| When I recently talked to several people about my | | | | neighbourhood is very proud of. |
| Celebrate Toronto project, which starts with an | | | | Centre 55, a local community centre and social |
| article & interview series and a photo exhibition | | | | services agency, is another one of Glenn's |
| about the Beach, about 4 or 5 different people | | | | endeavours: he is the Chairman the Board of Centre |
| concurred that one person should not be missed: | | | | 55 and claims that he is not a dominant figure in the |
| Glenn Cochrane. | | | | running of this important organization. He defers all |
| When I approached Glenn, the former CFTO news | | | | the credit for the work of this institution to Bob |
| personality kindly invited me into his beautiful | | | | Murdoch, the executive director, who in Glenn's |
| condominium high above Queen Street and gave me | | | | words, doesn't like to be praised. Gene Domagala, |
| a chance to sit down with a real veteran of | | | | who I recently interviewed, and Glenn Cochrane |
| Toronto's Beach neighbourhood. After explaining my | | | | were both voted "Citizens of the Year" in |
| mission to Glenn, he was very forthcoming | | | | consecutive years (2001 and 2002) and Glenn says |
| welcoming and willing to share his life's experiences | | | | that they are very good friends. Glenn regularly |
| and his neighbourhood's stories with me. | | | | volunteers as the master of ceremony for the |
| He first clarified that the true Beach area is bounded | | | | Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and he also |
| by Kingston Road and Lake Ontario, as well as | | | | donates his time to the Jazzfest Winegarden |
| Woodbine Avenue and Victoria Park Avenues on the | | | | Fundraiser and many other local causes. |
| west and east sides respectively. Particularly due to | | | | One of Glenn's important causes is architectural |
| the increasing demand for real estate in this popular | | | | preservation, and along with Gene Domagala they |
| area, the term "Beach(es)" has expanded in recent | | | | almost singlehandedly saved the famous Leuty |
| years to include other adjoining areas. Beach | | | | Lifesaving Station from sure destruction. Glenn |
| residents are quick to point out that this is a real | | | | explains that when the city no longer deems a |
| estate term. | | | | building useful they bestow it with "benign neglect" |
| Glenn himself was born in Hamilton and came to | | | | which sometimes results in the destruction of a |
| Toronto in 1964. He worked at Canadian Press and | | | | historic building. In this case a committee of |
| moved to the CFTO Television Station where he | | | | concerned citizens led by Glenn Cochrane and Gene |
| started out as a writer. His particular talent lay in light | | | | Domagala started a major fundraising drive to save |
| writing, and Glenn was often assigned to write the | | | | the Leuty Lifesaving Station. The campaign was |
| closing remarks for Ken Cavanagh, the anchorman at | | | | called "SOS" ("Save Our Station") and through the |
| the time, who liked to close his newscasts with a | | | | sale of mugs, t-shirts ("by the truck load", as Glenn |
| light comment. | | | | says) and a wide variety of special events, the group |
| His career in front of the camera started accidentally | | | | raised tens of thousands of dollars and the Leuty |
| when an assignment editor sent Glenn out with a | | | | Lifesaving Station was saved. He even organized |
| cameraman to cover a local story as the regular | | | | several harp concerts as fundraisers. The historic |
| television reporter was not available. Glenn's talent in | | | | structure was completely saved in all its glory; the |
| front of the camera got noticed and he received | | | | only difference to the original version was the |
| rave reviews from the audience and his peers. From | | | | installation of a female change room, reflecting the |
| that point forward he had a weekly feature in the | | | | fact that times had changed and that lifesaving today |
| news called "Our Man Friday" and later got a daily | | | | was no longer an exclusively male domain. |
| spot in the newscast, focusing on human interest | | | | Another fundraising event involved a replica of the |
| stories. | | | | Leuty Lifesaving Station: slightly bigger than a garden |
| Glenn fondly recalls this time as he was given free | | | | shed, the "Little Leuty" would be given away in a |
| reign to interview people as he wished and to cover | | | | draw to the lucky winner, and the funds raised went |
| stories that he found interesting. One story that | | | | to important local causes. A woman finally ended up |
| comes to his mind was about a life-long farm worker, | | | | winning the draw and the "Little Leuty" found a |
| an individual without a lot of formal education, but a | | | | welcome spot in her backyard as a playhouse for |
| lot of practical talent. This gentleman would turn | | | | your young daughter. Creative fundraising has long |
| disused farm machinery and implements into | | | | been one of Glenn Cochrane's strengths. |
| creatively re-functioned objects. Glenn mentioned a | | | | Community action kicked into high gear again when |
| big tractor wheel that was equipped with flower pots | | | | the Greenwood Racetrack lands were closed in 1993, |
| that could be watered by turning the wheel. | | | | and demolition was set to start. Glenn and a group of |
| For a practical example of this gentleman's creative | | | | concerned citizens lobbied to turn the former race |
| handiwork Glenn took me out onto his balcony and | | | | track area into parkland. Unfortunately, and perhaps |
| showed me a small round garden table, handrafted | | | | not surprising considering this was prime real estate, |
| by this individual from a round heating grate while the | | | | the lobbying effort failed, and the developments of |
| feet were made from railroad spikes. Glenn fondly | | | | new townhouses and condos on the former race |
| recalls this person as a quiet very humble individual. | | | | track lands went ahead. However, the developers |
| Glenn and Jean Cochrane have been living in the | | | | were open to the idea of integrating some space for |
| Beach for almost 40 years now. As a matter of fact, | | | | the community, and according to Glenn, this sent an |
| Jean was the one who discovered the neighbourhood | | | | important signal that Beach residents were not just |
| when she did an interview with a local resident as the | | | | going to be pushed around. |
| woman's editor for Canadian Press. Right around 1970 | | | | We discussed that residents of the Beach are very |
| the Cochranes moved into their first owned home on | | | | protective of their neighbhourhood and would like to |
| Beech Avenue. | | | | keep it the way it is. Currently, the neighbourhood is |
| At that time, Glenn adds, the Beach was really a | | | | experiencing some degree of controversy over a |
| forgotten neighbourhood. During the 1970s the Beach | | | | new proposed program called "Come in from the |
| had an aging population and the area was not nearly | | | | Cold" which would have homeless people pend one |
| as pristine as it is today. Glenn explained that the | | | | night in a local church in the Beach. The program has |
| boardwalk was located about half an inch below the | | | | already been operational in other parts of the city. A |
| lake, and routinely in the spring, shards of ice would | | | | small group of local residents has expressed concern |
| lift up the boards and big gaping holes would appear | | | | about this initiative, and there has been some |
| in this treasured waterfront promenade, regularly | | | | negative media attention, accusing Beachers of |
| requiring expensive repairs. | | | | having a certain NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) attitude. |
| When Glenn and Jean first moved here, most of the | | | | On the other hand, a drop-in program that is open to |
| commercial activity on Queen Street was | | | | homeless people and various disadvantaged residents, |
| concentrated between Woodbine and Lee Avenue. | | | | has been successfully in operation for the last 6 |
| As a matter of fact, Kingston Road further north | | | | years. Four churches in the Beach and the Beach |
| was thriving much more than Queen Street. | | | | Hebrew Institute each open their oors once a week |
| According to Glenn's research for the book he is | | | | from Monday to Friday, welcoming anyone off the |
| currently working on (his new book will be about the | | | | street to a healthy and nutritious lunch that is run by |
| Beach), Queen Street was not a particularly exciting | | | | local volunteers. Glenn's wife Jean regularly volunteers |
| destination in the 1930s and 1940s as it was mostly | | | | for this program and helps prepare the meals for this |
| characterized by gas stations and discount stores. | | | | drop-in program. |
| These so-called "junk stores" were frequently visited | | | | Glenn further explains that it is a common |
| by the police, until their owners decided to call them | | | | misconception that everyone who lives in the Beach |
| "antique stores". With the name change, the image of | | | | is wealthy. There are a significant number of |
| these stores changed as well and the frequent police | | | | low-income families in the Beach and a variety of |
| visits stopped. | | | | community programs is dedicated to helping |
| Glenn really credits the revival of this neighbourhood | | | | impoverished residents. One of the most important |
| to the rebuilding of the Balmy Beach School. The | | | | ones is Centre 55's Christmas program which delivers |
| school was old and cramped and in a public hearing | | | | food and toys to hundreds of low income families. |
| with the local residents, an expert demographer | | | | Glenn's wife Jean has also been very involved in the |
| proclaimed that the school would need to be rebuilt in | | | | Neighbourhood Link Support Services, a ommunity |
| order to attract young families. And so it happened, | | | | organization that helps seniors, newcomers, |
| the school got rebuilt and the entire Beach | | | | unemployed and homeless individuals and provides |
| neighbourhood became attractive to families with | | | | transportation services to seniors. Many businesses in |
| young children. Large houses that were originally built | | | | the Beach are ongoing supporters of Neighbourhood |
| in the 1920s for large families were filled with life | | | | Link Support Services - the spirit of charity and |
| again. | | | | neighbourly help is alive and well in the Beach. |
| Referring to the transitions in his neighbourhood, | | | | In addition, both Jean and Glenn Cochrane are highly |
| Glenn mentioned that the Beach has never really | | | | respected authors: Jean has penned a book about |
| been known as a primary destination for fashion | | | | Kensington, one of Toronto's colourful |
| shopping although there are several established | | | | neighbourhoods. In 2005 Glenn published his book |
| retailers selling men's and women's fashions. He | | | | "Glenn Cochrane - Tales of Toronto" which features |
| indicated that the demolition of the race track in the | | | | a history of Toronto that won't be found in travel |
| early 1990s had a big influence on the neighbourhood. | | | | guides or city archives. Glenn is currently working on |
| While the race track was still in existence, local | | | | another book, as yet untitled, which will be about the |
| residents experienced significant problems with race | | | | Beach and hopefully will be available later this year. |
| track customers parking in their driveways and front | | | | What I really enjoyed about meeting Glenn Cochrane |
| lawns. A shortage of parking is a common refrain in | | | | (and his wife Jean) was that they so graciously |
| the Beach. | | | | opened their home to me and so freely shared their |
| That does not prevent the neighbourhood from | | | | stories and insights. Glenn and I share a passion about |
| throwing major parties throughout the course of the | | | | Toronto, our respective chosen home towns, and he |
| year. The most well-known event is the Beaches | | | | most willingly shared his stories and experiences with |
| Jazz Festival held over four consecutive days every | | | | me, another writer who loves to celebrate Toronto |
| summer. Although a delight to the revelers and music | | | | and its neighbourhoods. When I mentioned that to |
| fans that descend on Queen Street East every year, | | | | Glenn he simply said "The more the merrier". Toronto |
| the residents were affected by the increased traffic, | | | | can probably use as much support from as many |
| congestion and crowds at that time. Many of these | | | | different people as it can get. |
| concerns have now been addressed in collaboration | | | | After our conversation we put on our heavy winter |
| with Sandra Bussin, the City Councillor for the Beach | | | | coats and headed out for a nice walk in the |
| area. Activity generally shuts down at 11 pm so local | | | | neighbourhood. We emerged on Queen Street near |
| residents can still get a good night's sleep while | | | | Beech Avenue where Glen pointed out Quigley's Pub, |
| visitors are able to enjoy a great street party. | | | | a neighbourhood institution for good food and |
| Compromise solutions have helped to address the | | | | entertainment. A few doors down is Ed's Ice cream, |
| needs of residents and visitors alike. | | | | a real success story in the Beach, and a place that I |
| Glenn's eyes twinkle when he tells me that right in | | | | have visited many a time for a sinfully sweet treat. |
| front of his condo a percussion band regular sets up | | | | From there we walked south towards the Balmy |
| during the Jazz Festival and their repeated drumming | | | | Beach Club where Glenn invited me into this private |
| sessions can get to you after a while. Some local | | | | members club which, in his words, has the "best patio |
| Beach residents will actually make a point to get out | | | | in all of Toronto". Talking about Toronto and our |
| of town during the festival for a weekend of rest | | | | mutual observations, we then strolled further east on |
| and relaxation in the country. Glenn and his wife Jean | | | | the boardwalk, past the "Legend of the Lake" mural |
| love the Jazz Festival, the only downside is that | | | | that adorns the south wall of the Balmy Beach Club. |
| actually very little jazz music is played during the | | | | Having reached the end of the Boardwalk we turned |
| festival. Glenn explains that today there are very few | | | | around and headed back west to the former location |
| New Orleans-style jazz bands left, and the ones that | | | | of the Scarbourough Beach Amusement Club that is |
| do exist are very expensive to bring to the city. One | | | | marked today with a historic plaque. Just across the |
| group of oldtimer jazz musicians still participates | | | | street are some older apartment buildings with a long |
| every year at the corner of Lee and Queen, but due | | | | history (including the Ramona and the Hubbard Street |
| to their advanced age, jazz fans need to contend | | | | Apartment Buildings, named after one of the first |
| with frequent breaks in their program so these jazz | | | | black City Councillors in Toronto's history). Up we |
| veterans can catch some rest and recharge their | | | | strolled on Wineva Avenue, named after daughters |
| batteries. | | | | Winnie and Eva of one of the Beaches early |
| Particularly since his retirement, Glenn Cochrane has | | | | residents and then headed back east on Queen |
| become even more involved in local community work. | | | | Street. |
| One of his early introductions to charity work was | | | | There is no doubt that Glenn Cochrane is an expert |
| when he purchased a wooden hand-carved rocking | | | | on the Beach, and he gives a lot back to his beloved |
| horse from a local artist, sold draw tickets for the | | | | neighbourhood. I for one can't wait to read all the |
| horse and raised $500 for the Beaches Library, a local | | | | stories in his upcoming book on the Beach. |
| community institution that the entire Beach | | | | |