Twenty-five years ago....
? Well-known New Zealand touring poets Sam Hunt and Gary McCormick visited Stratford where they were entertained to a pot-luck luncheon at the home of Mrs Olga Sawyer. The function, organised by the Stratford Writers' group, was also attended by Mrs Estelle Corney, a noted local author, Mrs Margaret Smith, chairperson of the Central Taranaki Community Arts Council, and Mrs Audrey De Jong of Eltham.
? Mr and Mrs Archie Rogers of Stratford celebrated their Golden Wedding in August 1981. Married at Lowgarth on August 12, 1931 by Rev McGreggor of the Presbyterian Church, Archie and Frances (Tiny) were living in Miranda Street South at the time of their anniversary. The couple spent the first 21 years of their marriage farming at Te Popo. Archie gave up farming to move to Stratford where he gained employment in the goods shed at the local railway station. He retired from the Railways in 1966 and in his retirement he devoted most of his time to his flower garden. Helping the couple celebrate was Mrs Rogers' brother, George Cooper, who gave her away at her wedding and travelled from Taumarunui for the occasion.
? 'Breer Rabbit Should Be Prime Minister of New Zealand' . Taking the affirmative in the final of the 1981 Taranaki Regional Debating Contest, the Stratford Jaycee debating team comprising Des Johnston, Colin Helsen and Henry Wheoki convincingly defeated the Opunake A team.
? Roger and Jenny Hignett purchased the Hob Nob snack and coffee bar on Broadway. The couple still owned their upper Pembroke Road dairy farm, which was being looked after by sharemilkers. Jenny (according to Roger) is a very good cook and has always been interested in branching out into coffee lounge activities. The couple said they were in a bit of a rut up on the farm and welcomed the opportunity to get out among people for a change. Roger said he obviously had to make a few changes in his life with the new undertaking. 'Up on the farm, I was the first boss, but now at the shop, Jenny is the top boss.'
? Miss Ella Graham, Postmistress at Midhirst for 36 years, retired. Miss Graham moved to Midhirst from Stratford in 1945 to take up the position which, at the time, was incorporated with the Railway Station. 'It's been a great job and I have enjoyed meeting all the people of the district,' she told the Press. Asked what she planned to do in retirement Miss Graham said, 'I've never retired before so I don't know what I will be doing with my time.' Miss Graham was replaced by Mrs Jan Evershed of Stratford.
? The Stratford Press was selling souvenir posters to mark the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
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An elderly Florida lady did her shopping and, upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her vehicle. She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, and screamed at the top of her voice, 'I have a gun and I know how to use it! Get out of the car!!' The four men didn't wait to be told a second time. They got out and ran like mad. The lady, somewhat shaken, loaded her groceries into the boot of her car, and climbed into the driver's seat. She was so shaken she couldn't get her key into the ignition. She tried and tried and then it dawned on her why. A few minutes later she found her own car four spaces further down. She loaded her bags into the car and drove to the Police Station. When she told her story to the sergeant he started laughing. Unable to speak he pointed to the other end of the counter where four pale young men were reporting a carjacking by a mad, elderly woman described as white, less than five feet tall, with glasses and white curly hair and carrying a large handgun. If you're going to have a senior moment, make it a memorable one!
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? Hospital records reveal slippers as Britain's most dangerous clothing, involved in more home accidents than glass, nails and scalding pipes. Victims fell down stairs, broke toes putting them on or were bitten wrestling them from the dog.
? A new British report has found that workers find problems with their computers more stressful than a weekend with the in-laws. One in eight people say computer failure is more stressful than being left by a partner.
? Thieves in northern Serbia have a new way of stealing the washing ... they throw cats in the air to catch it. The thieves pick clothes hanging from a window and throw a cat in the air, which instinctively grabs the garments with its claws dragging it down.
? An English milkman was gobsmacked when thieves stole his false teeth from his van. But he got them back after a regular customer recognised the gnashers. He normally stores his teeth with his sandwiches in a box and pops them in when speaking to customers .
? A German man who lit a fire under his car to 'thaw it out' after the vehicle failed to start ended up with a gutted wreck when the car burst into flames. The 78-year-old lit a pile of paper towels in a metal box and put it under the engine and fuel tank. The man was unhurt.
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Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents' the week before Christmas. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers when the youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs."I pray for a new bicycle!" "I pray for a new Nintendo!" "I pray for a new VCR!" His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said, "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf."To which the little brother replied, "No, but Grandma is!"
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My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference. - Harry S Truman.
Have a great week!
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