Image

June 5, 2020

One of the most recognizable figures around minor baseball in Sarnia Lambton has died. Joe Panik Sr. passed away this week at the age of 81.

Panik, who was born of immigrant parents near Oil Springs in 1938, co-founded the Sarnia Braves minor baseball system with the late Stan Slack and was its president for 25 years.

Over that period, the Braves won 11 OBA titles and finished as runners-up on ten other occasions. He was also a long-time chairman of SMAA baseball.

Over his 60 plus years of involvement in the sport, he was a player, manager, tournament convenor, umpire and fundraiser. The latter led to considerable amounts of money being raised for improvements to both Errol Russell Park and Blackwell Park.

He was inducted into the Sarnia-Lambton Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Greenhill Gardens closed; upkeep of six-acre garden ‘challenging’

June 16, 2025

The Independent Greenhill Gardens – a once privately-owned oasis in Wilkesport – is closed to the public. That from the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation which took over the grounds in 2024. The gardens were cultivated by Joy Robson for years and her husband, Bill, allowed people to come and walk through the gardens for free. After the death of

Read More

Image
Front Page

Thedford EMS changes years away

June 15, 2025

The Independent Thedford residents won’t be losing their ambulance station for some time. That from Lambton County officials. Last month, Lambton Shores councillors voiced concern about a county plan which would close the Thedford station and have Forest paramedics to cover their calls. Lambton EMS also plans to move the Grand Bend station near Pinery Park hoping to provide better

Read More

Image
Front Page

No ATV rally for Petrolia Ag Society

June 15, 2025

The Independent There will not be ATVs rumbling through Petrolia this summer. Kelly Humphrey of the Petrolia Enniskillen Agricultural Society came to council in mid-May asking if PEAS could host an ATV rally with Greenwood Park as a starting and finishing point and using Petrolia streets to get to the starting and finishing point.  Julie Bullock, director of parks and

Read More

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