NEWS FROM THE POINT WELLS LIBRARY

You will have noticed the renovations happening at the hall and library including bollards in front of the hall. Fear not - we are not expecting ram raiders wanting to steal our books – it is to keep our precious readers safe from unruly car parkers.

A huge thank you to Warkworth New World for donating shopping bags for our members to take books home in during the renovation of the library.

We are planning to open the library on Friday, 9 June. This will give the committee time to complete the final organisation and stock take of the library after the wonderful renovation team have replaced all the books for us.

When you come back to the library you will find it freshly painted. The florescent lights will have been replaced with LEDs and we are hopeful that we will have time and opportunity to have the carpet cleaned before we have our grand re-opening.

Another addition to the complex will be a three-phase power point which could be used for a generator. This will enable our members to come in and use the library, make a cup of tea, use the toilets and charge their devices should we have another endless series of power cuts or other natural events that may be thrown at us in the future.

DonatingBooks:

Many thanks to those who donate books. If you have books you would like to donate, if possible, could you store them until October/November when we will start preparing for our annual book sale.

JuniorLibrary

Elaine Haines, our contact at Auckland Rural Libraries, is endeavouring to acquire some L-footed library shelving to replace the wall shelving we are using for the picture books.

AucklandBulkLoan

Most of our current batch of Auckland Loan Books have been returned to Mahurangi Library. If you are still reading an Auckland book, please carry on enjoying it and then return it to the Point Wells Library when it reopens in June. We aim to have a new batch of books available for loan soon after the Grand Reopening. If you have any special requests or favourite authors, please inform one of the committee as soon as possible.

Thank you again to Jodi Sterling and Bayleys for donating a further $1,000 to the library as nominated by vendors Mark and Natascha Hurt following the sale of their Point Wells home. This is the 25th donation made by Jodi to our area and on behalf of the community we thank her very much.

LIBRARYHOURS

• Monday evening 5pm – 6pm

• Wednesday morning 10am - 12pm

• Friday afternoon 3pm - 5pm

• Saturday morning 10am – 12pm

• pointwellslibrary@gmail.com

The library issued a staggering 795 books & magazines to the end of April

AnnualFilmNight

We also have our annual film night coming up. This year we have The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. The story of a man in his 60s named Harold who one day learns his old friend Queenie is dying. He embarks on a walk to post a letter, onlyto keep going for 450 miles until he reaches Queenie’s hospice, much to the despair of his wife Maureen.

Tickets are available online at: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/events/landing/9111

Vanessa Barber pointwellslibrary@gmail.com

LOCAL FOLK - JODI STERLING

It’s a warm, blustery afternoon when we call on Jodi and her two sidekicks, Amanda and Becky at the cosy Bayleys office in Point Wells. While locals stroll past with dogs and various tradies order their toasted sandwiches and burgers for lunch at the PW General Store door, we settle in for a friendly chat.

Questions:

Do you have any nicknames?

Yoda. I’ve never watched StarWars. Idon’t know much about Yoda but this nickname stuck from school days (Baradene Girls’ school). I even dressed as Yoda for my 21st

Where were you born?

Born in Auckland and grew up in Meadowbank.

How long have you lived in Point Wells?

We moved to Point Wells in 2010. We bought a house at 58 Point Wells Rd from Angela Wain; that’s how we became friends. We then saw our existing house at 280A Point Wells Rd and that’s where we are now.

What is your favourite hobby?

I don’t have time for a hobby sadly. Does that sound terrible? I have things that I enjoydoing,but not hobbies as such.

Are you married? What is your spouse's name?

Dave - hubby.

Do you have children? What are their names and ages?

We have two girls Eva, aged 19, and Claudia aged 17, both at University now, but both live at home still

What kind of pets do you have, if any?

We have Nero, a black Tibetan Spaniel - he’s as really not the brightest - just in case anyone is thinking about getting one. We also have two cats.

Do you play any sports?

Is drinking gin classed as a sport??

What causes are you passionate about?

I don’t have just one charity I support. Having been involved in Education (I used to be a pre-school teacher) I’m passionate about child development. I have a lot of time and energy and respect for anyone involved in those areas.

What’s the best thing about living in Point Wells?

The people ..definitely!

Who is someone you admire, and why?

I’d actually put my husband there…he’s the most consistent person. We couldn’t do half the things we do - he’s not phased by anything, just gets things done.

Tell me three pet peeves.

People who push in to traffic queues. Why don’t they just wait?; Small minded thinking; Lateness. Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

Delivering babies - 15 years as a midwife. Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I wanted to be a flight attendant (back then they were called Air Hostesses), on the international routes - I wanted all the perks…

What do you want to make sure you do before you die?

(laughing) Finish the house renovation that we’ve been working on. Spend more time with mum and dad, and travel with the girls…

What do you want accomplish in the next year?

It’s an interesting year isn’t it? I’m happy with what we’ve got - I love my team here (Amanda and Becky) and I just want for the three of us to continue enjoying what we do - the rest will take care of itself.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

When I’m not working, I’m happy being at home with the family or up at the family bach at Tinopai, fishing on the Kaipara.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

On my list at the moment is Japan - it’s our favourite cuisine for the whole family. We were supposed to go this year, but instead we’re going to Bali for a short family catch-up. We were advised Japan would be way too hot for the time we were able to go.

What skill would you like to master?

I’d like to learn to sing. And also learn to keep plants alive- nearly every plant I buy dies: in the ground, out of the ground, anything, they all die!!

What has been the highlight of your year?

Sadly - probably work related. We have ticked off some work goals which has been really rewarding as a team. What is your favourite place you’ve travelled to?

St Ives in Cornwall. I spent two summers there when I was young and free. Worked in Porthmeor and Porthgwiddenbeach cafés - servedupDevonshireteas, clotted cream, the works, Cornish pasties - all of that stuff. And spent all my money on travelling (and cider). Where is your favourite restaurant or café around here?

Brick Bay and Te Arai Links

What is your favourite movie of all time?

I don’t watch a lot of movies but one that comes to mind is A Star Is Born - the Lady Gaga one, not the Barbra Streisand one. I’d watch it again.

What is one thing you tried that you’ll never do again?

I ran a half marathon. I hoped it was going to be the beginning of a new obsession but after doing it, I ticked it off and decided never again. It was not my idea of fun. I definitely didn’t get the runners’ bug.

Did you go to a college or university? If so, where?

I did a BHSc in Auckland in Midwifery. Before that I did preschool teaching.

About Time Boutique

What started as a friendship has become a friendshop.

We are Bernz, Milo and Nooks and we have lived in the area for around 20 years. We love clothes, dressing up, having fun and being cheerleaders for others.

We offer good quality, preloved fashion and accessories at an affordable price. We are currently donation-based which enables us to donate back to the community.

Point Wells’ newest boutique About Time is located behind the General Store and is open Wednesday through to Saturday from 10am to 3pm - otherwise by appointment.

Contact Nooks 0211663323 or Milo 02108393906

We are excited to have the opportunity to provide a cute boutique for Point Wells and look forward to meeting you.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your education?

Probably that the effort you put decides the results you get out.

Why did you choose to work in your industry?

I had an opportunity to work for Angela (Wain) in Point Wells. I love living and working in the same community (and not working night shifts, well not too many!!)

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

My Bayleys’ Client Service Awards, which are decided by the feedback our buyers and vendors submit.

What is your favourite thing about your career or industry?

No two days are ever the same, and meeting new people - it’s a people job.

If you could give a younger person career advice, what would it be?

Don’t feel as if you have to stick to one path - you can change directions at any time.

What do you think is the key to professional success?

Honesty and consistency and (a long sigh here) heaps of hard work

Jodi Sterling with Gareth Eyres

Matakana Fire Brigade

The last 12 months has been a busy time for Matakana Volunteer Fire Brigade and especially the first four months of this year.

Last year our brigade responded to 166 calls. In the first three and a half months of this year we have responded to 67 incidents. If the current call rate continues we are looking at over 220 calls for the year.

Medical calls continue to dominate our call statistics and the increasing pressures on St John Ambulance services are resulting in longer delays before an ambulance arrives to support our people.

During the severe weather in mid-February, we narrowly avoided flooding to the station with water surrounding us but not reaching any of the floor plates.

During this event we moved the trucks in the early hours of the morning to one of our volunteers’ homes on the hill at the end of Omaha Flats road.

While this was ultimately not needed, it showed the resilience that our brigade members add to the community.

Chris Jensen

Yoga Nidra - deep relaxation weekly class at Bali Garden

ComeandrelaxinalittlesliceofBalineseparadise,righthereinPointWells! Tuesdays6pmto7pm.

I offer this weekly yoga class with gentle movement and a deep relaxation that is suitable for all levels of experience and ability. It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind and reset for the week.

We flow from gentle stretching, movement and restorative poses, to a guided relaxation called yoga nidra. Yoga nidra is much deeper and more powerful than a regular relaxation. It is specifically designed to release tension and unhelpful patterns from the subconscious mind and deeply soothe the nervous system, all while you relax and possibly even fall asleep! Book through the Bali Garden website, with the Momence App or turn up on the day.

I also run regular pregnancy workshops and am available for private classes, for more info see my