26 - Sunday, August 21, 1994 - North Shore News Sixteen years of cats, kids YES, J remember it well — 16 years ago, Noel Wright hired me to write a travel column for the North Shore News. ‘By Barbara McCreadie News Columnist Noel was the almost-new man- aging editor for a brisk little upstart newspaper that had evolved from an advertising publication, the North Shore Shopper. The News was in competition with the Citizen, Cloudsley Hoodspith’s long-ago newspaper that covered the North Shore. 1 gave a lot of thought as to which paper I'd approach with my polite request to become an instant columnist. I settled on the News because the office was closer. | wasn't quite sure where the Citizen resided — somewhere in the maze of warehouses south of Marine Drive — oh, hell, I'll try the News. Noel waved me into the chair in his office. 1 can’t remember being nervous about the whole thing (Dear, God, if I watked into an edi- tor’s office with those, credentials today I'd need a diaper!) “Er, Mrs. McCreadie?” Noel rat- tled some papers and locked at me puzzled: Who was I and why was I there? “I'd like to write a column for the News.” “Yes. And what have your writ- ten before?” Noel’s plummy English and direct, encouraging smile almost reached out for the big briefcase I should have had, filled with with wonderful, published, works, . “Nothing.” “Err —, yes, well, we usually like to see something that you’d _ written.” (Years later, Noel told me ' I did “set him back” a little.) For sure. “Well, do you think you might write up‘a couple of little colurnns and bring them ‘round?” Noel is’ such a gentleman. Most: editors would have. punched a button activating the trapdoor on the floor. Or, in nasty terms, told me to get out, get real, get lost or go mind my kids. Next day, I barged into Noel’s office with two columns. Noel was still polite: “Of course I'll read these, Mrs. McCreadie and thank you so much for coming in.” I went home firmly convinced that all it takes to become a news- paper columnist is to ask. I told - Brian what I’d done. “Are you out of your mind? You can’t write for a newspaper. God, Barb, get real! Go back to teaching if you think you need to work. Can’t you just — oh, give me a break.” - . He wasn't being ugly — he sim- ply saw my urge to write as a chance for me to be hurt, to be - rejected, turned down. He could look after his family very well — what did I need to put myself on the line for? Noel hired me the next day. He’s still not sure why. He was — and still is — one of my greatest boosters. | think it’s because we can still make each other laugh. ‘The News opened a door for me — héy, how many people do you know who can rave on about their travels and get paid for it? Noel pushed me into Budget Beaters, too. Now, | can babble on about my cits, my recipes, and my family without being labelled a ninny. (“Get back to the kitchen or go mind your kids!) I've seen a lot of changes. The first News staff Christmas party I attended was held one afternoon in the small editorial space. Everyone was there and we nibbfed cheese and crackers and had a glass of wine in a plastic cup. Last year, the party took over the entire social area of the North Shore Winter Club. I liked the old style better. - Readers, too, have changed. When J first wrote Travelwise, far fewer people travelled —~ the majority of my mail came from people making their first big trip — “What shots will | need for England?” Today I'm more apt to be asked about shots for Borneo. I'm often asked about destina- tions. What are the most popular ones? Winter getaways — snow- bird destinations! For summer travellers, Europe still leads. However, | get the most mail after 've written something about off-the-beaten-track car trips. When we find a neat small town anywhere I get a lot of feedback. Many readers write to me about their owa discoveries and they've led us to some remarkable places. When Brian and | first bought the “Durn fine lookin’ rig,” many read- ers took the time to write me with tips. Durn good ones! Saved us all sorts of screw ups. Food writing is a different thing. When I first started Budget Beaters, - jt was more a consumer column — where to get a good deal on kid’s running shoes and the price of light bulbs. . I'd ship in the odd recipe to illus- trate how to use some good-deai seasonal product. You said, “Scrap the light bulbs — let’s have more food.” Done. Honestly, 1 hated ploughing through discount outlets! Anytime | want to hear from readers, all I have to do is write something about my beloved cats. We love our pets and I’m willing to bet the North Shore has more per Lease Returns You Save $’s 1994 MAZDA 323 * B9ino 3 door “ hatchback automatic cassette & more ¥ {48 mo,, $750 down + taxes O.A.C T.P. $10,947) Don’t wait call today for color sélection FRANK STIRLING 293-1593 . LEASING Wh 1515 Boundry Rd. & 3 min. from 2 narrows capita than anywhere else in Canada, : For years I’ve wanted to write a pets only column but every manag- ing editor since Andy Fraser has vetoed the idea. I'm excited about the change in family focus since the late ‘70s. In the beginning, family concerns were, well, second. At that time, women were changing from house- wives to full-time workers. The job was king. The family seemed to be something that had to be dealt with in order not to foul up the job. it's different now. [ see the fam- ily way oul there in first place. The scientists call it cocooning, TF call it common sense. There was a time when I was criticized by an editor for not being more sophisticated. Why couldn’t | get with the new style of cooking — it was suggested that [ look into edible flowers and nouvelle cuixine. I balked. ['d rather smell the roses than have to cat them. Like any other food fad, nouvelle has gone. Vegetable soup is more to every- one’s laste. EL often hear: “You must work so hard to get all those columns done.” Hogwash, this isn't work! [ get paid to do trave] and cook. Who could ask for anything more? One young vet was so pleased that he’d been asked to write a col- umn for another publication. “Tell stories! Bring your own pets into the column. Write about your mis- takes, not just your triumphs.” [ don’t think he heard me. Also, start looking for an editor like Noel — it may take a few years. ___ NEWS photo Cindy Gordan HELLO. IS there anybody out there? Wes Yan Dyk plays a Didjereedoo at last weskend’s Under the Volcano Festival at Cates Park. 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