While this may be the 60th anniversary of the establishement of the Kalev-Estienne Rythmic Gymnastics Club, it is not the 60th anniversary of the beginnings of rhythmic gymnastics in Canada. That occurred 62 years ago when in 1949 my mother, the late Helene Tiidus began teaching rhythmic gymnastics at the Central YWCA in Toronto and established the "Tiidus Girls" rhythmic gymnastics club. This club headlined many of the Estonian cultural events and Esto celebrations throughout North America including many events in Toronto, Baltimore,New York and at Expo 67 in Montreal throughout the 1950s-1970s. Older members of the Estonian community may also remember that my late father Arvo Tiidus provided much of the musical accompanyment for both the practices and the performances of the Tiidus Girls. When my mother retired and the Tiidus Girls ceased to exist, a new club,"Ritmika" formed in part by a former member of the Tiidus Girls came into existance and continues to flourish today.
I extend my best wishes to the anniversary of Kalev-Estienne club and its continued success and am pleased to remined everyone of the Tiidus Girls Rhythmic gymnastics club and the founder of rhythmic gymnastics in Canada the late Helene Tiidus.

I have fond memories of your mother and father and the Tiidus Girls! I still remember going to the YMCA for classes.

The Cup program mentions and recognizes Pr. Tiidus' efforts as follows:
(excerpt p.18 of Koop Cup Program) "Having immigrated to Canada earlier, a fellow student of Ernst Idla’s back in Estonia, Helene Tiidus was already welcoming new Estonian-Canadians in Toronto to study and train in the performance arts as part of Tiidus’ YMCA based gymnastics club. Idla visited Toronto in 1950 on the invitation of Koop and others to help coordinate the development of a formal club for Estonian folk dancing and gymnastics."

(another except p.19) "Estonian gymnastics was recognized prominently even in its earliest years and in the springs of 1956 and 1957 Helene Tiidus was invited by the Ontario College of Education to give instructional seminars on modern gymnastics."

Helene Tiidus' contributions to the sport were significant.