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My daughter has outgrown her keyboard and her piano teacher has encouraged us to get her a "real" piano. If anyone has or knows of an affordable second-hand (but still functional/tune-able) upright, please let me know! Many thanks! 021 023 90691
The Great Moscow Circus has returned after 20 long years.
Come and enjoy the magic under the almighty Big Top!
DON'T WAIT ANOTHER 20 YEARS! BOOK NOW!
A former orphaned duckling is fostering another.
The newborn bird was rescued on Christmas Eve as it defied death darting between cars on Kumeu's Main Rd.
Ten months later, Dennis the duck is paying it forward.
The magisterial mallard has taken another abandoned creature under its wing … View moreA former orphaned duckling is fostering another.
The newborn bird was rescued on Christmas Eve as it defied death darting between cars on Kumeu's Main Rd.
Ten months later, Dennis the duck is paying it forward.
The magisterial mallard has taken another abandoned creature under its wing after owner Ellie Seamons from Dairy Flat appealed for one.
A woman running an animal shelter nearby saw Seamons' post on community pages and delivered Daphne, the runt of the litter.
"Daphne was the smallest and she was the only one which needed a heat lamp," said Seamons, an early childhood teacher in Kumeu.
"If you have a smaller duckling and a lot of bigger ones, they walk all over them and beat them to the food.
"It's survival of the fittest," she said.
Seamons nursed the ailing duckling back to health with a natural powder used to treat mites and parasites.
Daphne joined Dennis' own brood of seven ducklings and thrived.
Seamons admits she earlier mistook Dennis for a male because of the duck's feisty personality.
"Dennis is quirky, bossy and bolshie. She will let you know what she wants, when she wants it, and she wants it now."
When the duck grew a second set of gender revealing feathers, Seamons realised her error.
But the name stuck.
Seamons and partner Luke Hodge found Dennis last Christmas Eve when they were driving through Kumeu bound for Helensville to drop relatives home.
Rounding a corner, they spotted a day-old duckling dodging heavy traffic.
"Luke jumped out of the truck and Dennis pretty much ran straight up to him," Seamons said.
"She (Dennis) definitely would've been a pancake within a few seconds."
With the duckling cradled in Hodge's hand, the couple scoured neighbouring paddocks and ponds in vain for the mother.
They decided to take Dennis home.
"Because it was Christmas eve, we couldn't get to a stock food place so we made her mushy peas and mashed up mixed veges to eat," she said.
Seamons and Dodge, a carpet layer, had just begun Christmas leave so they spent their three-week holiday raising Dennis at home.
"We spent every minute of the day with her," Seamons said.
"She went everywhere with us for the whole summer holidays."
They took Dennis swimming at Whitianga creeks where the couple hunted for crystals, at waterways in South Head and at the Cement Works lake in Warkworth.
Now an independent adult, Dennis swings between being a wild duck when it suits and returning home to feed whenever hunger strikes.
The duck once vanished for a week before returning home with seven new ducklings in tow.
She led her charges straight into one of Seamons' enclosures.
"A really nasty pukeko was stalking them," she said.
"Pukekos kill ducklings.
"I think Dennis knew that I'd keep her babies safe."
Pictured: Seamons' son Dayton Rata, 7, with Dennis as a duckling and today, as a fully fledged duck.
Hi neighbours, National MPs Paula Bennett, Nikki Kaye and Maggie Barry have now retired from politics. Maggie Barry is looking forward to saying goodbye to the "100-hour weeks" that come with a career at the Beehive. Nikki Kaye is also keen to have a break. Meanwhile, Paula Bennett is … View moreHi neighbours, National MPs Paula Bennett, Nikki Kaye and Maggie Barry have now retired from politics. Maggie Barry is looking forward to saying goodbye to the "100-hour weeks" that come with a career at the Beehive. Nikki Kaye is also keen to have a break. Meanwhile, Paula Bennett is starting a new job on Monday in a very different industry.
Hi neighbours, One new case of coronavirus has been confirmed in the community, but the Director-General of Health and the Prime Minister both say there's little risk of community transmission. Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Chris Hipkins have all ruled out a change … View moreHi neighbours, One new case of coronavirus has been confirmed in the community, but the Director-General of Health and the Prime Minister both say there's little risk of community transmission. Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Chris Hipkins have all ruled out a change to alert levels in the immediate future.
As the drier months set in, you’ll be seeing this water gauge quite a bit. It’s a way for metropolitan Auckland to keep an eye on daily water usage. The aim is to stay in the green and below the daily target.
To see the gauge in action, visit www.watercare.co.nz
If you’re on tank water,… View moreAs the drier months set in, you’ll be seeing this water gauge quite a bit. It’s a way for metropolitan Auckland to keep an eye on daily water usage. The aim is to stay in the green and below the daily target.
To see the gauge in action, visit www.watercare.co.nz
If you’re on tank water, when did you last look inside your tank? If you rely on rain to keep your household taps flowing, toilet flushing or stock watered, now’s a good time to check your levels, monitor your usage and look at booking a top-up early. Secure your water future by investing in an additional tank.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation is pleased to announce that Prost-FIT, the programme designed specifically for men with prostate cancer at any stage of diagnosis and treatment, is coming to the Shane Cameron Fitness Centre in Northcote, Thursday 29 October.
The classes will run weekly (the first … View moreThe Prostate Cancer Foundation is pleased to announce that Prost-FIT, the programme designed specifically for men with prostate cancer at any stage of diagnosis and treatment, is coming to the Shane Cameron Fitness Centre in Northcote, Thursday 29 October.
The classes will run weekly (the first one is FREE) and are run by exercise professionals with a special interest in helping men with prostate cancer to live well, and experience the proven benefits of regular exercise.
Please contact the class organiser Lisa Gombinsky, 021 028 78470 or email lisa.gombinsky@gmail.com. Full details are on the flyer attached to this post, alternatively head to our website.
With better grades comes higher self-esteem. Tutoring helps increase your child’s motivation and attitude so they are able to reach their full academic potential.
It’s time to get decorating! From now until 2 November 2020 get up to 30% off quality paint and wallpaper at your Resene ColorShop.
Get 30% off Resene premium paint 4L and under, 30% off wallpaper, 25% off Resene premium paint 10L, 25% off the retail price of accessories, and 25% off Resene … View moreIt’s time to get decorating! From now until 2 November 2020 get up to 30% off quality paint and wallpaper at your Resene ColorShop.
Get 30% off Resene premium paint 4L and under, 30% off wallpaper, 25% off Resene premium paint 10L, 25% off the retail price of accessories, and 25% off Resene cleaning products.
Discounts off the normal retail price, excludes trade, Crown, wall decals, WallPrint and PaintWise levy.
The ASB Auckland Marathon is taking place on Sunday 1st of November 2020. There are a number of road closures in place for the event that you should be aware of in your neighbourhood.
To see the road closures locations and times, please visit the our website, or email us at … View moreThe ASB Auckland Marathon is taking place on Sunday 1st of November 2020. There are a number of road closures in place for the event that you should be aware of in your neighbourhood.
To see the road closures locations and times, please visit the our website, or email us at aucklandmarathon@ironman.
Please note the Auckland Harbour Bridge is open, traffic will flow both ways all day. Runners will be on course from 6am – 1pm come on out and support!
If you would like to join the Ryman Volunteer Crew supporting athletes across the event we still have some spots left, if you have a group this can be used as a fundraising opportunity. Email volunteers.aucklandmarathon@ironman.com for more information.
Every ball from October 31 to November 30 will count towards our Net a Million goal. Bowl in the cricket nets, on the field, in your backyard, at cricket practice or in a game – it all counts, even your wides!
Anyone of any age can sign up and be part of the ultimate test. Set your own target,… View moreEvery ball from October 31 to November 30 will count towards our Net a Million goal. Bowl in the cricket nets, on the field, in your backyard, at cricket practice or in a game – it all counts, even your wides!
Anyone of any age can sign up and be part of the ultimate test. Set your own target, share your progress and raise funds for the Cancer Society.
Why not treat yourself to a bloke’s day out for a grooming WOF? Just be wary of the barbershop – between the bay rum oil, hot towels, banter, and leather chairs, you won’t want to leave!
Bevis, a resident at Ryman’s Anthony Wilding Village, recently received a gentleman’s makeover. The… View moreWhy not treat yourself to a bloke’s day out for a grooming WOF? Just be wary of the barbershop – between the bay rum oil, hot towels, banter, and leather chairs, you won’t want to leave!
Bevis, a resident at Ryman’s Anthony Wilding Village, recently received a gentleman’s makeover. The day began at the barbershop where Bevis and his barber Kohl shared plenty of laughs. Next up, a personal stylist helped Bevis select clothes he looked and felt great in. Being pampered isn’t the norm for Bevis but based on his smile, we’re confident he loved every minute.
They started saving lives from a little, old shed now replaced by Huapai library.
The firefighters later raised funds to help pay for a new station in 1981 on the other side of Main Rd.
Six founding members even offered to be guarantors on a bank loan to build the station for the Kumeu Volunteer… View moreThey started saving lives from a little, old shed now replaced by Huapai library.
The firefighters later raised funds to help pay for a new station in 1981 on the other side of Main Rd.
Six founding members even offered to be guarantors on a bank loan to build the station for the Kumeu Volunteer Fire Brigade.
"We were short of $5000 for the whole deal for the land and station to go ahead," said life member Brian Bracey of Huapai.
"That was a lot of money for us back then but we thought, hey, we've got to do this."
Today they still put others first as they prepare for the brigade's 50th anniversary on October 22.
"It's a celebration of the last 50 years and thanking all the families and supporters," Chief fire officer Bex Baddeley said.
Bracey, 74, is one of the longest serving members with 33 years on the pumps.
Brigade members avoided having to pay back the $5000., he said.
" We managed by working hard and getting good deals for the build and finding ways to cut the cost.
Instead of going to a painter we had to paint the station as a working bee. "
The brigade started with 12 volunteers who raced to 33 callouts in the first year.
This has grown to more than 30 members facing 400 calls each year.
Most of the volunteers juggle firefighting with the demands of raising families and holding full-time jobs.
They leave their desks to dash to blazes and car crashes when the fire siren sounds.
"It's a very big commitment especially when we're such a busy brigade," Baddeley said.
Former members and supporters are invited to the station at 331 Main Rd on October 22.
The United Fire Brigades Association will present an official plaque to mark the 50 year anniversary at 6pm.
A formal dinner follows on October 24 at Kumeu Showgrounds at 5.30 pm.
Firefighters will be recognised with the prestigious brigade honours.
This is an invitation only event but people keen to attend can also buy tickets from the brigade.
In this week’s issue we invite you to Hawke's Bay’s Wildflower Sculpture Festival. It’s also time to harvest broad beans, sow carrots, protect your strawberries from birds, water seedlings gently, and get lawns ready for summer.
Check out our courgette variety guide and growing tips … View moreIn this week’s issue we invite you to Hawke's Bay’s Wildflower Sculpture Festival. It’s also time to harvest broad beans, sow carrots, protect your strawberries from birds, water seedlings gently, and get lawns ready for summer.
Check out our courgette variety guide and growing tips plus go in the draw for spring vege packs from Tui and ‘Blue Star’ ferns from Gellert’s.
Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here:
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