Letter from the Editor There’s something about this time of year. The snow (hopefully) has packed its bags, the ground is thawing, and we’re finally breaking free from winter hibernation. We step outside, take a deep breath of spring air… and then turn around and look at our homes with fresh eyes. Suddenly, that wall could use a little colour; that bathroom could use a refresh. And wouldn’t it be nice to have a brand-new deck or outdoor living space? Personally, I’ve long dreamed of a full-on outdoor kitchen. I’m talking a little fridge, my barbecue, my Komodo Joe, an oven, maybe even a pizza oven. I’m convinced that if I had that setup, I’d practically live outside from May through October. Home renovations are fun to dream about. We scroll, we sketch, we imagine. But what we don’t always do is plan for what happens during the renovation. Take my kitchen, for example. It was supposed to be a simple, two-week refresh. New look. Quick and painless. But when you live in a house that’s over 150 years old, ‘quick and painless’ is more of a suggestion than a guarantee. We opened up two walls and discovered… no insulation. Then we found issues with the other two walls. I decided to fix one small patch in the ceiling where an old leak had left the paint looking less than perfect. Once the contractor cut into it, we discovered broken beams. To fix the beams, we had to remove the entire ceiling. Which turned out to be five layers thick. The floors? Three layers. So my tidy two-week renovation became a five- or six-week complete gut job. There is something surreal about microwaving lunch in your dining room while your fridge hums beside the table. But with a bit of planning, we survived. Since the renovation happened just before Christmas, I asked for restaurant gift cards instead of presents. own homas April 2025 Issue 68
Thankfully, I received a generous stack, especially to Wendy’s. Between those and some well-timed coupons, we stretched ‘two weeks of dinners out’ into nearly a month. The lesson? Plan ahead. If you’re renovating a bathroom in a one- bathroom house, that’s a lifestyle change. If you’re renovating your only kitchen, figure out how your family will eat, gather, and function in the meantime. But here’s the thing — I love it. Renovating this house has been one of the great pleasures of my life, challenges and all. There’s something deeply satisfying about turning a house into your house. So if something in your home is bothering you, change it. And if you’re considering a renovation, or even a move, be sure to mark April 10th to 12th on your calendar and attend the St. Thomas & Elgin Home Show. You’ll find incredible local professionals ready to help turn those springtime dreams into reality.
152 1/2 Fairview Ave., St Thomas $559,000
This great family home is brick raised ranch with a single car garage on a 50 x 164‘ tree lot. Three bedrooms, two bath- rooms, sunroom, formal din- ing room, living room and modern kitchen. Oversized rec room with a fireplace . Excellent location close to schools. 6579 Boston Rd., Union New Price $789,000
Kimberly Langford Mortgage Agent Lic# M23005308 Mortgage Architects Lic# 12728 p. 519-520-2213 E. kim@hometowngroup.ca Looking to renew your mortgage or purchase a new home? Let’s talk about your options! Kimberly Langford Mortgage Agent 2 Lic# M23005308 Mortgage Architects Lic# 12728 p. 519-520-2213 E. kim@hometowngroup.ca
This 4 bedroom, 2 bath home blends small-town charm with modern conven- ience. Featuring maple floors, a finished lower-level family room, and updated mech-
anicals, all set on a massive 100’ x 200’ lot. Your family will enjoy a heated saltwater inground pool, sunroom, treehouse, double garage, and a location minutes from Port Stanley beaches and St. Thomas.
Centre City Realty Inc., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated
FREE MARKET EVALUATION 519-495-0789 • rhaddow@execulink.com RICHARD HADDOW Real Estate Agent
Hometown St. Thomas • April 2026 • Page 5
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