by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)

HONOURING THE GIVERS

It really is amazing and quite dreadful that we humans take so much for granted. The police department, the fire department, the RCMP, ambulance drivers, bus drivers, doctors, nurses, teachers, street cleaners, mail deliverers — all those vitally important people who try to make our daily lives more livable. And then there are the Givers.

These are the wealthy people in our midst who genuinely care about the human condition and want to help. Jimmy Pattison, the Segal family, the Diamond family, the gentle and kind Djavad Mowafaghian, Grace McCarthy and daughter Mary Parsons, founded the CHILD Foundation and raised more than $10 million for children suffering from pediatric gastroenterology like Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The late Bob Lee, survived by wife Lily Lee and daughter Carol Lee, are determined to help revive Chinatown. Kevin England and Dave Lede produce the yearly Classic Cars extravaganza to benefit Canuck Place, the first children’s hospice in North America. These are just some of the philanthropists trying to make Vancouver a better place.

For example, Michael Audain, founder and chairman of Polygon Homes, art collector and philanthropist, has, through his Audain Foundation, recently donated $2 million to Granville Island’s Arts Umbrella. That donation to the non-profit organization will be permanently endowed to ensure continued access to arts programming for children and youth in Vancouver and across Canada.

He presented his generous gift just prior to Arts Umbrella’s 41st annual fund-raising Splash gala, which was held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver last week. Co-chaired by that dynamic team of Christie Garofalo and Bruce Munro Wright, more than a record-setting 600 dressy guests attended,, who were warmly welcomed by hosts Gloria Macarenko and auctioneer Fred Lee.

Spotted in the vast crowd was the same Michael Audain and his wife, Yoshiko Karasawa, Nicola Wealth Chairman and CEO John Nicola, Nicola Wealth Chairman and President of Arts Umbrella Foundation, David Sung, Splash artists Lauren Brevner, James Harry, Bobbie Burgers, Russna Kaur, and, best of all, Arts Umbrella’s co-founder and Honourary Chair, Carol Henriquez. The glitzy event raised another $1.8 million to benefit Arts Umbrella…

HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY STARS

It was also a very special evening last week as the Restaurant and Food Services folks gathered for the 2023 Restaurant Hall of Fame awards, a night of recognition and celebration at the spacious Italian Cultural Centre. Jody Vance, now on CHEKTV with on-air partner Lynda Steele, was the evening’s emcee, with Howard Blank as auctioneer. Together, they welcomed a record-breaking 430 guests.

As president and CEO Ian Tostenson opined, “On behalf of the Board and staff of the BCRFA, welcome! We have all missed each other over the past four years due to a slight pandemic diversion! Tonight marks another milestone of the power of an industry that has shown so much resiliency.”

Special guest on hand was Her Honour, Lieutenant Governor of B.C., Janet Austin, aglow in a pink silk jacket, pink eye glass frames and vibrant pink lipstick, all denoting her support for the BC Cancer Society, as well as her ongoing support of the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services organization.

Echoing her words were B.C. Premier David Eby and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, both of whom sent heartfelt greetings and encouraging messages to the members of the BCRFA.

The entire venue felt electrified with hushed anticipation as the new inductees into the prestigious Hall of Fame were announced. The first inductee as a Friend of the Industry was Bert Hick, President and founder of Rising Tide Consultants, followed by Local Champions Robert Cassels, Ross Derrick, Gino Di Domenico, Jessie McCleery, RD Stewart, and Karen Roland.

The next group of winners were the Women in Hospitality, Kelsey Oudendag. Jennifer Rossi, Cathy Tostenson and Donna Wadsworth.

The Suppliers of the Year were Chris Brown and Yvonne Koo Leong, while Andy Crimp, Ken Nakano and Celestino Posteraro won in the category for Leading Employer/Manager.

Next up was the Active Restauranteur category, won by Neil Aisenstat, Michael Doyle, Audrey Surrao, Lily Verney-Downey and Warren Barr, followed by the Industry Pioneer award won by big Ron Slinger and David Wong.

Ron will finish his long career as publican and owner of the Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub in North Van at month’s end.

Topping off the event-filled line-up were the winners of the prized Lifetime Achievement Award, Kelly Gordon, James Iranzad and Claudio Ranallo.

That was followed by a spontaneous salute to BCRFS president and CEO Ian Tostenson by Kelly Gordon, Bert Hick, Michael Doyle and Daniel Frankel, to the blushing of Mr. T.

Then, auctioneer and Variety Club executive Howard Blank took over the mic and offered ski trips, cruises and terrific prizes that the crowd couldn’t put their hands up for quickly enough.

And there was an extra surprise that evening — one of which I had long suggested to many gala organizers — and that was to start the evening’s proceedings with the singing of O Canada, our national anthem.

Sometimes I think we as Canadians take too much for granted. We should be proud of our vast country and sing O Canada with faith and fervour, loudly and proudly.

They sing O Canada and the Star Spangled Banner at most of the major sporting events. Why not at the gala gala do’s?

So my surprise of the entire Hall of Fame event came when a gentleman appeared on stage in his wheelchair with his guitar to sing — you guessed it — O Canada! His name is Riley Inge, a former member of The Temptations. He was smooth, talented and he made my night!!

Thanks, Ian and Riley, it was the best O Canada I’ve ever heard!

FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF RADIO

Speaking of restaurants and eateries, the twice yearly gathering of the members of RPM (Radio Performers Meeting) took place at Mitsy Tsoukaf’s Neighbours Diner, where more than 50 radio personalities chewed and chatted and remembered the good old days of radio.

Broadcasters Joe Leary and pal, Phil Mackasy are keeping the gang together following the passing of founders Red Robinson and Rick Honey. I hadn’t attended for some time, so it was a very special noonhour for me; especially seeing such airwave icons as Doc Harris, who arrived with deep cuts in his forehead after tripping and falling face forward a couple of days earlier; Neil Soper who, probably more than anyone, kept radio station CJOR on the airwaves for eons; CTV weatherman Mark Driesschen, who looks so well following his recent heart operation; singing and swinging Julie Brown, Gerry O’Day, Kasey White, Bruce Claggett, Larry Hennessy, Gale Honey, John Tanner. The lunch hour emcee was Stirling Faux, recently of CKNW’s weekend show and now with the new Wave station. And it was great to see Brad Phillips, CFUN’s Diane Tchikalian and Patty Freedman, music man Lionel Wilson, Moments in Time’s Tom Locke, and the event’s surprise guest, George Garrett.

Yes, George was feeling so much better following his heart attack, successful cancer operation, and move to a new care home in White Rock, that he just couldn’t wait to see all his old friends. He received a standing ovation and a very nice Neighbour’s lunch! Aches and pains aside, it was great to see everybody looking and feeling so well …

CONGRATS FROSTY & DARAPON

And speaking of the world of local radio, someone who wasn’t able to be there was the irrepressible Brian “Frosty” Forst, CKNW’s former and much-loved early morning man with his wicked wit and impeccable timing. Brian has been ailing with a variety of health issues including a very painful spinal problem.

But that didn’t stop him from having a night out with his pretty and petite wife, Darapon. That special evening just happened to be Frosty and Darapon’s 40th wedding anniversary! Happy everything to the two lovebirds…

FOND FAREWELLS

Over the past couple of months, we have lost three valued friends. Journalist, politician and a loyal West Coaster Pat Carney, the delightful socialite, Jone Fraser, wife of the former Solicitor General of B.C., Russ Fraser, and the gentleman who epitimized the ideal hotelier, the renowned general manager of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Victor Burt.

Pat Carney and Jone Fraser’s Celebrations of Life were held on identical days and at identical times so it was a bit of runabout to cover both.

Pat was born in Shanghai in 1935 and, even as a teenager, was determined to make her future count. She was a pioneer for women in many roles in journalism and in Canadian politics. She was the first female business writer in the Vancouver Sun, the first female Conservative MP elected in B.C. (in 1980) and the first female Conservative appointed from our province to the Senate.

During those Tory years, Pat served in every ministry – International Trade, Energy, Mines and Resources, and as Treasury Board Minister. As her good friend, Hugh Segal said “Pat brought a Pacific Coast sensibility to discussions that would have otherwise been about Central Canada, as is often the case in Ottawa.”

Rest in peace, Pat…

Jone Fraser was born in Edmonton in 1932 and married the first love of her life, Hall Alexander Brodie, in 1954. They lived in West Van and raised their children, Scott and Krista, on Stevens Drive. Sadly, Jone was widowed in 1982. However, she kept up her tennis at the Vancouver Lawn and Tennis Club, serving on the Board of Directors for years and volunteering on numerous committees, along with her involvement with the YMCA and the Hall Brodie YMCA memorial fund for Camp Elphinstone. The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club was a special place for Jone for dinners and outings with friends and family.

In 1989, she met and married former Solicitor General, Russ Fraser. It was a perfect match. She enjoyed an active and busy life as the wife of a politician while Russ served in government, especially during the Expo ‘86 celebrations.

She was simply a bundle of happy energy.

We both lived with our families on Stevens Drive in West Van and met and mingled often. She was so good natured with a great sense of humour along with an infectious laugh.

When I was appointed as the first in-house PR for the Westin Bayshore, Jone was the first person to call and congratulate me. A few days later she arrived at my windowless office wearing a gorgeous outfit, offering her helpful idea that, because I was going to be so busy answering calls and writing letters, she could stand in for me and greet all the VIP guests and celebrities.

She would have been a great greeter with her style, hearty laugh and positive banter, but company rules didn’t allow it.

I also remember her passion for her soft yellow Mercedes convertible which she had in the shop for “the works.” She was thrilled with the result and happily drove the car home, turning into the drive and opening the automatic garage door. Just as she was pulling in, for some unknown reason, the garage door came crashing down on her newly minted treasure!

Her favourite expression was always that she was an accident looking for a place to happen!

I miss her good nature, her laugh and seeing her at all the gala gala do’s. My deepest sympathy to Russ, Scott and Krista, Jone’s six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The sunlight has dimmed…

If you ever had the good fortune to meet Victor Burt, you couldn’t help but be impressed. A true gentleman, tall, good looking, well-spoken, highly intelligent and determined, Victor was the epitomy of the perfect hotelier. He began his career in his late teens working in a hotel mailroom and gradually, over the years, made his way up the ladder to the top of the hotel business.

Well-known within the hotel and hospitality industry worldwide, Victor served as general manager in Sydney, Australia, Toronto and at the elegant Hotel Vancouver for eight years before being transferred to the prestigious Drake Hotel in Chicago, which he managed for another eight years before being transferred back to the Hotel Van.

Victor and his cherished wife, Loris, were married for more than 63 years and had four children, Victor Jr., who followed in his Dad’s footsteps, Deborah, Kevin (predeceased) and David, with four grandchildren.

His funeral Mass was held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in West Van followed by a reception at a place he knew well, the Hotel Vancouver.

As the presiding priest Father Gomes said, “Victor didn’t die, he just changed his address.”

To Loris and the family, my thoughts, sympathy and prayers are with you all…

TICKETS GOING FAST!

And kudos to Miss Indefatigable, Wendy Lisogar Cocchia! Her annual “Launch” luncheon, which is a fundraiser for the Pacific Autism Family Network, is now almost sold out with more than 85 percent of seats sold.

It’s all happening on Thursday, November 7 at The Westin Bayshore …

Cheers!... ‘Til next time …