Laura,
You wrote "I downloaded PDF Creator to convert a simple 2 page community newsletter to
a PDF file...."

No, the recipient does not have to have "PDF Creator". The do have to have Adobe Reader, (Free) which most people have in today's cyber world. However, a word of caution (from personal experience). As you know when you "print" your document to PDF Creator, you will be given an opportunity to change or accept an assigned file name which appears in in the first box on the screen. Whatever you choose to do, remove or do NOT assign any file extension (".doc", ".xls", or even ."pdf"). PDF Creator will auto assign the extension."pdf" to every file created. Which, if an existing extension remains prior to file creation, will result in a file such as "myfile.doc.pdf" or "myfile.xls.pdf". Such files in many cases cannot be opened by Acrobat Reader. In summary, on the first screen from PDF Creator, change "Myfile.doc" to "Myfile" before proceeding and your recipient should have no problem opening same. 
 Best of luck,

Maurice J. Reid

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