The Atlin Whisper, October 26, 2022

Wednesday October 26th, 2022

The Atlin Whisper

“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.” Margaret Mead

ATLIN SUPPORTIVE LIVING SOCIETY SENDS OUT A !!!!!HUGE THANK YOU!!!!! TO LDM

LAKES DISTRICT MAINTENANCE

FOR THE MACHINE WORK, THE EFFORT, AND THE LABOUR COST FOR PUTTING IN THE ACCESS ROAD ON THE ATLIN SUPPORTIVE LIVING SOCIETY PROPERTY

THANK YOU TO BRIAN HANSLIT FOR ORGANIZING AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO GARY MCNEIL FOR HIS WORK

WE APPRECIATE THE DONATION AS IT WILL HELP US WITH OUR FUTURE BUILDING PLANS THAT WILL HELP OUR COMMUNITY.

ATLIN SUPPORTIVE LIVING SOCIETY GIVES A BIG SHOUT OUT AND THANKS

TO THE SMALLWOODS FOR HAULING AWAY BRUSH FROM THE PROPERTY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION WE THANK YOU AND THE COMMUNITY THANKS YOU!

ATLIN MOUNTAIN OUTFITTING

By Paul Lucas

I met Clark Lohr in Arizona.

“So you’re from Atlin huh?” he said, clearly not believing that I knew this little town on the Yukon border, let alone that I’d lived there for a good chunk of my life.

“Yep,” I said, not understanding where he was going.

“Then you’ll know Doug LeMond,” he said, skepticism ringing in his voice.

“That I do,” I said, “Atlin Mountain Outfitting, Judy Currelly, Hilary Craig ...”

“Well I’ll be damned,” he said a big old smile suddenly creasing his face. “Doug and I grew up together in Fort Benton Montana. I called him just last week.”

Six degrees of separation, that’s what they say. Doug, along with his cowboying past, was a climber, arriving in Atlin about the same time as the legendary Wayne Merry the first man to climb El Capitan. Along with his then wife Judy, he established a hunting/guiding business Atlin Mountain Outfitting. Many of my pals, from Hilbo and Stecker to Gary Robinson guided for the company.

It’s hard to balance efficiency and hilarity at the same time, but this particular group managed to pull it off. With plenty of bush experience and ‘Judy Air’ dropping supplies in the PA 12, they were kicking some serious butt.

One afternoon, the gang was gathered at Lot 3 Hilary and Ilene’s place.

UNFORESEEN DEVELOPMENTS

In which the crew addresses the thorny issue of trophy hunters

Many Northerners are hunting and fishing guides. It’s an opportunity to put some money in the bank for the long winter ahead; maybe get out and have some fun in the sun for a few weeks. But there’s a price to pay. It’s similar to the price a musician pays when he signs on to a commercial, high paying gig that has scant respect for the music. It can be uncomfortable.

People in the North hunt for food. If you can assemble a woodpile and fill a freezer full of fish and moosemeat for the winter, life is good. It’s part of the fall ritual and a joyful one. One time I saw my pal Dave Stecker jump into the air and actually click his heels together just like in the cartoons after wrapping the last piece of moosemeat and sticking it in the freezer. He was positively beaming. “And now,” as he would often say, “a tune,” And so it would go. Like I say, a joyful affair.

Even so, the fall hunt takes place with a fair amount of gravity. Killing a large mammal is not something to be taken lightly. You are taking a life, and anyone with even minimal awareness comes to the conclusion that there is a sacred act taking place here, and you’d better pay attention to the rules and regulations.

Because there are rules and regulations. They are in our DNA. Thousands of generations of hunters have engaged in rituals that demand they act as equal partners in the dance of life. No trivialization of an animal’s life was to be tolerated.

Until the trophy hunter showed up that is.

The trophy hunter is of a particular breed. He’s a man who, more often than not, shows up in camo gear, hauling several hugely expensive rifles and shotguns along with enough cash to have his ass flown out to a hunting camp, where he is fed and pampered by guides whose shoes he is, more often than not, unworthy to polish. To add to the discomfort of the locals, many trophy hunters can be out of shape, arrogant and dismissive. It’s not a good formula for social harmony, particularly in this part of the world. Now I don’t want to paint with too large a brush, because a percentage of these guys are good hunters, intelligent, funny and hard working. But, the lust for a trophy tends to tip the balance for most Northerners.

One of the travesties of the guide/outfitting business is the ‘mixed bag hunt.’ The bozo who pays for this perversion of natural law wants to bag a trophy animal in each category: moose, grizzly, sheep … If he had the time, he would no doubt try for a trophy ptarmigan to stick on that Elvis wall of his … just to make sure.

Most are not interested in the meat. Meat is something you order at a restaurant. It comes on a fancy plate with sauteed vegetables, and is accompanied by a nice cabernet. No, these folks want the boney bits attached to the animals’ heads, paws and the insides of their mouths preferably great big honkin’ boney bits trophies they can show their pals and business partners over a glass of single malt in their man cave.

It was Fall in Atlin. Hilbo and I had just come back from a fishing and hunting trip at Hall Lake a location which later becomes of importance in the tale of the killer bushman, Sheslay Mike. In any event, there we were, the whole calamity: Hilbo, Stecker, Hart, Howard and myself, late one afternoon at ‘Rancho No Gotto,’ drinking whiskey and butchering meat from our recent gambit. The perverse nature of guiding trophy hunters was the topic of discussion.

The most recent beef involved a gaggle of French clients who, the season before, had arrived on the Taku River bringing with them an overblown sense of entitlement, some peculiar culinary habits, and a pair of scantily clad call girls. Yes … hookers.

With eyeballs like saucers, the crew had watched as those girls wiggled off the aircraft and, airline carry ons in tow, stepped onto the gravel beach in high heel shoes and short skirts. It was the last anyone saw of them. From all accounts, they didn’t leave the tent for two weeks a fact that wasn’t surprising seeing as they were in the heart of grizzly country.

The conversation then drifted to an earlier mixed bag hunt that involved a similar bunch, sans entertainment, who didn’t seem anywhere near ready for the physical demands of hunting sheep.

“Guys like these shouldn’t be on a sheep hunt,” Hilbo grunted. “They’re not in good enough shape to climb that much in one day. And if they are lucky enough to hit something, it’s always one of us who ends up having to haul out the carcass.”

“Well here’s what I think we should do,” Stecker piped up with that gleam in his eye that always indicated mischief.

“We should get a wildlife artist to knock up a life sized painting of a trophy ram, back it up with 3/4” plywood, hinge it at the bottom, and stick it up on the mountain. When Bungalow Bill shoots him, it’ll look like he flopped over dead, and we’ll offer to retrieve the trophy. Then off we’ll go, but not too far just over the hill maybe, where we can settle down for a beer, a sandwich and a nap.”

“After a while, we can return and say we located the animal, skinned him out, secured the trophy, and as soon as we’ve got the cape and horns cleaned up, we’ll send them off to his villa in Spain no fuss, no muss. We

can use an old hide and horns from last season. I’ve got plenty in the garage. It’s the perfect labour saving, efficient, environmentally friendly solution don’t you think?”

Then Howard put in his two bits.

“I think we can do better than that. These guys put up half of their fee as a non refundable deposit, right? Well, if we can scare them off before they set foot in the bush ...”

“Oh, that’s perfect,” Ilene jumped in.

“We could pick them up at the airport in an old Volkswagen bus lime green, with flowers on the side, belching smoke and blaring Country Joe and the Fish through taped up windows.”

“In outfits of some sort,” I pitched in.

“Bell bottom jeans maybe, tie dye shirts and beads; and when we open the car door, half a dozen whiskey bottles will fall out clank and start rolling across the parking lot, followed by a cloud of Cheech and Chong.”

“Even better,” chimed in Stecker.

“We visit the Crack a Joke shop and pick up a couple of whoopie cushions, some plastic puke, and those buzzers that give you an electric shock when you shake hands. As soon as they get off the plane, we can shake hands and BZZZT they’ll get a good old shock to start things off. Then we can sit them down on the whoopie cushions in the love nest back of the Volkswagen, right by the plastic puke, and tell ‘em ‘Hang on folks, ‘Bubba’s not a very good driver.’ ”

“It might work. It might just be enough,” Howard came back.

“They won’t be able to get back on the plane fast enough.”

There was a dead silence. It was the vacuum that results from several pairs of lungs desperately trying to gather breath after non stop belly laughs.

“ ‘Unforeseen Developments,’ “ Hilbo coughed finally,

“We should change the name of the company to Unforeseen Developments. That way, when they arrive home early, and have to explain to their wives why they are back so soon, they can say, ‘Due to unforeseen developments …”

Which triggered off another wave of hysteria and aching ribs. And finally, we could take no more. “Oh if only it were that simple.” Stecker wheezed. “If only it were that simple.

Back in Arizona I told Clark Lohr this story and he laughed.

“Yup, Sounds like trophy hunting to me. Not really LeMond’s cup of tea I don’t think. Or mine for that matter.”

Clark recently traded me a beautiful little Winchester 30 30, originally belonging to the Stratton Sheep company of Wyoming. It’s the real McCoy from a bygone era. Doug LeMond and Clark Lohr were from cowboy country. They ended up in entirely different parts of the world. What were the chances I should run across Clark in Phoenix AZ?

Well ... in this case ... a hundred percent, I guess. Clark is a writer of crime fiction set in the Southwest.

More October Summary

Sunday October 30 Safe Haven

Doors Open 6:30 Runs 7:00 9:00

Starring: Josh Duhamel, Julianne Hough Directed by: Lasse Hallstrom

Romance/Drama: After a mysterious woman moves to a small town and falls in love with a handsome widower, a dark secret from her past threatens their happiness.

Sunday November 6:

You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger

Doors Open 6:30 Runs 7:00 8:30

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin

Directed by: Woody Allen

Comedy: 2 couples discover the grass may not be greener on the other side. Hoping to relive the pleasures of youth, Alfie dumps his wife of 40 years & pursues a young call girl. Daughter Sally develops a crush on her boss & husband Roy becomes obsessed with the beauty next door, the entire clan is going out of their minds.

The Historic Globe Theatre Movies .

Burlesque dance performance November 26

Globe Theatre Presents

Heat your Theatre Halloween Dance With Blues Cargo

All proceeds for annual heating oil goal to raise $3500.00

Saturday October 29, 2022

Full Bar Service with non alcohol choices Must be 19 years or older (ID checked)

Doors open 8pm

Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/444851551967 or exploreatlinsales@gmail.com

Prizes for best costume

All Night wings and crockpot

Remembrance Day Open Nov 13, 14

Closed Sunday, Dec 25th …… Open Dec 26, 27

New Year Closed Sunday, Jan 1st …… Open Jan 2, 3

Day Closed Monday, Feb 20th …. Open Feb 19, Easter Open April 9, 10

by the Atlin

Sometimes the natural beauty of a scene is so awe inspiring it instills utter contentment in our heart.

Sometimes we see someone so lovely they take our breath away and our heart begins to melt.

Sometimes the innocence of children is so enchanting and brings such joy our heart is touched with tenderness.

Sometimes when the weak stand up to a bully, without any guarantee of success, our heart will be theirs unconditionally.

Sometimes groups of people are denied opportunities even though they are qualified. Our heart breaks for this harm.

Our heart is strong and resilient, and can be offered without hesitation or limits. Our heart is replenished often with gifts from the world and those within our life.

Jeff Salmon

Atlin Community Improvement District

Invitation to Tender

PROJECT

Snow Clearing

Front and driveway of Fire Hall and Pumphouse

VIEWING OF SITE

The corner of Second Street and Pearl Avenue, Atlin, BC.

The corner of Lake Street and Pearl Avenue, Atlin, BC

SCOPE OF WORK

Front and side entrances of the Fire Hall must be accessible for Fire trucks, Ambulance & staff. Snow removal is expected at 10 cm (4 inches).

The access loop at the Pumphouse must be cleared for vehicle entry.

Snow removal is expected at 10 cm (4 inches).

OTHER

Bids must be submitted each year.

Closed Bid accepted by mail or email. See addresses below.

Invitation Closing Date: October 31, 2022

Start Date: November 1, 2022

Contract Term: November 1, 2022 October 31, 2023. Contract may be terminated after a two week notice if work is unsatisfactory.

Successful bidder must supply proof of $1 million liability insurance coverage.

Please include WCB number with bid.

The lowest or any bid not necessarily accepted.

Mail: PO Box 388 Atlin BC V0W 1A0 Email: atlincid@gmail.com

Atlin Community Improvement District PO Box 388 Atlin BC V0W 1A0 Phone: 250 651 7582 Email: atlincid@gmail.com

Atlin Community Improvement District

The Atlin Community Improvement District (ACID) is beginning the process of updating the Atlin Official Community Plan (OCP).

It is vital to have community participation in the process.

The ACID seeks your input for your vision for a future Atlin. To view the current (1981) Atlin Official Community Plan go to https:www2.gov.bc.ca>gov>atlin_ocp_1981 or search Atlin Official Community Plan in your browser.

Example excerpts from the 1981 Atlin Official Community Plan:

Page 8, Section 4 - Overall Objectives

1. To protect the independence and liberty of expression of the residents in choosing a largely unregulated, semi-rural lifestyle.

Page 9, Section 5 – Policies to Guide the Development of Atlin

5.1 To preserve the community’s chosen lifestyle

Policies – 1. To maintain the liberty of our lifestyle by minimizing regulation.

5.3 To encourage the wise management of the environment to maintain purity of air and water, habitat of fish and wildlife and forest cover Do you have a vision for Atlin you would like to share? Your ideas, concerns, visions (large or small) are key!

– atlincid@gmail.com

Canada Post – PO Box 388, Atlin BC V0W 1A0

Box – at the Atlin Trading Post

This will not be the only forum for public involvement. It is a starting point for the process.

Atlin Community Improvement District PO Box 388 Atlin BC V0W 1A0 Phone/Fax: 250 651 7582 Email: atlincid@gmail.com

NORTHERN HOMES REAL ESTATE

Warm Bay Road

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

Lake View

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

43.6 Acres

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

5 Acres

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

HIDDEN GEM

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 Inside and Outside

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.

BIG WATER SOCIETY COUNSELLING SERVICE

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

British Columbia Ambulance, Atlin has positions available. We are actively recruiting local community members. If you are interested in serving Atlin, please contact

The Atlin District Board of Trade

“Serving the Community of Atlin since 1904” New members welcome Next meeting November 1st, 7 p.m., Rec. Centre meeting room

ADBoT is currently working on many issues that are important to our community. Come out and get informed and have a voice in revising the Community Plan for Atlin’s future.

We advocate to ensure that the whole community receives fair and equitable representation!

Membership dues are now overdue for 2022 if you haven’t paid yours, please forward payment to P.O. Box 106, Atlin.

Memberships $50.00 business \ individual per year

Signposts are $100.00 per year PO Box 106, Atlin, BC V0W 1A0 atlin.dbot@gmail.com

OPPORTUNITY

Wanted:

Someone to sweep my chimney, once a month, starting in November and going through until the Spring. Please call Katherine 250 651 7705 OPPORTUNITY

Tom Soames, NW District Manager Clinical Operations 250 615 2188 tom.soames@bcehs.ca

Scott Cole, Community Paramedic, Atlin 250 651 7686 scott.cole@bcehs.ca

Ralf Lubben, Emergency Medical Responder, Atlin ralf.lubben@bcehs.ca

Land for Sale by Owner

Three 30x100 lots in central Atlin, near Tarahne Park. One lot includes an historical cabin and garage. Would prefer to sell the three lots together. $275,000

Drive by at the corner of Munroe and Second St. to view. If interested, call 250 651 7502.

Fishing Charters

ATLIN MOUNTAIN INN

WINTER Food Hours (Oct 1 - March 31)

Sunday: Restaurant: Dinner 5pm 7:00pm Saloon: Closed

Monday: Restaurant: Lunch 11:30 1:30 Dinner 5pm 7:00pm Saloon closed

Tuesday: Restaurant: Lunch 11:30-1:30 Dinner 5pm-7:00pm Saloon-closed

Wednesday: Restaurant: 5pm 7:00pm Dinner menu/Wing Night Saloon closed

Thursday: Restaurant: closed

Saloon: Open 5 to close-snacks etc.

Friday: Restaurant: Closed

Saloon: Open 5pm to close Pizza/fried foods 58pm

Saturday: Restaurant: Dinner 5pm 7:00pm

Saloon: Open 5pm to close Dinner menu also 5 8pm.

Every Day!! self serve cafeteria in the restaurant 8am-5pm

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!

Treasure the love you receive above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished. Og Mandino

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!

Smallwood Enterprises Ltd

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. Everyone Welcome

The next Whisper is Wednesday November 9th Submissions are due no later than Sunday 6pm November 6th 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!