T H E T O W N S H I P O F S T . C L A I R
The Beacon of St. Clair Township October 2022 Page 2
MUNICIPAL NOTES
Council Meeting Schedule
All regular council meetings are open to the public, but will continue to be available online by going onto the township website at: www.stclairtownship.ca. On the St. Clair Township home page, look for a link to the meeting near the top of the page. The Face- book link is added just before each meeting is slated to begin.
Upcoming meeting is October 11 at 3 p.m. Anyone wishing to contact the municipality or to find out more about making a presentation in-person or via Zoom, can call 519-867-2021
By-Law for election signs
By-Law 27 of 2022 requires that campaign signs not exceed 20 square feet in size. No permit is required to install election signs in any zone, but they cannot be in- stalled on private land unless the owner’s permission is obtained.
Signs posted on municipal road allowances will be restricted to areas and locations that do not obstruct vi- sion for vehicular or pedestrian traffic, and they are sub- ject to the consent of the adjacent land owner. They are also not permitted in municipal road allowances abutting public lands, including parks.
Any signs removed in this way will be done at the exp pense ($200 per sign) of the candidate, and the money will be considered part of the candidate’s own contribu- tion to their campaign. Confiscated signs will be recover- able after Oct. 24. Signs must be removed within 48- hours after the day of the election.
St. Clair Medical Centre parking discussed
During the planning of the St. Clair Medical Centre pro- posed for 389 Murray Street and 206-208 Hill Street, a shortfall in parking requirements was found. This finding took into consideration that the clinic would require more parking spaces than offices for sole practitioners in a non-medical practice. A section of land has been identi- fied for additional parking and a Temporary Use Bylaw has been approved for a two-year trial period. For it to become a permanent land use, a zoning bylaw amend-
ment, combined with a site plan amendment, will be sub- mitted for approval.
for further information.
Notice to property owners to destroy
noxious weeds
See More Municipal Notes, page 3
Notice is hereby given to all persons in possession of land, in accordance with the Weed Control Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter W.5, Sections 3, 13, 16, and 23, that unless noxious weeds growing on their lands within the municipality of the Township of St. Clair are destroyed throughout the sea- son, the municipality may enter upon said lands and have the weeds destroyed, charging the cost against the land, plus an administration charge as set out in the Act. (Minimum charge per parcel is $80.)The cooperation of all land owners is earnestly solicited.
Jeff Baranek, Clerk 519-867-2021
The St. Clair Township Beacon is issued monthly by St. Clair Township as a public service to township residents. Production by Bonnie Stevenson.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township October 2022 Page 3
Mayor Steve Arnold
From page 2
OPG delegation reports on progress at Lambton G.S. site
It’s been several months since the Lambton Generating Station was demolished, leaving only the Unit 3 and 4 ab- sorber units standing. At the Sept. 12 meeting of council, Cathie Sanford, Senior Manager of Projects at the site, updated progress being made with the site cleanup and plans for the mechanical demolition of the two remaining absorber unit. She said explosive demolition is not an op- tion because of the units’ closer proximity to the switch yard, which is an important element of the southwestern
More Municipal Notes, page 4
MCRF grants awarded at Sept. 12 meeting
Three worthy township groups received grants from the Moore Community and Recreational Foundation during the September meeting of St. Clair Township Council. They included: 1- The Brigden decorating team comprised of three families who make sure the village is beautiful through the summer and ready for Christmas during the holiday season; 2– The Moore Agricultural Society, for new windows in the Plowman’s Diner, kitchen upgrades, and two energy efficient freezers. 3– At the Moore Museum, the funds will be used for upgrades to the Trinity Chapel. The arbour has started to rot and will be replaced. The chapel is used for programming and events, and is rented out for weddings and other ceremonies. Upgrades are also needed in some of the other structures that were without maintenance during the COVID pandemic.
Above from left: Michelle Evanitski, representing the Moore Agricultural Society; and Logan and Rick Mitchell, representing the Brigden decorating team. The team also included Chris and Diana Anderson, and Dave and Loretta Kraan. Absent: Moore Museum Curator Fiona Doherty and volunteer Dave Taylor. Stevenson photo
retires from office
Reflections by Mayor Steve Arnold
s you many of you know, I was first elected in 1985. That elec-
tion and all other ones have always been a humbling experience for me knowing that so many people put their trust and confi- dence in my ability to represent them in an effective way for the betterment of
our community. Time after time, they sacrificed time and energy to help me to be elected. Without their help, I would never have had the chance to serve our community. I appreciate you all and I’m thankful for your support.
As I look back on my time in municipal office, I have served on and chaired most committees at the township and county, as well as the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority. I thank those that went be- fore me in these roles for their influence and wisdom. They showed me that we are not really politicians, but facilitators for our people.
I have met so many knowledgeable people, carry- ing our message directly to several prime ministers, premiers, various ministers and senators. I have been fortunate to have been involved in many local im- provements, projects and activities including province
-wide 911, recycling and immigration policy, to roads, bridges, museums, arena, parks, firefighting equip- ment, sewer, water, firefighting, drainage improve- ments, high-speed Internet, shoreline improvements, emergency preparedness, splash pads, the Canada 150th celebrations, the Olympic Torch Relays and the celebration of Derick Drouin’s Olympic medals. None of these things would have been possible without great council members, staff, our MP’s and MPP’s. I was also pleased to be County Warden for two years, travelling and speaking across Canada and the United States.
As I leave public office and pass the baton to the next mayor and council, my advice to them is to be patient, as most projects and positive changes take a lot longer than you hope; stick with it if it is the right thing to do to protect or make life better for our peo- ple. Many times, a motion you make may be lost, but a good idea always comes back to be voted on again and hopefully, becomes implemented.
And always remember that the volunteers of our community are the glue that holds everything togeth- er. We need to appreciate and be thankful for their enduring commitment to our community.
So, to everyone in S.t Clair Township, thank you for trusting in me to do a good job. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people in St. Clair Township and Lambton County.
~Mayor Steve Arnold
Vote-by mail procedure outlined in St. Clair Township By-Law 1 of 2022
On Election Day, Oct. 24, counting will begin no earlier than 2 p.m. at the St. Clair Township Civic Centre by approved election workers who will be sequestered in a controlled access area. Designated ballot package open- ing times will be posted on the township election web-
site, and all candidates or their scrutineer may attend each and any session. No results will be announced until after the 8 p.m. close of the polls.
IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR VOTER’S KIT, PLEASE NOTIFY THE TOWNSHIP OFFICE AT
519-867-2021. The kit
must be filled out as instructed and returned by Oct. 17 (if it is being returned by mail) and, if by some other means, by 8 p.m. on Oct. 24.
October 2022 Page 4
Ontario power grid.
Ms. Sanford assured council the two units had been thoroughly cleaned of any remaining materials and there had been no asbestos found during that pro- cess. Their demolition will involve the weakening of the units’ foundations in such a way that they would fall in the right direction. Wind speed and direc- tion will also be considered to ensure that anything airborne would not go into the river or intrude on surrounding properties. In a letter to Mayor Arnold, Ms. Sanford wrote, “ While the remain- ing structures do not contain any haz- ardous materials, environmental protec- tion measures, including air and water sampling, vibration monitoring, covers over the forebay, intake, and outfall channels, will remain in place until the demolition of both absorber buildings is complete.” She explained the structures are hollow, making the lighter than the three stacks were and likely to cause only minimal vibration.
The demolition of the Unit 3 absorb- er is set for the end of September or early October, and Unit 4 is slated to be brought down in mid November.
In regard to the four kilometre am- monia pipeline that runs between CF Industries and the Lambton G.S. site, it has been decided the pipeline will re- main in place due to the potential for future development of the site. The pipeline gas been taken out of service, purged and cleaned, making it safe and
More Notes, page 5
St. Clair Township service awards presented
St. Clair Township honoured some of its staff with service awards during a ceremony at the St. Clair Parkway Golf Course. Those receiv- ing the award included: Michelle Rottier, 5 years; Nova VanderSlagt, 10 years; Glen Rosso, 15 years; Aaron Jardine, 10 years; Ryan Duffy,
20 years; Lenny Wagner, 20 years; Peggy Murray, 20 years; and George Lozon, 20 years. Staff was treated to a celebratory lunch and the awards were presented by Mayor Steve Arnold and CAO John Rodey.
Above: Although some of the honourees were unable to attend the pro- ceedings, in-person awards were presented by Mayor Arnold, left, to:
Michelle Rottier; Nova VanderSlagt; Glen Rosso; Councillor Tracy Kingston; Deputy Mayor Steve Miller; CAO John Rodey. Bonnie Stevenson photo
Skateboard park repayment made: The Optimist Club of Moore recently presented a cheque to St. Clair Township on behalf of the Corunna Skateboard Park Committee. The donation will be put toward the committee’s partnership agreement with the township which requires both parties to pay for half of the $200,000 cost of the new park. Donations to the project are welcomed and fundraisers will be ongoing until the balance is paid. Committee member Geoff Dale says about 50 per cent of their share is already paid back. On hand for the event were, from left: Optimists Davida Nimmo, Gord Dawson , President Stan Marsh, Mayor Steve Arnold, Ken Nimmo, Steve Inglis, and Co- runna Skateboard Park Committee member Geoff Dale. Stevenson photo
From page 4
environmentally sound until a decision is made regarding any future use.
Fence drama continues
Another fence that does not comply with the township fence by
-law was considered at council when the owner, believing the fence to be “grandfathered” before he built a new one, sought a variance to allow the new one to remain in place. No variance was granted and the owner was instructed to bring the fence into compliance with the by-law. The fence by-law is available for review at the St. Clair Township website or by visiting the township office. Anyone considering putting in a new fence or replacing an old one should check the CURRENT by-law to make sure the fence they wish to construct is in compliance with that
document.
Note: In years past, councils of the day granted a few variances to too-tall or replaced fences which resulted in negative results for the property owners as well as the council. The current by- law has been made, and is being enforced, to clarify the matter for everyone. Failure to abide by the law can prove costly. PLEASE INQUIRE FIRST.
Report on Brigden splashpad reviewed
Summer is over and the children of Brigden were unable to enjoy time in the community splashpad thanks to the bad condi- tion of the concrete pad on which it was built. Council was in- formed the finishing of the concrete was rough and heaving, and unfit for the children to play on. There was also a problem with the facility’s drainage. The contractor has been notified and the splashpad will undergo repairs.
Happy faces celebrate a cleaner St. Clair River
B. Stevenson photo
Members of environmental groups from both sides of the St. Clair River celebrate their successful efforts
A group of happy environmental warriors took a Duc d’Orleans cruise down the beautiful St. Clair River recently to celebrate the the 50-year milestone of the binational Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (signed by U.S. and Canadian officials in 1972) and the redesignation of four Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) to “Not Impaired”.
A BUI indicates a location in the Great Lakes Basin, which includes the St. Clair River, that has one or more environmental challenges. Of the 12 BUIs identified in the St. Clair River in 1991, seven have now been restored and remedial strategies are being developed for the remainder. Since 1987, the St. Clair River has been identified as a bi- national Area of Concern (AOC) and a Binational Public Ad- visory Council (BPAC) which includes both U.S. and Canadi- an members, has been operating. This council of communi- ty-minded people works hard to convey public opinion, offer advice on problem identification, plan methodology, encourage public involvement, gather technical infor- mation, identify available remedial options, and select re- medial actions, then develops recommendations. Members from Ontario and Michigan represent a cross-section of
communities including agriculture, business and industry, Indigenous communities, and tourism.
The vast improvement in the water quality and safety of the St. Clair River is thanks to the combined efforts of eve- ry level of government working together for the common good. Kris Lee, Canadian co-chair of BPAC, says the part- nership will continue to work to improve the health of the St. Clair River. “We continue to make progress towards our goal of removing the river from the list of Great Lakes AOCs thanks to the commitment and support of all our ded- icated partners.”
Rick Hobrla from the Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes and Environment said, “ One of the beautiful things is the community partnership ing together. It’s a local, provincial, state and federal partnership coming to- gether. The OAC is designed to work itself out of a job.”
Aboard the celebratory cruise were members from BPAC, the Remedial Action Plan group, the binational Friends of the St. Clair, federal agencies, local elected of- ficials, and members of the Aamjiwnaang and Walpole Is- land Firsts Nations.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township October 2022 Page 6
Water utility appointments require 48 hours notice
St. Clair Township By-Law 16 of 2022 requires at least 48 hours notice in advance of scheduling appointments with the Public Works department to avoid service fees.
WORKS in progress
Above: Vic O’Leary(right) and Wayne Bradburn are working at the intersection of Hill and Lyndoch Streets in Corunna. They are preparing the road sur- face for the reapplication of pavement markings.
Works Dept. photo
The Beacon of St. Clair Township October 2022 Page 9
Lambton County Plowing Match 2022 marks 100 years of agricultural excellence
FOR PLOWING MATCH RESULTS, SEE PAGE 13
Kathleen MacRobbie keeps her team in line.
Agricultural royalty graced the fields to show off their own plowing prowess during the plowing match. Right: Lauren Elliott of St. Clair Township, the current Lambton County Queen of the Furrow, and Anna Len- nox, the Ontario Queen of the Furrow for 2022, used huge John Deere tractors to make their mark on the competition field, below.
Find out who won the Horse Division class competition on page 13.
Above: St. Clair Township Councillor Tracy Kingston took a turn at the
wheel during the Municipal Class plowing exhibition. Muriel Wright from Plympton-Wyoming Council also tried her hand, along with six other municipal council members.
Lambton County Library branches offer much more than books
The summer rush is ending and it’s time to relax with a good book or a great online offering from the Lambton County Library. If you have a library card, you have access to the books, paper or digital, and a lot more. And if you don’t have a library card, get one. They’re free! For more in-
formation on locations, services and hours of operation visit
www.lclibrary.ca
*Brigden 519-864-1142): Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
*Corunna (519-862-1132): Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to
7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
*Courtright 519-867-2712): Tuesday, Saturday,
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
*Mooretown (519-867-2823): Monday, Satur-
day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
*Sombra (519-892-3711): Tuesday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.;
Thursday, Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
*Port Lambton (519-677-5217): Monday, Saturday, 10 a.m. to
2 p.m.; Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
*Wilkesport (519-864-4000): Tuesday, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
If computers are not your thing, get the latest paper version of the St. Clair Township Beacon at your local library!
2022-The Year of Change and Adaptation
One noticeable change is the relocation of the Entertainment tent to the area flanked by the Commercial building, the cement block washroom, and the Junior Building/ Workshop area facing the infield. New to the tent will be: The Chapelaires; The Randy Satchell Band; Barry Betts; and Buck and the Boys.
Visit www.brigdenfair.ca or like us on Facebook
The Moore Agricultural Society (Brigden Fair) welcomes new members and volunteers to help with the fair and many other great activities and events that take place at the fairgrounds each year.
New features thundering into BRIGDEN FAIRgrounds
The Canadian Great War Society Mounted Section
The cavalry will be saddling up at the Brigden Fair on Satur- day, October 8. Starting with their appearance in the fair parade, they will be performing a Formation Riding Demonstra- tion in Horse Ring #3 at 1
p.m. At 2 p.m. there will be a
Skill at Arms Weapons display.
The Canadian Great War So- ciety group was started in 1996, with a mounted section added in 2005. Their mounted section wears uniforms and uses cavalry tack/saddles from the Great War. Their saddles date back to the Great War and have been
rebuilt. The riders carry the
same kind of equipment used by the Canadian mounted soldiers of WW1.
The participants ride the same formations once used by the Canadian Army and all British Empire mounted units. Today, this kind of precision formation riding is also performed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride.
Weapons used by the group are the P08 sword, P68 lance, and the Lee Enfield Rifle Mk3. These weapons are the same as those used by the Canadian army in WW1.
The group will demonstrate the sword and lance with tra- ditional drills used to train the soldiers.
The mounted riders are from Southwest Ontario; one rider is currently with the RCMP and participated in two tours with the RCMP Musical Ride. Bruce Lamb, owner of the horses, is an accomplished eventer, and the team’s instructor, Bill Finlay, is a former RCMP instructor with the Musical Ride.
The Canadian Great War Society Mounted Section is honoured to be part of the 2022 Bridgen Fair.
Brigden Fair and title sponsor St. Clair Mechanical Inc. is honoured to welcome the Ontario Four Horse Hitch to Brigden Fair! On Monday, Oct. 10, fair attendees are invit- ed to come and enjoy the highest standards of horseman- ship, sportsmanship, and stewardship of the draft breeds as they perform at the Brigden Fair. Weighing in at one ton each, the gentle giants of the equine world are decked out in patent leather and chrome harness, accen-
tuated by mane flowers, mane rolls, and tail bows. Skilled drivers will navigate their powerful teams of Clydesdale, Shire, Percheron and Belgian horses as they pull tradition- al wagons around the ring. Thirty-one exhibitors are eligi- ble to be a part of this Four Horse Hitch Series.
Shows will accommodate community groups, tour groups, families, and residents from the surrounding com- munities. Follow brigdenfair.ca for more information.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township October 2022 Page 13
Results from the Lambton County Plowing Match held Sept. 3
Issued by the Lambton County Plowmen’s Association
Municipal Class
(no particular order)
Marty Souch (Petrolia)
Muriel Wright (Plympton-Wyoming) Steve Arnold (St. Clair Township) Bob Woolvett (Plympton-Wyoming)
Tracy Kingston (St. Clair Township)
Kevin Marriott Warden Lambton County Dave Ferguson (Brooke – Alvinston
Jackie Rombouts (Warwick Township)
Class A Open Antique Drag Plow
1. Ken Milligan
2. Richard Elliott
3. Winston Roberts
4. Chris Wismer
5 Randall Ellwood
Class B Open Antique Mounted Plows
1. Jim Cox
2. Paul Hodgson
3. Brian Helkaa
4. Mike Lassem 5 Doug Smith
6. Allan Ellwood
7 Hugh Henderson
8. John Johnson
9. Albert Tuinstra
Class C Open Classic Class
1. Jack Bycraft
2. 2. John Gilliard
3. Ed Mclachlin
Horse division H-1 Walking Plow
1. Nelson Sage
2. Kathleen MacRobbie
3. John Dekroon
4. Robert MacRobbie
H-2 Riding Plow
1. Graham Proctor
2. 2.Steven Proctor
Class 1 Open-Over 18 yrs.
1. Brian Sterling
2. Rob Sterling
3. Mark Vaarkamp
4. Matthew Sterling
5. Kody Vandeveene, Steve Speller (tied)
6. Patrick Sanders
7. Brandon Crow
Class 2 Open 18yrs or less
1. Luke Wardell
Class 3 Lambton County Resident Over 18 yrs. old
1. Dennis Bryson
Class 4 Lambton County Resident 18 yrs. or less
1. Cameron Vos
2. Eva Vos
3. Tanin DeGurse
Class 5 Open Ladies Class
1. Katrina Sterling
2. Stephanie Sanders
3. Morgan Rombouts
Class 7 Open 4 or more furrows
1. John Vossen
Class 8 Lambton County Resident 2 or more fur-
rows 1st and 2nd yr plowing contestants
1. Ken Kingdon
No contestants in Class D open 1 Furrow Class Class 6 Lambton county Resident Team 1 Jr (20yrs and younger) 1 senior (over20 yrs )
Class 9 Open Reversible Plow Specials
Ferguson Trophy for the Best Finish by a Lambton County Person –Kody Vandevenne
Best Plowed Land by a Lambton Resident by Lamb- ton County -Kody Vandevenne
Neil and Margaret Campbell Memorial Trophy for
Best plowed land Ladies Class – Morgan Rombouts
Allan & Katherine McNeil Trophy
Best Plowed Land 20 years and younger by a Lambton County Person—Cameron Vos
Leonard McNeil Memorial Trophy presented to a 4-H or Intermediate Plowing competitor for best plowed land. Donated by Brooke Alvinston –
Cameron Vos
Best Restored Outfit in Antique Class by Steam Threshers – Albert Tuinstra
Kucera Best Plowed Land by a Case IH Tractor— Kody Vandeveene
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
About 150 were served a roast beef supper by the Moore Agricultural Society Ladies. Hats off to
Michelle Evanitski and her kitchen volunteers for a fantastic meal.
Left: The Queen of the Furrow competition was held and Morgan Rombouts from Warwick Town- ship, shown left with bouquet, was crowned.
Morgan will be representing Lambton County at
the IPM in 2023 in the Municipalities of Amaranth and Grand Valley Sept. 19 -23, 2023. Autumn
Bressette of Brooke- Alvinston, beside Morgan, was the runner up.
Artist John Williams documents First Nations heritage story
Above: Artist John Williams with the original mural painting.
The First Nations heritage story is as old as the rivers and forests of St. Clair Township, yet it has never been forgotten. It’s deeply in- grained in the culture and it sur- vives in the oral history passed on from generation to generation. With every beat of the drum, every step of the dancers, and every im- age artists use to tell their stories, the precious legacy of the Indige- nous ancestors have survived through the generations.
It is this legacy that Aam-
Above left: Aamjiwnaang First Nations drummers Nim Plain, left, and Nodin Cottrelle and provide the rhythm and vocals to set the dancers in motion.
Each of the dances was done for dif-
ferent reasons such as healing and
Stevenson photos
jiwnaang artist John Williams has honoured in a stunning- ly beautiful mural he created for the Shell Canada refin- ery’s 70th Anniversary celebration. He says his heritage has been a lifelong passion for him. “As a child, I had a fascination with my culture,” he said. His grandmother told him stories about their heritage and culture, subjects that are now manifest in the masterwork he has pro- duced. “I hope it will be a beacon of light for others who are seeking their past,” he said.
The mural he created started out as a large painting. It was then photographed and sent to be rendered as the storage tank-sized mural that can now be seen from the St. Clair Parkway at the north end of the Shell site.
John cited two examples of how he drew inspiration from nature for his mural. “The drum was painted during a thunderstorm and when I first saw the tank, an eagle was flying over it. In our culture, an eagle flies close to the creator,” he said.
John’s mural was unveiled during a special event at
the Shell site on Sept. 16. It began with Elizabeth Plain conducting a smudging ceremony that involves the burn- ing of a medicine plant such as sage, cedar, tobacco or sweetgrass. She explained that the burning of one of these four sacred medicines “lifts prayers to the maker and induces clarity.” During the event, First Nations drummers played an honour song in honour of John and his accomplishment, while dancers demonstrated tradi- tional dances dressed in regalia specific to the region where each dance originated. Drummer Nim Plain said drumming songs don’t have to be taught, they come natu- rally. “It’s a social thing. Children grow up hearing it and they learn from what they hear.” He also noted women traditionally give the drums to the men and drumming is usually done by the men.
Olwen Gover, corporate relations advisor for the Shell Manufacturing Centre, says Williams’s mural “recognizes the longstanding relationship with and connection to the Aamjiwnaang First Nation.”
What’s new and what’s coming up at the Moore Museum
New exhibit honours Corunna baseball star
A new Rob Thomson display has been completed at Moore Muse- um.
Robert Lewis Thomson, local baseball star, grew up in Corunna. Rob represented Canada at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Califor- nia, where he participated in the baseball demonstration sport. He was then selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 32nd round the follow- ing year and found himself playing catcher and third baseman in the Minor League.
In 1988, Rob went from playing baseball to coaching. From 1990 through 2017, Robert joined and held various positions with the New York Yankees in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In November of 2003, Rob was named to the Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees Major League Coaching Staff. On April 4, 2008, due to Major League Base- ball’s New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi’s respiratory illness, Rob
was choen to manage that night’s game. This made Robert “Thoms” Thomson the first Canadian full time manager in Major League Baseball since 1934. During his time with the New York Yankees, Rob secured five World Series Rings in 1996/98/99, 2000 and 2009. Rob was hired by the Major League’s Philadelphia Phillies in December of 2017 as their bench coach (right-hand man to the team’s manager/assists in decision making).
On June 15, 2019, Robert Thomson was inducted into Canada’s Baseball Hall of fame. “I am humbled and hon- oured to be inducted into Canada’s Baseball Hall of Fame!” said Thomson. “Growing up in Corunna, Ontario, I would have never dreamt that such an honour would be bestowed onto me.” On July 13, 2022, Interim Manager Robert Thomson managed a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Roger’s Center in Toronto, Ontario. This made Robert “Thoms” Thomson the first Canadian to manage a Major League Baseball Game in Canada. ~Curator, Fiona Doherty
Holiday programming back for the holidays
Moore Museum’s most popular school program “Community Christmas Celebra- tions: Traditions of the World Arrive with the Settlers” is set to begin for pre- booked groups in November. A real favourite with students is pulling taffy, as well as creating a tree ornament to take home. We hear each year of families who make the placing of this decoration on their tree an annual tradition. The program’s long-term popularity is evidenced by parent chaperones who recall making a decoration here when they were children themselves.
This program about Christmas traditions has become a tradition itself! Both popu- lar activities, along with a tour highlighting the traditions and decoration ideas early settlers brought with them from their various countries of origin, provide a two-hour program suited to the Ontario curriculum. This offers rich learning experiences re- lated to both the Grade 2 Changing Family and Community Traditions and the Grade 3 Communities in Canada, 1780 – 1850 topics. The program can also be adapted to suit Kindergarten students to provide an opportunity for exploring a part of the com- munity, with hands-on activities. ~Curator Fiona Doherty
A Christmas program
in progress.
The 2022 Downriver Craft Sale and Gift Show was a tre- mendous success, with al- most 100 tables and booths offering the most varied se- lection of goodies ever seen. One of those unique products was crafted by Robert (Gus) Gostick of Brigden, far right, who turns retired propane tanks into works of art like Halloween pumpkin lanterns and an ingenious Batman hot dog cooker. The Shaw
Downriver Craft Sale a hit!
building, above center, was prone to pedestrian traffic jams, the entire museum site was populated by vendor tents, and the food tent ran out of food long before the event was over. In short, the Downriver Craft Sale was a big hit.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township October 2022 Page 16
Moore Museum’s Shaw building receives artistic paint job
Before the pandemic shut down, the Moore Museum received a grant from the Creative County Grant Pro- gram to fund three murals. Local artist Tim Allen was commissioned in 2020 to create them. He was the art- ist that painted the fantastic locomotive mural for the main building.
For those who aren’t familiar with the Creative County Grant Program, its goal is to “nurture creativity and imagination through arts, culture and heritage pro- jects; promote innovation and support new, dynamic efforts in the creative community with the goal of fi- nancial self-sufficiency and continuity; develop unique
cultural resources and enhance the health and vitality of our communities; support the development of new and diverse audiences for cultural activi- ties and programs; encourage inclusion and celebrate diversity through our rich creative community; foster creativity by encouraging collaborative partnerships; promote culture as a key component of economic growth and quality of life.”
Fire Prevention Week a time to plan for safety
As Fire Prevention Week approaches, the St. Clair Fire Department reminds residents that “Fire won’t wait! Plan your escape!”
It is important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire es- cape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance so that they will know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds.
Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different. Have a plan for everyone in the house. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure someone will help them.
St. Clair Fire urges everyone to read and heed these key home fire escape planning tips:
Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family mem- bers, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
Smoke alarms are required to be installed on every storey of the home and outside the sleeping area.
Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make
sure all doors and windows open easily.
Accident victim receives community support through Corunna Legion event
On Sunday, Sept. 11, Royal Canadian Le- gion Branch 447 held a breakfast to support accident victim Mike Watts, who was injured in a motorcycle accident in the U.S. Mike is well known in St. Clair Township, and our community came out in full force to show their support for him.
A total of $4,615 was raised to support Mike in his journey back to good health. We would like to thank Chris at Corunna No Frills for donating the food, and our volunteers who helped to cook, serve, and clean up. Every- one’s support is greatly appreciated by the Branch 447 and the Watts’ family. Left: Eric Hancock, President of Branch 447,right, presented a cheque from the breakfast pro- ceeds to Jeremy Watts, Madi Watts and Christina Watts. Legion photo
Sacred Heart food bank –
help your community thrive
The need for donations of food, personal, household supplies, and back-to-school items like juice boxes still looms in the community. Shortages are a common situa- tion at local food banks and the need continues to be great. Thank goodness for our neighbourhood food banks as they continue to come to the aid of the community. Nourishing food and daily supplies like personal hygiene items, baby needs, and household cleaning supplies, as well as grocery store gift cards and monetary donations, are always gratefully accepted. In Ward 2, The Sacred Heart Food Bank has shelves that need to be replenished on a regular basis, not just on special occasions. Please keep the Sacred Heart food bank in mind when you shop for your own groceries.
St. Andrew’s food bank continues to help those in need
The food bank at St. Andrew’s Church on Colborne Street in Corunna is 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 serves those in need, offering a varie- ty of food products to help people eat healthily, includ- ing milk, eggs, bread, and meat, as well as daily re- quirements like household cleaning supplies, toiletries and baby needs. 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 Presbyterian Church, 437 Colborne Drive, Corunna, On- tario, N0N 1G0. Gift cards to Foodland and No Frills are also welcome.
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 nutri- tious food that can be easily distributed 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 office 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.
Lambton County Junior Optimist Club invites new members to get involved
The Lambton County Junior Optimist Club invites youth from age 10 through 18 to join and discover the fantastic feeling of volunteering in the community. Members put on their own pro- grams and find creative ways to fundraise for other youth pro- grams. Hours spent volunteering with the club count toward the volunteer hours needed at school. The club meets the first Mon- day of every month at 6 p.m. Meetings are now held at the Emergency Services Building in Corunna at the intersection of Lyndoch and Hill Streets. For more information, call Mary Lou at 519-862-3950.
Local TOPS weight control group meetings
Local TOPS weight control groups can be contacted for infor- mation as follows: Brigden—519-864-1865; Corunna-519-381- 5584. People of all ages are welcome to attend.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 447 Corunna
Remembrance Day set for Clock Tower War Memorial
The 2022 Remembrance Day service will be held on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, with ceremonies taking place at the War Memorial by the Clock Tower on Lyndoch Street (Derek Drouin Drive) . This year’s Remembrance Day Service will be back to normal. The parade will form up at 10:40 a.m. at Lyndoch and Beckwith Streets. Attendance will be open to Legion Members, Veteran’s, Colour Party, Dignitaries and the general public. All wreaths will be laid. Dignitaries will be standing in front of and facing the Memorial. Wreaths will be prepositioned. These wreaths will include Federal, Provincial, Municipal, Legion, and Ladies Auxiliary only. Other wreaths will be laid three at a time as they were prior to COVID. If you wish to purchase a wreath please contact the Corunna Legion at 519-862-1240. Specta- tors are encouraged to attend, however, you may choose to wear a mask and/or practice physical dis- tancing as a precaution. We are happy to advise that we will stream the ceremonies live on the Corunna Legion Facebook page so you can watch from home, school, or work.. Find our page on Facebook (Royal Canadian Legion, Leslie Sutherland Branch 447 Corunna) and ‘like’ our page, then go to the page at the date and time noted at the top of this notice. You will see the entire ceremony.
Marg Emery, Corunna Legion, Branch 447
Thank you for your participation.
Remembrance Banquet Honours & Awards
The Royal Canadian Legion Br. 447 Corunna will hold its 75th Anniversary Celebration Remem- brance Banquet-Honours and Awards on Saturday, Nov. 5, with cocktails at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6
p.m. Veterans, members, and the public are all welcome to attend. Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the Club Room bar at the Br. 447 hall. (Veterans no charge.) Remembrance Day Service on Nov. 11 will be hivback to normal. See page 18 for full schedule.
The Train Your Brain program is offered at both the Mooretown Sports Complex and the Petrolia Lions Hall.
Train Your Brain is a FREE program for Grade 3 &
4 students and registration open. All programs run from 6 p.m. to 7:30pm. The Mooretown Sports Com- plex will host the program on Wednesday nights and the Petrolia Lions Hall will host it on Thursday nights. Registration can be done online at:
https://www.literacylambton.org/programs/family- literacy-program/train-your-brain/
New website reveals Lambton’s contribu-
tions to the global oil industry
The Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site, has launched a new website showcasing the important contributions to the world-wide oil industry by local International Oil Drillers. From the mid-1870s until the mid-1940s, more than 800 international drillers from Lambton County provided Canadian oil drilling expertise and equipment to nearly 90 countries.
This new website explores their stories and shares some of their letters, photographs, and souvenirs. The multi-year project was funded by Digital Muse- ums Canada (formerly the Virtual Museums Canada program) which is dedicated to online projects by the museum and heritage community. Research for the website was conducted by Museum staff and more than 600 artifacts were photographed or digitized for this project with nearly 250 individual drillers fea- tured with stories, artifacts and videos. A compre- hensive list of all known International Drillers and an interactive map showcasing the locations around the world are also included in the site. The website is available in both in English and French. Visit:
www.internationaloildrillers.ca to learn more.
Please visit https://www.nlchc.com/services/wellness- programs/ (Make sure you specify which program you are registering for on top of the form.)
Mooretown Low Impact: Thursdays at the Mooretown
Sports Complex, 1166 Emily Street at 9 a.m. Low impact exercises performed using body weight and resistance bands.
Shibashi: Fridays at Canatara Park at 10 a.m. Easy to learn and perfect for beginners. Meet at the picnic pavil- ion adjacent to the children’s playground (closest one to the Point Edward park entrance.
Line Dancing: Wednesdays at 1 p.m. until Nov. 9 at Em- manuel Presbyterian Church, 120 Russel Street in Sarnia. All abilities welcome and no previous experience re- quired. Space is limited.
Nature Trail Walks: Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. For trail loca- tions call 519-786-4545, ext.327.
Virtual Yoga Fusion: Tuesdays until Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. via Zoom. This version of yoga combines yoga postures, breath work, and fitness repetitions to tone and strength- en the body. Feel nourished, connected, and renewed with this gentle practice. To register and receive the Zoom link, call 519-786-4545, ext. 327.
Virtual Anger 101: On Oct. 18 at 2:30 p.m. learn the ba- sics of healthy vs. unhealthy anger, identify your anger triggers, and learn basic skills to manage anger. To regis- ter, call Rebecca at 519-344-3017, ext. 277 or email re- veraert@nlchc.com .
Dietician Visit: On Oct. 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Petrolia EarlyON Centre, a dietician will be availa- ble to answer questions regarding feeding your child (e.g. breast feeding, bottle, first foods, picky eating, etc.).
Additional dates and locations can be found by emailing
EarlyON@nlchildcare.ca for more information.
Garden Fresh Box: The Garden Fresh Box is an inexpen- sive monthly food buying club for anyone who wants fresh vegetables and fruit all years around.
Virtual Heart Health Conversation Class: On Monday, Oct. 31 at 1:30 p.m., a Zoom presentation will be pre- sented for those who are worried about heart health.
Learn how to manage cholesterol and blood pressure. To join this free class, call 519-786-4545, ext. 307 or 519-344
-3017, ext. 259.
Virtual Mindful Eating: This group will be held Oct. 5 to Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m. to address emotional eating and food craving management. To register, call 519-786-4545, ext. 307.
Night Light: This class will run from Oct. 27 to Dec. 15
from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the West Lambton Community Health Centre, 429 Exmouth Street in Sarnia. Find hope and wellness while managing anxiety and depression.
Space is limited.
Opening Doors: Healthy Lifestyle program for individuals living with mental illness or seeking mental health sup- port. For information, call 519-344-3017, ext. 277.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township October 2022 Page 20
offering “Agriculture Awareness Day” in the Coli- seum area on Friday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For MUCH MORE information see page 18.
Brigden Legion to hold raffle after fair parade
The Royal Canadian Legion Br. 635 will hold a raf- fle on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m. after the Brigden Fair Parade. There will also be raffles at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 19, Dec. 3, and
Dec. 17.
The Brigden Legion will be selling soup and chili with a bun during the Brigden Country Christmas.
Remembrance Day service in Brigden The Royal Canadian Legion Brigden Br. 635 will hold its Remembrance Day service beginning at 10:45 on Friday, Nov. 11. A time of fellowship will be held at the Legion hall following the
service.
The hall is wheelchair accessible and all are wel- come. Call the Corunna Legion for more information closer to event dates at 519-862-1240. The Beacon will also list information as it becomes available.
Christmas Brigden Market set for fairgrounds
Spend some productive Christmas shopping time at the Christmas Brigden Market slated for Dec. 3 at the Brigden Fairgrounds. Be sure to mark your calen- dar and have a great shopping experi- ence finding perfect gifts for those “hard
-to-buy-for” people on your list. Watch
for details on the Brigden Fair website or here in the November issue of The Beacon.
Experience the Benefit of Tai Chi
An Introduction to Tai Chi class will start Wednes- day, Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Can-
on Davis Memorial Anglican Church Hall, 380 Russell Street North in Sarnia. Beginners can register at that time. You Classes will be held Wednes-
day and Friday, and everyone is welcome. (Parking is diagonally across the intersection with Maxwell Street.) For more information, contact Ca-
nadian Tai Chi Academy – Sarnia, email: sar- nia@canadiantaichiacademy.org or call Fernando at 519-332-1222.
Heritage St. Clair to dedicate new story board to Courtright magician Stewart James
In the world of magic and illusion, Courtright na- tive Stewart James is a familiar name. He developed fantastic magic tricks and illusions that are still the used by magicians all over the world. His incredible story will be told on Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. when Herit- age St. Clair dedicates a new storyboard that is be- ing installed at Courtright River Front Park. A short presentation will be made at that time.
