Some really cool people

This week I thought for something completely different, I would let you have a peek at a couple of really good local stories that will give you an insight in some of the wonderful people we have living and working here on the Nature Coast.

Lets start with Josef and Maggie Kieninger.

A couple of years ago Joe and Maggie Kieninger discovered a rundown blueberry farm and turned it into a sanctuary. On these 11.5 acres of fertile land, just outside Levin, they grow blueberries to make jams, jellies, and juice. They also have newly redecorated bed and breakfast accommodation, a shop, an historic printing workshop, alpacas, artists’ studios, hazelnut and lime trees, and enough space for their future dream of a sculpture park.

Ironically, they left their stressful lives in Germany to take things a little easier, but Blueberry Art fills all their waking moments. “But it’s different,” says Joe. “In Germany we had a graphic design business and worked seven days a week for 20 years. We never saw each other and our lives were empty.” To read more, click here.

My second interesting story is that of Shelly Mitchell-Jenkins and the team at Colbert Cooper in Levin.

Shelly says a lot of people are starting to realise the importance of knowing what’s outside their front door: the need to get back to basics; living in smaller communities; making life less complicated; and being “engaged”.

to read more, click here

And finally for this week, the story of Dianne and David Goodin - also of Levin.

Levin Motor Camp has been owned by ex farmers, David and Diane Goodin, for 11 years. According to Holiday Parks Association New Zealand many kiwi motor camp owners used to be farmers. The Goodin’s used to manage a sheep, cattle and goat farm in Horowhenua - Diane also worked in a jewellery shop in Levin. “On one day I could be handling sheep in the morning and showing diamonds in the afternoon,” she says.

to read more, click here

Enjoy!
Chris

Long weekends and sunshine

Doesn't Christmas just come and go so fast? Maybe its the fact that here on the Kapiti Coast and in the Horowhenua, the weather is just so good!

This weekend being Wellington Anniversary Weekend has some of the regions best events talking place. I will list a few of the below. One thing I do want to say is that I wish Mr Police Communications would stop telling us that long weekends means traffic holdups in our region. Come on. What are we talking about here - a 15 minute delay in Otaki? an opportunity to slow down a little and take in the wonderful scenery? I think its a bit of the "broken record" syndrome. Don't delay travelling through the Nature Coast - just do it! and hay - its best to take your time anyway

and to the events:

Thu 15 Levin AP & I Show:
Equestrian events

Sat 17 commence on Thursday at the Levin

Sun 18 Showgrounds, Victoria Street, Levin. Fantastic

entertainment for all the family. Entertainment

includes The Beat Girls, Joel Fenton's "Comedy

Circus Stunt Show", Top Glass top team challenge,

FMX Full Throttle events performance.

www.levinapishow.co.nz


Sat 17 Garden Concert by tenor/comedian Silvio

Famularo, 2pm at 19 Kowhai Grove, Waikanae.

Tickets $5.00 payable at the gate. Bring your

own seating. If wet alternative date Monday 19th

January.


Fri 16 The Organic River Festival:
Be prepared to step into a timeless world. The Organic River

Festival is a vibrant and upbeat celebration of

music, healthy food and wine, creativity and the

community, a celebration of Kiwi life. Turn up with

your friends and family for the day or camp for

the three nights. Bookings Malcolm

06 368 4465 or online www.ecofest.co.nz


Sun 18 Raumati Sports Fishing Club Surfcasting

Competition:
At Raumati Beach. A great chance

to have a go at fishing. Registrations at the Marine

Gardens Boat Ramp at 6am, lines in the water at

7am. For more information contact Mike

021 187 6618.


Sun 18 Ford Day: At Southward Car Museum,
Otaihanga Road, Paraparaumu, 9am-4pm. A family

entertainment extravaganza! See many Ford cars

on display in the beautiful grounds at Southwards.

Gold coin donation.


Sun 18 56th Annual Waikanae Show and Sports Day:

The Waikanae Show 2009 will be an entertainment

extravaganza! Live music will be showcased from

11am to 4pm with 4 or 5 bands and included in

the line-up with be local band "Too Funky". There

will be live performers, exhibitors, carnival games,

competitions, fun rides, Harley Davidson rides,

games and local stalls, dog agility and obedience

show. Contact Suzi 027 477 0162.


Sun 18 Kapiti News Kids Artwear Competition:

Waikanae Park 10am to noon.

Entries via: www.waikanaeshow.org.nz or Julie

021 882 726.


Sun 18 Tokomaru Steam Engine Museum is having a

Steam Up between 1.30pm-4pm. Adults $15.00

(children 3-13), $5.00 entry price includes train

ride. Contact 06 329 8867,

www.tokomarusteam.com


Wed 21 What's in the Leaf Litter: At Nga Manu Nature

Reserve, 281 Ngarara Road, Waikanae, 1pm-3pm.

An opportunity for the kids to learn more about

their environment in a great setting. Find and

match leaves at Nga Manu Nature Reserve and

discover the wonders of the bush. A practical

way to have fun and learn about how to identify

trees from a leaf. Free leaf template and materials

provided. Normal entry cost apply.


A great range of things to do - enjoy

Chris