"About 50 Holland Marsh farmers are suing the Townships of West Gwillimbury and King, claiming damage to crops in August because of flooding. The farmers served notice of their intentions through their lawyers last month, saying the two municipalities neglected to clean the Schomberg River, and that the pumps at a pumping station didn't work during the heavy rain of August 16. The petition signed by the farmers was sent to the councils by their lawyer Norman Borins of Toronto. It states that because of the failure of the pumphouse much of the land near or level with the river was covered with water. King Mayor Margaret Britnell said the township has no obligation to the farmers because the cleaning of the canal and pumping operations are under the jurisdiction of the Holland Marsh Drainage Commission. Council agreed to receive the letter and send it on to the commission. West Gwillimbury council has referred the matter to the township's insurance company, Frank Cowan Company Limited."
"West Gwillimbury Road Superintendent, Grenville Hughes, 68, resigned last week, after 14 years of service with the council staff. Reeve Orville Hughes accepted the resignation, thanked the road superintendent on behalf of the council for all his co-operation in the past and wished him a long and happy retirement. Councillor Bud Brown and Art Janse suggested council show appreciation of Mr. Hughes services over the years in some tangible way. This was agreed to by Reeve Hughes and Councillor Bob Sturgeon. Councillor Brown asked Mr. Hughes, whose resignation becomes effective on April 6, if he would be prepared to stay on for a short time until a replacement could be found, should this prove to be necessary. Clerk Don Wood told council that two or three applications for the job had already been received."
"West Gwillimbury Township council appeared to be quite a sedate crew in 1903, when this week's historical photo was taken. Standing are John Lee, grandfather of Sam Lee of Bradford; Charles Stewart; and S. George Hodgson, father-in-law of Mrs. Ernest (Lillian) Hodgson of Frederick Street, Bradford, who submitted the photo. Sitting are Jack Neely; Robert Thorpe; William Wood, one-time postmaster; and Tom Ritchie."
"This week's historical photo was submitted by Lew Campbell of RR 2, Bradford, whose father, W.L. Campbell (behind the counter) operated the drug store on Holland Street now occupied Ritchie's Variety Store. Fred C. Cook, standing in front of the counter, worked for Mr. Campbell for several years, intending to become a druggist. But he went into the insurance business instead. Mr. Campbell owned the drug store in Bradford for 57 years. He graduated from the Ontario College of Pharmacy in 1891, a silver medalist in his class."
The house, which is currently found at 26 Colborne St., was moved to this site many years ago. It was originally located across the river on the west side of Federal Farms Road. The west entrance to Queensville passed through the property. The one-storey, T-shaped house has a living room, two bedrooms, a front kitchen and a smaller room behind. North of the kitchen there was a sloping roof and a long narrow room that was used as a bedroom. Lorne Church, his wife, and their children (Jim, Marion, Aileen, Jack, Gordon and May) once lived here. Lorne worked at Lukes’ mill. There was a shed behind the house for cars and wood. It was later moved into the garden and converted to a greenhouse for plants to be grown on Mr. Bruce’s marshland property. In addition to farming for Mr. Bruce, the boys delivered milk in a small wagon in the early 1930’s. (1, 2)
This bungalow located at 157 John St. West originally had a woodshed on the east side. It was once owned by Bill Semenuk, until he and his family moved to Barrie. He was considered to be a good electrical, radio, and watch repairman. The house was also owned by Harold Iceton, who purchased it after his time serving in the military during WWII. Harold Iceton spent five years in various hospitals, including Sunnybrook where he contributed to the hospital paper, which helped fund the purchase of the home. Joe Leblanc completed most of the renovations after this purchase. Additionally, it is notable that the house was the main building of the Kirkpatrick estate, that encompassed the area west to Toronto street.
"Aida Lynn of Bradford won first prize at the Bradford Fire Hall Saturday night, October 26. The snowmobile is an Evinrude Norseman, valued at $699. "I never in all my life won anything like this before," said Aida Lynn. Proceeds from the draw will go towards the purchase of new equipment for the Fire Hall."
"Former Bradford Fire Chief Ted Gapp received a present from West Gwillimbury Reeve Orville Hughes at Saturday's party. Gapp also served the township."
"The Georgian Bay Steam Show featured more than steam tractors like the one driven by the young man in photo below. A miniature steam locomotive (above) was a big hit with children who were among more than 15,000 people at the three-day event. The working model built by Wes White is highly detailed and it runs on coal. Above at right, an eight-cylinder 1947 Buick was one of the vintage automobiles on display. On display were cars ranging from the early 1900s to 1965."
"Alex Haley in his recent novel, Roots, aptly illustrated the significance and importance of having a sense of where one has come from. A person who has such a sense of his genealogical history is Charles Evans, Bradford's nominee to receive the jubilee commemorative medal. Dates are special to Mr. Evans because they indicate the changes that have occurred in his family's growth and development since moving into the Bradford area more than a century ago. Mr. Evans is a fifth-generation of the Evans family to live near Bradford."
