KearneyCookhouse

Under the Provincial Order regarding snowmobile trails being allowed under the lockdown, page 2 of the Order states that each Health Agency will have the final say if the trails are actually going to be open or closed and for how long, the same for ice rinks, and ice fishing huts. As the stay at home order encouraged people to ride in their home health district, unfortunately for most people in Southern Ontario you have no trails. The North Bay authority has bowed to pressure from the public who are understandably concerned with the huge numbers of sledders up north now. As Northern and Near North depend so much on your tourism dollars, we appreciate you all and hope to see you again very soon.

Provincial order states quite clearly that local health agencies have final say over snowmobile trail use or closures

Noticed yesterday that Suds on Main was open for takeout, phone number on door, easy order, 2 sleds waiting for food. Just 2 sleds. Town is absolutely dead, should of seen hundreds of sleds on a beautiful Sunday like that. Edgewater announced on their facebook page today that they are shutting their restaurant down at Edgewater location (The Red Canoe) until the whole lockdown business is over with. Not sure if they will continue to struggle thru with Suds, will let you know if they post a close. Not even sure if Suds is doing 7 days a week right now as they usually do. This Covid cant go away fast enough.

Lots of parking in this area. A lot of riders park at the Emsdale tourist info centre when you exit Hwy 11, right in Kearney you can park up at the Legion and ball park area, and the back side of the Community Centre against the tree/fences area, and Rickwards has some parking across from the polaris dealership. Rickwards is asking that parking be as close together as possible. A few riders have decided to just stop on the roads and park where trails cross main roadways. Not a nice idea, plows cant get around and its just plain rude to other vehicles. We have seen some being ticketed by the OPP.

https://www.northbaynipissing.com/news-story/10304754-snowmobilers-causing-havoc-in-chisholm-cao-says/?fbclid=IwAR1PVIgakwSz09seErKLWLVTsvia1rgBVN3iJ-xJof7jDTzKJrOKvxw49ZM

Suds on Main had a Flanagans Food delivery today, looks like they will be opening this weekend. Our lockdown ends soon and unless it is reinstated by the government I believe sit in dining will resume soon. Pit Stop 518 has a facebook page now up and running with their full menu on it, looks delicious and mostly made in house with options not found on other menus in the area.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haliburton_Forest From reading this wikipedia post I believe most of the info on it comes from people connected to the Forest. Current owners are the son of the original purchaser who lived in Germany. At the time this massive section of Ontario was transferred to the present owners parent, it was considered worthless, junk land, not much value left in the heavily logged property. No one in the government realized back in the 1960s what this property would be worth in 2020. Thousands of acres, lakes everywhere, logging roads all thru it, and all control and ownership sent to one man who died after buying it and leaving it to his very young son in Germany. I have known and respected Peter Schleifenbaum for over 30 years as a very dedicated forester, landowner etc. and am very thankful that he has taken this legacy very seriously, logging properly, providing jobs, well run campsites, sled trails etc.https://financialpost.com/news/haliburton-forests-peter-schleifenbaum-is-a-modern-lumber-baron-but-hardly-typical#:~:text=from our team.-,Haliburton Forest stretches 40%2C000 hectares%2C which puts it among the,modern lumber baron of sorts.

And Just back from town and see new signs going up at Kearney Oneills. So we stopped in, It is now called Pit Stop 518, they are licensed BUT still have to get their water test done and the health inspection to open so that wont happen until after the New Years weekend. They have an amazing take out menu for the lockdown and will be offering alcohol choices with your meals take out as well. They are hoping to have Yurt camping in the back for tourists in February and are allowing sledders to park in their parking lot this weekend, and all winter, try to pull in behind the building to stay out of the way, . It looks like by early January you will be able to get a hot bowl of chili or soup or burger etc. and a cold beverage to eat while sitting on your sleds. They are in the process of opening up the trail to connect with Fetterleys Garage, that hasnt been done yet. They do not have a lot of space cleared yet behind the building for parking but are working on that as well.

Well it looks like our area trails are up and running, however, as we are under the 14 day lockdown please call ahead for any food or lodging requirements. The Legion kitchen is open part time for take out food only, alcohol is not available until lockdown is over at the Legion. All the restaurants seem to be on a catch as can basis, take out only, every owner struggling to figure out staffing, hours days etc. The new owners of Kearney Oneill's have been busy working inside and have given info out that they will be up and running for sled season, however that was before the lockown and they were all set for indoor dining, so not sure what they will do for this 14 day takeout only period. I see from watching in town that so far posted hours and days open are all over the place from before the lockdown and expect this is the same with all of the small towns in Northern Ontario. Fetterleys is open for gas, Rickwards is open for outside curbside pickup, they are inside, and available. Lots of parking at the Community Centre across from Fetterleys as the centre is closed and only a small staff inside. Edgewater and Silversands both have takeout, and accomodation. Please also realize that if you park on the main roads like Echo Ridge or Rain Lake and leave your truck and trailer for the day while riding that the snow plows cannot get around your vehicles. The road maintenance vehicles are out plowing and sanding even on nice days when it is not snowing, fixing up banks etc. Thanks everyone who rides and spends money up north, we all really appreciate it! Stay safe.

I have a few things to say, restaurants in sledding towns will be take out only, if they choose to open for the next 2 or 4 weeks depending on the Sudbury line. Call ahead, same for motels. If trails are not allowed to be open, the roads and lakes are always available, just like in the early years before trails were established. Two, if you are taking and using and sharing information from people on social media who didnt even have Grade 12 science, are believing their "facts" as to who or where or what is in hospital, is sick, has actually died, or what the vaccine is or can do for you, well, in a year this will all become clear. We can argue pros and cons all we want, only time will make things clear.

https://www.northbaynipissing.com/news-story/10288921-scarlett-point-wants-to-bring-some-luxury-to-the-kearney-area/

Nice article in the local newspaper: https://www.northbaynipissing.com/whatson-story/10280732-what-i-ate-in-almaguin-wings-and-nachos-at-dj-s-bar-and-grill-in-kearney/?fbclid=IwAR1Fk3khL95VPwtQP3tf1KEi0vOFjsCkmdpGnOQyDs8ql-KgCupUVGRyiSY

Justin and Martin ran the Iron Skillet. When the landlords received the building back when they vacated, they operated it themselves as Kearney Oneills and hired Dustin as the chef. He left just before sled season last year and the Cannings ran it themselves doing all the cooking. Dustin is a highly qualified chef and makes amazing food from scratch by himself so thats why his menu is super small, just a handful of meal options daily and it changes every 2 days.

And I forgot to mention the Driftwood Grill, sorry Dustin lol. Dustin was the amazing chef behind Kearney Oneill's for years, and has just rented the small building next to Sud's On Main this past August, previously rented by Rise n Grill, Sweet Spot, Iron Skillet and Bayview Bistro. Take out only, very small delicious menu that changes daily. Usually about 6 main dishes and 2 kids noodle dishes. Been running it for 2 months, advertised hours were 7 days a week but down to 2 or 3 evenings a week now on weekends. Hopefully when sledders are in town he will extend his hours. You can him out on facebook for contact info. If you are in Kearney on a Friday and he has fish and chips on the menu, you are in for a real treat. Fresh battered, huge portions, home made coleslaw and homemade tartar sauce. Best I have ever had anywhere. Bon appetite!!

Hello everyone, this year being touch and go with what is allowed under Covid rules I am going to post what is available now in Kearney and what we have been told will be available this sledding season. As we are under the lowest numbers right now, under 11 in the whole area from Parry Sound down to Huntsville and up to North Bay, things look pretty good for winter activities in the private sector. However all municipal activities everywhere are cancelled, no Santa parades, no dog sled races in Kearney etc. There has been a huge increase in airbnb accomodation online due to the huge numbers of people in the city who bought up here last summer, too many to list here but you should be able to find what you want on google. Edgewater is still running successfully under covid rules, open in the kitchen and gas available as always. Suds on Main that Edgewater owns has been closed tight since last March but I am sure they will pop it open the day the sledders show up. Fetterley's gas station is still surviving as well with a nice little convenience store addition and lottery, if you need any lures or snacks etc. Finally, after many many years of being empty, almost abandoned at one point, the old Poplar Point, then Painters Landing, and now Scarlett Point is open for full time, all units tourist accomodation. Much needed in the town and there is tons of extra parking up at the Community Centre which is almost across the street. https://www.scarlettpoint.ca/. Kearney Oneill's is no more, the building has been sold and we have been told that the new owners who are from Guelph will be doing a hot/cold meal take out service in the original Kearney Oneill's restaurant with sit down eating in the new addition, however its been 2 months since they took over and the place is pretty quiet, so will update if and when something opens then. Right now consider it unavailable for dining. Silversands has 2 lovely women renting the restaurant from the owner and it is now called DJ's Bar and Grill, just opened last night, hours are 9 to 9, breakfast all day on the menu which is a lovely option as well as a huge gluten free menu and they are licensed under llbo. They are trying 7 days a week. Donna and Jade - (519) 820-3875, I believe the owner of silversands is again doing gas and motel rentals but not sure. The Legion kitchen is still being rented and run by the wonderful April and her team but is down to 3 afternoon/nights a week, thursday to saturday, she is limited to being opened when the senior Legion members want to staff the bar, hopefully by sledding season they will add more hours and days. As always extremely low prices on food, wings on thursday nights, fish and chips friday nights as well as full pub menu always available. And as last winter, the lovely ladies have to keep the bathrooms and main room clean and stocked at all time, if all you do is go in for a beer and bathroom stop please throw a toonie in the tip jar at the food window, that will keep their costs reasonable. Rickwards Polaris dealership also has a variety store onsite with quite a nice selection of fresh and frozen food, as well as souvenirs, lottery, some clothing and camping items as well.The LCBO in town is now closed every Monday, their is an lcbo outlet at the Emsdale variety store and at the Novar grocery store as well. And another new business opened here this summer, Molbella's Creative Cafe, still a virtual business as they are only half way thru building their licenced kitchen. Run by Shawn Armstrong, a retired nurse, she does the most amazing ready to eat meals and baked goods, currently made at a certified kitchen in Burks Falls and available for pick up in Kearney. So if you are staying at a cottage in Kearney and want a delicious pie or sausage rolls or anything sweet or savory check out her facebook page and order a week in advance, cash only at this point, covid compliant pick up, you wont be disappointed. She is also available for gluten free etc. Check out her facebook page to contact her, I dont have any other way to get in touch with her. This being the year that it is, I will post additional info under this thread by end of year if anything changes and during the sledding season if anything changes. Stay safe out there and have a great ride!

Kearney restaurants are really struggling. Rise n grill closed last winter (next to Suds on main who are the landlords of that building) and Kearney O'Neills is no more, even after that huge renovation of the former gas station repair bays opened as a restaurant, that building has been sold, more info to follow when I am updated.

New people renting and running the restaurant, not the people who own the campground. Located on the grounds of Silver Sand Resort and open to the public. Snowmobilers and Quaders are all welcome...lots of parking! Right on the snowmobile trail and close to Algonquin Provincial Park. Family run, fully licensed, wheel chair accessible restaurant offering breakfast-to-dinner homestyle meals. The resort offers different accommodations to suit whatever escape you are seeking. Whether you are looking to rent a cottage, a motel, a camp site or a place to park your trailer they have it all to offer. A quiet place you can relax at, a clean beach to enjoy, a large trail to explore, and if you are looking for some fun they offer ATV, canoe, and boats to rent as well. Check out their website silversand.ca (519) 820-3875

Finally, after many many years of being empty, almost abandoned at one point, the old Poplar Point, then Painters Landing, and now Scarlett Point is open for full time, all units tourist accomodation. Much needed in the town and there is tons of extra parking up at the Community Centre which is almost across the street. https://www.scarlettpoint.ca/

Absolutely no regular business there anymore, you could never run a profit on it from just sledders or the odd tourist. The seniors were going in for fish and chips once a week and to play cards, it was packed but they wouldnt pay more than 9 bucks a plate for food. and stayed all day, not very profitable for the owner. Its a dump of a building, and for about a 100,000 more the renovated burks falls old hotel building was listed late winter, its multi level, all gutted upstairs with new windows, insulation, wiring and stud walls and zoned and ready to put in multiple apt units. the main floor kitchen was all rebuilt 2 years ago, all gourmet, stainless steel and a massive new pub downstairs, I would look at that one first if I was seriously considering getting a pub going in this area.

Feb 7 8 and 9 is going to be a great weekend in Kearney. Dog Sled Races are on and Rickwards has their always popular antique snowmobile show with a fundraiser BBQ for the snowmobile club running all day Saturday in their parking lot. There is food available all weekend in the community centre as well with proceeds for the dog sled races for next year. Vendors market and silent auction in the community centre as well. The dog sled races start and end down by the LCBO intersection so please enjoy the weekend here mindful of the extra busy use of the streets.

2 private places recently posted on the town facebook page that they can accomodate sledders, one is Fretz electric who recently bought a large acreage property up behind the sand lake area and the other is an Arbnb in Emsdale. I have never seen either place but I hear thru the grapevine that they are a nice addition to the town. Brad Fretz can be contacted by 905-645-4539 and the Emsdale arbnb is Doug Hobson . If I come across any others I will update. Doug Hopson https://abnb.me/nHL20rXUm3

No not really fair, but this is a learning curve for the Legion now, and others like it. Legions are closing all over Canada mostly due to the older WW2 vets and wives passing or getting too old to handle volunteer work anymore. The Kearney Legion has a very small excellent volunteer base that actually comes in and bartends and does events, they dont have the volunteer base needed to keep a kitchen up and running as well. Todays volunteers are younger and most have full time jobs or young kids at home. Our Legion being on the snowmobile trail system in such an awesome part of Ontario is feast or famine for the kitchen. You can go from 10 people one saturday to 500 the next. No way for volunteers to properly stock microwave food or keep the kitchen up to health dept standards. This Legion keeps putting the kitchen out for tender and this winter there are 3 or 4 young ladies in there trying to make a living for themselves. The Legion gets a small amount of rent and the volunteers can put their hours available towards keeping repairs up and events going. The ladies in the kitchen have an excellent pub menu, I highly recommend the wings.

Ready set go, winter is here and the Kearney Legion updated their hours this morning. Food is now available 11 to 4 sunday to wednesday, 11 to 8 thursday and friday and 11 to 7 on Sundays. And if you didnt already know, the kitchen is rented out to a few young ladies who are not affiliated with the Legion's business other than to pay rent and keep their area tidy. They are the FIFTH group renting this kitchen in the past 4 years. Fifth. The membership room is for Legion members only, the main room is shared by both the restaurant and Legion. So please be kind to these young ladies, if your group is only purchasing from the bar, and not buying food and sitting in the main area these ladies take the financial hit. I believe they are also responsible for the maintenance and supplies for the washrooms in this area. If you are also only going in after you have unloaded your sleds and parked your vehicles for the day to use the bathrooms only, this also costs them money. Tip at the food counter, even if you have not purchased food, let them know you appreciate the Legion being open everyday of the week for food, drinks, wifi and bathrooms.

burks falls, historic hotel at end of main street closed again last week. also known as Central Pub, Landmark Pub and Beaux Gastro Pub all in the past year. I could be wrong but I think the only indoor dining now in Burks Falls is the Tim Hortons or the Legion. Legion hours are 2 to 8 weekdays and 12 til 8 Saturdays.

Rise n Grill closed their doors today (besides Suds on Main). the only place now open in Kearney for breakfast is Edgewater. There is now open an LCBO outlet in Emsdale at the Variety store at the corner.