The Atlin Whisper, August 25, 2021

Wednesday August 25th, 2021

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

Margaret Mead

Remembering Steve Uschi Stehmann “A friend knows the Melody of your Heart and plays it back to you, when you have forgotten it.”

Steve Snider th

May 13 , 1930 to August 12th, 2021 It was a sunny and happy day when I first met Steve. He came with old Joe to visit the two German girls, they had heard of, who were camping at Ruby Creek. Joe in his checkered shirt and Steve in his brown corduroy jacket were both holding small red flowers for us from Joe’s garden in their huge hands.

This was my first time in Atlin.

It was the summer of 1987 and Steve was tall, strong and energetic, his full curly brown hair cut short, his bright and calm eyes kindly observing everything with openness, warmth and curiosity. He was young then, only 57, looking 40, probably feeling like 30 and very quiet, almost shy. Sitting at the fire, he let Joe do most of the talking.

It was my third summer in Atlin when our paths crossed again at Tarahne Park on Canada Day in 1993. This time I was with my husband and two kids and within no time generous and happy Steve took all of us and a bunch of camping gear and food in his simple river boat down the Atlin River to his trapline cabin near the mouth of the Fantail River at Tagish Lake. During this trip, we discovered that we were both born on May 13 th, Steve in 1930 and I 30 years later. His kindness and warmth touched my heart and I loved his wisdom, honesty and courage.

A beautiful friendship started and countless trips like this followed over the years. Up and down the river, in the spring as soon as the water was high enough to navigate it, late in the fall, with the first snow falling. Steve knew the river better than his back yard and ferried many people up and down: hunters and outfitters, tourists and visitors, researchers, RCMP and conservation officers.

High water or low water, on windy days or calm days, in the sunshine or the rain, with high waves or on waters like glass, travelling with Steve on the lakes was safe, adventurous and fun. We discovered many places, slept in tents and cabins and with friends. He loved exploring the islands with no names, walked old places with his metal detector, was interested and areas were natives or past explorers have been and usually found some old stuff: bottles, coins, nails or petroglyphs.

Sometimes, during long evenings at the campfire or close to a cabin woodstove, Steve talked about the past and his childhood on a farm in Metchosin, near Victoria, B.C. He was the youngest of the family, helped on the farm, and always had his own dog. After school he started logging and bought his first house at the age of seventeen.

Soon after, even before he was eighteen years old, he started to drive logging trucks, did so for thirty years and was proud that he never had an accident. During that time he had two daughters, Kialynn and Krista, and Steve always regretted that they were separated so early and his dream of family life did not get fulfilled.

When Steve was 48 he retired from his job and followed his love for nature and wilderness that took him north to Atlin. He mined at McKee Creek with John Harvey and bought his trap line 1979, where he spent many winters, some with a partner and many by himself.

One cold evening, on his way back to his cabin after patrolling the trap lines, he broke through the ice of a lake with his skidoo. Somehow, he managed to pull himself back out of the black icy water and walked in the dark for

hours back to his cabin in his frozen clothes. He was able to light a fire in the stove and spent the next three days in bed to warm up. Steve survived. After he recovered, he returned to the lake with a whole bunch of tools and succeeded to get his skidoo back from the bottom of the lake and running again.

In the mid 90ies Steve’s interests began to change. He did not want to kill animals anymore and stopped trapping and hunting. From now on he spent winters down in Victoria, staying in his camper van or with friends. He met old friends and made new ones, young and old, and loved his walks on the beach.

In Atlin, Steve lived in the center of town. His picturesque little place at the corner of 1st Street and Pearl Avenue was an outburst of creativity and Steve’s fondness of collecting tools – mostly in the shed - and old stuff – mostly in the former Discovery Jail. In between he grew flowers, raspberries, potatoes and beets.

And because he loved to get around in all terrain and places, one typically could find his old blue Toyota pick-up with the rainbow parked here, his river-boat, a canoe, a camper van, a bike, an Argo, a skidoo and a big house boat that he played with for a few years. One summer Steve and I even took it down the Atlin River, and its platform was big enough for two tents, chaise lounges and my kayak. Yes, we liked to travel simply, but in style.

Steve’s little cheerful house was warm and cozy. Friends were always welcome and many times a lady friend would share his place. In the front room, where he grew his tomatoes and cucumbers, was the workshop with his big sewing machine. In his little upholstery business Steve fixed skidoo and airplane seats, made covers for the Tarahne lifeboats and countless other things, like wheelchairs for dogs. In my mind, there was nothing Steve could not do or fix. He even put a splint on my arm that was better than the one from the nurse, when I broke it falling off a 4wheeler.

Steve had a very affectionate relationship to his dogs and they always occupied a front place in his life, especially in his pick-up. No matter how small or tall they were, how young or old, they always mirrored Steve’s own playfulness and cheery nature.

Steve appreciated music and art and community life. Many times, he could be seen having coffee with others at one of the coffee shops in town or in the Rec Center. He volunteered for the Atlin Arts and Music Festival, helped with the Four Crown Quest, dressed up for Tarahne Tea and sponsored many other events. And sometimes he would just come up to my place and we would listen quietly to classical music that would bring tears into his eyes. Or we would just sit on a beach, sharing the silence.

Steve helped and supported many people in times of need in countless ways. At the age of 77, he fell ill with lymphoma and from now on others were there for him in Atlin as well as in Victoria. In 2009 Steve was happy to see his daughter Krista back in his life. With dedication and love she turned Steve’s old jail in Atlin into a comfortable and homey cabin, where he had a warm place in the winter now, when he could not go south any more. Courageously Steve survived cancer 2 more times and even when life was difficult for him, he found something to cheer about and connected lovingly to others.

During this last year, Steve discovered that he was getting old now. Living by himself became difficult and the Atlin nurses and Nita Connolly at Atlin Supportive Living were warm and cheerful help, enabling him to stay in Atlin as long as possible until he moved to Whistle Bend Place in Whitehorse last April. The nurses here enjoyed his stories and kind nature and Steve was very fond of some of them. He continued his walks and really appreciated that he was well taken care of.

The Corona Pandemic made it difficult or impossible for his friends to be with him, but Steve and I could talk and laugh and connect over the phone. And when he left this world peacefully on August 12th this summer, Krista was at his side and his little dog Howie was sitting on his bed.

I still can’t imagine coming back to Atlin with Steve not there.

Steve leaves behind his daughters Krista Melby and Kialynn Kessell in Washington, grandchildren Brandon and Caitlin and great-grandchildren Anders and Kyle. Also Skip and Elve Kennedy, his dearest friends from his youth in Metchosin and his many friends in Atlin. We will all miss him.

A celebration of Steve’s life is planned in late September and will be announced.

Atlin Volunteer Fire Department DISPATCHER/S NEEDED for the AVFD!

Dispatchers are needed to cover the emergency fire phone line 24/7 in the event of an emergency.

A dedicated fire phone line is installed at no charge.

Please do not hesitate if you are interested in being a dispatcher for the AVFD. You are needed now! =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= Call the ACID at 250-651-7582 or email atlincid@gmail.com to sign up.

The Atlin Volunteer Fire Department PO Box 202, Atlin, BC V0W 1A0

Phone/Fax: (250) 651-7582

THE FAMOUS HAMBURGER INCIDENT “Where the River is Windin’, Big Nuggets They’re Findin’ “

By Paul Lucas Atlin 1981. In, 1981 the price of gold shot through the roof. The unusually high price was creating a lot of excitement. The town was buzzing, and the bar at the Atlin Inn was the centre of it all. I was playing in said bar one afternoon. It was a joyous affair, and the customers were encouraging that joy by buying round after round of drinks for the band.

One of the favorite ploys to support musical mirth in the North at the time was to ‘six pack the band’ – a request that involved the bartender hauling a huge tray of drinks over to the bandstand and lining up six drinks of ‘whatever he’s drinkin’ in front of each player.

Joe Florence, the owner of the establishment, would stand with his hands on his hips, laugh that big old belly laugh of his, and watch the musicians gape at the lineup of shot glasses.

It’s hard to shock a musician in a bar, but it can be done.

The bar itself was a long rustic piece of work, with well worn stools and a functional, if not decorative, back bar. It was the hub of all kinds of activity. Many a beer had been slid down its length along with the odd patron. One occasion in particular was memorable – the day Bill Boyko, local miner and dog runner, decided to take advantage of a leak in the roof to take off his clothes and take a bare-assed shower on the bar underneath the dripping ceiling to the applause of all present.

This particular afternoon, however, something else was up. John Harvey, a local miner, was sitting with a bunch of pals and they were laughing their asses off. Every now and then, something would get passed down the bar and the laughter would start up once again.

On closer inspection, this something turned out to be a hamburger bun - but not just any hamburger bun – this bun contained a 31 oz gold nugget shaped exactly like a hamburger patty. It had been found earlier in the day.

--John was working his placer claim on McKee Creek. One of the processes used in this type of operation involves sluicing. Dirt and rock are dumped into a sluice box and washed through its length, and the gold is separated The whole business depends on the fact that gold, being the heaviest item in the load, will reliably drop to the bottom and get caught up on the riffles lining the box.

Heavy equipment is a wonderful thing. While it may rattle your bones, and you may feel like a sailor stepping on solid ground after a month at sea when you finish your shift, the loader is far superior to the hand shovel when it comes to feeding gold bearing dirt into a sluice box. Needless to say, it is also a hundred times as efficient. This efficiency was the reason John was currently working old tailings – the idea being that the old inefficient mining methods were sure to leave gold behind, and modern technology was just the thing to find it. But this is not about modern technology. This is a story about luck, and simply paying attention.

It was lunch time and they’d shut off the pumps. The flow ground to a hault, the water and the load disappeared out of the box. Just before leaving, John’s helper took a quick peek in the sluice box and lo and behold - a huge nugget was balanced at the very end of the run - just sitting there - ready to fall into the tailings pile. Had she not checked, there was a very good chance that once the pumps started up again, the slurry of gravel and rocks would have carried the thing away, to be lost forever with the tailings.

She called out and John came running back. He took a look at the thing, picked it up and started laughing. The nugget was the size of his hand. “Yahoo!” he yelled, “Let’s go down to the bar!” And they did - for an entire week.

--After all was said and done, they figure this same nugget must have washed through a similar sluice box back in the day. Somehow it was missed. and it ended up in the tailings that John Harvey decided to push around that very morning. Now it was parading around the Atlin Inn Bar dressed up as a hamburger. Fame at last

Historic Globe Theatre

Saturday Aug 28, 2021 Ryan McNally’s Blues & Jazz Lonnie Powell on drums, Andy Slade on piano, Dave Haddock on bass & Ryan McNally on electric guitar Best known for his interpretative playing of traditional acoustic blues, jazz and old time music, and now an influence of Northern living!

McNally has become known for his diversity as a multi-instrumentalist. He plays guitar, harmonica, mandolin, violin and banjo, all in many different styles. Whether performing solo or with his band, his music is grounded in the legacy of the generations of players that came before him. All the while he continues to push the boundaries of his own signature sound.

Doors Open 6:30 Doors Open 7:00

Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door Assigned Seating – Masks Encouraged Be prepared to stand outside as each group of people enters the theatre and takes their seats.

We are respectfully asking that everyone who attends comes in good health, are not required to be in quarantine, and apply Covid-19 safety practices

E: exploreatlinsales@gmail.com Facebook: @ExploreAtlin

Ph: 250-651-2297

Presented by Heather Keny

August & September Movies The Historic Globe Theatre

Sunday August 29 : Doors Open 6:30

Huckleberry Finn

Rated PG

Show Time 7:00 – 8:15

Starring: Ron Howard, Sarah Selby, William Erwin, Fredrick Downs Totten

Directed by Robert

Classic: Always in a bind, Huckleberry Finn has learned to think on his feet. When his drunken father kidnaps him, Huck fakes his own death & escapes down the wild Mississippi. While on the run, Huck teams up with his old friend, Jim a slave headed to free territory. Together they encounter every kind of adventure imaginable from a hoax involving a pair of lying crooks, to hunters looking for the runaway Jim, and even a dangerous escapade with Huckleberry’s pal, Tom Sawyer.

Sunday September 5 :

Sorry No Movie

Sunday September 12:

Gridiron Gang

Doors Open 6:30

Show Time 7:00 – 9:15

Staring: Dwayne Johnson, Xzibit, Kevin Dunn, Loen Rippy

Rated 14A Directed by Phil Joanou

Sport Drama – based on a True Story: Working in a Juvenile Detention Camp, frustrated probation officers give the delinquents a second chance to redeem themselves by playing football. It’s a season that will test their minds, spirit, and bodies as they are taught the principles of good character, strength through resilience, and genuine respect for one another.

Admission Donation Concession items marked All proceeds go towards enhancing Theatre Assets Facebook: @ExploreAtlin Email: exploreatlin@gmail.com Presented by Heather Keny

NORTHERN HOMES REAL ESTATE Hidden Heaven!

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 Secret Paradise Off the beaten path but close enough to the lake that you can walk your kayak, canoe or paddle board down to the water! 1784 sq.ft. on 3.34 acres near and overlooking the lake and mountains. Modern interior, 2 bedrooms, great windows in every direction. Fabulous 24x40 heated shop with a 24’ door, second heated garage 12x24 perfect for all those extras, 13x21 garden/tool shed plus a couple of greenhouse and great garden plot with a fabulous well to supply all your needs! So much here just waiting for you! $795,000 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

Atlin Highway 72 acres along the Atlin Highway with fabulous view of the mountains and lake, overlooking Surprise Lake Road as well. Not suitable for subdivision but offers an incredible homesite. $185,000 SOLD $187,500 Coming Soon This gem is off grid, well maintained and absolutely the perfect retreat. 2 bedrooms, spacious living area and kitchen with pantry. Several outbuildings and a natural spring running through.

Hopefully should soon be available for viewing.

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 SOLD 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

"Myrna will be in Atlin August 27 and 28 for viewings. Please text or email for appointments."

Call Myrna at (250) 775-1019

Leave message via text or email myrnablake1@gmail.com Next visit end of August

Go to

northernhomesbc.ca

for more details.

LANDFILL NEWS

BRUSH AND OTHER BURNABLES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT THE LANDFILL UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. SATURDAY-MONDAY CLOSED ON ALL BC STATUTORY HOLIDAYS Canada Day - Closed Thursday, July 1st ……… Open July 3, 4, 5, 6 BC Day - Closed Monday, Aug 2nd …...………. Open July 31 & Aug 1, 3 Labour Day - Closed Monday, Sept 6th ……….. Open Sept 4, 5, 7 Thanksgiving Day - Closed Monday, Oct 11th ... Open Oct 9, 10, 12

HOURS: 12 - 5 PM Operated by the Atlin Community Improvement District

Truth, The Hors d’oeuvre of War Compilation 013, compiled from winter 2001-2002 Stephen Badhwar

Mother’s Foresight September 12, 2001 Mum tells me on the phone They’re angry and they’re going to bomb someone They just have to figure out who…

Casualties of War The first casualty of war is always…

Civilians?

Children?

The environment?

The economy?

Freedom?

Peace?

No….. truth.

Mother of Invention Afraid of the dark We invent light Afraid of questions We invent dogma.

Afraid of each other We invent armies Afraid of the truth We invent a story.

Opinion We hear what we want to hear We believe what we want to believe Sometimes we hear what we don’t want to believe But then we don’t believe it Do we?

Propaganda 101 Say it Say it again Say it often enough And the people will believe it.

Between the lines Read between the lines That’s where the story is, What is said, and what is not.

Weapons of Mass Elusion If the most effective weapons Are those that don’t even have to be fired The only weapons more effective Are those that doesn’t even have to exist Distraction While we are busy Gaping at the bright lights The real action unfolds In the shadows Inventing Foes It’s an old story In the absence Of any real threat We invent demons To seed fear in the masses Inciting them to empty their pockets To the needy coffers of defence Qui Buono?

(Who benefits) August 2021

Headline: $10,000 invested in defense stocks when Afghanistan War began now worth almost $100,000 USD 5 Top Defense Stocks for the period 2001-2021: Raytheon 331% return General Dynamics 625% return Boeing 975% return Northrup-Grumman 1, 196% return Lockheed-Martin 1, 236% return Defense stocks outperformed the stock market overall by 58% during this period. www.theintercept.com, Jon Schwarz, Aug. 16, 2021 The Spoils of Victory The Victors write the history The Vanquished become the ink.

“Our Future” Sometimes the path heading into our future is changed abruptly in midstride, as our health has a serious encounter leading to a pause or detour in our journey.

Our mission will be to restore good health to the best possible outcome, then open our heart to an opportunity for more giving than receiving.

In return, life will offer gifts.

Jeff Salmon

Tailgate Sales Location: Tarahne Park ball diamond.

Saturday 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 6517697. There are also spaces for last minute vendors. $5 for a table or by donation.

Check the posters around town and on facebook: Atlin Community Buy and Sell.

Please note that requests for same day water delivery must be received no later than 11 am of said day. Thank you!

Water delivery and Sewer Removal are available Monday through Friday Did you know we sell and service Toyo Stoves? We offer competitive pricing on the latest models. Call the office for more information Phone 250-651-7463

Email grizzlyhomeservices@gmail.com Mailing address is Box 318, Atlin BC V0W 1A0 Summer Office hours – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 8 am - noon

With thanks, Dana and Mary Hammond

HELP WANTED Driver - Class 3 with Air Brakes To do Water Delivery and Septic Pump outs for the community.

Monday – Friday hours Wage Negotiable Potential for Year Round Employment APPLY TO DANA OR MARY AT 250-651-7463 GRIZZLYHOMESERVICES@GMAIL.COM OR STOP BY THE SHOP

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

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

OPEN

110 Discovery Avenue In Atlin, B.C.

Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm Closed for lunch 12:30 – 1:30

EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 250-651-7789

Closed Monday & Tuesdays

SVOP Licence, 24 ft. Boat, Transport Canada Commercial Registration – Insured 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

Cleaning, Repair, & Setup

GARY HILL’S – CUSTOM, FISH REPRODUCTIONS PHONE 250 651 7553 EMAIL – garyphill59@gmail.com 7 MONARCH Drive – ATLIN – BC. V0W 1A0 WEB SITE – http://gary-hill.com

Atlin Lot for Sale Downtown Atlin Right beside The Gold Claim (Jessica’s café) On 6th street across from the Rec Centre • 50’wide x 100’deep • flat level gravel pad • Clear of any obstructions • Room for parking along 50’ frontage • Great site for business or home REDUCED from $90,000 to $75,000 Contact: Elissa Miskey atlinwellness@gmail.com

Message: 604-265-5700

Atlin Christian Centre Affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Services Sunday 11 a.m.

Come join us!

(778) 721-0710

Terry 250 651-7769

CLOSED weekends and Statutory Holidays

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

Fishing Charters

Sewing Machine

Sincerely Yours General Store & Canada Post Location

St. Martin’s Anglican Church 10 a.m.

Sunday Everyone welcome!

Atlin Community Library Open Every

Friday and Saturday 2-4p.m.

Everyone Welcome

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything around it freshen into smiles.

Washington Irving

FOR RENT Fully furnished, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom suite for rent in downtown Atlin . Walking distance to all and across from the Tarahne park.

Looking for long term rental ... for more information, viewing or additional pictures, please contact: Rob Motley rtmotley@gmail.com Phone (250)651-2241

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

Reasonable Rates!

Bob’s Contracting & Services has expanded!

We now 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 Would like to thank everyone for all their support and we look forward to our new adventures and providing the services to our community.

The next Whisper is Wednesday September 8th Submissions are due no later than Sunday 6pm September 5th .

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!