Showing 43 results

Well-trained, service-minded employees. A friendly atmosphere. Quality products at competitive prices. Those are part of the "Homecare" promise - but they have always been the goals at Spence Homecare, even when the business was primarily a lumber yard. Spence Lumber was founded in 1919 by James Spence, on the site of what is now MacDonald's Restaurant and South Simcoe Square. James was followed by his son, A.W., then grandson, Keith Noble. Now it's the 4th generation, great grandson Ron Noble, who runs the operation. Spence Lumber weathered the Roaring Twenties, the Dirty Thirties, the war years, the post-war baby boom, the changes of the '60s and '70s, at its old site. But in the '80s, the increasing trend towards home renovation, and "do-it-yourself" repairs led to a decision to move, and expand. The old retail space, notes Ron, covered only 800 to 1,000 square feet. "We were kind of land-locked, and there was no real growth potential." In 1900, the store moved to its current site at 90 Dissette,where it has 6,000 square feet of retail space, and over four acres of lumber yard - and joined 160 other stores in Ontario under the "Homecare" banner. "It was always a traditional lumber yard, whereas now I would consider it...a building centre," Ron says, explaining the change. The Centre offers "a complete range of everything you need for building, renovating, decorating." The transition from lumber yard to building supply centre has been a smooth one, he says, helped in part by the affiliation with Homecare, "which gives us volume buying power - which, in turn, can be turned over to the consumer," as a competitive prices. But the best part has been the consumer response. "When we moved to this location, the support we've had from our customers and friends was just about the nicest thing." To say thank-you to those customers, Spence Homecare celebrated its 75th anniversary, October 14th to 16th, with a special sales, lucky draws and a charity barbecue.

July 21, 1992
Death
REID, Frances Rose suddenly at her residence on Tuesday July 21, 1992, Frances Kachura of Bradford in her 68th year. Beloved wife of the late William White Reid. Loving mother of Walter. Dear daughter of Elaina and the late Michael Kachura. Dear sister of Mary (Mrs. Ronald McAinsh) of Ottawa and Michael of Ottawa. Friends called at Lathangue and Skwarchuk Funeral Homes, 30 Simcoe St. Bradford. Funer MAss was held at Holy Martyrs of Japan Church, Bradford on Friday July 24th, 1992 at 10 a.m. Interment at Notre Dame Cemetery, Ottawa. Donations to the York County Hospital Cardiac Care Unit.

"To celebrate Canada's 125th birthday, why not take a walking tour of some of the oldest streets in Bradford, four of which date back 162 years!" ...

"James G. McKinstry was born in the town of Bradford on December 4th, 1884. He enlisted on December 11, 1915, into the 10th Royal Grenadiers, who were later absorbed into the 123rd Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. The 123rd served in Canada until they embarked for England, on August 8th, 1915. McKinstry served at Bramshott Camp and was confirmed in the rank of A/L Corporal, in 1916. He was appointed A/Cpl. in 1917. In early February, 1917, the 123rd Battalion served overseas in France and Flanders, as a Pioneer Battalion. McKinstry remained in England as a instructor, but was dispatched to the front one month later, as part of the Canadian Corps below Vimy Ridge. In October of that year, the Corps moved to Flanders to aid the British in their autumn offensive. The attack on Passchendaele Ridge took several stages to complete. Cpl. McKinstry was killed in action at Passchendaele on October 21st,1917, and is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, in Belgium. He was 31 years old at the time of his death. At the end of the offensive in November, the Canadian Corps had sustained 16,000 casualties.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Times editorial

Description : "All those who were living in the Holland Marsh and other low-lying areas during the Hurricane Hazel flood on October 15, 1954, wish to express their deepest thanks for the help they received from the surrounding communities, such as Bradford and Schomberg. With unselfish effort, they went out of their way to help those who lost homes, crops and personal belongings on that terrible night. Many organizations and individuals put in great efforts to rescue people from their second storeys or attics, ferried them to "dry" land, supplied food and clothing, and opened their homes to those who had no place to go. They assisted in the rebuilding and repairing of the damage. They supplied the facilities to repair damage done to submerged tractors and other farm equipment. The session of the Presbyterian Church in Bradford and Schomberg offered the use of their church buildings, and the council of the Springdale Christian Reformed Church wishes to again express its sincere thanks. A tremendous effort was put forth to set up a trailer park with washroom and laundry facilities. All this, in spite of the damage they suffered themselves from Hurricane Hazel's fury. Last but not least, we should think the Mennonite Relief organization, whose members showed up every day by busloads to help repair our homes."

"The Bradford Community Centre...was where they bid farewell to the friends and parishioners they had served for ten years...Padre Hopkins, at the age of 69, is taking early retirement from the Anglican parish of Bradford..."

Description : These days, there are very few businesses that have been around for 100 years. The Bradford law firm of Evans and Evans is one of those few. Founded in 1894 by T.W.W. Evans, the firm was augmented by his sons, Charles and Brock in the 1920s. Today, "Evans and Evans' refers to grandsons Thomas and Robert. On Thursday, the law firm, which has been in the same building for more than 75 years, opened its doors to family, friends, clients and celebrated its first 100 years. There were photos on display that not only chronicled the history of the Evans family, but the history of Bradford and West Gwillimburry, from turn-of-the-century lacrosse teams, to Bradford's centennial celebrations in 1957, to the sod turning for the new library and West Gwillimbury Administration centre.

"For those of you wondering about the new real estate office, bank and newspaper in town, (and why they're already gone), worry no longer. The film's been shot, the sets have been struck and the actors have all gone home. But for three days last week, Bradford was transformed to the sleepy town of Hope Springs by means of movie magic." ...

"While dignitaries gather at the war memorials in Normandy on Monday, June 6th a short but emotion-filled ceremony was held at the Cenotaph in Bradford. Between 50 and 60 veterans, their families, and members of the Royal Canadian Legion gathered for a Memorial Service led by Padre O. Hopkins, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of D-day. Among the dignitaries present was Mayor Pat Storey, who laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, in honor of the "boys who never came home." The Mayor was also on hand to confirm that the municipality, as part of the 50th Anniversary activities, will be following the recommendations of Chief of Police John Harrison, and renaming a number of streets after Bradford veterans. "It's something we've been trying to get on with for five years," commented Storey, noting that the proposed names have historical significance, as "the names of people that have contributed to our country and our community." Chief Harrison, who with Special Constable Les Bluestein, carried out the archival background research, told those gathered that following amalgamation, there were a number of duplicate street names in the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. "Because of confusion in emergency situations, those street names have to be changed," the Police Chief said. Changing the names to honor veterans, living and dead, was an appropriate step, added. Councillors, in Committee of the Whole last night, voted to recommend the renaming of several streets after the veterans, "to honor those individuals while they are still living, and commemorate in part the 50th anniversary of D-Day." Barrie Street in West Gwillimbury will be known as Woolven Rd.; Centre Street in the marsh will be Noble St.; Church St. in Bond ...
(Page 2) ...Head - Booth St.; Simcoe Place i Bradford - Kneeshaw Place; Simcoe Road in Bond Head - Hopkins Rd.; Simcoe Street (the bend from Luxury to the canal) - Walker Avenue; Turner Rd in West Gwillimbury - Breeze Drive; and the Service Road on the north side of Highway 88 - McKinstry Road. For biographies of the veterans see pages 18 and 19."

Description : Over 250 people packed the former Danube Countries
Community Centre, to participate in an historic event - the opening of the Danube Seniors Leisure Centre, on Saturday, April 25th. The event was also a "thank you" to the members of the Danube Countries Unity Club, and John Zima of Luxury Homes Ltd., whose donations, made the Leisure Centre. The German Club built the Hall 27 years ago, as a venue for its monthly dances and special events, but over the years, the members found it more and more difficult to maintain the facility. "So many parties and weddings, we really couldn't handle it any more," said Club president Matthias Naunheimer. The kitchen, for example, was equipped with huge pots - "not the easiest thing to lift!" Last year, the Danube Countries Unity Club approached the municipality, and offered to donate the Hall, with all of its furnishings and equipment, for use as a Seniors' Centre. It took months to finalize all the legal requirements, but last Saturday, the final hurdles were cleared, and the keys handed to the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. Mayor Frank Jonkman called the donation "the most wonderful gift that this municipality has ever received." Mayor Jonkman noted that the agreement still needs to be ratified by Council, but is basically "a done deal". Even so, he said, the facility is "just an empty building" - until the members of the community participate. He hinted that a "little greenhouse" would be donated and added to the facility. The Mayor thanked all of those involved and presented plaques of appreciation.