Grey Natter The Official Organ of Grey Power Wainuiomata Association Vol. 16 No. 3 April 2015

Proudly Sponsored by the Hutt Mana Charitable Trust

Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill

Jane’s Jottings

Greetings everyone, here we are in April already, where does the time go? Easter is over and the clocks have gone back to winter time, next up is Poppy week and Anzac day. I think Queen Street is looking great with the flags up. I know I don’t need

to remind you of the sacrifice that those, who went to war made, but I would ask where possible you may, in some small way, support the local RSA celebrations in this auspicious year. Did anyone go to the water sports day? I just passed through quickly but it seemed to be pleasing to the many people who were there. It was great to see so many people, in the domain, supporting the organising “Hub” folks.

We are well into the new financial year and the treasurer and membership secretary are on to it. Thanks to those who have sent in or handed in your subs. They will be receipted and new cards available at the next meeting on April 22th. If you sent in a SAE you will have already got – or soon will have- your new cards back. If anyone is not at the next meeting for any reason, we will endeavour to get cards and receipts to you.

Mid- winter lunch will be held at the Bowling club again – nice and local with plenty of parking. We have booked Valley caterers and the tickets will $25.00 each.

Entertainment is yet to be confirmed.

Our A.G.M is on May 26th and again I urge each and every one of you to think about standing for any of the positions on committee.

In closing, I look forward to seeing as many of you, both new and existing members, as possible at our next meeting on April 22nd for a 1.30 pm start.

Jane Chamberlain, President

Grey Power Electricity Are you taking advantage of the low rates on offer? Maybe it’s time you had a look. Have your GP membership number and last power bill in hand, then call. Freephone: 0800 785 733

Grey Power Electricity: Note for Medically Dependent Customers

At Grey Power Electricity, we do our best to look after all of our customers. If you are a medically dependent or vulnerable customer, contact us today and we will make sure you are looked after. A medically dependent customer is a person who is dependent on electricity for critical medical support, and the disconnection of electricity may result in loss of life or serious harm. If you, or someone living with you, are dependent on electricity for critical medical support and disconnection of electricity may result in loss of life or serious harm, please contact us immediately.

Call us today on 0800 473 976. Vulnerable Customer If you are finding it difficult to pay your electricity bills, for reasons other than health, please contact us. Our friendly customer service team are here to help. We will discuss options such as setting up a payment arrangement and offer other assistance. Authorised Account If you are a medically dependent or vulnerable customer, and you think you may have trouble making payments towards your electricity account, you can contact us on 0800 473 976 and appoint an Account Authority. This alternate contact could be a family member, friend or social agency who has agreed to assist you if a disconnection or payment issue is pending. This person can assist you but is not responsible for any payments. You are welcome to have more than one person authorised on your account. Please contact us on 0800 473 976 for further assistance.

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The blackpoll warbler (Setophaga striata) This tiny songbird has the longest migratory flight over open water of all other migratory songbirds. They summer in Canada and the northern US and winter in South America. That is a long, long flight for such little fellahs. They only weigh between 15 to 20 grams and lose about a quarter of their body mass during the migration. That migration averages 3,000 kilometres, mostly over open water and takes them around 70 to 90 hours to get to their first staging point in Puerto Rica or northern South America then on to Venezuela or Colombia. The migration is a 'fly-or-die' one for the birds. because they are flying over the Atlantic Ocean, if they falter, there is nowhere for them to land to recover. They also manage to average around 40kph during the flight, that is an awful lot of energy they are expending. I mean, these little birds are only about 12 to 15 centimetres long (5" to 6") so 3,000 kilometres is a long way.

There are 39,370 inches in a kilometre. If we average the Blackpol's length to 5½ inches, it would take 7,158 Blackpol Warblers lined up beak to bum to cover that kilometre. So, it would then take 21,474,000 of them to cover the migratory flight, beak to bum. So that gives us a perspective of the magnitude of the flight for these little birds. Each one of them has to push its body almost twenty one and a half MILLION times its body length to migrate. And then, it has to do it all again in reverse come the Northern Spring! Even some seabirds which migrate over water only manage a few hundred kilometres. The Albatross can cover around 1000 km per day, about the same as the Blackpol. But the Albatross does that by soaring not by flying. The Albatross, by the way is on average 10kg (500 times the weight of a Blackpol) and about 7 times its length making the Blackpol pretty amazing... Definitely got that short man's attitude!

The Blackpol Warbler (size comparison)

This photo gives us a good idea of the size of the Blackpol Warbler. Try doing that with an Albatross!

I think this is a remarkable little critter and deserves a lot of kudos for what they do. Oh, and by the way, they live mainly on insects, annoying insects like lice, locust, mosquitoes, ants, termites and aphids amongst others. Not only a brave and determined chap, they also do us a favour by devouring millions of 'orrible bugs too!

Pity about its song though... not quite Skylark quality, more like a squeak. Although, it does have one more honour. It also has the highest pitched song of all the songbirds. So maybe it actually does have a golden voice, we just can't hear it!

Well done Mr And Mrs Blackpol Warbler, you are indeed remarkable.

The Potato Orchid At 1 metre high, the potato orchid or hūperei is New Zealand’s tallest ground orchid. Because it lacks chlorophyll it cannot make its own food by photosynthesis. Instead it has a complex association with a fungus. The potato orchid receives nutrients from the fungus, which in turn obtains sugars and minerals from the roots of forest trees. Each year the plant forms underground tubers that are rich in starch. These were regarded as delicacies by Māori, who sought them out in winter and roasted them in embers or steamed them in a hāngī. The 1990 issue of the new Zealand 40-cent stamp showcased four native orchids: a sun orchid (Thelymitra pulchella) a spider orchid (Nematoceras macranthum, previously Corybas macranthus) winika orchid (Winika cunninghamii, previously Dendrobium cunninghamii) a greenhood (Pterostylis banksii) The stamps were designed by L. Fisher of Auckland.

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Continued: ... things are going to be quite a bit cheaper,” he said.

“Theoretically it used to be for every A$1 you only got 80 cents, but now you are going to be getting, roughly speaking, 20 per cent more for your money.”

Derek Rankin, of Rankin Treasury Advisory, said: “It makes in incredibly cheap to go to Australia but exporters to Australia are being hurt badly by this.” Mr Rankin said the currency turnaround was not a story of New Zealand dollar strength but more a story of Australian dollar weakness, he told NZ Newswire.

“They export rocks to China and China doesn’t want so many rocks.

=====================================

The situation will have changed by the time you read this, but it is quits a turn around when even the Australian's admit the NZ economy is performing better than their own, so I just thought it worth repeating here…

To change the subject, to the council merger plans for the greater Wellington area. Have we finally seen some cracks in the Local Government Commission’s case for a combined council? In a report in the Dominion Post over the weekend, the Chairman of the Commission admitted that a majority of submissions on the proposal were against the amalgamation but, appear to want change of some sort. It went on to say that a merger of the three Wairarapa Councils was one option that was standing out, followed by a merger of the two Hutt Valley Councils. Well that would certainly suit us better, I believe, than what has been proposed.

Campbell Barry mentioned this a week or so ago, and at that time a few people responded that it was outside the Commissions brief to come up with alternative proposals. This latest report seems to confirm that is just what they are looking at doing.

This would mean the retention of the Wellington Regional Council. Or would it?. That question remains unanswered. It is indeed interesting times in which we live...

From the Editor’s Desk

From the Australian:, April 7th With the pesky New Zealand dollar trading near parity with the Australian peso, our brightest minds being poached across the ditch and an economy sliding into the Tasman, the unthinkable question arises: is it better being a Kiwi than an Aussie?

The uneasy feeling that our New Zealand cousins are doing better than we thought, or hoped, is being borne out by the cold, hard numbers.

Banks in New Zealand are dishing out billions annually to small and medium-sized businesses, and they are eyeing Australian scientists, researchers and tech entrepreneurs to lure across the Tasman.

And the New Zealand dollar has traded near parity with the Aussie and may break through $A1 as early as today. It would mark a 30-year peak, as the Kiwi hasn’t traded this high since 1985, when the Hawke government floated the dollar. On the sporting field, New Zealand boasts the NBL champion Breakers; the rugby league Four Nations trophy; and rugby World Cup. (Thankfully Michael Clarke and his boys put a dent in the Black Caps’ plans of cricketing dominance in the recent World Cup final).

Although it’s good for bragging rights, a higher currency may add a touch of grey to the land of the long white cloud in the shape of lower tourist numbers. Expect an influx of Kiwis holiday-makers brandishing their new-found wealth, with some airlines reporting booking boosts of 25 per cent so far in 2015.

Institute of Economic Research principal economist Shamubeel Eaqub told the New Zealand Herald that the two biggest impacts of the potential parity would be for Kiwis holidaying in Australia and New Zealanders returning. “New Zealanders going to Australia to visit for a holiday ...

Continued in Next Column:

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Should I Use Hot Or Cold on Niggly Injuries?

Are you confused about whether you should put hot or cold on a sore body part? Judging by the number of times I get asked this question, it seems there is a lot of confusion and possible misinformation out there about this very question. To answer this question, some more information about the injury needs to be known, particularly about the type of pain that it is present.

Acute pain comes from a sudden injury e.g. spraining your ankle. Common symptoms of an acute injury are pain, swelling, redness or heat, which generally come on after the first few days following an injury, and are all signs of acute inflammation, which is the body's natural response to injury. In this case, cold or ice therapy is the best modality to use. From studies, it is known that icing an area causes ‘vasoconstriction’ or narrowing of the blood vessels that supply circulation to the area. This is thought to therefore limit the inflammation occurring at the injury site. The ice therapy should be applied for 15 to a maximum of 20 minutes, and should ideally be done every 3-4 hours over the first 3 days (although you don't have to wake yourself during the night to do this!). Ice itself should never be applied directly to the skin, as it can cause an ice burn, so a wet tea-towel is recommended if an ice pack or a pack of frozen vegetables are not available. It is also very helpful during this time period to elevate and compress the area if possible. The other type of pain commonly seen is 'chronic' pain. This type of pain develops over time, and may come and go. Chronic pain is often a result of overuse of the body part. Sometimes it may follow on from an acute injury that hasn’t been treated properly, or that hasn’t healed within the usual timeframes. For this type of pain, generally heat therapy is better to be used, as chronic injuries more often than not have no inflammation or swelling present. Stiff joints and nagging pain respond well to heat therapy. Heat will increase the circulation to the area making stiff joints and tight muscles more flexible. Apply the heat using a wheatbag or hot water bottle for 15 to 20 minutes. Again, keep the skin protected with a towel. Sometimes in the presence of chronic pain, you may have an acute inflammation at the site after over-activity. In this case, you could use ice on the site for a few days, as described above. It is always important to take care of the skin when using both hot and cold, particularly for the elderly or those with skin conditions. As always, try to get your injuries assessed as early possible, so the best advice and treatment can be given and the correct therapy commenced.

Sex Lives of Senior Citizens More Satisfying Now: Study

SWEDEN: It looks like things have gotten spicier for seniors since the 1970s, for a new study out of Sweden says six in 10 women and seven in 10 men over 70 years old are highly satisfied with their sex lives.

Hailing from Sahlgrenska Academy, author Dr. Nils Beckman concluded that sexual activity among 70 year olds has increased from 12 per cent to 34 per cent for women and from 47 percent to 66 per cent for men since the 1970s.

Seniors' sexual activity has increased not just in frequency, but in quality as well, for 62 per cent of women and 71 per cent of men reported being highly satisfied with their sex lives. By contrast, only 41 per cent of women and 58 per cent of men described their sex lives in such a way in the 1970s, according to the data.

"A general sense of wellbeing, comfortable circumstances, good physical condition and vibrant mental health all contribute to sexual satisfaction," says Dr. Beckman. "Previous sexual experiences and the quality of the relationship also play a role." Dr. Beckman identified three underlying factors -- improved quality, childhood experiences and gender roles -- that could determine whether individuals will maintain a healthy sex life into the golden years or not.

A senior citizen's sex life is often a product of childhood experiences according to Dr. Beckman who concluded that experiencing poverty, family troubles and corporal punishment in childhood could reduce sexual desire in middle and old age.

The History Of Aprons

Do you use an apron? It is an incredibly useful garment, that is somewhat out of fashion, but has a rich history. Next time you are cooking with your children or grandchildren, here some interesting points to discuss:

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. Along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasions was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids children. When the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Mum’s Cooking

The banana cake I was making was in the oven when my 16-year-old came into the kitchen where the family had gathered.

"That cake smells about done don't you think, Mum?" he asked. I told him I had set the timer and it was fine.

A little later he repeated his suggestion. "Mum, I really think that loaf is done. Maybe you should check it."

Always quick to come to my defence, my 13-year-old son said, "Eddie, Mum's been burning that banana cake for years now. I think she knows when to take it out."

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Gardening Tips From a Physio Gardening is a healthy, stimulating physical activity that should be enjoyed by us all well into our older years. Gardening increases levels of physical activity, and maintains mobility and flexibility.

Of course, from time to time this can mean that gardening can be associated with injuries, strains and overuse problems. So here are some tips to help minimize this from hopefully occurring: ♦ Keep in mind that there are many different bits and pieces

of equipment out there to make things easier: gardening beds, equipment and tools are often produced and can be modified in ways that can make the activity much easier in terms of force used, and improve accessibility and productivity. Those kneeling stools are a must have!

♦ Be careful with your skin: being older does mean more fragile, thinning skin, and can make you susceptible to bumps, bruises and sunburn. So long sleeved and legged clothing can be helpful.

♦ Keep yourself in a stable position – don’t try and reach out from the ladder for that one branch you can’t quite get. As we age falls are more common because balance is often not as good. So move your equipment into a more stable position, or get someone to help with the activity.

♦ Use raised garden beds as much as possible to avoid bending and stooping and putting unnecessary strain on the back, hips and knees.

♦ Use foam, tape and plastic tubing to modify existing tools for a better grip

♦ Cold night and resultant frosty mornings can continue well into the spring months in New Zealand, so make sure paths and surfaces are level and safe, and wait until the sun has done it’s work to clear the paths of this before you start. But equally, be sun-safe, in terms of covering up properly, using sunscreen, and hydrating yourself regularly.

♦ Use mulches and membranes to cut down on weeding. Those stubborn weeds can be a real cause of shoulder tendon injuries from my experience.

The best piece of advice I could give? Be honest – know your strengths and admit your limitations, and ask others for help with tasks that you don’t think you can manage. There’s always something you can offer in return if need be.

Old Geezer.. An old geezer, who had been a retired farmer for a long time, became very bored and decided to open a medical clinic. He put a sign up outside that said: Dr. Geezer'ss clinic. "Get your treatment for $500, if not cured get back $1,000." Doctor "Young," who was positive that this old geezer didn't know beans about medicine, thought this would be a great opportunity to get $1,000. So he went to Dr. Geezer'ss clinic.

This is what transpired.

Dr. Young: --- "Dr. Geezer, I have lost all taste in my mouth." can you please help me ?? Dr. Geezer: --- "Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in Dr. Young's mouth."

Dr. Young: --- Aaagh !! -- "This is Gasoline!"

Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your taste back. That will be $500."

Dr. Young gets annoyed and goes back after a couple of days figuring to recover his money.

Dr Young: "I have lost my memory, I cannot remember anything."

Dr. Geezer: "Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in the patient's mouth."

Doctor Young: "Oh no you don't, -- that is Gasoline!"

Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your memory back. That will be $500."

Dr. Young (after having lost $1000) leaves angrily and comes back after several more days.

Dr. Young: "My eyesight has become weak --- I can hardly see !!!!

Dr. Geezer: "Well, I don't have any medicine for that so -- " Here's your $1000 back."

Dr. Young: "But this is only $500..." Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You got your vision back! That will be $500."

Moral of story -- Just because you're "Young" doesn't mean that you can outsmart an old "Geezer " !!!!

Less is More A young boy enters a barber shop and the barber whispers to his customer, "This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch while I prove it to you."

The barber puts a dollar bill in one hand and two quarters in the other, then calls the boy over and asks, "Which do you want, son?"

The boy takes the quarters and leaves the dollar. "What did I tell you?" said the barber. "That kid never learns!"

Later, when the customer leaves, he sees the same young boy coming out of the ice cream store and says, "Hey, son! May I ask you a question? Why did you take the quarters instead of the dollar bill?"

The boy licked his cone and replied, "Because the day I take the dollar, the game's over!"

A blind man wanders into an all girls biker bar by mistake. He finds his way to a bar stool and orders some coffee. After sitting there for awhile, he yells to the waiter, “Hey, you wanna hear a blonde joke?” The bar immediately falls absolutely silent. In a very deep, husky voice, the woman next to him says, “Before you tell that joke, sir, I think it is only fair — given that you are blind — that you should know five things: The bartender is a blonde girl with a baseball bat. The bouncer is a blonde girl. I’m a 6 foot tall, 175 lb. Blonde woman with a black belt in karate. The woman sitting next to me is blonde and a professional weightlifter. The lady to your right is blonde and a professional wrestler. Now, think about it seriously, Mister. Do you still wanna tell that joke?” The blind man thinks for a second, shakes his head, and mutters, “No… Not if I’m gonna have to explain it five times.”

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A Little Inspiration Goes a Long Way

Grandmothers are just the best: They smell good, they always have good snacks, and they're full of wise old sage-like advice about how to live our best lives.

When Marc Chernoff lost his grandmother Zelda a few years ago, she left him an "Inspiration Journal." Inside were her favorite quotations, lyrics, and inspirational ideas that moved her, many of which she shared with Mark when he was young. Not wanting to keep his grandmother's wisdom all to himself, Chernoff compiled 12 of the most poignant pieces of advice that his grandmother gave him and published them so we could all benefit from them.

#1. Breathe in the future, breathe out the past. No matter where you are or what you’re going through, always believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Never expect, assume, or demand. Just do your best, control the elements you can control, and then let it be. Because once you have done what you can, if it is meant to be, it will happen, or it will show you the next step that needs to be taken.

#2. Life CAN be simple again. Just choose to focus on one thing at a time. You don’t have to do it all, and you don’t have to do it all right now. Breathe, be present, and do your best with what’s in front of you. What you put into life, life will eventually give you back many times over.

#3. Let others take you as you are, or not at all. Speak your truth even if your voice shakes. By being yourself, you put something beautiful into the world that was not there before. So walk your path confidently and don’t expect anyone else to understand your journey, especially if they have not been exactly where you are going.

#4. You are not who you used to be, and that’s OK. You’ve been hurt; you’ve gone through numerous ups and downs that have made you who you are today. Over the years, so many things have happened – things that have changed your perspective, taught you lessons, and forced your spirit to grow. As time passes, nobody stays the same, but some people will still tell you that you have changed. Respond to them by saying, “Of course I’ve changed. That’s what life is all about. But I’m still the same person, just a little stronger now than I ever was before.”

#5. Everything that happens helps you grow, even if it’s hard to see right now. Circumstances will direct you, correct you, and perfect you over time. So whatever you do, hold on to hope. The tiniest thread will twist into an unbreakable cord. Let hope anchor you in the possibility that this is not the end of your story – that the change in the tides will eventually bring you to peaceful shores.

#6. Do not educate yourself to be rich, educate yourself to be happy. That way when you get older you’ll know the value of things, not the price. In the end, you will come to realize that the best days are the days when you don’t need anything extreme or special to happen to make you smile. You simply appreciate the moments and feel gratitude, seeking nothing else, nothing more. That is what true happiness is all about. #7. Be determined to be positive. Understand that the greater part of your misery or unhappiness is determined not by your circumstances, Continued in Next Column:

Continued:

but by your attitude. So smile at those who often try to begrudge or hurt you, show them what’s missing in their life and what they can’t take away from you.

#8. Pay close attention to those you care about. Sometimes when a loved one says, “I’m okay,” they need you to look them in the eyes, hug them tight, and reply, “I know you’re not.” And don’t be too upset if some people only seem to remember you when they need you. Feel privileged that you are like a beacon of light that comes to their minds when there is darkness in their lives.

#9. Sometimes you have to let a person go so they can grow. Because, over the course of their lives, it is not what you do for them, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them a successful human being.

#10. Sometimes getting the results you crave means stripping yourself of people that don’t serve your best interests. This allows you to make space for those who support you in being the absolute best version of yourself. It happens gradually as you grow. You find out who you are and what you want, and then you realize that people you’ve known forever don’t see things the way you do. So you keep the wonderful memories, but find yourself moving on.

#11. It’s better to look back on life and say, “I can’t believe I did that,” than to look back and say, “I wish I did that.” In the end, people will judge you in some way anyway. So don’t live your life trying to impress others. Instead live your life impressing yourself. Love yourself enough to never lower your standards for anyone.

#12. If you’re looking for a happy ending and can’t seem to find one, maybe it’s time to start looking for a new beginning. Brush yourself off and accept that you have to fail from time to time. That’s how you learn. The strongest people out there – the ones who laugh the hardest with a genuine smile – are the same people who have fought the toughest battles. They’re smiling because they’ve decided that they’re not going to let anything hold them down, they’re moving on to a new beginning.

Coach Touring for Beginners If you have ever dreamed of travelling through Europe, but are unsure of where to start, a coach tour may be an ideal way to get the best of both worlds. “If you want to see a lot in a short space of time, a coach tour is an ideal way to do it,” says Letitia Eyes of Globus Travel. “ You can choose from many options, and it is a great way to meet new people if you happen to be travelling alone.”

Coach tours see you guided for much of the time, by expert local guides. You will see and understand the highlights of some of the most famous historical cities in the world. Then you can explore the nooks and crannies of the city with optional excursions. “Our guests will see everything from ancient ruins to working farms – it’s a an ideal way to experience new places and cultures, where all the details are taken care of, “ she says. There are options to cater for a number of budgets, depending on how many meals you choose to have with the group, the level of accommodation you prefer and so on. You will have ample time to stretch your legs during each day, and most fitness levels can be catered to. Ask your local travel agent about the upcoming range of coach tours

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Continued:

Aerobic activity (any movement that increases the heart rate) strengthens the heart, maintains lung function and keeps muscles strong. But it appears that regular exercise may also impact the brain and nervous system. An exciting study out of Pittsburgh has shown that forced exercise had a major impact on rats that were given a toxin that induced Parkinson’s disease. This study demonstrated that exercise appears to prevent loss of brain cells that worsens this disease. There are numerous other published studies supporting that daily exercise does indeed improve the ability to move in the individual with PD. These findings overwhelming show that a program of exercise therapy combined with appropriate medication has a positive effect on symptoms.

As your ability to move improves, so does your feeling of accomplishment and sense of well being. Scientific evidence shows that not only can motor function improve, but mood and a “feeling of well being” is clearly related to routine activity. This manual will get you started and walk you simply through every exercise. No matter how long you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, it’s not too late to start, and it’s never too early.

This manual includes detailed exercises that are divided into easy to follow sections including:

� Wake Up Call

� Walking and Balance Drills

� Cardiovascular Exercise

� Strength Training

� Workout with Weights

� Non-Weight (Core) Days

� Facial and Voice exercises

Night Time Stretching

Exciting news for those with Parkinson’s? We think so. Get started on a fitness plan and see the results for yourself.

Wake Up and Fight Parkinson's with Exercise

Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains, for the most part, a mystery of medical science. For reasons unknown, certain brain cells stop producing a substance called dopamine. The lack of dopamine affects an individual’s movement, strength and balance. PD causes a slow, yet progressive deterioration in function, taking many years to run its course. When the diagnosis of PD is made, you experience a life-altering event. It is not a condition you would desire, but PD does have the capacity to cause you to reassess your priorities and make lifestyle choices that can affect the course of the disease.

An emerging reality is the positive effect of exercise on the course of this disease. An exercise agenda may offer stimulation to the various neurological pathways, increasing the capacity to counteract the progression of symptoms. The exercise plan is a “Wake Up Call,” giving one a sense of purpose and direction, offering the opportunity to proactively improve conditions such as stability, flexibility, and management of tremor. More importantly, it helps you to understand that you may have Parkinson’s disease, but it does not have you.

David Zid, an ACE, APG certified personal trainer and president of Columbus Health Works, in collaboration with a local surgeon, Thomas H. Mallory, M.D., have authored a user-friendly guide, detailing a Parkinson’s - specific exercise plan that can be used daily. Zid is an energetic trainer in the central Ohio area that has taken a specific interest in designing fitness regimens for individuals afflicted with Parkinson’s. Dr. Mallory, a prominent and internationally renowned orthopaedic total joint surgeon was diagnosed with PD several years ago. He has found that his enthusiasm for exercise has actually improved many of the symptoms of this progressive neurologic disease. He has been using Zid’s program for the last two years and is ecstatic with the results including improvement in balance, strength and flexibility. They both feel that these obviously positive results should be shared with all individuals with PD, from the newly diagnosed to those in the well-advanced stages of this affliction. This manual is in the process of publication and will soon be available for purchase, including a corresponding video.

The workbook describes and demonstrates specific exercises tailored to the Parkinson’s patient. It requires a mental and physical commitment to a daily routine. With this routine, all parts of the body are challenged, from the dexterity and flexibility of the fingers, hands, and feet to stretching the shoulders, back and hips. Emphasis is also placed on activities of daily living that frequently become a challenge, such as rising from a chair, getting out of bed, moving about in crowds, walking over uneven ground. The Wake Up Call agenda is a metaphor for an attitude that commences each day as you realize there is an opportunity to modify the progression of this condition. Dr. Mallory feels that the challenge presented to the individual with PD is to never give up. “We must continuously pursue a positive and active approach with our exercise regime. It is important that we all leave a legacy and are remembered as those who were privileged with the opportunity offered to manage PD.”

Has exercise been proven beneficial for the individual with PD, or is it just a casual relationship? How does an exercise agenda influence the symptoms of this disease? Well, exercise has long been proven advantageous to everyone’s general health.

Continued in Next Column:

38” Black Bras

A Chinese guy goes into a Jewish-owned establishment to buy black bras, size 38.

The Jewish store keeper, known for his skills as a businessman, says that black bras are rare and that he is finding it very difficult to buy them from his suppliers. Therefore he has to charge $50.00 for them.

The Chinese guy buys 25 bras. He returns a few days later and this time orders 50.

The Jewish owner tells him that they have become even harder to get and charges him $60.00 each.

The Chinese guy returns a month later and buys the store's remaining stock of 50 and this time for $75.00 each.

The Jewish owner is somewhat puzzled by the large demand for black size 38 bras and asks the Chinese guy, "...please tell me - What do you do with all these black bras?" The Chinese guy answers: "I cut them in half and sell them as skull caps to Jewish men for $200.00 each." And this is why the Chinese own a large part of the UK!

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Recently, I was diagnosed with : A.A.A.D.D Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden, As I turn on the hose, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the table that I collected from the letter box earlier. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the rubbish bin under the table, and notice that it is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the rubbish first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the post-box when I take out the rubbish anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my cheque book off the table, and see that there is only 1 cheque left.

My extra cheques are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the cup of tea I'd been drinking.

I'm going to look for my cheques, but first I need to push the tea aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

The tea is getting cold, and I decide to put it in the microwave to warm it up.

As I head toward the kitchen with the tea, a vase of flowers on the worktop catches my eye - they need water.

I put the tea on the worktop and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers. I set the glasses back down on the worktop, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote control.

Someone left it on the kitchen table. I realise that tonight when we watch TV, I'll be looking for the remote control, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the front room where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.

So, I set the remote control back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

♦ At the end of the day:

♦ the car isn't washed

♦ the bills aren't paid

♦ there is a cold cup of tea sitting on the worktop

♦ the flowers don't have enough water

♦ there is still only 1 cheque in my cheque book

♦ I can't find the remote control

♦ I can't find my glasses

♦ and I don't remember what I did with the car keys. Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day, and I'm really tired.

Whai Oranga O Te Iwi Health Centre Report

1. Enrolments For this January quarter, we have 6490 funded patients. To provide adequate cover for our patients, we require 3.8 FTE. We currently have 4.2 FTE permanent Doctors, but this will drop to 3.6 FTE when Bianca has left at the end of March and then it will settle to 3.8 FTE from the beginning of June. Our books remain open and we are steadily enrolling new patients. 2. Doctors Dr Bianca Webb-Pullman will leave the Centre at the end of this month. Bianca will be travelling to Palestine to join her mother for a few months and then may move to the UK. She will be a significant loss to our staff and patients and we wish her all the very best for the future. Dr Pat Heath joined us last year from the UK for a one year contract and he has, unfortunately, confirmed he will be leaving the Centre, as planned, at the end of May to return home with his partner. Pat is very sad to be leaving NZ and has loved his time at the Centre. It has been a privilege to have Pat in our team this year and it will be sad to see him go. I have appointed Dr Melissa Amertil as a permanent full-time GP. Melissa will commence employment on the 4 May. Melissa is a Family Medicine Physician from the U.S.A, she completed her residency in Wisconsin. Melissa came to New Zealand in 2012 and has been working at the Hauora in Hastings. She is planning to complete her Vocational Fellowship with the RNZCGP. Melissa travelled down to meet the team and everyone enjoyed her vibrant and outgoing personality. She will take over Bianca’s patients and also half of Pat’s patients. The remaining patients will be shared amongst the other Doctors. Karen King. 16/03/2015

Memory Two elderly couples were enjoying friendly conversation when one of the men asked the other, "Fred, how was the memory clinic you went to last month?"

"Outstanding," Fred replied. "They taught us all the latest psychological techniques - visualization, association - it's made a big difference for me."

"That's great! What was the name of that clinic?" Fred went blank. He thought and thought but couldn't remember. Then a smile broke across his face and he asked, "What do you call that flower with the long stem and thorns?"

"You mean a rose?"

"Yes, that's it!" He turned to his wife. "Rose, what was the name of that clinic?"

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

A Simple Operation A man was seen fleeing down the hall of the hospital just before his operation.

"What's the matter?" he was asked.

He said, "I heard the nurse say, 'It's a very simple operation, don't worry, I'm sure it will be all right'."

"She was just trying to comfort you, what's so frightening about that?"

"She wasn't talking to me. She was talking to the doctor.

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Continued: This was followed by another evening in March about repotting these plants ready to be planted out during the winter months. A team of volunteers has been formed to carry out nursery work under the guidance of Jonathan Bussell of Orongorongo Nurseries. The RFP nursery is located behind the DOC centre and anyone who is interested in participating in the restoration project on a regular or casual basis can contact Peter for details p.cooper@clear.net.nz or phone 021 111 5630 Rimu’s Diary (Rimu the Kiwi) The last months of 2014 were very busy for Rimu and the Trust. Conservation Week ran from the 9-16 November and we had stands at the opening event, also an open day at the Catchpool Centre and at ‘Pestfest’ on the 16th November. Rimu the kiwi made an appearance at both events and as always was very popular with children. Also popular were the activities at our stands where children could make a kiwi from pinecones and paint an egg. The painted eggs are then used as bait in the traps, and these two days led to 500 eggs being painted – a great achievement for all involved! Our annual Christmas BBQ was also held in November had we enjoyed a good turnout and again it was a good opportunity to catch up with members, volunteers and sponsors, as well as being a splendid opportunity for the Trust to show it’s appreciation for the commitment and support of everyone throughout the year. Rimu also attended the Eastbourne Carnival, the Wainuiomata Hub open day and once again participated in the Wainuiomata Christmas Parade. In February Rimu and the Trust had a stall at the inaugural Wainuiomata Water Festival, where once again egg painting attracted a lot of children to our stand. The first of our social events for this year was a Quiz Night on the 10th March at Speight’s Ale House in Petone. The Trust entered five teams. It was a good night where everyone enjoyed a lot of fun and a chance to meet other members and volunteers. It was such a good night that it has been suggested that we make this a regular event. Rimutaka Forest Park Trust, PO Box 38-564, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt, 5045. Reg.Charity No. CC37211. Website: www.rimutakatrust.org.nz Facebook www.facebook.com/RFPTrust

The Rag is a newsletter of The Rimutaka Forest Park Charitable Trust Inc.

Trapping The trappers are continuing to do great job of checking and re-baiting our trap network. In 2014 we captured a total of 152 stoats, 1512 rats and 44 hedgehogs. Some of our teams continued with the summer roster during the winter months due to the high number of rats being caught. To date in 2015 we have caught 57 stoats, 313 rats and 25 hedgehogs. We will continue our summer roster through to May to monitor these high numbers rather than change over in April.

“Joining the Dots” (JTD ) Work has continued on the “Joining the Dots” programme which has been undertaken with the grant received from the DoC Community Conservation Partnerships Fund, and we have now rolled out 118 selfsetting traps (manufactured by Goodnature Ltd) on new trap lines. These trap lines are on the Logging Road and Bakers Track, plus three new lines within the GWRC water catchment area and one along the Moores Valley Ridge. Further track clearing and trap deployment is planned in late March along the Orongorongo River with the generous help of the Orongorongo Club. As part of the JTD Project Melody McLaughlin has been meeting and consulting with numerous community and neighbourhood groups, also the Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council. We are pleased that the Wainuiomata Bush Fire Force has come on board and as a team will take care of the traps within the water catchment area.

A well-attended workshop for RFPT volunteers and members was held on Wednesday 18th March to discuss the expansion and intensification of our trapping network and the aims and objectives of this project. We welcome feedback and comments from anyone who feels that we can make further improvements to the pest control arrangements being introduced now. Melody continues to work on and lead the Joining the Dots Programme and with the help of a steering committee is working on the application for the next round of funding and planning ahead for the future.

The Dawn Chorus The Dawn Chorus trappers have all been out actively checking their trap lines throughout the summer. The bird life seems to be increasing and many plants are growing well. Fantails, tui, and wood pigeons often follow the trappers around and they are also accompanied by the call of the grey warbler ringing through trees.

Several trappers report sightings of the tiny copper butterflies, cinnabar moths, which were introduced to attack ragwort and magpie moths. Whilst cooling his feet off in Grace's stream one afternoon in early January Martin’s toes came into contact with a couple of baby eels. The Dawn Chorus has also deployed a number of the Goodnature self-setting traps and these have had varying degrees of success along their trap lines.

The Restoration Project The Restoration Project, led by Peter Cooper has continued working with community and school groups carrying out some gorse and weed clearing, replanting and nursery work. A nursery “busy bee” evening was held in February to prepare seedlings grown in root trainers for repotting.

Continued in Next Column:

The UN A while ago, a worldwide survey was conducted by the UN. The only question asked was: "Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?" The survey was a huge failure...

In Africa most didn't know what "food" meant.

In Eastern Europe most didn't know what "honest" meant. In Western Europe most didn't know what "shortage" meant. In China most didn't know what "opinion" meant. In the Middle East most didn't know what "solution" meant. In South America most didn't know what "please" meant.

And in the USA most didn't know what "the rest of the world" meant.

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Officers and Committee Members of Grey Power Wainuiomata Association

Inc.

President : Jane Chamberlain 87B Main Road Ph: 971 9189 Email: horatio@paradise.net.nz nz

Vice President: Ken Salmon 98 Hair Street. Ph: 934 6473 Email: k_salmon@paradise.net.

Secretary: Vacant

Minutes Secretary: Pat Hoskins 321b Wellington Road Ph: 970 7120

Treasurer: Anne Penn 63 Meremere Street Ph: 564 7167 annepenn@xtra.co.nz Welfare Officers: Jim & Patsy Manu 39 Poole Crescent. Ph: 564 7366

Advertising & P.H.O. Rep: Tony Watling 24 Roberts Street. Ph: 564 5587 Email: tony@watling .co.nz.

P.H.O Rep: Karen King

Archivist/Historian: Ross Cunningham 10 Maire Street. Ph: 564 7216

Telephone Tree & Membership Secretary: Jeanette Osborne Ph: 564 1674 joz@clear.net.nz

Hilary Cooper 15 McGowan Road Ph: 564 1144

Marion Wilkinson 5 Kim Street

Diane Thompson 8 Kim Street Ph: 973 9066

Newsletter Editor: Derrick Halford 15 McGowan Road. Ph: 564 1144 Email: derrick.halford@gmail.com

Grandparents - Help your Grandchildren with Maths!

This may come as a surprise. But despite all the advances in education, many kids still struggle in the maths class. Maths is an important subject, yet many kids just don't "get it".

Teachers can only devote a limited amount of personal attention to each student. And parents are so busy with their own work nowadays, they don't have time to help their children with school work. That's where YOU, the grandparent, come in. Grandparents teach their grandchildren through example and play a role in encouraging them to be successful and set goals.

Grandparents are naturally forgiving and patient, and children sense that. As a grandparent you can help right from the time your grandkids are toddlers, by asking them questions involving numbers, and showing them how important maths is to our lives:

* Ask them number-based questions, like: "How many books do you want to read tonight?"

* Or: "How many kilometres is it to grandma's house?"

* Show them basic fractions by dividing groups of jelly beans into halves and quarters.

* Bake cookies together and teach them how to measure ingredients.

* Make something in the wood shop and teach them how to use a ruler.

The time you spend with your grandchild is a blessing for both of you. If you work with your grandchildren and teach them the simple basics of maths, they will develop a natural talent for it and move to the head of the class.

It is important to be positive, patient and enthusiastic. You have a whole lifetime of experiences to share with them. You can be there for them if they become discouraged in school. Don't be negative about maths - Your attitude will greatly influence them. You can help them over the bumps by showing them that maths is simple if you break it down to the basics and build from there.

Show them that maths is not something to fear, but rather something to enjoy. Show them how good it feels to solve problems and how wonderful learning is. Teach your grandchildren that maths is a tool we use everyday from working at our jobs, using cheque books, going to the store, furnishing our homes, eating in restaurants, planning vacations and converting our currency.

Being a grandparent is one of the miracles of life. There is a natural bond of human affection between grandparent and grandchild that brings a lifetime of joy and love to you both.

Spending time with them and helping them will make all the difference in the world, and it will make maths fun for them, too. Successful students will remember spending time with their grandparents and learning life's lessons. From precious baby to challenging teenager, they will remember you were there every step of the way.

11

Nicky Cooper Licensed Salesperson REAA 2008 W: 04 564 0004 H: 04 567 7766 M: 027 307 2999 E: nicky.cooper@harcourts.co.nz

Fundraising Opportunity List and sell your house through Nicky Cooper at Harcourts and Nicky will donate $250* to your

nominated church, school, club or charity, which we hope will be Grey Power Wainuiomata of course,

but it is your choice. (* Terms & Conditions apply)

Call Me For a Free Market Appraisal 32 Queen Street, Wainuiomata 5014

Monthly Report Councillor Margaret Willard Autumn, with its cold mornings, is now reminding us that winter is approaching. It’s been a wonderful summer, like the ones we remember from many decades ago, and my guess is that there have been very few cancellations due to weather.

Recent Events

The second Triability Triathlon, an initiative organised by the Hutt Valley Disabled Resources Trust, was held during March. This is possibly a world first, enabling both able bodied and disabled athletes to compete together, and has resulted in people getting into activity they hadn’t before dreamed of.

The inaugural Wainuiomata Water Festival was held on a glorious day, and provided learning, fun and creative endeavours for local families and visitors. The organiser Tim Barlow also opened Elbe’s Milk Bar in Laings Road, Lower Hutt, with Rangitahi Learning Centre students working alongside three men who worked at the original Elbe’s during the 1950s.

The Children’s Day event fell on a damp day, but several families turned up at Wainuiomata Library for board and card games. There are plans for this kind of activity at other times during the year.

Anzac Day

With this year being the centenary of World War 1 and the formation of the Anzacs, this year’s main service is planned to be a special one. Weather permitting, it will be in front of the refurbished Memorial Hall with its new etched window design.

The Thursday craft group is making poppies that will adorn a banner depicting an aspect of World War 1 and created by a Wainuiomata High School student

Long Term Plan

Hutt City Council’s Long Term Plan is now out for consultation. The LTP is reviewed every three years and sets the framework for Council’s annual planning processes in other years. Copies of the plan and a summary are available at the library, and your input through submissions is very welcome.

Regional Reorganisation

By the time you read this, the Local Government Commission will be considering the submissions they have read and heard from residents. After they issue a final proposal a referendum will be held on this if 10% or more people in a local authority area petition for it.

Five things to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk: 5. "They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen." 4. "This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the Time Management course you sent me to." 3. "Whew! Guess I left the top off the Twink. You probably got here just in time." 2. "Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?" Last but not least: 1. Raise your head slowly and say, "...in Jesus' name, Amen."

Grey Power Meetings These are held on the 4th Wednesday of

each month at 1:30 pm. Venue:

Life City Church Corner of Wainuiomata Road and Parkway

Wednesday April 22nd

Andy Ellis Simplicity Funerals

Wednesday May 27th A.G.M. - Grey Power Wainuiomata. Wednesday June 24th

Moses Ariama (Talks on his work with Youth)

Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley

Lower Hutt: Level 2, 59 Queens Drive (04) 499 2928 PO Box 24005, Wellington 6142 info@wclc.org.nz

About us We have offices in Wellington City and in Lower Hutt. We offer general free legal advice sessions and we have specialist lawyers available at set times. We provide outreach legal advice throughout Wellington and Te Awakairangi (the Hutt Valley). We serve the Chatham Islands, through phone and Skype legal clinics.

We also provide specialist legal help to non-profit groups. Please check the Christmas shut-down dates for our free legal advice sessions and clinics on our website: www.wclc.org.nz.

12

Clive’s Chemist Shop Prescriptions

Photos & Cameras Gifts & Perfumes

Queen street, Wainuiomata. Telephone 564 8618

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors of the articles and not necessarily those of Grey Power Wainuiomata Association Incorporated. The information in the publication is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. Neither Grey Power Wainuiomata Association Incorporated nor any person involved in the preparation of this publication accept any form of liability whatsoever for the contents, including advertisements, editorial, opinions, advice or information, nor for any consequences from its use.

Plus Extraordinary Results 416 High Street Lower Hutt 5010 Telephone No: (04) 570-0355 Fax No: (04) 570-1299 PO Box 31220 Lower Hutt 5040

LOW COST PRINTING,

ONLINE DESIGN

Stunning works of art by nature

The flowers below all have two things in common: they're beautiful and they remind the human eye of something else entirely

Swaddled Babies (Anguloa Uniflora)

Flying Duck Orchid (Fliegende Ente) (Caleana Major)