My WPG is a series introducing you to awesome Winnipeggers who share our passion for community-building and localism. In our latest post, meet the man behind Pay It Forward Winnipeg, Ryan DeLong.
My story: my name is Ryan DeLong. I’m 32 and I work at Manitoba Hydro. I’ve been there for 10 years. I've been married to my lovely wife Mackenzie for three years. We have a dog named Wilfred and two cats named Simon and Lip. We both care deeply for animal rights and the environment. I’ve lived in Winnipeg my entire life and am a major patriot for this city. So much so that I have a Winnipeg/Manitoba/Canada dedicated tattoo sleeve featuring the Jets logo, my Manitoba license plate, a mosquito, Dancin’ Gabe and the “Confusion Corner” logo. I like to think of myself as the biggest Winnipeg Jets fan and was recently cast in a Budweiser Commercial as a Jets superfan.
I used to work in the film industry as an actor, assistant director and extra. Over the past few years I’ve been trying to get back into it as a hobby, taking acting classes and auditioning a ton. I took three years of film studies at the University of Manitoba and truly have a passion for film. I enjoy analyzing movies and annoying my friends when they say a movie was good and I break it down why it wasn’t good. Two years ago I started a Facebook page called Pay It Forward Winnipeg. Essentially I was sick of negative news always in the media and decided to create the page to only post good things. From time to time I think of ideas on how I can make this city a better place and post them to the page.
My hood: I grew up in Waverley Heights but now live in Charleswood. I love it because every day we have deer in our yard and it’s like country living within city limits.
My go-to takeout: Wendy’s: two Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers and small fries
My ideal date night: A spring bike ride with the wife and dog followed by a Jets playoff game.
My guilty pleasure: A Goofy Movie soundtrack and Boy Meets World. I really like childhood nostalgia.
My favourite local patio: Probably Original Joe's on Kenaston.
My favourite local brunch spot: Definitely Clementine.
My ideal day off: Wake up early, make Eggs Benedict, take the dog for a bike ride, watch any movie by PT Anderson or starring Daniel Day Lewis, play with the pup and go to a Jets game for dessert.
My favourite local event: CIBC Run for the Cure and Canada Day at the Forks.
My best-kept secret: Ooooooohhhh! Little Brown Jug. Clementine. Segovia. Passero.
My favourite local band: Crash Test Dummies.
My favourite splurge: Shirts from local businesses and breweries.
My favourite place to take out-of-towners: The Forks!
Best bang for my buck: No Frills baby!
One place I can’t walk into without buying something: The Forks.
My favourite day trip or weekend away: My wife and I and another couple rent a cabin once a year at Clearwater Bay. Beautiful lake.
One thing I want everyone to know about Winnipeg: I’ve traveled to 29 countries and despite the potholes, the mosquitoes and the weather, there’s no place that I’d rather live than Winnipeg. People have told me, “Well that’s because you’re biased and haven’t lived anywhere else!” And I say, “Yes, BUT the reason I love it is because of the people.”
Who do you want to see featured on My WPG?
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