Putaruru Theatre Players latest show has delighted first week audiences and has had many laughing out loud! It follows an evening where ambassador Harry Douglas is chasing anything in a dress much to the concern of Tom his daughter Debbie’s boyfriend. A bomb scare at the embassy has the mad captain South in charge and he is convinced that Harry’s new neighbour the French Maid is a mad bomber! Perkins the English Buttler has his hands full trying to restore calm to the household! Much door closing, crazy misconceptions, mistaken identity makes this show a fast moving evening of mayhem! Get along to the last three performances this week! Putaruru Theatre Players looks forward to another good year so be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming shows this year!

It’s been a busy week with the opening of the Owlets Early Learning Centre in Putaruru. We took a quick look inside this fabulous new facility where the different stages of development from toddlers through to school age takes place. We’ll return later in the term for a full update.

Images from the Dawn Parade in Putaruru this morning, April 25 and a Peter Jackson – Restored Gallipoli Film – ANZAC Day.

The remembrances crosses have been set out in the Garden of Memories, and large poppies erected on the main roundabout in Putaruru prior to the Dawn Parade on April 25. The Dawn Service begins at 6:00am on ANZAC Day while at 9:00am there is a Civic Ceremony at The Plaza. The memorial tree planted in 2015 continues to thrive.

The slip from last week on the up-hill entrance to Putaruru from the North was cleared away this morning. There were delays as the road was reduced to one lane. In town there was also activity near the railway crossing in Main Street. It was a full on day for cones.

McDoner’s is now open at 25 Princes Street, Putaruru. The fit-out is now complete, the signs are up and food is being served. On offer is a carefully selected range of kebabs, meals, pizzas and salads that suit all taste buds. McDonner’s also offer a range of combo meals as well as a Kids Menu. The phone number is (o7) 883 7843 and they are open every day of the week except Monday.

It’s the school holidays. What can we do? Jett and Jorja have the answer, set up a small sales table outside your house. For the last few days they have been collecting feijoas and walnuts and now have them set up at their table ready for you. Why not give them toot and make a purchase. You’ll find them at the corner of Tirau Street and Junction Street.

Captains Log: April 15 – 2017 DD time. Finally after exhaustive carbon dating we can confirm that a substance known as Dobbyn has indeed magical magnetic qualities. The Dude was a smash – bliss that was more than true. For the record, loyal fans filled The Plaza Theatre, Putaruru which for the night became Harmony House as Dave and his gifted band swept the crowd along with an inspired collection of songs, sometimes old, sometimes new. Billed as A Slice of Heaven, it was more than evident that this was no mere slice – more a mains of New Zealand specialities crafted and served by a master. The first set saw Dave on keyboard and occasionally guitar, serving up newer material with sides of anecdote. Set two featured Dave on guitar and the musical ensemble had us totally engaged as standards became adventures into progressive sound exploration. Hopefully this carbon record will be preserved for future generations. Of note too, was the crisp full sound reproduced by the crew as well as the four panel digital images that were the hypnotic background to many of the pieces. Although this was heaven, there was also sadness reflected on the night with the recent passing of two icons that were a part of Dave’s world, John Clarke and Murray Ball. Appreciation must also be expressed to The Plaza committee for bringing A Slice of Heaven to Putaruru. We know to Just Add Water, but was it the Blue Spring that had us all sailing away full steam ahead? Log ends…

Three specialist waste disposal taker trucks have been operating over the last few days bringing excess waste from the Tirau water treatment station to the facilities in Putaruru. Brendan McGovern and the other operators have been going backwards and forwards between Tirau and Putaruru to carry out this almost completed operation.

The Oraka Stream came in for close inspection yesterday as the water level rose rapidly following persistent rainfall. This picture was taken at 11:15am Friday morning. This morning at 7:00am the water level had fallen but the flow was still swift. The outcome was not as bad as this scene from March 2016. On the rise leading up into Putaruru from the North a small slip slowed traffic a little. On a personal note, the traffic heading South at midday Friday stretched bumper to bumper from Tirau to the State Highway 29 turn off at Piarere and then again from Horotiu SHW 1 all the way back to Auckland. Heading North over the same stretch of road was no problem. Our reward was the outstanding Pop Up Globe experience of As You Like It. You had to be there to appreciate the superb performance of Jonathan Tynan-Moss as Rosalind as he swung between macho man and Juliet desires.