Tiko pub is dry no more. As of 7.30am today - two years since the last ale was poured at the historic 1864 Sawyer's Arms Hotel - the taps are open again. But it's not just beer flowing. The pub's McCutcheon era marks the biggest shift in the rip-grit-and-bust sawmilling heritage of thelast 130 years. "It's still a country pub," Paula McCutcheon corrects me at this morning's official opening, "but with a twist. "Locals are already calling it 'The Craypot', it's easy to get in and hard to get out." Paula and late husband Mark McCutcheon bought the neglected landmark with big plans in August last year. Tragedy struck five months later when Mark was fatally stabbed during a fight outside Ongaonga's Sandford Arms Tavern. Despite the loss, she and the couple's three young daughters continued the dream. Given the generosity and sweat of volunteers, it was fitting to open the urbane new premises on Labour Weekend, she said. "We did do the hard yards, but it's the paperwork I dread the most. Mark always took care of that, so I've had to upskill quickly. "Strangely enough, the refurbishment was the easy part." The nuggety publican is poised to lure hungry SH50 commuters for a bite or coffee, backed by six bar staff and two chefs. Its handy location also comes with the guaranteed patronage of Onga-Tiko Rugby Club a mere 100m away, and thirsty cadets from nearby Smedley Station training farm. And the highlight? "The Nippy's Bar (Mark's nickname) sign above the bar - that's special. I haven't been able to openly cry because of all the tradesmen here this year, I've had to hold it all in when they're around. But I had a few tears this morning." Mark's 64-20 John Deere tractor, "his baby", was parked out front to mark the pub's opening.
