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Article on the 25th anniversary of Hurricane Hazel, with recollections from Marsh and Bradford residents

"Arthur Evans' 17 years in the Ontario legislature-now coming to an end-were not without disappointments. The position of cabinet minister has always eluded the Simcoe Centre MPP, and he frankly feels it was because he supported the loser in the progressive Conservative leadership race of 1961. "Politics being what it is, I guess I could have been a cabinet minister if I had supported John Roberts. I supported Bob McAuley," Mr. Evans said in an interview. During that critical leadership race, John Robarts approached Mr. Evans for support. "He indicated to me that I would have a chance of getting into the cabinet if I would support him." ..."

Thomas Wells Opens School

The new Bradford District High School was officially opened by Education Minister Thomas Wells last Tuesday in a ceremony involving dignitaries from the province, the county, and the town of Bradford.

About 400 people braved the cold and blowing snow to attend the event, highlighted by a policy statement from the education minister, a tribute to Bradford resident Tom Gardner, and a key presentation from architects Adamson Associates and contractor C.A. Smith to principal Alex Taylor.

A moment of silence was also observed for Simcoe County Board of Education superintendent of planning Syd Owens who died the previous Sunday of a heart attack.

Trustee Sam Neilly said of Mr. Owens, "He was one of the most important men in the planning and design of this school. His sudden passing leaves us saddened."

Addresses followed by MPP George McCague (Dufferin-Simcoe), West Gwillimbury Reeve John Fennell, Bradford Mayor Roy Gordon, and York-Simcoe MPP Arthur Evans who introduced Mr. Wells.

Principal Alex Taylor gave a brief history of education in the Bradford area, which began in 1852 with the opening of a grammar school in Bond Head.

After the railway was opened to Bradford in 1859, Mr. Taylor said, the growth of Bradford warranted the establishment of a school there, and the grammar school was loaded onto wagons and moved to Bradford.

He joked that it was the first portable in the county.

Another school was built in 1890 which burned two years later, and a new brick school was built in 1893, but it too was destroyed by fire in 1923.

In 1923 Bradford District High School was constructed (now the Fred C. Cook Senior Public School) which served as the high school until last year.

Bradford's 1976 citizen of the year Tom Gardner, a long-time member of the school board before his retirement, was honored by the chairman of the Simcoe County Board of Education, C.W. Brown.

Mr. Brown called Tom Gardner "Mr. Education," and described his life-long efforts on behalf of education in the country.

He then presented Mr. Gardner with a plaque naming the resource centre in the school "The T.H. Gardner Resource Centre."

Mr. Gardner received a standing ovation from the assembly, and called the tribute "the highlight of my life."

Director of Education Jack Ramsay pointed out to Mr. Wells that the pressure would soon be on for the go-ahead to an extension for the new school next year.

He laughed, "We are optimistic that there will be no delay for that since Mr. Wells is present here."

Trustee Sam Neilly told the audience that today was Mr. Ramsay's birthday, and everyone promptly broke into a rendition of Happy Birthday.

The program concluded with a guided tour of the new high school.

"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."

"Lavish was the praise Monday night as approximately 200 Bradford residents gathered at the community centre to pay tribute to nine firefighters who have each given more than 30 years of service to the town..."

From the reverse of picture:
"On September 28, 1958, an historical plaque commemorating Sir William Mulock was unveiled in the village of Bond Head, Simcoe County. This plaque is one of a series being erected throughout the province by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario. Shown standing around the plaque, left to right, are Mr. Herbert Hughes, Councillor of West Gwillimbury; Mr. C.T.S. Evans, Q.C.; Mr. Arthur Evans, warden of Simcoe County; Mr. Percy Selby, Reeve of West Gwillimbury Township; the Rev. C.R.P. Hearn who dedicated the plaque; Mr. William T. Mulock, great-great-grandson of Sir William; the Hon. W. Earl Rowe, M.P.; Prof. T.F. McIlwraith, a member of the Historic Sites Board; Mr. Thomas H. Mulock, great-grandson of Sir William; Mr. George Lisk, Reeve of Tecumseth Township; and Mr. Murray Mills, Chairman of the Tourist and Industrial Association of Simcoe County."

Article on the Auld Kirk Cemetery plaque unveiling to take place the following Sunday, August 24th, 1958 at 2:30pm. Contains a brief history of the Auld Kirk and the Scotch Settlement.

Dignitaries' float in the Bradford Centennial Parade. Decorations on car appear to be gladioli and carrot tops.

Occupants of car (clockwise from driver): Gordon Compton, unknown, unknown, Art Evans, unknown, unknown.

"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." ...

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.