Now that was a good idea

Dot Field has no trouble recollecting where and when she had the idea of forming the Simply Social Club Kaikohe. She was sitting on a beach during her Christmas holiday in 1993.

"At that time, like most other young wives, I was very involved in Plunket, kindergarten and schools with fundraising and committees. Gazing out to sea I dreamed of doing something for me, something simple and something social," she said last week.

So the Simply Socal Club was launched, and there was no shortage of kindred spirits. Dot invited every woman she met in the street to meet for dinner on the last Wednesday in February, and told them to pass on the message.

"Twelve attended our first meeting, and had such a wonderful time we decided to invite others the next last Wednesday of the month, and so it has grown. Some of the original members are still involved, and others have come and gone over the years," she said.

Kaikohe not having many restaurants, we used to go to nearby towns as well, so the women started coming from other towns. Our first guest speaker was the manager of Radio Northland, and following that a variety of people from the North have joined us in that role."

The club currently boasted 40 members from around the district (Kerikeri, Okaihau, Waimate North, Ohaeawai and Kaikohe), each monthly dinner generally attracting 20 or more.

"We try to meet locally, and therefore help our local food places. We don't do fundraising or baking, just have fun with friends," Dot added.

Now plans were being made for a 21st birthday celebration, and past members, their partners and friends, and guest speakers, would be very welcome to be there.

"We know some past members are now in Hibiscus Coast, Paihia, Kerikeri and Whangarei, but because we are 'simply social' we have difficulty tracing and contact all these people on our own," she said.

The party would take place at the Kaikohe RSA on Saturday October 18, tickets $30. Contact Dot on (09) 401-0429 or (021) 293-6236.