Chocolate eggs help kiwi
Easter in Mangawhai brings a harvest of activities so you'll have good reason to stock up on chocolate for energy purposes! Bennetts of Mangawhai have an awesome range, including the new Kiwi Egg – milk chocolate with cocoa butter coating which looks very much like the real thing. An added benefit is that $1 from each egg sold goes to the Marunui Conservation kiwi project. Following up on the initial Northland brown kiwi release and successful breeding, more kiwi are soon to be introduced so your purchase of a Kiwi Egg is a great way of adding support to save the kiwi. Bennetts are also running an Easter egg hunt on Thursday and a children’s colouring competition on Friday. Details shown separately.
Father and son team up
Energy levels were stretched for local extreme sport enthusiast Mark Rowbotham and son Matthew who set themselves a 'Source 2 Sea' challenge which they completed in seven days. Starting by walking to the glacier at Ruapehu where they collected a bottle of water to empty into the Waikato, they then mountain biked to Turangi, where Mark suffered a painful bout of sciatica. Not to be deterred, support person Donn Olsson accompanied Matthew to paddle across Lake Taupo, where Mark rejoined his son to mountain bike along the newly developed national cycleways ("excellent") then kayak to the mouth of the Waikato to empty the bottle of glacial water.
"We can't agree whose idea it was initially," explained Mark who celebrated his 61st birthday en route, "but it certainly was a great feeling of achievement, that's for sure. Logistically, it was a lot of work too, so thanks to the support team of Sue, Donn, Dave Cox and my brother and his wife."
Next stage for MAZ
Keep an eye on the Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) notice board as the Trust gears up for another major push to complete the next stage of the Street Plaza area, plus extending the flat area for younger children's activities. At the MAZ Charitable Trust AGM held recently, chairperson Colin Gallagher outlined plans for the coming year which include repairing and painting the shed, revamping the donation plaques on the snake path, constructing a retaining wall by the childrens playground, adding a flying fox, plus establishing a water supply for drinking fountains, plantings, and planned public toilets. Volunteers are always needed to support much appreciated community work carried out by P.D. workers.
Degree for design student
Graduation time for many former Mangawhai students, including Mark Graham who has completed his bachelor’s degree from Massey University School of Design. And even better still, he has a full time job in design based in Auckland – a relief for parents Kerry and Ron too!
Please share success stories with us through this column. Phone Jo Roberts 431 4711 or email jo.roberts@xtra.co.nz.
Snippets
Have you noticed the changes at Placemakers? With Kerry Gunn at the helm, the branch now has direct control and can meet the market. Builders, call in and have a chat about your requirements…
The Ashfords Picture Framing is now open for all your framing needs. They have a diverse selection including gorgeous gilded classics, mirrors and more. Visit 75 Old Waipu Road or phone 431 4984.
Saturday April 26, 11am at Kakariki is Total Health Centre's introductory one hour workshop on 'Getting your motor running' – quick, easy, and tasty ideas to improve your health, lose weight, and gain energy. Details from Dianne 431 5670 or email info@totalhealth.co.nz.
Work has begun on the first stage of the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society mangrove removal, with machinery operating off Lincoln St. The area is well defined and marked, worth walking down to see how it's working out.
Defibrillators – where are they all? We urgently need an updated list for emergencies, so if you could let me know if your organisation has one, and its availability (24/7, working hours or whatever) we can update the locations. Please phone 431 4711, or email jo.roberts @xtra.co.nz so we can assist in circulating a list. |
Spike a real stud
For those who live in the Village, Ron and his Swedish Valhund dog Spike were a familiar sight as they both walked slowly to the shops and back. Sadly, 16-year-old Spike (or Wallaby!) had to be put down recently, but there is a lovely back story to his life. He was one of the late Rose Madsen's breeding dogs, and he produced large families both here and in Australia, so it seems very fitting that his papers reveal that his stud name was 'Man About Town'.
Rose fools doctor
Art Trail exhibitor Donna Shadick picked a near-perfect rose from her garden to decorate her jewellery display – so good that one customer merely glanced at it, assuming it was artificial, as the jewellery was what caught his eye. During the sale process, he revealed that he was Dr Sam McCredy so you can imagine how thrilled he was when Donna pointed out that the rose was indeed not only real, but one of his!
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Easter Activities
Thursday 17 Ÿ
Easter Egg Hunt: Listen to Classic Hits 7am-9am for a location where the Classic Hits truck will be with an egg hidden in the vicinity. The egg will have a number on it relating to a delicious treat from Bennetts of Mangawhai!
Friday 18 Ÿ
Easter Colouring Competition: Bring the children down to Bennetts market square between 11am -2pm. Limited seats available. Three groups: 3-4yrs, 5-6yrs, 7-8yrs. Prizes will be awarded after 3pm so don't go too far away…and there will also be spot prizes.
Saturday 19
Book Fair at the Museum: Grab some winter reading and support their fundraising.
ŸFishing Competition: Timber World's 10th sponsorship anniversary. Fishing starts at 6am, with weigh-in from 4-5pm at the clubrooms in Alamar Cres. Tickets from Darryl at Mangawhai Fishing and Tackle, Wood St. Entries close at 10am on the morning of the competition.
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ŸVillage Market: Something for everyone, 9am-1pm.
Twilight Beach and Country Market at the Domain: From 3pm-6pm. Stall bookings 0274 586 144
ŸOutdoor Movie Night at Mangawhai Beach School: Get set up from around 7pm with your rugs and picnic chairs on the hard court area at the back of the school where there will be lollies, fizzy drink and popcorn for sale! Movie price just $5 per person. And the movie is Grease. How good is that! If it rains, it will be postponed.
Sunday 20
ŸThe Book Fair at the Museum continues…
Monday 21
Music at the Market: From 9am, Village Hall, featuring singer/songwriter David Shanhun. Food, fun, free entertainment, local produce and much more. For all inquires phone Sharon 0274 860. And if rain happens, the plan is to dance in it!
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Ladybirds to the rescue?
Have you seen the black secretion on the willow and some poplar trees? This is from the giant willow aphids which are spreading throughout New Zealand. These aphids drink the juice of the willows - leaves, stems and flowers - and can do great damage when the colonies are large. One property owner in the Village reports that the secretion has been getting onto his roof discolouring the water, so he's had to fell the trees. Of course this honeydew secretion attracts other insects, such as parasitic wasps, which is another reason why the wasps are so prolific this season. The Ministry of Primary Industries think that if sufficient numbers of ladybirds can be built up they may provide a control for these giant aphids.
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Coming up
Anzac Day special movie at Kaiwaka Cinema: War Horse, 7.30pm.
The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug will screeen on Friday May 2, 7.30pm. Sunday May 4 is family matinee Frozen, all tickets $5. And on Friday May 16, Mr Pip.
DAYS OF THUNDER to be held in Hakaru RSA grounds, 733 Settlement Road, commemorating 100 years since the start of World War I. Saturday May 3, 9.30am-3.30pm and Sunday May 4, 9am-3pm. Gate entry $10, children under 10 free.
Italian Night at the Frog & Kiwi on May 3. Booking necessary!
Music Makers at Sail Rock, 7.30pm Tuesday May 6.
UK duo, ukulele and accoustic guitar at Sail Rock on May 17.
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News and views to share through this column? Contact Jo Roberts 431 4711, email jo.roberts@xtra.co.nz
