11 | | durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, December 1, 2022 | Durham's first craft distillery is releasing a new line of spirits. The Durham Distillery is introducing 'Firehouse Spirits' named in honour of the former firehall in Ajax, where the distillery has a production facility and retail shop. "We're releasing a new line called Firehouse Spirits, which plays homage to the building. It's a small run line," said Chris Ferg, co-founder and head distiller at The Durham Distillery. Ready to hit the shelves are Firehouse Spirits Vodka, Firehouse Spirits Citrus Gin (in both Navy Strength 57 per cent and Traditional 42 per cent) and Firehouse Spirits Apple Pie Moonshine. "It's a very traditional moonshine drink. I wanted to do a version that pays homage to my love of apple pie. It's made with apple and cinnamon, there's no sugar in it. A year was spent trying to find the right apples, seeing how they dehydrated," said Ferg. "I think we've landed a recipe that taste as good as grandma's apple pie." The distillery prides itself on not using any additives, instead creating flavour for the spirits with only natural ingredients. The Strawberry Fields Gin is made using real strawberries and the Apple Pie Moonshine is made with actual apples. "My goal for this distillery is really to focus on using what Mother Nature and Father Time give us. We don't use any additives that aren't botanical, fruit or grain," said Ferg. "Spirits started from agriculture, using surplus grain and fruit. This is how we continue to pay homage to that tradition." For each Firehouse Spirits bottle sold, $1 goes to support Camp Molly, an organization dedicated to supporting teen girls, 15 to 18, interested in becoming firefighters. Durham's first Camp Molly is expected to run next summer. The Durham Distillery launched years ago, making spirits in small batches in a Vaughn facility and selling it online, at some local LCBO stores and at local farmers' markets. The business has grown quickly since then, opening the Ajax production facility and retail store. In February, The Durham Distillery's Wheat Kings Vodka won a silver medal and London Calling Dry Gin earned bronze in the 2022 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition. Last spring, the first whisky release (called Home For a Rest) sold out in less than three weeks. The distillery released a second whisky (Harvest Moon) and spent the summer at Ribfests and events across the Region. This winter, Ferg has plans to host cocktail classes at The Durham Distillery retail space. "We really wanted this room to be about the art of the cocktail. From my perspective a great cocktail starts with a great spirit. We're starting with a great spirit," said Ferg People can visit The Durham Distillery at 25 Mill St. in Ajax for a complimentary tasting of any spirit. They can purchase bottles at the retail store from Tuesday to Saturday, or order online any time via Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes. By next summer, there are plans for a patio on the grassy area outside the distillery. For more information on new spirit releases and upcoming events follow The Durham Distillery on Instagram and Facebook. THE DURHAM DISTILLERY RELEASES NEW FIREHOUSE SPIRITS The Durham Distillery has a new retail store in the old Ajax Firehall. Chris Ferg, head distilier, is releasing a new line of spirits named Firehouse Spirits, with a portion of all sales going to first-responder charities in the region. Jason Liebregts/Metroland JENNIFER O'MEARA jomeara@ durhamregion.com FOOD AND DRINK FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 Whitby Lights the Night and Holiday Festival WHEN: 6:00 p.m - 10:00 p.m WHERE: Whitby Civic Recreation Complex, 555 Rossland Road East, Whitby CONTACT: 905-430-4300, https://www.whit- by.ca/en/play/ whitby-lights-the- night.aspx Whitby Lights the Night and Holiday Festival is an annual event that marks the official start to the holiday season Held over six weeks starting november 25, 2022 to january 4, 2023 at the whitby civic park, 575 Rossland Rd. E. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 Wreath Making at Claremont WHEN: 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m WHERE: Claremont Nature Centre, 4290 Westney Road North, Ajax CONTACT: Mary Gawen, 6474017377, mary.gawen@trca.ca, https://trca.ca/ events-calendar/ COST: $55 + HST Make your own seasonal wreath just in time to welcome December! Listen to festive music, sip hot chocolate and enjoy a hands-on workshop to create a fresh, fragrant wreath. Register now Music4life String Orchestra presents A Reely Cozy Holiday WHEN: 2:30 p.m - 4:00 p.m WHERE: Forest Brook Community Church, 60 Kearney Dr, Ajax, ON, Ajax CONTACT: Music4Life String Orchestra, 6479808683, info@music4lifeensemble.ca, https://www.music4lifeensemble.ca/events/reelycozyholiday COST: Online tickets: $15 . $20 at the door. kids 12 and under free Music4Life String Orchestra presents A Reely Cozy Holiday. Join us for an afternoon of live string music with Special Guests the internationally-recognized, premier a cappella quartet, 'Yonge Guns Quartet'! Doors open at 2 pm. Port Perry Santa Claus Parade 2022 WHEN: 5:00 p.m WHERE: Port Perry, ON, Town of Port Perry, Scugog CONTACT: Scugog Chamber of Commerce., info@scugog- chamber.ca, https://scugog- chamber.ca/about-the-chamber/ santa-claus-parade/ Dig out your Elvis costumes & your 80's hair band wigs, our theme this year is "Rockin' Christmas!" Route: The parade route begins at Reach & Simcoe Streets and will travel south to Queen St., then east to Water St. and will end at Mary St. Annual Lamplight Tour WHEN: 6:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m WHERE: Oshawa Museum, 1450 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa CONTACT: Jill Passmore, 905- 436-7624, programming@osha- wamuseum.org, http://www.oshawamuseum.org COST: $5 per person, Historical Society members are free. Traditionally Victorian-dressed staff members greet visitors in Henry House, which is lit with oil lamps, while they tour the home of Thomas and Lurenda Henry. Holiday tales from the Durham Storytellers and tours of Robinson House. Together at Christmas WHEN: 8:00 p.m - 11:00 p.m WHERE: Uxbridge Music Hall, 16 Main St. South, Uxbridge CON- TACT: Lori Murray, 905-903- 8661, mbbl.blues@gmail.com, https://musicbythebaylive.com/ COST: See Website Featuring an All Star cast of musicians and vocalists, including Chuck Jackson, Lance Anderson, Cheryl Lescom, Quisha Wint & Rick Taylor. performing some of their favourite songs with a bluesy twist, from Christmas past, present and future. David Francey, with Quote the Raven WHEN: 8:00 p.m WHERE: Green- bank Centennial Hall, 19965 Hwy. 7 and 12, Scugog CONTACT: The Greenbank Folk Music Society, Cathy Galberg, (905) 985-8351, http://www.greenbankfolkmusic.ca/ COST: $35, available at Blue Heron Books or POE Design or by phone The Greenbank Folk Music Society is very pleased to have a full line up of artists in the 2022/23 concert season. december 3, 2022 - david francey, with quote the raven opening (duo) WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 Outreach Community Hub? WHEN: 10:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m WHERE: Oshawa Public Library - Northview Branch, 250 Beatrice St. E., Oshawa CONTACT: Jennifer Gardner, 905-579-6111, jgardner@oshawalibrary.on.ca, https:// tinyurl.com/5x7xx6ja Ontario Works Outreach Workers are available at the Library to help you connect to income tax support, community resources, housing, food security, employment, income support, and more. Naomi Bristow Country Christmas WHEN: 7:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m WHERE: Columbus Community United Church, 3285 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa, Ontario, Oshawa CONTACT: John Nesbitt, 905-985- 5505, ryerson288@gmail.com COST: $15.00 Per Person Naomi Bristow, The Yodelin' Cowgirl, a Country Christmas at Columbus United Church, 3285 Simcoe St. N., on Wednesday, December 7 at 7 pm to 9 pm, a great music show for the family, Tickets $15 per person, Contact John at 905-985-5505 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 The Fitzgerald's Christmas WHEN: 7:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m WHERE: St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts & Culture, 78 Church St. S., Ajax CONTACT: Franco Pang, 905-619-2529, stfranciscentre@ajax.ca, http://stfranciscentre.ca/ COST: $38/ticket (HST included). Additional service fee may apply. The Fitzgerald's return to the St. Francis Centre with their new Christmas show, featuring triple fiddle arrangements of holiday favourites, music by great Canadian composers, and of course, the group's signature high energy step dancing! EVENTS SCAN THE CODE to visit our online events calendar.