"Dear editor, We, the Gwillim group, a sub-committee of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association, are delighted to inform the community about our project to commemorate the Town's 150th Anniversary. We have commissioned a bronze sculpture of Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe (nee Gwillim), to be placed in the Post Office Parkette on the corner of John and Barrie Streets (on the Yonge St. route). The sculptor is Brenda Wainman Goulet, who created the bronze sculptures of Dr. Bethune in Gravenhurst and the Tom Thomson in Huntsville."...
"One exhibit which attracted a great deal of interest in last Thursday's parade was the huge melon tied on the front of Gordon Bateman's truck, which was being driven for Bradford Seed House. The melon, which weighed 115 pounds, was over five feet long and more than 1 foot in diameter. It was not grown here but was brought in by a traveller for seeds, selling to Bradford Seed House. This traveller informed that the melon is of the gourd variety and is known as the Zucca Melon. It is used to make Christmas peels and cherries. After the parade was over a policeman's whistle stopped the Bateman truck at Yonge and Queen and the officer halted traffic while he examined the melon, he being just as curious as many others watching the parade. The melon in shape and colour slightly resembles the vegetable marrow."
Andrew Thompson first started the hardware store in 1865. He was born in Innisfil township, and first started a hardware store with a Mr. Kendall. He then bought out his partner, and the Driffill's Hardware store on the corner, and proceeded to run his business. In addition to hardware items, he also carried silverware, stoves, furnaces, paints, and school supplies. When he died in 1905, Miss Thompson, a graduate of the Optical Institute of Canada, became store manager. She ran her business out of the shop as well. The Thompson's home was located at the corner of Moore and Frederick Streets.
Everyone is gathered around the side of the building for an auction.
Late Mrs. (John) Stibbs, her daughter, Florence (Mrs. Geo. Fogel) and son, Norman. The late Walter Probert was the sign painter. The sign in the window offers "$50 reward for Robber", as stated by Mrs. Fogel in later years. S.S. McKenzie owned the storefront later. Walter Probert was the sign painter.
