The Atlin Whisper

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

Margaret Mead

In Loving Memory Of Vera Kirkwood

1924-2023

Vera, a long-time resident of Atlin B.C., passed away June 8th, 2023 at the Thomson Centre in Whitehorse Yukon at 99 years of age.

She was born on March 2, 1924 to Tom and Ivy Griffiths in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. She met and married her husband Tom Kirkwood in Atlin July 25th, 1950 and had 3 children.

Vera is survived by her daughter Dorothy Odian (Dennis), son Ron Kirkwood (Liz), grandchildren Cheri Malo (Laurie), Scott Odian (Shannon), Calvin Kirkwood (Alison), Cameron Kirkwood (Kelsey), Conrad Kirkwood (Samantha), as well as her 6 great grandchildren and one great great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband Tom and son Greg Kirkwood.

The family would like to say thank you to the staff at the Thomson Centre and especially to those in Unit 4 for all they did in caring for Vera over the past 4 year. Thank you also for the meaningful Celebration of Life they had for staff, residents and family.

The family would like to thank all who attended the services for Vera June 24thor sent messages of condolences. Thank you to Rev. Sarah Usher who officiated, Gerri, Harry and TJ who provided music, and those that helped with the set-up preparations and refreshments. Your support for the family was very much appreciated.

For all those who are interested in volunteering to please email trishgobeil@gmail.com or phone me at (250) 651-7825.

Thank You

Jody Smallwood for the lovely cruise you gave to the Atlin Seniors and Supportive Living for the wonderful meal!

We enjoyed every minute, and every bite and appreciate your generosity

Bbq Draw

$ 5.00 per ticket

For Atlin Board of Trade

Draw Date: Aug 7th

Tickets available at Atlin businesses

Dorothy O'dian and Marj Holman

Please support your local community

Tail Gate Sales 2023

Mark Your Calendars

July 22, August 12, September 2

10 to 1 or 2 PM depending on weather and vendors

Call, message or email Jane to reserve a spot or if you have questions. 651-7697, janecurry245@gmail.com

$5.00 for each table or by Donation

All proceeds this year go to Atlin Museum programming

SKAGWAY STORY - PT. 3

‘This is the City. I Work Here. I’m a Musician.’

by Paul Lucas

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the stories you are about to hear are true. The names have not been changed - the perpetrators being guilty of all charges.”

GERRY’S MAGIC POPCORN WAGON

I pulled the side door to the Red Onion closed, or at least I attempted to. The wind was trying to rip it out of my hands. Egged on by the unruly patrons inside who were getting attacked by flying napkins and table cloths, I braced myself one more time and yanked the thing shut, almost pulling out the handle in the process.

It’s a legendary wind. It whistles up Lynn Canal, and by the time it gets to Skagway it is often gale force. In fact, the name ’Skagway,’ comes from a Tlingit word meaning, more or less, ‘knock you on your ass, windy place.’ No self-respecting member of the indigenous population would be found dead living in this little uninhabitable slot of a valley, and I’m pretty sure that when the white man showed an interest in putting down stakes here, the entire Tlingit nation broke out laughing. ‘Help yourselves,’ they said.

In any event, there I was - stumbling in a tailwind down Broadway hoping that Gerry’s popcorn wagon was doing business in this wildly inclement weather and, sure enough, it was.

Gerry McNamara arrived in Skagway around the same time as the rest of us. Looking around, he figured what the town needed was a popcorn wagon, so he built one - a real classic with natural varnished wood and big old wheels. It was beautiful and the popcorn was great - real butter, and none of those nasties little unpopped corn kernels that can crack a tooth. But the capper for me was the nutritional yeast he sprinkled on top if you liked that kind of thing … and I did.

Minutes later, I was bracing myself against the side of Gerry’s wagon in the gale, waiting for my popcorn, and shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other. You see, I had just broken my little toe on the base of the wood stove upstairs in the brothel, (that’ll teach me to walk around in my bare feet), and it wasn’t helping my stability in the wind.

I’d ordered the ‘extra large with the works,’ and Gerry was building it as we talked. It was the normal day to day gossip ... the ‘Who managed to get himself eighty-sixed from Moe’s bar the previous night for throwing up in the waste basket,’ ... and the ‘You’ll never guess who got caught, just this morning, rutting with so and so’s wife in the cab of the highways truck right there in the middle of Broadway,’ ... you know ... the normal chatter that keeps a small town running smoothly.

Then at one point, I decided I would just go ahead and pop the question.

“So Gerry, what the happened to your legs?”

Gerry had braces on both legs, but he didn’t look like he was a victim of polio. I was curious, so I thought I’d take the leap.

“Well,” he said, “I was skydiving one day, and my chute didn’t open.”

“Your chute didn’t open?” (I have a tendency to mindlessly repeat stuff when I don’t believe what I’m hearing).

“Yep, I pulled the cord and the thing only partially deployed, then the backup got tangled up and that was that.”

“How did you survive?”

“Well, it was the oddest thing. My first thought was, ‘This is it, I’m done for,’ and I got ready to meet my maker. Instead, believe it or not, I landed feet first in a farmer’s freshly plowed field - just fired like a nail into the dirt.”

Suddenly, a gust came up. I lost my balance, and managed to whack my forehead smartly against one of the carved wooden flowers on the corner of the wagon. Gerry couldn’t contain himself.

“Oooh, that was nasty!” he laughed, both hands on his hips as he rocked back and forth with the swaying wagon. “I bet that smarts.”

I grinned sheepishly, trying not to look like too much of a wiener. Rubbing my head, I yelled back over the racket,

“Still, you must have busted something.”

“Oh sure. My thigh bones punched up through my pelvis and ended up in my intestinal cavity. It wasn’t pretty, but I guess it was fixable - after a couple of years in the hospital that is. They told me I would never walk again but, hey, here I am!”

Hmmph,’ I thought to myself, ‘I guess I won’t bother mentioning the broken toe.’

“Welcome Me Home”

Throughout my life there were times I was content to live alone. I’d come home to my cozy nest And feel the warmth of its hug To welcome me home.

When there was someone special To share all that life had to offer Coming home was much sweeter.

Now, the highlight of my day is You are there when I come home. You are smiling with open arms And snuggle close to let me know How much I am loved.

Sometimes you’re out when I come home. No worries, as I look around And sense your spirit everywhere Complete with sweet memories To welcome me home

Jeff Salmon

Atlin Community Improvement District

The Atlin Community Improvement District (ACID) is accepting resumes for employment as a Part Time Administrator.

Hours: Approximately 70 – 100 hours per month

Closing Date: Until filled

Start Date: A.S.A.P.

Pay: Commensurate with experience

Skills and requirements:

✓ BasiccomputerskillswithknowledgeofWORDprocessingpackage&EXCEL

✓ AbletodobookkeepingusingSAGEaccountingsoftware

✓ Typingspeedof30wordsperminute

✓ Goodcommunicationskills–verbal&written(letterandreportwriting)

✓ Abilitytouseandmaintainorganizedfilingsystems-paper&electronic

✓ Abletoworkunsupervised&beextremelyorganizedandself-motivated

As the ACID Administrator you will be expected to:

-Preparemeetings-agendas,organizepertinentdocuments,financialstatements,minutes

-Postnotices,minutes(&other)atPostOffice,ServiceBC,andtownbulletinboards

-Organize&keeppaperandelectronicfiles

-Followgenerallyacceptedbookkeepingprocedures-accountspayable/receivable, payroll&remittances,reconcile accounts,prepareyearendpaperworkforauditor,etc

-Anticipate&implementmonthly/yearlyprocedures

-Submitnecessarygovernmentdocumentsandreportsinatimelymanner

-Preparetheannualbudget

-Write/manageallcorrespondence

-KeepTrusteesandChairpersoninformed-WorkdirectlywiththeChairperson

-OrganizetheAnnualGeneralMeetingandElections

-ManageadministrationdutiesoftheAtlinVolunteerFireDepartment

-OtherdutiesasoutlinedinBylaw#57(Seecurrentadministratorforinformation)

-Researchandrequestinformationfromvariousagencies

-CommunicatewithgovernmentMinistriesandagenciesasrequired

-Workinarandomlybusysharedofficespace

-Generallightmaintenanceoffirehall–janitorial

-Ifrequired,paintingandsummermaintenanceofwalkway Administrative experience an asset. Training will be available. Please submit your resume via mail or email to: Atlin Community Improvement District

P.O. Box 388 Atlin, BC V0W 1A0 atlincid@gmail.com

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, Jr

Did you know that Big Water Society provides the community with FREE professional mental wellness counselling?

If you feel you would like to talk to Katie Israel, please call her at: 250-651-2189 or 867-334-9524

Getting down and Dirty

By Tammy

“What this country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds” – Will Rogers

There is nothing quite like getting down and dirty while working in my garden. The soft black earth gives way at every turn of my hand. When I work in that unforgiving patch of soil my mind soars. I conjure thoughts of lush salads filled with crunchy fresh radishes, sun ripened tomatoes, and crisp green lettuce. I fill my mind with thoughts of splendor while numbing my senses with the aroma of well-turned soil, well-aged manure, and the dampness of an early morning rain shower!

The splendor of it all, what a gift I have been given. The means toprovide a full horn, a cornucopia of vegetables. Where does one begin on this journey? I find myself delving intocatalogues and texts full of information. It is almost too mind boggling for words. There are so many varieties of vegetables from which to choose.

Having perused several volumes of Lois Hole’s Gardening books as well as Louise Riotte’s – Carrots Love Tomatoes, and Mel Bartholomew’s – Square Foot Gardening: All of which are akin to the bible for these are my holy books of the garden;I have finally made a decision, a choice as it were. The decision is based on what will grow here in my patch of earth. I know the tried and tested varieties yet part of me wants tothrow caution to the wind. Why not try something unusual? Something that may try my patience and cause my theories torun amok.

Yes, the choice of lettuce has beentough. The sweet peppery taste of Arugula, Black Seeded Simpson, crisp and green, and then the mellow Oak Leaf with its succulent tenderness. All the varieties jumping from the pages, calling out tome. Can the carrots, beets, onions, and squash be sodifferent? I fear the worst. The pages possess me, and I am drawn into them.

The glossy pictures and well worded descriptions are like pools of cool azure water on a warm day. Having tested the waters while wading through the lettuces I take the final step and plunge into the abyss. I barely breath as I pass over the endless listings of beans, broccoli, beats, Brussel sprouts and the like. Oh, will it ever end;I don’t want it to end. I want to press myself into those pages. I want to taste those sweet baby carrots, nibble on that crisp lettuce. I want tocrunch my way through the celery and devour those perfect orbs of green that would be peas. My mouth begins to water at the thought.

Whocould imagine the satisfaction of selecting mere vegetables? Mere vegetables, I say. These are not mere vegetables I am selecting. These are the fruits of my labour. I digress, back tothe channels of blue. The joyful trip I have taken is soon wrought with troubles for I am about todelve into the unknown.

I turn the well-worn pages and there before me lie the egg plants. Oh, what beauty! Their perfect skins and lovely shape;sopleasing to the eyes. I pass over them quickly as they are like Sirens to Homer’s Ulysses. On to the Okra, Kohlrabi and Kale, of these I know nothing. What is the saying – nothing ventured, nothing gained? Again, I dive into the mystic waters, swirling, bending, being jostled about by the thoughts of what toplant.

Like waves washing over me the ideas and thoughts come rushing in. The pages fly past in a blur as I delightfully pick and choose these new wonders. Before I know it, my page is full, and I must put aside this palette to go about once again preparing my canvas.

Gloves in hand, shovel, hoe, and rake in tow I meander down the well-worn path tomy work of art. The warm sun on my face, the birds in the trees and the chipmunks chattering away fill me with a calm like none other.

Bending tosow the seed that will soon bring forth an abundance of vegetables, kneeling todig an amorphous weed or stooping torepel an insidious bug are all works of love. My body aches long intothe night, but my mind is rested and at ease from the wonderful time spent in that dirty patch of bliss.

July/August Summary

Musicians & Presentations

WednesdayJuly19

July28- 30

Atlin Gardening Haa Kusteeyi Celebration

Presentation film and elder stories

SaturdayAugust5

SaturdayAugust19

Café des Voix The Compassion Pills Jazz Collective CD Release

Sunday & Wednesday Movies

Doors open 7:00, movie starts 7:30

Wednesday July 12:

Picture Perfect:

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Bacon

Directed by: Glenn Gordon Caron

Sunday July 16:

Death To Smoochy:

Starring: Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Danny DeVito

Directed by: Danny DeVito

Sunday July 23:

Australia:

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann

Wednesday July 26:

Last Vegas: