This Month in Lambton - June 2020

1. Lambton County Entering Stage 2 of the Provincial Reopening Framework
2. Lakeshore Road Closure
3. Notice to Residents and Property Owners Regarding Noxious Weeds
4. Tornado Season
5. Lambton County Library Curbside Pickup Service
6. Reopening Strategy for Childcare Centres
7. Special Heritage Sarnia-Lambton Digital Event
8. Oil Museum of Canada Recipient of Alix Foundation Funding
9. Collecting COVID-19 History at Lambton County Archives

Lambton County Entering Stage 2 of the Provincial Reopening Framework

The County of Lambton has been given approval by the Province to proceed to Stage 2 as of Friday, June 19 at 12:01 a.m. Additional details about Stage 2 can be found on the Province of Ontario website.

Local businesses are encouraged to visit ontario.ca/covidsafety to review the provincial resources and guidelines for reopening.

Businesses, services and public spaces are not obligated to do so until proper Public Health measures are in place to protect both employees and customers. Lambton Public Health will continue to work with local businesses and municipalities to provide support and resources to aid in a smooth reopening. Frequently asked questions, resources and a contact form can be found on the Workplaces page of the Lambton Public Health website.

Additionally, residents are reminded to continue following the advice of local health officials and all regulations in place at local businesses, services and public spaces. If you are accessing businesses and services please contact the location or view their online communications, in order to better understand requirements prior to a visit. The public should continue to practice individual public health safety measures:

• Stay home when you are sick
• Use good hand hygiene
• Cover your cough or sneeze
• Practice physical distancing - at least 2 metres (6 feet)
• Consider wearing a face covering or a mask when physical distancing is a challenge
• Follow all safety measures in place at the business

For the most up to date information regarding COVID-19 and guidelines for how to protect yourself and others, please visit the Lambton Public Health website.

Lakeshore Road Closure

Lakeshore Road (County Road #7) between Modeland Road and Blackwell Sideroad in the City of Sarnia is closed for reconstruction and widening. The work is expected to last approximately sixteen weeks, weather permitting. The project also includes a new watermain for the City of Sarnia along Lakeshore Road.

Detours are in place using Modeland Road, Blackwell Road and Telfer Road to access Lakeshore Road east and west.

No through traffic will be permitted for the duration of the project. Local residents will be able to access their properties, but at times access will be restricted or completely closed while work is progressing adjacent their property.

Temporary traffic lights have been positioned to alleviate some traffic congestion during the closure. Motorists are advised to follow all traffic control signage and to drive in a manner that respects the health and safety of road crews.

Please visit Municipal511.ca for additional road closure information.

Notice To Residents and Property Owners Regarding Noxious Weeds

The main purpose of the Weed Control Act R.S.O. 1990 is to reduce the impact of noxious weeds on the industries of agriculture and horticulture. Primarily this Act applies to agricultural and horticultural lands that generate income or other benefits to agriculture; this excludes lawns, gardens and private areas for personal enjoyment and leisure.

Under the Weed Control Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter W.5 Sections 3, 13, 16 and 23, you are requested to destroy all noxious weeds on your property.

In Urban Areas

Sections 3, 13, 16, and 18 do not apply to noxious weeds or weed seeds that are far enough away from any land used for agricultural or horticultural purposes, as they do not interfere with that use.

All properties within the County of Lambton are hereby requested to be in compliance with the Weed Control Act by the 30th day of June, 2020 and throughout the season.

Tornado Season

May to September is tornado season in Ontario. It's important to have a plan and know what to do if a tornado threatens your safety.

Be aware of weather conditions and warnings. If you are faced with a tornado threat, be sure to:

• Take shelter immediately, preferably in the lowest level of a sturdy building.
• In a house with no basement, go to a closet or a bathroom near the centre of the building, without windows.
• In a large building such as a grocery store or shopping mall, go to an interior hallway or a washroom on the lowest level.
• In high-rise buildings, go to the lowest level, a small interior room or a stairwell.
• When camping without good shelters nearby, find a low-lying area such as a ditch and get into it.  If there are no low areas, try to get deep into a thick cluster of trees and get down as low as possible.
• If you are driving and see a tornado in the distance, try to determine what direction it is heading and get out of its path if possible.

For more information on tornado season and your safety, visit EmergenciesLambton.ca.

Lambton County Library Curbside Pickup Service

Lambton County Library is now offering contactless curbside pickup service at 13 of its locations. Libraries remain closed to the public, but this service is another resource to provide information, entertainment and recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Libraries in Alvinston, Bright's Grove, Corunna, Florence, Forest, Mallroad, Oil Springs, Petrolia, Point Edward, Sombra, Thedford, Watford and Wyoming have established temporary hours of operation for curbside pickup.

To access curbside pickup, library card holders must reserve materials beforehand by:

Ordering Online: Select materials for pickup in the online catalogue at lclibrary.ca

Ordering by phone: Call one of the 13 libraries offering curbside pickup if there is a particular title you would like to reserve; or

Readers' Advisory: Calling the Lambton County Library Readers' Advisory Service at 519-337-3291 ext. 5909 (Toll Free: 1-866-324-6912 ext 5909) from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to have library employees choose material based on the library cardholder's preferences. Cardholders can also complete the form found online at lclibrary.ca/curbside-pickup.

Employees and users of the Library's curbside pickup service are required to follow public health guidelines including a contactless service, respecting physical and social distancing requirements and always practicing good and regular hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette.

For more information on our curbside pickup service, including hours of operation, visit lclibrary.ca/curbside-pickup.

Reopening Strategy for Childcare Centres

The Social Services division is working closely with Lambton Public Health and local childcare operators to review Provincial guidelines and develop a reopening strategy for childcare centres in Lambton County.

On Tuesday, June 9, the Ontario Premier announced that all childcare centres in the Province could reopen as early as this Friday, June 12.

There was no obligation for centres to reopen on June 12. Childcare centres will only reopen when they are prepared to operate within the new guidelines, including having enhanced health and safety measures in place.

As the reopening strategy is finalized, childcare operators will begin to reopen with restrictions in place. Capacity will be limited to 10 people per room and enhanced screening and cleaning protocols will be in place.

Emergency childcare will continue to be offered until June 26. Wee Watch, the YMCA, and London Bridge Child Care Center are currently providing emergency childcare to essential service worker families. As the program ends, families served through emergency childcare will transition back to previous childcare arrangements, or will be supported to find a space in licensed childcare.

Special Heritage Sarnia-Lambton Digital Event

Have you wondered how the current pandemic compares to the influenza that gripped the world at the end of the First World War? On May 28, members of Heritage Sarnia-Lambton participated in a special digital panel presentation Living Now & Looking Back: "Spanish Flu" in Sarnia-Lambton. Each panelist spoke about a different aspect of the Spanish Flu crisis and shared stories from residents in different parts of Lambton County.

If you missed the live presentation, you can watch the recording on YouTube.

The digital panel presentation was moderated by Erin Dee-Richard from the Oil Museum of Canada, and speakers included: Dana Thorne, Lambton Heritage Museum; Nicole Aszalos, Lambton County Archives; David McLean, Forest-Lambton Museum; Kailyn Shepley, Sombra Museum; Glenn Stott, Arkona Lions Museum; Greg Stott, Historian, University College of the North; and Alan Campbell, Ontario Genealogical Society.

Oil Museum of Canada Recipient of Alix Foundation Funding

The Oil Museum of Canada National Historic Site is undertaking a major renovation to improve the visitor experience, thanks in part to the generosity of The Judith & Norman Alix Foundation.

Plans include the development of new museum exhibits and interactive learning experiences, improved visitor amenities, interpretation and signage. The Alix Foundation has committed $81,100 toward the project, which will provide the important heritage destination with enhanced learning opportunities for Lambton County school groups and residents.

This work will be complemented by a significant capital investment in facility renewal by the County, which will see accessibility upgrades, the replacement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, and energy efficiency improvements including lighting replacement and new windows and doors for the 60 year old facility. In early 2020, the County engaged A+Link Architecture Inc. through a public tender process to lead the planning and design for the new exhibition space and facility renewal work. 

The enhancements to museum exhibitions and interactive educational experiences at the site will facilitate innovative educational programming related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The intent of this programming is to involve youth audiences through partnerships with area school boards. In this way, the museum will expose students in Lambton to the importance of STEM as part of Lambton's history of oil innovation, and emphasize the importance of STEM to the economy of tomorrow.

While the facility remains closed to the public at the present time, planning continues in preparation for the renovation work, which is expected to commence in the fall of 2020.

Collecting COVID-19 History at Lambton County Archives

As Federal, Provincial and Municipal authorities have taken measures aimed to restrict the spread of COVID-19, we have shifted our daily routines and become accustomed to uncertainty. Many of us have found new ways of working, learning, and communicating during this time. We see the kindness made by caregivers, neighbours, and essential service providers while learning how important social distancing is at this time when friends and family feel even more valuable to us.

Each of us is experiencing history and this global pandemic has had an impact that will be felt by all of us for years to come. As change continues and we adapt, we are in a position to preserve history as it happens. This is powerful evidence of how we, as a society, respond to the challenges we face. 

The Lambton County Archives is inviting you to share your voice and your experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important that these events are documented on a local level. Here's how you can help:

If you live or work in Lambton County, you can participate by documenting your personal experiences and donate these materials to the Lambton County Archives for preservation for future generations. This can be through letters, photos, journal entries, or a simple email telling us about your experiences.

To submit your materials, please contact the Archivist Nicole Aszalos (nicole.aszalos@county-lambton.on.ca) for a donation form. You can then submit your contribution and form via email to nicole.aszalos@county-lambton.on.ca.

Not sure where to start? Here are some things to think about while compiling your thoughts:

• Medical professionals – What innovations have been made in response to the pandemic? What are the ways you prepare for your work? What new challenges has the pandemic created for your team or for patients?

• Essential service providers – How has your work changed or been put at risk? 

• Local business – How has your business adapted its products and services to respond to community needs? 

• Education – What innovations have educators made to continue teaching during isolation? What is the experience of the student? 

• Leisure time and recreation – How are you spending your leisure time while social distancing?How are you maintaining meaningful contact with friends and family? 
• Neighbors and caregivers – How are you finding ways of helping each other? Have you participated in the birthday parades or other unique events that maintain social distancing while sharing positivity?