The October Mini-Prattler is on-line now – the print edition will be delivered next Wednesday. Full details of the Putaruru Business Awards are in this edition as well as a spread about the recent CACTUS programme and Christmas Parade entry forms. Download this edition now from the sidebar or open the page-turning edition. Flash needs to be enabled for the page-turning edition. You can also click this FRONT PAGE image to download the October mini Edition as a pdf.

This morning, The Cow hosted a prostrate cancer awareness breakfast with a donation from each of those attending going to the prostrate cancer foundation. There was even a table set up outside taking advantage of the great sunny start to the day. Blue September is the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s annual national awareness and fundraising campaign. Every year around 3,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in New Zealand and more than 600 will die. That’s about the same number as women who die from breast cancer. The good news is that early detection can significantly reduce the risk of death from prostate cancer. Mostly, men don’t know how dangerous this disease is, they don’t talk to their doctor about it, their doctor doesn’t talk to them about it, or they simply don’t have any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. The Prostate Cancer Foundation receives no government funding, relying instead on donations to help them spread the message for men to get regular checks, fund research that will improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes, and provide support for those who need it the most – the men and their families living with prostate cancer every day. Some of the projects undertaken by the Prostate Cancer Foundation include: Providing support  34 support groups, from Kaitaia to Invercargill Online support forum Patient welfare fund 0800 HELPLINE Patient education forums Funding research PSMA pilot study – Mercy Radiology Lutetium 177 Treatment pilot study Pasifika men study Urology Nurses Training Programme Development Study grants for nurses for Masters level course

CACTUS is a physical exercise and mentoring programme facilitated by community volunteers and local off duty police officers. For the first time, Putaruru College had 21 students involved with this course. “Our teenagers are like the cactus, a bit prickly on the outside but full of goodness on the inside. It’s about getting to the good on the inside,” explains one of the helpers. CACTUS is designed to extend mind and physical capability, to educate and give choices, instil discipline, self-esteem and encourage participants to look and listen before they act. The course builds physical and mental conditioning, develops leadership, team building and personal responsibility. It’s also about being active and community minded – all without the use of hand held devices. The October Prattler will have a full article about CACTUS as well as video coverage from the final day of the course. The pictures in the blog today are freeze frames from the video.

On 12 September at the Central Kids Kindergartens Conference Centre, the Waikato River Trails Trust was presented with an Outdoor Access Champion Award from the Walking Access Commission. This award was in recognition of their work in developing and maintaining over 100 kilometres of tracks to the highest standard. The Outdoor Access Champion Awards are given annually by the NZ Walking Access Commission to individuals and groups across the country who have made a significant and lasting contribution to public access to the outdoors. Chairman of the commission, John Forbes, (also Mayor of Opotiki), was pleased to be able to acknowledge what groups like the Waikato River Trails Trust do. John commented, “People in 100 years time can look back at the legacy you have left today – something we can enjoy now and tomorrow, and also in the future. The outdoors can refresh us and provide a chance to recuperate and appreciate nature.” Ric Cullinane, Acting Chief Executive Te Tumuaki (and Operations Manager Te Kaiwhakahaere Rauemi), spoke about how the New Zealand Walking Access Commission focused on aspects such as: providing leadership on walking access issues administering a national strategy on walking access, including walkways undertaking mapping of walking access providing information to the public overseeing a code of responsible conduct negotiating new walking access John Forbes then presented the award to Kevan Stewart, the newly appointed chair of the Waikato River Trails Trust. Kevan thanked the commission and said that the trust were looking forward to extending the trail outwards to link with other trails.   Waikato River Trails General Manager Glyn Wooler then paid tribute to the people back in 2002 that took on the concept of a river trail through to its opening in November 2011 and all the hard work of the volunteers involved – work that continues today.    

One more day for a chance to win 2 free adult tickets by completing the quiz below. The competition closes at 4:00pm Thursday 13 and forms can be emailed to the PiP Office or handed in directly. Some background to the Charity Performance… David and Mary Heberley moved to Putaruru in January 2016 and in April that year they formed the Putaruru Choir. The choir practice at St Aidan’s Church, Overdale Street, Putaruru on Thursday afternoons from 3:30pm – 5pm. This year they have moved from their comfort zone and decided it would be great to do something for the Community. The idea came from watching The Last Night of the Proms on Television, broadcast from Britain. Mary and David saw how the atmosphere created from this performance was truly wonderful. After much discussion they decided to produce a Charity performance, to raise money towards a Defibrillator for The Plaza Theatre in Kensington Street.  The Finale will be a massed singing of Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory. Come to The Proms in Concert in costume if you choose, even come as the Pearlies. It will truly be a spectacle of Red, White and Blue flags, streamers and balloons – even afternoon tea! Tickets are available from The Plaza, Kensington Street, Putaruru. Prices are: $20 per Adult and $5 per Child. See you on Sunday 16 September 2018, 2pm at The Plaza Theatre.

PHOTOGRAPH OUR AREA DAY Wednesday September 19th SCHOOLS BUSINESSES AND FAMILY PROJECT Click here for all the details…   Here are a few samples from last year.    

The Putaruru Library hosted Dr Dragos last night. This presentation was one of several on his New Zealand wide tour. He shared some of his personal experiences from his birth in Romania to present life in New Zealand. Dr Dragos, in a relaxed manner, told about how he formed his life philosophy, which he details in his latest book, The Pursuit of Dreams. Extracts from his talk may be see on PiP TV Episode 48 which can be quickly accessed by clicking on the video frame below. The Putaruru Library is to be congratulated on bringing authors with international recognition right to our doorstep.  

Important Correction The on-line Prattler and the September Prattler being delivered have incorrect information about the People’s Choice Voting section. In 2018 this is ONLY voting for THE BEST BUSINESS. There is no BEST PERSON SECTION. Please ignore the BEST PERSON section in The Prattler. Voting is now open for the 2018 Pride in Putaruru Business Awards. The September Prattler being delivered today also has this information – you can access the web version of The Prattler here. PiP Business Awards Public Choice Question: Best Business 1 Which  business in Putaruru gives the best and most consistent service?   [Use this form to vote is you wish or scan the QR code under this form to go to Survey Monkey.]      You can also use this QR code to vote on Survey Monkey. The questions are the same.