A merry Mankelow Christmas to you all - I hope you have lots of family fun planned for the upcoming holidays. Welcome to edition two of Mankelow korero. Please pass this onto anyone who you think has missed out. Your challenge for the next newsletter is to provide us with stories of your memorable Christmas! Best presents, best 'from the mouths of babes' quote, best recipe - whatever you'd like to share! Send them in by 26 February for inclusion in a March edition of Mankelow korero.
Reunion committee
Reunion committee
Reminder, the next planning meeting for the reunion committee is being held 26 January 2008 (Auckland Anniversary weekend) at the Ngaroma Hall. Bring a plate to contribute to a shared lunch and a willingness to participate.
The bank balance is slowly growing and is now over the $1000 mark. Thanks to those who have put money in so far. To those wanting to make a donation, the name of the account no is: 'Ngaroma Reunion Account', Account no. 123-134-0034760-50. Don't forget to insert your name as you make your deposit so we can keep track of who it's from.
Milestones
The bank balance is slowly growing and is now over the $1000 mark. Thanks to those who have put money in so far. To those wanting to make a donation, the name of the account no is: 'Ngaroma Reunion Account', Account no. 123-134-0034760-50. Don't forget to insert your name as you make your deposit so we can keep track of who it's from.
Milestones
On the 3rd of November there were two 45th wedding anniversaries celebrated; Lorraine and Neil Hancock and Chris and Royce Mankelow. On the 2nd of October Wayne and Fiona Mankelow celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary. Ray Mankelow has just made 60 and cousin Rita (Freda's No 2) reaches this milestone on 21 January, so there may be a bottle of bubbly or two to share at the planning meeting on the 26th.
Competition fierce for youngest Mankelow
Competition fierce for youngest Mankelow
Competition was fierce for the prize of youngest Mankelow - and the longer I left off sending this newsletter, the more entries came in!First entry received was Pearce Roman Mankelow - born on 29.05.07 to Juanita and Joshua, with the accompanying quote "if he isn't the youngest, surely he's the cutest"? Here's a photo so you can all judge for yourselves.Jarius Hector James' Judy's great-grandson comes in at a couple of months older - he was born 98 years to the day of his Gt.Gt.Grandfather, Hector Mankelow's birth.
In early November, Julian Mankelow (son of Des, son of Bert) and his wife Kameta were blessed with the birth of Azalia.
But the prize for youngest Mankelow (that we know of!) must go to Brooklyn! Born on 21st November 2007 to CJ and Tania, another grandchild for Clive Mankelow.
I guess my unborn baby doesn't really count yet (due June 19). Congratulations to all new parents and remember to forward birth dates and full names to our family historian Ray Mankelow for updating the family tree at ray.mankelow@gmail.com
Mankelow abroad
Mankelow abroad
By Jeantine Mankelow
Greetings from the Netherlands! Drawn by the promise of better pay and some classic kiwi O.E adventure, my partner and I left New Zealand earlier this year to live in Amsterdam. We have been here 3 months now and have just about settled into this land of clogs, tulips and windmills. In fact we have seen very little of any of those outside of the tourist shops, although I have sighted a rather tall and bulky black man walking down our street sporting a bright yellow pair of clogs, by all appearances it is not the easiest way to get around. The Netherlands is renowned for being a very liberal country, so we were surprised to find when we got here that most of the shops are closed on Sundays, and limitations are being placed on some famous Dutch liberties. They have recently banned smoking in bars and magic mushrooms, are adding restrictions on coffee shops, and are considering closing a large percentage of the red light district, a sign of the times I guess.
What we have found is a very pretty town, where everyone rides around humming on 1900s style bicycles decorated by plastic flowers, and every street is made from several brick buildings all in different styles somehow stuck together, built around rings of canals that enclose the city. While only 700,000 people live in Amsterdam it covers a very small area and is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The Dutch manage to pack everyone in by living almost exclusively in apartments, or house boats which line the canals. Those I have met who have been to New Zealand are envious of our suburbia where everyone has their own house on their own section. We were lucky to walk straight into an apartment owned by a friend of ours. It is a typical Dutch apartment, reasonably sized with a modern interior, on the 3rd floor of a narrow brick five-story building. My only gripe would be that there is no ceiling insulation in these old buildings so you can hear the every move the people above or below you make, our neighbours should be thankful my partner is without a stereo to play his death metal collection on.
Since the cost of living here is almost 2-1 with New Zealand we were also fortunate to quickly get jobs as software contractors at ING bank. We work in a building, one of several ING buildings in the area along with thousands of other employees, most of which I have absolutely no idea what they do. My department is almost exclusively filled with contractors who have worked for ING for years, are treated as permanent employees and whom more importantly seem to have no concerns about the fact that ING lost close to 20 million in the sub-prime mortgage collapse. It is a very much an international company, and along with English, Spanish and Australians there are four other kiwis in our department, it is like having a home away from home.
It is the middle of winter here and while I've adjusted to the cold, having replaced my trusty NZ winter jacket months ago with something more resembling a wearable sleeping bag, the short days are hard to get used to. The sun rises at around 8am and is set by 4:30pm, which means almost no daylight hours outside of work. Still the Dutch make up for all this darkness with their Christmas festivities, at the moment Christmas lights line the streets, buildings and trees, making parts of the city look like fairy land. In fact the city has been in festive mode here for quite some time here. As well as Christmas the Dutch also celebrate the Sinterklaas festival, on which the story of Santa Claus is based. Sinterklaas arrives on steamship from Spain in mid November accompanied by a ship full of helpers, Zwarte (Black) Petes. The Zwarte Petes are really Dutch people dressed in funny clothes, with black face paint and afro wigs. To the outside eye this looks rather racist, much like a white guy arriving with a bunch of slaves, but the Dutch see nothing wrong with it. Sinterklaas stays in the country until the 5th of December when he will deliver presents, but watch out if you have been naughty he will take you back to Spain with you.
We are off to Belgium tomorrow to sample some of its famous beer and chocolates, and buy some last minute Christmas presents, and then off to London. Merry Christmas everyone!
Introducing - Sarah Mankelow
What we have found is a very pretty town, where everyone rides around humming on 1900s style bicycles decorated by plastic flowers, and every street is made from several brick buildings all in different styles somehow stuck together, built around rings of canals that enclose the city. While only 700,000 people live in Amsterdam it covers a very small area and is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The Dutch manage to pack everyone in by living almost exclusively in apartments, or house boats which line the canals. Those I have met who have been to New Zealand are envious of our suburbia where everyone has their own house on their own section. We were lucky to walk straight into an apartment owned by a friend of ours. It is a typical Dutch apartment, reasonably sized with a modern interior, on the 3rd floor of a narrow brick five-story building. My only gripe would be that there is no ceiling insulation in these old buildings so you can hear the every move the people above or below you make, our neighbours should be thankful my partner is without a stereo to play his death metal collection on.
Since the cost of living here is almost 2-1 with New Zealand we were also fortunate to quickly get jobs as software contractors at ING bank. We work in a building, one of several ING buildings in the area along with thousands of other employees, most of which I have absolutely no idea what they do. My department is almost exclusively filled with contractors who have worked for ING for years, are treated as permanent employees and whom more importantly seem to have no concerns about the fact that ING lost close to 20 million in the sub-prime mortgage collapse. It is a very much an international company, and along with English, Spanish and Australians there are four other kiwis in our department, it is like having a home away from home.
It is the middle of winter here and while I've adjusted to the cold, having replaced my trusty NZ winter jacket months ago with something more resembling a wearable sleeping bag, the short days are hard to get used to. The sun rises at around 8am and is set by 4:30pm, which means almost no daylight hours outside of work. Still the Dutch make up for all this darkness with their Christmas festivities, at the moment Christmas lights line the streets, buildings and trees, making parts of the city look like fairy land. In fact the city has been in festive mode here for quite some time here. As well as Christmas the Dutch also celebrate the Sinterklaas festival, on which the story of Santa Claus is based. Sinterklaas arrives on steamship from Spain in mid November accompanied by a ship full of helpers, Zwarte (Black) Petes. The Zwarte Petes are really Dutch people dressed in funny clothes, with black face paint and afro wigs. To the outside eye this looks rather racist, much like a white guy arriving with a bunch of slaves, but the Dutch see nothing wrong with it. Sinterklaas stays in the country until the 5th of December when he will deliver presents, but watch out if you have been naughty he will take you back to Spain with you.
We are off to Belgium tomorrow to sample some of its famous beer and chocolates, and buy some last minute Christmas presents, and then off to London. Merry Christmas everyone!
Introducing - Sarah MankelowApologies for this self-promotion - bad time-management on my part and lack of influence over siblings meant I didn't find another candidate for the Mankelow profile this edition, so thought I would introduce myself this time! Needless to say, hopefully in the new year, when things are not so hectic, I will find the time to hunt down another Mankelow who is willing to subject themselves to this questionnaaire….
Where do you live?
Where do you live?
Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand
Where do you fit in the family tree?
Where do you fit in the family tree?
Daughter of Robert (Bob) and Jocelyn Mankelow of Tauranga, grand-daughter of Herbert (Bert) and Doreen Mankelow of Tauranga, great-granddaughter of the first Sarah Mankelow. Older sister to Robyn (Auckland) and Falchion Chris (Hamilton). Married to Stuart Webb, one son William (4) and currently expecting no.2.
Current employment / study
Current employment / study
Followed in my father's footsteps (not as well though) to work for DOC - Department of Conservation. Currently employed as a community relations officer which involves lots of time on the computer, editing brochures, signs, newsletters, writing media releases and organising park openings.
What keeps you busy? (interests)
What keeps you busy? (interests)
William, work, grants officer for Linwood Community Toy Library, crafts, thespian and webmaster with the Sumner Theatre Group - check it out http://www.stg.org.nz/
Most memorable life moment (to date)
Most memorable life moment (to date)
My wedding three years ago on Sumner Beach - just absolutely fabulous with all the people that mean the most around me.
My favourite part of NZ and why...
My favourite part of NZ and why...
After living there for nearly five years, I do have a soft spot for Arthur's Pass.
Who/what would you be for a day?
Who/what would you be for a day?
Our cat Beanie - just so I can catch up on my sleep for a day.
Currently in my CD player...
Currently in my CD player...
Bad Jelly the Witch or a Neil Diamond collection (this is no reflection of my own personal tastes… yes my 4 year old likes Neil Diamond and knows all the words to Desiree, the 'Shrek' song (a.k.a I'm a believer) and the quiet loud song (a.k.a Brother Love). He also likes the Kylie Minogue 'La la' song. Of course, I can't deny all the blame, the reason he loves these songs is that I sung them in last year's show for theatre group.
Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
Most of the time in bed reading a book - working mother and all that - expect from Labour Weekend to early December when I am strutting my stuff as a fat fairy or cowgirl on the Sumner stage in front of a 160-strong audience.
Favourite quote?
Favourite quote?
"I love you mummy"
I am inspired by...
I am inspired by...
My father - for his infinite wealth of knowledge and his energy worthy of the energiser bunny; and my mother - she just keeps on giving and giving.
If I could give you just one tip, it would be...
If I could give you just one tip, it would be...
Be happy and live the life you want - you don't get a second chance.
