All New Again

Remember the little bell tower with the red bow?  If not, click the following link for a quick refresher:  "Щасливого Різдва!"

Today I stopped again at Saint Elias Orthodox Church for another look and found that the old bell house is all new again.

The old siding and roof have now been replaced with fresh cut lumber and cedar shakes.  Now it's good for another century.  Pretty nice!

Photographed near Pakan, Alberta on July 19, 2021. 

Century Family Farm Award

A Century Family Farm Award honouring the Lake Family Farm near Westhazel, Saskatchewan.

The goose sculpture is exceptional.

Photographed on July 16, 2023.

Two Bowstring Bridges near Dummer

Finding old bowstring bridges out in the middle of nowhere is always a treat...especially where the land is flat as a pancake.  But yes (though hidden well) there are creeks out here in the prairies.   

Bridge Number One above...

...and Bridge Number Two below.

Flowing water beneath, lush greenery all around and swallows overhead...I don't think I could have visited on a nicer day.

And the best news of all is that they are both still used on a daily basis.  Must be nice to drive over an historic bridge on the way into town to pick up the mail and then again back to the farm.

Photographed near Dummer, Saskatchewan on June 23, 2023.

Eunola School

A handsome landmark of days gone by near Pierson, Manitoba...a school, community centre and church, as well as a place for Sunday school picnics and community dances.

"Eunola School 

"1898 - 1962

"The original school, 18 ft. by 28 ft., was built on S.W. 7-4-28 at a cost of five hundred and eight dollars.  In 1900 it was moved to S.W. 2-4-29 and moved again in 1918 to S.E. 11-4-29.  Fire demolished this building on April 16, 1937.

"That fall, a new, more modern school was built and used for educational and social functions.  It went under a municipal board in 1956 and closed in 1962.  Forty-two teachers taught the many children of the area.

"We dedicate this cairn, in loving memory, to the pioneers of the district, the trustees, parents. teachers, pupils and all who helped in any way over the years."

Thanks to the Turtle Mountain - Souris Plains Heritage Association.

Photographed on August 16, 2022.

Bethesda Lutheran near Milestone

A guest book along with a cache of postcards that give a brief history of the church is housed in a weatherproof enclosure beside the church.

"Norwegian Lutheran services were held as early as 1904, and in 1910 the Bethesda Norwegian Lutheran congregation was organized.  In 1912, Martin Johnson, a carpenter from South Dakota, was retained to construct Bethesda Lutheran Church with the assistance of the congregation.  Situated on an open parcel, the graceful steeple of this church can be seen for miles across the flat prairie landscape.  Modernized in 1928 with a concrete basement and furnace, the church served the surrounding rural community for church services, weddings, funerals, meetings and bazaars.  Many of the area's first settlers rest in the cemetery, which is located at the rear of the church.  Because of a steadily diminishing congregation, Bethesda Lutheran Church closed in 1973."

Visitors are welcome to take a postcard as a souvenir.

The church was restored in 2020. 

Photographed near Milestone, Saskatchewan on June 23, 2023.

"Mo"

This is "Mo" the sea reptile.  

He greets everyone as they enter the town of Ponteix, Saskatchewan.

I don't think I'd like to be on the receiving end of those teeth.  

Photographed on June 17, 2023.

Jailhouse

The old jail in Flaxville, Montana.

Remember that song, "He's in the jailhouse now, he's in the jailhouse now..."

Photographed on June 18, 2023.

The Windows at Saint Margaret's

Meadowlark, Bluebird, Orchid and Prairie Daisy.

Photographed at Saint Margaret's Church near Eagle Butte, Alberta on August 21, 2017.

Long Shot (Saint Margaret's)

A tiny prairie cathedral in the majestic Cypress Hills of Alberta.

Saint Margaret's Church was photographed near Eagle Butte on August 28, 2017.

Abandoned Air Force Station near Fortuna

This tower is the last remnant of the former air force station near Fortuna, North Dakota.  

The signs tell the history.

Photographed on June 18, 2023.

Ray Opera House

In the early 1900's the main floor operated as a grocery store and the upper level was the opera house.  

Imagine going to the opera on a Saturday night in 1908...in northwestern North Dakota. 

The Ray Opera House is now a museum.

Photographed in Ray, North Dakota on June 21, 2023.

Saints Peter and Paul near Arbakka

This small Ukrainian Orthodox church was built in 1904 and stands in the countryside about a mile north of the Manitoba/Minnesota border.

The prominent structure at the front of the building could easily be mistaken for a bell tower but is actually a prominent entryway to the temple (a characteristic design of people originating from the Carpathian Mountains).

Across the churchyard is the cemetery.

Handsome old headstones mark the graves of pioneers. 

When the church was the centre of activity for the area there most likely would have been a wooden belfry that stood separately from the church and housed the bell that now stands on blocks beside the church.  

Locally the church is known as "Bilawchuks" as the land for the church and cemetery were donated by the Bilawchuk family.

Three simple budded crosses grace the roofline of the church.

The grounds are bordered on three sides by trees creating a park-like feeling...really quite a lovely place to visit.  A picnic table would be a welcome addition.  

Information courtesy of the Canadian Orthodox History Project.

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Temple and Cemetery was photographed near Arbakka, Manitoba on August 21, 2022.