This Month in Lambton - June 2024

The June 2024 edition of This Month in Lambton includes the following news, service updates, programs and events:

• County partners with Indwell to advance supportive housing projects
• Update Report: Homelessness Prevention and Affordable Housing
• County and College celebrate first graduates from Early Childhood Education Fast-Track program
• Lambton Heritage Museum hosts Hope and Healing in Canada art installation
• Lambton Heritage Museum hosts travelling exhibit Hockey from Canadian Museum of History
• Exciting update on the Canatara Cabin Restoration Project
• Lambton County Archives exhibit on display at Sarnia Library
• Celebrate Black Gold Fest at the Oil Museum of Canada
• Free admission for Lambton residents at Lambton County Museums and Archives
• Celebrate Lambton 175 by participating in the Heritage Sarnia-Lambton Passport Challenge
• Upcoming events at JNAAG
• Summer Reading Challenge begins Tuesday, July 2
• Lambton County Library Used Book Sale
• Lambton 175 Show & Tell

County partners with Indwell to advance supportive housing projects

The strategic development plan adopted by County Council in February to address the affordable and supportive housing crisis includes the target to develop up to 300 supportive housing units throughout Lambton County.

To support the goals of this plan, the County of Lambton has formalized a partnership with Indwell to advance the pre-development phase of proposed supportive housing projects.

Pre-development activities include selecting locations, designing projects, obtaining necessary planning approvals, and securing funding, among other tasks. After the pre-development phase, pending project approvals and funding, the partnership could continue through the construction and eventual operation of the supportive housing project. County staff will report back to Council seeking approval for individual projects as the pre-development tasks are completed.

Indwell creates affordable housing communities that support people seeking health, wellness and belonging, and their staff provide comprehensive, wrap-around supports for individuals living in their own apartments within Indwell developments. Their supportive housing model provides on-site health and tenancy-related services that are delivered through housing and registered health professionals, including nurses, psycho-social support workers, social support workers, addictions support workers and housing support workers.

Indwell currently supports over 1,200 individuals across seven municipal regions in Ontario. They have developed over 1,000 apartments since 2007 with each new housing program having support programs and funding models tailored to tenant and community needs. Funding from community donations, municipal investments, and Provincial and Federal funding have provided the capital to create permanent affordability to tenants. Indwell is also a Ministry of Health-funded agency which enables the delivery of health services supporting individuals to overcome the impacts of addiction and mental health conditions.

To learn more about Indwell, visit indwell.ca.

Update Report: Homelessness Prevention and Affordable Housing

An update report was presented to Council in this morning’s Committee of the Whole meeting, providing a snapshot of some of the recent work being completed by the Social Services Division. This includes updates from Ontario Works, Housing Services, and Homelessness Prevention.

Read the report online here

County and College celebrate first graduates from Early Childhood Education Fast-Track program

Lambton College’s convocation ceremony on June 4 celebrated the first student cohort of 18 Early Childhood Education Fast-Track Program graduates from the partnership initiative between County of Lambton Children’s Services and Lambton College. 

In 2023, collective workforce development efforts to sustain, enhance, grow, and attract talent within Lambton's Early Years and Child Care sector led County of Lambton Children’s Services and Lambton College to develop an Early Childhood Education one-year fast track diploma program.

Alson through this partnership, the Early Childhood Educator Restention Grant was established, and it is currently providing support to 67 Early Childhood Education graduates from the two-year Lambton College program who are working within Lambton County.

Lambton College ECE Graduates Jessica, Cassidy, Alyson, and Shawn at the Lambton College Convocation Ceremony

Lambton Heritage Museum hosts Hope and Healing in Canada art installation

Experience Métis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers’ powerful Hope and Healing in Canada series this summer at Lambton Heritage Museum. From June 12 to September 1, Chambers’ installation crafted from red yarn will be displayed on the Museum grounds. Chambers’ work, which focuses on themes of hope, healing, decolonization, and reconciliation, has been displayed in dozens of locations across Canada, including the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery in Sarnia in 2022. For more details and to read Tracey-Mae Chambers’ full artist statement, visit the exhibit webpage at heritagemuseum.ca.

Lambton Heritage Museum hosts travelling exhibit Hockey from Canadian Museum of History

Get ready to dive into the heart and soul of Canada’s favourite pastime with Hockey, a one-of-a-kind travelling exhibition from the Canadian Museum of History! On display at Lambton Heritage Museum from July 17 to November 9, this interactive exhibit showcases the high points of the sport from both yesterday and today, exploring its importance and influence over the past 100 years through profiles of professional and amateur participants.

But that’s not all! Lambton Heritage Museum has curated a special addition to the exhibit. Discover local artifacts and hear stories with deep ties to Lambton County, offering a glimpse into how hockey has shaped our own community and highlighting its local significance. Join us in celebrating the passion, history, and community spirit of hockey, a sport that holds a special place in the hearts of Canadians everywhere!

Exciting update on the Canatara Cabin Restoration Project

This spring, contractors finished an inventory of the Canatara Cabin logs by partially reassembling the cabin walls inside Lambton Heritage Museum’s Transportation Building. This meticulous process allowed them to assess the condition of all logs and determine which would need conservation or replacing. Once the partial rebuild was complete, the architect behind the updated drawings guiding the reconstruction, John Rutledge, visited the Museum to view the progress. It was exciting to witness his vision coming to life!

During the partial rebuild, several logs were identified as poor condition. Since then, contractors have been working carefully to save as many logs as possible by scraping out rotten areas and replacing them with new wood. Unsalvageable logs will be replaced by period-appropriate hand-hewn logs sourced in Lambton County.

As the Museum moves forward with reconstruction, there is a pressing need for public support to reach our $100,000 goal. Help the Museum restore this incredible piece of Lambton history today! Anyone who wishes to support this fantastic cause is encouraged to visit the Canatara Cabin webpage at lambtonmuseums.ca.

Lambton County Archives exhibit on display at Sarnia Library

Embark on a journey through 175 years of Lambton County governance with Lambton County Archives’ exhibit From District to County: Celebrating Lambton 175. Beginning in July, this exciting display located on the second floor of the Sarnia Library features a set of artifacts and documents spanning Lambton County’s history. View From District to County: Celebrating Lambton 175 for free during the library’s regular operating hours. Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Lambton County this summer!

Celebrate Black Gold Fest at the Oil Museum of Canada

Join us at the Oil Museum of Canada on Saturday, July 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for Black Gold Fest! This annual summer event celebrates our oil heritage and features tons of family-friendly fun. Children will enjoy crafts, games, and free face-painting. Experience live music and a historical blacksmith demonstration. Pick up a refreshing snack from one of our food and drink vendors, and explore our other exhibitors. Come and meet our historical reenactor of James Miller Williams – the man who dug the first commercial oil well in North America! Admission to this great event is FREE. For more information, including a full list of vendors, visit the Black Gold Fest webpage at oilmuseum.ca.

Free admission for Lambton residents at Lambton County Museums and Archives

Celebrate 175 years of history with free admission throughout 2024 at Lambton Heritage Museum, Oil Museum of Canada, and Lambton County Archives! Lambton County residents can explore captivating stories of our region, discover the oil industry's transformative impact, and trace their ancestry through archival records. Connect with our remarkable heritage during this special anniversary year – what incredible stories of the past will you discover? Don’t miss this unique chance to explore our history for free!

Celebrate Lambton 175 by participating in the Heritage Sarnia-Lambton Passport Challenge

Do you accept the challenge? Heritage Sarnia-Lambton wants Lambton County residents to explore their history this summer by taking part in an exciting passport challenge!

From June 1 to September 30, journey through the eight museums of Heritage Sarnia-Lambton, each offering unique insights into Lambton’s past. Answer the trivia questions and collect stamps at each site to complete your passport. Once finished, submit your completed passport for the chance to win the grand prize draw, including a $100 Tourism Sarnia-Lambton gift certificate and a heritage swag bag!

Passports are available at all participating Heritage Sarnia-Lambton museums. Contest ends September 30, 2024. Admission rates apply where applicable. Visit heritagelambton.ca for more information.

Upcoming events at JNAAG

Summer Reading Challenge begins Tuesday, July 2

Register for the Summer Reading Challenge online or at any Lambton County Library during regular opening hours. Once registered, kits are available for pick-up at Lambton County libraries for participants aged 0-17. This year’s kit includes an activity book with stickers to track Challenge progress and a canvas tote bag painting activity. One lucky winner from each age category (ages 0-17) will find a Golden Ticket in their registration kit to redeem for a prize.

From July 2 to August 11, kids, teens, and adults will have a chance to win prizes for reading and completing challenges.

For programs and events and to learn more about the Summer Reading Challenge visit lclibrary.ca/SRC

Lambton County Library Used Book Sale

Lambton County Library is holding its Used Book Sale on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, from 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Wyoming Fairgrounds, 595 Main Street, Wyoming. The Used Book Sale features thousands of books, audiobooks and DVDs in all categories discarded from the library system due to age, low circulation, wear, and other factors.

Items are priced to sell at $1 for adult titles, and $0.50 for children’s titles, or shoppers can fill their own standard-sized shopping bag for $5. Payment is accepted by cash only. Proceeds from the sale help offset the library’s operating costs.

Wi-Fi hotspots

Wi-Fi hotspots are now available to borrow from 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 access. Wi-Fi hotspots are available for a fourteen-day lending period for adult and teen cardholders. Reserve online at lclibrary.ca, use the Iguana Library app, or call any Lambton County Library location. Although hotspots provide unlimited data access, content restrictions are in place to comply with vendor policies. These restrictions include blocking streaming services such as Netflix, Prime, and Disney+, as well as gambling and adult content sites.

Lambton 175 Show & Tell

Do you own journals, letters, diaries, or artifacts connected to Lambton’s past? Come to a Lambton 175 – Show & Tell event and share your local history items.

A team from Lambton County Museums will digitize and photograph your local history items to preserve their stories for future generations. Learn about donating historical items and explore local history displays. Join us in celebrating 175 years of Lambton County’s rich history!

Upcoming Show & Tell events:

• East Lambton Community Complex
  Thursday, July 11 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Forest Library
  Thursday, July 18 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• Lambton Heritage Museum
  Saturday, July 27 – 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.