History, past and present
It’s to step from one century to another, from the oldest to the newest in a matter of hours. That describes the Prairie Pens spring tour and we didn’t even leave Moose Jaw. Our first visit was to one of the oldest parts of our city for a Heritage Cemetery tour. Although many people have taken the tour over the years, I’m sure there are many in the city who would be amazed, as I was, at the history that comes alive when you have someone like Brian Bell as your tour guide. Vice President of the Architectural Heritage Society of Saskatchewan, Brian told the stories of the people whose tombstones we were viewing, but he also filled in the history of the family and their contribution to our city. The Moose Jaw Cemetery was established in 1890 and, at that time, many graves were moved from a location near Chateau St. Michael’s. One hundred years later, in 1990, the cemetery was designated as a Municipal Heritage Site, sponsored by Heritage Moose Jaw. A huge rock engraved with that bit of history sits in front of a lovely garden with fragments of damaged headstones adding character. No new plots have been sold since 1920 but we noticed a recent burial had taken place in a family plot. One interesting tombstone design featured a lamb resting in front of a cut off tree stump, a symbol of a life cut short. That image was seen on children’s graves throughout the cemetery. Another stone had the initials W. O. W. engraved in the likeness of a log along with a Woodmen of the World insignia; an insurance company whose policy included the cost of the headstone. (Their on-line site is interesting) The Heritage Moose Jaw bookmark states that the Moose Jaw Cemetery is “Where Moose Jaw’s Past is Buried” and we found that to be true. We saw the graves of: Patrick Doyle, the last surviving member of the NWMP; Lewis Rice who was influential in getting Wakamow designated as a park; Ted Heath who developed the original dugout; J. J. Wallis whose grave features a railroad track; Frank Miller, one of the first murder victims of Moose Jaw; and Wellington White, who left a legacy in bricks from his brick factory and his beautiful home overlooking the valley. One unique flat slate headstone stands like a sentinel, four feet below ground, four feet above ground and four inches thick; indestructible. The answer to vandalism. (Check out Mike Stobbs MJ cemetery photos on-line.) After a relaxing lunch at the Burger Cabin, the Prairie Pens switched from the past to visit history in the making at Oliv, on High St. This amazing business was the first Oliv store in North America and has since been followed by stores in Phoenix, Calgary and Saskatoon. They have olive oil from around the world. I did not know that aged olive oil, like aged wine, enhances the flavour Their flavoured olive oils include unusual flavours such as Persian Lime. The Balsamics include Caramel, Cranberry, Fig, Garlic Mango and Chocolate, for you chocohalics. Although I have often enjoyed focaccia bread dipped in balsamic vinegar I never questioned where it came from or the process involved in developing that delicious taste. The Oliv staff shared many interesting facts about how olives are grown and the various flavours developed. The store was constantly full of customers while we were there, yet everyone received personal attention. We were introduced to hundreds of available blends and those of our choosing were blended for us to taste, with bread cubes for dipping. My first choice for tasting was Zesty Onion, and yes, it was deliciously spicy. If you want to add zest to your food without adding fat, sodium or cholesterol, this is the place to “Re-awaken your passion for cooking,” as their brochure suggests. Several flavours caught my eye but my choice of purchase was Cinnamon Pear Balsamic Vinegar. It is recommended as a topping for apple crisp and I do love apple crisp.