Monday, March 02, 2026

Saint Margaret's Church


New front steps, wheelchair ramp, door and window sills and window frames were installed at Saint Margaret's Church this past summer and fall.  Thanks to everyone who donated their time, money and effort to keep the little church in the hills looking good.

Photographed on October 16, 2025 near Eagle Butte, Alberta.

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Mayfield Cemetery


Mayfield Cemetery is located south of Alsask, Saskatchewan in the R.M. of Chesterfield No. 261 and northeast of Empress, Alberta.




According to information on Canada Gen Web's Cemetery Project site this cemetery was established when a pioneer named Zach Leach lost his daughter 
May to tuberculosis in the winter of 1913.  It was too cold to make the trip to Alsask so he donated a piece of his land for the cemetery which is named in 
her honour.



As you will see in the photos above, I had some company during my visit.  When I reached the far end of the grounds I suddenly heard a loud rattling.  I had disturbed a rattlesnake that was sunning itself and it was giving me fair warning not to come any closer.  After the initial surprise I got a few photos of it returning to its den underneath a large headstone.

This well tended cemetery sits on top of a hill and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding prairie and coulees.  It's a particularly appealing spot, rattlesnake included.  Everyone should be so lucky to end up in such a lovely setting.


About six or seven years later I made a return trip to Mayfield Cemetery and it looked much the same as in the photos shown here.  Someone is taking good care of it and that's always a good thing to see.  And I also met another rattlesnake sunning itself just down the road from the cemetery.  Nice to see some things don't change.

Photographed on June 2, 2017.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Happy!


Winter has returned to the prairies!  Windy, blowing snow and freezing cold.  


These shots of sunflowers were just what I needed to cheer me up.  Hopefully they'll do the same for you.  Enjoy!


Photographed west of Hilda, Alberta on August 11, 2017.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Ogema B.A. Gas Station


A vintage service station in Ogema, Saskatchewan that I've had the pleasure to visit over the years, and hopefully for many more years to come.  







Photographed on October 26, 2017.

Thursday, February 05, 2026

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church


This is Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

During my visit here on July 23, 2022 I met Ernie, the fellow in charge of the restoration and general maintenance of the church and grounds.  He and his crew have done a remarkable job of returning the church to its former glory.   

The church was built 1921 and is located in the Rural Municipality of Dauphin.  There is also a bell house on the church grounds and the associated cemetery is just a couple of miles down the road.


While the exterior of the church has been extensively restored, the interior has been left virtually untouched and just as it was over one hundred years ago.

Kudos to everyone involved in keeping our history alive. 

Photographed on July 23, 2022.

Monday, January 26, 2026

Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church near Zoria


A handsome country church built in 1937.  The church and grounds are still beautifully maintained.

Photographed near Zoria, Manitoba on July 23, 2022.

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Kirkpatrick Grain Elevator


The Kirkpatrick grain elevator was originally built as an Alberta Pacific Grain Company elevator in 1924.  In the late 1960s it was purchased by Federal Grain Limited who in turn sold it to the Alberta Wheat Pool in the early 1970s.  Some time in the 1980s is was sold again to an independent farmer.  


And the good news is...all these years later it is still in use.

Photographed in Kirkpatrick, Alberta on October 23, 2025.

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Mac the Moose

Meet Mac the Moose.  

Standing at just a touch under thirty-four feet tall, he is the tallest moose sculpture in the world.  You can see him in person at the Tourist Information Centre in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. 

Photographed on January 6, 2026.

Wednesday, January 07, 2026

Щасливого Різдва!


Merry Christmas to all who celebrate according to the Julian calendar.

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church was photographed near Insinger, Saskatchewan on January 6, 2020.

Tuesday, January 06, 2026

Святвечір


Enjoy your Orthodox Christmas Eve tonight! 

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church was photographed near Sheho, Saskatchewan on January 6, 2020.

Thursday, January 01, 2026

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Merry Christmas


Have a good one.

All Saints' Anglican Church and Cemetery were photographed at Cannington Manor, Saskatchewan on December 17, 2018.

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Saturday, December 06, 2025

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country


Saints Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church and Bell Tower were photographed near Lakenheath, Saskatchewan on January 27, 2022.

Monday, November 24, 2025

Вічная Память




A colourful and attractive sculpture just inside the entrance to Crescent Park in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.


The plaque reads:
" - Ukrainian Sunflower Tribute -

"This sculpture was commissioned by the Downtown Moose Jaw Association and made possible by a generous donation from St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

"The church stood proud in Moose Jaw for nearly seven decades.  The church members, residents of our beautiful city of Moose Jaw, graciously dedicated their skills and time to the community.

"This sunflower sculpture demonstrates that people, just like sunflowers, can grow strong and proud even in adverse conditions.

" - Вічная Память -
- May Their Memory Be Eternal -

"Hand crafted by Moose Jaw metal artists
Bill and Laurette Keen

"Sculpture installed June 2024"
Photographed on November 1, 2025.

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Bethlehem Lutheran at Dalum


A handsome Danish-style church I ran across just by chance.  It's in wonderful condition and looks to still be in use.


The building behind the church is most likely a hall for pot luck suppers and wedding receptions.


The cornerstone.


The cemetery is right next door to the church...


...and most of the headstones bear Scandinavian names.


A commemoration plaque celebrating the centennial.


Photographed at Dalum, Alberta on October 22, 2025.

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Remembrance Day


Remembrance Day marks the end of World War One on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.

The War Memorial Cenotaph shown here in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan was built during 1925-26 and memorializes all those who gave their lives in the Great War.  At that time a scroll listing the six hundred names of those who enlisted from the town and area was placed inside an empty cavity within the monument.  The cenotaph now also acknowledges those who served in World War II and the Korean War.


Photographed on September 30, 2017.

Friday, November 07, 2025

Long Shot (Saint Margaret's near Eagle Butte)

Was out at Saint Margaret's to plant some fall bulbs in Heather's Garden about three weeks ago.  When finished I decided to head over to Elkwater for a late lunch and captured this shot of the tiny cathedral in the beautiful Cypress Hills of Alberta along the way.


Have a nice weekend!

Photographed on October 16, 2025.

Wednesday, November 05, 2025

The Biggest of Them All


I believe this is the largest bowstring bridge ever constructed in all of Saskatchewan...and what a treat to see it still standing proud out in the prairie landscape.

Photographed near Scotsguard, Saskatchewan on Hallowe'en Day, 2025.

Sunday, November 02, 2025

Day of the Dead


A time to celebrate all those who have gone before us.  Enjoy the ghosts.  I'm sure your favourite passed relative would love having tea with you...cookies or cake... maybe a beer.  It's all good.

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church Cemetery was photographed on September 24, 2023.