by Joy Metcalfe

Gail Nugent, receiving a 2018 Ma Murray Award. (Byron Smith Photo)

CELEBRATING THE NOBLE COCKTAIL …

After all the depressing news and dreadful situations of this past while with COVID, the deadly drug and deplorable homelessness problems, landslides, floodings, tornados, and food, gas, and utility shortages, I’m happy to be able to pass along some positive fun news.

Gotham’s elegant Steakhouse and Bar was the recent setting for the announcement that Vancouver will be hosting the first-ever Vancouver Cocktail Week this spring. The dates are March 6th to 10th, 2022.

The idea hatched from the busy brain of Gail Nugent, publisher, founder, and producer of The Alchemist Magazine, and her editor and VCW co-founder, Joanne Sasvari.

Together with BC Hospitality Foundation’s executive director Dana Harris as consultant and a top-notch committee, they have laid out an exciting array of events to celebrate “The Cocktail”.

With more than 35 brand sponsors, and five days and nights of seminars and events across 50 venues including all the top bars and restaurants, Gail and her crew are inviting everyone to participate in this inaugural salute to the cocktail.

There’s Tipsy Tea at Notch8, a Botany of Brunch at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, Queen’s Cross Pub in North Vancouver is in, as are H2 Rotisserie and Bar at The Westin Bayshore, Hy’s Steakhouse, Bar Corso on Commercial, Ancora on Howe, Published on Main, Clough Club in Gastown, Hawksworth on Georgia, Land and Sea on West 57th, Lavish Liquid on East 5th, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar - and so many more. Even Vancouver’s famed Aquarium stars in “Under the Sea” with Mount Gay, the world’s oldest rum distillery.

To wind everything up on a high note, the Fun City Gala will be the marquee event of the week at the Roof of Fairmont’s Hotel Vancouver, taking guests on a glamorous journey through a tipsy tour of Vancouver’s alcoholic traditions and famed watering holes like Gassy Jack’s Saloon in Gastown or Chinatown’s Cold Tea Party. Wear your dancing shoes, shimmy sheaths and feather boas, and book your taxi or uber ride home now.

Gotham’s, under beverage director Steve Schmietenknop, did an excellent launch and they did it in style with wonderful canapes like Prime Rib Sliders, Seymour Fried Chicken and Prime Steak and Prawn Skewers along with Smoked Salmon and Black & Blue Ahi Tuna with such cocktails as Grey Goose Espresso Martini, Pineapple Daiquiri. The Pathfinder, Classic Negroni and Stoli Vodka Gimlet....Great to see such pro’s like Stile Brands’ Dorothy Budden and my favorite fellow, Tim Pawsey, enjoying the do! ...

THEY’RE WINNERS ON BOWEN ISLAND!

Someone else who is always on the ball is Murray Atherton, the unofficial mayor of downtown Bowen Island where they have had a slew of top awards and international mentions for several of their thriving businesses like Tell Your Friends Cafe, a great little coffee shop right on the pier when you get off the ferry . Tell Your Friends has been honored as one of Canada’s most exceptional coffee shops…

And then there’s Bowen Island’s Riley’s Cidery. The results are in and they have just won Gold!

Owners Rob Purdy and Christine Hardy are very excited to announce that their Single Varietal Mac received the Gold Medal in the Dry Modern Cider category at the International Brewing and Cider Awards in London. They are absolutely chuffed! According to Mr. A, everyone is raving about their cider ...

A DRAGON OF A TALE …

John D’Eathe’s first novel Laundering the Dragon is attracting lots of attention from avid adventure readers and from local security forces. Laundering is a satirical, well-researched historical novel that John has based on real-life experiences. The 85-year old has spent more than 50 years in urban land development and real estate investment in Asia, the U.S. and Canada and is a lifetime member of the B.C. Bar Association. He’s also won numerous awards for his civic involvement and community leadership.

His story began in Hong Kong and Macau when the Communists seized control of China and follows the fictitious adventures of present-day financial pirates in Canada. Top RCMP and VPD officers have put their stamp of approval on this first-time effort.

As one said “I absolutely did not enjoy your book - I loved it! It mesmerized me!” ...

A SAD ABSENCE ON NOVEMBER 11 …

This year’s annual November 11th ceremonies honoring our Canadian war veterans was especially sad and somber, notable by the absence of Cameron Cathcart, the voice and emcee of the Remembrance Day services at Victory Square for the past 18 years.

Cam, with his strong unwavering voice, gave that hour and time an added grace and importance. You could feel his deep sense of commitment to war veterans, dead or alive, throughout our country.

Sadly Cam passed away suddenly at his home on June 5th at the age of 83. He was born in Quebec in 1938 and moved to Vancouver in 1952 where he found his career niche in journalism, working at several radio and TV stations before joining the CBC for the next 30 years.

He leaves behind Christine, his loving wife of more than 60 years, two children, Shaun and Erin, and four grandchildren who will miss their grandfather immensely, Our deepest condolences to his wife, family and friends. Several scholarships in Cam’s name are being planned by the veterans to honor their brother in arms ...

LAST MAN STANDING …

In 2019, Vancouver businessman, Lorne Segal had the honor of telling his father Joe’s story as a WWII veteran in front of 20,000 young people at Rogers Arena during WE Day Vancouver.

Today, Joe is 97 and one of the few remaining veterans of Canada’s greatest generation. The war took place more than 75 years ago, an eternity for the young audience in attendance. Joe was an 18-year-old soldier and served throughout the conflict, with the Canadian military fighting overseas.

When son Lorne introduced him that night, 20,000 cell phone lights lit up the arena in a salute to a real Canadian hero. Of the one thousand soldiers with whom he served in the Canadian 5th Division, Joe is the only one left.

That’s why November 11 is so important for us to remember - to never forget,

Soon they and the wars will be long forgotten, a small notation at the bottom of the history book while the poppies continue to grow in Flanders field. Take care, Joe ...

FAREWELL TO A RADIO LEGEND …

If you were a longtime CKNW radio listener, when you think of Bill Hughes and his daily Roving Mike program in which he interviewed visitors from all parts of the world to our fair city, you would recall a lovely long languid, “Good Morning, friends”.

Bill was living his dream of being on the radio and over 43 years, became a newsreader, did sales, became general manager and part-owner of CKNW with Frank Griffiths and Western Broadcasting. But his 15,000 Roving Mike interviews were the highlight of his long career.

Over the years, Brian (Frosty) Forst was frequently in touch with Bill via computer and wished that he’d gotten to know him even better. But Bill was so respected and held on such a high pedestal by those in the industry, he seemed unapproachable.

“If there was a pyramid of everyone in the “Golden Age” of radio, Bill would be at the top,” said Frosty, “He was responsible for the absolute dominance of CKNW for all those decades. All the big decisions and hirings he oversaw, live sports, news dominance, talk shows, promotions, all under Bill’s watch. Despite his having reached 96 years, he’ll still be missed. Smart as a whip and as close to a broadcast genius as you can get.”

I recall Bill asking me to come to his office for a chat one day. I was terrified. But he was so pleasant and relaxed and welcoming. The reason he wanted to speak to me, he said, was that I was rushing too fast through my on-air “Joy’s Journal” and that I should slow down a wee bit.

So together we tried “slowing down” with several of my scripts, with me secretly hoping I’d get an extra minute or two. Finally, he turned to me and said, “I like your enthusiasm. I like Joy’s Journal. You’ve got the goods. Go with it!” Just a great guy …

Bill was born a Moon Child on July 17 (my birthday too) and passed away on Nov. 15 at age 96. Our prayers and thoughts are with his wife, Dorothy, their three sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren …

FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS …

And finally from my family to yours, may I wish everyone the happiest Christmas ever and new positive beginnings for 2022. Stay safe and well. My prayers are with you all.

Merry Christmas!