Hibiscus Matters Christmas Feature, Dec 12, 2012

| Hibiscusmatters 12 December 201216

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CoastCHRISTMASCoast

For one evening a year, the home of 14-year-old Gabby Bourne of Arkles Bay becomes the venue for a Christmas themed concert entitled Rock it Out. Gabby has been teaching guitar and singing for two years, and the concert showcases the talents of her students. The invitation only event on December 20 is a chance for her students, aged from six years to adults, to show an audience of family and friends what they have learned; last year four students did the whole show, and this year around 11 will take part. Earlier this year Gabby’s own talents were on display, when she won Whangaparaoa X Factor. Gabby’s mother Julie says she loves hosting the event in her home. “It’s a great way to bring families together to get into the Christmas spirit and the kids love to get dressed up and perform,” she says. Gabby is pictured with students.

Hard work by residents of Gulf Harbour was celebrated with the switching on of lights at the band rotunda and clock tower in the town centre last week.The lights were officially switched on at the Carols on the Canal event on December 5, by Cr Wayne Walker.The cost of maintenance of the area is shared by the 300 or so members of Gulf Harbour Marine Village Residents Association, from levies, but members were not able to access funds for the refurbishment until last February.The first priority was to make the bridge structure safe, including replacing some planks. The bridge was also repainted by volunteers.Refurbishment of the band rotunda and clock tower, as well as the adjacent gardens, proceeded all year and included installing new spouting and downpipes, painting and rewiring.

Four new spotlights that light up the clock tower were added as well as rope lighting.Association chair Rod Klarwill says the residents should be very proud of the work they did to restore the area.Rod worked with the Association’s electrician and member Koos Hogendoorn, repairing and replacing all the electrical work and lighting. Rod’s wife Karyn was co-opted into climbing to the top of the clock tower to hold light fittings and pass tools and then to help remove planks from the roof of the rotunda.Committee member Ken Kiddie, who is an engineer by trade, also put in a lot of hours, as well as supervising the replacement of rotten timbers, rust treatment, painting and replacing the garden irrigation and water supply and organising the scaffolding, painting and spouting companies.Rod says the success of the operation

From top, The lights were switched on at the Gulf Harbour band rotunda and clock tower by Cr Wayne Walker. Tea for Two play in the band rotunda.

Gulf Harbour switches it on for Christmas

can be seen in the fact that bookings for weddings to be held in the rotunda are rolling in, with the first to be held this week. More photos, www.localmatters.co.nz

Hibiscusmatters 12 December 2012 | 17

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CHRISTMASCoastDale Chalmers of Stanmore Bay first took up painting after a diagnosis that changed her life forever.In 2000, Dale was working as a teacher aide in Whangaparaoa and enjoying taking on parts as an extra in a number of local television series, when she found out that she had multiple sclerosis.“I had a lot of things I still wanted to do, including taking my acting further, but it wasn’t to be,” she says.Forced to leave work, she had time on her hands and was determined to fill it with enjoyable creative pursuits to help her stay positive.At her mother’s suggestion, she joined a painting group, together with her own daughter Madison and other family members, and discovered it provided the perfect therapy – quiet time in her conservatory where she could make works about things she loves such as music, gardening, sewing and scrapbooking.Her mixed media works incorporate items such as old pattern pieces, teabags and stamps because, Dale says, she likes to ‘mix it up’.“I don’t really have a style as such, because all my paintings are different,”

Dale Chalmers with a painting inspired by her love of gardening.

Art assists with personal journey

she says. “What they have in common is that I love texture and colour.”Dale has four works in Estuary Arts Centre’s current Cash and Carry Exhibition. Two are floral works, one is inspired by Kenny Rogers song The Gambler and the fourth is called Fashionista.All works are for sale, as the annual Cash and Carry Exhibition provides an opportunity to pick up interesting, creative Christmas gifts at a wide

range of prices.Nearly 90 artists have contributed 960 items to the exhibition, from jewellery and knitted toys to painting, woodcrafts, sculpture and pottery.The works are continually replenished so that all items can be purchased and taken away the same day.Estuary Arts Centre Cash & Carry • Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa • November 29–January 27, 2013

Auckland Council’s 24-hour call centre, available on 09 301 0101, will operate as usual throughout the holiday period, including Christmas Day, seven days a week. Information on all Council services, from parks to recycling, can also be found at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nzMeanwhile, from Christmas Day until Sunday January 6, most Council rubbish and recycling collections will run one day later than usual. The same rules apply for collections over the Auckland Anniversary Day holiday, January 28, with normal collections resuming on Monday February 4. Residents using private collection services should contact their service providers for holiday collection schedules.All council service centres will close at 5pm on Friday December 21 and re-open on Monday January 7. The Hibiscus & Bays Local Board office, in Orewa, will close at 12 noon on December 21 and re-open on January 7. Local libraries will be closed on December 25 and 26, and January 1 and 2. For public transport queries, visit www.at.co.nz or call 0800 10 30 80.

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CHRISTMASCoastOrewa Beach is a mecca for family fun these holidays.Christmas at the Beach is on December 16 to raise funds for Orewa Surf Club; on December 26, Times FM is holding its inaugural Boxing Day on the Beach event (see ad p11); Hibiscus Rodders take over the reserve for their Beach Festival on January 26 and 27 and Orewa Beach is also the venue for the annual Big Dig, which this year will be held on February 6 (see story p31).Among the new events on offer at Orewa Beach this summer is Gutter Kitties Cat Rescue Family Fun Day on January 6.The Gutter Kitties event is a first for organiser Danielle Howard of Stanmore Bay. The event, which includes family games, market stalls and food, is a fundraiser for the cat rescue service that Danielle runs from her home.Gutter Kitties is a Charitable Trust that rescues and finds new homes for abandoned, surrendered and mistreated cats and kittens on the Hibiscus Coast and North Shore as well as in Rodney.It’s an invaluable service that has rescued, de-sexed and re-homed more than 400 cats and kittens in its four years of operation. Danielle says she has always wanted to

work with animals – “my childhood was spent trying to rescue and adopt anything and everything,” she says.After working as a trainee vet nurse, Danielle gained a Certificate in Animal Care but says she soon decided that she could make more of a difference to animal welfare through operating a rescue service.Being a stay at home mum allowed her the time to get the rescue service up and running, and she also obtained a Certificate in Animal Welfare Investigations at Unitec.“It was a fantastic course, with a lot of insight into the issues we have in NZ, but unfortunately also demonstrated how little is being done about it,” she says.Currently Danielle and co-owner of Gutter Kitties, Erynn Hughes, have around 40 cats and kittens in their care and are in the process of building two rooms on the Stanmore Bay site to house the cats. To raise funds, Gutter Kitties is holding a Family Fun Day at Orewa Beach on January 6. It will include games such as egg and spoon and sack races, a range of market stalls, sausage sizzle and more. Danielle is seeking donations of prizes and still has stall space available. Stalls cost $30. Volunteers are also needed to help

Last year’s Christmas at the Silverdale Pioneer Village was so popular with visitors, that the Pioneer Village has once again pulled out all the stops to recreate the atmosphere of Christmas past.Silverdale & Districts Historical Society committee member Christine Carlyle and her team put up the decorations in the historic houses on the site; these include a nativity scene and Christmas trees. There is a life size Santa Claus model in an old time costume – not the scarlet one that today’s children associate with Santa Claus – and there is also a Christmas raffle. The decorations will be up from December 10-24, during which time the Village is open, 10am-3pm. The Warkworth brass band will play in the gazebo on December 15, 1pm–2pm and the following day there will be a carol service in the historic chapel at 7pm. There will be live keyboard music at the village on December 22, 12.30pm–2pm.Entry is free, but donations are appreciated.Info: phone 426 5618Pioneer Village Christmas • Silverdale Pioneer Village, Silverdale Street, Silverdale • December 10-24

The arms of Danielle Howard’s cat rescue service are overflowing at this time of year.

Family Fun Day is one for the kitties A blast from Christmas past

with things such as setup/packup, first aid, games, face painting, children’s entertainment and so on.All proceeds of the event go to Gutter Kitties. Info: email [email protected], visit www.gutterkitties.co.nz or look for Gutter Kitties on Facebook.Gutter Kitties Cat Rescue Family Fun Day • Orewa Beach, by Orewa Surf Club •January 6, 10am–3pm.

Christmas activitiesPlunket suggests families involve children in as many Christmas activities as possible, from decorating the tree to packing the picnic lunch, in order to make Christmas memorable. Plunket recommends making decorations together, decorating the Christmas tree as a family and writing up a holiday calendar of fun activities.

Gifts that keep on givingOnline research conducted last month by Bonus Bonds showed that an inflatable cow, glow-in-the-dark curtains and a first kiss rated as the best Christmas gift ideas. Belly dancing kits, a helicopter lesson, a unicycle or a ride-on robot were also popular ideas according to the survey of nearly 2000 Bonus Bond holders aged 15 plus. Respondents listed paid travel, time spent with family, a bike and a pet among the best gifts they had ever received at Christmas. Chocolates, gifts for the home, socks, underwear and handkerchiefs emerged as the least popular. The most original answers for a fun gift included a wedding ring, an inflatable cow, a baby daughter, a first kiss, glow-in-the-dark curtains and a bow and arrow set. However, fun was not only measured by the amount of gifts received; 75 percent said fun was created by spending time with family and 15 percent said they valued having a break from work. Nearly 50 percent of respondents also indicated they would like money or vouchers for Christmas.


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CHRISTMASCoastA crowd of more than 50 eager children and their families gathered at The Plaza in Whangaparaoa on December 1 to welcome Father Christmas.While they waited, they were entertained by a stilt walker, cuddly cat character and clowns, who were kept busy making balloon animals, blowing bubbles and posing for photos.Santa’s arrival on one of Manly Fire Brigade’s fire trucks was greeted with excited screams, and the man in red was soon surrounded by children as he handed out sweets and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.Santa has been welcomed to The Plaza for more than five years.He has taken up residence outside Countdown in The Plaza for photos with the children. For details, see opposite page. More photos www.localmatters.co.nz

Sleigh bells ring at Whangaparaoa Plaza

Clowns, a stilt walker, fairies and animal characters ensured a colourful welcome for Father Christmas at The Plaza Whangaparaoa this month.

To all our customers

We wish you a Merry Christmas & a prosperous New Year

Garry, Peter & the team at New World Orewa

11 Moana Ave, Orewa • Ph 427 0117 • Closed Christmas Day. Open 7am-10pm all others days.


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Close to 500 people were at Snowplanet for the Christmas Market Day and to see Santa’s arrival by helicopter on December 1. Flying in with Santa were two children from Ronald McDonald House, Bradley Woon, aged 13 and Shadanae Tapu-Te Rangituatea, 11. The pair joined Santa in the helicopter and enjoyed a fun-filled day in the snow.The market stalls included handmade

Christmas gifts made from recycled items, homemade Christmas cookie jars, fair trade jute bags and organic t-shirts. Lorraine Andrews was kept busy face painting throughout the day.Proceeds from the Christmas Market Day will be donated to Ronald McDonald House. Santa is available for photos in Snowplanet’s snowy grotto. For details, see below.

Where to find SantaSanta will be out and about in Orewa from December 15–18, 11.30am–12.30pm; from December 19–21, 10.30am –11.30am and 2.30pm–3.30pm; and from December 22–24, 10.30am–12.30pm. • Santa is in his grotto at Snowplanet every weekend, 10am–2pm, until December 15, and then every day,10am-2pm, until December 24. • Santa is at The Plaza for photos with the children every day, 11am-5pm until December 24. • Santa Claus and his dancing elves will be roving the Silverdale Centre from Saturday, December 13 to Monday, December 24, 11am–3.30pm each day. Photos taken with Santa using smartphones can be uploaded to the Silverdale Centre’s Facebook page.

Santa arrives at snowy grottoSanta choppers in to Snowplanet. Photo, Snowplanet



CHRISTMASCoastwww.national.org.nz

For appointments and assistance please call

I look forward to another busy and challenging year in 2013, and will hopefully get to meet you at some point.

Wishing you and your families a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Orewa: 09 426 6215 | Warkworth: 09 425 8603

Email: [email protected]

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Christmas mince pies, chocolates, and other festive fare began arriving by the box load at the Hibiscus Coast Community House last week.The treats are much needed for around 80 Christmas parcels that the Community House will assemble and distribute to families in need on the Coast.The donors include the parishioners of local churches, as well as members of the public.A group of churches has been holding monthly collections of food items among parishioners for many years, and bringing the proceeds to the Community House’s foodbank, however manager Christine Aylesbury says this Christmas they have pulled out all the stops.“We asked them for treats for our Christmas parcels, and one church brought in two supermarket trolleys full, while another brought in several box loads,” Christine says. “The

parishioners have been exceptionally generous and we’re very grateful.”In addition, two Orewa residents dropped by last week with a donation of a $200 New World voucher. This will be spent on chickens for the Christmas dinner table.Christine says demand for food parcels, including the special Christmas ones, has remained similar to last year. Last year 434 of the regular food parcels were given out. The service had already helped more than 1000 people, with 366 parcels as at the end of last month.Once the Christmas parcels have been sent out, the Community House will be left with bare shelves and is seeking donations of staple items to re-stock. These can be dropped into the donation box in New World Orewa or taken direct to the Community House on Western Reserve behind Estuary Arts Centre.

From left, Community House manager Christine Aylesbury and shop coordinator Jean Clews sort Christmas fare supplied by local churches.

Festive fare flows into foodbank


• Beautiful facility with ample parking, fantastically located in the tranquil surrounds of Victor Eaves Park, Orewa • Available for function hire all year round • Full bar and catering facilities to suit your budget • No job too big

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I love Christmas. This year the kids and I started the countdown at 70 days so it has been a long time coming! We’ve finally got the advent calendars out. Not the chocolate ones mind you, just the good old fashioned picture ones. So, health-wise, what do you need to think about for Christmas? Well here’s a friendly reminder – make sure you have enough of all your regular medicines for your holidays (no skipping those blood pressure pills), get your first aid kit up to date for camping and make sure you’ve got enough sunscreen to be able to slip, slop and slap as frequently as you can. Of course summer is a time when your feet can become a problem. We see loads of people at Manly Care Chemist with cracked heels by the end of summer, mostly due to our Kiwi lifestyle of bare feet and sandals. The first sign is dry, hard, thickened skin around the rim of your heel, called a callus. To start, small cracks over the callus are visible. If left untreated, these cracks become deeper and eventually you find walking and standing painful. The best treatment for cracked heels is to prevent them happening in the first place by rubbing them regularly with a moisturising cream (my mother-in-law also swears by pumice stones). If you do suffer from cracked heels, there are special heel balms available.Now, here is some breaking news and an exciting development for women; you can now get treatment from your local pharmacy for a urinary tract infection. In a New Zealand first, women will be able to receive treatment for bladder infections or cystitis directly from trained pharmacists. The pharmacist will go through a checklist and consult with you and, providing you meet the criteria, will be able to supply you with an antibiotic treatment. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include a burning sensation when you’re urinating, a strong, persistent urge to urinate and/or passing frequent, small amounts or urine. So, if you are suffering from any of these symptoms, do consider speaking with your pharmacist. Not too many days to go until the big day. I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Healthwith pharmacist Tania Adams [email protected]

Christmas brings new service

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”~Roy L. Smith

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CHRISTMASCoast

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Orewa Community Church

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www.occ.net.nz

~ All Welcome ~

Discovering GodSharing Christ’s Love

Dec 16: 10am Special Family Christmas Variety ServiceDec 23: 10am Christmas

Carol ServiceChristmas Eve: 7pm

“The Peace of Christmas”

When you win a Christmas raffle, you don’t normally expect to have to hire a trailer to get it home, but the lucky winner of the Silverdale & Districts RSA Christmas raffle will be presented with just that dilemma. As well as meat packs, a barbecue and a LCD television, the prizes include a queen-sized bed donated by Beds R Us; truly a raffle worthy of the name Monster Raffle. RSA members and the visitors that they sign in can enter the draw, and the monster raffle winner will be drawn on December 19. The RSA is also holding its children’s Christmas party for members, their children and grandchildren on December 16 at 2pm at its venue in Vipond Rd. The afternoon event includes an appearance by Santa and

G r a p e v i n ethe

The RSA’s Christmas raffle includes a queen sized bed.

Raffle is one out of the bag

party food and, according to manager Sue East, it has become an institution at the RSA having been held for many years.

Pita Pit gets behind SalliesTo celebrate the season, Pita Pit at the Silverdale Centre, is doing a Christmas Food and Toy Drive for the Hibiscus Coast Salvation Army. They have a box on the counter where you can place your gift between normal business hours which are Monday, Tuesday and Sunday, 9am-8pm, and Wednesday-Saturday 9am-9pm. Donations will be accepted up until December 18.

Santa’s Forest pops up Santa’s Forest is a pop up shop in Orewa that offers Christmas trees, festive treats, Christmas cakes and berries. Free candy canes are handed out with every purchase and free ‘elf delivery’ is available throughout the Hibiscus Coast. The store is open from December 3–23, next to Countdown Orewa.

Gingerbread funWhat child wouldn’t leap at the chance to decorate their very own gingerbread house? At Dizzy Lizzy’s in the Silverdale Centre, from December 20-22, children aged five years and above can do just that, with step-by-step instructions, and then take the house home to gobble up. Caregivers are welcome to join in or they can safely leave their child with the friendly staff. Session times are 8.30am–10am and 10.30am–12pm. Booking is essential, phone 426 0326.


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CHRISTMASCoast

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By David Kneebone, Sorted spokespersonChristmas Day – it’s the same time every year, yet somehow it’s the one day that creeps up on us. Suddenly, shop windows are full of tinsel, the shopping malls are chock-a-block and you can almost taste the pavlova.At Christmas we shop, travel, eat and play and it’s easy to get caught up in festive cheer and have your financial plans derailed as a result. Even though you may have managed your money successfully throughout the year, rational decision-making can go out the window as emotions take over at the mere glimpse of a Christmas tree.As we enter the Christmas countdown, enjoying the hype is part of the fun, but can you find ways to celebrate that don’t pack a big financial punch? If you’ve got a large family you might want to think about introducing a secret Santa present system, where each adult gives and receives one present. This may keep costs down and

minimise the pressure that surrounds gift giving.As Kiwis we like to ‘muck in’ and what better time to do it than at Christmas? If you’re hosting the Christmas meal this year share the load with others and ask family members to contribute. You can have a fun, stress-free holiday with family and friends without becoming the Christmas Grinch or losing all your financial control in the shops. It’s about considering what makes a great Christmas for you and your family – whether it’s about the people you spend the day with, maintaining traditions or doing something completely new.When you recall your favourite Christmases, it’s more likely to be the people you were with than the expensive gourmet ham or extravagant gifts you were given. Focus on how you can recreate those experiences and you might find this Christmas can be less about the money and more about the fun times.

Escape the Claus of debt

North Pole post office awaits lettersThe North Pole post office has advised that any letters to Santa must be posted by December 14 to ensure a response before Christmas. In keeping with modern times, Santa’s elves have joined the internet age and children can send letters via the website www.nzpost.co.nz. Just click on the link to ‘Send a letter to Santa’, and fill in the online form. Anyone using snail mail should address their letter to: Santa Claus, Santa’s Workshop, North Pole 0001.

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CHRISTMASCoast

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Passionberry Strawberries available now!Strawberries available now!

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Around 130 children from Whangaparaoa Primary School took part in the Christmas Production Ralph the Reindeer on December 5 and 6. For many of the Year 0-1 children it was their first experience on stage. Every child danced and sang or had a role to perform in the tale of how the

famous reindeer Rudolph got sick, so Ralph had to fill in for him. The stage was transformed into a Christmas workshop for the show.The production played to a full house on three matinee performances and staff say that the children excelled themselves and left everyone with a Christmas buzz.

Christmas puddings are as popular as ever, according to the Orewa Rotary Club which is again selling the fruity puds as a fundraiser. All proceeds go to Rotary Projects. Club coordinator Doug Parker, who has been selling the puddings for Rotary for more than five years, says sales of the 800g Rotary Puddings by clubs throughout NZ exceed $1million. The Christmas puddings are available from Orewa Rotary at $20 each and delivered free on the Coast. Info: phone Doug , 427 0456 or email [email protected]

Ralph the ‘other’ reindeer

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Historywith Ruth Olsen, Silverdale & Districts Historical Society [email protected]

Nowadays at Christmas time Red Beach is full of holidaymakers from near and far but Dorothy Wilson (nee Bayes), now in her 90s, remembers the days when her family and friends had the whole beach to themselves. Dorothy’s grandfather, Joseph Bayes, bought land at Red Beach in 1886 and lived in a house near the entrance to what is now Pinewoods Motor Camp. In 1902 Dorothy’s father, John William Bayes (known as Willie), had a house built by local farmer and builder Henry Bartlett near the beach in what is now Marellan Drive where Dorothy grew up with her six brothers and one sister. Life was primitive, with tank water and an outside toilet. There were very few other permanent dwellings in the area, though there were three baches on the flat owned by Kaukapakapa families. The children hung up their stockings on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning they found them filled with fruit and lollies. Toys were scarce – mainly the family played with toys they had made themselves. Lunch was a family affair with roast chicken (from their own flock) and Christmas puddings, made earlier and kept wrapped in pudding cloths, were boiled in the wood fired copper. Various other family members, and friends from Auckland stayed as paying guests at the house during the Christmas season while the boys slept in tents outside. Each year once the hay was cut and stacked Willie Bayes set up his own campground on the farm for summer visitors. During the season the Bayes family ran a small dairy at their house supplying basic necessities to holidaymakers. They also supplied eggs and fresh milk from the cows on their Red Beach farm – there were no regulations regarding pasteurisation in those days. The families swam and fished in the bay or played on the beach, digging tunnels into the sandstone cliffs. Dorothy’s father had a dingy and he often rowed guests out to the cave between Red Beach and Stanmore Bay. At high tide the water entered the cave and the dingy could float right into it. Dorothy followed him in her own canoe but was not keen on entering the darkness of the cave. Christmas was a busy time for the Bayes family and Dorothy says they never went away for a Christmas holiday.

Museum NewsDecember 10-24 Pioneer Village open every day, 10am–3pm. Traditional Christmas decorations on display • December 26–February 28 Village open every day except Tuesdays,10am–3pm • Saturday February 9, 8am, Garage Sale at the Pioneer Village • 1860s Chapel and gardens available for weddings

Red Beach Christmases remembered



CHRISTMASCoastAxemen from around the country will once again go head-to-head, setting woodchips flying at the annual Puhoi Axemen’s wood chopping on the front lawn of the Puhoi Pub on January 12.Puhoi Axemen’s Club president Mike Paddison says the free event is well attended by both participants and spectators. The event will draw more than 32 competitors from Taranaki and Taupo northwards, including the top axemen in the region and around 14 from the Puhoi club itself.A series of 12 events will be spread throughout the day from 9.30am

to 5pm with popular team contests between around eight Puhoi axemen and a matching contingent from a visiting club, scheduled at the middle and end of the day.Other events will include single and double-handed sawing, including the Jack and Jill (male and female duo) competition, standing and underhand chop, axe throwing and particularly challenging jigger board, requiring axemen to first scale a nearly four metre pole, before cutting a block on top of it.Thanks to the ongoing support of Puhoi businesses each event offers

prize money with up to $200 for the winner of a single event and further prizes for second, third and fourth, though Mike says additional support could always be put to good use.To keep competition lively, a handicapping system is linked to the winnings, with novices starting on a count of three seconds, which goes up by a second every time they win $50 and can go down, if after repeated competitions no prize money is won.Mike says there’s no age limit for participants and the Puhoi club’s current members range from about 15 to 65 years.

A fencing contractor by trade, he got involved himself about five years ago and enjoys the camaraderie, opportunities to travel and the competitive nature of the sport both within and outside of the club.Participants keep up their form, competing in multiple A&P events and the Puhoi club will be also be running further wood chopping carnivals at Warkworth A&P Show on January 26 and at Helensville A&P show on February 23.For a video of the Puhoi Axemen in action, see this story at www.localmatters.co.nz

When 16-year-old Emma Sanderson first told her friends she’d be busy “chopping” at the weekend, they thought she said “shopping”.It came as something as a surprise to her Mahurangi College peers, that the netball playing, jazz and hip hop dancing, former cheerleader and academic high achiever, had added sawing and wood chopping to her activities.Emma decided to give it a go after seeing her father, John, join the Puhoi Axemen’s Club and compete in shows

that included female competitors.She first joined her Dad in the “Jack and Jill” male and female sawing event a few years ago, and has also competed with him in double sawing categories against all-male teams. This year will be her second also competing in the underhand chop, in which a lack of female competitors means she normally competes against males.Emma says she found club members welcoming and supportive, as they are with all newcomers to the sport, although the barrage of handy tips

was a little overwhelming before she found her own style. She has her own axe, that’s slightly lighter and with a shorter handle, as well as socks made of the same chain mesh used for butchers’ gloves, to reduce the harm if the axe strikes her foot. Though women competitors are the minority, Emma has not been the only female competitor at Puhoi. Last year, Renee MacDonnell, 17, was also sawing with her father and recently Puhoi Pub’s Bev Smith has also tried her hand at sawing.

Puhoi contest displays axemen’s top chopping skills

Emma Sanderson

Teenager sharpens her woodchopping skills for competition

Wood chopping was part of Emma’s successful pitch to be selected as a college sports prefect next year.

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The traditional Christmas tree, with its tinsel, lights and baubles is hard to beat, but various modern twists on the theme also put people in a celebratory mood while expressing a different aesthetic. These can vary from earthy decorated driftwood at the bach to a mere metal squiggle with a star on top in a minimalist home. Native trees in pots are also increasingly popular – in particular the pohutukawa, which is not called the NZ Christmas tree for nothing.Another prime example is the Telecom Christmas tree in Auckland, which was recently lit up and seems to have impressed children and adults alike.Hibiscus Matters left no stone unturned to seek out interesting or innovative Christmas trees on the Coast, and a couple of examples are pictured.Our favourites from the internet are

the upside down wall tree, and the squiggle lit with candles.If you hanker for the familiar scent of Pinus radiata in your home at Christmas, and you have left it to the last minute, there are still trees available from the Silverdale Ambulance station in Silverdale Street, and from the CYC Trust in Whangaparaoa (by the Baptist Church. y St John Silverdale is selling Christmas trees until December 23. They can be purchased Monday to Friday, 10am–3pm and Saturday and Sunday, 9am–5pm. All trees are $30.

y Coast Youth Community Trust sells Christmas trees until December 23 at Whangaparaoa Baptist Church, 733 Whangaparaoa Rd. The trees can be purchased from Monday to Friday, 10am–7pm and on Saturday and Sunday, 7am–5pm. Prices start at $30.

From left, This example from Fowler Homes of Orewa was made by managing director Bill Bedford’s wife Maree, who cut branches, sprayed them and decorated with lights. This cute tree was purchased from Countdown Whangaparaoa. Two Christmas trees that buck the traditional trend.

Festive trees with a twist

“I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were

fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.” ~Charles Dickens



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By Trish Allen, former owner of Rainbow Valley Farm and Permaculture Exponent.Aucklanders, including Hibiscus Coast residents, throw away a third more rubbish than normal over Christmas and the summer holidays. That’s a massive amount of extra waste to landfill, which is expensive and wasteful. Most of it is recyclables such as glass, cans and plastic. By putting a little thought into it, and taking a little extra care, we can make a big difference. Have a great summer and here are some ideas to help better manage your waste:Reduce y reduce packaging for gifts y give gifts of time or energy or experiences

y pass on unwanted gifts to others or donate them to charity

y buy gifts from recycled materials y send an electronic Christmas card if you have access to the internet

y avoid food waste – don’t overstock – use up leftovers quickly

Re-use y be creative with Christmas present wrapping

y save old calendars for attractive wrapping paper

y cut up old Christmas cards for present tags

y save ribbons and wrapping for re-using

y buy native Christmas trees with roots to plant in the garden later

y buy an artificial Christmas tree which can be used year-after-year

Recycle y be sure to recycle those extra cans, glass and plastic bottles over Christmas

y flatten cans and plastic bottles so they take up less room in your bin

y locate your nearest recycling drop-off point while you’re away or take your recycling home with you

y separate cardboard packaging and gift catalogues for recycling

y pass unwanted clothing to a charity clothing bin or op shop

y keep rubbish off the beach and out of the ocean this summer

y compost fruit and vege peelings from your festive fare

y take your Bokashi bucket with you on holiday and compost food scraps

y check with Sustainable Coastlines for a holiday beach cleanup near you.

Taking care of Christmas and holiday rubbish

Christmas cards that give twiceFive young artists are spreading colour around the country for Christmas this year and raising funds for CanTeen. All in their early 20s, CanTeen patient members Hannah Josephson, Munrith Longe Singh; sibling members Rosa Cameron and Millie O’Grady; and bereaved sibling member Rachel Allan, have all put their unique creative talents to use, designing Canteen’s annual range of Christmas cards. Sales of the cards are the charity’s biggest fundraiser each year. Canteen’s National Marketing Manager, Kimberley Waters, says as an organisation that receives no direct Government funding, CanTeen relies on its own fundraising ventures and the support of the NZ public who purchase its products or make donations. CanTeen Christmas cards come in packs of 10 for $18, and are available by calling 0800 22 34 34 or online at www.canteen.org.nz


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Gardeningwith Terry [email protected]

I was about to buy a Bokashi composting bin system for a Christmas present for my sister-in-law, but decided against it. Bokashi is an awesome system, which involves putting food waste in a bucket with a fermenting agent – the contents can then be dug into the soil or put in a sealed compost bin and the juice used as plant food. The buckets can be stored in the kitchen, as there is virtually no odour, and filled as you need. I thought it would be a great gift for someone who’s a “virgin composter”, but there is an ‘ick’ factor associated with the fermented waste that I thought would be beyond my sister-in-law and her section is small, so there is little opportunity to dig waste into the garden. In addition, there’s an on-going cost associated with purchase of the fermenting agent. I’m now looking into a worm farm as another option. It’s important to note, however, that worm farms also require an on-going commitment (to keep feeding the worms and emptying the vermicasts and worm ‘tea’) so it’s a good idea to find out in advance whether the person is keen on the idea. Otherwise maybe a simple compost bin, and advice on how to use it, could be an alternative. My various ideas for ‘green gifts’ this Christmas stem partly from the fact that Auckland Council’s Waste Management Plan means that in 2015 Aucklanders will begin paying for the rubbish we send to landfill. Therefore I thought it was a good idea to help get some of my relatives into the composting habit before this occurs, with the possibility of increasing charges down the line as an added incentive for them to get started. These may not be beautiful gifts, even when tied with a Christmas bow, but they are practical and could save the recipient a lot of money – truly a gift that goes on giving. Many of the other gifts that I’ll be placing under the tree this year also come from the garden centre. There is such a lot to choose from but an old favourite has to be a beautiful pot planted up. Why not put together a mini-herb garden in a planter that can be put on a deck, or windowsill? A tub planted up with strawberries makes a great gift, and if the person has space, a fruit tree adds a lot to any garden. Lemon trees, which can be grown successfully in pots, provided you feed and water them, are popular gifts for gin drinkers … in fact, come to think of it, a lemon tree is something that my sister-in-law would no doubt appreciate far more than a Bokashi bin! Merry Christmas to all you gardeners and don’t forget that if you mulch like mad at this time of year you will be able to spend more time relaxing and smelling the roses later in the holidays, rather than standing at the end of a hose.

Lemon tree, very pretty

The Big Dig is a summer tradition on the Coast and definitely the biggest treasure hunt in town.

Big Dig moves to Waitangi Day

Last year more than 3000 children dug through a section of Orewa Beach in search of prizes that include a bike. The event is normally held in January, but low tides at the right time are crucial which is why this year The Big Dig will be held on February 6, Waitangi Day.Organisers Orewa Lions will run a quick fire raffle to help keep parents and

caregivers occupied while the children dig for around 1000 prize tickets buried in the sand of Orewa Beach. Entertainment and rides will be on hand on Orewa Reserve, and there will be plenty of food stalls. All funds collected go back into the local community, with the bulk this year devoted to projects that benefit young people.

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Hibiscus Matters Christmas Feature, Dec 12, 2012

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Transcript of Hibiscus Matters Christmas Feature, Dec 12, 2012