Get ready for a St. Clair Township summer that sizzles!
The Beacon of St. Clair Township March 2023 Page 2
MUNICIPAL NOTES
By-Law enforcement requires complaint
The Oxford dictionary definition of a by-law is “a rule
its members”. Without them, there would be no way to avoid social chaos, but once they are enacted, how are they enforced?
At the Feb. 6 meeting of council, the point was made that St. Clair Township is a large municipality and town- ship staff cannot possibly witness every by-law infraction that takes place. It is up to the public to contact the township clerk with a complaint so it can be deter- mined if a by-law is being broken and, if so, to send an enforcement officer to investigate. Once the problem is identified, appropriate action can be taken.
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Street closure approved for special festival
The Corunna 200 anniversary (Almost Canada’s Capi- tal) committee chair, Tracy Kingston, attended council to present the first official report from the committee. She outlined activities that have been determined and prepa- ration details the committee has already set in motion.
The event proposed to top off a summer of anniversary activities is a day-long street festival set for Saturday, Sept. 23 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Lyndoch Street be- tween Fane and Cameron Streets. The temporary closure would allow for the presence of food, craft and artisan vendors, children’s activities, open air dining, a tent in case of inclement weather, and other attractions still to be organized. The temporary closure was approved by council. See Almost Canada’s Capital, page 12.
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FoodCycler™ study report to council
Last May, a municipal pilot program for the Food- Cycler™, a countertop food recycling appliance, was in- troduced in St. Clair Township. The program was a 12- week in-home food waste diversion study in which the township purchased 150 units and 300 replacement fil- ters, and offered the units at a reduced cost to township residents. At the end of 12 weeks, residents were asked to report their usage and answer a number of survey questions.
At the Feb. 6 meeting of council, the results of the survey were explained by company representative Jacob Hanlon. He noted program participation included 70 mu- nicipalities across Canada. St. Clair Township had 210 households participating.
The process used by the recycling unit transformed a small bucket of food waste into 100 grams of dry, sterile,
More Municipal Notes, page 3
The Beacon of St. Clair Township March 2023 Page 3
odorless powdery fertilizer safe for use in a garden or composter. However, Hanlon said 73 per cent of the survey respondents indicated their powdery substance was put in the garbage; 17.55% composted it from spring to fall, and 23.40% composted it all year long. Unique uses for the fertilizer included worm farms. The positive outcome of the survey also indicated use of the appliance resulted in 88 per cent less good waste to landfills.
Overall, 94% of respondents said they would rec- ommend the unit to others if the collection bucket was twice the size. Other suggestions included a spare bucket to double capacity. Electricity use to run the units was deemed negligible or acceptable.
FoodCycler™ received an overall experience rating of 4.59 out of 5 stars. When asked if respondents would continue to use the FoodCycler™ when the pilot program was finished, 97.85% said yes.
When asked if respondents would consider buying a unit if a municipal program was not available the re- sults were mixed. About 7% said they would pay the full retail price of $500.
There were varying responses regarding a provin- cial/federal/municipal rebate that would reduce the cost to $350, $250, or $150 or less. And 5.38% would
More Municipal Notes , page 4
Payment options available as follows:
Monthly pre-authorization
Pay online or by telephone at your bank In person at your bank branch
Drop a cheque into the secure drop box at Civic Centre front door
Mail a cheque
Debit, cash, or cheque at Civic Centre Credit card, debit available for a fee
on www.paysimply.ca
If you do not receive your tax bill(s) in the mail by February 6 please email:
taxes@stclairtownship.ca
Graffiti is no joke!
Public buildings are no place for graffiti of any kind, especially if it offends, belittles, or threatens. If you see it on or inside township properties, please report it to a venue employee or to the township office at 519-867-2021.
Graffiti is not a joke, it’s vandalism!
OFFICIAL PLAN ONLINE SURVEY AND FEEDBACK OPTIONS
The Beacon of St. Clair Township March 2023 Page 4
From page 3
MORE MUNICIPAL NOTES
not buy a unit because they believed government bore the
responsibility for finding solutions to the waste problem.
Another heavy transportation for Hill Street?
A request to transport another large load destined for the Corunna Shell manufacturing facility has come before council. Should the request be approved, the load will be transported down Hill Street at the end of summer this year. Mammoet Canada Eastern Ltd. assures that the new DR-201 unit is “considerably smaller” than the Regen unit the company brought down Hill Street in July 2021. The request noted the proposed move would not block east- bound traffic and, since the new unit’s height is shorter than the Regen, there will be no utility impacts along the requested route. The route will radically reduce the cost of transportation and the heavy load will only have to cross one bridge. Mammoet representatives will attend a future council meeting to discuss the request.
Insurance review notes climate-related cost increases the “new normal”
While reviewing the township’s insurance policy, Intact Public Entities regional manager Tony Commisso empha- sized the role climate change has played in rising insurance rates and the world-wide impact it is having on the cost of insurance across the board. His presentation included the statistic that “Eight of the top 10 loss years on record oc- curred in the last decade.” To put this information into perspective, a statement issued on August 23, 2022 by Ca- nadian Underwriters cited this statistic – “In Canada, year- ly insured catastrophic losses has reached $2 billion, a sig- nificant increase from the $422 million per year between 1983 and 2008.”
Lambton County Council supports battery energy storage project in township
The controversial Enbridge proposal to build three bat- tery energy storage facilities in St. Clair Township received support from Lambton County Council at its Feb. 2 meet- ing. The support took the form of a letter to the IESO.
The project proposals will be reviewed by the IESO (Independent Electricity System Operator) and proposals that are chosen will be approved to increase capacity (the amount of power available when power shortages occur) in southwestern Ontario. This is a temporary solution to avoid substantial power shortages that have been projected for the near future in this area.
Battery energy storage facilities will be used to capture and store surplus energy when it occurs and release it to the grid during shortages to limit or avoid outages. These facilities are part of the strategy IESO has developed to keep Ontario homes and businesses running until more en- vironmentally-friendly power generation facilities can be built and brought online.
Updated Strategic Plan needed for St. Clair Township
Strategic plans are vital to help plan the effective use of taxpayers dollars. Council is aware that the St. Clair Town- ship plan is 15 years old and in need of updating. However, the cost of creating a new strategic plan is considerable and with this in mind, staff has been asked to inquire about possible provincial or federal grant programs that may be accessed for this purpose. The task of developing a new strategic plan will be tendered out to begin the pro- cess and if no grant programs are available, the cost will be referred to the budget either this year or in 2023.
Revamp of some township libraries discussed
Lambton County Library representatives Andrew Meyer and Darlene Coke presented the findings of the Joint Li-
brary Facilities Review (JLFR) which began in the summer of 2022. It’s goal was to look ahead to determine the num- ber and types of libraries that will be required to effec- tively serve Lambton County into 2031. Staff in the 25 li- braries across Lambton County were consulted for their input and their comments will be used to consider factors such as space required for each, policy reviews, design guidance, and facility development strategy.
Some county-wide statistics taken into consideration indicate there were 17,000 card holders in 2021, half of Lambton County residents visited a county library in 2018/2019, and there is currently 87,817 square feet of library space in total. Findings revealed the libraries are not just distributors of books and other materials; they have become community hubs where people engage new technologies to help bridge the “digital divide”, access the Internet, engage in programs that are offered, and con- nect with friends.
Mr. Meyer noted the population of Lambton County is expected to grow from the present 120,000 to 135,000 in 2031. The JLFR has come up with the following possible strategies to prepare St. Clair Township for the future. The Corunna library is seen as well-used but in need of better accessibility and more parking. To increase the services offered by the Sombra and the undersized Port Lambton library, a consolidation of the two could be made at the Sombra location, with Port Lambton receiving an “express library service point.” Mooretown and Courtright libraries are both classified as undersized and outdated. The JLFR suggests their consolidation in a larger space would allow them to offer expanded services and programs plus better hours of operation. The well-used Brigden library, which is housed at Brigden Public School, is considered a good ex- ample of how libraries can be incorporated successfully into rural school. For the Wilkesport library, its small size makes it “unable to offer a modern experience.” It is seen as a good fit to become an “express library service point.”
In conclusion, Mr. Meyer said, “The key to all this plan- ning is starting a conversation but ultimately, it involves consultation at every level to make sure that we’re making an informed decision that meets the needs of the resi- dents.”
Tariffs on Russia creating hardship for farmers and higher food prices: Grain Farmers of Eastern Canada issues open letter to government
Bonnie Stevenson
Increases in the cost of food have left many families scram- bling to make ends meet and some have been forced to visit their neighbourhood food bank for the first time. Ironically, the families who produce the food we eat have been doubly affected because of the Russian invasion and devastation of Ukraine.
In St. Clair Township, our farm families are among those who work hard to produce healthy, plentiful food for our ta- bles; they are also among the families struggling the hardest to cope with this difficult situation.
At the 2023 meeting of District 3 Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), one of the subjects being discussed was the tariffs the Federal government has levied on *nitrogen fertilizer pro- duced in Russia. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland explained the tariffs are being sent to Ukraine to help repair Kyiv’s pow- er grid, which was bombarded by Russian forces. It is a noble effort for a noble cause, but it exacts a terrible cost on a very important sector of our society.
In an open letter to the Federal government, forwarded to The Beacon by the GFO, the Eastern Canadian Grain Growers (ECGG) noted that …”even allowing for strong grain prices” the tariffs are hurting Canadian farmers.
As the Ukraine/Russia conflict goes on, Canadian farmers are trapped in a Catch 22 situation. Ukraine has been a major contributor to the world’s grain supply and the war has im- pacted that supply profoundly. Canadian farmers are being called upon to help fill the void. At the 2023 District 3 Grain Farmers of Ontario general meeting in Wyoming, concerns were raised that to increase grain yield, more fertilizer would be needed and therefore, more tariffs would have to be paid.
According to the CBC news report of Feb. 14, 2023, “While Canada has its own fertilizer resources, the government pro- ceeded without ensuring there was enough domestic pro- cessing, shipping and storage capacity to meet demand for last summer’s (2022) growing season. Some farmers still feel insecure about supplies for their next and future crops.”
The tariffs and their effects on farmers threaten more than just the food supply. Grains such as corn, wheat and rye are also used to make medicinal preparations, beverages, pa-
per goods, cardboard packaging, and much more.
A University of Iowa study found the typical grocery store stocks 4,000 items that list corn ingredients on the label. In addition, farmed resources like corn, potatoes, sugar cane, and sugar beets can also be used to make sustainable and re- newable bioplastics that will degrade and nourish the land instead of polluting it.
The ECGG letter stated that in Dec. 2022, the Deputy Prime Minister and Agri-Food Minister assured farmers they were looking for a way to return the $34 million in tariff money that was paid by farmers. However, no further announcement has been made by government officials regarding their search for a solution, the 2023 planting season is approaching, and farm- ers have to decide how to produce larger yields without risking financial penalties.
Farming population is aging
Another concern raised at the GFO District 3 meeting was the unsurprising news that the farming population is aging. Agricultural communities are seeing increasingly more children raised on farms pursuing other careers, and arable farmland being consumed by urban developers. At the GFO general meeting it was revealed that the struggle and stress of earning a living through farming is negatively affecting the mental health of many farmers. The tariffs are just another cause for worry in many rural households and, in some, a cause for trag- edy.
The price of food is being felt by all but the most affluent sectors of our communities. Hardest hit are young families and older adults whose savings and pensions are being stretched to the limit.
It is hoped that the efforts being made by the ECGG and GFO to ease the crushing tariff burden on farmers and, by ex- tension, on the community as well, will help resolve this is- sue.
*Nitrogen is necessary for the development of chlorophyll, a major component required for a plant to synthesize energy from sunlight. It is especially important to the growth of corn, wheat and barley, but it is found in most fertilizers in- cluding the garden favourite, Miracle Grow.
Judith & Norman Alix Foundation Now Accepting Funding Applications
The Judith & Norman Alix Foundation (The Foundation) is once again receiving funding applications for local capital projects. The deadline to submit funding applications is 4 p.m., Monday, May 1, 2023, with successful projects announced later that month.
To be eligible for funding, projects must be located in Lambton County. Additional eligibility criteria can be found on The Founda- tion’s website, http://www.jnaf.ca, under Contribute an Idea.
Over its 30 year history, the Judith & Norman Alix Foundation has advanced more than $5 million to numerous community pro- jects including: Withdrawal Management Services at Bluewater
Health; the installation of artificial turf at Norm Perry Park in Sar- nia; the construction of the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery; portable bleachers for the Lambton County fairs; an accessible ramp for the post office in Oil Springs; a food trailer for the Lions Club; cabin renovations for Scouts Canada’s Camp Attawandaron; a Simulated Intensive Care Unit for Lambton College; and renova-
tions to the Brigden Fair Grounds; and The Kineto Theatre. The Foundation works with municipal and community leaders to iden- tify capital projects for which the organization can make a signifi- cant difference.
Water utility appointments St. Clair Township By-Law 16 of 2022 requires at least 48 hours
require 48 hours notice notice in advance of scheduling appointments with the Public
Works department to avoid service fees.
The St. Clair Township winter parking by-law is now in effect and will continue until April 1, 2023. Under this by-law (By-Law #5 of 2022) it is against the law to leave vehicles of any kind parked on public streets and roads overnight from 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
More Works page 7
All homeowners are reminded to clear recreational sports equipment (e.g., basketball nets, goalie nets, etc.) off and away from roads and streets. This includes sports nets that are located on the street surface near the back of the curb. A verbal and/or written warning will be issued to homeowners with sports nets on or near the road.
Starting July 1, 2023, your blue box recycling program will be managed by Circular Ma- terials, a not-for-profit producer responsibility recycling organization committed to build- ing efficient and effective recycling systems to minimize waste and ensure materials are reused again and again. This transition will result in no change to the materials you can recycle or your current recycling schedule.
More information will be provided in the coming months.
Asafe chimney is a CLEAN chimney
Look for loose bricks, crumbling mortar, dark stains and white powder; they all indi- cate problems in a masonry chimney. Inside a chimney, buildups of black, tarry cre- osote can cause devastating house fires. Dark stains and white powder at the joints of a wood stove pipe chimney also spells trouble. The SAFEST and most practical way to check and maintain your chimney, woodstove, and fireplace is to contact a WETT* certified Chimney Sweep.
St. Clair Township has introduced a new Water Treatment, Transmission and Meter- ing fee that now appears on your water/sanitary bill. The new water fee is being in- troduced to help the municipality pay for costs related to water treatment, metering and distribution facilities that, with the growing water demands and aging infrastruc- ture, will enable the ongoing delivery of safe drinking water to every customer in St. Clair Township and ensure that it is properly metered.
Residents will notice a new line item on their bill containing the Treatment, Trans- mission and Metering Fee information. An average residential customer with a 3/4 – inch water meter will see “Water Fixed Fee Res Qtly < 1 inch”. The fee is based on your meter size and rate class. For example, residential customers with a 3/4 -inch di- ameter meter will receive a monthly Water Treatment, Transmission and Metering Fee of $4 ($12 billed quarterly) in 2023. The new water fixed fee will be adjusted over the next two years until new infrastructure costs are being financially balanced with the added revenue.
You will have a NEW ACCOUNT NUMBER FOR YOUR WATER BILL
Did you know that when you move properties within St. Clair Township you get a
NEW ACCOUNT NUMBER for your water bill?
It is important that when you move properties you update your banking with your NEW account number so that your payments go to the correct account and don ’t land you in HOT WATER!
The Beacon of St. Clair Township March 2023 Page 9
or
Lambton Public Health (LPH) reminds parents and guardians to ensure routine childhood im- munizations are up to date.
The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) re- quires parents and guardians to report rou-
tine childhood vaccines to LPH. Currently, student suspension orders for noncompliance with ISPA have been paused for the 2022- 2023 school year so missing vaccinations can be caught up and reported to LPH. These in- clude vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus,
pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicel- la (chickenpox), and meningococcal disease.
High school students should have received a vac- cine reminder letter in February and elementary school students will receive a vaccine reminder letter later this spring.
Immunization records can be checked and report-
ed by visiting Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON). Parents of any children with outstanding routine vaccines are encouraged to book an ap- pointment with their child’s health care provider
or at LPH clinics.
Upcoming LPH vaccine clinic dates can be viewed at GetTheVaccine.ca. Appointments for vaccination are available with LPH by booking online or by calling our Vaccine Call Centre at 226-254-8222.
Reporting immunization records can also be done by emailing a copy or photo to immuniza- tion@county-lambton.on.ca, or by mailing or drop- ping off a copy to LPH at 160 Exmouth Street, Point Edward ON N7T 7Z6.
For additional information, please visit the Im- munizations for Children and Youth page on the LPH website.
Local businesses eligible for grants to increase digital presence
Applications for the $2,500 Digital Transfor- mation Grant 4.0 are now open.
This grant will help local small
businesses adopt new technologies and increase their digital presence.
Local brick-and-mortar businesses can leverage this grant to increase their digital marketing, website development or improvements, new software, digital training, and hardware.
Some requirements for eligibility include being a brick-and-mortar establishment in Ontario, employing 1-50 employees and a registered business in Ontario. Additional requirements and application process can be found at sarnialambton.on.ca/dms.
These $2,500 grants are administered by the Ontar- io BIA Association through the Digital Main Street pro- gram, which is run locally. Digital service advisors, Tahreem Fatima and Kaila Bourne, are leading this program locally.
Business owners who seek additional information or assistance are encouraged to reach out.
“These Digital Transformation Grants are a great program for our Sarnia-Lambton businesses to in- crease their digital presence and stay current,” said Dan Taylor, Sarnia□Lambton Economic Partnership
CEO. “It’s exciting to see these businesses given the opportunity to make improvements to set them up for success in the future.”
Businesses looking to participate in this program are encouraged to visit sarnialambton.on.ca/dms or call Tahreem and Kaila at Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership at 519-332-1820.
ABOUT Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is the lead economic development agency for the Sarnia
-Lambton area. Funded by the County of Lambton, we have a focus on promoting the distinct advantages that Sarnia-Lambton proudly offers companies and residents.
ABOUT Digital Main Street
Digital Main Street is a program that helps busi- nesses achieve digital transformation. The program is built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and our Digital Service Squad, a team of street-level team members who help busi- nesses grow and manage their operations through technology. Digital Main Street was created by the Toronto Association on Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) with direct support from the City of Toronto. DMS is also supported by a group of strategic business partners including: Google, Mastercard, Shopify, Mi- crosoft, Facebook, Intuit QuickBooks, and Square. For further information, go online to: www.digitalmainstreet.ca/ontario
SLEP offers up to $3,000 for summer student business start-ups
The Sarnia-Lambton Eco- nomic Partnership (SLEP) is excited to relaunch Summer Company, an in- novative program that em-
powers students aged 15-29 to turn their business dreams into reality. During the many years this program has been offered, many students have bolstered their resumes by demonstrating their entrepreneurial and business acu- men.
This program provides eligible students with up to
$3,000 in funding, regular mentoring sessions with local business owners and experienced business counsellors, allowing them to gain valuable experience and develop the skills they need to succeed as entrepreneurs.
"We are thrilled to continue Summer Company, a pro-
gram that has helped many young entrepreneurs in Lamb- ton County to turn their passion into profit and gain valu- able experience," said Chantelle Core, Manager of the Business Enterprise Centre.
To be eligible, students must live in Lambton County and be returning to school at the end of the summer. Ap- plications for Summer Company are now being accepted.
For more information, a ZOOM information ses- sion is set for Tuesday, March 14 at 2:30 p.m. In- terested students can go to the SLEP website: www.sarnialambton.on.ca/summer-company - at the bottom of the page they will find a place to register for the ZOOM session. Applications can also be made at this website. STUDENTS - don’t miss this chance to get a head start on success!
SLEP wins award for program that matches apprentices with employers
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership was recently honoured at the Economic Developers of Ontario (EDCO) Awards with the Best Workforce Development and Res- ident Attraction initiative in the province for its Lambton Apprentice Job Match Tool.
The Sarnia-Lambton Apprentice Job Match Tool was created by the economic part-
nership as a tool to connect local employers with apprentices locally and provincially
in response to local employer hiring challenges.
“Our Apprentice Job Match Tool is a game-changer for local employers and apprentices, we're proud to be leading the way in workforce development and resident attraction in Ontario.” said CEO Dan Taylor “It is great for our team to be recognized for the hard work they do for our area.”
Local employers with apprenticeship opportunities are encouraged to register for the free easy-to-use tool to develop their workforce and be matched directly to workers. For more information and to register your business with the tool visit: www.sarnialambtonapprentice.ca
SLEP Digital Main Street program revitalized to help small business
back!
Local businesses look- ing to grow in Sarnia- Lambton have some great news; the Digital Main Street program is
CEO Dan Taylor noted, “This is a fantastic program to help businesses grow their business through the enhanced use of digital tools. Through this offering, our goal is to make our businesses more efficient, effective, and fo- cused on what they do best. We are thrilled to add addi- tional team members to get out in the community and
The Digital Main Street (DMS) program provides busi- nesses in Sarnia-Lambton an opportunity to grow their business by implementing free digital tools and technolo- gies to help make them the most tech-savvy and competi- tive businesses in the province.
Local business owners who have already received help from the program are excited about the way it will help grow their business. Cat Cabajar said, “With the help of the Digital Service Squad, I was able to receive help through all of Digital Main Street’s available programs. The Digital Transformation Grant I was awarded will pro- vide funds that will go towards improving my online pres- ence.”
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is excited to be revitalizing the Digital Main Street program. To keep up with the demand for the services and training offered through the program, two new Service Squad members have been added to help boost Sarnia-Lambton's local businesses.
provide business owners with this free support.”
New Digital Main Street Service Squad members Tahreem Fatima and Kaila Borne will be visiting local businesses to bring awareness to the program, offering free one-on-one training and an assessment of your busi- ness’s digital needs.
Services and training offered are: 360 Photos for Google Business Profiles; Google Analytics; Social me- dia; E-Commerce; ShopHERE; and Grants.
For more information about this program and how to access it, visit the DMS website at: www.sarnialambton.on.ca/dms or call 519-332-1820.
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is
the lead economic development agency for the Sarnia- Lambton area. Funded by the County of Lambton, the focus of SLEP is to promote the distinct advantages of- fered to companies and residents by Sarnia-Lambton. For more information about the Digital Main Street program, go online to: www.digitalmainstreet.ca/ontario
Fine weather brings families to Brander Park on Family Day
Sunshine and blue sky greeted Family Day in St. Clair Township, and families took the time to
slow down and enjoy the day with their kids. Above right: Walking along the Brander Park shoreline path, Archie Gray, 3, and his dad, Jordan, enjoyed Family Day during a mini road trip from their home in Dresden. The park is familiar territory for Jordan, a former St. Clair Township Works Department employee. While the father and son duo were taking a little bonding time, mom was resting at home with the baby. Above left: Two-year- old Violet and her parents, Julie and Chris Circelli of London, started their Family Day with some fun on the Brander Park playground equipment. The Circellis were in Port Lambton spending the weekend at the home of
Julie’s parents, Sue and Wayne Kiser. Bonnie Stevenson photos
Almost Canada’s Capital 200th anniversary plans in the works
The hard-working Almost Canada’s Capital 200th anni- versary committee has come up with a number of activi- ties and events the whole community can enjoy. (For those who are still not aware of Corunna’s near-miss run at becoming the capital of Canada, the momentous miss took place in 1823 when Lord William Beresford and his survey party arrived in the area to lay out a suitable site for the capital of Canada. The sting of rejection was soothed by the knowledge that Toronto and Kingston did- n’t make the cut either.)
To bring St. Clair Township Council up-to-speed, Com- mittee Chair Tracy Kingston attended council’s Feb. 6 meeting with some of the brilliant details the team has already developed in the short time the volunteers have been meeting.
The celebration’s fantastic event logo, which can be seen on this month’s front page, will be an ever-present sight on Lyndoch Street this year as streetlight-mounted event banners wave in the breeze. The banners will be purchased from a local business and installed as soon as weather permits.
Heritage St. Clair is producing a story board that will educate the public and visitors to the area. Committee member Randi Rogers has discussed the celebration with First Nations Aamjiwnaang Chief Plain to assure him the celebration is to commemorate the year the survey for the capital of Canada was done. (Corunna was not estab- lished until 1827, when Treaty 29 was signed. The story board will reflect this period leading up to Corunna’s in- ception - See sidebar.) Aamjiwnaang First Nations will have a cultural presence in the celebration and it will be announced when details are finalized.
In addition, a small commemorative parkette/garden is to be developed on the north side of Hill Street where a small stone cairn currently stands. The cairn marks the site the surveyors chose to become St. George’s Square where the government buildings of the United Provinces of Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec) would have been built. A concrete pad will be poured and the story board will be placed there, with basic vegeta- tion and, possibly, a bench.
The date for the dedication of the story board is tenta- tively set for May 23, 2023 if the storyboard has been in- stalled by that time. A massed choir of 200 children is being assembled for the occasion.
Promotional items for sale and giveaways are being re- searched and priced, and a website and social media plat- forms are being developed. The domain name will be www.Corunna2023.com .
Vendor and activity ideas to be used throughout the
summer are still being discussed, but a BIG CELEBRA- TION EVENT is being planned for Saturday, Sept. 23. During Tracy Kingston’s report to council, the closure of Lyndoch Street between Fane and Cameron Streets was approved for a street party to be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will be a family-friendly day of kids’ activi- ties, food, vendors, and other activities that will create a memorable fun-filled day for all.
Throughout the summer, local businesses, organiza- tions, etc. are invited to get in on the celebration with special sales, promotions, and activities. This celebration is something the whole community can get involved in, share and enjoy all summer long.
Lambton County Library branches offer much more than books
For more information 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, Saturday, 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.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township March 2023 Page 13
H E R I T A G E C O R N E R
The Lambton Generating Station south of Courtright may be gone, but the Moore Museum now has a large artifact from it that dates back to the day the station was commissioned. The massive wooden plaque that now hangs on the wall of one of the museum’s main hallways captures the ex- pectations and the promise the station went on to fulfill from 1969 to September, 2013.
Right: The huge wooden plaque that once hung in the main lobby at Lambton
G.S. takes the reader back to the dedica- tion of the new coal-fired four-unit station.
Below: These two photographs, taken by museum staff, document the considera- ble effort that was needed to wrestle the heavy plaque to its display location while navigating the narrow staircases and hall- ways of the main museum building.
The plaque boasts about the station’s 500,000 kilowatt turbo generators, the first of their size to be installed in a Canadian power station, and the station’s ability to supply two million killowatts of electricity to the communities, farms and industries. Several other items from Lambton G.S. were also donated to the museum.
Artifact from Lambton G.S. now part of Moore Museum collection
After much maneuvering, the new wall plaque is ready for visitors.
Determined volunteers struggle to lift the heavy plaque up a narrow staircase on the way to its new display location. Moore Museum photos
Riverside
Cemetery Board Annual Meeting
The Riverside Cemetery Board Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. at Nautical Hills (formerly Pick & Pay Variety). Lot holders and interested par- ties are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Dennis Robinson at 519-892-3316.
What a difference a year makes: Lambton G.S. then and now
February 10, 2022 - Hazardous materials removed, blast shields set up,
and explosive charges placed.
Morning - February 12, 2022 -
demolition takes less than one minute.
Blast image courtesy of
The demise of the Lambton Thermal Generating Station near Courtright left behind a legacy of dependable power and gen- erous contributions to community causes and charities. The Moore Museum has a new exhibit that commemorates the com- missioning of the station in 1969. This summer, stop by and see it and many other fascinating artifacts of St. Clair Town- ship’s heritage from the first pioneers forward.
February 20, 2023 - The skyline is radically different and the site will soon be ready for its next occupant. The switchyard in the distance will remain as part of the expanded and fortified electricity system the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) warns will be needed to
serve the ever-increasing energy requirements of southwestern Ontario.
Bonnie Stevenson photos
HELP! Handy volunteers needed at Moore Museum
We have lost a lot of our volunteers over the pandemic and are hopeful that more peo- ple will decide to join us in our work. The activities and projects our vol-
unteers work on vary widely; from wood working, vehicle maintenance, building maintenance, display preservation work, and helping with muse- um events, we work to preserve and share the history of St. Clair Town- ship.
The only qualification our volunteers require is the will to help us make Moore Museum a place where local history lives and thrives.
For more information, email the Moore Museum at:
mooremuseum@stclairtownship.ca
Country singer Joan Spalding holds book signing at Moore Museum
Joan Spalding, a Mooretown girl, has been a familiar name in Lambton County for dec- ades, but she has also made a name for her- self outside of the county in country music meccas like Nashville, Tennessee.
Although she isn’t nearly ready to hang up her guitar and relax, Joan and co-writer Lisa
A. Lachapelle have produced a biography called Life’s Highway that serves as a liter- ary road map that guides the reader from Joan’s birth to the present day.
The book is illustrated with personal pho- tographs of family and friends, and of the people who influenced her love of music and helped to shape her career.
Joan remembers a happy childhood, when she was heavily influenced by the music she heard and the admiration she had for her musical family.
She talks about the firsts in her life, like the first moment she knew, at the ripe old age of three, what she wanted to do in life. It was after listening to her talented self- taught family and their friends hold im- promptu jam sessions in her grandmother’s living room after church. “As a kid I listened
to music at my Nana’s,” said Joan. “I was three years
old looking through the (spindles) of the stair railing.” The firsts continued with the first song she wrote; her first recordings and first meetings with her coun- try idols and the people who would help her during
her career.
Above: Joan and her daughter, Crystal, on mandolin, do a live performance on Facebook during her recent book signing in the Moore Museum’s Trinity Chapel.
Joan’s passion for music has followed her throughout her life. As the reader follows the map of Joan’s professional career and personal life, the series of firsts include ups and downs; marriage, three children, and a divorce are all part of the journey. But there is glory as well.
There are three consecutive wins in a row at the annual Canadian Open Singing Contest, an achievement that resulted in Joan being inducted as a member of the Canadian Country Hall of Fame in Alber- ta, where a plaque hangs in her honour.
Life’s Highway also reveals another one of Joan’s creative pursuits as a visual artist, producing remarkable artwork on a wide range of subjects.
The biography of Joan Spalding can be purchased by contacting Joan at 519-384-3032 or by email: spal- dingjoan8@gmail.com.
Another book signing will be held at the Skyway Restaurant near Reece’s Corners on London Line on Mother’s Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A live concert by Joan will be held at the Trinity Chapel at the Moore Mu- seum in Mooretown, Moore Line at Emi- ly Street. The date and time have not been set, but it will be sometime in early summer.
By Bonnie Stevenson
The Frog Point Inn is not a new building; the one-storey, six-room building has been around since the end of WWII but it’s easy to miss on a drive along the St. Clair Parkway. It is partially concealed by a large residence that was initially built as a farmhouse in 1903.
The inn is a long building initially erected to accommodate farm hands, and later, when indus- trial development brought an influx of labourers to the area, it was converted into a lodge to house the workers. And in the 1980s, the building was named the Frog Point Motel in recognition of the historic marine navigation light that once stood on the nearby riverbank to guide ships along the St. Clair River.
The property’s current owners, Shane and Marinka Molson, have a deep connection to the Frog Point property. Marinka’s father and mother were its former owners.
Marinka says that after she and her husband be- came “empty nesters”, they decided to refurbish the motel and turn it into an inn where out-of- town workers and visitors to the Lambton County area could relax.
During the renovation, the concrete block exte- rior of the inn received a facelift to give it a crisp, modern minimalist white and black finish. The keyless-entry doors use codes that are changed automatically after a room is vacated us- ing randomly selected numbers generated by an
electronic system.
Inside, the rooms are compact and tasteful, decorated with furniture handmade in Ingersoll by This Oak House to give the rooms a homey touch. The rest of the furnishings, fixtures and work has been sourced locally. Marinka says linens and tow- els are from True North Hospitality in Sarnia. In the ingeniously styled bathrooms, all soaps, sham- poos and other cleansing items, even laundry de- tergent, are in refillable easy-to-clean dispensers, serviced by Great Lakes Refills Company of Sarnia. The tiled bathroom floors are heated and room temperature is controlled by the occupant. And a refreshment station is well equipped with a micro- wave, tiny fridge, and associated items.
“It’s our effort to be ecofriendly and support local business as much as we can,” said Marinka.
In warm weather, guests at the Frog Point Inn will have access to a private patio, a barbecue, and a peaceful country vista where the only traffic to be seen might be an occasional farm machine. When the sun goes down, a fire pit will be ready to keep the evening chill away.
During the day, guests can enjoy life on the riverbank seated in the gazebo or splashing in the St. Clair River. Marinka says bicycles will also be available to allow guests to explore the St. Clair River Trail.
The Frog Point Inn can be contacted by visit- ing FrogPointinn.ca for information about room availability, amenities, and rates.
The newly refurbished Frog Point Inn stands ready to provide a comfortable, welcoming room for business and holiday guests.
Above: Marinka Molson demonstrates the switch panel that operates the heated bathroom floor.
Proof of Prohibition Era activity revealed
The history of Prohibition smuggling in the former Moore and Sombra areas is no secret to anyone who has lived in the area for any length of time. One of the beautiful homes along the St. Clair Parkway bears a cleverly devised and concealed storage cellar that still holds the remnants of an empty, badly damaged crate that once held liquid contraband. The current owner of the house kindly revealed this mysterious remnant of a rough, sometimes violent time along the river to The Beacon. The crate was not empty when it was discovered, but the law abiding owner of the house at that time turned in the contraband spirits to the proper authorities. The crate is stamped with the date 1914 and the floor entry is only large enough to admit a person the size of a small child. No other apparent second entry has been found.
~We now offer online program registration~ Please visit https://www.nlchc.com/services/ wellness-programs/ .
Be sure to specify which program you are reg-
istering for on the top of the form.
Please note when registering for a program to call the correct phone number or contact the email beside the program details you are signing up for.
In Person-Low Impact Exercise:
Low impact exercises performed using body weight and resistance bands. All abilities welcome.
Brigden Low Impact: Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. (at Brigden Fair Grounds, 2976 Brigden Road, Brigden)
Mooretown Low Impact: Thursdays at 9 a.m. (at Mooretown Sports Complex, 1166 Emily St.)
Virtual Exercise:
Virtual Low Impact Exercise: Wednesdays and Fridays (Zoom) at 9 a.m. Low impact exercis- es performed using body weight and re- sistance bands. All abilities welcome.
Virtual Shibashi: Tuesdays, (Zoom) at 11 a.m. Tai chi/qigong is a practice of aligning breath and movement for exercise and health. Shiba- shi consists of 18 simple steps. It is easy to learn and perfect for beginners.
Virtual Sit or Stand Exercise: Mondays (Zoom) at 1:30 p.m. Virtual Chair Exercise: No impact exercise performed standing or seated in a chair, resistance bands are used. All exercise abilities are welcome.
Cooking Buddies: Children’s cooking classes for ages between 6 to 12 years old. The class will focus on learning to read recipe cards, measure ingredients, try new foods, and have fun! Classes will run month- ly. CLASSES ARE FULL AT THIS TIME!
Coffee Time: Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (at Cardiac Rehab Site, 460 Christina St N. Parking at the back of the building, off Maxwell). Join us for
coffee and conversation, free of charge, everyone welcome. To register, call 519-344-3017, ext. 237 or email: adinell@nlchc.com.
Garden Fresh Box: The Garden-Fresh box is an inex- pensive monthly food buying club for anyone who wants fresh vegetables and fruit all year round.
Meditation: Held Mondays 10 a.m. to 11a.m. (at West Lambton CHC). Increase self esteem, improve concentration, lower blood pressure, reduce stress and anxiety, emotional balance.
Opening Doors: Healthy lifestyle program for indi- viduals living with mental illness or seeking mental health support. For information, 519-344-3017 Ext. 277.
Virtual Body and Mind-Inspired class: This BMI group, a health and wellness support group, will meet on Tuesday, March 28 from noon to 1 p.m. The program, which focuses on nutrition, is led by two registered dietitians and it is offered bi-monthly. This month will focus on introducing some of the common nutritional supplements. To register, call 519-786-4545, ext. 302 or email: bvan- bree@nlchc.com.
Virtual Dietitian Visit: The session slated for Tues- day, March 7 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. is geared towards feeding babies under one. To register, email: EarlyON@nlchildcare.ca .
Virtual Sleep Workshop: The workshop on Monday, March 20 at 2:30 p.m. will focus on tools and tips for sleep wellness. To register, call 519-344-3017, ext.
237 or email: adinell@nlchc.com to register and/or receive the Zoom link.
North Lambton Community Health Centre is proud to be accredited through the Canadian Centre for Accreditation, a third-party review based on ac- cepted organizational practices that promote on- going quality improvement and responsive, effec- tive community services.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township March 2023 Page 19
Lambton County Library presents
Rhythms of Lambton spring concert
Rhythms of Lambton is returning for a second season celebrating local musical talent.
The performances will take place at the Sarnia Library Theatre from Feb. 28 through June 2, 2023. Registration is re-
quired and can be completed through the Lambton Coun- ty Library events calendar.
The starting line-up includes the Forest Excelsior Band, North Lambton Secondary School (NLSS) Jazz Band and Chamber Choir, Relic, and The Brothers Wilde.
The performance schedule is as follows: *Forest Excel- sior Band, a 20-piece swing band with full brass, wood- wind, and rhythm section, performs Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. *NLSS Jazz Band and Chamber Choir, a showcase of talent from students in the NLSS Jazz Band and Chamber Choir, performs Friday, April 21 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. *Relic, a cover band that performs the popular songs from the 60s and 70s, takes to the stage on Wednesday, May 31 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. *The Brothers Wilde, an up-and-coming country duo from Ket- tle and Stony Point, performs on Friday, June 2 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Don’t miss this chance to sample some impressive talent from right here
in Lambton County.
EVENT DETAILS
Corunna Br. 447 coming events
Hank Stothers Cribbage Tournament on Sun- day, March 5 will begin with registration from noon to 12:45 p.m. and play beginning at 1 p.m. Event admis- sion will be $10 per person and all monies will be re- turned. Pre-registration will be at the bar.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mel Wilkinson Memorial Mixed Darts Tourney on Saturday, March 18 will feature Men’s, Women’s, Mixed, and if time allows, Team Doubles. A tro- phy will be offered for mixed doubles only. Reg- istration will be from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with play beginning at 11 a.m. Event admission is $5 per event and all monies will be returned in priz- es. Food will be available.
Beacon Bits
Petroleum companies say they’re going to start making fuel out of livestock manure. They’re not sure if it will im- prove mileage, but they are certain it will reduce the incidents of siphoning.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township March 2023 Page 20
Corunna Legion to host events/
activities
The Royal Canadian Legion Br. 447 Corunna will host the following activities. Regular Legion Br. 447 Activities Every Monday is Pepper at 1 p.m.
Every Thursday is Cribbage at 1 p.m. Every Friday is Bridge at 1 p.m.
Every Saturday is Meat Raffle at 4 p.m. Every Friday - Fun Darts at 7 p.m.
Monday, March 6, 13, 20, 27 - Corn Hole at 6:30 p.m. Every Tuesday - SLDL Pub Darts at 7:30 p.m.
Special events at Br. 447
*Saturday, March 4 at 8:30 p.m. - Comedy Hypnotist Robert Maxwell (See poster page 19)
*Noon, March 5 - Hank Stothers crib tournament (See event details page 19)
*10 a.m., March 18 - Mel Wilkinson Memorial Mixed Darts Tournament (See event details page 19)
*7 p.m., March 30 - Ham Bingo
Please note the building is wheelchair accessible.
MAS Country Jamborees continue Country Jamborees are back at the Brigden Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall. The next Jamboree will be held on Sun- day, March 12 (Daylight Savings time begins) Doors open
at 12 noon and music starts at 1 p.m. Cash bar will be available. Tickets for the ham and Scalloped potato dinner at 5 p.m. with dinner will be $15 per person at the door. A $5 cover charge will apply for those who are just coming for an afternoon of music and fellowship.
Bring your partner, your dancing shoes, and your love of
music. Musicians are welcome.
World Day of Prayer service planned
The World Day of Prayer service will be held at Knox Moore Presbyterian Church at 1354 Rokeby Line on Fri- day, March 3 at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend and learn about the women in Taiwan who have prepared the service. A time for food and fellowship will follow the service.
Courtright Friendship Club activities
The Courtright Friendship Club meets every first Thurs- day of every month next to the Courtright Library, 1533 Fourth Street. Annual membership is $10, but non- members are welcome to come out to the groups weekly card games. Euchre is played on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and Pepper is played on Fridays at 7 p.m. The cost per game is $3 per person.
MAS general membership meeting set
The Moore Agricultural Society will hold its general membership meeting on Monday, March 20 at 7 p.m. in the Brigden Fairgrounds exhibition hall.
Sombra Community Centre Euchre
A euchre party is now held at the Sombra Community Centre every Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. Play will contin- ue until May 19 with two exceptions, World Day of Prayer on March 3 and Good Friday on April 7.) Ten games will be played each afternoon. New players will be welcome.
MAS Annual beef dinner on the way
The Moore Agricultural Society Annual Beef Dinner will be held on Sunday, April 26. The cost will be $25 per per- son. Call the office for tickets at 519-864-1197 Monday through Friday.
Kinsmen Club on/line raffle
The Kinsmen Club of Sarnia is holding it’s first Fa- ther’s Day online 50/50 with proceeds to St. Joseph’s Hospice and other local charitable and not-for-profit organizations. The winning ticket will be drawn a 4 p.m. on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18. License RAF1288800. To purchase tickets go to: http:// sarniakinsmenribfest5050.ca/
