Etobicoke History Corner - Claireville

How amazing would it be to step back in time and attend the 1st Claireville Agricultural Fair in 1865!
From the Etobicoke Guardian

ETOBICOKE HISTORY CORNER: Village of Claireville has its roots in agriculture



Claireville Agricultural Fair
Photo/PEEL REGION ARCHIVES
Judging horses at the Claireville Agricultural Fair in 1933
Etobicoke Guardian
By Denise Harris

For many of us, the advent of autumn means it’s agricultural fair season – a tradition as old as recorded history. Once up to 500 fairs were held annually in this province, and over 200 still take place today. This glimpse into rural life, with livestock, crops, ploughs, and baking competitions, help reassure us that some semblance of our historic agricultural past still exists.

The village of Claireville is in the very northwest corner of Etobicoke. Its founder was Jean du Petitpoint de la Haye, French Master at Upper Canada College, who filed a plan for a village along Albion Road in 1851, naming it after his daughter, Claire. The village was a service centre for the surrounding agricultural area and its citizens held their first agricultural fair in 1865.

In this photo, we’re looking northeast across Indian Line where you can see a row of parked cars. The buildings are all on the south side of Albion Road. The white building at the far left is the town’s general store, built around 1840 and the location of the first post office in 1842. The other buildings are residences, some with small barns behind.

Front and centre in the photo is a 1931 Packard, owned by William Perkins Bull who is at the rear of the car with white hair and beard. Bull was a wealthy lawyer, financier, philanthropist and ardent historian who wrote 13 books on the history of Toronto, Peel, and other parts of Ontario. His wife Marie is seated in the car’s back seat, and his son, William Perkins Bull Jr., is in the driver’s seat.

The Claireville fair was held every year until 1959. By then, the village’s role as an agricultural centre was diminishing as farms were being replaced with industry and subdivisions. When Hwys. 427 and 407 were built in the 1980s-90s, many buildings, including the general store, were demolished and several streets were closed. The route of Albion Road was changed to bypass the village on the south, and the name of the village’s main street was changed from Albion Road to Codlin Crescent. Only 14 former residences remain on what was once the main street of Claireville. A few are empty and the rest have been repurposed as businesses for truck storage, truck driver training, a welding school, and religious purposes. Like a ghost town, Claireville today bears only a shadowy resemblance to its former agricultural roots.

Denise Harris is the Heritage Officer of the Etobicoke Historical Society, and she has been researching, writing, leading walking tours and giving lectures on local history for over 15 years. She can be reached at denise.harris@sympatico.ca . Her column appears every second week in The Etobicoke Guardian.

Helping kids cope with moving

Good advice for parents on transitioning the kids from the old residence to the new one, from the Selfstor blog 

Kids and Moving: How To Help Them Cope May 15, 2014

Moving is a bittersweet event. There’s excitement and anticipation of living in a new house, but also built up stress with the packing and moving. The situation gets quite complicated when children are involved. Often, children detest moving. They’re leaving behind familiar faces for a strange place — something that could be very hard for them to handle. Kids, depending on the age especially, react differently. It is the parent’s job to help them get through with the excitement and/or the pain of moving. Here are some helpful tips you can use to help children (of any age) cope. At the same time, help lessen your own stress.

Tell your kids!
Be honest and communicate with your children about moving. If you can, discuss it with them before a final decision. It doesn’t hurt to hear their opinions and show that you’re considering their input. Of course, most of the time, kids would probably struggle to understand the need for the move. As much as possible, explain it patiently. And remember, don’t surprise them at all. If they come home from school and find out that they’d be leaving school the very next day, of course there might be quite an unpleasant reaction. Moving is a hard transition; and your kids would need all the preparation they can get.

Don’t sugar-coat it!
So your move is in place. Your kids have either accepted it or still detest the idea. Either way, you’re moving. Don’t sugar-coat or hype the move. It might build up wrong expectations. The least you want is for your kids to be disappointed. Worst, blame you. Let them know how and what to expect with the new town, neighbourhood, etc. Even if some aspects can be quite disappointing for your kids — e.g., no shopping malls nearby or it’s a crowded city unlike the quiet rural life they’re used to. Whatever it is, tell them what to expect. Prepare them without the hype.

Get them involved!
A stressful and exhausting phase during a move is the packing. Get your kids involved during this time, even if you might think it’s more of a hassle (since you need to supervise them). Still, make them a part of this process. You can ask them to label their own boxes; or pack their own clothes. Once you’ve moved, let them unpack on their own, or decorate their own room. By being involved, your kids might find it easier to adjust to their new surroundings.

Make them feel at home, as soon as possible!
You’ve got lots of furniture and items to bring to your new place. Don’t overwhelm yourself; put some of your possessions in a storage facility for safekeeping, for example. This way, you’re opening yourself up to a more convenient move. However, keep in mind that you’re bringing your kids to a brand new atmosphere. Aim to at least make the new house feel like “old” home. Ensure that you’ve got the essentials you need for your family to have a sense of normalcy, even if everywhere is still unfamiliar. Still, take your time to put all your possessions in place. If you try and rush to unpack everything at once, it might create an even bigger mess and stress for you. Unpack first the items your family needs for their daily routine. This way, your kids will easily feel at home quickly.

A child is an important factor when parents consider moving. If your child struggles to adjust to new surroundings, the stress for parents is doubled. Extreme patience and understanding are important to help your child cope with moving issues. After all, the main goal is to transform your new house into your family's "Home Sweet Home".

Who Uses Selfstor Anyway?

There are many types of people that use Selfstor. Which one are you?

• Grandparents who are downsizing and saving special items and heirlooms to pass down.
• People needing space for holiday decorations, sports equipment, extra tires etc..
• The sportscar enthusiast putting away their baby for the winter.
• Lawyers, Architects, Designers, Doctors etc..who are making room for all of those files that need saving but not accessed very often.
• Sales reps storing their supplies.
• Students using a unit during the summer months while they aren’t in school.
• Landscapers storing snowblowing & lawn maintenance equipment during the off months.
• Military personnel being stationed outside the country or people being transferred for work.
• Retail, Antique and Art dealers storing excess merchandise until space becomes available on the showroom floor.
• New parents needing extra space for the crib, highchair, playpen and all the other paraphernalia that comes with a baby.
• Party Planners & Caterers storing entertaining and cooking accessories.
• Rock bands and D.J’s needing a place to store their sound equipment and instruments.
• Tradespeople fill up their storage units with saws, tools, generators, wiring etc..

There are many types of people and many different reasons why people choose to use a Self Storage facility. 

Which one best describes you?

71 Simple Tips For Maintaining Good Finances

Everyone would love to save more, and it's possible. This article by +Laura L. Benn was found on CanadianLiving.com.  If you picked up and made use of just One money saving tip, then your read was worthwhile!

71 simple tips for maintaining good finances

Whether you're saving for a house, planning for retirement or just trying to stick to a monthly budget, it's important to understand the ins and outs of good finances. Here are 71 simple tips for maintaining good financial health.

By Laura L. Benn

When it comes to money matters there is a lot of advice to consider. Some people suggest saving for a rainy day, while others say it is important to invest in stocks or property. 

The truth is, however, there are all sorts of ways to maintain good financial health. What is most important is that you choose a financial plan that suits your lifestyle and goals without creating additional stress. 

We rounded up some of the best financial experts and asked their advice for making the most of our money.

From learning how to save, to creating a reasonable budget, to planning for retirement, these 71 simple tips for maintaining good finances will have you - and your piggy bank - covered.

30 simple ways to improve your finances; credit ratings, mortgage brokers, car insurance and more
From choosing a mortgage broker to cutting costs, here are 30 ways for Canadians to get smart about money. 



6 ways to stick to your personal finance resolutions 
Is this the year you're going to get out of debt, start saving for retirement and cut back on spending? Here are six tricks to reach those goals.




10 tips for stress-free money management 
How to work as a couple towards financial freedom. 





5 things that can ruin your credit rating 
Are you unintentionally ruining your credit rating? Avoid these five financial mistakes to keep your credit score in check.




5 money mistakes to avoid 
From avoiding your finances to depending too much on credit, we all make mistakes when it comes to money. Check out our expert advice on how to avoid these classic money mistakes and achieve your financial goals.



5 ways to cut your monthly expenses 
Want to cut save money and cut your monthly costs? These simple changes to your spending habits will help you spend less, save more and reach your financial goals in no time.



5 financial tools that will save you money
From websites to apps, these five financial tools will help you make smarter decisions about your money. 




Top 5 financial apps
Spending more than you should? Don't fret – these great financial apps will help you control your spending and stay on budget in no time. 




5 questions to ask a financial advisor
Thinking of hiring a financial adviser to help you pay off your debt and grow your assets? Here's how to interview them for the job of working with you.

Expert Storage Advice From SelfStor

Prepare for off site storage

Here are some things to think about when preparing to organize off-site storage. Using these storage tips will help you along every step of the way.

Remember, when renting a storage unit, expect features such as well-lit hallways, motion sensored lights, uniform locks, controlled gate access and large loading bays. At Self Stor these features are standard.

Finding a suitable storage facility can be overwhelming when you're not familiar with all of the options and features available. It's best to assess all of your storage needs before you even search for a local storage facility.

• Consider how long you will require the storage unit. Many facilities offer discounts for long-term storage, but some may also have specials for temporary rentals.
• Estimate how much space you will need and save by renting the right size unit. Feel free to call SelfStor to help you with this exercize.
• Consider how often will you need to access the unit. Some facilities are accessible 24/7. The hours of operation will vary from facility to facility and should be taken into consideration depending on your needs.
• Will any of the items you plan to store be sensitive to temperature or humidity? If so, you will most likely need a climate-controlled storage unit.

Make the Best Use Of Your Unit:

Draw A Map / Keep A List
Scribble a floor plan of where in the unit that items are located, and tape it to the wall. When you're retrieving something you'll know exactly where it is. Keep a list of the items in your storage space so you know what is in your unit at all times.

Leave An Aisle
When packing your unit, create aisles in between stacks of furniture and boxes. This allows for better air circulation and quick access to your belongings.

Keep Fumes Down!
Ensure mowers, trimmers and any gas fuelled items are drained before storage. Keep the fumes away.

Delicate Items
Use furniture drawers to hold delicate items. Wrap them securely in bubble wrap or packing paper. When storing delicate heirlooms use wardrobe boxes. Storing in climate controlled units will prevent mildew build up.

Label boxes clearly.
Put important items you will most frequently access at the front of your storage space. Items that need accessing less often can be relegated to the back of the space or at the bottom of box stacks.

Protect It
Plastic furniture covers, mattress covers and moving blankets will keep your furniture clean and protected from dust, and help ensure they stay in perfect condition.

Stack It
Take advantage of the full unit height for more efficient use of space. Stack boxes heaviest at the bottom to lightest at the top.

Take it Apart
Many items of furniture come apart for easy compact storage, taking up less room. Keeping a couple simple tools in your unit will come in handy.

How to Best Store Items:

Couches
Couches may be positioned vertically (on one end) to allow efficient use of space. Treat leather furniture with conditioners prior to storage

Appliances
Leave appliance doors ajar to prevent mildew. The inside of a fridge could be used for storage too. Again, remember to keep appliance doors open! Drain washing machines and tie down the cords and hoses. Defrost freezers and wipe down all moisture.

Electrical Equipment
TV's, stereos and computers are best packed in their original boxes. If using other boxes, try to find ones close to the originals in size, and fill the gaps with paper or bubble wrap.

Lamps, Lights
Remove shades from lamps and wrap for protection.

Mirrors and Pictures
Wrap mirrors and pictures with protective covering such as bubble wrap and mark “Fragile.” Cardboard corners can be used to protect corners.

Cloth Goods
Vacuum sealed bags work well for draperies, bedding, and clothing.

Tools
Wipe down metal objects and tools with a little oil prior to storage to avoid rust due to not being used.

**When you're not sure about a storage item, you can be sure to count on Selfstor for an answer.

ETOBICOKE HISTORY CORNER: West Dean Park home harbours rich architectural secret

Our history is always fascinating, true life events of real people from another time and era. How different it must have been in Etobicoke in 1822, Pre-Confederation, about 60 years before the flush toilet, and still about 100 years before electricity. You would have to live it to really know.

This historic home is about 3 kms south of Self Stor Kelfield

ETOBICOKE HISTORY CORNER: West Dean Park home harbours rich architectural secret

Coulter House

Courtesy/Etobicoke Historical Society

Andrew Coulter House at 59 Beaver Bend Crescent, built before 1852, as it looked in 1929.

Etobicoke Guardian

By  Denise Harris

The house at 59 Beaver Bend Cres. in the West Deane Park area is harbouring a secret. On the outside, it looks like a Classical Revival mansion, but hidden inside it’s a red and yellow brick Georgian house built sometime prior to 1852.

Andrew and Martha Coulter emigrated from Northern Ireland and bought a 100 acre lot in Etobicoke in 1822. Accompanying them were their two oldest children. The couple would have seven more offspring. Their property lay between Hwy. 27 and Martin Grove Road, halfway between Rathburn Road and Eglinton Avenue, in an area known as Richview. In addition to farming, Andrew built a saw mill on Mimico Creek which ran through his property. As the family prospered, they bought 150 more acres of land. By 1852 they had built an elegant 11-room, five-bay Georgian house of red brick with yellow brick quoins and lintels. All interior partitions were made of brick as well. After Andrew died in 1857, four of his sons operated different sections of the farm. Eldest son Robert’s house also still stands at 112 Ravenscrest Dr. Many family members are buried in Richview Methodist Church Cemetery, which now sits in the middle of the Hwys. 427/401 interchange.

The property was sold out of the Coulter family in the 1880s. In 1939, construction magnate Percy F. Law bought the west 50 acres, including the house, for $16,000. Law covered the brick with white clapboard siding (now yellow vinyl) and added a two-storey classical portico on the front, with four Corinthian columns supporting a large pediment. The front door is surrounded by sidelights and a “spiderweb” fanlight.

Law called his property Elmbrook Farm and raised prize-winning shorthorn cattle and racing horses. In 1956, he sold the property on either side of the house and Edmund Peachey developed it into the West Deane Park subdivision. The house and 11 acres around it were kept by the Law family until 1981 and then sold to Mason Homes. Most of the 11 acres were developed, but this beautiful house with its secret interior remains in private hands, occupied today by the Neurological Rehabilitation Institute of Ontario. It is protected by a listing on Toronto’s Inventory of Heritage Properties.

Denise Harris is the Heritage Officer of the Etobicoke Historical Society, and she has been researching, writing, leading walking tours and giving lectures on local history for over 15 years. She can be reached at denise.harris@sympatico.ca . Her column appears every second week in The Etobicoke Guardian.

Share Mother's Day

When the word "Mom" is heard, an image instantly pops into ones thoughts. Reason being is, it has been embedded there for a long long time, well before the first memories of early life. And the image changes with your mood, your situation, the season, and what and where the last encounter with her was.

Sunday May 11th is Mother's Day, and if the relationship is full of love and appreciation, and you're still able to, you'll be racking your brain for something to get Mom, because she has (2 of) everything!

What about...

Hand made crafts. Mom's cherish these:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/265219865528104421/ Mom's keep these forever, even after they fall apart!


Photo collage memories are always nice, always cherished. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/13370130116440563/

Glass size memories work too: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/213850682279521911/


Can't go wrong with a cake! http://www.cakessweetstreats.com/standard-cakes-for-all-occasions.html


Showing love, poster size: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/129692004/personalized-mothers-day-gift-moms?ref=market


Would Mom ever consider lighting these? http://www.pinterest.com/pin/161637074101028916/



Share your best Mother's day gift with us. :)