"A project planned by the Centennial Commission in preparation for 1967 is to have school children, across the country, participate in tree planting in the parks of Canada, and for this area arrangements were made to have this done at the new Holland Valley Conservation Authority park in West Gwillimbury, north of Bradford, on Friday last. The project was in charge of the Canadian Centennial Commission and the Conservation Authority, with the trees and officials who directed the officials who directed the work of planting, from the Department of Lands and Forests." ...

"The table was decorated with red and white flags, candles and napkins, and a red and white cake, for a multi-generation Canada Day party and Toast held at the home of Tom and Zelma Fuller, Jr. The Guests of Honor were Mae and Bill Fuller." ...

The Bradford Witness decided to release a series of articles from local townspeople on the history of certain events in Bradford and West Gwillimbury's time. This week, the Fire of May 25, 1871, and the businesses which rebuilt on Holland Street after the fire, is the topic.

This article is a transcript of Mayor Pat Storey's speech to a crowd at the Bradford Arena on Canada Day.

"Friday, June 30th, Midnight, the Centennial of Canada's birthday was welcomed bu the ringing of all the church bells and fireworks. There was quite a crowd of people on the street in Centennial costumes. This proves the point that we are proud to be Canadians. Many thanks to Rev. Saunders for looking after the preparations for the event. The United Church was a very interesting sight on Sunday." ...

A formation ride of the Governor General's Horse Guards at the Centennial Park during Saturday's opening celebration.

"With the Hurricanes battering Florida and the Caribbean this season - Charley, Frances, Ivan and now Jean - residents may be thinking about Ontario's own brush with a hurricane, back in 1954.
Fifty years ago, Hurricane Hazel swept into Southern Ontario, confounding the meteorologists who were predicting little more than the usual "tail end" of the storm, and days of moderate rains. Instead, residents were buffeted by hurricane force winds and heavy rains that caused severe flooding - especially in the Holland Marsh. ..."

"On September 14th, Simcoe South District Women's Institute celebrated its 100th Anniversary, at an Open House and Tea held in Cookstown.
The district received its charter on May 5th, 1902, in Thornton. At one time, the District had 11 branches, including Beeton, Gilford and Bradford, Now, there are only 6 remaining - Bond Head, Churchill, Cookstown, Fishers Corners, Tec-We-Gwill (Newton Robinson) and Tottenham.
At the Anniversary Open House, there was a focus on past achievements, which have included the establishment of a library in Alliston, installation of traffic lights in Bond Head, and work on health and safety issues - but there was also a focus on the future, and the continuing relevance of W.I.
Member of Parliament Aileen Carroll noted that Women's Institutes were founded in the early years of this century, "to work against the isolation (in rural Ontario), to countermand that isolation by bringing together the women... to build cohesion in the community."
Carroll pointed out that the areas of interest of Women's Institute - education and culture, citizenship, international affairs, industry - coincide with the interests of parliamentary committees, and urged W.I. members to stay involved, and to provide their views and input, to "seize the day, continue with these very important initiatives." "

"Bradford United Church celebrated its 168th anniversary on Sunday, September 15th. The pews were filled for the special service, which included guest speaker, Rev. Dr. William Fritz and the music ministry of Mark Holmes. Dr. fritz was the pastor of Collier St. United Church in Barrie for 20 years, president of the Toronto Conference, and most recently, Associate Pastor at St. Paul United Methodist church in Largo, Florida.
The United Church holds its annual Auction Sale on Saturday, Oct. 19th, 7:30 p.m. at the Church. Donations of goods and services are welcomed."

"A quarter century after his Man in Motion World Tour and in preparation for his 25th Anniversary Rick Hansen Relay, which will re-create the Canadian portion of his original tour, Rick Hansen is looking for residents of Bradford West Gwillimbury to help cover the 12,000-km trek across Canada.
One man in motion will be represented and celebrated by many in motion, as 7,000 participants from across Canada who have made their own difference in the lives of others will walk, wheel or run in the Rick Hansen Relay, which begins Aug. 24 in Cape Spear, Nfld. and concludes May 22, 2012 in Vancouver.
The 25th anniversary relay is planned to pass through Bradford West Gwillimbury in December 2011.
To find and recognize relay participants, the Rick Hansen Foundation launched an online public contest that opened Tuesday at rickhansenrelay.com, allowing Canadians 13 and older to enter to win a spot for themselves or nominate a worthy individual to participate in the relay as a medal-bearer." ...