Showing posts with label Saskatchewan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saskatchewan. Show all posts

Thursday, March 28, 2024

The East Wing of Saint Mary's

Saint Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church dates back to 1920 with additions in 1920 and then again in the mid-50's.  The photos here were taken in the latter addition completed in 1956.  I felt quite at home there in the east wing...me and it being the same vintage and all.



Photographed in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on December 17, 2019.

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Tall Phlox

Something colourful and pleasant for a snowy day...

Not only are tall garden phlox attractive, but they also have the sweetest scent...something to look forward to each and every spring.

Photographed in Eastend, Saskatchewan on June 12, 2020.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Aldag S.D. No. 1361

A monument at the former location of a one-room schoolhouse in southern Saskatchewan.

"Construction of the Aldag School began in 1912 - completed in 1913.  Enrollment varied from 7 to 35 pupils.  The building was used for church services, dances, card parties and public meetings.  On June 10, 1966 a decision was made to close the school.  The students were bussed to Gull Lake."


As an aside...I grew up on a small farm near the town of Midale in the southeast corner of Saskatchewan.  Through the years the one-room school there was replaced first by a two storey brick building, then by a modern school built circa 1960.  I started school in the new building in 1962 and completed Grade 12 in 1974 in the new wing that had been added circa 1967 to the modern school.  And, believe it or not, the school is still thriving to this day.  A rare thing indeed in this day and age.  Midale has a population of about five hundred and fifty people.      

Photographed near Gull Lake, Saskatchewan on June 17, 2023.

Tuesday, March 05, 2024

Killed by Lightning

This is the Ralph Pioneer Cemetery.


I grew up not far from Ralph but never knew of this little pioneer cemetery.  Over six years ago now I was on a trip through my old stomping grounds, and with some research and knowledge under my belt, set out to experience my past in a different light.



Five headstones remain in the tall prairie grass in the long abandoned cemetery but only three are identified; from the indentations and remnants of wooden crosses I discovered while walking through the cemetery, there are several more "unknown" graves.


Bernard Halbert Engelrup
February 14, 1916 - September 2, 1917


Audrey Miller
1934 - 1937


Charles Johnson
1852 - August 18, 1905
At the age of fifty-three he was struck and killed by lightning.


Photographed near Ralph, Saskatchewan on October 17, 2017.

Monday, February 26, 2024

Winter at the Witch House



A visit to the witch house is always intriguing.  

Photographed near Dollard, Saskatchewan on January 24, 2022. 

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Summerscape

Somewhere near Lothian, Saskatchewan...


I love summer on the prairies.

Photographed on August 4, 2020.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Redvers Pool Elevator


One of very few grain elevators still bearing the large "Pool" logo.


I have no idea what that large rectangular object is that's attached to the side of the elevator.  Anyone know what it is?

Photographed in Redvers, Saskatchewan on August 16, 2022.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Spring 2017

A flashback to mostly spring blooms...flowers make everything better, n'est pas?


May 21, 2017
A clump of buffalo beans alongside the highway just north of Simpson, Montana.  It's not spring without these cheery golden yellow blooms.  



May 28, 2017
At one time it was common to plant irises at the grave of a loved one...especially in country cemeteries on the prairies.  A lovely way of remembrance.  The grass was just barely turning green at Kincorth Lutheran Cemetery but these irises were already in full bloom.  They're tough and hardy. 
   


June 2, 2017
Fleabane is a native plant throughout the prairies.  This clump of happy white flowers was just outside the entrance to the Empress Cemetery.  The town of Empress is in Alberta, but the Empress Cemetery is just across the border in Saskatchewan.  



June 11, 2017
I'd stopped in Hilda, Alberta to take a few shots of the grain elevator and while doing so, came across this beautiful orange butterfly amongst the alfalfa flowers. 



June 17, 2017
If you're lucky enough to be traveling along Eagle Butte Road near Woolchester, Alberta at just the right time you'll be rewarded with the visual delight of these masses of pink flowers.  I always look forward to seeing "the pink fields" in full bloom.  I believe they are a species of vetch. 
 


June 21, 2017
A bee foraging in the blooms of a froebelii spirea in one of the gardens I tend in town.  Bees really are the busiest little guys.



June 24, 2017
Flowers and butterflies aren't the only spring delight...a doe with her fawns just across the lane from the Post Office where I pick up my mail.  The second fawn is hidden mostly behind mama deer.



June 24, 2017
A pincushion cactus flower on an acreage where I tend to some gardening.  The resulting fruit is sweet and delicious.  Leave some for the animals and birds...they need a treat every so often too.



June 28, 2017
The waxy yellow flower of the native prickly pear cactus.  I found this one high above the southern bank of the South Saskatchewan River in southern Alberta.



June 30, 2017
Bunchberries blooming in the Cypress Hills of Alberta.  They are the smallest variety of the dogwood species I've seen anywhere.  The unique four-petal flowers later develop into brilliant red berries that are enjoyed by a variety of wild animals and birds.

An interesting fact about bunchberries...when a bee or other insect lands on a flower it stimulates the flower to open at the incredible rate of half a millisecond...spreading the pollen at a few thousand times the force of gravity.  Imagine that.

Hope you enjoyed the somewhat belated spring tour of 2017.

Photographed in Montana, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Happy Orthodox New Year!

Almost forgot...Happy Orthodox New Year from Saint Michael's!


Even though it's late...a good bottle of champagne is in order.  Cheers!

Photographed near Rama, Saskatchewan on March 20, 2020.

Wednesday, January 03, 2024

A Beautiful Place out in the Country


Known locally at "The Little Stone Church."

Holy Trinity Anglican Church was photographed at Deer Creek, Saskatchewan on July 16, 2023.

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Two Weeks in September

My end-of-the-year post focuses on one two week long trip from this past September...one photo from each day of the trip.  Enjoy!


September 12, 2023
Windcrest S.D. No. 3938 near Crestwynd, Saskatchewan.

This abandoned schoolhouse always seemed to be a little elusive on previous road trips but "today was the day," as they say, so I went a little out of the way for a look.  It's been a long time since anyone went to school here but it still looks pretty handsome out on the open prairie. 



September 13, 2023
Federal Grain Elevator at Moreland, Saskatchewan.

Built by the Golden West Company in 1916-17 and later operated by Federal Grain.  At the time of my visit it had been closed for sixty years...several years longer than it had been in service.  



September 14, 2023
Tonset Church and Cemetery near Lignite, North Dakota.

I'd stopped here some years ago but relished the idea of once again traveling the winding one-lane road through the countryside for another visit.  I liked this photo of the church partially hidden by trees and shrubs, lending it to a slightly mysterious air.  The church and cemetery served the area from 1916-1968...and are both still lovingly cared for.   
    


September 15, 2023
Ralph Allen Railway Museum in Oxbow, Saskatchewan.

Heading east from Estevan on an overcast and cool Saturday morning, a cup of coffee in the cupholder and no particular place to go.  Along the way I passed through the Town of Oxbow where I found this fine old train station on main drag.  I wish they could all be as well-kept as this one which now serves as an historical museum.   



September 16, 2023
Salem Lutheran Church and Cemetery near Kelvin, North Dakota.

Had spent the better part of the day exploring north-central North Dakota, an area rich in Scandinavian pioneer history.  But, before crossing the border into Manitoba for the night, I wanted to make one last stop to see this lovely country church in the Turtle Mountains.  The church was originally built at another location in 1914 but years later when the highway was established it was moved  to its present location in 1939 for easier access by the church parishioners.  Looks ever so good in the early evening light.               



September 17, 2023
A threshing machine on a hill overlooking some cows by a pond near East McHenry, North Dakota.

Another day out seeing the sights in north-central North Dakota.  Ample amounts of winter snow, spring rain and summer showers kept the landscape green and lush well into fall.  Lots for the domestic and wild animals to eat and drink...good for them.  Sometimes a simple view like this really does make my day. 
     


September 18, 2023
Stone and concrete sculptures near Brandon, Manitoba. 

Saw these last year but just had to take a few more photos of them.  As it turned out, this was my only photo stop of the day as I spent the remainder of it visiting my sister in Brandon.



September 19, 2023
Old Saint Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery near Gardenton, Manitoba.

A revisit I had been looking forward to since I first saw it last fall.  Old Saint Michael's was built 1897-1899 and was the first Ukrainian Greek Church in all of Canada.  My previous visit had been in the morning so, in order to get a different view of things, this time I stopped by for a late afternoon perspective.  A beautiful historic site that looks good anytime.      



September 20, 2023
Old Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Cemetery and Bell House at Sirko, Manitoba.

Deep in southeast Manitoba, only a mile north of the border, stands Old Saint Elias Church.  As well as the log church built circa 1908, there is a log bell house of traditional design and a large cemetery on the grounds.  It is said that the church is one of the best examples of Bukovynian architecture in all of Canada.  Definitely a "must-see" when traveling along Sunbeam School Road.   



September 21, 2023
Saint Peter Dynevor Anglican Church and Cemetery near East Selkirk, Manitoba.

A huge stone church built 1853-1854 on the eastern bank of the Red River that replaced a smaller church built nearby in 1836.  The new church faces towards the river, which would have been the main thoroughfare of the day.  Chief Peguis called this his home church.

  

September 22, 2023
Beach scene near Camp Veselka, Manitoba.

I had a few hours to explore the Gimli area before lunch with a friend in Winnipeg Beach.  My first stop was just north of town at a summer camp where there was an old church.  After taking some pictures I traveled a little further east where I could hear water splashing.  Soon a beach scene came into view...I was on the shore of Lake Winnipeg. 
     


September 23, 2023
Saint Michael's of Archangels Roman Catholic Church near Meleb, Manitoba.

A country church built in 1917-1918 by Polish settlers.  The church was named after the chief builder, Michael Gottfried and all the other pioneers named Michael.  That was a very popular name at the time.  The church closed to regular services in 1960 but is still maintained by a heritage committee.



September 24, 2023
Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery at Maryville, Saskatchewan.

It seems I can't get enough of this old beauty.  Anytime I'm within a hundred miles of it I'll gladly make the detour to see it once again.  Mysterious, lonely, magnificent, solemn, abandoned...and all but forgotten.  
 


September 25, 2023
Carrot River Valley Lutheran Church and Cemetery near Carrot River, Saskatchewan.

The last photo stop of my trip...only about a mile off the main highway was this spartan but welcoming country church in a lovely autumnal setting.  Regular services every Sunday morning at 11:00.  Then I was on my way home.        

Happy trails to you!

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Season's Greetings

And on the following evening...lots of lights to celebrate the holiday season.  

Photographed in Legion Park, Luseland, Saskatchewan on December 12, 2017.

Friday, December 22, 2023

Happy Holidays


Some years ago in Luseland, Saskatchewan...a stop at Legion Park where the gazebo was all dressed up for the holidays.  Pretty!

Photographed in Luseland, Saskatchewan on December 11, 2017.

Friday, December 15, 2023

Bodnari Church and Bell House

No snow here yet...just a reminder of how brilliant winter can appear.


A beautiful old church and bell house, a fresh layer of snow, a bright blue sky.  Can't beat that!

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church (also known as Bodnari Church) and bell house were photographed near Alvena, Saskatchewan on January 16, 2021.

Tuesday, December 05, 2023

Near Madison

Was on my way home after being on the road for a few days.


Fall was here but it was warm, there was no wind, the sun was painting the sky and all that was ahead of me was the open prairie...a lovely place to be.


Photographed near Madison, Saskatchewan on October 25, 2018.