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Gananoque, ON Real Estate News

By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Until the end of time there will always be the debate about the age-old OPEN HOUSE! To hold them or not, that is the question.   (one of the questions!) Do they sell houses?  (if you're a percentage gambler, you'd probably not take the bet!) That being said, why do we still see Realtors holding them, tempting people with food and drink (I can smell the fresh baked cookies wafting ) In this day of disclose, disclose, disclose doesn't it make sense that before the public enter an Open House that they, and the Seller, be informed that: 1.  The Realtor is looking for new unsuspecting clients 2.  The "Host" is most likely a newbie Realtor who doesn't have any listings of their own and doesn't know the home 3.  The Realtor wants to get his/her face out in that community to allow them to find ...
Comments 161
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
I enjoyed my treat of my one and only one, Shamrock Shake on Saturday and LOVED it! (as I knew I would!!!) Then I remembered this blog post I wrote back in 2011 that I thought was worthy of sharing with our newer readers. So, if you've not had your Shamrock Shake yet, times a'wastin! We're quickly approaching St Patrick's Day and it seems everyone wants to be Irish! Everywhere you look, people will be taking part in the wearing (and drinking) of the green and McDonalds is no exception. Their Shamrock Shake goes way back though, to a lovely story . . . from the McDonalds website: "It all began with a little girl, a football team, and a visionary doctor. The Philadelphia Eagles tight end Fred Hill's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and began treatment. The Hill family were camping out...
Comments 46
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
I like to track what is being read and by how many.  Those of you who are regular readers know that what gets read the most doesn't always produce the most comments because I have my settings on "member's only" for commenting.  (and not everyone has something to say!) I'm often surprised by how many of you stop to take the time and energy to email me or call about something I've shared.  I thank you for this; it means a lot to me so keep them coming! So for January 2013, my most viewed and clicked posts: January 1st:  LIKE A CHILD IS HOW I BEGIN THIS NEW YEAR!  with 2752 views  and 684 clicks + 36 short url clicks January 2nd:  FIRST DAY BACK ON THE JOB AND YIKES!!  with 2101 views and 193 clicks + 27 short url clicks January 24th:  GIVE UP A VICE TO SAVE MONEY ?  getting 1637 views and...
Comments 11
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Do you take advantage of all Social Media has to offer? I will admit I was a wee bit late to the party compared to others but I have embraced it over the past several years and I am so thankful to be living in this day and age that makes reaching out so easy and convenient! (and to think it all began with ActiveRain back in 2008 - thank you for lighting my fire!) I have to admit I was just a touch pleased and proud to receive this in my inbox this morning: "This email was intended for Susan Emo (Salesperson at Sotheby's International Realty Canada Brokerage)" I thank each and everyone of you who has taken the time to endorse me!
Comments 40
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
I was listening to a 'Guru' in the car today and he was talking about different things people should do to save money this year.    He covered all the basics such as energy savings:  turning off your lights and appliances when not needed, turn off the tap when you're brushing your teeth,  drop the temperature in your home when you're away during the day and cool it down at night too when you're sleeping . . . There are so many tips that we've heard over the years, most of which we apply (I hope!)  But the one that got me thinking was this . . . PICK ONE OF YOUR VICES AND GIVE IT UP! One of them?  :0) How many vices do people have I wondered? So I started thinking about Vices and/or Addictions. (these are not my own but vices of people I know!)  ((really!!)) 1.  Smoking (to me this is ju...
Comments 21
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
GANANOQUE HAS THE CHEAPEST GAS IN ONTARIO!! There are many many reasons to make the Gananoque and 1000 Islands region your home but here is one more to add to the list: Today in Kingston, you could pay up to $1.199 if you're not careful! In Brockville, the price today is $1.209 Prices will vary from station to station, town to town but for the most part, Gananoque a;ways wins with the cheapest gas prices in Ontario! When you come to fill up, have a look around . . . You can find us halfway between Kingston and Brockville on the 401 or on Highway 2.  We're located on the Gananoque River and the St Lawrence River.  You might have heard of our world renowned 1000 Islands?  We're the town with the Casino (that we're planning on keeping!)  We attract the nicest of people. People come for a v...
Comments 5
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
I like to treat my Sellers like VIPs because that is what they are to me.   I like to make sure their home is opened up, lights on, fire lit and everything looking as welcoming as possible when the Buyers and their agents arrive. Most Sellers are away at work when the Buyers arrive so this extra service is something that is greatly appreciated. Today, our first day back on the job, we had our first showing of the year and I arrived, 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled appointment to see a gathering of workmen in front of the house. YIKES!  A snowplow, a dumptruck and a few other assorted work vehicles were parked in front of the driveway with a couple of men directing traffic. As I pulled up I saw lines/wires down across the driveway.  And there, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the pole ....
Comments 20
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Happy 2013 world!  The sun is shining brightly and the air is crisp and clean.  It is not only a new day but a new year too.  I found myself doing something this morning that I would have done outside if I were still a child.  Instead, as I waited for the coffee machine to grind and then brew my rich, steaming cup of Cooke's Coffee (Chez Piggy blend)  ((locals will know exactly of what I speak!) I found myself stretched out, on my back, in the recliner we moved into the kitchen for my Mother's comfort.  (I'm allowed to use it when she's not in it!) As I contemplated life and what this new year had in store, I found myself gazing up through one of the three skylights in our kitchen.  Two of them were still covered in ice and snow from our recent blizzard, offering no light of which their...
Comments 63
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Only 30 days til Christmas!!!  No Scrooges allowed thank you :o) What I just love this time of year is the music.  Yes, Christmas music! (I heard you groan you know) Everyone has their favourite from gospel to rock.  Amy Grant's Christmas CD is just beautiful but I can't forget Jim Reeves. Rod Stewart gets me every time too . . .  Don't forget about Michael Buble! Me?  I'm still a big kid. I just LOVE Vivaldi . . . Snoopy Style!!!  So, in this 30 days of Christmas, from me to you . . . (Tell me your favourite!)
Comments 13
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
I'm not a hockey fan but even I know this labour dispute is having an effect on people's lives! Men are being forced to spend time watching chic flics with their women folk instead enjoying knock down, drag out fights on ice! And, they're not enjoying their favourite beverage as much as normal either, or so says Molson Coors, Canada's oldest and biggest beer company. "Molson Coors is sure enough about the causal relationship between the lockout and its crappy Canadian beer sales, that it's going to be asking the NHL to pay them back. "There will be some redress for us as a result of this," says Molson Coors CEO Peter Swinburn. The good news is, at least the Toronto Maple Leafs aren't already losing the season!!! Last year I had two leafs tickets sitting on my dash and someone broke into...
Comments 6
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Did you hear the 2012 "Word of the Year" was announced?  Each year, newly created words get added to the dictionary.   This year there were so many new and worthy words to choose from I have to admit, I'm disappointed in this one! I shared with you my opinion of print dictionaries a few days ago  Click Here if you missed it.  In a word "Archaic"! So, with one group being progressive enough to stop the paper print version and have their dictionary online only, I was quite surprised at how old fashioned, and out of date, this "new" chosen word was, coming from their competitor:  Oxford.   As Jen Doll at the Atlantic points out, it "is a relic of the last century, coined in 1987" There are far better words to choose from . . . Oxford's 2012 word of the year is a disappointing choice. Do yo...
Comments 1
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Are you in need of a fresh start?  Say in Gananoque, Kingston and the 1000 Islands region? Well I just read that a fresh start is available for devils today . . .  Tasmanian Devils!! I am embarrassed to say I once thought the Tasmanian Devil only existed on The Bugs Bunny Show! When my cousin moved to Tasmania it was quite a shock to learn my education was lacking :) So today I read in this article that "Tasmania is the only place where the devil is found in the wild and their numbers have plunged by 91 per cent",  I was quite saddened.   They are now in a "race against extinction"! It is said "Their plight is so dire authorities have started breeding a so-called "insurance population" in captivity to ensure they do not die out." . . . Fourteen of the devils are being released today on ...
Comments 15
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Like most children, I would almost lose it whenever I asked my parents how to spell something and they ALWAYS responded with "Look it up in the dictionary!"   Grrrrrr    I hated that - hated it!!! Would it kill them to spell it?  My response was always the same: "How can I look it up if I don't know how to spell it"  I know they thought they were teaching me to discover things for myself but I was the child who had to bring a note home from school after refusing to participate in a class spelling bee.  The note to my parents read something like: "Susan will not participate in spelling activities.  When asked what she will do about her spelling when she has a job,  her reply was "my secretary will know how to spell" ! (and they have) In saying this, I love love love spell check and I get...
Comments 8
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Gananoque, On Tomorrow, the sound of silence should be heard all around Canada and of course, here in Gananoque too!     Gananoque's ceremonies will be held at the Cenotaph, in front of The Town Hall,  starting at 11 am. Refreshments and entertainment will be available at Legion afterwards.   I am quite impressed that 80% of Canadians say they will observe two minutes of silence at 11 am and 30% will attend a Remembrance Day ceremony tomorrow.   “Canadians are making clear their awareness and appreciation of the service and sacrifices our veterans have made and continue to make on behalf of our country.”   so says the Historica-Dominion Institute, Canada’s largest independent historical society.  Their research reveals 27% of Canadians say they personally know someone who served in Afgh...
Comments 8
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Unless you've been hiding in a cave, you will have heard of the top-selling book by E.L. James’ - Fifty Shades of Grey It has become a runaway best seller but not everyone is pleased by this, namely the Domestic Abuse Charity, Wearside Women in Need . . . they have launched a “Fifty Shades of Abuse” campaign! "Clare Phillipson, director of the charity, labeled the steamy novel “disgusting” and “vile,” and asked local residents to donate copies of the bestseller, with the intent of burning them in protest. She said the book’s proceeds would be better spent helping victims of abuse." They have sinced changed their plan . . . Instead of setting the donated copies ablaze, Wearside will cut up the pages for use as toilet paper and compost! (this might have something to do with only 24 books ...
Comments 9
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
I saw this in the grocery store yesterday and, because I'd never heard of them before, I had to have it. . . Pork Button Bones ? ? ? Of course, with a recipe to follow on the back of the package, I was good to go! It started with a dry rub recipe: 1 tablespoon ground ginger1 tablespoon ground white pepper1 tablespoon fennel seeds (or anise seeds)1 tablespoon red pepper flakes2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon2 teaspoons of ground cloves1 teaspoon of kosher salt Combine all and then rub the mixture all over the button bones.  (I let mine sit for 2 hours to let the flavours meld) I pre-heated the oven to 375 degrees Poured 1/2 inch of boiling water into the bottom of the pan, covered it with foil and then cooked the Button Bones in the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. The recipe then calls for...
Comments 16
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Do you know who you're going to meet today that might have a great story to share?  I haven't a clue!   I never know who is going to surprise me with a great story:  that's why it is called a surprise!! I read a wonderful article the other day about the Tailor who makes suits for Presidents . . . The President's Tailor Is the Most Interesting Man in the Worldhttp://www.theatlanticwire.com/business/2012/10/presidents-tailor-most-interesting-man-world/58573/  It is a fascinating story about a man who survived the Holocaust !    You wouldn't have guessed even if he had been on the gameshow To Tell the Truth! There are people out there just waiting for the right person to speak to them about their fascinating life - will you be the one to share it? And a quick reminder for you too:  Don't k...
Comments 16
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Gananoque, On Halloween in Gananoque was fantastic even though we worried about the weather . . .  We had a wee bit of drizzle but nothing to dampen anyone's spirit! Two of my brothers (in their 5o's) came out for the festivities and helped alert us to the herds of children heading our way and helping to hand out goodie bags - I think they had more fun than the kids - once a kid, always a kid!!   We ended up handing out over 125 goodie bags filled with Cheetos, chocolate bars, gum, suckers, rockets, kisses, tootsie rolls and gold fish!   One of our neighbours always gives out pop which the kids really appreciate. (even though they're not to eat or drink anything til they get home and parents can check the loot!)   My Mother loves to sit at the door and greet each child . . .         And...
Comments 10
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Gananoque, Ontario In honour of today being World Pasta Day, I give you the simplest of pasta recipes that comes from none other than Tom Cruise . . . This is his famous Carbonara recipe that I've made so many times because it is so simple yet so tasty: Servings: Makes 4 servings olive oil (for frying pan) 2 cloves minced garlic 1 chopped onion 8 to 12 thick slices bacon, cut into small pieces 4 eggs spaghetti, fettuccine or linguine ( I like fresh) 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese In a frying pan, combine olive oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic, one chopped onion and the bacon cut into small pieces. Let simmer for about a half-hour, being careful not to let the garlic burn. In a bowl, beat 4 eggs with lots of salt and fresh ground pepper. Bring a pan of salted water to a boil. Cook your choi...
Comments 12
By Susan Emo, Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area
(Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage)
Are you at all like me? Do you ever try and think of your Top Ten books/movies/songs etc? Last night I read TIME's 100 best English-language novels published since 1923 and I was amazed to discover my favourite book of all time was not included:  East of Eden  How could this be?  This is the greatest book of all time!!!  It won a Pulitzer for goodness sake!!    Even Jimmy Dean couldn't do it justice in the movie :0) Lev Grossman and Richard Lacayo, the critics, included titles that had become great movies and, in my opinion, were better than the original books: One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest or Deliverance  just to name two. I did love the reporters' quote at the bottom though: "Lists like this one have two purposes. One is to instruct. The other of course is to enrage. We’re bracing o...
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