Dear Mister Ed
I’m startin’ to think its true what they say about rich folks not bein’ like you and me. Not like me anyways, since I ain’t […]
I’m startin’ to think its true what they say about rich folks not bein’ like you and me. Not like me anyways, since I ain’t […]
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire: an idiom seen this summer around Whitehorse. While it seems obvious, it’s amazing how frequently we miss the “smoke signals”
Smoke that serves us well Read More »
Life has sure been some hecktick this past week. I sware, some days I been stirrin’ my stumps when it ain’t even noon yet. Not
By jingo Darrol, like the song goes, “was’nt that a party!” I told you last week The Widdow was havin’ a few folks drop by
Just as the metaphorical river is never the same after the water rushes past, you really can’t go home again. Home, for me, is my
How far from home? Read More »
Dont know that I ever told you Darrol, but theres part of The Widdows island that still belongs to the govamint of Brutish Columbya. Its
In this haze the Yukon skyline, normally full of distince edges, has become a Tony Onley canvas, vistas folding into each other, fading with the
Driving North in July Read More »
So much fer the peace and qwiet of livin’ on a private island. Come Monday in the ayem, The Widdow was still in recovry mode
Dawson City is featured in the novel Toronto writer Pasha Malla drafted about cities, this summer, at Berton House. But what the writer-in-residence could not
A Writer’s Observations … While Being Observed Read More »
Well we finely got some peace and qwiet back on the island. The big toys that was rippin’ up evrythink in site fer the past
It is an occupational hazard of being an editor that you sometimes get paralysed over the meaning of one word. This week, the word was
Power to the people Read More »
Dawson’s first public library opened in a tent on Front Street in 1897, with 1,500 volumes donated by the Forty Mile Prospectors to “the mushing
World of Words: The rugged history of Yukon libraries Read More »
Joanne Bell’s novel, Juggling Fire, is inspired by her daughter, Mary Fraughton. One night Fraughton asked her to come outside on the road and watch
Artrepreneur: Fire Under the Northern Lights Read More »
I was tellin’ you last time how a bunch of Constabbulary lads dropped in, with nary so much as a fone call first to see
Even at yer age Darrol, I reckon you heard the old sayin’ about be carefull what you wish, unlest you wanta live in interrestin’ times?
I useta think there was’nt much I never seen at least the once, but boys-a-boys did I come in fer some surprize this week. It
Let me tell you one thing, when it comes to gettin’ marryed up, they do things in Loss Vegas like no place else. If yer
I say, “Fall.” You think … ? OK, hard to play that game here, but I would guess that your word associations may include such
Your first thought is … Read More »
By the time the carry’er pidgins make it up to the Youcon with this, Unkle Walts and Evas nupshuls will allready have came and went.
An excerpt from Jessica Simon’s New Book Chapter One … Under the skiff of snow that blew across the parking lot, a row of footprints
Yukon poet Michael Eden Reynolds’ first book, Slant Room, released today by The Porcupine’s Quill, shows us a stark natural world, and us in it.
World of Words: Poetry in a Slant Room Read More »
Oh golly, I got a sad tail to tell you, Darrol. It started a cuppla nites back, when Maisy got into the cups again. Well
Theres somethink been eatin’ my brain pan fer the past cuppla weeks I gotta tell you about, Darrol. Its that dang Maisy, the one that
Eighty-one-year-old Larry Jacobsen, author of Jewel of the Kootenays, presented Yukon Public Libraries with an irresistible offer, a book tour “with all the work done
The Chronicles of a Miner Read More »
Got yer note, and by golly I thank you kindly fer that. Untill you ast, it did’nt don on me that you was still such
In Philadelphia to attend a science-fiction convention, I received an email telling me that a young gay teen, Jorge Lopez Mercado had been dismembered, partially
Vigils bring people together Read More »
I must have grew some sea legs whilst we was in Loss Vayguss. The hole way home to Brutish Columbya, I did’nt upchuck in the
Where will the ravens all gather now that the tree tops are gone? Where will they hatch their nefarious schemes and plot from midnight to
Where Will the Ravens All Gather? Read More »
“We’re a productive bunch!” said Claire Eamer when she was asked to attend the Yukon Authors book-signing bash at Mac’s Fireweed Books this Saturday, Dec.
Launch into winter with local writers Read More »
Three nights on a Loss Vayguss park bench left me some glad to see Eva and Unkle Walt back from Hawayii, brown as a pare
To the Editor, Hookey, you fiendish, fiendly fiend. Like an anarchic CBC host maliciously injecting a noxious ear worm such as Seasons in the Sun
Another Mack attack Read More »
When Bette Colyer arrived in Whitehorse in 1961, her challenge was “to build a library system from a desk and a pencil.” Born in Cape
World of Words: The Yukon’s Rugged Librarian Read More »
Young Adult (YA) readers love adventure, and a look at work by Northern authors Joanne Bell, Keith Halliday and Anita Daher shows why. YA stories
World of Words: Adventures in YA territory Read More »
Mid-morning … and there’s a fairy tale moon in the sky; a sliver of silver fit for cows to jump over, curved enough to hold
Crescent Moon in December Read More »
Darroll my son, did I ever tell you of the time we dang near done in Santa Claws? It was back in 19 and 45,
Original black-and-white illustrations for The Midnight-Blue Marble animate the maroon walls of Baked Café for the month of December. A grid of 15 pieces of
Artrepreneur: From Illustrations to Intrigue Read More »
Think about your life and the stories you might tell of it. Think of the grand adventures, great accomplishments, and life lessons. I know how
The Vatican’s Bookstore Can’t be Wrong Read More »
Just as a reformed smoker is often the first person to complain about a hotel room that smells of tobacco, I shall now complain bitterly
When ‘cool’ is not cool Read More »
If I recall it rite, it was that young lad Forest Gumpp that said “Life is like a crate of onions. You don’t know what
‘you mind that old sayin’ about how evry body I know is nuts ‘scept you and me, and I aint so sure about you? Thats
These iPads and Kindles gladden my heart as I see it as one more step toward re-establishing the written word as the king of communication.
Rekindling an old flame Read More »
Time flies when you’re having fun! Our goal at What’s Up Yukon has always been to be a true reflection of Yukon’s living culture. Before
From the publisher’s desk Read More »
Ihope that little Easter rabbit done you and yers proud this year, Darrol. As fer me I got no complantes on that score, but I
“Think of our history as a smörgåsbord, upon which there is more than you can possibly eat,” says Michael Gates, author of the new book,
World of Words: History as a Smörgåsbord Read More »
Its a grand time of year all together, whats with the sun driftin’ back and folks puttin’ the Seasonal Disorder Afflickshun back in the closet
Creative magic—the kind that turns charcoal-pencilled drawings into animation—that’s the magic of KINO (the German word for “film”). Edward Westerhuis says he’s the “official unofficial
The ‘Brave New Words’ of filmmaking Read More »
“If it hadn’t been for the hospital nearby,” says Saskatchewan playwright Kenneth Williams, “I would have been born in residential school.” The year was 1966,
Playwright Encourages Writers to “Get Scared” Read More »
There’s a coyote on the airstrip at Braeburn today, trotting north on the cleared runway with his nose in the air and his tail like
D’you mind that old sayin’ about how evry body I know is nuts ‘scept you and me, and I aint so sure about you? Thats
D’you ever have times when it feels like yer ice fishin’ in a gold fish bowl? If you dont step lite, somethinks gonna get busted
By now, bookworms from Whitehorse to Cape Spear know Trafford Press released numerous copies of Better Than a Cure without notifying the Yukon author, Ramesh
Writers Can Learn From Ramesh Ferris Read More »
Seein’ how yer a big shot newspaper guy, I was kinda hopin’ you cud fill me in on Whats Up with the Youcon? The way
So hows yer Janwary goin’, now its almost gone? Dont know about you, but evry New Years I get to ponderin’ on what happens to
The fox emerges tentatively from under the Waterfront Building, making a quick, furtive survey of his surroundings, and padding to the top of the dyke.
Yonder, a Flash of Red Read More »
I shall, from time to time, give to the readers of What’s Up Yukon information about the state of this arts and recreation paper. This lead
This is your paper Read More »
Fer what its worth, life kinda got back to normal here abouts once Eva got home from her big Olympickal advenchur. She spent the first
When folks talk about the wilds of Brutish Columbya, I always figgered they meant somewheres out in the bush. Turns out they mean Robinson Street
Well Darrol, I reckon you allready drug out yer short pants and yer Greatfull Dead tee-shirts now you finely got dubble digits wetherwise. The innerweb
How does that old sayin’ go about it bein’ a bad wind that dont blow some good for some body some wheres? I aint talkin’
I have been voraciously reading David Sedaris’ books for a few weeks now. There are few writers who can make me laugh so hard that
I Am In Love With David Sedaris Read More »
Been spendin’ a lot of time in the out of doors of late. Its the ownly way a feller can get away from Eva and
Night Work: The Sawchuk Poems, opens with the autopsy report of hockey great Terry Sawchuk. It ends with a photo of his face, a jigsaw
The many scars of Terry Sawchuk Read More »
I sure hope you can read this, Darrol. My writin’ hand is a mite bit shakey and my head feels like I been kicked by
When graphic novelist and Grade 7 teacher Rebecca Hicks was in school, reading “comics” under the desk would have earned her a trip to the
World of Words: Graphic novels – no longer restricted reading Read More »
D’you ever get the feelin’ yer trapped in some kinda time warp Darroll? Let me be the first to admit I aint an eckspert on
May is National Crime Writing Month, and in celebration, Yukoners have reviewed work by finalists in three categories. A Nominee for Best Crime Novel: Arctic
World of Words: Locals review great Canadian crime fiction Read More »
Folks has called me all sorts of things bytimes, espeshually now that I’m gettin’ on a bit and maybe a tad more set in my
(June 1) Rumble of thunder in the sky Perhaps some rain will fall by and by Perhaps there will be lightning And that thought is
Klondike Korner: Poetry Corner Read More »
I reckon you dont hang out that much with old timers Darroll, leastwise not yet. But yer clock is tickin’ like the rest of us.
Anyone who’s sat in an outhouse in the Yukon, has frozen their backside reading the Outdoor Edge. It’s a quarterly magazine for hunters and anglers
Hunting for Suspense Read More »
Every book needs a story, even a cookbook, and Miche Genest’s Boreal Gourmet, released this month by Harbour Publishing, is just that. Boreal Gourmet presents
World of Words: Boreal Gourmet serves up storied fare Read More »
The four of us was at the table chewin’ on the fat the other day the way folks do after a good feed and a
Iremember the steamboats, the old man said. I remember them coming in spring. I remember the paddlewheels churning the water and bringing us many good
Lily Gontard is learning to embrace the paradox that is the Internet. It’s a technical wonder that wasn’t even guessed at, back when Captain Kirk
The new world of Arctica Magazine Read More »
The dangdest part of gettin’ on in years is theres less and less folks that can recall the same stuff you do from when you
The land has its own agenda. Plants find purchase in the disturbed earth and overcome humanity’s intrusions. We are a hiccup in the breath of
When Our Signs Come Down Read More »
Sometimes the muse doesn’t just find you; sometimes she follows you, haunts you, tracks your every move and invades your quiet moments, ticking away inside
You know how they say if you dont like it hot then stay outta the kitchen. Thats what I been doin’ the past few days.
There are strange things found on the Internet when you’re surfing just for fun. There’s misinformation galore and yet, there’s no way to get it
That Little Old Log Cabin on the Hill Read More »
Darroll, Darroll, Darroll. What in the name of Sam Heck have you went and done now? You cudda tipped me over with a fether when
Cam Fenson got his start early; I’ve been reading his fishing column since he was about 14 years old. This month, I interviewed Fenson, now
Never Too Young to Write Read More »
I reckon I need a hard hat, Darrol. Last week Eva goes and puts up a bunch of plastic thingy-ma-jigs all over the place that
With the departure of What’s Up Yukon founding editor Darrell Hookey, last week (may he live out his retirement never again checking for typos), it
In praise of the community paper Read More »
So like I was sayin’ it looks like Unkle Walt mite of started goin’ a bit soft in the head of late. Most fellers Walts
There are many gravesites marked on the downhill side of Mary McLeod Road, but the only one with a beaten path to it belongs to
A Teller of Tall Tales Ended his Journey in Dawson City Read More »
Chasing trends is a tricky game for writers, says Selina McLemore, editor of Grand Central Publishing’s Forever romance line. “Some can use trends to their
World of Words: “Bodice Rippers” Evolve to “Flak Jacket Rippers” Read More »
Justine Davidson has been the Whitehorse Star court reporter for three years. Recently I moderated her presentation at the Yukon Mystery Lounge. Below are highlights
World of Words: Crime writing in a small town Read More »
I gotta get this here off my chest, OKay Darroll? There was a bit of a fib in my last letter. Not that big a
Got yer note sayin’ you was’nt sure what my last letter was on about when I menshuned the party line fones. If yer thinkin’ it
Writing for the screen, and writing for children, share a common trait. They both depend on someone else’s creativity to convey ideas. That became apparent
Writing for Pictures Read More »
D’you ever get the feelin’ the more the world goes foreword the farther back it gets? Near as I can tell from the news of
The Yukon holds some unusual species of bugs and plants that remain from when glaciers retreated, leaving a land bridge across the Bering Sea. And
World of Words: Here, there be dragonflies Read More »
With “publication” of Marcelle Dubé’s novel, On Her Trail, by Carina Press, she became the first e-published author in the Yukon. On Her Trail combines
On Her Trail Breaks Trail Read More »
OhKay evrybody, lets hear it fer Dominion Day. Oops, it aint called that anymore is it? OhKay then, lets hear it fer Canada Day. Now
Iknow how folks get all outta twist hearin’ Brutish Columbyans brag on how they got trees and flours bloomin’ like Billy B. Dammed whilst the
Bug time: The sun is flirting with the edge of the mountain and the heat is leeching out of the day. Insects, paralyzed by the
Imagine a new book mailed to every child, every month, until they are five years old. That’s what Dolly Parton did. Now imagine literacy in
Some offers a person simply can’t refuse. When the email inviting me to be part of the What’s Up Yukon team landed, the cadence of
Who could possibly say no? Read More »
My golly goodness Ed, I hope I can make it to the end of this here letter in one peace. Truth is my nerves is
I mite of messed up the sendin’ of my last letter, so if you did’nt get it, dont bother to read it. Y’see I was