This special edition newsletter is dedicated to The Roaring Twenties - an era distinguished by inventions and discoveries of far-reaching importance, unprecedented industrial growth, accelerated consumer demand and aspirations and significant changes in lifestyle and culture.

It was the decade of bath tub gin, the model T, the $5 work day, the first transatlantic flight and moving pictures. Prosperity and optimism were fuelled by easy money and consumer credit. The post-war recession was forgotten as everyone went on a spending spree and credit enabled consumers to boost corporate profits to new levels. The 20’s were boom times like never before. Politically, world-wide tensions continued, fuelling the rise of mass movements such as communism, fascism and national socialism. Thanks to the Prohibition in the US, bootlegging became quite profitable as large quantities of alcohol were smuggled in from Canada to supply the “speakeasies” and other underground drinking establishments as organized crime in the US spawn notorious figures such as Al Capone. Films evolved, lead by major film studios like Warner Brothers, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and 20th-Century Fox. (3 of the Big 5) expanding Hollywood’s movie industry. Famous screen icons such as Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks became adored fashion icons. Jazz music blossomed, the flapper redefined modern womanhood, Art Deco peaked, until finally the Wall Street Crash of 1929 served to punctuate the end of the era, as The Great Depression set in. The decade gave birth to suffrage for women, the first Miss America Pageant and of course, several of our Dunfield residents!

MAGGIE MORRIS SMOLENSKY (NEE BEAL) Born in London, England in 1925, and raised in Scarborough, Yorkshire, Maggie was evacuated in 1940 to Winnipeg shortly after the outbreak of war. In 1944, she returned to England, trained as a nurse, and later settled in Canada having returned to Winnipeg for a wedding and eventually marrying the best man. Maggie started in radio drama in Winnipeg in 1954. After the family moved to Ottawa in 1955, Maggie got her start in local TV including Diplomatic Passport with Lloyd Robertson. In 1962, she auditioned in Toronto for a new national CBC TV quiz show called Flashback, winning a spot over 400 other candidates. Fellow Flashback celebrities included Elwy Yost, Larry Solway, Bill Walker and Paul Soles, but Maggie was the only cast member to remain for all six seasons (1962-1968). Fervently believing that women too could do the job, Maggie was accepted as a summer replacement on the CBC announce staff in Ottawa in 1961 and Toronto in 1963, the only woman to be so employed on the English language network. The barriers she had to overcome were at times difficult but she persisted and joined the staff full-time in 1969. A pioneer in this male-only area, she was famously fired in 1970. The ensuing national outrage resulted in CBC’s speedy hiring of women as announcers where they have been secure ever since. Maggie has two children from her first marriage which ended in divorce. In 1971 she married Stanley Smolensky, a NASA engineer who was the Deputy Director of Launch Vehicles for the Apollo project. With him, Maggie attended two moon launches at Cape Canaveral. Sadly, after a too-short but very happy marriage, Stan died of a heart attack. Maggie loved travelling. She has visited over 40 countries and made two round-the-world trips solo at ages 60 and 62. She was a reader in the CNIB recording library for 25 years and continues to write letters for Amnesty International.

ALEX SCHIAVONE Born on September 12, 1926 in Modugno Italy, Alessandro Schiavone immigrated to Canada in 1951 to seek his destiny. In 1956, after years of labour intensive jobs, Alex decided to go to Chicago, where he learned how to make pizza American-style. The experience was the most important career move of his life. Alex ventured into the restaurant business in 1969, when he opened an Italian/Canadian full service restaurant in Collingwood, Ontario. In the ensuing years he perfected the concept of the perfect pizza taste introducing the legendary “panzerotto pizza” on the menu in 1971. The dish became an instant success. In the fall of 1976, Alex opened his first pizza store, Panzerotto Pizza, on Yonge St. in downtown Toronto. It took a while to catch on, but eventually word about the panzerotto pizza spread - and in 1980 Alex began franchising the concept. The Panzerotto Pizza franchise remains strong to this day. Today Alex’s sons Frank, Joe and Vito run the company and oversee over thirty Panzerotto Pizza locations across Canada and Northern America.

RUTH FRASER For as long as she can remember, Ruth (Walker) Fraser (nee Weatherup) always dreamed she would sing professionally some day and in Ruth’s case, her dreams really did come true! As a little girl growing up in Toronto, Ruth loved listening to the radio and singing songs. One day, Mr. Carlos Lamberti, a neighbor and a classical, operatic singing teacher heard her singing and offered to be her vocal teacher. Although she was trained in classical and operatic music, like most girls her age, Ruth far preferred the popular, contemporary songs of the time. In 1956, while vacationing in the Laurentians with her husband Allan Walker, Ruth was ‘discovered’ by a scout for the CBC during a sing-along around the campfire at the lodge where they were staying. When the CBC scout asked Ruth if she wanted to go into show business, she jumped at the chance. An audition with the CBC shortly after turned out to be the beginning of a rewarding and successful career. In the years following, Ruth toured the nightclub circuit in Toronto, Montreal and New York and performed at many upscale, exclusive dinner clubs and lounges including the Royal York, the King Edward, La Carabet, and Frans Joseph among others. She was thrilled when she landed her first TV shot on Country Club and began performing for television audiences. In 1959, Ruth appeared on the Wayne and Schuster Show. She performed with such artists as The Rhythm Pals, Nina Simone, dancer Joey Hollingworth, Rich Little and Robert Goulet. With her marriage to lawyer Thomas Fraser in 1965, Ruth’s priority switched to family life and she eventually stopped traveling and performing, but she has never lost her love for song.

World of Warcraft   The residents enjoyed being introduced to the fantasy world of video gaming. Young or old, anyone can play this game and become immersed in the realism and beauty of Warcraft’s vast landscapes. The residents watched as gamers interacted with people all over the world while playing with their heroes in an online world of myth, magic, and limitless adventure. No wonder the grandchildren are hooked on this stuff!

Dog Sledding   Our more adventurous residents decided to experience the opportunity to feel what it’s like to be in the Iditarod Race, a race that is held each year in Alaska and often referred to as the “Last Great Race on Earth.” Our group headed to northern Ontario for the day to go dog sledding, and experience firsthand how magnificent the winter countryside can be when you are racing over the hills and through the woods on a sled led by a team of eight husky dogs.

Drama Classes   Robert Munsch books were the inspiration for a cast of characters that our drama group presented to a discerning audience of kindergarten students at the Epic School, located on Manor Road. What a great way to interact with the youth of the neighborhood and reverse the typical role of grandchildren entertaining their grandparents. Bravo!!

Comedy Improv   The incomparable Vinny Sestito, returned to The Dunfield for another one week comedy improv workshop called “Stumble Yourself into Glory”. This is the third time Vinnie has hosted an improv workshop at The Dunfield. Using various improvisation techniques, Vinnie encourages the participants to “act out” and be outrageous and unpredictable. Through various exercises, residents learn to not take themselves so seriously and to regain the confidence to meet daily challenges head on. These workshops have transformed lives!!!

Bruce Bell Walking Tour   Since 1901, the St. Lawrence Market has been famous for its fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses and eclectic assortment of vendors and stalls. We were surprised to learn that Toronto’s original City Hall is also a part of today’s south market. Expert Toronto historian, Bruce Bell gave our residents a guided tour and historical account of the St. Lawrence market including the north farmer’s market and St. Lawrence Hall. The residents mixed and mingled,shopped and enjoyed a delicious market lunch.

Auberge de Pommier   Members of The Dunfield Restaurant Critics Club jumped at the opportunity to enjoy this exquisite French restaurant during Winterlicious. Built around two 1860’s woodcutters’ cottages, Auberge de Pommier offers modern French cuisine and a classic ambiance, complete with roaring fire. Another fine example of an outing that connects us to this great City of Toronto and all it has to offer!

Mirvish Productions-Billy Elliot   In February, the residents enjoyed the award winning production of Billy Elliot, a “joyous celebration of one boy’s journey against the odds to make his dreams come true”. The talented young performers energized the audience with their dynamic song and dance, making it an unforgettable experience!

Computer Classes   Residents are learning all about Skyping, blogging and how to Twitter in an effort to keep up to date with computer technology and social media. Our easy to understand computer classes are available on Mondays and Wednesdays and help to explain the whacky language of our ‘information age.’ Look for us on YouTube!

NASCAR   Talladega Racing comes to Toronto! They say that living at The Dunfield makes one “Feel So Young!” and so the story goes about racing go-karts at Grand Prix Kartways. The residents and some brave staff members had the incredible opportunity to participate in the first annual Dunfield NASCAR race. There were those that came to race and then there were those that came to Win! The winner received a fabulous trophy and a bouquet of red roses. Champagne was flowing for both the racers and the many friends that came to watch and cheer their favorite driver on. Expect the Unexpected at The Dunfield!

Cruising   A group of Dunfield residents shook off the winter blues in March by taking a 7-day all-inclusive luxury cruise aboard the Princess Caribbean. The ports of call included St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba. Enjoying the sun filled tropical paradise and fabulous ports of call, residents were treated to scenic strolls, exotic shops and fabulous dining — almost on par with the fine cuisine standards of The Dunfield! They had such a wonderful time that many residents are already planning another cruise for the Spring/Summer!