"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."
Telephone operator who saw bandits flee was Wilma Hansford, at left. Next is A.L. Veale, manager; and Phylliss Hunt of staff. Arthur Evans witnessed gunfight and Raymond Thoms, 12, was on street as bandits fled. J. Harvey, right, dodged shots.
Photograph of Art and Audrey Evans with their children. The photograph is found on the front side of a campaign card for Art Evans. Evans was running for a seat as an MPP.
This photo of Audrey Evans, wife of Art Evans, Bradford's first Mayor and MPP, appeared in the Bradford Witness along with the announcement of her death after a sudden and serious illness.
Article summarizing Cpl. Reg. A.C. Wilson of the Bradford OPP detachment duties in Bradford; also includes his farewell party and information on his wife's efforts in town.
"Due to technicalities which prevented certain personnel of the Bradford Public Library Board as originally constituted being members of the board while holding office as members of other local public boards, several names had to be omitted from the board first named come time ago and new ones appointed..."
"Bradford telephone users this week were credited with contributing largely to the success of Sunday's cutover to dial operation, by C.E. Blosdale, Bell Telephone manager for this region." ...