News&Events

2024

Commemoration of 70th Anniversary of Hurricane Hazel in Raymore Park

October 13th

On October 13, 2024, at 1 pm, Toronto Bell Cote commemorated 70th Anniversary of Hurricane Hazel together with several other local organization of our community. The event was by the side of Humber River in the Raymore park, where the worst natural disaster in the history of Toronto happened in October 1954 and was sponsored by City of Toronto, Humber River Calling, Friends of Smythe & Park, Toronto Bell Cote Heritage Preservation, Weston Historical Society and Live Green Toronto, Approximately 60 community members from different organizations, including 10 TBC representatives, participated in the event. TBC had its own booth where we were able to commune with others and explained the following:

1.Important role Toronto Bell Cote played as spiritual and salvation centre to the Westmount Community in the aftermath of horrific devastation caused by Hurricane Hazel, which led to its Heritage Status in 2003 by the City of Toronto.
2.Painful and Complex work Sukyo Mahikari realized to recover the Heritage Building from its ruins after acquiring the building in 2009 and continue offering maintenance service of this historical and only existing wooden church in Toronto.

Please find below few highlights of the event:
1. Water Blessing and memorial of lives lost during Hurricane Hazel by the bank of Humber River ? This event was hold by Vivian Recollet in conjunction with an indigenous Ceremony with drumming, singing and a jingle dancer.
2. Famous Historian Madeleine McDowell told the story of Hurricane Hazel.
3. Each participating organization provided their link to Hurricane Hazel and how they continue working towards prevent any future disaster.

This was a very successful event for Toronto Bell Cote. Our sincere thanks to all TBC participants, in particular TBC Committee members for their active participation in mounting our beautiful booth in the park. We convey our gratitude to Anne-Louse of Humber River Calling, principal organizer and coordinator of the event.