Susan Hawke : April 2013

Tuesday, 30 April 2013

I Might Be In Your Neighborhood!

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them!

You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

House Beautiful! For Sale Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

This home is updated and in a desirable neighborhood next to a quiet park and tennis courts. You will be proud to call this home. Main floor features an open concept living room, dining room and a dream kitchen. The gas fireplace is not only attractive, but economical. There is a separate main floor master suite complete with an office/laundry area, family room with wood fireplace, master bedroom with ensuite and walk in closet. Basement features 2 good size bedrooms, large rec room and plenty of storage. Life breath Air Exchange installed in 2012. Basement fireplace is roughed in for gas. 2 car attached garage and a beautiful deck in the back complete this fabulous home. Taxes and measurements to be verified by buyer. Listing agent is related to seller. Call today for a viewing.

More details HERE.

Monday, 29 April 2013

Turn your neighbours green with envy

(NC)—We have all heard the phrase “the grass is always greener on the other side”. Just for once, wouldn't it be nice to be on the greener side and the envy of your neighbours? The Home Depot Canada has some expert tips to getting that picture-perfect lawn you've been dreaming about.

Fertilizer is a lawn's best friend

Consider assessing the lawn's health with a soil test before choosing a fertilizer. A variety of fertilizers exist, all with a range of different formulas containing three primary ingredients – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. All plants are different, so make sure to follow the instructions found on the fertilizer package label for best results. Ensure the grass is dry before applying the fertilizer by using a rotary spreader and watering thoroughly afterwards.

Take note of thirsty lawns

Key indicators for a dry lawn are faint bluish blades or when footprint impressions are left behind after walking on the grass. Early morning watering is recommended as grass blades are better able to take in moisture. This also allows time for the grass to dry out during the day and remain dry at night to prevent fungal disease.

Water long enough for moisture to penetrate to the roots of the grass. As a rule, allow 5 cm of water to collect on the soil's surface to ensure proper seepage down to the roots. Don't forget that walking on water-soaked lawns can damage turf and cause soil compaction.

Keep mower blades sharp

Dull blades tear the grass leaving jagged ends that easily turn brown so don't forget to sharpen your mower's blades every spring. Trimming grass too short destroys the energy-producing top growth, resulting in a sickly lawn. Keep in mind, frequent mowing to the correct height also produces tiny grass clippings that can be left on the lawn to decompose and return nutrients back to the soil.

Follow these simple tips and you'll have the Joneses trying to keep up with you. More information is available online at www.homedepot.ca/garden-club.

An investment of a lifetime

(NC)—Owning your own home is an exciting proposition and an achievable goal for most Canadians. The number one reason many become homeowners is pride of home ownership and the stability and security that comes with it.

Buying a home can also be a solid investment and provide tax benefits.

In Canada, you are not taxed on any investment gains made on the sale of your primary residence. So, for example, if you buy your home for $200,000 and sell it 5 years later for $250,000, you do not have to pay income tax on the $50,000 you earned from the sale.

Another advantage is each time you make a mortgage payment, you are putting a portion towards the principal balance of your mortgage, which builds equity in your home. This is a better use of your money than giving rent to a landlord and is a good long-term investment.

Owning a home also means that you can make your own decisions on decorating, home improvements, location, etc. In a recent survey conducted by Genworth Canada, 91 per cent of first-time homebuyers said that homeownership may mean more work but the effort is well worth it.

When it makes financial sense, buying a home is often a wise, secure and emotionally satisfying move to make.

For more information on buying a home visit Genworth.ca

Thursday, 25 April 2013

New germ control flooring popular with parents

(NC) – As most parents can attest infants love to crawl around and put things in their mouth. No matter how hard you try to stop them it's inevitable - if they can touch it, “it” will end up in their mouth. This is why parents are always on guard to protect their children from germs and bacteria lurking in their home.

Since much of an infant's time is spent on the floor, parents are now looking for flooring options that will minimize exposure to harmful germs, mould, mildew and bacteria. More and more are avoiding dirt, allergen and germ collecting options like carpet and choosing hypoallergenic options such as natural hardwood flooring to diminish the risk of harmful exposure to their little ones.

Some parents are taking the extra step of precaution and investing in flooring options that include the application of an antimicrobial agent to ensure even greater protection. This option is offered by some of the top hardwood flooring manufacturers.

However, one North American manufacturer, Avant Guard Flooring, has become the gold standard in germ protection for its on-line direct premium hardwood flooring thanks to its exclusive “Contour Guard” finishing technology.

“To help protect our customers' hardwood investment while also protecting their family from harmful germs and bacteria, we've incorporated our germ protection into all of our flooring,” said Tom Gormley, President of Avant Guard Flooring, who's site www.AGFlooringdirect.com has given consumers access to germ-protected premium high-end flooring they can custom design on-line which then gets custom-made and shipped directly to their door in the construction, species, grade, stain colour and gloss level of their choosing.

Unlike other premium hardwood flooring manufacturers, Avant Guard's exclusive germ protection technology is a patented process whereby an antimicrobial agent is applied not only to the top but to the entire contour of each board, greatly reducing the propagation of mould, germs, and bacteria in the home.

“We can all use a recommended floor cleaner on the surface of our flooring to keep it clean and healthy, but what about the other five sides of every board in your floor? If left unprotected they become an inviting breeding ground for germs and bacteria,” Gormley added. “It just makes good common sense that for the healthiest living environment, and a far greater degree of protection, that the un-maintainable sides of every board be treated prior to their installation.”

Designers agree, celebrity designer Glen Peloso of TV's “Restaurant Makeover” fame, said that Avant Guard has set the new standard as the natural flooring choice for the healthy, beautiful home in vogue today. “Their exciting selection of hardwood provides not only beauty, and longevity but also protection with its contour guard finishing technology,” he added.

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Wednesday, 24 April 2013

Transform your home into a peaceful sanctuary

(NC)—Life is loud. With televisions, home theatres, computers, video games, stereos and cell phones, our homes are loud too. By soundproofing certain rooms in the house, you can turn your home into a quiet sanctuary and escape.

Used in professional recording studios, stone-wool insulation is an excellent acoustic barrier that effectively absorbs sound. For home use, industry experts recommend a Roxul product called Safe n' Sound stone-wool insulation. It's an easy-to-install material designed for use inside walls, ceilings and floors.

For the best soundproofing results, install the stone-wool material in your media rooms, washrooms and laundry room. Because it provides high sound absorption and reduces the transfer of noise from one room to another, the rest of your home will be left undisturbed and your life, uninterrupted.

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Tuesday, 23 April 2013

Eating to shrink the 10 Year Gap – and Make Health Last

(NC)—Canadians are living longer. But not necessarily healthier. On average, we'll spend our final 10 years with sickness and disease. We can change this. The choices we make now can help shape a future of strength and vitality.

To shrink that 10-year gap, the Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends being physically active, eating well, being smoke-free, reducing stress and avoiding excessive drinking.

Food for thoughtNutrition is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health – yet more than half of Canadians don't meet the healthy eating recommendations.

Eating a poor diet results in nearly three quality years of life lost, while being obese can reduce your life span by almost four years.

To start on the path to shrinking the 10-year gap,take these tips to heart:

• EMBRACE THE RAINBOW: Eat between five and 10 servings of vegetables and fruit each day. Choose a variety of colourful vegetables and fruit.

• GET THE GUIDE: Make Canada's Food Guide your bible to plan well-balanced meals with sensible portion sizes.

• SHAKE THE SALT HABIT: Instead, spice things up with fresh or dried herbs.

• BANISH TEMPTATION: Skip the snack aisle at the grocery store.

• COUNTER THE SNACK ATTACK: Got the munchies? Grab some plain, unsalted popcorn.• DEFEAT SWEETS: Substitute your afternoon sugar boost with a handful of unsalted nuts and dried fruit.

• DROP THE POP: Grab a glass of water or lower-fat milk instead.

• LOVE MORNINGS: Eat breakfast regularly to achieve a healthier weight.

• LOOK FOR THE CHECK: Make healthier choices with the Health Check™ symbol, on more than 2,000 foods and in restaurants.

Want to find out about your personal risk? Take the free Heart&Stroke Risk Assessment, get personalized tips and set goals for a healthier you at makehealthlast.ca.

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Monday, 22 April 2013

Driving Directions To Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Driving? Oh Deer!

Sault Ste. Marie Ontario is centrally located at the heart of the Great Lakes connected with an excellent highway system.

From Southwestern Ontario or the U.S.IInterstate 75. Enter vis Sarnia/Port Huron or Windsor/Detroit. Approximate drive time is five to six hours.

From Southern Ontario via Toronto 400 to Hwy. 69 to Trans Canada Hwy. 17, approximate drive time is seven to eight hours

From Eastern Ontario via Ottawa Trans Canada Hwy. 17, approximate drive time is nine hours

From Northern Ontario and Western Canada
Trans Canada Hwy. 17 from Thunder Bay, approximate drive time is eight hours

Sault Ste. Marie is serviced by most major car rental companies.

For more information, contact a CAA office and request a triptick.

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Friday, 19 April 2013

North Eastern Ontario. Where I Sell Homes. Sault Ste. Marie

Wanting to have a closer look at the area I service? Take a look at this map. I specialize in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. (Algoma Country)

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Thursday, 18 April 2013

Sault Ste. Marie 101: Part 1

Sault Ste. Marie is one of the oldest settlements in North America. For at least 2,000 years, people have lived beside the rapids of the St. Marys River such as Jesuit Missionaries, explorers, voyageurs, artists, soldiers, and traders. The rapids provided an ideal environment for fish gathering and for centuries communities of Ojibwa lived close to the river, their livelihood based on whitefish.

Sault Ste. Marie (also know as "the Sault" or "the Soo") is a city located on the St. Marys River in Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, with a population of approximately 75,000; residents of the city are called Saultites.

With a mission established by French Jesuits in 1668, claiming of the area by Simon-François Daumont de Saint-Lusson, in the name of Louis XIV of France, and fur trading posts soon after, this was one of the oldest European settlements in Canada.

Sault Ste. Marie is bordered to the east by the Rankin and Garden River First Nation reserves and to the west by Prince Township. To the north, the city is bordered by Hayden, Goulais River, Searchmont, Batchawana Bay, and Pancake Bay. To the south, across the St. Marys River is the United States of America and the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Due to having the same name, these border towns are known locally as the twin cities; they are joined by the International Bridge, which connects Interstate 75 on the Michigan side and Huron Street on the Ontario side.

Traffic on the Great Lakes flows through the St Marys Rapids via the American Soo Locks, the world's busiest canal in terms of tonnage that passes through it, while smaller recreational boats use the Canadian Sault Ste. Marie Canal.

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Like A Hawke,

Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them!

You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Wednesday, 17 April 2013

Recipe: Raspberry Clafoutis

(NC)—This pretty berry-studded dessert is a delicious cross between a custard and a pancake. It makes a great entertaining option because you can pop it in the oven to bake while the main course is being served. It gets top marks as an arthritis fighter: it's low in saturated fat for a dessert, and includes raspberries which are a great source of fibre, are high in antioxidants and have a low glycemic index.

2 cups (500 mL) unsweetened frozen raspberries

1 1/2 cups (375 mL) liquid egg substitute

1 1/4 cups (300 mL) 2% milk

1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour

3/4 cup (175 mL) granulated sugar

3 tbsp (45 mL) melted non-hydrogenated margarine

1 tbsp (15 mL) vanilla extract

1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

Icing sugar (optional)

Low fat vanilla yogurt (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Scatter raspberries in a greased, 11-inch (28 cm) shallow baking dish with fluted edges. Combine eggs, milk, flour, sugar, margarine, vanilla and salt in a blender. Blend, on medium speed, scraping the pitcher once, for 30 seconds or until smooth. (Or, combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth.)

Pour batter evenly over the raspberries. Bake for 40 minutes or until set. Dust with icing sugar (optional). Slice into wedges and serve warm with a dollop of yogurt (optional). Makes 12 servings.

Per serving: 166 calories, 5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 7 mg cholesterol, 111 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrates, 2 g fibre, 15 g sugars, 5 g protein. Good source of vitamin A.

Prep Saver Tips: Measure all ingredients except melted butter into the blender early in the day and reserve in the refrigerator until ready to blend, pour and bake. If you don't have an 11-inch (28 cm) round dish, use a 12 x 9-inch (3 L) baking dish.

www.newscanada.com

Source: www.arthritis.ca

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Home Ownership: The Dream is Alive in Sault Ste. Marie

It's possible for you to live in a home that fills your heart with gladness. A place that will showcase your family's personality. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and area has many homes; for all budgets and tastes. This could be your hometown. Call me!

Friends, please follow me at my Facebook page!

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them!

You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Photo Credit: The Selby

Monday, 15 April 2013

Edible Landscaping- grow a delicious relationship with your garden

(NC)—Not only does growing your own produce allow you to save on fresh, organic produce, but edible plants grow in a variety of shapes, colours and textures enabling you to cultivate a landscape that is as unique as you are. Lowe's Seasonal Plants Expert Karey O'Halloran provides quick tips on selecting and growing the right edible plants for your garden.

• Most (but not all) vegetable and fruit plants require full sunlight- at least 4-6 hours/day

• Full sun vegetables and fruist that grow on the vine generally produce the most colour. Consider and assortment of bell peppers, eggplant, Hot House Tomatoes, strawberries, and blueberries

• Cool-season plants such as cabbage, kale, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, and beans are versatile and can tolerate some shade

• Vegetables and fruits will not grow in full shade

• Salad greens make for great edging plants as they are lush in colour and foliage.

• For small spaces- window boxes, hanging baskets, potted plants, and raised garden beds are versatile and can allow for great growing.

• Need shade? Consider planting a fruit tree in your yard. Apple, peach, pear, or apricot varieties are all great choices for Canadian climate and produce beautiful flowers. Keep in mind that falling fruit can be messy, and could attract pests such as flies and bees.

• To control pests, plant garlic bulbs sporadically throughout your garden. This will help ward off spiders, flies, and slugs.

• If you love flowers, consider growing edible varieties such as Pansy's, Borage, or even Squash.

www.newscanada.com

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them!

You can follow me on
Twitter: @susanhawkesells
Instagram: @susanhawke
Pinterest: @SusanHawke
Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative

Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Friday, 12 April 2013

Bold décor finishes take a cue from the fashion runways

(NC)—With bold black and white hues dominating runways for Spring 2013, there's no denying the impact on home décor trends. Despite common reservations about the colour, black has the ability to warm spaces and add a sense of sophistication to any room.

Progressive homeowners are embracing various avenues to incorporate black into their homes, such as painting interior doors, which adds warmth to any hallway or entryway. For those seeking a more subtle route, an accent wall or bold-patterned wallpaper with black elements can easily be outfitted in any room. Black chalkboard paint in the kitchen is also a fun way to keep note of weekly schedules and meal plans or to share notes with the family. Still feeling uneasy? Why not opt for an accent piece of furniture such as a pair of ottomans or a mirror with black detailing?

Moving into the kitchen and bath space, smoky subway tiles or dark grout is also stepping into the spotlight. Recent trade shows in Europe and the U.S. showcased black as a leading trend in faucets, which begs the question, are stainless steel appliances on the way out? In After Stainless, Now What? the Wall Street Journal took a look at what's next for major appliance manufacturers. With glossy white and black glass reigning as top picks, there is no question that stainless steel is taking a backseat to more contemporary finishes.

A black finish can dramatically change the way a contemporary design looks in the kitchen or bath. A fresh alternative to wrought iron and dark bronze, it pairs beautifully with various sink and countertop colour options. Look for the matte black finish on the Venuto and Solna kitchen faucets and the Jason Wu for Brizo Odin Bath Collection for a fresh take on this look.

www.newscanada.com

Thursday, 11 April 2013

RE/MAX Agents Raise $8.2 Million in 2012 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Across North America

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals announced today that RE/MAX agents across North America raised $8.2 million in 2012 through the Miracle Home® program for RE/MAX and other fundraising events. Offices and agents throughout the U.S. and Canada made a donation after each sale to help their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, resulting in the best annual fundraising total in four years.

Since partnering with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in 1992, RE/MAX efforts have generated more than $128 million for 170 of the charity’s member hospitals. Funds help pay for treatment and equipment across North America, and research and charitable care specific to U.S. hospitals.

In addition to Miracle Home program contributions, RE/MAX offices and agents raised hundreds of thousands last year through golf tournaments, benefit dinners and galas, auctions and other community fundraisers. Many agents also visit children’s hospitals and volunteer their free time to further help the one in 10 North American children who receive treatment at a CMN Hospital each year.

“RE/MAX Miracle Agents are exceptional because they incorporate the spirit of giving into each business transaction, raising funds year-round,”

“RE/MAX Miracle Agents are exceptional because they incorporate the spirit of giving into each business transaction, raising funds year-round,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Our hospitals are benefiting tremendously from the $8.2 million raised in 2012, and we are thrilled to start our 30th year on a high note.”

Homebuyers and sellers can tell their local RE/MAX agent that they want to support their local CMN Hospital through their home sale or purchase. Whether you are buying or selling a home, visithttp://www.remax.com to find a RE/MAX agent who can help.

About Children's Miracle Network Hospitals:

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds and awareness for 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, helping local kids. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4.7 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at http://www.CMNHospitals.org.

About the RE/MAX Network:

Celebrating 40 years of real estate history, RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, author of the inspiring new memoir "My Next Step." These two real estate industry visionaries still lead the Denver-based global franchisor today.

RE/MAX is recognized as one of the leading real estate franchise companies with the most productive sales force in the industry and a global reach of more than 85 countries. Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX.

With a passion for the communities in which its agents live and work, RE/MAX is proud to have raised more than $128 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Like A Hawke, Susan Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Find The Perfect Home To Fit Your Life

Like A Hawke, Susan Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Tuesday, 9 April 2013

Start cottage safety on Day 1 this year

(NC)— After the winter we just had, cottage season can't come fast enough. But whether escaping to cottages, cabins or trailers, Canadians are being urged by fire safety officials to start the season by taking stock of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and other safety equipment.

“To enjoy true peace of mind in your piece of heaven, you need to know that your family and guests are safe,” says Carol Heller, a home safety expert at Kidde Canada, the country's leading manufacturer of smoke and CO alarms. “Safety needs to start on Day 1 so you can enjoy an incident-free vacation.”

Follow these summer safety steps:

• Opening day, check the age of your smoke and CO alarms. Immediately replace any that are over 10 years old and replace CO alarms over seven years old, no matter whether they are plug in, hardwired or battery powered.

• Next, make sure there is at least one working smoke alarm on every storey and outside sleeping areas. In Ontario, this is the law.

• If you have a fireplace, woodstove, garage or carport or attached boathouse, or any other gas, oil or propane-fueled devices, install at least one CSA-approved carbon monoxide alarm outside sleeping areas.

• Once alarms are in the right places, check their batteries. The cold can deplete batteries over the winter, so make sure every alarm has fresh power.

• Turn your attention outside. Make sure all vents, ductwork, and exhaust fans are free of debris. And, depending upon your watercraft size and local regulations, you may need a fire extinguisher and CO alarm onboard. Know what's required.

• Lastly, it is extremely important – especially for renters – to know a cottage's exact address and fire emergency numbers. Some cell phone calls to 911 from rural areas can't be pinpointed. So make sure you can give full address information to emergency operators.

More summer fire and carbon monoxide safety tips can be found online at www.safeathome.ca.

www.newscanada.com

How to choose the right exterior stain

(NC)—When it comes to beautifying and protecting a home's wood doors, shutters, window frames, molding, trim, fence, and deck, homeowners have quite a few staining options. There are different types of stain and each of them delivers a different look. Perhaps you want the wood to weather to a natural grey, yet still be protected from the elements. Or, maybe you are seeking a rich, opaque finish that still shows the texture of the wood.

There are four finish options when it comes to stain and here's a quick summary from www.olympic.com:

Clear: Delivers a clear finish that allows the wood to weather to grey naturally.

Toner: Delivers a slight hint of colour to maintain the natural beauty of wood.

Semi-transparent: Delivers a subtle colour that allows the wood grain and the texture to show.

Solid: Delivers a rich opaque finish that shows off the texture.

If you would like guidance from the pros in choosing the right stains and the right colours, take a look at the Stain Color Visualizer at www.olympic.com/color. From the home page follow the Discover Color to Confidence button to the Stain Color Visualizer page. There, you can select the main body colour of your home and then the recommended palette for the wood components will pop up. Those wood components include the main trim colour found on windows and moldings; the complementary trim found on doors and shutters; and the supplementary trim used on decks, siding, fences, and pergolas.

You can also “stain” a virtual house with your chosen palette to get a preview of how

www.newscanada.com

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them!

You can follow me on
Twitter: @susanhawkesells
Instagram: @susanhawke
Pinterest: @SusanHawke
Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative

Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Monday, 8 April 2013

From Garden to Fork – Yummy Reasons to Garden This Spring!

(NC)—If you're looking for a spring and summer activity that will provide you with healthy and delicious food all summer long why not try growing your own produce? Here, garden guru Peter Cantley, at Loblaw Companies Limited shares his favourite fruits and veggies that can be grown at home.

Savoury salads – These days, you can grow virtually all the fixin's for your summer salads right in your own backyard. From delicious heirloom Brandywine tomatoes, to refreshing cucumbers, crisp radishes and savoury herbs, the possibilities are endless to make your salads come to life. To give your salad real depth, try a variety of greens like Romaine mixed with Batavian or Butterhead.

Fruits of your labour – Canadian summers provide the perfect climate for growing the freshest fruit your family will ever taste, and it's easier than you think. Small fruit plants like the PC® Pixie Grape Pinot Meunier Hardy Vine can actually grow in a pot! These adorable mini clusters of juicy grapes can be eaten as is or even used in wine. If you're looking for something completely different, try a fig plant which can be left outside over the winter in most areas of Canada– there's nothing like the taste of fresh figs from your own garden!

Berry tasty – You'll never taste fresher berries then the ones you grow right in your own backyard. And what's more, these tasty little plants add the perfect pop of colour to any outdoor space. Try juicy blueberries or succulent strawberries to add to your summer deserts or toss into your favourite salads. Or, try something a little different like plump, juicy Haskap berries from the new PC Haskap 2-in-1 Borealis/Honeybee plant – an exciting new fruit that tastes like a cross between blueberries, raspberries and Saskatoon berries. They're perfect for jam, baking or enjoying by the handful.

www.newscanada.com

The Spring Garden Guide

(NC)—Spring is the season of rebirth and re-growth. Which also means green-thumbs can't wait to get back in those gardens! To get you started, here are some helpful tips from garden guru Peter Cantley, at Loblaw Companies Limited

Make your garden beds. Rid planting areas of weeds and spread a 4-inch layer of compost or manure over soil. Using a pitchfork, mix soil and compost going about 10 inches deep until you've got moist crumbly soil.

Primp and prune. Remove dead or damaged branches from woody shrubs or trees before new leaf growth begins. Prune spring-flowering shrubs and trees only after the first spring bloom.

Take some tests. Different planting areas may have different needs. Check the pH balance of soil in each spot with a home soil test kit. Then as new growth appears you can treat each one with the fertilizer and amendments required.

Peter's Dos and Don'ts to get you ready for beautiful summer Blooms:

• DO water the garden before 10 a.m. If you leave watering for the hotter hours almost half the amount of water you apply will evaporate in the summer heat.

• DON'T cut back foliage of bulbs until it dries naturally. The bulb needs the green leaves to make food for next season's growth. Cutting foliage too early results in small, weak bulbs the following year.

• DO fertilize roses every week, all summer long. Most hybrids are very heavy feeders and need a lot of fertilizer for beautiful and healthy blooms. Be sure to plant your bushes in a location with plenty of sunlight and leave at least 3 feet in between plants for good air circulation.

• DON'T forget to experiment with new perennials every year. Each year, we showcase some of the latest introductions and it's a wonderful treat to find new plants toenjoy in the garden. For instance, try the PC® Campanula – Purple Get Mee, with purple bell-shaped flowers. This perennial acts like an annual with rich blooms that come back summer to fall.

www.newscanada.com

Thursday, 4 April 2013

Nice Surprise

Do you know @susanhawkesells of RE/MAX in Sault Ste Marie? Look for her at our #mmmWorkshop on May 1st ow.ly/jBeFB
— Marlene MacPherson (@marlenesmission) April 4, 2013

Like A Hawke,
Susan Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

Art Gallery of Algoma

We have it all! Arts and Culture!

Vision

To be the premiere cultural institution in Northern Ontario for visual arts, that aspires to gain national recognition.

Mission

The AGA is a public gathering place that celebrates and preserves cultural expression.

Mandate

To preserve, expand, exhibit and uphold the permanent collection as a public trust.

To deliver exhilarating intellectual experiences, artistic synergies, and educational opportunities.

To create and nurture relationships and partnerships that enhance the vision.

To provide a vibrant and inviting gathering place that connects artists with the community.

History

The AGA was founded as a non-profit public art gallery and incorporated on July 7, 1975. Established by a group of dedicated volunteers and arts enthusiasts, the AGA honours its roots as a community organization with its mission statement - to be a gathering place that celebrates and preserves cultural expression. The AGA moved to its present location next to the scenic and historic St. Mary's River in 1980, a 10,000-square-foot facility including four exhibition spaces, the Ken Danby Education Studio, the Minutia Cafe and the AGA Gallery Shop. With the appointment of Director Jasmina Jovanovic in August 2011, the AGA looks forward to the next phase in its evolution: establishing and implementing exciting new initiatives, becoming more involved on the national contemporary art scene, and continuing to uphold its multifacted mandate.

Like A Hawke,

Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

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