December 18, 2013

Trish Core found out you can learn all kinds of things on Facebook, including how good your friends really are.

There, the Petrolia woman stumbled upon a fundraiser that her friends at Street’s Eatery planned for her Nov. 25 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Core found out in September she had a tumor in her breast. She says it was a “huge shock” and it was difficult to tell her pre-teen children. “I had to be very, very honest with them because they could just go to check the Internet,” she says

“The biggest thing for them was the unknown.”

It was not as hard to talk to her boss and friend Randy Clarke at Streets. “It was easy to tell them because they are like family. They said ‘we’re here to support you, whatever it takes.’”

Core took some time off from her job as a waitress to deal with her health issue. Six weeks ago she had surgery to remove the lump and at press time was waiting to hear if she would need chemotherapy.

Secretly, the staff at Streets was planning a roast beef dinner fundraiser – selling it out to all of Core’s regulars and friends.

While she was recovering, Core was on the Internet when she discovered their secret. “I came upon it on Facebook – surprise! I called up my friends and said ‘What are you guys up too?’” They confessed everything.

“I was taken aback. I didn’t expect that.”

The dinner sold out and extra tickets had to be sold when some of Core’s family from Sarnia arrived.

Core says she is very thankful for the thoughfulness of her friends. “I have to thank Streets, and all the community and all my customers – Thank you; it was truly helpful.”

Share This

Image
Front Page

Fair banner may not fly

June 14, 2025

The Independent The Moore Agricultural Society has some big plans for the 175th anniversary of the Brigden Fair. But not all of their plans may work out. The ag society has asked for and received several approvals from St. Clair Township council for special events at the landmark fair including allowing a low-level Canadian Armed Forces Flyby and helicopter landings

Read More

Image
Front Page

Remembering Newell Hastings

June 14, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Sunday, Newell Hasting’s service to King and Country over a century ago was remembered in a peaceful church cemetery near Watford. Hasting was born in Petrolia and his family moved to Watford around the turn of the century. He signed up to serve in the miltia with Watford’s 149th Battalion before being called up for service. He

Read More

Image
Front Page

Sidewalk projects around First Ave this summer

June 13, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Sidewalks along First Street in Petrolia will be getting an upgrade once school is out for the summer. It’s part of the latest large project to improve the town’s sidewalk system. In 2023, BM Ross and Associates completed a study on Petrolia’s sidewalk system and found it lacking. It suggested $1.5 million in sidewalk construction was needed

Read More

Image
Front Page

Aamjiwnaang evacuates parts of community as INEOS decommissioning increases benzene levels

June 13, 2025

Leaders of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation are evacuating residents between Churchill Road and Tashmoo Ave after high levels of benzene have been detected in the area. Just before noon Friday, INEOS Styrolutions issued a notice saying hourly benzene emissions have been detected about 0.021 parts per million. The company is decommissioning the plant which is within eyesight of Aamjiwnaang’s band

Read More