b'PROGRESSIVE The COVID-19 pandemic did not hurt their business at all, Annie ex-plained, because we are an essential ser-vice. The recent hike in diesel fuel had a Electric & Plumbing negative impact in running theireet of Ltd. three work trucks, she pointed out. Weve always been busy, Annie commented. Progressive Electric and Plumbing has had many great, long-PROGRESSIVEtime customers over the years, she said, using as examples, the mushroom ELECTRIC & PLUMBINGfarms in Ashburn and Port Perry. We took great pride in being part WILL BE MISSED of our community and in giving back If a regular client, such as Community Living or Porttoourfavouritecharity,BigBrothers Perry Villa, called with an emergency in the middle of theBig Sisters North Durham, mentioned night, Joe Schilling would get out of bed and head outAnnie.to help. Then he would get up at 7 a.m. to start a newWe never took holidays, she added. workday. Joe always had service calls. It will be For 33 years, Progressive Electric and Plumbing hasnice to wind down and relax a bit.been loyally serving Scugog and area customers. But nowJoesaid,ofcourseheislooking it is time for Joe and Annie DeJong to semi-retire. Theyforward to semi-retirement. But then he are moving to their cottage at Stoney Lake, where Joe willwas back to work on a service call, do-pick and choose jobs, Annie said. ing what he does best.A licensed electrician and a licensed plumber, Joe alsoAnnie does not know what the new has his well license. Hes already done work for clientsowners plan to do with the property. It up north, including doing the electrical work on a garage,will be a surprise.installing plugs and a generator. Hisne reputation willTime is winding down for Joe and Annie. By Lynn Campbell, Focus on Scugogprecede him.One month until retirement or semi-retirement for Annie and Joe.Port Perrys loss is cottage countrys gain.On May 1, 2022, the closed sign will permanently be on the door of Progressive Electric and Plumbing Ltd. This one stop shop o ered plumbing, electrical, water treatment equipment, and heating supplies at their lo-Its almost. patio time! cal wholesale/retail outlet. Another service was water Cheers, join us today! testing.The business was not sold, but the one-acre property has changed hands. It includes the shop and the house where Annie and Joe have made their home for over three decades, and raised their son Jordan, now 29. Annie jokes that she just had to walk across the drive-way to get to work. No snow days for her! Annies role in the business included accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, training sta , dealing with customers, and running the store. Everything from tubs to toilets to sinks to faucets was o ered in the showroom.The last month of business mirrored therst years for the entrepreneurial couple. Their stahad left for other opportunities, (with the exception of an electrical appren-tice) leaving Annie to hold down the fort singlehandedly while Joe went out on service calls. At one point, there were six stamembers with vari-ous professional skills, Annie said.279 Queen St., Port Perry905-985-2775Son Jordan has worked in the store and hes great www.jesterscourt.cajesterscourtportperry@gmail.comwith customers said Annie. Interested in architecture, Follow us on instagram @jesters__courtJordan is now enjoying creating designs for Four Seasons to keep up to date. Sunrooms where he had a coop placement.50FOCUS - APRIL 2022'