Fair banner may not fly
A musical birthday surprise
December 30, 2013
Heather Wright Photo
When Janelle Wiens went to her first Lambton Concert Band show, she loved the music so much she asked when the next concert was. When the little girl learned it was Dec. 19 – her birthday – in Petrolia, she had to be there. So the youngster took four of her friends to the Victoria Playhouse for A Victorian Christmas. She got a huge surprise when she was called to the stage, introduced and asked to lead the closing number “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” Director Tessa Canton lead her to the podium, handed her the baton and said “it’s easy!” and the music started, with Janelle, now 9, leading the band. Afterwards, she still looked a little shell-shocked admitting she was a little scared to be leading the concert band in front of a nearly packed audience.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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