The St. Clair Township
ISSUE 3
VOLUME 18
MARCH 2025
THE
TOWNSHIP OF ST. CLAIR
SUN SETS ON THE BEACON
After 25 years of publication, The St. Clair Township Beacon will no longer continue to publish due to the retirement of editor/producer Bonnie Stevenson.
“It has been my honour to meet and get to know the people of this township. I now have the pleasure of calling them my friends.
–30-
Bonnie Stevenson photo
A flaring sunset lights the last efforts of two ice fishermen trying their luck near the
Darcy McKeough overpass along the St. Clair Parkway. After several winters of rainy drizzly weather,
this rare winter showcase returned to remind us what a real Canadian winter was all about.
Toby Keith Tribute show for Operation Service Dog coming to Corunna Br. 447 Legion – for details see page 20
Inside The Beacon
MUNICIPAL NOTES
Pages 2-4
STUDENT SUMMER JOBS
Page 3
MOORETOWN SPORTS COMPLEX
Page 13
AROUND
THE TOWNSHIP
Page 20-18
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 2
Winter Parking By-law
In accordance with St. Clair Township 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. This will allow the unimpeded passage of snow or any winter control operation conducted by municipal forces or contractors. The by-law will be in effect until April 1, 2025. It includes: camping trailers, commercial trailers, derelict vehicles, marine vehi- cles, and recreational trailers. All obstructions, in- cluding 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 driveways and sidewalks out onto public streets. These snow piles create dangerous obstacles that can contribute to needless automobile collisions and the loss of control of a vehicle.
Hunting licences NO LONGER available at St. Clair Township office
Go Online to: http://www.ontario.ca/page/ hunting-licence-ontario-residents
The St. Clair Township Beacon is issued monthly by St. Clair Township
as a public service to township residents. Production by Bonnie Stevenson.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 3
From page 3 MORE MUNICIPAL NOTES
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 4
From page 4 MORE MUNICIPAL NOTES
Responsible Pet Ownership by-law Dog kennels and runs; Pound keeping and penalties for such
infractions as abandoning a dog or litter; Leaving an animal
By-Law 40 of 2024 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.
New draft By-Law 40 of 2024 provides for the regulation, While discussing the new by-law, council also discussed the restriction, and prohibition of the control and keeping of Dogs inclusion of cats that run loose unlicensed and unrestrained. and other animals within the Corporation of the Township of This subject has been discussed at other council meetings in St. Clair. the past and issues such as enforcement have rendered such a The by-law has been developed to protect township resi- by-law impractical. But should current circumstances change,
dents and their dogs. It includes subjects such as: Prohibiting amendments can be considered.
dogs from running at large or trespassing; Control of animals;
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 interacting with these people, remember they must adhere to these by-laws and decisions when trying to assist you. PLEASE BE COURTEOUS TO STAFF. Remember they are doing their job. Even if the answers you re- ceive in the course of your interaction are not satisfactory to you, ask them politely who would be able to help you and how to contact them.
Please treat our staff the way you want to be treated.
Emergency notification system recommended for township
The deterioration of the emergency notification system poses a threat to the community and the environ- ment, 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 emergency 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, indicat- ing how they would like to receive them. The available notifications include: shelter-in-place advisories; drinking wa- ter emergencies; evacuation advisories; extreme temperatures; Lambton Public Health notices; and industrial up- dates.
Stay informed when minutes matter!
To subscribe to this emergency notification system,
go online to: sarnialambtonalerts.ca
Property owners who dig without knowing where buried utility, pipelines, and cables are lo- cated 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 MARCH 2025 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) stclairpw@stclairtownship.ca
(519) 867-3886 (F) www.stclairtownship.ca http://fb.com/stclairtwppw
Water utility appointments St. Clair Township By-Law 11 of 2024 requires at least 48
require 48 hours notice 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 Ma- terials” by email at: customerservice@circularmaterials.ca
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:
https://rpra.ca/where-to- recycle/
RPRA (Resource Productivity
& Recovery Authority) –
RPRA’s “Where to Recy-
cle” map displays locations
across Ontario where you can drop off used materials to be recycled, such as batteries,
electronics, household hazard- ous 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, re- cover valuable resources and protect our environment.
to be recycled.
See More Works Department, page 7
Yard Waste Collection
Yard waste collection (leaves, grass, etc.) will be collected for the fall season until Nov. 20.
Christmas tree collection will remain the same for January 6, 2026.
PLEASE NOTE: Brush collection (bundles of sticks) is not longer provided.
For suggested locations to take brush see below:
(All locations require a fee) Waste Depot, 456 McGregor Side Rd., Sar- Transco Recycling, 387 McGregor Side Rd., nia; Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday Sarnia; Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m. from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call: 519-337-7668
to Noon; Call: 519-332-4045
Curran Recycling, 526 McGregor Side Rd., NOTE: Call ahead to confirm hours and Sarnia; Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m. fees which are all are subject to Call: 519-332-0849 change.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 7
More Foodcycler® units NOW AVAILABLE!
The Foodcycler® Waste Diversion Pilot composter trial, in which St. Clair Township participated 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 Foodcycler®
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
519-867-2993
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 bacte- ria 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.
New salt/sand shed being built at Wilkesport Operations Centre
Below: Superstructure is completed. Roof will be replaced with a canvas roof surface. The new shed will replace an old metal one that was badly dam- aged beyond repair by gale forced winds.
This photo: Crews install the steel superstructure on top of concrete foundation walls.
Photos courtesy St. Clair Township Works DepT.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 8
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership offers Summer Company Program
for aspiring student entrepreneurs
Be your own boss this summer and gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and up to
$3,000 in grant funding to launch and run your own business. $3,000 is available for up to six summer student business start-ups. The Sum- mer Company Program has expanded in Sarnia.
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is proud to announce the 2025 Summer Company pro- gram, an annual initiative designed to support aspiring student entrepreneurs. This program is a joint initia- tive between the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partner- ship and the Province of Ontario and has been provid- ing students in Ontario with entrepreneurial experi- ence for 26 consecutive years.
This year, up to six students will be selected to re- ceive grants of up to $3,000 each to launch and man- age their own summer businesses. The program has expanded from the usual cohort of four students with additional funding from the Province, continuing its tradition of fostering youth development and entre- preneurship in the region. The Summer Company pro- gram, administered by SLEP’s Business Enterprise Cen- tre, provides students with the funding, training, and mentorship needed to successfully start and operate their businesses.
Approved participants are provided with financial support of up to $1,500 to launch their business, and upon successful completion of the summer program, are eligible to receive another $1,500. That’s on top of any earnings they generate from their new businesses
making this an incredible opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience while earning income. Last year’s participants demonstrated the program’s ability to inspire and develop the next generation of entrepre- neurs. Sami Moussa, a 2024 participant and founder of Forest Fungi, said, “The Summer Company program gave me the financial support and business training I needed to turn my love for foraging and growing mush- rooms into a sustainable and successful business. The workshops, especially on pricing, were invaluable, and the connections I made were extraordinary.”
Matthew Slowinski, CEO of SLEP, emphasized the program’s impact, saying, “Summer Company is a cor- nerstone initiative that not only provides students with hands-on entrepreneurial experience but also contrib- utes to the economic vibrancy of our community. We are thrilled to see this program continue to grow and support more young entrepreneurs, and future busi- ness leaders each year.” Alison Minato, Manager of the Business Enterprise Centre, added, “This program is about more than just financial support. It’s about equipping students with training, mentorship, and helping build the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.”
Students between the ages of 15 and 29 who are returning to school in the fall are encour- aged to apply. Applications for the 2025 Sum- mer Company program are now open. Interest- ed students can learn more by visiting: sarni- alambton.on.ca/summercompany.
U.S. Tariff; SLEP offers insight. What it means for Your Business
U.S. government threats of tariffs on Canadian goods, if implemented, will impact businesses engaged in cross-border trade. If your business imports or exports with the U.S., we want to hear from you. Under- standing your challenges will help us explore strategies to mitigate the impact and identify opportunities to navigate these changes effectively. Contact SLEP at: Arianne Garcia, Marketing and Communications Manage,Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, 519-332-1820 ext. 225
Tariff threats spark response from National Farmers Union
The threat of U.S. tariffs resulted in the National Farmers Union issuing a media release (Feb. 5, 2:39 p.m.) urging the development of a long-term food and agriculture strategy that reduces Cana- da’s dependence on trade with the USA. In the media release, the NFU noted, “President Trump’s dis- ruptive strategy and lack of respect for rules means we can no longer consider trade agreements reli- able. No matter what happens, Canadian farmers, workers, and consumers will be well served by ini- tiatives that strengthen our food sovereignty and reduce our vulnerability to supply chain disruption, income loss, price increases and food shortages… As farmers, we produce for international markets
and for domestic consumption. Both markets are critical. We also use imported equipment and in- puts. Strengthening food sovereignty—the democratic control of important decisions about food and agriculture—is a key strategy to withstand President Trump’s economic pressure tactics, which are brazenly aimed at annexing Canada.” The media release went on to say, “The threat of punitive
American tariffs and an ensuing trade war creates uncertainty harmful to our livelihoods and our
communities,” and urged the government to move swiftly to build a strong foundation of food sover- eignty.
The media release was issued by NFU President Jenn Pfenning, NFU Ontario President Max
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 9
Brigden Optimist Club recruitment taco-fest attracts new members
The Optimist Club is one of the prem- ier service clubs in the world. Each lo- cal Optimist Club is a charter member of Optimist International, however, each club sets its own agenda, operat- ing independently according to the needs of its community and especially,
its youth. St. Clair Township is fortunate to have several Optimist Clubs within easy access.
On Feb. 5, the Brigden Optimist Club held a successful taco-fest information event at the Brigden Community Centre to bring new members into the club. Brigden Op- timist Club members welcomed about 20 non-members to the event, several of whom decided to join the club.
Club President Nadine Mitchell said she was
very pleased with the turnout and noted that club ac- tivity information is constantly posted on Facebook.
Welcoming Marissa Lester of Brigden to the recruitment event is Optimist Cindy Litchfield, middle photo, and Optimist Tracy Kingston.
Optimist Rick Mitchell (foreground) tries his luck at assembling the per- fect taco while further down the ta- ble, Chris Anderson completes his plate of nachos. The bueno taco buf- fet was created by Brigden Optimist Club President Nadine Mitchell.
Mrs. Mitchell explained new volunteers are a valuable resource be- cause, “We don’t lack for creative ideas.”
Although club membership begins at 18 years of age, students are en- couraged to be part of the club, too. They are able to acquire the vol- unteer hours required for
graduation. From helping at childrens’ programs and club fundraisers, to community projects and activities, there are plenty of club organized things that require extra vol- unteers. Optimist Rick Mitch- ell agreed. “In past years, young people have been our
saving grace.”
The stated mission of the Opti- mist Club is to provide hope and positive vision that brings out the best in youth, the com- munity, and the club members themselves.
Students ages 9 to 19 can enter the exciting Oratory and qualify for
$ prizes and scholarships.
For details, see page 17
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 10
NFU SAYS: SUPPLY MANAGEMENT IS SOLID ANCHOR IN THE TARIFF STORM
The impending 25% American tariff on averted extreme farm consolidation all Canadian exports is playing havoc and the mega-farm trend that has oc- with farmers incomes and consumers’ curred with the US’s get-big-or-get-out food security. Key sectors – beef, approach. Our smaller-scale farms pork, grain and oilseeds – depend on mean that manure management is eas-
US markets, while much of our fresh ier and the risk of environmental problems are low- fruit and vegetables as well as pro- er. Also, more smaller-scale farms translates to cessed food is imported. You may not more family farms on the landscape, with more peo-
know that our dairy, poultry, and eggs are safe from ple invested in being part of local communities. tariff threats because they are raised, processed and Supply Management keeps the economic value of consumed within Canada, in the right amounts at the dairy, poultry and eggs within Canada. Greedy multi- right time to ensure we always have enough without national corporations would love to break apart our wasteful surpluses. system and extract this value for themselves. Under Supply Management provides dairy, poultry, and egg CETA, the CPTPP and now CUSMA, trade agreements farmers with a level of economic stability that is the have chipped away at Supply Management, and today envy of farmers in the US, and beyond. South of the 18% of Canada’s valuable dairy market has been border, when the market price of milk plummets, grabbed by multinationals. The result is our consum- the economic hardship frequently causes farming ers’ food dollars flying out of our country. Prevent- families to lose their farms. This type of devastating ing more erosion of Supply Management was the mo- price fluctuation for milk doesn’t happen in Canada. tivation for Bill C-282, which sought to remove Sup- The reason: Supply Management. ply Management from future trade negotiations. Bill As the name suggests, Supply Management imposes C-282 was supported overwhelmingly in the House of management upon the total supply of dairy, poultry Commons, but died on the floor of the Senate when and eggs produced in Canada, and ensures that our Parliament was prorogued in January. farmers produce no more, and no less, than the mar- You have likely been hearing the narrative that pro- ket needs. Managing supply helps prevent large tecting Supply Management puts Canada in a straight swings in prices. It also eliminates massive overpro- jacket at the trade negotiation table. This narrative duction and the resulting waste of good food that plays well for multinational corporations that want occurs in a number of other countries, including the to use our system as a bargaining chip. What you US. Managing supply, sometimes referred to as pro- may not have been hearing is the long successful his- duction discipline, is one of three key pillars of Can- tory of Supply Management in safeguarding farmers ada’s Supply Management system. livelihoods, and the food security and food sover- The other two key pillars of Supply Management are eignty of Canadians. I encourage you to learn as cost-of-production pricing, and import controls. Cost much of this history as possible and then challenge
-of-production pricing ensures that farmers receive a the corporate narrative at every opportunity. fair income for their efforts. Import controls provide Defending our food sovereignty, the ability to demo- for predictable and adequate supply by preventing cratically control what we produce and what we eat, foreign products from flooding our markets and put- is worth all the knowledge and passion we can har- ting our farmers out of business. ness. Let’s defend and then strengthen Supply Man- Under Canada’s system Canadian consumers have the agement.
benefits of steady supply and steady prices. If a For more information contact: Matthew Wiens,
trade war happens, it will have minimal impact on
our ability to buy milk, poultry and eggs, because we NFU Region 5, Manitoba, Board Member, call: import and export very little of these foods. We pro- (204) 268-9627 or email:mattjwiens@yahoo.ca duce domestically for a domestic market. Under sup-
ply management we have a certain level of food se- Everyone must make an effort to support curity with dairy, poultry and eggs that we don’t our country by shopping Canadian. Check necessarily enjoy with things like beef, pork and the labels on the things you buy to be sure vegetables. With Supply Management farmers are at
not at risk of losing their markets and having to sell they are grown, produced or made in Cana-
the farm due to a trade war with the United States, da and keep our Canadian dollars here at
because they do not produce for the US market. home.
Stable farm income under Supply Management has
Registration now open find new opportunities for grain farmers in Ontario to
for 2025 March Classic continue leading the way.
The 2025 keynote speakers include: The U.S. Farm Re-
port with host Tyne Morgan; Vance Crowe, Communica-
Grain Farmers of Ontario, the province’s tions Strategist; Linda Nazareth, Economist, Futurist, and largest commodity organization, represent- Author; Innovation in Agriculture panel with moderator
ing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and Joe Dales, RHA Ventures.
wheat farmers, has opened registration for its 2025 March Registration is now open! Please visit www.gfo.ca/ Classic: Leading the Way. The 2025 March Classic will be MarchClassic to register for the 2025 March Classic, and held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at RBC Place in London, view the agenda, speaker lineup, and hotel details.
Ontario. This year’s event celebrates 15 years and will
look at what the future might hold for agriculture and
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 11
Lambton County Library becomes
Family Search Affiliate Library
Lambton Coun- FamilySearch, the world’s largest genealo- ty Library is now gy organization, provides access to over 6 bil- a designated lion searchable names and 2 billion images of FamilySearch historical records. FamilySearch users have ac- Affiliate Li- cess to birth, marriage, death, census, land brary. As an af- and court records from over 130 countries, and filiate library, 2 billion historical images.“Libraries are cor- library patrons nerstone institutions for local learning,” said now have ex- Paul Nauta, FamilySearch Public Relations panded access Manager.
to 400 million “We are thrilled to welcome Lambton exclusive digital County Library as a FamilySearch Affiliate Li-
ords not available to standaimages and rec- brary. This partnership expands opportunities
users. To access these exclusi rd r FamilySearch for local communities to make personal discov-
trons must connect through ve esources, pa- eries and connect with their family histories.”
Lambton County
Library networks by either: 1. Using a public To learn more or to access Fami-
computer at any of the 25 Lambton County Li-
brary locations. 2. Connecting to the library’s lySearch visit lclibrary.ca/genealogy
public wi-fi with a personal device.
HEY D.I.Y. FOLKS WHO HAVE NO TOOLS TO DIY!
YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY NOW HAS TOOL KITS TO BORROW FOR HOME AND GARDEN PROJECTS
Lambton County Library is excited to announce the addition of new Tool Kits to its collec- tion. The kits include: basic hand tools like screwdrivers, bits, hammers, pliers, and wrench- es. Tool kits can be borrowed for up to seven days with a valid Lambton County Library card.
“By providing access to essential hand tools, we’re making it easier for patrons to complete minor home repairs or garden projects,” said Kevin Coates, Public Services Coordinator, Collections.
Library cards are free for anyone who lives, works, studies, or owns property in Lambton County, or is a resident of a First Nations community in Ontario.
For more information, visit: www.lclibrary.ca/apply.
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Don’t forget there are more than just books at your local library!
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 MARCH 2025 Page 12
The Sacred Heart Food Bank continues to aid the commu-
nity addressing 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 reg- ular basis. The Sacred Heart food bank appreciates all dona- tions and the basics are always in high demand. Drop offbins are located for your convenience at: DG Grains Becher lo- cation; Mainstreet Credit Union in Port Lambton; Port Lambton Food Market; Port Lambton United Church; Sa- cred Heart Catholic Church in Port Lambton.
St. Andrew’s food bank helps those in need Please help St. Andrew’s with your donation
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 prod- ucts 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 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. An- drews 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 Wednes- days at 1 p.m., and Pepper is played on Fridays at 1 p.m. The cost per game is $3 per person.
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 library cardholder’s own device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer, a Wi-Fi hotspot will provide reliable internet service. Wi-Fi hotspots are available for a 14-day lending 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 gam- bling 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 County, or lives in a First Nations com- munity in Ontario. Identification, including proof of address, must be pre- sented.)
Visit lclibrary.ca for more information on Lambton County Library’s loca- tions and collections.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 13
Check out our schedule online at: stclairtownshipcommunityservices.ca
*WINTER Sunday Public Skate: 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.,
$3.25/child, $4.50/adult, $10.50/ family.
*WINTER Weekday Public Skate: Wednesday – 10:30
a.m. – 12 p.m., Monday and Friday – 12:30 p.m. – 2
p.m. $2.50/person,$10.50/family
*Shinny hockey (+18) Tuesdays 9 a.m.-10 a.m.,
$5/person
*Family Shinny Hockey: March 14, April 4, June 27 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. – $5/person.
*Get Fit at the Moore Sports Complex! New on Mon- day nights featuring Having A Ball – Pilates at 5 p,m. and Movement & Mobility class at 6 p.m. Join us for a variety of energizing classes, including Mat Pilates, Guns and Buns, Spin, and Yoga! Whether you prefer to pay as you go, purchase a 10 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!
*Spring Swim Lessons: Registration opens March 19 at 9 a.m. Register online or call 519-867-2651.
*Looking to become a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor? Advanced Leadership Courses are available in March. Life Saving Society SWIM instructor: March 21, 22, 23 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Life Saving Society In-
structor; March 28, 29, 30 from 5 p.m.— 9 p.m.; Na- tional Lifeguard Service: March 10 to March 14– daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
*Babysitting Course: April 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30
p.m. For ages 11 to 15.
*Check our website for our Winter Pool and Fitness Schedule! For more information or to register for any of the programs, contact the Mooretown Sports Complex at 519-867-2651.
*March Break Camp
March 10 to March 14, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ages 5 – 12 years of age (children must be 5 years of age before they may attend the program)
Day Camp Daily Rate: $48.50 / Day Camp Weekly Rate: $206.13
Early Drop Off OR Late Pickup available for an extra fee – registration is required for this service.
Spaces are limited*
West Lambton Community Health Centre
We Now Offer Online Program Registration!!
Please visit https://www.nlchc.com/services/wellness-programs/
FOR CURRENT INFORMATION on West Lambton Community Health Centre Programs, see above website.
Week l y Even ts : Hea rt He a l t hy Liv ing Wo r ksh op ( Virtua l
Sit o r St and E xe rci se Cl ass : Virtua l Op – Wo rksho p ) Ex plo r e c h o leste ro l an d heart –
t io n: Mo ndays & We d nesdays , 1 0 : 3 0 – 1 1 : 3 0 smart diets ( Zo o m) . Call fo r mo re details .
a. m. ( Zoom) . Bo ost You r Se l f – Conf iden ce Wo r ksh o p :
Co f fee Time: F r i days, 1 0 : 4 5 a. m. at West March 24 t h, 2025 , 3 : 00 – 4 : 0 0 p. m . ( Zo o m) .
Lambto n Co mm unity Heal th C ent re This wo rksho p i s facil i tated by th e Wo m en’ s
D ru m Fit : We dn esday s , 1 0 : 3 0 – 1 1 : 3 0 a. m. Inte rval Ho me o f Sar nia – La mbto n . at Dun lo p Cent ral U ni ted C hu rch . Ot he r Hig hl ights :
Low I mp a ct Exe r cise : Tu esdays & T hu rs- Ga rde n F resh B ox P r og ra m
days, 9 : 3 0 – 1 0 : 3 0 a. m . at Brig de n F air Ord er by th e f i rst F r i day mo nt hly fo r f res h Gro u nds AND Wed nes days, 9 : 3 0 – 1 0 : 3 0 a. m . pro d uce ( West Lam bt o n Co mmu nity H ealt h at Mo o reto wn S po rts Co mplex . Centr e )
Medit ati on : Mo n days, 1 0 : 0 0 – 1 1 : 0 0 a. m. at
West Lambto n Co mm u nity H ealt h Ce ntr e . ** To reg i ste r fo r a ny p rog ra ms , p lease
S pec ia l Even ts : ca l l Re be c c a a t ( 519 ) 344 – 3017 ext . 237 .
Eat We l l , Live We l l Wo rks ho p ( Virtual Fo r ou r v i rt ua l p rog ram s, d on ’ t f org et t o Wo rksho p ) Discuss nu tritio n with a Regis- em ail r eve raer t@ nl c hc . co m to re cei ve t h e tere d Die t i t ian ( Zo o m ). Ca l l fo r mo re d e- Zo om l in k
tails.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 14
Two local groups receive Corunna Legion Corunna Br. 4477 donations
The kindness and generosity of the members of the Royal Canadian Legion Corunna Br. 447 was in full view as the Leslie Sutherland (On. No. 447) branch made donations to Mooretown Lady Flags and to all Corunna Guiding units.
$500 donation to Mooretown Lady Flags
Back (L-R) Tom Boyd,Mike Germain,Catrice West-
brook,Ainsley Bennett,Hannah Parsons, Eastyn Potvin, Harlow Germain, Melissa Westbrook, Br. 447 President Shawn Mac- Neil.
Middle Row (L-R) Jaelyn Devine, Ruby Frew,Caroline St Pierre, Bay Vandenheuvel, Em- ma Salisbury, Kylie Slater Mekah Dewhirst with cheque.
Br. 44 Legion photos
Br. 447 President Shawn MacNeil, Jersey, Evera, Emily, Marley, Brooklyn, Bria, Yvonne, Jill, Jenn. On the Stage: (l-r) Charlee, Katie.
While some people plan to get away for March Break, St. Clair Fire en- courages everyone to prepare for a different kind of escape by prioritiz- ing fire safety.
Here are some fire safety tips:
Create and practice a home escape plan with your family. Draw a floor plan of your home, marking two escape routes from each room. Choose a meeting place outside, like a street sign, mailbox or tree.
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.
It’s the law!! Test smoke alarms monthly to ensure they are working.
When cooking, stay in the kitchen, avoid distractions, and keep flam- mable items away from the stove.
If you are travelling and staying at a hotel, B & B, or seasonal rental, look for a fire escape route and check for working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 15
Trail Talk
It’s not quite spring yet, but have you ever found yourself thinking or saying, “ I have lived in St. Clair Township for years and have never been to…”
Why not make 2025 the year to tour your own back yard?
Check out a map at: stclairrivertrail.com to help you plan your spring or summer tour of one or all of these wonderful features located along or near the 36 km St. Clair River Trail.
*Tour one or all three campgrounds; Mooretown, Cathcart and Branton-Cundick. You’re sure to be
amazed! *Visit our fantastic Moore and Sombra Museums. * Explore the Moore Sports Complex, even if you don’t skate or swim, the atmosphere is welcoming. *Enjoy The Parkway Bar & Grill at the St. Clair Parkway Golf Course. * Check out the Lambton County Libraries in Corunna, Mooretown, Courtright,
Wilkesport, Sombra, and Port Lambton. *Walk or bicycle through the ribbon of 12 waterfront parks from LaSalle Line south to Whitebread Line.
STCC Swim Team hosts March meet
The STCC Swim Team will host its annual swim meet on March 2. The warm up starts at 9 a.m. and the meet will run from 10:15 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Four SEAL League teams and approximately 90+ swimmers will be competing. SLEP seeks candidate
to fill one
volunteer position on Board of Directors
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is accept- ing applications to fill one volunteer position on its Board of Directors. The successful candidate will serve a three-year ter and play a key role in guiding the or- ganization’s efforts to foster economic growth and investment in the Sarnia-Lambton region. More infor- mation and application form are available for download at: https://sarnialambton.on.ca/slep- board-of-directors-recruitment-2025. Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, April
7. Email it to cindy@sarnialambton.on.ca or mail to the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partner- ship office at 1086 Modeland Road, Bldg.1050, Suite 100, Sarnia, ON. N7S 2J2.
Are you looking for work?
In Corunna, help is as close as the Corunna Library, 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 community ser- vice providers to help you reach your goals and support your well-being. Job seekers and employers can access resources and support to navigate the job market or check out Facebook below…
No appointment is needed. Facebook:www.facebook.comlambtonworkcentre
Operation Christmas Tree delivers even
though donations were down
The Optimist Club of Moore and the 2024 Operation Christmas Tree (OCT) Organ- izing Committee would like to thank local individuals, schools, groups, corporations and businesses for the support received in the 2024 campaign.
Donations helped enable Operation Christmas Tree to deliver over 130 food and toy hampers to qualifying fami- lies including 366 local residents in need last December. Over 12 truckloads of food were provided to Corunna and Brigden foodbanks through local school and business donations. Emergency funding was also provided to local fire victims and foodbanks. Thanks to the support of this vital program, families with young children had food on the table and gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.
Stan Marsh, Operation Christmas Tree President stated, “This has proven to be a vital program since it’s incep- tion in 1989, and wouldn’t be possible without our giving community. Hamper deliveries have helped to make a brighter holiday season for many, especially now, when many are financially struggling.” Stan pointed out that OCT is on the job all year long.
Despite 2024’s campaign’s success, donations were down significantly due in part, to the postal strike. Help us bridge the donation gap and please give to Operation Christmas Tree today. For more information or to donate visit www.operationchristmastree.ca.
This year, to mark the 50th Anniversary of Moore Museum Some detailed documentation has been accumulated to tell the story of the museum from beginning to the present day.
Do some time-travelling with this timeline and story.
Our journey through time begins with…
1800: John Courtney, Mooretown’s first Europe- an settler arrives.
1829: Moore Township is founded and is home to 24 settlers.
1867: Canada is founded.
1972: Moore Township historical preservation committee is formed.
1975: Moore Museum opens with the Courtney Cabin and Riley Cottage as the first exhibits along with the main building.
1980: The Shaw building opens.
1982: Moore Museum acquires the one room schoolhouse.
1994: Moore Museum acquires the blacksmith shop.
1998: The Basswood block opens after being ac-
quired and rebuilt over the previous years.
2000: The Trinity Anglican Church opens to the public after several years of renovations.
2001: St. Clair Township is established as an amalgamation of Sombra and Moore Townships.
2004: The Caboose opens to the public.
2005: The Fire Hall opens after being built from the ground up by volunteers.
2013: The Lionel Train Room and the General Store opens to the public after being worked on by the museum’s handy volunteers.
2017: Canada celebrates 150 years as a country.
2025: Moore Museum celebrates its 50th anniver-
sary .
Researched and compiled by A. Rodey
Mooretown was first settled just over 200 years ago by Europeans that traveled the St. Clair River to the land that now exists as part of St. Clair township. The St. Clair river gets its name from Saint Claire, a Roman Catholic Saint.
The river was given this name in 1679 by a Catholic priest who was part of the crew that first discovered the river on the feast day of Saint Claire. Although early explorers traveled through the area, Moore
township would not be settled by Europeans until over a hundred years later with the arrival of John Courtney in 1800.
John Courtney was a British born settler who decided to settle in the area for the St. Clair River and because he liked the tall timbers. John and his wife Bertha had their son Michael in 1802, making their baby the first person of European descent to be born in Mooretown. Other early settlers were of French descent.
The earliest settlers built their homes near the river so they would have access to fresh water and fish. In fact, three quarters of the population lived along the river.
The arrival of settlers increased by the 1830s when the British government started giving land grants to soldiers, and by 1840 the municipal government of Moore Township was established. At this time there were 138 taxpayers listed in Moore township, with an additional 643 family members.
Fast forward to the year 2001 when Moore Township amalgamated with its southern neighbour Sombra Township to create St. Clair Township* Today, the township has a population of just under 15,000. Alt- hough this municipality may be small, this great community along the river has helped foster the likes of Rob Thomson, Derek Druin, and Chris Hadfield.
Researched and compiled by A. Rodey
*The amalgamation was done by many municipalities across the province based on claims that restructuring would be more effi- cient and lest costly. Taxpayers were informed they would benefit from the lower costs and lower taxes.
The Beacon of St. Clair Township MARCH 2025 Page 17
THE 2025 RIVER RUN IS ON THE WAY!
Sponsors and volunteers now have the opportunity to directly support our ini- tiatives and projects that benefit the residents of St. Clair township. Your contribution will help us make a lasting impact and create a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone. Contact us today to learn more about spon-
sorship opportunities and how you can get involved. Volunteers are being sought for River Run day If you’re looking for a more hands-on way to make a difference, we welcome you to join us as a volunteer. By dedicating your time and skills, you can actively contribute to our community-building efforts. To- gether, we can make a real difference and create a brighter future for our community. Let us know if you’re interested in being a sponsor or volunteer, and together, let’s make a lasting impact!
Running programs will start in the spring. Participants can register and vol- unteers can sign up at: https://www.stclairriverrun.org/
Instagram at: stclair.riverrun.2025 Facebook: St. Clair River Run
The Moore Optimist Club will host an ORATORICAL CONTEST for contestants under the age of 19 to 19 as of Sept. 30.
The 700-800 word ESSAY theme will be: HOW OPTIMISM HAS GUIDED ME THROUGH TRYING TIMES. The essay should be between 4-5 minutes in length.
The deadline to enter the contest will be: Thursday, March 20. Prizes to be awarded are: 1st – $250; 2nd – $200; and 3rd – $150.
The winner will go to the District semi-final in April. The semi-final winner will go to will go to District contest for $2,500 scholarship. The winner of District competes for a $22,500 world championship scholarship in St. Louis, MO.
For information Or entry form contact: Andrea Lane andrea@live.ca
519-381-3556 www.mooreoptimist FACEBOOK: moore optimist club
Pathways is proud to announce “Celebrate”, a musical production to commemorate its 50th anniversary of providing essential supports for children and youth with physi- cal, developmental and communication needs.
This extraordinary event will take place on Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April
12 at 2 p.m. at The Imperial Theatre. Sponsored by the County of Lambton Creative Coun- ty Grant Program, Enbridge and Mellon Inc, “Celebrate” is a joint effort between Pathways Therapeutic Rec- reation Staff and creative director Jen Brown Nead with a unique performance featuring talented individuals from the Therapeutic Recreation program. The show aims to highlight the power of creativity and celebrate all abilities, inclusion and participation.
“Collaborating with the Pathways Therapeutic Recreation Team to bring an Expressive Arts program to cli- ents is an incredibly joyful and rewarding experience,” said Jen Brown Nead, Creative Director. “Our show beautifully captures that spirit, inviting audiences to sing, dance, and be inspired along with us. ”
Tickets for “Celebrate” are available now through The Imperial Theatre website. Join us for an unforgetta- ble evening of music and celebration as we commemorate Pathways’ legacy and look forward to many more years of service to Sarnia-Lambton.
We appreciate the media for supporting our continued efforts to make a difference in the lives of children and youth with communication, physical and developmental needs! Help us tell our story and to raise funds to support the mission For more information about Pathways’ 50th anniversary events, please visit our website throughout the year or contact us at 519-542-3471 ext. 1243. About Pathways As one of the 22 Children’s Treatment Centre in the Province of Ontario.
From page 19 M O R E A R O U N D T H E T O W N S H I P
ELIMINATION DRAW WINNERS JAN. 18, 2025
$2,400 Grand Prize Roger Newby, Ticket #203
Congratulations to all and Thank You for your support!
APRIL LEO Diners Club & Forever Fit Trust special events to Corunna Br. 447 Ladies
For your special event, check out the banquet fa- cility at the Royal Canadian Legion Corunna 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 accommodate up to 289 people; it’s fully accessible with plenty of parking. The more intimate atmosphere of the Club Room offers space for 143.
Each of the recently renovated facilities offers its own L.C.B.O. licensed bar. The large industrial sized kitchen boasts an experienced staff that can handle food offerings for any occasions. To find out more regarding food and table information, please call La- dies Auxiliary President Denise Taylor at 519-491- 5627. For banquet hall bookings and prices, please call 519-862-1240.
CORUNNA: Lunch will be held at the Corunna Le- gion on April 16. Subject: Caregivers Org. of Ontar- io.
SOMBRA: On April 8. Subject: Fraud Prevention.
Call
To register for either lunch, please contact: Belynda 519-845-1353, ext.211 OR bwhitlock@lambtonelderlyoutreach.org.
FOREVER FIT: Corunna classes: Mondays: March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30;
And April 4, 11, 18, 25, March 2. Held at Thomp- son Gardens. Facility fee $40 Jan-Dec.
FOREVER FIT: Low impact exercise program of- fered in Corunna from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Thompson Gardens with a facility fee of $40 from January to December. Please contact Belynda for further information.
More Around the Township page 19
MARCH 2025
175th Event
Elimination Draw
Tickets are now available for the Brigden Fair 175th Anniversary Elimination Draw Dance being held on Saturday, March 22.
Tickets are $75 per couple, which includes admission for two to the dance. The Early Bird Draw is set for Feb. 14. Tickets are available at: the Fair Office; Brigden Fair Di- rectors; Always Quilting; Brigden Feed Mill; Dynamic Graphix in Co- runna; and Stafford Brothers Meats in Petrolia.
Thompson Gardens Cruickshank Centre
Join the morning coffee group at Thomp- son Gardens Cruickshank Centre from 9
a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for just a dollar. It’s open to everyone who enjoys good conversa- tion and good coffee (or tea).
GAMES ANYONE? Monday and Wednes- day evenings are Games Nights. Monday is Wi virtual bowling and Wednesday is euchre at a cost of $3 per person, to be awarded as prize money.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME! COME HAVE FUN!
More Around the Township page 18
A R O U N D T H E T O W N S H I P
Corunna Legion Br.447 6:30 p.m. at the church, 3214 Mill Street in Wilkesport. al in-
350 Albert St., Corunna cludes: pancakes, sausage, tea and coffee. A free will offering will
be the cost of enjoying this delicious holiday meal and take-out
519-862-1240 will be available. The meal includes: pancakes, sausage, tea and
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES coffee. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MARCH-2025 SPRING STEW SUPPER: Wilkesport United Church will host a stew All Mondays – Pepper at 1pm supper on Thursday, April 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the All Tuesday – Sew Crazy Girls (and boys) at 10:30am church, 3214 Mill Street, Wilkesport. The meal includes: stew,
biscuits, coffee/tea and dessert. The cost is a free will offering
All Wednesdays – Whacky Wednesdays – All Day and take-out meals will be available. Address inquiries or large
All Thursdays – Cribbage at 1pm orders to Betty at 519-381-9874.
All Fridays – Bridge at 1pm ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All Fridays – Fun Meat Darts at 7pm
All Saturdays – Meat Draw at 4pm
Tuesday March 4 – General Meeting at 7pm
Tuesday March 11 – Ladies Auxiliary Meeting. 6:30pm 2025 is an exciting year as Moore Agricultural Society Tuesday March 18 – Executive Meeting at 7pm celebrates “175 years of Home Grown, Home Made, Saturday March 15 – Mel Wilkinson Mixed Darts Farm Fresh.” Please stay tuned to our Facebook page
Tournament Starts at 11am and website (http://www.brigdenfair.ca) to take part
Saturday, March 29 – OPEN JAM from 3pm – 6pm in all the fun events we have planned to celebrate the
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 175th Anniversary of the Society.
Toby Keith Tribute for STU ~ ~ S~ ~ ~ ~ ~ E~D~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ RS?
DENT , DO YOU N E VOLUNTEER HOU
Operation Service dog Students who need volunteer hours are invited to
The Toby Keith Tribute for Operation Service collect them by helping the Moore Agricultural So-
ciety (Brigden Fair). To discuss opportunities call
Dog is coming to the Corunna Branch 447 519-864-1197 or email: info@brigdenfair.ca OR
Legion on Friday, April 4 with doors opening at michelle.evanitski@brigdenfair.ca
7 p.m and the show beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
will be $30 per person for you to enjoy good Brigden Fair 2025 quilt raffle
Toby Keith music for a good cause. Sales start- Tickets are now available for the 2025 Brigden Fair Quilt ed on March 1 and are sure to sell quickly. raffle. Tickets are available from MAS fair office, Always More information on the above events Quilting, and at MAS events, or by e-transfer at
is available by calling (519) 862-1240 quiltraffle@brigdenfair.ca for $5 each or 3/$10.
or on Facebook: The Royal Canadian Legion,
Leslie Sutherland Br.447
ALL ARE WELCOME TO CORUNNA LEGION BR. 447 –
MEMBERSHIP NOT REQUIRED
Our hall is wheelchair accessible
Contact: arodgers89@hotmail.com
~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Saturdays, March 1-15-29 — Legion opens at 3:30, Meat
Raffle starts at 4:30 Thursdays, March 6-13-20-27 — Catch the Ace, Legion opens at 6:00, Tickets sold until 6:30 p.m. Draw at
7pm. Tickets $5.00 each or 5 tickets for $20.00.
Tickets are available during all open hours at the legion. March 7 – Trivia starts at 7pm, $5.00 to play
March 22 – Euchre starts at 7pm, $5.00 to play
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WILKESPORT UNITED CHURCH COMING EVENTS-2025
At EASTER, the Wilkesport United Church will host a pancake sup- per for Shrove Tuesday. On Tuesday, March 4 from 4:30 p.m. to Brigden Fair Coming events
*Sunday, March 30: Moore Agricultural Annual Beef Dinner
*Sunday, April 20: Easter Brunch
*Sunday, May 11: Mother’s Day Brunch
More events in the planning phase – stay tuned for details.
New MAS Executive Elected
The new Moore Agricultural Society executive for 2025 was recently chosen. They are: President Michelle Evanesce; 1st Vice President Tammy Warner; 2nd Vice President Brenda Maw; Past President Mal- colm Rogers; Homecraft President Kathy Scott.
Moore Skating Club 52nd Annual Ice Show April 5
1 p.m. & 6 p.m.
More Around the Township page
