Babies Don't Wait and Other Spring-Time Stories

By Gail Oberst
OWP Editor pro temp

Jeb Bladine, publisher of the Oregon Wine Press, asked me a few months ago what I was doing between February and May this year. He wondered if I might be interested in taking Hilary Berg’s place for a spell.

Doing what? I asked. Jeb, ever the jokester, suggested I could either have her baby, or edit the Oregon Wine Press – whichever I felt I was up to.

I chose the editing gig. I’ve had two babies, now grown, and as rewarding as it all was, I can say with authority that the fun part wasn’t the pushing and sweating it took to get them out. Give me a nice warm desk, any day.

While I’m here, I look forward to renewing old friendships. Some of you worked with me when I was the business page editor for the News-Register, 1999 to 2002, and I’ve been back a few times, most recently to help out when Paul Daquilante broke his leg. I can’t quit you all.

February 1, Hilary and I began working together on the March issue, and we fully intended to work side by side for at least a couple  of weeks, except that baby Theodore (Theo) had other intentions. He decided to be born Feb. 5. Mom, son and Dad (Chris) are all at home and well now, working on their family issues, while I finished the March issue.

Theodore 'Theo' Paulsen Berg
Location: McMinnville, Ore
Date/Time: 10 a.m. Feb. 5, 2010
Weight: 6 pounds, 12 ounces
Length: 20 inches 

Back at the OWP ranch, everything remains the same except for the temporary editor – me. You can count on my enthusiasm for Oregon wines: I’m a fifth-generation Oregonian who was weaned on Oregon’s first good made by the late Richard Sommer. I’ve been a published writer since my teens, and in my mature years, I’ve added teaching, travel and nature writing, as well as publishing to my bag of tricks. This month, it has been a particular honor to edit other writers of such quality. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have.

If all goes as planned, Hilary will be back in time to help me finish the May issue, highlighting Memorial Day events.

You won’t have long to kick me around, so take advantage of the opportunity.