One Yonge Street and Rick Eglinton that is.
Two-time National Newspaper Award winner Rick Eglinton retires this week from the Toronto Star at One Yonge Street.
Here is some of his work over his 26 years at the Toronto Star.
Joe Carter jumps for joy after three-run homer in 1993 World Series win. Rick Eglinton won the National Newspaper Award for Sports Photography for this picture.
Continue reading "Yonge and Eglinton no longer intersect!" »
Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos
Ten metre platform diver Roseline Filion slices into the water during training in the Montreal 1976 Olympic Pool diving tank.
David Cooper - Chief Photographer - @whatzname07
It was Sunday morning April 14, 1971 and I was driving back from New York city with Telegram staff photographer Norm Betts.
We had driven down to New York City to cover game five of the first round series between the Leafs and the Rangers for the old Toronto Telegram. The Leafs lost the game 3-1 and wound up losing the series in six.
We Crossed into Canada over the Ivy Lea Bridge and headed down the 401 towards Toronto. It was probably near 8 a.m. and realizing we were in Canada turned on the CBC to catch the news.
The top story: Prisoners riot at the Kingston Penitentiary. We were 20 km from Kingston, so we sent ourselves.
When Norm and I arrived the Toronto Star team apparently called Toronto to say that the Tely had sent TWO more photographers. More Star photographers were dispatched.
In those days a big story would have teams of reporters and photographers on site, and this was really big. Prisoners had taken over the penitentiary and two inmates were killed. Much of the prison was destroyed during the standoff.
It went on for days with the media camped out around the clock in the former prison warden's house directly across from the main gates.
There was a lot of time to kill obviously because I had time to skateboard down the sidewalk in front of the prison with all my cameras. I don't remember where the skateboard came from, it was borrowed for somebody.
This was back in the days of film and Nikon F's and prime lenses. I usually carried three camera bodies, but only one with a motor drive (they cost $1500 back then which was at least 3 months pay for most photogs), and two without. It's hard to tell in the picture but normally I would have a 24mm on one a 105mm on another and a 200mm telephoto on the third.
Six months later the Telegram folded and 70 former Tely people (including Norm and I) started the Toronto Sun. I stayed for seven years and then came to the Star. Still here, still having, a riot (LOL).
Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer - @RMadonik
Randy Starkman loved what he did. He was devoted to it, compelled by it, and consumed with it. Randy never stopped working. And Randy’s career will never be forgotten. The outpouring of messages, blogs, and remembrances, by journalists and athletes from across the country, is a testament to the dedication he displayed in his career,
Photo by Wanda Goodwin
Starkman leaves behind his wife, CBC journalist Mary Hynes, and their daughter Ella, the two people, undoubtably, who will miss him more than I can imagine.
I was never close friends with Starkman, but I’ve known him for about 45 years. I’m not sure, I’d have to look at my Grade 1 class picture, but I think that’s where I first encountered Randy. We grew up, literally, a couple of blocks from each other in Bathurst Manor, in North York. We went to grade school, junior high and high school together. Although we were the same age, we weren’t in the same circle of people. But we knew each other fairly well and bumped shoulders in road hockey games (he was fearless) or floor hockey.
As I was still trying to figure out what I would do with my life, I was aware Randy began working at UPC (United Press Canada) and was cutting his teeth in sport journalism by covering Alpine skiing in Europe. He landed at the Star a couple of years before I did, but in some weird way, it was comforting to know a guy I grew up with was a coworker. (In fact, I found it strange how many of us from the same year, of the same high school, ended up working at major Toronto media outlets. Sean Fine has been at The Globe and Mail for over 20 years, and Perry Lefko worked at The Toronto Sun, until a few years ago.)
Back in 2003, Starkman and I traveled to Helsinki, Finland, for a week to cover Hayley Wickenheiser’s debut in a men’s professional hockey league. It was a freakishly cold winter (the Baltic Sea was frozen over) and the lack of sunlight (it was early January) was mood altering. What was refreshing was to witness the amazing rapport Starkman had with athletes (in this case Wickenheiser) he had covered for years. Wickenheiser was genuinely happy to see Randy. She went out of her way to spend time with us. Just before we left to come home, and after her debut game, the three of us shared a long, lingering dinner of Reindeer and beers (and a few shots). It is one of my fondest memories.
In 2009, Starkman and I spent two weeks in Vancouver/Whistler as the precursor to our VANOC 2010 coverage. His expertise on various athletes seemed endless. His unending work ethic was tiring – even to watch.
At the same time, he often spoke of his daughter Ella. He was a proud dad and was always looking for something to buy her when he was on a trip.
Just before heading west for that trip, I arrived at my yoga studio to find Starkman just finishing a class. Sometimes you'd find Starkman in places you'd never figured. Once in a while, he did tear himself away from work for other endeavors.
Covering an Olympics for The Star team will never be same. The vast knowledge Randy had tucked away in his head was invaluable, and probably impossible to replicate. His unique sense of humor, and ability to say what was on his mind - although difficult sometimes - will be missed.
This afternoon, at 4 pm, the newsroom gathered to remember Starkman. A number of people spoke, including Editor Michael Cook, John Honderich, TorStar Chairman of the Board (former Publisher, former Editor) and a number of people who worked directly with Starkman. From the stories told, and reflections cast, he surely will be missed.
Toronto Star Editor Michael Cooke moves Randy's portrait as he begins to speak in the office. Vince Talotta Photo
Designer Spencer Wynn listens to the speakers. Vince Talotta photo.
Reporter Mary Ormsby comforts Travel Editor Jim Byers as columnist Dave Perkins looks down. Vince Talotta photo.
Reporter Sue Pigg laughs during one of the lighter moments. Vince Talotta photo.
Newsroom staff listen to speakers during the memorial ceremony. Vince Talotta photo.
Chairman of the Board (TorStar) John Honderich speaks about Randy in the early years of his career. Richard Lautens photo.
A portrait of Randy Starkman at the front of the room as staff gather. Richard Lautens photo.
Staff gather around "the hub" as speakers reflect on the life of Randy Starkman. Richard Lautens photo.
Reporter Leslie Scrivener is seen through the crowd as she listens to speakers. Richard Lautens photo.
Photographer David Cooper, reporters Michelle Shepherd and Jim Rankin, among those gathered for the memorial. Richard Lautens photo.
Reporter Dan Girard tells how Starkman would have his daily phone call at 3:15 pm with daughter Ella. Richard Lautens photo.
The newsroom gathered for the afternoon memorial. Richard Lautens photo.
Reporter Kevin Donovan during the afternoon memorial. Rick Madonik photo.
Columnist, former Sports Editor, Dave Perkins, during the midday remembrance. Rick Madonik photo.
Reporter Vanessa Lu near the projection screen which shows a younger version of Randy Starkman. Rick Madonik photo.
From left, Eddie Lee, Curt Rush (back) and Donovan Vincent, listen to speeches. Rick Madonik photo.
Travel Editor Jim Byers (who headed up a number of Olympic teams for The Star) tells a story about Randy's need to buy a quirky hat. Rick Madonik photo.
National Editor Colin Mackenzie listens to speeches. Rick Madonik photo.
Picture Editor Denis Cyr watches the presentation. Rick Madonik photo
City Editor Graham Parley looks on as speakers take to the microphone. Parley was Sports Editor for years. Rick Madonik photo
Reporter Jennifer Yang in front of columnist Rosie DiManno and TorStar Chair of the Board, John Honderich. Rick Madonik photo
Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos
I guess it was fitting that when colleague Randy Starkman passed away today, I was shooting a story about an Olympic athlete that he would have loved.
I came back from that inspirational assignment to a quiet newsroom, mourning our friend. It is numbing, two weeks ago I was in Montreal with Randy covering the Olympic Swim Trials.
Randy Starkman takes notes on the mats as the Canadian Tramplone team trains in Toronto. March 7, 2012.
When I came to the Star Randy was one of the reporters I looked most forward to working with. I was lucky over the next decade and a half to work with him a lot.
I learned that Randy was not just a good reporter, but a great person. Athletes opened up to him and welcomed him into their homes. The cooked him dinner. He took us photographers along with him. Always making sure to introduce us with a little bio, mine went back to my days of swimming with Alex Baumann.
If an athlete was nervous Randy was quick to tell a personal story to help ease the athlete, he did this for good stories and the more difficult ones.
I was fortunate enough to travel with Randy quite a bit. He was fun to work with, liked a good laugh and told some great stories. Even if you had an argument with him on a trip, the next day we started with a clean slate.
The photographers at the Star respected him, Randy always had great story ideas, his ideas for pictures sometimes left a little to be desired, but, those ideas opened up other ideas. He was also quick to tip a photographer off to a fact that might make a picture.
Randy would do everything to help out, he didn't mind holding a light, flag, reflector or even sit in to help with a portrait.
Randy sits in for Cindy Klassen during a photo session at the Calgary Olympic Oval.
Randy was always willing to sit in as I looked for photo ideas, like this at the Olympic sliding centre in Calgary.
He was the master of staying out of the frame, I never worried about Randy being in my line of sight when photographing a practice or following an athlete in their home.
You don't see Randy in this picture of Canadian Olympians Sarah Renner and Thomas Grandi outside their Canmore, Alberta home. He is just to the left holding my flash. The couple welcomed Randy (us) into their home, Grandi cooked for Randy (us).
If you look closely in the glasses on Speed Skater Jeremy Wotherspoon you can see Randy's fingers holding up flag.
Randy's instincts were second to none, at the 2006 Olympics he asked me if I thought it would be worth the effort to get into Team Canada's wax house to photograph the famous ski pole Sara Renner broke in her silver medal run with Becky Scott. I jumped at the chance. Before I ran off Randy looking at the weather, wet and drizzly, told me to get pictures of the technicians waxing Becky Scott's skis. Becky would finish out of the medals, coaches, technician Laurent Roux, and Becky said it was because she missed her wax. Starkman had the story.
While Randy might have written stories that some might not have liked, nobody could say that it was wrong. Randy did not just write the fluff stories about amateur sport, athletes, coaches, parents, and officials respected him and often called him with tips. Randy's stories got action.
Randy Risling captured Randy Starkman taking a few snaps with his plastic camera while covering a story about Adam Van Koeverden in Algonquin Park. Adam's tribute to Randy
Randy Starkman counts his stack after taking the Canadian mens Freestyle Aerial team in a game of Texas Hold'em poker after a day of practice at the Club de ski acrobatique Le Relais in Lac Beauport north of Quebec City.
Randy Starkman with Hugh Finlay, the father of Scott Finlay who suffered a devastating brain injury in a downhill ski event in Lake Louise in 1978. Randy's work helped raise thousands of dollars towards having a home built in the Napanee area for people living with brain injuries. Read Randy's story on Scott Finlay here
The Canadian Olympic Committee and Own the Podium, they brought him into talk to the 2006 Olympic team in Lake Louise about developing a media strategy as the games approached. Randy was not allowed to interview any of the athletes during our stay but he made sure to negociate a picture for our Olympic Special Section.
Thomas Grandi, Jeffrey Buttle, Jennifer Heil, Steve Omischl and Cindy Klassen.
Randy enjoys a glass of water while mugging for the camera in Lake Louise.
Randy paid me a huge compliment after the 2006 Olympics, the Star team was to write about their favourite Olympic moment, I wrote about Chandra Crawford's surprise Gold in the Ladies Sprint skiing. Randy had written about the same thing. He killed his story after reading mine, he slapped my shoulder saying, "Crap Russell, you just wrote me out of the paper" At the next two Olympics we would cover he always checked what my Olympic moment was and joked that he did not want to go up against me again!
As the tributes to Randy roll in we see how highly regarded he is as a reporter and person.
Professionally Randy had a lot to be proud of, but he was most proud of his daughter Ella. Over the years I heard him tell athletes about her exploits, I waited in souvenir shops as he looked for the perfect gift for her, I smiled I listened into his phone calls to her while we were on the road.
Randy, a volunteer at the Dovercourt Boys and Girls club, was constantly doing things for kids. He brought a school's Flat Stanley to Turin in 2006 and had athletes pose with it for dispatches back to the school. Here Paul Boehm, Jeff Pain and Duff Gibson pose with Stanley after finishing fourth, silver and gold in the skeleton. Stanley would make the trip to Beijing as well.
Chris So captured this typical Randy Starkman moment, reading from a children's book (Bedtime for Frances) which be brought and gave to Aria Renner, then 2 years old. Aria is the first child of Olympic medalist Sara Renner and world Cup Champion Thomas Grandi. Starkman was a sucker for kids, in Montreal the object of his affection was Swimming Canada Martin Richard's newborn, holding the child any chance he got. When I left Randy in Montreal he was waiting for a cab to go visit a friend talking excitedly about playing hockey with his friend's kids.
He was an okay lightstand, good travel companion, great colleague, awesome father, and even more amazing person.
Other great tributes to Randy Starkman,
Clara Hughes, she is without a doubt Randy's favourite athlete, he fund so much inspiration in her.
Randy Starkman 1960-2012
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Once again, The Star photo department (as edited by Steve Russell) offers up the Best Pictures of the Month. From city politics to news to features to sports, Star photogs cover a variety of assignments bringing their unique eye to the photograph.
TARA WALTON - A Toronto Police Officer stands watch over a taped off area on the edge of Toronto's Don Valley Golf Course Thursday March 1, 2012 near the 401 and Yonge Street . Human remains were found in the area on Tuesday and are rumoured to be those of missing girl Mariam Makhniashvili, who disappeared Monday September 14, 2009 before school.
Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos
I don't remember how we did it in the days of film!
Maybe the memories are so bad that I cannot remember.
But if I sit back, hold a 16 GB memory card in each hand (well two 8 Giggers in the second hand), go to my happy place, I think I can remember how it was.
I remember shooting with unexposed film cans jammed in my right pocket with exposed film going to the left. The photo positions back then were noisier places, shutters clicking, motor drives advancing and rewinding rolls of film, photographer's praying that they can switch out rolls of film before the signature piece of the collection, swearing when didn't or when we drop an exposed roll of film on the floor.
While this was hardly a fashion week runway, it was for a good cause and they did have eyeliners....er.... headliners!
Kiss Rockgod Gene Simmons shared the catwalk with his better looking half Shannon Tweed-Simmons.
Bobbe Wood the president of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada leaves the stage after dropping off her notes prior to the Heart Truth Fashion Show 2012 where celebrities model red dresses by Canadian designers to raise awareness of heart disease in women at the Carlu in Toronto.
Continue reading "Gene Simmons eyelines, um, headlines The Heart Truth" »
Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer - @RMadonik
The Toronto Rock, defending champions of the National Lacross League (2011), are having a bit of a tough time the last few games. Maybe it's the loss (through retirement) of goalkeeper Bob Watson which has hurt them most, as solid netminding seems to be elusive. Tonight's game, against the Philadelphia Wings, was always within reach. With a minute left, and the goalkeeper pulled for the extra attacker, it seemed like the game might get to overtime as the Rock pressed hard. Unfortunately, the Wings plucked the ball and added an empty net goal to give the Rock a 12-10 defeat.
One thing I must apologize for is some missing names in the caption info. For some reason, the Wings only have identifying numbers on the back of their jersey's. With no number on the front side, or on the shorts, and unreliable numbering on helmuts, it can sometimes be difficult to get a proper ID. So, a few of the pictures, from the first half are lacking. In the 2nd half, I tried to make a point of shooting who was involved in what I hoped would be a useable picture.
Wings Dan Dawson scores the 11th goal for his team despite the efforts of Jesse Gamble (4), Bruce Codd (20) and goalkeep Matt Roik.
Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer
Last Friday I returned to work, after an abscence of almost two months. Maybe some of you noticed, but wouldn't be offended in the least, if you didn't. (I expect I will one day write about why I was off, but for the moment its safe to say it was work related.)
I was a bit apprehensive about returning, if only because I hadn't been in "the swing" of things for a while. It usually takes a few days, a few events, to get my head back "into it" when it comes to the daily requirements. For sports, it also takes a bit of time to regain the timing, and anticipation of play, that is needed.
Although I wanted to "ease" back into it - and working weekends and nights usually helps that equation - I found myself doing just about a bit of everything in the first week. From sports coverage (Leafs, Raptors and Rock), to breaking news (train derailment and TTC shooting), to portraiture (hero kid) to general news (Toronto Hydro demonstration, subway flood, Mayor Rob Ford talk radio show) and even a bit of a feature hunt (Icefest). It was a smorgasbord of assignments, and after a week back on the job, it kinda feels like I never left.
Via Rail train derailment in Burlington, Feb 26, 2012
Tara Walton - Staff Photographer
Just a few snaps from behind the scenes of Tuesday's game against the Florida Panthers.
A member of the Leafs ice crew.
