"Running Rivers Up Hills"
by Steve Andrusiak
04/04/09

There is only one church on all of Nelson Street in East London. It's on the corner of Lansdowne Avenue. Neighbours know that Christ the King Church is Ukrainian and Catholic. They may not know that within the last few years, the last two priests who served there left. Both joined the military Much to the relief of the congregation, when Father Ihor Petryk arrived last November, he promised not to follow the others to Camp Petawawa. In fact, Father Petryk had already completed a stint in the Military.

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The Medallion Project
by Cecilia Buy
28/03/09

The decades have seen many changes on this block bounded by Lyle, Dundas, Hewitt and King Streets. Residents, businesses and buildings have come and gone. But no change would be as dramatic as that currently being proposed by Medallion Properties Inc., and presently under review by City Hall's Site Plan
Approval Office.

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The Joy a Garden Brings
by Steve Andrusiak
21/03/09

This T-intersection at Inkerman and Nelson Streets was once the entrance to the prosperous General Steel Works factory. GSW built stoves and shipped them to customers around the world. Today, after years of disuse, the "stove works" serves as a warehouse. Its smokestack still casts a longing for better times over the area. Last week, graffiti appeared on the exterior walls of the plant, but according to one neighbour- it's never for long.

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Penny Picton's Paper
by Steve Andrusiak
12/03/09

This T-intersection at Nelson and Inkerman Streets was once the entrance to the prosperous General Steel Works factory. GSW built stoves and shipped them to customers around the world. Today, after years of disuse, the "stove works" serves as a warehouse. Its smokestack still casts a longing for better times over the area. Last week, graffiti appeared on the exterior walls of the plant, but according to one neighbour- it's never for long.

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Mr. Cho's Store
by Steve Andrusiak
12/03/09

The C & C is a variety store at Elizabeth and Dundas in East London. Owner Joe Cho believes this corner has had a similar store on it for 100 years. “(My) regular customers are pretty nice, so nice,” says Mr. Cho. But more and more, some who visit are not so nice. The last few weeks in particular have been a test. After five years of relative calm, the C & C Discount Variety was held up twice in less than two weeks. Then twelve days later- the C & C was hit again.

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Queens Ave Renovations
by Steve Andrusiak
22/02/09

Leonardo and Maria Parra and Angela Rivard and Jamie Tadesco have been renovating this 115-year-old home on Queens Avenue since October. It’s their fifth project in the Old East section of London in five years. This one will be ready for “a neighbourhood inspection” some time in April

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The London Knight
by Steve Andrusiak
18/02/09

The number 16 Adelaide bus, heading north stops here every 15 to 20 minutes. Travelers waiting for it have only to look over their right shoulders. And there, in a street-side garden, stands the statue of the man who would become London’s knight. He lived near the southeast corner of Queens Avenue and Adelaide almost 90 years ago

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Leaving the Oasis
by Steve Andrusiak
12/02/09

You can’t see into the light gray minivan. But you notice the chrome hubcaps and the premium tires. Most days the van is parked behind the TD Canada Trust at Lyle and Dundas Streets for hours at a time. A large “SECURITY” sign looms from behind the windshield. And behind the sign sits security guard Lawrie Huth. “I started way back in May. Got my eyes opened real quick. Drugs, prostitution, violence- just very rude and ignorant people mixed up with all the great people of London,” he says

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The Used Appliance Gallery
by Steve Andrusiak
02/02/09

John Waye’s GMC pickup truck is hitched to an open trailer. Both are facing the wrong way along the northeast side of Dundas Street at English. The trailer is full of appliances. But the bed of the pickup is piled high with parts. And it is clear that this is not going to be just another Saturday morning delivery.

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Sunset at the Embassy Hotel
by Steve Andrusiak
28/01/09

Just inside the main entrance to the Embassy Hotel a door on the left opens into darkness. As the eyes adjust inside, you just might find yourself following the sounds of a conversation. You round the corners, first right then left. Sunlight streams through a window and bathes the bar. Russ Hadley and Ernie Goodyear are holding court. It’s an island in an otherwise empty cavern.

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Home to Build
by Steve Andrusiak
19/01/09

Vera Close first moved to the house at 634 Dufferin Avenue 33 years ago. “I was the first young family in the area. Everyone else was senior citizens,” she said. A few years later, she also bought the house next door. “The old house had to be pulled up. It had been held up by tree trunks. I bought it. I fixed it up and I rented it out”.

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