By Hedy Korbee
As 2015 draws to a close it seems a fitting time to look back at the year that was in Birch Cliff.
The top-ten list that follows is a compilation of the most popular stories on the Birch Cliff News website in 2015 based on the clicks of our readers.
The list reflects an interesting mix of the past and present.
There are stories that reflect the growing optimism in Birch Cliff regarding the revitalization of Kingston Road. Not only are there new shops and cafes but also a new community association pursuing renewal with enthusiasm and determination.
There was also much interest in stories about the rich history of our community and the upcoming 100th anniversary of Birch Cliff Public School
Unfortunately, the list of most-read stories in our neighbourhood begins on a sad note with the tragic death of a young man.
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1. Birch Cliff man killed
24-year old Eddy Dwyer was remembered by his friends as a compassionate and caring young man who loved animals and was quick to lend a helping hand.
Eddie was stabbed to death at 6am on April 23 at a home on Harding Blvd.
Eddy’s father, Edward Dwyer Senior, 58, was charged with second-degree murder. The accused was waiting for a lung transplant and used an oxygen tank.
You can read the entire story here.
2. New upscale coffee shop
Dreams came true for a community starved for good coffee with the opening on Nov. 26 of The Birchcliff Coffee Bar.
20-year old Olivia Peters has brought a downtown aesthetic to the heart of the suburbs by remodeling the historic Scarborough Public Utilities building with a warm and inviting birch tree motif.
The Birchcliff always seems busy and is a great spot to meet up with friends.
3. Crowdfunding for Eddy’s funeral
Two crowdfunding campaigns were launched to help Eddy Dwyer’s mom pay for his funeral.
“We look out for each other and we support each other,” said the Dwyer’s neighbour Heather Edwards about the Go Fund Me campaign she started. “I’m a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child and a community to support families too. That’s why I wanted to start the fundraiser because I know that this family needs support and they definitely need help with the funeral expenses.”
The other campaign was launched by Eddy’s former classmate at Birch Cliff Public School Chelsea Thomas.
Together, they raised approximately $3,000. You can read about it here.
Eddy Dwyer, second from right, at his Grade 8 graduation from Birch Cliff Public School.
4. Birch Cliff PS 100th anniversary
Birch Cliff is a community rich in history and it’s not surprising that news of the school’s 100th anniversary would make the top ten list with this story published on May 4. An organizing committee comprised of former students, parents, teachers, staff and alumni are hard at work preparing for a two-day celebration on Sept. 23 and 24, 2016.
Events will include a commemorative ceremony, tours of the school, displays of historical photos and artifacts, the unearthing of a time capsule, as well as an alumni dinner.
5. Bill Blair to run for Liberals
This story was a scoop. A victory, of sorts, for old-fashioned local journalism.
While much of the national media was speculating about whether Toronto’s former police chief Bill Blair would run for federal office or not, Birch Cliff News got a tip from an insider on April 25 that Blair would be officially announcing his candidacy the next day.
Blair went on to defeat New Democrat MP Dan Harris and now represents Scarborough Southwest in Parliament.
Liberal Bill Blair and New Democrat Dan Harris, June 2015
6. Rustico gets rave reviews
Joe and Julia Scorcia have taken Birch Cliff by storm with their homemade espresso, focaccia, cannoli, pizza and sandwiches.
On the night of Rustico’s soft opening on Nov. 6 six photos were posted on the Birch Cliff News Facebook page and got 197 shares with a reach of 25,000 people.
The restaurant features what Joe Scorcia calls “simple quality food”- using ingredients largely imported from his native Italy. The olive oil comes direct from his family’s olive farm in Calabria and the authentic Christmas panetonne was divine.
You can read more about this Italian cafe/grocery here.
7. Kingston Road Condo Craze
This condo story was actually published in July, 2014 but has no doubt hit the top ten for 2015 because the development is now selling units.
Infinity Development Group is demolishing the entire block of Kingston Rd. between Queensbury and Audrey Aves., now occupied by Alvand Auto Sales and the Eastwood Medical Centre, to build an eight-storey mid-rise with views of the Hunt Club golf course and Lake Ontario.
Principal Adit Kumar says they were attracted to the property by the spectacular views. Read the whole story here.
Artist’s rendering courtesy Infinity Development Group
8. Monster home on the bluffs
Here’s another oldie that’s crept into the top ten for 2015.
You know the vacant million dollar mansion overlooking the bluffs at the foot of Birchmount? The one that’s been vacant for years?
We snuck on the property in Sept. 2012 to take a look around after Global News published a couple of stories about the history of the monster home. They discovered that the owner went bankrupt in 2009 owing hundreds of thousands of dollars to a list of businesses and creditors.
It’s a fascinating local story and you can learn more here.
4 Birchmount Road
9. Cyclist struck Kingston/Warden
Another tragic story. A 28-year-old man riding a bicycle was hit by a car and killed on Jan. 11 at the intersection of Kingston Rd. and Warden Ave.
Police said the cyclist and the vehicle were both travelling eastbound on Kingston Road. When they reached the intersection at Warden the cyclist cut in front of the car from the right lane in order to head north on Warden. Alcohol was not a factor.
Photo Credit: Jeremy Cohn
10. Birch Cliff P.S. History
When Birch Cliff Public School celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1966, Virginia Sullivan wrote a fascinating school history that Birch Cliff News published as a five-part series starting in Oct. 2012.
The series is still popular today because it’s a valuable history not just of the school, but the entire community.
I love reading the comments underneath this story because alumni from as far back as 1929 are connecting and sharing their memories of the school that is the heart of our community.
I would like to take a moment to thank everyone for supporting Birch Cliff News – the newsmakers, the readers, the people who offer ideas and the growing list of volunteers who write stories.
Wishing you all a safe and happy new year!