This Month in Lambton - January 2025

The January 2025 edition of This Month in Lambton includes the following news, service updates, programs and events:

• Winter travel tips
• Updating immunization records with Lambton Public Health
• Housing Services opens two new units
• Warden Kevin Marriott elected Vice-Chair of Western Ontario Wardens Caucus
• Upcoming Lambton County Library events
• Upcoming events at the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery
• Step into winter with snowshoes at Lambton Heritage Museum
• Winter fun at Lambton Heritage Museum PA Day event
• Get charged up for PA Day fun at the Oil Museum of Canada
• Explore Lambton County Museums and Archives’ Online Collections Database
• Upcoming events at the Lambton Works Centre
• Canada Learning Bond

Winter Travel Tips

See snow, go slow! When driving in winter weather, be sure to give yourself extra time to get where you need to go, leave extra distance between cars on the road, and keep an emergency kit in your car.

Always take extra caution when driving around working snowplows. Keep the following tips in mind when travelling on the roads this winter:

1. Keep your distance from working snowplows and other winter maintenance vehicles. These vehicles all have flashing blue lights, making them easy to spot. 
2. Never pass a working snowplow. It can put both you and the plow operator in danger. It is hard to see around these large vehicles, and blowing snow can make it even harder, making it dangerous to pass.
3. Please be patient! Our crews are working hard to clear the roads after a snowfall. If you’re driving behind a snowplow, wait for it to finish its job rather than speeding past the plow. Roads are plowed in sections, so you usually won’t be stuck behind a plow for long.

Often, when severe winter weather is forecast, the safest decision is to change your travel plans and wait for conditions to improve. Visit 511 Ontario to monitor road conditions and the progress of plows.

If you do need to travel, slow down and allow for extra space between you and other vehicles. Ensure your headlights are on. If you become stranded, it is often best to stay with your vehicle and wait for help.

Make sure you have an emergency kit that includes the following:

For more information on preparing for severe winter weather, visit EmergenciesLambton.ca.

Updating immunization records with Lambton Public Health

Students in Lambton County whose immunization records are not up-to-date may be suspended from school on Tuesday, March 4. Lambton Public Health has begun notifying parents and guardians of these out-of-date records.

Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, 1990 (ISPA), students who attend school in Ontario are required to be vaccinated against or obtain a valid exemption for Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningococcal disease, and Varicella.

Immunization records are not automatically reported to public health by healthcare providers, and it is up to parents or guardians to ensure all records are up to date for each school year.

If a child has received their required immunizations, but they have not been reported by the parent or guardian to Lambton Public Health, they may still receive a notice.

To report immunizations, visit the Lambton Public Health website or call 226-254-8222.

If your child still requires an immunization, please contact your healthcare provider or visit the Immunizations page on the Lambton Public Health website for more options.

Housing Services opens two new units

The Housing Services Department has built two new apartments within existing County-owned buildings. The units, at 230 Capel Street and 124 Queen Street in Sarnia, were built using unused or under-used space in the buildings.

A one-bedroom apartment was added at 230 Capel Street by redeveloping part of a lounge space, and a bachelor apartment was added at 124 Queen Street by redeveloping an unused storage space. The cost to build each apartment was approximately $125,000. Residents were selected for these units from the County’s current housing wait list and are expected to move in over the next few weeks.

Several other housing projects are in progress within the County. These include a 24-unit addition under construction at Maxwell Park Place, expected to be completed this spring, and pre-development work for a 50 unit build on Kathleen Avenue, expected to be completed in late 2026.

The kitchen in the new unit at 124 Queen Street

Warden Kevin Marriott elected Vice-Chair of Western Ontario Wardens Caucus

Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott has been elected Vice-Chair of Western Ontario Wardens Caucus (WOWC).

Warden Marriott joins Chair Amy Martin, Mayor of Norfolk County, in representing the WOWC for the 2025 term.

The WOWC represents 15 upper and single tier municipalities in Southwestern Ontario, and more than 1.6 million residents. They aim to enhance the prosperity and overall well-being of rural and small urban communities across the region. Caucus members work collectively to influence federal and provincial legislation and programs through advocacy, research, analysis and education. 

Learn more about the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus, their priorities, and projects at wowc.ca.

WOWC Vice-Chair Kevin Marriott, Warden, County of Lambton, and WOWC Chair Amy Martin, Mayor, Norfolk County.

Upcoming Lambton County Library events

Upcoming events at the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery

Step into winter with snowshoes at Lambton Heritage Museum

Explore the beauty of winter at Lambton Heritage Museum with a peaceful walk on our Woodland Heritage Trail! This one-kilometre loop through the forest has interpretive panels along the trail sharing fascinating information about the rare oak savanna habitat, making your adventure as educational as it is scenic.

To complement your trail experience in snowy weather, snowshoes are available to borrow for use on the museum grounds. Snowshoes are free with regular admission and come in a variety of sizes for adults and children weighing 60 pounds and over. Remember to bundle up and add this great activity to your museum visit the next time the snow falls!

Winter fun at Lambton Heritage Museum PA Day event

Don’t miss out on Winter Warm Up, the PA Day event happening at Lambton Heritage Museum on Friday, January 31 between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Drop-in for a day filled with snow-themed family fun and fascinating history!

Pose for a photo to make your own historical winter postcard. Join us in the Lambton Gallery and learn how people braved icy winters long ago with an engaging presentation at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Get your sleuth on with our Snowflake Scavenger Hunt, and if the snow sticks, we’ll have outdoor activities too – so don’t forget your hats and mittens!

Regular museum admission rates apply.

Get charged up for PA Day fun at the Oil Museum of Canada

Get ready for an electrifying PA Day adventure with Watts of Fun at the Oil Museum of Canada! Drop by the Museum on Friday, January 31 between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and discover the world of electricity with hands-on activities and exciting demonstrations.

Learn how energy travels from the power plant to your home and watch amazing demos showing how electrons move to light up our world. Create static electricity with a balloon and watch a Static Electricity Butterfly take flight. Take turns cranking a real generator to make electricity. Ever wanted to make a battery from a potato? Now is your chance!

Regular museum admission rates apply. 

Explore Lambton County Museums and Archives’ Online Collections Database

Start the new year by diving into the fascinating history of Lambton County with our Online Collections Database. This resource allows you to explore the collections of Lambton Heritage Museum, Oil Museum of Canada, and Lambton County Archives simultaneously – all from the comfort of home!

With records for thousands of historical artifacts, photographs, and archival documents, you can search by keyword, use advanced search options, or browse a page of randomly selected records. New records are added regularly as our staff continue to digitize and upload materials. It’s the perfect time to learn something new and uncover hidden treasures in our region’s history!

Upcoming events at the Lambton Works Centre

The Lambton Works Centre is here to connect you with employers and local community service providers to help you reach your goals and support your well-being. Whether you're a job seeker or an employer, we have the resources and support to help you thrive in the local job market.

Learn more about LWC at lambtononline.ca/LWC, and check out some of our upcoming drop-in events below.

Canada Learning Bond

Kids have big dreams - help them achieve their goals with the Canada Learning Bond!

The Canada Learning Bond is free money from the Government of Canada for your child’s education after high school that is deposited into an RESP. This can include college, university, trade schools and apprenticeships! You do not need to deposit any of your own money to get the Canada Learning Bond.

Is your child eligible for the Canada Learning Bond? Depending on family income, your child is eligible if they are:

• Born on or after January 1, 2004
• A Canadian resident with a valid Social Insurance Number
• Named a beneficiary in an RESP

There’s over 12,000 children in Lambton County who are eligible for this government grant who have not applied!

Learn more about the Canada Learning Bond, check if you’re eligible, and apply quickly and easily online at lambtonlearns.ca.