People for Good - 12/30/11 01:03 PM
I can remember reading an article in Reader's Digest, probably in the 1970's, perhaps in the early 1980's and have never forgotten it. It was about a movement, probably starting in California (isn't that where most "movements" start ;-)
It challenged a generation, and me specifically, to Commit Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Beauty.
In among the general sea of negativity that constantly floods us and pervades our media, there are beacons of hope, a promise of a better world. They challenge us personally to prove that one person can make a difference.
Pay it forward is one such … (7 comments)

Retaining Wall Installation - Best Practice - 12/29/11 01:58 PM
This is the latest of Jay Markanich's Best Practices series.  He discusses proper Retaining Wall Installation.  In this post, it is noted that most, if not all failures of retaining walls are due to drainage issues.  If you are considering building a retaining wall, this is a must read.
Buying or selling a home in New Tecumseth, Essa or Adjala-Tosorontio?  Call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in achieving your real estate goals.
If  you want to read more posts by Jay, or to leave him a message, please click on his link below:
Via Jay Markanich - … (0 comments)

Radon in New Tecumseth Homes? - 12/29/11 01:50 PM
possibly... David Artigliere, an Active Rain Blogger and Home Inspector serving the Reading PA area, shared this great information about Radon.  In the coming years, we will be hearing much more about Radon gas in Canada.  As our homes are becoming more airtight, Radon will become more of an issue.
If you are interested in buying a home in Alliston, Beeton or Tottenham or elsewhere in New Tecumseth, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in achieving your real estate goals.
If you want to read more of David's posts, or leave him a comment, please click on … (0 comments)

South Simcoe Hardwood flooring stain color trends - Winter 2011/2012 - 12/26/11 12:32 PM
Do you have any rooms with older hardwood in your home?  Nothing changes the look of a room more impactfully than gleaming hardwood imho.  The Flooring Girl, Debbie Gartner, shares trends for Hardwood Stain Colours that might be of interest to you.
If you are looking to buy and/or sell a home in the New Tecumseth communities of Alliston, Beeton or Tottenham in 2012, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in achieving your Real Estate Goals.
If you would like to read other great posts by Debbie, or to leave her a message, please click on her … (0 comments)

Merry Christmas - 12/25/11 10:56 AM
We arrived home late last night after our traditional Christmas Celebration at my parents on Christmas Eve.  We went to an early Christmas Eve mass and then came back to my parents for Christmas Dinner.  Alec saw a video message Santa had sent to him and was even more excited.  We had been checking on Santa's progress through Asia and Europe all evening online and later that evening we opened our Christmas Stockings and our Secret Santa gifts. The last we saw, Santa was in Ireland, heading to North America.
Santa's message to Alec Alec was full of energy after spending … (4 comments)

Pragmatic DIY Home Improvements - 12/24/11 11:50 AM
Phyllis Lerner, a NY realtor and active rain blogger shares this great list, whether you just want to spruce up your home, or are considering selling.
If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio or Essa Township villages of Angus, Alliston, Beeton, Tottenham, Colgan or Everett, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in helping you achieve your Real Estate Goals.
If you want to read other posts by Phyllis, or to leave her a comment, please click on her link below:
Via Phyllis Lerner, Realtor - Broker / Owner - Westchester … (0 comments)

Reducing Mice issues in South Simcoe - 12/24/11 09:21 AM
Here is great information on mouse proofing your home by U.S. Inspect's Chrissy Doremus.  If you live in a rural area of South Simcoe, or back onto open fields, mice can be an ongoing issue.
If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio or Essa Township villages of Angus, Alliston, Beeton, Tottenham, Colgan or Everett, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in helping you achieve your Real Estate Goals.
If you want to read other posts by Chrissy, or to leave her a comment, please click on her link below:
Via … (0 comments)

13 tips for selling your home in winter - 12/24/11 09:19 AM
Here is are some great tips for you if you are considering selling your home this winter from Maryann Giacobbe, a realtor and an active rain blogger from New Rochelle NY.
If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio or Essa Township villages of Angus, Alliston, Beeton, Tottenham, Colgan or Everett, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in helping you achieve your Real Estate Goals.
If you want to read other posts by Maryann, or to leave her a comment, please click on her link below:
Via Maryann Giacobbe (Houlihan Lawrence):
13 … (0 comments)

South Simcoe Carpet Colour Trends - Winter 2011/2012 - 12/24/11 09:15 AM
Here is the latest installment of Debbie Gartner's "Trends" series.  In this post, she shares trends in Carpet Colours for Winter 2011/2012.
If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio or Essa Township villages of Angus, Alliston, Beeton, Tottenham, Colgan or Everett, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in helping you achieve your Real Estate Goals.
If you want to read other posts by Debbie, or to leave her a comment, please click on her link below:
Via Debbie Gartner - Westchester Flooring -Hardwood Floors Carpet Tile Refinish - (Floor Coverings … (0 comments)

The Spirit of Christmas - 12/23/11 10:18 AM
The Naysayers (weathermen) have been predicting a "green", and I do not mean environmentally friendly Christmas... In South Simcoe, an area dotted with small towns and rolling rural landscape Northwest of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), we really like our "White Christmases"... Last night was the final Dart Night of the Tottenham Dart League of 2011.  Helen and I arrived a little later than our usual 7:20 p.m. and I tried to throw a few darts with my brace on.  There was a slight twinge at my wrist on release, but I couldn't get comfortable with my brace and soon abandoned … (13 comments)

30 Simple Green Tips for the New Year 2012. - 12/22/11 05:38 PM
David Popoff, an Active Rain Blogger who is passionate about going "green", shared these great tips to help us do more to save our planet, and perhaps some money.  Ensure you leave a better planet for your children and grandchildren by adopting as many of these tips as you can!
Are you looking to buy and/or sell a home in the New Tecumseth communities of Alliston, Beeton or Tottenham (or surrounding rural areas)?  If so, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in achieving your Real Estate Goals.
If you would like to read more posts by David, … (0 comments)

Holiday Safety - 12/22/11 05:34 PM
Chrissy Doremus has shared some great information about Homes and Safety, this brief video illustrates a number of potential issues during this Christmas Season.  Have a look for yourself...
Are you looking to buy and/or sell a home in the New Tecumseth communities of Alliston, Beeton or Tottenham (or surrounding rural areas)?  If so, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in achieving your Real Estate Goals.
If you would like to read more posts by Chrissy, or to leave her a comment, please click on her link below:
Via Chrissy Doremus ~ U.S. Inspect ~ Home Inspections … (0 comments)

Sediment Traps in Gas Water Heaters - 12/22/11 05:30 PM
Russel Ray, a knowledgeable home inspector working in the San Diego area, shared this information on sediment traps in a gas water heater.  I had never heard of them, and found this information very useful.  Perhaps you will also...
Are you looking to buy and/or sell a home in the New Tecumseth communities of Alliston, Beeton or Tottenham (or surrounding rural areas)?  If so, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in achieving your Real Estate Goals.
If you would like to read more posts by Russel, or to leave him a comment, please click on his link … (0 comments)

A RE/MAX Chay Christmas Story - 12/21/11 02:08 PM
Here is a poem, authored by our very own Trevor Shaw at our Christmas Party.  He, very ingeniously incorporated the names of all the associates in our offices.
Christmas Party Story
Twas the night before Christmas, I was hoping for Cindy Snow, and all through Re/Max not an agent was stirring not even Colleen Delany.  This story really starts in Dan and Larry Gilliland a place not far from here and a Christie Stones throw away from Glenn and Norene Burlington. It’s a land of strange things like big Mike Sturgeon fish, and Dragannas (I can’t say your last name) with … (2 comments)

Blackhorse Village Theatre - 12/21/11 08:29 AM

Blackhorse Village Theatre, located on the South-West corner of Mount Wolfe Rd and Hwy 9, about 3 miles SSW of Tottenham, is home to the Blackhorse Village Players, a fine local theatrical troupe that started life as the Village Players in Tottenham in the early 1970's based out of the Tottenham Town Hall and subsequently the Royal Canadian Legion before purchasing the building and grounds that is now known as the Blackhorse Village Theatre in 1983.I have long been a fan and supporter of Little Theatre, over the years having seen various local productions in Erin, Orangeville, Blackhorse, Newmarket, and … (22 comments)

Insulating your New Tecumseth Home? Analyze the current insulation first! - 12/20/11 09:04 AM
Reuben Saltzman, a home inspector serving the Minneapolis MN area and Active Rain Blogger shared this great information on home insulation.  In this day and age of ever increasing energy costs, analyzing your current home insulation and improving areas of deficiency not only makes sense, it will save $$$ and the environment!
Are you considering buying and/or selling a home in Beeton, Tottenham, Angus, Alliston, Everett, Rosemont or any of the other rural communities of New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio or Essa?
Call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in helping you achieve your Real Estate goals.
If you want … (0 comments)

December's Season of Celebration and Sharing - Santa Claus Fund needs our help!! - 12/19/11 03:36 PM

The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund is about twenty percent short of its $1.6M goal with less than one week to go before Christmas. This fund, established in 1906, will hopefully be able to deliver gift boxes to 45,000 boys and girls in Ajax, Pickering, Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga with the help of more than 2,000 volunteers. Each gift box will typically contain age and sex appropriate items such as a toy, candy, a book, mittens/gloves and warm clothing. Secure online donations can be made at thestar.com/santaclausfund Visa, Mastercard and Amex donations can be made by phone @ 416.869.4847 Cheques … (5 comments)

Does your New Tecumseth Home have a Gas or Oil Heating System? When was the last time the flue was checked? - 12/18/11 11:31 AM
Jay Markanich, a home inspector serving Northern Virginia, shared this information about Gas and Oil Heating systems.  I had never even thought to check on this before I read this post.  How about you?
If you are thinking of buying or selling in South Simcoe, whether in Alliston, Tottenham, Beeton, Rosemont, Everett or any of the many other small communities or rural area in New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio, or Essa, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in achieving your goals.
If you would like to leave a comment, or to read more of Jay's posts, click on his … (0 comments)

Planning on Selling your Alliston, Beeton or Tottenham Home? Which types of flooring have the best ROI? - 12/18/11 10:57 AM
My flooring and tiling source, Debbie Gartner, shared this great information about flooring return on investment.  Whether you are planning selling or not, this might be of interest to you.
If you are thinking of buying or selling in South Simcoe, whether in Alliston, Tottenham, Beeton, Rosemont, Everett or any of the many other small communities or rural area in New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio, or Essa, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in achieving your goals.
If you would like to leave a comment, or to read more of Debbie's posts, click on her link below:
Via Debbie … (1 comments)

Rosemont Fiddle and Square Dance Night - 12/18/11 07:09 AM

A Family-oriented Fiddle and Square Dance Night takes place on the third Tuesday of every month at the Orange Hall in Rosemont.View Larger Map The Orange Hall is located on Hwy 89 West, across the road from the Globe Restaurant in Rosemont. The third Tuesday in December is December 20th, and the evening will start at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $4.00.For more information, call David Aspenlieder @ 705.435.9753 or e-mail him @ imageryinc@hotmail.com
… (7 comments)

Combining Two "Loves" - 12/17/11 03:56 PM
Those who know me, know that I love Christmas Music, and that my favorite Christmas Carol is O Holy Night.  I found some great versions of this Christmas Classic as well as my all-time favorite version, Mahalia Jackson's and have the videos on my previous post. A very few people may know that I also love Zydeco... It is such a "fun" and "happy" music... Guess what I found today on the "Interweb"?   ...Zydeco Christmas Music!!!
Louisiana Christmas Day

Party Down (not really a Christmas song, but...)


Party this Christmas

*** Interweb is a term … (9 comments)

"P" trap Home maintenance secret — "It smells awful!" - 12/16/11 01:55 PM
I have been hearing comments very similar to this from visitors to a home that is emptpy for long periods.  If you are experiencing similar odours from a sink or drain in your home, perhaps the solution is as easy as my friend, San Diego Home Inspector Russel Ray suggests...
If you are thinking about buying and/or selling a home in Everett, Rosemont, Colgan. Lisle, Loretto or other rural community in South Simcoe, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in achieving your goals.
If you would like to leave a comment for Russel, or would like to … (0 comments)

PVC Trim - Best Practices - 12/16/11 01:29 PM
Jay Markanich, a home inspector serving northern Virginia, shared this information on PVC as house trim in his ongoing series "Best Practices".  PVC is a great solutiom for homes in South Simcoe.
If you are looking to buy and/or sell a home in Alliston, Beeton, Tottenham or the many other communities in New Tecumseth or Adjala-Tosorontio, call me, Chris Smith, @ 1.866.936.3500 for information and assistance in helpin you achieve your goal.
If you want to leave a commeny for Jay, or read more on this series, click on the link below:
Via Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector (Jay … (0 comments)

Mansfield Presbyterian Church 2011 Christmas Cantata - 12/10/11 05:20 PM
Want to soak up some Christmas Spirit?
 Mansfield Presbyterian Church, located at 936572 Airport Road in Mansfield, is hosting a choir performance on Sunday December 18th, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. Sit back with family and friends and enjoy this Christmas Cantata. Refreshments will be served after the performance. Freewill offerings will be appreciated.
View Larger Map … (8 comments)

2011 Beeton Santa Claus Parade - 12/09/11 04:17 PM

If you missed Alliston's Night Lit Santa Claus Parade and/or Tottenham's Santa Claus Parade, or just want a fun-filled family day, your last chance to be part of a Santa Claus Parade in New Tecumseth will be in Beeton on Saturday December, 10th. Starting in Jackson's Plaza at 10:00 a.m., this parade will travel west on Main St. Floats, Miniature Horses, Reindeer and the Jolly Old Man himself will all be part of the parade and festivities After the parade, a meet and greet with Santa and live Reindeer (out front) will be held at the D.A. Jones Library at … (7 comments)

If you didn't authorize it, then by all means question it. Immediately! - 12/09/11 02:13 PM
Russel Ray, a great source of information for all things related to home inspections, and a very good photographer, posted this information about credit card charges.  At any time of the year, but especially now, be vigilant about credit card charges... Read on to find out about Russel's exerience and ensure that nothing like this happens to you.
If you want to leave a comment for Russel, please click on his link below:
Via Russel Ray, Southern California home inspector based in San Diego (Real estate, photography, marketing, music, history & more!):
If you didn't authorize it,then by all means question it. … (0 comments)

Friday Funnies - 12/09/11 12:08 PM
I arrived at the office at 8:00 a.m. this morning, and have been somewhat diligently addressing tasks I really do not want to do.  Its now just past noon and I have office duty from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. this evening (Friday afternoon ... YEAH!! - did I use my outside voice?). Anyway... perhaps this will help you understand my current frame of mind.  I was checking a personal e-mail account when I saw a link to a Christmas Prank... one thing led to another and I ended up finding a video that caused me to chuckle... and then I … (4 comments)

December's Season of Celebration and Sharing - Entr'acte at St. Andrew's - 12/08/11 10:14 AM
Entr'acte, a flute and guitar recital, performed by Sgt. Lawrence Barley and Jaye E. Marsh at St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Alliston on Friday December, 9th at 8:00 p.m. View Larger Map This diverse program, assured to appeal to people of all ages, includes work by the Beatles, Ravel, Pergolesi, Piazzolla, Ravel and David Foster. Proceeds from this concert will be donated to the 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron's Operation H0H0H0.  Since 2004, this Operation has flown "elves" and Toronto Maple Leafs down to Sick Kids Hospital to deliver Christmas presents and cheer to children staying at the hospital during the Christmas Season. … (2 comments)

Alliston Indoor Market - Shop Local - 12/07/11 12:15 PM
Starting Saturday December 10th, every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (except Christmas Eve), Shop Local at your Alliston Indoor Market (AIM). Opening year round at the Alliston Memorial Arena, 49 Nelson St., Alliston. View Larger Map Craft Vendors and local Artisans, Christmas Gifts, Great Food! Support your local Vendors and find that one-of-a-kind gift... fresh cut local CHRISTMAS Trees!  Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Fresh Baked Goods, Gluten Free Foods, Smoked Meats, Smoked Fish, Fine Foods, etc.  Fresh local produce in season. Save time!  Save Gas!  Shop Local and support our neighbours!
… (3 comments)

December's Season of Celebrations and Sharing! New Tecumseth Toys for Tickets!!! - 12/06/11 07:28 PM

If you were, or are issued a parking ticket in New Tecumseth from November 24th to December 8th, Here is your chance to turn your misfortune into a Good Deed! The Town of New Tecumseth is continuing its giving tradition this week by allowing you to "skip the fine" by donating a Toy or Gift Certificate of at least equal value to the parking ticket. All toys and Gift Certificates collected will be donated to local children through the local Lion's Clubs' Christmas Hamper programs. Toys can be brought to the Town of New Tecumseth Administration Building, 10 Wellington Street … (0 comments)

Alliston Christmas Cantata at Knox Presbyterian Church - 12/04/11 10:48 AM
Want to soak up some Christmas Spirit?
Knox Presbyterian Church, located at 160 King Street South in Alliston, is hosting a choir performance tonight, Sunday December 4th, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. Sit back with family and friends and enjoy this Christmas Cantata.  Refreshments will be served after the performance.  Freewill offerings will be appreciated.
View Larger Map
… (5 comments)

Dreams Coming True - 12/01/11 10:02 AM
It's one of the things I love about Real Estate.  That feeling when you are with a client, and you have helped them find and acquire the home of their dreams.  Seeing the smile on their faces, the general warmth in the room.  Real Estate Dreams can take many forms, they are as unique as people and families themselves. For Anya and Chris, prospects who became clients and over the last year, and now are close friends, both with my wife and I, this dream meant a home they could afford, close to the same neighbourhood, a larger, updated home with … (5 comments)