President Jim's Comments
Around 3 years ago when we moved up to Hillview Road I planted a Cherry tree, along with half a dozen or so other fruit trees. I have always had a vegetable garden, but never any fruit trees, so I was branching out into something I didn’t know much about. The Cherry tree was a fairly robust tree, and that first summer it fattened up a bit, but of course no sign of any cherries. In the next year it grew an amazing amount – out and up, and lovingly nurtured it conjured up half a dozen or so bunches of fruit. They were coming along nicely, starting to redden up. We went away for a couple of days, and when we got back I went out to check my cherries, however the blackbirds had decided they were their cherries – all gone.
I learned a lesson. I pruned it, sprayed it, fed it and made up a bird proof net for the next summer – this summer. I got the net over it at the right time, shot a couple of blackbirds just to show them whose cherries they were this year. The tree is loaded with fruit this year.
Last Sunday we went to a reunion of Lizzie’s family in Gore, and I proudly picked a bag full of cherries and took them with me. One of Lizzie’s nephews owns a cherry orchard up Pisa Moorings way and told me they weren’t ripe yet. He cut a couple up and told me what they should look like when they are at their ripest and sweetest. So I have learned another lesson. It’s a tough life, and I guess we never stop learning.
COVID has been around almost as long as my Cherry tree, and that has been a big learning curve for us all as well. How could we have possibly conjured up something that was going to turn our lives upside down. The world has had to learn so much so quickly about this virus – any wonder that there have been some trip ups on the way. It acts like it just wants to keep one step ahead of us. As a club we have imposed some protocols on members and guests/visitors, and it was very pleasing to see that all those who attended last Tuesday’s meeting were all able to produce their vaccine certificates. I suppose with 90% of the population vaccinated that was more likely than not to be the case. Similarly, with the Trail Bike company I work for it is “no vaccine pass, no bike hire”. In a business that relies heavily on Aucklanders and other major cities in the North, there is a real good chance that if it does spread south, that is how it will happen. I want the certainty that anyone who gets into my shuttle has done all that is asked of them to avoid being a possible spreader.
Giant Pumpkin
I am growing a giant pumpkin – along with some others in the club. Never grown pumpkins either so another learning curve. Google is telling me what I should do but??
Anyway, this is my pumpkin vine. It has been subtly planted at the bottom of my waste greenery dump site, so hopefully is enjoying that goodness leeching out of the pile of composting greenery
To you other growers; I’ve showed you mine, now you show me yours!
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
This Rotary program is for budding young leaders and has emphasis on leadership, citizenship, and personal growth. Students attending the RYLA Camp have a unique opportunity to
Build communication and problem-solving skills
Discover strategies for becoming a dynamic leader in the community
Learn from community leaders, inspirational speakers, and peer mentors and
Unlock their potential to turn motivation into action.
Have fun and form lasting friendships.
It was really great to advise the club last week that Gregor Martin (Carolyn’s son) has been selected to attend RYLA as the club’s nominee. This is such a worthwhile program, and the club needs to put more effort into finding young leaders in the Alexandra area for future programs.
Poplar Grove
Ren & Nev with a little bit of assistance from Richie Stephens have transformed the area across the river from Rotary Park. What was an ugly mess of willows and other rubbish trees, is developing into a park area that will be an asset to the town. The most recent working bee smoothed out and spread grass seed over the area that has been filled to remove the steep banks that made maintenance of the area so difficult. Now we rely on the rain gods to keep it moist.
Well Done to those who have assisted in getting the project to this stage.
Nev suggested that by way of thanking Richie for all the hours of work that he has put in that we send he and his wife to Mahu Whenua (Healing the Land) Lodge for a couple of nights. That was agreed by Directors however Richie decided that was too much pampering for him, so its back to the drawing board for Nev to come up with something more suitable.
Book Sale 2022
The men behind the Book Sale are at it again with their bunch of helpers. It is going to be a big ask to better last year’s success, but with the amount of books beginning to flow in now and the news that we will be supporting the Rescue Helicopter Trust, anything is possible.
Let us just hope that the situation with COVID doesn’t get any worse over the next couple of weeks. Currently we are able to operate almost as normal – apart from mask wearing and siting of vaccine passes – so fingers crossed that is how it remains
Merry Xmas
With all the disruption in our country and around the world, let’s all enjoy getting together with friends and family as best we can this Xmas. For some that will not be easy, however from me, I wish you all the very best for this Xmas/New Year period, and look forward to catching up in the New Year.
Our first meeting back will be January 25th, which will take the form of a wine tasting pre dinner, with probably not too many other matters to discuss other than the outcome of the book sale.
