Executive Chef Maurizio Coticone (left) and co-owners Leanna Collins and George Bigelow opened the doors to the Earl of Whitchurch May 3 after a fire kept it closed for 22 months.

It had been 22 months since a patio fire closed the popular Main Street restaurant and made many regulars find an alternative spot to down their favorite pint.

In the early morning of June 22, 2011 a fire on the patio caused extensive damage to the back area of the restaurant, including water damage throughout the building. According to the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire Department, foul play was not suspected.

At the time it was expected to reopen within weeks, however damage was more extensive than previously thought and the doors remained shut.

After months of preparation and tireless hours, new co-owners George Bigelow and Leanna Collins opened the front door to eager patrons on May 3.

“It was the right kind of place,” says George. “Just what we were looking for.”

George and Leanna competed against other bids to open a new restaurant in the building after the lease was terminated between the owners Michael and Shawn Larkin and the previous tenant.

“Michael and Shawn did a wonderful job renovating the building. They did not cut corners anywhere,” George said. “They love the building, they are very passionate about it.”

George and Leanna heard that the Earl was looking for new owners through friends that live in Stouffville. They had spent the last 6 and a half years living in Guelph managing the Fat Duck Gastro Pub.

Leanna has been in the restaurant business since age 16 working in pubs in Britain and at the Fat Duck. Originally from Richmond Hill, George was previously the manager of the popular King Henry’s Arms.

“I’ve worked all across this country – from Whistler to Halifax,” he said.

“When we first saw the building we knew it was a perfect fit to our concept, we did not try to fit a concept to the building,” George says.

“We don’t have any connection to the old pub. We will be a little different from it” Leanna says.

The first noticeable difference a regular patron will notice is the hardwood floor on the main level. The authentic British-style red carpet was removed downstairs and fresh new traditional carpet was installed upstairs.

Also downstairs is the addition of high-top tables in the bar area which replace three tables and a booth.

Tucked in the front corner is a new jukebox.

“The dart board is still here though,” George says with a smile.

The fireplace in the back area remains and the seating is essentially the same layout.

The upstairs has been totally redone though.

“The upstairs has been redecorated and redone,” Leanna says. “We want to give it a different atmosphere as downstairs. Almost like it is a different restaurant.”

They accept reservations for upstairs only.

The concept that George and Leanna want to achieve revolves a lot around Executive Chef Maurizio Coticone.

“We are a gastro pub that fills the gap between a chain restaurant and a higher end restaurant,” he says. “Its better, healthier pub food. But we still have the burgers and fish and chips.”

Maurizio, who has over 30 years of experience, felt that concept was perfect for Stouffville.

“York Region is a great spot for a gastro pub. You get a nice meal and can still wear your jeans and t-shirts.”

The menu at the Earl emphasizes the ‘100 mile diet’ – everything on the menu is made from ingredients grown within 100 miles of Stouffville.

“Ontario is vast in its resources. It helps out local farmers, and all of our food is fresh” he says. “We still have the traditional British menu, but it’s all wholesome and hearty.”

To wash down all the hearty pub food are 19 beers on tap. About half of them are from the major breweries and the rest from microbreweries.

“The microbreweries are well represented here,” George says. “We have Wellington, Mill Street, Nicklebrook amongst others. We are even getting a Stouffville brewed beer on tap soon!”

The bar also has a rotating featured beer and they are expecting a strawberry wheat beer in time for the Strawberry Festival.

The patio is opening this weekend, just in time for Victoria Day.

“We are just waiting for the furniture to arrive” Leanna says. “I’m so excited about the patio. It’s beautiful. It has so much potential.”

George and Leanna have implemented an over-25 policy on Friday and Saturday nights after 9 p.m.

“We are not a club,” she says. “The entire building is too beautiful. We want everyone to have a great time while they are here.”

The hours will be from 11:00 a.m. until midnight, 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

“We are very happy to be here. Stouffville people are so kind” she says.

And those Stouffville people are glad to have it back!

– Glenn Jackson, Stouffville.com

Enjoy an evening filled with music and entertainment beginning at 6 p.m., Sunday May 19 at the Ballantrae Community Park, 5592 Aurora Road.

Fireworks begin at dusk followed by the featured movie Wreck it Ralph (rated PG). The Rolling Stoves will be providing food and refreshments which can be purchased for a nominal price. All you need to do is bring a blanket or lawn chair.

For more information about this event, please call 905-642-PLAY(7529) or visit www.townofws.ca

Tours of the heritage buildings will be held throughout the day. Each building is set up to represent how it would have looked in the past. The Brown House (Victorian farmhouse) for example, has been restored to reflect the 1880s. As you walk through this home, you will learn and see how the family would have lived in the 1880s.

The Discovery Room will be open to guests. Check out mini exhibits where you not only discover artifacts, but explore through hands – on baskets. The baskets feature various heritage themes including quilting, toys, treats, farming, farm animals and more.

Guests will also get a glimpse into the set – up of this year’s annual exhibit titled, With This Ring, A Heritage Wedding Album. Talk to the Museum’s curator hard at work and learn what it takes to put an exhibit together.

For one day only, purchase the Whitchurch Township History Book for the discounted price of $20.

For more information about this event, please call 905-727-8954 or visit www.townofws.ca

Residents are invited to learn more about the EAB and its impact by attending an information night on Wednesday, May 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the York Region Administration Centre , 17250 Yonge Street in  the Town of Newmarket.

The Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect from Asia, was first detected in the City of Vaughan in 2008.  Its larvae kill ash trees by eating the live wood beneath the bark, causing a tree to die within one to three years. Ash trees not yet infested or at an early stage of infestation can be treated with insecticide injected into the trunk every two years until the EAB population declines to insignificant levels, which will take about 10 years.

York Region has partnered with the non-profit organization LEAF-Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests to offer subsidized tree planting programs to all York Region residents and an EAB Ambassador program to teach residents how they can help lessen the impact of EAB in their neighbourhoods.  For the LEAF tree planting program or more information, please visit www.yourleaf.org or call 416-413-9244.

For more information about EAB in York Region, please visit www.york.ca/EAB

Rain date: May 26

104 Stuart St. Stouffville (Thicketwood & Stouffer)

Toys, electronics, books, dvd’s, lots of other nic nacks. Come check us out! Rain day May 19th.
Pls no early browsers.

A mistrial was declared in the case back in April of last year after Mr. Kenyon and his lawyer, Ken Murray parted ways.

Mr. Kenyon is charged with the second degree murder of Marion Deacon who was killed in a house fire in Gormley in March of 2010.

A police investigation revealed she had died of multiple blunt-force injuries to the head.

The Cruise Night Launch Party will be featuring over 100 classic cars on display live music and entertainment. This event is free of charge and it is open to all ages.

Main Street from Park Drive to Market Street will be closed off for this event.

One of Whistle Radio’s favourite program’s Auto Talk will be broadcasting live from the car show starting at 7pm tune in at 102.7 or whistleradio.ca

Participating Stouffville companies include Strategic Information Technology, Teva Canada and the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.  Numerous job positions will be up for grabs including those in IT, engineering and sales.

For more information contact the Town’s Economic Development Officer,  Nirvana Champion at 905-640-1900.

The event runs from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.