574 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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New SPCA Op Shop coming soon in Whangaparaoa Central 📍

The Team from SPCA Auckland - Centres & Op Shops

We’re excited to announce a new SPCA Op Shop will be coming soon in Whangaparaoa, located at 5/25 Karepiro Drive, Stanmore Bay!

We need your helping hands! Volunteers are essential for both the setup and ongoing operations — if you can help we'd love to hear from you ➡ www.spca.nz...

Stay tuned and follow us to be the first to know about our opening day and more exciting updates!

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1 day ago

What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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1 hour ago

Dog walking and pet care services now available!

Fan from Army Bay

Hi!

I'm Fan and I've just launched FanTail Pet Care. I offer dog walking and home visits, fully focused on your dog (solo walks only, no pack walks, no "I-take-a-picture-for-Insta), so every doggie on the Hibiscus Coast gets the exercise they need!

Get in touch if your dog needs a walk! Thanks!

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