This Month in Lambton - February 2021

The February edition of This Month in Lambton includes the following news, service updates, programs and events:

• Lambton Transitioning to Red-Control Zone
• Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month
• Alpacas at North Lambton Lodge
• First Round of COVID-19 Vaccinations Complete
• Archives Accepting COVID-19 Submissions
• Heritage Museum Online Experiences
• Oil Museum Renovations
• 211 Ontario
• Participate in One Book Lambton Programming This Spring
• Borrow an Ontario Parks Day-Use Pass with a Library Card
• Online Program Available Through Lambton County Library

Lambton Transitioning to Red-Control Zone

On Monday, February 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., Lambton County will move to Red-Control zone of the province’s COVID-19 response framework. The provincial announcement was made to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in Lambton County based on an overall risk assessment of local indicators.

“The incidence rate of COVID-19 in Lambton County last week (Feb 7-13) was 60 per 100,000 persons and that falls above the threshold for Red-Control (40 per 100k),” said Dr. Ranade, Medical Officer of Health for the County of Lambton. “It has doubled compared to our rate for the previous week (28 per 100k). While many recent cases have been linked to institutional outbreaks, these settings are a part of the community.”

This Red-Control zone places further restrictions on gatherings, business-controlled settings, retail limits, cinemas and performing arts facilities. 

• Gatherings (formal/informal) – 5 people indoors, 10 people outdoors
  • Religious and other ceremonies: 30% capacity of the room indoors, 100 people outdoors
• Business-controlled settings (restaurants, foot courts, gyms, casino & gaming)
  • 10 people indoors, 25 people outdoors
• Retail limits
  • 75% for supermarkets and other stores that primarily sell groceries (includes pharmacies & convenience stores)
  • 50% for all other retail
• Cinemas & performing arts – closed (with specific exemptions)

Full details listed under the COVID-19 response framework and O. Reg. 263/20: Red-Control.

The public is reminded to please be patient and kind as businesses implement new control measures and requirements under the COVID-19 response framework. We all have a role to play and everyone would like to get back to normal. Please do your part and stay home as much as possible; avoid social gatherings; limit close contacts to your household; work from home if possible, and avoid travel except for essential reasons.

Together we can beat the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more at LambtonPublicHealth.ca.

Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month

Therapeutic Recreation Ontario is celebrating Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month in February. The purpose of Recreation Therapy is to enable all individuals to achieve quality of life and optimal health through meaningful experiences in recreation and leisure.

The County of Lambton Long-Term Care Division would like to recognize the hard work of the Recreation & Leisure teams at the Manor, the Villa and the Lodge. We thank them for all they have done and continue to do during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recreation staff have worked hard to develop new and innovative programming to ensure the people living in the Homes continue to smile, stay connected to loved ones and feel engaged in the life of the Home.

Alpacas at North Lambton Lodge

North Lambton Lodge had some rather unlikely, but very friendly visitors at the home on Sunday, February 7.  Recreation & Leisure team member Joanne set up window visits for people living at the Lodge with Floyd, Jimmy and Ned, 3 alpacas from Sylvan Alpacas in Parkhill. These gentle and curious animals were escorted by their owners Nick and Steph Ince.

People living at the Lodge were encouraged to sit by their windows while Nick and Steph accompanied Floyd, Jimmy and Ned around the outside of the building. The staff at the Lodge learned that alpacas are intrigued when they see their own refection in a window and they love to explore and look inside things. This makes them naturals for window visits and helps make it a more personal experience for people sitting inside looking out. Everyone at the Lodge was delighted to see their special visitors and it was still the talk of the home on Monday morning.

The Lodge wants to thank Nick and Steph Ince for volunteering their time to bring their wonderful alpacas out to spread some joy at the Home during this very challenging time.

First Round of COVID-19 Vaccinations Complete

The Lambton COVID-19 Immunization Task Force is happy to report the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to every long-term care and high risk retirement home resident in Lambton County who wanted one. First doses of the Moderna vaccine were also given to Indigenous Elder Care home residents on Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, and Walpole Island First Nation.

The Mobile Immunization Team, which consists of staff from Lambton Public Health, Bluewater Health and Lambton Emergency Medical Services (EMS), partnered to administer the first doses to these Phase 1 priority groups, which was completed last week.

The gradual introduction of COVID-19 vaccines is very positive news, but the public needs to remain vigilant and follow credible health advice. It is important to maintain all the public health measures that have been put in place over the last several months including social distancing, staying at home if you’re sick, wearing a face covering or mask, going out only for essential items, and limiting contact to only people you live with.

Please visit GetTheVaccine.ca to learn more about how you and your family can access the COVID-19 vaccines as they become available in the community. This dedicated section of the website will feature updates on the immunization plan, Frequently Asked Questions, videos and more.

Archives Accepting COVID-19 Submissions

Lambton County Archives is currently accepting COVID-19 submissions from the public.  Please consider sharing your stories with us and include photos if possible to help the Archives document this historic moment in time to share with future generations. Share your experience online.

Annual Memberships also available with the Archives.  Member benefits include 1 hour of free research by staff and access to online research platforms.  Contact us at 519-845-5426 or visit lambtonarchives.ca for more information.

Heritage Museum Online Experiences

Lambton Heritage Museum has online experiences available for you to enjoy from home. A number of recorded digital lectures are available which complement the current feature exhibit, Capturing the Moment: Photography in Lambton County. Additionally, Lambton Heritage Museum, Oil Museum of Canada and Lambton County Archives have created a host of virtual tours and virtual programs that you can access through the Online Learning webpage.

Lambton Heritage Museum will also be hosting a virtual talk March 18, titled Tundra Swans in Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. Join Amanda Bichel of Birds Canada as we discuss the important bird and biodiversity areas in Lambton County. She will also discuss the Tundra Swan migration in Ontario, exploring why they are here, when they come, where to find them, and more. Sign up today.

Oil Museum Renovations

The Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site is currently undergoing a significant renovation.  As a result, the Museum will remain closed until Summer 2021.  We look forward to reopening celebrations this summer, including our annual, Black Gold Fest.

In the meantime, you can enjoy the museum experience from the comfort of your own home! The Oil Museum of Canada offers virtual tours of the main gallery, as well as the grounds and outbuildings. The website also offers educational virtual programs that complement school curriculum as well as a series of educational videos titled ‘Drilling Deeper’. Access the virtual learning programs and keep up-to-date with our reopening at www.oilmuseum.ca.

211 Ontario

In large scale emergencies that have the potential to create a surge in public inquiries, Lambton County may work with 211 Ontario to field calls from the public.

When activated, calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211Ontario.ca will provide residents with the latest information about the emergency. Details may include information about relief assistance or instructions to help protect public health and safety.

Remember, when a disaster strikes, calling 9-1-1 should only be used to report emergencies or request assistance from police, fire, or emergency medical services (ambulance), not to obtain information.

Day-to-day, 211 Ontario provides public information about community and social services. Service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year in 175 languages.

For more information about the use of 211 Ontario during emergencies, visit EmergenciesLambton.ca.

Participate in One Book Lambton Programming this Spring

Lambton County is coming together to celebrate Canadian authors and their storytelling with One Book Lambton. On October 23, 2020 the One Book Lambton Committee announced its title selection for the 2020-2021 year, Every Step She Takes by K.L. Armstrong.

Every Step She Takes follows Genevieve, who lives a simple life in Rome until she is sent a package that begins to unravel scandals from her past. As Genevieve tries to make amends with what happened ten years ago she is caught up in another deadly scandal.

K.L. Armstrong is a #1 New York Times bestselling author from Sudbury, Ontario who also goes by the name Kelley Armstrong.  Kelley Armstrong believes experience is the best teacher. To craft her books, she has studied aikido, archery and fencing. Past works include the Otherworld urban fantasy series, the Darkest Powers & Darkness Rising teen paranormal trilogies, the Age of Legends fantasy YA series and the Nadia Stafford crime trilogy. Armstrong still lives in Ontario, Canada with her family.

Reserve a copy of Every Step She Takes for curbside pickup, or borrow an eBook or eAudiobook with your library card using the CloudLibrary app or the Libby app.

One Book Lambton will host various online programs and events to explore the themes of Every Step She Takes

One Book Lambton – Exploring Online Freedom of Expression
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Join lawyer, Cara Zwibel from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, who will be giving a presentation on legal issues around online expression. Cara will discuss the law of defamation, how technical companies are exploring new ways to regulate and moderate online content, and new government plans that will address this issue. At the end of the presentation there will be a discussion period with an opportunity to ask Cara questions. Visit Lambton County Library’s online calendar at lclibrary.ca to register.

One Book Lambton – Creative Writing Workshop with Kelley Armstrong
Saturday, March 20, 2021 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Do you want to take your creative writing skills to the next level? Award winning author and author of this years’ One Book Lambton selection, Every Step She Takes, Kelley Armstrong will be leading an online creative writing workshop on Saturday, March 20. Register at Lambton County Library’s online calendar at lclibrary.ca for an opportunity to get writing advice from a #1 New York Times bestselling author.

Borrow an Ontario Parks Day-Use Pass with a Library Card

Ontario Parks day-use passes are now available to borrow for free with a Lambton County Library card! The seasonal day-use pass will provide unlimited entry for one vehicle plus all its passengers at any provincial park in Ontario, including the Pinery Provincial Park.

The pass can be borrowed for seven days and can be borrowed with other materials from the library’s collection to enhance park visits. These materials may include snowshoes, pedometers, GPS units for geocaching, wildlife books, trail guides and kid’s nature books. 

This pass program is made possible through the Province of Ontario’s, Ontario Parks Library Day-Use Vehicle Permit Lending Program. 

Visit lclibrary.ca or call your local library to reserve a pass today!

Online Programs Available Through Lambton County Library

Discover, learn and play online with Lambton County Library. Throughout February and March Lambton County Library is offering a variety of online programs including:

Cookbook Club – Buon Appetito! Edition
Thursday, March 18 - 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
All are welcome to join us from the comfort of your own home as we swap mouth-watering recipes and share cooking tips and tricks. This month bring along your new, tried-and-true, or (not-so) secret family Italian recipes. Register at lclibrary.ca.

Online Storytime
Virtual link sent out every Monday
Join us weekly for interactive stories for kids ages 0-5 read by Lambton County Library staff. Register at lclibrary.ca to receive a link for an Online Storytime every Monday.

Learning for Life – ESL Conversation Group
Thursdays - 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Join a weekly virtual ESL (English as a second language) Conversation Group and practice your English through topical discussions and casual conversation with other English learners. All levels welcome! Register at lclibrary.ca.