by Joy Metcalfe
(click photos to enlarge)

WHITE SPOT NEWS

Surprise! One of B.C. and Canada’s most successful business leaders is about to retire. Warren Erhart is retiring this month after 33 years at the helm of one of the country’s most successful restaurant companies.

*Longtime White Spot president Warren Erhart.*

Warren began with White Spot in 1990 after stints with other food companies and found his home. He was born in Winnipeg but moved to the coast as a young man. Warren grew up, as we all did, with the famous family casual restaurant that served breakfast, lunch and dinner.

As he progressed into the management group, he promised that White Spot would always serve healthy, reasonably-priced food, that his staff was dedicated and happy, and that he would keep trying to make White Spot even better.

Warren has always felt personally responsible for the company that the iconic Nat Bailey began 95 years ago. As he said, “When you find a job that you love, your passion drives you.”

Well, if that is so, (and I know it is) over the past 33 years, White Spot has had a remarkably successful “driver”.

Taking over that important position as the new president is Trent Carroll, who is the former COO of Canucks Sports and Entertainment. Carroll, like Warren, was also born in Winnipeg. Must be something in that refreshing prairie air.

We wish him much success and a happy blissful retirement to Warren…

A CHANGE OF CAPITAL?

Which reminds me that every New Year’s Eve, over the past few years, I make my resolutions to get more exercise, rest more and… to make Winnipeg the capital of Canada! And now it’s more urgent than ever following the wacky goings-on in Ottawa.

But being so far away, the situation tends to make one feel uninvolved, so let’s go boating or skiing. Our country’s capital has been in Ottawa far too long and, unlike a circle, it’s totally unbalanced. Ottawa is not anywhere near the centre of Canada. What we need to keep everything fair is a middle ground.

Why not have a vitally important meeting place that basically controls the rest of the country in the middle of this vast country?

Winnipeg would be perfect – it’s exactly in the middle!

Stan Yip and Vancouver Sun coverage of Howard Hughes’ time at the Bayshore.

A FOND FAREWELL

As someone who once managed the public relations portfolio at the Bayshore Inn in the ‘70s, I knew and felt the genuine camaraderie of the employees there. It was truly a family.

As folks moved on or retired, there was one employee who managed to keep the gang together through alumni lunches and brunches – the venerable Stan Yip, chief concierge at the Bayshore since the hotel opened in 1961.

And though he retired after 46 years of service in 2007, Stan was still sought out by the media for comments about Howard Hughes’ stay, Ringo Starr’s recordings in his suite, and the slew of celebrities and politicians who stayed there. Stan was a wealth of insider stories!

He was such a great ambassador for the hotel and, like Warren Erhart at White Spot, he had a passion for the job.

After receiving news that Stan had been diagnosed with cancer, a gang of Bayshore alums organized a luncheon in his honour at the hotel on April 27 where such people as former GM Denis Forristal, Murray Atherton and Steve Halliday gathered.

Although it was hoped that Stan would be able to attend, it just wasn’t possible.

His beautiful wife of 65 years, Jane (who also organized all the alumni gatherings over the years) and their eldest daughter, Karen, did attend, and gave all the attendees a handmade album of photos from over the years that included employee Christmas parties, golf tournaments and award nights since 1961.

The album was called Life Is A Journey – The Journey is the Reward.

Sadly the journey on this earth ended for Stan on Thursday, May 18. Our very deepest sympathy and love to Jane and the family …

A GALA GALA DO THIS FALL

Another duo filled with love and determination is that award winning team of Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia and husband Sergio Cocchia, and their Pacific Autism Family Network. They have a busy fall schedule ahead with their annual Launch Holiday Luncheon scheduled for November 7 at the same Westin Bayshore.

Get your tickets early because it’s a fun afternoon, a very worthy cause, and it’s always sold out!...

*Christopher and Jennifer Gaze with Anthony von Mandl.*

ANNUAL WINE FEST A HIT

Happy to report that the 44th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival (VIWF), raising awareness and appreciation for the wine industry and funds for the annual Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, was a great success, with their vast tasting rooms, special wine dinners and the famed Bacchanalia dinner evening at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

The special evening was chaired by the talented Marlie Oden along with the Honorary Chair, Anthony von Mandl of the renowned Mission Hill Winery, with its famous bells still ringing proudly over the hills and dales of the lush Okanagan. I’ve know Anthony for a long time, ever since he began in Gastown when I was the P.R. person for the Gastown merchants, way before his success with Mike’s Hard Lemonade and White Claw Hard Seltzer.

He has such a prodigious memory, recalling that evening all of the Gastown businesses of yore, like Ed Keate’s Town Pump family restaurant and the introduction of geoducks on his menu, Harvey Killam’s then new revolutionary pizza ovens, Bob Lee’s modern furniture store, Roger Gibson’s Pink Pussy Cat Club, and a host of French brasseries, along with the popular Old Spaghetti Factory.

Now the Lord of the Grapes is the proud owner of several wineries besides the Mission Hill Family Estate, including Cedar Creek Estate Winery, Road 13 Vineyards, Martin’s Lane Winery, Liquidity Wines, and CheckMate Artisanal Winery.

From Anthony’s humble beginnings, he is now one of the richest people in Canada.

I’m so happy for him and happy that he could take the time to be the Honorary Chair of the annual Vancouver International Wine Festival.

I chatted about the upcoming season with Jennifer and Christopher Gaze of Bard on the Beach and jovial Harry Hertscheg, the wine festival’s longtime managing director. Also spotted the pretty Christa Lee McWatters, whose father, Harry, was the first to wake up B.C. citizens to the joys and comfort of a glass of B.C. wine.

Kudos too to Shannon Heth, founder and president of Milk Public Relations, whose company makes everyone aware of what’s happening publicity-wise at the VIWF, a contract she has had for years.

And dashing in to be the emcee at the gathering was Global anchor, Coleen Christie, wowing the crowd in brilliant red. A very successful evening …

ART FOR ARTHRITIS’ SAKE

There was something fresh, lighthearted and springlike about the 10th annual Art Soiree at the Hotel Vancouver a couple of weeks ago.

This was a fun fundraiser for Arthritis Research Canada and was held in the hotel’s iconic The Roof. It was mixing and mingling with wines and cocktails, delectable hors d’oevres, and dancing along with a very special guest appearance by Mike Reno of The Powder Blues Band. Oh my! Has he got the moves, and got everyone onto the dance floor!

Emcees for the do were Global’s Coleen Christie (this time in peachy satin) and zany Bro Jake while Howard Blank was auctioneer …

ANOTHER SIZZLER

Howard was also the auctioneer at Mel Zajac’s Summer Sizzle gala at the Terminal City Club, raising funds for Mel’s Zajac Ranch for handicapped children. It was also the celebration of Mel’s 95th birthday! They haven’t finished counting the money raised yet so I will have much more next time…

REMEMBERING DEB HOPE

I was shocked and saddened by the news that former Global noontime anchor, Deb Hope, had passed away. The world lost a very bright light when this intelligent and compassionate woman died at the age of 67. She made us laugh and giggle and think every noon hour.

I especially recall one hilarious episode when she was interviewing an SPCA woman who’d brought into the studio a couple of cute fluffy kittens looking for new homes.

Deb enthusiastically picked up one of them, holding her up so the cameras could see, when the kitten suddenly upchucked all over her. Deb, instead of being mortified or upset, gently put the cat down and started to laugh uproariously. It was a prize winning moment, long remembered — just as we will all remember Deb.

Heartfelt sympathy to her husband Roger and her family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all …

‘Til next time…Cheers!........