by Stephen McKenna When I was eight years old, I was asked to speak to my class about the passing of my grandfather; Patrick Kerwin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. In a nervous voice I told them he was a warm and kind man who also happened [...]
From 25th Anniversary Yearbook of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (1995) Canada was founded more than 200 years ago by European settlers who came to this new land in search of a better life. Canada’s strength was, and continues to be, the diversity of its people. Its multicultural heritage can [...]
by Mayor Mike Bradley (2015) On May 7th, fifty years ago in 1965, Sarnia City Hall was officially opened in what was described as a spectacular ceremony. Built on the site of the former Armoury, it was viewed as a Taj Mahal at a cost of $1.5 million. The Taj [...]
by Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer (2003) The day human beings first set foot on the moon was the day the earth – or at least Sarnia – stood still. The Observer sent a reporter out that historic July 20, 1969 evening to find out how the city would [...]
by Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer (2003) Most hockey fans can tell you Phil Esposito was one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of the game. But what many don’t know is that if it wasn’t for Sarnia, it’s doubtful whether the legendary superstar would have laced [...]
by Neil Bowen for the Sarnia Observer (2003) He left the starting gate as a “dark horse” in 1968, but Bud Cullen finished as Sarnia’s first federal cabinet minister since Alexander Mackenzie. Cullen, a lawyer, won the Liberal nomination in May, 1968 and the Observer’s front page story called the [...]
by Phil Egan (2015) It sits quietly on the lawn in front of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 62 on Front Street. Its massive gun is silent, but the battle tank “Calamity” still carries an unmistakeable air of deadly menace. As you might expect, there is a story behind it. [...]
by Dan McCaffery for First Monday (2013) Many years ago, when I was researching the career of Sarnia-born astronaut Chris Hadfield, I came across a quote from his grade 2 teacher. The elderly lady, who taught Hadfield at King George Public School said, “He must have been a good boy, [...]
by Phil Egan If you grew up in the 1960s, Tab’s was part of your life. Whether it was a Friday night high school dance, roller skating at Funland or Rose Gardens, or Saturday night dances at the Y on Mitton Street, Tab’s Drive In was where we all wound [...]
by John Rochon for The Sarnia Journal (2014) In 1875, prominent attorney and one-time Sarnia mayor Robert Sinclair Gurd erected the largest home in town on the southwest corner of Christina Street and London Road. The site had been occupied by the remains of George Durand’s store, which was the [...]
