show has meant to each of them!
They both were recognized by Garden Making magazine as one of the “green gang” of Canadians making a difference in horticulture!
Check out their podcast, wherever you listen to them!
You can follow Steven @foodgardenlife and visit his site https://www.foodgardenlife.com/ (https://www.foodgardenlife.com/)
You can follow Emma @emmabiggs_grows and visit her site https://www.emmabiggs.ca/ (https://www.emmabiggs.ca/) where you can order her second book!
7 Apr 2022
"You Gotta Eat Here" with DKLo & Joy
We've got two great conversations for you with two stellar neighbours.
First, Lily speaks with jack of all trades, DKLo. He has been a writer and video host and producer at blogTO for almost 10 years focusing on food. He provides several local restaurant recommendations in this episode! He's also a marketing consultant and wedding and event emcee! You can follow his food adventures on instagram at @therealdklo (https://www.instagram.com/therealdklo/?hl=en)
Then, Mahdis speaks with Gr. 10 student Joy Choi! Joy is an active member in the Willowdale Youth Council, as well as a participant in the debate club, Model United Nations and the Eco Council at her school.
Enjoy!
30 Mar 2022
"When Opportunity Knocks" with Valentyna & Ray
Allow us to introduce you to two incredible women in our community, Valentyna Panchenko and Rachael Chan
Our neighbour Valentyna is a mother of two and a social worker here in Toronto. Originally from Lviv Ukraine, she opened up to us about her recent trip home and her feelings surrounding the war happening there. She told us about the way she's supporting her family and refugees in Ukraine from right here in Canada. For resources on how to support Ukrainians click here (https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/03/02/here-are-ways-canadians-can-show-their-support-for-ukraine-and-its-people.html)!
Rachael Chan is a high school student at Earl Haig! She's the Vice President of the Anime and Gaming Club at her school and is a lead volunteer at NeighbourLink North York! She talks about how volunteering and getting involved in the community has helped her confidence!
To learn more about NeighbourLink North York visit www.neighbourlink.org (https://www.neighbourlink.org/)
30 Mar 2022
"Dropping In" with Michelle & Jonah
For our First Episode we introduce you to our neighbours Michelle Oliveira and Jonah Kaplun! They're two incredible people, you'll certainly be inspired by!
Michelle is such an incredibly active member of our community! She runs a marketing consulting company (https://marketingyourbusiness.ca/), special needs consulting company (https://specialneedsconsultant.ca/), co-founded shopwillowdale.ca (//www.shopwillowdale.ca) a Willowdale business directory and volunteers with several organizations. Most recently she collected over 3000 Thank You cards for front line workers!
Jonah Kaplun is a grade nine student who is wise beyond his years! He began participating in charity work and giving back to the community when he was 7 years old. Since then, he’s also created his own charitable organization called Stay Colourful Always (https://www.staycolourfulalways.com/) which raises awareness and money for charities that support people’s differences
Learn more about Meet Your Neighbour and NeighbourLink North York at www.neighbourlink.org (//www.neighbourlink.org)
24 Mar 2022
Meet Your Neighbour: Trailer
Introducing Meet Your Neighbour, a weekly interview series! The team at NeighbourLink North York (https://www.neighbourlink.org/) will bring you "over the fence" style conversations with some of the amazing people that live in Willowdale, a neighbourhood in the north end of Toronto. Whether you actually live in our neighbourhood or you're on the other side of the country, you'll be glad to have spent some time with these special members of our community!
We believe life is better when you know your neighbours!
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