A huge thank you to everyone who came out Friday night to Mischief Makers for our first Produce Bag Sewing Bee for the East Lynn Farmers’ Market. We had a full house and a productive and fun night.
Earlier this week, we had a great turnout for DECA’s Community Potluck and Board Meeting at the Danforth Mennonite Church on Tuesday, May 12. Neighbours gathered to gnosh, mingle, and learn about several local initiatives shaping our community. Five local candidates for City Councillor also attended to show their support: James Dann, Natalie Johnson, Adam Smith, Austin Vieira, and Jeff Wahl.
Neighbours for a Noise-Smart Railway shared updates on their efforts to hold Metrolinx accountable as the agency appears to quietly omit the required noise and vibration mitigation measures from an expansion project that will permanently increase vibration by a factor of 7. ‘Neighbours for a Noise-Smart Railway’ wants Metrolinx to deliver on the protections required by the plan, as promised. https://noisesmartrailway.com/
Local resident Dan Balcaban presented his proposal for Safer Access to Danforth GO when entering the station from the Northwest side. Creating a direct walkway from Stephenson Ave. to the station platform would prevent commuters from having to dash across busy Main St. to catch their train. A community petition is currently active — you can add your voice here: openpetition.org/!rxldt
Lastly, local resident Rafael Pascual-Leone shared updates on Oakcrest Orchard, a community stewardship initiative transforming a long-neglected patch of land at Woodbine & Oakcrest into a flourishing community orchard. Today, more than 20 varieties of fruit trees, shrubs, and vines are growing there. Pascual-Leone has gathered letters of support from many local organizations, and is advocating for formal City recognition and support for the project as a long-term investment in food resilience, social infrastructure, and community wellbeing.
Pastor Peter Neimeyer of the Danforth Mennonite Church also encouraged neighbours to explore the many community activities hosted in the space.
And don’t forget — DECA is always looking for volunteers! You can get involved with the East Lynn Farmers’ Market (every Thursday beginning June 4), the annual Yard Sale on June 13, or the Art Fair taking place September 19–20. If you would like to volunteer for the yard sale, email Alex and Alida at yardsale@deca.to. If you want to volunteer with the market, sign up here:
We are still taking signups for the yard sale! You can find all the links here: https://deca.to/yardsale/