New year for Retire and Live
Doubtless Bay Retire and Live Group got under way for 2018 with a barbecue lunch, superbly cooked by the Mangonui Lions Club.
The St John Hall at Cooper’s Beach reportedly looked quite spectacular, with red tablecloths, bowls of potato chips, orange juice and lemonade and a very busy trading table. There were also plenty of raffles.
President Margaret Foster announced the meeting programme for the year.
Committee member May cross gave the March meeting a fitting seasonal flavour by dressing as the Easter bunny, giving everyone an egg as they arrived. The trading table was again profitable and the raffles well supported.
Guest speaker Mark Burkill, a strength and balance exponent from Sport Northland, began his presentation by singing a Cat Stevens song, which left his audience highly entertained.
Mark is involved with helping communities start classes for seniors to help them maintain their independence, and had everyone actually doing some of the exercises. They were not difficult, and encouraged some members to consider doing them regularly.
The emphasis, he said, would be on enjoyment, laughter and fun, all with assistance from Sport Northland.
Committee member Pauline Nethercott put her hand up as a volunteer to take a group, with some assistance, and classes are in the process of being established.
Meanwhile, April’s highlight was a bus trip that had had to be postponed from the previous meeting because of the weather. Members enjoyed a trip through Puketi Forest on a beautiful autumn day, most also taking the short walk on the Kauri Track. A wonderful experience for some who had never seen a kauri tree before.
Then it was on to Kerikeri for a very enjoyable lunch at the Rock Salt Bar and Restaurant, and finally, before boarding the bus for home, time for some retail therapy.
The next meeting is at the end of this month, with a guest speaker from Alzheimer’s Northland, the usual trading table and raffles. Contact May Cross on (09) 406-0188 for details.
Doubtless Bay Retire and Live meets bi-monthly in the St John hall at Cooper’s Beach, 1pm to 3.30pm.