by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)

MUCH ADO ABOUT POINT ROBERTS

Much is made of the international border threat to the national interests and security of the USA and Canada by Customs and Immigration officials. Each side likely spends $20 million per year to monitor and enforce the border rules and regulations at Point Roberts, says Point Roberts spokesman, Brian Calder.

**Point Roberts spokesman Brian Calder.**

A possible solution might be to give this troublesome little town to Canada and eliminate this threat to the U.S. There would be no more foreign access to worry about and save time and money in the process. Those resources could be redeployed elsewhere. A precedent for this was set in 1972 when Texas gave Rio Rico to Mexico, which was very successful.

"Also, the way the state and county mistreat Point Roberts," says Brian, "they would probably be happy to see us go!"...

But wait! There is someone who is definitely interested in that cute little border town.

In a letter recently received by Brian from a Monika Dyk, she explains that she leads the research team for Uncommon States of Prokop which is a Warner Bros. Discovery Poland documentary road-trip series, hosted by Marcin Prokop, TV anchor, journalist and producer. They are developing a segment about Point Roberts, with a strong focus on the local economy and what happens to a place so dependent on Canadian visitors when that relationship begins to break down. They wish to show both the practical and human side of the Point Roberts story.

They and their team will be in Point Roberts July 22 and 23. And so will I. Can't wait! ...

FOND FAREWELLS

JIM ROBSON … Original plans were to salute the passing of legendary broadcaster, Jim Robson, at the annual Vancouver Canucks Alumni charity tournament today at the University Golf Club. Jim passed away on February 9 at the age of 91.

JOHN GARRETT … Then news of the sudden passing of former Canucks goaltender and popular television colour commentator John Garrett sent shock waves throughout the hockey universe on April 27. Following his playing days with the Canucks, which ended after the 1984-85 NHL season, Garrett's full time broadcasting career began with play-by-play man Jim Hughson in 2002. It was a stint that would continue for many years alongside John Shorthouse and host Dan Murphy on national and regional Sportsnet telecasts.

Robson covered the NHL Canucks on radio and television from 1970 through 1999.

His lifelong dedication to his craft was honoured on numerous occasions, including the 1992 Hockey Hall of Fame Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, inductions into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame (1998), BC Sports Hall of Fame, BC Sports Hall of Fame (2000), and the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame (2002).

These two beloved personalities would be in the limelight once more with the gathering of past and present NHL players at this year's sold out tournament at UGC.

ERNIE (PUNCH) McLEAN … The Canucks Alumni and hockey's family globally were also saddened with the news of the passing of Ernie (Punch) McLean, following a single vehicle accident. With his talent and interest, he was credited with helping more than 100 players graduate to the NHL. Punch was 93.

Our deepest condolences to the families of these three gentlemen.

I understand how they all feel, as I have recently lost my best friend.

BARBARA STEWART and I met years ago at a fundraising dinner for the Variety Club that I was covering back in the good old days of Robin Lecky and his so-missed Kerrisdale Courier. Barbara and I seemed to click right away since we had so many things in common. We were both brought up Catholic, married Catholic gentlemen, had six kids, and our husbands worked for the city - Bob Stewart was Vancouver Police Chief while my Bill was a captain with the Vancouver Fire Department.

Even as a very busy mother Barbara wanted to be involved, and reached out to the community, offering her time and efforts to her church, her parish and her kids' schools. Those efforts expanded and revealed a natural gift for service that became a lifelong commitment to volunteering and caring for others. She was a natural born leader.

She was also the first female to hold the top position in the Variety hierarchy.

She tap-danced her way into the hearts of thousands of TV watchers as she promoted the many virtues of supporting The Variety Club and its dedication to improving the lives of handicapped kids during the annual telethon on Global TV.

There was a time when Barbara called and asked how many grandkids we had. I replied that we had four at that time.

"Four!" she exclaimed, "and we don't have any! I think my kids have forgotten how to do it". She was quite morose.

Bill and I ended up with six kids, six grandkids and 7 great-grandchildren.

Bob and Barbara, who could never imagine it, ended up with an adoring 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way! Which is utterly fantastic!

Barbara had been living comfortably for the past three years in a pleasant care home.

It was at Barbara's recent funeral at Holy Cross Parish, with a reception at the Burnaby Mountain Golf Club, that her family described her thus "Barbara, a big Sinatra fan, embraced life, loved people and entertaining and welcomed everyone with a spirit you could only describe as "her way". Barbara (a Leo) would have been 94 years old on July 26.

Rest in peace, my dear friend...

MEL ZAJAC … Another good pal of mine, Mel Zajac, passed on May 28 age 98. He was in St. Paul’s Hospital, where he had been admitted to have a pacemaker installed.

Mel did so much to assist others less fortunate over his lifetime, like the annual Zajac Golf Tourney in Richmond with stars like Hollywood's handsome Tom Selleck of Hawaii Five-O and his current starring role in TV's Bluebloods on CHEK TV.

Among Mel's favourite visitors were the witty Bob Hope, and Hollywood's Katherine Hepburn who was squired about town by the debonair Hugh Pickett. They both loved the privacy and security that Mel's Pacific Palisades hotel provided.

.Our thoughts are with you, Mel.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB!

Happy Birthday to top realtor and successful businessman, Bob Rennie, who is celebrating his 70th birthday this week. Bob started advertising his real estate business with me on CKNW radio eons ago and what a time that was!

We could barely get him to stop frantically rushing about just to do the commercials.

Can't do the 7 a.m. coffee get together, Bob, on June 4, but would love to share a nice glass of red wine at 4 p.m. instead.

Kudos to you, my dear Robert!...

A GALA-GALA FUNDRAISER

The rapidly expanding Lions Gate Hospital under their President and CEO, Judy Savage, produced a fun fundraising extravaganza a couple of weeks ago for a very important cause.

It was entitled “The Enchanted Forest Masquerade”, hosted by gala co-chairs,Cathy Trimble and Jennifer Venier and emceed by Fiona Forbes and Karen Khunkhun, with auctioneer, Marc Bergevin.

The money raised will help fund the first purpose-built, high-intensity rehabilitation unit built in the Lower Mainland in 50 years. The space will include state of the art therapy gyms, purpose-built patient rooms for up to 30 patients where therapy can begin right at their bedside.

As it said on their informative program, it's a new place at Lions Gate Hospital for patients on their journey from heartbreak to healing.

Spotted friends John D'Eathe and his lovely wife Lane Middleton, busy realtor Salma Mitha and husband Moe Somani, Farah and Salim Sayani, Zarah and Nick Salisbury, Amar and Dee Dhaliwal, Coryn and Paul Hemsley, and Derek and Carlotta Lee.

Adding to the evening's entertainment was saxophonist Karla Sax, with music by singer- songwriter Amanda Wood, DJ Johnny Awesome and two of the most charming, talented and polite children you could ever meet, tiny eight-year old Sophie Yang (in a gorgeous green gown) played the violin while her brother, twelve-year old Edwin Yang, played the cello.

They simply entranced their listening audience. Their mother and father must have been so proud of them.

The fundraising gala was held at the elegant Hollyburn Country Club in West Van and raised $1,007,846...

A 20th ANNIVERSARY

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the worthy B.C. Hospitality Foundation, who have helped and assisted so many people, both involved with and working in that wonderful organization in our province...

Big job. Big celebration!...

Thanks for reading!
Joy