John Remai has retired but is still an extremely active builder. His career started many years ago after he left Carrot River, Saskatchewan to take a carpentry course in Saskatoon at the age of 16. During his teen years spent on the family farm, he built many birdhouses and doghouses as the love of building was already in his blood.

After completing his carpentry apprenticeship and working for a short while, he formed his own construction company. Over a period of many years, he built numerous houses, schools, nursing homes, hotels, motels, condominiums, office buildings and apartment buildings. As one of Saskatchewan's largest promoters, all of his development was kept within the province.

This colourful house would look great in any setting. 

 

Having fulfilled his dream of building he started to downsize his business a few years ago and completed his retirement planning in 2007. It was natural to go back to his roots for a hobby that would not only provide fulfillment during his retirement but be of value to the people and the community around him.

 

Once his shop was set up, he started looking at designs for birdhouses and feeders for both birds and squirrels. In his travels, frequenting bookstores for birdhouse books and magazines quickly became an enjoyable pastime. His background allows him to create designs or duplicate or modify existing plans to suit a particular look he wishes to achieve. 

 

 

It was on their annual winter vacation in Hawaii that John bought a birdhouse book and noticed how gourds were being used for birdhouses. When they returned home, some internet research netted the discovery of Northern Dipper where John has purchased gourds from.

 

When the gourds arrive in Saskatoon, John drills holes for a clean-out as well as the front entrance hole. He then proceeds to pull out the seeds and other innards. Next the gourds are cured in a copper sulfate solution which will preserve them for many years.

 

Last of all the colours are chosen and the gourds are painted. One of the unique things John has done with gourds is to attach four of them at the bottom of the large birdhouse condo to make a community for the purple martins.

 

 

Gifting to charity has been a large and significant part of John's philosophy. Long considered one of Saskatchwan's top philanthropists, making birdhouses for the benefit of charity is something new for him. Once all his friends and family members were gifted with birdhouses and feeders, his next goal was to focus on the "useful" part of his hobby in addition to the enjoyment part.

 

This spring, after making a substantial donation to the equipment campaign for the soon to be built Children's Health and Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, John decided to make birdhouses and feeders that people would receive for free. In leiu of a set price a donation would be made to this worth while cause...people are very generous. And while this is his specified charity of choice, John has also donated items to other local charilties for silent and live auctions.  

 

Although this venture is young, it has already raised thousands of dollars and John plans to continue doing this well into the future. In addition displays were done at the Shaughnessey Gardens this past spring and as this is a seasonal operation, John will be setting up with a year-round retailer very soon.