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.

Welcome to Acadia Valley

Photographed in Acadia Valley, Alberta on July 15, 2023.

Barreth Farm Sign

Remember Max and Wendy the border collies?

Well, they have a pretty nice sign at their farm near Macoun, Saskatchewan...don't you think?

Photographed on June 23, 2023.

The Anderson Family Grave Marker

Definitely one of the most engaging grave markers I've seen in my travels.

Photographed at Bethel Cemetery near Wildrose, North Dakota on June 20, 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.

Ellvanger

A farm sign near White Earth, North Dakota.  

Pretty sweet.

Photographed on June 21, 2023.

Simonson's Farm Sign

A simply attractive sign for a family farm east of Plentywood, Montana.

Photographed on June 18, 2023.

Be Legendary™

Welcome to North Dakota

Be Legendary™

Photographed just a little bit east of Westby, Montana on June 18, 2023.

Flight

An exquisitely designed sculpture of geese in flight...graceful and elegant.

Thank you to Roger and Paulette Bourlon.

Photographed in Parc Ponteix in Ponteix, Saskatchewan on June 17, 2023.

Old Saint Michael's at Gardenton

A sunny Monday morning in southeastern Manitoba. 

    

The sign reads: 

"St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church

"St. Michael's Orthodox Church consecrated October 14, 1899, was the first permanent Ukrainian church erected in Canada.  Until the parish joined the Greek-Orthodox Church of Canada in 1922, it was served by a Russian Orthodox Mission.

"The church was built by immigrants from northern Bukowyna, now the western Ukraine, who settled the Gardenton area after 1896.  Measuring 48'x22'x33', the structure exemplified Bukowynian pioneer craftsmanship in architecture, interior decoration and religious furnishing.  St. Michael's served as a focal point of spiritual and cultural life in the first Ukrainian settlement in Manitoba and remains a symbol of the continuity of the Ukrainian identity in Canada.

"The Historic Sites Advisory Board of Manitoba"

The commemoration was the same month and year that I was born...same name too.  Happy coincidences.

Old Saint Michael's was in service until 1935 at which time a new church was built in the Village of Gardenton.  The church and cemetery are still very well cared for...and there are a few special services held at the church each year including an annual pilgrimage service.  

Photographed on August 22, 2022.

McConnell School

This weathered one-room schoolhouse is only about a mile off the highway.  A "summer road only" is the only access...watch out for the low spots along the way.

More about the school here: An Audience at the School

Photographed near New Brigden, Alberta on May 15, 2023.

Olson

A farm sign somewhere in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan.

Photographed on June 12, 2020.

Zion Lutheran Church

Still hangin' in there...

...the old Zion Lutheran Church near Horsham, Saskatchewan.  

According to the GRHS the church was open for thirty-one years, closing in 1950.  It's now been abandoned for what seems a long, long time.

Every once in a while someone moves the cross from one side of the front door to the other.  To see some photos of the church from about six years ago, click here: Zion Lutheran Church and Cemetery

Photographed on May 15, 2023.

Avon S.D. No. 3091

A one-room schoolhouse near Claydon, Saskatchewan.  

It's in pretty nice shape too.

The identification signs on the dormer and side of the school.

To the best of my recollection, this is one of the few country schools I've seen that has a row of windows on two adjacent sides.  That detail makes it special in the history of pioneer schools on the prairies.

Photographed on May 10, 2022.