Dog River

I was listening to the radio yesterday when the news came on and heard that the grain elevator in Rouleau, Saskatchewan had been destroyed by fire in the early hours of the morning.

Rouleau is world famous for the TV series "Corner Gas" and in that series, the town was known as "Dog River."

This is a photo taken about a year previous.  Sad to see it go.  I grew up not far from here where it had been a familiar landmark.  One more prairie sentinel is gone.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Photographed on November 4, 2020.

Siracky Chapel

Siracky Chapel is nestled in amongst mature trees along a country road near Mundare, Alberta.  The structure is tiny, about eight by twelve feet, and completely built of stone.  More importantly, the chapel is open to welcome guests from near and far.

Inside we see a statue of Sainte Bernadette whose apparitions of the Virgin Mary led to the founding of the Shrine of Lourdes in France.  The Siracky family, who commissioned the building of the chapel in 1940, had visited the shrine in 1928 and were obviously captivated.

The stained glass window on the south side of the chapel...

...another view of Sainte Bernadette...

...and the subdued light through the north window.

A "photo of a photo," a rededication of the chapel on June 6, 2015.  This is a special place to many in the community.

Inside looking out.

Outside...the southern stained glass window...

...and a broader view.

The finely crafted wrought iron cross on top of the chapel.

The cornerstone.

The little chapel awaits your visit.

My first visit was accompanied by a foot of fresh snow.  Pictures from that adventure can be seen here:  Church of the Weary Traveler

Photographed on September 19, 2021.

Day of the Dead

A collection of photos in celebration of "Day of the Dead..." a centuries old tradition honouring the lives of loved ones who have past into the great beyond.

November 3, 2020

Entering the gates to Memory Lane Cemetery at Lawtonia Zion Lutheran Church in Saskatchewan.

May 18, 2021

The "Old Stone Church" Presbyterian Cemetery near Abernathy, Saskatchewan...pioneer times.

February 16, 2021

A crisp winter day at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church of Leduc in Alberta.

November 26, 2020.

I didn't know about this one until I drove right past it.  Patience Lake Cemetary is near Bergheim, Saskatchewan.

September 19, 2021

Early afternoon at Saint Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery at Boian, Alberta.  All that white is mesmerizing. 

May 19, 2021

An elegant ceramic photo surrounded by a translucent golden band on a headstone in Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery near Candiac, Saskatchewan.  Her given name was Gloria. 

September 22, 2021

A cool fall morning at Saint Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery at Slawa, Alberta.  All is well, all is in order. 

November 3, 2020

The end of the day at Saint Joseph Cemetery near Courval, Saskatchewan.

January 20, 2021

Birch Creek Cemetery is near Bankend Saskatchewan.  It was even colder than it looks.

November 26, 2020

Early winter, late afternoon...this hillside graveyard at Maryville, Saskatchewan is Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery.  

September 18, 2021

Petunias and marigolds in full bloom at Saint Elias Russo Greek Orthodox Church and Cemetery at Pakan, Alberta.  Someone comes out to the cemetery every day to water the flowers.  In some cultures, marigolds are known as "flowers of the dead."

July 27, 2021

Near Burgis, Saskatchewan...some yellow tansy blooming by a gravesite at Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery.

July 25, 2021

Little church with a red roof...Saint Nicholas' Anglican Church and Cemetery at Kennell in the beautiful Qu'Appelle Valley of Saskatchewan. 

September 22, 2021

Looking out through the gates at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery at Angle Lake, Alberta.  Peaceful view of eternity.   

Light a candle, burn some incense...visit the memory of a loved one, enjoy your time with them. 

The Wright Farmhouse

This was originally the home of William and Gertrude Wright and is known in the area simply as "The Wright Farmhouse."

Enjoy the "walk around."

And a little more recently...In 2004 the house was featured in Terry Gilliam's film "Tideland," a film that was aptly described by David Cronenberg as a "poetic horror film."  At the time of filming the house was in much better condition than when I saw it about a month ago.  That said, it's still a magnificent sight on the open prairie.

Photographed south of Balcarres, Saskatchewan on October 12, 2021.

Happy Hallowe'en!

I've had this string of punkin lights for longer than I can remember.  This year they're wrapped around a wire planter that doubles as a bird feeder.  

Mental note...extra treats for the birds on Hallowe'en Day!

Photographed on October 18, 2021.

Someone Remembered

A return visit to Holy Ascension Orthodox Chapel and Cemetery.

My last visit here in late-July revealed the little chapel surrounded in a sea of tall grass, the grave markers engulfed in the dense greenery.  In a word, "lush." 

Being in the area again a few months later I decided on a return visit late one afternoon and much to my delight, someone remembered...

...to cut the grass...

...and remove the broken tree branch that had fallen on the bell tower.  Thank you.

I like to look in on this mostly forgotten artifact of the past from time to time...there's a good feeling here.  And I'm happy to know that someone else feels that way too.

Everyone in the area knows the little chapel as "Kaplychka."  

Photographed near Rhein, Saskatchewan on October 9, 2021.

Saint Michael's near Roblin

During a road trip in Saskatchewan this past summer I went 'just across the border' to Roblin for lunch one day.  In the restaurant I met a couple of the locals who were soon telling me about historical sights in the area.  The one location that piqued my interest was Saint Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, "it's at the top of the hill...you can't miss it!"

They were right...it would be nearly impossible to miss.

Accompanying the church is a bell tower and sign...

...and a large well-kept cemetery.

Birth dates go back as far as 1845.

The wide central dome is topped with a lantern bearing a wrought iron cross.

The church appears to still be in use if only occasionally.

A peek through one of the windows reveals a spacious interior.  

Highly unusual in a Ukrainian Catholic church is the inclusion of what appear to be Stations of the Cross hung on the walls.  These are usually on display only in Latin (Roman Catholic) churches of which the Eastern Catholic Church is not a member.  Some special conditions must apply here.

The original church was built in 1908 and replaced by the one seen in these photos in 1935.

And last but not least, the Parish Hall which was built in 1939 and replaced an earlier one built in 1921.

Photographed near Roblin, Manitoba on July 28, 2021.