$1.50 Vol. 59 No. 15 • Friday, June 26, 2020 Chainsaw artist sculpts Bay Avenue poplar trees Internationally known artists creating pelican and bison By Alan Hustak Grasslands News Fort Qu’Appelle is getting two new tourist attrac- tions. And the public is anxiously watching them take shape on Bay Avenue. The massive stumps of two black poplar trees in the yard in front of the Hansen-Ross House are being sculpted by internationally renowned chain- saw craftsman Doug Lingelbach. Since he began work last week, passers-by have been delighted to see the shapes of a pelican and a bison emerge from the trees on Bay Avenue. The trees had to be chopped down last fall because they become un- healthy and dangerous, with branches snapping off in the wind. “Clients usually have something in mind, and I turn their ideas into my own vision,” Lingelbach told the Fort Times (Grasslands News) during a break. “I give the sculptures personalities of their own, so it’s a collaboration, a creation from my mind and the imagination of others turned into re- ality.” Lingelbach was commissioned by Connie Chap- lain who wanted to promote artists during the COVID-19 pandemic. “There is no government grant. I’ve put my own money where my heart is,” she said. “I believe it is the right thing to do, and I hope it will encourage the public to support our amazing local artists.” Lingelbach said he was eager to return to his boyhood roots to work on the project in Fort Qu’Ap- pelle. His grandparents once lived in the town. His grandfather Gustav, was an artist who first taught him how to carve. “He took me by the hand and inspired me to take up tree art when I was around seven years old,” Lingelbach told the Times. “My grandparents lived a half a block away from where I’m working now. That’s pretty cool. I have so much memory here. I still have lots of cousins in Fort Qu’Appelle.” He’s an arborist, “a tree jumper” by profession who honed his craft with wood carver George Kosh and “jumped around a bit,” before becoming a full time “Tree Man” 29 years ago. His pieces are in collections around the world. In winter, he travels across the country as an ice sculptor. His creations in ice have ranged from a dragon to a First Nations ALAN HUSTAK | GRASSLANDS NEWS Chief to a 4,000 pound carving of a prehistoric fish. Wood sculptures. He’s named the bison he’s carving “Big Thun- Acclaimed wood carver Doug Lingelbach at work with his chainsaw carving two black poplar trees into der,” and calls the pelican “Grandfather” - the VFXOSWXUHV/LQJHOEDFKEHJDQFDUYLQJWKHVFXOSWXUHVLQ)RUW4X·$SSHOOHODVWZHHNDQGLVFUHDWLQJDSHO- granddaddy of all pelicans. The Hansen-Ross house ican and a bison. has a few pieces of his work for sale. DELIVERY available to Fort Qu’Appelle 2 June 26, 2020 0HOYLOOH$GYDQFH:KLWHZRRG*UHQIHOO+HUDOG6XQ)RUW4X·$SSHOOH7LPHV Grasslands News Castle Butte Step back in time in Saskatchewan’s badlands By Chris Ashfield about the height of a 23-story after crossing over the Texas mobility issues or are perhaps the trek to the top can still Grasslands News building. gate as cattle do roam free and just a little lazy, there is some get amazing 360-degree views A unique natural forma- are often standing on the road. parking available right at the by walking the half kilometre tion that’s a relic from the Do take note that Castle base. trail around the base. Here you Where the flat farmland last ice age, Castle Butte has Butte is located on private People have two options to will see different features of gives way to the undulating been a landmark to the Indig- property but in true Canadian explore when they are visiting the sandstone butte including hills, rough rugged rocks and enous people, the North West fashion, the owners of the land the butte. They can either climb caves and overhangs, as well as rows of cliffs is where you will Mounted Police (NWMP) and allow access at no cost. People to the top of it or walk around various plant life and flowers. find Castle Butte, one of Sas- early Canadian settlers for are just asked to respect the en- the perimeter of the base. Just make sure you don’t ven- katchewan’s best-kept secrets. centuries. The surrounding vironment, stay out of the sur- Climbing up will take some ture away from the area right Situated in the middle of a badlands also proved an ideal rounding fields and of course, skill and should be done with around the butte as it is private landscape that many would hideout for famed bandits such leave the cattle alone. And as good footwear (no sandals). The property. expect to only find in an old as Sam Kelly, Dutch Henry, and the land is a working ranch, ac- surface is smooth and slippery, As always, nature is best en- western movie or places like the notorious Sundance Kid. cess to the butte can be closed even in dry conditions, and also joyed when it is left natural. So Utah or Arizona, it is a jewel A trip to Castle Butte is a in April and May for calving quite steep. Trails to the top are the only things people should that stands out in Big Muddy great way to pass the day for season. easy to find and once you do leave when they visit are foot- Valley. anyone within a couple hours When you reach Castle reach the plateau at the sum- prints. And the only thing they Less than two hours from of Regina. Getting there is as Butte, most people park along mit, you will be greeted with a should take away are memories Regina – 25 kilometers south easy as heading south of Ben- the road and marvel at the site breathtaking view of the vast and lots of pictures. There are of the town of Bengough – is gough along Highway 34 and of the natural structure as they Big Muddy badlands surround- no facilities or garbage cans Castle Butte, a freestanding once in the bottom of the val- make their way up the 1,000- ing the butte. Be sure to also on site so anything you bring sandstone and compressed clay ley, turning down the grid road foot dirt road to the base of the walk around the trail halfway in you should also bring out. structure that is about 70-me- and traveling west for 6.75 ki- hill (don’t mind the ‘No Tres- up the hill as it will treat you Respect the land to ensure ev- tres (230-feet) high. For rural lometres (make sure to stay passing’ sign that adorns the to some unique sandstone fea- eryone continues to be able to prairie folk that’s a damn high to the right at the fork in the welcome sign). But for those tures that include caves. enjoy the free natural wonder hill. For city dwellers, that’s road). Also be on the lookout unable to make the walk due to People not able to make that Castle Butte offers. Castle Butte CHRIS ASHFIELD | GRASSLANDS NEWS The 1,000 foot road up to Castle Butte (above) gives visitors a great view of the natural structure while closer views allow people to see the many unique features of the sandstone (below). From the top of the 2,300 foot formation, 20064bs2 climbers are given a great view of the surrounding badlands (top photo). www.grasslandsnews.ca 0HOYLOOH$GYDQFH:KLWHZRRG*UHQIHOO+HUDOG6XQ)RUW4X·$SSHOOH7LPHV June 26, 2020 3 Melville student recipient of Junior Citizens Award By Emily Jane Fulford joined an elite group of “My mom came across Grasslands News extraordinary Saskatch- this one so she called up ewan youth,” explains and asked them about it Saskatchewan Weekly to see who could nomi- Class of 2020 graduate Newspapers Association nate. They said that she Anteneh Miller of Melville (SWNA) Executive Direc- could so she went straight will be getting off on the tor, Steve Nixon. “This ahead and did it.” right foot this fall. He is year we had 147 impres- Seventeen-year-old one of four Saskatchewan sive nominations and Anteneh Miller was born students who won the Ju- the task of selecting just in Ethiopia and suffered nior Citizens Award this four was incredibly chal- malnourishment and ne- year - along with it, a sub- lenging. It is an honour glect at an orphanage stantial bursary to help to be associated with this until his parents adopted with the cost of tuition. long-standing award and him and his sister when “To be selected as a to have such deserving he was four-years-old. It recipient of this award recipients.” was at that point that his means that you have Sponsored by SWNA new life began in Melville. in partnership with Sask- Through his parents’ Power and the Office of love and commitment, the Lieutenant Governor, as well as his own resil- the Award recognizes ience and determination, young people (8 to 18 years Anteneh overcame these of age) for their ability challenges to become an to overcome challenges, individual of uncommon their positive lifestyles, achievement and charac- community and school ter. spirit, and their caring “The achievements of and responsibility. Each these young people are award recipient receives exceptional,” said Lieu- a $3,000 bursary provided tenant Governor Russ by SaskPower. Winners Mirasty. “They are each 68%0,77('_*5$66/$1'61(:6 of the award this year in- outstanding role models Junior Citizen of the Year cluded Anteneh Miller of and are truly deserving Anteneh Miller of Melville Comprehensive School was one of four Saskatch- Melville as well as Telia of recognition for their ewan students bringing home the 2020 Junior Citizens Award this year.