Victoria’s Read

Since it’s been three years this month that we’ve been introducing you to the fine women of your community, I thought that I would tell you a little about myself.

My older brother, James and I were born and raised in North Bay. My parents owned and ran their own automotive garage.

In grade school, I was the pudgy kid with glasses and a lisp. I had trouble saying certain words but it didn’t seem to stop me from making a lot of friends though.

By the time I reached high school, I had learned how to express myself through words and I was hungry to learn all there was to know about the subject.

My brother was terrible at English but a wiz at math which worked out great for me because I sucked at math.

My first job was decorating donuts at a donut shop. It was a good job and it taught how to communicate with the public. From there, I worked at a day care where I discovered that I loved children and wanted to have some of my own some day.

When I was just 17, my knight in shining armour came riding in to my life on the wheels of his shiny black Chevy truck. I guess I was his princess because he asked me to marry him just one month later.

Our son, Randy was born one year later and our daughter, Laurie followed her devoted brother, two years later. 
By this time, my writing had taken a back seat for many years. I was committed to giving my husband and children all of my love and attention but I eventually discovered that your talents never leave you.

I was working evenings and weekends at Wal-Mart to help pay the bills. I hated it because I never saw my family. My mom called me one day, informing me the Near North Senior was looking for a writer. I hadn’t written anything in years but the excitement of writing again kept building inside me. The owner, Claude told me that I could set my own hours. This meant that I could help with the household bills through my work as a writer and spend more time with my family again. How’s that for fate.

I met and interviewed many wonderful seniors over the next year.

I then heard that The Nipissing Reader was looking for a writer/graphic artist.  I didn’t know anything about the Graphic Arts but was anxious to learn that end of producing a newspaper. John taught me everything I know but things didn’t work out as expected there.

While talking to my father about my job situation one day, he asked why I don’t start up your own paper. I stared at him, dumbfounded. It made perfect sense! Why Not!

With a lot of help from Canadore student, Sarah, Victoria’s Read was conceived just two short months later.

Looking back on the last three years, I can’t help but be so grateful to my readers and advertisers. Because of your continuous support, I am where I was always meant to be. 

Victoria say…..Thank you.