Marees’s Musings

MATCHMAKING

Matchmaking? No doubt you readers are already jumping to conclusions, but rest assured, it’s not what you’re thinking. I was delighted to read Lyle Griffith’s article in our May’s Star about the shipwreck of the General Grant on the Auckland Islands, and the vital part just one match played in the crew’s survival.

So … matches. I’ve never given their manufacture a second thought. Have you? Like sardines, I always have a box or two on hand, and also like the sardine can, this reveals much. There’s the trade name BEEHIVE with a stylised pic; contents: 90 safety – phew! – matches; 50mm long – and super skinny at 2mm wide [I measured one]. So far, nothing strange. However, I didn’t know these ones were made in Sweden, so they’ve travelled far. Weirdly, they’re environmentally friendly with certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance. I discovered ‘safety’ ones only work when struck on the chemicals on the side of the box … not on the sole of your shoe or the footpath. … Continue Reading

Martinborough Business Association

Martinborough has long been known for its wine. People from around the country now also associate Martinborough with premium olive oil. Martinborough olive oils have won many national and international awards over the years. And for local growers, this is the busiest and most exciting part of the year. Harvest season.

Martinborough Business Association wanted to highlight the people who bring this golden drop to our tables and share more about this time of year. Margaret Hanson from Blue Earth shares more…..

“Harvest is done differently on different groves. Most larger growers will be doing much of their

picking with machine harvesters. Fascinating machines that grip the base of the tree, unfold a net-like an upside-down umbrella around the tree, this sends a vibration through the tree to release the fruit. In a good year, up to 85% of the olives will come off. If you see an odd-looking machine being driven through town on the back of a large truck, chances are it will be an olive tree harvester. … Continue Reading

Book Review June Martinborough Star

“Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts” by Josie Shapiro.  Winner of the inaugural Allen and Unwin Commercial Fiction Prize.

The title attracted me immediately – I wanted to know what kind of state ‘everything is beautiful and everything hurts’ was referring to.  I turned to the first page and was dropped straight into the last five minutes before the start of the Auckland marathon and the thoughts inside Mickey’s head as she waits for the starters gun.  Running, of course.  If you have been a runner, or even merely thought you might like to be a runner, the story of Mickey Bloom will resonate with you long after you have finished reading it.   … Continue Reading

Christmas is coming.

Oh no!   It’s only June and here’s an article about Christmas.  Don’t panic.

This is not an alert to send you on a shopping spree or a signal to start baking mince pies.  It’s to give you plenty of notice about the 2023 Santa parade.  This year it will be on Saturday, December 9, with activities in Square from 4 pm, the Parade starting at 5pm and carols completing the evening.   With only some 200 sleeps to go, it’s not too soon to start planning for such a big event.  

MADCAPS, the most recent organisers, found the combination of COVID and increasingly demanding traffic management requirements a big challenge.     … Continue Reading