beacon_202305 - St Clair Township

Issue 5

Volume 16

May 2023

THE TOWNSHIP OF ST. CLAIR

Happy Mother’s Day – May 14 Thank the special lady who makes a positive difference in your life.

Municipal Notes Pages
2-4

WORKS DEPARTMENT
Pages 5-6

A St. Clair River Spring

Heritage Corner Page
13-14

Community Contact
Page
16

Around the Township Pages
20-19

It took a while for spring to make an appearance in St. Clair Township, but it was worth the wait. Port Lambton resident Jane Lane and Linkyn, the four-year-old Doodle, en- joyed the nice weather with a stroll along the shore. In the distance, the north-bound self-unloader Sam Laud soon encountered the south-bound bulk carrier CSL Welland.
B. Stevenson photos

CONTACT THE BEACON AT: beacon@stclairtownship.ca

Moore Community &
Recreation Foundation Grant Deadline
The Moore Community & Recreational Foundation was established to enable those who wish to really make a difference in their community.
The Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to improving quality of life for the citizens of St. Clair Town- ship. By contributing to projects and activi- ties that enrich and strengthen our munici- pality, the Foundation, which is inde- pendently administered by a Board of Di- rectors, helps our community continue to flourish.

The deadline for applying for the Moore Community & Recreation Foundation grants is May 31st.

Should you require further information please contact George Lozon, Treasurer at 519-867-2024 or 1-800-809-0301.

For forms and further information go to: stclairtownship.ca, click on:
RESIDENTS, and then
Moore Community & Recreational Foundation.

The Beacon of St. Clair Township May 2023 Page 3

MORE MUNICIPAL NOTES
Battery storage update
Enbridge’s proposal regarding the installation of three battery energy storage facilities within St. Clair Township is currently the subject of concern for many township res- idents. At the April 3 meeting, Council reviewed a report by CAO John Rodey that documented the matter from the proposal’s initial debut before council to what course of action Enbridge would be required to take if the projects are accepted by the Independent Electricity System Oper- ator (IESO)*. See related story, Battery Storage Update, on page 10.
Donation policy discussed
The 2023 budget deliberations were especially tough this year and some hard choices had to be made. Funds available for donations and grants are strictly limited and must be carefully considered this year. On the subject of donation requests that are received throughout the year, council directed staff to produce a policy to determine how grant requests are awarded.
A preliminary method of awarding grants would require that applications be submitted for consideration by coun- cil. A deadline for submissions would be set and after the deadline, council would meet to consider which applica- tions would be accepted. Decisions would not be made during council meetings. This method is based on the model used by the Moore Community and Recreational Foundation and policies used by Lambton Shores.
No Parking restriction passed for Brigden
A seasonal No Parking restriction that would be in ef- fect from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31 was recommended for Brigden in two areas. One No Parking area would be along both sides of Brigden Road between Courtright Line and No. 2916 Brigden Road, and No Parking signs would be in- stalled there. The second No Parking area would be along Courtright line from Elizabeth Street to 2516 Courtright Line. It was recommended that a by-law be drafted to cover both areas.
This restriction came about as the result of a meeting between the OPP, County of Lambton staff, and St. Clair Township staff. It was deemed necessary to mitigate the dangerous conditions caused by traffic congestion and cars parked along the narrow shoulders of the roads lead- ing into the fairgrounds. All parties agreed the No Parking designation was the best way to avoid the dangerous traf- fic situations that occur each year. Although these condi- tions are most prevalent during the Brigden Fair, the shoulder width does not allow for safe parking at any time of the year.

More Municipal Notes , page 4

Three battery energy storage projects, proposed by Enbridge for construction in St. Clair Township, continue to be on the minds of many township residents. They had an opportunity to speak their minds and express their concerns at the latest public meeting on March 30. Enbridge representatives Denise Heckbert and Sumesh

Guptar (seen above left side of the hall) were on hand to talk about the latest developments and answer any questions the group might have. Another public meeting will be held in the fall if the Enbridge projects are ac- cepted by the IESO. See page 10 for some highlights from the meeting. B. Stevenson photo

Heavy rains cause trouble: Keep wells safe during flood conditions
Recent high-water levels and flood conditions caused by heavy rains could allow harmful bacteria to enter the drinking water supply and rendering the water supply unsafe for consumption. Lambton Public Health encourages res- idents with private wells to test their water supply if their well has been flooded.
Vicky MacTavish, Public Health Inspector at Lambton Public Health, says “Until you can test your well water, use bottled water for daily use including drinking, making infant formula or juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, and brushing teeth. Alternatively, you can boil your water rapidly for at least one minute before use.”
Once flood waters have receded, the well should be disinfected and tested at least three times, at one-week in- tervals, before the water is used for drinking. The test for bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) and water sample kits are free. Water samples must be dropped off within 24 hours of being taken.
Water sample kits can be picked up and dropped off at: Lambton Public Health, 160 Exmouth St., Point Edward ; Bluewater Health CEE (lab), 450 Blanche St., Petrolia; London Public Health Lab, 850 Highbury Ave. N., London.
View the hours of operation for these locations online at: https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/health-info/sampling-testing/
Lambton Public Health recommends well water testing 3-4 times annually to ensure the supply is not contami- nated. For information on disinfection and sampling procedures, visit www.lambtonpublichealth.ca or call Lambton Public Health at 519-383-8331, or toll-free 1-800-667-1839.

The Beacon of St. Clair Township May 2023 Page 5

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.

BRUSH COLLECTION CANCELLED
• Due to operational budget cuts, St. Clair Township will not be offering any brush collec- tion for the Spring or Fall collection going forward.
• Yard waste will continue through both seasons. The number of collection weeks has been reduced from 14 to 11. Cancelled collection dates include: May 22 and 24; June 19 and 21; Oct. 16 and 18.
• Christmas tree collection will remain the same for January, 2024.

St. Clair Township has introduced a new Water Treatment, Transmission and Metering fee that now appears on your water/sanitary bill. The new water fee is being introduced to help the municipality pay for costs related to water treatment, metering and distribution facilities that, with the growing water demands and aging infrastructure, will enable the ongoing delivery of safe drinking water to every cus- tomer in St. Clair Township and ensure that it is properly metered.
Residents will notice a new line item on their bill containing the Treatment, Transmission and Meter- ing 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 diameter 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. St. Clair Township will continue to ensure that its Municipal customers receive reliable, safe, and ef- fective service related to its infrastructure and related systems. Hydrant Flushing Public Works will be undertaking annual flushing of fire hydrants connected to the St. Clair Township Water Distribution System, during the hours of: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 2023 – June 2023 For current areas affected, refer to stclairtownship.ca During this maintenance procedure, you may notice some water discoloration using your taps, flushing toilets, doing laundry etc., as some sediment may be drawn into your residence. We recommend that you run the cold water tap for a few minutes or until the discoloration disappears. Sewer Main Flushing Public Works will be flushing sewer mains connected to the St. Clair Township Sewer System, during the hours of: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 2023 – June 2023 For current areas affected, refer to stclairtownship.ca During this maintenance procedure, you may notice some gurgling noises in your drains. If conditions per- sist after 24-48 hours of normal use, please notify Public Works at 519-867-2993. No changes needed for new recycling provider DIG SAFE flag urges caution St. Clair Township recently hosted the Ontario Region Common Ground Alliance (ORGCA) flag-raising which kicks off Dig Safe Month, a reminder that promotes safe excavation and the protection of un- derground infrastructure. The ORGCA fos- ters an environment of underground infra- structure safety across Ontario through the promotion of public awareness and the communication of ground disturbance law and best practices. St. Clair Township is a member of the ORGCA, taking part in the organization’s regional meetings as well as public awareness events within Southwestern Ontario. Property owners are reminded that, before digging or dis- turbing the ground in any appreciable way, it is wise to call OntarioOneCall to arrange for a locator who will check the property for buried ca□bles, wiring, and pipelines. May 2023 Page 7 Above: The DIG SAFE flag, raised at the St. Contact OntarioOneCall.ca or call 1-800-400-2255 five (5) days BEFORE you dig. Clair Township Civic Centre on April 25, was sent skyward by, from left: Mayor Jeff Agar; Deputy Mayor Steve Miller; Councillor Pat Brown; Councillor Cathy Langis; Public Works Director Brian Black; and Councillor Brad Lang- staff. B. Stevenson photo St. Clair Region Conservation Authority offers scholarships The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) is currently accepting applications for their 2022 scholarships. Up to two $1,000 and two $500 scholarships will be awarded to successful candidates. The scholarships are available to graduating high school students who are pursuing post- secondary studies in an environmental field (e.g., biology, ecology, geography, forestry, agriculture, fish and wildlife, etc.). Students living within the boundary of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority or who attend a secondary school in the following communities are eligible to apply including: St. Clair Township, Sarnia, Forest, Petrolia, Wal- laceburg, Dresden, Strathroy. Established in memory of Archibald W. Campbell, Tony Stranak, and Mary Jo Arnold, these scholarships have been made available through donations to trust funds managed by the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation. “These generous donations allow our organization to support future conservationists in the St. Clair Region as they pursue their post-secondary education. We hope these scholarships will encourage young people to take an active role in the environmental issues that impact our society today and in the future,” said Ken Phillips, General Manager of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority. Scholarship applications can be obtained by contacting the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority at (519) 245- 3710 or visiting the SCRCA website at www.scrca.on.ca/foundation/scholarships. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2023. New innovative fertilizer solution uses domestically-sourced pelleted cricket frass Our farmers have been trying to cope with the crushing costs of doing business due to factors like the tariffs they must pay for foreign-sourced fertilizers. A domestic equivalent of these fertiliz- ers is not available in quantities that would satisfy their needs, and the quest for domestic-sourced substitutions has, to date, yielded no suitable candidates. A recent development that uses cricket frass (droppings) to enrich fertilizer is showing promise. SureSource Commodities LLC is receiving $199,000 in provincial funding to support the advance- ment to market of pelleted customer-formula cricket frass fertiliz- ers. The frass, a new alternative fertilizer ingredient, is being pro- duced by London, Ontario-based Aspire, the largest cricket pro- cessing facility in the world. The company is currently testing the frass under real-world agricultural and horticultural conditions. SureSource is one of 10 applicants that will receive funding under the Fertilizer Challenge, a program delivered by Bioenterprise Canada, a national non—profit business accelerator that engages Ontario-based companies in funding opportunities to bring new and innovative products to market. The goal is to help Ontario’s food supply chain and agricultural practices become more effi- cient and resilient. Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs , said, “By supporting Ontario- made fertilizer solutions, the govern- ment is helping give farmers more op- tions and ensuring Ontarians can contin- ue to rely on a safe, stable and growing food supply.” The benefit to Lambton County agri- cultural producers was noted by MPP Bob Bailey. “Supporting in- novations like this will ensure Ontario remains a world leader in food production.” Only those who work in the agricultural sector really under- stand the significance of developments like this. Domestic produc- tion of effective fertilizers is crucial to the reduction of costs to our food producers and to their ability to grow high yield crops that will feed an ever-growing population. The use of insect frass for soil enrichment and plant fertiliza- tion is in not a new idea, but its potential to liberate farmers from their dependence on foreign product is significant. “I think this is a phenomenal opportunity,” said farmer and St. Clair Township Councillor Brad Langstaff. “Not only is homegrown fertilizer pro- duction huge to me, but so are organic amendments that you sub- stitute for raw materials.” The Beacon of St. Clair Township May 2023 Page 8 BASES to host Shelter-in-Place Awareness event The Bluewater Associa- tion for Safety, Environ- ment and Sustainability (BASES) is organizing a community-wide Shelter- in-Place Awareness campaign as part of Emergency Pre- paredness Week 2023, which runs nationally from May 7- 13. Local business and community members are encour- aged to review their shelter-in-place emergency plans and schedule a shelter-in-place drill on Monday, May 8 at 12:30 p.m. when the 15 Sarnia-Lambton emergency sirens are tested for 30 seconds. Scenarios that may require a shelter-in-place advisory include: natural disasters; bio- logical or chemical release; or a threat to personal safety. If a shelter-in-place advisory is issued, it is recommend- ed to SHELTER, SHUT & STAY TUNED. Bring all people and pets inside and stay inside, close all windows and secure doors (locking provides a tighter seal), and stay tuned to local media. You can also: sign up for Sarnia-Lambton Alerts to receive important notifications; view active noti- fications at lambtonbases.ca ; call the Community Aware- ness Hotline at 226-778-4611; or connect with your local municipality for further instructions. Shelter-in-Place Contest Everyone is urged to take part in this emergency drill. Those who do can enter a special contest by posting a picture of your Shelter-in-Place drill on Facebook using #EPWeek2023SLONT for a chance to win an emergency preparedness prize pack valued at over $500. Contest closes May 13. In the event of a real emergency, the sirens will have a sharper tone and will sound for nine (9) minutes. By Bonnie Stevenson The three proposed battery energy storage projects currently being developed by Enbridge for location in St. Clair Township are causing concern for many people because they don’t understand the reason why these projects are so important. St. Clair Township Council has given Enbridge a Municipal Support Resolution that gives permission for Enbridge to construct the three projects on the company’s own lands if its proposal is accepted by the Independent Electricity System Opera- tor (IESO). All township and country zoning, permitting, and other normal building and safety requirements will still apply to these projects. Enbridge is also required to hold regular public meetings to keep residents up to date and to give them an opportunity to voice their concerns. If the three projects receive IESO approval, they will become part of an energy security system that will store surplus power for times when the grid would oth- erwise fail and leave households without power until alternate sources of power can be found to fill the gap. The problem looming in the near future is that there isn’t enough domestic energy production to use for that purpose. This knowledge is the driving force behind the race to acquire energy capacity. To understand the situation we face here in south- western Ontario, it is important to know more about the IESO and its role in securing the energy that will keep all of our electrical requirements met. What is the IESO and what gives it the authority to activate projects like this? The Electricity Act of 1998 gives the IESO authority to analyze and order actions to mitigate any situations that could affect or damage the ability of the power grid to provide reliable, sufficient power to the provin- cial grid. The IESO, which coordinates and integrates Ontario’s electricity system, monitors the energy needs of Ontario in real time, 24/7. It balances the electricity supply with the demand and directs the flow of elec- tricity across Ontario’s transmission lines. The IESO is also engaged in power system planning. While assessing Ontario’s future power requirements, considering several changing conditions such as popula- tion growth and the electrification of vehicles and other products and processes that have been powered by oth- er fuels like petroleum products, the IESO realized southwestern Ontario will face a serious shortage of available energy production in the next five years. New generation facilities cannot be ready in time to handle the shortages. For this reason, Requests for Pro- posals (RFPs) for new battery energy storage projects have been called for by the IESO. This is not experi- mental technology; the storage of surplus electricity is a proven technology that has been used successfully and safely for years in countries that include: India, the U.S., Spain, Norway, China, and Switzerland. Even so, testing by Enbridge and the battery manu- facturer, as well as independent third-party testing, has been done on these battery units to ensure they will “keep the lights on”. During the March 30 public meeting, Enbridge repre- sentative Denise Heckbert explained the process and the chilling reality of what failure to provide sufficient electrical capacity will mean to the average resident in the near future. She first explained how Enbridge will use the batter- ies to collect unused energy and how the company will profit from the storage of that energy. “We’re not a power generator. We are not creating any new electric- ity…we’re buying power from the grid overnight (when there is low demand).” She explained the IESO is in con- trol of when the stored energy is to be used. “We dis- patch the power into the grid when IESO tells us to,” she said. Ms. Heckbert pointed out the actual revenue made from the batteries comes from their ability to store sur- plus energy and from the way the batteries will be able to balance the grid when supplies of generated electric- ity cannot meet the demand. Ratepayers will benefit from the IESO’s ability to draw on wasted electricity that has been harvested and put to use to solve a difficult problem. Ms. Heckbert says electricity, no matter if it is produced by wind, solar, hydro electric, or nuclear sources, has already been paid for by the IESO, which means ratepayers have already paid for it. These commercial methods of gen- eration must continue to run when demand is low be- cause, if shut down, there would be a considerable time lag between the time they are restarted and the time they are ready to deliver power. Shut-downs can also be extremely expensive. Ms. Heckbert reasoned that all of the power currently being wasted will be available for immediate use from the battery storage units to keep the grid in balance. “We’re going to pay for that (the wasted power) when we buy it off the grid. We’re going to store it, and it will be available to the province when needed, so it will help keep prices low during peak de- mand and it’ll help make sure that the lights stay on,” she said. Recent news reports about incidents involving lithi- um ion battery fires in electric vehicles were cited dur- ing the meeting, calling into question the safety of the lithium ion batteries being used in the Enbridge battery storage units. Ms. Heckbert assured the attendees the batteries chosen for the Enbridge projects are good for thousands of charges, but the exact number of charges is depend- ent on factors such temperature, voltage fluctuations, overcharging, and several others. She noted the batter- ies will be replaced when they degrade to 60 per cent capacity. In regard to the type of lithium ion used in the Enbridge battery energy storage units, it is heavier than the type used in vehicles. Since high temperatures are dangerous for these units, each battery has its own on- board cooling system. The batteries are also made safer by making them “smart” with a layer of intelligence that can detect and predict abnormal usage or perfor- mance in the battery. Real time monitoring detects any deviations in a battery’s system and triggers the initia- tion of whatever remedial response is required. Explaining the meticulous care being taken to ensure the battery sites are safe, Sumesh Gupta, tech manager for self-power and energy storage, said, “There is elec- trical protection on the system itself, then physical se- curity around this project - it is a fenced-in project. Within the cubes there is fire protection…there are tem- perature sensors throughout. There are air monitoring sensors in the cubes as well.” The monitoring systems convey information back to the local remote operation centre that operates 24/7, and alarms come in when the monitor readings exceed safe operating limits. At that time, the system shuts everything down and initiates an immediate investigation into the cause of the alarm. Ms. Heckbert noted that, in the seven years of battery energy storage usage in the U.S. and other locations, no fires have been reported. However, the strategy for safely dealing with a battery fire is known and contin- gencies for this unlikely event will include emergency response training of emergency personnel and the acqui- sition of any specific equipment necessary to accomplish it, all funded by Enbridge. The Beacon of St. Clair Township May 2023 Page 11 Corunna 200th UPDATE new online Swag Shop is the place to order your com- memorative Corunna 200th goodies. The website listed below has a catalogue you can view and order from. The Corunna 200th Committee continues to work hard Hot air balloon in Corunna!? to create memorable events for all to enjoy. Excitement Some lucky people are going to fly high in the is growing as planning around the St. George’s Square iconic REMAX hot air balloon at the Sept. 23 dedication on May 23 takes shape. The physical ele- Corunna 200th street party during the balloon’s ments of the parkette, as well as dignitary presence, morning visit. Will you be one of them? speakers, and entertainment for the event, will ensure that this event will be one for the history books! New features are being added to the Sept. 23 Lyndoch Street festival at every committee meeting as discussions give way to new ideas and suggestions. The latest addition to the day’s roster of fun is Courtright resident Will Graham, our very own internationally- reknowned tattoo, chalk, and multi-media artist. Will is going to demonstrate the fantastic original artwork he is known for, creating a special vertical art piece for the occasion. His work will be raffled off with the assistance of the Corunna Legion. Kids will be able to try their hand doing sidewalk chalk art at a specially designated children’s area. Swag Shop online store open This summer, you aren't going to be in style unless you’re sporting some Corunna 200th logo swag. From t- shirts and hoodies, to tumblers and drink couzies, the Do you have a question, an idea, need info? EMAIL: corunna200@gmail.com PHONE: 519-312-3747 WEBSITE: www.corunna2023.com SOCIAL MEDIA: Find us on Facebook or Instagram MAIL: Donations can be sent to: Corunna 200, c/o St. Clair Township Finance Dept., 1155 Emily St., Mooretown, ON, NON 1M0 CORRESPONDENCE: Corunna 200, 4014 Kimball Rd., Corunna, ON, NON 1G0 ~ASK ABOUT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES~ Lambton County Library program One Seed Lambton features info and free seeds Lambton County Library is now distributing free pack- ets of Dwarf Grey Sugar Snow Peas, its selected seed for this year’s One Seed Lambton program. One Seed Lamb- ton unites the community around growing a single type of seed. This Lambton County-wide initiative also nurtures food literacy and gardening skills through workshops led by local experts. The program, which began in March, in- vites interested participants to pick up a free packet of seeds from any library location. Peas mature best in cool- er temperatures and should be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in April. To support gardeners throughout the planting, growing, and harvesting process, Lambton County Library will offer several free workshops through- out Lambton County, including: • Get a head start with Preparing Your Garden on Saturday, May 6 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wyoming Library. Sipkens Nurseries will share professional tips for starting your garden from seed. • Explore Vegetable Gardening 101 on Tuesday, ence necessary! Learn how much and how often to water, how to use trellises, what kinds of fertilizer to use, and when and how to harvest. • Learn about 10 Ways to Improve your Health on Wednesday, July 19 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Corunna Library. Learn ways to improve your health through nutri- tion with Lambton Public Health. • Seed Saving will be presented on Thursday, August 31 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Alvinston Library. Master the art of seed saving from certified seed collector, Mi- chael Schimp. Learn techniques, from seed maturation to harvesting, drying, and storing. Schimp will also guide you through end-of-season garden care, and how to put your garden to bed for the winter. In addition to the One Seed Lambton program, Lambton County Library also offers a seed library which is a collection of more than 60 flower and garden seeds. To learn more about Lambton’s seed library, visit www.lclibrary.ca/seedlibrary or your local library. Recycle used batteries at Lambton County Libraries Lambton County Library has partnered with Call2Re- cycle Canada, Inc. to host battery recycling collection boxes in select Lambton County Library locations to encourage the prop- er disposal of used batteries. “Increased access and convenient battery drop-off locations will help safeguard our environment for future generations,” said Andrew Meyer, General Manager, Cultural Services. “Through the Call2Recycle program, batteries are safely col- lected and properly recycled to ensure that heavy metals and toxic chemicals do not impact groundwater and soil.” Anyone wishing to recycle batteries must prepare them for recycling by following the Call2Recycle guidelines, which in- clude bagging the battery in a provided clear bag or taping over the battery’s terminals before depositing them in the Call2Recycle collection boxes. Lambton County residents can drop off their used single-use and rechargeable household batteries (weighing up to 5 kg each) at the following 12 Lambton County Library locations: Brigden, Corunna, Pe- trolia, Bright’s Grove, Alvinston, Forest, Grand Bend, Mallroad, Petrolia, Point Edward, Sarnia, Watford, Wyoming. Lambton County Library and JNAAG hosting teen photo contest The Lambton County Library and the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery are inviting submissions for the Take your Shot: Teen Photo Contest, an annual event open to teens ages 13 – 18 in Lambton Coun- ty. “This is a fantastic opportunity for emerging artists to build their resume and portfolio,” said Vanitia Campbell, Public Services Coordinator, Youth Programs & Outreach. “Portfolios are essen- tial for post-secondary applications, or those with an interest in photography.” The theme for the 2023 contest is “Humans of Lambton” and participants are encouraged to take creative photographs of people in one of these three categories: Groups, Candid/ Environmental, Creative/Fine Art . For more information, contest rules, and in- structions on how to submit your photo, please visit lclibrary.ca/teenphotocontest. Each artist can submit up to 5 photographs. All contest entries must be submitted online at: lcli- brary.ca/teenphotocontest . Photos must be sub- mitted by July 9. Winning photos will be selected by a jury and announced on Friday, July 21, 2023. Don’t Forget: The latest paper edition of The Beacon is available at your local St. Clair Township library! Lambton County Library branches offer much more than books Your library lends out much more than hard copy and online books: the Library’s Active Living Lifestyle collection loans out a number of items to keep Lambton County moving. Enrich your wanderings through nature or just your neighbourhood by borrowing a pair of walking poles, go bird-watching with a set of Tasco 10x42 binoculars, find out how many steps you take with a borrowed pedometer, then find out where you are with a GPS unit. These are available to those who have a cur- rent Lambton County Library card, which is free to anyone who lives, works, studies, or owns property in Lambton County, or who resides in a First Nations community. For more information on locations, services, and hours of operation, visit: lclibrary.ca . Weekly St. Clair Township hours of operation *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. A friend in faith closes its doors Another St. Clair Township church has officially closed its doors. The familiar white church at the corner of Lyndoch and Hill Streets in Corunna was deconsecrat- ed at an evening service on April 11. The service was led by The Right Reverend R. Todd Townshend, Bishop of the Diocese of Huron. The original Christ Church began as a large brown building that faced south toward Hill Street and was sit- uated about 25 feet west of the present church. It was consecrated on Oct. 4, 1863 by Bishop Cronyn. A silver communion set was given to the church by Froome Tal- fourd to commemorate the opening. 1905: The second Christ Church was completed as a white frame building and the original one was torn down. The rector was Rev. Edwin Lee. The same year, it was consecrated by Archdeacon Richardson and two halls were added to the new structure. 1954: Major renovations were done to the parish hall, church, and kitchen. Rev. Alex Morphy was rector and Jack Kennedy was the building fund chairman. The work continued on the parish hall and church, and to complete the projects, the congregation had to borrow $6,000. The church and hall, with the exception of a few pews, were finished in time for the Christmas Eve service. 1966: In November, a teak cross made by Walter Skeleton was dedicated. The cross was made from the teak deck of the minesweeper, HMCS Lachine. The blonde oak panels beside the front stained glass window were added. 1996: The 135th anniversary of the church was cele- brated and Rev. Gary Parker was rector. Christ Church, Corunna 1863-2023 2010, Nov. 28: The congregations of Christ Church, St. John’s and St. George’s voted at a special vestry meeting to amalgamate, combine assets, create one bank account, and a new name—All Saints. Prior to this, Christ Church and St. John’s were participating in a shared ministry for several years. 2011, May 12: The 150th anniversary of Christ Church Corunna was celebrated. The rectors of All Saints’ were the Rev. Nick Wells and the Rev. Jim Dugan. The event was held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catho- lic Church, allowing all of the congregation to partici- pate in the dinner and speeches. When St. John’s Church was sold, six of its stained glass windows were refurbished and installed in the Co- runna church. Two existing stained glass windows were placed in light boxes and hung at the front of the church. And finally, at 7 p.m., April 11, 2023, a special, memorable time of worship and the sweet sound of cho- ral voices raised in song created all of the pageantry and honour that was due the church that had been a source of com- fort and strength to so many for so long. -With thanks to congregation member Jim Hodgins, who contributed this brief history of the church’s service. Photos submitted Handy volunteers needed at Moore Museum We have lost a lot of our volunteers over the pandemic and are hopeful that more people will decide to join us in our work. The activities and projects our volunteers work on vary widely; from wood working, vehicle maintenance, building maintenance, display preservation work, and helping with museum 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 More Heritage, page 14 Machinery Masterminds program teaches new tricks for old machines Lambton Heritage Museum is pleased to announce the launch of Machinery Masterminds, a program to teach aspir- ing minds how to service and maintain antique machinery using artifacts from the museum’s collection. Over the course of four sessions, participants will learn about antique machinery maintenance while supporting Museum staff member Jeremy Robson in the maintenance of the Museum’s historic Rumely Tractor. Participants will assist with activities such as pulling and cleaning pistons, replacing gaskets, and changing the oil. The tractor is ex- pected to be fully operational at the end of the pro- gram. “There are several machines in our collection that are operational with regular maintenance, and anoth- er few that could be operational with a bit of work. Having the ability to operate this equipment during events and programs adds an extra layer to the his- torical experience,” says Dana Thorne, Curator/ Supervisor of Lambton Heritage Museum. “By reach- ing out to local enthusiasts who may want to learn how to maintain these machines, we are building a pool of knowledgeable volunteers who will be able to help staff maintain these machines well into the fu- ture.” Sessions began in April and will continue to run from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday mornings on May 6, and 13. Interested parties must register through the event page on our website or call the museum at 519-243-2600. All participants will be required to sign a volun- teer agreement with the museum to take part in the program. There is no cost to participate. For more information or to register for the program, visit the Lambton Heritage Museum website. Lambton Heritage Museum staff member Jeremy Robson drives the historic Rumley tractor. Easter Bunny visits Corunna during annual egg hunt The annual Optimist Club of Moore Egg Hunt at- tracted a large crowd of anxious hunters to the Co- runna Athletic Park on April 2. The club gave out a total of 560 chocolate eggs and candy bags. The event included the Junior Optimist barbecue plus games and activities for the kids to enjoy. There were so many young hunters on the field that they had to be divided into age groups. Each group had a challenge to pick up their eggs in a different way; for instance, through a scavenger hunt or by a relay race. Draws were also made for over 25 baskets full of goodies, and a photo booth was available for those who wanted to have their picture taken with the fuzzy, fabulous Easter Bun- ny, who dropped by to greet its many admirers. Photos by Tracy Kingston CAP Park becomes a hunting ground for Easter fun Above: The Easter Bunny stands ready for its closeup at the photo booth. May 2023 Page 15 Community youth receives support from Royal Canadian Legion Br. 447 Corunna Left: Mooretown Lady Flags Atom B receive a donation of $1,100P from President Eric Hancock,, standing left beside Coach Mike Gardner. Below, the players show off their jersey numbers: From left: # 2 - Emery Melville, # 8 Kaitlin Gardner, #19 - Madison Manes, and #18 - Heidi Goodearle. Below: Courtright Embers and Sparks receive $250 from Br. 447. Pictures from left to right are: Front row: Kali Cloutier, Kaedi Cloutier, Lilith Dukelow, Ryann Roberts. Back row left: Sarah Roberts, President Eric Hancock, Kira Dukelow, Kristin Barn. Back Row: Sarah Roberts, President Eric Hancock, Kira Dukelow, Kristin Barn Above Left: Courtright and Corunna Girl Guides receive $750 from Br. 447. Front row: Emily Lane, Emily Melville, and Skyler Roberts. Back Row: President Eric Hancock, Jesse Melville, Andrea Lane. Vanessa Barnes photos Summer Camp registration Summer’s on the way and parents will be pleased to know the Mooretown Sports Complex will offer junior and senior day camps. Registration is now available online, by phone, or in person. Camps begin July 3. Babysitter course offered Spaces are still available for the Babysitter course being offered on June 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Register online, by phone, or in person. Summer Swim registration Summer swim registration opens on June 7 beginning at 9 a.m. Registration is available online, by phone, or in person. To contact the Mooretown Sports Complex, call 519-867-2651, or to website at: www.stclairtownshipcommunityservices.ca We’re also on: Facebook at: @mooretownsportscomplex or Email: info@stclairtownship.ca The Beacon of St. Clair Township May 2023 Page 18 Easter bonnet contest dresses up April Friendship Club meeting The Courtright Friendship Club gussied up their April meeting with some fabulous headwear and a contest to determine who’s chapeau was the best. The participants explored a lot of fashionable looks ranging from sweet and sassy, to flashy and over-the-top, and all of them added a bit of fun to the pot luck and afternoon meeting. Clockwise from right: *First prize winner Joyce Brock is seen here peeking out from under a multi-coloured, bunny-studded confection. *Second prize winner was Shelley Bridgham, sporting bunny ears with floral highlights as she waits in a “conga line” to sample the pot luck lunch. *Third prize went to Fran Potts, who celebrated her win with a song. *At the pot luck table, Joyce Brock and Malcolm Rogers, kitted out in a sunny Easter bonnet of his own, sample the delicious dishes on offer. Do you want to join the fun? The Courtright Friendship Club meets every first Thursday 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 Fri- days at 7 p.m. The cost per game is $3 per per- son. From page 19 Brigden Country Jamboree Campout The Brigden Country Jamboree Campout Weekend is coming on Aug. 2-7 and it’s summer fun for everyone. A full weekend of events is scheduled, with daily Jambo- rees, 50/50 draws, food, dancing, music, a beef dinner, fun and fellowship. The cost is $25 per night. (Nothing will be parked before 10 a.m. on Aug. 2.) Stay tuned for more details or join the Brigden Country Jamboree Face- book page for updates. Brigden Market at the fairgrounds On Saturday, Aug. 5, enjoy a pleasant summer Satur- day cruising the Brigden Market at the Brigden Fair- grounds. If you would like to be a vendor at the Market, Courtright Friendship Club photos please email alison.dion@brigdenfair.ca The Ploughman’s Party set for Sept. 9 Scott Manery and the Barn Burners will be featured as the Moore Agricultural Society presents The Ploughman’s Party on Sept. 9 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Party-goers must be 19 or older to attend. This event is expected to sell out, so get your tickets while you can at a cost of only $10 per ticket. Tickets are available at the fair office or from the fair director. LC Optimist Club hosts spring craft show Over 70 vendors are expected to fill the Greenwood Arena (4065 Dufferin Ave., Petrolia) on Saturday, May 13. The Optimists will be barbecuing to nourish hungry shop- pers and the club will have a craft table of its own to show off the talents of its members. A toonie table draw will be larger than ever. Visit the club’s FB page for more info and a list of vendors. The Beacon of St. Clair Township May 2023 Page 19 M O R E A R O U N D T H E T O W N S H I P From page 20 Moore Sports Complex SUMMER CAMP Registration now open Our 2023 Camp brings the exciting experience of summer camp to children with crafts, songs, games, swimming, and much more! Each day will be filled with fun, adventure and lots of activity. Summer camp registration can be for the week or the full summer. Register online or call 519-867-2651. Camp Hours of Operation Regular Camp Hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday Extended Before care begins at 7:30am Monday – Friday Extended After care ends at 5:30 pm Monday – Friday 2023 SPECIAL EVENTS Saturday, September 10 at 9 a.m. On Saturday, Sept. 10 at 9 a.m., enjoy a geocaching ad- venture at the beautiful Lorne C. Henderson Conserva- tion Area. It’s open to everyone - those who know how to do this or are interested in learning about it. No registra- tion will be required for this fascinating activity. Sunday, September 10 - 9 a.m. Sunday, September 24 Foundation Memorial Forest Dedication On Sunday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. at the Lorne C. Henderson Conservation Area, the SCRCA Foundation will host the dedication of its Memorial Forest. The forest contains trees planted in loving memory of those who have passed away. Their loved ones and donors to this time of remembrance will be invited to attend, by everyone is welcome to attend. For more information about remembering a loved one in this special way, email the SCRCA office at stclair@scrca.on.ca . For more information about activities, email: Royal Canadian Legion Leslie Sutherland Branch 447 will host a cornhole tournament on Saturday, July 15. Play will start at 10 a.m., with teams going head-to-head on multiple sets of boards. Entry fee of $30 per team is due upon registration - pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, contact: Russ Lloyd (519) 312-5241 Russlloyd94@gmail.com Join the fun at the Br. 447 hall, 350 Albert St. in Corunna! host the following activities. CLOSED ON GOOD FRIDAY. Regular Legion Br. 447 Activities Every Monday is Pepper at 1 p.m. (closed May 22) Every Wednesday is Wacky Wednesday all day. Every Thursday is Cribbage at 1 p.m. Every Friday is Bridge at 1 p.m. Every Saturday is Meat draw at 4 p.m. Every Friday - Fun Darts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 2-*General meeting; Tuesday, May 9-Ladies Auxiliary Meeting; Tuesday, May 16-Executive Meeting. *Note: Only fully-paid member can stand and vote. Special events at Br. 447 CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT, see page 19 Please note the building is wheelchair accessible. ELVIS is coming to Corunna Legion Put on your blue suede shoes and party like it’s 1956 at the Royal Canadian Legion Corunna Br. 447 when the ELVIS TRIBUTE SHOW takes to the stage on Saturday, May 6. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Contact the Co- runna Legion at 519-862-1240 for tickets. Courtright Friendship Club activities The Courtright Friendship Club meets every first Thursday 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. person. 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. Ten games will be played each after- noon. New players will be welcome. 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/ Sombra Optimists to host 17th annual car show Get the details for this much-anticipated annual event on page 19. Raffle tickets for Brigden Fair quilt on sale If you haven’t ordered your Brigden Fair Homecraft Divi- sion Annual Quilt Raffle tickets yet, you can get them from any Homecraft member (in person), at events such as the September Downriver Craft Show (Mooretown), at the fairgrounds, or you can purchase by e-transfer at quiltraffle@brigdenfair.ca . Be sure to include how many tickets you want to purchase, in- cluding names and contact information for the tickets. The cost is $2/ticket or 3 for $5, and they can also be purchased in larger quantities. Your tickets will be emailed to you. The winning tick- et will be drawn Thanksgiving Monday, but don't delay! Limited tickets are available. Treat Special Lady to Mother’s Day Brunch Bring your special lady to the Mother’s Day Brunch at the Brigden Fairgrounds exhibition hall on Sunday, May 14. Seating will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with adults $15, children 6-10 $8, and children 5 and under free. No reservations are required. Enjoy pancakes, eggs, hash- browns, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, ham, bacon, toast, fruit cocktail, and beverages. Brigden Fair sponsors invited to get on board If you’ve ever thought about being part of the Brigden Fair, now is the time to do it. Let’s discuss op- portunities for you and/or your company to become a class sponsor at the fair. It’s easy - just give us a call at 519-864-1197 to talk about it or email: in- fo@brigdenfair.ca or michelle@evanitski@brigdenfair.ca Anyone who wants to sponsor a class in the Brigden Fair prize book should get in touch before May 15 to en- sure your name is noted in the prize book. A Homecraft sponsorship can cost as little as $25. Livestock sponsor- ship is higher so please call for details and you’ll find out all of the possible categories you can chose from. More Around the Township, page 19 & 18 PRINTED BEACON NOW AVAILABLE Get your copy at: all St. Clair Township library branches, Thompson Gardens in Corunna, and at the St. Clair Township Civic Centre at front door. Just look for the Beacon Bin.