8 Things You Didn’t Know
+ Jeanette Weeden of Epping in Sydney confesses to owning a 32-year-old jar of paprika in her pantry.
+ WINNIE THE PHEW is a nappy wash service on the Gold Coast.
+William McManus, aged 4 of Yass, spent the day at preschool “learning about Bart Simpson and his donkey.”
So read the random treasures of Column 8, the whim and wit of readers that runs six days a week in the Sydney Morning Herald, and online at http://www.smh.com.au/column8/ Pat Sheil, the column’s editor, describes his concern as a “printed chatroom”.
“The readers run the show,” adds Sheil. “I just referee what’s going on. I might throw in the odd quirky comment or try to steer things – but really the readers own the column.”
For over 60 years, twice as old as Jeanette’s paprika, Column 8 has flourished on the same principle. Born in January 11, 1947, occupying the front page’s eighth column, the new feature has always promised an alternative to news – some may say an antidote – touching on suburban daydreams, skewed signs, AWOL apostrophes and life’s little mysteries.
To plumb more Column 8 puzzles, quips, confessions and homespun stories, try the link above, or dip into the mini-feature labelled 8 on the right hand side, a brisk history commissioned by the Herald for a subscriber audience a few years ago.
For Column 8 veterans, enjoy the nostalgia trip. And for you newcomers - offshore ones even more - ensure you tell Pat in your next correspondence that you heard it here first. CUL8R.