The St. Clair township
E A C O N
THE TOWNSHIP
ISSUE 6 VOLUME 17
Inside
MUNICIPAL NOTES
Pages 2-4
JUNE 2024
OF ST. CLAIR
WORKS DEPARTMENT
Pages 5-8
Community Contact Page 15
The dead plant material and debris left behind by the Winter months is quickly disap- pearing from Greenhill Gardens thanks to the attention of full-time caretakers assigned by the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation (SCRCF). Above: Caretaker Carly Shaw cleans up one of the bushes as she works her way through the site.
This summer the garden will be available to book for special occasions like weddings, anniversary celebrations, group photos, and family reunions. Booking fees will be used by the SCRCF to fund the upkeep and maintenance of the site. For more information, please contact Tim Payne, SCRCA Manager of Forests at 519-245-3710, ext. 224.
Lambton County’s 175th anniversary is something to celebrate!
To celebrate the 175th anniversary of Lambton County, everyone is invited to show off their historical items and the stories behind them. A number of “Show and Tell” events are being planned for locations throughout the county, featuring experienced staff who will be on hand to look at a historical item or picture and, perhaps, offer additional background about it.
Do you have items or memorabilia associated with a local sports group, early school days, photos of a special family event or community festival? How about a favourite fam- ily recipe, an old general store ledger or a chest that holds an old
mothball scented military uniform? Get ready to show them the light of day at one of the anniversary Show and Tells. For more information about these Show and Tell events, see page 4.
Right: Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott, looks over his-
torical material with a library staff member in preparation for the 175th anniversary events. Photo submitted
Find The Beacon in black & white paper format at any St. Clair Township library branch or for the colour version, go to: www.stclairtownship.ca>beacon
Council discusses need for input from concerned residents
The need for better communication be- tween ratepayers and council was raised during the May 21 council meeting.
Councillors agreed that, all too often, people will voice their concerns and com- plaints to each other instead of conveying them to council, which leaves the issue unresolved and council blamed for not taking action.
St. Clair Township residents who have a question, concern, or a complaint are urged to contact the people who can help.
The freshly revamped St. Clair Town- ship website is the place to make con- tact. Please go to:
stclairtownship.ca/contact/
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Community Services Report to Council
Pool repair to cause temporary closure
The Moore Sports Complex pool filtration re- placement project is scheduled to begin on June
5. The pool will be closed from June 4 through June 28, with the anticipated reopening slated for July 2. During the closure, the dressing rooms will
More Municipal Notes page 3
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
Township office staff and personnel conduct the business of the township as it is written in the by-laws and in the decisions made for the smooth operation of the municipality. When in- teracting with these people, remember they must adhere to these by-laws and decisions when trying to assist you. PLEASE BE COURTEOUS TO THEM. Remember they are doing their job. Even if the answers you receive in the course of your interaction are not satisfactory to you, ask them politely who would be able to help them and how to contact them.
Please treat our staff the way you want to be treated.
The St. Clair Township Beacon is issued monthly by St. Clair Township
as a public service to township residents. Production by Bonnie Stevenson.
More Municipal Notes, page 3
be painted and some tile work will be done in the pool. So far this year, the pool has had over 660 registered participants with 28 additional private lesson spaces also in operation.
On-ice programing will continue through the spring and summer months. Public skates will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30
a.m. to noon (cancelled dates are Aug. 12, 16, 19, 21, 23) at $2/per person, $10/family. Summer Sun- day public Skates will be 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $3/child, $4.25/adult, and $10/family.
The extremely wet conditions the township expe- rienced last summer and so far this spring have made the slopes in river parks challenging to keep trimmed. The ungroomed condition of these slopes have been a subject of concern voiced by some resi- dents in those areas. To alleviate the problem, an assessment is underway to determine what areas should be cut and what areas can be transitioned into a naturalized area of wildflowers.
Golf Course in operation
The extensive renovation being carried out at the golf course continues with attention to plumbing and electrical upgrades as well as door and window replacements. As the work goes on, an interim club- house has been approved for operation in the cart barn. The “nineteenth hole” offers a full weekly menu with daily specials for dining inside or, if weather permits, outside.
Parks/Splashpads
Parks, washrooms, and splashpads were opened in May. The public is urged to use these facilities re- sponsibly and to report any vandalism or misuse that may occur. The cost of repairing the damage caused by this criminal behaviour is paid for with ratepayer dollars; it’s money that could be used to fund posi- tive projects and maintenance within the township.
Cameron Street reconstruction bid approved
The reconstruction of Cameron Street is moving forward and a suitable design for the project has been developed. At the May 14 council meeting, six bids for the project were considered and the bid that was accepted satisfied all requirements at a cost that was below the 2024 capital budget of
$2,200,000 that was allotted to it. The winning bid also included design and inspection of the project.
The reconstruction will include: the replacement of an aging ductile watermain and the complete re- construction of the roadway to modern standards, complete with hot mix asphalt, concrete curbs and gutters. The project will also include some storm sewer replacement as well as the replacement of storm structures.
A positive budgetary result of having money re- maining from the project is that the surplus can possibly be used to resurface other deteriorated streets or be pooled to address other infrastructure projects. The tentative schedule for the project to begin is early June, with completion of the project by the end of October, 2024.
For more Municipal Notes, see page 4
To mark the 175th anniversary of the County of Lamb- ton, Lambton County museums and Lamb- ton County libraries are encouraging resi- dents to show off their historical items and share their stories at Show & Tell events.
At these Show & Tell events, residents will also have the benefit of accessing the expertise of staff from the Museums and Archives. They may be able to provide additional insight about the item and may be able to record, digitize, or photograph the item to allow future generations to learn about Lambton’s history.
Said Adrienne Lebert, Public Services Coordinator, Lambton County Library, “Whether it’s a family photo graph capturing generations gone by, a handwritten diary chronicling local life, or a treasured heirloom passed
down through the ages, every item holds a piece of Lamb- ton’s heritage.” In the interest of public safety, event or- ganizers are asking residents not to bring firearms.
“Lambton’s 175th Anniversary has created a great op- portunity for us to reach out to residents in an effort to celebrate and learn more about our local history and en- sure we are taking steps preserve it for future genera- tions,” said Nicole Aszalos, Archivist / Supervisor, Lamb- ton County Archives. “Every household in Lambton County is likely to have a treasured photo of their ancestors pos- ing outside their Lambton farmhouse, or a family favour- ite recipe that has been passed down by each generation, or a ledger from the family business, or a school or team uniform in their attic. We would love to see these types of local history artifacts and learn about their history.” Lambton 175th Show & Tell events will take place at vari- ous locations throughout Lambton County from June to
September. Residents are required to register in advance for event planning purposes at lambtonmuseums.ca/show. Lambton 175th Show & Tell will take place at the follow- ing locations:
• Alvinston Library: Thursday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• • Clearwater Library (Lower Hall): Tuesday, June 11, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• • Mooretown Library: Monday, June 24, , from
• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• • Watford Community Centre: Thursday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• • Forest Library: Thursday, July 18, from 6 p.m. to
8 p.m.
• • Lambton Heritage Museum: Saturday, July 27, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (more may be planned).
• • Sarnia Library: Tuesday, August 13, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• • Camlachie Library: Saturday, August 17, from 10
a.m. to 12 p.m.
• • Oil Museum: Thursday, August 22, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• • Florence Community Centre: Thursday, Septem- ber 12, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• • Petrolia YMCA: Saturday, September 14, from 10
a.m. to 12 p.m.
• • Brigden Library: Wednesday, September 25, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
At the conclusion of the Lambton 175th Show & Tell events, a presentation highlighting some of the most in- teresting artifacts will be held at Sarnia Library Theatre on Wednesday, October 9, at 6:30 p.m. For more infor- mation visit lambtonmuseums.ca/show
SLEP AGM to feature Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) speaker
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership General Meeting will feature keynote speaker Keith Currie, president of the Cana- dian Federation of Agriculture. The meeting, slated for Wednes- day, June 19 will be open to the public with pre-registration.
Mr. Currie, an 8th generation farmer from Collingwood, Ontar- io, is a key figure in Canada’s agricultural landscape. His current
focus includes grain and oilseed production, forages, sweet corn, and gladiolas flowers. He has served on vari- ous agricultural boards at the regional, provincial, and federal levels. He is the past-president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and is an Ontario delegate to The Co-Operators Insurance. He now contributes to provincial government advisory committees, including the 4 Plan Review, Environmental Advisory, and Wet- lands Advisory committees. Mr. Currie’s topic will be Fueling Canada’s Prosperity: An Integrated Approach to Energy and Agriculture. His insights will be valuable as Canada pursues its goal of being net zero emissions by 2050.
The AGM agenda will begin at 7:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. with Arrival and Registration; from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. with Breakfast and Networking; from 8:30 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. with the Business Meeting Agenda. Keynote speaker Keith Currie will make his presentation from 9:10 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Register online at:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2023-agm-sarnia-lambton-economic-partnership-tickets-624689231307
BEACON BITS
“My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher. But every day, three times a day, you need a farmer!”
~Canadian author, inspirational speaker, and farmer, Brenda Schoepp
The Beacon of St. Clair Township JUNE 2024 Page 5
PW General – Roads/Drainage – Water/Sewer – Utility Billing – Engineering St. Clair Township Civic Centre, 1155 Emily St. Mooretown, ON N0N 1M0 After Hours Emergency 1-888-441-4204
(519) 867-2993 (T)
(519) 867-3886 (F)
Water utility appointments require 48 hours notice
stclairpw@stclairtownship.ca www.stclairtownship.ca http://fb.com/stclairtwppw
St. Clair Township By-Law 11 of 2024 requires at least 48 hours notice in advance of scheduling appointments with the Public Works department to avoid service fees.
• Residents wishing to report any recycling collection issues are to contact the Contractor (Emterra Environmental) directly at 1-888-597-1541.
• Alternatively, visit their website at: emterra.ca, and click on “Customer Service” section.
• For further recycling issues / concerns residents may also contact “Circular Materials” by email
at: customerservice@circularmaterials.ca
See More Works Department, page 6
There is a new “Where to Recycle” website that has launched that offers residents the ability to look up items they are unsure of where to recycle:
RPRA (Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority) –
RPRA’s ‘Where to Recycle’ map displays locations across
Ontario where you can drop off used materials to be recy- cled, such as batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste, lighting and tires, for free. Materials collected at these locations are reused, refurbished, recycled, or
properly disposed of to help keep them out of landfill, recover valuable resources and protect our environment.
Yard Waste Collection:
*Brush collection (bundles of sticks) is no longer provided. See below chart for suggested disposal sites.
*Yard waste collection (leaves, grass, etc.) will be collected for the spring season between April 22 and June 19, and again for the fall season between Oct. 2 and Nov. 20.
*Christmas tree collection will remain the same for Jan. 6, 2025.
Composting made quick and easy? See page 7
The Beacon of St. Clair Township JUNE 2024 Page 7
From page 6
FOODCYCLER
St. Clair Township continues to offer the Food Cycler Appliances (food waste processing units) at subsidized rates including the new larger Maestro Unit.
The FC 30 unit is priced at $175.00, while the larger Maestro unit, priced at $325.00, boasts more than double the bucket capacity of the original FC30.
The Maestro Food Cycler is equipped with a single, larger filter that utilizes the same carbon pellets as
those utilized in the smaller FC-30 filters, and each product includes additional filters.
The purpose of the FoodCycler is to measure the viability of onsite food waste processing technology as a method of waste diversion. By reducing food waste at home, you support your municipality’s environmen- tal goals, reduce your household’s carbon footprint and extend the life of your community’s local landfill.
MEET THE FOODCYCLER MAESTRO, page 8
The Beacon of St. Clair Township JUNE 2024 Page 8
The FoodCycler Product Family offers closed-loop solutions to food waste, with zero emissions or odours. This sustainable process reduces your organic waste to a tenth of its original volume. Small and compact, FoodCycler products can fit anywhere! FoodCycler products operate quietly and efficiently, using little energy. All units come with Amazon 6A certification and a protec- tive over box as well as additional filters to use.
JUNE 2024 Page 9
Stay safe this summer with helpful tips from St. Clair Fire
for up to 72 hours.
Here are some tips for staying safe this sum- mer:
1. Ensure your home address number is visi- ble from the road. Remove debris that could block the view of first responders.
2. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Replace batteries if needed and replace any alarms that are older than 10 years.
3. Create an emergency preparedness kit in case
of prolonged power outages, floods, or other emergen- cies. Make sure you and your family can be self-sufficient
4. Practice your home escape plan so everyone in your household knows what to do in a fire. Check every win- dow to ensure it opens and closes properly in case it’s needed as an exit.
5. Check outdoor electrical outlets and appliances for ani- mal nests or chewed wiring.
6. Check fuel containers for leaks and make sure they are properly stored.
AND NEVER leave your grill unattended! Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of fires.
HERITAGE ST. CLAIR RECEIVES HERITAGE CHAMPION AWARD
The County of Lambton is currently celebrating its 175th anniversary with a number if special events and presentations. One of those presentations will be made on June 5 at 8:30 a.m. when Heritage St. Clair receives the Heritage Champion Award.
The members of Heritage St. Clair will receive the award in recognition of their “…work in preserving and promoting the storied history of St. Clair Town- ship, including heritage advocacy, programs and events, advisory support to the municipality, and community interpretive signage.”
Current members of Heritage St. Clair include:
Chairperson Tracy Kingston; Past Chairperson Dave Pattenden; Treasurer Jan Smith; Secretary Dave Tay- lor; Librarian Bob Goodearle; Bob Nicol; Paul Smith; Louis Townsend; Miria Pelletier; Brent Anderson; Barb Good; Nora McGill; Craig Perrin; John Richardson; and St. Clair Township Council representatives Bill Myers and Holly Foster.
Former members of Heritage St. Clair who shared the passion for heritage preservation include: Al An- derson; Murray McAllister; Ian Mason; Don Carpenter; Don Ricciuto; and Cathie Ricciuto.
Nominate your favourite business for an OBAA
JUNE 2024 Page 10
New addition to Sacred Heart Catholic School yields spacious child care facility
Children attending the new Sombra Township Child Care (STCC) facility at the expanded Sacred Heart Catholic School are arguably some of the luckiest pre-schoolers in Ontario.
The expansion, first announced by the Ontario government in 2020 to fund construction at Sacred Heart, included child care. It increased STCC’s licensed capacity by creating 17 additional spaces, and integrated it with the pre-school program at the school. The new facility now has 99 licensed child care spaces to offer, from infants to school age.
During the opening ceremony, STCC Manager Nicole DeRoeven welcomed special guests including: St. Clair Township Mayor
Jeff Agar, who presented her with a certificate of congratula- tions on the opening of the new facility; Marcie Myers, Manager of Finance for St. Clair Catholic District School Board; and
Melissa Fitzpatrick, Manager of Homelessness Prevention and Child Care Services for the County of Lambton.
The special guest of the event was Carol Flanagan, the found-
ing force behind the STCC.
Mrs. Flanagan first had the idea to invite parents and their
children to come over and play in her basement. It was her vision to bring children and family services to the com-
munity. That vision became a driving force that led to the creation of a
Board of Directors and eventually, the formation of STCC. She is noted for the way she mentored a long line of child care practitioners and for the way she could charm and entertain her young charges.
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Left: STCC Manager Nicole DeRoeven receives a certificate of congratulations on the opening of the new care facility from Mayor Agar.
Right: Retired STCC Manager Carol Flanagan speaks to the open house visitors, congratulat- ing Nicole and her staff, and thanking those
who made the new facility a reality.
Bonnie Stevenson photos
Lambton Public Health warns—TEST YOUR WELL WATER SUPPLY
Lambton Public Health (LPH) urges residents with private wells to regularly test their well water to ensure the water is safe to drink. Recent high-water levels, flood conditions, and saturated grounds could allow harmful bacteria to enter the drinking water, making it unsafe to consume.
LPH recommends wells be tested routinely several times a year or after flood condi- tions to test for harmful bacteria such as E.coli. Bacteria testing and water sampling kits
are available FREE OF CHARGE at: Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital in Petrolia, Monday—
Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3:30p.m. OR Lambton Public Health, 160 Exmouth Street in Point Edward, Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Patrons who attended the Moore Museum’s popular Victorian Tea on Sunday, May 19 were well served by these three young members of the wait staff while the ladies in the kitchen were kept busy dishing out five delectable fla- vours of warm scones paired with hot or cold beverages. Diners in the quaint Victorian cottage dining room relaxed and enjoyed a leisurely dining experience. Wait staff trio, from left: Malina Wszolek-Edey; her sister Larisa
Wszolek-Edy; and Jessie Otten. Chatting in the background are young ladies dressed for the occasion; Jensen Tomajko of London, left, Dani Normandeau of Petrolia, and concealed at left, Billie Letkenmann.
Bonnie Stevenson photo
Sombra Museum plans exhibition to honour Lambton County’s 175th anniversary
To celebrate the 175th anniversary of the County of Lambton, Sombra Museum is planning an exhibi- tion of paintings, drawings, and photographs by local artists of locations, homes, and events from around St. Clair Township. The museum would like to borrow these items until approximately Nov. 30, 2024 for display in the exhibit. Examples of items sought include, but are not limited to, paintings by folk artist Stan Norris, photographs or paintings of landmarks or villages, or fond childhood memo- ries. If you would like to have your items featured, please contact Sombra Museum by Saturday, June 1.
Contact Sombra Museum: Call 519-892-3982, email: www.sombramuseum.ca,
VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT for the Advisory Committee and the Tuesday Group
The Moore Museum is looking for anyone who would be interested in joining the Advisory Committee. We meet at the museum once a month (with a few exceptions), at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday. We discuss all matters concerning the museum, including upcoming events, maintenance needs, the accepting of large donations/ artifacts, etc.. Anyone with an interest in the Museum or local history would be welcome to join! ~
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The Moore Museum is also looking for volunteers who may enjoy being part of the Tuesday Group on Tuesday mornings. The group comes to do general maintenance around the grounds, such as painting or building shelving or display mounts, etc. and they enjoy the camaraderie of working together. They usually stay until early after- noon.
Beacon “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless,
but because they’re priceless.
Bits ”~Sherry Anderson, championship curler
Plains Midstream Canada supports SCRCA Spring Water Awareness program
For the sixth year, Plains Midstream Canada (PMC) has supported the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority’s (SCRCA) Spring Water Aware- ness Program (SWAP) which teaches students about the hazards of
spring floodwaters. PMC donated $5,000 to allow SCRCA to deliver the program free of charge at local schools.
PMC is an industry-leading midstream services provider based in Cal- gary, Alberta. Since 2001, the company has offered processes and ser- vices that serve the needs of the petrochemical industry across North America while adhering to its Environmental Protection Program.
Right: Students at Lambton Centennial Public School in Petrolia re- cently took part in a SWAP experiment that demonstrated how dan- gerous ice cold floodwaters can be. Winter run-off and swollen fast-
flowing rivers and streams often entice children to play on the slip- pery riverbanks, an activity that has proven fatal for some. These valuable SCRCA program demonstrations provide a first-hand experi- ence of the distressing rapid sensory effects icy water has on the human body.
An hand held in ice-water was enough to show these students how quickly ice cold water can affect their sense of touch and dexterity.
~SCRCA photo
New GoCrops.ca website consolidates four previous websites
The Ontario Corn Committee (OCC), the Ontario Cereal Crops Committee (OCCC), the Ontario Pulse Crop Committee
(OPCC), and the Ontario Soybean and Canola Commit- tee (OSACC) recently launched GoCrops.ca, a new web- site that will consolidate all four previous sites.
The new website brings together: www.gocorn.net; www.gocereals.ca; www.gobeans.ca; and www.gosoy.ca under one cohesive banner.
The legacy websites for each of the crop committees were active for many years and had unique navigation and structures that made the user experience different for each site. The committees agreed that a more cohe-
sive structure would make it easier for the agricultural community to find information and to intuitively use a single site for access to all the information across crops.
Ontario Corn Committee Chair Ben Rosser cited a two-fold advantage to creating the GoCrops website. said.
GoCrops.ca was funded in part by the Ontario Minis- try of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Grain Farmers of Ontario, and the Ontario Pulse Crop Committee.
The Ontario Corn Committee, Ontario Cereal Crops Committee, Ontario Pulse Committee, and Ontario Soy- bean and Canola Committee were instrumental in the development of GoCrops.ca.
Lambton County celebrates 175th anniversary
The 175th anniversary of Lambton This digital collection is always growing and being up- County will be marked in several ways dated, so visitors should check the website regularly for this year. One of them has already been new material. The three institutions can be reached for launched in the form of a new online da- more information regarding research at our facilities tabase of photos and historical materials and to arrange in-person appointments by using the
from county museums and archives. links in the webpage footer.
The collections of three different institutions have
been compiled in this database. Visitors to the website The site can be found at:
can search material from Lambton Heritage Museum in lambtonmuseums.pastperfectonline.com
Grand Bend, the Oil Museum of Canada in Oil Springs,
and the Lambton County Archives in Wyoming. All three Other special activities will include a celebration institutions are owned and operated by The Corporation planned for the Wednesday, June 5 Lambton County of the County of Lambton. Council meeting. To physically mark the occasion, 175 Containing the digital records of more than 8,000 his- trees will be planted at the Oil Museum of Canada in Oil
torical artifacts, photographs, and archival documents, Springs and free admission will be in effect there, as
the new database offers patrons the ability to search well as the Lambton County Archives and the Lambton records from all three institutions at once. The current Heritage Museum.
available records represent material from each institu- The popular Doors Open event will be reintroduced in tion’s collection, with plans to continue adding records the fall and a meeting room at the Lambton Shared Ser- as cultural services staff digitize and upload them. vices Centre will be renamed the Ottissippi Room to Anyone interested in viewing non-digitized materials recognize traditional indigenous place names. Ottissippi
or artifacts is encouraged to contact the institution di- translates as “clear water”.
rectly to arrange for research or an in-person viewing.
Power Outage/Emergency Line
1-800-434-1235 (operates 24/7)
Residents can call this number to report power outage, fallen trees or power lines.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township JUNE 2024 Page 13
Community In Action
Corunna Legion Br. 447 donates to U15 Corunna Lady Giants
The COVID virus might have affected the efforts of our community service clubs and groups, but it didn’t stop them for good. They’re back in full swing.
Left: Royal Canadian Legion Branch
447 recently made a donation to the Under 15 Corunna Lady Giants to assist with their tournament fees for the sea- son.
The grateful team is shown here dur-
ing the cheque presentation.
Back row left side: Br. 447 President Shawn MacNeil and Coach Paul Salis- bury.
Back row from left: Sophia Burgess, Camryn Leitch, Kylee Salisbury, Emma Gauvin, Ainsley Bennett, Hayley Pep- per, Coach Laurie Smith, Coach Marc Greenwood.
Kneeling left: Lily Scott, Natalie Dun- can, Claire Gaulton, Sophie Smith.
Submitted photo
Brigden United Church Little Caring Cupboard helps community meet daily needs
When most of us find ourselves out of a food item or daily necessity like toilet paper or laun-
dry soap, we dash to the store to buy it. But some people in our community; for instance struggling young families, singles, or seniors for whom the household budget has been depleted, do not have that luxury.
The congregation at Brigden United Church is mindful of the need and they are doing something about it with the Little Caring Cupboard (LCC).
This tiny but mighty little outdoor structure is available on the honour system 24 hours a day as a way to provide urgent food support to the com- munity. Each day, the cupboard is checked and stocked with the basics of daily life thanks to do- nations from individuals in the church, the com- munity at large, and community organizations like Operation Christmas Tree (OCT).
The LCC is located at the church’s west side back door and is well lit so it can be accessed when a need arises.
Not to be confused with food banks, the little
cupboard is an emergency resource and those
who make use of it are trusted to take only what they need when they need it. Since January when the cupboard was introduced, LCC volunteers Nanette Barnes and Barb Steadman say the hon- our system has been working out well.
The Little Caring Closet at Brigden United Church recently re- ceived a funding boost courtesy of a cheque from Operation Christmas Tree. Shown here touring the Little Caring Cupboard during a donation presentation from Operation Christmas Tree (OCT) are, from left: OCT President Stan Marsh; Brigden U.C. Sec- retary/Treasurer Nanette Barnes; Brigden U.C. volunteer Barb Steadman; OCT volunteers Davida and Ken Nimmo.
Bonnie Stevenson photo
The women say the idea for some kind of food
support program had been discussed among church volunteers from time to time, but when Barb Steadman’s parents decided to remove the little storage cupboard from their porch, the idea quickly became a reality and the Little Caring Cupboard was born.
Anyone wishing to make donations of food, household or personal hygiene supplies, paper goods, or otherwise can contact Barb Steadman
at the church office, 226-932-0421, Nanette Barnes at 519-359- 2179, OR drop off the donations on Thursdays at any time. A bin will be out on the Brigden United Church front step to re- ceive them.
The volunteers suggest that when people are out doing their own shopping, it would be much appreciated it they would pick up something to help keep the cupboard full.
NOTE: In April, Operation Christmas Tree donated $1,000 to the St. Andrew’s Food Bank and also a new refrigerator in May.
West Lambton Community Health Centre programs
We now offer online Program Registration
Please visit https://nlchc.com/services/wellness programs/
Be sure to specify which program you are registering for on the top of the form.
In Person Programs
Coffee Time Social Drop-in: Join us, free of charge, for coffee and conversation at West Lambton CHC in Sarnia at 429 Exmouth Street on Fridays at 10:45 a.m. Anyone is welcome to attend. To register, call 519-344-3017, ext. 237 or email: reveraert@nlchc.com . Please do NOT ar- rive prior to 10:45am as we have other programming happening and the Coffee Time volunteers need ade- quate time to set up.
Cooking Classes for Adult Trans Support (18+): June 26 from 5-7 p.m. at West Lambton CHC. This is a monthly cooking class for adults that is in partnership with Diversi- tyED. Space is limited. To register, go to www.nlchc.com. Garden Fresh Box: The Garden Fresh Box is an inexpen- sive monthly food buying program for anyone who wants fresh vegetables and fruit all year round. For info, call 519-344-3017, ext. 237 or email: reveraert@nlchc.com. Orders are accepted in person with payment. Cash ONLY. Indoor Yoga: Starts May 22 – June 19 for 5 weeks at Cam- lachie Community Centre from 9:30-10:30 a.m. All levels welcomed. Please bring a yoga mat if you have one and some mats will be available to use if you don’t have one. To register, call Kandis at 519-786-4545, ext. 235.
Meditation: Mondays from 10-11a.m. at West Lambton CHC. Increase self-esteem, improve concentration, lower blood pressure, reduce stress & anxiety, emotional bal- ance. To register, call 519-344-3017, ext. 237 or email: reveraert@nlchc.com
Virtual Programs
Anger Awareness Workshop: June 17 at 2:30 p.m. Identi- fy anger triggers and learn to manage strong emotions. To
.
register, call 519-344-3017, ext. 277 or email: mhy- att@nlchc.com
Eat Well, Live Healthy Wellness Workshop: Virtual dis- cussion with our Registered Dietitian to discuss about healthy eating, nutrition tools, resources and more! For more information about dates/time and to register, call 519-786- 4545, ext. 307.
Feeding Your Toddler Class: June 19 at 1:30-3 p.m. Tod- dler feeding can be a challenge. Learn how to support your picky eater and get healthy snack and meal ideas. To register, email: EarlyON@nlchildcare.ca
Heart Healthy Living: Virtual discussion with our Regis- tered Dietitian to discuss about types of cholesterol, heart smart diet and healthy heart lifestyle habits. For more information about dates/time and to register, call 519-786- 4545, ext. 307.
Shibashi/Sit or Stand Combo: Fridays, starts at 10:15
a.m. for a 75-minute class. A combination of movements used in Shibashi and Sit or Stand classes. Shibashi is Tai chi/qigong, a practice of aligning breath and movement for exercise and health. Shibashi consists of 18 simple steps. It is easy to learn and perfect for beginners. Sit or Stand is performed with the options of either standing or being seated in a chair. Resistance bands are used. All exercise abilities are welcome. To register, call 519-344- 3017, ext. 237 or email: reveraert@nlchc.com
Sit or Stand: Tuesdays, starts at 10:15 a.m. for a 60- minute class. This exercise is performed with the options of either standing or seated in a chair. Resistance bands are used. All exercise abilities are welcome. To register, call 519-344-3017, ext. 237 or email: reveraert@nlchc.co
Weekly St. Clair Township libraries 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,
10a.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.
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 en- courage the proper disposal of used batteries.
Anyone wishing to recycle batteries must prepare them for recycling by following the Call2Recycle guide- lines, which include 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 sin- gle-use and rechargeable household batteries (weighing up to 5 kg each) at the following Lambton County Library St. Clair Township locations: Brigden, Corunna, and Petrolia.
The Sacred Heart Food Bank continues to aid the community address food insecurity all year long. Nourishing food items and daily supplies like personal hygiene items, baby needs, and household cleaning supplies, as well as grocery store gift cards and monetary donations, are always gratefully accepted. Food bank shelves need to be replenished on a regular basis.
The Sacred Heart food bank appreciates all donations and the basics are always in high demand. Drop off bins are located for your convenience at: DG Grains Becher location; Mainstreet Credit Union in Port Lambton; Port Lambton Food Market; Port Lambton United Church; Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Port Lambton.
St. Andrew’s food bank continues to help those in need
The food bank at St. Andrew’s Church on Colborne Street in
Corunna is open every Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and every Thursday morning from 9 a.m. to noon. The food bank serves those in need, offering a variety of food products to help people eat healthily, including dairy products, bread, and meat, as well as daily requirements like household cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and baby needs. The fresh food supplied at the food bank costs approxi- mately $75 per week to purchase. Anyone wishing to make a finan- cial donation to the food bank can do so through Food Bank, C/O St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 437 Colborne Drive, Corunna, Ontario, N0N 1G0. Gift cards to Foodland and No Frills are also welcome.
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 weekly card games. Euchre is played on Wednesdays at 1 p.m., and as of June 7, Pepper is played on Fridays at 1 p.m. The cost per game is $3 per person.
Are you looking for work?
In Corunna, help is as close as the Corunna Li- brary, 417 Lyndoch Street on Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Lambton Works employment team can connect you with employers and local commu- nity service providers to help you reach your goals and support your well-being. Job seekers and em- ployers can access resources and support
to navigate the job market or check out
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/lambtonworkcentre
No appointment needed
The Teen Photo Contest for teens age 13-18, spon- sored by the Lambton County Library and Judith and Norman Art Gallery, will be accepting photo submis- sions until July 7. Subject categories include: Local icons; Abstract; and Romance of Ruin. Photos can be submitted online at lclibrary.ca/teenphotocontest .
Contest entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts and 25 of them will be selected and featured alongside works by the late Canadian photographer Jane Hinton from Aug. 2 to Oct. 12, 2024.
The grand prize winner will receive their choice of
$100 to Mainframe in Sarnia, $100 to Carmen’s Foto Source, or a virtual one-hour one-on-one session with award-winning photographer Peter Power. The three category winners and the grand prize winner will have their winning entries matted and framed.
Budding photographers from Lambton County can attend an optional hands-on workshop on RAW Photography-July 2-5 at the JNA Art Gallery, 147 Lochiel Street, Sarnia.
For detailed information, contest rules, and submission instructions, please visit:
lclibrary.ca/teenphotocontest
CRIME STOPPERS SARNIA-LAMBTON
Your information can be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or going online to: www.p3tips.com
Callers are guaranteed 100% anonymity. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to any call display services. If your tip leads to an arrest or charges being laid, you may receive a cash reward.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township JUNE 2024 Page 16
Summer Camp – REGISTER NOW!
Come try our Summer Camp where we will be focusing on a different skill and movement each day! Each day will also have age-appropriate activities planned. Each week will have a unique theme!
Junior Summer camp: ages 5 – 8 years
Begins July 2 to August 30: 8:30 – 4:30 pm (Early drop off (7:30 a.m.)/Late Pick up (5:30 p.m.) available for an addi- tional fee). Fees $45/Day, $190/Week, $1500/Summer!
Senior Summer camp – Ages 9 – 12 years
Begins July 2 to August 30th: 8:30 – 4:30 pm (Early drop off (7:30 a.m.)/Late pick up (5:30 p.m.) available for an addi- tional fee). Fees $45/Day or $190/Week, $1,500/Summer!
GOLF Camp – REGISTER NOW!
Junior Golf camp: ages 5 – 9 years
Week 1 Begins July 15 to July 18: 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
Week 2 Begins August 5 to August 8: 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
Week 3 Begins August 26 to August 29: 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
Senior Golf camp: ages 9 – 14 years
Week 1 Begins July 8 to July 11 – 10 a.m.. -1 p.m.
Week 2 Begins July 22 to July 25 – 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
Week 3 Begins August 19 to August 22 – 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Fees $225/Week
Golf is a great game to keep kids active while having fun and helps to develop new skills as well as hand eye coordination! Lunch will be included each day.
Red Cross Babysitting Course – Min. age 11 years
Date: Friday June 7 (PA Day) Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost:
$80.00
Summer Swim Lessons – REGISTRATION OPENS June 12 at 9 a.m.
Check our website at https://
www.stclairtownshipcommunityservices.ca/learn-to-swim/ or call 519-867-2651 for more information!
Spring into Fitness!
Join Guns and Buns, Mat Pilates, Yoga, Nordic Walking, Aqua Fit- ness or Water Therapy!
Check out our Brochure for more information! $10/class ($7/ seniors) or $70/10 visit pass!
Summer Sunday Public Skates
11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. $3.00/child, $4.25/adult, $10.00 / family
Weekday Public Skate
Mon, Wed and Fri. 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. (cancelled dates include Aug 12, 16, 19, 21 & 23). $2.00/person, $10.00/family
GOLF COURSE OPEN! CHECK OUT THE KITCHEN MENU
While the new Clubhouse is under construction, we are excited to say that we have turned the cart barn into a temporary Clubhouse, complete with Pro Shop, Bar and Kitchen! Come for a round of
golf or join us for dinner from noon to 8 p.m. DAILY SPECIALS are also available! Check out our Facebook Page!
Campgrounds are now open! We are already booking for 2025 camping Season! Looking for a Seasonal site for 2024 season? We have 3 Seasonal Sites at Branton Cundick available. Call 519-867-2651 for more information.
Reminder! We have 2 Ice Pads open all Summer! Call today to book your ice rental!
For more information or to register for any of the programs contact the Mooretown Sports Complex at 519-867-2651.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township JUNE 2024 Page 17
SCRCA/SCRCF River Canoe and Kayak Race a soggy success
After several years of cancellations due to COVID, high water levels and substantial rainfall, the 2024 SCRCA/SCRCF River Canoe and Kayak Race organizers were pleasantly surprised with the turnout.
In spite of a soggy start, the 2024 river race raised over $3,800 for the Conservation Education programs that support the SCRCA’s Education team in their effort to connect with and engage students within the water- shed through environmental programming.
Thanks to SCRCA for photos and info
Lambton County Library / Huron Shores Area Transit introduce bus service with Smart Card
Lambton County Library cardholders can now borrow Smart Card library passes that will provide unlim- ited travel fare for up to five days on Huron Shores Area Transit, an inter-community public transit ser- vice linking Lambton Shores, South Huron, North Middlesex, Bluewater, and Kettle & Stony Point First Nation with each other and Sarnia, London, Goderich, and Strathroy.
The pass can be borrowed by any Lambton County Library cardholder from the following library loca- tions: Sarnia, Arkona, Forest, Grand Bend, Port Franks, and Thedford.
Lambton County Library cards are free to anyone who lives, works, studies, or owns property in Lambton County, or is a resident of any First Nations Community in Ontario. To obtain a Lambton County Library card and access the Smart Card Library Pass, individuals can visit any of Lambton County Library’s 25 locations.
Further details regarding Library locations, services, and hours of operation can be found at lclibrary.ca .
The Beacon of St. Clair Township JUNE 2024 Page 18
From page 19
M O R E A R O U N D T H E T O W N S H I P
Challenges faced by older adults are often difficult to handle, both for themselves and for those who care about them. Aging at home is a preference for many, but self-sufficiency issues can make that choice impos- sible.
The goal of Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton is to make access to community supports and health services easier. It’s a conven- ient, easy one-stop access point for finding over 600 social and health supports in Lambton County.
For more information about
Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton, go online to:
agefriendlysarnialambton.ca
The Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton website focuses
on adults age 55+. It has expanded to support ac- tive, healthy, and engaged living for people at all stages of life. It was launched through a grant from the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility, and has evolved with the help of several other grant oppor- tunities.
The age-friendly content of the website, which includes a wide number of Help At Home services, is informed by feedback gathered from community members and care provides within Sarnia and Lambton County.
For those who prefer to speak to someone about local supports, please call: The Older Adult Care Pathway, or 519-336-3600 or 1-888-347-
8737.
Lambton Elderly Outreach (LEO) offers seniors Diner’s Club offered
SOMBRA: On the second Tuesday of the month, Tuesday, June 11, Lambton Elderly Outreach (LEO) Diner’s Club will host a monthly light lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at a cost of $12 per person at the Sombra Museum Cultural Centre. Entertainment – Dr. Lafrate-Chiropractor.
CORUNNA: On fourth Wednesday of the month, Wednesday, June 19, the Diner’s Club offers a monthly hot meal and entertainment from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $17 at Wellings. Entertain- ment – Wellings.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND. To register for lunch or for more information, contact Della at 519-845-1353, ext. 301 or email: dcroxford@lambtonelderlyoutreach.org
Seniors Cruise aboard the
Duc d’Orleans II
Seniors are invited to come aboard the Duc D’OrleansII
Tuesday, June 11 –
Wednesday, June 19 – Corunna
on Monday, June 24 from 8
a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. Registration opens at 8 a.m. at the dock on a first come, first served ba- sis (in person only). Cruise
times are 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. The cost is just a smile! For information, call Caryn at 519-344-1763,
ext. 306 and leave a message OR email:
SarniaSeniorsCruise@gmail.com
New EarlyON website launched
A new EarlyON website highlights drop-in centres for young children and their families across Lambton County.
It showcases the many resources offered through EarlyON Centres. These centres of- fer free programs and provide a place where parents, caregivers, and children from birth to age six can play and learn together. They promote learning through play and encour- age parents/caregivers to participate in their children’s growth and development.
VISIT: Earlyonlambton.ca to explore the new website and to find your local EarlyON Centre.
FUN FOR EVERYONE!
Live music, refreshment tent, co-ed two pitch, volleyball and
horseshoe
tournaments, inflatables, soap box races,
children’s craft’s ETC!
Moore Agricultural Society
BRIGDEN COUNTRY CAMPOUT JAMBOREE
This annual summer event will be held from July 31 to Aug.5. There are lots of events slated for this event, in- cluding: the B Brigden Market on Saturday, Aug. 3, music, dancing, fun, fellowship, and 50/50 draws.
Please watch the Brigden Fair Facebook page and Website for this and additional events that are being planned as well as details on the above items. Details will also be found in the Around the Township column of the St. Clair Township Beacon.
Brigden Fair sponsors invited
If you’ve ever thought about being part of the Brigden Fair, now is the time to do it. A Homecraft sponsorship can cost as little as $25 and livestock sponsorship is higher. Let’s discuss opportunities for you and/or your company to become a class sponsor at the fair. Please call for details to dis- cover all of the possible categories from which you can choose. Many sponsorships are available.
Call at 519-864-1197 to discuss opportunities or email: info@brigdenfair.ca OR michelle.evanitski@brigdenfair.ca
STUDENTS, DO YOU NEED VOLUNTEER HOURS?
Students who need volunteer hours are invited to collect them by helping the Moore Agricultural Society (Brigden
Fair) with fundraising events or banquets. Contact emails above.
ATTENTION SUMMER SHOPPERS! Mark your calen- dars and don’t miss the Brigden Market. More infor- mation is on the way here in The Beacon or on the Brigden Fair website.
The Brigden Market is on the way on Saturday, August 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. VENDORS are invited to par- ticipate in this 0great summer event. For more infor- mation or to reserve a display site, please email: alison.dion@brigdenfair.ca
Trust your special event to the Br. 447 Ladies Auxiliary
For your special event, check out the banquet facility at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 447 hall, 350 Albert Street in Corunna. From weddings and sports banquets to corporate/business meetings and trade shows, Branch 447 Ladies Auxiliary Banquet Hall can comfortably accommo- date up to 289 people, with plenty of parking and fully accessible.
The intimate atmosphere of the Club Room accommo- dates 143. Both recently renovated and updated rooms have their own L.C.B.O. licensed bar facilities and share a large industrial sized kitchen where an experienced staff turns out delicious food offerings for any occasion.
For information regarding food and table information, please call Ladies Auxiliary President Denise Taylor at 519
-491-5627. For banquet hall bookings and prices, please call 519-862-1240.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township JUNE 2024 Page 20
350 Albert St., Corunna 519-862-1240
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Every Monday – Pepper at 1 p.m.
First Tuesday at 7 p.m. – General members meeting Third Tuesday at 7 p.m. – Executive meeting
Every Wednesday – Wacky Wednesday Every Friday – Crib at 1 p.m.
Every Saturday at 4 p.m. – Meat draw
JUNE 27—STEAK BINGO – doors open at 6 p.m. with play starting at 7 p.m. Cost is $30 for 5 cards.
You don’t have to be a Legion member to enjoy any of our facilities and functions
Membership is NOT necessary to enjoy the facilities.
Our hall is wheelchair accessible
ALL ARE WELCOME
Corunna Legion continued
Contact: arodgers89@hotmail.com
FB: Royal Canadian Legion, Leslie Sutherland Br 447
Hall is wheelchair accessible.
FB: The Royal Canadian Legion Leslie Suth- erland Br.447
More information on the above events is available by calling (519) 862-1240
or on Facebook: The Royal Canadian Legion, Leslie Sutherland Br.447
Online Subscription Available
A free subscription to The St. Clair Township Beacon
is available by emailing:
beacon@stclairtownship.ca Please type “ Subscription” in the Subject l ine and include
your full name.
To find THE BEACON online, visit the township
website homepage at:
www.stclairtownship.ca
and click on The Beacon icon.
Items that qualify for publication THE BEACON is open at no charge to not-for-profits in St. Clair Township (i.e. service clubs, youth/seniors groups, agricultural groups, charity initiatives, etc.) and groups, events, or activities that will benefit and/or interest residents of St. Clair Town- ship.
To submit information, photos, or a notice, email:
beacon@stclairtownship.ca
DEADLINE FOR JULY SUBMISSIONS IS
Monday, JUNE 17
Early submissions are welcome
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Sombra Museum coming events/activities
*2024 Blueberry Social: This delicious and much anticipated event is slated for Saturday, July 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sombra Museum Cultural Centre, 3476 St. Clair Parkway. Enjoy an afternoon of fresh blueberry des- serts, live music by The Bluewater Chordsmen, and the op-
portunity to take in the new exhibits at your own pace. For more infor- mation, check out the museum website at:
sombramuseum@stclairtownship.ca .
*Sombra Rangers, St. Clair River League: Do you remember the Sombra Rangers hockey team and/or the St. Clair River League? The Sombra Museum wants to hear your stories about the team and the league. Contact us by phone (519-892-3982), email:
(www.sombramuseum.ca), or Facebook or Instagram
Moore Optimist PASTA FUNDRAISER
Get out of the kitchen and head for the Corunna United Church on
Thursday, June 6 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. for a hearty pasta dinner. The Optimist Club Of Moore will be hosting the dinner as a fund- raiser in support of the club’s good works. The meal will include: pasta with meat sauce (vegetarian option available), Caesar salad,
garlic bread, home made desserts, tea, coffee or juice. Advance tickets only, $20 per person, can be obtained from any Optimist member or contact Steve Pilkey by email at steve.pilkey01@gmail.com or call or text Steve at 519-383- 4276. More information can be obtained by checking out the Moore Optimist Club Facebook page.
PRINTED BEACON now available at all St. Clair Township library branches, Thompson Gardens, and at the St. Clair Township Civic Centre at front door.
More Around the Township page 19
