2 Zorra Now | Fall 2026 Zorra Now | Fall 2026 3 Message from the Mayor Thank you all for giving me the honour and the privilege to serve as Ward Three Councillor, Zorra Mayor, Oxford Warden, and the Chair of the Western Ontario Wardens and raise rural and small town issues with the Provincial and Federal governments. When I set out with people to keep AJ Baker P.S. open I never imagined it would lead to this. • Stopping High Speed Rail • Stopping Dump • Thamesford and Embro Splash pads • Managing through COVID • Protecting farmland • 100% renewable buildings • The Maple Leaf redevelopment in Thamesford • Childcare • New road safety policies • Keeping schools open or building a new one • Keeping tax pressure low (there were three years where Council(s) delivered a reduction in tax rate, and two more where the increase was less than inflation) • Getting housing, and particularly affordable housing and a Homelessness Support Centre, built • Protecting farmland and green spaces with a new Official Plan • A Climate Action Plan • An Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan The goal was always to leave my community, Zorra, Oxford, better. Without a doubt this has been the most challenging, satisfying, and rewarding job I have ever had. And by far the best people I have ever worked with. When you get this issue of Zorra Now the municipal election will be the next month. I strongly encourage you to engage with candidates and vote. Council matters, and it matters more when residents engage with it. Visit Zorra.ca for election information and how to vote. And when the election is over, support your new Council. They are your representatives. They are your friends, neighbours, and family. Support them in doing their part for all of us to grow stronger together. I really hope they find ways to do better than I did. I’m still going to be a resident, I’m still going to use the services, and I’m still going to pay taxes. I wish them all the best. Marcus Ryan Mayor, Zorra Township (and Warden, Oxford County) email: mryan@zorra.ca Phone: 1.519.425.2338 Zorra Now Magazine is published electronically and paper copies are available at all Township Facilities. If you have any questions or comments or would like to advertise in the magazine, please contact: Alycia Wettlaufer, Deputy Clerk/Legislative Coordinator Township of Zorra 163 Brock Street, PO Box 189 Thamesford, ON N0M 2M0 Ph. 519-425-2313 Toll Free 1-888-699-3868 awettlaufer@zorra.ca www.zorra.ca COMMUNITY EVENTS & SERVICES MAGAZINE 4 Township Department Information 20 Senior and Volunteer 23 Thank you to our summer students! 26 Villages of Zorra Word Search In this issue... 28 Township & Community Contacts 30 Beavers receive North Star Award 32 Zorra Wardens 34 Trojans Hockey celebrates 50 years For up-to-date library information and hours call your local branch or visit DISCOVER YOUR OXFORD COUNTY LIBRARY Oxford Reads: The 2026 winning title is How to Survive a Bear Attack: A Memoir by Claire Cameron. This memoir weaves together a real-life tragedy and the author’s own experiences to explore grief, fear, and our relationship with the wild. Visit www.oxfordreads.ca for a full list of Oxford Reads programs. Brainfuse: An online homework help resource for students in grades K-12. Brainfuse also offers practice tests and support for adult learners, writing assistance, skills building and more! Access this resource with your library card number and PIN. Ox on the Run: A year-round service. As the weather turns cold, find the bookmobile indoors at community spaces. For more information and to see the schedule of Zorra stops, visit www.ocl.net/our-services/ox-on-the-run UPCOMING PROGRAMS Unbook Book Club When: First Wednesday of every month, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Where: Embro Branch Free adult program. Drop-in and share books, shows, films, podcasts and articles in a community-led conversation. Cooking demonstration with Chef Jed Lau When: Tuesday, October 6 at 6:00 p.m. Where: Thamesford Branch Adult program and space is limited. Live cooking demonstration of German cuisine. Registration is required; visit www.ocl.net or call the branch at 519-285-3219. For up-to-date library information, program details and hours, call your local branch or visit www.ocl.net Feature Story Uniondale Fire Station celebrates 50 years of emergency response 14
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjM2ODE=