FOCUS - AUGUST 2018 27 The Artistic Director and General Manager of Theatre on the Ridge, Carey Nicholson, who is also Vice Chair of the Tourism Working Group which is part of local eco- nomic development, explained how two budding Port Perry initiatives are being promoted together via this creative “ticketing” project. One is bringing theatre into the community by taking theatre out onto the street. The other is promoting a lo- cal bicycle riding strategy. Fresh air and exercise are of benefit to the cyclist. Another advantage of encouraging cycling is that it will free up more parking spaces in the downtown core. Port Perry will be more welcoming to cyclists with the installation of five bicycle racks, each ac- commodating three to five bikes. Another pilot project will see portable patios set up in key locations, to provide more outdoor gathering places for downtown visitors. Lori Bowers, Manager, Communications and Strategic Initiatives for Scugog Township, advised that these seasonal patios would be fully accessible and portable and butt up against the side- walks. Visitors will be surveyed so that the township of Scugog, the BIA and the Heritage Committee can deter- mine if this initiative was successful. In the past, many local residents, including seniors, have been reluctant to cycle downtown to meet friends for lunch, or do a few errands, because there was no safe place to put their bikes. The new bike racks will solve this problem for visitors to local stores, special events, the farmer’s market and Palmer Park. A basket on a bike is ideal for transporting your purchases home. Amanda Klein is enthusiastic about the idea. The Summer Company Manager for Theatre on the Ridge, she lives in Oshawa and takes the bus to Port Perry to work every day. Now she will be able to bring her bicycle on the bus, use it to get around town, and feel confident that there is a secure place to store it. Carey pointed out how pleasant it is to cycle around historic Port Perry, enjoying the summer breeze, admir- ing the historic architecture and the beautiful gardens. And the best part is, you may be rewarded for choosing cycling instead of driving with a free theatre ticket. There’s an exciting lineup of productions offered by Theatre on the Ridge for its summer festival 2018, which runs from now until August 18. The following plays will be pre- sented at the Town Hall 1873 at 302 Queen St., Port Perry: Armstrong’s War, The Glass Menagerie, Speakeasy Sunday and The Drowning Girls. Reaching out into the community, six matinees of Monsters and Milfoil: A Tale of Lake Scugog, will be performed at Scugog Memorial Public Library this summer. The popular cemetery tours will continue, with a series of evening performances of Pine Grove Plots: History to Die For, at Pine Grove Cemetery. For more information on your local summer entertainment lineup, go to www.theatreontheridge.ca. You can even cy- cle to the theatre, and you never know if there is a uniformed stranger lurking on a bench in the shade while you are putting your bicycle into the rack. Hey – you just may be the lucky recipient of a free theatre ticket to one of these great shows! By Lynn Campbell, Focus on Scugog Look for bike racks like these around town. MOVED – Port Perry BIA has moved from 181 Perry St., Unit G1, Port Perry to 204 Casimir St., Port Perry. Office hours: Tuesdays from noon - 4 p.m. NEW – Enniskillen General Store have now opened their doors at 1888 Scugog St, Port Perry. Please make us aware of who is opening, moving or closing in Scugog, by submitting the information to us at: focus@focusonscugog.com has moved from 181 Perry Saturday September 8 from 7 a.m. - noon 319 Queen St., Port Perry, rain or shine. Gently used items, bake sale, back bacon on a bun. Benefiting a public “Peace Garden” being built behind the church and developing visitation and support programs with the local nursing home, Oak Ridges Hospice and individuals in our network who are alone. St. John’s Presbyterian Church FUNDRAISING YARD SALE