Phil Egan One evening in 1962, three frightened girls gathered up their courage and made their way from the former Village of Blue Water to the Sarnia police station, then located on Front Street. They were there to report sexual abuse. Two things made their story especially disturbing. The girls were aged 11 to 13…. Read more »
Nadine Wark It was billed as “three days of peace and music,” and technically was known as the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, in Bethel, N.Y., taking place over three days in August of 1969. It became a countercultural phenomenon that defined a generation. My sister and I were living in our hometown of… Read more »
Phil Egan Traffic in Sarnia has been pulling over to the side of the road while a funeral procession passes for at least a century. It’s a gesture of respect that, over the decades, has become a distinctive feature of the Imperial City. Out-of-towners notice it, and are impressed by the unusual display of courtesy… Read more »
John D. Hollingsworth I was invited recently by my comedian friend Timmy Boyle in Stirling, Ont. to try out his yoga class. He promised me two things: 1 – He would bring some “workout clothes” for me. 2 – It would be an unforgettable experience. The next day, I arrived at the studio ready… Read more »
Come on, people. It’s a paper bag. Fight your way out of it Sir: We’ve been watching for the barrage of expected complaints regarding the mandatory use of paper bags for leaf pick-up starting July 1. It amazes us how quickly some residents are compelled to defend their lack of imagination. They should try… Read more »
A heartfelt, if belated, thank you Sir: My family wishes to congratulate the Purdy Family on the 120th anniversary of Purdy Fishery, and to add a personal thank you for rescuing our nine-year-old mother, Lillian Wheatley Francis, from Lake Huron in 1913. Although the four Wheatley children, ages 7, 9, 11 & 13, were forbidden… Read more »
Randy Evans Neil Tracey was a real bad dude. Convicted in Sarnia of a crime so “beastly” The Observer wouldn’t describe it, he was sentenced to a penitentiary term of five years and 38 lashes. So, Neil Tracey was a man with a solid incentive to flee. As a previous column described, the Lambton County… Read more »
IC Robert Swayze’s final report to council was unprofessional Sir: I thought it unprofessional that in his last report to Sarnia council former integrity commissioner Robert Swayze called on his successor, Paul Watson, to do his best to make sure council “works respectfully and co-operatively” with city staff. Mr. Swayze is free to feel and… Read more »
Bob Boulton Back in the day, Sundays were as tricky as a figure-four leg lock. If I scooted home from church and no relatives were coming for Sunday dinner, I could make it just in time for Wrestling from Chicago, and there see Gorgeous George, the Human Orchid, toss Georgie Pins into a booing… Read more »
City Hall proposal for residents to clear public sidewalks absurd Sir: I would like to thank reporter Troy Shantz for keeping me informed about the city’s antics in his Feb. 28 article, “City Hall pondering bylaw that would make sidewalk shovelling mandatory.” So, the city wants ME to clear snow from THEIR sidewalks! I am opposed to the… Read more »
