Hear the Pennies Dropping

Gwyneth Whilsmith (1923-2018) was a Saskatchewan-born author who contributed a newspaper column to the Exeter Times-Advocate and wrote/edited several books on Christian faith and prairie history. “Hear the Pennies Dropping” is a memoir of her childhood on a farm near Brock, Saskatchewan during the Great Depression. Whilsmith’s stories appear in thematic groups, with each chapter focussing on a particular family member or aspect of prairie life. Many of Whilsmith’s memories – such as her father’s role distributing “relief car” produce freighted to Brock from eastern Canada – show the economic hardships of the 1930s. The book also contains, however, stories of rural ingenuity, neighborly assistance, and childhood excitement. From snaring gophers with her brothers to impressing schoolmates with tall tales, Whilsmith’s recollections offer a lively view of young life on a prairie farm.