"Bradford doctor G.L. Blackwell was honored last Wednesday at the annual meeting of the York County Hospital for his years of service as chief of staff of the hospital and on the board of directors. Dr. Blackwell received a large painting as thanks for his 12 years as medical chief of staff and nine years on the board. Dr. Blackwell retired from the positions at the end of 1975. The presentation was part of the annual meeting which was held to elect directors for 1976 and to receive the annual reports for 1975."
"Marta Ozals, a student in John Gabel's class at Earl Rowe Public School, was hard at work last week on her poster for the Kinsmen's Heritage Day celebrations this weekend. The posters will be judged Saturday and will be on display Sunday at the high school. A dance and free films are among the other activities planned for the weekend."
"Peter Dykie, 12, and Theresa Arrigo, 13, winners of the public speaking contest held last week at Marie of the Incarnation School, Bradford. Peter, a grade 7 student at Bradford public school and Theresa, a Marie of the Incarnation grade 7 student won $15 each, beating entrants from five Bradford schools."
"Agriculture Minister William Newman was on hand last Wednesday with cattle owner John Devins for a special service. The men were celebrating the first time an imported breed of cattle has been sent back to its country of origin. John Devins' Charolais bull, Jericho, has been sold to French cattlemen for $19,000."
"Bradford Rotarian Jim Simone was honored by his club last week when they announced that he had been made a Paul Harris Fellow by donating $1,000 on his behalf to the Rotary International Foundation. Mr. Simone, a past-president of the Bradford Club, was speechless with the announcement. There are only three other Paul Harris Fellows in the Bradford club: Gary Vasey, Frank Maurino and Gord Compton. The club's Rotary Foundation committee chairman Reg Harris told The Witness that a Paul Harris Fellowship is one of the highest honors a club can bestow on a member. He explained that a Rotarian can only become a member of the select group if the club makes a $1,000 donation to the fund in his name. Simone is a charter member of the Bradford Rotary Club and was the club's sixth president, serving in 1957 and '58. He has been a director since his presidency and for the past four years has served as the club's treasurer."
"Tom Gardner, longtime hardware store owner and active member of many community groups, has been named the Bradford and district citizen of the year by the Chamber of Commerce. ..."
"More than 250 well-wishers and dignitaries filled the auditorium of the Bradford and District Community Centre Sunday to honor Tom Gardner, Bradford's Citizen of the Year for 1976. Mr. Gardner, who operated a hardware store in Bradford for 56 years and represented residents on the local school board for 28 years, received gifts from the Chamber of Commerce, Mac Lewis on behalf of the Bradford Lions Club, the province of Ontario, and the congratulations of his friends and neighbors. Mayor Joe Magani paid tribute to Mr. Gardner and his wife Rita for their contribution and presented Mrs. Gardner with a bouquet of flowers in recognition of her patience and support. Councillor Bob Sturgeon congratulated Gardner on behalf of West Gwillimbury Township Council, and MPP Art Evans presented the guest of honor with a plaque from the province. On accepting a silver tray engraved with his name and honor from Gerry Barker, representing the Chamber of Commerce, Gardner acknowledged that his wife deserved the honor as much as him. The citizen of the year also appealed to those present to support the Newmarket and District Association for the Mentally Retarded which he has worked for devotedly. This year, he said, the association finds itself in need of funds. Brock Evans and Rev. Bob Chapman both reminisced about their acquaintances with Gardner."
"MPP Art Evans presented Sid Gapp with a portrait of the queen to be hung in the Gay Sixties senior citizens' rooms at the old St. Mary's school. Municipal officials from West Gwillimbury and Bradford, and representatives of provincial and county senior citizens organizations, were on hand Sunday when the Gay Sixties held their official ribbon cutting ceremony."
"Behind every club organization there has to be one person who has to make the final decision on behalf of that club. The past five or six years, Bob Fallis has had the not so honored privilege of handling the Bradford Queens senior ball club. Bob is no stranger to the Bradford sports fan as he has helped bring numerous Ontario championships to this town both as a coach and player."
"Bradford's senior citizens displayed their new quarters Sunday and more than 300 people attended the open house in the former St. Mary's Separate School building. The seniors have done a first rate job in refurbishing their area in the school and their energy and resourcefulness is to be highly commended. The Gay Sixties Senior Citizen Club has been working on this project for quite some time and the facilities should provide many happy hours for our senior citizens. A spokesman for the group said it was a team effort and it's refreshing to see people working together to build something that is worthwhile and will benefit many people in the future."
