by Joy Metcalfe

England Group CEO and Cancuck Place supporter Kevin England.

AND THE SHOW WENT ON …

Despite COVID, pouring rain and gusty winds, the inaugural Classic and Contemporary Car Invitational fundraiser for Canuck Place at Ambleside Park in West Van came off amazingly well. More than 40 show-stopping automobiles were there under a protective awning as some 200 invited guests oohed and aahed.

Spotted among the dressy crowd were Canuck Place CEO Dr. Tarnia Taverner, Davina and Paul Zalesky, Jill and Michael Killeen, Monica Soprovich, Rahul Khanna, Christie and David Garofalo, Zahra Salisbury, Peter Armstrong and realtor Lori Rowe.

This was an elegant catered affair with food and wine and music, but the cars were the stars of the show. Each of the cars owners had donated a substantial sum to Canuck Place, which offers aid to children and families facing life-threatening illnesses.

Kevin England, founder, president and CEO of the England Group, one of North America’s premier real estate investment companies, was the organizer of this first-time affair along with his friend, Dave Lede, after he went to the children’s hospice this past summer. And he gave a very touching and emotional speech about the impact that first time visit had made on him.

He had brought his 1911 Model T to Canuck Place to give a family staying there, (parents with three sons, eight, five, and three years old) a little break. The youngest was receiving care from the doctors and nurses on the clinical floor while his brothers were in family rooms on the top floor.

The boys were so excited to drive around the neighborhood in the classic car, dispelling, for a short while, their worry for their little brother.

The boys’ father thanked Kevin for the respite and confided how difficult it was to have a child and not be able to protect them from cancer and that Canuck Place is heaven-sent — a loving, safe oasis, a break in the challenges of caring for their terminally ill child.

That little boy at Canuck Place who had inspired Kevin, passed away the very day of the classic car show.

In his honour, Kevin and Dave have named the annual prize for the People’s Choice Award for the best car, “Sawyer’s Cup”.

The winning auto? No surprise - the 1935 Duesenberg.

The best surprise was that this first time fundraising effort raised an awe-inspiring $519,515 ...

*Laundering the Dragon* author John D’Eathe.

A NOVEL FOR OUR TIMES …

Someone else who’s pretty excited right now is West Van’s retired realtor, world traveller and first time author, John D’Eathe. It’s his debut crime novel called Laundering The Dragon.

A few years ago, he published Tokkie Smith and the Colour of Rugby which was a non-fiction book celebrating the contribution of South Africa’s Tokkie Smith to the development of Hong Kong’s Rugby Sevens and the struggle to encourage people of colour to get into the game.

Laundering the Dragon grew out of John’s frustration with the impact of money-laundering on the Canadian economy and the lack of concern to fight the illegal international activity. Laundering The Dragon is fictional, following the trail of dirty money around the world in a compelling story with both cutthroat and farcical situations.

Hale and hearty at 85, John’s first time effort in the world of fiction couldn’t be more timely. And what does the author’s wife, Lane, think of the book?

“Fascinating characters, money, sex, drugs and a message. What more can you ask?” ...

THE RETURN OF DR. SPORT …

And he’s back! A blast from the past! One of the best and feistiest sports reporters this town has ever had is back on the beat. Dr. Sport, aka Greg Douglas, has a new venue for his valued reportage and opinions. Greg has been hired by Orca Bay Sports to add more zip to their new online sports newsletter, to enliven and inform readers of all things sports. With that deep sexy voice and special guests like Jim Robson and Gene Kiniski, Greg’s audience is in for a treat …

ART FOR ART’S SAKE …

And kudos to the organizers, sponsors and volunteers who did such a fantastic job at the 39th annual Arts Umbrella’s Splash gala gala do!

Canada’s leading non-profit organization for youth arts education held its most successful event to date with another unique adaptation of its annual Splash Art Auction and Gala. Presented by the investment firm Nicola Wealth, the flagship affair welcomed 600 art aficionados, patrons, and business and community leaders.

As in previous years, the festive evening at Fairmont’s Hotel Vancouver was sold out as soon as it was announced. Co-chairing the festive affair once again were Christie Garofalo and Bruce Munro Wright while Gloria Macarenko and Fred Lee shared the emceeing duties. Also on hand and looking very proud and happy with the glamorous turnout was Paul Larocque, Arts Umbrella’s President and CEO, along with Carol Henriquez, Arts Umbrella’s co-founder and Honorary Chair — just as tiny and dynamic as ever.

Also spotted Yuri Fulmer, Canadian entrepreneur and member of the Order of B.C., along with Arts Umbrella’s board chairs Tom Ferries and James Harry. James is the just-announced winner of the 2021 Fulmer Award in First Nations Art.

Some of our most talented artists were there as well lending their support, familiar names like Angela Grossmann, Andrew Dadson, Brian Howell, Kevin Boyle, Scott Sueme, Jolinda Linden, Marie Khouri and Gabryel Harrison.

So happy, too, to see our town’s famed restaurateurs, David Aisenstat and his brother, Neil Aisenstat, at the do. Neil is President and CEO of Hy’s Canada while David is President and CEO of the Keg Steakhouse and Bar. The menu must have been a real treat for the Aisenstat brothers as the evening’s entree was a choice of Pan Roasted Ling Cod or Roasted Cauliflower Steak.

But the big surprise of the night was the announcement that the affair had raised $1.5 million!

ON A PERSONAL NOTE …

As we all know, life sometimes takes a devastating turn.

Over the past three weeks, our family has experienced great joy and some unexpected sadness.

On Wednesday, Sept. 29th, Bill and I slipped down the street and quietly celebrated our 70th wedding anniversary at the White Spot. Somehow it just seemed appropriate.

The White Spot was founded in 1928 and Bill, who just turned 93, was also “founded” in 1928. When I made the reservation, I mentioned that it was a rather special evening as we’d been wed for seven decades.

Our server was a delightful young woman named Sam who was so interested in how we met, what brought us together, where we married, how many kids we had and so much more. It was really a fun evening.

As Bill was bringing out his charge card, Sam dashed off, reappearing with a lovely bouquet of fall flowers and waved off the bill.

We were stunned and delighted. What a nice surprise.

It was just a few days later when my only brother, retired VPD St. Sgt. Tom (Tucker) Carroll, called to say that, after suffering for six weeks with a very sore leg, his doctor was putting him in Langley Memorial for tests. What they found was a cancerous tumor in his leg and that the cancer had spread to his brain and his lungs.

After more consultation, Tucker and his family realized that he wasn’t going to get better and decided that he should move into hospice care. We wanted to rush out to see him immediately on that Friday, but doctors advised that he was very anxious and in too much pain. He passed away that night.

After coming to terms with his passing, it was probably for the best. Tucker’s now free of pain, fear and suffering. My brother was a great Big Brother. Always up and positive. He loved his wife, Sharan, his children and grandchildren, and his job, especially when he was head of the Dog Squad.

Rest in peace, Tucker. We’ll miss and love you forever.

Give your loved ones an extra big hug today and tell them that you love them ...