The Chronicles of Sarnia

I went to Sarnia, Ontario this weekend. As my friend Matt says, Sarnia is like a puddle of gasoline -- it's beautiful but also disgusting. It's beautiful because it sits on the southern tip of Lake Huron where the water is a surprising serene blue and the air smells natural; the city is disgusting because it's an industrial town where at every turn, I saw evidence of decay in factories and old buildings.

We had a wedding to go to, but not before we ate truck fries under the Blue Water Bridge and befriended goats at the Children's Animal Farm:

Michael and Rebecca's had a gorgeous ceremony in her parents' backyard which just happened to include a beach and the lake. We continued the reception at the Imperial Theatre — the same theatre Emm Gryner recorded live tracks for Girl Versions (the masters were allegedly ruined and she ultimately re-recorded that album). It was a funny coincidence since we ate a snack at Stokes beforehand and that's where Emm held her after party that night. Things are pretty much the same there, only the pool table has been replaced by a small stage with what I assume is a stripper pole. Clearly, we only go to classy establishments.

The trip ended with a rude awakening — some naked child screaming and crying repeatedly in the hall (at 8 a.m.!) outside our Best Western room, an enjoyable drive back to the city and a veggie sandwich from Tim Horton's.

More pictures from the weekend are in the photo grallery.

Comments

[soraya]

i luv u ://

[ben]

how strange. sarnia is my home town (bright's grove, actually..) it's always interesting to see how other people react to it. It is certainly a town of contradictions and contrasts (as you said) but was a surprisingly great place to grow up.. it produced some fantastic people, too (Emm being indicative of the larger bunch who ended up going off and doing other fantastic things..) right.
i love that petting zoo.

[Andrea]

Ben, most of the Sarnians I've met are excellent people so I think I know what you mean. I wish I got a chance to visit the tree maze...next time.

P.S. I got lost on your site.

[ben]

tree maze!

yes my site is a mess. there is one useful thing on there and it's hard to find. i'm 'in transition'..

i'm touched that you went though, really..

[Rob Widdup]

I am a Sarnia resident, have grown up in this area, have family and relatives here also. My parents and my grandparents also grew up here. I learned to fish, play golf, and date in this city.

I think you would have to know Sarnia, and its people, perhaps abit about the history of Sarnia and how the earliest residents of the area were actually pioneers in the Petrochemical Industry. This industry supported the war efforts by creating products which helped many Canadians survive and return.

Sarnia, like most cities, has seen its changes, but what is not so apparent to the visitor is that the chemical industry in the Sarnia-Lambton area has for many years, focused its efforts on ensuring the cleaning possible environment, its waterways, and positive relations with the US. It holds itself accountable to provide this assurance to the people of Sarnia and its neighbours across the water in Michigan.

Sarnia is a great place to live and to raise a family.

I'm sorry that you came and left with such a negative imagine.

Rob Widdup
Sarnia Ontario