Just a Gal from Glidden: Always desire to learn something useful
BY KATE WINQUIST
kate@yoursouthwest.com
I hope that you will get to know me a little better through this page and have a better understanding of why I came back to west-central Saskatchewan just as I hope to get to know all of you and invite you to share your stories.
I must admit that I have a curious mind. I love to discover and see new things. Maybe that was part of the yearning to come back to west-central Saskatchewan - what have I been missing for the past three decades? As it turns out, a lot!
My husband, Robert, had come down to visit a couple of weeks ago, and we decided to head east on Highway 7 to see some country that I had never travelled before. Even though I grew up here, we never really headed west of Kindersley. It was always east to Saskatoon or north up to Lloydminster to visit my sister Valarie and her family. On this particular day, however, we wouldn’t get too far on the #7. Our tour, we decided, would take us to the village of Smiley. Just the name of the tiny community can’t help but bring a smile to your face! Highway 772 (if you can call it a highway) is mostly a grid, turns into pavement and is quite a bumpy ride. “Remove your dentures and tighten your bra straps,” I said out loud to Robert’s amusement.
Smiley is located in the RM of Prairiedale and, according to the 2016 Census, has a population of 60. “There’s some land for sale,” I said to Robert. He informed me that the for sale sign was probably for hay. Upon entering the village, I immediately noticed the church on the outskirts of the community, not entirely sure if it was still in use. I pulled over to take out my trusty camera. When Robert and I go on road trips together, if I hope to get any pictures, it is a necessity that I drive. He appreciates my photography obsession but sometimes doesn’t see the beauty in things that I do. To the east of the church is the Community Hall, which looks like a source of community pride - prominent, bold signage, and a newly cushioned sidewalk leading up to the doors. I couldn’t help but think of the community gatherings that have been put on hold due to the pandemic. Beside the hall is a monument erected to mark the Smiley School’s original site, which was built in 1914.
PHOTOS BY KATE WINQUIST
Skinner’s Store in Smiley.
The Great Wall of Saskatchewan.
We seemed to have the village to ourselves on this day, although I did see one man on his ride-on mower. The old Smiley School, which once stood proud, sits on the north end of the village. I mentioned to Robert that I thought it would be cool to transform an old school or church into a private museum or photo gallery. He just rolled his eyes at me.
On Main Street, there is an old building with “Skinner’s Store” on the window. After googling this, I discovered that it was run by Don and Candace (Candy) Skinner. It was the store that Candy’s parents owned when she was growing up - Maedel’s Red & White Store. Candy operated the store and later the post office until she retired in 2005. Sadly, she lost her battle with cancer in 2007.
After leaving Smiley, we quite innocently stumbled across The Great Wall of Saskatchewan site. I can’t believe that I had never heard of this tourist attraction before now! The Great Wall of Saskatchewan is a project that was created by Albert Johnson back in 1962. Mr. Johnson arranged stones in the form of a wall, cleaning the rocks from the surrounding farmland and adding it. He did this for 29 years! Albert transported the stones and placed them to support itself without the use of cement or mortar. The outer layer stones are specially shaped and are tapered inward to prevent the wall from moving. Small and odd-shaped stones fill the spaces in between. In 1991, the wall was complete with a 6-foot base, stretching more than a 3/8 of a mile in length. Its average height is 6 feet and 12 feet at places.
A sod hut is on the property, but it was too wet for us to walk or drive down. I will be making a trip back at some point to see this additional attraction.
This day was a day of history and a day of learning. Always desire to learn something useful and always find something to make you smile.
- KW