May 24, 2012

A Movember to remember

This November grow a ‘stache for a great cause using T.O.’s most famous hairy upper lips as inspiration

THIS MONTH, THE Movember campaign highlights men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer, by honouring that most masculine of pursuits: growing a ’stache. That’s right a moustache, a soup strainer, an upper lip cozy. The idea is simple: register and start growing a moustache, garnering support from friends and family in the form of donations.

Last year, the Canadian campaign raised more than $2.4 million for prostate cancer research. At the end of the month, gala parties will be held across the country to celebrate the grand growth, judge a friendly design competition and savour the moment one last time before firing up the razor.

Luckily, living in Toronto there has been plenty of inspiration in the upper lip decoration department.

But there’s more. Namely, the city’s most beloved baseball hurler, Dave Stieb. His moustache gives new meaning to the phrase “chin music.” Stylish, with ’70s flair, Stieb’s soup strainer was a rare thing of beauty.

Maple Leafs greats Eddie Shack and Lanny McDonald had some serious upper lip cozies happening down on Carlton Avenue. Killer moustaches. And what about the one and only Gordon Lightfoot? Folkster extraordinaire took a serious step forward in his musical career when he grew a ’stache for his 1972 album Don Quixote. Mint, and he’s still mustachioed today. And there is a reason why celebrity chef Massimo Capra is so popular—his one-of-a-kind zuppa-strainer, of courser.

Other great city moustaches include local actor Harvey Atkin, former Toronto Raptor Charles Oakley, Jays manager Cito Gaston and one of the greatest soup strainers in city history belongs to a former city councillor and current federal NDP leader, Jack Layton. In fact, Layton’s moustache is so popular it even has its own Facebook group. Inspired? Go to www.movember.com for more information and start growing your own.

This article appears in the November 2009 issue of Post City Magazines

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