by Phil Egan (2015) A key part of Canadian rail history is being lovingly repaired and renovated thanks to the dedication of a group of steam engine enthusiasts and the support of city council. Peter and Paul Whitfield, Chris Wiley, Dwayne Ross and Brandon Freuth originally met with the city [...]
by Jean Turnbull Elford writing in Upper Canada’s last Frontier (1982) Lambton had three railway lines when the question of bonusing the Erie and Huron arose. This line was to extend north from Erieau on Lake Erie to Sarnia. As well as giving local service, it was to be a [...]
by Dan McCaffery (2015) "For decades politicians trembled every Wednesday when it hit the streets.” That's how The Observer led off a story in the summer of 1995, reporting on the demise of the legendary Sarnia Gazette weekly newspaper. It was August 19, 1995 to be exact, and the final [...]
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 Phil Egan Special to The Sarnia Journal Sarnians, and Ontarians in general, have had a tempestuous experience over the years with the practice of purchasing liquor. It wasn’t always as easy as it is today. In fact, there was a time not too long ago when it was pretty [...]
by Jim Miller for the Sarnia Observer (2003) Sarnia-Lambton has produced its share of NHL greats – Pat ‘Whitey’ Stapleton, Dave, Mark and Dale Hunter, Dino Ciccarelli, Wayne Merrick, Bob Gould – but only one has been inducted into the National Hockey League’s Hall of Fame. Amazingly, it was none [...]
by Neil Bowen for the Sarnia Observer (2003) Sarnia-Lambton’s political leaders had no doubt the late Pauline McGibbon would be the first woman to become a Lieutenant-Governor anywhere in the Commonwealth. They were right. McGibbon became the Queen’s representative in in 1974 and held the post for six years. When [...]
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 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 [...]
