Gazebo relections. Photo by Dan Davidson

Welcome to the May 7, 2004 online edition of the Klondike Sun, reproducing a selection of the articles and photographs from the May 4 newsstand edition.

Many of the battles recorded in the previous issue of the paper continued here, with a lot of back and forth bickering between the former mayor and the government leader, who seemed determined to kick at the dead dog of council even after it was buried.

Other issues, such as the Callison Waste management lawsuit, are still in the works as this back issue is being readied for posting on October 7, 2004.

We hope you are enjoying this belated tour through last spring’s history. Our webmaster has noted that the last issue was very hard for him to work with, as it required him to dredge up all those bad memories. I’m afraid this one won’t be much better in those terms.

Front Street Reflections. Photo by Dan Davidson

Front Street reflections

by Dan Davidson

The greensward in front of the dyke along Front Street floods briefly each spring as the snow melts before the ground can thaw to absorb it. The streets are bare and the snow is going fast.

It will take a few weeks, but this will soon become a popular spot for picnics, games, hacky-sacking and just hanging out, as well as a venue for special events during Dawson’s many busy summer weekends.

Just Watchin’ the River (Not) Flow

by Dan Davidson

The IODE tripod is out on the Yukon River, waiting to signal the coming breakup, which could occur anytime in the next few weeks. The money the IODE collects from this fund raiser is used to fund its charitable projects.

It is a long wait for the ferry this time of year. Photos by Dan Davidson

Perhaps an even more definite sign of the season is the number of vehicles parked on the far side of the river, while West Dawson residents make their way across to town on lighter skidoos or on foot.

A Roadblock on the Way to Progress

by Dan Davidson

Queen Street traffic patterns have been a little broken for the last week as the foundation work began on the Old Liquor Store at the corner of Queen and Third.

As a preparation for the renovation of the former territorial building into the next extension of the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture continues, Han Construction has enacted the time-honoured Dawson custom of blocking a street by winching the building off its foundation while

From this vantage point the sudden appearance of a two story building in the middle of the street is inexplicable, but it’s just a step in the rebirth of another old building. Photo by Dan Davidson

digging out backfilled and levelling the area.

The bottom floor of this building was formerly the territorial liquor store, while the upper floor has been home to the City of Dawson, the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, the public library, the Yukon Housing Corp., and Yukon College by turns over the years.

When completed, it will be the home base for a new arts diploma program which is slated to begin in the fall of 2005.