Image

Heritage Champions lauded as Lambton celebrates 175th anniversary

June 5, 2024


Lambton County marked its 175th anniversary Wednesday by thanking 27 people and groups who have preserved the area’s heritage.

Warden Kevin Marriott presided over the presentation of the Heritage Champion award winners announced in May.

Here are some photos from the people recognized by the county.
Will Doktor accepting the Heritage Champion Award

Bill Dokter Masonry, for their most recent project involving the restoration of a
historic commercial building at 599 Broadway Street in Wyoming.

Pat McGee and Charlie Fairbank accepting the Heritage Champion awards

Charlie Fairbank and Pat McGee for their work in drawing attention to the oil history of Enniskillen
Township for over 50 years, engaging government, industry associations, media,
educational institutions and the community in preserving and celebrating
Lambton’s proud oil heritage.

Helen Danby accepting the Heritage Champion Award

Helen Danby, for her work in researching and recording the history of local
Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) chapters, and as volunteer
Archivist for IODE Ontario.

Tracy Kingston accepting for the St. Clair Heritage group

Heritage St. Clair Committee, for their work in preserving and promoting the
storied history of St. Clair Township, including heritage advocacy, programs and
events, advisory support to the municipality, and community interpretive signage.


LCDS Board Member Jane Joris accepting the Heritage Champion award

Lambton County Developmental Services, for their work on the restoration
and conversion of the former post office in downtown Petrolia to create
accessible, affordable housing and street front shops.

Marjorie Cumming accepting her Heritage Champion Award


Marjorie Cumming, for her work in promoting the history of Brooke-Alvinston
and her work with the Lambton County Historical Society.

Mary and Paul Janes

Mary and Paul Janes, for volunteering their time and talents to preserving the
heritage of Warwick Township through research, the scanning of old photos,
contributions to historical publications, and the development of video projects
celebrating local history.

Gord Mackenzie of the Plympton-Wyoming Historical Society accepts the Heritage Champion award.

Plympton-Wyoming Historical Society, for their dedication to the preservation
of the history of Plympton-Wyoming through the museum site and a variety of
community events and programs.

Ray Lloyd accepts his Heritage Champion Award.

Ray Lloyd, for his work with the Lambton County Historical Society and his
passionate collecting to preserve the history of Lambton County.

Kelly Humphrey received the Heritage Champion award for the Sydenham Antiques Club

Sydenham Antique Club, for their work in celebrating rural heritage in Dawn-
Euphemia through the annual ‘Grand Ole Power Days’ event.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Minten makes her mark on university hockey

October 26, 2026

Barry Wright/The Independent Olivia Minten made her first collegiate goal a dramatic one. The LCCVI grad from Watford notched the overtime winner for the University of Waterloo Warriors in a 3-2 win over Ontario Tech on the weekend. The Warriors are 2-1 on the season.

Read More

Image
Front Page

Long-time Watford referee honoured

October 26, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent John VanLieshout has spent a lot of time at the Watford Arena. And now, his name is on the walls in honour of his service to the community. On April 8, VanLieshout retired as a minor hockey referee after a game in Forest. He’d been helping young hockey players for 42 years. Friday night, VanLieshout came to

Read More

Image
Front Page

Killer Bees win home opener in come-from-behind win

October 26, 2026

Barry Wright/The Independent The Alvinston Killer Bees kept their home crowd on the edge of their seat until they scored five unanswered goals in the third period to beat Brant County, 8-5 in the Bees home opener on Saturday. Brandon Couto scored twice, including the game-winning goal midway through the final frame and added an assist as did Ethan Lamoureux.

Read More

Image
Front Page

Plympton-Wyoming councillors scale back public art grant application

October 26, 2026

The Independent A $10,000 hand painted mural was a little rich for Plympton-Wyoming councillors. During their last meeting before the Oct. 26 election, councillors considered applying for a Creative County grant. Staff had suggested a hand-painted mural on the back of the Wyoming Pool building. But the price tag would be $10,000. If the town received the grant, it would

Read More