I had intended to wax lyrical about Wanganui High School's production of Annie, but Joan Street beat me to it (see page 25). Suffice it to say Marie and I were impressed with every aspect of the show ... and we were treated to a few surprises.
The dancing, the singing
- even the scenery changes are worth mentioning. Ladies and gentlemen, you all shone! I liked every moment, from the orphanage song and dance routine to the finale, but I must make mention of the radio station scene and the delightful singing from "The Boylan Sisters" and Hugo Collins in his role as radio presenter Bert Healy. Joan Street has pretty much covered the rest in her review. And thanks to the many community members who made up most of the orchestra. Your time and talent added an essential ingredient to the show.
Congratulations to all concerned and I hope those who've now had a taste of show business will get involved in more stage productions. Who knows, there could be a future in it.
Valda Brechmanis is raising funds for Hospice in a Cut It or Keep It promotion. Blessed with lovely, long locks, the Wanganui Hospice Public Relations and Volunteer Services Manager is willing to sacrifice said tresses according to the whim of the paying public ... or keep them, according to the same whim.
Through the Givealittle website (search Hospice Wanganui) and a Facebook page set up especially, Valda is asking people to vote with dollars on whether she should cut her long hair or ... not.
She says she really doesn't mind either way. "I like my hair long; I like my hair short."
This is not connected in any way with Shave for a Cure; it is a private endeavour to raise money for a worthy cause - so worthy that Valda has dedicated her working days to it for the past 10 years. Hospice took care of her father at the end and she knew then that she would one day work for them.
"The staff at Hospice walked with us all, supporting us all, providing the best palliative (comfort) care for my Dad, and care for us as a family until his very last breath. I knew before I left on the night he died that I would come back to work there, somehow. Almost three years later I did, and have been on staff ever since. My little haircutting (or not) fundraiser for Hospice to try and help maintain that level of support for the families who come to us every day. Your help makes all the difference and you get to choose what happens to my hair at the same time! With thanks for your support."
Decision day is Friday, May 15, according to the give a little website, and on this day Valda will cut her hair. Whichever camp ("short" or "long") has the most dollars attached to it, that is the vote that will dictate what happens on the day. How much is cut depends on the vote.
There are voting boxes at the Hospice shops, the Splash Centre and at The Warehouse. The last day for voting is Thursday, May 14 and all the money raised goes directly to Hospice Wanganui.
Speaking of hair, just when you thought John Key's pony tail saga couldn't get any weirder, he now claims his pony tail pulling wasn't sexist and he could just as easily done it to a man! Now we're heading into the Twilight Zone. To everything there is a season; a time to stop talking and a time to waffle on and dig an even deeper hole. My advice, Mr Prime Minister, take the former, hang up the shovel and don't make a bad situation worse. Still, as the jolly hockeysticks brigade will tell us - it just proves our Prime Minister is human. Really? And what did we think he was before this? And I'm sure there will be as many answers as there are readers!