inside the Dou Collins HOW many authors in this country can boast that they’ ve sold a book to the President of the United States? Pierre Berton, Peter Newman, Margaret Atwood? Not as far as 1 know. But John Rowland has. He's the West Vanner whose fine dook Slipping The Lines was reviewed here last year, It is John’s autobiogra- phy and in it he tells the story of a Canada that has disappeared. The dancing Twenties, the Dirty Thirties, the war years, and more besides. All of it fun, The Thirties didn’t worry him much. He survived them very well as the sole representative and salesman in Canada for Newsweek magazine. Travelled the ' world on the proceeds. Met everybody — or nearly everybody — and did everything. In Hong Kong, the South Sea Islands, New Zealand, etc. And he has the photos to prove it. Never one-to hide his light under a bushel, unless —it was a bushel of dollars, John wrote to President Bill Clinton to congratulate him on his last State of the Union address, mentioning, © in passing, that he just hap- pened to have written:a book of some interest. - When I first got this news I thought Clinton had been reading a certain col- umn in the North Shore News, thus hearing about John’s opus and getting a few tips on how to set the world to rights in the process. } was about to inform my vast public that the White House preferred the News to the New York Times. But it turned out that our man got to the Prez all by him- self. The president's first sec- retary, a chap who signs himself simply as “Brownell,” wrote back on White House stationery, stating in part: “The President told me how much he enjoyed the humor in the literature you enclosed regarding your autobiography, Slipping the Lines. He requested that you send him a copy of your book. An American Treasury check is enclosed in the amount of $31. “Please affix the enclosed sticker to your book-parcel to assure that Vhi your mailing will pass the White House security check point.” Hot damn! as my American friends used to say, way back when. So let’s hope that the White House enjoyed the book as much as I did. Our author did some amazing things up North, 60 years ago. If you don’t believe me, read the book, where it is all documented. In his later years he was also buddy-buddy with Klondike Kate, a member of the famous Flora Dora dance hall team at the turn of the century. In 1937, she came back to Dawson to be guest of honor at a reception and John reported to Newsweek that she was allowed to pan the earth for gold at the place where the old stage had stood. She cleaned up $1,800 in gold, saying that no doubt some must have been dust thrown on the stage by the miners when she was danc- ing there. John often took Kate to dinner at the Arcade Cafe in Dawson City. The waitress- es would nudge one another and say “Look, John is rob- bing the cradle again." He was 27 at the time. She was 57. He has her signature on a menu. Interesting menu, too. He says life in the Yukon was expensive in those days. King Salmon was listed DEREK A. CAVE Trial Lawyer Get the settlement .” you deserve. #508, Kapilano 100 Building 100 Park Royal, West Van. 925-7880 y A MONTH e Free Cellular Phone « First Month of Local Calis Free e Free Weekends e 100 Free Minutes a Month During Weekday Evenings e Free Activation WEST VANCOUVER #919 Park Royal South jt yhends start Friday at 6.00 pmund er Petay ot 7:60am. Weekday cvenings start at m and end at 7-00 am. Non-teee time periods J 6.00 are charged $.65 2 minute. ro ANSQUVER WEST END - 950 W. Broadway har & Broadway 1030 Dur 737-2018 eau #116 Denman Place Mal nman Stl “9682 GE te House at 75 cents (including a Yukon Clam Chowder). Fresh Moose Liver, Huskie Style, was also 75 cents. So were Eldorado Caribou Cutlets. For the same three bits you could gct Pork Sausage and Mashed Potatoes, Nigger Jim's Favorite. (The Thought Police hadn't arrived in 1937.) Sirloin Steak, Cheechaco’s Delight, was a dizzy dollar. T-Bone Steak, Bedrock Grill, was $1.25, and Prime Rib of Beef, Klondike Kate’s Delight, was one dollar. A Hot Moose sandwich could be had for 50 cents and Frozen North Five-Egg Pumpkin Pie was a mere 25 cents, (i'll have two.) At the bottom of the menu is the legend: THE LAND OF PURE GOLD AND SUNSHINE. Maybe yes, maybe no. They were optimists in those days, even though the times were touchy. Wouldn’t surprise me if John didn't turn up in the White House and give a talk. He's a pretty lively 85, apart from the usual aches of age. Based on a Somonth transferable contract, Anmual rade system hensing fee of long distance changs and faxes intra. Earl: careeltation tees apply. New customers only, OAC. Limited tine offer. Sunday, June 30, 1996 ~ North Shore News — 7 RANTEE UARANTEE {4 days If you OLR G ‘iL a ) YOUR MONEY* WE WILL RE prior Series (Queen, 1890 coil with weal) af the sume suggested retail price : SIMMONS Cosas SEALY poaupetic A q «, OTF West 1st'N., Vari Mon-Sat 10:5 or by appointment.980-0607.. - g_ABUFACTURERS OF BZD & BEDDING PRODUCTS i FoR DRAPERIES & BLINDS BY S.LAURSEN & SON Recently completed For Free Estimates — call 987- 2966 - Ask about our contract pricing: and Seniors discount: ' a Serving the North Shore sfor24y mF ‘yea The City of North Vancouver would like to announce. its partnership ~ | with Cycle Stop Displays and Marvel Communications i in the implementation of the Commercial Bicycle Parking Program. asapatt , of the North Vancouver: Bieyele : Master Plan. | The blue lean—and-lock bicycle racks that are being installed along: and around Lonsdale Avenue have been provided by Cycle Stop | Displays to the City at no cost. — For more information, please call 990-BIKE. 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