Oxford County
I love Oxford County! The place that I have called home for 30. years. The centre of the universe. Well Woodstock, Ontario is nestled between Highways #401 and #403, only an hour and half jaunt east to Toronto, Ontario and a two-hour drive west to Windsor, Ontario. Oxford County is central to most major cities. Maybe that is why many businesses and functions are built and held here for this reason. With its rolling hills where cows, lambs and even emu roam free to graze, to the rich fertile farmlands to the pungent aroma of manure. No wonder Oxford County is the agricultural belt of Southwestern Ontario and the diary capital of Canada. (Both family and friends visiting me get their pictures taken with the Snow Countess.)
Oxford County is comprised of eight area municipalities consisting of the following: the Township of Blandford-Blenheim - Mayor Mark Peterson; Township of East Zorra-Tavistock – Mayor Philip Schaefer; Town of Ingersoll - Mayor Brian Petrie; Township of Norwich - Mayor Jim Palmer; Township of South-West Oxford - Mayor David Mayberry; Town of Tillsonburg - Mayor Deb Gilvesy; City of Woodstock- Mayor Jerry Acchione and the Township of Zorra - Mayor Marcus Ryan. According to Oxford County website, the census population for Oxford County in 2021 was 121,781.
When I first arrived in Woodstock in March 1992, I was surprised but pleased that there were a lot of cultural attractions available to attend. With my love for music, I thoroughly enjoyed attending concerts put on by the Woodstock Strings, listening to the Woodstock Choralaires and the Woodstock Fanshaw Singers and enjoying plays at Theatre Woodstock. I soon got involved in numerous clubs and organizations from the Woodstock Cycling Club (WCC) to the Woodstock Field Naturalists' Club (WFNC), no not a nudist colony but nature, birds and flowers. That is why Woodstock’s slogan is known as “a great place to shop, dine, work and play.”
With numerous events and festivals throughout Oxford County, there is always someplace to go and something to do. “Oxford County, our rural roots are showing.”
Oxford County is comprised of eight area municipalities consisting of the following: the Township of Blandford-Blenheim - Mayor Mark Peterson; Township of East Zorra-Tavistock – Mayor Philip Schaefer; Town of Ingersoll - Mayor Brian Petrie; Township of Norwich - Mayor Jim Palmer; Township of South-West Oxford - Mayor David Mayberry; Town of Tillsonburg - Mayor Deb Gilvesy; City of Woodstock- Mayor Jerry Acchione and the Township of Zorra - Mayor Marcus Ryan. According to Oxford County website, the census population for Oxford County in 2021 was 121,781.
When I first arrived in Woodstock in March 1992, I was surprised but pleased that there were a lot of cultural attractions available to attend. With my love for music, I thoroughly enjoyed attending concerts put on by the Woodstock Strings, listening to the Woodstock Choralaires and the Woodstock Fanshaw Singers and enjoying plays at Theatre Woodstock. I soon got involved in numerous clubs and organizations from the Woodstock Cycling Club (WCC) to the Woodstock Field Naturalists' Club (WFNC), no not a nudist colony but nature, birds and flowers. That is why Woodstock’s slogan is known as “a great place to shop, dine, work and play.”
With numerous events and festivals throughout Oxford County, there is always someplace to go and something to do. “Oxford County, our rural roots are showing.”
Otterville Falls
From March 2013 to December 2014 I was employed at Oxford Media Group in Woodstock, Ontario as a Freelance Writer and Photographer where I wrote an article and took pictures of the history of the Township of Norwich. My first assignment was an article entitled “The Otterville Falls” printed in the Spring/Summer 2013 Edition of Township Connections - The Community Magazine for the Township of Norwich. Click the "Button Text" below to read the article.
I was disheartened to learn that Jeff Culp had past on October 10, 2021. I was fortunate to visit with him in September. Jeff had health issues for sometime. He wore many hats being involved in housing, radio and journalism. In 1994, Jeff owned and operated Oxford Media Group, a graphic and web design company which focused on website design and maintenance, printing and Event Management.
I was fortunate to meet Jeff awhile back, who was one of three Jeff's', actually two, the other is spelled Geoff which according to him is spelled correctly, who became a mentor to me in writing. Jeff hired me as a Freelance Writer in 2013 where I remained until the company folded in 2014. Jeff was also the Editor for What's On Woodstock Magazine in which I wrote a few articles on Black History in Oxford County for Black History Month in the Jan./Feb. 2021 issue.
I will always be thankful to Jeff in providing me the opportunity in my writing career. Rest in peace Jeff.
I was fortunate to meet Jeff awhile back, who was one of three Jeff's', actually two, the other is spelled Geoff which according to him is spelled correctly, who became a mentor to me in writing. Jeff hired me as a Freelance Writer in 2013 where I remained until the company folded in 2014. Jeff was also the Editor for What's On Woodstock Magazine in which I wrote a few articles on Black History in Oxford County for Black History Month in the Jan./Feb. 2021 issue.
I will always be thankful to Jeff in providing me the opportunity in my writing career. Rest in peace Jeff.
Quote: "It's Never Too Late to Change Your Life." ~ Yoga Guru Bikram Choudury ~