Check out the July issue of REAL’s newsletter.  There are lots of changes going on in the REAL world due to Covid-19, but lots of good things are happening, too.  The store has reopened, home energy audits are happening...

REAL is taking part in a collaborative project with the Salvation Army, the Rotary Club and others in the community that aims to produce reusable cloth face masks for distribution to anyone who needs one.  Arlene Hunter, who has...

Encouraged by the success of the Monarch Garden established in 2019 on the REAL Deal site, a second garden, a little closer to William Street, is being added. The first load of soil was delivered in the fall of...

Regular visitors to the REAL Deal Reuse Store will be happy to know the store will be reopening this Wed. May 27.  Staff and volunteers have missed the activity at the store, too!  The store closed on March 14,...

REAL will be selling rain barrels once again this spring. Sale day will be Saturday June 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  at the REAL Deal Store.   Rain barrels must be preordered online.  The sale will benefit REAL’s monarch...

The REAL Community Garden is ready to grow!  Community gardeners across Ontario were concerned that  community gardens would have to remain closed longer along with other recreational facilities, but after some lobbying, the province declared an exemption for community...

Here’s how things stand with REAL events, (or non-events!) as of April 27: The REAL Deal Store is still closed, and will be until non-essential services are permitted to open.  We are working on some procedures to continue to...

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that we are considered a non-essential service, the  REAL Deal Store  must remain closed.  The last  day the store was open for business was Saturday, March 14.  Unfortunately, we cannot give you a...

It has been an eventful year for REAL, as you will read in our Annual Report.  It is a challenge to condense all of our activities to six pages, but we hope this summary will give you an idea...

We appreciate your donations of gently used goods year round, but especially this time of year when donations and sales can be a little slower. If you are decluttering or  downsizing, please think of REAL when you are ready...

The January 16th Waste Audit information session organized by the Sustainability Committee provided lots of tips and food for thought to help local residents reduce their household waste.  Thirty three people from Smiths Falls and neighbouring municipalities attended the...

REAL has a new mission statement! At a November 2 Strategy session facilitated by Jeff Kohl, the REAL board  crafted a statement that more accurately and succinctly describes what the organization aims to do. To educate, inspire and provide...

This year’s local foods dinner October 19 was an unqualified success!  The 130 guests enjoyed a fabulous meal by Chef Joanne Edwards, tasty appetizers and local beers and Ontario wines.  Music by the Tritones, silent and live auctions, and...

 An extensive silent auction is a key component of REAL’s annual Local Foods Dinner.  Included in this years auction will be three attractive pieces of garden art.  Three local artists have each decorated a functional recycled, food grade rain...

REAL is hosting an evening featuring two local women who can help you get started on the path to reducing waste and living more sustainably.   Michelle Dunford and her family of three practice a near zero-waste lifestyle near Kemptville,...