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.

Almost there by Nancy M Bell

 

To see more of my books please click on the cover.

ALMOST THERE

Have you ever got the end of your work in progress and  feel like you never want to look at it again? I'm at that point right now. I love writing the story, I even sort of like the edits that are required before sending it off to the publisher for their editor. But, I have to be honest, after the third time through I really don't care if I ever read my own words again. That passes of course once the book has it book birthday, but it's that in between stage that  I wallow in right now. I've read it over so many times the words all run together. This never happens when I edit someone else's work, just my own.

By the time the second read through happens I've decided that all I have written is crap and I should just delete it all and start over. Silly, I know, but it happens to me every time. I'm almost to the finish line with Jessie's Cafe. It's back from the editor and I need to do another few read throughs and make any last changes before it goes back to the publisher. The editor seemed to like it so maybe it's not so crappy after all. <grin>

I also have to say, after dissing my work in the paragraphs above, that I do love the story and I love the setting. The old building sits at the end of my street here in Castor, Alberta, and I wish its storied walls could talk. I always get the urge to sit down on the rickety bench and ask the building to tell me its stories. It was built in 1910 and has been many things over the decades. One thing that remained constant up until the last owner Andy left was that it was the social hub of the town. So many incarnations and so many stories. My fondest hope is that someone will take the time and considerable amount of money to restore the building so that it can go on creating memories and telling stories.

Now, I will quit procrastinating and go do the final edits on Jessie's Cafe. Look for it where ever good books are sold on May 1, 2026. 

There is a dog in the story named Miley who was a real dog. Her picture is below so you can imagine her when you read her adventures.

 

Until next time, stay well, stay happy.   

Cover Reveal for Jessie's Cafe by Nancy M Bell

 

Very happy to reveal the cover for my new novel coming in Spring of 2026. The image is an actual building in Castor, Alberta which was built in or around 1910. It has had many names over the years, Jessie's Cafe, The Royal Cafe, The Queen's Cafe, The Golden Crown. It was also known locally as Lewies and Andy's over its storied past.

The building has intrigued me ever since I move to Castor and it seemed natural to set a novel within its precincts. Sadly, the building is in sad need of restoration and as a heritage building I hope that someone will take on that task. Someone with very deep pockets. LOL

My story starts in 2026 but to do the building's history justice I have created a time travel journey with some interesting twists and turns. Another interesting thing about the building is the tiny shed that is clearly visible perched on the flat roof of the cement block addition at the back of the original structure. It looks suspiciously like an outhouse although I have been told it served as a garden shed at some point in its career. That humble shed plays an integral part of my plot...so stay tuned...

I love uncovering and discovering the legends and tales that seem to cluster around old buildings, as if they are just sitting and waiting to share their stories with anyone who is willing to linger and listen. So if you are ever in Castor be sure to stop by Jessie's/Andy's and then wander down the street to visit the other venerable building - The Cosmopolitan Hotel. This is also a 1910 structure that was in use up into the early 2000's. I'm sure if those walls could talk there is a plethora of stories regarding adventure and misadventure that has occurred over the years. Interestingly, there used to be another hotel directly across the street where the ATB bank is now. The National Hotel which burned down in 1924. Can you imagine the brawls that might have occurred with denizens of the two establishments duking it out in the middle of what was then referred to as Grand Avenue.

Until next month be well, be happy. Oh, and Happy Valentines Day even if it's a bit late.

Tom Thomson Book Launch a huge Success! by Nancy M Bell

 

To learn more about Nancy's books click on the cover please.

The book launch at The Purple Platypus Bookstore in Castor, Alberta was huge success. There was tons of fun,  door prizes, swag bags and of course a reading from the book. There was a great turnout with over 20 people joining me in the cozy confines of the bookstore. It's such a pleasure to support and be supported by an independent bookstore. Castor is a small town in east-central Alberta and The Purple Platypus draws patrons from as far away as Red Deer and Wetaskiwin. I'm so happy that the lovely Lynn Sabo agreed to host this book launch. Even though the day outside was a bit dreary, the warm and companionship within was wonderful. 

Not to mention I sold lots of books which was good for me and the store. So win win.

As anice way to cap off the day I got the first look at the cover for my upcoming book Night at te Legislature, a Manitoba paranormal set in the Manitoba Legislature building. This one is the first book in BWL Publishing's news collection The Paranormal Canadiana Collection which will feature a novel set in each of Canada's provinces and territories.

Until next month, stay well, stay happy