Life style 23 december 2016

21 August, 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 1

Build, play and relax See page 2 Elise Talbut (16 months) with teacher Donna Williams

THE WEEKEND

Featuring

Design & build | Art & creativity | Food | Performing arts

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life+style The Weekend Sun 21 20152016 23August, December,

Design for learning Wild Willow, Teddy, Japonica, Butter and Brie – it sounds like the beginnings of a nursery rhyme. Fitting, given it’s actually the colour palette of the recently-opened Elm Tree Early Learning Centre in central Tauranga.

“The colours are cheerful, welcoming and a little bit playful,” says Peta Tearle, who designed the colour scheme for the childcare centre’s interior and exterior.

A bold, bright gold hue ‘Teddy’ welcomes families into the childcare centre as they walk through the entranceway.

“The kids just love yellow, it’s very sunny,” says Peta. “The idea is to make them happy and to keep the energy light and easy going.

“What’s important for a building is that it has the right feel. Elm Tree’s colour scheme needed to be fun with a nice design aesthetic.

“For me the colours don’t impose too much on what’s going on. It allows the children to be the stars of the place whilst creating just the right feeling.”

Centre director Rebekah Sharp has been involved in the project from the very beginning.

“It was an opportunity to be part of the design and see its progress all the way through – and being a new centre, we were able to customise every aspect to create this amazing space.”

Rebekah says textures of natural wood, sand and stone – as well as aesthetic features throughout the centre – create a settled and calm environment.

She says the centre’s design is balanced with plenty of free space for children to play, build, relax and display their creations – and all furniture is mobile so new play areas can be created.

“The contemporary design is ordered, everything has a place and a purpose – every space and every resource has been chosen to enrich the experience of each child and their stage of learning.

“Furniture and fittings are made from natural materials, complementing the centre’s

sustainable practices of solar power and water, recycling of packaging and paper, and use of food scraps for composting.”

Completed in November 2016, the centre at 16 Mission St is located in the heart of Tauranga’s CBD. “Our location is in easy walking or driving distance for working parents, with leafy green surroundings that are peaceful and quiet despite being on the city fringe.”

Rebekah says Elm Tree’s teaching team are experienced and fully qualified. “They’re diverse in language and origins and keen to share their interests. This offers an enriched learning experience for our children.”

Central to Elm Tree’s brand is the desire to connect with the wider community. “This is evidenced by volunteer work in local schools and at The Elms, the inclusive and welcoming spirit of the team and the way it embraces and celebrates diversity.”

Nutritious food is made for the children with individual dietary requirements met, says Rebekah. And learning is child-led based on what they are interested in.

“We encourage children to learn about the environment to encourage child-led play and learning leading to the development of children who are thinkers and problem solvers.”

Families can visit Elm Tree Early Learning Centre at 16 Mission St anytime, but there’ll be a special Open Day on January 21 for parents and children to meet the teachers and explore Zoe Hunter what they have to offer.

Ayla White (6)

Jack Flowerday with teacher Hannah Barlow

Kennedy Lichtwark (1) with teacher Rachel Hahn

Ollie Talbut (3)

Photos: Bruce Barnard

Purpose built centre opens

23 December, 2016

life+style The Weekend Sun 3

Boat building a dragon Utilising work skills for fun Paul de Wild is building a dragon is his kitchen. Drogon from Game of Thrones.

Life size. Wearable.

“This is our ‘normal’” says the boat builder by trade, referring to how he and wife Rozanne spend their spare time at home.

As we talk, Rozanne is also working on a life size wearable Ludo (from Labyrinth.)

Boats are in Paul’s blood. “Mum and Dad started building a yacht when I was eight, they finished when I was 12, and from there, we sailed around the Pacific, through the Panama Canal, and onto Europe.”

Paul and his brothers were educated via the New Zealand Correspondence School, collecting their school work from the General Post Office at their next port of call, with exams sat in whatever city the family were closest to.

On returning to New Zealand Paul looked for a boat building apprenticeship, but was unable to find one.

“I did a cabinet making apprenticeship instead.

Then the firm I was working for was bought. By a boat building company.” Serendipity.

When offered a job in Italy, the New Zealandborn European-passport holder headed over and led a team of similar Kiwis, well known abroad for their work ethics – hard workers, putting in the long hours, and producing a quality product.

Rozanne and children Stephen (then 10) and Kali (then 5) followed shortly after, and were based in the small Italian town of Fano.

Sixty-one thousand people in a place the size of Katikati. The locals didn’t speak English; the de Wilds didn’t speak Italian.

It required a big change in Rozanne’s mind-set.

“Suddenly our kids went from an outdoor living environment to a third-floor apartment, and overnight our five and 10-year-old are sharing a bedroom the size of a standard kiwi bathroom.

What came natural to Paul, I had no experiences of how to adjust to.

The experience was isolating, and then September 11 happened.” Rozanne and the kids came home.

Paul completed his contracts, and continued to take on others. “Before we got married, Paul had never flatted. Since we’ve been married, he’s gone flatting a dozen times with a bunch of the boys, having now worked in Tunisia, Spain, China, the UK and more.”

Outside of work, Paul puts his skills to use at home, having built over the years a lot of the family furniture, and now for Cosplay, a passion the whole family shares.

Race yachts are at the cutting edge of technology. “You’re always innovating, you’re always trouble-shooting, and creating, and we often think outside the square.

“With Cosplay, you’re always thinking what is the most screen accurate yet cost-effective way to build the character.”

Drogon is Paul’s first sculpting project, crafted using oil-based modelling clay on a base of polystyrene, covered in Rebound 25, a brush-on silicone product used to make flexible molds, and will use a high-performance silicone rubber product to finish, called, ironically, Dragon Skin.

They’re aiming to debut the dragon at Armageddon Tauranga in May 2017.

To see progress updates, visit www.facebook.com/dewildcosplay Karolyn Timarkos

Paul de Wild

“You’re always innovating, you’re always trouble-shooting, and creating, and we often think outside the square”

‘Shenandoah of Sark’

Paul and wife Rozanne as Cersei and Jamie Lannister

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23August, December, life+style The Weekend Sun 21 20152016

A social breakfast Mouth-watering options at the Mount There is nothing better to start the day than a ‘social breakfast’. It was a real pleasure to review the new breakfast menu for Mount Social Club.

Head chef Cauē Abrahāo and breakfast head chef Felip Zegpi.

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on regular wine prices when you mention this ad at our Cellar Door

My first impressions when handed the menu were: ‘Wow, finally a breakfast menu with a difference that gets me excited!’. I can certainly see myself being a regular during the holiday period. The Raglan Roast coffee art is reason alone to visit. The atmosphere is relaxed, bright and cheerful, which adds to the dining experience.

The choices range from superfoods, vegan, glutenfree, and catered for bacon and egg lovers. Mount Social Club uses only free-range eggs and bacon, with locally sourced products wherever possible.

The menu choices that caught my instant attention were firstly the Acai Power Bowl. This superfood vegan dish of acai tropical berries blended with guarana into a sorbet, topped with

crunchy granola, coconut flakes and fresh seasonal fruit was to die for, priced at only $14.50. The other superfood option is the delightful coconut and chia pudding. Chia, coconut and strawberry creamy mousse garnished with fresh fruit.

My second favourite would have to be the Vegan Warrior, a beautifully presented dish of Portobello mushrooms served with cashew nut cheese, grilled tomato, avocado, rocket, asparagus, red carrot with pumpkin dressing on multigrain toast.

This dish was bursting with flavour and goodness, at only $17 it was super impressive considering the number of components.

If you are looking for a ‘social’ breakfast choice to share, what an awesome way to start the day!

Friends sharing a breakfast platter with perhaps a juice or glass of champagne.

The tapa-style avocado addiction is a selection of multigrain toast served five-ways, topped with brie and bacon – my favourite – salmon and capers, haloumi and rocket, cherry tomato and basil, honey, cranberry and coconut.

The social breakfast platter for two contains a selection of cheese bread and dips with free-range bacon, free-range poached eggs, fresh seasonal fruit, dried fruit and coconut and chia pudding with granola.

If you are looking for a more substantial option don’t worry they have it covered with the choice tower, Portobello mushroom with homemade hash brown, grilled tomato, avocado, rocket and poached eggs, you get a choice of having haloumi, salmon or free range bacon or chorizo.

Breakfast is available from 8am with some dishes available all day. Kids are more than welcome.

Right after writing this before breakfast, I am now extremely hungry so must be off!

Claire Rogers

23 December, 2016 21 August, 2015

Vegan Warrior Ingredients: Portobello mushrooms Vegan Cheese – See recipe below Avocado Tomato

Rocket Asparagus Pickled Red Carrot – See recipe below Pumpkin Dressing – See recipe below

Process: 1. Score the Portobello mushrooms with a knife, season and bake in a hot oven for 10mins.

2. Pan fry the asparagus with 1 pickled red carrot per person.

3. Smash the avocado with olive oil and seasoning.

4. Put a base of baby rocket on the plate and begin your Vegan Warrior stack 5. Finish the dish with a scoop of Vegan Cheese and dot the plate with the Pumpkin Dressing 6. Enjoy!

Vegan Cheese Recipe Place 100g of cashew nuts in a bowl, cover with water and leave to soak overnight in the fridge. Blend with the juice of half a lemon and plenty of seasoning then spoon cheese mixture back into a bowl to store in the fridge until ready.

Pickled Red Carrots Place 10 baby carrots in a jar with 1 litre of warm water, 500ml of apple cider vinegar and 500g of sugar. Seal and soak overnight in the fridge. These are great to keep in the fridge for most summer salads or as an accompaniment to other main dishes.

Pumpkin Dressing Boil 300g of peeled pumpkin until soft. Once cooked, drain and transfer into a mixing bowl. Add 600g of fresh corn kernels, a handful of coriander, the juice of one lemon, seasoning and a tablespoon of olive oil. Use a blender to blend well then strain the mixture through a sieve using a whisk to stir through. Transfer dressing into a bottle and place in fridge to set before using. You will love this dressing so much that you will probably use it for lots of other dishes this summer too!

Chef’s tip – Use a whisk to stir the mixture through the sieve as this is much quicker.

39 Devonport Road, Tauranga Phone 07 571 1292

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life+style The Weekend Sun 5

December, life+style The Weekend Sun 2123August, 2015 2016

Capturing the dance Setting the scene for something special Specialist dance photographer Beth Maskey laughs when asked if she ever danced. “For about six months, when I was five.”

Par for the course for a Kiwi kid, then. “I was given the option of practising and doing the exam or quitting. I chose quitting.”

Possibly not an easy decision for a young girl from four generations of dancers, but the ballet world’s loss was also the ballet world’s gain. Beth is now a keenly sought-after photographer, specialising in images of dancers, often in unusual or quirky settings.

“Photography is what I do full-time, but I wouldn’t call myself a professional photographer,” says the 27-year-old modestly.

Looking at her images, you’d beg to differ. You’d probably also be surprised to know she only bought her first camera four years ago, and started dance photography just two years ago.

“I wanted to buy a camera for a long time, but I couldn’t afford to.”

Beth is talking about a good l single-lens reflex – or SLR – camera, not a point-and-click happy snapper.

“My sister, Abbey Fletcher, is a dancer, and I used to get quite frustrated with photos we bought of her that…” She chooses her words diplomatically, and carefully changes tack. “I thought there were a few ways they could have done them differently. I wanted to get a camera and take the photos I wanted to see.”

She started with an “entry level” Canon 600D, which was “extremely exciting”. She then upgraded to a Canon 7D. “I’m using it as an in between camera – until it starts to frustrate me. That’s what I did with the 600D. Once I can’t do some of the things I want to, it’s time to upgrade.

“Ultimately, I want the 5D, but I’m not quite ready for that yet.”

What is it that distinguishes a professional photographer’s work from smart phone happy snaps, even as good as some of those are?

“It’s in what you can do. Cellphones do take good photos now, but you get more depth and dimension, and richer photos, with an SLR camera.”

Beth is also keen on the control she has over her photography using an SLR. “I recently did an early morning beach shoot, and wanted to capture a dreamy, soft quality. You can’t do that on a phone camera. I would have got a nice, clear photo, but I couldn’t have gotten the effect I wanted.

A self-taught photographer, Beth did a lot of experimenting to begin with.

“I hired out one of the studios at the Dance Education Centre, took photos of my sister, changed a couple of settings, and worked out what made things go darker or lighter, clearer or softer. I

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23 21 December, 2016 August, 2015

“I hired out one of the studios at the Dance Education Centre, took photos of my sister, changed a couple of settings, and worked out what made things go darker or lighter, clearer or softer”

also studied a lot of online tutorials.”

Like a chef who never measures anything that goes into their dishes, Beth intuitively knows what ingredients make a great shot.

She struggles to explain it. “If something’s wrong, I know how to fix it, but I can’t describe how I know to do what I do.”

Beth loves taking images of dancers in random places. “I did a photo shoot with Olivia Moore in Auckland’s Queen St. I’d had the idea in my head for years, having a classical dancer in a place they really shouldn’t be – the middle of an urban street crossing with people everywhere.”

The most liked image from that shoot posted on Facebook is a juxtaposition of Olivia, in white, surrounded by mostly black-garbed Aucklanders who, for the most part, ignore her completely.

Except one.

“I love that she matches the shape of the no-turning sign,” says commenter Nellie Buissink.

“The old man looks so disapproving, as if she is so blatantly disobeying the sign.”

Beth says in every photo there is at least one person whose “really interesting character” shines through.

She loves working with Olivia. “I know her really well, and her timing. Everyone jumps differently, so a timing that works for Olivia, might not work for someone else.”

Aside from Olivia on Queen St, Beth has photographed girls in Auckland’s Wintergarden, at the beach, in the middle of roadworks, on Customhouse Quay, and in front of old houses or wooden doors. Does she view the world differently to most people?

“Constantly. We’ll be driving along, and I’ll think,

Beth Maskey

oooh that’s a good place, oooh that’s a good place, oooh that’s a good place. You can turn anywhere into something that looks good in a photo. We walked past a Turkish shop with a bench and a wall, and I thought, that could look quite nice in a photo. When walking along, I scan everywhere.”

The ideas don’t always work. “Sometimes I’ll try something, and think, oops that doesn’t look great, but usually it does.”

Scrolling through Beth’s photos, it’s a good bet that “usually” means “99.9 per cent” of the time.

To see more of Beth’s work, visit: www.facebook. com/bethmaskeyphotography and: www.instagram. com/bethmaskeyphotography Karolyn Timarkos

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life+style The Weekend Sun 21 August, 2015

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