Small Talk

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PM key speaker
Prime Minister John Key will address a breakfast meeting at the Mangawhai Golf Club on Wednesday November 23. Breakfast is at 7.30am, $30 per head. Tickets from the Golf Club or Mangawhai Business Development Association, www.mangawhai.co.nz. First in first served. Limited to 100 tickets.

Councillor says thanks
“Thank you,” says Libby Jones “to everyone who voted for me for the Kaipara District Council and the Northland District Health Board. I am delighted to be elected to both roles and have the opportunity to make a difference for our communities. I will work hard for our area as well as the wider district. Thanks for your support.”

Beauty and the beast
Jill Parsons of Te Arai Point has been growing a Dragon Lily for over 15 years and it’s taken a long time to finally produce a flower – the first time just three years ago, then nothing since. However, it recently came into bloom again and though the flower is something to marvel at Jill says the smell it brings with it is simply atrocious! “It smells like a rotting animal in the garden,” she says “and brings with it a lot of flies.” Actually the flies are the main pollinator. Fortunately the odious odour only lasts a day or so while the flower lasts up to ten days.

Christmas fundraiser
A new event, Bows and Bells, is coming to Mangawhai. Based on a successful annual fundraiser held in Palmerston North for the last 16 years, one room is being decorated in nine local ‘houses’ plus the Mangawhai museum foyer. This year the theme is Christmas, but each ‘house’ will be decorated differently.

The event is being held on Saturday and Sunday December 3-4, chosen because the museum was opened on the first weekend of December two years ago and organisers wanted to celebrate the occasion. Stylish Homes is the major sponsor.

Tickets are now on sale at the Museum and Bammas at the Village – $25 each or $50 for a family (2 adults and up to 4 children). This includes free museum entry on each day of the event. Santa will be available between 11am and 1pm each day with a photographer to take children’s photos with him.

Volunteer-made products will sell in a Christmas section in the museum shop – wreaths, table runners and napkins, Christmas stockings, handmade cards and other items.

Art n Tartan revisited
A very successful Waipu Museum Art n Tartan Wearable Arts event was held in July. An early sell-out meant many people missed seeing the wonderful entries – a warning to book early next year. The event committee is offering the chance to see entries in a static exhibition. Some entries will be modeled. This is a great opportunity for those who are thinking about entering next year, with a chance to meet the creators. This is a ‘not- to- be missed’ viewing will be held November 12 and 13 in the foyer of the Celtic Barn, Waipu. Entry is just $5. For further details call Pat Hadlee 021 961 238.

Looking forward to 2017?
Petrolhead, photographer and artist Al Morrow has a special penchant for cars out of the ordinary, with shots taken from all angles and aspects. While we refer more and more to our phones, it’s still nice to have a calendar on the wall for an instant answer at a glance and, depending on the subject matter, often an enthusiastic and nostalgic talking point. Al’s 2017

calendar is now available, A3 size, and will liven up the home office or the man cave and is a great stocking-filler at just $25 plus P&P. Have a sneaky on issuu.com/tanalised/docs/trad_cal_17. It may also include a number of shots from previous Mangawhai Black Swamp rallies.

A worthy cause
CauseWay Church Girls Together are hosting a fundraiser on Sunday November 13 at 7pm in the Mangawhai Recreation Center (Insley Street) to raise awareness and funds for A21, an organisation that exists to abolish human trafficking. For more info on A21 visit www.a21.org. The evening includes guest speaker Petra Bagust, speaking on her work combating human trafficking, and a Fashion Swap where ladies can refresh their wardrobe for a few dollars and a light supper. Tickets are $20. For more info or to purchase a ticket contact Amanda on 09 431 4782 or email office@causewaychurch.org.nz. Together let's make a difference to the world we live in.

Volunteers wanted
New to Mangawhai? Looking forward to becoming a part of this thriving community? Here’s your chance! The 2017 Mangawhai Walking Weekend is seeking new volunteers. Can you help?

The Troubadour Trail on March 24 is a popular and well-established event – the opening walk of the Mangawhai Walking Weekend. Much of this event is already well in the planning however we are now looking for a coordinator who can liaise with performers and guides on the day to ensure the smooth running of this special estuary walk.

The Walkers Big Breakfast on March 26 requires a volunteer with catering experience to manage on the day with the assistance of regular Big Breakfast volunteers.

For more information on the how you can help, please call Dorothy Freeman on 09 431 5950.

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