"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."
"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."
"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."
"Tonight at Barrie Raceway, old style horse racing will be featured, as six high-wheeled sulkies will take part in a special race. The sulkies, imported from the United States, will be used by horses and drivers usually competing at the raceway. The sulkies are replicas of an 1864 model and have high wheels. The large wooden spokes in the original wheels have been replaced with steel spokes. The special sulkies were the idea of California racing executive Jim Dunnigan. They were built by Harry Alberty of Los Angeles, who builds wagons and coaches used by movies and television programs. Alberty had problems constructing wheels and axles which would stand the strain of racing but eventually after months of experimenting, he came up with a workable design. The sulkies cost about $12,000, far more than the $450 price of a modern cart."
"Following an accident on Wednesday, April 14, on Highway 88, west of Middletown Rd., a car driven by a Bradford man went into the ditch after police say he tried to pass a car which had stopped to make a left turn. A vehicle driven by Giovanni Capociama, 65, of R.R. 1, Bradford, was travelling west along Highway 88 and had slowed to turn left onto Middletown Rd. According to police, a second westbound car attempted to overtake Capociama on the left, and skidded into the ditch on the west side of Middletown Rd. The driver and passenger of the second vehicle, Christopher J. Fawns, 17, of Bradford, and Una Fawns, 16, sustained cuts and bruises. Mr. Fawns was charged by Provincial Constable Lorne Yakiwchuk of the Bradford detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police, with careless driving and improper passing."
"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. ..."
The Central Hotel, run by Peter Holt. Later, it was converted to the Bank of Commerce. Now, it is a convenience store. Notice that the writing on the photograph labels Holland Street West as Main Street
"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."
