Tavistock IDA Pharmacy donates $10,000 to support local health care

Russ Huber, president of Tavistock Community Health Inc., thanks Tavistock IDA Pharmacy owners Heather Konstant, Hilary Bald and Cathy Stokes for their $10,000 donation in support of local health care initiatives. Gary West photo

By Gary West

One of Tavistock’s longest-established businesses is giving back in a big way to support local health care.

The owners of Tavistock IDA Pharmacy recently presented a $10,000 donation to Tavistock Community Health Inc. (TCHI), supporting the organization’s ongoing fundraising efforts to update and improve offices and examination rooms at the Tavistock medical clinic.

The cheque was presented at the downtown pharmacy on Friday by owners Heather Konstant, Hilary Bald and Cathy Stokes to members of the TCHI board.

The owners said it is important for them not only to continue providing pharmaceutical services to the community, but also to support and strengthen the health-care services offered by local physicians, including those practising in the nearby Tavistock medical building.

Tavistock’s pharmacy has a long history in the community. Pharmaceutical services in the village date back to the 1880s when apothecary and druggist services were provided by Mr. Zoeliner. Over the years, as the Tavistock Medical Group relocated to its current site, the pharmacy also moved to 80 Maria St., where it shared space with the doctors’ offices. At that time, a small dispensary operated within the medical building and was managed by Sinclair Pharmacy of Stratford.

Many residents will also remember the current pharmacy location as the former Don’s Grocery Store. After the grocery store relocated, the building housed a sports shop and later a workwear store. In 1983, the building was purchased by Sinclair Pharmacy of Stratford, operated by John Sinclair and Ray Cornish, with Lyn Schlotzhauer and Elizabeth Ariss later managing the Tavistock store.

Following extensive renovations, the location reopened as Tavistock IDA Pharmacy. Another major renovation took place in 1995, introducing a new merchandising concept and the store’s longstanding motto, “Care You Can Count On.” In addition to prescription services, the pharmacy continues to provide patient counselling and personalized care.

TCHI president Russ Huber thanked the pharmacy owners and staff for their generous contribution and reminded residents that TCHI’s annual meeting will be held in Tavistock in early April, with details to be announced in upcoming editions of the Gazette.

TCHI is still accepting personal and business donations toward the $500,000 fundraising goal.

Donation forms are available from any board member or visit TCHI.ca and click on “donate” to view options. Consider the donation of securities through Canada Helps, through which residents can donate the securities without having to pay the capital gains tax, and TCHI gets a full value of the proceeds of disposition again without any tax.

Also save the date for TCHI’s annual golf tournament to be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, at River Valley Golf Course near St. Marys.

More information will be available in future Gazettes.