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Kiri Martin, our Director and Cruise Master here at YOU Travel Orewa, has returned from a fabulous Viking Ocean cruise from Barcelona to Rome. She has also experienced River cruising with Viking in France. As our resident expert, this is what she has to say about Viking!

“Vikinghasexceededmyexpectations,theirattentiontodetailissecondto none,IwouldabsolutelyrecommendthemforbothOcean&Rivercruising!”

Malta, Morocco & The Med Grand European Tour Antarctic Explorer

The unique interactive, dress up fun that is the Rocky Horror Picture Show comes to the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA this month.

The worldwide cult hit of the 1970s was created by Kiwi Richard O’Brien, who also played the role of Riff Raff.

It is 50 years since the movie was released, and that, says Nikki Wales, is a great excuse to put on a costume and have some fun.

Checkout supervisor Nicky has organised the event at the RSA. She long ago lost count of the number of times she has seen the show, either performed live or on the big screen.

“It came out when I was 17 and living in Sydney,” she says. “My son was little, so

I didn’t go to a lot of screenings then, but I did have it on VHS.”

The RSA event includes showing the film on a big screen, and a chance to get into the Rocky Horror spirit and dress up. Interacting with the film will be encouraged, with goodie bags provided that contain suitable props. There will be a chance to do the Time Warp again.

“Fans love the music, and it’s got a lot of quirky humour,” Nikki says. “Who doesn’t love a chance to dress up and have a laugh?”

The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary Celebration is on at the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA on Sunday, June 18, 3pm-5pm. More details, see What’s On.

Whanga Coast Ballers in action.

Quiz raises funds for basketball dream

A group of local Whangaparāoa College teens are working towards a once-in-a-lifetime trip to San Francisco to train with world-leading basketball coaches and management. Their fundraising to make the trip possible is well underway. Along with basketball shooting marathons and beach clean-ups (HM April 3), the team from Whanga Coast Ballers are hosting a Quiz Night, at Parāoa Brewing Co.

The family event, on Sunday, June 25, will be hosted by the amazing team from Believe it or Not Quizzes. It will feature

Puhoi’s rich history celebrated

raffles and a silent auction with thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes, donated by generous businesses all over Whangaparāoa Peninsula, and a first prize of a $500 Parāoa bar tab, sponsored by Complete Electrical 24/7. Book a table on Eventfinda (look for Whanga Coast Ballers Quiz Night).

The end of this month, June 29, is the 160th anniversary of Puhoi Village being settled by the Bohemians from Europe, and activities are planned to mark the occasion. They include a lunch on June 29 at Puhoi Hall, catering for 140 people, and a St Peter and Paul’s Feastday Mass at the church. On Saturday, July 1 there will be a dance featuring Shane and the Shazam Band at Puhoi Hall and the following day a thanksgiving wreath will be laid at Puhoi church. Info and tickets: email puhoibohemianmuseum@gmail.com or phone 027 211 0316. Puhoi has a rich history. The first Bohemian immigrants arrived there on June 29, 1863, settling there under the terms of the 1858 Auckland Waste Lands Act. The Puhoi River provided the only means of access at that time. Bridge building and road forming in the area from 1869, improved communications between the settlement and nearby areas. From 1871 to 1876 was a period of considerable growth in the township, including the establishment of a hotel. A post office was established by 1870 with a telephone installed in 1884 linking Puhoi with Waiwera. The Puhoi Road Board first met in 1873, and the first general store opened for business in 1876 along with a Hotel-Boarding House and Store opened by Vincent and John Schischka.

Coast netball teams

Young netballers began the season at the Hibiscus Coast Netball Centre in Edith Hopper Park, Manly, last month. The number of teams playing at the centre this season are similar to last year – a total of 61 teams from local schools, in Years 3-6. Pictured are a Year 5 and 6 Whangaparāoa School team playing Ōrewa Beach.

Mid-winter magic in Ōrewa

Christmas is coming to the Coast twice this year – starting with Ōrewa’s first midwinter Christmas market early next month. Festive winter family entertainment, including live music, food trucks, a snow machine, and Kea Skates roller skating, is happening along with a range of arts and crafts stalls. There is even expected to be a rare and unseasonal visit from Santa Claus himself! The market will be on in Ōrewa Square on Friday, July 7, from 4pm-8pm.