Lambton launches $3.5 million campaign for Stones ‘N Bones Museum
Rita and Bert Veens, Debbie and Pete Geerts with Jeremy Veens and Curtis Geerts
Birnam Orchard honoured for innovation
March 6, 2025
An Arkona family is being honoured with the Sollio Next Generation Award.
Cousins Jeremy Veens and Chris Geerts took over Birnam Orchards from their fathers who started the business in 1985. The orchard has 200 acres of apples and grows peaches, sweet corn, pumpkins, gourds, and squash.
Guided by their fathers’ experience, Veens and Geerts “embraced innovation” including high-density planting and sustainable irrigation.
“The Sollio Next Generation Award plays an important role not only in recognizing entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated a farm transition or launched a new agricultural enterprise, but also in showcasing innovative farming practices across Canada,” said Casper Kaastra, Chief Executive Officer of Sollio Agriculture in a news release
Sollio officials added Veens an Geert’s ability to integrate modern techniques while preserving family expertise makes Birnam Orchards a model of succession planning in Canadian agriculture.
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Lambton launches $3.5 million campaign for Stones ‘N Bones Museum
September 17, 2026
The Independent Lambton County has launched a $3.5 million fundraising campaign to help create the Stones ‘N Bones Museum and transform the Sarnia Library. The campaign launched Sept. 10, with the Alix Foundation providing a $500,000 contribution designated for the children’s library. ““We hope this investment will help create meaningful experiences for children and families, inspiring a lifelong connection to
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Firefighters, specialized equipment from St. Clair, local industry help put out ethanol plant fire in Chatham
September 16, 2026
The Independent Firefighters from Lambton County were among the first responders called to an early morning blaze at Chatham’s Ethanol Plant. Chatham-Kent firefighters were called to the Greenfield Global facility around midnight for a fire. By 3 am, firefighters from St. Clair Township, Borouge International – formerly NOVA – and Shell were on the scene to help with about 15
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Enniskillen wants International Plowing Match info
September 16, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent The Township of Enniskillen will reach out to the Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA) to meet about plans for the International Plowing Match to be hosted in the township in 2027. During the Sept. 8 council meeting, Councillor Tim Williams questioned whether the township had been notified about the 2027 International Plowing Match. It was announced in April
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Basement leak latest problem during Moore Sportsplex reno
September 16, 2026
The Independent Groundwater is seeping into the basement of the Mooretown Sports Complex It’s another problem uncovered during the renovation of the pool. Before the pool work began in April, council agreed to rebuild the change room. Contractors had found iron pipes in the walls were corroding. After finding some cash in the budget, council okayed that work. Then, in
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