The Yukon Order of Pioneers, Dawson City Lodge #1, have been holding their Gold Poke draws for several years.

Of special note was the recent purchase of a blood-testing machine for the local health center, allowing for more timely and efficient diagnosis of residents' health conditions.

Proceeds from these draws are used to support several charitable and non-profit endeavours in Dawson City, as well as assist individuals in their times of need.

Contributions are regularly made to the Pioneer Women of the Yukon, towards their Meals on Wheels and other programs; to the graduating classes of Robert Service School; to sporting groups such as the Minor Soccer Association; to several Dawson City youth to help in the pursuit of their special sporting and/or academic goals; to victims of fires, accidents, or other hardships.

Winners of the draws have hailed from all over Canada and the United States.

Draw was held Friday, September 23, 2011 at Gerties.

Gold was again sponsored and supplied by Mid-Arctic Gold Yukon Ltd (Terry Sweetman), from Dawson City.

The 2010 draw was held at Diamond Tooth Gerties on Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, at 11:15 p.m.

After the meeting I asked Bill if I could spend some time with him and find out more of his Yukon past. We had a bit of a problem getting together as he has so many friends here in Whitehorse but on Friday evening September 15th he phoned from his old farm on the Alaska Highway that is now run by his son Bill and wife Barbara to see if I would like to go with him to Carmacks where his grandson Ben Drury was working for Klondike Helicopters. I jumped at the chance to go with Bill so we met at the junction of the Alaska and Klondike Highway about 9:00 a.m. on Saturday September 16th. There he was waiting in his silver caddy and he even had the passenger's seat warmed up for me to enjoy the 100 mile trip to Carmacks. As we drove, in luxury comfort, Bill started to relate some of his Yukon upbringing and his life and experiences working for his father's business, Taylor and Drury, located in many parts of the Yukon. He remarked at length of the dealings with the First Nation People in the fur trade business so prevalent at the time. He mentioned the names of Alex van Bibber, Paul Burkall and others. I was sure wishing that I had a recorder on me as he was so very interesting as he continued to speak of the transportation the he and others used in the early days, mentioning as we neared Fox Lake, the old Yukon stage und freight road built in approx. 1902 from Whitehorse to Dawson used in the winter months when the paddle wheelers did not run. He spoke of names like Takhini Crossing, Little River, Nordenskiold, Montague road houses and of course, the Yukon Crossing above 5 Finger Rapids. He really stirred an interest in me and I made a promise to myself to learn more about the history of this great territory and the men and women who helped built it.

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Approx. 2 hours later we were having coffee with Ben at Klondike Helicopters office. Now the real surprise - Ben is taking us on a helicopter ride!!!  I certainly did not tell either of them that I had never been in a helicopter in my life!!  Once aboard, on a beautiful day with blue sky and a scattering of clouds, we headed north as he wanted to check out his cabin on the Yukon River about 12 miles north of Minto on the east side of the river near the old stage road that ran to Dawson. He flew down the west side of the river where the old stage and freight roads ran down past 5 Finger Rapids to a place called Yukon Crossing and then to Minto. We did not find the crossing at this time but did locate it on our way back; a spot I hope to check on more in my freighter canoe this coming summer.

Passing Minto where there most certainly is a lot going on because of the new mine being developed about 15 miles north west of the Yukon River. We viewed the workings, roads, buildings etc. and did a thorough investigation of this site where approx. 135 men are working. It was surprising to us how much had been done there - huge quantities of earth that has been moved which showed greenish seams of oxidized copper wash. The camp complete with housing, works sheds and huge fuel tanks, that looked tome to be at least 40 feet wide by 30 feet high! It is very impressive.

Ben took a couple of passes over his cabin to check all was well there before we headed towards home and it was then we saw what was left of the Yukon Crossing.

A couple of trips around the 5 Finger Rapids produced a very nice photo taken by me.

About an hour and three quarters later found us back at Carmacks sitting having a lunch prepared by Ben and some delicious preserves brought up from Sechelt by Bill that he had made.

It was a fantastic day and one I will long remember.

Thank you, Bill

signed:   Rick Griffiths

We most certainly should have Bill back and along with others, record their interesting life stories for future generations to enjoy.

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