Prince Albert Daily Photo

"Nostalgia"

2009-07-21T17:03:00.003-06:00

Readers will wonder why this image is on a Prince Albert Blog. Well, a couple of reasons. The young lady on the front-right, Alli, is a native of Prince Albert. She absolutely loves Ukrainian dancing. She invited me to Saskatoon's Persephone Theatre to see her dance group perform their farewell performance before they set off for a US/Canadian tour. The show was spectacular. Colourful, energetic, fantastic choreography with wonderful music. They leave next weekend for a 2-week tour, visiting Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York, Montreal and Toronto. I'm sure the audiences will be spellbound in every location.
Good luck, Alli, and 'break a leg'

Monday is Zen Day

2009-07-20T13:47:00.003-06:00

Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and give me your thoughts rather than me telling you what the photo's about.

As I post each new Zen photo, I'll add a label to last week's to identify it if necessary (and if I know what it is).

Last week's photo was the sundial sitting in front of Gray's Funeral Chapel. The time shown from the sun's shadow was wrong by at least 90 minutes.

Dief's PA home

2009-07-19T21:00:00.003-06:00

Located at 246 19th Street West, Diefenbaker House is a museum housing many of the Chief's artifacts. He and his wife, Olive, resided here when he was in Prince Albert. John George Diefenbaker was Prime Minister of Canada from 1957 to 1963.

The museum is open throughout the summer.

My favourite city garden

2009-07-18T13:26:00.003-06:00

Took a ton of work to place all the rocks, but the dividend is a beautiful garden that doesn't need much maintenance.

My favourite Watering Hole

2009-07-15T16:13:00.004-06:00

Jessica always serves with a smile whatever your order - coffee, tea, a sticky cinnamon bun, a wrap or a light meal. The hospitality at Shananigan's on the corner of 20th Street and 6th Ave W, Pr Albert, is always friendly, and manager Randy tells me their policy is to support Fair Trade suppliers. Naturally, my coffee order is always an Ethiopian tall.
I usually drop in during the afternoon to relax and read the Daily Herald.

Enough is enough is enough!

2009-07-14T14:25:00.003-06:00

Not a pretty sight! This image was taken last Saturday. It rained most of last night and just about all day today, so I imagine the flood is now like Candle Lake!!
I'm sure the folks living along 28th West are pretty sick of the situation as well as the contractor and his crew. The project should have been completed by now. There's been a 'boil water' advisory for the residents for over a month.
C'est la vie!

Monday is Zen Day

2009-07-13T00:38:00.003-06:00

The photo below is the plaque below the statue at Prime Ministers' Park that was featured in the last Zen Monday.

More Vintage automobiles

2009-07-12T01:04:00.003-06:00

1931 Ford 'A' Sedan

1959 Dodge

1969 Austin Mini Pick-up

Show and Shine Car Show

2009-07-12T00:34:00.006-06:00

After a wet Saturday morning, at about 2:00 pm, the clouds headed south, the sun came out to shine, and suddenly old and not-so-old cars rolled onto Canadian Tire's parking lot, and then it wasn't long before many folks turned out to admire and reminisce. With the NA car manufacturers in the news recently because of their financial troubles, it was wonderful to see some of the automobiles that gave birth to the auto-industry years ago. I particularly like the design of this Studebaker Champion: it has character. The smallest vehicle on the lot is the 1969 Austin Mini Pick-up - I don't think it could 'pick-up' too much! The oldest is, I think, a 1931 Ford Sedan. It brought back happy memories of my first car - a 1938 Morris 8. I think I was 17 or 18, and cost one-pound-ten, the equivalent of about $3.00.

Monday is Zen Day

2009-06-29T19:47:00.002-06:00

Golden Gate Bridge?

2009-06-28T15:55:00.003-06:00

One of my favourite spots in Prince Albert, Cosmopolitan Little Red River Park.

The latest from Kiwanis Hole-in-One: there have been 3 aces, 2 yesterday and 1 on Thursday.
The finals are now under way for the 40 qualifiers, and they have to get nearest to the pin to determine the best 3, who then shoot for the $1M. The pin is 150 yds from the tee.

Kiwanis $1M Hole-in-One Fundraiser

2009-06-25T16:10:00.004-06:00

Today, with almost windless conditions, saw the 2009 Kiwanis golf competition tee-off. For the next 3 days, golfers aim for the hole 9o yds away from the mats, but on Sunday, the day of the final play-off, the distance stretches to 150 yds. The closest to the pin for each 1-hour time interval will qualify for Sunday's final, and may win prizes as well.
The event is being held at Prime Ministers' Park on Terry Simpson Lane across from Mont St. Joseph's. $10.00 will get you 12 balls, and don't worry if you don't have clubs - the Kiwanis have a variety to pick from, and they're all experienced!
Golfer #3, from Goodsoil, hit a ball to within 4.5 inches of the pin and is the closest today.

This is where you register. That's event chairman John Lothman in the whitish shirt, and Archie Aug, a Cosmopolitan, in the yellow shirt at the back, has volunteered to help out.

These quads are part of the lengthy list of prizes.
Get yourself up to the PM Park and take a few swings to aid the Kiwanis in the good work they do for our community.

School's out (well, almost)

2009-06-23T18:48:00.002-06:00

The week that teachers and students have been looking forward to ever since the May long-weekend. The next 2 months will allow teachers to take more university or accreditation courses, to take a well earned rest in order to re-enervate the creative juices, or to do some travelling to see family or new destinations.
For students, it's a time to play from sun-up to sundown, to find a summer job, or to go to summer camp. Always a fun time if and when the weather co-operates.
Enjoy your break everyone.

Monday is Zen Day

2009-06-22T15:52:00.004-06:00

Cold Front

2009-06-09T22:51:00.002-06:00

The jet stream was way to the south today resulting in a cold front passing through the province.
Left home at 6:00 AM for LaRonge in pouring rain and it was COLD. Had to put the heat on - in JUNE!!! But when I arrived in LaRonge 2 hrs later, the weather was wonderful - warm, sunny, no wind - because I was north of the front. Driving south to Saskatoon with 3 US fishermen, the weather gradually worsened with frequent short, sharp, showers. I took the photograph between Osler and Hague and it shows typical cold-front, grey skies.

Monday is Zen Day

2009-06-07T19:21:00.004-06:00

Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and give me your thoughts rather than me telling you what the photo's about.

As I post each new Zen photo, I'll add a label to last week's to identify it if necessary (and if I know what it is).

The sign on the door tells what the building is, but I smudged it out.

I've taken the above from Pasadena Daily Photo (not the 'sign' sentence), the Daily Photo Blog that inspired me to start one for PA. Thank you, Petrea.

The photograph is the City's building that houses a water lift pump, but that's all I know until I ask Engineering.

Eaglechild

2009-06-07T18:53:00.003-06:00

I remember the totem pole being donated to the city by penitentiary inmates, but I didn't realise how long ago this happened. It was in 1975. How time flies!
I dropped into the Historical Museum this afternoon where three charming young ladies were eager to help me with the totem's history.
The creator was James Sutherland, from Manitoba, and he was assisted by Dale Stonechild. It was named "Eaglechild", and its story, as told to the City, "describes the love and sharing of knowledge among the thunder bird, the beaver, and the Indian people."
OK! Here's a question for you Prince Albertans. Who was the Mayor at the time of the donation?
The first person with the correct answer as a "Comment" will win a coffee (Ethiopian tall, of course!) from me at Shananigan's. Hopefully this will bring someone out from the woodwork!
(Sorry, museum staff are not permitted to answer this Q).
Hey! This will get me only one "Comment", so the rules are now changed. A name will be drawn from a hat containing all the names, then I will phone the winner. How's that?

These paths are made for Walking

2009-06-06T16:55:00.000-06:00

How many know, or can remember Nancy Sinatra's hit song? "These Boots are made for Walking". I remember it from the sixties because I hadn't left England when it was a hit. "One of these days, these boots are goin' to walk all over you... dum, dum, dum ..... !" and so on. One of the more enjoyable pastimes in Prince Albert is walking, whether it be on the Rotary Trail which almost encircles the City, or along tree-lined footpaths on the west or east hills. Now is a good time to go for that walk you've been meaning to take. There are no mosquitoes to suck you dry, birds are everywhere, singing, chasing mates, and it's not too hot. In fact, it's still freezing, so you'll need a sweater or coat.

It was on a chilly morning like this morning 65 years ago that the Allied Forces landed in Normandy, on beaches with unforgettable names - Omaha, Juno and Sword. As soon as my dad could, he took my mum, brother and me to the Normandy beaches. It must have been 1952 because I think I was eleven, only 8 years after that fateful day. It's hard to imagine what it was like jumping from the landing craft into icy cold water with fully loaded packs and facing a hail of machine gun bullets. For some, the water was too deep and the weight of their packs submerged them with terrible consequences.
If and when you take that walk, think about those men and women that landed in France, and the over two thousand Canadians who died in Normandy on D-Day and never had the chance to come home to enjoy the beauty that is our City.

I have no idea if anyone is reading this blog. I feel like I'm crying out to the wilderness. There have been no comments (just click on the green 'Comment' to write something) and still there are no 'followers'. Please let me know that you're out there. Just tell me your first name if you're shy.

Enjoy the weekend, eh!

Keyhole Castle

2009-06-04T08:59:00.001-06:00

Click on the image of the plaque to enable you to read about this beautiful home.

Prince Albert Roots

2009-06-03T11:11:00.000-06:00

Prince Albert Arts Centre, located at 1010 Central Avenue, a national historic site , was built in 1892 by A. and W.B. Goodfellow Builders. It took a year to build. It was Prince Albert's City Hall for many years and was an important focal point for the new community because an opera house was on the second floor (besides where one paid their taxes!). It's easy, when visiting the Centre, to imagine the patrons climbing the long staircase with its solid bannister, the women in long gowns, the men in suits and starched collars, the buzz of conversations eagerly anticipating the evening's entertainment.
The building is still in good use for various visual arts clubs and galleries for exhibitions. My memories take me back there to the seventies when rehearsing with the Prince Albert Community Players, and later, on Sunday nights, listening to a variety of performers, and it was "Definitely not the Opera" (a program on CBC every Saturday afternoon).

95 Years Old Today

2009-06-02T21:00:00.000-06:00

Today, 2nd June, 2009, is my dad's 95th birthday, but regretfully he passed away in Kelowna on 11th April. I was on my way to see him, but unfortunately he didn't know. If he had, I'm sure he would've hung on a little longer. I missed him by 2 hours!
His aim at this late stage in his life was to reach the age of his mother when she died - she was 96.
Rest in Peace, Dad. Say "Hi" to Mum.

Monthly Theme Day: Feet

2009-06-01T23:08:00.000-06:00

Yey! It's the beginning of a new month, and this particular one brings summer along with it. In the City Daily Photo blog community the first of the month is theme day, and this month's theme is "feet." These feet belonged to walkers participating in Prince Albert's Relay for Life last Friday night.

Take a few minutes to visit City blogs around the world and see how they interpret the feet theme. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants and see their photographs.

Picnic Time Again

2009-05-31T11:08:00.000-06:00

After teasing us a number of times, I think summer is here, at last. After all, IT IS June 1st tomorrow. The best place to go for a picnic in Prince Albert is Cosmopolitan Place - Little Red (as we call it). Take the family, cook burgers or hot dogs on a wood fire, walk up the valley, cross the river on the swinging bridge, but don't fall in - it's a gem of a spot, one of Prince Albert's hidden treasures.
This past week, the Prince Albert Cosmopolitan Club celebrated its 70th birthday! The Club was chartered by a number of forward thinking businessmen 5 months before the commencement of World War II, men such as Ian Gray and Max Carment.
While you're at the park, drop in for a coffee or pop at the Cosmopolitan Lodge, a city legacy funded by -- well, you know who!

"Aahhh! That's why it's named 'Dunn Drive'"

2009-05-30T17:49:00.000-06:00

You want to discover something about Prince Albert that you don't know? Then head to the north end of Central Avenue where you'll find the old firehall, the pride and joy of the P.A. Historical Society. The Museum is open for the summer, and remains open for general public admission until Labour Day. The building is bursting at the seams, so you can spend an hour or two searching for answers to your questions, but be warned, it's easy to spend a whole day looking at the displays, photographs and artifacts. And if you need a rest or diversion, there's a delightful Tea Room overlooking the North Saskatchewan River where you can sit and imagine firefighters of days gone by whiling away the hours between fires, or dream about chowing-down to a typical English, strawberries-and-cream tea. Mmmm..Mh!
Jamie Benson, the manager of the museum, or any one of his happy crew of students, will happily show you around or answer your questions. Admission is a mere $5.00, and if you chose to, this gives you a membership to the Historical Society with unlimited visits to the museum.

Volunteers

2009-05-29T22:05:00.000-06:00

Volunteers carry out hours of work, usually behind the scenes, sometimes not acknowledged. Here, from left to right, Scott Dodwell, Austin Redhead and Cam Oleksyn, students of Carlton Comp. H.S., scoop sand from my truck into luminary bags, add a candle and place them around the Harry Jerome track in preparation for the 9th Annual Relay for Life. 3000 bags were in place before lunchtime on Friday thanks to them and a dozen or so other students.
When I left the Relay about an hour ago, close to 9:00 pm, the field was just a-humming. I estimated that there were probably 1500 participants made up from 250 volunteers and 75 teams of at least ten members per team. There were performers, security personnel, radio people such as Ken Landers, and unregistered participants like myself. It's a big party. Congratulations everyone, including all who dug into their pockets and donated to the cause.

9th Annual Relay for Life

2009-05-28T23:31:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow night at the Harry Jerome Track, starting at 7:00 pm with a lap of celebration for cancer survivors, several hundreds of local people will, taking turns, walk, run, stroll or crawl around the 400 m track for 12 long hours. Collectively, they will raise thousands of dollars for cancer research ($225,000 raised in 2008). At 10:00 pm, approximately 3000 luminaries will be lit, and each one will commemorate the life of a loved one who was unable to overcome their struggle with cancer. Also at ten, the Prince Albert Pipe Band will play some heart-wrenching music from the top of the west berm, silhouetted against the setting sun, always an emotional moment.
Similar events will be held in other Saskatchewan communities, and indeed right across Canada, and collectively, one day, we will defeat this accursed disease.