The Atlin Whisper, January 5 2022

Wednesday January 5th, 2022

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

Margaret Mead

IN THE MOMENT II Wood, Water and Rodents (Part 2)

by Paul Lucas It was chore day. Chinking was the item on the list today. Log cabins can be as tight as you like, but the mice in this country are determined little buggers. They can squeeze those little bodies through the smallest crack imaginable. The best material for chinking is steel wool. Their little chompers are not fond of it and its works like a charm until they find a new route ... and they will.

But they are benign little creatures, and we co-exist with reasonable harmony. The larger rodents are a different story - pack rats, in particular, coming directly from hell.

Rodents, generally speaking, are not a favoured genus by us humans. They rarely show up in literature displaying noble characteristics (except, perhaps, for the river creatures in ‘Wind in the Willows’). And rats are the bottom of the barrel; pack rats being no exception.

To give you an idea of the moral decay in the average pack rat, let me relay a story that, to this day, is laughed at by all of my so-called friends. They don’t believe a word of it, but I swear it’s true to the last detail.

I was peeling logs in the first week or so of building. It was a long, tedious job with a draw knife under a hot sun, and I was taking a break under a spruce tree, when I heard a plaintive wailing from just above me. Crawling up on the pine bench that rose up from my road, I parted the bushes, and there he was - a nasty little pack rat, holding down some poor squirrel, both paws on her back, mating like a jackhammer. Interspecies rape, that’s what it was. Only a pack rat would engage in that sort of degenerative behaviour, that’s my opinion.

Oh, they laughed. Oh please ... tell us another one. But I swear ... it’s all true.

As it turned out, my relationship with these nasty rodents didn’t end there. Shortly after the cabin was built, I headed south for a few weeks. I had just done some work on the interior and I was quite proud of myself, having just built a raised bed frame with four feet of storage space underneath - a bunk bed without the lower bunk if you will.

I had also decided to saw a hole in the wall behind the stove to allow air to enter the draught through a pipe from the outside. The pipe itself hadn’t been installed yet. Come to think of it, that pipe still hasn’t been installed almost forty years later. Still ... I don’t like to rush things.

So I filled the pipe access hole with artfully assembled wood scraps. Nice and tight too. But evidently not tight enough to foil my my new rodent pal, Johnny.

Now I know its unlikely that the very same pack rat I caught deflowering young Priscilla the squirrel was responsible for what happened next, but the lack of a moral compass displayed by both suggests they were one and the same.

You see Little Johnny needed digs - a party house where he could invite his pals and, most importantly, his new conquests, regardless of their race, religion or species. He decided my place would be perfect for the job, and couldn’t help noticing that a new, if blocked, access hole had just shown up in the north wall.

This was nothing to a B and E expert like Johnny, and he immediately began disassembling those firmly packed pieces of wood. Once inside, my guess is he brushed himself off, looked around, rubbed those little paws of his together and squeaked, “This is perfect.”

Pack rats are the hoarders of the animal world, and once they decide where their nest will be, they feel free to build it as large as the space allows. In this case, that space was the whole area under my bed - a space just slightly smaller than the size of a cord of wood.

When I returned home and stormed through the door I found Johnny’s new home - a mountain of detritus consisting of anything and everything that could be dragged under the bed. It was all there - socks, cassettes and cds, running shoes, knives and forks, toilet paper - anything moveable. It filled the entire space. And it stank.

After cleaning the whole thing up, I was properly pissed. I wanted to catch little Johnny in the act and I had just the plan to do it.

It seems rodents can’t resist exploring a pipe. If there is a long pipe within hailing distance, our little pals just have to investigate. Oh, the fun! They run from one end to the other, back and forth, with the fascination of a little kid playing with a big cardboard box.

The first step in my plan was to sort through the collection of discarded chimney pipe behind the shed. Picking a suitable length, I laid it flat on the cabin floor and carefully slid an already set rat trap inside, about half way down its length. I didn’t bother baiting it. If everything went right, once inside, Johnny would whistle through the pipe in that heady yahoo state of his, and barge right into his demise.

Job done, I decided to head down to the cafe to wait the whole thing out. Carefully closing the door I headed out to the truck, but before I had even reached the driver’s door - smack! - the sound of the executioner echoed through clearing. Johnny, fun loving dude that he was, had evidently wasted no time in entertaining himself.

Afterwards, I thought I might skin him and pin his hide to the front door as a warning to any other dodgy rodents in the area. But I came to the conclusion that it would just put me in the same class as he. Not much of a descent I admit, but nevertheless …

LANDFILL *WINTER DAYS* *Effective – Sunday, December 12, 2021*

SUNDAY & MONDAY 11 AM - 4 PM … PST CLOSED at temperatures -28 C & below ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLOSED ON ALL BC STATUTORY HOLIDAYS Family Day - Closed Mon, Feb 21 Open Sun & Tues, Feb 20, 22 Easter - Open April 17, 18 Operated by the Atlin Community Improvement District Free Book of the Month (January) Atlin: Where Everyone Knows Your Dogs Name by Bradford Smith The story of a boy and the town that raised him Growing up in an isolated gold rush town surrounded by the rugged beauty of Northern Canada, Bradford Smith experienced a childhood marked by adventure, community and a fair share of dogs.

With natural story-telling ease, Brad takes you on a journey back to a unique time and place where average people did extraordinary things, and in doing so, became anything but average.

Visit your local Atlin Library on Fridays from 2:00 - 4:00 to enter the draw. There will be 18 winners. Winners will be announced the end of January.

Sponsored by Decoda Solutions (Literacy Now)

NORTHERN HOMES REAL ESTATE

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 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 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 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 Call Myrna at (250) 775-1019 Leave message via text or email myrnablake1@gmail.com Next visit to be determined by warmer temperatures Go to northernhomesbc.ca for more details.

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

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

EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 250-651-7789

WANTED Wanted smaller size office/computer desk.

Maximum length 53 inches. Looking for quality construction, not particle board.

xkellywhitex@hotmail.com 867-332-0836

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

Fishing Charters

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

Bob’s Contracting & Services

GARY HILL’S – CUSTOM, FISH REPRODUCTIONS PHONE 250 651 7553 EMAIL – garyphill59@gmail.com

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

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

7 MONARCH Drive – ATLIN – BC. V0W 1A0

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

WEB SITE – http://gary-hill.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

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

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 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

St. Martin’s Anglican Church 10 a.m. Sunday

You learn

Everyone welcome!

loving.

Cleaning, Repair, & Setup

Covid 19 restrictions apply

Frances de

Terry 250 651-7769

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

Reasonable Rates!

to love by

Sewing Machine

Sales

“A Touch of Frost” A touch of frost upon my window pane With new fallen snow covering the lane Convince me to brew a pot of tea To enjoy with that scone tempting me.

How fortunate for time to indulge.

Atlin Community Library Open Every

Friday and Saturday 2-4p.m.

Everyone Welcome

Jeff Salmon

The next Whisper is Wednesday January 19th Submissions are due no later than Sunday 6pm Yukon time January 16th.

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 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!