The Atlin Whisper, April 28, 2021

Wednesday April 28th, 2021

The Atlin Whisper “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.”

Margaret Mead

Just a friendly reminder from the Conservation Officer Service that bears are beginning to emerge from hibernation and are searching for food. Please limit the attractants available on your property to mitigate any human-wildlife conflict. Attractants include unsecured garbage, compost, bulk feed, wildlife parts etc.

To report a human-wildlife conflict or resource violation please call our ‘Report All Poachers and Polluters’ hotline at 1-877-9527277(RAPP). For non-urgent matters including general questions or concerns please call the office line at 250-651-7501.

NEW COUNSELLOR KATIE ISRAEL @ BIG WATER SOCIETY Do you experience mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, substance use and addiction? Maybe you are at a crossroads and feel stuck?

Come and let’s join hands in creating new pathways to increase wellness and inner peace.

CONTACT: bwscounsellor@bigwatersociety.org Office: (250)651-2189 Cell: (867) 334-9524 Mondays and Wednesdays

Big Water Society Accessing Remote Free Counselling Services, Jan Forde, Community Counsellor for Big Water Society, Atlin, BC Jan Forde, MSW, RSW Cell: 867-333-6829 Email: bannyforde@gmail.com Areas of experience and expertise: PTSD, trauma (childhood and residential school), domestic violence, addictions, grief and loss, relationship and family issues, anxiety and depression, sexual assault and harassment. Work place issues and lateral violence, meditation and mindfulness.

THE WANDERLUST A New Start in the New World

I was born a Geordie, on the banks of the Tyne in the north east of England. This was coal mining and ship building country harbouring plenty of poverty. Fortunately, along with that poverty, as is often the case, came a wicked sense of humour - a gift that sustained us through thick and thin.

The rest of it - the itch to explore, the urge to cast off the traces - was all my father, although there were signs of it on my mother’s side.

Like many veterans coming back from the war, my father faced limited options on civvy street.

Rationing was still in place. I remember my mother heading down to the shops clutching those green ration cards, and I remember the coal man, entirely covered in soot, delivering bags of coal to the back door - fuel for the fireplace that heated the house and cooked the food. My mother was thrilled to bits when she got one of those new fangled electric hotplates.

And this was a modern home. Our previous house had an outdoor toilet - a midden that was shoveled out regularly by a man with a rickety old truck, a lamplighter who would come by and light the street lamps and, if I remember correctly, a town crier.

The one modern thing we had going for us, electricity, required that you put coins in a meter box in the hall (if you had a hall). Of course as kids we didn’t have any idea we weren’t living in heaven.

The only indication I had that all was not as it should be, was a visit with my Dad to his workplace.

And that was an eye opener.

My father was a printer - a printer for the Shields Gazette. The brick building that housed the newspaper is still standing. Currently it is a boutique of some sort, but in the day it was a bustling industrial workplace; or maybe I should call it a workhouse, because the working environment was positively Dickensian.

It was, in fact, a pretty good reflection of the social environment in the U.K. at the time - a barely glossed, virulent class structure based on geography, occupation and dialect. Tyneside and Merseyside, along with all of the other marginalized areas of the UK, knew this social climate all too well.

That situation has changed with the leveling effect of education and technology, but remnants remain. An odd, if not unexpected, result of this historical discrimination is the currently rabid opposition to immigration and globalization expressed my northern brethren. Go figure. Classism and Racism - the gifts that keep on giving.

In any event, the lack of options in this environment gave my my father the impetus to pick up a wife and three kids, and ship off to Canada. I can only imagine what was going through his head the day he closed the door to 89 Oak Avenue for the last time.

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Of course, to a blissfully ignorant boy of nine, this was to be the adventure to end all adventures. After all, Canada was the land of the Rocky Mountains and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

In the months leading to our departure, I pictured myself striding through the Rockies with pants tucked firmly into my rubber boots. Having seen the pictures in my boy’s annuals, I figured I had it right.

From what I could gather, the Mounties seemed to spend most of their time striding about their domain, stopping only to peer from under large brimmed hats, through half-closed eyes, at mountain vistas. It was something I was determined to be good at long before I arrived in my new home.

So I practiced in the back yard, striding and peering until my eyes got sore - a strategy I felt pretty well guaranteed that, upon my arrival, the RCMP would simply recognize a fellow officer and admit me to the fold without further ado - a fact that would impress the love of my life, Cathy Davidson, who sat across the aisle from me, no end.

On my last day of school, I was treated to a quintessentially British send off. Summoned to the headmaster’s office, I was handed a report card and a letter of recommendation to be passed on to my school in the new world. Along with it came a stern lecture on the proper conduct expected of an Englishman abroad. I remember being a little surprised and a tad uncomfortable at the time.

What I didn’t expect was the flush of pride that coursed through me. At nine years old, evidently, I was already a card carrying member of the tribe.

Then in April of 1957 we climbed onto a Douglas DC-6 operated by the Flying Tigers - an outfit from the war trying their hand in the commercial aviation business. After 23 1/2 hours and one stop in Goose Bay, (all noted very carefully in my diary), we landed at Vancouver International Airport.

I stumbled down the gangplank with butterflies in my stomach and a pair of seriously wobbly knees.

Then, finally planted on the tarmac, I looked up at those huge mountains rearing out of the ocean, and my heart started pounding. ‘I’m here. I’m finally here.’

With fresh new air in my nostrils and a strange excitement rattling my bones, I felt like a newly hatched gypsy moth. Every cell in my body was screaming, ‘Hang on son, this is gonna be fun!’

Concluding story of Ben-My Chree

When people inquired

“Joy” A mourning dove sounding forlorn Moans on and on from early morn. on the other hand…

A chickadee sweet as can be Always a joy, lively and free.

Sometimes when we are down A friend will lift us up To a happier place Where we feel joy once more.

Jeff Salmon

Are you looking for a woodstove (WETT) or house inspection? We are currently looking to see if there is interest in these services as we are trying to schedule them in Atlin on May 8th, 2021.

WETT Inspection: $200 (no travel included) House Inspection: $600 (no travel included) Travel costs to be shared between all inspections.

Please contact us if you’d like to book an appointment or for more information: Back Country Services Ltd. Fort Nelson, BC

250-500-2287 Marty Wells marty@backcountryservices.com

NORTHERN HOMES REAL ESTATE Coming Soon Once the snow is gone and access is possible, this gem is off grid, well maintained and absolutely the perfect retreat. Hopefully should be available for viewing May long weekend.

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 Trond Gulch In a pastoral setting, backing onto Munro Mtn, this one-bedroom, 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 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

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.

LANDFILL SPRING HOURS *Effective – Saturday April 17th, 2021*

Saturday-Monday CLOSED ON ALL BC STATUTORY HOLIDAYS Victoria Day - Closed Monday, May 24th ….…. Open May 22, 23

HOURS

12 (noon) - 5 PM Operated by the Atlin Community Improvement District

TAIL GATE SALES 2021 Location: Tarahne Park ball diamond.

Saturday Dates: May 22, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 11 Time: 10 – 2PM Barring really bad weather conditions or extreme events, we will hold to these dates.

If you would like a space reserved please message or contact Jane Curry 651-7697.

There are also spaces for last minute vendors. $5 for a table or by donation.

See you there!

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

Mountain Shack Café Restaurant Fast Fancy Food Great Service 110 Discovery Avenue In Atlin, B.C.

EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 250-651-7789 Closed Tuesdays

nd the choices we make each

Fishing Charters

Custom Fish Art- Fiberglas and Wood GARY HILL’S FISH ART

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

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 $850.00 per day - $550.00 per 1/2 day

Atlin Lot for Sale

WEB SITE – http://gary-hill.com

OPPORTUNITIES Need your driveway plowed or sanded? Call Bob’s contracting at 250-651-2488 Firewood getting low? $300 per cord. 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 250-6512488 or email atlinhouseboat@gmail.com for our winter rates.

Sincerely Yours General Store & Canada Post Location OPEN

Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm Closed for lunch 12:30 – 1:30 CLOSED weekends and Statutory Holidays

• • •

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

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 MOBILE WELDING SERVICE AVAILABLE Contact: Alain Vanier 250-651-0037

Reasonable Rates!

Sewing Machine

Friday and

St. Martin’s Anglican Church 10 a.m.

Sunday

Saturday

CLOSED

Atlin Community Library

Cleaning, Repair, & Setup

Open Every

Terry 250 651-7769

2-4p.m.

He that lives in hope dances without music.

George Herbert

Everyone Welcome

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

The next Whisper is Wednesday May 12th .

Submissions are due no later than Sunday 6pm May 9th.

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!