Saint Paraskeva at Downing

Let's go for a walk through the grounds of Saint Paraskeva Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery.

Saint Paraskeva as it appears from the main road.

A canopy of clouds above...

...and a trail into the grounds.

Just south of the church is the bell tower.

Imagine the bell sounding through the countryside on Sunday mornings...different times.

East of the church is the cemetery.

An outdoor table for rituals.

The best of views from the cemetery.

A central dome with a cupola on both the front and back of the church.

Country church...big sky.

This was the last stop of the day on a late afternoon in early fall...then it was back to Vegreville for a supper date with my sister.

Photographed at Downing, Alberta on September 18, 2021.

Gros Ventre-Tothill

The remains of the Congregational Church at Gros Ventre-Tothill, Alberta.  One of my favourites.

Stopped here after putting up the Christmas tree in Saint Margaret's Church today.  By this time last year the church was already snowed-in for the winter.  This year...so far, so good.  Hope the good weather holds out a bit longer (as I'm sure we all do).

Photographed on November 12, 2021.

Linacre S.D. No. 1381

This pioneer schoolhouse was originally known as Peace Valley School.

The name was later changed to Linacre School.

When the school closed the building was used as a granary for a time.

White with green trim was a perennial favourite colour scheme for one room schools.

A warm fall day in the country...nice day for a road trip.

Photographed near Linacre, Saskatchewan on Novemebr 5, 2021.

Remembrance Day

Please remember to wear a poppy.

A war memorial near Dafoe, Saskatchewan.

B.C.A.T.P. stands for: British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

The following photos show the remains of the air base where hundreds trained to be airmen during World War II.

Photographed near Dafoe, Saskatchewan on March 3, 2020.

The Headless Horseman

A captivating life-size sculpture in the open prairie landscape.

Equal parts imagination and hard work...a labour of love for everyone to enjoy.

Photographed near Wastina, Alberta on November 6, 2021.

Long Shots (Golden Prairie Elevator)

The elevator in Golden Prairie, Saskatchewan can be seen for miles in every direction.

And the name of the town rings true...the prairie really is golden.

Photographed on November 5, 2021.

Westbrook S.D. No. 1024

A handsome brick schoolhouse near Theodore, Saskatchewan.

I had a heck of a time identifying this one.  There is no sign at the site and internet resources on the area are skimpy at best.  Nonetheless, with some perseverance I was eventually able to glean the scant information to positively identify it as Westbrook School.

Other than the chimney missing a few bricks and one of the lightning rods being a bit askew, the building is in good condition. 

The dense bush in the foreground is what appears to be the original caragana hedge along the west side of the schoolyard.

From this angle the building is almost hidden...blink and you'll miss it.

Photographed on October 10, 2021.

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.