Editor’s Note: The Following is an abridged version of a story written as part of a collaboration with The Globe and Mail. The story originally appeared on February 12, 2016.

I used to hear stories about Riverdale. My uncle always liked to go tobogganing at Riverdale Park. One time, when he was a kid, he was run over by a bobsled.

And my dad wiped out at Dundas and Broadview on his Harley Davidson. I guess I thought it must have been a dangerous place!

My dad owned an office systems company, which sold automated filing machines. During my summers I used to work there, putting 10,000 labels on 10,000 file folders. It wasn’t fun, but I learned a lot about the value of working for yourself.

Thanks to Lea-Ann for sharing her story!

Hogtown Stories is a project by Jeremy Korn. Follow Hogtown Stories on Facebook and Instagram!