December 2016

FREE COPYseasons magazine Life Beyond 50 December 2016/January 2017 Don't be a Grinch this Christmas Celebrating Christmas in the Community Celebrate the Season Hospice Waikato Christmas Concert From Humble Beginnings Monavale Blueberry Farm Kingsley Field A Story of Christmas



Contents08 24 03 Contents38 04 CEO's Note 14 05 Older and Bolder These Holidays 47 07 Tim Macindoe MP for Hamilton West 08 A Story of Christmas 12 A Christmas Message from Age Concern 13 Message from the Minister of Senior Citizens 15 Stepping Up 16 WINZ and my Expiry Date 20 Exclusive Senior Tours 21 Grandparents Day - Readers Submission 22 Naturally Healthy 24 From Humble Beginnings 28 Choices Options Decisions Decisions Decisions 29 Don't be a Grinch this Christmas 31 Celebrate the Season 33 Salvation Army Visitors Improve Life for Seniors 34 Top Tips for Healthy, Sparkling Pool Water 35 To E or not to E, that is the Question 37 Thinking Back - Readers Submission 38 What is the Role of an Executor? 43 Banking Choices - Readers Submission 45 Music and Gifts at Tamahere 47 Beating the Festive Season Blues 48 Personal Histories 51 The Future of Investment, Directly to People 53 Boot's on the Other Foot Now 56 Recipes 58 Laughter is the Best Medicine 60 Pet Page 61 Puzzle PagesDECEMBER/JANUARY 2016 ISSN 2382-2481Advertising Enquiries: Grant 021 213 0319 Carly 021 02 962 303 Office 07 847 4602email: admin@seasonsmag.co.nz web: www.seasonsmag.co.nz Seasons is a special publication published by Just 1 Ltd, Hamilton NZ The views and opinions expressed in Seasons magazine are not necessarily those of Just 1 Ltd seasons 3

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Your stories are always gratefully received. The December magazine is our bumper issue Last but not least I would like to thank all at Team Seasons for your with lots of interesting stories and articles to hard work and support of the Magazine, and look forward to working share with you, and some extra puzzle pages with you all again next year. to keep you busy over the Christmas and New Year period. I would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas, and a happy and safe New Year! I would personally like to thank all our CEO Mijda Jamieson advertisers for their continued support Mijda & Team Seasonsthroughout 2016 and look forward to working with you all in 2017to help us produce even bigger and better issues for our fantasticreaders throughout the Waikato and beyond.Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this latestearthquake in the South Island, which makes us even more grateful tobe residents living in the Mighty Waikato.If you are taking a break and going on holiday take caution for you andyour family to be safe. Christmas is a time for sharing and caring, and letus not forget those that do not have much or those who are on their own.During our break we will be sharing some quality time with our family,but most of our time will be spent at home doing some renovationsand house painting, weather permitting.The first issue of Seasons Magazine will be February 2017 so if youhave some great stories, photos, recipes or even a poem you wouldlike share with our readers, please submit them through our websiteat www.seasonsmag.co.nz click on ‘submit a story’ and away you go. CoPnrgourdalytulations! supporting NetwhWeorld Ngaruawahia cosmuppmortuingntihteycommunity Ngaruawahia $200 hamper winner for Taumarunui September7 Galileo Street, Ngaruawahia Phone: (07) 824 8275 Open Hours: Mon - Sun 7.00am - 9.00pm2mx1m Banner.indd 1 12/06/14 11:36 AM SUBSCRIPTION CHANGE OF DETAILS FREE New, glossy, A4 magazine lifestyle magazine 11 issues per year, seasons magazine features articles, columns and information relevant to the 50+ community. Subscribe to receive your 3 issues for $18.00 (postage and packaging costs only) Post this form to Just 1 Ltd, PO Box 134, Ngaruawahia 3742 Email your enquiry to Seasons magazine admin@seasonsmag.co.nz Or visit our website www.seasonsmag.co.nz Contact details........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Phone.............................................................................. Email....................................................................................................No. of issues................... 4 seasons

Older and Bolder these HolidaysNo longer content with standing on the side-lines at the pools So in saying that, does it mean I will not be doing the rightor the beach this year while the younger generations have all thing by my kids and grandkids? “Hell No!” Quite the oppositethe fun, the baby boomer generation are getting into the mix as now instead of being the watcher, I am going to be the doerwith plans of their own. These might include frolicking at the and ensure I create memories with my family. Even if it meanswater’s edge and even jumping on a surf board or water skis months of the kids giving me stick about my lack of surfingshowing off their new found energy of life in general. prowess, or jokes about Greenpeace, or lifeguards mistaking me for a crazy person, or if I can’t slim down more, mistakingAnd why not we say!! me for a beached whale and calling out the coast guard.Gone are the days of mum yelling out to the kids to go sit But these are the moments that are remembered andby Grandma or Grandpa on the beach, or designation of the treasured well after the events and help bring familiesgrandparents to fix lunch, or keep an eye on their bags while together for a good time, a laugh and shared experiences thatthey have all fun, we in the 50+ generation are saying no, we if not tried can never be remembered.also want to be part of the fun, and join in the good times withour families and friends. For those under 50 reading this, “DON’T PANIC”, some of us will still knit, cook and watch the grandkids as it is part of whoThis year I have met many inspiring 50+ people who share in we are and what we do for our families. So instead of lookingthe belief that their time to shine has just begun. Now as we sideways at us as if we are beyond fun and adventure, ask uslive longer and healthier lives, and with an ability of experience to join in the fun, or give us a go on your surfboard or skis, andand hindsight that can only be achieved with age, we want to you might be surprised.jump into life with both feet and that includes trying new andexciting adventures that are coming our way. Whether you agree with me or not this is my new summer resolution this year, and I intend to have fun in the sun withNow don’t get me wrong, you will not see me wandering down my family, and take some time away from being the ‘sit on thethe beach in a “Mankini” or winning any super model awards side-lines Grandpa’ (hopefully Grandma will let me).for beach body of the year, but you will see me and manyothers in my age group hitting the sun, surf and sand this year Whatever you do this summer, have a wonderful time andwith gusto and modesty of my misplaced wrinkles and sagging make the most of our new found freedom of life, and keepbits be dammed. yourself and your families safe this summer.I believe 2017 is the start of the 50+ coming out party which is Grant • Seasons Magazineonly going to gain momentum rapidly as the years slide by, andI for one am hitching myself to that bandwagon and saying“Giddy up!” comprehensive eye examinations 07 838 3454 | 456 Anglesea Street, Hamilton www.bellneuhauser.co.nz seasons 5



Tim Macindoe MP for Hamilton West Effectively targeting The People Project’s first focus is on housing. They have homelessness in Hamilton adopted the Housing First model which places the priority on finding a person a home first, and then addressing the issuesNone of us wants to see people sleeping rough, and it's or reasons why they have become homeless.particularly disturbing when we hear reports of children whodo not live in secure and suitable homes. The People’s Project office is not a drop-in centre for homeless people. It is a central hub where the many different agenciesThat's why the Government announced a further $300 million work together with the homeless to connect and reconnectpackage last month for more emergency housing places, more them with accommodation, income, budgeting, health,support for tenants, and more frontline staff to work in this employment and tenancy support – and any of the communityarea as the next step in our comprehensive housing plan. services they may need to help them live independently.It's also why I am a huge fan and supporter of the People's The People’s Project is located at 24 Garden Place in Hamilton’sProject which is doing superb work to tackle the problem of CBD, within easy distance of those people who need its support.homelessness locally. Successful in Canada and USA, Europe and the United Kingdom,Since it was established in Hamilton in September 2014, the the Housing First model recognises that it is easier for peoplePeople's Project has helped and housed 843 people. 94% of to address the issues that led to their homelessness, such asthose who have been helped remain housed, which is a very mental health issues and addiction, once they are housed. Theencouraging outcome. priority is to move people into appropriate housing quickly and then immediately provide wrap-around services to addressThe People's Project was established, supported by Hamilton the issues that led to their homelessness. Permanent, secure,City Council under its Safe City strategy, in response to appropriate, safe housing is recognised as a basic human right.community concern at an increasing number of people whowere living on city streets or sleeping rough. Many homeless people have complex needs. This can include physical and mental health issues and addictions. Wrap-aroundIt was recognised that a community-wide response was services are all the services required to support a person torequired, and that no single organisation working alone had return to independent living, after they have found a home,the ability to solve this challenging problem. including returning to work.When The People’s Project started, nobody knew for sure It can be difficult for passers-by to distinguish between thoseexactly how many people were homeless, because there are who are in real need of housing and those who are on thedifferent types of homelessness. Estimates indicated there streets for other reasons. I'm sure we have all been moved towere around 80 people living on the streets or sleeping rough. donate some money to those who appear to be in dire needSome had been homeless on the streets of Hamilton for many on our streets, but the advice of police and agencies who workyears – the person with the longest history had spent 25 with them is that doing so risks supporting addictions - whichwinters sleeping rough. adds further harm, rather than helps to overcome it.The People's Project is a multi-agency collaborative. Eleven key In October, a weekend police survey in Hamilton discoveredorganisations are involved in The People's Project Hamilton: that of 15 people who were begging, with duvet covers,Hamilton City Council, New Zealand Police, Ministry of Social cardboard signs and in some instances sickly pets, only twoDevelopment, Child, Youth and Family, Housing New Zealand, were actually homeless.Department of Corrections, Waikato District Health Board,Midlands Health, Hamilton Central Business Association, Te So, while encouraging those who can to support others whoPuni Kōkiri and the Wise Group. are in need, I agree that the most appropriate way to assist is to donate to the agencies that work alongside our homeless people, notably the People’s Project, but also local refuges and shelters, and other charitable organisations that all do excellent work in these areas. In this spirit of responding to those who are in need in our region, I thank all who have provided support and care for others across a myriad of organisations and good causes throughout another busy year, and I wish them – and all Seasons readers and your families – a blessed and happy Christmas and a lovely holiday. seasons 7

A STORY OF One of the most important was the finding and cutting downCHRISTMAS of a suitable Christmas tree. My brother and I were usually deputised to make early scouting sorties along the belt of tallAnd so there it is - yet another Christmas staring us in the whispering, singing, sweet-smelling pines that ran for severalface, and if we were kids from the 1940s and ’50s, as no doubt hundred metres beyond the southern side of our house. Thea number of Seasons’ readers are, then we’ll have a wealth of trees were huge and ancient, and there was one massive oldmemories to recall of those early Yuletide festivities and the tree in which we had built a hut, complete with stairway andexcitement that led up to them. railings. We had scoured beneath the new house recently built on the farm, and found a thousand bent nails discarded byFor a country kid, growing up in the lively Otewa Valley at the builders. We straightened hundreds of them for use in thethe back of Otorohanga and being one of the hundred or construction of that tree-hut.so youngsters attending the local Otewa School, Christmasstarted about early November when we began practicing for Finding the Christmas tree was usually a fairly straightforwardthe end-of-year concert. It was held in the local hall 200 yards operation – we would wander along the row of trees, spot adown the road from the school, and midway between the well-feathered branch tip, and clamber up for a closer look. Inschool and the tiny church that sat in Smiths’ paddock further those days we climbed with the skill of cats, and crawling outalong the road. to the end of a 40-foot branch 60 feet above the ground was no problem. Once a selection had been made, all the familyThe concert was always a wonderful event, with kids from the gathered and gave considered opinions, and when there wasprimers staging gloriously dislocated items that occasionally general consensus, either I or ‘Lew’ (he was also known asended in tears, and the bigger, braver kids from the standards ‘Flea’, neither of which were his given names) took the cross-singing quavering, high-pitched songs and buzzing out tunes cut hand-saw, edged out along the chosen branch, and cut itfrom bottles that had cigarette papers over the necks and through at the appropriate length. There was a skill to doingtissue-paper folded over combs. Now and then a child would this: the first cut was on the underside of the branch, drivensaw out a severely-masticated tune on a violin or recorder, and perhaps a third of the way through; then the upper cut wasothers of us would perform acrobatic rolls and jumps the like of made, several inches further out on the branch, so that whenwhich, we firmly believed, the world had never witnessed before. the weight of the outer end of the branch finally broke it off, the break ran through to the lower cut and then snapped offWhen it was over, we weary children were bundled into the neatly. No ugly rip-away scar was left on the remaining branch,back seats of family cars and trundled home at 30 mph. and the Christmas-tree section broke away cleanly. CuttingThe roads were still just metalled tracks in those times, at right-angles while clinging to the branch was no easy task.with three wheel-tracks running between the windrows ofstones. This meant, of course, that if an oncoming vehicle wasencountered, both vehicles had to carefully pull to the left untileach was riding on the verge so they could edge past eachother. Often the drivers would stop, wind down their windowsand have a gossip – about the farm and the weather and theneighbours and the bloat or the hay or the calving – for fiveor ten minutes. Such chats were a great way of keeping intouch and ensuring that everyone in the district was aliveand well and doing OK. Looking after each other in the valleywas something that was taken very seriously, and if there wastrouble or tragedy everyone pitched in to help straight away.We lived barely 10 minutes from the hall, and following theconcert the next day was usually the last day of school anyway.We pretty much turned up there just to eat our lunch, so thatour mothers got another few hours without kids under their feet.But finally it was school holidays and Christmas wasn’t far off,and there were lots of things to do in preparation for the big day.8 seasons

And there was also a special art to coping with what happened And the excitement built.when the Christmas tree snapped off. It usually happenedsuddenly and the small 10- or 11-year-old boy up there on the On Christmas Eve, when the chooks had been beheaded,inner-side of the branch needed to have his wits about him, plucked and cleaned – it wasn’t a big deal: blood and guts werebecause when the outer six feet or so dropped away, the part of farm life in those days – the final titivations were addedresultant reduction in weight at the end of the branch caused to the tree, and after dinner round the big family table, Dadit to lurch up and down through a series of gradually declining would pull a book from the shelves behind his chair and readarcs. Thus, as the breakaway happened, the saw was flung from something that was heavily flavoured with the festive season.the hand, and arms and legs were wrapped like limpets around It may have been Charles Dickens, or Henry Lawson or Rudyardthe rough-barked branch. Mum probably had nightmares for Kipling or Banjo Paterson or something from the Bible. And wedays afterwards – the branches were inevitably high off the would all listen, spellbound, because Christmas was just hoursground, and if we lost our grip we’d have been catapulted into away and there was this dreadful effort of trying to stay awakeKingdom Come. The family were all staunch Methodists, but so we could hear Santa and his sleigh arrive on the roof. InI’m sure Mum wasn’t keen on any of her much-cared-for brood fact, the roof was tiled, and you could have crash-landed a D-8discussing recent events with St Peter at that early stage. bulldozer there and we’d never have known. That was totally beside the point.The Christmas tree was hauled into the extensive dining room-lounge, set upright in a calf-bucket weighted with bricks, and Christmas stockings, usually in the form of long woollen socks,the bucket was always wrapped in the Union Jack flag. I think were also hung from the fireplace mantelpiece. They were capablethe top of the tree was also tied back to the wall to ensure it of holding anything up to – and including – a bike, we were sure.didn’t topple over when a plethora of decorations and smallgifts were added to its branches over the next several days. The Christmas tree was hauled into the extensive dining room-lounge, set uprightBut once the tree was up, there was high excitement in the in a calf-bucket weighted with bricks, andhouse. The decorations cartons were brought out from storage the bucket was always wrapped in theat the bottom of the linen cupboard in the hall, and suddenly Union Jack flag.there was colour and rustlings and huge, lavishly-illustratedchocolate boxes dating to the dawn of time which contained But finally we were ordered to bed. Notes of agonising hope,all manner of exotic and beautiful things. There were long along with a glass of milk and two of Mum’s boy-tart biscuits,strings of sparkly things that were, in fact, crumpled pieces were left for Santa on a small tray in front of the Christmasof foil from around chocolates, or coloured cellophane that tree, and, run-around country kids that we were, we were soonhad wrapped lollies. Over the years we kids had made these deeply asleep.multi-coloured strings, using needle and cotton under Mum’swatchful eye. She had carefully hoarded all the lolly-papers Christmas morning was a frenzy. Somehow we were awakeand silver and gold chocolate wrappers from birthday partiesduring the year. She was a genius at making do with whatever with the birds, 5am at the latest, and there, beneath thewas available. Nothing was wasted. Christmas tree, had mysteriously materialised a mountainAnd these wonderful, colourful decorations, which includedstreamers and looping strings of specially woven coloured crepe of brightly-wrapped prezzies, each with its name card. I waspaper, were strung across the lounge ceiling. The Christmas treewas draped with more of them, along with little glass angels, sort of appalled that most of them weren’t for me, evenand tiny red boots with white fringes, and little cards depictingrobins in frozen English winters, and green and orange and though there were usually at least eight of us in the house.yellow and red spangle-dangles on cotton strings. There was, ofcourse, a big star at the top of the tree – the star which led the There was also the empty milk-glass and tray, except for aThree Wise Men onwards to the Baby in the Manger. few crumbs and a note of thanks, always in red pencil, from Santa. What glee to read it, and then marvel at all the goodies heaped about the tree. As well, there were the stockings to be investigated, and I can remember the absolute delight at finding an orange in the bottom of mine. continued on page 11 seasons 9

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There were also small packets of coloured pencils and rulers of the roasting-pan and flavoured with Vegemite and a littleand maybe an all-day sucker lolly, but having one of those big pepper – all of them coming together on the big oval familysweet thick-skinned Australian navel oranges in those days was dining table was heaven-on-a-plate for a small boy.a huge treat. We children almost always got one each. Dad carved at one end of the table, plates were passed toWe were allowed to unwrap one gift, and then it was breakfast, Mum at the other end and she served up the veggies, wiselyinto our Sunday best, and off to the big combined church adding the gravy herself rather than risk small uncoordinatedservice in Otorohanga. There were big congregations, and fingers with the hefty gravy boat. Wish-bones were eagerlyeveryone sang the carol-hymns with gusto: The First Noel; sought, and when discovered were sucked clean. SubsequentlyOnce in Royal David’s City; Christians Awake, Salute the Happy they were held by pinky digits only, as required by custom, andMorn; and the final hymn of the service that everyone really two people pulled them apart until the wish-bone snapped.put heart and soul into: Oh, Come All Ye Faithful. They are Whoever got the big bit got to make a wish.hymns which still stir me deeply whenever I hear them. Then, after the chicken and ham and veggies and gravy, cameThen it was home and, at last, ‘prezzie-time’. There were the Christmas pudding. Usually there were two of thembooks and cap-guns and Hornby trains and Meccano sets and because of the number of diners and associated appetites.clothes and pocket-knives for boys, and dolls and books and Those puddings, which Mum had carefully concocted overclothes and fancy things for the girls; and from the Aunties the past week or so, were absolutely wonderful, rich and darkand Grandma and Grandpa in Adelaide there was always a and spongy and filled with raisins and currants and sultanaslarge carton which Mum loved to unpack. It held packets of and chopped dates and slivers of walnut and glace ginger andfresh almonds and walnuts and raisins and little flat bunches cherries and spiced with all manner of tangy tastes. As well,of luscious-tasting muscatels, and also there were presents silver coins had been hidden in them – threepenny piecesfor everyone from Australia. Always there were books, which and sixpences and maybe a shilling, all of them a prize to beperhaps is where all the family got its love of books that hoarded until we next went to town.continues even now. And the vast pile of discarded wrappingpaper and accompanying ribbon ties were later all carefully And then there were sweets and fresh fruit and nuts, and wefolded and put away by Mum, for future use. all wore party hats and pulled crackers – and Mum, who never seemed to stop doing things, cleared the table and put awayFinally, it was Christmas dinner-time. The magical aromas of the scraps and did the dishes, with help from our older sisters.roasting chooks and warming clove-pricked ham, along withpotatoes and pumpkin and carrots and freshly-minted new Christmas Day trailed on into the afternoon and evening inpeas, and that special home-brewed gravy made with flourand veggie-water mixed in with the rich gubbins in the bottom a welter of fun and laughter and food, Kingsley Field with maybe a treasured bottle of ginger- beer or creaming soda, and more nuts and dried fruit and perhaps several little squares of chocolate. Dad, of course, had to do the evening milking, and somehow Mum put together an evening meal that was almost as good as the midday dinner. And then Christmas was gone. But it Kingsley Field has published keeps coming back, every year. two volumes of his columns, and is now working on a third. And we should never forget why. He can be contacted at kingsley@accuwrite.co.nz comprehensive eye examinations 07 838 3454 | 456 Anglesea Street, Hamilton www.bellneuhauser.co.nz seasons 11

A Christmas message fromAge Concern HamiltonThe arrival of summer, school holidays and Christmas brings a lighter step to manypeople at this time of year. It is a time to wind down, relax and enjoy the company ofpeople you may not have given enough attention to over the rest of the year. If youhave family and friends to call upon, enjoy them. The staff at Age Concern are certainlylooking forward to doing just that after another very busy year.For some people, their social contacts revolve around the manyand varied clubs and activities they take part in and they area big part of their life. During December and January many ofthese clubs also take a break, leaving their members ‘all dressedup and nowhere to go’.One solution to this is to take action now and get your club Aidsmembers to organise their own social calendar. Those peoplewho are not going away and have no definite plans for sixweeks or so, may welcome the opportunity to connect and doHearingsomething together. There are many possible options from theoff the cuff gatherings to the more organised outings.from $995 ea.• Riverboat cruise from the Gardens while enjoying a lovelyglass of wineTry some of these:• Hamilton Gardens for a walk and morning tea or lunch Age Concern Hamilton provides services forHearing Aids• Check out the Waikato Museum for interes3ti0ngdexahyibihtioenas ring aidAtlrliaslervices are free to older people. older people, their families and care givers.from $995 ea.•b•• IrEVnexivsapitiktleoftayrhoseetuZrwFecahelurlimolbenmebgreestmienMabgaegerrakTnserttOdtoeerayPntotasuCiNQnrlaehoUudodmAfoeoeSlLrbafnpfoIlrTirdeegasYeca,‘bifaitrHniinlodiEgsnataAsptqeRulaauntIteNoi’nabtnGgaedrsboeAe.fnqIjeuDoAexySiCstCFinOg&RhAGSeTPaecvHrrrcmiovEnremitg.cBdeaoSiEittdueSisobdSTnsuVPidpiRsypEiTIotCOlidrPnEteiQgvSrUeSAALeSIbTrYeuvrH3sivE0ceAiedcRPaIeyNrsGehSevAahIerDHoinnSpgteFipaOaoiRidlnnttThrgHiaEl BEST PRICES• Organise a twice weekly moSrnuinpgpoor retveendinbgywaalkn Ear, Nose & ThroaSteSrvpiececialEisdt ucNaotoiSbopliegncaiat&iloisnt Trainingquotes. ACC & Gvmt. Subsidy• aids Check out Hamilton Zoo and the new baby animals tuning of existing hearing• Book a hydro session atWWEaWteIrLwLoBrEldAT ANY WRITTEN QUOTE BY 10% Supported by an Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist (FOR SIMILAR TECHNOLOGY)07 838 2266sEpvoet rtyo henejaoryi.ng loss is different. You can trust• Pick your own summer fruits, pack a picnic and find a shady WE WILL BEAT ANY WRITTEN QUOTE BY 10% (FOR SIMILAR TECHNOLOGY) for honest adviEcpveeor,ysphtermaorinfaegsslotssesioirsn@diaffealreganent. dcYoopunecacrnsetrorusnnt a.gliesend.nfcozrahroene.st advice, professional an www.ageconcern.gen.nzWhatever you do have a connected, active and enjoyable NEW YEAR SPECIAL FREE HEARING TESTHearing AidsChristmas season with very best wishes from Age Concern. + ONE YEAR FREE BATTERIES NEW YEAR S$P99E5CIALFREE HEfAroRmING TEST ea. with every hearing aid purchase. Valid until 31 March 2016. This page is proudly sponsored by+ ONE YEAR FREE BATTERIES 0800 (080 with every hearing3a0 diday pheuarrincghaaidstreia.l TOP QUALITY HEARING AIDS FOR THE BEST PRICES QUALITY HEARING AIDS FOR LESSValid uNntoilo3b1ligMaatirocnhq2u0o1t6e.s. ACC & Gvmt. Subsidy www.hearme.c Specialist tuning of existing hearing aids Supported by an Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist day Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Matamata, Morrinsvi (FOR SIMILAR TECHNOLOGY) 0800 (0800 432763)• 30 hearing aid trialWE WILL BEAT ANY WRITTEN QUOTE BY 10% • EveSrypheearcinigalolsissistdtiffuerennti.nYogu coanftrEusXt ISTINfoGr hohneestaadrviicne,gproafesisdiosnal and personalised care. www.hearme.co.nz• Supported byNanEWEarY, NEoAseR&STPhEroCatIASpLecialist • hearme is INDEPENDENTLY owned &FREE HEARING TEST not limited + ONE YEAR FREE BATTERIES www.hearme.co.nzto any particular brandwith everyof hearing aidhearing aid purchase. Valid until 31 March 2016.HamilEtveorynh,eaCrinag lmossbisrdiifdfegrenet.,YTouecanAtrwusat mutu, Mforah0ot8na0e0smt adavticae,,prM(o0f8eo0ss0rio4rn3ia2nl 7as6n3dv)pielrlseona&liseAd cuarce.kland www.hearme.co.nz 0800 432763For Specialist Services in HHEamAilRtoInN, CGamLbrOidgSeS, TecAawlalmutu, Matamata, Morrinsville & Auck|landAuckland | Waikato12 seasons

A Message from the A forum was held in early November to talk about senior’s experiences in the community and ideas for how things can Minister for be improved. Ideas ranged from improving public transport Seniors to making advertising and information about activities more available for people who don’t have the internet.As 2016 draws to a close, like many of you I’m looking forwardto a summer break with my friends and family. I also intend to keep expanding the range and variety ofSadly, there are people – particularly seniors – who find the concessions offered by the SuperGold Card. In May this yearholiday season compounds their loneliness and isolation. we committed $41 million in extra funding over four years andChristmas can be a hard time to be on your own. we also lifted the moratorium on new transport concessionsReaching out with a gesture of compassion or help, however big which means more travel options for older people in locationsor small, can make a very real difference to those who feel left out. where they weren’t able to get them before.In 2017, I will be refreshing the Government’s Positive AgeingStrategy – the document which guides our seniors policy – to We want to give absolute certainty to cardholders about themake sure tackling social isolation and loneliness has a raised future of the scheme. I’m proud that we have been able toprofile and importance. increase the number of discounts offered more than tenfold,The strategy was first launched in 2001 and it’s time for a from 800 to 8000, since coming into Government and we’llrevisit and a rethink about how we’re going to make this continue to grow it.country a better place to be older.I want the strategy to focus on age-friendly ideas and how we No matter what your age, it is important to plan forcan promote the full participation of seniors in community life unexpected circumstances. And if you haven’t done so already,and healthy and active ageing. the holiday period might be a good time to think aboutI also want it to do more to tackle the serious problem of elder what will happen if you are ever unable to make decisionsabuse in our society – we need to take responsibility and not for yourself. Setting up an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)turn a blind eye to what’s happening in our communities. means someone you appoint and trust can make decisions forMy Office for Seniors is supporting Hamilton’s plan for an you – it’s the most effective way to safeguard your wellbeingage-friendly future. In the new year work will start on an age- and your property should anything bad happen.friendly action plan, with the council working in conjunctionwith a steering group. The Office for Seniors has guidance, including downloadable brochures on its website to help you consider how you want your EPA to work so you are prepared before talking to a legal advisor (www.superseniors.msd.govt.nz). We’ve translated the brochures into Maori, Chinese, Hindi, Korean and other languages and they are also available in MSD offices nationwide. We’re in the middle of updating the EPA application forms so they are easier to fill in – I expect the work to be completed at the start of next year and I’ll let you know when they are ready. In New Zealand, nearly 200 law firms offer discounts to those holding a SuperGold card and this includes a reduction in fees for setting up an EPA. Wishing you a safe, peaceful and happy festive season and a wonderful 2017.Use your home to open doors in retirement.A Home Equity Loan opens up a world of options for retirees by allowing This provides them with the freedom to spend their retirement how theyyou to borrow against the equity in your home, without having to make choose. This type of financial product is not widely available in New Zealandrepayments until you leave or sell your property.* Heartland Seniors Finance and I personally love the fact that hard working, mature-aged people in ourwelcomes Arna Berryman, our local Waikato representative. communities can take advantage of this and gain control over what theyAfter recently returning to New Zealand from Australia, Arna brings with her would like to do in their lives. I am pleased to be back in the Waikato and lookseveral years of banking experience in mortgage lending and management. forward to meeting many of you and helping you achieve your financial goals”.Arna says “Our Seniors Finance division is an aspect of the bank which I amparticularly proud of. It offers home equity loans, also known as reverse Contact Arna Berryman on 07 958 7495mortgages or equity release, that allow seniors (over the age of 60) to or email arna.berryman@heartland.co.nzrelease a percentage of the value of their home by way of a cash lump www.seniorsfinance.co.nzsum to help improve their lives.*Heartland Seniors Finance is a division of Heartland Bank Limited.Terms and conditions apply. Heartland Bank Limited’s lending criteria, fees and charges also apply. seasons 13

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STEPPING UP From left to right: Flora, Cath, Jo (front), Pat (behind), Helen, Betty, Tony, Wendy (front), Alan, Sue, Ray, Lou. Maurice was on his wee tractor.If you venture to the very East of the Waikato on the edge of We must mention here the men who have also stepped up! LouMt Te Aroha and walk through the beautiful Te Aroha Domain, learnt to operate the club's specialised turf mower. Octogenarianyou cannot help but notice some fine croquet lawns of the Te Ray comes from Matamata, Tony & Alan travel from MorrinsvilleAroha Croquet Club, set amongst stunning rose gardens. to play and lead with expertise each time providing the ‘Heavy Artillery’ that men do so well. “We joined just to play croquet, yetSo what? The big deal here is that these 5 lawns are being we have all achieved so much more.” Tony told us.groomed and maintained by a tiny club of just 17 nearly allSeniors. Big clubs of 80+ members have 5 lawns. Big clubs When many of the current members first arrived at croquet,have a groundsman/team. Big clubs have bigger incomes. Big most had significant disabilities with reasons why they wouldclubs seem to get grants and sponsorships. Yet, when Te Aroha never be able to play in Tournaments. “I will just be a socialClub needs work done they call a ‘Working Bee’ and 90% of the player\" is often the first thing we hear said Alan, Club Coach.Club step up and get stuck in. With an average age of 70 plus “So my wife & I work out a program just for them around theirand mostly elegant ladies, the words from self-appointed ‘Club disabilities so that they are able to efficiently play competitively.Mother’ Jo Johnston ring out: “Of course you can do it!” And The team has strengthened so much that everyone in thethere she was on Labour Weekend at the Working Bee to ‘de- club can now play in tournaments. We are so thrilled to seethatch’ those 5 lawns. WIth an hour to drive and as usual, first them getting results from sheer dedication.” Often the newthere, she had the kettle on, ready to ‘man the machine’, ready ones get the call to urgently step up into a team position.the troops and sort the catering for the day as well! So, with Without fail they do the job and very very well. The Team putsthat inspiration the ladies commandeered the de-thatcher Te Aroha on the map with their smart black & white uniformsand took turns over 6 hours of work. In between, some pushed at tournaments all over the Waikato, Thames Valley and Bay ofrotary mowers and stamped down the waste thatch on the Plenty, with usually more than 50% of their club represented.trailer and then ensured the rest of the team did not get “It’s quite funny, many people think we are a HUGE club whendehydrated by providing drinks and food all day. we turn up at their tournaments” said Flora Cameron, Club Captain. “And there we are, regularly on the podium, having funEach month those same ladies Jo, Flora, Betty, Mary, Wendy, and proving a point: Of course we can do it!”Pat, Helen, Sue and Val have stepped up to take turns using theclub’s newly purchased walk-behind spray unit to fertilise the President of the club, Maurice Hight said: “I have never been solawns. They are learning about ‘Turf Grass’, observing changes, proud of a club I have been involved with – and there has beenmixing fertilizer & applying. “Grass is not just grass anymore! truly a lot! My chest is bursting; a 90% turnout for WorkingOver the years we just expected to turn up on Club Day and Bees, who would ever think it possible?!”have a game. We never gave a thought who did the lawns orwhat they needed. Someone else always did that – or not at all,but now we have a vested interest in these lawns and we wantto achieve a quality playing surface, and we won’t give up!” saidWendy Stewart.

Apparently I was supposed to croak onOctober 24, 2012.And there was much discussion about it at a lunch I attendedrecently. Also in attendance were several other aged, gnarled,generally crabbed journalists, along with their un-aged, non-gnarled, generally lovely ladies. We were seated comfortablyaround a long and laden table and the conversation, togetherwith some especially tasty food and very couth wines, flowed welland without cessation. Our hosts, who had often been our hostson previous such occasions, were doing us all very proud yet again.But I happened to mention my Gold Card, the delight of all of usoldies who flap it around on buses, at selected vegie stores, atmovie theatres, at certain restaurants and other venues whereit provides us with a variety of nice (and well-earned) privileges.Most of those around the table also qualified for the GoldCard, and their cards were quickly produced. Only mineshowed the Grim Reaper had cast his shadow – if not his bootprint – on it. All the others were blithely open-ended. Mineshowed, bluntly and without recourse to any argument, that it– and therefore presumably me – expired on October 24, 2012.I’d only noticed it a few days previously and it sort of gave awhole new meaning to ‘living on borrowed time’. I have to say,the expiry date is only modestly displayed on my card, butnevertheless, according to WINZ, I was supposed to fall off theperch four years ago.It may be worth others running a quick check on whether theytoo are supposed to have expired, according to their Gold Cards.Imagine if I’d noticed it on October 10, 2012, just a fortnightout. I’d have probably died of a heart attack early, worryingabout it all. Which begs the question: Could WINZ have thenbeen legally held responsible by my executors and assignsfor possibly precipitating my early demise? And I wonderwhat appalling bureaucratic tangle has been created insome dank, back-office in Wellington by my failing to behavein the prescribed manner. Perhaps there are little pointy-headed gadgets (you can’t really call them people, can you?)in the WINZ HQ in Wellington who are even now – fouryears on – frantically writing memos, reports and sundryother multi-duplicated documentations on what has gonewrong, why/how/where the fail-safe system has failed, andwhether it justifies a ministerial inquiry or, at this early stage,simply another report. I wonder: has the PM been given aheads-up that Kingsley has not acted in accordance withthe requirements as laid down on page 291 of the Statute ofLimitations, Paragraph 3-A (iv-e), or whatever the requisitetome is which covers such hand-wringing detachmentsfrom the norm? Has the SIS been notified? Maybe I’m underobservation. Or possibly my shower is being tapped. What aturn-on that would be!

Inevitably, when a journo finds him/herself in a bit of strife, his/ They could, for instance, have a card showing a Best Beforeher mates heap laughter and scorn and derision and brickbats … time; or one with a Closing Time date; or one showing anon him/her from all angles, giving him/her serious stick in their Estimated Time of Arrival, or, as someone quickly pointedmoment of discomfort. It’s a sort of reverse-angle we’ll-back- out, an Estimated Time of Departure; or maybe a Coming ofyou-to-the-hilt,-mate humour that only seasoned journos can Age date; or Don’t Call Us, and We Won’t Call You Either; or, asunderstand and appreciate. Whatever, I was given the full 8.2 the inevitable cynicism gently took hold of the badinage, theRichter scale treatment and the wisecracks and ribaldry flew card could be accompanied by a letter from WINZ requiringround that lunch table thick and fast. recipients to “get out there and look for a job as of [date specified] – we’ve been paying you a pension for the past eightThe meal had been superb. We began to gather shortly before years, and we think that’s long enough”.noon and slender flutes of bubbles were enjoyed as a welcome-to-our-place. Chicken nibbles and a second glass of bubbly Or – and this concept was taken up with some degree ofhelped set the scene as the barbecue was sparked up. Slabs of enthusiasm – if Gold Card holders get beyond the age ofbright pink salmon were quickly heated through and plated 75, their card is replaced with a Platinum version showingwith spoons of coleslaw for an entree; at which time some very they have moved up a grade, and also showing, in largepleasant pinot gris made an enjoyable appearance. Mine Host and prominent print so that even rheumy and failing eyesreturned to the barbecue, by then wound up to ‘good and hot’ cannot miss it, a nominated and specific QUIRN (Quit Usingand slapped on to it hefty steaks fresh-cut from a whole scotch Irreplaceable Resources Now) date, requiring us to personallyfillet that had spent the previous several days lazily ageing expire forthwith.in preparation for the feast. Those steaks were superb –succulent, soft as a slice of bread and the perfect complement It may be worth others running a quickto the bowl of micro-potatoes drizzled in oil, a second bowl of check on whether they too are supposed tolarger potatoes smothered with mayonnaise, sliced almonds, have expired, according to their Gold Cards.capers and fresh dill, fresh steamed asparagus, and a crispsalad. Someone unscrewed the top from a bottle of Yalumba And, of course, we recognised the enormous employment2012 Scribblers cabernet sauvignon shiraz and then shared the potential presented to WINZ and bureaucracy generally withcontents. It was a lovely thing to do; it was just a shame there these new possibilities. Thousands of little pointy-heads couldwasn’t a four-gallon drum of the stuff to hand. be provided with meaningless work at great expense and complete waste of time, space, resources and tax-payer moneyI have to say, being a part of this special, select group of to ensure that endless amounts of paperwork are producedabsolute rogues is one of the great delights of my life, and in quintuplicate, each copy requiring a further meeting towithout their regular bonhomic company, where there is establish when the next inquiry should be set up to probe thealways banter and repartee and good friendship, I would be need for an inquiry into whether enough inquiries are beingmuch the poorer, though not according to my bank manager. held on the use of staples rather than glider clips in the 3000 newly-established offices throughout the country. Subject toSadly, the Scribbler ran out of ink, as it were, so we resorted to the approval of the PM, Bill English would be ecstatic at theseveral pre-breathed bottles of Saltram’s Barossa Winemakers sudden dive in unemployment figures.Reserve 2014, a rich red that sang all the way through to theshoe-laces. We do tend to spoil ourselves at these gatherings, Our table conversation also noted astutely that although weand we all reckon that’s just fine. At our age we’re allowed keep being told the nation’s population is ageing rapidly, this isto. And, for those beginning to worry, there were, as always, really a load of bollocks. We’re all getting old at the same ratedesignated very sober drivers to take us home. as they did in Tutankhamen’s time. We may well be living a bit longer, but we’re still ageing at the rate of 24 hours a day, justThen there was dessert. The deal with these lunches is that like young Tut’ did.the blokes do it all, and the ladies are waited on and pampered.Except when it comes to dessert. One of the ladies has a skill withdesserts that us blokes have long realised it would be folly tosuppress. This lady produces pies and puddings and other sweetthings that, if they were made public, would cause riots in thestreets. In this instance she had produced a Christmas puddingthat, had more been available, would have sorely broadened myoutlook way beyond its already extended boundaries.But as the dessert pleasantly ran out, the wise-guys opened up onthe possibilities for WINZ in the issuing of new Gold Cards to otherunsuspecting clients. Instead of a simple expiry date, as in mycase, the following suggestions for alternatives were put forward: seasons 17

Then the conversation expanded exponentially and took a And then, of course, the conversation went full circle, comingmarvellously shrewd old-geezers’ twist as we brought in the back to my Gold Card and the fact that I should have beenconcept of Grey Power and RVRANZ (Retirement Villages extinct something over four years earlier. We discussed theResidents’ Association of New Zealand), all Gold Card holders, appalling prospect of me proffering my card to get a free busjoining forces and coming up with enormous and very focussed ride, and being rejected forthwith. \"You can't come on here,political clout. The groups could stop internal bickerings, sir. Sorry, but we're not licenced to carry cadavers.\" Oh, theand instead become pragmatically single-minded and tell dreadful embarrassment! Somebody suggested I should askpoliticians to “provide us with what we want or you’re out of WINZ what the purpose of the expiry date was. So severaloffice – suit yourself”. It’s a group of people who, collectively, days later I endeavoured to do so, bravely venturing intohas the potential to push politicians in any direction they want, the lion’s den of my local WINZ office under the steely andif they vote en masse. They also have the accumulated wisdom uncompromising stare of no less than three guards. Andto decide what those directions should be in the best interests truthfully, I have great admiration for those staff who dailyof the nation, not political expediency or the inappropriate have to deal with an endless stream of grumpy old coots who,furtherings of big business. like me, want to know who decided the arbitrary date for their expiry. And why they hadn’t followed up to see whether we had carried out their written instructions. As is required, I stood in a queue like a sheep on the Horotiu slaughter line. There was one person attending to public enquiries, and beyond the inquiries desk was a substantial open-plan office staffed by a substantial number of open-plan people all apparently open-planning. Occasionally one or other of the open-planners would look up towards our queue, but as so often happens to those of us who have to wait our turn in such establishments, once we get into a line we immediately become invisible. We could be standing there for weeks and no one would notice. We might even fall off the perch while wait… Did you know that Sue offersUnichem Flagstaff Pharmacy has a • Free Instore advice to assist you with your natural health Herbal Dispensary? product selections Sue, our Registered Medical Herbalist, works • Advice on any possible drug interactions or cautions alongside our Pharmacists, Andrea and Dee, to relating to your pharmaceutical prescriptions and natural health supplements provide you with your best health solution. • Private consultations, by appointment, for more complex Sue offers free 15 minute instore consultations health concerns to offer advice and help you to choose the right • Hair analysis testing to help identify food intolerances supplements for your needs. and environmental sensitivities which may be impacting on your health and contributing to a range of health issues Individual herbal formulas, herbal teas and practitioner only products to give you • Hair toxic and Essential Element Analysis personalised healthcare. • Herbal formulas and herbal teas custom made for your SAVE THE DAY: DEC 9TH 2016 individual requirements Join us on our Christmas Day. Lots of fun, super • Individualised herbal creams and ointments for specific deals, instore promos and activities. As well as conditions balloons & face painting for the kids! • Bach flower remedies, individual blends created just for you, for support through the emotional challenges we encounter on life’s journey. • A range of Practitioner Only supplements and products We also carry an extensive range of Superfoods and health foods, with tastings available, and plenty of advice and recipes to help you integrate these into your lifestyle. Unichem Flagstaff Pharmacy and Herbal Dispensary 1158 River Road, TLC Building Flagstaff, Hamilton Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm | Sat 9am – 1pm | Ph 07 854 0445 Em herbal@flagstaffpharmacy.co.nz | team@flagstaffpharmacy.co.nz18 seasons

Good grief! I see the devious cunning of it all now. I’ll bet Compared to many other 0800 number organisations –the whole scheme was dreamed up by some dishonourably banks, phone companies, local councils –WINZ has obviouslydischarged rear-echelon army corporal who has since gained simplified their phone system in the interests of bewilderedhigh office in the WINZ bureaucracy. “Give all these oldies an ancients such as I, as there were only 58 different optionsexpiry date on their Gold Cards,” he has no doubt ordered, “and for button-pushing before I got to the “all our operators arewhen we get ‘em into the offices to ask what it’s all about, we busy at the moment, but your call is important to us and youline ‘em up and leave ‘em to expire at will.” have been placed in a priority queue” phase. Music, specially selected to ensure I wouldn’t – couldn’t possibly – fall asleep,However, I eventually got to the enquiries desk, miraculously grated harshly on, broken occasionally by heart-warmingbecoming visible again as I did so. The young man at the desk announcements of the importance of my call. I continuedwas totally unfazed by my long-overdue and as yet incomplete reading, snacking occasionally and taking a sip now and then.demise. Instead he handed me a wad of forms, folded to DLE size,on the front page of which was an 0800 number. He could have Suddenly a real, genuine, live voice Kingsley Fieldwritten that number on a 10cm x 10cm Post-it slip of paper and broke through the fog. Talking tosaved the eight-page document for its intended purpose. But I another human is always a delight inguess he’s being a good bureaucrat and thinking big-picture, all such circumstances. It restores myabout renewing forests and employing tree-planters and loggers faith in mankind, sort of. I explained myand Government printing offices and paper-recyclers. I was predicament and in seconds the wee lassinstructed to call the number “and they may be able to help.” had the Gold Card problem solved.I’ve had some previous experience with 0800 numbers, so “Oh! that’s easy,” she said brightly. “We’ll Kingsley Field has publishedwhen I got home I made the necessary plans. I got together send you another one.” two volumes of his columns,several bottles of water, set out a large plate with cheese, and is now working on a third.crackers and a can of sardines in tomato sauce, together with She has too. And this one is open-knife and paper serviette, my current book, and a pottie in case ended. Roll on tomorrow! Well… this He can be contacted atof emergencies. Then I put the mobile flat on the desk, dialled afternoon, at least. kingsley@accuwrite.co.nzthe 0800 number, switched the phone to loud-speaker mode,and began reading. NGARUAWAHIA GOLF CLUB Contact Duncan for enquiries 07 824 8006MSeoumnmlbyme$res2rh19ipBring this coupon with you to receive • Junior clinics commence in October, contact Duncan to discuss options. Full Membership16 months Only $695 • Three one on one half hour lessons with club pro Duncan Bennett (NZ PGA Professional) $99 (December New Members Only)5925 Great South Road, Ngaruawahia | www.golfwaikato.co.nz | 07 824 8006 seasons 19

UPCOMING TOURS INCLUDE: 2016 - 17 ToursTouring Tasmania 9 - 20 Jan 2017 • Hokianga for Christmas 23 - 27 DecTasmania is filled with wild and beautiful landscapes,friendly and helpful people with a relaxed island lifestyle, • Touring Tasmaniawonderful wine and food and a haunting history evoked 9 - 20 Janby spectacular convict-era ruins - just to name a few.We can assure you that you’ll be delighted by your • Taranaki Festival of Lightsexperiences on this fabulous tour. 25 - 27 JanTaranaki Festival of Lights 25 - 27 Jan 2017 • Hawke's Bay Historic Homes 7 - 11 FebWe head to New Plymouth to see the annual Festival ofLights in Pukekura Park whereby the park is turned into • Kapiti Island & Wellingtona magical illuminated night-time wonderland. We also 11 - 14 Febvisit the Len Lye Centre and go to Stratford to see andhear the famous Glockenspiel. A short but enjoyable • Top of the Southtour which includes the sights around New Plymouth 13 - 24 Feband Mount Taranaki. • Winterless NorthHawke’s Bay Historic Homes 7 - 11 Feb 2017 21 - 27 MarWe have managed to fit in an amazing number of • South of the Southhighlights on this tour. We start with the spectacular 23 Mar - 7 Apr‘Gentle Annie’ road through the North Island high • Melbourne, Adelaide & Murray Rivercountry to Napier where we see all of the city’s major 27 Apr - 11 Maytourist attractions. Of course, the favourite highlight formany will be the tour of the historic homes in the area. • HawaiiLastly, on the way home, we end the tour with a cruise 14 - 24 Mayon Lake Taupo. • New CaledoniaKapiti Island & Wellington 11 - 14 Feb 2017 28 May - 4 Jun • Tahiti & MooreaWe drive down to the Kapiti Coast and visit the 11 - 19 Junwonderful nature reserve on Kapiti Island which hosts • Vietnamsome of New Zealand’s most endangered birds. We 23 Jun - 9 Julgo to Wellington which includes a visit to the GallipoliExhibition at Te Papa and go on a tour of the Beehive.Our trip ends with a wonderful train journey home on theNorthern Explorer traversing Tongariro National Park andwinding through the famous Raurimu Spiral.Top of the South 13 - 24 Feb 2017If you ever needed a reminder of the fabulous diversenatural beauty of our country then this tour will showit to you. From the sparkling vistas of the MarlboroughSounds to the deserted beaches of Farewell Spit andthe grandeur of the Molesworth Station, this tour hasit all including travelling on the Northern Explorer trainfrom Auckland to Wellington. A tour that’s guaranteed toprovide you with a journey you won’t forget.

Grandparents DayLast month two primary schools our three grandsons attend Grandparents were waved off by the grandchildren before theycelebrated Grandparents Day. returned to their classrooms for the afternoon.We spent a morning alternating between the classrooms of For our second Grandparent’s Day we travelled to Pirongia tothe 8 and 10 year olds, sitting beside them at their desks and join our other 10 year old grandson in his classroom. Childrenjoining in with ‘Grandparent Assignments’. who did not have a grandparent on the day were invited to join up with an ‘adopted’ one which was a great idea, and no childThe 10 year old pupils were instructed to write down 10 was left feeling not included.things in the classroom that would not have been in theirgrandparent’s classroom. That seemed pretty easy – Combining Book Week with Grandparent’s Day was a clever waycomputer, tablet, overhead projector, whiteboard. I was of encouraging grandparents to purchase books on display inbeginning to feel quite ancient by then. It was our turn next the school library. All the children were dressed up for the dayto list 10 items that were in our classrooms – blackboard and as book characters, so there were Harry Potters, Witches andchalk, wooden desks with inkwells, teacher’s strap that hung Fairies, James Bond (our 10 year old grandson, very smart inbehind the door (grandson’s face looked horrified!). suit and bow tie and cardboard gun). Alice in Wonderland was popular with the girls and every classroom had a Spiderman asSchool day memories surfaced among us all as we interacted with well as scary looking ghosts with faces painted white.the other grandparents, reminiscing the classroom days 50 to 60years ago. It also created a lot of conversation with the children. As it was a wet day we had a classroom picnic, sharing sandwiches and popcorn, and lots of conversation withIn the 8 year old’s class the list of 10 was ‘things I like when I children and teachers. Even the staff had dressed up and therevisit my grandparents’. It did not take long for our grandson to were ‘buzzy bees’ in bright yellow and black outfits. Manywrite up his list: grandad takes us to the bike track, and Nana’s photos were taken to record this fun day.food was at the top! Grandparents Day was unheard of in our generation, so to beWhen the lunch bell rang we joined our 10 year old grandson able to join in with the grandchildren at their schools and sit within the playground to share the picnic lunch and thermos of hot them in their classrooms, makes for a very special time for us!chocolate I had prepared at home. Fay Dwyer • Readers Submission @f1comp.info Do you need help with any of the following? SPECIAL OFFERM 027 505 4402  Setting up email, fixing email problems 20%P 07 854 6424  Fixing any internet problems OffE f1comp.info@xtra.co.nz (cannot always be fixed) Your first hourI am fully qualified with a Bachelor of Normal Price $100Computer Science and a 1 year diploma  Backupsof Computing and Network Support  Setting up a new modem, securing the wifi  Fixing up errors, updating and other tasks  Cleaning up computer junk files, viruses, malware  Can tutor or give instructions  Installing Windows  Setting up Skype seasons 21

www.naturallyhealthy.co.nz | Naturally Healthy NZ - FacebookHealthy advice with Monica van de Weerd“I FEEL LIKE I AM RATTLING!”Natural Health is a great way to support your well being next Another choice are cell salts.to your diet, using powders in smoothies or in food – capsulesfor convenience. These come in a liquid or small chewable tablet form and are the minerals we need when we have certain conditions.But what if you are already taking a lot of medication ornutrition for daily well being? Minerals are as important for our body as is oxygen. The mineral salts fulfil a variety of functions: They support andThe expression I hear from you is “I feel like I am rattling”. regulate organ functions, thus, harmonize dysfunctions. By this, they ease the way to recover from a variety of complaintsThe trick is to use the minimum amount of added herbs or and have a vital effect on the overall condition of the body.nutrition to get the best results. This is where our advice canmake a real difference. There are 12 different minerals individually – and combinations for different symptoms.It is not just a matter of taking another supplement/herb foreach reason or symptom you want to work with. Tissue Salts are specially prepared micro-doses of the body’s 12 essential minerals. These minerals are important for theThe art is looking at the symptoms holistically (your whole functioning and health of the body; if deficiency or imbalancebody and symptoms) and then recommending a way to get occurs, common ailments or illness may result. With today’sresults with the least amount of products. reliance on highly processed foods, keeping a healthy balance of minerals in the body is often difficult.But what if you cannot take herbs or nutrients beside yourgood diet? So easy to use – great for children and pets too. Combinations are made for allergies, coughs and colds, sleep, digestion,You may have a condition that does not allow for certain headaches and restless legs.nutrients/herbs; or they are not recommended beside themedication you are taking. Or it may be – you are tired of Artemis Teas and Cell salts are an easy therapeutic way toswallowing pills. support your bodies well being when you need something simple to use daily or when needed.There is another way.Therapeutic Herbal teas could be the answer. Aromatherapy Oils is another way to support well being without taking pills.Any herbal teas I hear you ask? Unfortunately – no. Great for ambience in any home or work place, oils can beNatural teas are always going to be good for you and a better suited to your mood or well being for healthy support.choice than sugary, flavoured and additive laced drinks. An essential oil is a substance that is extracted from theArtemis teas are made from therapeutic herbs – and are safe to take. flowers, leaves, stems, roots, bark or seeds of a plant, usually by steam or water distillation, though carbon dioxide,Always take as directed and if symptoms persist see your hexane and fat extractions are also possible for some. It ishealth professional. the concentrated essence of the original medicinal plant, containing the molecular constructs of its therapeuticYou can drink the tea when needed i.e digestive tea after a meal properties. Despite being called an oil, an essential oil is notthat upset your stomach. Or for a daily tonic to support certain 'oily' in consistency, its colour can vary from clear to darksystems like heart; immunity; kidneys; liver, stress and sleep. brown. If exposed to air an essential oil may slowly evaporate and oxidize and lose its therapeutic value, therefore sunlightThey taste good too and you can taste before you buy at our and heat are to be avoided for longevity of your essence.London Street Concept Store.22 seasons

You will need the real therapeutic oils if you want to do We even have perfumes from these oils that smell divinemore than just smell nice. The way a therapeutic oil is grown, supporting mood and well being while you work.harvested, processed and handled ensures that the medicinalvalue of the final essence retains the original living plant's There you have it! – Natural health is not just aboutmolecular efficiency. Unlike the faster, expanding influence of supplements, super-foods and capsules.high heat methods used for mass production, minimal heatand slow extraction methods for therapeutic grade oils keep There is so much more.the molecules small which allows them to be transported andto travel deep into body systems unhindered. You can use Natural Health works – and is a great way to support your dietthese oils in your bath, vaporiser or burner. and well being needs.Monica van de Weerdwww.naturallyhealthy.co.nz | Naturally Healthy Health Stores and Clinics | HamiltonRaglan Roast Coffee • Fully Licenced • Home Style Cooking • Relaxing AtmosphereAll Day Breakfast • Easy Access for Wheelchairs • Beautiful Garden Bar • Bottle Store Available for Functions • Takeaway Food (Burgers, Fish & Chips etc) LIZARD CAFE OPEN 7 DAYS WHATAWHATA TAVERN OPEN 7 DAYSMON-FRI 7AM-3PM SAT-SUN 9AM-3PM MON-THU FROM 3PM FRI-SUN FROM 12PM1333 Horotiu Road, Whatawhata | ph 07 829 8804 | em whatawhatatavern@xtra.co.nz web www.thelizardcafe.co.nz | Whatawhata Tavern seasons 23

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Paul & Mieke, and their two children, Marco (then aged 13) & Marije (then aged 2), immigrated to New Zealand from Holland in 1980, with a dream to own land of their own. Prior to moving, Paul & Mieke had come to New Zealand on a short holiday, and had pinpointed several places on a New Zealand map, which they liked to live in, including the Waikato and Canterbury Plains (maybe due to how ‘flat’ these places were, reminding them of Holland).Initially they moved to a small town just out of Warkworth, They moved back to New Zealand in 1995 and designedwhere Paul worked as a farm hand, and did some commercial and built their house on their property, as well as plantedeeling and possum hunting. They had another child, Lisette. their property in blueberries. They traded under the nameThen, the family moved to Auckland, where Paul worked Monavale Estate.as a green keeper at a prominent bowling club, as well ascommenced work as a landscape gardener. In 2001, Marije & her husband Richard, bought a neighbouring 10-acre block. They planted the land in blueberries and tradedIn 1985, Paul & Mieke purchased a 10 acre property covered under the name Irresistible Blueberries – Irresistiblue. Marijein scrub near Cambridge, after seeing a small advertisement obtained a Bachelor of Management Studies at the Universityplaced in the classified section of the NZ Herald. Paul could see of Waikato and had been working as a marketing consultant inpast the gorse, blackberry and tea tree scrub and commenced Auckland and Richard was a secondary school teacher.‘breaking’ the land in, as it had never been farmed before.Whilst continuing to live in Auckland, to earn money, they In 2002, the family decided to amalgamate their 3slowly started building a house on their property, coming to neighbouring orchards to form Monavale Blueberries. Packingthe property every weekend, to work on the house and farm. operations and office duties were centralised. Marco & RichardIn 1987, the house was completed. The first blueberries were left their jobs and became full time employees on the orchard,planted on the orchard in 1985, as well as differing other crops alongside Paul. Kath & Marije also left their jobs to start theirincluding pip-fruit trees, feijoas, and boysenberries. Over the families as well as complete office duties and general orchardyears, many other crops, including beans, lettuces, tomatoes, work, alongside Mieke. A further full time employee was hiredcourgettes and strawberries were planted and sold to the local to complete general orchard maintenance.auction markets. They traded under the name Goodlife Gardens. In 2009 Country Calendar completed a story on MonavalePaul & Mieke made a strategic decision to farm their orchard Blueberries highlighting its humble beginnings to now beingorganically for a number of reasons. They lived on the the largest certified organic blueberry orchard in Australasia.property, so they did not want any chemicals. Paul, throughhis previous work experiences, had also experienced first-hand Monavale Blueberries currently employ over 150 seasonalwhat chemicals had done to the land and his health, so knew employees, as well as 15 full time staff. They produce overhe did not want to farm in this manner. They also wanted to 200 tonne of organic blueberries and now have 110 acres infarm their land in an environmentally sustainable, natural and blueberries. They have planted over 80,000 blueberry busheschemical free way and wanted to provide those who wish to on their orchard, growing over 20 different varieties. It takeseat healthily with a good quality organically certified product. approximately 4 years before a blueberry bush produces.Monavale Blueberries are BioGro NZ organically certified. Each bush is hand weeded several times a year. Their organic blueberries are sold all over the world, including Asia andBlueberries seemed to grow well on the peat bog, which is over 8 Australia, as well as locally in New Zealand. They are soldmeters deep in places, so more blueberries were planted on the under their Driscolls Organic, Irresistiblue and Monavale Blueorchard and the other crops were slowly phased out. Paul & Mieke labels. They also attend the Cambridge & Hamilton Farmerspurchased a neighbouring 10-acre block in 1989 and slowly began to Markets every weekend during the harvest period. They havedevelop this land into a viable orchard block. In 1991, they purchased developed several secondary products from their organica further 10 acres on the corner of Wallace & Turkington Roads. blueberries including, Organic Blueberry Powder; Organic Blueberry & Apple Juice; Monavale Pressed Organic BlueberriesIn 1990, Marco & his wife Kath, while living in the UK, bought (100% pure organic blueberry juice) and organic blueberrya further neighbouring 10-acre block, and developed the land. jam, spread, salad dressing, sauce & chutney.Marco had obtained a degree in Engineering at AucklandUniversity and was working as a Civil Engineer in the UK.24 seasons

In December 2009, Café Irresistiblue was opened, after a long The focus of the café is of course the delicious organicheld dream of the family, so that more people could enjoy blueberries and organic blueberry products, as well as otherthe beauty of the area and see the orchard. Paul & Richard products sourced organically or locally or both, where possible.handcrafted all of the wooden tables within the cafe and There is a fantastic all-day menu as well as delicious cabinetthere are many other unique features in the cafe, including options. The cafe has extensive views over the orchard,wrought iron chandeliers, specially designed leadlight window, as well as stunning views towards Pirongia, Kakepuku andlarge wooden decks, wooden panelling, and an antique copper Maungatautari mountains. Huge decks and large windowscollection on display. give you the ability to sit and enjoy the views, whether you are inside or outside.The café and orchard are situated centrally in the Waikato only10 minutes out of Cambridge, 15 minutes from Te Awamutu Now, a third generation family member, Marco & Kath’s son,and 25 minutes out of Hamilton. The cafe can cater for up to Oliver, has also joined the family business, after completing60 guests. With high ceilings and a rustic, country feel, this a Diploma in Horticulture and Horticulture Management atcafe is a great place to visit, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee and Lincoln University. Paul (now 75) and Mieke (now 72) are stilla meal, overlooking the organic blueberry orchard. actively involved in the business.at Monavale Blueberries 156 Turkington Road 07 834 3501 Monavale, Cambridge Open All Year 7 days / 9am - 4.30pm www.cafeirresistiblue.co.nzCome and enjoy a delicious meal and amazing viewsGreat All Day menu, Christmas function menus, as well as cabinet options.Orchard Shop onsite, with a fabulous range of organic blueberry productsincluding fresh, frozen, juice, jam, spread, chutney, salad dressing, sauceand more! A range of organic blueberry Christmas gifts also available.Signposted off the Cambridge – Te Awamutu Road“It’s Simply Irresistiblue”Visit www.cafeirresistiblue.co.nz for more information or phone us on 07 834 3501 seasons 25

Needsuspicious- looking- Santainsurance? We’re right here.At AMI we’re right here in yourcommunity with six branches and26 local consultants in the Waikatoarea to help make sure the thingsyou treasure are covered.And when the unexpected does happen, we’re right here to help get you backon your feet. Come and see the team today to make sure you’re covered.Cambridge 41A Victoria Street 07-823 0150Te Rapa 1 Pacific Drive, The Base, Hamilton 07-852 5800Hamilton Cnr London & Anglesea Streets 07-838 2579Matamata 47 Arawa Street 07-888 8860Te Awamutu 61 Alexandra St 07-871 7338Thames 100 Mary St 07-867 9110Open 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday26 seasons

The team at AMI want to share sometop tips for keeping your belongingssafe and secure this summer.As we all know summer is a wonderful time of year and many of us take the chance to enjoy time away with family andfriends, retire to the bach or head overseas. Unfortunately the Christmas and holiday season is also the time of year thievescan be their most activeSo how can you minimise the risk of this kind of intrusion happening to you?Be aware Lock garden sheds and garagesThe easiest and simplest way is to make sure you have Sheds and garages are often left unlocked, make suresecured your property before leaving the house or going your tools and sporting equipment have as muchto bed. In the hotter months it’s tempting to keep a protection as your indoor contents. Tools in sheds, boltwindow open at night, but thieves can be opportunistic cutters for example, can also provide thieves with theand rely on easy ways in. Even if you are at home during means to break into your home. Make sure don’t leavethe day, be aware that it only takes seconds for someone ‘wheely valuables’ like prams and bikes outside.to walk in and take something while you’re in anotherpart of the property. Light it upDon’t advertise Sensor lights can be a simple way to ensure peace of mind and help deter anyone lurking around yourWhen listing on online auction sites such as Trademe, property. They also provide visibility to areas wheremake sure pictures of the product don’t include any security cameras are installed.unique features of your home or the area you livein. Same goes for leaving empty boxes of expensive While you’re awayelectronics on your curbside visible before rubbish day,you are essentially creating a shopping list of items • Don’t advertise the fact you are away publicly onto nab. social media.Don’t leave keys outside • Ask a neighbour to collect mail so that your mailbox is not overflowing – a sure sign you’re not home.Whilst it can be handy to have a spare somewhere easilyaccessible, thieves generally know all the good hiding • Get someone to mow the lawns for you if you’respots – so don’t take the risk, even just as a one off. Keys away for longer than a week or two.are easily copied so never give one out to a tradesperson. • Employ a security company to monitor your homeTOP TIP: Leaving a spare key with a trusted friend or and send the appropriate response team when anfamily member ensures you have an option if you are alarm is activated. This is a good option if you areever locked out. away from home a lot.Sound the alarm Create a network and a recordProfessionally installed alarm systems are still one of the AMI is pleased to partner with Neighbourly – a free,most effective forms of home protection. private social networking website that encourages safety, community and interaction between neighbours andGOOD TO KNOW: A professionally installed alarm could neighbourhoods.save you money on your insurance, if you have recently While you’re there, check out Neighbourly’s Homeadded a home alarm to your property, make sure you Contents Locker – a secure, online ‘locker’ where you’reupdate your policy details. able to log your contents with pictures, descriptions, serial numbers, warranty details and more. This is a greatLock back and side gates way to keep track of your possessions, and is a great help to police and your insurer if the worst does happen.Thieves love side and back entrances to homes, becausethey provide hidden access to your home. Take measures ami.co.nzto make sure these entrances are hard to access withsturdy bolts. You could also stick a bell or chime to yourgate alerting you to the fact someone is entering. seasons 27

CHOICES OPTIONS DECISIONS DECISIONS DECISIONS IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING AND STRESSFUL WHEN CONSIDERING TO SELL YOUR BIGGEST ASSET.Whether it’s your much loved family home, full of memories With this in mind, Fair & Square Property group offers anand good times, or a strategic rental investment ready to be additional string to that golden private sale bow. Thankfully,cashed in, the many processes, options, choices, and decisions we don’t charge you any commission, nor do we ask you forare often at the forefront of your mind. money to market your property, and there will be no need to hold an open home. In addition we do not act as real estateWhether it’s the only home you’ve ever owned or a rental agents and thus we don’t sell on your behalf.portfolio built up over the years, you will still ultimately bethinking about how to best maximize the sale. Selling really Fair and Square is a small group of highly experienced privatecomes down to you and/or your family being ready to commit investors purchasing property directly from the home owner.and take the next steps. We have access to all the latest sales and statistics and keep well up-to-date on what’s happening in the market and in your street,There is an enormous amount of information available on the in real-time. We offer a no pressure service working to yourvaried ways to sell property; however, this can be extremely personal timescale however long that may be, and always withintime consuming when taking into account the entire process your conditions and at a pace you’re most comfortable with.i.e., the advertising, auctioning, tenders, set-sale dates, and theongoing negotiations. As overwhelming as it may seem, the The process is simple, straightforward, and streamlined intwo biggest choices you will be faced with are: such a way that soon after we meet with you and view your property we will make you an offer. After you are satisfied, our1. Do I sell via a real estate agency? written offer will be sent to your lawyer for approval before it is finalised, agreed upon, or signed for.2. Should I sell it myself privately? This really is an effective no fuss way of selling your home. The bestIncreasingly, more people are now going down the private- thing to do is to simply try our service and experience the ease ofsale route; which has gained its momentum and popularity this alternative option under no obligation. Feel free to give us athrough websites such as Trademe, Homesell, and other call as we would love the opportunity to discuss your future plans.private sale providers.Thinking of Selling? Private sale no commission sellingGive us a call today to see how we canhelp you with your property needs. • Retiring • RelocatingGlenn 021 518 702 | Helen 021 133 5713 | Sam 021 0228 5027 • Downsizing, empty nesting • Had enough of your tenants • Change in life circumstance • Desire for extra income • Cashing in a nest egg • Property maintenance getting too much Glenn, Helen and Sam are a professional private property team based in the Waikato, specializing in buying homes privately with no commission or advertising fee. We provide fair market evaluation based on current market values, a stress free buying and selling process, and timescale catered to your individual circumstances. We buy property in any condition, act quickly when needed and enjoy a good cup of tea while talking through your needs.28 seasons

Don't be aGRINCHthis ChristmasWe all have had those Christmas days that we wish He discovers the joy of giving and the rewards and pleasurewe could put behind us, as not always is Christmas received by helping and supporting others.day a wonderful experience for everyone. This year, we at Seasons Magazine would ask as we move into thisThe media and retail hype convey the joys of Christmas to all via time of year that can be very stressful for many, that our readersTV, radio and all types of advertisements and programs showing set an example, look around and take note of that neighbour,the miracle of Christmas, and this is wonderful! friend or even stranger that is less fortunate than yourself. Reach out in some small way to bring a smile to their lives such as visitingHowever, not everyone feels this way at this special time of that neighbour with a ‘Merry Christmas’ and a small card orthe year due to many different reasons, such as divorce and making a packed dinner for those less fortunate, or even offeringseparation of families on the rise. Many families in NZ are to mow the lawn for the elderly that have no-one else at this time.struggling to keep afloat with paying their day to day bills, notto mention the unfortunate members of our communities who The one thing that I consider a miracle at Christmas is our ownhave also been displaced and left alone, and the Christmas spirit ability to bring a little joy to others for very little effort but enoughseems very far away. to make their day a little brighter and bring some of that joy to their lives as well.For those that remember the story / movie made popular by “DrSeuss”, ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’, the Grinch is opposed You will find even if you have had some rough Christmas paststo the holiday (Christmas), and comes down to a local town to that bringing joy to someone else makes your Christmas onesabotage it for all as it brings terrible memories for himself, to remember with a smile at someone else’s surprise andand with that he wishes to pass that on to all others as well as thankfulness for the effort you made for them.revenge for his past slights at this time of year. PS: Please support your local food banks and toy drives if you can,However for all that know this story, the Grinch finds himself in as there are many participating supermarkets and many in need.the end cared for by the same community that he blames for his Let’s make going into 2017 a little brighter for all young and old.woes, and has an about face on his thoughts of Christmas. Merry Christmas one and all. seasons 29

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Celebrate theSeasonTwo of New Zealand's foremost professional singers will frontthe Celebrate the Season Christmas Concert in support ofHospice Waikato.Tim Beveridge and Julia Booth have many things in commonand among them is singing the national anthem at theopening of All Black's games.Tim Beveridge’s career has progressed in leaps and bounds As the daughter of two Kiwis who had moved to Canada in thesince he abandoned his life as a lawyer some years ago. Starting 1970s, Julia felt the call of her ancestry and returned to madein musical theatre, he was one of the youngest performers to New Zealand her home in 2003. She completed a Master ofplay the Phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera” in Sydney Music at the University of Waikato. She continued her studyat the early age of 29. He then appeared on the world stage and performance in Florence and Rome and has performedby winning a place in the final of the world’s most prestigious extensively across New Zealand with leading orchestras andmusical theatre competition in 2000 and 2002 – the only taken many leading roles in opera and musical theatre.person ever to appear in two consecutive finals. Julia has performed original works by numerous New ZealandTim has sung in every major venue throughout New Zealand as composers and maintains a busy teaching studio from home,well as the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Concert Hall at St Peter's School in Cambridge and Wintec in Hamilton.with well-known New Zealand performers such as Sir Howard Recently, Julia was invited to present a masterclass, lectureMorrison, Dame Malvina Major and Hayley Westenra. and perform as the inaugural guest speaker for the Music Innovation Trust of Taranaki.His numerous concert appearances include performingas soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Celebrate the Season Christmas Concert featuring TimChristchurch Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia. Beveridge and Julia Booth will perform at Southwell School,Other principal roles in musical theatre include the Thursday December 8th at 7pm, $45 per person. Bookings canAustralasian premiere of Sunset Boulevard in Melbourne in be made through the website: www.hospicewaikato.org.nz orthe Australian/NZ tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Throughout call Ellie 07 859 1250.NZ, Tim’s performances also include principal roles in LesMiserables, Evita, Me and My Girl, Anything Goes and Carousel. Further ways to support Hospice Waikato include buying a 'Memory Star' by making a donation to Hospice Waikato at theTim Beveridge is also an independent concert producer and staged Coffee Post, SkyCity Hamilton. Donors can write messages orconcerts throughout New Zealand with his Neophonic Orchestra. draw pictures on the Memory Stars which they can hang on the Garden Place Christmas Tree between 6pm and 7.30pmIt wasn't voice that began Julia Booth's musical journey, but a Saturday December 3 or leave them at the Coffee outlet incombination of violin, piano and ukulele. But it was her voice SkyCity and Hospice supporters will hang them.that quickly became her instrument of choice and profession. The Hamilton Christmas Parade is a must-do Christmas experience for the young and the young- Geoff Lewis at-heart. This year around 80 floats are expected to parade down Anglesea St on Sunday December 11 from 3pm. Carols by Candlelight will be held at Claudelands on December 17th from 4.30pm to 7pm. Hospice Waikato will be selling battery-powered candles at this event. seasons 31

papeWhrenzone re-opens in February after the Christmas break Hamilton will have a fabulous new CREATIVE CRAFT CENTRE in the existing Paperzone premises in Frankton a redesign of the shop will give us MUCH MORE SPACE enabling us to offer extra day/night/weekend classes and fun events with our two very talented teachers TRACEY AND SHARON The new space will allow us to cater for larger and more diverse classes and we welcome enquiries from retirement villages, rest homes, work groups and all paper crafters wanting a fun, creative time.Classes will include scrap booking, card-making, off the pageand mixed media and of course all your favourite Paperzone products, including our own Paper-Arts brand, will still be available in store and online. So to join in the fun and laughter contact either Patsy - patsy@paperzone.co.nz Tracey - tjscrapping@gmail.co.nz or call 027 646 6733 Paperzone Spreading the love of paper crafts The Corner Shop, Hotel Frankton Building Corner Commerce and High Streets, Hamiltonpaperzone www.paperzone.co.nz

Salvation Army Visitors Improve Life for Seniors \"This woman is a rare person, one in a million\" - so says Hilda Ross Village resident June Boyce of her Salvation Army senior services visitor Val Callagher.Val had been a residents' advocate The Hamilton programme was launched The people we help are often 'shut-ins'at the Eventhorpe home for 9 years this time last year and follows similar - people who no longer come to churchworking between the residents and the programmes in Auckland, Whangarei but are living in their own homes or inmanagement before moving to help out and Wellington. retirement villages.\"with the Salvation Army's senior services.She also acts as a host at the Waikato The aim of Senior Services is to provide \"Our volunteers are of all ages fromHospital one day a week and does friendship and help to older people teenagers upwards. We started withalternate weeks visiting at Hilda Ross living by themselves. The programme church and Salvation Army members butor visiting another older person in their is a free service that arranges support have expanded to include people cominghome. ''I get pleasure from helping people to enhance the quality of life and social through Volunteering Waikato and someand caring for people. I've always been well-being of lonely and isolated people. high schools. It particularly suits peopleinterested in caring for elderly people.'' The Hamilton programme currently in their early retirement years who have has 59 clients and 42 volunteer helpers. a bit of spare time and are closer to theVal met June about five months ago Some helpers visit more than one client. age of our clients. We also do a bit ofthrough Val's step-daughter, Salvation advocacy for the clients with health careArmy Senior Services Co-ordinator Bev \"Clients are often referred by services services, help attending appointmentsParkinson. June, 88, grew up in farming like Home Care, which was a Salvation and sometimes with social agenciesfamily near Whitehall and worked for Army service but was recently sold to the around problems with benefits.\"the Public Trust and the Department of Baptists. We also get referrals throughLands and Survey. She has lived at Hilda Older Person Rehabilitation services at The Senior Services Programme is aRoss Village for the past 10 years. Waikato Hospital and individuals known free service that arranges support to to us within the church. enhance the quality of life and socialHamilton's Salvation Army Senior well-being of lonely and isolated people.Services can trace its origins to theGovernment's tightening of regulations Anyone interested in becoming aaround age care facilities which forced volunteer for the Salvation Army'sthe Salvation Army to divest itself of its Senior Services can call Beverly on 07retirement homes. \"The money saved was 834 7015. She is based at the Salvationre-invested into its Hamilton Community Army's Community Ministries in LondonMinistries' Senior Services Programme\", St, Hamilton.says Co-ordinator Beverly Parkinson. Geoff Lewis seasons 33

Tips for healthy, sparkling pool waterLast month we talked about opening pools ready for the summer As the demand comes on the pool due to heat and extra bathers –swimming season. This month is all about how to keep that water you may have to think about lifting your chlorine dose to cope. If it ishealthy, sparkling and inviting by using the simple Bioguard 3 really hot you may have to increase chlorine doses by 50%.Step Program that only takes about 5 minutes a week, along witha few helpful tips. Once a month take a sample into Maurice’s Pools & Spas for testing to keep you on target – sooner if you start to have an issue.1. Ensure healthy water We also have the latest in automation products to take the hard workRegularly chlorinate the water to kill germs and bacteria by using out of your pool:-Power Chlor for daily dosing, Smart Sticks weekly in skimmer or PowerTabs fortnightly using an inline tablet feeder. Salt Chlorinators & pH Controllers2. Have sparkling clear water Switching to a salt pool is an easy step using a Zodiac Tri-XO – in layman’s terms you have a chlorine manufacturing plant in your poolShock dose the pool weekly using Lite, this removes wastes that cloud shed that produces chlorine from salt when your pump is running andthe water and reduce the effectiveness of chlorine. Importantly you dispenses it into the pool. These units can also be easily crossed overcan swim 1 hour after dosing. to mineral salts if you so wish without having to change your unit. A pH controller can be easily added that keeps the pH at the ideal level.3. Prevent algae growth Tablet FeedersWeekly addition of specialty algaecide—this will ensure algae nevergets a foothold and prevents unnecessary and costly algae clean-ups. Add a tablet feeder – keep it topped up with chlorine tablets and when your pump & filter is running the tablets dissolve and dispenseFollow the above 3 Step routine and it will take less work and cost less chlorine into the pool – a simple flow controller enables you to set theto keep your pool looking good—giving you more time to enjoy it! correct flow rate for your pool.Some helpful tips: Automatic Pool CleanersWhen the heat comes on – make sure you are filtering and circulating Don’t have the time to always be out vacuuming dirt and dust out ofyour water for at least 10-12 hours per day. The more your pool water the pool we have both suction and robotic cleaners to do this job.is circulated the less likely anything can settle and take off when theconditions are right. If the pool is heated you should increase running As well as this you can also have the added benefit of a pool cover andtimes earlier in the season. roller system- the options are endless for working less and enjoying your pool.Brush sides and dead spots once a week and empty your skimmerbaskets –don’t forget to check the basket at the pump end as well. For more advice just call into one of our showrooms, our staff are more than happy to help. DOES YOUR POOL LOOK LIKE THIS? IF NOT, THEN IT’S TIME TO BRING IN A WATER SAMPLEYOUR POOL AND SPA SPECIALISTSComputerised Water AnalysisEasy to Follow 3 Step ProgrammeAll Chemicals & AccessoriesPLUSSalt ChlorinatorsAutomatic Pool DosingPool Cleaners - Suction & RoboticCoversParts & PlumbingFilters, Pumps & MotorsHeat Pumpswww.maurices.co.nz 4 Manchester Place 25 Albert Street Te Rapa, Hamilton Cambridge 07 850 6106 07 827 860034 seasons

Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer on a traditional E bikes will add years of cycling to people’s lives, will allow lovedbike. The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune, Or to take ones to ride together again, get the blood pumping and enableArms against a Sea of troubles by riding an e bike, And get out the pure joy of seeing the world from a bike.there by opposing end them: to die, to sleep or better ride inwonderful peace. What is Pedal Assist and how does it work?Ok, Hamlet may be somewhat removed from the joys of The technology with most bikes offers various power assistcycling and the great outdoors but the question is being asked options from just a little help to quite a bit of power assistance.by many, To E or not to E. E, the E or electric bike has become On a moderate level of assistance selected, you get what feelsa serious option for an increasing number of recreational bike like a similar level of assist to the effort you are applying on theriders. In simple terms there are fundamentally two E bikes, pedals, it feels like 1 +1 =2. On flat terrain the pedal assist is greatthrottle and pedal assist. Throttle power provides the option but when you get to a hill great becomes wonderful. The typicalof being powered independently from any form of pedalling, rigorous pedal strokes on the uphill melt away and you feelpedal assist as the term suggests is power delivered while like you are gliding along. Pedal assist requires the rider to putpedalling. Both options have their place, throttle assist is some effort in but in effect means you can ride longer, steeperprobably better suited to an urban environment and pedal and faster with less effort and discomfort. E bikes provide goodassist is probably better suited to off road trails. Both require distance from a charge and are cost effective and easy to recare with the wattage at your fingertips. charge. Many bike stores now have an E bike range on the floor.There are numerous E bike brands and styles on the New If you would like to test ride an E bike, Waikato River Trails withZealand Market. Prices spotted from $799 to over $12,000. support from Major Sponsor Mercury are pleased to offer ESome models look overtly like an E bike with bulging battery Bike hire. Mercury customers can enjoy a 50% discount on dailyattached while many models now look more integrated and hire rates. This opportunity will provide a genuine taste of whatmaybe just a bit cooler. the E bike experience feels like. So if you are thinking of buying an E bike or are just curious come and ride on the beautifulThe E bike experience when first enjoyed is one of pure Waikato River Trails on an E bike over the summer.exhilaration. Think of the first kiss with the love of your life.Ok, so subsequent kisses may not be quite as spectacular but If you are keen to experience a wonderful e bike journey visitjust like relationships as long as you love and maintain your E our website for more details www.waikatorivertrails.com.bike you will sustain years of ongoing pleasure. If we can help, please contact our expert knowledgeable team for advice. Ph 0800 Tri WRT 0800 874 978.It’s Christmas Time! Pop into CyclePro and check out Santa wants an E bike our Christmas bike specials sta$Wr1ti9nO9gW9fro!m Your one stop repair specialist.Contact Franc Try before you buy or Lease to buy Have your bike serviced from options for E bikes $59.99101 Pukete Road, Hamilton 3200 | (07) 849 6676 or 027 272 7877 | abikedoctor@cyclepro.co.nz Excl parts and fitting 100% Guaranteed workshop Receive 1 free coffee voucher with every bike service with this coupon exp 31/12/2016 seasons 35

Fabric100available in overCOLOURS Offers valid until 31 January 2016 Warranty MIRA $199915 YEARS Frame SAVE $90010 YEARS Seat foam 3 seater + 2 seater Includes 4 x 45cm square cushions.5 YEARS Back cushions MAGGIE Powered recliner chair Available in 2 colour options. $399 Bed and accessories not included. $299MOANA 2 drawer bedside NOW SAVE $100 $6995 drawer tallboy NOW Also available in SAVE $400ELECTRIC SAVE $400 Dark Oak stain Light Oak stain Rimu stain $299Queen headboard NOW SAVE $100MOTIONADELAIDERANGE $O5N9LY9 $O4N9LY9 3 door buffet Corner display unit $O3N9LY9 Coffee table ONLY 2 door buffet $O9N9LY9 7 piece dining suite $499ONLY TV unit (150cm)$399 Accessories not included. NEW ZEALAND'S favourite FURNITURE STORECnr Church and Te Rapa Roads, Hamilton • Phone 07 849 9488 • OPEN 7 DAYS www.bigsave.co.nz

Thinking Back Some of you travelled far away Not knowing what the people had to say,No doubt you remember the beeping alarm Seeing wonderful scenery in countries afarSummoning feet on the floor and a stretch of the arm, And in many photos being a star.And preparing for what lay ahead in the dayBefore heading out to face the fray. Where would we be without those who sold A variety of items in numbers untold,Some of you dressed in collar and tie Food, some healthy and some not quite soWhile others under the car had to lie. But the favourite for most was that made from dough.Some had desks with papers in pilesIdentifying jobs of varying styles. Were you a teacher, preacher, a lawyer or nurse Feeling the job was simply to fill the purse,Others of us wore flash jackets and shirt Or were you someone who enjoyed a careerAnd made sure we weren’t out in the dirt, That to your heart was very dear.But some found gloves to pull out the weedsThat had grown where wind had spread the seeds. Now days can be spent more with family and friend A helping hand at times you can lend.You could be one to recall theatre light The days of paid work hold some memories untoldTrying to save lives with all your might, And when time is right some to others you might unfold.Or maybe you drew up fantastic designsFor buildings that later displayed special signs. Delwyn White • Readers SubmissionPrint it or lose it“Print it or lose it” is a tag line Don Lindale has been using for many years.With the advent of digital cameras and more recently smartphones which have picture taking capability, millions of photos arebeing taken every day. But very few are being printed. This is purestupidity! We don’t suggest for a minute that every photo needs tobe printed but those of your family and family events or overseasholidays should be printed and kept for your descendants.Compters crash, cell phones are lost or stolen, cloud services canbe hacked or closed down –just think of all the millions of photosthat were stored on Megaupload which was closed down by theUSA government in their claims against Kim Dotcom and now lostforever.Family photos are very important for your family history so havethose that are important printed on quality photographic papersuch as used at Lindale’s Fujifilm Image Service.Lindale’s can make quality reproductions of those old photos storedin your grandparents shoe boxes so they are saved for posterity.They also restore damaged photos to original quality or manipulatedto remove unwanted backgrounds, people and objects. They canalso add people who were not in a family group photo, such as thephotographer who took the photograph.If you have ripped, torn, water damaged, faded creased photo goto the local experts - Lindale’s Fujifilm Image Service to have yourprecious images restored.Just mention our advert in the December issue of Seasons Magazineand you will receive a 25% discount on your copy photos.So remember “Print it or Lose it” seasons 37

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF AN EXECUTOR? Have you been asked to be Executor of a Will? It pays to know what you’ve signed up for.Research* commissioned by Public Trust provides new insight a legal responsibility to manage the distribution of the estate,into the responsibilities carried out by individuals named as ensuring everything is finalised in accordance with the Will.executors of a Will and the challenges they face. Even less realise they’re personally liable and in a worst case scenario could be sued if things don’t go to plan,” says Matt.The research found that ‘feeling honoured’ to be asked or‘feeling obligated’ to take on the responsibility were the Locating beneficiaries, filing tax returns, re-homing pets,primary motivations for accepting the role of Executor. Most resolving disputes between beneficiaries and advertising forpeople agreed that they had very little knowledge of what creditors were some of the tasks Executors were unawarethey’d agreed to undertake. they’d have to complete.Public Trust, General Manager Retail, Matt Sale says this “Unsurprisingly not all Executors were aware they would havewillingness to take on the role of Executor without being aware to apply for probate as part of their duties. This is the processof what’s involved is reflective of New Zealander’s readiness of legally validating the Will and obtaining legal authority fromto help family and friends, but also reflective of their lack of the High Court to deal with the estate - it’s a legal requirementunderstanding when it comes to estate planning. for estates with $15,000 or more in assets.”“What people don’t realise is that they have signed up for a job with On average it took Executors well over 50 hours to completelegal obligations and a number of difficult and time-consuming all their tasks and finalise the estate. Most Executors were notresponsibilities, during a time when their energy could be better compensated for their time and some had to pay for additional nonused grieving, and supporting family or friends,” says Matt. recoverable costs out of their own pocket as result of their duties.Not understanding the process or what is involved in being “That’s a big time commitment, most of us wouldn’t willinglyan Executor was the biggest challenge identified through the give up a week's holiday or work for free for over a week, yetresearch. Other difficulties included not having sufficient legal that’s the expectation on private Executors.”knowledge, the time commitment, paying bills and sellingassets, and having to manage the expectations of beneficiaries, 75% of Executors were also beneficiaries of the estate, whichall during a time of grief. can further complicate matters according to Public Trust.“Only some Executors are aware of the tasks they’ll need to “When it comes to money and emotion, people can becarry out on behalf of the estate. Many don’t know they have unpredictable. Family relationships can become strained and even break down completely during the estate administration process.38 seasons

“Trustworthiness is the number one quality people look for Executor Assist is a service exclusive to Public Trust that is de-when selecting an Executor. When you think about the people signed to take care of some or all of the estate administrationwe trust most, they are usually those who are closest to us – so process for Executors.it’s easy to understand why so many Executors are alsobeneficiaries,” explains Matt. “The great thing about this service is that the Execu- tor doesn’t have to give up control, they still haveOther traits that rated highly were objectiv- the decision making power and we work withity and fairness, as well as organisational them, quietly and efficiently in the backskills. Less considered were availability, ground to ensure their job is easier,” sayslegal skills and knowledge, and interper- Matt.sonal skills. To find out how Executor Assist can help“What this research has cemented for you, contact 0800 783 932. Alternatively,us is that there is a real demand from you can visit your local Public Trust branchExecutors for professional, independent – click here to find the closest to you. www.advice and assistance during the estate publictrust.co.nz/contact-us2/find-usadministration process.” *The Public Trust Executor research was conducted by TNS, a mar-95% of the Executors surveyed by Public Trust ket research company. The purpose of the research was to understandsaid they needed help or support to complete their du- opinions, responsibilities and challenges to being named a private executor of aties and Matt believes Public Trust is uniquely positioned to pro- Will. Online interviews were open for one week to New Zealand residents, agedvide that assistance. 18+, who had served as an Executor in the last five years, surveying a total sample size of n=153.“Estate administration is our core business, we’ve been doing itfor over 140 years; we manage over 2000 simple and complexestates annually. We know that being an Executor is a signif-icant responsibility so there’s no shame in asking for help. It’ssomething we’re proud to provide through Executor Assist.”Mobile Denture ServicePeter J. Pickin NZIDTA REG CLINICAL DENTAL TECHNICIANWith two clinics in Dinsdale, Hamilton and Mahoe St Te Awamutu 12 months interest free with Q Card• Peter has over 35 years experience• We use superior quality German teeth, which are extremely hard wearing and look great• Peter completes every stage himself, for a superior look and fit.• Our prices are very competitive - quality you can afford• Free cleaning kits (valued at $50) with every new denture• Free consultations• Free parkingLet us transform you, with comfortabledentures and a beautiful smileCall Free: 0800 000 284 | www.mobiledentureservice.co.nz seasons 39

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Merry Christmas from Ebbett SkodaIt is difficult to believe that yet another year has almost past. Our changing roading systems and the volume of traffic are both issues we should be considering as we prepare to travel.I heard it described to me years ago that when we were young If you do not have a satellite navigation system in your car orand starting school at 5 years old, a year was 20% of the life on your phone we would recommend these as being a goodwe had lived and therefore seemed to take forever to get from way to be able to plan the trip and pick up road changes andChristmas to Christmas, which naturally suggests that as we get potential travel delays en route and hopefully avoid any stress“more mature” the shorter each year feels as it represents a much through “running late” for the BBQ or Christmas dinner.smaller percentage of the life we live. That’s my logic anyway! Always allow time for stops on the way and take plenty of2016 has however been very eventful for Skoda and for Ebbett Skoda. water and snacks to help keep comfortable while travelling. The traffic invariably will be moving slower than usual, this isSkoda in New Zealand has gone from strength to strength best handled by just going with the flow and being patient.setting new records in terms of national sales, as have we As Kiwis, we have a reputation for being lovely people, rightwithin our region. For this we are very grateful for the trust up until we get behind the wheel at which point we tend toshown in us by our Clients and we thank you all for the support become the Mr Hide to our usual Dr Jekyll, so keeping stressyou have shown to us and to the Skoda Brand. levels down and comfort levels up is always helpful.We also launched new models in late 2015 which have As far as the car is concerned, let’s just make sure we do thebecome significant models for us during 2016 , specifically normal pre summer checks. Ideally through the garage, butthe new Skoda Superb, which is true to its name having if not make sure you check: Oil level and condition (changebeen nominated for Car of the Year awards both here (not oil and filter if you are nearing the scheduled service on timeannounced at the time of writing) and overseas. or distance) likewise, power steering fluid levels and coolant. Check tyres for wear and if it’s been a while since you hadWe also moved house, which as we know from our own the tyres rotated, balanced and the car wheels aligned, now’spersonal experiences, is not always as easy as we may think. the time to do it. Doing this also allows for the tyre shop toThis move has all been good news for us as well as for our check the brakes and they can usually do a health check onclients who can now view our full range of models undercover the battery which along with keys being lost or taken forand enjoy a huge selection of both new, demo and used unplanned swims, are the most common call out issues facedvehicles on display. Arguably one of the most recognisable over the summer period. A good idea if you do none of theselocations in Hamilton on the corner of Thackeray and Anglesea is to put the car through for a WOF inspection as this will byStreets, the Skoda signage is hard to miss. default pick up some of this items and check that all lights wipers etc are up to standard.2017 is set to be an even more exciting year looking forward aswe plan for more new models (including the Kodiaq 7 seater Above all else though, stay safe and enjoy the Christmas andSUV) and developments within the brand. New Year season and we look forward to talking about all things Skoda with you in the new year.Thinking about Christmas, we are again reminded that as aNation we tend to travel more over this period than at any Best wishes from the Team at Ebbett Skoda.other time of the year as we look to spend this time withFamily and Friends, often in surroundings we are less familiarwith or which have changed since we last visited.

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Banking Choices • We are identified at the branch by photo ID brought up by the ATM/Visa Debit card. • Travelex telegraphic transfers are cheaper than through Readers Submission the 'big bank'. • Interest rates on term deposits are a little better than I was offered a copy of Seasons Magazine at Village Organics the 'big bank'. Frankton last Friday. I read the article ‘Millionaire Dreaming’ When our children moved to Australia, we asked First Credit and saw it as a cathartic rant by the writer. We also bank with Union to suggest a Credit Union for us to join in Australia, a major bank as that is where my husband's pay cheques were leading to a 10 year relationship with Power State Credit Union deposited from the time we were married nearly 50 years (now Credit Union SA - CUSA - following a merger with another ago. But we have used other banks from time to time and for Credit Union). various reasons. Once, so that we could give a different bank's Having a bank account in Australia means that we do not pay credit card to our daughter going off to university as a joint the onerous fees for Visa and ATM transactions while overseas card so we could easily track her spending. We were very happy and budget by sending our spending money ahead (also useful as she always stayed within her quite limited budget, and now for internet purchases from Australia, even when shipped to we are happy to have given her enduring power of attorney, New Zealand). ready for it if and when the need arises. CUSA runs regular free seminars for retirement planning, However, thCeUSaTrOtMicElRe: inRSEeAaLsAoCnCsOMUNagTIaNzGine made no mention oPRfOtOhFeTIME an1d2/p0r4o/2v0id16es7:o2n2:e03frpe.em.appointment with financial planners in other optioRnEsPwIDe: haveTa4p0a5rt from the 'big banks' such as RegLiAoSnTaRlUN: th0e4/s1a5m/1e6 building. CUSA have also been am1a0z3in2g9l9y0h6eAlpAful Savings Banks, Public Service Bank, Kiwibank and Credit UnionSIsZE. : wi9tXh2our children's property purchases (free property reports When my husband retired, I asked our 'big bank' to talk to us and valuations), and the interest rates for mortgage money about ethical investment of his superannuation fund. I was not compares very favourably with the 'big banks'. happy with the answers. Over the years we had tried financial South Australia uses conveyancers rather than lawyers forG advisors with mixed results, although we always learned from property transactions and the Conveyancer in the CUSA twhiethetxhpeerpieenrcceePSLnsARIZt.SOEaWTO:gFReeUTNIcMo:oEfnCsaid019n42Xea//2rd01ei45da//n21a60sC1w6reh7do:2itb2Ua:0nn3kiopw.nmi,t.bheCinregdimit pUrneisosnesd, and liking the idea that the members are supported in a pr1em03is2e9s9, a0n6AinAdependent business, has provided invaluable advice and support in a different Real Estate environment. personalised way by the funds deposited by members. This resulted in our son winning a contract on a house with the third highest offer as he was able to offer one week So we went to First Credit Union with the super fund money. settlement using his pre-approval for mortgage finance, and Our experience has been outstanding, and compares very the conveyancer's promise to get the conveyancing completed favourably with the ongoing relationship with our 'big bank'. before Christmas. We still enjoy our dealings with our 'big bank'. The staff are cheerful and helpful and seem to be amazingly stable. They were very supportive through the time I was learning internet banking. For the first year, I used a terminal in the branch in case I needed to ask any questions, but that is all going well now, with internet access much improved in our area compared to earlier days. I have to say that I enjoyed the ‘Millionaire Dreaming’ article about the changes winning a million dollars would make possible! Great to dream! Donna MORE THAN JUST 07 846 0909 ACCOUNTANTS…. Em: donna@rabs.co.nz BUSINESS MENTORING Donna AND MORE. Workshops Tuesdays & Thursday (7:30 to 8:30am) – various business topics, see our facebook for more details. MORE THAN JUST 07 846 0909 | Em: donna@rabs.co.nz seasons 43 ACCOUNTANTS…. Cnr West & Lincoln St, Frankton – pop in anytime. BUSINESS MENTORING

10% Gold Card We are experts in Jewellery Repair, FREE Discount Restoration & Remodelling in-store. Ring Cleaning Fabulous Christmas gifts and Inspection307 Barton St, Casabella Lane, Hamilton | 07 839 0039 | www.midasdiamondjewellers.co.nz Kauri 2000 has 2,500 new plants in the ground and now the planning begins for the 2017 season. Every tree is important, especially those that have been purchased by friends and supporters to remember a loved one, or to celebrate an occasion. With some 47,000 of them on our records, the Trustees have been discussing the best way to keep track of these young Kauri. It is important that our records are accurate and our friends and supporters are able to know where their trees have been planted. The big and bold decision has been made - Kauri 2000 is going digital! We are very excited about our new direction. The system is being created and next season the wonderful world of technology will give us the tools to send maps and identify areas for everyone to \"see\" the planting areas - virtually, of course!44 seasons

The ladies of the Country Flowers Community TrustThe St Stephen's Christmas Festival at Tamahere shows no The church hall is converted into a tea-room for the serving ofsign of waning. In fact the annual event is so popular local traditional refreshments as well as being a show room for theschool children have to take part in relays, says local minister work of the members of the Country Flowers Community Trust.Reverend Ellen Bernstein. The trust is made up of a group of about 20 mostly olderNow in its 30th year the St Stephen's Christmas Festival offers women, who work nearly all year to create a dazzling array ofchoirs and visitors from all around the Waikato and further traditional Christmas decorations and gifts.afield the opportunity to perform traditional Christmas carols. Spokeswoman Trish Wellington said the group relied uponSchool choirs to sing during the period between December 3 donated and spare materials and all proceeds from finishedand December 20 so far include groups from Rukuhia, Ohaupo, items went to charities including the Red Cross, HospiceSilverdale, Tauwhare and Tamahere. Adult ensembles include Waikato, Bible Society, Guide Dogs NZ and the SPCA. Last yearthe choir from the Eventide Home, Venite and Mosaic from $16,000 was raised for the charities.Cambridge and the Male Voices Waikato. ''Nothing is foreign made. It's all made here by hand. There arePerformances will take place twice daily on week days - at lots of Christmas decorations and plenty of things to make you10.30am and 1.30pm - in the church building and if the smile. We start early in the year and everyone is keen to getperformance features a soloist, in the nearby church hall where back into it after Christmas,'' Trish said.the piano is kept. The group, previously housed in a barn Geoff Lewis“The St Stephen's Christmas Festival also coincides with in Windmill Rd, has used the church halltwo Tamahere Twilight Markets, 4pm to 8pm, held on the as a work room for the past two years. Stsite December 3 and December 17 which provides an ideal Stephen's Anglican Church can be foundopportunity to get some last minute Christmas gifts”, Rev at Tamahere, about five minutes driveBernstein said. south of Hamilton in SH1. Details of its Christmas Festival can be found on www.christmasfestival.nz. Hand-made gifts and decorations St Stephen's of Tamahere, Anglican minister, The Reverend Ellen Bernstein

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Beating theFestive Season BluesYou can smell the sweet scent of freshly baked Ginger Scan for the things you like and search for meaning: Perhapsbread wafting through the air, see your neighbours you are feeling negative because you don’t enjoy the holidayhanging sparkly lights around their house, and hear the season and it’s over-rated frivolity? Maybe you’re just not quitefaint sound of Christmas carols in the distance; yet, you ready yet to wrap a big bow around the end of your year yet?don’t feel all that sparkly or festive this season yourself. Or maybe you still have incomplete goals? Well, keep in mind that life is not linear and does not have to be perfect for one toChristmas is a time of year that can bring to light the enjoy it, so don’t put your happiness on hold and look for thehardships we have faced over the year and/or in life in general things that make you most happy in the present moment.(i.e. the loss of loved ones, a relationship, a pet, financialhardship, and/or other personal challenges). It may be that Build on your current relationships: When hardships hit, it’syou’d rather stay under the blankie and re-surface in January your support systems that matter most. Reach out to friend,when it’s all finally over; however, hibernating whilst everything family and loved-ones. Human connection contributesaround you is turned into a happy hallmark card is not all that greatly our overall sense of well-being. Talking helps. Make apractical, nor is it healthy for your sense of wellbeing. phone call, arrange a catch up, plan an activity with them, or even engage in some physical exercise (another amazing wayUnder this pretence I have listed a few ways that may help to bolster your feel good hormones and sense of well-being).you shift some of that energy, and at the very least remindyou that you still have the capacity for inner happiness, no Random acts of kindness: Another effective way to get outmatter how much you loathe Christmas. of your head is redirect your focus on someone else. Give back, random acts of kindness can be as simple as opening aPay Tribute: If you are challenged with a sense of loss that has door for someone or paying it forward i.e., when you buy youryou feeling empty or sad, channel these emotions into paying next coffee pay for yours and an extra one so that the nexttribute. For example, if you lost a loved one write a personal customer gets theirs free and watch your mood transform.tribute, or create a photo album you cherish and share withothers. If you experienced the loss of a relationship, redirect Open yourself to new traditions: If you have experiencedyour focus onto your own life and think about what can significant changes in your life, to the point you are unablebe done to restore your own life? If it was the loss of a pet, to enjoy the usual festive season you are used to, simplydonate some time to helping out at an animal shelter, frame start some new traditions like: What do you want youra picture, or think about getting a new one? Rather than holiday to be like this year? How can you make that happen?dwelling on your losses, look for new ways to find comfort inthe present, and do things that make you feel good. Flood the brain with humour and happiness: The best feeling is to laugh so hard you end up with tears in yourShow Gratitude: Create or purchase a gratitude diary. This eyes. Sit down and watch a comedy, read a funny book (oris a tried and tested number 1 mood enhancer. Write down 5 joke book) or hang out with a funny friend. Whatever makesthings you are grateful and thankful for throughout the day. you laugh, immerse yourself and this will help you forgetStart with a few items in the morning and the rest before about your woes. Laughter really is the best medicine.your day ends. This will help to remind you to pay moreattention to all the positive in your life. If you do need to talk to someone, just remember that you can always pick up the phone and speak to LifeLine on 0800 543 354Even during hard times, you have a choice about what you think and feel, and I hope with these suggestions you are able to discover some magical moments of joy this holiday season. Have safe, happy, and healthy festive season.So do your body a favour and call today on CHRISTMAS SPECIAL BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE(021) 0289-0545 Why not treat your loved one to a massage?or send an email enquiry to Put a voucher in their stocking and get one for yourself for 50% off!jordan@elev8wellness.co.nz Standard price for an hour and a half of deep tissue full body massage with the special and blended selection of aromatherapy oils is $100

Personal HistoriesAs much as they are a boisterous, joyous celebration of family, Journalist Kitty Axelson-Berry formed thefestive season gatherings tend to highlight life’s transient nature. It Association of Personal Historians (APH) in theis on these occasions, when multiple generations share special time United States in 1995. The non-profit groupthrough the lens of both the past and future, that we do everything has since grown to more than 650 memberspossible to capture a family’s essence in photographs or videos worldwide, all of them striving to help peopleintended to last the years. preserve their memories and biographies by creating personal histories. The APH vision isNow there is another, even better, way Waikato families can record their one in which the story of every person, family,special stories – one that is perfect as a unique family Christmas gift! community and organisation is recorded and preserved for the future.Waikato’s Samantha Cutler is launching into a new career as a Samantha has travelled, taught at tertiary level, she also haspersonal historian. She has recently become an accredited member a United Kingdom qualification to teach horse-riding, and hasof the United States-based Association of Personal Historians enjoyed a long media career in both the UK and New Zealand –(APH), and as such is poised to help families across the Waikato across print and digital.make their memories more accessible for future generations. Writing, too, has long had a place in her life.Samantha is connected to the APH through Forget-Me-Not LifeStories, a sister company of New Zealand’s Norton Company “I have always loved writing for pleasure. English was alwaysHistories. And while she stumbled into the opportunity quite my first love at school. I’ve entered a few competitions in myby accident, it is a role she believes fits like a glove. time, and even won a few,” she smiled.“I had stopped at our gate to collect the mail when I heard a As she enters this next phase as a personal historian,radio campaign calling for new writing partners. That pitch Samantha hopes this amalgam of interests and abilities willcould have been written for me… it was just what I had been be an advantage. The concept of sitting quietly with a client,looking for,” she explained. listening to personal stories and gently teasing out special memories is something she is looking forward to.A flurry of phone calls and emails followed, with Samanthadoing a good deal of investigation before buying the licence The entire process is one of trust and co-operation. It can takeand setting herself up. It was one thing for her heart to engage many months or even years to compile a personal history.with the role, but Samantha knew it had to make businesssense as well. She had been searching for a new direction while Once past the initial stages of contact, a personal historian willextricating herself from a full-time job – one of many that has meet regularly with the client to pore through photographsadded to the mesh of skills she brings to the role. and other memorabilia, and record conversations of past events. Clients are provided with cards on which they can jot“Everything I have done over the years will help me as a down memories between meetings. They may also choose topersonal historian,” she said. complete a life graph that tracks important ‘turning points’ in their life as periods of time that have had either positive or negative effects on them.Newly-minted personal historian Samantha Cutler with the Iris Phillips and her family at the presentation of the bookthree different options on offer to those wanting to record containing her family history.their family history.48 seasons

“This helps them to direct their thoughts, and helps us toshape the book.”Families seeking to record their personal histories have severalchoices available to them. They can opt for the ‘Traditional’ softcover, the ‘Heritage’ or hand-crafted presentation book, or the‘Deluxe”, which offers flexible binding and a padded cover. Thelatter is often selected by families keen to add to the personalhistory as future generations unfold.Samantha said findings by international psychologists and Trevor King poring over his own personal history book.other health experts suggest the recording of personalhistories not only benefits the generations to come, but has “The process involved in having a personal history done keepsa positive effect on the physical and mental health of the the momentum going. We do a presentation to the familyindividuals whose histories are being recorded. at the end of that process. It’s the perfect gift for a special birthday, an anniversary – really for an entire family.”It seems the very process gives people a new lease on life, affirmstheir value beyond the fragility of the moment. Specialists havetracked improvements in the emotional and mental health ofindividuals relating their history, resulting in improved cognitiveunderstanding and a marked reduction in depression.“Almost all families feel the need to record their own special Samantha is available to give talks on her role. She can bestories. It’s a topic that often comes up at Christmas or other contacted at samantha@lifestories.net.nz.family gatherings,” said Samantha. “The problem is that weall get so busy, no-one follows through and it just gets left for Viv Posseltanother discussion further down the track. seasons 49

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