Kayla Kaschak

10/27/2026

Congratulations to Chris Holt For Ward 4 on winning the election for Ward 4! I look forward to having you representing us in Walkerville!

Thank you Ward 4!

I cannot begin to tell you what an honour it has been for me representing you all these years. When I was first elected to council in 2014, I had no idea of just how much it would mean to have constituents like you in my corner. You backed me up on my urban-focused agenda through thick and thin, making it easy for me to go out the proverbial limb on issues that seemed insignificant to most. You understood what was at stake and cheered me on. You gave me the power to push further and harder than anyone else would have, and I know my council colleagues were envious of that. You made me the councillor I was and for that I am forever grateful!

When you cast your vote tomorrow my wish is that it is a vote for hope and not fear. I hope that you have found a candidate that inspires in you a belief in Windsor’s future. There are far too many candidates in today’s society that fall back on fear because it is easy. Don’t fall for that. I believe I have shared with you a vision for the prosperous Windsor that could be and I hope you see that vision too, because it is possible!

Regardless of the outcome of tomorrows vote I wanted to let you know how much I’ve appreciated you and share the belief that you deserve the best. Now I leave it up to you to go and vote for it!

To everyone who has tirelessly supported my campaign with countless volunteer hours and campaign contributions, I thank you! Helping to spread the word that a brighter future is possible is one of the highest callings and we couldn’t have reached every household in the ward without you. You are champions and the city desperately needs all the champions it can get.

So from Nancy and myself – Thank you!

10/27/2026

Congratulations to my father in law Gary Kaschak, Ward 8 Councillor on his re-election!

We did it again! Thank you to everyone who supported me & voted. I’m happy to see our visions align once again, and I’m ready to keep the momentum going.

I have a passion for the City of Windsor & especially our Ward 8 community. I want to continue making our community a better place.

Thank you to all of my volunteers. I also appreciate all of the terrific conversations I’ve had with so many of you while campaigning.

I’d also like to acknowledge my opponent, Kevin Racine, for running a passionate Ward 8 campaign.

I look forward to representing & serving you for the next 4 years.

Thank you!

Gary Kaschak

10/27/2026

🏡 RENOVATING AN OLD WALKERVILLE HOME — PART 5

🔨 Fresh Drywall, a Finished Window & FINALLY Seeing Some Progress!

After weeks of tearing things apart, uncovering hidden surprises, and questioning some questionable renovation decisions made over the years, our living room is FINALLY starting to look like a room again!

First up: Our Fresh Drywall!

The new drywall is officially hung, taped, and mudded! Just a few finishing touches tomorrow, and we'll be ready to prime these walls before the painting and flooring begin! For anyone unfamiliar with the process, taping involves reinforcing the seams between drywall sheets to prevent cracking, while mudding involves applying layers of joint compound over those seams, screw holes, and imperfections. Once dry, everything is carefully sanded smooth to create a seamless surface ready for primer and paint.

A massive shoutout to Jenny on the Hawk for her incredible work! Not only did Jen and her team do an amazing job installing and finishing our new drywall, but she also helped touch up areas of our ceiling where old drywall tape had started showing through. It's those little details that make all the difference, and I couldn't recommend her more!

Next up: OUR SECRET WINDOW IS OFFICIALLY FINISHED! 🪟

Remember that surprise window we discovered hiding behind decades of renovations? Well, M.S One Construction has officially completed the installation, including the interior framing and exterior capping! For those following along, exterior window capping involves covering exposed exterior wood trim with protective metal, typically aluminum, to help protect against weather damage and reduce future maintenance. And can we just talk about ALL THE NATURAL LIGHT?! It's incredible how much of a difference bringing this window back has made!

Here's your real estate takeaway:

Renovations don't always have to involve changing the entire layout of your home to make a significant impact. Sometimes, restoring an existing feature, improving natural light, or simply updating damaged walls can completely transform how a space looks and feels. Especially in older neighbourhoods like Walkerville, where homes have decades of history and character, there's something really rewarding about bringing forgotten features back to life!

And now, we're onto the FUN stuff!

This week, we're tackling fresh paint, new flooring, and installing our new light fixtures!

Stay tuned for Part 6 — Fresh Paint, Fresh Floors & Let There Be Light! 🔨

10/26/2026

Be sure to get out today and VOTE - your election day voting locations are available through the link below!

Election Day Voting Locations | City of Windsor https://share.google/66C3MtlYQ9baBD1Zt

Eligible electors can vote at any voting location in their ward on Election Day, October 26, 2026. Voting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

10/22/2026

🏡 RENOVATING AN OLD WALKERVILLE HOME — PART 4
🔨 New Window, New Drywall & FINALLY Putting Things Back Together!

After what felt like an endless amount of demolition, surprise discoveries, and questioning the decisions of previous homeowners, we've officially reached the exciting part of our renovation — putting our living room back together!

⭐️ First up: Our Secret Window! ⭐️

Remember that window we discovered hidden behind the walls in Part 2? Well, it's officially back!

After removing the old materials and replacing damaged areas surrounding the opening with fresh wood, it was time to install our new window!

A HUGE shoutout to MS One Construction, the licensed contractors who handled our window installation. These guys showed up with ONE DAY'S NOTICE and did a fantastic job. I genuinely couldn't recommend them more!
For anyone wondering what goes into reopening an old window, it's a little more involved than simply popping a new one into the wall.
The existing opening needs to be carefully exposed, the surrounding framing assessed and repaired where necessary, and the new window properly fitted, levelled, and secured. From there, the gaps around the window are insulated using appropriate low-expansion foam, and the opening is sealed and weatherproofed to help prevent drafts, air leaks, and moisture intrusion.
But we're not quite finished yet!

MS One Construction will be returning to complete the exterior capping and finishing. Window capping involves installing protective metal trim, typically aluminum, over the exposed exterior wood around the window. This helps protect the framing from the elements, reduces future maintenance, and gives everything a clean, finished appearance. Proper flashing and sealing are also essential to directing water away from the opening.

⭐️ Next up: FRESH DRYWALL! ⭐️

With the old panelling and damaged plaster removed, it was finally time to give these walls a fresh start! Enter Jenny on the Hawk!

I've had the pleasure of knowing Jen for over 15 years, and I cannot recommend her and her team enough. Fast, efficient, professional, and an absolute pleasure to work with!

For those unfamiliar with the drywall process, it involves a few important stages.

First, new drywall sheets are measured, cut, and secured to the prepared walls. Once everything is hung, the seams between the sheets are reinforced with drywall tape and covered with joint compound, commonly referred to as mudding. Multiple thin coats of compound are applied, allowing each layer to dry before additional coats are added. Once everything is properly finished and sanded smooth, the walls are ready for primer and fresh paint!

It might not sound like the most exciting part of a renovation, but properly finished drywall makes a HUGE difference in the final appearance of a room.

Here's your real estate takeaway:
One of the biggest lessons from renovating our older Walkerville home has been knowing when to tackle something ourselves and when to bring in experienced professionals. While we've been happy to handle much of the demolition and preparation, jobs like window installation and drywall finishing benefit tremendously from having skilled contractors involved.

And now? We're FINALLY getting to the fun stuff!
New light fixtures, fresh paint, new flooring, and brand-new trim are all coming next!

Stay tuned for Part 5 — We're Getting Closer to the Finish Line! 🏡

10/21/2026

🏡 RENOVATING AN OLD WALKERVILLE HOME — PART 3
🔨 The Trim That Wasn't Actually Trim... and Was Apparently Installed With the Intention of NEVER Being Removed Again. 😂

With all the old panelling finally removed, we turned our attention to what we thought would be a relatively simple task: removing the trim and preparing the room for new flooring and drywall.

Except, as we've quickly learned, nothing is ever that simple when renovating an older home!
First, what appeared to be decorative wall trim was actually a combination of wood moulding and materials used to cover the transitions between the different layers of wall finishes. Another reminder of just how many renovations this house has seen over the years!

But the REAL surprise? The shoe moulding.
For those unfamiliar, shoe moulding is the small, narrow piece of trim installed along the bottom of your baseboards. Its purpose is to cover the small expansion gap between your flooring and the wall, giving everything a clean, finished appearance.

Normally, removing it is a fairly straightforward process. A utility knife, a pry bar, a little patience, and you're good to go.
Not in our house. 😅

We discovered that the shoe moulding had actually been installed BEFORE the flooring, meaning the bottom of the moulding sat BELOW the finished floor level.

And apparently, whoever installed it wanted to make absolutely certain it would never move again. We're talking silicone, wood glue, and TWO-INCH FRAMING NAILS driven directly into the floor. So, what do you do when a seemingly simple renovation task turns into an unexpected obstacle?

⭐️ You troubleshoot, adapt, and keep going! ⭐️

Our solution involved using an oscillating multi-tool to carefully cut underneath and behind the shoe moulding, working through the adhesive and nails holding everything in place.

Once we'd loosened it enough, we used a pry bar to carefully lift the moulding out from below the floor's edge. From there, we had to chisel away the remaining silicone and adhesive to create a clean, level area for our new flooring installation.
Was it tedious? Absolutely. Did it take
significantly longer than anticipated? You bet. But it's one more step toward getting this room ready for its makeover!

Here's your real estate takeaway:

These little surprises can add time, labour, and unexpected expenses to your renovation budget. That's why I always encourage buyers to leave themselves some flexibility when planning improvements, especially in older homes.
And remember, just because something has been in place for decades doesn't necessarily mean it was installed correctly!

Stay tuned for Part 4 as we get closer to putting this room back together instead of continuing to tear it apart! 😂

10/20/2026

🏡 RENOVATING AN OLD WALKERVILLE HOME — PART 2

🔨 The Walls Behind the Walls & Our Secret Window!

Well, the demolition has officially begun, and if you guessed MORE panelling, a combination of lath and plaster, wire mesh, and a mixture of fibreglass insulation... congratulations, you were right! 😂
But what we DIDN'T expect to find was an entire window hidden inside our wall!

First, let's talk about what we're actually looking at here.

Lath and plaster was a common construction method in older homes before drywall became the standard. Traditionally, thin wooden strips (lath) were attached to the wall studs, and layers of plaster were applied over them to create a solid wall. Some older homes also used metal mesh to help reinforce the plaster. It's a durable building method, but after decades of renovations, repairs, and settling, these walls can become cracked, damaged, or uneven.

Now, about that SECRET WINDOW!

At some point in our home's history, a previous owner decided to cover up an existing window rather than remove the entire opening. And we've decided we're bringing it back!

That means carefully opening up the wall, assessing the existing framing, cutting back and properly capping the surrounding materials, and installing a new, properly sized and sealed window. We'll also need to make sure the exterior is finished correctly with appropriate flashing and weatherproofing to prevent future moisture problems.

So, what's next for our walls?

Thankfully, we haven't uncovered the renovation nightmare we mentally prepared for! Our plan is to address any insulation gaps using appropriate low-expansion insulating foam where needed, remove damaged or loose plaster, and install new drywall to give the room a fresh, clean finish.

Of course, we'll be checking for any hidden moisture issues and making sure everything is properly sealed before closing the walls back up.

Here's your real estate takeaway: Older homes, especially in historic neighbourhoods like Walkerville, often have layers of renovations hiding behind their walls. Not every surprise is a disaster, but it's important to understand that what you see on the surface doesn't always tell the whole story.

And sometimes, those surprises turn out to be pretty exciting!

Stay tuned for Part 3: The Trim That Wasn't Actually Trim... and Was Apparently Installed With the Intention of NEVER Being Removed Again. 😂

10/19/2026

🏡 RENOVATING AN OLD WALKERVILLE HOME — WHAT'S BEHIND THE WALLS? 🔨

If there's one thing you should know about owning an older home, it's that you never really know what you're getting into until you start opening things up!

My husband and I finally decided it was time to tackle our dining room renovations. The original wall panelling had seen better days! It was sagging, damaged, and definitely ready for retirement.

But here's the thing about renovating an older Walkerville home... what's hiding behind those walls?

Before we started tearing anything down, we mentally prepared ourselves for just about everything. Missing insulation? No vapour barrier? Moisture damage? Structural surprises? We knew there was a chance this little cosmetic upgrade could turn into a MUCH bigger project.

And that's something I always remind my buyers when looking at older homes. They have incredible character, charm, and history, but renovations aren't always as straightforward as they seem. Sometimes what looks like a simple weekend project can reveal decades of surprises!

So, did we uncover a renovation nightmare or get pleasantly surprised?

Follow along as we peel back the layers of our old Walkerville home and show you what we found!

🔨 Part 1: What's Behind the Walls?

10/18/2026

What can I say about Char Craft & Comfort that I haven't said about Charbel Boutros before hmmm -
Beyond the obvious that Chef Charbel has always been incredibly talented and the most passionate chef I've had the pleasure of calling my friend - but what he's built here with his team is truly something special.

I've had the pleasure of watching chef Charbels dream come to life infront of me over the last couple years, and the restaurant industry isn't an industry to be taken lightly. It takes hard work, dedication, adaptability, creativity, planning. And all of that shows at Char Craft & Comfort.

The atmosphere is inviting, bright natural lighting - clean and organized. Every detail meticulously planned from the lattes to entrees.

We had the biscoff shaken espresso (iced) and the baklava latte to start - bold espresso flavors accented with either biscoff notes or beautiful notes of rose water, blossom and pistachio.

The shaved Egg Toast was incredibly light and flavorful - the hot honey drizzle really added a beautiful touch of heat. The dirty hash was incredible - even for being loaded with toppings it remained light, crisp and rich.

The nanamio French toast was decadent without being overly sweet - the dark chocolate pairing with the coconut graham cracker crumble complimented the white chocolate sweetness well! - No syrup needed!

Grand opening is October 24th, and I'm telling you this is not a place you're going to want to sleep on. Congratulations to Charbel & his incredible team, we can't wait to come back ♡

10/14/2026

🎮 SIDE QUEST OR SKIP IT? — QUEST #10: THE MAIN QUEST

Over the last nine quests, we've talked about outdated homes, tough locations, one-bathroom houses, budgets, pools, tiny yards, and everything in between.

And that's exactly why I created this series.
Because buying a home isn't about finding a house with zero flaws, it's about figuring out which compromises make sense for you.

Every home comes with its own Side Quests. Some are easy fixes. Some require planning and budget. And some are deal breakers.

My job isn't just to sell you a house. My job is to help you navigate those decisions, understand your options, and make sure you're moving toward the right home for your lifestyle and goals.

Ready to start your Main Quest? 🎮🏡