TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION 20 Zorra Now | Fall 2026 Zorra Now | Fall 2026 21 Senior of the Year 2026 At a recent Council meeting, Doug Turvey was presented with the Senior of the Year Award! Doug is a true cornerstone of our community. For many years, he has dedicated his time and talents to Thistle Theatre and the Embro-Zorra Agricultural Society, by serving on their respective boards, ensuring our local culture remains vibrant. As the owner of The Country Geek, Doug didn’t just run a business; he served Oxford County with essential technical skills and a generous heart - most notably through his electronics recycling initiative, which turned scrap into funds for our local 4-H group. Whether he is leading the way as our Town Crier, performing with the Ingersoll Pipe Band, or calling a square dance, Doug brings joy and tradition wherever he goes. We wish him a very happy retirement and thank him for his years of selfless service. Volunteer of the Year 2026 Doris Weir is the winner of the 2026 Volunteer of the Year award! Doris uses her photography skills to give back to our community in so many ways. She has been the official photographer for the Thamesford Trojans for several years and her photos have helped to elevate the teams social media presence in a huge way. She provides team photos, individual head shots, game photos, event photos, and even takes special requests from family members of the team! She does not ask for any money, and provides her services entirely for free! She attends most home games and many road games engaging with our players and their families and capturing action photos. Doris can be found at every Lions event with her camera in hand, capturing community events all year round. You can also find her at the Beachville Museum car shows and other events snapping photos. These are just a few ways that Doris gives back to our community using her gift of photography. Doris was instrumental in creating the Harvey Beaty Memoirs book which captured the life of Thamesford's Harvey Beaty using his own stories and those of many people who knew and worked with him. Doris continued the work of keeping the memory of Harvey Beaty alive with the creation of the Harvey Beaty Memorial Garden at the Lions River Park in Thamesford, which features a sign, two benches, walkway, and plants in Harvey's memory. Doris is a strong part of the community and shows this in all the ways she gives back! Update on Zorra Awards Council made a decision to combine the Senior of the Year award with the Volunteer of the Year award. Beginning in 2027, there will be one award given out for Volunteerism each year. Nominations for this Award can be made at anytime using the online form found on our website. Looking for a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner? If you or someone you know does not have a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner (NP), the Health Care Connect program can help. This free Ontario program connects residents with a valid Ontario Health Card to a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner who is accepting new patients in their community. Registration is simple and available in multiple languages. How to register: • Online: Ontario.ca/ HealthCareConnect • By phone: Call 8-1-1 (available 24 hours a day/7 days a week) You will be asked to provide your name, address, health card number, and some basic health information that will help determine your health needs. What to expect: A care connector in your community will work to match you with the right Family Doctor or NP that is accepting new patients. While a match cannot be guaranteed right away, registering is the best first step to finding ongoing Primary Care. While you wait, you can visit this site to find health care services locally. Why register? When you register, you’re not just taking a step toward finding a family doctor or NP – you are also helping your community. The information helps the municipality and health system partners better understand local needs and plan for the services people need most. Oxford Ontario Health Team is supported by funding from the Government of Ontario.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjM2ODE=