"Visitors from as far away as Idaho came to the open house at the Muck Research Station in the Holland Marsh last Friday. A steady stream of farmers, growers, salesmen and students toured the nine-acre site loaded with exhibits and test crops. The research station has served the area since the late 1940's, testing various crops, fertilizers, and chemicals used on muck crops. The station is headed by senior muck crops specialist Matt Valk, with Edo Knibbe as the agricultural technician, and staff members Fred Weening, Dave Walton, Eleanor Wall and Maureen Evans. The annual open house was blessed with warm, sunny weather."
"After 31 years of teaching about 1,000 pupils at Bradford public school, Barbara Stewart is retiring at the end of this school year. It's a thought that brings a mixture of emotions for her. On one hand is the anticipation of doing the things she has been dreaming of for years: travelling extensively in winter and relaxing at her cottage in Minden in summer. On the other hand: "I'm going to miss the children," she admits, 'And the staff too. I have many good friends here. I retired as the organist last June. I guess you could say I'm tearing up all my roots...no, routines. I'm tearing up all my old routines.'Although she is leaving Bradford for good at the end of this school year, Miss Stewart has reassured her friends that she will be coming back often to visit."
"The Orville Hand Branch of the Bradford Legion elected its executive officers last week, and Ron Allison of the Mount Albert legion was on hand to present the officers with an Ontario and a Canadian flag. The officers (from left) are Mary Ann Wedmann, Bill Newton, Ron Allison, Bud Parry, Sid Allen, Ron Genis, Bilt McDonald, Milt Hambly, (representing the town of Bradford), Archie Simpson, Les Dodd (zone commander), Orville Hand, and Bert Collins."
"Arthur Evans of Bradford, former Simcoe Centre MPP, was among the dignitaries at the official opening of the new Simcoe County courthouse in Barrie last Friday. Mr. Evans who represented Simcoe Centre for 16 years, was joined in the plaque unveiling and ribbon cutting by Roy McMurtry, Attorney General of Ontario, and George McCague, Minister of Government Services. The courthouse is in downtown Barrie and it cost $7.3 million. It contains four county courtrooms and five courtrooms for the criminal and family court divisions. The building also accommodates the office of the sheriff and Crown attorney, administration offices, and the Simcoe County Law Association. A large crowd braved snowy weather to watch the opening ceremony and tour the modern building."
"They call them the "Old Guard," that collection of individuals who have done so much to determine the shape and destiny of the Town of Bradford. Most of them have lived here all their lives. They have gone to school here, raised their families here, worked here, and served in one official public capacity or other. In many ways, they personify what Bradford was, and to an extend still is. All the old guard was there Friday evening at the community centre to honor one of the senior members: Miss Margaret Davey, the clerk treasurer of the town for almost 33 years. Miss Davey, "Peg" to anyone who knew her, retired last March. Retired with her memories of a small town that had become too large to be run by the old guard anymore."
"The Schomberg River dredge was finally launched last Tuesday after an abortive effort the day before. The ponderous machine, built by Louis Devald, slid slowly into the water near Wanda Street, and to the relief of everybody it not only floated, but operated like a charm. Celebrating the event with a bit of the bubbly at right are Art Janse (left) Louis Devald, and John Rupke. The dredge has its work cut out, clearing tons of silt from the Schomberg River."
