Oxford County
21 Reeve Street, PO Box 1614 N4S 7Y3 Woodstock, ON, Canada

Safe & Well Oxford is a critical community engagement initiative, mandated by the Province of Ontario, to develop a Community Safety & Well-being Plan for munic...ipalities across Oxford. Your new Community Safety & Well-being Plan will address priority risks, such as mental and physical health, housing and addictions, with proactive, integrated strategies for children, youth, adults, older adults and families who live, work and participate in our communities. They’re looking for input from Oxford’s business and community members. If you have a moment, here’s the link to the survey: www.safewelloxford.ca

Be informed this winter. Follow local weather alerts and check road conditions before you head out. Listen to local radio and check Ontario 511 for updates to local road conditions, and download the WeatherCAN app: https://www.canada.ca//weather-general-to/weathercan.html

Garbage pick-up along Quarter Town Line in Tillsonburg between Concession Street and Plank Line was not finished today because of a truck break down. Please set out your garbage and recycling again on Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. for pick up. We apologize for any inconvenience.

On November 25 at 12:55 p.m., there will be a test of the Alert Ready system in Ontario. Alert Ready is Canada’s emergency alerting system, delivering critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Canadians through television, radio and compatible wireless devices. Do you know what to do? If you hear the distinctive tone on television, radio or on your wireless device, please pay attention and take action right away. For more information about how to prepare for an emergency visit http://oxford72hours.ca/

Effective Monday, November 23 at 12:01 am, the Southwestern Public Health region will move from the Yellow-Protect tier into the Orange-Restrict tier of the... Provincial Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. This decision was made to further protect our community before the COVID-19 situation becomes unmanageable. At this stage, it is critical that each individual improves their efforts to help our whole community stay safe. It is up to each of us to get us back to Green. For more information: https://bit.ly/3nIEfUz See more

The Oxford County Archives has launched a new online exhibit which covers the history of the County Gaol from 1854 to 1977. Extensively researched by staff at the Archives, the exhibit delves into the well-known stories of some of the more infamous prisoners as well as several new untold stories. Learn about life at the jail and view historical documents from the archives related to the construction of the building, the staff at the jail and the inmates themselves. Experience the new exhibit at: http://oxfordcounty.ca//Archiv/Exhibits/Oxford-County-Gaol

When you see snow, go slow! We might get our first real winter wallop today. Environment Canada has issued a Snow Squall Watch for Oxford County and surrounding areas. Be prepared for changing weather conditions and drive with caution. Give yourself extra time to get where you are going, ensure your vehicle is clear of snow, and always carry a vehicle emergency kit. Remember to never pass a plow or emergency vehicle. Stay well back and give them space to do their jobs. #BeWeatherAware #SafetyFirst #SeeSnowGoSlow #NeverPassAPlow

The Oxford County Archives will be showcasing a new video series just in time for Halloween Oxford’s Dark Tales. Join archives technician Megan on a virtual tour as she delves into the history of some of the darker parts of Oxford County’s history, including crime, hangings, murder, witchcraft, and some historical ghost stories. Each part of the video series will be shared Thursdays, October 15, 22 and 29 on the County’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/oxfordcountyontario/videos

Oxford County recently installed new pedestrian crossovers in Drumbo, Innerkip, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Thamesford (coming soon) to improve road safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Know your role. Pedestrians have the right of way at crossovers. Drivers and cyclists must stop behind the pavement markings and wait until pedestrians have completely crossed the road before proceeding. Drivers and cyclists not following the rules may face fines of up to $1,000 and drivers may incur four (4) demerit points.

The Archives has another #MysteryMonday post to share. These letters were written to the Canadian Department of Militia and Defence in 1920 regarding a Miss Leila Hammerton, a Nursing Sister during the First World War who paid her own passage from Canada to England to join an Imperial Unit. The letters were written on behalf of Miss Hammerton by the Ontario Soldiers’ Aid Commission in Woodstock asking for compensation for her travel expenses. Beyond these letters we have no additional information on Leila Hammerton. If you have information on Miss Hammerton please leave a comment or contact the Archives at [email protected] www.oxfordcounty.ca/archives

A new program aimed at sparking and supporting innovative tourism ideas in Oxford County was officially launched today. The Spark Mentorships & Grants Program will match selected applicants with a tourism mentor and provide a $3,000 grant to help take their new tourism ideas to the next level of development. Check out the video below, and learn more: http://www.oxfordcounty.ca//N/News-Details/ArticleID/16913

For some, the holidays are a joyful time of year. For others, it can be quite challenging. In a year full of unique challenges, giving and getting help is no exception. Some annual events are cancelled, while other services have adopted new approaches due to COVID-19. The Holiday Sharing Guide has listings of gift & clothing drives, hot meal & food programs, shelters, emergency help & seasonal community events (including cancellations). View guide: www.informationoxford.ca.

How can you, or your business, work towards zero waste in an affordable way? And, why is it important to try? Future Oxford’s Speaker Series is back this fall w...ith a focus on local zero-waste innovators to help answer these questions. Join us, and the Oxford County Library, as we host three virtual Facebook events this October. Each will focus on zero waste in different sectors including commercial, industrial, education and more. The first event is tomorrow, October 14, right here on Facebook Live, and will feature two local innovators from the commercial sector. More event dates and details here: www.futureoxford.ca/events.

Oxford County Council meets next on Oct 14 at 9:30 am. This week's agenda includes water and wastewater rates, council composition and more. Watch live at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream or see the recording at www.oxfordcounty.ca/council

Join us this fall for the Future Oxford Speaker Series! In partnership with the @OxfordCountyLibrary, Future Oxford is hosting three discussion panels featuring... local zero-waste innovators who are advancing Oxford’s sustainability goals. Visit www.futureoxford.ca/events for dates and details. See more

October is Women’s History Month. While it was not exceptionally common for women to operate their own business in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it likely occurred more often than we think. Many women ran a business under the guise of their husband’s name; others ran a successful business using their own name. This photo from the Oxford County Archives features one such business in Woodstock, Miss A. Goodeve’s Oxford Book Store. Miss Goodeve spent her early life in Cobourg,... Ontario, and 9 years in Mitchell, Ontario. She then arrived in Woodstock where she purchased her business in 1896. The Woodstock Sentinel-Review described her business as a place of fine proportions [with] excellent facilities for picture framing. Its shelves are ornamented with readable books and upon its walls hang treasures of art. Tastefully arranged throughout the spacious apartment a countless variety of goods of all designs are offered for sale at tempting prices. #WomensHistoryMonth Woodstock Sentinel-Review inaugural ed. 1-2 July 1901, p.27. www.oxfordcounty.ca/archives

Happy #WorldTeacherDay from the Archives! This photograph from the inaugural edition of the Woodstock Sentinel-Review features some of the teachers at Woodstock Collegiate Institute in 1901. From top left, moving clockwise: J.M Cole (Natural Science/Science Master), I.M. Levan (Principal and Modern Languages Master), A.D. Griffin (Mathematics Master), E.C. Srigley (Commercial Master), and C.S. Kerr (Classics Master). Woodstock Sentinel-Review inaugural ed., 1 & 2 July 1901, p. 43 www.oxfordcounty.ca/archives

Did you know? You can recycle plastic film products, like grocery bags, milk bags and bubble wrap, for FREE at the Waste Management Facility in Salford. Also, at the Tillsonburg Transfer Station and Woodstock EnviroDepot for residents in those areas. Plastic film can cause problems in the recycling process, damaging equipment, and easily contaminating other recyclables. For this reason, it is not accepted in the curbside recycling program. This new service, which is part of a pilot program, aims to determine how much plastic film can be separated from the waste stream and diverted from the landfill. For more information, including a complete list of acceptable and unacceptable plastic film materials, please visit www.wasteline.ca.

From the Archives Today in 1920: Large Crowd at Norwich Fair: Attendance Was Over Two Thousand in Spite of Raw Weather. The Norwich Fair in September of 1920 had over two thousand visitors despite rainy weather and a cold wind. The article describes the wealth of the region on display with numerous automobiles parked on the fair grounds. A new and popular attraction at the fair was a tug-of-war tournament with three teams entered: Newark Farmer’s Club, Norwich Farmer’s ...Club, and Borden’s Condenser. In the end Borden’s team won the tournament. Woodstock Sentinel-Review article, Large Crowd at Norwich Fair 30 Sept. 1920, p1. www.oxfordcounty.ca/archives

Like many municipalities, Oxford County no longer accepts plastic film as part of its curbside recycling program. However, a new pilot program allows residents to recycle plastic bags, bubble wrap and other plastic film products for free in three convenient drop-off locations: the Waste Management Facility in Salford, the Tillsonburg Transfer Station and the Woodstock EnviroDepot. Oxford County also encourages residents to reduce plastic film use by choosing reusable shopping bags when going to the store and encouraging food producers, manufacturers, and retailers to switch to reusable and recyclable plastic alternatives. For more information, visit www.wasteline.ca.

BLANDFORD-BLENHEIM RESIDENTS: Garbage and recycling collection was missed today on James Street in Bright but it will be collected on Saturday morning. Please bring your material in overnight and set out in the morning by 8:00 a.m. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

Blue boxes, green cones, composters, and rain barrels will be available for SWOX residents to purchase at half price at the Sweaburg Pavilion this Saturday, September 26 from 1-4pm for Earth Arbour Day. Head over to the pavilion to support Future Oxford’s goal of zero waste.