"This year the West Gwillimbury chapter of the Imperial Order - Daughters of the Empire is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Last Saturday at the Bradford Community Centre several hundred people enjoyed the Red, White and Blue Ball. Several graduates of BDHS have furthered their education in nursing, hairdressing and community college with monetary aid from the IODE. In addition to its own activities the chapter cooperates with many local organizations in promoting and supporting many deserving projects around the area."
The Bradford Legion Branch 521 celebrated its 25th anniversary last Saturday night. About 75 people were on hand at the Legion building for the festivities. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of 25 year pins to original members of the branch who are still involved. Ten men received the 25 year pins. The pins were presented by Zone Commander Ralph Newell and master of ceremonies, Bert MacGregor of Aurora. Reeve Orville Hughes of West Gwillimbury and Reeve Art Turner of Bradford congratulated the Orville Hand Branch on its anniversary. The branch is named after Mr. Hand, one of the active early members.
"The congregation of Newton Robinson United Church is holding a three-fold celebration this year. The church, whose spire is a landmark for those travelling Highway 27 between Cookstown and Bond Head is marking its 90th anniversary. The celebration will be for the long, lively past, the country-quiet present and a re-dedication to wider community service in the future."
"The Rotary Club of Bradford celebrated its 25th anniversary last week and announced the Rotary project for 1977: a rock garden with fountains at the corner of Barrie and John Streets. Referring to the expense, past president Brad Walker laughed, 'Once that's done we'll have exactly what we started with 25 years ago - nothing.' Mr. Walker is one of the charter members of the club, and he, along with Clare Ritchie, Frank Maurino, George Allan, Jim Everitt, and Jim Simone, were presented with silver plaques for their 25 years of service. Rotary district governor Norm Guild of Brampton was on hand to make the presentation. Lions Club president Bernard Horne called for closer relations between the two clubs and recalled the years of the co-operation on several major projects in Bradford."
Just after celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, Treva Rowe and Earl Rowe, former lieutenant-governor, check the health of one of the apple trees in front of their Newton Robinson home. They were married at Newton Robinson United Church June 27, 1917, and had three children, Bill, Lennox, and Mrs. Jean Wadds. Mr. Rowe was a member of the Ontario Legislature for two years in the 1920s and then represented Dufferin-Simcoe in the House of Commons for almost 40 years. He was lieutenant-governor from 1963 to 1968. This photo appeared in the Bradford Witness and it is also in the Bradford Women's Institute Scrapbooks.
Article featuring the centennial anniversary of the Bradford Witness's merged partner, the South Simcoe News. "One hundred years ago, in 1865, the first issue of The South Simcoe News was published in Bradford and that is the centennial anniversary being marked by this issue of The Bradford Witness and South Simcoe News, but newspaper life in this town began before 1865."
"All aboard! That was heard one year ago on April 1 as Canadian National Railways opened up its commuter service between Bradford and Toronto. The first anniversary was yesterday [April 3rd, 1975]. "Initially there were 95 commuters using the service in both directions," said spokesman Morris Simms of CN. "Currently 190 commuters are using the train in both directions." The train leaves Bradford at 7:11 a.m. arriving at Union Station at 8:20 a.m. The return train leaves Unions at 5:15 p.m. and arrives in Bradford at 6:27 p.m. There is a double fare system in effect for the commuter train. The single fare one way is $2.10. A flash card good for one month can be purchased for $52. This lowers the cost to about $1.25 pert trip. The strike of the Toronto Transit Commission last year increased the daily number of people taking the train. "The strike increased the passengers to about 582 going to Toronto during the day and 563 returnin," added Simms. The number of coaches was increased from two to nine but now the train has four coaches with a seating capacity of about 240. During the strike 20 people were taking the train from Bradford each day. The number of people using the service has doubled over the year and about 10 people are now using the train. "The use is varying," stated the CN spokesman, "it is slow but is increasing." "
The following set of photographs were taken from the Bradford Witness August 21, 1957 edition, highlighting the Bradford Centennial parade and celebrations. These participants were " one of the numerous groups in native dress," meaning they wore pioneer-based costumes.
