b'Now that theres full capacity indoor dining, and jazz concerts are back on Wednesdays, Jesters is lively again, NEW OWNER IS A FAMILIAR FACE AT with conversation and music, Erin enthused. She is looking forward to a busy summer with the patio reopening. Long-range future plans may be to replace theoor-ing or redo the bar, Erin said.Jesters Court will continue to be a place where staand customers are like family. Our goal is to always strive to provide a comfortable environment, great service and Theres been a big change atErinhasgraduallyassumedmoregreat food, so people want to come back, said Erin.Jesters Court Pub & Eatery,responsibility.KerryWilliamsoniscon dence in me. I would like to acknowledge DeenasI will love and care for Jesters like Deena did, she butyoumightnotnoticeit.ThatsstillkitchenmanagerandYvonneretirement and thank her for all she has taught me. promised. By Lynn Campbell, Focus on Scugogbecause the new owner, Erin Auld, isMcNamara is returning to take over Everything at Jesters will remain the same, Erin a familiar face. She has been on sta Erins role. assured. for 16 years. She feels excited aboutErin is 16 years younger and hasEverybodysfavouriteswillremainonthemenu, the future. lots of drive and energy, said Deena. plus there will be weekly specials o ered for people who After25years,DeenaVallieresEveryone at Jesters is like fam- want to try something new.decided to retire, knowing that shesily, Deena and Erin agreed. She thanked the community of Port Perry for sup-leaving her baby in good hands. Heresanexample:Onegentle- porting Jesters during the pandemic, when there were Deenacalledretirementbitters- mancametodineatJesterseveryshutdowns, take out only and limited dine in capacity weet. weekday.Whenhedidntshowup,permitted.Howdoyousumup25yearsofDeena was concerned. She tracked himIt was a hard two years, Erin described. The energy your life? she asked. down. When she knocked on his door toin the house was sad.Leavingwontbesobadbecausecheck on him, he cried. He was home sickThanks to local diners support, not one restaurant in Erin is taking over, she said. We arewith pneumonia. Port Perry went out of business because of COVID, Erin like minded. Its not like someone fromSixteen-year Jesters veteran,Deena plans to drop in for a meal andreported.Erin, has now taken over the reinsWe are super lucky to be in this community, feels the the city bought Jesters and will changefrom the recently retired Deena. a visit with everyone. She has made life- lifelong resident.things. long friends.Retirement will give Deena and her partner, retired police ocer Tim Pokulok, time tonish house renova-tions, enjoy gardening and relax in their new hot tub at their home on Scugog Island.Its a welcome respite for Deena, who worked in busy restaurants and bars since the age of 16 and devoted her time 24/7 to Jesters.Deenasentrepreneurshipbeganin1997.Aftersix months in management at Jesters, Deena and her part-ner Jebought the popular local restaurant from Wayne and Margaret McGibney. Fifteen years ago, she bought Jeout when he moved to Halifax.When Erin joined the team, she was a student work-ing part-time as a receptionist at a spa. Her boss, Darla, encouraged her to work for her sister Deena and her new career began.Erinstudiedpharmaceuticalandfoodscienceat University, and then landed a job in a pharmacy com-panys lab.I was bored all day, Erin recalls. She looked forward to her evening shift at Jesters, and decided to make a permanent career switch. 905-985-6573Erin was hired as a hostess. A week later, Deena pro- 177 Queen St., Port Perrymoted her to server. She went on to be front of house manager, then general manager. Over the past 10 years,shopweetartan.comDeena has mentored Erin.Ive been phasing into the role, said the new owner.Deena has been a great leader and example for me. We were fast friends. She showed me what it is to be a good businesswoman and make smart decisions. She showed FOCUS - APRIL 202213'