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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Did You Know.......Walking Weekend & Art Trail
This weekend Mangawhai will be hosting the 16th annual Walking Weekend, presenting 29 guided walks. Geology, photography, bush and cliff top walks, even a doggy trail! Bookings for all these is online mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz but you can also pick up tickets for the Friday afternoon Troubadour Trail at Bammas in the village, and for the Saturday Food & Wine Festival with popular entertainers, the Mermaids. Organisers have thought of everything: subsidising a shuttle bus to and from the event, so you can responsibly let your hair down! First shuttle departs from the Surf Club car park at 2.30pm, stopping at Heads camping ground, Wood St shops, Information Centre, museum carpark, then on to the venue in the Olive Grove on Insley St. Travelling to the venue every 15 minutes until 5.15pm, the return shuttles commence at 7pm. Cost is just $5pp each way, and there is no need to book. The Mermaids were extremely popular last year, so come prepared to enjoy all Mangawhai has to offer and dance the night away. And of course, as part of the Walking Weekend events, the Mangawhai Artists Inc have an Art Trail on the Saturday and Sunday, showcasing much of the work from talented people in the area – jewellery, woodwork, paintings, sculpture and lots more. Venue entry is free, just pick up a map and look for the display signs. Easter means chocolate Easter in Mangawhai just has to involve Bennetts Chocolate. Not just bunnies either, but chocolate animals, eggs, hens, special Easter packages for children and loads more. Tracy, who manages the chocolaterie, has talent-plus in display skills, creating a fantastic window display featuring her hessian rabbits, rustic wheelbarrow, nests and signs. Worth taking a look at her creations. Get involved with planting Helping to keep the harbour clean, the Riparian Planting Group is currently working on the Tara Rd/Moir St corner by the bridge. Twelve-hundred plants were put in last season, so volunteers at a recent weeding session were really pleased to see how well they were establishing. Next stage is more planting towards Tara Road with some waterway edge clearing assistance from the local Council as blackberry and kikuyu needs to be cleared first. Native plants suitable for the site have been sourced, but of course funding is an ongoing challenge. Volunteers are now a formal incorporated society, which helps when making grant applications, and they get together for working bees and a meeting every couple of months. The more helpers the better – riparian planting is a long term project, so start young! If you can help in any way with admin, supplying plants, weeding, planting or whatever, contact Jane 431 5828 or Alex 021 029 56791. Learn about sewerage What do you know about EcoCare? The Open Day, Easter Saturday in the Domain pavilion, will be the opportunity to meet with the local committee charged with advising KDC on EcoCare operations and proposed extension to the scheme. Lots of display boards, questions to get you thinking, and of course, information. There is so much misinformation spread about it is important that you take the time to get an understanding of the current workings of sewerage scheme and future developments. Unique dinner and show Have you heard about 'The Altos'? According to Otamatea Repertory Theatre (ORT), very much like the Sopranos only lower! So what's it all about? ORT is touring their latest production and will be performing in Mangawhai on Friday April 17, in the villlage library hall. The Altos performance includes a three course meal, in pre-determined breaks, audience participation, and if you come dressed as your favourite gangster or moll you may even win a prize. Sounds like 'interactive dinner theatre', comedic murder mystery unfolding around you as you dine. Could be a load of fun! Tickets are $50pp (or $45pp a group of six or more). Bookings taken at Bammas, no door sales. Don't delay as it is likely to be sold out fairly quickly.  Support Vanuatu clean-upRotary New Zealand is appealing for funds to support our neighbours in Vanuatu following the devastation from cyclone Pam. Six hundred Rotary Emergency Response Kits are ready to be dispatched to affected areas, and appeal funds may also support families to rebuild their homes, re-establish vegetable gardens, and provide health and education assistance. Our local Rotarians from Maungaturoto & Districts Club are spreading the word for help, and have supplied four donation options: At any Westpac Branch or by internet banking 03-1702-0192208-01 ref 888; Paypal at www.rnzwcs.org; Give a Little online at givealittle.co.nz/org/rnzwcs/share; or post a cheque to RNZWCS (Rotary New Zealand), PO Box 20309, Christchurch 8543. Every little bit really does help. First ArtForum free Artist Suza Lawrence is behind the idea of ArtForum on the last or second-last Tuesday of the month, in the villlage library hall, starting this Tuesday March 24, 7-9pm. The first of a series of ArtForum’s will be free of charge, but do bring along drinks and nibbles to share. Suza herself will introduce key works from her art practice over the past decade using a slide show, discuss mediums, art forms etc. On April 21 Cliff McPherson will present The Drawing Gallery & McPherson Gallery, in May the Dada and Renaisssance movements, and the June ArtForum looks at the question 'What is good contemporary architecture?' Lots to look forward to. Come along on Tuesday night for a free sample! Spotted last week… Three groups of well-supervised young cyclists – a large number of school pupils cycling along Molesworth Drive, with an adult leading, and another keeping watch at the end. Plus mum and a couple of young ones, all on bikes, coming out of Old Waipu Road, and another group of school pupils with parent support. We have the Walking Bus, so is this the Cycling Bus? Well done to the parents who put in the time and effort with the young bikers. Don’t miss book bargains Look for the marquee by the museum over Easter – it's the annual Mangawhai Museum Easter Book Fair, with so many bargains to be had you'll be cross if you miss out. This annual event is a major fundraiser for the Mangawhai Museum so do give it your support. Take time to visit the museum and rediscover the story of Mangawhai.
News and views to share through this column? Phone Jo Roberts 431 4711 or email jo.roberts@xtra.co.nz |
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