Annette Hitchins
Annette Hitchins operates as the municipal communications presence associated with the Municipality of Lambton Shores in Sarnia-Lambton, sharing timely municipal news, service updates, event notices, public safety information, and notices about elections and recruitment. Posts inform residents about local projects, office hours and closures, council meetings, and community programs to encourage participation in municipal services and initiatives.
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Last updated on Apr 6th, 2026
Recent Activity
Highway 21 road resurfacing — Forest
A road resurfacing project on Highway 21 in Forest will begin this week, covering the segment from Amtelecom Parkway to about 800 meters north. Lane restrictions will be in effect for paving and milling operations, so expect delays, consider alternate routes, and drive carefully through the work zone.
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Municipal Candidate Nomination Packages Available
Candidate Nomination Packages for the upcoming Municipal Election are available online and at the Municipal office. Nominations may be filed beginning 2026-05-01 and the filing period closes on 2026-08-21 at 2:00 PM, so gather and submit your paperwork within that window.
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Purchase of frontline fire engine and specialized mini engine
At its April 14 meeting Council approved buying a new frontline fire engine for Forest Station and a specialized mini engine for Thedford Station. Both units are being assembled in Ontario and are expected to be delivered this fall as part of the Municipality's 2026 Capital Budget.
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Indigenous Film Festival
The Indigenous Film Festival opens at the Kineto Theatre in Forest Ontario on April 17, 2026 and runs through April 21, 2026. Annette Hitchins announced the multi day festival, which will present a curated slate of Indigenous films at the local theatre; check the Kineto Theatre for screening times and ticket details.
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Tonight's council meeting watch online
Tonight's council meeting is available to watch via the Lambton Shores calendar page; the agenda is posted and a recording will be published later. Visit the calendar link when the meeting begins to stream it live or to review agenda items beforehand.
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Seasonal positions hiring
The Municipality is recruiting seasonal employees for Beach Maintenance, Harbour Attendant, and Maintenance Operations with applications open now and closing once roles are filled. Visit the official recruiting page to review full job descriptions and apply through the online portal.
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Temporary road closure and traffic control notice
Main Street W in Grand Bend will be closed on April 13, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM for girder deliveries and placement on abutments, with additional traffic control on surrounding streets. Local drivers should expect detours or delays and consult the municipal project page for updates.
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Municipal office temporary closure notice
The municipal office is closed today, April 6, 2026, and will reopen with regular hours on Tuesday, April 7. Regular garbage and recycling pick up will not be impacted, so curbside services continue as scheduled.
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2026 Municipal Election nominations open
Nominations for the 2026 Municipal Election open May 1, 2026 and run through August 21, 2026. Nomination packages will be available on the municipality website and in person, and completed packages may be submitted to the Municipal office at 9577 Port Franks Road, Thedford ON.
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Municipal office closure notice
The municipal office is closed today, April 3, and again on Monday, April 6, 2026, with regular hours resuming on Tuesday, April 7. Annette Hitchins notes that regular garbage and recycling pick up will not be impacted during the closure.
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Municipal election reminder and voter registration portal
Elections Ontario provides a Voter Registration portal for eligible voters in Lambton Shores to confirm or update their information on the voters list ahead of a municipal election later this year. Annette Hitchins urges residents to check their records now using the portal so they are prepared when the election is called.
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Free public skating during March Break
Annette Hitchins shares that free public skating is scheduled throughout March Break week at both the Legacy and the Shores. Check the community Public Skating Calendar at https://calendar.lambtonshores.ca/skating/Month for exact session times, daily updates, and rental or accessibility details.
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Pancake Breakfast & Maple Syrup Festival
Annette Hitchins is hosting a pancake breakfast and maple syrup festival at Forest Legion Branch 176 on Sunday, featuring pancakes and maple syrup with breakfast service. The source does not list a specific calendar date, start time, or cost; contact the venue for full details.
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Board recruitment
Lambton Shores is recruiting three Board of Directors for Discover Lambton Shores Inc, the not for profit municipal services corporation created after the municipality implemented a municipal accommodation tax in 2026. Open seats represent the accommodation sector, the hospitality and restaurant sector, and the public at large; application materials are available online at the municipality website.
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Mayor and MPP meeting
Mayor Doug Cook and senior staff met with MPP Steve Pinsonneault on March 11 in Lambton Shores for a regular check in to discuss ongoing local priorities. The brief update highlights continued collaboration between municipal and provincial partners to support the community.
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Lambton Shores Agriculture Forum (Inaugural)
The inaugural Lambton Shores Agriculture Forum took place on 2026-03-11, hosted by the Municipality with support from Community Futures Lambton and Libro Credit Union. Local farming and agri business leaders gathered for sessions on agriculture trends, succession planning, and sustainable agricultural practices, with Mayor Doug Cook and MPP Steve Pinsonneault among those welcoming attendees.
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Gloomy rainy day with Tundra Swans sighting
On 2026-03-11 Annette Hitchins reported a Tundra Swans sighting in Lambton Shores during a gloomy, rainy early spring day. The note highlights that the swans were active despite the weather, making for a quietly dramatic local wildlife moment.
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Recruitment Information Session
Lambton Shores Fire and Emergency Services is hosting a recruitment information session tonight at Station 2 in Forest, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Drop in to hear about recruitment requirements, meet service members, and ask questions; the announcement did not include registration details.
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Return of the Swans
The Lambton Heritage Museum's Return of the Swans exhibit runs through April 4, 2026, while museum staff post migration updates as Tundra Swans arrive at Thedford Bog in Lambton Shores. The birds follow a 6,000km migration loop between Chesapeake Bay and the Canadian Arctic, and flocks of up to 15,000 may rest in the area, making this a prime local spring wildlife sighting.
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Agriculture Forum March 11 Event Announcement
The Agriculture Forum on March 11, 2026 has added Chuck Baresich from Haggerty Ag Robotics to its speaker lineup. Registration is free but tickets are limited, so visit the Lambton Shores event page to claim your spot.
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Board member recruitment (tourism services corporation)
The Municipality is recruiting board members for its new tourism Municipal Services Corporation, a nine member board that will oversee Municipal Accommodation Tax revenue. They are seeking representatives from the accommodation sector, the hospitality and restaurant sector, and a member of the public at large, with application details available on the municipality website.
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Candidate Information Sessions for Municipal Election
County of Lambton municipalities are hosting candidate information sessions on March 25, 2026 at the County building, with two sessions at 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The event includes a presentation by Nigel Bellchamber and virtual registration by emailing election@petrolia.ca for those who cannot attend in person.
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Daylight Saving Time safety reminder
Annette Hitchins and Lambton Shores Fire and Emergency Services remind residents to spring ahead and move clocks forward on 2026-03-07, and to change batteries in all battery operated smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If you have 10 year sealed battery alarms this is a good time to test them to confirm they are working.
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Manager of Parks and Facilities
Annette Hitchins is seeking a Manager of Parks and Facilities for the Community Services department, targeting experienced leaders with facilities, parks, and team management skills. The brief posting was published on 2026-03-06 and does not include location, salary, or an application link, so contact the organization directly for application details.
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Firefighter Recruitment Information Sessions
Lambton Shores Fire and Emergency Services is hosting two recruitment information sessions for on-call and part time firefighters on February 25 and March 11, both evenings from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Station 4 in Thedford and Station 2 in Forest. These sessions offer an overview of duties, training expectations, and a chance to ask recruiters directly about the application process.
