By John Michailidis

Its rare that ordinary citizens have the financial means or the passion to make contributions of land to their community. One such rare individual is Billy McKay 1862-1943, an East York farmer, born of Irish parents, in what is now the community of East York. His contribution of land in the early 1920s set the stage for the pattern of development of the eastern part of the old Township of York, creating a hub of public buildings at Coxwell Avenue and Mortimer Avenue to serve the community. His contribution of land may have played a significant role in the province's decision to establish the Township of East York in 1924.

By Doug Hum

Tuey Ping Lee-Hum- she was a star Cantonese opera performer. (Photos by the Hum family)She came to Canada from Asia (China) in 1936 with a Cantonese opera troupe to rally support for China against Imperial Japan which was threatening to conquer and subjugate China.

Prior to and during World War II, she performed on stage in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal in Canada. At the end of the War. the entire opera troupe was invited to perform in the United States where they performed in New York City, Boston and Detroit. Tuey Ping Lee Hum on stage. She played mainly male roles.

Frank O'ConnorIn his late 20s he met and married a young widow, Mary Ellen Hayes from Belleville. They moved to Toronto in 1912 and the next year opened the Laura Secord Candy Store on Yonge Street, north of Elm. They used only the best ingredients and they hand-chose their workers - many of whom became long-time employees. Benefiting from the good business acumen of his wife, Frank opened Laura Secord shops across Canada; within a decade they branched into the USA where, their enterprise was known as Fanny Farmer Candy Stores. Eventually the O'Connor fortune was in the multi-millions. Mr. O'Connor recognized that his success was in great measure due to his good and faithful workforce, and in 1923 he was the first candy manufacturer in the world to introduce a profit-sharing plan. Frank and Mary Ellen had a daughter, Mary; and Frank adopted Mary Ellen's young son William.

By Danielle Astrug