Mangawhai Probus

 

The ‘eyes’ have it
Mike and Carol-Ann Stevens have established Mangawhai Optometrists – Your Eyes on the Heads, so that local people no longer need to travel a distance for eye exams. At the February Probus meeting Mike spoke about the need to have eye tests every two to five years and sometimes more frequently as we get older. The main threats to vision are cataracts, macular de-generation and glaucoma.

Oh, the joys of getting older! However, we do have local optometrists that can help.

Chocolate in her bones
Mary Bennett then talked of the start and develop-ment of Bennett’s Chocolate Factory. Her husband Clayton grew up on a farm in Ruawai and spent sum-mers camping at Waipu Cove. Sixteen years ago, while living in Dublin, they decided they wanted a bet-ter quality of life. They enrolled in a chocolate making course in Belgium and after that came to New Zea-land.

The business started from home and within six months a cottage industry had developed. They need-ed to expand. Mary and Clayton purchased a piece of land in the village, went to France for a year of prepa-ration before local builders created the new complex. The tiles and fountains were part of a container load brought to New Zealand from France.

Now, 6,000 chocolates are produced per day. The moulds come from Belgium and specially designed Fairy Tern and Kiwi moulds have been developed.

Mary has a very positive and interesting way of looking at life. She believes in three very important bones in the body: the back bone, the wish bone and the funny bone. The hopes and dreams that her and Clayton put together are very important for the busi-ness.

Next meeting AGM
Mangawhai Probus meet every third Thursday in the month at the Senior Citizens Hall, Fagan Place, Managwhai at 2pm. The March meeting will be the AGM on Thursday March 19, followed by a Habitat for Humanity presentation. If you require more info or transport please contact Ron and Gaylene Law-rence 431 5617 or Beve Smith 431 5777. All visitors are welcome.

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