The party!!

 

I forgot to take photos!

(But hopefully someone else memorialised the Welcome Home Party, and will forward the pix to druettjo@gmail.com)

So instead, three bouquets to the team that was behind the roaring success -- headed by Brigid, with Mark and Michele to assist.  And boy, do they deserve those flowers.  They spent all Sunday working away, and the result was stupendous. 

It was indeed a roaring success.  The hospitality was lavish.  Where "nibbles" had been promised, instead of little plates of nuts and olives there was a fantastic feast of finger food, which proved hugely popular with the big crowd.  Such a happy lot -- it was wonderful.  There have been many comments since about how much it was welcomed and enjoyed by all.  It was lovely to see some tenants there, too.

Originally, it was Ken's plan to stage a big bust for his 80th birthday.  Sadly, events overtook him, but I think he would have been very proud of the party last night.  

The foyer

I was delighted at the number of compliments about the new look of the foyer, too, that it is light, bright, and airy.  Several people asked what colour it is, and the answer is Sea Fog.  The young ones particularly like the modern "feel" to the foyer now, but older ones were equally as happy.

Board

And the board is very happy, too.  Figuring out accounts is still very taxing, but as a small board -- just five, with the sad loss of Ken Geard --  a terrific lot has been accomplished. The five might not be very visible, but they have been very hard at work.  Chris Garrett, our very affable and efficient chair, is off to Europe at the start of next month, and Camille Dentice, our deputy chair, will take over in his absence.  We do hope he has a wonderful trip, and look forward to welcoming him back.

BRIEF UPDATE

 

Alsop photo

I am sure all of you have noticed the gorgeous panoramic photo now hanging in our lobby.  

I originally thought it was a HeritageNZ photo of the Kumutoto stream, but no, I was wrong.

Research established that it is a valuable historic piece, an enlarged print of a photo taken about 1974, and titled 'New Zealand Bush Scene.' 

The original, which is a black and white photo, 38 cm by 68 cm, taken by Whites Aviation Ltd, and hand-coloured by Peter Alsop, is held at the Alexander Turnbull Library.  Its reference number, if you want to see the original, is PAColl-D-1599.

Its description is given as, 'A ground level photograph taken by Whites Aviation Ltd of a native bush scene, showing (left to right) a bouldered stream, nikau palms, and various intertwined species of native plants from ground to canopy level.

'Inscription on reverse reads: "New Zealand bush, a stream murmurs through a giant forest typifying the loveliness of Northland."'

I must admit I blinked when I read there were nikau palms, as I had thought that they were cabbage trees.  But no, they are nikau palms.  A sharp-eyed archivist wrote that description.

Skip

The skip is full.  Please do not put anything more in it.  It will be taken away and replaced in due course.

Party

And don't forget our party on the 19th.  That is 5pm on Sunday 19 July, and it is a sausage sizzle.  Bring your own drink, and a glass (if you use one), plus, if you feel like it, a small plate of snacks.