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Early harvesting methods on the Holland Marsh. Carrots were stored in bushel baskets.

Description : The West Gwillimbury History project (WEGWHIST for short) is gathering information and interest, pursuing the many aspects of Who, What, Where, When and How of the historic Township. The story begins about the time that the Township was surveyed in 1819, 183 years ago. The record-keeping of those days was not too detailed, but it is surprising the records that are available, and the story that they tell. All are welcome to come to the meeting and hear about WEGWHIST. A number of items need to be researched, such as old mills, post offices, meeting halls and fraternal societies. Pen, paper and an inquisitive mind will qualify you as a researcher.

Description : As we approach the end of the writing and editing, we are faced with the challenge of marketing our product, the book. We need someone who can help us develop a marketing plan and execute it. We offer the same pay and benefits that we all enjoy as volunteers - an interesting project, good fellowship, positive enthusiasm and the real feeling of accomplishment. Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury is the book being written by the volunteers of the WEGWHIST project. To help pay for publication costs, a Patrons Page has been established. Donors will be recognized in print, in this wonderful book that will be published this year, and hopefully available by December.

Description : The response to our book, Governor Simcoe Slept Here, has been overwhelming. It was never expected that our print run of 1,000 copies would be so well received. While there are still copies available, they are getting few in number. A sincere thank you to all who purchased a copy, or in many cases, more than 1 copy. Our appreciation also to those who have been in touch with us, to compliment us on the format and content of our book. This four-year project started in October of 2001, and culminated in our book launch on December 15th, 2005. Our publisher, Friesens and their representative Orland French provided assistance and guidance as we progressed along the path.

"Chicken thieves got away with between 39 and 40 fowl from the barn of Thomas Stewart, 10th line, West Gwillimbury. The pilferers had evidently used a car or light truck in their night prowling, as the marks of tires were plainly visible on the side of the road. It was thought they made their way along a gulley running from the vicinity of the car through a field to the back of the barn. The sound of a fire alarm bell for the first time in many months cause excitement in the town. It was soon discovered, however, that a representative of the Fire Underwriters Association was in town on one of his periodic visits and had put in a fire alarm, calling out the brigade for a test run. The inspector was reported to have been satisfied with the prompt and business-like response."

"Bill Atkins and his daughter, Beverley, of Concession 6, West Gwillimbury, hit the trail on Sunday to enjoy the spring-like day. Car-drivers on the same route faced washed-out sections of road and general bumpiness."

"Reverend Roy Comrie of Umtalie, Rhodesia, will be guest speaker at St. John's West Gwillimbury churches in Bradford on Sunday, April 2. Mr. Comrie is a missionary who serves with the Africa Evangelical Fellowship and studies at Central Baptist Seminary in Toronto. He was born in Rhodesia to parents from Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland, and has served several years in Zambia. He and his wife, Gwyneth, a registered nurse, have been serving in Rhodesia as pastor of a congregation, principal of a Bible School, and evangelists. The Comries have three sons, two of them teenagers, and a daughter, and they are planning to return to Rhodesia in August. The Presbyterian congregations welcome everyone to their Sunday services and invite you to hear this interesting preacher."

"Donna Ramsay (centre), this year's Salad Festival Queen, receives congratulations from the 1976 queen, Annette Grencer, as fellow contestant Nancy Bergeron (right) applauds. Donna, 18, was elected at the Salad Festival dance Saturday night in the Bradford community centre. She is the daughter of Don and Mary Ramsay of Concession 9, West Gwillimbury, and she plans a career in hotel management. The festival runs from Sunday, June 10, to Sunday, July 17."

"Former Bradford Fire Chief Ted Gapp received a present from West Gwillimbury Reeve Orville Hughes at Saturday's party. Gapp also served the township."

"West Gwillimbury Reeve Orville Hughes is the Warden of Simcoe County for 1976. Mr. Hughes, 55, defeated Tecumseth Deputy Reeve Allan Glassford for the post, in an election during county council's 1976 inaugural session Monday. County Clerk George Watson opened nominations for the warden's post and five men were nominated for the post. That left Hughes and Mr. Glassford to run for the post. In a recorded vote, Hughes won handily over Glassford. He polled 45 votes o Glassford's 23. The newly-elected warden was then led to the dias by Midland Reeve Lionel Dion and Bradford Reeve Art Turner, the mover and seconder of his nomination."