Image

Heart Full of Cash author wins provincial award

August 26, 2022

What started out as a pandemic project has lead to provincial recognition.
Lambton Centennial teacher Steve McGrail has been given the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario 2022 Children’s Literature Award for his book A Heart Full of Cash.

McGrail wanted to write an inspiring kids book and decided there was no one more inspiring than his student Cash McKinnon. The 12 year-old has cerebral palsy but participates in as many sports as he can, most notably cross country events. The book tells the true-life events of Cash’s hard work and determination to run at the annual cross country meet – a goal he reaches with the help of his coach.

“Unfortunately, we continue to live in a society where, every day, individuals face barriers that exist due to ongoing systemic discrimination,” says ETFO President Karen Brown.

“Steve’s heartwarming story teaches children about the obstacles some individuals face and demonstrates what it is to have the heart of a champion.”

This is not the first time the book received accolades; Heart Full of Cash was also nominated for The IODE Jean Throop Book Award in the spring.
And, as the book about him receives an award, McKinnon is also being honoured.

The Sarnia Lambton Sports Hall of Fame has named McKinnon the receipent of the Joe DeRush Memorial Award for athletes with physical disabilities. McKinnon started playing sledge hockey in 2018, quickly gaining a reputation as a highly competitive performer. He has also taken part in cross country and challenger baseball events.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Crocheting senior of the year

July 14, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent When she was in her 30s, a neighbour offered to teach Ruth Anne Mater to crochet. It looked fun, so she picked up a hook. It seems to many as though her hands have not been idle since. Monday, Mater was honoured as Dawn-Euphemia’s Senior of the Year. Mayor Al Broad says Mater “has been a quiet

Read More

Image
Front Page

Wyoming’s Jackson taken by Yankees in MLB Draft

July 14, 2025

The Independent Core Jackson may be headed to the Big Apple. The Wyoming native was selected in the fifth round of the MLB Draft by the New York Yankees on Monday afternoon. Jackson has played college baseball at the University of Utah for the past two years. He slashed .364/.445/.641 with 12 home runs, 44 RBI, and 20 stolen bases

Read More

Image
Front Page

Information and Privacy Commissioner orders Petrolia to release 2021 letter from mayor banning town councillor

July 14, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Nearly four years, after Petrolia Mayor Brad Loosley banned a councillor from attending in camera meetings, the town has been forced to release the letter spelling out his reasons. In June 2022, while investigating a Code of Conduct complain against the mayor for the release of confidential information to The Independent, the investigator found Loosley had banned

Read More

Image
Front Page

Flyers sign veterans, Flags go with youth

July 13, 2025

Barry Wright/The Independent The Petrolia Flyers have reached into east Lambton for a pair of players for the coming season. Alvinston’s Joey Hayter and Ty Moffatt of Watford are both joining the PJHL team. Hayter, 19, has played the past two seasons with the Blenheim Blades including scoring 15 goals and adding 31 assists in 51 regular season and playoff

Read More