menu_open Columnists

Sarnia Observer

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

RHODES: Late 19th-century home one of Chatham’s most beautiful

RHODES: Late 19th-century home one of Chatham’s most beautiful

In the fall of 2024, I published a book titled Boards & Bricks, A History of Chatham Buildings & Structures.   Production of the publication was...

previous day 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Diligence needed to remove bindweed

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Diligence needed to remove bindweed

Bindweed’s quick growing stems will twist and twine through ornamental plants a mile a minute, smothering a garden in mere weeks. As weeds go,...

12.09.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

Gilberts: Pain Court's post office fight helped French endure

Gilberts: Pain Court's post office fight helped French endure

Pain Court, a village northwest of Chatham, is celebrating on Sept. 16. Pain Court, a village northwest of Chatham, is celebrating on Sept. 16. A...

12.09.2025 1

Sarnia Observer

Jim And Lisa Gilbert

The Businesses of West Elgin: Tokie’s brings variety to downtown Rodney

The Businesses of West Elgin: Tokie’s brings variety to downtown Rodney

Tokie’s carries everything from coffee and chips to fishing worms and books, continuing a downtown Rodney tradition Tokie’s Variety at 240...

12.09.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

Larry Schneider

Reflections: Religious differences fuelled Stratford's 1845 political riot

Reflections: Religious differences fuelled Stratford's 1845 political riot

Tensions between area Protestants and Catholics came to a head in 1845 during the election of district councillors With large personalities...

12.09.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

Claire Drake

AI takes assistant role for computer programming

Instead of taking over, AI is acting as a helpful assistant, making the job of a programmer faster and easier. I have recently been working on a...

12.09.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

Tim Philp

Fall programs for adults at the library

Fall programs for adults at the library

This fall, the library is offering an exciting lineup of programs designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and conversation among adults. From true...

11.09.2025 1

Sarnia Observer

For The Expositor

Bell encouraged about company's presidency

Bell encouraged about company's presidency

In our world of electronic and digital communications, one wonders what evidence of our day-to-day lives will exist for our descendants in the next...

11.09.2025 1

Sarnia Observer

For The Expositor

Eric Bunnell's People: Celebrating a Jumbo success

Eric Bunnell's People: Celebrating a Jumbo success

Jumbomania, the current hit exhibit at Elgin Heritage Centre, has welcomed hundreds of visitors “Excellent!” That’s the one word used more often...

11.09.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

Eric Bunnell

Mahon: Railroads should no longer have police forces

Mahon: Railroads should no longer have police forces

In the early days of Canada, it became a requirement of the times that Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway operate their own...

11.09.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

Paul Mahon

ROBINET: Please sir, we want some more

ROBINET: Please sir, we want some more

Back in 2023, Ontario’s provincial government announced a new fund aimed at “rewarding” municipalities successfully undertaking the hard and...

11.09.2025 1

Sarnia Observer

Karen Robinet

WALLACEBURG ARTS: A full plate of concert band rehearsals and performances

WALLACEBURG ARTS: A full plate of concert band rehearsals and performances

As I write this it is the second day of the new school year.   This is the ninth year I did not have the preschool jitters accompanied by the...

10.09.2025 1

Sarnia Observer

Dan White

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Rose of Sharon adaptable to drought, poor soil

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Rose of Sharon adaptable to drought, poor soil

Convince me otherwise, but I’ve never had much appreciation for Rose of Sharon. Convince me otherwise, but I’ve never had much appreciation for...

05.09.2025 1

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Rose of Sharon adaptable to drought and poor soil

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Rose of Sharon adaptable to drought and poor soil

Convince me otherwise, but I’ve never had much appreciation for Rose of Sharon.     Their blooms, mostly in shades of pink, arrive in late summer,...

05.09.2025 1

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

ROBINET: What’s a picture worth?

As I write this week’s missive, I am surrounded by the photographic evidence of five generations of my family in varying states of decomposition...

05.09.2025 1

Sarnia Observer

Karen Robinet

Gilberts: The story of the Jesuit pear

Gilberts: The story of the Jesuit pear

This week I’d like to shed a little light on an intriguing story about trees. A pear tree formed the centrepiece of the original Buxton Homecoming...

05.09.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

Jim And Lisa Gilbert