October’s Community Newsletter partner is Theatre on the Ridge. We sat down with Carey, the Artistic Director and General Manager of Theatre on the Ridge, to learn more about the company and its operations within the community. Now in its 7th year, Theatre on The Ridge continues to be Durham’s innovative professional theatre company that captivates on and offstage. Since 2014, the company has consistently committed to artistic excellence, accessibility, education, and audience engagement while nurturing new artists and theatre works.
“Theatre on the Ridge is an important part of the community because we are the only professional, non profit theatre company in Durham. While there is lots of community theatre activity in Durham Region, we wanted to create something where we could work in our own way,” says Carey about how Theatre on the Ridge stands out in the community.
Theatre on the Ridge has a strong focus and passion for Canadian content. They work to develop new artists in the community and create content that is specific to the surrounding area. Theatre on the Ridge works with community partners like the Port Perry Historical Society and The Scugog Lake Stewards to tell their stories through theatre. For the Scugog Lake Stewards, Theatre on the Ridge presented an original performance for young audiences called Monsters and Milfoil: A Tale of Lake Scugog, that shares the history and importance of Lake Scugog through interactive songs.
“Theatre is story telling. People think it’s the tangible objects that are important to the culture and heritage of the community, but it is stories too. The arts and culture are a big part of what Scugog has to offer.”
They also work to make theatre more accessible by seeking out alternative venues and performing on the streets of Port Perry. While COVID has certainly been a hinderance to operations, it has helped the search for new and different venues to host performances.
Through its summer theatre festival, held annually in Port Perry, Theatre On The Ridge presents professional theatre and musical productions of new, Canadian and international works that entertain and engage audiences, pairing a quality big city theatre experience with the welcome and appeal of small town rural hospitality.
“Artists deserve to be paid for their work, and to be supported within their own community, not having to go to the big city to find work,” mentioned Carey.
Theatre on the Ridge brings in over 12,000 people into the community over 9 weeks for the Summer Festival, and 16 workers to the community, such as artists and individuals to help with production and operational support. In turn, these visitors have a ripple effect in the community. These individuals also shop, eat, and bring family and friends to support the other businesses in town. When it comes to theatre, it extends peoples stay in the community. Tourists will support a local restaurant by seeing a show before dinner, and perhaps even extend their time here by staying overnight after a performance.
To keep up with Theatre on the Ridge, follow them on social media through the handle @theatreontheridgeportperry and visit their website at http://www.theatreontheridge.ca/. You can also sign up for their email newsletter, to help you keep up to date on all the performances and happenings that are ongoing.
Theatre on the Ridge accepts monetary donations, whether it be on a monthly or one time basis. For those who can help support, there will be a donation prompt at checkout through Old Flame’s online shop for the month of October.
But by far, the best way to help support Theatre on the Ridge is to come out and see a performance. The company is a member of the Safe Travel Stamp. They have been safely offering theatre throughout the pandemic, when allowed to do so, and continue to create innovative performances.
“Bring your friends!!” encourages Carey.
]]>September’s Community Newsletter partner is Dog Guides of Port Perry. We sat down with Ivo and Sue, members of Port Perry’s committee representing Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. This group is passionate about helping individuals in our community access the life changing service of having a dog guide. These highly skilled and trained dogs help to empower Canadians with disabilities to navigate their world with confidence and independence by providing Dog Guides at no cost to them and supporting each pair in their journey together.
“I have a personal experience where my cousin had M.S. and their dog guide helped to extend their life by ten years, and there is no price you can put on that,” said Ivo, “Dog Guides improve the lives of recipients ten fold.”
Dog Guides are trained to help with a variety of needs: from help with vision, hearing, seizure response, autism assistance, diabetic alert or general service and facility support.
“Lots of us have dogs as pets, they already have an impact on our lives but when they are trained to give assistance, the help they give is immeasurable and priceless,” mentioned Sue
The Dog Guides host the largest school of its kind in Canada, located in Oakville with a breeding and training facility in Breslau. Dog Guides in seven distinct programs are provided to eligible Canadians from coast to coast. From breeding to rearing and training with a life-time of follow-up services, each Dog Guide is $35,000 to train and place. The foundation relies on donations to provide these special matches and does not receive any government funding.
What is most incredible is these Dog Guides are given completely free to recipients. They are diligent in their work to ensure success for the dog and recipient. The organization brings people in for training, making sure the dog guide and the recipient are a good match and have a live-in centre where the dog and recipient can replicate a home care environment to ensure compatibility.
When asked how people can help to support, the best way is to participate in the Port Perry Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides on the last Sunday of May. It’s an event held across the country, with over 300 walks being held in Canada. Port Perry’s walk will be in its 5th year, and has raised almost $100,000 to date.
“We are in the top 3% of walks across Canada. At the end of the walk, we finish at Old Flame with our dogs! We wanted to make the walk a community event, where you can socialize afterwards with beer and perhaps a gelato, and really make it a special event. We want it to be fun!!” said Ivo
The team is entirely volunteer based, and is made possible with the help of the Lions Club. Ivo and Sue constantly expressed how incredible the community has been to their fundraising efforts, all of which helps to benefit individuals within our community to get them their own Dog Guide.
“Even in the pandemic, we have had a successful fundraiser because of this community,” mentioned Sue
The Port Perry Dog Guides Team have walked in the Santa Claus parade and you will find them walking in the Tartan Parade that will be celebrating Port Perry’s upcoming 150th anniversary.
While participating in the walk in May is encouraged, you can also take part in the Port Perry 150 Scavenger hunt the Dog Guides volunteers have organized! From September 1st – 24th if you participate in the hunt, you can get a chance to win some fabulous prizes. When asked about why they wanted to organize a scavenger hunt, Sue replied:
“It’s all about community involvement and giving back to the town for their generosity to us. It’s been incredible.” Sue
The best way to stay up to date with the happenings of Port Perry’s efforts to support the Dog Guides of Canada is through their Facebook page, and the national organizations’ website.
Throughout September, we will have a jar at the bar where you can donate what you can and then receive a Dog Guides Bandana to show your support! Stay tuned, the Dog Guides will be at the brewery on a couple Sundays near the end of the month to talk about their efforts for the community.
]]>August’s Community Newsletter partner is PFLAG North Durham. Every donation made to PFLAG North Durham stays right here in our community with this all-volunteer based group in their efforts of supporting all persons with their journeys through gender identity, gender expression & sexual orientation.
We chatted with Alison and Alicia of PFLAG North Durham to learn more about the operations and needs of the organization as they work to make North Durham a welcoming and accepting space for LGBTQ2S+ in our region.
The North Durham branch of PFLAG Durham Region extends support in the Townships of Scugog and Brock, including Port Perry, Sunderland, Manilla, Wilfrid, Cannington, Beaverton, and all the way up to Brechin.
“We started making preparations in late 2019 for a North Durham Chapter, before COVID started. We launched in February 2020 and were able to have just one meeting in person before we all got shutdown,” said Allison, “but the zoom meetings have been very satisfying, and we get people from all over Durham Region participating.”
PFLAG North Durham hosts a Support and Sharing Meeting on the third Thursday of every month from 7:00PM - 8:30PM for individuals to virtually attend to talk, socialize, make connections and be heard. All discussions are confidential, and it is fine to come at first to listen and not talk. The meetings are welcome to all LGBTQ2S+ individuals as well as parents, friends and allies.
“Even if people can’t come to the meetings, if they know there is a community of acceptance, it goes a long way to make people feel they can come out and feel safe and inclusive, especially for younger people,” mentioned Alicia.
When asked about how people, companies and local governments can help support it all came down to visually displaying support for LGBTQ2S+ in your space with signs and educating staff through sensitivity and safe space training. Additionally, displaying banners in the community downtown during Pride Month, more Pride month activities, rainbow crosswalks and benches all go a long way for the community to show support for LGBTQ2S+ individuals.
“Visibility is our first goal in efforts to positively impact the community,” said Alison, “people will support you if they know it’s a safe place to come and enjoy themselves.”
The best way to keep up with the ongoings of PFLAG, specifically the North Durham chapter, is on their facebook page, @northdurhampflag. PFLAG Canada has chapters across Canada for many communities in their respective provinces as they work as Canada’s only national organization that offers local peer-to-peer support striving to help all Canadians with issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
“Change can be slower in these (rural) parts, but it’s coming,” concluded Alison.
]]>In partnership with the Scugog Lake Stewards and Take Care Tattoo, we are excited to launch Take Care of the Lake a carbonated water with lime. $1.50 from each can sale will go to support the Scugog Lake Stewards and the Lake Scugog Enhancement Project (LSEP). The label was designed by Jen Lawes of Take Care Tattoo, depicting crucial floral and fauna that inhabit our lake and make it a healthy ecosystem. We plan to fill the month of July with events and chatter to raise awareness about our lake and its needs. Keep an eye on our events calendar and social media for updates on events to help support!
We were able to snag some time with Barbara Karthein, Communications and Education Director of the Scugog Lake Stewards, to chat about the operations and needs of the organization as they work to make our lake healthy through the LSEP.
“Erosion of shorelines and stormwater runoff are one the biggest threats to our lake. Much of this is directly related to climate change and development.” says Karthein, “Because we are the headwaters of the Trent-Severn Waterway, we have a big responsibility to keep our lake healthy.”
The Lake Scugog Enhancement Project’s goal is to construct a wetland ecosystem to improve the management of stormwater and filter waters moving into Port Perry Bay from one of the largest stormwater outlets on the lake; keeping it fit for flora and fauna alike to flourish.
Stormwater runoff, carrying pollution and sediment, has severely degraded the Bay limiting boat access, fishing, and curbing recreation activities. The project will dredge soils and invasive aquatic plants from the Bay and create a restorative wetland surrounded by a berm, topped by a walking trail with benches and interpretive signage. It will create and enhance natural habitats. The increased stormwater runoff caused by climate change is a major risk factor in accelerating eutrophication of the Bay, resulting in greater economic losses in boating, fishing and other recreational uses, along with associated tourism draw.
“90% of lake life starts within 20 feet of the shoreline. Naturalized shorelines on properties are important to help make the whole lake normal again,” mentioned Karthein.
Project co-benefits include establishing healthy aquatic ecosystems that support spawning grounds for native fish species, establishing healthy terrestrial ecosystems that provide greater habitat for Species at Risk, including migratory birds, waterfowl, amphibians, and reptiles; and providing a new and exciting community trail and fishing platform out in the Bay, which in turn will have a ripple effect of positivity in the community.
The health of Port Perry Bay and Lake Scugog is dire to the communities’ growth as it acts as a major tourism draw, bringing people into town to enjoy the shoreline and then support the shops and restaurants in town.
“The most popular activities enjoyed on Lake Scugog are boating, fishing and swimming! Our lake is huge and there continues to be many places to swim, but my favourite activity is enjoying the sunsets,” included Karthein.
The Scugog Lake Stewards have been in operation since 1999 working to revitalize the shoreline and conducting countless research projects on what more can be done to improve the health of the lake.
“We launched the Millennium Trail in 1999. The shoreline is so different now than what it use to be. No one would walk there before and now so many people get to enjoy the trail,” says Karthein, “One of our main efforts is to educate and communicate through partnerships and connections like this.”
To stay up to date with the efforts of the Scugog Lake Stewards follow them on their website: www.scugoglakestewards.com or on social media through their Facebook and Instagram pages or become a member through a donation of $40. By becoming a member, you will receive newsletters, access to webinars and be notified of opportunities to volunteer. Thank you for helping to support our lake!!
]]>Oftentimes in our industry the 'Q' word gets thrown around, and oftentimes the promise is left unfulfilled. The standards are always changing, and the goal posts of expectations are constantly being moved. It is not an easy pursuit but a rewarding one. And while I cannot speak on anyone else's experience, I'd like to talk about ours.
At Old Flame, the 'Q' word is more than a word. It's an attitude. And over the course of my career, you either got it or you don't. It's very difficult to teach, and almost impossible to train. The inherent commitment to the pursuit of excellence is DNA-specific, and at our brewery we are fortunate because we got a ton of it.
And as you can imagine, the 'Q' word is not just reserved for the finished product. It's the code that guides us there. It stretches from how we treat one another to the level of detail we apply to our process and ourselves. It is a mountain top that continues to get higher the more we climb, because every time you arrive at a peak, you realize there is a better view just out of reach. It instills pride but keeps us grounded.
This unique craft lager mix-pack is our message to the world. And while we know there are incredibly talented people leading change, driving innovation, and chasing the 'Q' word in their own disciplines, we also happen to know everyone needs to take a moment to enjoy a cold one. And so here is to everyone chasing the highest form of quality, you can rest assured we are chasing it too.
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Blonde Helles Lager - We love to pair our bright Helles Lager with Chicken or Baja Fish Tacos! Our Blonde’s light body doesn’t overwhelm the light flavours of the chicken or fish, and its bready notes complement the doughy tortilla shell. Blonde’s crisp carbonation cuts through the batter of the deep fried fish, lightening the dish as well. You can also pair Blonde with: Corn and Bean tacos, Chips & Salsa, Fully Loaded Nachos, Chicken Chimichangas, Quesadillas, or a Chicken Tostada stack.
Red Vienna Lager - Red is an extremely versatile beer to pair with Mexican cuisine! Our go-to is pairing Red with Pork Carnita Tacos, complete with refried beans and mexi rice. The caramelized flavours match those from the pork, with rich refried beans playing off the bit of sweetness found in the beer. Red has a nice balance of bitterness that cuts the dish to ensure it doesn’t become too rich. Our Red goes insanely well with anything that is covered in Mole sauce! You can also pair Red with: Chips & 7 layer dip, Enchiladas, Chorizo Sausage, Chorinachos, or Tacos al Pastor.
Raven Black Lager - Our Raven pairs great with the deep and delicious flavours of Beef Barbacoa tacos. Don’t forget dessert! Raven is the perfect brew to finish your Mexi meal with delicious churros and caramel dip... the dark chocolate and coffee flavours complement the cinnamon sugar dusting and its roasted body cuts grease from being deep fried. You can also pair Raven with: Brown sugar marinated Sweet Potato Tacos, Jalapeno poppers, Flank Steak Fajitas, Chips & Queso, or Chili Con Carne!
Lime Lager - Our Lime Lager can be paired with an array of Mexican cuisine, acting as a spritz of lime to elevate any dish. We recommend it to be paired with Shrimp Tacos! The light body of the beer won’t overwhelm the delicate shrimp, and fresh lime flavours make the dish reminiscent of a ceviche! You can also pair our Lime Lager with: Street Corn/Elote, Chips & Guac, Taquitos, Tilapia, Lime & Cilantro Rice or a Mexi Shrimp Skillet!
Enjoy the day celebrating the incredible cuisine and culture of Mexico!
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Megan - Why do I like working in the craft beer industry? There's a sense of community in the craft beer industry that makes working feel like working with family. We all support each other and it's always over a good brew.
Madi - The beer industry is such a tight knit crowd, it just feels like there is a family aspect to the industry.
Elisa - It has grown to be very inclusive! The beer industry has a great atmosphere, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t drink a ton of beer! People don’t expect it when I say I work at a brewery, and it can feel empowering. There is lots of opportunity for growth and to explore new things, and it’s awesome to be encouraged to find what I like to do!
Sam - The Beer industry is a good outlet for me to express my creative side and also a way to embrace my scientific inclinations!
Amy - I like working in the beer industry because it does not feel like a job, and more of a hobby! I love the community that the beer industry draws out, every customer and coworker i have had the privilege to interact with has been joyful and fun. Getting to know the ins and outs of the brewing process and having the opportunity to interact with the process is education and makes drinking the beer even more enjoyable! (if that’s even possible!)
Lora - Meeting a lot of interesting people with similar interests and talking about something that I'm passionate about; beer!
Shelly - Well, I love working at Old Flame—front of house or brew crew—because I love any opportunity to learn new things and to relate those new things to past education experiences. One of my undergrad majors was Biological Anthropology, you can Google it, but in short I know some sciencey things and I know some things about humans; this is one of the lenses that I experience the beer industry through. I love the sciencey and mechanical bits in the production side and I am really fascinated by/stoked with the human interaction parts of working front of house.
Also I love, love, love beer and I am really great at drinking it. Old Flame has afforded me the opportunity to really explore something I adore by learning about brewing history, beer tasting and food pairings, flavour profiles, and all varieties of beers in Prud’homme courses. I would be drinking all the beers anyway, but now I get to do that for education and research purposes, which makes my family super proud. I have worked in many fields, but working in beer is the first field where it feels like countless years of very unmarketable education and life/work experience is really coming together. Cheers!
Kelly - Well, I love Old Flame and I love drinking beer! So it’s a perfect fit!
Andrea - The beer industry is pretty fun. There's always something going on like a new beer launch or an event to go to. Being part of quality control is pretty cool too ! The beer industry is pretty fun! There’s always something going on like a new beer launch or an event to go to. Being part of quality control for beer is pretty cool too!
Carly - Having a background in hospitality, I knew I had a love for creating a connection with other people. Working in the beer industry has been such an incredible learning experience! Each day I look forward to coming to work and seeing the smiles on people's faces. What makes it even better is getting the opportunity to broaden their horizons with beer! Being a beer-tender at Old Flame has given me the opportunity to connect on a different level with our guests, and be able to teach them about different beers and the history behind the brand. My coworkers at the brewery have also become more like a family, and I will cherish that forever. I couldn't be more proud to work at a brewery and will always continue to flaunt the Flame!
Kyra - I grew up in a “foodie” family and beer was a great bridge from that love, finding the perfect pairing with a dish to elevate it. I’ve been a lover of history since before I can remember, so diving deep into the history aspect of beer has been incredible since it is so rich. I love to travel and explore, visiting different places, the breweries and the beers, how they reflect the surrounding area. This industry offers me the ability to push myself to always keep learning about beer and the industry. I can express myself creatively, with photography, art and recipe ideation. All my interests seem to tie into beer, which is why I love having the opportunity to work in the industry, and meet people who are equally passionate. It is so rewarding to be able to gush about your passions with similar folks, especially the amazing women at Old Flame. Putting together this list was very rewarding, and I am blessed to be surrounded by amazing women, not just from Old Flame, but across the industry.
]]>Each month we will be featuring an organization who works to make our community better. In addition to sharing their story, we will be donating a portion of our online sales each month to the non-profit organization, as well have a donation prompt at checkout to help support.
We were able to snag some time with Karen Teed of Operation Scugog to chat about the operations and needs of the organization.
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“Just because people don’t see the need, doesn’t mean it’s not there.”
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The similarities between bread and beer are pretty obvious, so why not combine the two? Try this recipe for an “Almost” No-Knead Bread incorporating our award-winning Blonde Lager. This is an easy recipe which produces a crusty bread that is perfect for sandwiches or as a fun addition to a beer and charcuterie night! The recipe is courtesy of American Test Kitchen from the book Bread Illustrated. This book is amazing for anyone who wants to get into the art of bread baking… simple instructions, amazing imagery, and best of all… troubleshooting tips! Find the ingredient list at the bottom of the page.
This bread has quite a substantial resting and rising period, so it is perfect to start the dough at night and then complete baking during a day off! This recipe requires only a 1/2 cup of the Blonde Lager …. which means there is some left over to drink while you complete the dough!
Whisk flour, salt, and yeast together in a large bowl. Add water, lager, and vinegar. Using rubber spatula, fold mixture, scraping up dry flour from bottom of bowl until shaggy ball forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for at least 8 hours or up to 18 hours.
The Slap and Fold method for kneading bread is easy for any beginner to learn! Push the dough out with the heel of your palm, then fold it in half… and repeat! You are kneading dough!
Lay 18 by 12-inch sheet of parchment paper on a counter and spray with oil spray. Transfer dough to lightly floured counter and knead for about 1 minute. Shape dough into ball by pulling edges into middle.
Transfer dough, seam side down, to center of parchment and spray surface of dough with oil spray. Pick up dough by lifting parchment overhang and lower into heavy-bottomed Dutch oven (let any excess parchment hang over pot edge).
Cover loosely with plastic and let rise at room temperature until dough has doubled in size and does not readily spring back when poked with finger, about 2 hours.
Adjust oven rack to middle position. Remove plastic from pot. Lightly flour top of dough and, using a sharp paring knife, make a cross 6-inch-long, 1/2-inch-deep slit along top of dough. Cover pot and place in oven. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Bake bread for 30 minutes (starting timing as soon as you turn on oven). Be sure to have the pot in the oven as the oven preheats!!
Remove lid and continue to bake until loaf is deep brown, about 20 to 30 minutes longer.
Carefully remove bread from pot; transfer to wire rack and let cool completely, about 2 hours. If you can wait that long! Fresh bread is pretty hard to resist.
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoon instant or rapid-rise yeast
¾ cup water, room temperature
½ cup of Old Flame Blonde Lager
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
Vegetable oil spray
Required Equipment: