November 1999 Table of Contents

* Art born December 20th, 1908 in East Rudham, Norfolk County, England

* Went to school in East Rudham and Sedgeford

* Came to Canada with his parents and 5 brothers in 1926 on the steamship "Andemia" with 1500 other immigrants

* "Solider settlement scheme" provided paid trip and a hundred acre farm

* In order to help his family financially, Art worked on farms in the area as well as in lumber camps in Muskoka and White River

* From 1931 to 1938 much of Art's working life was spent in the Wright-Hargreaves Mine in Kirkland Lake, some of that time at a rate of $4.25 per hour 8 hour shift

* Gladys born June 14, 1916 in Northern Ontario (South Porcupine) and attended school in Colbalt and Kirkland Lake - had 2 brothers and 1 sister - met Art in Kirkland Lake, as a "cute little blonde" (as he was told, by a friend) and they married in 1931

* In 1938, they moved to the 50 acre farm purchased from Art's parents

* Three children (ages 1,2 & 4) made this move from Kirkland Lake with them

* During the summer months, Art grew many vegetables and sold them to cottagers at Lake Simcoe - also had 2 pogs, 2 horses and 2 cows

* No water, phome electricity nor indoor bathroom in the farmhouse as Gladys continued to raise 3 children while Art spent winters at the mine in Kirkland Lake

* Full time farming and working in their bush during winters became their lifestyle

* 13 years later, they bought another 100 acres to eventually 525 acres in the early fifties

* Grew many vegetables and berries to deliver and sell to the Holland Marsh stands near Bradford

* Marg and Kathy, 2 cousins (daughters of Gladys' sister, who passed away at a young age) came to live with the 6 Wright children

* A family of eight children throughout the fifties and sixties helped with the farm chores - gardening (vegetable and berry picking, weeding), milking cows and bringing in hay kept everyone busy

* Hobbies were curling, bowling and weekly euchre games held at local halls

* Art became a councilor for West Gwillumbury in the '60's

* Art was on the planning board and County Council

* Art's hobby of rock art produced jewelry, bookends, penholders and belt buckles

* Up until the mid 90's, Art went on mining explorations in Alaska, Cuba, Montana, and many Northern Ontario communities

* Gladys was an active participant in the Hollows Womens Institute meetings

* Spent hours and hours each day baking, making preserves and preparing meals for not only their family but also for the many men who helped with the haying.

* Gladys' interests were knitting, crocheting, sewing and baking

* Both traveled extensively, taking 35 countries, e.g. Africa, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Caribbean, England and Hong Kong

* Sold farm in 1996 and moved to an apartment in Bradford, then to the Barrie Manor in 1998

* Enjoyed spending winters at their home in the Bahamas (Treasure Cay) on Abaco Island since 1978

* Have 6 surviving sons and daughters

* 18 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren

"Open House" celebration held at the Barrie Manor where Art & Gladys reside. Nearly 100 family members and friends attended. Congratulatory certificates received from the Queen, the Prime Minister, Premier of Ontario and several local dignitaries.