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Masset Sounds... and scents, sights, sensations
In the past, I wrote a Masset column in the Queen Charlotte Islands Observer, entitled "Masset Sounds". The name comes from Masset Sound, a geographical feature at approximately 54N 132W, just off the shoreline of Masset, B.C. In the column, I attempted to capture the spirit of the Masset/t area. Following are some excerpts which describe our community month by month through the year.

August Sounds
September Sounds
October Sounds
November Sounds
December Sounds
January Sounds



August Sounds

waves rolling onto the shoreline

wind rustling, blustering, blowing

honking of geese flying overhead in their characteristic "V" formations and splashing down to the Delkatla slough for a break in their annual migration

weekly Tuesday evening volunteer fire department practice alarm reminding us it's 7 pm

fishing boats moving in and out of harbour

seaplane engines revving up

friendly voices meeting and greeting in a community small enough you can get to know almost everyone

quietness earlier and earlier as nightly neighborhood soccer games get closed down ever sooner by the shortening daylight hours

laughter and shouts of childrens' voices greeting each other, as more and more folks return from vacation
the clink of cash changing hands at local school supply sales

hammering and scrubbing at local schools with maintenance crews rushing to finish summer renovations and have the hallowed halls of learning shining for that magic day, when, for harried parents and bored kids, things finally get back to normal

rain, silently misting, drops tiptoeing lightly across the dock, rustling the leaves of salal bushes; gathering forces and gusting together, slapping against windows and walls in haphazard fashion; and finally, suddenly, rain pouring, roaring straight downward, splashing and bubbling, filling hollows to form giant puddles--and just as suddenly it's all over, glorious sunshine breakes through, the air is fresh and alive

friendly chatter and visiting in the long lineups at the semi-monthly Coop sale

cool breezes rustling through treetops, lifting the edge off the warmth of sunny summer days

childrens' happy voices calling to each other as they run barefoot in the breezy summer sunshine and roll joyfully down grassy knolls

sudden flapping of a raven's wing breaking the sleepy 6:30 am silence of a dewwy Masset morning

stampede to the docks to take advantage of freshly caught whole crabs for sale at about the same price you'd pay for a single crab leg in supermarkets down south

children picking the last of the juicy, red huckleberries... other folks gather salal for jam and jelly making... lineups at the fruit truck for peaches and other extravagant imported delights... the sausage truck man making his rounds

wall hanging flapping in the breeze, at the T-shirt and leather goods truck parked by the Community Hall

breezes rustling leaves and tempering the heat of the sun's rays to pleasantly comfortable temperatures

raindrops splashing down and puddles overflowing, feet swishing and sloshing -- and suddenly the sun breaks through again, sparkling on a freshly bathed world, dust washed away

cheerful beep-beep greetings, and friendly waves, from cars passing by

five or ten short minutes ticking by on one's wristwatch during leisurely walks to anywhere in town

happy laughter of residents and tourists alike, hiking beaches and hills, fishing, swimming in the clear waters of Pure Lake

waking to the cheerful tweets and chirps of all hues and shapes and sizes of members of the bird community (being watched out for by Margo and Peter)

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September Sounds

back to school week, as students brave the rain and puddles to return to Masset's halls of learning... or sometimes enjoy continued joyful sunshine, when nobody's bothered to tell the weatherman that summer's over

moans, groans and loudly expressed opinions about an odor reminiscent of old gym shoes, wafting from a large collection of crab traps

excited shouts of children, exclaiming over the discovery of yet another brightly colored autumn leaf for their school collections

folks checking the MHTV scroller and Ad Channel to see what new things are happening around town, as registrations and opening meetings of many community organizations signal that there's no need for anyone to be bored or pine away for lack of bright city lights when there is so much to do right here in Masset!

raindrops! soft, cool, refreshing raindrops, dancing lightly across whispering leaves; tiptoeing in gentle gusts across the window; running into the arms of gardens delighted to welcome natural, heaven-sent irrigation; trickling with satisfaction down the necks of certain not-quite-so-delighted humans; declaring with little splattering peals of laughter that autumn's here

lots of laughter and friendly conversation as St. Pauls' Thrift Shop reopens after its summer break, and folks drop in for their weekly Saturday morning cup of coffee, slice of Black Forest Cake, good community camaraderie... and of course the latest and greatest deals in town

the clacking of silverware against dishes at a gym-full of parents and staff attending the delicious annual Tahayghen Staff Luncheon, enjoying the buffet potluck and great camaraderie

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October sounds

"I wants" from children clustered around Halloween and Christmas displays in local stores

coffee-shop discussions of the fishing season...mainly in the past tense now

the splish-splash of small feet and of pebbles by little folks who think all this wet weather has some quite wonderful benefits

crunching of dry fall leaves underfoot... brilliant riot of oranges, red, browns brightening the autumn landscape

salty sea-water scent surprising my nose as I step onto the causeway

snatches of breeze playfully grabbing at my hair, then swelling suddenly in an attempt to stop me short in my tracks, and just as suddenly ceasing altogether so that I feel about to tip over as I try to catch my balance in the unexpected stillness

principals at both schools tying up the phone lines early every weekday morning trying to find subs... half-empty classrooms due to the annual fall "bug"... colds and laryngitis making for quiet patients... thanks extended to the staff at Masset Hospital for their care, and to the great staff at both Old and New Massett clinics for somehow managing to squeeze us all in at a moment's notice

the pat-pat-pat of cross-country team members" feet, putting in hours of practice, in hopes of victories at the Zones and Provincials

cheerful strains of choruses sung by happy little Halloween strangers in return for treats... and the pleasant clink, clink of coins dropping into UNICEF boxes bringing promise of happier lives for underprivileged children around the world... all mingled with the splatter of raindrops and the misty darkness of fog that always manages to give the evening a suitably eery atmosphere

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November Sounds

cold seeping into my bones as a simple walk turns into a tussle with the cold north wind, accompanied by sudden drenching of downpouring rain interspersed with misty snatches of rain droplets finding their way into every minute opening in my clothing, and my feet getting more soaked by the moment, the whole world a giant puddle... and then when I least expect it, when I'm about ready to crawl into my warm snuggly bed and hibernate till summer, the sun breaks through the thick grey storm clouds in all its glorious warm brilliance, the wind lets out one final howling whistle and then pulls in its horns, allowing just a touch of light, warm caressing breath to escape, gently licking up the overflows of puddles and allowing stepping-stones of dry ground to appear... and I... how can I help but fling my arms wide, twirl around a few times, and let out a delighted whoop of invigorated exhultation?

the scratch of pencils marking their "X" and the crumple of folding paper as citizens of Old and New Massett once again come out in large numbers to register their votes... proving once again that they are involved and concerned citizens

doors slamming, the flap-flap of slippers through puddles as half-awake folks dash out, arms full of trash, to catch the garbage truck on its weekly rounds

the rustle of paper, the noise of scurrying feet, the ring of telephones and all the other sounds that signify the annual last moment preparation by the Lions Club and volunteer citizens for the annual Masset Mini Timmy Telethon... which every year raises more money per capita that any other Timmy Telethon... a vote of thanks by a community which appreciates deeply the services provided by this fine organization

excited jostling and chatter as young members of Guiding and Scouting find their places before the Remembrance Day services... quietness, thoughtful moments - of remembrance for some, of questioning wonder or curiosity for others... clear tones from a real live trumpeter breaking the silence with the notes of Last Post as flags decline slowly, pensively to half mast... young necks craning, inquisitively taking in all the tradition, the ceremony of the laying of the wreath of remembrance...the muffled tramp, tramp of marching feet down the street, the gentle swish of flags carried by both youthful and old citizens... Guides, Scouts, Legionnaires, Canadian Armed Forces, Navy Cadets, RCMP, Rangers... the quiet silence of heads bowed in prayers of remembrance, the gentle rustle of flags being lowered to half-mast position, the lonely bugle call of Taps at the Masset centotaph on Remembrance Day, as once again a large portion of the community turns out to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice that we might remain a free nation

anguished moans from folks young and old when forced to drink powdered skim milk instead of fresh milk, as winter storms delay or cancel ferry runs... shouts of joy from young swim club members who got to miss a few days of school when stranded in Rupert, due to lack of ferry service... rustling papers of rarely used cookbooks, as moms frantically try to come up with meals which do not require fresh vegetables or dairy products, due to lack of ferry service... various groans and cheers and young folks explore their school lunch bags and discover lunches without bread, due to lack of ferry service... yawns of boredom from post office staff who had little to do, with no parcel post, due to lack of ferry service... whistling gust of wind, splattering of raindrops, banging of wind-blown objects, gale warnings crackling over radio waves, splashing of boots in myriads of puddles, waves crashing on beaches... and silence at the ferry dock!

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December Sounds
sounds of Christmas coming: carols being practiced, snip-snip of scissors in Elementary classrooms as another year's set of beautiful decorations are created, lips smacking at delicious dinners all over town, strains of Christmas music encouraging shoppers in local stores, busy hum of gifts being wrapped and cards being prepared, cheerful chatter in long lineups at the Post Office as patient sighs as heavy packages are shifted to a more comfortable position in the long wait and excited exclamations as long-awaited parcels are received, hustle and bustle of last-minute shopping at stores, flea markets, bazaars and from catalogs, the sound of music as the Tidal Choir once again practices for its annual Christmas concert, laughter as community members practice their parts for the annual Community Christmas Concert, beautiful Christmas carols sung at the annual Ecumenical Christmas Service, cheerful voices calling out "merry Christmas" and other greetings of the season, contented groans from the owners of over-extended tummies, the scritch-scritch of skates sliding over ice on the slough

lots of excitement as everybody in Masset heads to the annual Masset Christmas Craft Sale, featuring over 30 tables loaded with creations by local home-based artists and artisans...argillite carvings, silver and gold Haida carved jewellry, T-shirts with silk-screened native designs, cedar carvings and bentwood boxes, knitting and chrocheting, handmade Christmas decorations, spruce root weaving, framed original paintings, books, homemade candles, homemade baked good...

nervously delighted squeals from children and the banging of cupboard doors, crashing of falling objects and bumping of bodies into furniture as Masset families scramble to find candles, flashlights and lanterns on the occasion of yet another power outage... and children heard begging Daddy to tell them about the "Dark Ages" when Daddy was a little boy growing up in Old Massett and there were no electric lights... and horrified amazement to learn there were also no TVs, computers, Nintendos, electric appliances, Christmas lights, VCRs, etc etc... and protestations from Daddy that it was only a few years ago and it was NOT the Dark Ages... and reminders that some folks on the island still live beyond the reach of BC Hydro

Ring...ring...Hello, this is BC Ferries, please stand by for a special bulleting...due to weather conditions the ferry will be 48 hours behind schedule .Ring..Ring ...Hello, this is Harbour Air, we regret that due to weather conditions all flights are cancelled ... crackle, crackle... This is the marine forecast...gales in Hecate Strait ... storm warnings in Dixon Entrance

the "woooo" of the wind howling round the corner of the house with the splatters of rain tossed up against the window by a gusting, yet tepid, wouth wind, the the drip, drip, drip of melting snow falling from the housetop to the mushy, slushy remains of yesterday's beautiful, but sadly short-lived, white stuff

air crackling with the scrumpling noises of paper being folded, the zzzippp of tape being cut from the roll, the happy sounds of young voices, as little elves excitedly prepare for Christmas

joyous choir of voices lifted in exhultation over the celebration of Christ's birth; voices young and old joining in dramatic representation of the spirit of the season; appreciative clapping by an audience eagerly enjoying the efforts of so many community members at the annual Christmas concert

appreciative overflow crowd clapping enthusiastically for all the songs, dance, and drama at the annual Tahayghen Elementary Christmas concert

incredible light displays on both homes and businesses inviting folks to get out for a frosty evening's walk or drive to enjoy the spirit of celebration

Masset Christmas Sail-past from Old Massett to the New Masset docks featuring brightly decorated fish and sail boats on the water, accompanied by cars driving along the highway opposite them, honking and flicking their lights... and beautifully decorated homes along the waterfront adding to the colorful scene

sounds of Santa splashing down the chimney, while his flying seals flap around on the roof... intrepid cross-country skiers waterskiing down the street... tent-cities erected outside the closed-down ferry and airplane terminals... Merry Masset Christmas, folks!

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January sounds
crunch, squeak, crunch of crispy dry snow underfoot... chattering of teeth in sub-zero temperatures... slap, splat of snowballs contacting woolly winter wear... swoosh of boots sliding over slippery frozen snow... soft plop of snow gently flopping from heavily laden branches to cottony snowbanks below... swoosh of sleds flying down slippery white slopes... whooshing of freshly sharpened skate blades gliding over frozen ponds in the gravel pits... happy shouts and squeals from youngsters playing joyfully in the beautiful white stuff... booming of slate gray surf pounding frozen shores and gently swallowing flakes that dare to land too close to the tide line

seed catalog pages rustling and eager dreaming and discussion about spring planting, and garden and landscaping plans... as happy gardeners, oblivious to the mundane demands of life, nestle into the cozy comfort of their easy chairs on dripping, blustery, beclouded January evenings, noses buried in colorful seed catalogs, lost in dreamy reverie, thoughts of sunny summer days in their variegated flower gardens and bountiful vegetable patches blotting out the drabness of winter

daily footsteps trekking out to the wintry remains of the flower garden to see if any snowdrops have put in an appearance yet

moans of dismay as local citizens dig deep into their pocketbooks and come up empty after the joyous spending season

coffeeroom chitchat turning to the morbid subject of income tax

swishing of brooms across ice as eager curlers practice overtime for the upcoming Mixed Open Bonspiel

rumblings from the latest earthtremor echoing in the form of discussion of our Emergency Response Plan and how effective it would be if we had a really big earthquake or tsunami... followed by busy stockpiling of basic emergency supplies, and practice response drills... and checking out the spring Community Recreation / Continuing Ed calendar to see if any First Aid courses are being offered

Date: mid 1990s

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My name is Norma. I'm married to Lionel. We have 5 kids - Taryn, Sarah, Robyn, Wendy and Peter, and one grandchild, Tony. At the moment, I am teaching French and Home Economics at a Christian School. I also enjoy writing, reading, facilitating Christian study groups, exercise, gardening, playing guitar, and a multitude of other interests.

I hope you will find some stimulating ideas here, and I'd love to hear your reactions and thoughts too... leave a note in the Guest Book, or email me.

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