Sung pThe St. Clair township
THE TOWNSHIP OF ST. CLAIR
HUGE TRACTOR OR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT?
At the Brigden Fair on opening day, some of the more imposing farm machinery took the place of playground equipment. Among the children who scaled the heights of the huge John Deere were kids from Corunna including: Poppy, Atlas, Mason, Har- vey, Grace, Iris, Aster Lewis, Violet, and Elliot. Their supervisor/mom, Megan, kept a close eye on everyone as they explored the monster machine.
Bonnie Stevenson photo
The Beacon of St. Clair Township NOVEMBER 2024 Page 2
Winter Parking By-law
In accordance with St. Clair Town- ship By-Law 5 of 2022, as of Dec. 1,
it is against the law to leave vehicles of any kind, whether licensed or unlicensed, parked overnight from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. on public roads or streets.
They must be kept clear to allow the unimped- ed passage of snow or any winter control opera- tion conducted by municipal forces or contrac- tors. The by-law will be in effect until April 1, 2025. It includes: camping trailers, commercial trailers, derelict vehicles, marine vehicles, and recreational trailers. All obstructions, including basketball nets and garbage cans, must also be kept off the streets.
Residents are reminded it is against the law (Highway Traffic Act) to shovel snow from drive- ways and sidewalks out onto public streets. These snow piles create
dangerous obsta- cles that can contribute to needless automo- bile collisions and the loss of control of a vehi- cle.
All regular council meetings are open to the public, and can also be seen online by going
onto the township website at:
www.stclairtownship.ca.
The regular Council schedule of two monthly council meetings are held the first and third Mondays of each month.
(Schedule may be
altered to accommodate holidays.)
Upcoming council meetings will be:
Monday, November 4 at 3 p.m.
Monday, November 18 at 6 p.m.
Monday, December 2 at 3 p.m.
To make a presentation to council or for more information, call the St. Clair Township munici- pal office at 519-867-2021 (1-800-809-0301).
NOTE: This information is
accurate at publication time but
may be subject to change.
Hunting licences NO LONGER available at St. Clair Township
office
Township of St. Clair will NO LONGER
issue municipal hunting licenses.
Government of Ontario
hunting requirements still apply.
For more information, visit:
http://www.ontario.ca/ page/hunting-licence-ontario
The St. Clair Township Beacon is issued monthly by St. Clair Township
as a public service to township residents. Production by Bonnie Stevenson.
Seniors Advisory Committee
explains new seniors service strategy
Representatives from the Seniors Advisory Committee (SAC) recently attended Council to present an over- view of the group’s background, goals, functions, pri- orities, accomplishments, challenges, and next steps.
The SAC, which held its inaugural meeting in February of 2023, was formed by taking into consideration: that Lambton County has an aging population; a higher por- tion of seniors compared to other communities in On- tario; seniors are identified as a priority population under the new Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team; and it would build on Age-Friendly community planning initiatives within Lambton County. SAC members will serve a term of two years operating under the premise that all seniors are entitled to age safely and with dig- nity.
Concerns the group will work on were identified after the committee was formed by a motion of County Council prior to COVID, from 2017 to 2019. “The com- mittee has no budget. Committee Chair Bill Weber said, “We get feedback from each of the members of the committee and focus on the issues to try to com- municate and connect people.” The issues include: low staffing levels throughout the systems of care; long wait times for low-income long-term-care beds, and retirement home space. Seniors learn about available services through word-of-mouth, so the lack of commu- nication regarding services available to seniors and how to access them must be addressed.
The SAC consists of one senior member from each of the 11 local County of Lambton municipalities, one County of Lambton staff member, and one member from Navigating Senior Care Lambton. The group an- swers to the Lambton County Warden and County Council on issues specific to Lambton County seniors.
SAC priorities, as stated in Mr. Weber’s presentation to St. Clair Township Council, include: advocating for improved transportation services to reduce the isola- tion experienced by seniors; increasing our seniors’ sense of belonging to their community; improving ac- cess to health care and wellbeing services by promot- ing community access points; and encouraging resi- dents to plan for their elder years.
The SAC faces several challenges in its work to better the lives of Lambton County seniors. “One of the chal- lenges for the committee is, how do we communicate that there are a lot of services available in the County, and how do we communicate those services to the sen- iors in the community who need them,” said Mr. We- ber.
Transportation was identified as a crucial issue for many seniors. “Transportation has been a big issue brought up by committee members. We hear that all the time. We’ve advocated to the County to continue with the rural transportation study that is going on,” said Mr. Weber. “There are a lot of services available out in the County, but people don’t know how to con- tact them and we don’t know how to communicate that availability to the general group of seniors.”
Mr. Weber noted social media is not the whole an- swer to communicating the committee’s message. “Social media works great but there are a lot of sen- iors that aren’t connected to social media, so that’s one of the big issues.”
To learn more about the Seniors Advisory
Committee, visit: www.lambtononline.ca/SAC
Emergency notification system recommended for township
The need for an effective emergency notification system in St. Clair Township became apparent during the recent diesel spill. In a report to council by St. Clair Fire Chief Richard Boy- es, he detailed how all of the systems that have been used over the years failed to inform the public efficiently.
He pointed out that sirens, the direct dialer system which worked off the white pages, and the FM alert system that em- ployed the radio to sound the alarm all failed to inform the public in a thorough, timely manner. “The fact is that we still have no real method, other than sounding sirens, to notify eve- ryone in the township of a potential emergency,” he said. “Sirens were originally set to sound in the event of a vapour release and our residents were told ‘if you hear the siren, shel- ter in place’.” In addition, many of the sirens are old and un- dependable, and if a strong wind is blowing in the wrong direc- tion, the sound of the siren can be lost to people on the wrong side.
Even local radio and television alerts are not dependable now. “We used to have the ability to call local media to get things on the radio fairly quickly…but that was based on the old siren system,” he explained. “Now radios are on the air for a certain number of hours and the rest of the time, the sirens and the radio are on auto pilot, so we can’t get the message out.” And when timely notification is not delivered to the pub- lic, Chief Boyes says social media takes over and rumours begin to spread inaccurate or fabricated information.
The deterioration of the emergency notification system pos- es a threat to the community and the environment, so St. Clair Fire has been exploring solutions to the problem.
The most viable solution is the SARNIA-Lambton ALERTS system, which boasts partners like Lambton County, City of Sarnia, BASES, everbridge, and now, St. Clair Township. It is a regional public alerting system used by other Sarnia-Lambton municipalities and other community partners to send emergen- cy alerts and other important community notices to subscribers in a timely manner.
Users can subscribe FREE OF CHARGE and customize which types of notifications they would like to receive, indicating how they would like to receive them. The available notifications include: shelter-in-place adviso- ries; drinking water emergencies; evacuation advisories; extreme temperatures; Lambton Public Health notices; and industrial updates.
Stay informed when minutes matter!
To subscribe to this
emergency notification system,
go online to: sarnialambtonalerts.ca
More Municipal Notes, page 4
Operation of any motor vehicle on St. Clair River Trail is illegal
Recent complaints to the St. Clair Township office indicate there are still some people operating their motor ve- hicles on the St. Clair River Trail.
It is not only a Provincial offence to operate a motor vehicle on the trail, but it violates St. Clair Township By-Law #45 of 2018, in which motor vehi- cles are defined as any type of vehicle drawn, pro- pelled, or driven by any kind of power except muscu- lar power. This includes automobiles, motor scooters,
mini-bikes, motorized snow vehicles, golf carts and ATVs.
The St. Clair River Trail exists to provide pedestrians of all ages with a safe place to walk and enjoy the natural beauty the St. Clair River Trail affords.
Every person who contravenes any provision of the by-law is guilty of an offence and if convict- ed, faces a set fine of $200.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE!
It takes a lot of people to run a municipality as large as St. Clair Township, and their efforts do not go unacknowledged. This year, 13 employees from several departments were recog- nized for their years of service with a gift and a barbecue lunch.
Shown with Mayor Jeff Agar, front right, in no particular order, are: 5 years , Chad Kitchen; 10 years , Rich Leach; Lindsay Brad- ley- Lindsay; Shannon Bogaert; and Scott Barnes; 15 years , Vick O’ Leary; Donald Nickle; Ruth Mc Pherson; Chris Murphy; Karen
Grant; and Dave Neeley; 35 years , Doug Brooks; 40 years , Wayne Bradburn.
Left: Mayor Jeff Agar and Teriann Weeke cut the cake for dessert.
Responsible Pet Ownership by-law
By-Law 40 of 2024
New draft By-Law 40 of 2024 provides for the regulation, restriction, and prohibition of the control and keeping of Dogs and other animals within the Corporation of the Township of St. Clair.
The by-law has been developed to protect township resi- dents and their dogs. It includes subjects such as: Prohibiting dogs from running at large or trespassing; Control of animals;
Dog kennels and runs; Pound keeping and penalties for such infractions as abandoning a dog or litter; Leaving an animal unattended in a motor vehicle if weather conditions are not reasonably suitable for that containment; Not having a cur- rent license for the dog and the fine for failing to do so.
While discussing the new by-law, council also discussed the inclusion of cats that run loose unlicensed and unrestrained. This subject has been discussed at other council meetings in the past and issues such as enforcement have rendered such a by-law impractical. But should current circumstances change, amendments can be considered.
Carbon monoxide (CO) – a silent killer?
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, observed from November 1 -7, aims to educate the public about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, often referred to as the
“silent killer” due to its colourless, odourless, and tasteless nature.
Safety Tips From St. Clair Fire:
• Install CO Alarms (It’s The Law!): Place alarms on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace them as per manufacturer guidelines.
• Annual Inspections: Have all fuel-burning appliances, chimneys, and vents inspected annually by a licensed contractor.
• Proper Usage: Use generators and grills outdoors, away from windows and doors. Never use them inside garages or enclosed spaces.
Emergency Response: If a CO alarm sounds, evacuate immediately and call 9 -1-1
Safety starts with awareness
Be mindful of the following and protect yourself and your loved ones from carbon monoxide:
• CO is impossible to detect without a working CO alarm
• Signs of CO poisoning resemble flu-like symptoms
• An activated CO alarm sounds different than a smoke alarm, typically four beeps
• If a CO alarm activates or you suspect someone in your home has symptoms of CO poisoning,
immediately go outside and call 9-1-1.
For more tips and information about how to recognize the dangers of CO and protect yourself and loved ones, follow the OFM on X, Facebook,
or visit: ontario.ca/page/carbon-monoxide-safety
The Beacon of St. Clair Township NOVEMBER 2024 Page 6
Col. Cameron Public School receives three great donations
Below: CF Industries donates to student breakfast program:
Statistics Canada says food insecurity, the inadequate or insecure access to
food due to financial constraints, is a serious public health problem. At Col. Cameron Public School, a breakfast program open to all the stu- dents is doing great things to ensure there is food available at the start of every school day. CF Industries, where several Col. Cameron grads work, recently donated grocery store gift cards to help the school’s breakfast program volunteers purchase food to keep the program run- ning smooth. Photo Left: Col. Cameron Principal Denise Ladd and CF Industries administration staff, Rachael Hunter and Natasha Rob- bins, right, help several Gd. 5/6 students display some goodies the women brought along to go with the gift cards.
*********
Right: Learning is lots of fun: Grade 11 Leadership teacher Scott Steves (left in photo) asked his Leadership class at Great Lakes Secondary School to raise money for a
donation. His students made the money by designing and selling t-shirts, which sold out. The funds raised were used to buy interactive learning items for Col. Cameron Public School. Scott, a former Col. Cameron alumni, let the Grade5/6 students try out the items and their happy reactions proved he made good choices.
Left: The Shell Manufacturing Centre near Corunna generously donated a free pizza lunch to Col. Cameron’s staff and stu- dents recently. This happy as- sembly of students from the jun- ior classes is ready to dig in after their photo is taken.
Stay active with new sports kits from Lambton County Library
To promote health and wellness by encouraging phys- ical activity and learning through play, Lambton Coun- ty Library is expanding its collection to include new
Sports Kits.
There are four separate Sports Kits, each one fo- cused on a particular sport, containing basic equip- ment needed to play the sport.
The four Sports Kits include:
• Basketball: Includes a basketball and pump.
• Pickleball: Includes two paddles and balls.
• Baseball: Includes four bases, a pitcher’s marker, bat, and ball.
• Soccer: Includes a ball, cones, and pump.
Patrons can enjoy a seven-day lending period for each Sports Kit. This timeframe allows them to explore a new sport at their own pace, practice their skills, or enjoy a friendly game.
Sports kits can be borrowed with a valid Lambton County Library card. Library cards are free for anyone who lives, works, studies, owns property in Lambton
County, or is a resident of a First Nations community in Ontario. For more information on how to become a Lambton County Library cardholder visit: www.lclibrary.ca/apply
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.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township NOVEMBER 2024 Page 7
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
Rinsing food residue from containers prepares them
to be
recycled. Lear
circ n more:
ularmaterials.ca/ON
See More Works Department, page 8
The Beacon of St. Clair Township NOVEMBER 2024 Page 8
From page 7
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:
Yard waste collection (leaves, grass, etc.) will be collected for the fall season until Nov. 20. *Christmas tree collec- tion will remain the same for Jan. 6, 2025.
*Brush collection (bundles of sticks) is no longer provided. See below chart for suggested disposal sites.*
Suggested locations to take brush:
(All locations require a fee)
Transco Recycling, 387 McGregor Side Rd., Sarnia; Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m. to Noon; 519-332-4045
Curran Recycling, 526 McGregor Side Rd., Sarnia; Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m. to Noon: 519-332-0849
Waste Depot, 456 McGregor Side Rd., Sar- nia; Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sat. 7
a.m. to 3 p.m. 519-333-08252
Wallaceburg Leaf and Yard Depot, 505 Water St., Wallaceburg Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m. to Noon
519-627-8101
NOTE: Call ahead to confirm hours and
See More Works Department, page 9
The Beacon of St. Clair Township NOVEMBER 2024 Page 9
From page 8
More Foodcycler® units NOW AVAILABLE!
The Foodcycler® Waste Diversion Pilot composter trial, in which St. Clair Township participat- ed in 2023/2024, resulted in the township selling 277 Foodcycler® units and having a waiting list of 19. The success of that trial has prompted Council to approve another order of Food- cycler® units; the original FC-30 and the larger capacity ECO 5 Maestro.
To learn more about the program, please contact Public Works at:
stclairpw@stclairtownship.ca
FC-30 ECO 5 Maestro
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. High-water levels, flood conditions, and saturated grounds could allow harmful bacteria to enter the drinking water, making it unsafe to consume.
Test wells routinely several times a year or after flood conditions to test for harmful bacteria such as E.coli. Bacteria testing and water sampling kits are available FREE OF CHARGE at: Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hos- pital 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.
Property owners who dig without knowing where buried utility, pipelines, and cables are located are looking for trouble, expensive repairs, and maybe even tragedy.
Contact on1call.com or call 1-800-400-2255 to be sure you know where the buried hazards are and what they are.
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 NOVEMBER 2024 Page 10
Dignitaries on hand for the opening of the 174th Brigden Fair included, from left: Audrey Joyce & June Struck aka. Clara & Emma Spooner (2024 OAAS Meritorious Award Recipients; Enbridge Representa- tive Spencer Pray; St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar;
Marcy Scott, Homecraft Div. 2nd VP; Lori Ouellette, Homecraft Div. 1st VP; Kathy Scott, Homecraft Div., President; Lambton County War- den Kevin Marriott; MP Marilyn Gladu; MPP Bob Bailey; Pastor Tim Brown from New Life Assembly in Petrolia; Mark Williams, District 13 Representative; Mary Jane Marsh; and Moore Agricultural Society John Scott.
Mayor Agar introduces a special guest to the stage.
At the Friday morning Agriculture Awareness Day display, young volunteers Elsie and Penelope help guide visitors through the varieties of poultry being shown. Elsie, right, is holding a Silkie chick- en, which is easy to identify by the feather pompom on its head. (Special thanks to MAS member Dennis Robinson for his assistance during the photo shoot at Agricultural Awareness Day.)
Moore Agricultural Society member Duncan MacRae demonstrated how to use an old fashioned wooden corn planter while helping Lachlan Morris plant
one. Lachlan was visiting Brigden with his family.
The LCCVI Marching Band from Petrolia added to the excitement of the fair with a rousing selection of music and their enthusiastic attitudes.
Bonnie Stevenson photos
The tale of Jigger, the rusty relic to the museum, Jig-
ger marvelled at the
number of motor ve- In 1886, when the railways played an important part hicles he saw. No in the transportation of freight and people along the matter where the Erie and Huron Railroad between Chatham and Sarnia, truck was taking him, there was a happy little railroad speeder called Jigger. he was sure it had The little rail car was very fast for his size and he used nothing to do with his speed to carry rail inspectors and repair crews to the railway. He was places on the railway that needed repair. frightened at first,
As time passed, other forms of transportation were but his fear was short
developed. People started to travel in cars and trucks, -lived.
and as these vehicles became increasingly popular, Jig- When the truck ger’s service was needed less and less. With every day reached its destina- that passed, Jigger’s body rusted a little more and his tion, Jigger could see engine began to seize up; there came a time when he a small railway sta-
didn’t work at all. He was fired from his job and left to tion and a beautiful Jigger the rusty relic before
decay in a lonely field by the railway tracks. red caboose that restoration
One spring day, the sad little speeder, whose body made him feel at
was now thick with rust except for a tiny bright yellow home.
paint chip that clung to his roof, was noticed in the When work began on his body, there were welding high grass by two people walking along the railway sparks flying, sand paper rubbing away the rust, and tracks. They began to point at Jigger and speak excit- discussions being held about what colour should be used edly, and Jigger’s rusty wheels began to tremble with to paint the speeder. Jigger came to know the name of expectation. He wondered if they would take him to a the museum and appreciate the people who volun- place where he could be helpful again. teered at the Moore Museum, especially the men who But instead, they turned and ran away, leaving him were giving him a new life. Jigger repeated all of the alone again. men’s names as if they were a prayer to be spoken in A tiny drop of oily rainwater fell from Jigger’s rusty thanks for his new life. When he was rust-free and his oil pan as he watched the people quickly become sil- restoration was complete, he silently recited with houettes that disappeared into the distance. thanks, “Jim and Louis Townsend, Jay Chipman, John Several months passed, spring turned to summer, and Shymko, “Tuesday Guys” Dave Pattenden, Phil Pattend- Jigger’s metal body rusted even faster in the summer en, Dave Taylor, John Richardson, Dan Hayward, Paul rains. Mitchell, Joe Doherty, Tom Walter, Lyle Gander and
Jigger could feel it happening and his sadness grew. Leo Griffiths.”
He wondered if he would ever know another minute of The time finally came to move Jigger out of the work- happiness. His life seemed to have no point and with his shop building and over to his new location on the rails body hidden in the tall grass, it seemed that his lot in in front of the railway station. As the men moved him life was to disappear into the mud; a rusty relic, invisi- out of the building, Jigger caught a glimpse of himself ble and unloved. in a pane of window glass.
As he pondered his fate, a distant murmur of curious- The sight made his running lights glow with joy. His
ly familiar voices interrupted his train of thought. He new coat of paint was bright yellow! His friends had turned his attention to the top of the railway track and painted him the same colour he wore when he was a in the distance, several fast-moving silhouettes were working speeder.
growing bigger as he watched. He was beyond happy and even more, he wasn’t a Soon, he recognized the silhouettes; they were the rusty relic anymore. ~Bonnie Stevenson
people who had left him behind in the spring. Jigger
decided they were probably just passing by and he
resumed his contemplation of the fate that awaited him in the future.
“Hey Lyle, is the truck here yet?” said a voice from the top of the railway track. After a brief pause, an- other voice called, “Leo’s got the truck on the other side of the track. We’ll use its chasis winch to lift this poor thing out of the ditch.” The two men came into view, then descended into the grassy ditch where Jigger sat. They set about inspecting Jigger’s rusty body until they found a length of the speeder’s frame that was only lightly rusted. “This should be strong enough to bear its weight when it’s lifted from the ditch,”said one of the men. The other nod- ded in agreement. “We’ll have it back to the muse- um in no time,” he said.
Jigger was liberated from the ditch with a mini- mum of fuss, loaded into the back of a well-used pickup truck, and secured with chains the men had brought with them.
When the truck was on the gravel road leading back
At the celebration of Jigger’s new life, the restored railway speeder is joined by, from left: St. Clair Town- ship Mayor Jeff Agar; Deputy Mayor Steve Miller; Vol- unteer Lyle Gander; Councillor Pat Brown; Volunteers Joe Doherty; Paul Mitchell; Dave Taylor John Richard- son, and Dave Pattenden. Fiona Doherty photo
Aamjiwnaang Community observes National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Children of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation gathered on Sept. 30 to pay tribute to the approximately 150,000 indigenous children who were separated from their families to attend one of the 140 federally operated residential schools.
The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, or Orange Shirt Day, is now a Federal statutory holiday. It is an Indigenous-led grassroots com- memorative day intended to
raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter- generational impacts of residential
schools, and to promote the con-
cept of “Every Child Matters”.
The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, free- dom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over genera- tions.
On September 30, all Canadians
Above: School buses arrive at the Aamjiwnaang First Nations Maajiigin Gumig Community Centre on Orange Shirt Day (Sept. 10, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation). They were on their way to the beautiful fountain memorial be- hind the community centre that honours the indigenous children who were sep- arated from their families and never returned home, those who survived the horrors of the residential schools, and their families and communities.
are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of residential school survivors.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation offered a free virtual educational program from Sept. 23-27 to all schools across Canada. This is a transformative journey for students, educators, and the broader community to engage with the his- tory and enduring spirit of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peo- ples.
Right: Drummers Nodin Cottrelle, left, and
Nimkee Plain play a solemn rhythm and sing a
song to honour the residential school survivors.
Below: The serenity of the fountain memorial provided a fitting place to hold a ceremony
that paid tribute to the thousands of children who experienced horrific treatment, humilia- tion, and fear in the residential schools.
B. Stevenson photos
The Beacon of St. Clair Township NOVEMBER 2024 Page 13
Annual trail edging has started in waterfront parks and along residential sections of the St. Clair River Trail. This task helps to maintain the intended width of the trail to keep all users safe.
The trail is looking good with help from an increasing number of residents regularly sweeping areas adjacent to their property. Less grass, sticks, and gravel are seen on the pavement, which results in a safer trail experience for all!
Mother Nature is busy dropping the fruit of the nut trees. Residents (and squirrels) have been spotted gathering hickory nuts in Brander Park.
Are you storing your bike for the winter and planning to spend more time walking on the trail? Remember to always be aware of your surroundings; safely enter and exit the trail, keep earbud volume low, and wear bright, reflective clothing on each and every walk. ‘Be Safe, Be Seen.’
Notice: Members of the Community are invited to attend The Annual General Meeting of
the St. Clair River Trail Committee on Wed. November 27th at 7 pm at the Mooretown Sports
Complex (2nd floor meeting room) Please RSVP to rivertrail@stclairtownship.ca
West Lambton Community Health Centre Programs for November
☕ Coffee Time
Join us for free coffee and conversation every Friday at 10:45 a.m. Everyone is welcome! Every Friday, 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. at West Lambton Community Health Centre (#100-429 Exmouth St., Sarnia)
Coping with Stress & Preparing for the Holidays Online Workshop
Learn how to navigate holiday obligations and manage
seasonal stress. November 18th, 3:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Cooking Buddies in Corunna
Join our children’s cooking classes for ages 6-12! Kids will learn to read recipe cards, measure ingredients, try new foods, and have fun! Classes will run once a month. November 28th, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in Corunna (346 Beresford St., Corunna)
Meditation Class
Join our seated meditation class designed to boost self
-esteem, improve focus, lower blood pressure, and
Updates to St. Clair River health celebrated
Binational achievements keep coming
The second annual Honouring the St. Clair Riv- er event held in Sarnia in September was a time for smiles and positive news. It was hosted by the Canadian Remedial Action Plan Implementa- tion Committee to provide an update on pro- gress being made to ‘Areas of Concern’ along the river. Over the past 30 years, significant progress has been made in restoring the river’s water and environmental quality;13,000 cubic metres of mercury contaminated sediment has been cleaned up; bacteria and discharges im- pacting local beaches and the river have been reduced.
This is a list of the binational groups that continue to bring the St. Clair River back from the brink: Remedial Action Plan partners like Rural Lambton Stewardship Network; St. Clair Region Conservation Authority; Friends of the St. Clair River; Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Wal- pole Island First Nation; St. Clair Township;
reduce stress. Every Monday, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at West Lambton Community Health Centre (#100-429 Exmouth St., Sarnia)
Mooretown Low Impact Exercise Class
Enjoy low-impact cardio, bodyweight, and resistance band exercises on Wednesdays, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at Mooretown Sports Complex (1166 Emily St., Moore-
town)
Sit or Stand Exercise Class (Zoom)
This class offers exercises with resistance bands, with options to stand or sit. All fitness levels are welcome! Mondays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. & Wednesdays from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. via Zoom
**To register for any programs, please call Rebecca at (519) 344-3017 ext. 237. For our virtual pro-
grams, don’t forget to email rever-
aerert@nlchc.com to receive the Zoom link!
Bluewater Association for Safety, Environment, and Sustainability, municipalities, provincial and federal agencies.
Background
In 1987, the St. Clair River was designated as a binational Area of Concern (AOC) under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agree- ment. The water had been fouled by heavy in- dustrialization, urbanization, and agricultural land use which seriously degraded the river’s water quality and ecosystem health. The con- taminated water and sediment bore large quan- tities of heavy metals, toxic organics and E.coli bacteria both in the river and its tributary wa- tersheds. Twelve major issues were identified to be remedied, so groups on both sides of the river united and took on the challenge of clean- ing it up.
Today, those groups have done a great job and
8 of the issues have been addressed. Work con- tinues on the final 4. Three of these are in the process of being redesignated and one requires further assessment, which is underway.
Please help St. Andrew’s with your donation
The food bank at St. Andrew’s Church on Colborne Street in Co- runna 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, in- cluding 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 approximately $75 per week to purchase. Anyone wishing to make a financial donation to the food bank can do so through Food Bank, C/O St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 437 Colborne Drive, Corunna, 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 member- ship is $10, but non-members are welcome to come out to weekly card games. Euchre is played on Wednesdays at 1 p.m., and Pepper is played on Fridays at 1 p.m. The cost per game is $3 per person.
Aamjiwnaang greenhouse research aids search/identification of native plant species
Bonnie Stevenson
Before the land along the St. Clair River was settled and urbanized, many native plants were plentiful across the land. They are hard to find now.
But these, and many other species, may have a resurgence thanks to the efforts of the Maajiigin Gumig native plant greenhouse staff at the Aamjiwnaang First Nations Maajiigin Gumig Community Centre. Leader of the search for, and identification of the vintage species is Dylan Henry. Having studied Ecosystem Management Technology as well as vari- ous horticultural subjects, he says work at the greenhouse is a joint effort that includes Vertex and Lambton College.
The project currently requires a search for undisturbed land that could yield buried seeds from the threatened native plants. Once located, 10mm-long core samples of the soil are taken. The samples are then planted to see what types of plants grow from them.
During an interview at the greenhouse, Dylan pointed out
two plants that have been identified as native plants; one variety, the England Aster, is long-stemmed with delicate mauve flowers. The other is the Bushy Aster, a short plant that bears tiny yellow flowers. One of the surprising native plants Dylan identified was the Golden Rod, a plant he says has a bad, but undeserved reputa- tion. “The belief that Golden Rod causes allergy is a false one,” he said. “Golden Rod blooms at the same time as Rag Weed, which does cause allergies.” He said that some plants look the same as others, which is the case where the Golden Rod and Rag Weed are concerned. Another case of mistaken identity between the Fox Glove and a plant called the Beard Tongue was cited as well. “As a native plant greenhouse, we strive to understand the relationship between aesthetic landscaping, restoration, and natural ecology,” said Dylan.
West Lambton Community Health Centre
We Now Offer Online Program Registration!!
Please visit https://www.nlchc.com/services/wellness-programs/
Anger Management: Identify your anger triggers and patterns while learning positive and effective anger manage- ment skills. Classes run from Sept. 26 to Nov. 7f on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at West Lambton Com- munity Health Centre, 100– 429 Exmouth Street in Sarnia.
Coffee Time Social Drop-in Brigden: New Location! Thursdays at 10:45 a.m. (@ Brigden United Church—2420 Jane Street, Brigden). We will be meeting in the lower hall. The church has an elevator, so is accessible for all. Garden Fresh Box: The Garden Fresh Box is an inexpensive 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 Or- ders are accepted in person with payment. Cash ONLY
Mooretown Low Impact:
To register, call 519-344-3017, ext. 237 or email
reveraert@nlchc.com
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
Feeding Your Toddler Class: April 17 @ 1:30-3 p.m. Toddlers 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 Registered 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 @ 10:15 a.m. – 75 min .class. A combination of movements used in Shibashi and Sit or Stand classes. Shibashi is—Tai chi/qigong is a practice of aligning breath and movement for exercise and health. Shibashi con- sists of 18 simple steps. It is easy to learn and perfect for beginners. Sit or Stand is performed with the options of either stand- ing 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.com
Fall Sunday Public Skate
1 p.m. – 2:15p.m. $3.00/child, $4.25/adult,
$10.00 / family
Fall Weekday Public Skate
Wednesday – 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Monday and Friday – 12:30pm – 2 p.m.
$2.50/person, $10.00/family
Shinny Hockey (18+)
Tuesdays 9-10a.m. – $5/person
Family Shinny
Nov. 15, Dec. 27, Jan. 3, Jan. 31, Feb. 17, Mar. 14,
April 4, June 27, 11a.m.-12p.m. – $5/person
Get Fit at Moore Sports Complex!
Join us for a variety of energizing fitness classes,
including Mat Pilates, Guns and Buns, Spin, and Yo- ga! Whether you prefer to pay as you go, purchase a punch pass, or commit to a membership, we have options that suit your needs.
Check out our full fitness schedule at:
www.stclairtownshipcommunityservices.ca
and take the first step towards a healthier you!
Winter Swim Lessons
Registration opens Dec. 11, 2024, at 9 a.m.
Login to your account or call 519 -867-2651 for more information!
Do you want to become a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor?
Check our website for Advance Courses such as
Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Swim Instructor.
Check our website for our Fall pool and fitness schedule
For more information or to register for any of the programs, contact the Moore- town Sports Complex at 519-867-2651.
Hockey Canada’s 2024 World U17 Hockey Challenge comes to Sarnia –Lambton
Lambton Heritage Museum will be hosting the World U17 Challenge Cup from October 30 to November 1, as part of the ongoing Hockey exhibition at the Museum.
The 14-game international tournament, featuring teams from the United States, Fin- land, Sweden, Czechia, and two from Canada (Canada Red and Canada White) will be
played at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena (near Lambton College), and the tickets will be sold there at the Sarnia Sting box office.
Tournament ticket packages are now on sale at $210 to $265 for adults and $140 to
$175 for children. Additional ticket packages and individual packages are expected to be made available in the coming weeks pending availability, according to Tourism Sarnia- Lambton.
Tickets for the Nov.1 exhibition games at the Greenwood Recreation Centre in Pe- trolia and Shores Recreation Centre in Forest will be sold separately.
In conjunction with the tournament, a three-day FanFest, featuring displays and activi- ties, will be held.
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Warden Kevin Marriott is In May, Tourism Sarnia-Lambton announced the U17 Challenge would be shown here with the coming to Sarnia-Lambton, several rinks in the area were assessed to de- World U17 Challenge Cup termine which ones were large enough to meet Hockey Canada’s tourna- at the Lambton County ment requirements. St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar, a former hockey
Administration Building. coach and avid hockey fan, was present at the assessment of the Moore
Sports Complex “They came to the MSC to see if the rink would accommodate the pro games but they were not big enough,” said Mayor Agar .Tourism Sarnia-Lambton Executive Director Mark Perrin not- ed Mayor Agar was very helpful while the assessment group was there.
The tournament is expected to attract about 25,000 visitors to the area, which could yield a substantial economic boost for all of Sarnia-Lambton. Mr. Perrin says the local economy can expect a boost of $4 to $5 million. He added
this could be a conservative estimate. After talking to the 2023 hosts of the U17 challenge in Charlottetown, PEI, he says their estimated economic gain was higher than expected; it was close to $6 million,” he said.
Anyone who wishes to be on of the 190 volunteers during the nine-day event
can get information online at Tourism Sarnia-Lambton and Hockey Canada websites.
Hockey fans can currently get a healthy dose of their favourite sport at HOCKEY, a hock-
ey exhibit from the Canadian Museum of History. This fantastic display is NOW SHOWING,
at the Lambton Heritage Museum until November 9. See below.
Hockey fans MUST SEE exhibition at Lambton Heritage Museum
Hockey fans will be in Hockey Heaven local level.
at the Lambton Heritage Museum when they experi- The exhibition, which originates from the Canadian ence the Hockey exhibition now being shown until No- Museum of History, looks at how hockey has influenced vember 9. our lives, and what that reveals about us as a people.
The one-of-a-kind traveling exhibition is an engaging “Whether we hit the ice or cheer from our living
two-dimensional display that uses photographs and re- rooms, hockey is more than just a game to Canadians. It productions of key artifacts, memorabilia and works of has helped shape our history and our national identity art to present hockey highlights from yesterday and to- from coast to coast to coast,” said Caroline Dromaguet, day. Listen to audio archives from hockey history and get President and CAO of the Canadian Museum of History. into the game by recording your own running commen- On a local level, Dana Thorne, Curator / Supervisor of tary, just like legendary sportscaster Foster Hewitt. Lambton Heritage Museum, feels the exhibition will also
From Paul Henderson’s winning goal for Canada in the fuel the passion Lambton County hockey enthusiasts 1972 Summit Series to Manon Rhéaume’s debut as an bring to the community. “Thanks to generous contribu- NHL goalie to Sheldon Kennedy’s advocacy on behalf of tions from our community, we’ve been able to include sexual abuse victims, Hockey revisits game-changing mo- local artifacts, photographs and stories that highlight ments and players. By highlighting tabletop hockey Lambton County’s rich hockey history. This adds a per- games, Roch Carrier’s classic story “The Hockey Sweat- sonal touch and connects our local stories to the broader er,” and Shania Twain’s NHL-inspired stage outfits, the national narrative, making the exhibition even more exhibition also reminds us of how deeply hockey is woven meaningful for our visitors,” she said.
into the tapestry of Canadian life .
In addition to the travelling exhibition, Lambton Her- Lambton Heritage Museum, 10035 Museum Rd., 8
itage Museum has added a special local addition. Explore km south of Grand Bend on Highway 21.
local artifacts and hear stories with deep ties to Lamb- HOURS: Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Open 11 ton County. These treasures offer a glimpse into how a.m. Wednesday to Saturday, Closes 4 p.m. except hockey has shaped and influenced our own community, Thursday when it is open until 8:30 p.m.
providing a richer understanding of its significance on a CALL: 519-243-2600 or online: lambtonmuseums.ca
Sacred Heart Food Bank events planned this autumn/Christmas
Friday, Nov. 1: The Sacred Heart Food Bank Christmas food drive begins.
Sunday, Nov. 3: The Knights of Columbus Charity Night Auction will be held at Sacred Heart Parish Hall. Refreshments will be available at 5 p.m. with a Roast Beef Dinner at 6 p.m. and an auction beginning at 7 p.m.
Proceeds will go to Sacred Heart Food Bank.
Saturday, Nov.16: Drop Off Canned goods and Non-perishable Food items from 10 a.m. to 1 pm. at the corner of Stoddard St. and Merritt Street in Port Lambton.
Sunday, Nov. 17: The Sacred Heart Food Bank door-to-door collection will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 2: the Sacred Heart Food Bank Fowl Bingo will be held at the Sombra Community Cen- tre at 7 p.m.
NOTE OF THANKS FROM SACRED HEART FOOD BANK
Sacred Heart Food Bank would like to thank everyone who donated labour,
Lambton Public Health
says it’s vaccination time
Lambton Public Health (LPH) reminds everyone that fall immunization is now available for everyone in the general pub- lic. This year there are expanded access points for COVID-19 and flu shots. Pharma- cies and health care providers should now have these vaccines, allowing public health units to reach people with limited vaccine access options.
These high-risk individuals are urged to
be vaccinated: children ages 6 month to 4 years; people in or from First Nations com- munities; pregnant individuals; People 65 and over; and first responders.
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Regarding vaccination for RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), which is currently being rec- ommended on TV ads: LPH Supervisor of Health Promotion Matthew Butler says this vaccine should be discussed with your health care provider to see if you should receive it.
More Around the Township page 16
The Beacon of St. Clair Township NOVEMBER 2024 Page 18
Creative County Grants now accepting applications
The Creative County Grant program
is now open to receive applications for the arts, culture, and heritage initia- tives occurring in Lambton County in 2025.
The program invests in new and inno- vative projects that build cultural ca-
pacity, strengthening the creative community and enrich- ing the quality of life for all residents.
County Councillor Brad Loosely, Chair of the Creative County Committee, explained, “These projects are essen-
tial in telling Lambton’s story and building a stronger, more connected community.”
Applications for the Creative County Program will be ac- cepted online only at lambtononline.ca/creative county until Monday, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. The County has allotted a budget of $75,000 in available funding for the 2025 pro- gram year.
Since the program began in 2013, it has provided finan- cial support to more than 200 cultural initiatives across Lambton County.
People in rural and underserved areas will be able to find a Wi-Fi hotspot at their local library thanks to a new initiative by Lambton County Library. Paired with a li- brary cardholder’s own device, such as a smartphone,
tablet, or computer, a Wi-Fi hotspot will provide reliable in- ternet service. Wi-Fi hotspots are available for a 14-day lend- ing period for adult and teen borrowers. The hotspots offer unlimited data access, but content restrictions are in place to comply with vendor policies. These restrictions include streaming services like Netflix, Prime, and Disney+, as well as
gambling and adult content sites.
Hotspots must be reserved and can be delivered to any Lambton County Library location for pickup. (Library cards are free for anyone who lives, works, or
studies in Lambton County, owns property in Lambton Coun- ty, or lives in a First Nations community in Ontario. Identifica- tion, including proof of address, must be presented.)
Visit lclibrary.ca for more information on Lambton County Library’s locations and collections.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township NOVEMBER 2024 Page 19
Moore Optimists Christmas season is underway
The Optimist Club of Moore is once again making sure those in need throughout our community will have a rea- son to be merry this Christmas. Registration for a Christ- mas hamper will start the week of Nov. 11 and continue
until Nov. 29. Walk-in donations will start on Dec. 2 until Dec. 20. And the delivery date will be Dec. 21 starting at 8 a.m.
The donation campaign kick-off of a wiener and beans lunch is slated to take place at the Corunna Legion on
Nov. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The OPP drive-through donation event will be held on Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Optimist commitment to their community can be seen all year long. Last Christmas, the Moore Club looked after 120 families, including 120 children and 179 adults, as well as three emergency donations for house
fires, and one house that was hit by a car.
Free Online Subscription
THE
and click on The Beacon icon.
-for-
Available
Email:
beacon@stclairtownship.ca
Please type “ Subscription ” in the Subject line and include your full name.
To find THE BEACON online, visit the township
website homepage at:
www.stclairtownship.ca
BEACON is open at no charge to not
profits in St. Clair Township (i.e. service clubs, etc.) and groups, events, or activities that will benefit and/or interest residents of St. Clair Township.
To submit information, photos, or notices email:
beacon@stclairtownship.ca
DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER IS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Early submissions are welcome
More Around the Township page 18
The Beacon of St. Clair Township NOVEMBER 2024 Page 20
Corunna Legion Br.447
350 Albert St., Corunna 519-862-1240
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Nov. 4, 18, 25 – Pepper start 1pm
Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28 – Cribbage start 1p.m.
Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Bridge start 1p.m.
Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Friday Night Fun
Meat Darts start 7p.m.
Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Meat Draw – start 4 p.m.
Legion membership is NOT necessary to enjoy the facilities.
Our hall is wheelchair accessible ALL ARE WELCOME
Contact: arodgers89@hotmail.com
FB: RoyalCanadian Legion, Leslie SutherlandBr447 More information on the above events
is available by calling (519) 862-1240
or on Facebook: The Royal Canadian Legion,
Leslie Sutherland Br.447
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Saturday, Nov. 9 Honours and Awards Banquet Cocktail 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Din- ner at 6 p.m. p.m. Tickets Available at Le- gion Br.447, Corunna.
Veterans and their caregiver – No Charge for dinner but ticket is required.
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Monday, Nov. 11, Remembrance Day. Parade to and service at the Clock Tower, Lyndoch St. Corunna; Starts at 10:45 a.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 30 – Open Jam, all wel-
come to come along and join in or listen to the music from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
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4th Annual Winter Market and Craft
Sale on Saturday, Nov. 16 starts at 10
a.m. – 2 p.m.
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Sunday, Nov., 24, Jim “Mitch” Mitchell Pro- gressive Euchre Tournament Register 11:30
a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Play at 1.p.m.
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Sombra Museum seeks info – Sombra Rangers
*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 Agricultural Society
STUDENTS, DO YOU NEED VOLUNTEER HOURS?
Students who need volunteer hours are invited to collect them by helping the Moore Agricultural Society (Brigden Fair). To discuss opportunities call 519 -864-1197 or email: info@brigdenfair.ca OR
michelle.evanitski@brigdenfair.ca
