Wednesday March 17th, 2021
The Atlin Whisper “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.” Margaret Mead Sitting at the south-west end of the Taku Arm of Tagish Lake, at the mouth of the Swanson River, Ben-MyChree is a Northern legend. Otto and Kate Partridge had come north during the Klondike Gold Rush, but never made it to Dawson. Otto got involved in shipbuilding, cutting lumber and then mining in the Southern Lakes region, and in 1911, they started developing property near their gold mine as a home. Otto named it "Ben-My-Chree," Manx for "Girl of My Heart." Taken from: Explore North Hessel Oerlemans Yukon History & Abandoned Places sent in by Carol Boyko from AHS facebook
Stayed tuned for the continuing story next edition
By Paul Lucas
THE GUITAR “This journey requires two keys. The first, you will find in a garbage can.”
Saturday loomed big in the week if you delivered newspapers. The Saturday edition was huge. Just getting the bags on the bike was a chore. And the papers were unfoldable - too many sections, too many glossy inserts. Saturday’s edition also contained the weekend magazine, or at least it did after you hand stuffed it into each of 56 papers. Still, it had that full page, full colour shot of the NHL player of the week so I didn’t mind. But you had to watch that it didn’t slide out on you. There was nothing worse than getting to the end of your route and finding a weekender in the bottom of your bag. It meant you were going to get a call from the office saying that there had been a complaint. ”Mr. So and So just called, and said he is missing his magazine. Run one over right away, and make sure you apologize … blah, blah, blah. And you can pretty well count on the fact that Mr. So and So lived right at the far end of your route. Every kid knew that Saturday was going to be a bear. But at least today it wasn’t raining, which, as it turned out, was a good thing. The Thompsons had a rambling wooden house that sat on a narrow lot. The basement was only partially buried in the ground, giving the impression that the building had three stories. It was one of those places that paper boys hate delivering to. It was overgrown, the walkways were narrow, and the steps were slippery. And you had to deliver right to the door otherwise the paper would get wet. Finally, to add insult to injury, they wanted the paper delivered to the BACK door which meant you had to prop up your bike, grab a paper, walk it around the right side of the house, negotiate the garbage cans and climb a set of slippery steps to the back porch. Still, the Thompsons were nice folks. They always tipped me at Christmas, and they had a daughter who sported outfits that seemed to require all manner of straps - thin straps, lacy straps, frilly straps, to hold it together - a situation which was creating all manner of physical symptoms in me, and one that caused me to tie a lot of shoelaces and shuffle a lot of newspapers in their backyard. This particular Saturday, I was running a little late. Slamming the bike against the fence, I slithered along the skinny walkway, dodged the garbage cans, scampered up the stairs and stuck the paper underneath the doormat that screamed “What, you again” in raised rubber ridges. Just as I was starting down the steps, I spied something sticking out of one of the cans, partially obscured by sheafs of newspaper. It was a guitar neck, no doubt about it. There was no question of it being an entire guitar, the can was simply not big enough. But where there was a neck, surely there was a body.
I dug into the second can. Nothing. The third and last garbage can contained little more than regular garbage and I was about to give up when I noticed a large cardboard box underneath the steps. And there it was - an old arch top guitar body in what looked like fine shape.
I tugged it carefully from its cardboard nest, retrieved the neck, and matched them up, slotting the male and female parts of the dovetail joint together. It held just enough so I could stand it upright, heel against the side of the closest trash can. There is something magic about an arch top guitar. If a Spanish guitar wandered into Italy, seduced a violin cello, and the offspring combined the best qualities of both, the result would be the arch top. Every line caresses the eye - the angled headstock; the nut with the shining strings running through it; the silver frets set into a fretboard inlaid with mother of pearl; the hardwood bridge; the splayed tailpiece; the perfect angle at which the neck meets the body, and the piece de resistance: the carved top itself with its delicate ‘f’ holes and tobacco sunburst finish. It is a magnificent piece of work. With the parts assembled, I stepped back, looked at the instrument, and felt a strange tug in my solar plexus. Mrs. Thompson answered the door in a T shirt, a pair of green pedal pushers and pink slippers with Donald Ducks on the toes. She always looked like she had been caught in the middle of something and the Pebbles Flintstone hair didn’t help much. ”Are you really throwing this out?” I asked, pointing at the instrument propped against the garbage can. ”Why? Do you want it?” she replied, removing her Winston. “Yeah, if you don’t mind.” ”Help yourself then hon, it’s all yours.” --Then there it was - sitting on my bed, as if it had always been there. I couldn’t move it of course. The neck, while comfortably nestled with the body, was just a mock up. I really needed to re-attach the two parts. And for that, I needed glue. The glue I found in the shed was peculiar. It was a brown nasty smelling powder that needed mixing with water; in correct proportions of course. Following the instructions, I applied the mixture, which had only grown more foul smelling as it fermented, to both surfaces of the dovetail joint. I pressed them firmly together. Then came the wait. ‘One hour to dry and 6 hours to cure,’ it said on the label - the longest six hours of my life. When the time finally came, I gingerly lifted the body from the workbench, and lo and behold, the neck followed. Grasping the neck, I held it upright. and the whole thing felt like one. By gum, I had a guitar - a beautiful sunburst arch top guitar! Now, I needed strings. --I pushed through the front door of the music shop. The bell rang shrilly, and the rusty spring that held the door shut to the weather squawked as it opened and closed. A tall, bony figure on a tall wooden stool peered through a veil of cigarette smoke from behind the counter - a figure hailing from a disappearing era. The mop of Elvis hair that sat atop his thin face matched perfectly the pair of long sideburns and bad boy sneer. ‘All that’s missing from this picture,’ I thought to myself, ‘is the guitar.’ No sooner had I formed the thought, when through the smoke I saw the Gibson perched on his lap - that famous black Everly Brothers model I had seen so many times on TV. The guitar was still ringing from the last chord when he reached for the smoldering cigarette wedged between the strings of the headstock. ‘Well, this is my guy,’ I thought, ‘He’ll know what strings I need.’
He sucked in a lungful of smoke and blew a near perfect smoke ring. Then, replacing the cigarette in the strings, he raised a pair of bushy eyebrows. “What can I help you with son?” “Uh, I’m fixing a guitar, and I need a set of strings.” “Steel string, nylon string, 12 string ... what?” “Ah, steel string I’m pretty sure. It’s got an arch top.” “An arch top. Nice. “ He put the guitar down, reached under the counter, and pulled out a set of Black Diamond guitar strings, slapping them down on the big rubber pad next to the register. “I think these are what you need.” I spied the price tag on the shiny surface of the package. ‘Well.’ I thought, ‘there goes my newspaper wages for the week.’ Elvis must have caught the hesitation, because he peered at me crookedly for a second or two. Then he leaned conspiratorially over the counter. “Of course, there’s the 10% discount for professional guitarists, and the extra 5% saving if you pay in cash. You are a professional guitarist aren’t you?” He nodded emphatically as he spoke. “Uh, yes I am,” I replied. “And you’ll be paying cash?” “Oh yeah, I’ll be paying cash alright.” “Well in that case, the final damage ends up being something like …” He wrote a figure on the pad in front of him and swiveled it around to show an amount more in line with my budget. “That’s great,” I said, “Thanks.” He wrote it up, I paid the cash, grabbed my strings, and turned for the door. “Thanks again” I called over my shoulder. “Good luck son” Elvis shouted back over the skirl of the rusty door spring. --The stringing seemed to take forever. I made every mistake in the book, but finally there they were: Six glistening strings running from headstock to tailpiece. I’d never seen anything quite so beautiful. I sat the instrument on my lap and started experimenting - plucking a few strings here, strumming a few strings there. Then, suddenly feeling my oats, I wound up and gave all six strings a grand open strum ... Dadaah! And with a screech like a barn door opening, the neck wrenched itself out of the dovetail joint, flew off the body, climbed up my arm, and smacked me smartly in the side of the head. The first key wasn’t giving itself up so easily.
COLOURING CONTEST EASTER 2021 A collaboration between local artist Cass Collins and local chocolatier Amélie Remon of Atlin Chocolates. This colouring contest is open to all ages! We will have 4 different age categories and a winner will be selected from each one. There will be delicious chocolate prizes from Atlin Chocolates. Colouring pages are available at the Atlin Trading Post, Food Basket, Gold Claim Café and Sincerely Yours (the Post Office). The due date to return your colouring pages is the 31st of March. More contest details can be found on the bottom of the colouring pages. For any questions, please contact Amélie Remon at a.remon@me.com We can’t wait to see your colouring!
Atlin Community Improvement District PO Box 388 Atlin BC V0W 1A0 Phone/Fax: 250-651-7582 Email: atlincid@gmail.com
ELECTION & ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Atlin Community Improvement District (ACID) has the object of operating the following services: • Drainage • Fire Protection • Sidewalks • Solid Waste Disposal • Street Lighting • Waterworks • Representing the Community in communication with provincial agencies on land use matters and advising or making recommendations to the Minister of Community Development on land use matters The ACID meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at the Fire Hall or at the Atlin Recreation Centre. Meetings are generally 2 hours in length. Each trustee receives an honorarium per regular board meeting (currently $100.00/meeting). Attendance at as many meetings as possible is extremely important.
Contingent upon PHO Covid-19 Restrictions on Election Date A TRUSTEE ELECTION will be held at the AGM on 13 April 2021 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: March 17 – April 1, 2021 CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR ELECTION will be announced: 7 April 2021 1 - Three-Year Term is open for the position of Trustee Persons entitled to vote at an election must be: • • • •
a Canadian citizen at least eighteen years of age an owner of land in the improvement district a resident of the province for the previous six months, or the legal representative of an owner of land in the improvement district who has died, become insolvent or insane.
When more than one person is registered on title as a landowner each person may vote if they meet all requirements set out above. One vote is also allowed for each board or corporation that owns land within the improvement district. The board or corporation must designate one person to act as an authorized agent to vote on its’ behalf. This must be done in writing for the polling clerk to verify the voter’s eligibility. Each person is allowed only one vote regardless of how many properties they own. However, if a person also meets the qualifications as agent, set out above, that person may place a vote on behalf of that board or corporation. Every person qualified to vote in an improvement district is also qualified to be a trustee.
NOMINATION FORMS are available at the Atlin Service BC Office Completed Forms are to be submitted to the Atlin Service BC Office Before 3:00pm April 1, 2021
SLANG, Lena SLANG: Lena. It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our extraordinary Mother Lena Slang (nee Rudolf )on February 7, 2021. At the age of 91 Mom passed away peacefully at Kelowna General Hospital with her family by her side. Predeceased by the love of her life, Rolf (1923-2004), Lena is survived by her daughter Gale (Tom) and two brothers Gary and Hans (Laura). Mom has gone to join her family who went before her including her beloved parents Mabel and Herman Rudolf, her stepfather Ingmund Johnson, brother Charley and sisters Lillyan, Laura and Olga. She will be forever missed by her sisters Liz and Ingrid, her brother Albert, her 6 grandchildren Shauntel, Danielle, Tommy, Lucas, Corbin, Shelby. Remembering her are family in Canada and Norway and lifelong friends in the Yukon, BC and Costa Rica. Lena was born on the Nisutlin River, seventy miles from Teslin,Yukon on May 24,1929. She grew up in the home cabin and later lived in Atlin, Teslin, Gladys lake and Whitehorse. After finishing school , Mom worked for many years in a grocery store in Atlin and eventually opened up her own cafe called “Lena’s Place”. Mom had the most beautiful soul. You just couldn’t help but love her. Dad came to the Yukon from Norway in 1954 in search of gold. Instead, he found Lena, his greatest treasure who had a true heart of gold. Mom and Dad were married on December 15, 1961 at Teslin Anglican Church. They lived the first years of their married life in Atlin and then Whitehorse where they owned a gas station and tire shop. Twin babies Gale and Gary were born in 1962. Two years later they were blessed with another son, Hans. In 1965, Rolf and Lena moved the family to Teslin, where Dad built the Yukon Motel. Together they operated the motel with rooms, restaurant, cocktail lounge, gift shop and a gas station for 7 years. It was here that Lena became known all along the Alaska Highway for her delicious homemade pies. She would be awake and baking by 4:30 am to ensure that those fresh pies were out in time for the tourists to enjoy while travelling through Teslin. Besides taking great pride in being a cook, Lena was a skilled knitter, oil painter and cake decorator. She won several cake decorating contests and sold a number of her paintings of the Northern landscapes and wildlife. Her character traits such as patience, selflessness, generosity and warmth shone through in everything she did. Dad and Mom enjoyed travelling, camping, fishing and dancing together. They travelled to Norway 7 times and also ventured across Canada and throughout the United States. Hawaii and Reno were among some of their favourite places to visit. No matter where they went together, they were always seen smiling and holding hands. Rolf and Lena sold the motel in 1973, retired and moved our family to Kelowna. Three years later Dad decided to take us on an adventure. He bought a motor home and drove our family south to Costa Rica where we lived for three wonderful years. In 1979 we moved back to Kelowna and lived in the Okanagan Mission area until 1997. Mom and Dad bought a condominium downtown where they lived together for 7 years until Dad passed away at the age of 80. For the next 14 years Mom lived alone, however she was always surrounded by family and friends. A few times each year she would venture down to Vancouver to stay for extended visits with Gale and Gary. In 2016 Lena moved into a senior’s home where she lived for the next three years. After an unfortunate fall, Mom was moved into Cottonwoods Care Centre and remained there for the past two years. Her amazing life should be celebrated and remembered as one filled with love and compassion. Lena was a remarkable woman. Wherever she went, her kindness left an everlasting impression on you. Her faith in God was strong and she always believed in being a good person. It’s truly an honour to call her our Mother. Our family would like to give our sincere thanks to all the staff at Cottonwoods for all the wonderful care they gave her during the last two years of her life. Thank you also to the special friends who took time over the years to bring her coffee and her favourite donuts. Your thoughtfulness brought the biggest smiles to her sweet face. If flowers grow in heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for us. Place them in our Mother’s arms and tell her they’re from us. Tell her we love her and miss her and when she turns to smile, Place a kiss on her cheek and hold her for awhile. We have a Guardian Angel in Heaven, we call her Mom. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com
Atlin Pet Care 287 Tatlow Street
Your pets home away from home! Indoor/Outdoor Runs Heated Kennels Boarding-Grooming-Pet Supplies Emergency Care-Veterinarian Referrals SPCA AGENTS George Holman 250-651-7717 Marj Holman 250-651-7758
OPPORTUNITIES Need your driveway plowed or sanded? Call Bob’s contracting at 250-651-2488 Firewood getting low? $270 per cord or $300 per cord for same day delivery. Call Bob’s contracting 250-651-2488 Atlin Cabins are open year round. 2 bedroom kitchenettes cabins with TV, wifi, running water, bbq deck, pet and non pet cabins available. Lake and mountain front views. Call 250-651-2488 or email atlinhouseboat@gmail.com for our winter rates. “Spring is Near” Some predict, “Spring is just around the corner.” Others reckon, “It is a bit further down the road.” Either way, Winter will soon be a memory Of flurries and snowfall so often and too much snow lingering on the earth, of being out in the biting cold and returning home to be warmed by a cup of tea or something stronger. And yet, with Spring so close, can Hope be far behind? Jeff Salmon
Big Water Society We are still providing free counselling during this time As the community is aware, the way everyone is conducting business lately is shifting. Sometimes life can stress us out or make us anxious, particularly during this pandemic and the way it has disrupted many of the ways we enjoy our lives, jobs, and relationships with friends and family. Free mental health counselling will continue to be offered in a safe and positive way by Big Water Society and our counsellor Jan Forde (MSW, RSW) who will provide remote counselling service for the time being. Jan will be providing counselling via phone every Thursday of the week from between 9am-5pm. Please feel free to call and leave Jan a message at office Ph: 250-651-2189 0r cell Ph: 867-333-6829 Or email bannyforde@gmail.com to leave a message to book a time for Thursdays with her via phone.
LOOKING TO RENT
I am looking to Rent a house, or a spot to put my 28ft Travel Trailer for the summer. I will need access to Power. (Septic, and water would be a bonus) I will be there from May or June until September 2021. Or, if anyone needs a Caretaker for their property? I am a Licenced Security Guard. Contact info: Cell# 778-882-3394 Facebook: Flashatlin Email: atlinflash@yahoo.ca
NORTHERN HOMES REAL ESTATE Trond Gulch
In a pastoral setting, backing onto Munro Mtn, this onebedroom, 715 sq.ft. off-the-grid home on 9.88 acres is surrounded by Crown Land and extremely private. Sauna and guest cabin. Was lived in year around for many years with well established raised garden beds. Possible to be totally self sufficient in this hide away! Truly unique with perfection evident throughout! $350,000 Food Basket A great opportunity for the whole family to be involved. A thriving business in Atlin! The building, land, rental suite, and grocery store are all included. A great way for the whole family help make a comfortable living. Lots of room to build your house on site, with a great view of the lake, if you wish. $300,000 plus stock 2nd Street Stunning custom built home featuring fabulous open floor plan with vaulted ceilings, 2 bedrooms, full bath, a lift that takes you to the lower level with pantry, storage and a 16’x28’ heated shop with 10’ ceilings. R40 walls, R60 ceiling! Soffit has been completed and heated floors installed in the spacious bathroom! Private location with guest cabin included. Cross country ski trail out your door! $295,000 SOLD Third Street 2 bedroom, bright home on a quiet 75x100 lot with a 24x40’ shop with 12’ ceilings. Some updating needed but most rooms are 15’+. Major foundation and roof work already done. $189,900 SOLD 3rd Street Gold rush cabin on 33x100 lot plus a storage shed, right downtown. $59,700. SOLD $62,000 Warm Bay Road 12.4 acres with great mountain views, log home, several outbuildings and shop. Well on site. Off grid. Two titled lots. $195,000 SOLD for full price 4th July Bay Half acre lakefront property with log home that has one BR on main level and 2 more in walk out lower level. Well, large garage, greenhouse and wood shed completes the package. $299,500 FIRM SOLD 4640 Warm Bay Road Fabulous 3 level home on 2.6 acres high above Warm Bay Road providing an incredible view of Atlin Lake. $240,000. SOLD 6th Street 320 sq.ft. cabin on 50x100 lot, no plumbing. “As is, where is” $45,000 SOLD Above asking First Street 2500 sq.ft. basement entry home with 4 bedrooms, 24x24’ garage, 60’ shed for wood, quads or whatever you need, very private 2 acres. $187,000 SOLD Wilson Street Quiet mountain views from this four-bedroom, 1600 sq.ft. home on two acres. Open yard with raised beds and greenhouse. Where else can you find a kitchen like this at this price? Great value at $197,500 SOLD Call Myrna at (250) 775-1019 Leave message via text or email myrnablake1@gmail.com Go to northernhomesbc.ca for more details.
And the choices we make each day
Fishing Charters
Custom Fish Art- Fiberglas and Wood GARY HILL’S FISH ART
GARY HILL’S – CUSTOM, FISH REPRODUCTIONS PHONE 250 651 7553 EMAIL – garyphill59@gmail.com
Gary Hill, Atlin B.C. V0W 1A0 Licensed, B.C. Guide
7 MONARCH Drive – ATLIN – BC. V0W 1A0
Call -250 651-7553 Email garyphill59@gmail.com
Sewing Machine Cleaning, Repair, & Setup
WEB SITE – http://gary-hill.com
Atlin Community Library Open Every
Friday and Saturday
Terry 250 651-7769
Downtown Atlin Right beside The Gold Claim (Jessica’s café) On 6th street across from the Rec Centre • •
SVOP Licence, 24 ft. Boat, Transport Canada Commercial Registration – Insured
$850.00 per day - $550.00 per 1/2 day
Atlin Lot for Sale
2-4p.m. Everyone Welcome
St. Martin’s Anglican Church 10 a.m. Sunday
CLOSED
• • •
50’wide x 100’deep Lot is a flat and level gravel pad Clear of any obstructions Room for parking along 50’ frontage
Great site for
business or home $90,000 Contact: Elissa Miskey atlinwellness@gmail.com Message: 604-265-5700
Patting a fellow on his back is the best way of getting a chip off his shoulder.
Please note that calls for same day water delivery service must be received no later than 11 a.m. of said day. Thank you! Heating Oil delivery available
Delivery days are Monday through Friday Our mailing address is Box 318, Atlin BC V0W 1A0 You can also email us at grizzlyhomeservices@gmail.com 250-651-7463
With thanks, Dana and Mary Hammond
Sincerely Yours General Store & Canada Post Location
MOBILE WELDING SERVICE AVAILABLE
OPEN
Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm Closed for lunch 12:30 – 1:30
Contact: Alain Vanier 250-651-0037
Reasonable Rates!
CLOSED weekends and Statutory Holidays
The next Whisper is Wednesday March 31st . Submissions are due no later than Sunday 9pm March 28th. Compiled and edited by Lynne Phipps. Paper for printing courtesy of Northern Homes Real Estate Printing courtesy of RCMP Atlin; Ink costs courtesy of Literacy Now. Classifieds, news, upcoming events Contact 1-250-651-7861 or lynnephipps@hotmail.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!