
Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Holiday
Most of us look forward to the holiday season, but it seems to lead to an increase in consumption all round, leading to more waste, in particular. It doesn’t have to cost a lot or take a lot of...

Fall Shoreline Cleanup Tackles Plastics
Over 20 volunteers came out for a Rideau River Shoreline Cleanup on October 2nd, organized by Jake Wilson on behalf of REAL. While the weather was a little wetter than people would have liked, over 370 pounds of garbage...

Online Auction Raises $3800
REAL is delighted that this year’s online auction was a financial success! By the time bidding closed at 9 p.m. on Sat. Nov. 13 the high bids totaled $2007, which was very close to our goal of $2021. Over...

REAL Deal Adding a Cashier to Their Team
The REAL Deal Reuse Store requires a cashier with the flexibility to work 10-15 hours a week over the days Wednesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m. The cashier will be accepting purchase payments from customers and will...

Our October Newsletter
Our Fall 2021 REAL Update has been posted. A big weekend is ahead with a Rideau River Shoreline Cleanup led by Jake Wilson and the launch of our new Tool Library. Are you interested in a home energy assessment? ...

Masks Still Required!
Just a reminder that masks are still required at the REAL Deal, both inside the store and in the dome, by customers, staff and volunteers. We have recently had some people challenging this rule. While we love to have...

Changes to Fall Plans
COVID and other complications continue to alter our carefully laid plans! The Rideau Roundtable’s Paddlefest, Sat. Sept. 18 has been cancelled. Plans will continue over the winter for a June 2022 event. The Shoreline Restoration for Sat. Sept....

REAL is Hiring a Yard Person
REAL is Hiring REAL is looking to hire a permanent Yard Sales Associate for at least two days a week. Our immediate need is for someone for Wednesdays and Thursdays The person would work 2 – 4 days...

Planting Phase of Depave Complete
The second phase of REAL’s Downtown Smiths Falls Depave project was completed Saturday July 3. Two 25 square meter pollinator gardens were planted within the space created when a block of Daniel Street between Beckwith and Emsley Streets was...

“Beyond the Blue Box” Explored at REAL’s AGM
We are pleased that Malcolm Morris, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Smiths Falls was able to speak to us at our Annual General Meeting July 14. His presentation was: The Evolution of the Blue Box Program in...

Gypsy Moth Control
Gypsy moths seem to be everywhere! You may want to try some less toxic methods of controlling them before resorting to spraying. Here are two resources to get you started. How to Control a Gypsy Moth...

REAL Deal to Reopen June 11
Hooray, the store is reopening Friday, June 11! We thought we would have to wait until Wed. Jun 16, but Ontario has proclaimed that Phase 1 can start earlier. Note that for the next few weeks we will need...

Donations of Gently Used Tools Needed
REAL is exploring the possibility of a small Tool Rental Library within our REAL Deal Reuse Store. This service will encourage the reuse of existing tools, make tool use affordable for those with limited income, and reduce the homeowners...

Volunteer for Depave
REAL is offering you an opportunity to participate in the transformation of downtown Smiths Falls through a Depave Paradise project. In mid May, the Town of Smiths Falls will begin the removal of Daniel Street between the library and...