Showing 6050 results

Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Bradford West Gwillimbury council is looking for local history buffs for the town's heritage committee. The purpose of the heritage committee is "to promote awareness and conservation of the community's build heritage," according to a report to council by Bradford West Gwillimbury director of planning Geoff McKnight. The heritage committee, which will be comprised of at least five people appointed by council, will examine all properties and areas that may deserve protection now or in the future, facilitate the community's interest in heritage conservation and maintenance practices, determine heritage resource values for protection through designation and administer designated property grant programs. This will not be the town's first heritage committee. The first was created in 2005 but was disbanded late last year. The new heritage committee will have an operating budget of $5,000, which will cover costs associated with background studies, promotional efforts, printing and the creation of designation plaques. Depending upon the expertise of the new committee members, a consultant may need to be retained "to undertake the detailed heritage assessments required for designation," according to Mr. McKnight's report. Information regarding heritage committee applications will be available in the coming weeks.

Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : At just half a kilometre, it wasn't much of a trip. But for a very old homestead, it was an incredible journey. George Elliot House, built in 1861 on then endless acres of farmland north of Toronto, was tugged slowly buy surely to a new location yesterday. It is to be restored and renovated into semi-detached dwellings by Habitat For Humanity volunteers, then turned over to two families who will put in at least 500 hours of "sweat equity" labour to secure ownership. The 360-tonne gothic-style house had become surrounded by new homes in northeast Brampton. The builder Metrus offered it for free if Habitat For Humanity agreed to do the move to a double lot up Tobram Rd. that Metrus was donating. After weeks of preparation, the exquisitely quoined brick farmhouse was lifted yesterday onto a huge platform of steel I-beams atop mammoth rubber wheels. By mid-afternoon, the house had rumbled into place after a three-hour trip. Hundreds of Habitat volunteers were joined by local politicians and dignitaries, including Toronto Argonauts head coach Mike "Pinball" Clemons. Clemons said Habitat's style of volunteerism brings the community together. "The best kind of giving is simply elbow grease," he said.

Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : You'd be hard pressed to find two people who have shown their love for Bradford West Gwillimbury more than George Jackson and Barbara Verney over the past 20-plus years. The duo were recognized by the Ontario Heritage Trust for their hard work preserving and commemorating the history of the town at a town council meeting, where they each received recognition. Ms Verney received a certificate of achievement through the 2008 Heritage
Community Recognition Program for her outstanding volunteer contributions. In 1990, Ms Verney put her love for the town front and centre when she volunteered as secretary at the first meeting to organize the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association. Two years later, she became president of the association and continued in that role until the end of 2008. She has received recognition for her volunteer work in the past, including a provincial award for volunteers older than 65 in 2002. Much like Ms Verney, Mr. Jackson has been busy doing his part to help preserve the heritage of Bradford West Gwillimbury. In 1987, when he was a member of the Bradford Library building committee, he promoted the inclusion of a local history room. In 1990, he was founding president of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association. For three years in the late 1990s, Mr. Jackson worked with two architects to compile background information for the book, Inventory of Historic Buildings in Bradford, Ontario. For this work and much more, Mr. Jackson received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ontario Heritage Trust.

Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury is seeking individuals who are interested in helping their community by serving on the BWG Heritage Committee. Among other matters, the committee will advise council on the protection of heritage assets and promoting heritage conservation within the community. If you would like to participate in this worthwhile endeavor please submit a letter of interest to the address noted below outlining your background, pertinent information and why you are interested in serving on the BWG Heritage Committee. Backgrounds with architectural conservation techniques, management, historical research, and knowledge of the community's heritage would be considered an asset. An applicant must be eligible to vote at a municipal election of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.

Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Some days, it seems Toronto's built heritage is becoming, well, a thing of the past. A row of 19th-century houses on Charles St., just west of St. Thomas St., will soon be torn down to make way for a condo. Walnut Hall built in 1856 and the last standing row of Georgian townhouses on Shuter St., was demolished last year after decades of neglect led to bricks falling to the sidewalk. But there are also "wins" in the battle to preserve the city's past. The design studio of John Lyle, the man responsible for some of the city's most treasured early 20th-century architecture, including the Royal Alexandra Theatre, will get new life as part of the One Bedford condo on Bloor St. W. Fuelled by a strengthened Ontario Heritage Act, which in 2005 gave municipalities more control over historic buildings, saving the past has become an issue that appears to resonate with many Torontonians and a few developers. The heritage conservation district (HCD) is one weapon in the preservationists' arsenal. While the beefed-up Ontario Heritage Act is making it easier to preserve architectural heritage, Nasmith says more needs to be done before even more Toronto landmarks fall victim to the wrecking ball. Saving history is no easy task. For big urban developers, incorporating a piece of history into modern condo projects can mean costly delays and expensive restoration work. Trying to do the right thing can be costly. First, Fenton says, there's the time spent meeting with city officials and attending public meetings to face a roomful of often hostile residents. At the neighbourhood level, preserving the past can mean pitting neighbour against neighbour in a battle of property rights. Nasmith says there is a lot of misinformation about heritage conservation districts. One such fallacy is that this designation will lower property values because no one will want to buy a home bound by rules on what you can and cannot do. It's rare for homes designated under the Ontario Heritage Act to come on the market, says Royal LePage agent Jeff Derksen, because people who buy them do so because they appreciate their history, not because they want to flip a house. The design guidelines proposed for the Kingswood neighbourhood, if approved by residents and council, would ban the severing of lots. The 50-foot lot next to McMillan's 1898 home was severed and two homes constructed side-by-side - homes he feels are out of character for the neighbourhood and should not have been approved by the city. While some may find the rules governing designated properties burdensome, he says most people are more receptive once they hear about the city's incentive programs, such as the matching grants for homeowners to get as much as $10,000 for approved renovations to the exterior of their homes.

Municipality :
Community : Bradford
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Twenty-nine years ago, Ross and Shirley Klubine took over the Klubine family farm on Highway 11, just north of Bradford. The beautiful brick farmhouse, built circa 1850, had become "somewhat decrepit." They replaced the front entry and, using family photographs, repaired and restored the verandah. They opened their doors to visitors, starting the first "Bed and Breakfast" establishment in Simcoe County. A sign proclaiming the "Country Guest Home" went up at the end of a drive lined with majestic maple trees, and immediately attracted the attention of the local health inspector. Both Ross and Shirley were involved in the venture. Seven years ago Ross passed away, and was buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, on land that is still part of the farm. Now her baked goods, and fresh jams, are two of the staples on the breakfast table at the Guest Home, that bring visitors back, again and again. The Country Guest Home is open all year round, but summer is the peak season. Rates have remained reasonable, and include a full home cooked breakfast.

Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Bradford West Gwillimbury Council has voted to support the heritage signage propposal of resident, Donal McGugan. Council has approved a town-wide signage program that will honour "individuals, events and places of significance from our community's history", through "strategically placed roadside signs not unlike roadside historical plaques and monuments throughout the province." The estimated cost is $600 to $1,000 per sign. The Facilities & Parks Department will be advised to budget for the new program, and erect the signs after consultation with the local historical society, to ensure accuracy. McGugan had originally recommended renaming roads to reflect historical significance (e.g., renaming 10 Sideroad as Middletown Sideroad) - but the Town turned down the suggestion, since road - renaming carries a significant cost, including 4 weeks of advertising to notify residents, the cost of change-of-address notification, and the potential for "confusion of non-residents trying to find a location."

Municipality :
Community : Ontario
Lot :
Concession :
Description : The "Safety and Maintenance of Silos and Grain Bins" is the theme for this year's Farm Safety Week Campaign, July 25-31. Silo safety begins with sound construction. The silo must be made of quality concrete - a strong, dense concrete provides resistance to silage acids. Even so, an acid resistant coating should be applied to the bottom third of the silo prior to use. Acid damage can also be limited by management practices, including the following :
-Control the moisture content of the harvested crop to prevent acid seepage.
-Remove all silage on a yearly basis to allow wall surface to dry refilling.
-Inspect and replace wire rope used on unloaders if signs of wear show.
-Install a safety cage on outside ladders to prevent falls.
-Carry out regular safety inspections, including inspection of silo doors, looking for signs of rot or corrosion.
-Get professional advice on silo repairs if you suspect deterioration.

Municipality :
Community : Ontario
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Pupils of St. Mary's School and St. Mary's Music School comprised a total of 16 entries at the recent Kiwanis Music Festival in Toronto and while they did not win a first place, every child won honour standing in this competition of the best from the entire province. Each child had the benefit of the experience associated with such an event, and also the benefit of the criticism and advice of some of the world's best adjudicators.

Municipality :
Community : Bradford
Lot :
Concession :
Description : When Mr. Driffill appeared before that council asking for a by-law respecting the sale of liquor in grocery stores, there was probably simple cause for his request, as there were then at least five hotels licensed to sell liquor, as well as the liquor store. These were: Algeo's Hotel, run by Robt. Algeo; Western Hotel,on site of present Queen's Hotel and which was burned down in 1891; the Innia House, on the corner now occupied by the Bank of Commerce, with William (Billie) Innis as the well known landlord - and poundkeeper, and also, a few years later, the owner of the famous heavy draft stallions, Lochnigar and Defiance, and how proud he was of those horses! Many a summer morn might he be seen on the Bond Head road, 'brushing with hasty steps the dews away!' as he led one or the other of his heavy steeds out for exercise - and never wearing a coat; the Bingham Hotel, the large three-story one that stood on the corner of Holland and Simcoe Streets, the owner and landlord of which was Mr. Robt. Bingham - succeeding landlords of that hotel that I recall were Mr. John Armstrong, a Mr. Harris who came from Toronto, and Mr. Brown - Mrs. Fred McKay's father; and the Lower Hotel, which Mr. Walkter Probert has long since turned into a residence. This one is down near Lukes' mill, nearly opposite Mr. Jas, Church's home. Some time I would like to continue and speak about the ice races and other old time matters mentioned in that ancient copy of the South Simcoe News. But, to close this letter, may I speak of that item in last week's Witness about that Tottenham lacrosse match.