Spirit Magazine, April 2023

THIS MONTH

ASHBURTON ART GALLERY

ON NOW - until 5 May

THIS IS FINE, EVERYTHING’S FINE

ZAFAA22 Premier Award winner Audrey Baldwin returns to the Gallery with her exhibition THIS IS FINE, EVERYTHING’S FINE.

This solo exhibition playfully takes aim at ‘grind culture’, internalised capitalism and the challenges of living in a media choked society. Incorporating business jargon, toxic positivity statements and a small army of fans, she aims to provide an outlet for anxieties – both her own and those of society at large.

Open Daily 10am – 4pm; Wednesdays 10am – 7pm West Street, Ashburton. ADMISSION FREE.

ASHBURTON EMBROIDERERS GUILD

Saturday 1 & Thursday 27 April, 10.30am – 3.30pm

Thursday 13 April 1pm – 3.30pm

Tuesday 18 April 7 – 9pm

Come along and share the pleasure of stitching! Meet at the Seniors Centre, 206 Cameron Street, Ashburton. Everyone welcome.

THE LITTLE HONEY CO EASTER

SCAVENGER HUNT

Saturday 8 & Monday 10 April, 10am - 5pm

Ashburton Domain Layby

A free event for all ages to enjoy. Every participant goes in the draw to win one of five Easter Prize Packs. Spot prizes on the day! Facebook: Ashburton Community Easter Scavenger Hunt.

2023 NATIONAL MECCANO EXHIBITION

Saturday 22 - Monday 24 April, 10am - 5pm

Tinwald War Memorial Hall

The New Zealand Federation of Meccano Modelers are holding their National Exhibition, featuring a range of Meccano models, historical Meccano sets, toys and Hornby electric trains. There will also be a “hands-on” area for children and their parents to make things out of plastic Meccano. Tickets available at the Door. Adults $10, Children $5, Family $20.

THE PLAINS VINTAGE RAILWAY & HISTORICAL MUSEUM

SATURDAY 8, SUNDAY 9 & SUNDAY 23 APRIL, 11AM- 4PM

TINWALD DOMAIN

There’s something for all the family to enjoy – trains, fire engines, miniature trains, vintage cars and more. Bring a picnic and enjoy a fun, family day at The Plains!

HOLDING AN EVENT?

Send us the details so we can help spread the word. Email: office@spiritmagazine.co.nz

RALLY POINT MOBILE FITNESS CLASSES

LAGMHOR/WESTERFIELD WAR MEMORIAL HALL:

Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6am

LAKE HOOD: (next to rowing club) Tuesday & Thursday 6am

HINDS DOMAIN: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 12pm

DORIE COMMUNITY HALL: Monday & Thursday 6pm

MEET CHRISTOPHER LUXON

Thursday 27 April, 5pm

Ashburton Event Centre

LEARN HOW TO BUILD A WEBSITE FOR TEENS

THURSDAYS FROM 27 APRIL - 1 JUNE

ASHBURTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

During term time only. Admission FREE.

DATES TO BOOK AHEAD

WHEELS WEEK PLUS 2023

SUNDAY 30 APRIL – SUNDAY 21 MAY

Events around our regions may be subject to change at short notice. Check Facebook and websites to keep up to date.

FROM THE EDITOR

I love magazines, especially local NZ ones. I have stacks of them in the office and at home, and I re-read them all the time! I don’t go for the celebrity gossip ones (unless there’s a great puzzle section), but I’ll always pick up a house & garden, travel or lifestyle magazine. Opening the pages lets me see inside other peoples’ homes, find new recipes, discover travel destinations, fashion, home decor and shopping ideas, and I especially enjoy the local stories.

It’s that excitement that we try to create for you, our readers, in every issue of Spirit Magazine.

As each new issue comes together over the month, the tension in the office builds: Are we going to meet the print deadline? Is it going to look OK? Are there spelling mistakes? And in the end, we’re always super-proud of our work, and can’t wait to get your feedback. Spirit is Mid Canterbury’s only dedicated lifestyle magazine and we do take that seriously. We know that you watch out for it every month, and we want it to keep evolving.

Over the last few months, we’ve been playing with new ideas, new ways to entertain and involve you in our publication. We’ve made some changes, but we’d love to know what you think too. So, check out page 4. Email us to let us know what you’d like to see and read in Spirit; follow our social media platforms and subscribe to our digital magazine – its free and there are great monthly prizes to win. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Subscribe to Spirit Magazine to receive the latest issue in your inbox as soon as its published!

THIS MONTH Every new e-subscriber goes in the draw to win a fabulously indulgent Botanic Spa gift set that includes a hand massager, lip scrub, body cream and hand & nail cream. Value $45.00.

Subscribe now: www.spiritmagazine.co.nz/subscribe

Suggestion Box

Spirit Magazine is YOUR local lifestyle magazine, featuring positive stories about local people, businesses, entertainment and activities.

Tell us what you’d like to see inside our pages

• Are you ready for more travel stories?

• Would you like to see more recipes?

• More local Home stories?

• More Healthy living features?

• Financial advice?

• Reader-written stories?

We’ll take all suggestions seriously and try and cover them as we go forward.

Drop

We love to hear from you, and we’d love to hear what’s happening in your world; what you enjoyed in our last issue; what made you laugh, what made you cry! Anything that matters to you, let us know. Every letter received goes in the draw to win a $50 voucher from The Fine Lion, Ashburton.

*See this month’s winning letter, below.

ART GALLERY MAR/APR

Zonta Ashburton Female Art Awards 2023

ZAFAA returns to the Ashburton Art Gallery for the seventh year to celebrate female artists living and working in Canterbury.

Exhibition: 11 Mar – 23 Apr

▶ ashburtonartgallery.org.nz

APR/JUN

MUSEUM

Humour Me – The Funny Side of Town

Exhibition: 18 Feb – 18 Jun

This exhibition explores Hakatere Ashburton’s own rich cartooning heritage.

▶ ashburtonmuseum.co.nz

Winning Letter

Hi Spirit Team

I wanted to share with you my simple pleasure each time I receive Spirit in my letterbox.

The first issue for this year arrived today and as usual I sat down with a cuppa and read it cover to cover.

I often think that we complain if we receive poor quality service or product, but sometimes forget to applaud the very good or excellent. Inside Spirit I always find an excellent read, good variety, and usually spot a great idea or buy.

I really love that its packed full of local stories and local business. This month I especially thought the Galantines Day at The Fine Lion was a fabulous idea. Keep up the great work!

- Lyn

Holiday Programme

Wed 12 - Fri 21 April

10:30am - 11:30pm

Ages 5-12 Free

Tues 11 - Fri 21 April

Day session - $35

Full

Field

Ages:

session $45

Unique Art Collection

GOES UNDER THE HAMMER

Over the last 50 years, the Braided Rivers Community Trust (BRCT), formerly The Ashburton Licensing Trust (ALT) amassed a significant art collection. The collection of over 40 paintings was mostly acquired as the winning works from the Ashburton Art Awards, which was sponsored by ALT.

In February this year, the Board of BRCT formally gifted approximately 30 to Advance Ashburton Community Foundation. Artists include Annie Baird, John Badcock, Clark Esplin and Robert McDowell.

These paintings make up a significant proportion of the artworks to be auctioned.

Gifted works from Merle Cooney and other private collections will also to be auctioned. This includes works by Marion Maguire, Rudi Gopas and a magnificent Alex Pawlowitz painted in 1916.

All proceeds going to the Ashburton Art Fund held by Advance Ashburton Community Foundation.

See below for viewing times and tickets.

A Versatile Venue

Have you REALLY looked closely at what’s on offer at Ashburton Event Centre? No? It’s time you did.

Ashburton’s only purpose-built conference and performing arts venue has everything you need to run your next conference, meeting, event or show.

Ashburton Event Centre offers state of the art technology throughout, a choice of three rooms for hire, along with a 500-seat auditorium.

The Bradford Room can seat up to 100 guests and is situated on the second floor with stair and lift access. Equipped with its own kitchen, bar, projector, screen and sound system, this room is suitable for any type of function and is a great private space for meetings.

The Foyer, on the main floor, can host over 100 guest and again has its own kitchen and bar. It’s the perfect space for a get together. Make your event more sophisticated by pulling the curtains to create a more formal setting.

The Green Room, which is the smallest area, holds up to 30 and has its own kitchenette along with a screen and projector.

The venue has an onsite technician who can help with any technical needs you have. We also ‘out hire’ meaning we bring our equipment to your office, garden or wherever your event is being held.

We offer staging, lighting, sound equipment, up to 70 inch tv’s or screens and projectors, plus a myriad of additional equipment to ensure your event runs smoothly. The team at the Event Centre pride themselves in going above and beyond to make your event as stress-free as possible as well as helping you every step of the way to ensure your event is one your guests will remember. Give the crew at Ashburton Event Centre a call today on 307-2010 or visit them on Wills Street, next to Neumann’s Tyres.

Foundation trustee Elizabeth Ashford with Merle Cooney

BECOMING

unbusy

Local cooking enthusiast Chantelle Quinn has said goodbye to the stressful life of long hours and overcommitment for a far slower pace and appreciation of the little things that truly matter. Spirit Magazine talks exclusively to the former MasterChef contestant about the last few years, and what’s on her plate that excites her.

Chantelle became a household name after her stint as a finalist on reality cooking show MasterChef but screws up her face when I mention the word ‘celebrity’.

“My brother likes to call me ‘the cowgirl in the kitchen,” she laughs, “so I think celebrity is stretching it a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t be where I am today, doing what I’m doing had I not done MasterChef. Would I recommend it to others? No! Can I say that 10 years later? Of course I can! I was very lucky in my time on the show; not necessarily what I learned to do, but what I learned not to do. And it confirmed that I was really good at cooking and that I really liked it. I’m glad I did it.”

MasterChef gave Chantelle the courage to open her first restaurant; she’s written recipes for ANZCO that ended up in Waitrose – one of the swankiest supermarket chains - in London. “I really should have charged more for them,” she laughs. Following her MasterChef success, she “fell into” catering for weddings and events. “I don’t think I’ll ever do a la carte again. I like defined projects –something that has a beginning a middle and an end. You can plan it and see it through. In a restaurant you have bookings, but you don’t know how many pork bellies will be ordered, or how many desserts. It was a good experience though and was all part of the journey.”

“When I first came out of MasterChef, I didn’t know what I wanted, and I think the success blurred things for me for a while. There were so many opportunities out there. It’s easy to get caught up in, but I lost sight of who I was and what really mattered. For a while my head was so far up my own arse, I couldn’t see daylight.”

“It took a while, but I eventually realised I wasn’t happy. Working 70 hours a week, running up and down the country trying to be THAT person, is shit, but it’s hard to say no, especially when people have such high expectations of you. I ended up in a pretty tough place, mentally, and had to ask for professional help to find myself again. It wasn’t easy, but I’d tell anyone else that’s struggling, to just do it. I’m now the happiest I’ve ever been.”

Words & Images: Judy McAuliffe

She credits her dad, Snow, with sparking her interest in cooking. “He was adventurous in the kitchen, and I’ve picked up a lot of his traits. He never measured anything, and I don’t either. I had to learn to measure and write it down when I’m designing recipes and doing cooking demonstrations.”

Classic Kiwi, French and Italian foods are her favourites. “There’s a family joke that we might be Italian.” She grins. “We have a black and white photo of my Grandad looking very Godfather/Mafia-ish, and my family are all Italian obsessed. Bolognese is a favourite dish at home. We mince the meat, make egg pasta and 8-hour pasta sauce. Half a bottle of wine goes into the sauce and eight hours later the other half is gone while the sauce has been simmering. Heaven!

Chatting over coffee, she comes across as down to earth, unpretentious, just like her food. Keeping it simple, using the best quality ingredients you can find, and letting the food speak for itself is her approach to food.

Unsurprisingly, 80% of the cooking at home falls on Chantelle’s shoulders although she says husband Damien makes a mean breakfast for dinner. “We eat simple food at home, some traditional Irish meals, lots of potatoes, sausages, I do a mean steak, and a lot of salads where I just empty the fridge and throw it all in a bowl, add lemon and oil, then eat.” She also grows some of their food. “It tastes so much better! I have four different types of tomatoes this year from plants that were given to me. The texture and flavour are just out of this world!” She also grows her own herbs and garnishes like fresh parsley, thyme, sage, oregano, chives, edible flowers and nasturtium leaves. “I don’t believe in putting anything on the plate that can’t be eaten.”

Daughter Bella, now 15, is also a foodie, but Chantelle’s not encouraging her towards it, as a career. “It’s hard work and unsociable hours. She works with me at Twentyfour

Catering, working private dinings and weddings. She’s on pans and she’s developed great skills, but I have to remind her that when we get home, we have to do the dishes –there’s a real world after you step out of the spotlight.”

She shares a story about a recent private booking, “It was a pretty swanky location. We served the meals in the cellar, carrying the food through a hidden door in a bookshelf, down the stairs, through the cinema to the cellar. They were lovely, salt of the earth people, and my menu was quite rustic: oysters in a classic Mignonette sauce; a prawn entrée, followed by steak and dessert. At the end, a gentlemen came up to me and said, “You took the best quality food, and you didn’t f*** around with it, yet somehow you made it better.” I laughed and said I’ll take that as a compliment! He very happily confirmed that it was meant as one.”

Early this year, after 13 years in the country, the family moved to Tinwald. “During Covid we realised we really liked each other, spending time together. I regained my passion for food and I’m back in the kitchen enjoying itjust not the big numbers of events. Damien has started his own business and we have this amazing balance, working smarter, not harder. It’s a great move for Bella, too.”

The move, the cutting back on commitments, is all part of a focus on being happy, keeping it simple. “It’s our dream to build a five-bay shed. Damien will get two bays for an equipment shed, one bay for my kitchen, then two bays for a house. Dreams are important.”

Home is Chantelle’s favourite place these days; barefoot, in her pj’s with a coffee or a wine in hand, music on, cooking for whoever might arrive. “Happiness is such an important thing. We live in this fast-paced world of busy, busy, busy, and it’s a cliché, but we should all take time to understand what’s really important in life. I learned the hard way that it’s the simple things that matter; sharing good food and good times with friends and family and laughing until I cry.”

If you have any concerns about mental health, free call or free text 1737.

Recipes courtesy of Chantelle Quinn from

UNPRETENTIOUS EASTER

2 Course Dinner!

Roasted Pumpkin & Garlic Coconut Soup with Toasted Black Sesame

In a large roasted pan place:

1 large pumpkin - cut in half, leave skin on and de-seed. Rub with olive oil & salt n pepper.

Place in middle of pumpkin

10 cloves peeled garlic

2 diced onions

¼ cup fresh thyme

2 tsp spoon dried cumin

1 tsp spoon salt

Directions

Roast on 180 for 45 mins - 1 hr. Once cooked, pull out of the oven and let cool for 10 mins.

Scoop all of the flesh out of the pumpkin skin into a large pot. Add 4 cups vegetable stock & 1 can coconut cream.

Cook over medium heat for 20-30 mins, stirring often.

Use your Ninja blender or your whizz stick to turn into Liquid Gold!

Pass through a sieve to catch the cheeky thyme sticks & any pumpkin skin. This makes it silky smooth. Garnish with Toasted Black Sesame seeds and a drizzle of sesame oil.

Seared Steak with Mustard & Thyme Pan Sauce

Choice of steak cut to your liking - I love the flavour of a good thick cut sirloin!

Salt

Cracked Pepper Rice Bran Oil

Sauce Ingredients

1 Clove finely cut garlic

1 teaspoon finely cut fresh thyme

2 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 Finely cut spring onion

Directions

Salt n pepper

1 cup thickened or cooking cream

Be sure to take your steak out of the fridge a good 30-40 mins before you are going to cook it. Rub your steak with oil and season WELL with salt & pepper

Have your frying pan smoking hot (make sure you have your extractor fan on full!) or your BBQ up high. I like to cook on my cast iron griddle pan

Add a little more oil to the pan & sear your steak on each side for 2-3 mins depending on thickness.

Steak should only be turned once and have a nice caramel colour, if your steak is stuck to the pan that means it’s not ready to be turned yet!

Once your steak is cooked on each side, remove from the pan and leave to rest covered with foil.

Big splash red wine

An exciting new fashion clothing store for kids

Whosaidakids’clothingstorehadtobeboring?NottheteamatHumunculus,that’sforsure!

Humunculus opened its doors, mid-March and brings a whole new level of gorgeous clothing for kids to Ashburton. Store owner Sarah Morton has re-invented, re-energised and relocated from Tots to Teens in the Ashburton Arcade, creating a bright, colourful, fun place to shop for the kids.

The name Humunculus is a play on the word homunculus, meaning little person. “If you’re shopping for the little people in your life, here’s where you’ll find what you’re looking for, " she says.

Sarah, along with her team of Stacey, Sandra and Sarah S are excited to have moved to the new location. “It’s a much nicer layout - so much easier to move around in and find what you’re looking for. It’s now a lovely, bright space for everyone to browse, try on, and shop.”

A mum of two boys, Sarah is passionate about ensuring kids have high quality clothing that they feel comfortable in. “We love bright, vibrant colours and fun prints. We love kids clothing that looks like kids clothing.”

Humunculus carries all the top brands you’ve come to know and love: trusted names like Nature Baby, Korango, Arthur Ave, Eve Girl, Eve’s Sister, St Goliath, Skechers and Bobux.

“We’re really excited to have added new brands too, in particular the Jamie Kay label, which is so well known. It’s a local, Ashburton brand and it’s great to bring it back home.”

All ages, from new-born to 16 years are catered for. “From Nature Baby through to the more grown up Eve Girl, we’ve chosen labels that every age will love. Teenagers want clothing that makes them feel grown up without moving into adult clothes, and Eve Girl fits that niche. It’s super fun and stylish.”

Bobux, Grosby, Vans and Skechers fit the bill for quality, stylish footwear and there’s a fitting service to ensure little feet are comfortable. “Nobody else does that. We’d much rather have kids in great fitting shoes and avoid complications.”

One of Sarah’s favourite features of the new store is the street frontage. She’s always thinking ahead and is already planning her Christmas window displays. Late shopping nights might be on the cards too – just watch this space!

With new stocks arriving by the day, it’s a great time to check out the latest trends for kids at Humunculus. Open 9am - 5pm weekdays / 10am - 1pm Saturdays

105 Tancred Street (Ashburton Arcade)

Phone 03 307 7340

Ashburton

Geraldine Alpaca Centre This gorgeous Glenorchy DK 100% NZ wool is just $4 a ball! Fabulous colours! Be in quick!

Tievoli Trading Donna Donna top $169.50

Trelisse

A PLACE OF calm

Words & Images: Judy McAuliffe

Homes near the water don’t come much more serene than this delightful Lake Hood home. It has been built to make the most of the water views and was based on a home design that the owners saw elsewhere, and held on to, until recently.

Planning their second home-build, the couple approached John Gibbs from Blueprint Architectural Services to design their family home, using the picture they had in mind. From that point, they say, everything “just came together.”

Having previously built to a building company’s pre-designed plan, they felt they wanted more flexibility. Danny Naish, of Naish Builders was recommended to them. “We talked to a few others, but Danny came highly recommended – he seemed to have that flexibility we wanted, and he was happy to make suggestions that we hadn’t thought of. That appealed to us.”

Built in a combination of Rockcote with schist and Axon cladding features, this 220sq metre home took just seven months to completion.

Despite the wet, blustery day, I step inside to a wonderful, enveloping warmth. While the walls throughout are predominantly neutral, strong features make every room a delightful discovery. The stark black and white of the kitchen is a feature in itself, and there’s a surprisingly roomy butler’s pantry to one side; skylights above the dining table encourage even more light into the space; ceiling heights are varied in the dining and living areas, creating a feeling of spaciousness.

The exterior schist and timber-look also feature inside with timber batoning above the kitchen island and a sturdy stone chimney fireplace standing tall in the living area. “The first home we built had a separate lounge, but we hardly used it. This time we’ve opted for one, generous space where we can all come together, and it’s great. It works for us.”

With three bedrooms (two with ensuites), a separate laundry, two-and-a-half bay garage, tons of storage space and a fabulous timber deck, this is a cleverly designed home that uses every inch of space to feel much larger than it is.

The couple are delighted with their new home, but struggle to choose a favourite room or feature: they love the mirror at the end of the dining, but there’s something they particularly love in every room. “It’s exactly what we wanted, and more. Would we change anything? – “Maybe the light over the table in the lounge,” they laugh, “or make the garage bigger”, he says. “Not a thing. We just love the whole house.”

WHO WORKED ON THIS HOME?

Six months on from moving in, the family could not be happier with their new home. Not only does it fulfil their original brief, it came in on time, and on budget, and they enjoyed a great relationship with their builder. “He was prepared to listen, suggest, and give anything a go. We loved the process from start to finish. We did have one delay with the windows, but he kept us informed, we knew what was happening at every step – the communication was really good.”

The couple are delighted with their new home, but struggle to choose a favourite room or feature: they love the mirror at the end of the dining, but there’s something they particularly love in every room.

ASHBURTON’S

Beauty Oasis

CACI ASHBURTON

We all need to make time for ‘me time’ - stepping back and taking care of yourself. Caci Ashburton is calm and peaceful; an ideal place to go for all your beauty treatments.

Owner of Caci Ashburton, Shelley Maiava is thrilled to be celebrating a year since opening in June 2022, and says that she’s looking forward to the busy months ahead. “The cooler months are the best time to try non-invasive skin treatments, such as laser hair removal, facial peels, photo Rejuvenation and Fractional CO2 Laser, simply because the lack of sun exposure is beneficial to healing time.”

Skin health is a focus for Caci Ashburton. A typical skin health journey will spread over 18 weeks, beginning with a consultation, from which a personalised treatment plan is designed to target specific skin concerns such as sun damage, pigmentation and acne. “It’s about steadily working to create beautiful, glowing skin. At 18 weeks we compare the before and after photos and the results speak for themselves.”

Shelley would encourage more women to try Fractional CO2 Laser and injectables. “It’s not like you see on TV with overplumped lips. What we do is very subtle –we just replace the gels lost over time, Botox is a great way of softening lines and used as a prevention from more appearing. Fractional CO2 is an amazing treatment for anyone with acne scars, sun spots,

pigmentation, roscea or ex-smokers. They can have fresh, healthy, smooth skin again, with a collagen boost also lift and tightening the skin at the same time. When they return for the post 2-week treatment check in, it’s an absolute thrill to see the end results and the confidence that gives them.”

ChillSculpt® is another in-demand, non-invasive service at Caci – basically freezing away stubborn fat that diet and exercise can’t budge. It’s not a weight loss solution, but ideal for blitzing inner thighs, lower tummy and saddle backs.

“Achieving great skin is not about one-off treatments. We're all about providing lasting results which is why we have our Memberships - to make it easy for you to get the results you want.”

A s a Caci Member you can enjoy early treatments and free treats such as facials, tinting and waxing. ‘‘We're here to help women and men, feel better about themselves and more confident,’’ Shelley says.

The clinic has four busy treatment rooms and the team of four, includes Shelley, beauty therapists Gemma and Nahteshiya, and Registered Nurse Belinda.

Facials, tinting, waxing, Microneedling, LED Light Therapy, Photo Rejuvenation and so much more- the team at Caci offer free consultations to chat about your skin concerns and the treatment and skincare options that will get you the best results!

Tuesday 10am - 6pm

Late night Wednesday and Thursday until 8pm

Friday 9am - 5pm

Saturday 9am - 1pm

Caci Ashburton www.caci.co.nz

What the flock?

THE GREAT KIWI PAV IS NO MORE! THERE ARE NO EGG SALADS, NO OMELETTES - ALL GONE!

Since November we’ve been scrambling for eggs, prowling the supermarkets in the hope that we arrive right behind the latest egg delivery. In frustration, many people are starting their own backyard farms, but it’s not all sunny side up.

We asked a couple of local eggs-perts to give us the ins and outs of keeping chickens for fresh eggs at home, and their best advice to anyone keen to ‘chicken up’.

There’s no doubt that keeping chickens at home, if done right, can be a very rewarding experience. They will provide you with fresh eggs and be educational too. However, there are a few things you should consider before launching yourself into this.

Firstly, a shortage of eggs is a bad reason for keeping chickens. The shortage will eventually be over, and what will you do then?

Another big consideration is the cost of keeping chickens. It’s apparently a complete myth that chickens live on food scraps and are cheap to keep. Our eggs-perts tell us that by the time you factor in the price of layer mash, ongoing healthcare and vet bills and the time spent cleaning, your eggs end up costing just as much or more, than buying them from the supermarket – that’s of course, if you can get them.

Are there local bylaws regarding keeping chickens? Depending on what part of Mid Canterbury you live in, there may be restrictions, so do your research.

If you have close neighbours, what will they think of your rooster at 5am?

“Chickens have great benefits, but you need to put a lot of work in initially,” says Lynne. “Finding someone to feed and water them when we go away can be difficult too. Like having a dog, or any pet, you have to have someone to look after them, but it you think it through, balance out the pros and cons and it still looks good, go for it.”

When it comes to woodfires, Laser Electrical has the up-to-date knowledge, free quoting and stock available to make your new fireplace purchase a breeze.

Megan Christie manages the heating and woodfires at Laser, and what she doesn’t know about them, isn’t worth knowing. Megan and colleague Emily are constantly up-skilling, so they know all the latest requirements, specs and technical aspects.

“There’s nothing like the natural warmth and ambience from a flickering fire,” Megan says. “It’s still the nicest way to keep your home warm, dry and healthy,”

The technology of woodfires is constantly changing, and they’re making a strong comeback, worldwide. “It’s not as

ONE SUPPLIER has it all

easy as just choosing a fire you like the look of, or one with the highest output. You have to consider the size of the room, ceiling height, the insulation, glazing, and other factors. You don’t want to be cold, but nor do you want to fry.”

Most woodfires today are radiant, meaning they radiate a constant heat out into the room, rather than peaks and troughs. Depending on your location, regulations may dictate whether you install a clean air approved, low emission or ultra-low emission fire. “We’re finding that many of our rural clients are choosing ultra-low emissions, not wanting to find themselves having to replace if regulations change in a few years down the track.”

“We’re the specialist retail store so we have access to exclusive products you won’t find elsewhere. We work with

recognised brands that we know are reliable; Metro, Masport and Woodsman are our most popular brands, but we also have Yunka and Firenzo available, and we know that parts and accessories for these are readily available.”

Woodfires for winter 2023 have undergone a style makeover too. The trend now is for the tall, square style which has a smaller footprint, making it ideal for any size home.

Visit Laser Electricals’ showroom on East Street or give them a call and arrange for a quote. They can also deal with Council consents and recommend an installer who is familiar with the type of fire you’ve chosen. Too easy!

Laser Electrical 726 East Street, Ashburton P: 03 308 2106

With all the holdups and shortages we’ve experienced in recent times, an opportunity to source everything from one trusted, local supplier is a plus!

In addition to our extensive wholefoods selection and pantry essentials, we also have gifts galore including these latest jewellery Lest we Forget. This incredible range of Anzac commemorative jewellery celebrates our heroic forces with ceramic and mixed metal NZ coin pendants, earrings and brooches.

Well worth the drive to 24 Wilson St, Geraldine | OPEN 7 DAYS | P: 027 247 2863 geraldinecottage pantry | www.cottagepantry.co.nz

SOMETHING NEAT • SOMETHING SWEET SOMETHING BLOOMING • SOMETHING BRIGHT SOMETHING IN GERALDINE IS WAITING FOR YOU!

#lovegeraldinenz

Stop and smell the roses

This gem of a café is warm and spacious inside, with fabulous indoor and outdoor dining. Relax and enjoy fabulous food with a great coffee or glass of wine and fabulous service.

With a great selection of cabinet food plus in-house menus and daily specials. Breakfast, brunch or lunch, and our patio is dog friendly, so bring your furry friends along.

Open daily 9am – 3pm 45c Talbot St, Geraldine | 03 693 9616 | verdegeraldine.co.nz

ForgetNotMeGifts

MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL!

15% off all Living Light Candles until Sunday 14 May.

Handmade in NZ, these exquisite handmade candles will bring light, scent and ambience to this special day.

COMBO OFFER

Purchase small, medium and large combo for just $75.

Four Peaks Plaza, 76e Talbot St, Geraldine Phone 03 693 8802

15% OFF

GERALDINE

New stocks of beautiful bags, accessories and woman's Italian fashions arriving weekly at Tievoli.

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SAVE 30% off all indoor and outdoor pots urns and tubs. Plus we have indoor plants galore! Call into our garden centre - Our team is happy to help you. We’re locals, looking after locals.

Main Street of Geraldine | Phone: 03 693 7312

Sirdar Cashmere Merino Silk

NEW STOCKS JUST LANDED!

Free pattern & free needles with every purchase over $100.

Four Peaks Plaza Geraldine Phone: 03 693 7363

A staple item for the winter

Noble Wilde jerseys are quality, NZ-made - so light you’ll hardly know you’re wearing them!

Warm and comfortable, they’re not bulky, so you can layer them on those extra cold days.

Great range of colours and styles in store now.

Sizes Small to 2XL.

The Kitchen Cupboard prides itself on quality brands and equipment to make your time in the kitchen enjoyable. We also have a large range of specialty cake pans for hire, plus all the decorating tools and icings. Looking for a specialised tool?

Just ask – in most instances we can source from one of our trusted suppliers. From neutrals to brights, we have a colour palette for every interior. Pop instore or online and view our range of bakeware, cookware, giftware and more.

34B Talbot Street Geraldine | Phone: 03 693 8632

From the mystical and mythical to the practical and beautiful, there is something for everyone.

dream realising a

Words & Images: Judy McAuliffe

The AC Cobra is a car that needs absolutely no introduction. Since the first Cobra was born back in 1962 this iconic car has featured in movies and had songs written about itelevating it to movie star status. It is a motoring legend. I was lucky enough to discover an owner-built Cobra Replica in Geraldine recently, owned by Paul Robins, who also happens to be the owner and curator at Route 79 Museum. I had to know more.

Yes, Paul owns and runs his own, immaculately presented museum full of cars of all makes and models, old motorbikes, horse buggies, WWII era vehicles, cannons and various artillery. But, ask him if he has a favourite, the answer is immediate, “The Cobra is pretty special,” he smiles.

Paul’s fascination with the Cobra goes back many years, from when he first saw one in a book. An aircraft engineer, he remembers being totally captured by the sleek, curvy, lightweight body that had been coupled with the grunt of the V8 engine. He knew that one day he would own one.

An original Cobra can be priced right out of the market for your average punter. A kit car is so much more affordable, and, as Paul points out, possibly more enjoyable knowing that you have built it. “There’s absolutely nothing like sitting in a car and knowing that you poured your heart and soul into it. You know every nut and bolt that’s gone into it, and you can feel them all working. Every part of the car, is there because you put it there.”

Now if you’re not interested in technical details, I suggest you scroll down past the next few paragraphs, but I know that many motoring-savvy readers will want to know these details; when it comes to kit cars there are, after all, as many different options in a home-build as there are home-builders.

Paul ordered the bare body kit from a Wellington fabrication company back in the early 80’s and built all the systems himself. At the time he was working away from home a great deal, so the entire build took him six years.

The Cobra is built on an e-type Jag back end and a Torana front end making it pretty unique. The engine is a 289 Ford V8 engine paired with a C4 automatic transmission. Weighing in at just 950 kilos, and with 270 brake horsepower. Paul tells me he’s a very responsible driver and never exceeds the speed limit, but there’s a bit of a grin, which tells me not to take that as gospel. I’d advise you pack clean underwear – if you’re lucky enough to be invited along for the ride, I think you’re going to need it!

“It goes like a cut cat – not that I’d ever do that.” Another grin. Beautifully finished in metallic blue very close to the original cobra, with a single hoop chrome-plated roll bar, it’s a car with classic appeal. “I do have it on display in the Museum, but it’s not a show car. I take it out when I can, although not as much as I did back in the 80’s and 90’s.”

Paul’s 1985 Cobra Replica draws attention wherever it goes. He says it still feels pretty special to drive. “It’s easy to spend two hours or more out on the road, enjoying every minute of it.”

Last week Paul had three other Cobra Replicas unexpectedly drop in. “They were built completely differently, but that’s the beauty of building your own car. We all had amazing cars, that were built just the way we wanted them because we’d built them!”

“Owning, building a Cobra is a dream for a lot of people, and I’m lucky enough to have done that. It’s an exciting car to own, and exciting to drive. It doesn’t get much better.”

IT’S TIME FOR

ASHBURTON’S ICONIC CELEBRATION OF WHEELS SUNDAY 30 APRIL - SUNDAY 21 MAY Mark it on your calendar!

No matter what sort of wheels you’re into, classic and vintage cars, mountain bikes, 4x4’s, motorbikes, stockcars, aircraft, you will not be disappointed!

This iconic schedule of wheel events has them all - and many more besides - celebrating everything that trundles, cycles and rolls on and off the road!

First up on the programme is the Ashburton Vintage Car Club Swap Meeting - now a muchawaited event, drawing lovers, lurkers and lookers from throughout Mid Canterbury, Timaru, North Canterbury, Christchurch and beyond, all searching for that elusive part, piece of memorabilia or must-have treasure.

There are street sprints, American rod and custom car show, motorcycle show, mountain bike relay racing, Rotary Club classic car run, Plains Railway will be open, wheelchair basketball, Ashburton Aviation Museum will be open, classic boats on Lake Hood and plenty more.

For details of events and registration, check out the website

www.wheelsweek.co.nz

bookshelf

Would you like to be review our books? Email: office@spiritmagazine.co.nz

The Girl in the Mirror

by Rose Carlyle

An edge-of-your-seat debut thriller with identical twins, a crazy inheritance and a boat full of secrets. Who can you trust? Absolutely nobody!

'As addictive and intoxicating as the perfect martini. Don't start reading unless you have cancelled all your plans.'

- Sarah Bailey, author of The Dark Lake and Where the Dead Go.

Identical twins only look the same …

Beautiful twin sisters Iris and Summer are startlingly alike, but beyond what the eye can see lies a darkness that sets them apart. Cynical and insecure, Iris has long been envious of open-hearted Summer's seemingly never-ending good fortune, including her perfect husband, Adam.

Called to Thailand to help sail the family yacht to the Seychelles, Iris nurtures her own secret hopes for what might happen on the journey. But when she unexpectedly finds herself alone in the middle of the Indian Ocean, everything changes. Now is her chance to take what she's always wanted - the idyllic life she's always coveted. But just how far will she go to get the life she's dreamed about? And how will she make sure no one discovers the truth?

Violet’s Scarf

by Colleen Brown

Cover & illustrations by Emma Lay

• The extraordinary World War 1 true story of two New Zealand siblings and a scarf.

• In 1915 Violet is eight years old, living in Southland, when a Red Cross worker asks her class to contribute something for the soldiers serving overseas.

• Violet knits a scarf.

• The scarf is wrapped and the parcel has a tag with Violet’s name on it.

• The parcel joins 250,000 others sent to New Zealand soldiers in France in1916.

• The journey takes more than a year and when the Red Cross parcels are thrown randomly to the soldiers, Violet’s scarf is caught by her brother George serving near the frontline.

• George kept the scarf safe throughout the rest of the war and brought it and Violet’s tag home to New Zealand. The tag is now in Dunedin’s Hocken Library.

Colleen Brown heard about this story when visiting Southland with cousins to see where their family had lived at the turn of the last century. They visited the stunning Te Hikoi Museum in Riverton where she watched a video of early settlers speak about their lives in the 1900s. One of the speakers was a woman called Violet Craig, nee Cloughley. Violet talked about this episode in her life and even though Colleen has told the story many times now, it still gives her goosebumps. She undertook a huge amount of research, including working closely with Violet’s and George’s descendants to get the book as factually correct as she could.

Entries MUST include a reliable daytime phone number, and your address

JOIN OUR DIGITAL COMMUNITY

Every new e-subscriber this month goes in the draw to win a fabulously indulgent Botanic Spa gift set that includes a hand massager, lip scrub, body cream and hand & nail cream.

Value $45.00 .

THE GIRL IN THE MIRROR

by Rose Carlyle

Twin sisters Iris and Summer are startlingly alike, but beyond what the eye can see lies a darkness that sets them apart. Who can you trust?

Absolutely nobody!

More info page 22.

Entry Information: Entries close 9pm Friday 28 April 2023

THE GREAT SIMS BAKERY PIE STASH

Who doesn’t love a good pie? Sims Bakery pies are among the best around, full of tasty, meaty goodness, and we’re giving you the chance to win a PIE STASH that includes:

1 x Trucker pie, 1 x Family pie,

6 x Individual pies.

We’ll do one PIE STASH draw each month.

VIOLET’S SCARF

by Colleen Brown

1915 Violet is eight years old, living in Southland, when a Red Cross worker asks her class to contribute something for the soldiers serving overseas. Violet knits a scarf and an amazing tale unfolds More info page 22.

Send emailed entries to office@spiritmagazine.co.nz. Emailed entries must state which prize draw they are for, in the subject line. All entries must include your name, address and a reliable daytime phone number. Entries may also be posted. Pop your information on the back of an envelope and address it to Spirit Magazine, P.O. Box 637 Ashburton 7740. Posted entries must clearly state which prize draw they are for. Prizes to be collected from Spirit Magazine office Ashburton.

ASK DAVID

I spoke at a large fundraiser of around 300 people in Wanaka. Early in the talk, I asked the audience to close their eyes, tune into their body, and put a number between one and 100 on how well they felt. With 100 - feeling full of vibrant energy and no limiting health issues. I then asked people to raise their hands if they came up with a number between 90 and 100. I was more than a little shocked to find that only one other person in the audience and myself were in that band. I carried on in bands of ten and stopped at 50, by which time only about half of the audience had put their hands up.

At 76, I would still rate myself about a 90, but I don't regard anything I do to keep feeling this way as difficult or hard work. Yes, I eat a reasonable quality low-carb diet, but I'm not rigid about what I eat, and I'm not super fit, but I do pay attention to detoxing my mind.

So this month, I have a question for you - What number out of one to 100 would you rate your health, and what is the one question I could answer for you that you feel would move the needle on your health and the way you feel? Send

David Musgrave is the founder and owner of the successful Waihi Bush Organic Farm brand. As a research scientist with 48 years’ experience, David has spent the last 30 years studying food, nutrition and in particular women’s health. He is still an organic farmer and is passionate about creating products that support wellness.

DISCLAIMER All advice given is from David’s 48 years of experience as a scientist, author, and owner of a successful health food business selling Omega 3 rich products. It should be used to supplement rather than replace the advice of your doctor or another trained health professional. If you suspect you have a health problem you should consult a health professional before embarking on any dietary changes. We disclaim liability for any medical outcomes that may occur as a result of applying methods suggested.

You feel tired, overwhelmed, anxious, unsexy and often just plain cranky - life is not fun anymore? Share your concerns and benefit from David’s extensive knowledge of health and wellness.