"This week's photo, courtesy of the Bradford Fire Department, depicts the fire in February of 1959 which destroyed a large block of the downtown section, from Evans and Evans to the police department. The fire swept through several businesses, unprotected by fire walls. Firefighters from five arena departments battled almost 20 hours to quell the stubborn blaze which caused an estimated $500,000 damage. This week's photo was suggested by Ernest and Lola Peterman of Bradford who sent in a newspaper clipping of the fire."
"Honorable Earl Rowe, former Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, was guest speaker at the Fisher's Corners Womens Institute Meeting January 20. A great supporter of women's institutes, Mr. Rowe spoke to the women and their husbands for about 45 minutes on current issues like the Quebec problem and reminsced about politicking in the area in horse and buggy das. He expressed the need for multi-lingualism in Canada, rather than just bilingualism, explaining that Canada was a land of many nationalities and not just French and English. Well qualified to discuss national affairs, Mr. Rowe said he had personally known and worked with eight of Canada's prime ministers, including Pierre Trudeau. Described as a very warm and down-to-earth person by the women, Mr. Rowe is currently in retirement at his farm near Newton Robinson. He told the group he spends much of his time exercising his horses and reading."
"Timmy and Tammy were in Bradford last week to generate support for the Snowarama to be held February 13 from Varley's Marina. From the left are Bradford Mayor Roy Gordon, former mayor Joe Magani, Timmy (Kevin Collins of Orillia), Tammy (Patty Doak of Newmarket), Whipper Billy Watson, and Aurora Mayor George Timpson. The Snowarama is in its third year, and it's purpose is to raise money for crippled children in Ontario. Whipper Watson has been involved in the Ontario Crippled Children's Society for the past 28 years."
"The Djurgarden Mini-Midgets of Stockholm, Sweden arrived in Canada on Boxing Day to begin a five-game tour against Ontario midget hockey teams from Barrie, Cobourg, Oshawa, Bay Ridges, and Newmarket. For the 20 young hockey players and 14 adults who accompanied them, this was their first visit to Canada and an exciting opportunity to combine good, competitive hockey with lots of sightseeing. It was soon apparent, however, that the players were neither novices at hockey nor travelling. Despite the fact that the Swedish players were only 15 years of age (Canadian midgets are usually 15 or 16), the Swedes emerged from the five games with three wins, a loss, and a tie. The Swedes defeated Cobourg 6-4, Bay Ridges 5-1, and Newmarket 5-3. They battled Oshawa to a 4-4 tie and were upset by Barrie 7-3. Although they had never come to Canada before, the team has toured Germany, Finland, and Norway. Their experience showed."
"Everyone knows Barrie has its Kempenfelt Kelly, reportedly seen from time to time in the bay. But did you know Innisfil Township has a monster, too? Grades 5 and 6 at Innisfil Central school built a 30-foot Innisfil Iggy as a snow sculpture exhibit for the Innisfil Winterama. Although Iggy was not a prize-winner, he inspired teacher Ray McDonnell to write a poem about it."
"More than 180 persons were on hand at the Bradford Community Centre Friday night to honor 'Uncle Joe' Magani on his retirement from 20 years in Bradford politics, the last 16 of those as mayor. Reeve Ken Wood was chairman for the evening, and he opened the meeting by introducing head table guests, and then handed the microphone over to Charlie Evans, former reeve, county warden, and town solicitor for Bradford. Chairman Ken Wood then called on Bradford Fire Chief Harold "Butch" Boyd to make another presentation. The gift from the firefighters was a gold-plated fire helmet naming Mr. Magani as honorary chief of the Bradford Fire Department."
"At the urging of Mayor Roy Gordon, the role of Bradford's planning consultant on the town planning committee is being reduced. 'I have had the opinion the board is being run by the planner, when he should be there just for advice,' Mayor Gordon told the committee last Thursday. After the meeting, chairman Art Kneeshaw said he would "tone down" the work of consultant Bruce McLaughlin of Proctor and Redfern engineering firm. He said more work would be placed on the shoulders of committee secretary-treasurer Pat Storey. He told committee members that planning decisions are their responsibility and the planner should only be asked for advice. Mr. Kneeshaw said during the meeting that the planner has helped with his experience in other municipalities, dealing with many sorts of development proposals. And committee member Gord Compton said the committee 'would have been lost' at times without the planner's guidance. Mayor Gordon said later that he did not know how much money would be saved by having the planner attend fewer committee meetings. He said the main issue was that the committee function had become a 'morass' of planning that confuses most of the people involved."
"The first thing most people associate with Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians is New Year's Eve, the traditional event for Guy Lombardo and his world-famous band welcoming in another year at some famous New York hotel. This year Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians will be far removed from both New York and New Year's Eve when they play in the Bradford Community Centre Friday, May 27. Mr. Lombardo, a native Canadian with a 13-member band including a crooner, will play all the old favorites for about 1,000 persons at the community centre. Guy Lombardo and his band will come to town by private bus just before the performance, and be bused out immediately after. He will not be spending any time in the immediate area. With less than 200 tickets left, Mr. Travis said that it was unlikely that they would last too much longer, even considering the fact there are four months to go until the performance. Tickets may be purchased from any Rotary member."
"Norm Barron, owner of Barron's Dominion Hardware, has retired after 32 years in the hardware business. The store was founded by Norm's father Harry Barron in 1932 in a location now occupied by John Gaus Interiors and N.S. Smith Real Estate. The elder Mr. Barron, a native of Brampton, had been a foreman at the Peace Foundry before making a move to Bradford and starting in the hardware business. Norm helped his father part-time in the store until the Second World War broke out and he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was stationed in the western provinces during the war and taught aerial photography, and while out west met and married his wife Carol.After the war, Norm returned to Bradford and entered into full partnership with his father."
"Most people in Canada are dreaming of getting away from the slush and the snow, the freezing temperatures and those dismal cold mornings trying to start the car. A place like Australia, perhaps, with its perpetual summer and golden beaches. Lesley Anne Vasey of Church Street in Bradford has just returned from Australia, and contends she couldn't wait to see some good old Canadian snow again. They have no snow in Australia, she explained, and to a native-born Canadian snow is something you miss after a while. But that doesn't mean it didn't get cold. The two months of winter they did get (in our summer) was cold enough for Lesley Anne because Australian homes don't have central heating. The problems in Australia are similar to Canada's such as unemployment."
