by Joy Metcalfe

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!

I’m so happy today for an intelligent, dedicated and determined woman who has just won a major award in her field of endeavour.

Corus Entertainment’s CKNW morning host, Simi Sara has just won Broadcast Dialogue’s inaugural Canadian Broadcast Award for Best On Air Host in a major broadcast market. And to be the first winner of this prestigious award makes it that much more special. And a great way to start the new year. Couldn’t be happier for this hard-working veteran of the airwaves. Congratulations, Simi! …

Santa and Mrs. Clause (aka Ed Thompson and Gillian Campbell).

A HOLIDAY SEASON LIKE NO OTHER!

Despite the dreadful COVID situation, the Christmas season this year proved to be quite an adventure for two very special people, Santa and Mrs. Claus by name.

Gillian Campbell and her ever-loving husband Ed Thompson thought that they’d have a much quieter holiday season because of the disease and were resigned to putting their feet up In front of the fire and sipping hot cocoa.

They had represented more than 30 acting Santas for quite a while but this year, only 15 were willing to work. The others, understandably, wouldn’t risk it.

Al Guraliak of Total Entertainment Network and Kelly Daines of Siegel Entertainment asked If they would share their Santas with them as they had planned Santa visits virtually.

Al rented a studio in Burnaby and the Santas, elves and Santa and Mrs. Claus were set up in their own rooms, complete with a decorative Christmas background where they did 15-minute visits via Zoom with the excited little kids every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for two weeks.

And they continued with their annual gig every Sunday at the Vancouver Club, performing behind Plexiglas.

The following week, they were at home in costume in their North Pole setting for numerous Zoom sessions with children and their parents. Their first gig had 26 people on one call! That was a challenge!

They had checked beforehand with the families to learn the kids’ names, ages, interests, pets and what they wanted for Christmas. The kids were thrilled, singing Christmas songs with Santa and Mrs. Claus while Santa wound up the visit by reading them all “The Night Before Christmas”.

Over the years, they had become the voice of St. Paul’s Hospital’s annual “Lights of Hope” fundraiser. This year was no different, except that they did it from a nearby scrupulously clean studio. In between the gigs, they also managed to get out to emcee, host and entertain at the annual Surrey Christmas Tree light-up.

But the highlight of their whole seasonal adventure in 2020 happened when CTV called and asked if they would do an interview about the Lights of Hope and the money-raising need. The interview by CTV’s Morning Man Jason Pires was done in their living room in Burnaby with Ed and Gillian again in full costume. The pre-recorded event had shots of the hospital, doctors, nurses and staff and everyone involved with St. Paul’s, all with big grins and waves.

These two veteran performers, with hearts of gold, signed off with a hearty singalong of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas!” Happy 2021, Santa and Mrs. Claus! ...

ANOTHER WELL-DESERVED AWARD

Each year, the Surrey NOW Leader newspaper recognizes community leaders. This year their Volunteer of the Year was presented to former CKNW ace reporter, George Garrett. George was chosen for his work in helping to establish the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society in 2016 and subsequently fund-raising for that organization.

The Society provides free transportation to and from treatment for hundreds of cancer patients in the Lower Mainland and in the Fraser Valley. The volunteer drivers pick up the patients at home, take them to their treatments, wait for them and then drive them home - all free.

George tells me that they have had wonderful support from firefighters union locals, municipal councils and many foundations. While he has now retired from the board and from fundraising, he is now focusing on Legacy Giving and has made provisions in his will for the Volunteer Cancer Drivers in the hope that others will follow his lead.

A very deserving award for you, George Garrett, and a great way to start 2021! Kudos galore! ...

A SHOW OF HEARTS & DINING OUT

This year’s annual Variety Club’s Show of Hearts telethon will be done on Global over three days, kicking off on February 18 on the morning news, the noon news and at 6 p.m. and repeating on Friday. On Saturday February 20 the show will run from 1 to 5:30 pm with special guests, top rockers Loverboy, and the award-winning David Foster….

And Canada’s largest food and drink festival “Dine Out 2021” will open February 5 and run through March 7. Get your reservations in soon …

Brian “Frosty” Forst, back when he ruled the morning airwaves.

CHECKING IN ON SOME BROADCAST LEGENDS

I mentioned a few months back that another CKNW colleague and former top morning man, Brian “Frosty” Forst, had had a second heart attack. Well, just to assure his legion of loyal fans, Frosty’s just fine and very pleased to be one of the zillions of seniors to be first in line for that all-important vaccine.

He also tells me that grand old Bill Hughes of ‘NW’s “On the Buses” Is happy and content in his mid-90’s. He and his wife are now living in a pleasant residence in Tsawwassen.

Cameron Bell, onetime news boss at ‘NW and Global TV, is well and alive and just as grumpy as ever, while CKNW’s diminutive Paul Preston, who once gave the funniest speech ever heard at a staff and executives Christmas party, has been ailing. Paul’s recovering from his third major surgery in the past six years and is now doing weekly chemo treatments. Get well soon, Paul, we all need your outrageously good humor …

Soft-spoken Rick Forchuk, former insurance biggie and longtime ‘NW movie critic, continues his radio show at 6:45 AM on Stirling Faux’s weekend program, bringing us all up to date in the film and TV industry.

As to Frosty, he’s hoping for another year of riding over hill and dale on his motorcycle. At 83, he has his fingers crossed…

Murray Atherton - Celebrating and promoting all things Bowen Island!

BOWEN ISLAND AHOY!

And despite the current ongoing COVID problems, Bowen Island is in great shape. Dedicated island dweller and eternally optimistic Murray Atherton reports that they’re building some “attainable housing”, a health centre and a new fire hall. And Tourism Bowen Island is looking forward to welcoming visitors as soon as the travel restrictions are lifted.

Most of the stores and restaurants are open and waiting for visits when appropriate.

Bowen has such charm and vitality with fishing, kayaking, hiking and touring and it’s only a 20-minute ferry ride away...

LOCKED DOWN IN POINT ROBERTS

Former top Vancouver executive, Brian Calder, who for the past decades, has lived and worked on his ten acres in Point Roberts, continues his campaign to seek immediate political assistance to address the looming economic collapse brought on by the COVID-19 border closures.

He’s begging the Canadian and U.S. governments to bring about a resolution in the new year that citizens there will be allowed to cross our border to get to Blaine or Bellingham for work, school or medical appointments. He says it’s cruel, unfair and unjust to keep the 1000-plus people isolated and alone in a plummeting economy. What say, Mr. T? ...

LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE!

Witty Gale Honey has some thoughts on the current COVID dilemma outside of the usual questions - What are you cooking? What are you eating?

She’s given it a lot of thought and figures that there is good news about wearing masks.

Lipstick sales are down (why waste your favourite red?), men don’t have to shave, (some look even sexier with a beard) fragrance sales are down since we don’t need it (can’t get close enough to smell you anyway), and all the money you save on toothpaste as no one can see if you have lettuce in your teeth.

And a reminder -- wearing the masks make those mysterious little creases and wrinkles disappear in a flash, while buying the masks in the colour of your eyes makes them a fashion accessory aided no end by fake lashes that are selling out.

Think Lucille Ball! ...

Peace, Joy and Love! Stay safe and well!

Cheers!
Joy

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Kevin Dale McKeown
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