Gator Free Thought (2024)

26/08/2021

When I was a kid, my dad would always host incredible parties. He’d get a projector set up against a blank wall that we could play video games on, buy us tons of candy and other goodies, and decorate; the whole nine yards. One of the most memorable parties he would host is what I like to call a fireworks party, though you might call it a lights party, or a pyrokinetic party. I’m going to share with you the secrets of making your own fireworks party, so that you and your family might enjoy the same excitement and joy that mine has.

The Premise

Fireworks parties are all about dazzling displays of light and colour. You’ll want to host the party at night, preferably in the summertime when it’s warm enough to stay out for awhile. A blazing bonfire is perfectly on theme for a fireworks party, so I highly recommend getting a fire pit together. You can purchase powders that will change the colour of the fire in the pit; various metals and chemicals can transform your fire into blues, reds and greens. When you don’t have access to powders, copper pipes can be used to turn the fire green; some people put a garden hose into the copper piping for greater effect, but the pipe alone, or copper shavings, should do in a pinch.

You might string up multicoloured lights around trees and structures in the area you’re hosting the party; blinking lights and colourful paper lanterns are particularly on the theme. Sparklers are a blast, too; give every guest their own sparkler and have fun trying to create shapes, letters and patterns with the sparklers.

The most important part of the party is, of course, the fireworks. Where you can obtain consumer fireworks varies depending on where you live; here in Winnipeg, you can’t go wrong with Archangel Fireworks. There’s tons of different styles of fireworks, from the classic Roman Candle to fountains and noisemakers and cakes and more; the styles will describe how the firework is constructed and how you can expect it to go off. Take the time to go into your local fireworks shop and discuss the products with the people who work there; they can give you recommendations for fireworks or assortments of fireworks that will fit your budget, as well as safety tips.

The Party

The party should be held primarily outdoors. There are a few advantages to this: it sets the ambiance, it creates space for your guests, and it takes full advantage of the bonfire you have blazing. Your food choices, then, should be easy outdoor eats; food you can grill over the firepit (I recommend kolbassa over traditional hot dogs), finger foods like chips and sandwiches, popsicles and canned drinks.

One of the main disadvantages of hosting a party in an outdoor space is the number of insects and other pests – in Winnipeg especially, a party held outdoors can easily be ruined by mosquitos, not to mention wasps, ants and other critters. Have a pest control company do preventive pest management on your property before the party; this may involve getting rid of stagnant water, looking for anthills and wasp nests, using insecticides or setting up anti-pest measures. You might also elect to get mosquito-repellant candles, very apropos for the party.

You should give your guests quite a bit of notice before the party itself; it may be useful to get them to bring lawn chairs if they don’t have them. You should have a table or two set up with the food and drinks; conveniently, tables double as surfaces where you can put up more lights!

Safety and Regulations

Every city and town will have their own regulations regarding firework safety. The main thing you need is a big yard; firing prokinetics off within 100 feet of a building isn’t legal, and you need to get a permit in order to actually use the fireworks. Fortunately, the permit itself is free in most places. In order to get the permit, you’ll need to be over 18 years of age, which is a very good thing; this is an event that’s great for kids, but you’ll want a bunch of adults nearby to make sure everything works out well.

A party with this much fire does pose certain safety hazards, so having a lot of water on hand, as well as a fire extinguisher, is a very good idea. Only the adults at the party should set off fireworks; kids should just sit back and watch the light show.

Another major concern when having a fireworks party is the neighbours. The nature of the party means it’s both going to be loud and at night, so it’s courteous to keep those who may be sleeping in mind. Let your neighbours know about the party so they don’t get startled by the loud noises; better yet, invite them to come along and enjoy the light show! Try to set off the fireworks before 11 PM to reduce the chances that you’ll wake anybody up. The sound of explosions can be triggering for people with PTSD from their time in the military, so be sure to respect the wishes of anyone who served; it’s not worth having a party if someone is going to relive trauma because of it.

Be sure to carefully read all of the instructions that come with the fireworks. This should go without saying, but just in case: do not point fireworks at each other. Do not point fireworks at your face. When a firework doesn’t go off quite when you expect it to, don’t go check it by grabbing it and looking at it; prod it with a long object from a distance, and check the instructions for what to do in case of a misfire. While the party has a pyrotechnic bent, we don’t want anyone to end up looking like the Human Torch.

About The Author

Emily Howard: Emily writes captivating articles on trending topics about business news and real estate. She is also the head of the Gator Free Thought News digital platform and has seen the institution grow from a little-known website to an established news source.

The post Hosting a Fireworks Party appeared first on Gator Free Thought.

Learn the secrets of making your own fireworks party, so that you and your family can enjoy a wonderful night

26/08/2021

Many homeowners make the mistake of ignoring minor (but necessary) home repairs. A small home repair may cost you, but the cost will not be as much as if you were to neglect it. While drips from leaky pipes may be annoying, a faulty door lock compromises the security of your home all the valuable items inside. This article takes you through some door lock problems that spell trouble when ignored.

Misaligned Door Locks

Whether you prefer to call them misaligned strike plates or misaligned locks, the two terms are synonymous and they usually cause the same door lock problems. Since the locking mechanism is not lined up correctly, misaligned door locks present problems to the door’s core functions. Sometimes, misalignment may be a result of uneven gaps along with the edges of the door which affects latching and closing.

Other times, the problem is simply a result of loose hinges or broken ones. Misaligned strike plates are quick to spot since the door becomes obviously difficult to operate. When neglected, this problem eventually leads to broken door locks or broken doors. It goes without saying, a damaged locking mechanism and broken doors only lower your home’s security.

Jammed Locks

Locks jam up for multiple reasons. Freezing weather, the buildup of debris in the internal mechanisms, rusted tumblers, deadbolt misalignment, and broken lock bolts are some of the reasons that can cause locks to jam. Depending on the cause, some door lock jams only require a few hand tools for a quick fix. For instance, if the lock jam is a result of gunk, the solution would be to simply clear the keyway and get rid of the debris and any obstructions. Apply some lubricant to the keyway to ease debris cleaning.

How you deal with the door lock jam really depends on the cause, If you exhaust your DIY list, always call a locksmith, otherwise, you may end up with a permanently jammed door lock that will demand a replacement.

Broken Keys in Lock

Your door key broke while in the lock. Now what? A broken key in the lock is not one of those problems you postpone; the security of our home, car or office will be compromised if the key broke before you shut the door. Extracting a broken key in a lock requires some level of expertise; doing it wrongly can actually cause further damage to the lock. If a portion of the key is protruding from the lock, you can simply use pliers to pull it out. However, when there is no protruding key left in the lock, the process becomes more delicate and the best thing would be to call a locksmith for professional extraction. Locksmiths normally have the right tools for extraction. Sometimes, a broken key in the lock may end up damaging the lock.

After extracting the key, your locksmith will examine the door lock to make sure that the locking mechanism is intact. Keys wear and tear over time and so do locks. To prevent your eyes and locks from breaking, form a habit of replacing both after every few years. Additionally, lubricating your locks regularly makes it easier for the key to slide in and out of the lock minimizing chances of breaking.

Turning Lock Cylinder

A cylinder turns when a damaged set screw or a loose set screw meant to hold it in place either loosens or breaks. Normally, when you insert your key into the lock, for the door to unlock, the cylinder shouldn’t turn. Although this is the easiest door lock problem to diagnose, it isn’t necessarily easy to resolve. A turning lock cylinder inhibits how and when you can lock and unlock the door. Essentially, what this means is that you stand the danger of being left stranded outside your office or home unable to gain entry. Correcting this problem calls for the removal of the faceplate, dissembling the lock and restoring the placement of the set screws. This is also not a DIY project, you will want a professional to handle this.

Whether you have just moved or you’ve been there for a while, it is important to check the condition of your locks. A good door lock is meant to keep out burglars, not the owner of the home. Always work on resolving these door lock problems the instant you notice them.

The post Door Lock Problems You’d Rather Not Ignore appeared first on Gator Free Thought.

Are you locked out of your house? This article takes you through some door lock problems that spell trouble when ignored.

25/08/2021

Winnipeg Canada – Anago Cleaning a franchise-style commercial cleaning company, based in Winnipeg Canada is experiencing a significant increase in inquiries and confirmed new business for their cleaning services. This is also being matched by significantly more inquiries from potential franchise owners.

The commercial sector is always in need of cleaning services, and for many companies, it makes sound business sense to utilize an external company to deal with this aspect of their business. Anago, strive to deliver an outstanding service including their popular 2- hour response guarantee, for emergency situations. It is this attention to detail and forward thinking along with unmatched customer service that is the foundation upon which Anago Cleaning has built its brand.

The franchise system also means that in many ways customers of Anago Cleaning benefit from large company dynamics but family owned customer service ethics. Although never guaranteed Anago have established systems and procedures in place to ensure that in the vast majority of cases new franchisees can establish and grow a business with confidence that it will become sustainable and viable in the long term.

Although there are many franchise opportunities available to choose from the reputation and acknowledged success of the Anago Cleaning brand is responsible for the dramatic increase in inquiries. With a sustained increase in demand for commercial cleaning services, this is the perfect time to start a new Anago Cleaning franchise business.

“Business is booming and shows no sign of slowing down,” said Rafiq Punjani. “ Luckily for us, we appear to be in the perfect scenario of increased demand for both our services and the franchise opportunity we provide. If anyone reading this is contemplating a franchise business, then please get in contact as we have many many areas available.”

Anago is a cleaning company that services commercial facilities from 1,000-square-feet up to 200,000- square-feet, one – seven times per week, day or night. They provide commercial cleaning throughout the Greater Winnipeg area and serve some of the most recognizable companies in the marketplace. Companies trust Anago because they know they will take care of them.

Their custodians provide general commercial cleaning for auto dealerships, movie theaters, country clubs, schools, daycares, and churches throughout Winnipeg. Their approach is to align the right cleaning crew with your facility type.

The post Canadian Commercial Cleaning Company Experiencing Increase In Demand For Service appeared first on Gator Free Thought.

A franchise style commercial cleaning company, based in Canada is experiencing a significant increase in inquiries for their cleaning services.

30/07/2021

Running a small business isn’t easy. There are so many things to get done on a daily basis, and then there is the never-ending list of other ventures that you want your company to explore but don’t have time for. Fortunately, we can help with all aspects of marketing! We have laid out some marketing ideas your small business can tackle.

Start Small with Social Media

The most obvious way of growing awareness for a business is by using social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Having a social media presence is a great way to connect with consumers, however, it can be extremely time-consuming to run multiple accounts. There are certain businesses that would benefit from the use of social media sites, but in order to remain competitive and grow sales, they may need to start small by using a single account for all business ventures. A simple page or Instagram profile is an excellent way of increasing awareness.

Online Advertising

Another marketing idea for a small business is to take advantage of is an advertisement. When it comes to online advertising, Google AdWords is an inexpensive and easy way for a business to start running advertisements. A small business will be able to choose certain keywords that they want their ads to show up for when people search for them online. This type of strategy can help drive consumers directly to your website.

Search Engine Optimization

In order to bring in new customers, a business needs to make sure that they are easy to find. Search engine optimization (SEO) is an excellent way for your website to be found online by consumers who are looking for products or services. There are many guides online that you can follow to optimize your website for SEO.

Print Advertising

Even if the business is operating online, it doesn’t hurt to get your name out there the old fashion way. Print advertising is an effective way for small businesses to construct their brand and grow sales. A simple flyer or coupon can be placed in local newspapers or shopping centers and can help increase awareness for your company.

Free Samples or Trials

Another marketing idea is to have free samples of your products available for customers to take and try out. Being able to give consumers the opportunity to get a chance to experience what they will be purchasing goes a long way in increasing sales.

Friendly Competition

One good marketing idea for a small business is to set up a friendly competition between other businesses in their industry. If a business is having issues with brand recognition, then they can try setting a competition in which customers are able to vote on who the best product or service is by purchasing from that company’s website.

With a small marketing budget, it can be hard to figure out which ideas you should try. You’ve got options! Whether your goal is increasing website traffic or social media engagement, there are plenty of low-cost ways to reach more potential customers. We hope you enjoyed these six tips for how you can use these free marketing methods to grow your business—without breaking the bank. The best thing about these strategies? They work on any size budget and with every kind of product or service that could benefit from some exposure (local restaurants, pet groomers, local businesses). Which one will you give a shot first?

The post Marketing Ideas For Your Small Business appeared first on Gator Free Thought.

With a small budget, it can be hard to figure out which ideas you should try. You’ve got options! Check out our marketing ideas below:

26/07/2021

The living room is the most important space in any home. It’s where families gather and spend time together, it’s where you entertain guests, and it can make or break your living experience.

You’ve had a great day and you’re ready to relax with your family. The living room is just what the doctor ordered! Whether it’s hosting friends, watching TV, or reading a book in one of our corners, this space should be inviting and feel like home for everyone who visits. Here we’ll show you how to decorate your living room at home so that it feels fresher, bigger, more welcoming (and still looks great)!

Start by removing any furniture that’s an eyesore.

This is a living room makeover, so do whatever you need to do to get rid of pieces you don’t like or don’t use anymore. It might be worth having someone come over and help with this step because they’ll see things differently than you will! It won’t hurt to get a new perspective when it comes to your space.

Make way for sunlight!

When your living room is more open and you have a lot of natural light coming in, it’s going to feel bigger. You can increase the illusion of space and light in your home by removing things that block your windows. This includes furniture and curtains. Keep your living room as open, uncluttered, and airy as possible.

Add some colour with pillows and decor!

Your living room should reflect your personality and lifestyle. Choose what’s best for you, not anyone else! Adding one bright pop of colour will make your living room feel fresh and new without feeling too overwhelming all at once. You want to find the perfect balance between warmth and cool tones.

Paint the walls.

Painting an accent wall will create a really nice focal point and bring more colour into the room. Colours like green and white can be really refreshing.

Add some plants!

Plants can bring a sense of life into any space, so it’s no surprise they’ll do the same in your living room at home. Choose ones with foliage for year-round freshness or seasonal flowers for changing up your look throughout different seasons.

You’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. But if your living room is the space where you spend most of your time, it’s worth investing in making it feel like home and welcoming to guests (especially when winter comes). We hope this guide has given you some inspiration for how to decorate with style. When you’re ready to decorate your living room, take the time to find a painter or interior design company that will help make it look more like something out of a magazine.

Whether you’re looking for an avant-garde loft space with cool furniture and trendy decor items, a family-friendly area with comfortable couches and warm colours, or anything in between – we’ve got you covered!

The post Fresh Ways to Decorate Your Living Room at Home! appeared first on Gator Free Thought.

Here we'll show you how to decorate your living room at home so that it feels fresher, bigger, more welcoming (and still looks great)!

23/07/2021

Your air conditioner is one of the most important appliances in your home. It helps maintain a comfortable temperature, it keeps you safe from bacteria and insect-related illnesses, and it can help lower your utility bills. But if you don’t take care of it, these benefits will start to disappear. Be on the lookout for these 5 telltale signs that something’s amiss with your air conditioner:

Short Cycling

A shortened air-conditioning cycle is usually the result of a dirty filter. It can be identified by a loud humming sound that’s followed by the unit shutting off. Be sure to replace your filters once every one to three months, or more often if you live in an area with high dust and pollution levels.

It’s Blowing Warm Air

If your air conditioner is blowing warm air instead of cool air, it’s likely that the compressor needs to be repaired. This could also indicate a leak in your system and should be an area you check as soon as possible.

Your Energy Costs Are Increasing

Another warning sign has to do with your electric bill. If you notice that your AC was cranked up high for most of the month but there are no temperature changes on record, then it’s possible that something is broken. If your AC is not up to the task of cooling off your home, you will likely notice an increase in your energy bills. The more time and money it takes for a unit to cool down space, the higher those costs are going to be.

The Air Conditioner is Making Funny Sounds

If you notice any strange sounds coming from your air conditioner, it could be a sign that the unit is in need of repair. It could also have something to do with an issue with the fan or filter. These may be signs of a problem with your compressor, condenser fan motor, evaporator coil fins (though these are rare), and other parts.

Keep your AC in good shape to maintain benefits such as comfortable temperature and protection from bacteria. If you’re experiencing any of these telltale signs, it’s time for a diagnostic appointment with your local HVAC technician.

The post Signs That You Need To Repair Your Air Conditioner appeared first on Gator Free Thought.

Keep your AC in good shape by being on the lookout for these 5 telltale signs that something’s amiss with your air conditioner

05/07/2021

Plumbing problems are always irritating and come at the most inconvenient times. You never know when they’ll happen and that makes them all the more frustrating. It’s not fun to deal with plumbing issues on your own so hire a plumbing company today! Here are 5 signs that indicate it could be time to call in a pro:

1. The plumbing problem is so big that you can’t take care of it on your own. An example of this would be when water is leaking onto your ceiling.

2. The plumbing problem isn’t showing any signs of getting better after being left alone for some time (a few days). When there are no improvements from just waiting around with doing nothing else, call in a plumber immediately!

3. You’re worried about the risk to yourself or your property. A large leak or plumbing problem can lead to flooding. This is really important for those who live in rental properties and are unable to make any plumbing repairs themselves!

Professional plumbing services might charge more money upfront but it could still be both worths your time and money if there’s a high chance that your plumbing issue will only get worse with time without being fixed.

4. Your toilet, sink and/or tub are causing problems.

5. Sewer water has backed up into your house in the last few years.

6. There have been plumbing issues in an area near where a new construction project is happening. Construction could disturb underground plumbing lines without anyone realizing it. Plumbers offer professional sewer line installation services that will prevent the problem from happening!

A plumber will be able to assess the situation for you and give advice on how best to fix it. Don’t wait until things get bad, call one today to avoid plumbing disasters.

Home Improvement News 6 Signs You Need a Plumber gatorfreethought July 5, 2021 Plumbing problems are always irritating and come at the most inconvenient times. You never know when they’ll happen and that makes them all the more frustrating. It’s not fun to deal with plumbing issues on your own s...

05/07/2021

You may want to remodel your kitchen simply because you love interior decoration and remodelling is your hobby. In any case, remodelling is a huge project even if you’re doing it for fun; take advantage of everything that the professionals can offer. Below are 8 things you should consider before hiring a remodelling contractor.

#1. A remodelling professional can save you money by making sure that your remodelling plan is realistic, which involves assessing how much remodelling materials are needed. Many amateur remodellers underestimate the number of materials needed or they make unrealistic plans *as in building an addition* (which might cost more than expected).

#2. A remodelling contractor can help you put together a kitchen design plan that looks great and meets practical needs while providing useful storage space.

#3. You can save time by remodelling your kitchen using remodelling professionals who are experienced and have the training. And, if you decide to do it yourself, a remodelling contractor can save you from mistakes by pointing out things that might not be ideal or inefficient.

#4. A remodelling contractor will help you determine whether remodelling parts of the existing kitchen is feasible.

#5. Once you have found remodelling contractors, ask them to provide at least five references. Contacting these references can help you to feel more comfortable about your remodel contractor choices.

#6. A contractor can help you stay on budget and within your set timeline.

#7. Make sure that remodelling contractors are insured and bonded. This protects you as the homeowner in case of an accident or a dispute over any remodelling completion date.

#8. Think about remodelling your kitchen when you move, even if you do not plan on selling your home in the near future. This can help to increase its value.

You’ve always dreamed of a house that is perfect for your needs and with the right team, you can make it happen. It is recommended that you look for a contractor that will work to understand what you want in order to create a home remodel plan just for you. In order to find a reliable contractor, it is best if you get recommendations from friends, family and co-workers as well as hiring remodelling contractors online. Your remodelling plans should be made with the remodelling contractor you choose and not just done on a whim without their help.

It is suggested that you consider remodelling contractors who specialize in home remodels as opposed to complete renovations and new construction. This will allow you to get peace of mind knowing that they have had experience remodelling homes similar to yours.

We hope these tips helped you to remodel your kitchen. Please feel free to share these remodelling contractor tips with anyone who can benefit from it.

Home Improvement Things to Consider When Hiring a Remodelling Contractor gatorfreethought July 5, 2021 You may want to remodel your kitchen simply because you love interior decoration and remodelling is your hobby. In any case, remodelling is a huge project even if you’re doing it for fun; take ad...

25/06/2021

For investors looking to rehab houses, it can be quite a process. Today, we’re going to outline some of the most important steps of the process. You may want to consider making a checklist then review it as you go along.

#1. Assemble your team. This can be a small handful of people, or it can be many. It depends on how many professionals you know and trust. For example, your team might consist of: an architect, building contractor, house inspector, plumber, electrician, structural engineer and more just to name a few. The more individuals you trust and can bring along with you the better. You can never have enough professionals on your team.

#2. Before doing any purchasing, it’s critical to study your local market. Invest the time to educate yourself. You need to have a good understanding of property values in your local area. If you fail to do your homework, how will you know when the right property to buy presents itself?

#3. Don’t buy a house beyond repair. This step should be obvious, but shockingly many new flippers acquire the wrong house and it’s the first and last rehab they ever purchase because they run out of funds and end up selling at a loss. Don’t let this become you. Consult your power team. If the consensus is positive, then proceed accordingly.

#4. Know your budget. Everyone starts out with a finite amount of working capital. The most important rehab you purchase will be your first one. How much work is needed? Make a list. Present your list to members of your power team for review. Don’t forget building material prices are quickly rising in a post-Covid market. You might want to even slightly overestimate building materials and prepare for the worst case scenario.

#5. What profit margin do you expect to make on this project? Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that by keeping your cost down you’ll just make a good profit and walk away. Go deeper by making a specific profit margin you are looking to establish. What good is the project if you simply break even or pay your profits in taxes? That’s why making this determination in the beginning is so critical.

#6. The best rehab properties are the ones that can be updated quickly. The best projects have issues that are easily correctable. Easy fixes generally include: patching small holes in walls, spraying cabinets to look fresh and new, and other general painting. Replacing flooring has never been easier. They now make special vinyl flooring that is professionally adhesive and 100% water resistant. Laminate flooring is another option that is not too expensive. It’s come a long way in the last decade and looks fantastic.

#7. You’ll need to establish alternate exit strategies beyond just selling on the open market. For example, what if your rehabbed house doesn’t sell as quickly as you anticipated? That means that you’ll have holding costs continue to climb which will eat away at your profit. Do you have a back up plan? Can you turn the house into a rental property and turn a profit? Try to imagine the worst case situations and develop strategies to overcome them.

Make your rehab purchase based on common sense. Don’t allow your emotions to lead you. Be patient and willing to wait for a good opportunity to present itself. Don’t make any rash decisions without consulting your power team. Allow them to provide you with wise counsel. Be smart enough to sometimes realize the best deals are the ones never made.

For those just beginning a career in real estate, you’ll want to learn the basics of how it works from a professional cash homebuyer. Then you can establish your own business plan.

About The Author

Ryan David is a real estate investor, flipper, and wholesaler. He’s the owner of

We Buy Houses In Pennsylvania that buys distressed houses in Scranton / Wilkes-Barre and surrounding areas of PA.

Real Estate 7 Steps For Success: Best Practices To Rehabbing Properties For Real Estate Investors gatorfreethought June 25, 2021 For investors looking to rehab houses, it can be quite a process. Today, we’re going to outline some of the most important steps of the process. You may want to consider...

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