“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.”
Margaret Mead
The Atlin Volunteer Fire Department would like to remind everyone to please check your smoke and CO2 detectors to make sure they are in good working order. If you do not have one or both, please consider buying and installing them for your own safety.
I can always see the beauty of The place that I call home
No matter how far away
From Atlin I may roam And here in the city
I find that I’m inclined To stop and gaze upon it From the window of my mind It’s then that I remember Each and every one of you And all the loving kindness As a community you do I can speak with knowledge
For in my time of woe
That love spilt out upon me
More often than you know It warmed me like a blanket Helped me through my time of pain Made me think that maybe The sun would shine again Now that the Christmas Season Is once again in view I wish Love, Health and Happiness
To each and everyone
OF YOU
Pat Logan
Grizzly Home Services would like to wish all of its customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2023
We will not be delivering water or doing sewer December 23rd ,24th,25th , 26th or January 2nd
Normal Friday deliveries will happen on Thursday and normal Monday deliveries will happen on Tuesday
The Gas Station will be open the following hours:
December 24th Closing at 3 pm
December 25th Closed
December 26th Closed
December 27th Closed
December 31st Closing at 3 pm January 1st Closed
Thanks to everyone for keeping driveways plowed, sanded and pathways to fills kept clear and clean of debris
We would like to thank you for your continuing support throughout the year and all the best in the New Year
When you smile in the morning Sunshine comes pouring in.
When you give voice to a melody Echoes join you in song.
As you dance through the day The Earth feels each graceful step.
When your laughter has no end All is well.
When your love is in the air The day is complete.
Jeff Salmon
It was Saturday night. The band was set up in the front window and the crowd was ready to go. Just as we were about to jump on our first tune, the bodies filling the dance floor suddenly scattered - and Clyde (recently from Texas), sitting high in the saddle on a tall gelding, rode through the side door.
With skittering hooves a clatterin’ and a crazy cowboy yahooing, the whole catastrophe started heading for the bandstand. The eyes on that animal were the size of saucers. That, I could see clearly, because Clyde only managed to pull him up a foot and a half from my face.
Chaos reigned until somebody with common sense flung open the front doors, at which point the horse whinnied, reared and, kicking sawdust from Skagway to Austin, bolted out onto Broadway with Clyde hanging on for dear life. So began another evening at my saloon of choice.
Saturday was the night for the locals – those who lived in Skagway, those who owned little shops in Skagway, and those who worked in those little shops. Everybody had earned a night out and, by God, they were going to get on with it.
Many of these folks had primed themselves for the evening at the world famous Rainier Hotel – a vacant lot half way up Broadway with a shoddy little fence around it. Some bright light had decided to capitalize on the right to drink in public, one of the many advantages of living in a forward thinking small town in the North, and prepared a location to do just that. The spot was, of course, entirely open to the elements being … well … vacant. And with the common prevailing weather and favourite beer combining to provide the name, the whole thing was a nobrainer.
These were nights of much raucous behaviour. After we were done and finished with packing up, John Wilson (a man you will come to know better in the fullness of time), and I would laboriously haul our stuff up the backstairs to store it in one of the girls’ rooms, knowing that the following week we would have to do it all over again. I suppose this is how our little ensemble came to be called the Sisyphus Blues Band.
But Saturday night was only a small part of my musical duties. By far the largest and most exciting part of the job was running the Red Onion’s Jazz Jam. Every week the same cruise ships would do a turn-around in Skagway and the musicians and crew would have a town day.
The watering hole of choice was the Red Onion. It was a comfortable venue where the musicians got to jam and the crew got to hang. It ended up feeling like a second home for many of them and it eventually turned into a bona fide musical scene.
The musicians coming off those cruise ships were great players. They hailed from New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Europe, and they all wanted to blow their brains out after playing the same shows for an entire week. Many of those jams could have taken place at the Blue Note or the Village Gate. They were that good. And they were wild. Some afternoons we would have twenty players sitting in.
Along with the music, there were plenty of laughs. Musicians, as a rule, don’t hang with the mainstream much, so there are plenty of ‘in jokes,’ but much of the hilarity, particularly the off-the-wall stuff that ended up happening
on various gigs, will double you up, musician or not. Those tales would fill a book all by themselves, so I’ll take a powder on that. I will, however, share one humdinger.
‘A big band, with the full complement of horns, was playing some talk show that had, as one of the acts, a bunch of baboons with their trainer. Unbeknownst to the host, and everyone else, the animals had managed to escape from confinement and clamber up onto the catwalk above the stage. Then, as the band leader cued the group to play on the next guest, and the players raised their horns to play, the hairy primates proceeded to do one of the things they do best – defecate.’
‘With perfect timing, a rain of feces came down on the band – on heads, tuxedos, and most disturbingly of all, into the bells of horns. It was a show stopper and a once in a lifetime opportunity for the baboons - something to tell the kids:’
“... Yes Billy, it’s true. Your Uncle Ralph was one of the crew that escaped captivity that night and rained vengeance on the band ...”
You can’t make this shit up.
All kinds of situations developed as a result of these jam sessions. People missed ships, fell in love with locals, and ended up in jail for disturbing the peace; but my favourite event involved the errant Czechs - a bass player and drummer from then eastern bloc Czechoslovakia. These guys joined the session one afternoon, and they were fantastic players. They knew every tune in the book and they were burnin’.
As the evening approached, the crowd started to head back to the ships. My two new pals, however, were in back of the bar, nursing beers in the shadows.
You can tell a lot by looking at someone’s posture. Body language is a dead giveaway, and these guys were sitting slightly hunched, with both hands ‘round their beer glasses, staring at each other silently across the table. An hour before, they were laughing their butts off and now, this.
I wandered over to the table and sat down.
“Hey guys. You should probably get going, or you are going to miss your ship.”
“Vee are not going”, came the reply.
“What do you mean, you’re not going?”
“Vee stay here. Vee defect to your country”.
“Are you sure? You haven’t even got .... “
“Vee don’t care,” the bass player broke in, “vee stay.”
“Well,” I said, “If that’s what you want to do, I guess this is the place to do it. Beer?”
As the evening wore on though, it became clear that the two potential defectors hadn’t thought any part of this through. With only their instruments and the clothes on their backs, the lack of a plan was starting to become evident. They became more and more restless.
In the end, the spies that came in from the cold became the spies with cold feet. After sobering up, the lads decided to hire a helicopter to fly them back to the already departed ship in time for the evening show.
They were never heard from again.
COUNSELLOR: Katie Israel, GN, MA, RCC
At Big Water Society we recognize the realities of human experiences, the diversity of innate worlds and states through these experiences, and we believe that we can, when we connect and share these experiences. Be it traumatic experiences, emotional turbulences, depressive and anxious states, we are here to join hands with you and work through your unique experience. You do not have to go it alone.
Phone: (250) 651-2189; (867)334-9524
Email: bwscounsellor@bigwatersociety.org
“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality – Martin Luther King, J r
By
Larry D CrawfordYes, Christmas is the time, Where little boys and girls. Will finally receive, Long sought for special toys.
A time when moms, Bake cakes and pies. When folks will gather, Of renewing family ties. And ones who rarely smile, Have grins upon their face. Those who always hurry by, Have greetings in there place, They don’t even comprehend, They say, “tis the season,” Go on their merry way, And never know the reason.
I wonder why that is, Why all that “peace on earth”
It started in a stable, With a virgin giving birth. It’s a love I can’t explain, I will not even try. That God would send his son, Born – just to die.
But isn’t it ironical, though Him no honor pay, The world spends its millions To celebrate His day! ~
Did you know that Big Water Society provides the community with FREE professional mental wellness counselling?
If you feel you would like to talk to Katie Israel, please call her at: 250-651-2189 or 867-334-9524
Gary Hill, Atlin B.C. V0W 1A0 Licensed, B.C. Guide
Call -250 651-7553 Email garyphill59@gmail.com $850.00 per day - $550.00 per 1/2 day
Custom
WEB SITE – http://gary-hill.com
This gem is off grid, well maintained and absolutely the perfect retreat. 2 bedrooms, large open dining/living room, galley kitchen and spacious pantry. Storage in walk out cellar plus numerous outbuildings. Bonus is a warm spring flowing through year around! $239,000
A great daily view awaits in this well built, 2 level home with a fabulous open floorplan on the upper level with a master bedroom and so much storage! The lower level boasts 2 extra bedrooms or bedroom and games room. Almost 1700 sq.ft., lots of room for the entire family and guests to enjoy! Double garage on lower level plus another garage for all those extras like boats, quads, sleds $535,000
Beautifully maintained, inside and out, this cozy 2 bedroom home is so private with a second cottage with sleeping loft (often used as B&B), a third cabin for guests, great garage/workshop, plus various other craft/work shops and much fencing. Mountain views in every direction plus short walk to Atlin Lake sandy beaches. Just waiting for you! Viewing by appointment ONLY! $597,000
With power, small log cabin, tenant occupied near the upper end of the acreage, application for subdivision has been submitted/approved to create two 2.5 acre parcels. Slope facing Atlin Lake. Build your dream home to take advantage of the view and keep the tenant as caretaker! $259,000
Fourth of July
Basic lake side cabin, 3 bedrooms, lots of big windows, hidden in the trees, on .544 acres, leased lot until 2042. Very private! $68,000
4th of July
.78 acres of Crown Land lease, gated, partly cleared, the perfect spot to keep your RV and recreational necessities, there for year around enjoyment. Lease term to 2042.
$53,500
This stunning gem in an Enchanted Forest has been lovingly crafted by the hands of this talented owner – never to be duplicated! On 4 acres with guest cabins and a short walk to hidden lakes plus easy access to the highway, $399,000 SOLD
STUNNING
Incredible views, quiet location and fabulous home. 1700 sq.ft. on main level, beautifully renovated with gyproc interior, lots of updated windows, open floor plan, kitchen, dining area, living room, bar/games room plus 2 bedrooms. Basement offers 3 more bedrooms, two baths, kitchenette and large living room with ground level access. One of a kind waiting for you.
$349,000 SOLD
Mi 43 Atlin Highway
34+ acres of land, surrounded by grazing lease, with 1700 sq.ft., 2 BR, full basement home, great well, septic field, solar and generator plus lots of extras. If you wish, will come with 2 loveable nags who consider this home. Quick possession is possible.
$535,000 SOLD
Call Myrna at (250) 775-1019
Leave message via text or email myrnablake1@gmail.com Will be in Atlin for showings November 4th & 5th Go to northernhomesbc.ca for more details
George Holman 250 651 7717 or Marj Holman 250-651-7758
ATLIN LAKE GROCERY STORE-
Holiday store hours MST
December 24 11 – 3pm
December 25 Closed
December 26 Closed
December 27 10 – 5pm
December 28 Freight Day 10 -5pm
December 29 10 – 5pm
December 30 10 – 5pm
December 31 11 – 3pm
January 1 – Closed
January 2 – Closed for Inventory
January 3 – Freight Day (regular hours)
Winter store hours (starting Jan 1) MST
Monday - Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday - 11am – 4pm
~Weekly freight truck run on Mondays and freight runs available upon request~
Atlin Christian Centre Affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Service and Sunday School Sunday 11 a.m. Come join us! (778) 721-0710
St. Martin’s Anglican Church 10 a.m. Sunday Everyone welcome!
Blessedisthe seasonwhich engagesthe wholeworldina conspiracyof love! HamiltonWright Mabie
Sewing Machine
Cleaning, Repair, &Setup Terry 250651-7769
Mountain Shack Café Restaurant Fast Fancy Food Great Service 110 Discovery Avenue In Atlin, B.C. EAT IN OR TAKE OUT Wednesday thru Sunday 250-651-7789
MOBILE WELDING SERVICE AVAILABLE
Contact: Alain Vanier 250-651-0037 Reasonable Rates!
We provide Concrete, Drain Rock, Screed gravel, Sand, Topsoil and Septic systems. We also provide Equipment Rentals, Excavations, Covered Storage, Firewood and Snow Removal. Please call (250) 651-2488 or email bobscontracting2020 @gmail.com
Atlin Community Library
Open Every Friday and Saturday 2-4p.m. BC time Everyone Welcome
The Library is closed at -20 c. & on Dec 31st
The next Whisper is Wednesday January 4th Submissions are due no later than Sunday 6pm January 1st The Purpose of the Atlin Whisper is to encourage, build-up and inform the people of Atlin concerning ongoing community events and happenings. The Whisper is not a political mouthpiece. Compiled and edited by Lynne Phipps. Paper for printing courtesy of Northern Homes Real Estate Printing courtesy of RCMP Atlin Classifieds, news, upcoming events Contact 1-250-651-7861 or lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com if you have, pictures or articles you would like to submit. Please note that submissions should be sent in either WORD or JPEG whenever possible. PDF must first be printed and then scanned back into the computer in order to format it into the paper. This costs in both paper and ink. We know that at times a PDF is the only way, which is okay when necessary, but otherwise, as the Whisper is a FREE community service we appreciate your support in helping to keep the costs down as much as possible. Thank You!