Did You Know?

 

Historical reunion

Back in 1945 when the Tara Road school opened (shifted from Browns Road) there were just eight pupils. The school, lovingly restored by the Ken Brown family, was the venue for a recent reunion of the surviving six original pupils, who swapped stories, photos, and enjoyed drinks and nibbles.

Roll call in 1945: Ken Brown and sister Bev, now Nielsen; cousin Dawn Brown (Boustridge); Flo Browne (Paikea) and brothers Ted and Frank (deceased); Nola Wintle (deceased) and cousin Stuart Murray.

 

Mystery solved – sort of

And following on from the clip about the headless ceramic chicken in the previous column, the owners from 71 Moir St made contact to say their garden ornament had been stolen (head included!) several months ago, so they are no longer running around like…

 

Bunnies in firing line!

Rabbit numbers are on the rise again, but a friend is keeping score of those who enter her garden: Jan with her gun 8, rabbits nil. She’s not one to miss you see, although her score with the golf clubs is not always so good!

 

Kakariki continues

Last minute change at Kakariki, the Health Store. Second week of the closing down sale, and the business sold! Yes, Kakariki has a new owner and will be relocating to premises at Bennetts of Mangawhai next week. Same landline number and email address. Jess says she is ‘stoked’ that her wonderful business continues in Mangawhai.

 

Bird report from Sioux

New Zealand fairy tern at Waipu have started the breeding season going with two nests and at Mangawhai, one nest to date. Shining cuckoo can be heard all over the district, singing loudly. Arctic shorebirds have all arrived for the summer – here’s hoping they had successful breeding seasons in the northern hemisphere. Kaka seen feeding in Pearson St.

For bird sightings and information contact siouxp@gmail.com.

 

Dolphin thrill for boys

Dolphins in Picnic Bay last week provided an exhilarating experience for two local boys. Ben Morley and George Hutton spent 40 minutes or so in the water with a pod of five, sometimes eight dolphins who stayed around them after they initially slapped the water to attract the dolphins attention. In water up to their shoulders, and often deeper, the boys swam with the gentle creatures who dived under them, did flips, and cavorted with them. Ben admits that he was a little nervous at times – and who wouldn’t be with those big dark shapes beneath – but he and George were just thrilled by the whole experience. Lucky boys!

 

What goes on tour stays on tour!

One of our local published authors, Roy Vaughan, has been advised that the second book his Mereleigh Record Club trilogy has now been published. The Mereleigh Record Club Tour of Japan follows the story of this group of 60-something-year-old friends from their rock and roll days receiving an invitation from a similar group in Japan to visit and assist with a charity fundraising show. The best laid plans of the Japanese go astray due to cultural misunderstandings and a case of mistaken identity. Then the daughter of a friend of one of the group goes missing, and the scene is set for a real thriller. 

The Mereleigh Record Club Tour of New Zealand was the first in the trilogy, and Roy is currently working on the third, The Mereleigh Record Club Cruise of the South Pacific.

Mangawhai Books and Gifts in Wood St has copies available – just in time for Christmas!

 

 

Busy time for St John

Christmas trees will once again be on sale at the Op Shop as a fund-raiser for St John, open Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm, and Sunday 10am-2pm.

There was a little Christmas ’thank you’ party held at Harvest Café for the many volunteers at the very successful Op Shop in the village. Shop managers Denise and Melissa said everyone had put in an awesome effort. St John Ambulance officers had been called out, but a representative from the organisation thanked all who continued to support the Op Shop for the contribution it is making to the ambulance service in Mangawhai.

• Coming up: Christmas! How about Christmas lunch at the Frog & Kiwi? A celebratory five course meal, including tea & coffee with petit fours, for just $96. Bookings are essential. Phone 431 4439.
• There are a few sites still available for the big Domain Gala on January 2, but you will need to be quick.   Email mangawhaigala@gmail.com.
• This is a great family event, and the major fundraiser for this community-owned facility. Additional family activities are planned for this event along with the attractions we look forward to every year.
• Curly leaf on your fruit trees? Useful tip passed on is to hang washed seaweed in the branches. Collect some when you are out waiting for dolphins…
• The Annual BOOK FAIR organised by the Historical Society, has become plural! The first will be held on Anniversary weekend, and the second, at Easter.  Details later.
• Mangawhai Artists Inc will be holding a fundraising Art Exhibition in the museum foyer from Jan 12, ending with an auction of works on Saturday 26.
• Leabourn’s initiative and hard work, with support from Mangawhai Business Development Associationn, will see a shuttle bus service running from Village - Heads - Beach from Dec 27 for several weeks.   How good is that? Details and timetables later.

 

News and views to share through this column? Contact Jo Roberts 431 4711, email jo.roberts@xtra.co.nz.