Recently
The first day of the rest of our lives
Celebration
What a wonderful occasion it was to be able to celebrate the enjoyment of the freedom of coming back into Level 1. Seated at tables of four our cafe staff and residents committee members served us beautiful savouries and cakes. Oh my! We enjoyed the live music of Silver Strings who encouraged many to work off some of the extra calories of the afternoon tea. Many thanks to the Residents’ Committee, Nu2U and Orit and her cafe’ staff for making this such a special occasion.
Deryck Hunt
Anzac Day at Pinesong - Two years ago.
Unfortunately, due to Covid19, as is the case everywhere else in our country, we are unable to hold an Anzac Service this year at Pinesong, so as a reminder at a time when we all look back in thankfulness and remembrance of the enormous sacrifice our men and women in the armed forces made for our freedom and security, we look back at one of our past services, held two years ago.
We will remember them.
The White Ensign flies at Pinesong on Anzac Day
'Lock down' Sing a Long'
Thanks to our wonderful manager and staff here, different ways of breaking the boredom of ‘Lock Down’ have been greatly appreciated. The singalong above was followed this week by a performance by our piper Bob Campbell. A huge thanks to all who are helping us at this time.
This stunning butterfly turned up at Pinesong this week. As it fed on the flowers of an ageratum plant, I actually thought it was a trick of the light or even my own sensory distortion. I took the photo and headed back to my villa to consult Dr Google and see what I could find out about this exotic visitor. After a few searches of my own together with some help from my team of eager googling aids I have discovered the following.
Our visitor is a member of the Monarch family and has his roots in South Asia. Plexippus Plexippus, Tirumala Limniace and Blue Monarch or Blue Tiger are his most used names. He is more rare than his cousin the Common Tiger or Monarch we are used to seeing in New Zealand. The Blue Tiger is being seen now more and more in New Zealand and is even more prevalent in Australia. There is even a world wide initiative to increase the population of these and other beautiful butterfly species called the Blue Monarch Project. The organisation are busy promoting, through garden centres, a range of plants like the Ageratum and other Daisy family members to help increase their population.
With the warmer temperatures we are now experiencing a number of visitors to our country that 40 years ago were never able to make the trip let alone survive when they got here! Fish like wahoo, spearfish and mahimahi come to mind. Seems the insect world also has its elite and celebrity like performers who may now start to show up and brighten our world with their intense and radiating colours.
When so much of our digested news and concerns today are about making our society more isolated and insular, we get this guy turn up with his glorious spread of teal and electric blue. A symbol of beauty and wonder has occurred as a direct consequence of some of those environmental changes that are normally cues for arguments and blame.
Today I think Im going take his visit as a Blue Tiger moment - from change and adversity can come beauty and wonder.
Marianne McRae
Winter's Day During Lockdown
Arch Jelley
2019 New Year's Eve Fiesta Night
Another enjoyable night at Pinesong to usher in the New Year. The evening took on a Fiesta theme and was led by Jim Joll whose singing and music kept the night going for five hours! Wow - we can still make it! A huge thanks to Jean Piper and the Social Committee for all their hard work in making this night a great success.
Pinesong Rainbow Rockers Christmas Concert
A large crowd came to enjoy the Christmas concert put on by our Rainbow Rocker Ukulele group. Thank you Judy and all the Rockers for a most enjoyable performance.
West Auckland Homeschool Group presented
'On the Road to Bethlehem'
We were fortunate to have a visit from the West Auckland Homeschool group of children who entertained us with a number of items and then performed the nativity play 'On the Road to Bethlehem'.A very lovely time, thank you all for coming.
Laingholm Kindy Christmas Concert
Any performance involving children is delightful, especially when they come from a Kindy. These children were beautiful and certainly created the Christmas spirit. Thank you to their teachers and helpers. It was a very special time.
Market Day at Pinesong
On a beautiful day last Saturday, Pinesong was enriched with an amazing Market Day with over 50 stalls filling our main lounge, reception area outside and other rooms. A huge thanks to Delwyn for organising this event and all the work that so many of our people and staff put into it. Alongside our own products created in the village were other stall holders from outside the village. So, along with cafe, outside BBQ and live music from the Silver Strings and a mass of people, this was a wonderful event.
Grandparents Day at Pinesong
What a great occasion it was to celebrate 'Grandparents Day' at Pinesong this weekend. It was lovely to have our children, grandchildren & great grandchildren to celebrate this occasion. Thank you to the staff and all who helped make this possible. We had live music, a sausage sizzle, craft corner, games, High Tea & Mr Whippy. Wow!
TV3 'The Project' comes to film in Pinesong
On Monday we had TV 3 ‘THE PROJECT’ come to interview and film our Wearable Arts Display and interview some of the key people! This will be on ‘THE PROJECT’ on Friday 27/9/19 after TV 3 news!! Another special occasion.
TV3 'The Project' at Pinesong
The Wearable Arts Fashion Show as seen on TV3's The Project on Friday 27th September
Wearable Arts Fashion Parade
What an amazing afternoon we enjoyed this week. The Wearable Arts Fashion Show was a huge success. The creativity that has gone into so many costumes was awe inspiring. Thank you so much Delwyn for your organisation. Thank you for all those who participated and all the helpers, this is what makes Pinesong so special. The photos below are just a small look at the over 300 photographs taken. These will be made available in the next few days. Finally, thank you to all who came - Seabreeze Lounge was full once again. Well done everyone.
Pinesong's 20th Birthday Celebration
Friday 9th August - Pinesong’s 20th Birthday
Our Seabreeze Lounge was packed on Friday evening for our birthday celebration and an opportunity to celebrate Neil’s time at Pinesong. Angela, our new Village Manager came along and it was a great opportunity for us to meet her.
Welcome bubbles were served from 4.30pm and speeches followed at 5pm followed by entertainment. The well kept surprise was to have Neil perform for the last time as a member of our staff - we will surely miss him.
Nostalgia Show 2019
What a wonderful weekend we have enjoyed at Pinesong with two performances of the Nostalgia show on Saturday and Sunday nights. Our lounge was packed with capacity crowds and were thrilled with the performance of the 6o member cast - the largest in our show history. Once again the cast was made up of a mix of our staff and residents. The staff helped to keep us young!! Costumes, music, dance, skits and solo performances were great.
Special acknowledgments go to our Director Bob Helleur, Producer Diana Smith, Sound & Lighting Deryck Hunt, Videography Vicky Wu, Props & Sound Geoff Long, MC John Addis, Bar Volunteers, Ticket Ladies, Stage Assemblers and Pinesong Staff.
The video trailer above is of the film I am producing at the moment which will, in a few weeks time be screened in the Seabreeze lounge on the big screen and following that videos will be available. Notification of the date will be made in the village Press and on this website. To view more photographs go to the page 'NOSTALGIA SHOW 2019'.
Deryck Hunt ph 021 289 1875
Photos of this year's Nostalgia show may be viewed on the page 'NOSTALGIA SHOW 2019'
Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra Young Achievers
We were treated to a very special performance by three of the young Achievers of the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra. A delightful presentation and oh so talented. Many thanks.
Nu2U
I would like to take this opportunity to thank some people who have helped us to get started on this project. Jacqui, Heather Kearn’s daughter who designed and printed our price cards. Roger Pagani of Pagani Clothing, who gave us our clothing racks and hangers. Katie for her encouragement and support. Mark for supplying us with storage and working hard to tidy it up. Robin for our fliers and advertising. Judy for creating an atmosphere with her piano playing. The team of ladies who appear every Wednesday morning with a fresh supply of clothes etc. Last but not least all the ladies who keep donating their goods - keep it up! I love seeing the bags of goodies at my door when I come home. At the end of our first month I shall let you know how much money we have collected, thanks to your support. Regards,
Jean Piper & the Nu2u team. 8179054 pipers@xtra.co.nz
An audience with
Shaun Wallace
"WOW what a buzz Shaun Wallace has created around the village! I was confident we made the right decision when we said ‘yes’ to the opportunity to host Shaun, but I certainly didn’t anticipate the positive impact his visit would have on our village community.
Shaun Wallace Book Orders: Should you wish to order one of his books through us, please register your full name via Reception and payment of $40.00 no later than Wednesday 27th February 2019. We will then place this order for you. Please note these will not be autographed. "
Katie Worthy
Village Manager
RECENT QUIZ PICTURES
Table Tennis Mixed Doubles
Our 2019 "season" has ended with the final of the Doubles Competition being played on Monday afternoon. We have had lots of close games this year and plenty of support during matches.
Wally Martin and Pam Choat came out the winners after a close contest against Patricia Carr and Jeff Prior. The presentation will probably take place before play on Thursday.
Many thanks to everyone who has been part of our table tennis group in 2019. It has been great to see all three available days being used and the fun and companionship this game produces in the Kauri Room is so special.
For those not going away on holiday, table tennis will continue, with probably a quiet period between Christmas and New Year. Grandchildren are very welcome to join you for some fun!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
Pam Choat (8174826) & Ken Jarvis (8168445)
Thursday Walkers
The Thursday walkers on a foggy morning. Under the Harbour Bridge, along the boardwalk, over the motorway footbridge and back to Point Erin.
Croquet Singles Finals
Here are some photos of the croquet singles finals.
The largest ‘gallery’ for croquet for a long time - like the Centre Court at Wimbledon - watched the match last sunny Sunday afternoon. Terry Adolph won with Judy Horder being runner-up.
Croquet Triples Finals
The croquet Triples final match was won by Rex Phillips on a second game. The first try at playing it was a washout a few days earlier at hoop 8 where Ken Jarvis was in the lead
On the Buses September trip
A better day for meeting up for another great day out on the Auckland buses and trains. The “bus stop" Pinesong residents went to St Heliers and Orakei for lunch. Drivers used to nearly empty buses got a shock when 25 passengers boarded for a local wandering route from St Heliers to Keep Road.
Janet
THURSDAY WALKERS
August, September Walks We commenced August with a walk in Cornwall Park. We were surprised to find the driveway through the park barricaded off with the popular orange cones. We were able to walk around the park but not drive. We parked by the children’s playground just off Manukau Road. We walked around enjoying the lambs and calves and through the Twin Oak Drive where the Spring bulbs were bursting into flower. With 15 happy walkers and a brisk winters morning we enjoyed the walk. Unfortunately the next Thursday we were in Lockdown again, no bus allowed so 4 of us only walked around the village enjoying the trees and flowers together. The Next two weeks we just walked locally. The first to Green Bay beach walking Avonleigh ,Vinceroy, Barron, Cliffview to Portage Roads and back. 6walkers the next week it was September and we walked to Wood Bay, Avonleigh to Takahe and Wood Bay Road to the Beach, the numbers growing each week. Changing to 2.5 we were allowed 5 in the bus all wearing masks. Geoff Long drove 4 plus driver to Crum Park the rest of us walked. Arriving at Crum Park we walked up the steep track [some gave up half way] to Titirangi Road and walked via Ava, Golf and Hilling St. back to Crum Park and home to our café at Pinesong. The Next week we progressed to 10 in the bus and we took a car and drove to Phyllis reserve in Mt Albert. We walked through the AUT area across the bridge over the Oakley Creek and back through Oakley Creek Walkway to Phyllis reserve. 17 walkers this time. On September 24 we were allowed 12 in the bus and 2 cars so we drove to Te Atatu, Harbourside Drive and walked the coastal Park along Oranghina Reserve to Spinnaker Srand. The weather was threatening but we did not get wet. 16 walkers. From October on we hope we will be back to normal enjoying our morning tea/coffee back at the swimming pool café. I am pleased to report we have welcomed John King, Neil and Beryl Solomon and Janet Trainer to our happy group. Jocelyn Cartwright 8168312
SATURDAY WALKING GROUP
November 19th. We drove to Glenfield and followed the Kaipatiki Stream down to the Eskdale Bush Reserve for our morning tea break - a new area for most of us.
December 3. We drove to the highest pointing in the Waitakere Ranges, Pukematekeo Trig with its 360 degree view before walking down to the Waitakere Dam, along the Tram Line Track with glimpses of the Waitakere Falls (which gave their name to the whole of our area) to have morning tea at the ‘station’. We then climbed a challenging section of the Anderson Track, looked at the cool store with its cave wetas and followed the Scenic Drive to transport. Anyone know who the Andersons were?
December 14th. An old favourite - the Slip Track from Arataki down to the Pipeline Track, Exhibition Drive and back past Mackies Rest on the Beveridge Track.
December 31st was the cool, fresh bush of the Rangemore Track to the Kauri knoll.
January 14th. A hot sunny day following the Mercer Bay Loop with its magnificent sea views right down the West Coast to Whatipu, white breakers showing up the Manukau Bar clearly against the blue of the sea.
JOHN WHITE 817 8382
OUTDOOR BOWLS
Summary of meeting held on Monday 21st January 2018
Attended by 30 members, apologies from Ron & Jocelyn Cartwright.
Dave Annan welcomed all and invited John Crow, retiring convenor to report on 2018 finances and briefly on activities. He has a balance of $164.00 in hand, this will be returned to Residents Committee. Any funds needed during 2019 will be requested or raised from members.
A vote of thanks was passed to John for his 4 years of outstanding service.
Nomination was called for Convenor, none forthcoming.
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Roll up’s organisation, draws to be done by Dave Annan, John Horder, and other to be co-opted.
Grading and Notice Board, no volunteers so Dave Annan was confirmed to continue this responsibility. The current grading’s will be reviewed and members no longer playing will be removed.
The board currently contains 52 names, 34 are regular players, (attend at least one roll up a week.) 5 casual and 13 haven’t played for some time.
Trophy Competitions: - volunteer was called for to run the 5 competitions, no volunteer.
Query, what’s involved: produce entry form, complete draw, and conduct competition. Show of hands those wishing to participate, result, 9 members.
John Crow volunteered to convene the competitions with fellow villages, accerpted with acclamation.
Moved to put competitions into abeyance, trophies to be collected, look at locating a trophy cabinet for safe keeping.
Social Committee: - Ann Stankovich, Daphne Freeman and Iona Manaton volunteered, confirmed and thanked, to appoint their convenor.
Shed management, Rob Carr offered and appointed.
General Business: - Umbrella raising and lowering – teams on rinks closest to drop them on completion of session. John Horder suggested session be held to address Bowls etiquette, John Crow drew attention to rules on notice board
Some general discussion followed, then meeting closed at 9.55am
David Annan Phone 8179154, Email – davidann86@gmail.com
PETANQUE SINGLES COMPETITION
The competition's final matches were held on Monday and a large group were together and enjoyed the fun atmosphere and to cheer on the players. The winner after some very close games was Terry Batt who beat Lil Gosling in a very close encounter. An afternoon tea was held at the finish of play to wish Keith and Esme Burge a happy retirement from running Pétanque after so many years. The new organiser will be Jacqui Batt who takes over the reins from Monday. Our heartfelt thanks to Keith and Esme for all the hard work they have put into making this such a happy group of residents who enjoy each other's company. The time has come for Keith and Esme to relinquish the helm; eight years they have held the Pétanque realm.
Each Monday at Three come rain or shine,
Down in the Oval it was always fine.
So the time has come for us to farewell our two leaders. We all hope you enjoy new found hours of leisure with no worry about the weather.
Lil Gosling
What a lovely surprise it was to be treated to afternoon nibbles and drinks on Monday by our fellow pétanque players. We had announced that after eight years of organising the group it was time to have a rest and allow new people with enthusiasm and new ideas to have a go.
Thank you for the function and the most generous gift we really did appreciate your efforts. The time we have spent with the group has been a absolute pleasure and we hope who ever takes over will have as much fun as we did.
Esme and Keith Burge
CROQUET@PINESONG
The Eileen Malim Drawn Pairs trophy was won by Val Eade and John Crow.
Runners-up were Maryann Spackman and Althea Morley. The next competition is the Lorna Stewart Triples that will start in late January at which time we will have a Season Opening afternoon tea and a discussion about a have-a-go day for residents interested in playing golf croquet.
In the meantime, present players are only too willing to introduce new players to the game. It is a good idea to come down to watch general play on Monday and Friday afternoons at 1pm as a start
The croquet green is available to all residents and their visitors at any other time and we have a shortened mallet for children to use. Balls and mallets are in the croquet shed so please use them and have fun!
Janet Cross. M4 817 6066