Over the past 2 weeks we’ve be reporting on the flowering status of this Putaruru garden plant. Before showing the latest pictures here’s a re-cap of the story so far. Is this a giant asparagus? This interesting agave plant in the garden of Kevin Whale, Putaruru can be found, (mainly in North Island), and is sometimes referred to as the “century plant.” It usually lives 10 – 30 years but in most cases uniquely flowers once, then dies. “To every thing there is a season,” but in this particular case it’s more like an age to maturity, then a swift end. Originally from Mexico, these plants are often used as ornamentals. We notice them suddenly, (and other plants like them), if we happen to come into contact with the sharp spike at the end of each leaf. One reference states that, “its common name derives from its semelparous(characterised by a single reproductive episode before death), nature of flowering only once at the end of its long life.” The New Zealand National Pest Plant Accord lists it as a pest of medium priority. It is described as monocarpic, meaning it will bloom once in its lifetime. We’ll keep you up to date when full flowering occurs and investigate the rumour that it’s attracted to the Purple People Eater. Last Friday the plant was  still extending upwards… Today we have flowers! We’ll up date the flower power again at the end of the week.

A round up of some events from the past week… On Friday, MP Louise Upston was in the area and one of her visits was to meet and talk with members of a recent Transform Aotearoa programme. Louise is pictured below with some of the Transform Aotearoa staff and group members. Louise spoke to the group about aspects of her life and the determination involved in setting and reaching goals. Group members also shared their stories of personal growth and achievement. Saturday morning saw the annual Putaruru Scout Group Garage Sale in Park Road. During the morning there was a steady stream of people selecting items from the well arranged variety of goods on display. Of course there was also the traditional BBQ being operated by Venture Scouts. The agave plant we featured recently is still extending upwards in the garden of Kevin Whale…

Northern Classic Commercials Club are part of the way through their ‘Coast to Coast’ tour, which is held every 4 years in the North Island. The classic trucks route began in Wellington on Monday and will end in Greytown on 26 October. About 150 people are involved in the tour. Familiar makes such as Macks, Internationals, Bedfords, Leylands, Mercedes Benz and Kenworths were to be seen when the Northern Classic Commercials Club run stopped mid-morning in Putaruru yesterday. Market Street was a hive of activity. About 20 South Island drivers also joined this event. The classic run concept began in 2006 through the desire to share the love of trucks and trucking. After leaving Putaruru the route takes in Rotorua and Whakatane, Gisborne, Hastings, Feilding and finally Greytown.

The Cambridge Brass Band was invited to Le Quesnoy in Northern France to help celebrate the towns 100th anniversary of its liberation from German occupation in the first world war. New Zealand soldiers scaled the walls, (it is a walled town), and fought to keep the town free. 150 soldiers lost their lives, but there was no loss of civilian life. The Cambridge Brass Band will be playing for the unveiling of a Helen Pollock sculpture, a large circle with 30 pairs of feet on it, (the same number as a small platoon). They will perform a great concert with the Hautain band and the Le Quesnoy Orchestra. There will be many dignitaries present. Le Quesnoy is the sister town to Cambridge New Zealand. The Phil and Bernadette Winter family from Waotu is well involved with the Cambridge Brass Band, having 7 players, 6 of them children, in it. The tour is from 30th October to 10th November and fundraising has been going on for 18 months. Oktoberfest at the Putaruru District Services Memorial Club last Saturday night was the last gig before the band leave in two weeks. At the Club they were the Oompah Band and the family was joined by other brass band members from Cambridge and Matamata. Also supporting Oktoberfest at the club were The Bohemian Moosicians. Follow this link to read about Le Quesnoy.    

  The October Pride in Putaruru Business After 5 evening was hosted by Moos Bass & Oinks last night. Those attending were welcomed by Matt Corrin, (PiP Deputy Chairman). On behalf of Bridget and Renee, Ed Hedley invited everyone to enjoy the great range of meats cooking on the outside BBQ. A tour inside Moos Baas & Oinks followed, with Ed explaining the key pieces of equipment they used to prepare sausages and other meat products that have won them a number of awards. Some of those attending recalled a time when there were 5 butcher shops open in Putaruru. But Moos Bass & Oinks does much more than serve Putaruru. Their products are sent to a number of New Zealand destinations and regularly sought after by return customers passing through the town. Moos Baas & Oinks butchery is a fine example of the artisan approach to food making envisaged by the recent Putaruru Concept Plan. Visit their Facebook page to why we send Ed a speedy recovery message.  

Is this a giant asparagus? This interesting agave plant in the garden of Kevin Whale, Putaruru can be found, (mainly in North Island), and is sometimes referred to as the “century plant.” It usually lives 10 – 30 years but in most cases uniquely flowers once, then dies. “To every thing there is a season,” but in this particular case it’s more like an age to maturity, then a swift end. Originally from Mexico, these plants are often used as ornamentals. We notice them suddenly, (and other plants like them), if we happen to come into contact with the sharp spike at the end of each leaf. One reference states that, “its common name derives from its semelparous (characterised by a single reproductive episode before death), nature of flowering only once at the end of its long life.” The New Zealand National Pest Plant Accord lists it as a pest of medium priority. It is described as monocarpic, meaning it will bloom once in its lifetime. We’ll keep you up to date when full flowering occurs and investigate the rumour that it’s attracted to the Purple People Eater.  

Last Saturday morning saw the official blessing and opening of the hall extensions at Rangiura. Rev Jan Tarrant, (St Paul’s Cooperating Parish Putaruru), Pastor Markus Schonberger, (Putaruru Baptist Church) and the Rev Ben Cameron, (St Paul’s Cooperating Parish Putaruru) officiated at the blessing and Mayor Jenny Shattock performed the cutting of the ribbon ceremony. Chairman of Rangiura, Jos van Loon welcomed all those present. “May this wonderful building be a symbol of the good times ahead of us. Good times for all staff and residents and the wider community,” said Jos. “Rangiura is a great place for residents and their families, may this much improved hall be a great place for many meetings, but also a great facility for the celebrations of resident’s lives where we can hold those funerals in a modern hall with a good sound system,” concluded Jos van Loon. The day saw not only the opening the hall extensions but also the welcoming of Jeff Bennett the new Rangiura General Manager and wife Sandy from Cambridge, and the farewell of acting General Manager, Gillian Robinson. Morning tea then followed the opening. The December Prattler will contain a full article about the hall extensions.  

The first PiP TV video episode is coverage of the Guest Speakers on the Business Awards Night: Bruce Sherman, Francis Pauwels and Jenny Shattock. Click on the image to be taken to the video. The second PiP TV video episode contains the presentations of the awards. This footage is edited but is filmed mainly in unattended wide shot in order to capture the general atmosphere. Click on the image to be taken to the video.

“I’m aware we haven’t exactly sold out,” observed Adam McGrath at the Plaza Theatre, Putaruru, last night. So began the magic of universal themes being transformed into New Zealand particular. McGrath, guitar, was flanked by Adam on electric guitar and John on double bass. This trio formed a tight front row that was strong on details. The original music revealed aspects of Adam’s personal life through lyrics crafted with honesty, mixed with plays of laughter and sadness. As a teenage league player, (much to the delight of his mother), after-match functions and the brutal assessment of a local hero set his eyes wide open to life beyond the oval ball. With guitar in hand, Em and Ems provided the key to life. Personal stories linked the music. Performing to a prison audience in Christchurch, Adam related how he hoped his music would help provide motivation, but there was no caged heat, until he received a letter from an audience inmate who had related to his music, stories and the major lift transition from a minor chord – an Em moment. The on-line Prattler is sad more of Putaruru were not lifted as well. We heard about the rabbit in the window turning into a romantic gift, only to have this illusion broken by a press photo of rabbit-less kindergarten children. But by magic, (wearing Air Jordans?), our hero saved the day after spotting the ‘missing’ rabbit in a park and returning it – so restoring joy to the world. The personal observations during the evening included libraries, motel rooms, rain, Honda power, Te Awamutu, sit in chats and thoughts about our great society. Adam McGrath relates to the often lowly place that New Zealand poets, folk singers, writers and artists can find themselves in, where a kiss can be “like Vietnam inside your tummy.” Last night at the Plaza, was our midnight special but it was also a “free load” thanks to the Plaza Theatre Trust who again are to be hugely congratulated on bringing quality acts to Putaruru. We hope these seeds become a bumper crop.