WHAREKAKA NEWS

Spring is certainly in the air with our beautiful oak trees busting into life after the long and dormant winter. With the warmer weather upon us our residents are enjoying more time outside.  We have enjoyed morning tea and exercises in the gardens.

Wharekaka residents enjoyed an intergenerational morning with young parents and their children.  We will be holding this gathering monthly.  Thanks to Lucy for organizing this.

We recently farewelled Joyce.  She is missed by the Wharekaka family.  We offer our sincere sympathy to her family and friends.

A warm welcome is extended to Trish who moved in recently. 

We continue to enjoy our Friday mornings with Martinborough school new entrants’ class.  Our residents enjoy the interaction between the generations. We look forward to visiting the school to watch their school production.  Last week saw us tie in the bowls competition, it was lovely to be outside again. … Continue Reading

Schools Enjoy Magical Musical Moments

Nearly 80 students at Martinborough School, Kurunui and Wairarapa Colleges were treated to hour long sessions of musical expertise from clarinettist and internationally recognised music teacher, Mark Walton. Mark was coming to play in the Martinborough Music Festival and offered to spend time with young people who love music and /or play a musical instrument. 

It has been his mission most of his working life to explain the value of music in helping achieve career goals for those who are musical rather than academic and to promote it as a universal language – “it will take you anywhere in the world. It is my language”.

Few at Martinborough School had heard of the clarinet, let alone seen one. Mark told of how he originally wanted to play the trumpet because it was made of lovely shiny brass; he also loved the sound it made. His parents had asked friends who were visiting from England to buy a trumpet for him but they were just too expensive. So they bought him a second-hand clarinet instead. 

Mark said that he was disappointed at first until he saw that the clarinet was partially constructed from brass too. Mark showed the children the brass component on his clarinet. He then played the well- known melody My Hat It Had Three Corners to demonstrate why he fell in love with the sound of the clarinet. … Continue Reading

TWO SIDES of the COIN:

Looking back over my musings I discovered a column about money – written eighteen months ago! Even with our current minimal inflation rate, that has to be worth something. And money has been much in many of our minds recently with the rather sudden and disturbing news that we are to lose our bank, so right now is a suitable time to revisit the subject.

We tried our darnedest to put our town’s views forward, plenty of loyal and long-time locals created a Big Stink and our town’s disgust went viral. But in the end, to no avail. The Bank’s collective mind was made up – it seemed, for some considerable time beforehand.

But there are two sides to every question – in money terms, two sides of the coin, perhaps. Any important decision affecting people needs lots of thought and not just a coin toss. I’m hopeful it wasn’t decided that way; but the old adage ‘money talks’ no doubt had plenty to do with it, and we wonder if our side of the coin was even considered. Too late now; but here’s a message and a reply … both entirely fictional, of course. … Continue Reading

Martinborough Golf Report

Spring sprang a leak early in September with many days being called off, and the course closing for a short time (for being underwater).  However the cold snap passed, the ground dried out and our intrepid golfers wiped down their trundlers, dried out their gloves and drove home some good results.

Grumpies winners this month have included Peter Price and Ray Matthews, hopefully Terry might give us a glimpse of their infamous ladies tee league soon.

The 9-holers have missed a couple of days due to inclement weather but made up for it on following weeks, winners have been; Gaylene Delby-Neal and Jan Fergusson. The Thurlowe 4BBB was won by Sherryl Howie & Billie Holmes.

The ladies have also had to play catch up this month; winners have been Marilyn MacKenzie and Carol Parkinson. The ladies finally beat the drought and beat Royal Wellington in the 50^th playing of the Ladies Stout Tournament, Sandra Petersen had the top score – good on you Mrs Gumboot! … Continue Reading