British Columbia

There are 20 posts filed in British Columbia (this is page 1 of 2).

Kevin McElheran’s Abandoned Church Photo 

            I tried to find the photographer, Kevin McElheran online. No luck, just more abandoned or broken links. I did find a description which was posted with another copy of the same photo, on two other sites. So, some background information about how the photo was taken. But, I still don't know what happened to <a href="https://twitter.com/kmcelheran">Kevin McElheran</a> from Calgary, Alberta.

“This abandoned 100 year old church is what’s left from what was the rail town of Sorrento, British Columbia. I was driving through this area late one night when I noticed a train in the distance approaching which outlined this structure in it’s glow.”

I think the church is Notch Hill Church, not Saint Mary’s as the description says with the photo above. Notch Hill Church is in Sorrento, BC and it is located right at the train tracks. One sites says it is Tappen, BC.

One way or another, this seems to the the church photographed. It was being restored but the site stopped posting in 2014. In 2016 I read a report about building materials being stolen from the site. The project is on hold due to lack of funds to replace them. The photo below was taken before the renovations began.

DanOCan – STST2017: Notch Hill Church

Bench By Bench with Rebecca Kennel 

            <a href="http://benchbybench.com/">Victoria: Bench by Bench</a>

Another idea for backyard explorers, public benches in parks, along trails, anywhere you can walk to. Some benches have been built for people to take a break during a walk. Some give people a place to sit, read awhile and admire the scenery or a great view. Some were donated as memorials with a plaque for a family member, local business or celebrity.

So far I can’t find a copy of the book, but that happens with local history books published by the author/ photographer. Rebecca Kennel lived in Victoria, BC. While there she wrote a book about the public benches in Victoria, BC. She photographed them, wrote about their history and the surroundings. It looks like a charming book and I have emailed her (if she gets email at that address still) and maybe I will be able to get a copy, if there are any still in print. I can find the book on Amazon, but it is out of print, no more copies expected. I was hoping for better news, but not surprised.

I found a personal site Rebecca kept, until 2018. She had moved from Victoria to a town in Saskatchewan. She was/ is looking after her Mother and her husband, Galen, has passed away. I don’t know what she has been doing since then. I found a YouTube channel, Twitter account, and a Facebook page but nothing is updated. I hope she is still ok herself. There are two posts about her book on her YouTube channel.

The site for the book has a backup link on her personal domain. I’m leaving that link in case the other site disappears.

Old Cemeteries Society

oldcemeteriessociety

The Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria is dedicated to researching, preserving and encouraging the appreciation of Victoria’s heritage cemeteries.

Lively society of cemetery enthusiasts aka taphophiles! Local historians, researchers, recorders, writers, tour guides, volunteer caretakers of old cemeteries.

I’d like to join a group like this. I’d like to start it up myself but I’m not social enough to get it going. A group of one is a bit flat.

I wonder if there are others out there with a local old cemetery exploring group?

Hiroshima: Like a Graveyard with not a Tombstone Standing

60% of the US people still think this was the right thing to do. (Classic "not in my backyard" thinking).

Today is the 70th anniversary of the first atomic bomb being dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, by a US aircraft.

The bombing – and a second one on Nagasaki three days later – claimed the lives of at least 140,000 people in the city. Half died slowly, over several weeks/ months from radiation, burns and dehydration.

hiroshimabeforeafter

nagasakibeforeafter

This war poster makes me think of all those movies where the US saves the world from… aliens, natural disasters, monsters, etc. Ironic.japnext

A Japanese report on the bombing characterized Nagasaki as “like a graveyard with not a tombstone standing”

Source: Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – Wikiwand

 

To have all Military Cross-shaped headstones removed

Just think if they make them remove all religion from headstones will they turn it retroactive and have all the  crosses removed from all the graves. What will they replace them with? A “thanks for your death” medal?

Below comes from an email forwarded to me:

The first  to the last picture are taken at the beach in  Santa Barbara right next to the  Pier.   There is a veterans group that  started putting a cross and candle for every  death in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The amazing  thing is that they only do it on the  weekends.

They  put up this graveyard and take it down every  weekend. Guys sleep in the sand next to it and  keep watch over it at night so nobody messes  with it.   Every cross has the name,  rank and D.O.B. and D.O.D. on it.Very moving,  very powerful.   So many young  volunteers.   So many 30 to 40 year  olds as well.

Amazing!

The ACLU  (American Civil Liberties Union) has filed a  suit to have all Military Cross-shaped  headstones removed.

cid:A28D4BBA8CC943C08C4505976A2522F3@GilbertPC

And that they filed  another suit to end prayer from the military  completely.   They’re making great  progress.

The Navy Chaplains can no  longer mention Jesus’s name in prayer thanks to  the ACLU and our new administration.

cid:810ECA51ACE145AFAB2CC397F6FC5B75@GilbertPC

Keep forwarding  this e-mail to others.   I’m not  breaking this one.   I’m asking that  you don’t break it either.

cid:2769C148C91A4084BCA486016D95D1A5@GilbertPC

If I get it a 1000  times, I’ll forward it a 1000 times!    Prayer for all allied soldiers… please don’t  break it!   Please send this on after  a short prayer.

Please, let us  pray:  GOD BLESS  YOU FOR PASSING IT ON!