JOY'S JOURNAL
/by Joy Metcalfe
(click on images to enlarge)
THE LASTING LEGACY OF AMAZING GRACE
I cannot believe that, as far as I know, no one has ever written a book on one of the most interesting characters involved in B.C. politics, and the creator of the worthy CHILD Foundation, Grace McCarthy.
Grace was a successful florist with five shops at 17, married realtor Ray McCarthy and had two children when the political bug bit and the new Social Credit party for B.C was born.
The leader, W.A.C. Bennett, personally asked Grace to run and she couldn't resist.
She was very successful in her Little Mountain area and won handily.
Grace mccarthy.
While a top minister in the newly-formed Socred government, she created the Vancouver Port Authority, lobbied for Expo 86, initiated the building of the Trade and Convention Centre next to the Pan Pacific Hotel, opened a toll free line for abused children, lit up Lions Gate Bridge and opened B.C's first Film Commission.
That was an ideal situation since Hollywood kept sending their actors and directors to B.C. because, with the Canadian dollar, it was cheaper to shoot here with the province's multiple offerings of scenic locations.
As someone said "Ski in the morning, sail in the afternoon."
But her zeal for the political arena had waned.
Grace's granddaughter Shannon Ernst tells us how another creation of Grace's, the Children with Intestinal & Liver Disorders (CHILD) Foundation, began.
"It was in 1995 that Grace met with a gentleman, Lindsay Gordon, whose son was afflicted with Crohn's Disease. They met and collectively wondered, in this modern world, why was there no cure for Crohn's Disease? This wondering lit a flame that still burns brightly 30 years later.
"In the beginning," said Shannon, "the Foundation was run out of my grandmother's home, using a landline and paying for materials and postage stamps out of pocket to support the work.
"Fun fact: Our current office landline is the same one used since the Foundation's inception, and postage was paid by my grandmother, Grace, until 2009.
"My mother, Mary, was soon commandeered as a volunteer and did much, if not all, of the correspondence and secretarial work. As a child, I can recall the fax machine spouting out letters to be typed at three or four in the morning - a time when my grandmother was often at her best form for business - only stopping around nine a.m. to have coffee made by her husband, Raymond. Then she got back to work, with no time to waste.
"Not surprisingly, in a few years, the operation became too big to be held in a personal home, and roots were set down in an official office at UBC - where it remains to this day.
Over time, we acquired an illustrious volunteer board, including such names as Red Robinson, Lui Passaglia, George Magnus, Yosef Wosk, Emily Griffiths, and Peter Armstrong.
"With a team of dedicated volunteers, who my grandmother called the best volunteers in the business, functions were held to raise funds for the CHILD Foundation. The Doormen's Dinners, art auctions, golf tournaments, spring fashion shows, even a belly-flop competition, were helping to generate income for the cause.
“The SMILE Campaign with bright buttons packaged and mailed, all from our homes. Most things were done by volunteers so we could save costs and put the dollars towards our main goal - Finding A Cure.
"This vision - Finding a Cure - is something else that remains steady to the Foundation to this day as well. We had a choice to focus our strengths on education, advocacy, or awareness, but whenever there was a variance from the vision, Grace quickly brought the ship back on course. I think this vision remained so absolute for her because of my journey with Crohn's.
"In January 1993, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I spent a month in B.C.'s Children's Hospital in Vancouver receiving blood transfusions, being fed through a tube in my nose and learning how to live with a hemoglobin that was finally over 30.
"On reflection, I was given a midlife crisis at the tender age of 13, so I could live my life with a deep sense of gratitude for simply being alive.”
One of the things that Shannon is very proud of is the work that Tim Murphy leads with the The Canadian Children Inflammatory Bowel Disease Network Network which was founded, and is still supported by CHILD.
"It is with deep passion and gratitude that I can say that the CHILD Foundation remains true to its vision of Finding A Cure and its values of helping children with intestinal and liver disorders for the past 30 years."
So Cheers to the next 30 years of making history! ...
PS: With that in mind, The Canadian Children Inflammatory Bowel Disease Network Summit 2026 will be held in Vancouver in April at the Sheraton Wall Centre with IBD medical researchers from around the world attending.
It will be an excellent opportunity to meet and converse with our world-class researchers...
WHITE SPOT’S VERY GOOD 2025
Trent Carroll, The White Spot restaurant’s top man, tells me that 2025 was quite a year for White Spot Limited. They opened new restaurants in Vancouver at the Airport and at Simon Fraser University and in Alberta, as well as embarking on some significant projects that will come to life in the near future, like a new menu (but still keeping the favourites), a renewed look for both brands, and lastly, they will be introducing a new design with initial projects starting to lead the change in the look of their restaurants.
I'm so glad to know that, since White Spot has always been one of my family's dining favourites. I know that White Spot used to have a couple of operations in West Van - one that lasted for decades. My spies tell me that the populous there wants another White Spot asap.
That reminds me that the late great hotelier, Steve Halliday, got his start at The White Spot, probably delivering hot trays out to the pretty girls in their cars...
Anna Marie and husband Murray Atherton in the seaside home on Bowen Island.
HE’S LEAVING THE ISLAND!
Surprise!! Former hotelier Murray Atherton is moving!! He and his wife, Anna Marie, are selling their lovely hideaway on Bowen Island after 25 years of luxurious living.
They are coming back to civilian life, having their pretty new home situated just behind the legislative buildings in Victoria.
Lots of hot air over there, Murray, to keep you warm! ...
WINE FESTIVAL PARTYS ON!
Raise A Glass For Bard On The Beach
It was a lovely evening at the Hotel Vancouver as some very dressy guests gathered to celebrate the 47th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival (VIWF), this year celebrating 114 wines from 14 countries, and 33 special events.
It was a gala evening and auction co-chaired by Rebecca Catley and Tim Ellison and auctioneer Howard Blank, with such key attendees as Bard on the Beach's Christopher Gaze and his wife Jennifer; the evening's emcee, Global TV's Chris Gailus and his bride, Jane Carrington; the always dapper Harry Hertscheg, executive director of the VIWF, and Claire Sakaki, executive director of Bard on the Beach.
Bard on the Beach's (from legt) Christopher Gaze, Jane Gailus., Jennifer Gaze and Chris Gailus.
Also spotted in the crowd was Haleh Alexander, the B.C. regional vice-president of National Bank’s Private Banking 1859.
Other attendees were the following winery principals who generously donated the superb dinner wines: Tim Turyk of Unsworth Vineyards, Richard Charnock of Joie Farm Winery, and Stefan Matei of Cramele Cotnari.
It was a busy evening for Hotel Van's new executive chef, Mike Reid, who did a fabulous job on the menu, beginning with chilled champagne, Prawn Crudo, the entree of Charcoal Marbled Lamb Saddle with Tartelette Citron and Chocolate Mousse Framboise for dessert.
Needless to say the guests were well satisfied...
As executive chef, Mike now oversees all of the hotel's culinary operations, including the Notch 8 Restaurant team, banquets and in-room dining.
It's also interesting to know that he is a graduate of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, ensuring that every dish reflects his passion. Away from the busy kitchens and hot stoves at the hotel, Mike enjoys golf, travelling, gardening and, of course, cooking ...
THANKS FOR READING …
Take care, be safe and send me some super scoops!!...Joy
