Editor’s Note: This month we lead Joy’s Journal with the author’s own story. A celebrated columnist and broadcaster who has covered Vancouver’s gala-gala-do beat in print and on radio for more than 50 years, Joy recently celebrated her 93rd birthday. It’s time to share her story!

by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)

THE JOY METCALFE LEGEND
It All Began In Winnipeg

Dear readers,

I am a very fortunate person. I was born in Winnipeg at the Misericordia Hospital to my first-time parents, Isobel and Thomas Carroll. My mother was an English-trained Scottish nurse and my Irish-born Dad worked for the Canadian National Railway his entire working life. He was the one who loudly called out "Board!" in his booming baritone voice. That's where my love of train travel began.

My actual delivery into this world came with a few complications. First my Dad, a very stubborn Irishman, knew that the little bundle my Mother was carrying was his longed-for son, so everything he bought for the baby was in brown or blue.

For my mother, my birth was a painful experience since I was a breech baby, meaning that everything would come out before my head. Fortunately I was tiny, four pounds one ounce! My dad, according to my mother, cried out a tortured "No! No! She's a girl!" The kind nurses ignored him and helped my Mum, asking "What are you going to call her?"

"Margaret," she replied.

"Oh no!" said the two nurses, "Why not "Joy" since that's what she is, just a little bundle of joy."

So I send my very happy thanks, belatedly, to those two wise women …

A GALA-GALA BIRTHDAY

My 93rd birthday on Friday, July 17, couldn't have been brighter, sunnier or more all around perfect.

Earlier in the week, I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with three of my four sons, David, Michael, and Todd, and it was with the help of my daughter Megan and granddaughter Charlotte that I was also able to throw myself a birthday party on the special day.

I was delighted to be joined by so many friends, family, and neighbours to enjoy the food, laughter, stories, and incredible homemade cake, even featuring edible flowers!

My deepest thanks to all those kind, generous guests for their gorgeous bouquets, beautiful plants, Purdy's chocolates, and four beautiful silky stoles or shawls. Can't wait to wear them once I know how …

HAPPY B’DAY JIM!

And belated Happy Birthday to Vancouver's Jim Hibbard, superb dancer and teacher extraordinaire, who also celebrated his birthday last week on the same day as mine, July 17th. Jim has danced on every stage in Vancouver and beyond.

He's taught everyone how to stand, move, and dance including top Hollywood stars like Barbra Streisand, Natalie Wood, and a very reluctant and sulky Frank Sinatra. Jim was also Elvis Presley's friend and choreographer.

His book Can't Stop Dancing reflects his 64-year career in show biz and is a fascinating read. Belated Happy Birthday, Jim …

MEANWHILE, OUT ON THE DIAMOND …

While the BC Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps became orphans with the FIFA World Cup taking over BC Place, nothing changed for our baseball Canadians at Nat Bailey Stadium.

In fact, the turnstiles were never busier for home games during the month of July, with the highlight being a completely sold-out matinee game on Friday, July 3. It was against the Eugene Emeralds and featured a special guest starting pitcher for Vancouver, courtesy of the Toronto Blue Jays.

None other than future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer, the popular 41-year-old Jays’ righthander known as ‘Mad Max’ throughout major league baseball, was dropped off in Vancouver as the Blue Jays were headed to Seattle for a three-game series against the Mariners.

With Scherzer recovering from back spasms, part of his rehab routine included a three-inning pitching stint with Toronto’s affiliated farm team in Vancouver. He would rejoin the Blue Jays the next day in Seattle.

When word got out ‘Mad Max’ would be pitching for the C’s, ticket sales went through the roof. Scalpers were asking – and getting – upwards of $200 for a ticket that would normally sell for $35.

Scherzer allowed two runs over three innings before the Canadians managed to bounce back and win the game 5-3.

But here’s the story behind the story: ‘Mad Max’ was wearing C’s jersey number 31 and asked what the initials JR meant on the patch that he and all the Vancouver players were wearing on their sleeves. He was visibly touched when told it was in honour of the late Jim Robson, who left us in February at the age of 91. Robson was known universally for his play-by-play hockey broadcasts of the Vancouver Canucks, but was also behind the microphone in his earlier years calling Mounties baseball games at what was then called Capilano Stadium.

The Canadians are honouring Mr. Robson throughout this 75th anniversary season at what is commonly referred to throughout North America as “the prettiest little ball park in captivity”...

**Ralph Bower looking through the viewfinder of his first camera.** *(Saumya Kamra PHOTO / The Ubyssey)*

A FOND FARWELL …

On a sad note, one of the really good guys at the Vancouver Sun for eons, photographer Ralph Bower, recently passed away. He and his wife Joan lived in North Vancouver, as we did, and I'd see them walk the Boulevard, hand in hand.

A multi-prize winning photographer, he was a joy to chat with. He loved what he did. And it showed.

My deepest sympathy to his lovely wife, Joan, and his family …

AIN’T IT THE TRUTH? …

I'm going to wind up my column today with a fun story about a haircut…

"Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.” ...

One day, a florist in Ottawa went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.’ The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a ‘thank you’ card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, ‘I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.’ The cop was happy and left the shop.

The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a ‘thank you’ card and a dozen Tim Hortons donuts waiting for him at his door.

Then an MP came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.’ The MP was very happy and left the shop.

The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen MP’s lined up waiting for a free haircut.

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.

As Ronald Reagan said, “Both politicians and diapers need to be changed often and for the same reason.” ...

Thanks for reading! Don't forget I am always searching for new stories and items!

Love, Joy…