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GLEBE Glebe Report March 10, 2017 3

A few months ago every seat in the father and uncle, lived here while he
Abbottsford House dining room was After the Glebe, ‘What next?’ chaired the Conservative caucus and
filled as many “well-derly” members by Diane McIntyre my cousin Jack moved into his “Dad’s
of this community gathered to talk room” when he became NDP leader.
about co-housing. We were all inter- The Canadian Voice of Women for
ested in exploring possible future Peace has often gathered here and the
living arrangements that might pro- “Harperman” cross-country protest
vide more security and support as an sing-along coordinating group used it
alternative to maintaining our own as home base. These walls have lots of
homes where many now find them- good stories to share.
selves living alone. Once people move I anticipated living here forever and
into the Glebe, many want to stay I have always said I’d be carried away
because of the sense of community, in a box, but by the time you are read-
the proximity of shops and services ing this my house will have another
and the walkability of our neighbour- sign in the front garden. The next per-
hood. But most were beginning to Diane McIntyre leaves her Glebe home on Renfrew Avenue fect place is waiting for me to move
think, “What next?” with many cherished memories. back. I thought it would take years
With friends, I have often mused but I was only on the waiting list for
about buying a mansion or a small is a nice community garden main- of the ladies and girls on the street five weeks and not at all prepared to
apartment building to share, a place tained by a few tenants. I hoped that a (ages 5 to 100) to welcome my daugh- make the decision to move. I called
where each could have private space big sunny suite would become avail- ter to the street over 30 years ago. The my daughter Leia who coached me
but where there would also be com- able sometime in the next 5 to 10 years sun was shining on my front door and towards a decision. “Mom, you have
mon areas for libraries, musical events when I might be ready for a change. streaming through the windows and two great options but maybe it is time
and where you could have compan- I quickly felt the embrace and com- I felt very blessed to have the perfect to move. You have to practice non-
ionship and share meal times when fort of community when I moved into home base and place for her to grow attachment. Don’t hang onto the house
wanted. We talked of hiring support my house on Renfrew Avenue in 1979. up when I brought Leia home from the for me. We will always have good
staff to manage the house and garden This quiet cul de sac next to Central hospital on a cold January day in 1985. memories and I feel very lucky to have
while we played bridge or Scrabble Park provides a safe place where chil- I gave up my Triumph Spitfire and we lived on Renfrew Avenue.” She always
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or ping-pong or golf, or travelled. Per- dren create street art, play hopscotch walked and cycled everywhere. We was the wiser one.
haps we’d hire a driver, a personal and ball, and learn to ride their bikes restored Central Park by planting 189 I will continue to shop in the Glebe
trainer or massage therapist to visit in the middle of the street. This shared trees and bushes with neighbours and and I plan to sit on my neighbours’
regularly. Cooperative living is nice to play area brings neighbours out to the the help of the GCA Environment front steps on Renfrew Avenue sipping
think about while we are all relatively front steps and gardens to watch over Committee. We lobbied for street wine while watching the next genera-
healthy but I wondered who would children. Meeting each other and lighting on our block and for repair of tion of toddlers learn to ride tricycles
manage it all when some members of looking out for each other was a nat- the stairway into the park. We planned on many more summer evenings.
a collective can no longer contribute? ural extension of using this shared street parties, more baby showers and
I put my name on the waiting list two street space, as we are more likely gatherings as families moved away Diane McIntyre is a past president of
months ago for a large apartment in a to use front porches or to sit on steps and new neighbours joined us. the GCA, past chair of school coun-
building where I had lived before and rather than staying cloistered in pri- This house has been a wonder- cils at Mutchmor, Glashan and Glebe
that I knew already had many social vate back gardens. On this block we ful home base for me. My daughter Collegiate, and a Whitton Award win-
elements that I wanted without my share tools, ladders, emergency infor- grew up and moved away but still vis- ner for community activism. She has
being obligated to manage anything. mation and know that we can ask to its often. My gardens have grown and a lifetime membership in the GCA
I already know people in the building borrow a cup of milk, a jar of capers flourished. The dining room table and and wonders if the Glebe boundaries
who host musical events, that a friend or a cake-decorating kit in a pinch. side patio have provided space for lots might be extended to include her new
who likes to play Scrabble already My next-door neighbour Janie of ideas to be shared. home at the Windsor Arms at 150
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has an apartment there, and that there hosted a baby shower for me with all The Hon Robert Layton, my god- Argyle Avenue.