Like most people I try to catch a bit of entertainment in the weekend, and as usual I didn’t have to leave Otaki to enjoy some great nights out recently.
At the start of the month I took the family to see the musical Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat. Wow!
From me – right through to the youngest in our household – this musical was packed full of entertainment. The live orchestra was excellent, and all the performers shone in their acting and their singing.
Big thumbs up to those directing and producing this performance, including the costume and scene creators.
I was particularly casting my critic’s lens over the creative interpretations of those recreating the camel, given my Form 2 performance at Ashburton Intermediate as the rear end of the camel: and I was well impressed with the method acting.
The hilarity began even before we had reached the Otaki theatre during the car ride when our five year old earnestly asked if the play called Joseph was featuring our friend Joseph Te Wiata and would his kids be there?
Next on our recent weekend entertainment was Otaki College Quiz night fundraiser. The college hall was absolutely packed with people eager to support the school and we were certainly rewarded with a fun night.
Nick Tansley was the MC for the first half of the evening, and our very own Paul Carlyon MC’d the second half of the evening. Both were entertaining quiz masters.
The quiz was also complemented with an auction which proved just as entertaining as the quiz proved challenging. And it wouldn’t be a local fundraiser round here without the London’s sharing their musical talents.
I think our team name of The Champions wasn’t so much an Oxy Moron, as just plain fanciful. Mental note to self: the Warwicks are (the champions).
Then last Friday night’s outing wasn’t so much for my entertainment as it was for my education. I spent the latter part of the evening and into the early hours cruising the streets of wider Otaki with our community patrol volunteers.
It was a welcome invitation to help see how the community patrol complements the work of our local police.
Some years ago I worked at Police National Headquarters in Wellington as a non-sworn employee in the Communications Team. It was an amazing experience and provided insights into the tough work our police do.
And now I’ve had the further insight in to how our local volunteers provide another layer of eyes and ears for our uniformed police force who are committed to solving crime as well as focused on preventing crime.
Our community patrol impressed me with their vigilance, their professionalism, their local knowledge, and commitment. Whereas most of us are usually tucked up in bed by this late hour, feeling safe and warm, our volunteers were out driving all around, combing our neighbourhoods.
The community patrol is keen to hear from you if interested in joining their team.
And what did all three activities have in common, aside from my weekend outings? They’re all thanks to the generous volunteers in our community, whether it is performing artists, home and school committee parents, or good citizens.