BRADFORD, PA: The front page of Wednesday’s Era described a 10th anniversary celebration for a platform where people can share stories about good old Bradford: the “I Grew Up in Bradford, PA” Facebook page.
Page creator/administrator Kim Nicholas shared with us some of the page’s history.
“I was raised in Bradford and had a childhood that people dream about: small town where everyone knew each other, neighbors stood around in circles with curlers in their hair discussing the latest gossip and kids came home when the street lights went on,” she writes.
“In 1990, my husband and child set out for Wisconsin for a new job. I was very reluctant to leave the place I called home. I was always lonely for home, my mountains and brick streets.
“But in 2008, Facebook created a way for people to connect. I noticed people were starting ‘home’ groups and I thought ‘Maybe 50 people will join and we can talk about how much we loved Bradford.’ So on a rainy afternoon I named the group “I Grew Up In Bradford, Pa.
“I never imagined that such a small act would become such a wonderful thing. We have 6,952 members and membership has flourished over the last decade.
“It grew so much and so fast that we decided to extend membership to those within an hour’s drive in either direction. Not only do we have members from New York but all over the world. I Grew Up in Bradford, Pa. is for anyone that was born in the area, raised in the area, lived here at one time or currently live here.
“Several years back I decided to ask two members whose love for their community matched my own to become moderators. Greg Dennis and Dave Ross have made our growth and success possible. I cannot imagine doing this without them.”
Kim credited local historians including Dave Rathfon, Sally Costik, Angela Nuzzo and Bob Schmid, as well as a number of great photographers, with keeping the love of Bradford alive.
In honor of the page’s 10th anniversary, Graham’s Greenhouse & Landscaping has donated 195 saplings — representing Bradford’s 195 years of settlement — that will be given away at a ceremony from 1 to 3 p.m. April 14 in Veterans Square. The Grocery Stretcher and Tender Mercies Massage Therapy are also helping with the event.
The saplings were chosen as a reminder of what it’s like to grow up in Bradford — as well as to be a legacy for future generations.
