Prairie Treasures by Nancy M Bell

 

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Small Town Prairie Treasures

Just about every small town you come across on the Alberta prairies has a museum. They are depositories of the people and history that make each place unique. I have had the pleasure and privilege of being allowed access to the Castor and District Museum while researching my new novel Jessie's Cafe. The building still exits although it is in rough shape but it's stories live on in the minds of many people who call Castor home. 

The museum is housed in an old Canadian Pacific railway station. Here you will find many old photos and mementos of bygone days.  Butter churns, pottery water coolers, games and needlework. You can visit antique hospital equipment and imagine what a trip to the hairdresser's used to look like.

There are books containing the history of the region and town along with  personal accounts from long time residents and those who have passed on, leaving their words to remind us of who they were and what was.

Housed in the basement of the museum are archives of the now defunct Castor Advance newspaper. Dating from the 1900's right up until the paper ceased to exist in 2024. It was such fun to carefully turn the yellowed pages that documented life in the 1900's and then further on into the 20s and 50s. Advertisements for cattle and land, businesses that flourished in Castor during that era. Some for a long time and some gone like prairie smoke in a very short time. 

Some places that have ceased to exist are remembered in the pages of the archives. The village of Bulwark was located not far from Castor and the pages of the archives make mention of the comings and goings of those by gone inhabitants. All that remains today is the Bulwark Cemetary still guarding it's occupants on the windswept grasslands. 

Just a bit north of Castor is Donalda whose town boasts a huge lantern that is the centre piece of the town. To the south of us Hanna lays claim to a giant cactus which you can find at Cactus Corners on Hay 9. To the east Coronation has a giant crown. Closer to Stettler is Rochon Sands with its giant fishing lure, a nod to nearby Buffalo Lake.

All these and more are prairie treasures quietly waiting for seekers to find them.

Photos below are property of Castor and District Museum. The museum building is in the background of this picture.

Until next month stay well, stay happy.

Chance's Way Releases in September 2021 by Nancy M Bell

 

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I'm excited to announce that Chance's Way is releasing in September of 2021. This book three of the Alberta Adventures series. This series turned out to be a series about rescues. In book one, Wild Horse Rescue, Laurel and friends rescue some wild horses, in book two, Dead Dogs Talk, Laurel and friends work to rescue some dogs from a dog fighting ring. Book three turned out to be something a bit different. Fans of the series will be familiar with bad boy Chance Cullen. He turned a bit of a corner in Dead Dogs Talk, in book three Chance's Way he is struggling to come to terms with his past choices and see if he can find a better way to go forward. He is still hopelessly in love with Laurel Rowan but knows she won't have anything to do with him unless he can turn his life around. And not to mention that she has a long distance relationship going with Coll Hazel, who lives in Cornwall UK. 

Chance's Way is the story of Chance's search for his truth, learning about who he is and who he wants to become. He is supported by Laurel's dad, Colt Rowan, who has had his own issues with his parents, so he can sympathize with Chance's problems with his n'er do well father and hysterical mother.

This last book in the series wasn't meant to be about Chance's coming of age, but that's how it evolved. 

There's a good mix of rodeo and ranch life mixed into the story and those who live that life will relate to the events that unfold. Concussion and injury are part and parcel of the rodeo way of life. The dangers of concussion and repeated trauma are only starting to be addressed. The tragic loss of Ty Pozzobon in 2017 was a huge wake up call to the rodeo community with regards to the issue of brain related injuries in much the same way as Lane Frost's death at Cheyenne in 1989 brought about the use of flak jackets for bull riders. I touch briefly on these issues in Chance's Way. 

I hope you enjoy Chance's journey. Below are some scenes from life on the Canadian prairies where the Alberta Adventures take place.

Till next month, stay well, stay happy.