Cal
George
CKWX
Vancouver 1942-67; CKOK Penticton 1967-85; member CAB Quarter Century Club;
retired and enjoying golf in Penticton.
Best
story on Cal George is told by Hockey Legend Jim Robson
Jim
Robson's special hello to shut-ins when he was on the air doing Canucks Hockey
- the trademark came from former WX disc-jockey Cal George. "People in the
business think it's corny, but it's not corny to the shut-ins." says
Robson.
Robson
readily admits he "borrowed" the idea from 'WX announcer Cal George,
who co-hosted a cooking show called "Neighbour Nina" with Nina
Anthony, mother of Fin. Robson picked up on the shut-in routine in 1956 and
soon realized the magnitude of his commitment. "Over the years, I've
received hundreds of letters written in Braille as well as letters from
hospital patients and the elderly," Robson says. "I've even got a
plaque engraved from 'The Boys at Mountain Institute' in appreciation for not
forgetting them." At first glance, he didn't realize these admirers were
residents of the Agassiz Mountain Prison. Former Canucks owner Thomas K.
Scallen, who spent nine months in jail on a fraud conviction in 1973, once told
Robson the inmates at the B.C. Pen would clink cups against the bars of their
cells when he'd say hello to the shut-ins. "We took it quite
personally," Scallen said. When the Canucks entered the NHL in 1970 and
Robson did his first Hockey Night in