Article chronicling the career of Constable Eric Wright of the Bradford POlice Department.

Douglas Booth, budget analyst at Canadian General Electric, Barrie, and an employee of the firm for 20 years, was honored on the occasion of his retirement last night at a dinner at River Garden Restaurant. From left: Gordon Laighton, finance manager and Mrs. Leighton, Mrs. Booth and Mr. Booth.

"Bradford doctor G.L. Blackwell was honored last Wednesday at the annual meeting of the York County Hospital for his years of service as chief of staff of the hospital and on the board of directors. Dr. Blackwell received a large painting as thanks for his 12 years as medical chief of staff and nine years on the board. Dr. Blackwell retired from the positions at the end of 1975. The presentation was part of the annual meeting which was held to elect directors for 1976 and to receive the annual reports for 1975."

"Bradford Mayor Joe Magani, left, and Reeve Art Turner, right, honor the three men who recently retired. From left to right are: Ted Devlin, Ted Gapp and John Dudgeon. The men were given mementos of appreciation by the town."

"Chris Van Alebeek has 25 grandchildren, had worked outdoors all his life, and was bored after four years' retirement. So he began a new career this year - as a crossing guard, shepherding school children across the busy stretch of Holland St. East, on their way to and from Marie of the Incarnation School. Mr. Van Alebeek was born in Dendungen, in the Dutch province of Brabant in 1900. He lived in Holland, working as a farmer until 1952, when he, his late wife Wilhelmina, and their five sons and two daughters made the move to Canada. The family emigrated, he told The Witness, because he had seen too much hardship and danger during the two world wars and wanted a better life for his children. The Van Alebeeks came straight to Bradford and stayed here. Their youngest children, twin girls, were born in Canada."

"Arthur Evans, retiring Simcoe-Centre MPP said Thursday night he was leaving politics because "we should have new blood". He was speaking at an all-candidates meeting held in Sir William Osler School by the Bradford and West Gwillimbury Progressive Conservative Riding Association. Three contestants for the nomination in Simcoe-centre spoke after Mr. Evans reminisced about his last 16 years at Queen's Park. Evans described his various duties, told a joke about Stuart Smith, and promised the nominees that the winner would have all his support and advice."

"The official opening of the new wing of the Simcoe Manor in Beeton will be held Wednesday, June 4. The new wing will have 100 beds, a library, boardroom, married quarters, barber shop, billiard room, beauty shop, craft room, auditorium, chapel, greenhouse and therapeutic pool. The wing, which cost over one and a half million dollars will also be used for those who have suffered from strokes and arthritis. The therapy will include messages, heat treatments, and exercises with parallel bars and exercise machines. The new auditorium will hold 200 people and if that is not enough room, the chapel will open to accommodate more. Simcoe Manor was originally opened in 1898 and was called the "House of Refuge". It was a place for transient people as well as those who were not able to take care of themselves and with no one who could take care of them. At that time, the institution had 250 acres of farm land that was worked by those who resided at the "House". In 1952 an addition was built and the name was changed from "House of Refuge" to Simcoe Manor as it is known today. Past conceptions of the building locally known as the "poor house" to the present image as a home for the aged. Now it is a Senior Citizen's Home. The present wing was started in 1973 although it was planned in the early 1970's. The original building was demolished to make room for the new building. Gone with the old section are the old images. Under the management of Ed Boynton, 65 full and part-time staff take care of the 125 residents. Also there for the senior citizens are four new color televisions as well as the new facilities."

"Leo Catania (centre) accepts congratulations from his wife, Wilma, and his former boss, Jack McInally, at his retirement party last week. Mr. McInally holds a plaque with model inspection tools which was one of the gifts Mr. Catania received. He was director of the farm products inspection service of the provincial Ministry of Agriculture."

"Miss Barbara Stewart, former Bradford public school teacher, has been awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal. Miss Stewart, who retired last year after 36 years of teaching, said from her Markham home Friday, "I don't know how I got it or who recommended me. It came by registered mail last month and it was a complete surprise." She joins Bradford lawyer Charles Evans as a recipient of the medal, awarded to persons who have made outstanding contributions to the community. She said she had just returned from a trip to Germany, and would soon go back to Bradford public school for a day to tell the students about her trip. As for retirement, "I'm just loving every bit of it.""

"Last Wednesday the students and staff at Innisfil Central School honoured two long time bus drivers who retired this year. The two men were given plaques in appreciation for their years of service. Left to right are Mickey Watson, Anson McQuarrie, Joanne Corner, and Bill Akers. In back is teacher Mike Oliver who ran the assembly held for the men."