THEY’VE MOVED TO WHITEHORSE

In 1974, we abandoned Calgary for a new life in Whitehorse with Henry the ‘51 Ford pickem’-up, a homemade camper, a crap no-name trailer, a 70 Dodge Dart named The Prairie Chicken, and a fourmonth-old baby boy named Kiyoshi

Oh yeah. And no jobs. We did have enough savings to survive for two months, and my mum loaned us enough for one more.

This was no idyllic sightseeing trip. The first issue was an engine mount that came loose. We wondered what the saw-like noise was on left-hand curves. Apparently, the engine was moving just enough for the fan to start chewing the radiator hose. No leaks, but what to do about the motor mount? Memory is a little vague on this point. After all, it was almost 50 years ago. I think I must have scared up a shim or two.

A few miles short of Prophet River, the trailer axle broke. Just broke in the middle. Rust. Painted-over rust.

I jacked the trailer up onto some firewood stumps and dropped the axle. A good samaritan from Washington came by with a pickup and hauled the axle to Fort Nelson for us. We followed in our vehicles and overnighted in a motel. I got the axle welded up and headed back for the rest of my trailer.

It was GONE! The trailer with all our worldly goods!

I finally found it at the Prophet River 66 station, with the fenders knocked off. “Oh, we were doing you a favour getting it off the highway,” was the line. I did not thank the bastards. I put it all back together with help neither offered nor solicited.

I will always wonder what the RCMP said to them, if they said anything. And yes, I did report it.

Anyway, on to the next crisis: one of the spring hangers pulled out of the rust-rotten frame on that goddamn trailer. As I recall, this was on the downhill side of Steamboat. I found my solution in the ditch. It was a foot-long stub of a road signpost—the kind that has holes every two inches.

One of the things I had in my toolbox (boy, is that gilding the lily! More like a junk box.) was a hacksaw. I was able to cut the stub in half and sandwich the spring hanger to the frame with a couple of bolts and reamed-out holes in the frame.

I’m still in awe of the fact that it held all the rest of the way to Whitehorse.

Henry lasted several more years. Later that winter of ’74–’75, he dragged a ’67 International 4x4 whose differentials were frozen, its tires dragging, until everything let loose and it finally started. All thanks to a Chevy 283, a truck four-speed and tire chains. BTW, in the summers, Henry could also blow your doors off on the Two Mile Hill. Sold him twice and only bought him back once.

I miss him.

But this isn’t all about a truck, in spite of the fact that he taught me a lot about mechanics.

Eventually, we arrived in Whitehorse and stayed with a couple of friends, one of whom worked for CP Air. Through him, we found a rental house owned by another CP Air guy, and within a month, I was hired on as a ramp monkey with CP Air.

Also within a month, Lillian got a job with the Whitehorse YWCA and worked for a woman who became a lifelong friend.

Oh, oh! Daycare. Hard to find in those days and all but impossible to find for an infant.

New neighbours to the rescue! A woman in the next block took care of Kiyoshi. Her three young daughters doted on him. I think they saw him as a live doll. Or perhaps their own baby boy. Or maybe their baby brother. In any case he was given such good care and attention that I’m surprised they let us bring him home at the end of the day.

A year later we got a pass on CP Air and took the family to Japan for 20 bucks!

A new life in Whitehorse. No kidding! n

PHOTOS: Carl Maguire

Lineup 2023

MAY 29 - JULY 7, 2023

Celebrating 27 Years

LIVE performances & visual art demonstrations @LEPAGE PARK

SHOWTIMES:

MON-FRI 12-1PM & WED 7-8PM

KID FOCUSED

PERFORMANCES: WED 12-1PM

PLUS Music at the Market FIREWEED MARKET IN SHIPYARDS PARK THURS 5-6PM

Week 5

JUNE 26 - JUNE 30

ALMON JUNE 26 – FRASER

CANYON & PATRICK JACOBSON

TUES JUNE 27 – MARCO

CLAVERIA

WED JUNE 28– NÎKWATIN SÎPIY BY MICHAELA WASHBURN, CARRIE COSTELLO, AND JOELLE PETERS.

PART OF GWAANDAK THEATRE’S INDIGENOUS SUMMER PLAY READINGS. RECOMMENDED FOR FAMILIES & CHILDREN AGE 5+.

WED JUNE 28 – GARBAGEMAN @7PM

THUR JUNE 29 – KATE WEEKES

FRI JUNE 30 – SOIR DE SEMAINE PLUS! PUPPETS WITH NAKAI THEATRE AND SUSIE ANNE BARTSCH!

W: musicyukon.com/artsinthepark/

41 E

assemblée générale annuelle de l’AFY

Lundi 26 juin

Centre de la francophonie

Accueil et bu et - 17 h

Réunion d'a aire

17 h 45 à 20 h 30

Prix de présence

AGA2023 .afy.ca

Klondike Institute of Art and Culture Dawson City, YT

Solstice St. Jean with New Hermitage & Beau Nectar in partnership with Association franco-yukonnaise & Jazz Yukon

Friday, June 23, doors @ 7:30pm

Annual General Meeting

Monday, June 26, 5:30pm

Confluence by Raven Spirit Dance & a special guest performance: nehiyawewin by Sandra Lamouche

Contemporary dance

Friday, June 30, doors @ 6:30pm

Tel: (867) 993-5005

Email: kiac@kiac.ca

Website: www.kiac.ca

Youth Drop-In Centre

Recreational program for teen-years youth

When: Tuesday to Friday 3pm to 9 pm & Sat 1-9 pm

Ages: 12-18 years old

AGM 2023

5:00pm - 7:30pm

Open Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Please see Yukonstruct.com for more info!

Open House

July 28 at the Old Fire Hall

50 years and celebrating

Annie Avery and Keitha Clark entertaining

Door Prizes

EVERYONE WELCOME

YUKON THEATRE IS CLOSED: JUNE 24-29TH ü Feel free to attend with no obligation, any Toastmaster (TM) meeting. ü You can attend 3 meetings as a guest while deciding to join. ü You can just show up at a meeting before we begin (11:55am).

Do you have a fear of PUBLIC SPEAKING?

Would you like to improve your public speaking skills, build confidence and hone your listening skills?

MORNING PROGRAMS 10-11am

Monday: Baby Sign 0-24 months

Tuesday: Power of Painting All Ages

Wednesday: Construction Zone All Ages

Thursday: Reserved for group use Closed to the public

Friday: Hooked on Stories All Ages

For more info: See Facebook page for schedule & activities, or email Oliver: obulpitt@bcgyukon.com

AllStars After School Program An affordable, quality after school program

When: Monday to Friday 3-5:00 pm following the school calendar.

Ages: Ages 6-11 years old

Cost: Tuition fees as follows: $315/month allstars@bgcyukon.com for inquiries

Location: Downtown/Takhini Elementary

Learning Tree Early Years Centre An affordable, quality, licensed childcare program

When: Monday to Friday 7:30am-5:15pm

Ages: 18 months - 5 years of age

Cost: Tuition fees as follows:

Toddler: $160/month, Preschool: $150/month Emily Howard at 393-2824 ext 206 or eypd@bgcyukon.com

Location: Riverdale

Porcupine Squad

Mon/Tues/Wed & Fri: 9am-12pm,12:30pm-3pm Thurs: 12:30pm-3pm Sat: 10am – 2pm The FLC will be closed Dec 24 – Jan 3.

WHEN: Thursdays noon to 1pm (meet at 11:50 to noon at door)

WHERE : Northwestel bldg, Lambert St & 3rd Ave (blue coloured door around back side)

QUESTIONS: herbeeking(at)hotmail.com GUESTS WELCOME

A weekly, action-focused circle of fire + fellowship for those who identify as male. A safe + brave space for men to share their wins and challenges, dig deeper into what’s really holding you back, have honest conversations, set goals and be accountable.

Call/text Michael at 867-332-4722 or email: mjvernon@gmail.com arkabrotherhood.com