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A poster for the 2018 Simcoe County Pride Awards. Bradford West Gwillimbury wasa nominee under the community heading.

A brochure for the 2018 Simcoe County Pride Awards Gala. Bradford West Gwillimbury wasa nominee under the community heading.

"Professor W.M. Drummond and Professor Norman High, of the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, were guest speakers at the general meeting of the Simcoe County Library Co-Operative, held in Barrie on October 7th. Stressing the fact that reading brings inspiration, information, and a broadening of our appreciation of life, as well as, in some cases, more economic security, the speakers discussed the particular importance of reading in a democracy." ...

"About 30 volunteers turned out for Bradford Mini-Clean-up Day, June 23 - Including Mayor Doug White and family, Councillors Del Crake, Jeanny Salmon, Mark Contois and James Leduc. Volunteers spent three hours picking up litter around Town." ...

"Plans for Bradford's 150th Anniversary are well underway. On Tuesday night, in a meeting of Bradford West Gwillimbury Council, Manager of Recreation Nick Warman announced the winner of the Sesquicentennial Logo Contest. Local resident Chris Muncey was presented with a certificate of congratulations, a $100 Gift Certificate for recreation programs, and a copy of the logo..."

"The deluge of rain on Sunday did not deter the descendants of the sturdy Scotch Settlement pioneers from attending the unveiling ceremonies at the Auld Kirk cemetery. A remarkably large crowd, considering weather conditions, was in attendance, and with the speakers sheltered by a large covered truck, and the audience huddled under umbrellas, the program, as arranged was conducted with as much detail as though the sun had shone... Dr. Wilfred Jury, representing the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, in addressing the gathering, made a suggestion which is likely to make the occasion one which will be followed by further tangible evidence that the residents of the Scotch Settlement, both past and present, and of this district, are keenly interested in preserving records and articles of historic interest for the benefit of this and future generations." ...

"Rybka Bros. Produce, 251 Holland Street East, Bradford, located immediately west of the C.N.R. station, was completely destroyed by fire, with its contents, late yesterday afternoon." ...

Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Rotary - 30 Years of Service

The Contributions of Rotary Club have been many

By Sandy Bain

On February 22, 1952 - 30 years ago - the Bradford Rotary Club held its charter night party, with a membership of 22.

There are now 42 members in the Bradford Rotary. When they met last week at the Black Soil Restaurant, they included in their membership 16 past presidents and six charter members; George Allan, Jim Everitt, Frank Maurino, Clare Ritchie, Jim Simone and Brad Walker, who are still involved in club activities.

George Allan recalls the meetings at the Riverview Restaurant in the early 50's. Early fund-raising activities included selling peanuts, door-to-door, to raise money for the swings behind the town hall. The Rotary Club also bought bleachers for the ball park.

REMEMBERED

Deceased past presidents Jim Webb, Norman Porter, Fred Doane, Sarge Coutts and Frank Lee are fondly remembered by other long-time members.

Gord Compton recalls Sarge Coutts' humor and devotion to club projects and he remembers many friendly Rotary gatherings at the cottage of Norm Porter.

Clare Ritchie (president 1959-60) recalls Rotary's involvement in helping obtain mobile housing and supplies when the marsh was flooded during Hurricane Hazel in 1954. Brad Walker was the chairman of this committee.

Clare also remembered the Christmas party at the fairgrounds which Mrs. Kate Aiken (well-known radio broadcaster) and Robert Saunders (then cahirman of Ontario Hydro) hosted, with Rotary assistance.

Jim Simone, club president during 1958-59, recalls the celebrations that were arranged for Bradford's centennial.

PROMOTE TOWN

The Early Bird Breakfast is always a part of Rotary district conventions. In the early 60's, Bradford Rotarians made an all-out effort to promote our vegetable growing capabilities to the rest of Ontario.

Rotarians dressed in costumes symbolizing the many ethnic groups that form Bradford's cultural mosaic. Fruit and vegetable stands were set up outside the dining room of the Royal York Hotel in Toronto and copies of the Bradford Witness were given to the delegates. Dr. Steve Hecking arranged for the Canadian Opera Company to entertain at this most successful event.

1964 saw Rotarians from all over the world gather in Toronto at a Rotary International convention. Past president Gord Compton, Dennis Partridge and Bob Lynn recall the friendship that members from Bradford, Ontario started with members of the Rotary Club in Bradford, Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania club was entertained in Bradford during the convention, under the leadership of Gord Compton.

PRESENT FLAG

In 1966, when Bob Lynn was president, the Rotary Club of Bradford went back to Pennsylvania to present them with our new Canadian flag.

In 1966, Rotary sponsored a special performance of Carmen, by the Canadian Opera Company. It was held in the high school (now Fred C. Cook) auditorium.

1967, Expo. Everyone singing Ca-Na-Da, we love three. Remember? Past president Alf Tizzard and Grant Robinson remember participating in the parades and festivals that ushered in Canada's Centennial in Bradford.

Grant also remembers the many tired, but willing, feet that participated in the Rotary-sponsored walkathon in 1968.

In th 70's, the
Community Center was expanded. Sam Catania recalled Rotary holding house draws which helped contribute to the expansion program.

Past president Reg Harris remembered with a chuckle the snowstorm that forced the district governor to stay in town.

SALAD FESTIVAL

Jim Visser conceived the idea of Bradford's Salad Fest. Bob Evans thinks back to the large variety of salads and cold meats that became a trademark of this annual event.

In 1973-74, under the leadership of Bob Evans, Rotarians encouraged tree planting projects in residential areas of Bradford. This was also the first year of the Rotary youth exchange program.

President Rick Walker got the Rotarians to think snow in 1977 with sponsorship of the popular snowmobile races continuing as part of the winter scene in Bradford.

Past president Bas Visser recalls 1978 as being the first year of the Rotary 50-50 draw. The club was involved in sponsoring bingo in Bradford, and this was the year they brought the circus to town. Do you remember watching the elephant put up the tent?

FOREIGN AID

1978 saw Rotary finance a special police vehicle and, on an international level, the Bradford Club worked with other Rotarians to send heifers to Haiti so fresh milk could be bought locally by the island population.

Rotodale Nursery School begin in the year 1978-79, past president Sheldon Harris recalls. Grant Vestby worked with the ministry of social services and the town, to bring this special school into being. Rotarians, and interested parents, helped decorate the room.

Wayne Stinson remembers February 26, 1980, when Rotary, like many other groups, sponsored a Vietnamese family of five.

The friendships that are made during Rotary youth exchange programs do much to foster Rotary goals of world peace and understanding.

In 1980, Bradford sponsored four students. Bradford students, Cathy Lewis and Scott Tupling went to Norway and Sweden (respectively). While Eduardo De Couto of Brazil, and Tim McCurdy of Australia came to Bradford.

MANY PROJECTS

In 1981, under the leadership of Paul Travis, the Club continued to participate in a variety of community projects: meals on wheels; public and high school awards; sponsorship of Scouts and Guides; minor hockey, softball and soccer teams; Rotodale nursery school.

All of these projects are part of Rotary's commitment to Bradford. In 1981, one special project was to fence the sioccer field.

In 1982, Rotary continues to support the above projects, and other community projects, and they are hosting students from Japan and Mexico as part of the youth exchange program.

As president Peter Van Scheyndel suggested, reviewing the involvements of an organization such as the Rotary Club of Bradford is a difficult task because the strong foundation built by active members over the years has involved the club in an intricate network of service - not only to our local community, but the world community at large. This requires the skills of each individual member.

Happy 30th Anniversary Bradford Rotary Club.

Rotary History

In Evanston, Illinois, 76 years ago, a young lawyer named Paul Harris had an idea. He wanted to meet regularly with other businessmen in his community. He felt that together they could better serve the needs of their town and he felt that he would enjoy the fellowship they could offer one another.

From this idea, Rotary International evolved.

Today, there are about 19,477 Rotary Clubs and an estimated 900,500 Rotarians in 157 countries and geographical areas. Rotary is an organization of business and professional men, united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in vocations and help build good will and peace in the world.

MEET GOALS

The Rotary Club of Bradford, like Rotary clubs all over the world meet once a week to carry out these goals. The Witness asked two Rotary members why they were involved in this organization. Bob Evans was part of an international group study team of businessmen who went to Australia in February 1967, as part of a Rotary project.

Members of group study teams foster international understanding by speaking with service groups, churches and community organizations, when they return to their community. On his return, Bob became a member of the Bradford Rotary Club.

OPPORTUNITIES

He said he enjoys the opportunities for fellowship and service that Rotary provides. He enjoys the weekly meetings in Bradford or in other cities if he is travelling during the week.

Bob is especially interested in the Rotary youth exchange program. He feels it has been good for his children to have had exchange students live with them; and he feels that the program helps young people in our schools and communitites gain insight into other parts of the world.

Gord Compton also stressed his interest in the youth exchange program and the international projects that are sponsored through Rotary.

Gord enjoys the face that club meetings start and finish on time so that they can be fitted into a busy schedule.

To Gord, like that young man in Evanston, so many years ago, the friendships he has made, through meeting and working with Bradford Rotarians, have made Rotary involvement a special part of his life and a special part of the lives of all Bradford Rotarians.

"A Department of Highways bulletin announced the following highways closed as a result of the flood in this area: ..."

Bradford Witness
Vol. LXVIII, #04
January 25, 1933
Page 1