Preferred Perch is for the birds

Specialty store here to help support our feathered friends

One of the sounds that disturbs me the most on this planet is that “thwack” when a bird flies into your window. If you’re anything like me, that immediately spurs you into sprint mode to check on the bird. I recently had . . .

Posted: 2022-06-18

Drainage slope away from foundation always prudent

Question: I read your recent article in the Free Press about how to properly maintain the slope away from the house. I would like to ask you a question and will appreciate your answer. I did understand that the best . . .

Posted: 2022-06-18

Keep pesky wasps away with these handy tips

Question: What is a good solution for keeping wasps away? Thank you, Edward Answer: If you notice wasps building a nest in the same space year after year, purchase an artificial wasp nest. Or make your own by blowing up a . . .

Posted: 2022-06-18

Taste with a twist in St. Adolphe's Tourond Creek

Large bungalow loaded with features and fashion

While it might not seem like much, an extra 17 feet of width and 20 (or so) feet of depth can make a big difference in how a home is designed. Case in point is the Yorkton IV, A & S . . .

Posted: 2022-06-18

Charleswood masterpiece rebuilt and reborn

Check out this fresh and stunning designer home

Sometimes, adversity has a way of – somehow – making things better in the long run. That’s exactly what happened with 87 Elmvale Cres., an architectural gem of a home that was built on a mature, wooded lot next to the . . .

Posted: 2022-06-18

Specimen plants that stand out from the crowd

Fill empty spaces in your garden with something weird and wonderful

The unusual or unexpected attracts interest or attention in the garden. As much as any of us recognize the value of simplifying a colour palette, limiting the number of species and cultivars, and emphasizing plant groupings in specific blocks of . . .

Posted: 2022-06-18

Demolition likely not required to inspect for mould

Question: Over the past 15 years, we have noticed minor seepage from under our baseboard in our finished basement bathroom wall, through the spring thaw. This year, because of the wet weather, we had major flow. We are thinking of . . .

Posted: 2022-06-11

Custom stringers provide versatility

Creating stairs fairly easy once process established

During the elaborate deck build at my own property years ago, it became obvious quite quickly that prefabricated stair stringers that could accommodate my design would not be easily found. As such, every single one of them was hand-cut on . . .

Posted: 2022-06-11

Homemade eyeglass cleaner will have you seeing clearly

Question: I have been a fan of your column for years, and I wonder if you have a recipe that I could use to replace the expensive potions that eyeglass stores sell to clean the lenses of eyeglasses sold in . . .

Posted: 2022-06-11

Community landmark remembered and restored

Former dance hall spruced up in Kaleida

Received this great letter from Jodi Young last week. “Hello Mr. Mustard, we live in a small village (once a town) in south central Manitoba. Kaleida is situated just south of Manitou on the cusp of the Pembina Valley. In 2006 we . . .

Posted: 2022-06-11