SHS 50th Anniversary

Join us on Saturday June 20th down by the riverbank! Jaye and I will be offering a Colouring Station for kids of all ages. Colour in a Jodypaloosa art page created specially for this special occasion. Or, express yourself in chalk art with stencils made for the day.

There are activities, tours, and so much more happening all day long! Be sure to take part.

Big Thank you to Kat and the team at Staples on 8th Street for supporting our event. We appreciate your contribution to a beautiful day.

Canada Life

Mark Allard-Will has just published his new work, Photo-illustration. It is a compilation of his photography juxtaposed against an artists’ rendering. I was lucky enough to be included! Here is my version of the Canada Life building and CN Tower in Toronto.

Heritage Fair

Sunday February 8th 2026, the Punch crew will once again be MCing the performers at this incredible event. It’s one of my favourite Civic Celebrations. It’s free, and a great way to get to know your history.

Check it out here

Yikes! It’s been awhile

Sorry folks. Life got away on me. I’ve still been making Punch TV and Punch Radio, while pursuing my regular job, hobbies, and heritage projects. I just haven’t been sharing them with you. I’ll try to do better.

Canzine!

Saskatoon will be hosting the first ever Zine Fest at Frances Morrison Library on November 23rd. I am proud to be part of the panel on Zines as Tools. Check it out! It’s FREE, FUN, and you can even make a ‘zine!

Plus! I’ll be debuting a new ‘zine, Saskatoon Fun Facts with fellow collaborator Kevin Sorokowski. Stop by our table and say Hi.

Here’s a link to the panel.

Lest We Forget

Hugh Cairns
In 1911, the Cairns family travelled with their eleven children from England to settle in Caswell Hill. Hugh, their third child, grew up to work as an apprentice plumber and a highly regarded soccer player before being deployed into the first world war. He was awarded Great Britain’s highest award, the Victoria Cross for leading his platoon in an attack against the German army holding the french city of Valenciennes. Sadly, his act of bravery cost him his life. He died 32 days short of his 22nd birthday. Saskatoon honours Hugh with an armoury and school that bear his name. There is also a statue in Kinsmen Park dedicated to Hugh and the other 75 Saskatoon footballers who lost their lives in the great war.

Based on photo LH-3029 from the Local History Room at the Saskatoon Public Library

On Safari Walking Tour

Just scheduled for Sunday August 18th at 2pm!

Meet in front of the Double Decker Bus by the Bessborough.

Appropriate for all ages, we walk 21st Street from the Bessborough, down 3 blocks to the Mall and back. Takes about 45 – 60 minutes. Join us as we discover the flora and fauna “living” in the facades of some of Saskatoon’s most loved landmarks. We’ll point out fossils and share some interesting stories from Saskatoon’s past. All are welcome and will take home a free copy of the Tour Guide & Colouring Book.

Bessborough

The Bessborough Hotel
was built by the CN Railways in 1931, but was not opened until 1935. It is named after the Canadian Governor-General at the time, Sir Vere Brabazon Ponsonby, Earl of Bessborough. The facade is comprised of bricks from Claybank, SK and Fossil-rich Tyndall stone from Manitoba.
The impressive exterior was modelled after a Bavarian castle and features creatures carved into the stone. Visit the Bessborough and see if you can find them!

Heritage finds a Home

Thanks to Nicola at Better Off Duds on 33rd, my Heritage Button Collection is no longer homeless. You can check out the full assortment any old time!