Wednesday July 9th2025
The Atlin Whisper
“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.”
Margaret
Mead
A $50 discount is available to all Atlin residents!
Get those tickets at the Atlin Post Office (need to prove residency)
We are looking for lots that can be rented out to campers or RV’s! email producer.aamf@gmail.com
Still in need of housing for musicians. Contact Jen at gen2013.gl@gmail.com
Volunteer and receive a free weekend pass!
Register here: https://atlinfest.ca/volunteers-sponsors/
Presents
Musicians at the Historic Globe Theatre
Saturday July 19
Dan Chic Duo Multi Instruments danchicduo.com
Saturday, August 23
Rob Dickson Trio Folk, orchestral, progressive, pop Spotify: Rob Dickson
See individual posters for more details Facebook: @ExploreAtlin Email exploreatlinsales@gmail.com Presented by Heather Keny/Explore Atlin
DOWNSIZING?
Looking to RE-HOME your well read books?
The Atlin Historical Society is looking to expand their selection of new books to include used books. We are accepting donations of used Northern books to sell in our giftshop.
Books should be in good condition, pertinent to Atlin and /or of Northern content. We will also be accepting reference books -ie birds, flowers, mushrooms etc.
Books can be dropped off with staff at the Museum Wed. -Sun 11-4 pm.
Please do not drop books in the entryway outside of these hours.
Atlin Goldfields Past, Present and Future
by Clive Aspinall, P.Eng.
Atlin Placer Miners Association (APMA)
18th June 2025 - Gold Price $US 3,389.19/$CDN 4,631.98
Part#2. The “Curse”, and the Engineer Gold Mine 32 km West of Atlin, B.C.
The legal Battles by Captain Alexander’s real wife in England, finally ended in 1923. A New York group took over the Engineer Gold Mine. Developments proceeded significantly between 1924 to 1927. This included building the town site, a power plant on Wann River and a transmission line to he mine, and building concentrator and mill on the lakeshore near the 5-Level portal. Over 140 people were employed at the mine site. Other development included underground shafts down to the 6-7-8-Levels.
Visible gold was the primary method of identifying and following ore shoots in the veins. In 1925 Engineer Gold Mine shares were US$109 per share on the New York Curb Exchange. the Double Decker Vein just south of the crosscut on 8 Level was reported to contain 84.3 g/t Au over a 10 m distance along the drift. A second important gold vein was called the Engineer Vein. Around 1925, a glowing geological report was published on the Mine. This created a problem because the geologists who wrote the report had not actually visited the mine. During 1927questions by investors were asked, and became intense. The result by 1932 Engineer Shares slowly decreased from $109 to become worthless, Commercial mine work stopped! Had the curse struck again?
Actually, the curse had never left, and was part of regular mine Life. One day the mine cook, eager for drink snuck in the mine laboratory, and mixed a drink of Potassium Cyanide. After a mouth full, promptly died. Later, a miner accidently sent 35 loads of gold ore to the waste dump instead of to the mill. Two horses pulling a mine supply sleigh fell through Tagish Lake ice and drowned. In the winter, water pipes froze frequently. One young worker was never heard of again when he carried a sack of mail from the mine to Ben-My Chree. At least one mine worker was found to be stealing considerable gold from the mill, and was charged by the RCMP.
One officially designated “Yukon Pioneer” actually escaped the curse, however!
That was Captain Alexanders pet parrot, Polly Parrot. No one knew Polly Parrot’s actual age or how he came to be in the Yukon. Some say he came over the Chilkoot Pass at the beginning of the Klondike rush. What is certain is that Polly got no further north than Carcross in the Yukon. He had however spent some time at Conrad City on Tagish Lake. Enroute to Skagway Alaska in 1918 the Captain left Polly Parrot at the Cariboo Hotel in Carcross before boarding the “Princess Sophia”. There, Polly survived blizzards, fires, drunks and insults for 50 years while never paying for the drinks offered by amused patrons. Exactly 54 years after the Captain Alexander boarded the “Princess Sophia ”Polly Parrot passed peacefully away in 1972. Polly was laid to rest in the Pioneer Carcross Cemetery with Skookum Jim, Dawson Charlie, and other Yukon Pioneers. I remember that day well. It was big news on the radio. Many people came from Whitehorse and afar for Polly’s funeral.
ATLIN 2025
TAILGATE SALE AND FARMER’S MARKET
SATURDAYS 10 UNTIL 1
JULY 12, JULY 26, AUGUST 30
WATERFRONT BESIDE THE TARAHNE BOAT
MUST PROVIDE OWN TABLE
$5.00 OR BY DONATION PER TABLE TO RESERVE A SITE(S) CALL 250-651-7697 OR MESSAGE 250-706-0515
JANE CURRY
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN ATLIN
HEAVY RAIN OR EXTREME WINDS MAY RESULT IN CANCELLATION OF THE SALE
GARAGE SALE
Multi Garage Sale
July 11 & 12 9am - 2pm
At the white modular tent just past the airport.
Somebody did a golden deed. Someone proved a friend in need. Somebody sang a beautiful song. Somebody smiled the whole day long. Somebody thought, “T’is sweet to love.”
Atlin Museum, Gift Shop and Visitor Centre
Open May 10-Sept 15th Wednesday to Sunday 11:00-4:00 pm
180- 3rd Street, Atlin, B.C.
PH: 250-651-7522
Tarahne or Globe Theatre is available for nightly rentals.
For more information call the above number or email: atlinhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Debit & Credit Cards Accepted
Was It You?
Somebody said, “I’m glad to give. Somebody fought a valiant fight. Somebody lived to shield the right. Was that somebody you?
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who contributed their time and efforts to make the 2025 Tea on the Tarahne another resounding success!
To the organizers, phoners, bakers and donors of food, ironers of tablecloths, washers of teasets, flower arrangers, servers, donors of prizes, presenters, cleaners, and helpers of all kinds: we could not do this without you!
Thanks particularly to the following:
Prize donors Susie Kuelbs (artwork), Larry DuGuay (pottery), Karyn Armour (jewellery), Judy Currelly (art cards), Corinne Johnson (stained glass), Trish Gobeil (canvas print), Atlin Mountain Coffee Roasters (coffee), Dani McNeil (stained glass), Andrea Ross (wine holders and artwork), Helen Smith and Lynn Turnbull (Tarahne Tea cookbook and spoon), Trish Gobeil and Rose Anne Anttila (lamp full of gold and glass), Amélie Rémon (Kershaw’s gift certificates), Scott Cole (canvas and photo cards), Atlin Chocolates (basket of chocolates), Air North (gift certificates) and Kate Fisher and Christine Dickinson (books).
Servers and other helpers Ove and Rose Anne Anttila, Åsa Berg, Kate Fisher, Nicole Gobeil, Jennifer Hansen, Corinne Johnson, Reanna Osborne, Linda Reed, Sue Thorn, Jane Wilder, plus Susie Kuelbs and her seven young assistants Abi, Abby, Anna, Rebecca, Shelby, Taylor, and Willow.
Flowers by Maureen Morris and Andrea Ross
Gentlemen gamblers Bob Gobeil and Wayne McManaman
Food organized by Dorothy Odian and Lynn Turnbull, and provided by numerous wonderful cooks and bakers around town!
Hostess Kate Fisher
Slide-show presenters Christine Dickinson and Kate Fisher
Tea organizer extraordinaire Trish Gobeil
And, of course, the over 150 people who had a wonderful time and enjoyed a lovely afternoon Tea on the MV Tarahne!
The Atlin Historical Society would like to thank the organizers of the Paint the Globe Theatre Fundraiser, Elizabeth Clarke for her donation of all those beautiful items, and the many folks who stopped by the Globe Theatre on Saturday the 5th of July to make some of those beautiful items their own. We raised a substantial amount of money which will enable us to make the outside of the Globe Theatre as stunning as the inside. Thank you all !
Message from the Atlin community representative on the Government to Government Forum between BC and TRTFN ( the G2G Forum).
The G2G Forum addresses important issues on the land base, including mining and mineral exploration, protected areas, fish and wildlife management, as well as research and monitoring.
As your Atlin Community representative, I would like to hear from you about topics that are important to you so I can be the conduit of Atlin Community interests at the Forum.
The planning process for the TRTB.C. Tlatsini Planning Project has started and the public comment period is open. For more information please check it out at https://www.planninginpartnership.ca/ p/66677e6d6b56900039b8e264/proje ct-details
If you are a hunter and/-or a trapper, remember to respond to the Hunting and Trapping Proposals Package for 2026-28. If you don’t have it yet, ask for it.
The next Forum is scheduled forNovember 18-19, 2025, on line format.
Send me your questions or issues relating to the scope of the G2G by emailing
infoatling2g@gmail.com Åsa Berg
NORTHERN HOMES REAL ESTATE
Warm Bay Road
Searching for that perfect hide-away? Close to town but hidden from neighbors? Where you can go, put up your feet and simply drink in the view! No need to look any further! 5 acres of paradise with a modern 4 bedroom, 2 story home in mint condition without the dreaded "honey do" list! Find the trails and hike the mountain, spend your summer days on the balcony reading your favorite books or invite guests to your B&B. Or develop the acreage further to suit your favorite pass times! This stunning home should meet most of your "wish list". Waiting for you, ready to move in!
$675,000
Discovery Avenue
Perfect location, at the entrance to town, this 31.4 x 90 ft lot, prepped and ready for development. Ideal for that business you have been thinking to develop. Take the first step!
$140,000
4th Street
400 sq.ft., one bedroom cabin plus a large workshop on two adjoining 50x100 lots, fully fenced. Quiet location with lots of room for expansion, or keep one lot and sell the other!
$249,000
Surprise Lake Road
6 acres along the Spruce Creek with a fabulous meadow surrounded by the woods and the roaring creek, room for several guest cabins if you chose. Main house is 2 story and a main level cozy self contained mother-in-law cottage is perfect for guests. So much potential to expand.
$350,000
Seeking True Remote?
Above Jade City on the old Cassiar Highway, in the middle of the gold fields, 0.5 hectares (not surveyed) on the banks of Troutline Creek, License of Occupation, 10 year terms with current term good until 2032. Story and half cabin plus outbuildings. Current holder has had a small farm with goats and chickens. Telephone service. 4.4 km from main highway.
$89,900
First Street
Rare opportunity for good building lot (two adjoining lots being sold as one parcel), just steps away from Atlin Lake, close to center of community, accessed from lane. 50x100’, no records of previous development on the land.
$195,000
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.
$35,500
Second Street
100x30 foot lot, sloping between the lake and mountain view. Great central location waiting for you. Develop your new home at your own pace. Or two adjoining lots for $195,000
$135,000
Call Myrna at (250) 775-1019 or Katie Suter at (250) 500-1915 myrnablake1@gmail.com .or myrnablake1@zoleo.com when travelling Go to northernhomesbc.ca for more details.
The Understanding
Ifatfirstyoudon’tunderstand,
Listen
Ask questions
Listen intently to the answers
Open your mind to new possibilities
Consider all the options
Review the information
Think about it
Sleep on it
Read a book on it
Read another book on it
Reference and cross-reference
Deliberate upon it
Discuss it
Think
Repeat
The Ocean
Truth is an ocean
Deep, deep, so deep
Wide, expansive, unfathomable
Vibrant, dynamic, and multi-hued
Life-giving, liberating, healing
Capricious, cold, and capable of anything
The Streaker
Truth runs wild through the streets
Her long hair, fanciful and free
Her body, long and lithe
But her skin reveals a story
The people turn to look as she passes
But they sharply avert their eyes
Not believing the story they see
The Stripper
Truth undresses for us
Too much to see
We dash off to get a beer
When truth falls like rain
Truth falls like rain
Run not for cover
Bask in its shower
The truth will soak us
Make us uncomfortable
But it will foster vibrant life
https://stephenbadhwar.substack.com/ June 2025
LANDFILL
SPRING/SUMMER HOURS
*Effective –
Saturday April 26th, 2025*
SATURDAY-MONDAY
CLOSED ON ALL BC STATUTORY HOLIDAYS
Victoria Day - Closed Monday, May 19th ….…. Open May 17, 18, 20
BC Day - Closed Monday, Aug 4th …...…. Open Aug 2, 3, 5
Labour Day - Closed Monday, Sept 1st ……... Open Aug 30, 31 & Sept 2,
Thanksgiving Day - Closed Monday, Oct 13th ... Open Oct 11, 12, 14
HOURS 11 AM - 4 PM
Operated by the Atlin Community Improvement District
“Oh To Be Young Again” Jeff Salmon
A wedge of Brie and fresh baguette, bottle of red and crisp green grapes were gathered before we headed out for a summertime adventure in charming Quebec City.
We were excited to explore the old part of the city and its quaint streets and architecture and browse around enticing shops. Sometime later we found a park overlooking the St. Lawrence for a much needed picnic lunch. This was followed by coffee and biscotti at The Frontenac before a Festival concert.
Oh to be young at heart again, innocent in our youthfulness, with feeling alive and in love along with a naive belief that all was right in the world. All we cared about at that time was the local discovery and learning about each other.
BIG WATER SOCIETY
We are pleased to announce a new counsellor!
Big Water Society is pleased to have Laurie LarkinBoyle, RCC, DVATI, and MEd, as our new mental wellness counsellor for all people in Atlin. This is a FREE professional and confidential service that Big Water Society provides to the community.
Laurie brings a wonderful blend of mental wellness counselling as well as Art Therapy for those that prefer to keep their hands and brain busy. Laurie is available every Wednesday from 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm by phone, video and email.
For more information and to book an appointment: Website: Crocuscreativearttherapy.com
Phone: 431-813-2756
Email: crocuscreative@gmail.com
39 Lake St, Atlin
NEW! Kitchen Hours
Breakfast 7-10am Monday to Saturday
Lunch 12-2pm Monday to Saturday
(Closed for breakfast and lunch Sunday)
Dinner 5-9pm Everyday 5-9pm.
Saloon opens at 5pm Wed-Saturday,
Various meals, Submarine Sandwiches, Hamburgers etc. available 24/7 in the lobby Deli vending machine— Cash only. ATM available.
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
Home Heating Fuel, Bulk Fuel Available
Phone 250-651-7463
Email garypumpsltd@gmail.com Box 147
Atlin BC V0W 1A0
Office hours – Monday to Friday 8 am – noon
Closed all Statutory Holidays With thanks, Gary McNeil and Jody Smallwood
~Weekly freight truck run on Mondays and freight runs available upon request~
Gary Pumps Ltd.
Atlin Christian Centre
Affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Service and Sunday School Sunday 11 a.m. Come join us! 250-691-0128
Mountain Shack
Café Restaurant
Fast Fancy Food Great Service
110 Discovery Avenue In Atlin, B.C. EAT IN OR TAKE OUT
250-651-7789
MECHANIC WANTED
St. Martin’s Anglican Church 10 a.m. Sunday Everyone welcome!
MOBILE WELDING SERVICE
AVAILABLE
Contact: Alain Vanier 250-651-0037 Reasonable Rates!
All people smile in the same language. So smile at a stranger today!
Atlin Community Library
The Library is open Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 4pm. We're located in the Courthouse on Second Street between Trainor and Pearl. Not a member of the Library? Come in and sign up. It's free. You can borrow books and tapes for 3 weeks for free. Come on in! It could become a habit. A very good habit.
Smallwood Enterprises Ltd
Looking for a full-time licensed heavy-duty mechanic in Atlin, BC.
Wage is negotiable depending on experience. Accommodation can be provided if needed.
Please send resume to bobscontracting2020@gmail.com
The next Whisper is July 23rd
We provide Concrete, Drain Rock, Screed gravel, Sand, Topsoil and Septic systems.
We also provide Equipment Rentals, Excavations, Covered Storage, and Snow Removal.
Please call (250) 651-2488 or email bobscontracting2020@gmail.com
Submissions are due no later than Sunday July 20th 6pm
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 Dani McNeil and the RCMP Atlin. Delivery by Bobbie Whelan and Gary Hill. Classifieds, news, upcoming events Contact 1-867-334-7949 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!