More Tricks for 46

On July 7, 1946, Vancouver's first Jewish Home for the Aged - the Louis Brier Home - was opened by comedian and humanitarian, Eddie Cantor. Cantor also gave a benefit performance.

“Early Sunday on July 7, the stage and screen star and his snowy-haired wife, Ida, officially opened the Home at 1190 West Thirteenth, which was gaily decked in flags for the occasion.” This is from the website, the Jewish Bulletin. However, the original link seems to no longer be active.

Today, the Louis Brier Home is located at 1055 W 41st and some of today's photos are from there.

On July 13, British Columbia had a visit from Canada’s new Governor General, Field Marshal Viscount Alexander of Tunis. This popular, genuine war hero, was this country's last British GG.

In 1937, at the age of 45, Alexander had achieved the rank of major-general in the British army. He was the youngest to achieve that honour. He had a distinguished record in World War II, including commanding the rearguard during the Dunkirk evacuation, which made him the last man to leave France. Alexander also led the invasions of Sicily and Italy and was commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean in 1942.

As if that isn't impressive enough, the Governor General became the only white man in the history of the Pacific Coast to become a native chief with full tribal rites. While he was here, Alexander received a Kwakiutl thunderbird headdress and ceremonial blanket, and became Chief Nakupunkim.

On July 28, 1946, Beth Israel Cemetery opened.

The Cascades Drive-In Theatre opened in Burnaby on July 30, 1946. Cars began arriving two hours before the movie began to play and the first show was the 1944 movie, Home in Indiana. The theatre closed in 1980 and the site is now occupied by the Cascade Village Condominium project.

A Vancouver police officer who had been on the force since 1927, Walter Mulligan, became head of the department Criminal Investigation Bureau. Mulligan went on to become Chief of Police in 1947. I have written on Mulligan a few times, once here, once on the demise and once on the inquiry into his misdeeds. Mulligan has also been mentioned a few times. He was a man who played an important part in this city's history.

Thanks to The History of Metropolitan Vancouver website for the above information.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

Forty-Six

On April 15, 1946, Earle Kelly died. Kelly was known to radio listeners in British Columbia as "Mr. Good Evening" from 1929 to 1946.

Kelly was born in Australia to Irish parents. He had been a major in the Intelligence Corps in the Australian army in addition to working as a journalist in several commonwealth countries before coming to Canada. Kelly was on his way east to work for a newspaper there when he stopped in Vancouver and got a job with the Daily Province. He progressed to the position of night editor.

In 1929, four years after his arrival in Vancouver, Earle started his radio show "Good Evening" on the Province's radio station, CKCD.

On April 22, 1946, it snowed in Haney. This is probably the latest date of recorded snowfall for that town.

On April 30, the City of Vancouver hosted a dinner at the Pavilion for nine "Jubilarians" - people who were born in Vancouver in 1886, after the city was incorporated. This was in celebration of the city's 60th anniversary.

June 4, 1946 is the day that former mayor, L.D. Taylor died. I wrote on Taylor in a previous entry if you are interested.

If you have ever watched a Canuck's hockey game, you may have heard the rich baritone of CKNW's John Ashbridge. He was born on June 8, 1946.

On June 23, an earthquake, which was mostly felt on Vancouver Island, stopped the clock on the Vancouver Block. The same thing happened in 1918.

July 1. Dominion Day. This day in 1946 was the first one since the end of the war and Vancouver partied. 250,000 people attended the spectacular parade in the world's largest outdoor theatre at Brockton Point.

Also on July 1, 1946. Steveston held its first Salmon Festival. Sophie Kuchma was crowned the first festival Queen. She won by selling the most tickets to the festival at 10 cents a piece.

Thanks to The History of Metropolitan Vancouver website for the information on 1946.

I hope you find the beauty around you.