562 days ago

'The Stevie Wonder of Silverdale': Retired piano teacher plays for commuters

Melanie Earley Reporter from Rodney Times

Kia ora neighbours, every Thursday Lorraine Sampson makes the 40-minute bus trip from Silverdale to Auckland’s Britomart Station to play the piano for commuters.

The 75-year-old, who is legally blind in one eye and has cataracts in the other, can no longer read music due to her poor vision, so she plays all her music by ear.

There was a time Sampson, a retired teacher, believed she would have to give up playing music altogether due to her eyesight, but she said she found her fingers remembered songs she thought she’d forgotten.

When Sampson discovered there was a free piano for the public to play at Britomart Station she began making weekly trips there to play and raise funds for St John in Silverdale, where she lives.

Read the full story at the link below.

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More messages from your neighbours
7 days ago

The PICKERS

Kayleen from Orewa

🌼 Surprising Spring Gardening Tip for NZ 🌼

Bury a banana peel near the roots of your rose bushes or tomato plants! 🍌🌹🍅 The peel releases potassium, phosphorus, and calcium as it decomposes, giving your plants a natural nutrient boost. It helps strengthen stems, promotes flowering, and even improves fruit quality. 🌼🍅

Next time you snack on a banana, don't throw away the peel - use it to supercharge your garden!

HAVE YOU BOOKED?
If your garden is thriving and you have surplus produce to donate, we'd love to book you in for a pick and pickup.

#GardeningTips #SpringGardening #NZGardens

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1 day ago

Riddle Me That: Ready to Test Your Wits?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

If the prisoner tells a lie, he'll be hanged;
if he tells the truth, he'll be beheaded.
What can he say to save himself?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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21 hours ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

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Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
  • 65.5% Yes
    65.5% Complete
  • 32% No
    32% Complete
  • 2.5% Other - I'll share below
    2.5% Complete
995 votes