Category: Guest Columnists

  • Why I’m Voting for……

    Why I’m Voting for……

    By E.P. Whinters When I wrote my first article as a Guest Columnist for the Gateway Gazette many moons ago, I put forth my intention: to select every week some aspect of the coming election; to study, research and reflect without bias (as much as possible), in hopes that I can make an intelligent decision…

  • Who Promises What?

    Who Promises What?

      By  E.P. Whinters We are on the brink of change and it behooves each of us to not only vote, but to vote according to what we truly believe – what will be best for the future of our nation and what we believe to be right in our hearts. In an effort to…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Skunks and Pumpkins

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Skunks and Pumpkins

      By Reena Nerbas Skunk Odour Dear Reena, How can I remove skunk odor from my clothing? Betty Dear Betty, Soak your clothes in the following solution; 4-cups 3% hydrogen peroxide, one-quarter cup baking soda and 1 tsp. liquid dish soap (I prefer Dawn); mix, soak for 30 mins. and rinse. Car Parked Under Trees…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Preparing Pumpkins for Halloween

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Preparing Pumpkins for Halloween

      By Reena Nerbas Stemming Strawberries Dear Reena, I pack strawberries in little plastic containers for school lunches. With strawberries being unbelievable expensive; it drives me crazy when kids eat a few bites around the stem and toss most of the berry into the trash. Other than wasting valuable time cutting stems off; how can…

  • The Importance of Retirement Income Planning

      By Kim Inglis A study by BMO Global Asset Management found that one quarter of already-retired Canadians are surprised to find their savings are not as sufficient as they thought. A key factor is that people are living longer. Statistics Canada says the average Canadian male will live 84 years and females 87 years,…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Fall Lawn Prep

      By Reena Nerbas Removing Wood Stain Dear Reena, My husband was staining something on our deck and managed to splatter stain on the vinyl siding, cement walkway and the composite deck. I really need your help to get rid of these stains. Karen Dear Karen, One option is to purchase the organic compound Oxalic…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena ~ Pesky Fruit Flies

      Cleaning Fireplace Chrome Dear Reena, My wife and I completed some home reno’s that overall went well, but we do have a minor problem. We had a new fireplace installed but did not remove the protective film that covers the chrome finish. We did have to test the fireplace before all the reno’s were…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Homemade Stain Removers

      By Reena Nerbas Homemade Stain Removers Dear Reena, My new life goal is to purchase less store bought products and make my own stain removers. Can you tell me the different kinds of stain classifications? Mel Dear Mel, Stain classifications include; protein, tannin, dye, oil or a combination of the two. Different stains require…

  • Bullying for Adults

    Bullying for Adults

    By E.P. Whinters, Guest Columnist. We are 6 weeks away from the Federal Election and the polls say the results will be different than any past Canadian election; what world that will lead us into is anyone’s guess. What I do know is that in these last six weeks, it seems that bullying has become…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: More Uses for Coffee Filters

      By Reena Nerbas Storing Onions Dear Reena, I would like to know the best way to store onions so that they will keep for a fairly long time. Thank you, Ruth Dear Ruth, My favorite onion storage solution includes a pair of clean pantyhose. Place an onion in the toe and tie a knot…

  • Who are the NDP?

    Who are the NDP?

      E.P. Whinters Today, I’m going to take a look at the history of the New Democratic Party. It definitely is a baby in comparison to the Liberals and Conservatives, who have ran Canadian politics since the first prime minister in 1867. The NDP officially began in 1961 in Ottawa at a convention that united…

  • Saving for your Child’s Education

      By Kim Inglis Every year many Canadian families are faced with paying for a large portion of their child’s post-graduate education.  A study conducted by BMO Global Asset Management found that 70% of parents are worried their children will not be able to afford university or college.  As a result, they are expecting to…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Careless Painters and Laundry Challenges

      By Reena Nerbas Paint on Carpet Dear Reena, I hired professional painters for a not too large room in my home.  They arrived with a stack of drop cloths but I think they were not careful in actually using them. As a result I have paint splatters in five different spots and one stain that…

  • History of the Liberal Party

    History of the Liberal Party

    E.P. Whinters Until this year, Canadian history could be seen as a relatively constant battle between the Conservatives and Liberals – if one was not leading our government, it was the other. In my last writing, I looked at the history of the Conservative party and this time I will turn the spotlight on the…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Honey

      By Reena Nerbas Dog Odour in Leather Dear Reena, Our dog’s favorite place to sit was on our leather sofa, and now that she is gone we cannot seem to get the odor off of the leather! We have tried leather cleaners but to no avail. I had a professional here yesterday to clean…