Cathy Dobson One of downtown’s most beautifully restored historic buildings is opening this week as The Blue Line Pub & Lounge. It will be a new sports bar, welcoming the public and honouring first responders with discounts and a display of emergency professionals’ hats and shoulder patches. Owner Tracey Moore Mamak and husband Paul Mamak… Read more »
Troy Shantz They say humanity runs on coffee. For evidence, look to St. Patrick’s High School where a group of eager students are delivering cups of java right in the hallway. Participants in the Community Pathways program operate a mobile coffee cart each morning, selling coffee, tea and treats to staff and students while developing… Read more »
Tara Jeffrey Stacey Maola was just a teenager when it started. “We just kind of referred to it as ‘the feeling,’ said the 38-year-old Sarnia woman and mom of two. “I would have this strange, unusual feeling and it would only last for a few seconds. Most of the time I would go on about… Read more »
Cathy Dobson Sometimes life’s plans are disrupted by decisions both heart wrenching and heartwarming. Sarnia’s Vickie Lavoie knows exactly what that feels like. She and her husband were looking forward to retirement and a quieter life when they realized their daughter’s mental health wouldn’t allow her to keep her newborn. “She couldn’t cope on her… Read more »
Phil Egan My father-in-law, Cal Chivers, was a quiet man who liked to read Zane Grey western novels in his spare time. A wounded veteran of the Second World War, he spent his working life at the Electric Auto-Lite Company. The plant was important to Cal; but I doubt he knew just how much it… Read more »
Tara Jeffrey When Cleo Halket stepped onto the ice at Yost Arena recently — staring up at a giant ‘M’ backdropped by massive cathedral-style windows — she could barely believe her little seven-year-old eyes. “It was almost emotional, how in awe she was,” said mom, Nikki Dobbelaar. Dobbelaar was one of several local parents who… Read more »
Cathy Dobson Sarnia’s new Planet Fitness will have a refreshingly down-to-earth approach to exercise, say company officials “Most of our members are first-time gym users who aren’t looking to be body builders or the next Miss America,” said marketing manager Sarah Wilson. “We offer an inclusive, non-intimidating environment. Our staff goes out of their way… Read more »
Cathy Dobson Access to fresh water is critical to everyone regardless of age, so it’s fitting Sarnia artist Trevor Jamieson collaborated with his four-year-old son on his latest project. Their ongoing exhibit is raising money to improve water quality in Canada’s First Nations communities. Each of Jamieson’s very precise paintings of comic book hero Aquaman… Read more »
Troy Shantz When she was nine years old, Sharon Sedgeworth was thrust onto the stage to play the piano while accompanying a massive choir performing at the Lambton County Music Festival. “I said, ‘I can’t do that’ and (my teacher) said, ‘Oh yes you can,’” she recalled. The choir earned a mark of 90% and… Read more »
Troy Shantz For Sarnians, it’s background noise. But startled visitors will often ask: “What the hell is going on?” Each Monday at 12:30 p.m. the community emergency warning sirens are sounded, unleashing an otherworldly wail that echoes over the landscape for 15 seconds. It is only a test. In a real emergency, such as an… Read more »
