Quiet Nook School

The following quote is from William Peter Baergen's "Pioneering with a Piece of Chalk - The One-Room Country Schools of Alberta 1885–1982"

"The descriptive, poetic name was suggested by

Mrs. Perley, who said that, except for the occasional 

squeal of red river carts over the Victoria

Trail, or the shrill whistle of a steamboat on the

river, it was a relatively quiet nook. Opened in

fall 1912 in this cosmopolitan mix by Mr.

Coyne, who did not finish the term. Mr. Perley,

a trustee who had taught in the United States,

finished the term on a permit, as he had no

Canadian certificate. A two-room school was

built on NE 6 and the original one-room was

sold for use as a community centre. Closed in

1957 and the children were bussed to Vilna. It

also became part of the Quiet Nook

Community Centre. In 1964, it was donated to

the Shandro Museum of artifacts for its final resting 

place."

Photographed at The Historical Village and Pioneer Museum (now closed) near Shandro, Alberta on November 09, 2024. 

The Spinning Cloud

Ran across these photos while organizing a hard drive the other day. 

Maybe it's just me but this cloud appears to be spinning 'round and 'round.  Pretty cool!

These photos were taken north of Cascade, Montana along Mission Road.

Photographed on November 24, 2017.

Fenster's Time Share

Fenster's Time Share in Hamlet, North Dakota.  

Don't forget to book your stay.

Photographed on June 20, 2023.

Post Office in Monitor

The abandoned post office building in Monitor, Alberta.  I love the facade and that the lettering is still legible after all these years.

Photographed on November 6, 2024.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Святвечір

Enjoy your Orthodox Christmas Eve tonight! 

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

Happy New Year from The Witch House

All the best in 2026!

Photographed near Dollard, Saskatchewan on November 18, 2021.

Merry Christmas

Have a good one.

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

Wintertime at Peace Lutheran Church

Peace Lutheran Church was photographed near Lakenheath, Saskatchewan on January 27, 2022.

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.

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.

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.