Renfrew-Collingwood Community News

News stories from the Renfrew-Collingwood community in East Vancouver

Monthly Archives: October 2023


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The story of Big P

Amazing pumpkin has grown in size and also in the hearts of everyone at Three Links Manor

BY MARILYN FLETCHER

Pat Holm surveys Big P. The pumpkin’s growth continues to be a source of endless fascination. Photos courtesy of Three Links Manor

In a delightful turn of events, the senior residents at Three Links Manor at Renfrew and 22nd Avenue have sprouted their own giant pumpkin, affectionately named Big P, and it’s safe to say that this orange wonder has brought more joy than a cornucopia full of smiles.

It all began when the green-thumbed residents embarked on a gardening adventure by planting a few humble pumpkin seeds. Little did they know that their efforts would result in a rather plump pumpkin! Big P has become the talk of the manor, and every day, seniors gather around to admire their gargantuan creation.

Every day this summer and into fall, seniors at Three Links Manor gathered around to admire their gargantuan creation.

Amber Webber, Three Links Manor’s recreation coordinator, and Jake Goodman, the building manager, couldn’t be happier with the unexpected horticultural marvel. When asked about the surprise pumpkin, Amber quipped, “We may have accidentally summoned the Great Pumpkin; Big P has already grown much bigger than we could have imagined.”

As a resident-maintained gardening program, the seniors found creative ways to incorporate other veggies they’ve grown into their daily activities. Amber has integrated the fruits of their labour into cooking programs, including fresh juice making and marinara sauce making. It’s like having a harvest festival right in their own backyard! The pumpkins are bound to be a delicious and festive addition.

Residents are thrilled to be part of such a lively and vibrant community. There’s no denying that Big P has added a giant dose of laughter and camaraderie to their lives, and the pumpkin’s growth continues to be a source of endless fascination. The residents have high hopes that Big P will become the manor’s official jack-o’-lantern mascot. It seems that Big P has not only grown in size but also in the hearts of everyone at Three Links Manor.

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Collingwood Corner: Barbeque Super Serve at 3075 Kingsway, 1932

BY LORETTA HOUBEN

The Barbeque Super Serve at 3075 Kingsway in 1932. Photo source: BC Directories online
The Barbeque Super Serve at 3075 Kingsway in 1932. Photo sources: Vancouver Archives

These two photos from the Vancouver Archives show a glimpse of Kingsway near Spencer Street in 1932. Notice that a hot chicken sandwich is advertised for 30 cents!

A close-up up the Barbeque Super Serve restaurant with a special for the hot chicken sandwich for 30 cents!

The BC Directories online through the Vancouver Public Library traces the barbeque restaurant all the way back to 1928. It was at 3075 Kingsway from 1932 until 1955.

The rest of the directories aren’t digitized, so I’d have to visit the library downtown in order to check out 1956 and onwards to see when the restaurant disappeared.

The restaurant started out at 2445 Kingsway. City streets were renumbered in 1930. For a while it was 3045 Kingsway, until changing to 3075 Kingsway.

Today, in 2023, the Cassandra Hotel is at this location near Spencer Street, opening in 1978. The Big O Tires shop is here, too.

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Staff changes at RCC News: Long-time editor steps down

BY JULIE CHENG

Julie Cheng in the garden with mason bee homes.
After stepping down as editor of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News, Julie Cheng will have more time to take care of her garden and mason bees. Photo by Bryden Fergusson

My involvement with what’s now called the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News started more than 25 years ago when it was first founded as part of the Building Communities through Cultural Expression project. It has been an amazing journey as the editor of this local newspaper for more than 15 years to encourage people to share their thoughts and speak up in the community.

But now, it’s the right time for me to step down. Paul Reid, the original founder of this newspaper, takes over the editorial duties and I’ll stay on as the online editor.

It has been a privilege and a joy to have shared your stories, artwork and events with the wider community all these years. The RCC News has always been a way for me to bring neighbours together and build community.

I first learned about community-building when I sat on the board of Collingwood Neighbourhood House in the early 1990s with such local luminaries as Terry Tayler, Don Van Dyke, Rob Burkhart and David Hanuse. Paula Carr, CNH’s visionary executive director back then, taught me one important value that I still live by today: Everyone has a gift to share.

This has translated, through the RCC News, as “everyone has a story to tell.” I came from an immigrant family whose parents kept their head down, worked hard and didn’t have a voice. That’s why my motto with the RCC News has long been “every voice matters.”

Over the years the newspaper mobilized community in many different ways. RCC News was there when Green Thumb Theatre saved the historic Carleton School House (Carleton School House: Green Thumb to the rescue, October 2011). More than 10 years later, we’re still getting the word out about saving a local school with our recent story to stop the subdivision of school grounds at Bruce Elementary.

Our regular series evolved and have been popular over the years. Paul Reid and Emily Tam give us the scoop on local restaurants in the Eating Out column. Loretta Houben gives us history galore, starting from her memories of Chatty Cathy and moving on to her Family Tree Tips and Collingwood Corner series. And the Read On! series by Sophia Han and Tony Wanless has been a staple for English learners across the community.

I’ve so enjoyed sharing your charming voices and remarkable gifts in stories such as the ones celebrated during the newspaper’s 20-year anniversary (just search Renfrew Collingwood RCC News 20 years). Our wonderful contributors include Akberet Beyene, GeekBoy, Susan Wong, Deanna Cheng, Esther Yuen, John Mendoza, Crecien Bencio, Yoko Tomita, Ann Wong, Rania Hatzioannou and her student writers. More recent writers and artists have included Karen Vanon, Penny Lim, David Penny, Robert Edwards (aka The Other Guy), Vince Prasad, Carmen Rosen and Still Moon Arts Society as well as students from the Windermere Leadership program, who have long fought for climate justice. There are so many more contributors – thank you to you all.

Please keep telling your stories and supporting the newspaper as RCC News celebrates its 25-year milestone. You can send your stories to Paul Reid at editorial@cnh.bc.ca.

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