A very important milestone took place in Toronto last week. Canadian Macedonian Place celebrated its 20th Anniversary of successful operation, and a very prominent Macedonian in our community was honored.
On Sunday November 14th, 1999 at LeParc Banquet Halls, about 465 people came to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Canadian Macedonian Place and to pay tribute to our own Van Petroff. Mr. William Andrews, an old friend and past president of Canadian Macedonian Place acted as Master of Ceremonies. Very Rev. Jovan Boseovski and Very Rev. Trajko Boseovski shared the blessing of the food. The speakers included Mr. John Bitove, the founder of Canadian Macedonian Place, the Honorable Dennis Timbrell, Mr. Chuck Colby, Potentate of the Rameses Shrine Temple, Mr. Herman Grad, the President of Leisureworld Inc., and Mr. George Vassos, the current President of Canadian Macedonian Place. The Honorable David Collenette Minister of Transport, and Mr. Mel Lastman, Mayor of Toronto, were not able to attend at the last minute but each sent their best wishes in a very nice scroll which were read out by the M.C. Of particular note was that a wonderful roast beef dinner was served promptly as promised, at 6:15 P.M., followed by the speeches. This gave plenty of time for Dancing! The Boys from Bouf performed admirable and everyone had a fantastic time.
Mr. Dennis Timbrell, a former Ontario Minister of Health, reminisced about his early involvement with Canadian Macedonian Place and how he from the Provincial Government and David Collenette from the Federal Government had helped to get governments on side, and all the great Macedonians he met along the way. Mr. Timbrell had spoken at all the landmark outdoor events culminating at the Official Opening on June 17th, 1979, and at every outdoor function where he spoke, the sun always shone brightly, prompting him to proclaim that “God must be Macedonian”. Mr. John Bitove gave an eloquent tribute to Van Petroff for his devotion and dedication to Canadian Macedonian Place over the years. And in honor of Van Petroff and this special occasion, John announced a donation to CMP of 5,000.00 from the Bitove Foundation. The Potentate (chief) of the Rameses Shrine Temple, Mr. Chuck Colby, outlined Van’s dedication and contribution to the many charitable organizations that the Shrines support. Mr. Herman Grad, the President of Leisureworld Inc., one of the most respected builders of nursing homes and providers of nursing home care, confirmed his company’s commitment in working with Canadian Macedonian Place to provide our Macedonian seniors their own “Macedonian environment” in the brand new building at 1800 O’Connor Dr., which will be ready for occupancy about September 2000. Finally, our President, Mr. George Vassos, paid tribute to the many people who have made Canadian Macedonian Place work so well. Especially to Van Petroff for his tireless dedication to Canadian Macedonian Place and the Macedonian community, his support for the Macedonian Language Course, and the Macedonian Open Golf Tournament.
Van Petroff ended the speeches by humble accepting all the accolades and thanked many people over the years that helped him achieve all he did.
As a permanent tribute to Van Petroff, Canadian Macedonian Place commissioned Onnig Cavoukian of Cavouk Portrait Studio, to do a portrait of Van. At the end of the speeches this perfect capture of Van was unveiled from beneath the Macedonian flag and will hang permanently in Canadian Macedonian Place.
A wonderful time was had by all!
NEW NURSING HOME
Over the past twenty years Canadian Macedonian Place has never lost sight of the Nursing Home, which was to have been the second phase, built on our land. When we learned last year that our land was not suitable under the new requirements from the Ministry of Health, we were the fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Leisureworld and Mr. Herman Grad. Mr. Grad has assured us that we will have the full co-operation of his staff to decorate our section in a Macedonian motif, to have Macedonian food and entertainment, and to be staffed by our members of the community.
Each section of the building is 32 beds or half a floor. If we can guarantee 64 people we can have the exclusive use of a whole floor. This is a wonderful opportunity for our people. We have loved ones in a various Homes scattered all over the city. This new Home is less than a mile from Canadian Macedonian Place and is state-of-the art modern in all respects, from facility to services. A Macedonian Cultural Advisory Committee has been selected consisting of Dr. Chris Stefanovich, Virginia Stoymenoff, Virginia Mladen, R.N., Zlatka Cokov, Sonia Taylor, R.N., and Tanya Nedelkovski. Meeting will be held with the Director of Operations and the Resident Care Consultant of Leisureworld.
The cost per patient is the same across Ontario, except that these new homes will have no more than two people per room in the ward accommodation. If you have a loved one or know of anyone in a present nursing home, please call Canadian Macedonian Place to register him or her for the new facility. There is a procedure that must be followed, as all applicants must register with the Community Care Access Center (CCAC), but please call CMP at (416) 755-9231to register first and we will give you the proper instructions.