By Trishelle Dotson and Alex Muzychko
Students and staff that Humber News spoke with on Wednesday said they are looking forward to the last long weekend before the end of the winter semester.
While Easter weekend is a religious holiday for many, for others it’s an opportunity for some free time.
“I plan on celebrating by doing my assignments and spending time with my partner. Hopefully, I can get a nice meal together since I’m gonna get the day off from work,” said Alexandra Seymour, second year Interior Decorating student.
Born in Quebec but raised in Venezuela, Seymour said she has a lot of different traditions but does not celebrate Easter. She said she is excited for the end of the semester.
“I’m just trying to breathe in, breathe out, you know? I’m happy that I don’t have to come into school but I’m not really religious either,” said Seymour.
One Humber staff member said she wanted to see the cherry blossoms in High Park.
“I have a plan to visit,” said Vidhi Shah, a Business Analyst for the ITS Department “to see if they are already in progress or not.”
And she’s also hoping to head out of the city.
“I’m also planning to have one day at Niagara Falls. I don’t celebrate Easter, but am taking advantage of the long weekend,” said Shah.
Some are even using the long weekend to celebrate other occasions.
Shariff Kuteyi, a second year Architectural Technician student, just had a birthday.
“Saturday we are having a little dinner because it was my birthday,” Kuteyi said. “I’m also going to church on Sunday. But on Friday I’m planning on spending the day in bed.”
Some students said they will be studying or going to work.
“I’m planning on spending the weekend studying, because exam week is coming up. So I have to finish up all my assignments and then study for exams after that.” said Manveer Tatla, a third year Business Administration student.
“Im Sikh so my religion doesn’t celebrate Easter so I’ll just be studying,” said Tatla.
Adriana Ribeiro, a second year Marketing student, said she will be spending her weekend working.
“A long weekend for me means work. So it’s not that I’m enjoying it more than other weekends,” said Ribeiro, adding “they’re kinda like always the same. Work, schoolwork, school. I have two jobs.”
As a Catholic, Ribeiro says that she will be observing Easter but in her own way since she will be at work. When asked how she felt about the ending of the semester Ribeiro says that she just wants to finish.
“I’ll take a break at the end of the semester but then I’m going straight through into the summer,” Ribeiro said.
Here is a look at what will be open and what will be closed over the long weekend.
Open on Friday April 7 and Sunday April 9
Grocery Stores
- Bloor Street Independent City Market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
- Pusateri’s at Toronto Eaton Centre from 12 to 5 p.m.
- Rabba Fine Foods open 24/7
- Whole Foods from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Select Fortino’s stores.
Shopping Centres
- Toronto CF Eaton Centre will be open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- CF Markville 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Alcohol
Wine rack stores will be operating on their regular schedules. Location hours may vary.
Transportation
- All TTC will be running on a Sunday schedule, however service will begin service earlier from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- GO Transit will be operating on their Sunday service schedule.
Closed on Friday April 7 and Sunday April 9
Humber
- All campuses closed
Grocery stores
- Metro
- Costco
- Most Loblaws locations
- Fortinos
- Some T&T Supermarkets
- Zehr’s
Shopping centers
- Fairview Mall
- Sherway Gardens
- Shops at Don Mills
- Yorkdale Shopping Centre
- Scarborough Town Centre
- Dufferin Mall and Bayview Villa
Alcohol
- All LCBO stores
- All Beer Stores
- Wine Rack locations inside grocery stores.
Transportation
- TTC will operate on its regular Sunday schedule
- GO Transit will operate on its regular Sunday schedule
Also closed:
- Banks
- Government offices
- Post offices and delivery services
- Public libraries
Open on Monday April 10
Humber
- All campuses open
Business
- Regular hours
Closed on Monday April 10
- Government operated services such as post offices, delivery services, Service Ontario and Service Canada will all be closed.