There were many ‘woops and yays’ echoing around the bowling platform last Tuesday night. I wasn’t one of them and I now know for sure … that I can’t bowl! But that’s ok. The feedback from those who obviously had a good result on the scoreboard ranged from, ‘I didn’t know I could bowl!” or gleefully declaring “I haven’t bowled in years” and “it’s easier than it looks”.
Well, naturally I ignored that person as I couldn’t share the same enthusiasm or story of accomplishment, but I did celebrate my last placing in my own way … buying a beer from the ghost bar. Maybe the bar staff turned up to serve us after all because they knew in advance how bad I was and would need a drink! Maybe it was because I was thirsty. Whatever they thought, I should have thought to have a prize for the most ‘alley-bowls’ as that was my big accomplishment!!
The McLean’s shared a prize for being the two with the highest points followed by Huia in third place. Glenys Taylor won a prize for the most strikes. Well done and well done to everyone else who did better than me. That would be all of you!
We have also enjoyed a couple of excellent speakers in July. Young dare-devil Jess Blewitt blew us away with a video she showed us of her riding a downhill course last summer at Cardrona. That girl sure can ride a bike! She is also a ski racer, so speed is in her blood. What a gutsy and focused young woman who has the world at her feet. Watch out for her name in the future. Without a doubt she is going to be ‘big’.
Kristen Holtzman also shared about how she became involved in NZ’s first ‘Impact 100’ group. Kristen, along with Carrie Morgridge who we met at one of our meetings in February, managed to overcome the odds and the challenges with COVID-19 and raised more than $100,000 from generous donations from more than 100 local women. The money raised will be granted back into the community to local groups who can best explain, to the ‘Impact’ panel, how they could use up to $100,000 to best effect. What a great idea and the community is $100k better off now.
The Board met this week and the Directors have given great reports of progress so far. It’s hard to believe it’s only been 7 weeks since changeover but so much has been achieved already.
I would like every one of you at the next meeting to make a point of going up to the Directors and shaking their hands for the hard work put in so far. In case you need reminding - Huia with Youth, Gabrielle with Membership, Derek Bulman with the programme and Tony Robins with Community. Also pat Kerry Dunlop, Jason Climo and Riki Hunter on the back while you're at it. The impact these guys are making is huge and will be revealed shortly, once we have teed a few things up. There are many others who have also made major contributions of time to attend meetings and share ideas. I am so happy with what everyone is doing, it’s really exciting times. It will all begin to pay off shortly and we will have lots going on to keep us all out of trouble (well, some of you perhaps!) and to be seen out in the community.
More good news. We have been successful with our application for a RI Grant for COVID-19 relief for our local area. We have received NZ$38,000 and the Board is deciding how to best handle it and will report to the Club over the following weeks.
I will leave on that good note. I hope you have enjoyed our almost spring like conditions recently. I think it’s about to remind us that winter is still here though next week.
See you on Tuesday. Remember to bring your partner and/or a friend.
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