Farewell Dame Vera!

FAREWELL DAME VERA LYNN
Dedicated Vancouver Variety Club Supporter

by Joy Metcalfe
(Click any image to enlarge)

The news that Dame Vera Lynn had passed away at the age of 103 brought feelings of sadness and happiness to thousands throughout the British Empire and here in Canada – happy that she had had a long, happy and successful life and sad that the songbird of World War II had gone to sing with the angels. She truly was a heroine, travelling to the war zones to bring her songs of hope and encouragement to the young men facing the enemy’s guns, so far from home. She was known and loved as The Sweetheart of the British Forces.

Dame Vera visited Vancouver many, many times after the war, specifically to entertain and raise money at Variety Club’s annual telethon.

She truly believed in Variety’s cause of helping children.

Every time she went on stage during the telethon to sing her iconic hits like We’ll Meet Again, White Cliffs of Dover, Land of Hope and Glory and Auf Wiedersehen, the Kleenex would come out, the phone lines would light up immediately and the total would be over the top again…

And while most charities are hard at work trying desperately to raise funds for their foundation or organization during this pandemic, Variety at Work, a large group of senior members like Barbara Stewart and her pals, have been able to secure a welcome benefit, thanks to the generosity of their staunch supporter, the BuyLow grocery chain.

Because of Covid 19, Variety people had to cancel planned trips with their special children up Grouse Mountain and sea voyages and picnic get-togethers. Instead, thanks to BuyLow, they’re putting together and delivering more than 50 picnic bags of goodies as a treat for their special kids. Nice idea…

A MONTY HALL “OOPS” MOMENT
A Cautionary Tale!

Still with Variety Club doings, it was a few years ago when 960 black-tie guests gathered to honour Vancouver businessman, Tong Louie, as he became the first Canadian recipient of Variety International’s Golden Heart Award for Community Achievement, following on the heels of Nancy Reagan and Johnny Carson.

Emcee for this gala gala do was the Canadian International Chairman, Monty Hall, famed game show host. It was at Variety’s international convention in our town that Monty had been recently honoured with the Humanitarian of the Year Award and organizers wanted the presentation to the tireless and deserving Hall to come off with as much style and pizzaz as possible.

Bridge Over The River Kwai producer Mike Frankovitch was tabbed to oversee the affair with assistance from Monty’s wife Marilyn. Angie Dickenson was to be the presenter with Dal Richards and his orchestra supplying the music.

During one of the many planning meetings, Marilyn asked Dal, if, during the festive evening, he could play Rogers and Hart’s ballad, Where or When.

“Certainly”, agreed Dal, “ Is it a favourite of yours?”

“As a matter of fact,” said Marilyn, “It’s a very special song. Monty and I became engaged many years ago as that piece was being played. I always request it so that no matter where we are or how busy Monty is, that special music comes through and we smile at each other and remember. Confidentially, I use that song as a gauge to see how my marriage is doing!”

Finally, the big night arrived and, after the speeches and presentations were made, Dal, with a wink at Marilyn, struck up Where or When. Two pairs of eyes were instantly turned to Monty Hall, who was deeply engrossed in conversation with the gorgeous Angie Dickenson.

You guessed it – he never looked up!

Oh, to be a fly on the wall of their hotel suite that night! I can hear him now, “Aw, c’mon Marilyn, let’s make a deal!”

RAY BUCHANAN
Costumer To The Stars

It truly was a grand day as we marked the life and times of gentle, kind and caring Ray Buchanan on his 90th birthday in late March. You may never have known him or even heard of him but he was a quiet gentleman whose creative brain was always working.

He was Vancouver’s top costume designer and creator for almost 70 years and an inductee into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, the only costumer so recognized.

He was pivotal to the long success of Watts Costumes where he poured out his unique talent for Hollywood glamour.

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His spectacular gowns, created for Gillian Campbell aka Klondike Kate, (photo gallery on right - click images to enlarge) have been seen around the world. His discerning eye for beauty became magic under the lights as Gillian entertained the masses, singing and swaying in musical revues throughout the province and beyond. Ray embodied the era of the Gold Rush days.

Mitzi Gaynor would have loved him and his creations!

Always generous to the core, Ray and Gillian donated more than 50 of her spectacularly unique gowns complete with hats, gloves, shoes and feathered boas to the McBride Museum in Whitehorse where they will be on display for years to come.

The sad news is that one day after his 90th birthday, Ray passed away from COVID-19.

Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

I didn’t know Ray as well as Gillian did, but he had helped me a few times when I needed costuming. The first time was for the annual Croquet Championship contest out on the spacious lawns of Carol and Paul Smolen’s Hart House. It was a yearly fundraiser for Special Olympics and all participants had to be in costume.

Joy Metcalfe as Alice with Nicole Parton (left) as the Queen of Hearts, Denny Boyd (far right) as the Mad Hatter, and an unidentified White Rabbit.

We were a trio from Alice in Wonderland with The Sun’s Denny Boyd as the Mad Hatter, Nicole Parton of The Province was the Queen of Hearts and I, from the North Shore News, was Alice in a long blonde wig. We were not the greatest croquet players, but we did raise some money for the worthy cause – and the Smolens were so lovely!

My next trip to Watts was when I was invited to a very glamorous dinner party by businessman Steven Funk who had just built a beautiful mansion on the lake in the heart of the posh British Properties along with the suggestion to dress in the tradition of the Old South.

Once again I hustled over to Watts to be gowned in a beautiful pink satin and lace creation with deep scooped neckline, multi petticoats, hooped swishy skirt and laced so tightly around my waistline, I could barely breathe!

There were actors, singers and dancers and magicians all over the vast estate as well as tables laden with shrimp, prawns, steak and ribs along with every cooling beverage.

It was the same night that that wonderful humanitarian and hotel owner Roy Lisogar was hosting his annual gala party to celebrate his birthday. His parties, thanks to wife Lori, were always quite marvellous and the party guests, lining up to salute him, were some of the biggest and best names in town, including Canada’s Pet, Juliette .

I could stay only long enough to get some pics that night because of Funk’s do up the hill, but Roy understood. “So glad you made it to my party in your Gone With The Wind gown. It’s so much sexier than your CKNW sweatshirt!”

Joy as Isabella with Ruy as Ferdinand, and their court. (Jack Wong Photo)

But the most fun costumed ball of all occurred when Ruy Paes-Braga, the VP and GM of the tony Four Seasons Hotel, decided to join in the Vancouver Opera’s fundraising Night of a 1001 Dinners and host a posh dinner which was to be set in the Royal Court of Spain. Ruy was King Ferdinand 11and I was Queen Isabella.

I have never felt more regal in my life. I loved it – and the Court ladies were all gowned accordingly. Ray heartily approved.

Ruy wasn’t as thrilled with his costume, especially the skinny pantaloons with which he struggled mightily. And I’ve never heard so much angry-sounding Portuguese!!

But again, it was a joyful and satisfying event and we did raise money for the cause - again thanks to that genius with the needle and unbridled imagination.

Rest in peace, Ray…

DID SOMEONE SAY “COOKIES” !
A Seniors’ Assist For Girl Guides

When a recent newspaper headlined “Girl Guides Seek Community Help Selling Cookies” it prompted former journalist and P.R. man Jim Peacock to mobilize his retirement residence colleagues at PoCo’s Astoria Retirement Residence to fund the purchase of enough boxes to gift one to each member of management and staff of the residence as a token of thanks for the great job they do for the seniors each day.

Peacock is secretary to the residents’ council, repping about 150 men and women who call Astoria home. He and six others raised $300 to buy 60 boxes while the residence’s general store ordered many more to sell directly. Cookies are always a big seller.

The end result, as voiced by council co-chairs Shirley Paine and Marion Mello, “The whole idea added purpose to our daily lives in this incredible time of the coronavirus challenges.”

They hoped the plan would catch on and help the Girl Guides’ fundraising need to sell 800 boxes – that the idea would become as contagious as the virus. It’s a worthy idea especially in the West End where we have so many seniors and a busy seniors’ home at Haro Park Centre, and so many people willing to help out wherever and whenever they can…