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"Jack and Diane Kooiman and family recently moved into a new home on the 11th Concession, and found the perfect way to both celebrate Canada's birthday, and beautify their property. The three Kooiman sons, their friends and girl friends came up to Bradford West Gwillimbury for the day, and planted blue spruce and maple trees along the property's edge/
Their reward was a barbeque, followed by fireworks. And on Sunday, the Kooimans will be holding their first annual family reunion, with family members from as far away as Kingston coming up for the weekend.
A birthday, notes Jack, is a special thing. "It only happens once a year - and your 125th is a wonderful day!"

"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." ...

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

"The Walking Parade left the old St. Mary's school yard at noon, led by the Bradford West GWillimbury Police, Fire Department, and St. John's Ambulance, as crowds holding red and white balloons lined Simcoe Street.
To the stirring sound of the Innisfil Pipes and Drums, marchers - including the IODE, members of the Portuguese Community, a contingent from the Base Camp Borden and the Colour Guard of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 521 - paraded down Simcoe to the Arena, where they marshalled on the soccer pitch. In the reviewing stand, representing the community, were Nick Chreptiuk, Renee Desjardins, Helen and George Jackson, Pat and Ron Kneeshaw, Jamie Snow, Marianne and Trevor Wilson, and Mayor Pat Storey, who read a special Canada Day message.
Then the birthday party began, and what a party it was, with 50 cent hot dogs sold by the Lions, 50 cent drinks sold by the Rotary Club, free watermelon from Bak's Market, and an enormous Canada 125 cake, courtesy of former Deputy Reeve Frances Reid.
There were games for the kids (and their parents), soccer and baseball exhibition games, a bike decorating contest, talent show, a dance out in the open air, and as the finale, the largest display of fireworks ever put on by the Chamber of Commerce, which organized the day's celebrations.
"It's really nice to see so many out, when I understand a lot of people have to work today," said Mayor Storey. "People really are interested in a community event that they can take in - it's like an old-fashioned picnic." "

"Bill and Brenda Vernon's home on the 9th Concession was the scene of a family reunion, barbeque and flag raising on Canada Day. Bill Vernon built a new 33' flagpole for the occasion, and spruced up the yard with landscaping that included putting in new gate posts, a decorative old-fashioned water pump - and a wagon wheel.
The wheel is part of the family history, all that remains of the turn-of-the-century 4 wheeled "Democrat" that belonged to Brenda Vernon's grandparents.
Her mother, Mrs. Murphy, now in her 80s, remembers one trip in the Democrat, when she was only 6 years old. It was Christmas, but a green Christmas with no snow, and the family decided to take the four wheeler, rather than a sleigh, for the annual trip from West Gwillimbury to her grandparent's farm in Uxbridge.
Normally, the whole trip took three days - one to get to the farm, with a stopover in Holland Landing for lunch and to feed the horses, Christmas Day with the family, and a day to return home.
That year, however, it snowed heavily on Christmas day. "They had a long, long lane, and it was full of snow the day after Christmas," says Mrs. Murphy. The entire length of the lane had to be shovelled out before they could begin their return journey, a trip that took substantially longer than usually."

"Every year, Bradford's Trinity Anglican Church holds the largest charity auction in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
Items up for bids range from the sublime - a diamond ring, donated by Universal Gems; a hot air balloon ride donated by Hugh Adams - to the downright silly. Last year, under the direction of auctioneer Allen Homer, bidding was fierce for the right to shave off the beards of two hirsute volunteers.
This year, the event will be raising funds to install a handicapped access ramp and an elevator at the church.
The auction takes place Friday, May 13th, 7:30 p.m. at the Bradford Arena. There is no admission charge. Refreshments can be purchased."

"Item 58 may have been bidding on himself. One of the more interesting items up for grabs at the Trinity Anglican Church auction, a pet lamb, made more noise than a table full of bidders on Friday night.
The yearly auction, held to raise money for the planned addition to the church, featured 155 items ranging from peanut butter cookies to a hot-air balloon ride. A smart bidder could have walked away from the evening never having to mow a lawn or make dinner ever again.
Local auctioneer Allen Homer kept the crowd's attention with his unique mix of humor and quick-paced auctionese. Homer donates his time each year to help the church raise funds.
Plans for the addition include an elevator, a handicapped washroom and parking spaces, outdoor ramps and a parson's study."

"New addition to Trinity Anglican Church, Bradford, shortly before dedication service, November 13th."

Article about the amalgamation of the Bradford and Innisfil Police Departments.

Article on the murals of Bradford as part of the Downtown Revitalization Project in 1995-96. This article features the Holland Marsh mural on Holland Street West, and the postcards mural on John Street.