"The town of Bradford is undergoing a bit of a mini-Renaissance. It's not just the Home Depot now under construction and due to open this summer, the planned Loblaw and new LCBO outlet that will be built on Holland St. west of Melbourne Drive. It's not just the banners displaying the Town's official flower, the Black-eyed Susan; or the new Sesquicentennial banners for Bradford's 150th birthday; or the flowering beds, or the new additions to both High Schools. There is also the return of businesses seriously damaged by fire in 2006 - F.K. Textiles, the 88 & 11 Convenience Store, and Annit "a" Haircut - and a number of new stores and ventures that have opened, including Condy Books, on Barrie St. On top of that, a growing number of established businesses in the community are celebrating the success of their enterprises, with Anniversary celebrations - from the 1st Anniversary of Dutch Treats, the Dutch Store and Deli at 15 Holland St. east; to the 29th Anniversary of Joella's Jewellery & Gifts, 32nd Anniversary of Bradford Rental Sales & Service, to one of the oldest businesses in Town: Spence TIM-BR Mart, now in its 98th year of service. In this Sesquicentennial year, that's something to celebrate."
"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."...
Description of the annual outdoor service held at Auld Kirk, celebrating the 180th year since it's founding. Also has a brief history on the Scotch Settlement.
"Bradford United Church celebrated its 168th anniversary on Sunday, September 15th. The pews were filled for the special service, which included guest speaker, Rev. Dr. William Fritz and the music ministry of Mark Holmes. Dr. fritz was the pastor of Collier St. United Church in Barrie for 20 years, president of the Toronto Conference, and most recently, Associate Pastor at St. Paul United Methodist church in Largo, Florida. The United Church holds its annual Auction Sale on Saturday, Oct. 19th, 7:30 p.m. at the Church. Donations of goods and services are welcomed."
"The table was decorated with red and white flags, candles and napkins, and a red and white cake, for a multi-generation Canada Day party and Toast held at the home of Tom and Zelma Fuller, Jr. The Guests of Honor were Mae and Bill Fuller." ...
"One of the groups celebrating Bradford's 150th Anniversary is the Gwillim Group - a group of history buffs, under the aegis of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association, that is turning the spotlight on Upper Canada's First Lady. Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim was not only the wife of Lieut.-Governor John Graves Simcoe, she was an ardent traveller, and exceptional hostess and an accomplished artist. The Gwillim Group has commissioned a bronze and rock sculpture, by artist Brenda Wainman Goulet, to be placed in the parkette beside the Post Office. To raise funds, the Group has planned an evening of Dinner Theatre, in partnership with the Bradford District High School Drama Club. On June 8 and 9, the students will present "Bradford in 1857" - actually a history of Bradford, from the early days before incorporation, "to the present day - a fun celebratory tongue-in-cheek look at Bradford," says author and drama teacher Steve Bainborough. The Gwillim Group will serve up a Spaghetti Dinner with Strawberry Shortcake for dessert, and there will be a Silent Auction; items include an original painting by artist Kathryn Bury."
"With the Hurricanes battering Florida and the Caribbean this season - Charley, Frances, Ivan and now Jean - residents may be thinking about Ontario's own brush with a hurricane, back in 1954. Fifty years ago, Hurricane Hazel swept into Southern Ontario, confounding the meteorologists who were predicting little more than the usual "tail end" of the storm, and days of moderate rains. Instead, residents were buffeted by hurricane force winds and heavy rains that caused severe flooding - especially in the Holland Marsh. ..."
