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EESTI ELU reedel, 12. augustil 2022 — Friday, August 12, 2022
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KESKUS construction update KESKUS International Esto nian Centre will have as its municipal address 9 Madison Avenue, and is strategically located near the subway inter change station where the two main lines meet, in downtown Toronto. Building over two sets of subway tunnels re quires a different construction plan and approach, with deep foundation work undertaken before shoring and excavation. Deep foundation construction resumed at the KESKUS site, now that the various trades have settled their contract negotia tions. The drilling of the soldier piles, micropiles and caissons requires considerable coordina tion with testing of the structural integrity of the piles undertaken throughout the process. With limited ability to apply weight on the TTC subway tunnels that run underneath the site, the machines take turns as well. To cite this week’s Annex Residents’ Association news letter on the matter: “We knew that building on top of a subway line would bring its unique challenges – but having to schedule and deploy your vehicles according to their tonnage? Tricky.” This continues Phase I of construction as discussed at the community engagement session on March 24, 2022, watch it or read a summary via the KES KUS blog at www.estoniancen tre.ca/news-events, or better yet, sign up for the monthly news letter and get all the news to your inbox, via www.estonian
centre.ca/newsletter. KESKUS International Esto nian Centre in downtown Toronto will be a dynamic hub showcasing our rich heritage and promoting Estonian innova tion. It will be a vibrant gather ing place for Estonians of all generations and backgrounds to connect, celebrate, and share our culture and achievements with each other and the world.
Stalin redux
forcible relocation to prison camps. Again, not just men, but women and children. Some have made it to safety and security through other routes, accounting for the more than 50 000 Ukrainian war refugees in Estonia, for example. And Estonia is doing its level best to feed, house, and find jobs for them.
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halt his bellicosity. Mirroring the reaction to Stalin. The death count of those in uniform is already high on the Russian side. Just as it was during the Winter War. And still they keep coming, fearing their evidently inept Generals. Russian soldiers may not know about the past, when the advancing infantry was often shot at from behind by their own officers to goad them into movement. And de serters were either shot or sent to the Gulag. That is the final comparison. Ukrainians in transit from the zone of war, having been promised safe transit, have seen their passports confiscated, de mands that they accept Russian citizenship, and in many cases
KESKUS valued donors make a critical difference! Please join our growing list of capital campaign donors. The KESKUS International Estonian Centre’s donor categories are Kalevipoja laud for gifts over $100,000 (including naming rights for specific areas), Koidula gild, which is from $50,000-99,999, Viru vanemad for gifts of $10,000-$49,999, and Kungla rahvas for gifts up to $10,000. KESKUS leadership donors are listed here: www. estoniancentre.ca/capital-cam paign To make a donation, please call +1.647.250.7136 or email donations@estoniancentre.ca. Donations may be made as a family gift, or in honour of an individual or family. All do nations are issued a tax receipt. Let’s keep in touch! • Visit the KESKUS website for all the latest news • Sign up for the KESKUS monthly email newsletter • Follow KESKUS on Face book @EestiKeskus, Twitter @ keskus, Instagram @keskus.iec
Hence Hartley’s pithy obser vation may hold true for times of far ago, but not regarding recent history. One which many readers remember and lead them to fear the worst. For Putin is continuing in Stalin’s steps, and the West, once again, is standing by in the face of atrocities. Those who forget the past are destined to repeat it. The 20th century is certainly not a foreign country today. TÕNU NAELAPEA
Watching Estonian tennis ace Anett Kontaveit play at the Toronto National Bank Open on August 10 were 41 fans rallied together by the Estonian Arts Centre. They were able to cheer for Kontaveit as well as Kaia Kanepi, both of whom didn’t advance in the tournament. But still a thrill for Toronto Estos, who seldom have these opportunities. Photo: Peeter Põldre
Community voices concerning future of St. Peter’s Church In order to hear from the members of St. Peter’s and the community, an ongoing survey was conducted to ascertain the concerns, ideas, and suggestions regarding the future of the church. You spoke … we listened. How do you feel about the church and current activities? The church facility – 70% satisfied or very satisfied. The Minister and sermons – 44% unsatisfied or very un satisfied. What would you value most going forward? Keeping the church at 817 Mt. Pleasant Road – 84% strongly agree or agree. Having church services in Estonian – 74% strongly agree or agree. Having Estonian community activities – 72% strongly agree or agree. Fostering friendships within our congregation – 82% strongly agree or agree. Having inclusive local commu nity activities – 68% strongly agree or agree. Providing a Sunday School – 74% strongly agree or agree. Future community activities envisioned at St. Peter’s • Open the building and ser vices to our entire community. • Guides and scouts should return to the church facility. • We need an active choir and music ensembles. • We should establish children’s play groups and day care throughout the week. • We should organize social events; concerts; art shows;
vational • Bring back a church choir. • Sunday School for children. • Grow the church and inte movie nights with Estonian grate it into the surrounding movies; youth, adult and community. seniors’ groups; lectures; guest • Need to organize more in teresting activities and social speakers; Bible study; confir mand reunions; lotteries; and events that foster friendships within our community. garage sales. • Pensioner afternoon get-• The church needs to continue its role as a centre or home togethers on a regular basis. • Rental income from groups base for the community. using the church would contri Saving the building and bute to our financial well-being. columbarium – Church Ministry and Leadership • They wanted to feel wel comed and included when attending church. • The current sermons were not relevant nor interesting, and often political. • Need more uplifting services with time for socializing and music. • Want a minister that is friendly with a non-confrontational attitude. • Invite other ordained or lay ministers to bring some new ness. • Communion does not need to be offered every Sunday. Why haven’t you participated in services recently? • No longer live in the area. • Services every Sunday are far too often. • Do not speak or understand Estonian. • Travelling to church took too big a chunk out of their day. What would make you want to come to St. Peter’s more often? • New leadership with open ideas to embrace the commu nity. • A new pastor whose sermons are enlightening and moti
• The church should not be sold. It is an icon of architec ture and Estonian perseverance and heritage abroad. • People having family resting in the columbarium felt that it would be an insult to move it. • St. Peter’s should return to its roots and become more than a church, a community hub for both Estonians and the broader community to enjoy. • The church should be show cased on Doors Open Toronto so all can experience Mihkel Bach’s architectural jewel. • We need to share our expen ses with other congregations. • Decide whether the role of the church is to embrace the Estonian community inter denominationally; or to bring in more Christians speaking any language. • Many young Estonians marry outside the community and/or do not speak Estonian within their family. We should not turn them away but welcome them as part of our future. If you have not yet completed the survey, you can still share your thoughts through our web site at: friends-of-st-peters.com. We look forward to hearing what our community wants for St. Peter’s in the future. FRIENDS OF ST. PETER’S
