Oh hi 2018

Here’s to another year. Don’t they go fast?

Number 8 Network is back in the saddle and feeling feisty – we’ve had a splendid Christmas and New Year and are looking forward to sharing more good stories.

There’s always so much happening.

One story that made our hearts happy was the tale of the missing pooch from Peach Rd. Little Louie went missing on New Year’s Eve and his ma and pa – Tanz and Vaughan – were worried sick.

We posted on our Facebook page and folk around the area had their eyes peeled for the Shitzu/Maltese cross.

Louie, thoroughly filthy, was found over 10km away from his home, on a farm down Woodlands Rd. His new friend Keith took great care of him, said Vaughan – the little dog was given a bath, toys and yummy dog food and rode around in a Ford Ranger.  (For another dog gone, dog found yarn, click here for the story of Astrix, a beautiful border collie who went missing from a Gordonton party, and was found cowering under a hedge by… me!)

Staying with canines, it’s been a busy time for Cherie Baker, who runs DC Rescue Dogs and has been trying to find homes for the many dogs and puppies abandoned at this time of year.

“We work around the clock to keep our rescue running and are always on the lookout for reliable foster homes for all types, ages of dogs.”

DC Rescue Dogs will be at the Waikato Animal Expo, part of the Waikato Show at Claudelands Events Centre, in April.

And Cornerstone Alpaca Stud is producing a bumper crop of young alpacas – officially known as a cria – check out these little cuties.

 

 

Of course, the humans have been up to interesting things –Marion Riddell is offering calligraphy services this year, Willow Glen cafe is hiring, Claudia Aalderink is giving her gallery a new look (more on this soon!) and Great Beginnings Gordonton have created a cool walkway deck.

We look forward to talking to some of the movers and shakers who live and do great things in these here parts.

To get us started, local historian Alan Sharp has written a piece on the earliest days of libraries around the region. Did you know there was a time when we (Woodlands!) had a library and Hamilton didn’t?  It’s true.  We’ve also got a cool culinary column – how to make a most beautiful fruit bowl, out of ice.  Perfect for this hot weather.

 

 

Another year? Bring it on!