Zorra-Now-Winter 2025-Web

TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY INFORMATION TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY INFORMATION 30 Zorra Now | Winter 2025 Zorra Now | Winter 2025 31 Oxford 4-H Club The Oxford County 4-H Association Awards Night was held Friday November 21st at the Embro Zorra Community Centre, with Emcees Grace McKinlay & Megan Ball with the North Oxford Dairy & Oxford Swine 4-H Clubs organizing the special event for the 4-H youth and volunteers to be recognized for their achievements. Photographer for the event was Amy Danen. 4-H volunteers in Oxford received acknowledgement of their involvement in the 4-H program. First year volunteers— Rebecca Barnes, Cheryl Olthaar, Beth Sparling, Amber Warboys & Amanda Witmer; Five years—Kirstin Dill & Sarah McIntosh; 10 years—Elizabeth Bruce & Kathryn Doan. There were three Oxford 4-H volunteers recognized for their long-time involvement with the 4-H program. 30 years-Karen Witmer, 35 years-Marian Sterk and 40 years-Geoff Innes. Each received a gift chosen for them from Oxford 4-H and a milestone gift from 4-H Ontario. The 4-H Ontario Outstanding New Volunteer Award sponsored by Gay Lea was presented by Steve Veldman & 4-H Ontario Executive Director Christne Oldfield to Kirsten Dill for Region 6. Kirsten received a framed print. The Oxford Cloverbud 4-H Club returning members were presented their year plate and the 28 new Cloverbuds received a certificate. The 1st year 4-H youth participants stood up and were welcomed & congratulated on their 1st year in the Oxford 4-H program. The 4-H Ontario Award of Achievement, sponsored by Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd, was presented by Steve Veldman, Gay Lea Director, to Levi Dill, Lexi Dill and Mathew McLeod. The 4-H Ontario Award of Achievement is presented to youth who have completed 24 projects and five years in the 4-H program. The Rotary Club of Tavistock Outstanding 4-H Youth Awards were presented by Chee Peng Tan to Annabelle McLeod & Thamesford Lions Club Thamesford Lions Community Events "Catch The Ace" Progressive Raffle Weekly Prize Draws - jackpot grows each week if Ace of Spades not found 8pm Tuesday nights streamed LIVE on "THAMESFORD LIONS" Facebook The current game ends when the Ace of Spades is found OR until the Tuesday, April 14, 2026 draw. Tickets ($5) can be purchased in Thamesford from: Dewy's Auto • Village Catering & Deli • Brunny's Sport Bar & Grill • JC Graphics • Mc Farlan Rowlands Insurance • Shell Gas Station Tickets ($5) can be purchased in Embro from: Highland Restaurant • Embro Family Pharmacy Contact: Lion Tony 519-285-3618 Christmas Tree Pick-Up Saturday, Jan 3, 2026 Real trees to be collected for recycling from the curbside starting 9AM Family Day Event Monday, Feb 16, 2026 11AM - 4PM - Thamesford Recreation Centre Contact: Lion Mike email: mike.anderson141210@gmail.com Thamesford Arena Canteen Serving on weekends during Thamesford Trojan & Minor Hockey Home Games Follow Us on our new "THAMESFORD LIONS" Facebook page for the Latest News on these & other community events coming your way! Henry McCoy (Novice), Charlotte Ball & Chris Brekelmans (Junior) and Grace Piper & Henry Brekelmans (Intermediate). Each youth received a certificate and cheque. The Your Neighbourhood Credit Union Outstanding Overall Senior 4-H Youth Award was presented by Scott McGinnis, YNCU Woodstock Branch, to Lauren Ball. Oxford County Plowmen’s Association Outstanding Senior Agricultural 4-H Youth Award was presented to Jade Dill by Eric Howard. Lauren & Jade each received a certificate and cheque. Marian Sterk presented the Embro Fair 4-H High Points Award to Rayelle Grieve with a 4-H blanket made by Marian Sterk. The Terry Richardson Award was presented to Keenan Grieve by Shirley Richardson with a certificate and cheque. Keenan was absent as he is studying at Lakeland College in Alberta. The Oxford County Junior Farmers 4-H Scholarship was presented to Nathan Bean by Julie DeBruyn, Oxford County Junior Farmer member, with a certificate and cheque. Nathan Bean was absent as he is studying at University in Ottawa. The Oxford County 4-H Association Judging Awards were presented by Sandra Alyea to Renee Walker (Novice), Jasmine Steen (Junior), Carmyn Doan (Intermediate) and Flynn Reinhart (Senior & Overall). Each youth received a marble trophy recognizing their achievement. The Youth Leader Award, sponsored & presented by Andrew Heida, Kubota Canada Ltd, was presented to Megan Ball, Julia Brekelmans & Grace Piper. The Oxford County 4-H Project awards were presented to Amy Danen for 36 projects completed (travel bag). Julia Brekelmans received a glass clock for 42 projects completed. Megan Ball, Julia Brekelmans & Grace Piper received a blanket for 48 projects completed. Megan Ball, Jacob Bergsma & Julia Brekelmans received a framed certificate for completing 54 projects. Lauren Ball & Lexi Dill received framed certificate for completing 60 projects; Lexi Dill received a farmed certificate for completing 66 projects and Connor Tree received a framed certificate for completing 90 projects. Jade Dill received framed certificates for completing 150 and 156 projects. The Project of the Year award was presented to the Trash to Treasure 4-H project with the Hickson 4-H Club. The Oxford County 4-H Youth Graduating Award and the Longstanding Graduating Youth Award, sponsored & presented by Andrew Heida, Kubota Canada Ltd, was presented to Amy Danen, Keeton Jones, Flynn Reinhart, Erin Shrigley & Jackson Sim with a wooden stool. 4-H Clubs spoke about their club activities for the past year throughout the evening. Grace Piper made a presentation of her experience at 4-H opportunities, Youth Adventure Camp & Impact Confrence, she attended in 2025. Greetings from Township of Zorra Mayor Marcus Ryan, MPP Ernie Hardeman and 4-H Ontario Executive Director Christine Oldfield was given. Auctioneer Greg Kuepfer did a live auction of items donated by the Oxford 4-H Clubs throughout the evenings program, like quilted wall hangings, apple basket, sweet treat package, chocolate basket, wooden charcuterie board, packages from local businesses and many more items. The emcees thanked everyone for making the event a great success. The Oxford County 4-H Association Annual meeting is January 28. A dessert bar, including ice cream from Shaw’s Ice Cream and milk sponsored by Oxford Dairy Producers, were enjoyed by everyone during a social time to conclude the Oxford 4-H Awards Night. Corteva Agrisciences sponsored the Oxford 4-H Awards Night event. Oxford 4-H would like to thank their 2025 sponsors: George Thornton Bequest Fund, Oxford Agropro Ltd, Ayr Farmers Mutual, Township of South-West Oxford, Township of Zorra, Corteva Agriscience, Oxford County Plowmen’s Association, Your Neighbourhood Credit Union, Oxford County Junior Farmers Association, Ontario Mutuals, Rotary Club of Tavistock, Bernice Dickout & Family and Richardson Family.