Showing posts with label signs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label signs. Show all posts

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.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Tommy the Turtle


Tommy the Turtle greets visitors to the border town of Boissevain, Manitoba.  


He gets his name from the Turtle Mountains that span the Manitoba/North Dakota border just south of town.  The "mountains" are much like the Appalachians: expansive, forested, rolling hills.  Quite beautiful.


Say "Hi!" to Tommy when you're in town.

Photographed on September 17, 2023.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Monday, February 12, 2024

Wheat Stalks

Out for a drive with Miss Daisy...


It was a warm winter's day and while driving through the Connaught area of town I spotted this metal wheat sculpture.  An unexpected find in suburbia.  Nice!


I think Miss Daisy enjoyed her ride around town.  She had her window open, got a few treats and a tummy rub or two.  A lovely way for both of us to spend a Sunday afternoon.     

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on February 12, 2023.

Tuesday, February 06, 2024

Early Fall at the Arts Park in Boissevain

Something to brighten up a winter's day...





The Arts Park in Boissevain is a community green space wholly run by volunteers.  And even though it was getting late in the gardening season there was still plenty of greenery and blooms to see.  





A couple out for a walk stopped to say hello while I was enjoying the garden.  They said most of the volunteers were older folks but there had lately been some interest shown by a few youngsters.  Here's hoping all the generations can work together to keep this community garden beautiful for years to come.  





The thought and expression, creativeness, hard work and realisation shown here is above and beyond any expectations.  "Thank you" to all those who make our lives just a little bit brighter.

Photographed in Boissevain, Manitoba on September 15, 2023.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Boule Creek S.D. No. 3314


A handsome little schoolhouse near Cadillac, Saskatchewan.  


Kids in the area went to school here for fifty years from 1914-1963.  


An old swing set near the hedge.


The grass in the schoolyard was thick and dense.


And the flagpole still straight as an arrow.


This is the front door where the kids would enter the school every week day.  


The white acrylic sign is looking pretty washed out but the taller black metal sign is holding its own.


The road past the little school on the Saskatchewan prairie...a road which goes ever on.

Photographed on June 17, 2023.

Monday, October 16, 2023

Guard Duty


Nice gate sign...


...complete with big teddy bear on guard duty. 

Photographed near Noonan, North Dakota on June 18, 2023.

Friday, July 21, 2023

Westhazel S.D. No. 1337

The sky was thick with smoke from the forest fires in British Columbia as I drove from Medicine Hat to Lloydminster this past Saturday.  Smoky skies are, in a word, oppressive but, to my delight  I woke up to clear blue skies the following morning.  I always function better on a sunny day...after breakfast, it was time to hit the road and enjoy the nice weather and visit some of the historical sites in the area.  Westhazel School was just one of many discoveries during my Sunday drive. 


This little one-room schoolhouse is in pretty rough condition but still looks pretty solid.  Hope it stands upright for many more years.   





Glad I had a chance to visit on such a pleasant day.


Photographed near Westhazel, Saskatchewan on July 16, 2023.

Thursday, July 20, 2023

Saint Anthony's at Grosswerder

The kindness of strangers...


...I was taking some photos of Saint Anthony's Church when a couple in a pickup pulled over.  They were curious about who I was and what I was up to way out in the middle of nowhere (both of which are reasonable questions).  It didn't take long and we were chatting up a storm and having some laughs.  Deciding that I wasn't up to no good, they asked, "Would you like to see inside?"





Little seems to have changed inside the church in well over a century.  The addition of electricity is likely the most recent update.  The original altar, colour scheme, captivating set of Stations of the Cross and three bells in the bell tower all in tact.   








The sky was thick with smoke that day so the the outdoor photos aren't what I'd hoped for...my next visit will be on a "blue sky" day I'm sure.  There is a statue of Saint Anthony above the front door and a small outdoor altar in a protected corner of the churchyard.  The church is still in use.



The cemetery is on the opposite side of the road about a quarter of a mile west and is populated with many grave markers both old and new.  It's also still in use.

Thank you kind people for inviting me into your beautiful country church.  Making new friends is always a good thing...and thank you for brightening up a gloomy day.

Photographed near Grosswerder, Saskatchewan on July 15, 2023.