By Susan Eickmeier
Since my last article, I’ve been contemplating a good subject for this article and have decided to focus on one of my favourite topics. You guessed it from the title ~ The Cricket Club. This special geographic pocket known throughout Toronto as the Cricket Club, is located south of Wilson, north of Brooke Ave.; between Yonge & Avenue Rd. 
The history of this fine area goes back to the early 1800’s when Andrew McGlashan emigrated from Scotland and built a log cabin east of Bayview Avenue, north of York Mills. His wife and five children helped clear the land! Those were the days, when you could actually tell your children to go “clear the land”!! Well, he subsequently moved his family to Hogg’s Hollow where he built North York’s first tannery of mud bricks. Our residential streets only came to be in the early 1920’s, and look at us now!
There are many more interesting stories; some of which can be found in the The York Mills Heights Book. The YMH Rate Payers Association put together this wonderful book on the history of the area, with the skills of Jeanne Hopkins, a North York historian; Dr. Alice Briggs ~ Chair, History Committee and many others, who were able to gather valuable photos and personal memories. There is such a rich history in this neighbourhood, like so many neighbourhoods in Toronto; which brings me to my next thought.
Many local homes, with all their charm and character are beginning to need renovations; which actually, have contributed greatly to the building boom over the past ten years. In my opinion, there are three choices available when faced with this dilemma:
- Does one renovate the existing home in hopes of maintaining the charm and character of the home and the neighbourhood?
- Does one allow the architects to convince you there is nothing worth salvaging and “tear it down”?
- Do you save yourself tremendous stress … both emotional and financial stress; and take the next step up ~ and start to look for your dream home?
These are very real and important questions that your real estate agent should be able to help you with. You must weight out the plus’s vs. the minus’s and try to asses the costs involved, time and energy. Questions like: Will building costs stay on target? Will the home be completed on time? Will there be any hidden problems or costs? Where do we move during a renovation/build and what will that cost, including furniture storage etc.? If we decide to move; sell our home, and buy another, what costs will we be looking at there? Well the list goes on and on. Whatever the decision, only you can know what the most prudent course of action is; and you need a good Realtor to help you along the way. In this case, I am my own client, facing all these questions and more.
I’ve decided however, they will have to wait for the time being. More importantly, I have begun to plan my annual Charity Ladies Tea Party in celebration of Spring and my beautiful tulips. Yes, I am confident that spring is just around the corner! For the lovely women I invite; my neighbours, clients, friends & family; it is always a wonderful afternoon of great conversation; wonderful tea sandwiches & sweet treats. A time to connect with old friends, and meet new ones. I’m looking very forward to it … spring … and all the good things that come with it!!
Please, stay tuned for my next blog … and along with that article, I’ll be sure to tell you all about my Tea Party.
Susan Eickmeier is a Sales Representative with Royal LePage R.E.S. Ltd/Johnston & Daniel Division. Susan is also a regular contributor to the Muddy York Blog. Susan’s website is located at www.susaneickmeier.com
