JOY'S JOURNAL
/by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)
A CHRISTMAS MOMENT IN JULY
As every professional entertainer knows, a gig is a gig is a gig. And so it was on an extremely hot sweltering day last week (temp was 27C plus) that the amazingly talented Gillian Campbell and hubby Edward were at Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver, sitting on a bench near the water, hoping to cool off. But you wouldn’t have recognized them.
Mr & Mrs. Claus … a rare July appearance.
That’s because they weren’t in their normal everyday clothes. They had transformed themselves into Santa Claus and his charming dimpled wife, Mrs. Claus. They were baking in long sleeves, heavy red vests, long thick pants, wigs and hats, with Mrs. Claus in her thick lace-clad shirt and vest, ruffled apron, and long, voluminous skirt.
These two talented artistes have been doing this performance for eons throughout B.C. and the Yukon.
They are the stars who will welcome all of the North Shore and beyond to visit them for free this December at the newly formed Christmas Market in the North Van Shipyards at Lonsdale Quay. As Gillian opined, “Not only were we photographed by the visiting tourists who planned to use the shot for their Christmas cards, we dropped a good deal of unplanned avoir dupois!” A win/win all round …
Paolo Miraglia Del Giudice.
BENVENUTO!
It was quite the hearty welcome for the new Italian consul general, Paolo Miraglia Del Giudice, a few weeks ago at the Italian Cultural Centre. The evening was titled “WE ARE IN PUGLIA,” with more than 300 guests attending. It was such a happy event, and it began so well with the president of the Federation of Pugliese, Vito Bruno, calling for guests to stand and sing the Italian national anthem. He then called for the singing of O Canada, which we all did, loudly and proudly. I felt such a burst of pride and happiness at this thoughtful consideration.
And while we enjoyed the excellent antipasto of burrata, tomato, prosciutto, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, and olives with buns and focaccia, comedian Frank Spadone did a really humorous show which had us grabbing our napkins, he was so funny.
Next up — as the excellent Italian wine flowed — was the pasta course, strascinate with ground sausage in red wine and maccheroncini in pesto sauce with grilled vegetables, followed by the main course of prime rib in a red wine demi glace with carrots, asparagus, and roasted potatoes, or the Redband Steelhead in a lemon fennel emulsion along with a colourful mixed green salad.
I could have left after the pasta, but it was all so tasty and delicious.
Dessert was very simple but yummy – bacio bianco by Mario’s Gelato, along with tea, espresso, and cappuccino as maestro Cos Natola softly tinkled the ivories.
Then it was time for speeches, with the smiling mayor of Vancouver Ken Sim and the president of the Italian Cultural Centre Mike Cuccione both hailing the wonder of the country and of Puglia. Sim gave an impassioned speech in which he declared his undying love for Italy and the Italian people.
I have never seen him so enthusiastic! I mean, he was positively glowing!
And the evening wasn’t over.
We then enjoyed a spectacular fashion show orchestrated by Irena De Marco. The talented saxophonist John Ferreira added a sexy touch to the show with a phalanx of ten beautiful shapely women gowned in the latest Italian fashions, displaying everything from sleek day outfits to short shorts and glamorous evening wear.
It could not have been a more lovely evening. Thanks to everyone involved, from the chef, to President Vito Bruno, the great sax man, the really funny comedian, the svelte models, and my good friend, Bianca Zanatta. Grazie mille…
Tamara Vrooman.
KUDOS TO OUR AIRPORT!
You’ll be happy to know that Vancouver International Airport has reclaimed its title as the Best Airport in North America at the Skytrax World Airports Awards in Frankfurt, Germany. YVR last received Best Airport in North America in 2021.
Kudos to President and CEO, Tamara Vrooman, and the 26,000 people who work at YVR. Our airport was in competition with 550 others across the globe. Vancouver International is the only airport to receive the designation of Best Airport in North America 14 times. Now Tamara and YVR have joined forces with Wendy and Sergio Cocchia in their Pacific Autism Family Network to help and support neurodiverse travellers with two key initiatives, which includes interactive training videos and neurodiverse inclusion training. The series simulates air travel, from getting dropped off at the airport curb to when the aircraft takes flight. It’s a brilliant idea and a valuable resource for employees across the airport.
I had occasion to be at YVR and the South Terminal to pick up my son, Peter, who flew in from Trail for an important meeting. I can’t recall being at the airport or flying anywhere for the past five or six years. The changes, the vast expansion, and the zillions of passengers arriving and departing is staggeringly unbelievable.
It’s a totally different world out there, but thanks to someone as capable and determined as Tamara Vroomen, it’s all up, up and away…
FOND FAREWELLS
A Family Loss: Speaking of Sergio Cocchia, my deepest symphony to him and the family on the passing of his 92 year-old father, Pasquale, a lovely gentleman who is survived by his beloved his wife of 66 years, Concettina, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His well-attended funeral was held at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in West Vancouver …
Jim Fraser in his broadcast heyday..
Jim Fraser: Years ago, one of Vancouver’s most popular radio stations was CKWX, and the morning team that was quarterbacked by Jim Fraser — in radio’s heyday he’ll never be matched.
Jim was surrounded by such people as newsmen Campbell McCubbin and Jack Marion, Phil Reimer did the weather, and funnyman Steve Irvings did his comic routine. In typical Jim Fraser fashion, he had gorgeous traffic reporters Gloria Macarenko, Shawn Webster and Kay Quinn on board. Greg Douglas was lucky to be part of that dream team as Dr. Sport, a nickname that Jim gave him back in the late ‘70s.
The station was really big into country music and one of the station’s great promotions was to fly the morning team to Nashville once a year with a planeload of listeners.
Greg’s sports updates became secondary to his real job of having Bloody Caesar’s ready for everyone by 9 a.m.!
Jim was a really good guy, always happy, always late, and always managing to snag a parking ticket or two. In fact, when there were too many overflowing in his car’s glove compartment, he quickly moved them to the trunk. Eventually, to avoid being arrested, he had to make arrangements to pay the fines over a period of time.
It’s hard to imagine Jim without a big grin on his face, just a happy go lucky vagabond, a man who made his career out of entertaining people, living and loving life to the end. Rest in peace, Jim …
Jack Lee: Another close friend and ally was the late Jack Lee, another really likeable individual, whom I had known for a very long time, and who never quite decided what he wanted to do in life. I met Jack a very long time ago when I was writing my column in the old Kerrisdale Courier. He was a sports writer at the Vancouver Sun and sent a few sports items my way. The only problem was that Jack always overwrote.
Instead of a quick read, Jack would email me four pages of detailed notes. He loved to expound.
His next job was as an open line broadcaster on CJOR. But his real talent was in public relations, where he shone as PR man for the annual Pacific National Exhibition, bringing in top stars like Frank Sinatra. Being friends, I had a front row seat, swooning with all the other ladies.
Of course, Jack’s fame spread and he was lured away by money-man Murray Pezim, who took offices at Granville and Georgia in the black tower. Jack, pretty pumped at that time, ordered a huge desk that couldn’t fit in the elevators. He promptly got a hoist crew together and they hauled the desk up to the 23rd floor, stopping everything in the downtown core and making the front page of the Vancouver Sun – which, of course, Jack loved.
Those were the high living days of the Howe Street gang that was led by Murray and included Herb Capozzi, Harry Moll and Basil Pantages.
When the bubble finally popped, Jack quietly retired to his condo in West Van. In recent years he has suffered from dementia, tasking his lovely wife, Joanie, to move him into The Lynn Valley Care Home where he passed away peacefully on June 18 at the age of 88. A good man, happy and content with the love of his life at his side. I’ll miss him …
Russ Fraser: Someone else I’ll miss is the late Russ Fraser, a former UBC engineering grad and B.C. politician who passed away at the age of 90. We happened to be neighbours on Stevens Drive in the British Properties and we chatted frequently.
Russ was one of the most handsome gentleman you could ever meet. Much along the lines of the Federal Liberal’s John Turner, Russ’s friendliness and outgoing disposition was ideal for an up-and-coming politician. He began his meteoric climb starting on the Vancouver Park Board, became MLA for Vancouver South, was appointed Post Secondary Education Minister with Gordon Campbell’s BC Liberals and, finally, Solicitor and Attorney General in that same government. A charming, easy-going fellow, he was married to his late and lovely wife, Jone Fraser.
They matched each other perfectly and were inseparable. He was a doting grandfather and had enduring friendships from his days at UBC. Everyone has shaken hands with him, at one time or another. His well-attended Celebration of Life on a beautiful sunny day last month, was held at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, the same location as one year ago when Jone passed away…
A FAMILY MOMENT
Belated congratulations to my 18 year-old great-granddaughter April, who just graduated from Carihi Secondary School in Campbell River, with the class of 2024. So proud of her and her brother, my great-grandson, Joseph, who graduated one year ago. They are the future!
My thanks to all those good souls for their birthday wishes for me on July 17! …
STAY TUNED FOR MORE!
The spectacular fireworks and the gentleman who brought them to Vancouver, several new restaurants, an Irish celebration, the emergence of Carol Lee’s New Chinatown and all its glories, the party that launched Brian Jessel’s new magazine, and PAL hosting a party for new and old B.C. Entertainment Hall of Famers – it’s all next in Joy’s Journal.
‘Til next time, love you all!...
