THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 2, 1996 TAG: 9610010139
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 64 lines
Some days, Dreda McCreary, a biologist with Mosquito Control, is in the office identifying mosquitoes under a microscope.
Other days, you might find her out in the field, sleeves rolled up counting the number of mosquitoes that bite her per minute! (Yes, it's really a legitimate method of determining what's bugging you.)
On weekends look for her at festivals and special events performing another kind of job altogether. McCreary plays the hammered dulcimer, banjo and a Celtic drum called a bodhran in Tangent, a female trio specializing in traditional British Isles and American high-energy music.
P.S. See her at the Tidewater Friends of Folk Music Festival Oct. 12 at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.
Full name: Dreda Anne McCreary.
Hometown: Woodhull, N.Y. (population 600).
What brought you to the Beach? Marriage.
Birthdate: May 29, 1957.
Occupation: City of Virginia Beach Mosquito Control biologist.
Marital status: Happily married for 15 years.
Children: Ben, 10, Josh, 8, and Rachel, 6.
Last book read: ``The List of 7.''
What is your idea of a perfect day off? A hike and picnic with my friends, a bike ride by myself and playing music out with my husband and friends.
Last smart thing you did: Spent more time training my assistants at work.
Last dumb thing you did: Tried to keep up with our Boy Scouts by playing some of their games (I hurt my knee).
Favorite meal: Broiled seafood with lots of vegetables and rice, wine and chocolate.
Favorite movies: ``Fantasia,'' ``The Ten Commandments,'' ``The Color Purple'' and ``Dances with Wolves.''
Favorite song: It constantly changes as we learn new ones.
Hobbies: Performing with Tangent, bicycling, Scouts (boys and girls), cooking, practicing my instruments.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? More patience.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? I don't think about it - 'nuff said.
Secret vice: Chocolate, but it's not much of a secret.
Favorite restaurant: The Trellis in Williamsburg (I've only been once, but it was my favorite).
Your favorite night on the town: I love jam sessions at friends' homes or a local pub where my husband, the band and I can share and learn music from others.
Favorite TV shows: CNN Headline News, MTV Unplugged, ``Whose Line Is It Anyways?'' and Discovery Channel specials.
Favorite sport: Bicycling.
Last vacation: To upstate New York to visit family.
Pets: Bailey (our wonderful 2-year-old black Labrador) and Christina (our alley cat).
Worst job: Scrubbing pots and pans in college.
Of what achievements are you most proud? I produced a record album in 1985, my role in musical performance, my experience with several instruments, my accomplishment in public relations and education for mosquito control.
What would you like as your epitaph? I'd rather someone plant a small grove of trees in my memory than erect a stone with an epitaph. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
McCreary by CNB