Riding the rails: The CN railroad tracks at the Hill Street level crossing east of Corunna recently received a regu- lar inspection. Using a special truck equipped with both regular wheels and deployable train wheels, a workman drives a stretch of rail line visually inspecting the track, removing debris that could cause problems and checking that the tracks are sound. Bonnie Stevenson photo
SLEP offers grants to start-ups and
small
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partner- ship (SLEP) is offering grants up to $5,000 in support of business start-ups and existing small businesses. The grant would include business education and networking support.
Starter Company Plus is administered by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership’s
Business Enterprise Centre and is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Develop- ment, Job Creation and Trade
Applicants must prepare a submission for review by a committee comprised of local business leaders. The deadline for full sub- mission is 4 p.m. on April 16, 2021.
businesses
For complete information, go online to:
www.sarnialambton.on.ca/business-counselling/starter-company-plus
Many people have already signed up for their free monthly subscription to The St. Clair Township Beacon, includ- ing former residents who have moved away and wish to stay current with what’s happening in the township.
The subscription is available by emailing: beacon@stclairtownship.ca
and typing the word “Subscription” in the Subject line. Please include your name with the email.
The St. Clair Township website currently has stu- dent summer jobs listed on the Township website. Applicant qualifications include: Canadian citizenship or permanent residency; must be between the ages of 15-30 (at start of employment period); and able to provide a valid social insurance number.
For more information on how to apply, go online to: www.stclairtownship.ca , and see top right of coloured information bar, for red bar –
March 2021 Page 3
LOW RISK:
What are the risks?
From page 2
Until a by-law can be developed, ORV/ATV drivers are urged to act responsibly and exercise caution when using any public roads or streets.
COVID workplace safety plan
A COVID workplace safety plan was approved to be used during lockdowns by any business that continues to operate at those times.
Enhanced stop signs on Kimball
Enhanced stop signs along Kimball Road are being investigated for the intersections of Petrolia Line and Courtright Line. Numerous collisions have happened at these intersections, some of them severe or fatal. Council has sent a letter to Lambton County asking that stop signs equipped with lighting be installed at these intersections in an effort to make them more visible and, hopefully, reduce vehicle collisions.
Outdoor activities with or without social circle: walking in uncrowded areas, distanced sports activities, camping; grocery/retail shopping where distancing can be observed.
MEDIUM RISK with mask:
Hair salon/barbershop; outdoor restaurants/patios, ho- tels/b&bs, medical/dental appointments; taxis/ride shares; uncrowded malls/ museums/galleries; schools/ camps/daycare; distanced weddings/funerals; movie thea- tres; working in office; children playing on play structures; visiting elderly or at-risk people.
HIGH RISK with mask:
Bars/night clubs; crowded restaurants/buffets; casinos; amusement parks; indoor parties; gyms/athletic clubs; cruise ships/resorts; hugging, kissing or shaking hands; sex- ual activity with new people; large religious/cultural gath- erings; sporting events in arenas and stadiums; crowded public transit; concerts/places where there is singing and shouting.
Until there is wide-spread vaccination in your com- munity, please use common sense and mask-up when out in public around people who are not within your so- cial or family circle.
Statistics Canada will be doing a country- wide census collection during the month of May, 2021.
The census is carried out to enable govern- ment to make important decisions that directly impact families, neighbourhoods, and business- es. Data gathered helps plan, develop and eval- uate programs and services such as schools, day- care, family services, housing, emergency ser- vices, roads, public transportation, and skills training to benefit employment.
To accomplish the census collection, about 32,000 people across Canada will be hired. Resi- dents from each municipality should be aware of these job opportunities.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the census will be conducted using a safe and secure approach. Applicants must be: 18 years of age or older; a Canadian citizen or otherwise eligi- ble to work in Canada; and available to work from 20 to 40 hours per week on a flexible schedule.
Positions you can apply for are non- supervisory (enumerator) or supervisory (crew leader) or both.
For information and/or obtain an online recruitment application, go to:
census.gc.ca>jobs-emplois-eng
Some St. Clair Township Services suspended
St. Clair Township is currently observing the province’s code red restrictions
Some of the Township of St. Clair’s services may be suspended.
Those services still being offered can be expected to have a delay.
Several employees are working from home but will have access to their email.
Please email or leave a voicemail and the employee will get back to you as promptly as possible.
The following services have resumed but significant delays can be expected:
a) Issuance of Marriage Licenses
b) Issuance of Lottery Licenses
c) Processing of all Planning Act Applications¹
The following Township buildings are closed until further notice:
a) Moore and Sombra Museums
b) St. Clair Township Civic Centre²
c) Emergency Services Building (Fire Department) ²
The Township thanks you for your continued patience throughout these
difficult times and it remains our priority to offer professional and courteous service when we’re able.
¹ All Planning Applications can be accepted at the Civic Centre by appointment.
² Employees will continue to occupy these buildings and can be reached their email or by phone at:
a) Moore Sports Complex 519-867-2651
b) Public Works 519-867-2993
c) Finance/Drains/Clerks/Building/Planning 519-867-2021
d) Fire Department 519-481-0111
Waste & Recycling Placement
This is a reminder to all residents to place waste & recycling on the boulevard approxi- mately one metre from the curb, or where no curb exists, one metre from the shoulder of the road.
Waste should not be placed on road or over any portion of the curb, it should not be placed any further than one metre to ensure it is collected. Waste that is placed on the road or curb can affect public works operations (street sweeping, snowplows, etc.).
Public Works Summer Employment
The Township of St. Clair Public Works Department has summer employment opportunities for five (5) positions; four
(4) positions as “Operations Labour”, and one (1) position as Engineering student.
The positions will start May 3, 2021 for a period up to September 03, 2021. The location of the Operations Labourer Positions will be the Wilkesport or Moore Operations Centre with hours of work being Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position will work outdoors and indoors and therefore candidates must be able to work in all environ- ments (hot temperatures). The Engineering position will be located at the Mooretown Civic Centre with hours of work being Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The positions are subject to receiving subsidy funding from Canada Summer Jobs Service Program, and therefore ap- plicants must meet the requirements of this program. The following must apply:
Be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident.
Youth between the ages of 15-30 (at start of employment period). Must have a valid G-2 license or greater, as the job will require driving. Provide a valid social insurance number.
Please submit a resume with covering letter, clearly marked with the position being applied to, by mail or email no later than 1:00pm on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 to:
St. Clair Civic Centre
Attn: Public Works Department 1155 Emily Street
Mooretown, ON N0N 1M0 pwresumes@stclairtownship.ca
Personal information submitted will be used for the sole purpose of this competition. It is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act and will be used in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for employment purposes.
Please note this document is available in alternative formats upon request, to accommodate individuals with a disability begin- ning with the recruitment process. The Township of St. Clair is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabil- ities. If you require an accommodation, please contact the Clerk’s office and we will make all necessary arrangements to meet your needs.
Preventative:
FROZEN WATER METERS AND PIPES
It’s that time of year again! With the winter weather around the corner, your home is at risk of frozen water meters and pipes. This can stop your flow of water and may be costly to repair. Property owners are responsible for protect- ing water pipes and meters from damage. Here are a few tips to help prevent frozen water meters and pipes:
• Eliminate cold drafts near water pipes
• Turn off service to external water taps
• Insulate your pipes that are most prone to freezing
• Make frequent use of your water supply
• Know where your shut off valve is inside, in case a pipe bursts
If you suspect your pipes are frozen check the following:
• Most likely the pipes near an outside wall, or where the water service enters the house through a foundation wall are frozen. Start by opening a faucet near the frozen pipe to avoid a burst line, when water starts flowing.
• NEVER use a blowtorch or open flame to thaw a line.
• Begin by warming the pipes using a blow dryer, heating pad or portable heater (Do not leave electrical devices unattended or place near flammable materials)
• Once water starts flowing, allow a small stream of water to continue until heating is restored
• Eliminate drafts and allow heat to circulate to avoid refreezing
Water Department
Office Hours Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
519-867-2128
After Hours Emergency: 1-888-441-4204
Renovation and Home Ownership programs continue to accept applications
The County of Lambton continues to accept applications for the Lambton Renovates and Homeownership Down- Payment Assistance programs. Lambton Renovates is a one-time financial assistance program for home repairs, and the Homeownership Down-Payment program offers one-time financial assistance in the form of a 20-year forgivable loan for a 10% down payment to be used towards the purchase of a new or resale home.
“Both the Lambton Renovates and Homeownership Down-Payment Assistance programs offer a unique funding opportunity to eligible Lambton County residents,” says Mackenzie Kada, Project Coordinator.
Applications can be downloaded at lambtononline.ca/lambtonrenovates and lambtononline.ca/homeownership. Interested applicants can also call the Housing Services Department at 519-344-2062 to request a paper application by mail.
The Lambton Renovates program offers financial assistance to eligible households in one of two ways:
• One-time assistance in the form of a 10-year forgivable loan, secured by registration on title, for home repairs to a maximum of $20,000 per household.
• One-time assistance in the form of a grant, which does not require repayment, for accessibility improvements to a maximum of $5,000 per household.
Eligible repairs under the Lambton Renovates program may include major repairs and rehabilitation required to make your home safe while improving energy efficiency, or modifications to increase accessibility.
The Homeownership Down-Payment Assistance program offers financial assistance to eligible households living in rental accommodations. The program offers one-time assistance in the form of a 20-year forgivable loan, secured by registration on title, for a 10% down payment to be used towards the purchase of an affordable new or resale home.
Applicants for these programs must meet a number of qualifications related to residency, income, asset level and home value, which can be found online at lambtononline.ca/lambtonrenovates and lambtononline.ca/ homeownership.
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March 2020
How to Contact Hydro One
In the case of an emergency or power outage you can reach us by calling one of our emergency numbers below.
• Hydro One Power Outage & Emergency Line: 1-800-434-1235
Use this number to report a power outage, fallen tree hazard or emergency (24 hours,
?days a week)
• Hydro One Media Relations:
416-345-6868 or 1-877-506-7584
After-hours, on weekends and holidays: 1-888-254-3992
• Hydro One Community Relations
Hydro One’s Media and Community Relations staff members are available to answer questions and concerns from elected officials (e.g. MPP’s, Mayors, Reeves)
Monday – Friday: 1-877-345-6799
For More Information
In the event of an emergency or power interruption we encourage you to take a moment to visit www.HydroOne .com, follow Hydro One on Twitter or check any one of the links below for more information:
• Power Outages & Safety Information
• Interactive Power Outage Map Outlining Planned & Unplanned Power Outages
• Contact Us
Hydro One transmits and distributes electricity in the province of Ontario however; there are other local distribution companies that may serve your community. Visit the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) website at www.ieso.ca to find your local utility.
Hydro One’s Emergency Preparedness Team
• Emergency Preparedness
416-603-4308 /1-844-791-1155
Hydro One’s Business Continuity & Emergency Preparedness team plans for and assists with Hydro One’s internal response to any significant disruptions to our electricity system. Please use the communication resources listed above for power outage and restoration information. In the event of an extraordinary situation, contact the team and special arrangements will be made to facilitate appropriate levels of support to you and your community.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township March 2021 Page 9
Mar. 14 is daylight savings time: for safety’s sake,
change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors
Andrew McMillan
Deputy Chief, St. Clair Township F.D. When you change your clocks for day- light savings time on March 14, the St.
Clair Fire is recommending residents install new batter- ies in their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms when they change their clocks.
To survive a fire, you need to be provided with an early warning and know what to do when the smoke alarms sound. Working smoke alarms are required on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. For added protection, it is recommended to also install
smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.
CO alarms must be installed outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage.
It is recommended that you test your smoke and CO alarms monthly. Smoke and CO alarms don’t last forever. Smoke alarms expire after 10 years and need to be re- placed. CO alarms may need to be replaced sooner
For more information about smoke and carbon monox- ide alarms, contact St. Clair Fire at 519-481-0111 and follow us on Facebook.
EMERGENCIES HAPPEN!
Are you ready for them? Don’t wait to find out what you SHOULD have done to get through a catastrophic wind, rain, or snow storm, a lengthy power outage, or a man -made en- vironmental incident.
Do you have an adequate supply of daily medications, water, flashlights, food, drinking water, pet supplies, baby supplies, etc.? Make sure your emergency kit is prepared and ready for unexpected emergencies.
Go online to: www.getprepared.ca and get all the information you need.
Program information for the Rapids Family Health Team clinic located in the Shell Health Centre, 233 Cameron Street, Corunna, is currently not available. Watch this space for more information as it becomes available. To contact the clinic, go to www.rapidsfhteam.ca or call 519-339-8949 and speak to reception.
LAB OPEN
Just a reminder that our lab
is open weekdays for all residents
Monday to Friday –
7:30a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Lambton County Library lends passes for Ontario
After a winter that was especially confining due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, the call of the great outdoors will be especially strong this year.
To help you answer that siren call, the Lambton Coun- ty Library is offering to loan seasonal day-use permits for provincial parks, including the Pinery Provincial Park. All the borrower needs is a valid library card. The permit will allow unlimited daily entry for one vehicle plus all of its passengers. The permit will come
with a $5 day-use coupon for future regular day-use, as well as a park guide.
The permits will be valid until Dec. 31, 2021 and may be borrowed for a period of seven days. The vehi- cle permit must be returned after the lending period but the borrower may keep the coupon and parks guide.
To prepare for your park encoun- ter, the Lambton County Library of- fers a variety of materials to en- hance your visit, including: a collec- tion of wildlife books, trail guides, and children’s nature books. The library collections also include snow-
shoes, pedometers, and GPS units that can be borrowed.
Ontario parks passes and other library materials can be reserved for contactless curbside pickup using the online catalogue at lclibrary.ca or the Iguana Library mobile app, or by calling a participating curbside loca- tion during hours of operation.
The Lambton County Library received the passes from Ontario Parks as a part of its library day-use vehicle
lending program. The program encourages Ontario residents to enjoy the outdoors and to reap the mental and physical health benefits offered by outdoor ac- tivities.
If you haven’t got a library card, call 519-845-3324, ext. 5266 or 1
-866-324-6912, ext. 5266, or
email: librarytechhelp@county- lambton.on.ca . For more infor- mation on locations, services, and hours of operation, go online to: www.lclibrary.ca .
Left: The Ontario Parks pass, park guide and $5 coupon.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township March 2021 Page 10
Winter finally arrives in St. Clair Township: fishermen thrilled
Winter in St. Clair Township took a long time to get serious about snow, but when it came in February, fisherfolk of many species celebrated.
*Top: A sunny blue-sky Sunday was
cause for celebration as the McKeough floodway south of Som- bra became populated with colorful portable ice fishing tents. Their patient owners passed the time waiting for a bite by so- cializing with like-minded people.
*Above: Some, like the solo fellow above, even managed to relax and let the fish catch themselves.
*Above right: A few kilometres upriver, a Canada Goose treated itself to a fish of its own.
*Right: A pair of determined fishermen, bait buckets in hand, head east on the McKeough floodway to try their luck.
Bonnie Stevenson photos
EarlyON Child and Family Centres
The Early ON Child and Family Centres Sarnia- Lambton is a free family drop-in program operated by Sombra Township Child Care Inc. for families with children ages 0 to 6.
Best Start Hub – Riverview Central School
3926 St. Clair Parkway, Port Lambton, 519-892-3151
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday, & Thursday: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Best Start Hub – St. Joseph’s School, Corunna
535 Birchbank Drive, Corunna , 519-862-5071, ext. 224
Hours of Operation: Monday: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
& 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Brigden United Church, 2420 Jane Street, Brigden 519-892-3151
Hours of Operation: Friday: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
For a complete listing of hours and parent/caregiver work- shops, go online to: www.ontarioearlyyears.ca .
Looking back in time:
old newspapers are history-in-the-making
Newspapers may be a nuisance when they have been read and left lying around the house. These days, they end up in the recycling bin, as a convenient packing material for moving day, or as a cheap alterna- tive to a drop cloth when we’re painting.
But stash it away and bring it out a few decades later, and it’s a valuable first-hand account of events long past. It may even yield priceless information that has been forgotten through the years.
While it’s easy these days to ac- cess a lot of the old publications digitally, the brittle feel and musty smell of an old newspaper provides us with a solid connection to the past. Even an advertisement like the one seen here, right, tells us a lot about how radically social norms have evolved.
In St. Clair Township’s past, a few of the villages in Moore and Sombra Townships had their own weekly newspapers, but very few copies have survived. They included: the Brigden Beetle-1870s; the Public Opinion (Brigden)-1880s to early 1900s; Brigden Progress-1900 to 1919; Brigden Banter-1954 to 1955 (publishers Carmen Holbrough and Bob Ford); Courtright and Moore Sun-1909 to 1912; Tribune (Courtright) 1912 to 1915; Sombra Out- look-1908 to 1917 (Sombra Township’s only newspaper); Outlook Tribune-1915 to 1917 (combined with the Sombra Outlook in 1917).
~Thanks to Laurie and Ian Mason
for the vintage newspaper clipping and the information used here.
Do you have any “vintage” local newspapers in your attic or storage trunk? We’d like to know. Email: beacon@stclairtownship.ca
St. Patrick’s Day Greeting cards from the Moore Museum archives. Myth alert: Historical research tells us Ire- land never had snakes for the saint to chase away and the colour originally associated with St. Patrick was blue. (However, it is said that the wise people of Ireland wear green to make themselves invisible to leprechauns, who en- joy sneaking up on visible humans and pinching them.)
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face; may the rains fall softly on your fields,
and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. ~An Irish blessing
Sombra Museum seeks information/photos to document COVID-19
Please help the Sombra Museum preserve memories of this sad time in our history.
So often, when looking through the archives we get very ex- cited to find the shortest photo caption, post card, note, or on rare occasions, a diary recording daily life. Looking for local ac- counts of the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic and finding very little from the local perspective, we realized that we need our St.
Clair Township residents to help us record and preserve memo- ries of the present time for future generations. What is going on day-to-day in Sombra, Wilkesport, Port Lambton, Mooretown, Lambton County, Canada, and elsewhere in the world?
Information we hope you will share includes:
* Shopping conditions and how they changed over time.
* Adapting to working at home, and any challenges or creative solutions that were needed.
* Financial challenges.
* Feelings caused by the outbreak and thoughts about social distancing.
* Keeping children occupied during self-isolation.
* Keeping adults occupied during self-isolation.
* What new or newly rediscovered hobbies or crafts were taken up .
* Stories from workers on the front lines and staffing essential
services.
* Struggles of family members or friends infected with the virus.
* Stories of everyday heroes, i.e. people helping neighbours during self-isolation or people accepting inconveniences for the greater good.
* How daily life and routines have changed.
* For those who lived through the Great Depression, World War II, etc., are there similarities to those experiences?
* How social media and technology is impacting life in social isolation (using technology for the first time, using it differently).
Photos, videos, drawings, anecdotes, a few jotted thoughts – we want all the family-friendly material you feel comfortable sharing (no explicit material).
Submissions can be sent by email to: sombramuseum@hotmail.com with the subject line “COVID-19 History Snapshot”.
Please share this request for community life memories with as many people as possible. We encourage everyone to docu- ment this time, if not to share publicly, then for yourself and your family to look back and reflect on in years to come.
Take care and be well.
Moore Museum seeks information about history of former Moore Twp. schools
Did you attend a school in the former Moore Township prior to 1963?
Moore Museum is developing another virtual exhibit for our website, this one featuring brief histories and photos of the schools in the former Moore Township prior to centralization in 1963. There were 19 school sections in Moore, four of which were union schools – two shared with Sombra Township and two with Sarnia Township. The map, shown above, indicates the location of these schools.
If you have information on the history of any of these schools, or photos (or scans of photos) that you would be willing to share with us, we’d love to hear from you. We would appreciate details about any school in the township, but especially School Sections #6, #13 and #19 Moore, as our research files contain some information for most of the school sections in the township, but we have no information at all for those three. Information can be sent to lmason@stclairtownship.ca. We look forward to hearing from you!
Connect with Moore Museum
We want to hear from you. Please follow the link on the home page of www.mooremuseum.ca to our online sur- vey. We very much appreciate input from our community and, as a thanks for your assistance, survey respondents will be entered in a draw (to be held on November 13, 2020) to win a 2021 family membership and $25 gift shop gift certificate. In addition to our website and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mooremuseum, we are now also on Instagram @mooremuseum so you can watch for news from Moore Museum.
~Laurie Mason, curator, Moore Museum
Lambton Community Paramedicine program receives provincial funding
The provincial government has contributed over $2.8 million dollars in support of Lambton County’s Community Paramedicine program, which provides eligible seniors with 24/7 access to par- amedicine services. These services allow seniors and other at-risk individuals to safely remain in their homes or community-based settings for as long as possible while they await placement through the provincial long-term care waiting list.
The $2,843,400 one-time funding is being distributed over a four-year period between 2020 and 2024.
Lambton EMS Manager Steve Pancino greeted the funding news enthusiastically. “The expansion of our community-based program is great news for our paramedics, our service, and our
community. Community-based, proactive care is a pillar of ser- vice paramedics are able to provide as part of the healthcare continuum,” he said. “The success of our programs to date would not be possible without the incredible support and collaboration between our service partners, including Bluewater Health, pri- mary care providers, the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and Ontario Health West,” he said.
The Community Paramedic program, introduced in 2017, works with several community stakeholders to provide case man- agement, coordinated care planning, and other proactive measures in the community, efficiently replacing traditional
On hand for the funding announcement, left to right: Mark Duffy (Lambton EMS Community Paramedic); Kevin Marriott (Lambton County Warden)); Bob Bailey (Sarnia-Lambton MPP); Steve Pancino (Lambton County EMS Manager); An- drew Taylor (General Manager, Public Health Services Divi- sion). Photo submitted
bricks-and-mortar health settings. Community Paramedics work with community partners to ensure patients receive the right care at the right time in their own homes, reducing unnecessary 911 calls, emergency room visits, and hospital admissions.
SLEP recognized at
EDCO conference
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) has been recognized at the 64th an- nual Economic Developers Council of Ontario confer- ence for producing out- standing promotional mate- rials to attract investment.
SLEP’s publications target six industrial and business growth sectors: petrochemi- cals and refining; hybrid chemistry; plastics and rub- ber manufacturing; infor- mation technology; ad- vanced manufacturing; and value-added agriculture.
Above: SLEP CEO Stephen Thompson holds a sample of the outstanding marketing material recognized by the EDCO. Photo submitted
The Beacon of St. Clair Township March 2021 Page 16
Greenfield Road
On a sunny Sunday morning
The traffic along Greenfield Road near Moore Line was unexpectedly brisk on Feb. 21 as travellers took advantage of the sunshine and good weather to enjoy a ride. Other people had work to do and, in this case, cattle to feed. Using the power of the front-end loader, this farmer hoisted a mammoth rolled bale of hay high into the air and shook it to release a pile of grazing fodder for a nearby group of hungry bovines. Bonnie Stevenson photos
Children’s Aid Society ensures that “Kids Matter”
The Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society has launched the Kids Matter campaign. Its purpose is to ensure there are enough homes “so all children and young people can remain in their communities and with families. The campaign goal is to find 20 new foster homes in 2020 – 10 for teens and 10 for tots. The CAS will welcome people and homes that represent the di- versity of their communities all around Lambton Coun- ty and Sarnia and the children/young people served by the Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society.
Anyone interested in providing a foster home for
children and young people can contact the CAS at 519- 336-0623. For more information about the Kids Matter campaign, please contact Executive Director Dawn Fle- gel at 519-336-0623, ext. 255, or text 519-384-3984, or
Moore Agricultural Society membership
Interested in becoming a member of the Moore Agri- cultural Society or need to renew your membership? Memberships can be paid either by dropping off payment and member information (name, telephone number, email address, home address) at the Brigden Fair office or through e-transfer at Finance@brigdenfair.ca . Mem- berships are $10 per person until further notice.
For more information on the membership role, con- tact info@brigdenfair.ca .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sacred Heart food bank –
the need continues
The community side effects of the coronavirus have resulted in constant need for supplies at local food banks. Many people have lost their jobs due to shut downs and closures during the pandemic, and the need is still great. Now more than ever, our neighbourhood food banks are called upon to come to the aid of the commu- nity. Nourishing food and warm clothing are more im- portant than ever. In Ward 2, The Sacred Heart Food Bank continues to have shelves that need filling and re- stocking. Please
St. Andrew’s foodbank remains open
Although St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is closed for worship services due to the COVID-19 emer- gency closure, the food bank at St. Andrew’s Church on Colborne Street in Corunna will be open every Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and every Thursday morning from 9 a.m. to noon. It operates in association with the Inn of the Good Shepherd in Sarnia.
The food bank offers a variety of food products to help people eat healthily, including milk, eggs, bread, and meat. The fresh food supplied at the food bank costs approximately $75 per week to purchase. Anyone wishing to make a financial donation to the food bank can do so through Food Bank, C/O St. Andrews Presby- terian Church, 437 Colborne Drive, Corunna, Ontario, N0N 1G0. Gift cards to Foodland and No Frills are also welcome.
Donations of non-perishable items are always wel- come. These include not only food, but household sup- plies like laundry soap, household cleaners, and toilet tissue, and personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, soap and shampoo, deodorant, and shaving items.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Well water safety remains a concern during high water levels
Lambton Public Health (LPH) is encouraging residents with private water wells to test their water supply about three to four times per year, and also in the event of the well being flooded by excessive rainfall or high wa- ter levels. Harmful bacteria may enter the drinking wa-
ter supply making it unsafe for consumption.
If your well is flooded, it should be disinfected and tested as soon as the water recedes and at one-week intervals for three weeks afterwards to ensure the water is safe for drinking. The test for bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) and water sample kits are free. Water sam- ples must be dropped off within 24 hours of being taken. Local drop-off centres are at Lambton Public Health, 160 Exmouth Street, Point Edward, and at Bluewater Health CEE lab, 450 Blanche Street in Petrolia. (Please note there may have been changes to the way samples are received. For a full schedule of access times for these locations, as well as resources on how to take a water sample, visit LambtonPublicHealth.ca
During the COVID-19 pandemic, access restrictions are in place. Please call before visiting the office. Learn more about testing options at Lambtonpubli- chealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/service-changes/
St. Joseph-St. Charles Catholic Church Community to participate in
food program
The St. Joseph-St. Charles’ Catholic Community in Corunna, along with the Catholic churches in Petrolia, Forest, and Watford, has worked collaboratively with the Boys and Girls Club of Sarnia-Lambton to extend Project Backpack, a food assistance program, into Lambton County. The program provides a bag of nutritious food that can be easily assembled to people ages 14-24 who are in need of a healthy meal. Each bag also contains hygiene items and helpful information from community partners. People who qualify for this program can find these bags at the St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish of- fice at 346 Beresford Street in Corunna during regular office hours (Monday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.). Program organizers say the program will continue into the fall and they hope to continue it as long as there is a need for it.
New members welcome –
Lambton County Junior Optimist Club
The Lambton County Junior Optimist Club is always on the lookout for youth who want to make a difference in their community. Club members ages 10 through 18 volunteer in the community and fundraise to put on their own programs and to donate to other youth programs. Hours spent volunteering with the club can be used to- ward members’ volunteer hours at school. The club meets the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Courtright Community Centre (closed during COVID-19 shutdown). For more information, call Mary Lou at 519- 862-3950.
Down River Junior Optimist Club new members ages 10-18
New members are being sought for the Down River Jr.
See More Community Contact, page 18
From page 17
Optimist Club. Youth between the ages of 10 and 18 are invited to get involved with the community and make a difference for kids. The club meets at the Port Lambton Community Hall on the third Monday of each month. High school students can acquire volunteer hours needed for graduation. For more information, call Carla at 226-402- 3870.
out more about this effort, call Donna at the Family Counselling Centre, 519-336-0120, ext. 251.
Local TOPS weight control group meetings
Local TOPS weight control groups can be contacted for information as follows: Brigden—519-864-1865; Corunna- 519-381-5584. People of all ages are welcome to attend.
Good listeners wanted –
Family Counselling Centre
Good listeners are needed by the Family Counselling Centre to staff the Distress Line, speaking with individuals who need support and need to feel connected. Volunteers are also needed to staff the Tel-Check program line, plac- ing daily calls to seniors and persons with disabilities who live alone and are feeling isolated. To register or to find
Geurts Report subject of virtual community law seminar
The Community Law School (Sarnia-Lambton) Inc. will present a virtual Zoom seminar based on the Geurts Report, which focused on human trafficking in Sarnia-Lambton (A Coordinated Response to Assess Hu- man Trafficking in Terms of the Problem, Prevention, and Empowerment). The discussion will cover legal protections for survivors of sex trafficking, including: criminal, employment, human rights, immigration, and child protection laws and systems.
To register for this seminar, or for more infor- mation, email: virtualcommunitylawschool@gmail.com no later than March 8 at noon.
Those who register for this seminar will receive a Zoom link by email before the workshop and electronic handouts.
Wanted: Motivated youth looking for rewarding challenges
The Royal Canadian “1st Hussars” Army Cadet Corps Petrolia invites boys and girls ages 12-18 to learn new skills, marks- manship, orienteering, hiking, leadership, pipes and drum band, and teamwork, participate in many new challenges, make new friends and attend great summer camps, all at no cost. Cadets are not required to join the military. Join us today! For more in- formation, call 519-332-6555 or visit: www.petroliacadets.com
The Beacon of St. Clair Township March 2021 Page 19
From page 20
Virtual Chair Exercise: Monday at 1:30 p.m. To register, call 519-344-3017 ext. 237, or email: adinell@nlchc.com to receive the Zoom link.
Virtual Shibashi, Set 1: Friday, 11 a.m. Tai chi/qigong is a practice of aligning breath and move- ment for exercise and health. Shibashi consists of 18 simple steps. It is easy to learn and perfect for begin- ners. To register call 519-344-3017, ext. 237, or email: adinell@nlchc.com to receive the Zoom link.
Virtual Shibashi, Set 2: Wednesday, 11 a.m. Shibashi Set 2 also consists of 18 more advanced steps. It is perfect for those who are familiar with Shi- bashi Set 1.
Virtual Yoga: Thursdays, March 4 to April 8 at 10:15 a.m. To register, call 519-786-4545, ext. 235 or email: ktieman@nlchc.com .
Virtual Seated Yoga: Tuesdays, March 2 to April 6 at 11 a.m. To register, call 519-344-3017, ext. 237 or email: adinell@nlchc.com .
Virtual Meditation: Mondays at 11
a.m. Increase self esteem, improve concentration, lower blood pressure, reduce stress and anxiety, emo- tional balance. Helps you appreciate life more.
To register call 519-344-3017, ext. 237, or email:
adinell@nlchc.com to receive the Zoom link.
Virtual Night Light: Thursdays until March 11 at 2 p.m. Find hope and wellness while managing mental illness. To register, call 519-344-3017, ext. 223.
Virtual Coffee Talk: On Wednesday, March 3 and 10 at 9:30 a.m., join the conversation over the phone or via Zoom and bring your coffee. Both of these enjoyable sessions will feature a guest speaker. To register, call 519-344-3017, ext. 237 or email: adinell@adinell@nlchc.com .
Virtual Kids Cooking: On Tuesday, March 9, kids (and their families) can enjoy videos featuring delicious recipes everyone in the family can enjoy. The NLCHC registered dietitian has recorded some exciting recipes to the North Lambton Community Health Centre YouTube page that will be available for home viewing. The first five families to register for these sessions will also receive free groceries so they can prepare these recipes. To register, call 519 – 344-3017, ext. 237, or email: adinell@nlchc.com .
Brigden Fair quilt draw tickets on sale
Tickets for the Brigden Fair Quilt Draw are on sale now and are available from any member of the Brigden Fair Homecraft Division or can be purchased through e-transfer. Email quiltraffle@brigdenfair.ca to tell us how many tickets you want to purchase, in- cluding names and contact information for the tick- ets. The cost is $2 per ticket or three for $5, and can also be purchased in larger quantities. This gorgeous, handmade quilt was lovingly created by members of the Homecraft Division.
Draw Date is Thanksgiving Monday, Oct. 11, 2021.
West Lambton Community Health programs
See More Around the Township, page 19
