Mankelow korero Christmas 2010

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou - Seasons greetings for Christmas and the New Year.

Only four more sleeps until we fly back to Tauranga for a Mankelow family Christmas. It’s a bitter-sweet thought as this year we are celebrating with one less amongst our midst. Granddad Bert won’t be there to munch through Robyn’s homemade shortbread, to share a beer with dad over Christmas lunch, or to watch the children excitedly open their presents.

We will be remembering him with love this Christmas. Thanks to all those who attended his funeral in October, and to those that sent through a personal memory of Bert for this newsletter.

I hope Tim doesn’t mind, but I have also written down his very moving tribute to his father as it has such a strong message for us all.

Memories of Bert Mankelow….

“For those that don’t know me I’m Tim, the youngest of the four brothers.

As I sit in the sun out in the back yard at home, thinking of you and what has been; fond memories abound. I look though old photos of you and me, sitting, eating and sharing ice-creams, playing with the hose. Zoom slides and more. The stories of my older brothers being put in their place for picking on me. The many times I’ve been disciplined that put me in good stead in my adult years. The respect that you taught me for my elders and my family. Many fun times at the top ford trying to keep up with you. The way you taught me to use koura to catch trout. Staying at the campsite having a wash in the freezing cold water. The great times we had out fishing at Pahoia, slaying the snapper, only ever taking enough for a feed. Respect the resource for others you told me. The way we talked about current events, rugby and the issues of my life.

Now I must do these things on my own. I hope you will watch over me and help me out. I will miss you. The family is blessed and strong. I love you dad.”

Timothy Mankelow 9 October 2010.

From Joy and Bob Miller: We had a surprise visit from Uncle Bert, Robert and Jos. They called in on their way home from their trip of a life time by helicopter to White Island. Uncle Bert said it was something he wanted to do while he was still fit enough. He had really enjoyed it and was so glad he went. Sadly this was the last time Bert set foot into our home.

From Anne Mankelow: My memories of Bert are crackers & cheese for morning tea then him saying "there is fruit cake in the tin you could have had a piece of that."

Lovely fresh produce from his garden. New potatoes, carrots or beans & delicious tree ripened apples (YUM)

From Sherryll Andrews (Mankelow): Tuesday mornings - housework day. As i arrive he is usually sitting on his chair outside the shed. There's no hurry is there he says sit for a while with me in the sun. The stories flow so easily some from many years ago but never forgotten - what a memory he has. Many fond memories of THE TOP FORD & THE WAIPAPA RIVER. I could sit for hours and listen to all the adventures.

From Cody, Kathy, Samara and Amber Mankelow: On our last visit to Aunty Doreen before her passing, my daughters Samara and Amber took a shine to a very scruffy old garden gnome perched in Uncle Bert's garden. Much to the girls delight, Uncle Bert with his mischievous smile promptly loads the old garden gnome into the back of the car. Back home in Puhoi two young girls had a wonderful time scrubbing and painting a new shiny suit on the gnome. Today, he still sits here in our Puhoi Garden watching over all the fairies and elves just as Uncle Bert said he would :)

It was always a pleasure catching up with Uncle Bert. Even the last time we visited him at the hospital, he had clearly had enough but he still had a big smile and warm friendly hug for us. We will miss him.

New members of the Mankelow family:

Patience Serenity-Rose Ford-Bennett

Born 28 May 2010 - to proud parents Rebecca Trubshoe and Damian Bennett

Lily-Rose Georgina Oates

Born 8 June 2010 - to proud parents Natasha Connolly and Allan Rose.

Bailey Ngaroimata Onemaru Kaaka

Born 9 June 2010 - to proud parents Lindberg Kaaka and Tuaine Taru

Nathan George Wahanui Reid

27 August 2010 - to proud parents Marama Kaaka and Chris Reid

Anniversary Weekend 2011: Our next Family Get together will be held on Sunday 30 January with a shared lunch followed by an Auction. There will also be the lucky dip for the children.

1 November 2010

Kia ora

It’s been a month since Bert passed on. And a long time since our last korero! I’d like to just take this opportunity to say while the occasion was sad; it was great to see so many family at Granddad’s funeral. Around 200 people showed up to say their last respects to the last of the first Sarah Mankelow’s children. I’d like to make a special mention of Rikki Wikeepa, Cath and Delwyn who all singled me out to say hi and thanks for the newsletters. I really appreciated it – even if I seemed a little vague at the time!

I’ve posted a few of the photos from this occasion on my facebook page – even those of you not signed up to facebook can go and have a look by following this link:

I’d like to lay down a challenge to you all; I hope to do a full korero at Christmas – with meeting updates and a “this is your life” from the Mankelow resident in Amsterdam – so you have four weeks to each send me a memory of Bert. It could be a fu

nny story like the bee-hive story told by Laurie at the funeral. It could be just a ser

ies of thoughts, memories or triggers. I will compile them all and share them with you at Christmas time.

To get you started here are a few of mine: home-made pickles, riding in the back of the ute up to Ngatuhoa, his happy whistle, the spoils from a successful hunt hanging up in the garage, Christmas in the backyard of nineteenth avenue with all my cousins and getting my first ten speed, picnics at the beach with the back of the ute as our table.

So the gauntlet is laid – send me back your thoughts and stories by the beginning of December. Also, if you know someone has changed their email address lately, let us know as I am getting a few bounce-backs. Ray has put the mailing list on google docs so can you all access it and check if we have the latest emails for you and your whanau.

Ka kite ano

Bert

Outside the shed

he sits.

A seat in the sun,

warmed by habit

white painted, wooden chair

reserved, waiting.

The shed

Stores the labours and tools

of a well-lived life, and

well stacked wood:

comforting, reliable, constant.

He sits in contentment,

relishing a moment of quiet reverie.

The happy whistle signals

all is right in the world.

Always the same tune.

A gentle spring breeze

carries the last notes skyward

leaving us with the memories

and a seat in the sun.

Sarah and Robyn (Grand-daughters)

September 2010 (backdated post)

SSGT Robert (Bob) Mankelow RNZIR

One of the features of Army Reserve (ARes) personnel is their commitment to service and to their unit. Often such service is measured in decades. Given that Army Reserve personnel have civilian careers, in addition to their ARes commitment, such long service has great merit and is worthy of recognition.

SSGT Mankelow receiving his 2nd clasp to the Efficiency Medal in 2002 from the Mayor of Rotorua.

Staff Sergeant Robert (Bob) Mankelow is a good example of commitment and utility that often typifies senior Territorial Force staff.

Staff Sergeant RJ Mankelow enlisted in the NZ Army on 4 January 1967. He was awarded the Efficiency Medal on 10 May 1979; first clasp on 12 October 1992, second clasp on 5 March 2003 and third clasp on 22 June 2009. SSGT Mankelow is currently an Instructor with the training team. He has served 6th (Hauraki) Battalion Group for 43 years, and continues to be an active, energetic and willing participant in Battalion Group activities.

SSGT Mankelow is also a long-serving member of the 6th Hauraki Regiment Association, having been on its committee since inception. He occupies the role of Bar Manager, in which duty he is conspicuous at Anzac Day. The Association bar contributes funding to the 6 Hau unit private fund and SSGT Mankelow works hard to ensure that the bar remains available to soldiers and Association members alike. He also ensures that Regimental merchandise is displayed and available for sale. He is active in providing support in the construction of the Association’s museum displays, alongside Sergeant Tony Fraser. SSGT Mankelow remains an active and valued member of the Association.

Bob’s civilian career commenced in 1965, when he commenced training as a fitter, turner, machinist. He was the top apprentice in his class and was rewarded by his employer with attendance at an Outward Bound course in Anakiwa in 1966. And so began a life long romance with the outdoors, and, with youth development.

During 1966, Bob was involved with the setting up and running (by a group of Outward Bound old boys) of a youth programme called Compass, developing 16 to 21 year olds.

A year later, in 1967, he was invited to become involved with the Kaimai Youth Camp Society and the Ngatuhoa Lodge facility as Secretary and Treasurer. He retained this position (Secretary / Treasurer) for 25 years.

Deciding that he was interested in outdoor education, he became a seasonal outdoor education instructor at Ngatuhoa Lodge, working during the Summers. He continued in this role for 14 years. Because he had taken a bit of a pay decrease, he supplemented his income by working the winter months as a field instructor for the New Zealand Forest Service, teaching staff bushcraft and outdoor living skills. He also took on some summer interpretation duties for visitors to the NZ Forest Service parks in the area. Marking himself as a young man of energy, he worked a third (part-time) job in town.

In 1987, when the Department of Conservation replaced the New Zealand Forest Service, Bob was invited to join the Department as a Ranger. During the next ten years he was involved with duties relating to marine mammals, threatened species, off-shore islands and recreational facilities.

In 1997 Bob left the Department of Conservation and worked for Work and Income New Zealand delivering skills to their Youth at Risk programme.

In 1999, Bob became a contractor to Environment Bay of Plenty delivering environmental monitoring services. Bob remains on contract to Environment Bay of Plenty currently.

Continuing his involvement in youth development, Bob has been involved with Youth Search and Rescue delivering bush craft and search skills to youth aged 14 to 17 years who have joined the search and rescue organisation. Bob is a member of Search and Rescue.

In recent times Bob has also delivered training to the SAS in rongo (the medicinal use of plants). Because of his skills in bush craft, Bob was appointed, and continues, as an assessor with the Mountain Safety Council. There can be little doubt that such community minded individuals make a significant contribution. Bob Mankelow is marked out as a man of commitment and energy. While ‘serving the Colours,’ he has also made an outstanding contribution to both the environment and youth development. SSGT Robert Mankelow is an excellent example of those long-serving individuals that live the Army ethos and are a rich part of the tapestry of the Army Reserve.

http://www.armyreserve.mil.nz/news/2010/ssgt-robert-mankelow-rnzir.htm

This is your life - Jeantine Michelle Mankelow

branch of family tree where do you fit in?

Granddaughter of Herbert Mankelow, Daughter of Ray Mankelow

current employment / study

I am a contract software developer and currently taking some time off to enjoy the summer and think about my next move, but previously was working at ING and Tom Tom, and a small Dutch company called Strawberries.

what keeps you busy? interests

Music - I love checking out new bands and going to concerts. I have always loved music, probably aided by my father constantly surrounding us with it, but now living in a city with a constant supply of good bands visiting this seems to have turned into a hobby.

Travelling - I like to visit new places and explore new cultures, which is a major reason I am living in Amsterdam and not New Zealand.

Photography - I enjoy taking pictures, my camera is a constant companion with me on every trip I go on, if you are on my facebook no doubt you will already know this. I would like to do more while I am not travelling but Amsterdam can be a busy place.

Shopping - this one is going to get me in trouble with my mother, but what can I say I love to shop and with no kids to support and a good paying job this is possible (don't worry Mum I still have lots of savings :))

Cycling - You can't live in Amsterdam and not own a bike, and this is one of the reasons I really love this city. You can get anywhere on your bike in 20 mins, and there is no better way to shake the sleep from your eyes or release the daily stress than a bike ride.

Yoga/Pilates/Dance - along with cycling, this is what keeps me fit and keeps me sane :)

I like to keep busy :)

Most memorable life moment

Stoned off your head and answering the door to the police at 3 in the morning is perhaps not a good way to meet your neighbours for the first time! Yet this is what happened when some of my friends from London came to visit me in Amsterdam. They may not appreciate this story as they are still in denial, but you should be able to laugh at yourself I say.

Part of the standard tour of Amsterdam includes sampling the local fare, marajuana, which is legal to smoke in the Netherlands. As neither my friends or I smoke, we decided to sample the brownies, 1 each, first mistake. Ignoring the advice on the label we ate the whole thing, fairly quickly, second mistake. The night quickly turned hilarious and I can remember trying to hide from the police and all holding hands like little kids when crossing the road. Somehow we made it home. The problem with brownies though, is it is a mix and you never know exactly how much marajuna is in each piece, hence why the instructions say to eat a little bit and wait an hour to see how you feel before having more. Unfortuantely there seemed to be quite a lot in ours and after the hilarity passed we all quickly descended into the depths of paranoia. It got to the point that we all thought we were going to die and we rang the ambulance for help, which always amuses people over here. They told us we would be fine and to eat some sugary food. Goodbye expensive chocolates we had purchased earlier that day, hello to my friend making glasses of sugar water following her own personal receipe of 1/2 glass sugar, 1/2 glass of water and forcing everyone to drink them. My friend who I called in the morning to help with the aftermath said he found piles of sugar all over the house. I'm not sure what impression we must have given to the ambulance staff as they sent the police over. Hence my first memory of meeting my neighbours is standing around downstairs surrounded by the them, and their elderly parents who where over for the weekend, all in pjyamas talking to 3 policemen. The police, who were probably relieved to find we had not taken hallucinogenics, just laughed at us and told us we would be fine. We spent the rest of the night taking turns hugging the toliet seat. My advice, follow the instructions.

My favourite part of NZ and why...

My favourite part of NZ are the west coast beaches of Auckland. Although there is many a sunny beach in Europe with white sand and pristine clear water, nothing can compare to the untamed wild beauty of these beaches. Or to the feeling you get from standing hot and sweaty on a lookout platform of the nearby bush and looking out to the ocean with not another soul in sight.

Who/what would you be for a day?

I am perhaps more shallow than I would like to believe, as I would not change places with some great world leader and try to change the world or some great brain to find out what it is like to comprehend this world on another level, but I think for just one day I would change places with a rock star to see what the buzz of being on stage is like. Perhpas with Karen O, from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who puts on a pretty mean stage performance.

Currently in my CD player...

Well too much to mention really, but some of my recent disoveries are, Band of Skulls, Angus & Julia Stone, Stornoway, Broken Bells. Basically anything Indie Rock, with a touch, of pop, country and folk thrown in there.

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?

You are always spoilt for choice in Amsterdam, could be at a cocktail bar, at a concert, at a house party, at one of the visiting festivals, out for dinner with friends, or as this week tired from too many nights out during the week, enjoying some time at home watching movies and listening to music.

Favourite quote?

'I firmly believe in making your life a work of art.' - Katherine Oktober Mathews. This is actually a quote from a friend of mine, who has it as her byline on facebook. If everyone would live their life with this in mind, this world would be a more colourful place.

I am inspired by...

I am inspired by the free spirits who live their life with passion and live to create. Their music, pictures, movies, writing leaves me in awe, and makes me want to create also.

If I could give you just one tip, it would be...

Never think you can't. Your life will only be as big/rich as you dare to dream. Or in the words of Franklin D Roosevelt 'Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds''.

April (part two)

Kia ora!

You weren’t expecting to hear from me again so soon I bet! Some late editions to the newsletter have come in and it’s the “business” end of Mankelow korero so we thought we would send it out now rather than wait for the next newsletter in a couple of months.

But since we last talked I’ve had the chance to whiz north to see the folks at home, including my Granddad Bert. He is the last surviving child of Granny (Sarah) Mankelow, who I am named after of course. This visit was an eye-opener for me. He’s changed a lot – age has finally caught him up. Granddad is always chirpy, cheerful and full of life. You always know when he is happy and content because of his trademark whistle – it makes everyone around him smile to hear it. But his body is not keeping up with his fantastically sharp mind and he is very aware of approaching mortality. I am a little afraid that I may have missed my last chance to have a really good sit down and talk with him about his life and all that he has experienced.

Chrissie in her musings below talks about how great it was to see the younger generations catching up and meeting with the older ones. Granddad Bert is the last of his generation so I implore all Mankelow descendants that have not yet met Granddad Bert, that you do so at the next possible opportunity. The next family meeting, gathering or visit to Tauranga, go and see Bert. Hell, why not make a special trip. He’s well worth the visit.

(Photo is Bert with great-granddaughter Josie who is not quite two)

Family meeting held at - Ngaroma Hall

27 February 2010

MINUTES

Meeting opened at 11.45am

Apologies:

Lorraine & Neil Hancock, Cody Mankelow, Buster Carter, Lyn & Lloydie Kaaka, Tina Pizzini, Rita & Robin & Lynette, Kerry

Financial:

Current account: $2260.33

Investment Account: $11,213.07

Matters arising from minutes:

• People will be staying over-night camping in tents or vans etc.
• We would like ideas from people as to what they would like put on the plaque that will go on the rock to commemorate our celebrations.

Discussion

Big discussion about asking the Ngaroma Community if they would like to organise the Sunday as this will be open to the public to celebrate the 100 years of the Ngaroma District and many people have asked to come (past and present residents). We will share the costs between the family and community days. Saturday will be the day for Family Reunion with a dinner and dance in the evening.

It was general opinion that we write a letter and send to the Ngaroma Community to give them the opportunity to be part of the celebrations.

Housekeeping matters

Please could we have donations to help pay for the hireage of the hall for today.

There is a lucky dip for the children.

There are raffle tickets also available.

The auction will be held after lunch.

Next meeting will be held in Hamilton after the Ngaroma AGM

Meeting Closed at 12.30pm

MUSINGS

Chrissie Mankelow

February 27 was a lovely warm and sunny day. We welcomed a few new faces to the ones that usually turn up and I think all had a good time. Uncle Bert was a bit disappointed that there were not more attending but it was lovely to see younger family members this year, who had not met any of the older generations, enjoy meeting and talking with them. We hope to see the younger generations all come to the centennial and get to know their cousins. We hope to have interesting things to do and also for them to find out more about Granny (Sarah) Mankelow and her life in the district. While she was alive she really enjoyed having her family around her and I’m sure the reunion will keep that alive.

After lunch we held an aution of donated items, which caused great hilarity with the buyers trying to outbid each other. The items included two CDs; one of Glen Campbell and the other a signed copy of John Rowles; a rose bush, two bottles of wine (one red and one white), cups and saucers, a sugar basin, jug and a Christmas plate. These items bought in $92 for our funds. We also had a grocery raffle and a well-received lucky dip for the children.

THANK YOU so much to the families who donated to our funds, which are now looking really healthy. The money is for hiring items for the reunion in 2012, such as marquees, which are expensive, tents, toilets etc. We will also have to buy in water that will need to be trucked in.

April edition korero

Kia ora

Wow – thanks so much whanau for all the wonderful contributions to this newsletter. It’s been amazing getting all your emails and updates and hearing what you have all been up to. And now I get to share it around!

Coming up!

Saturday 26 June at 3pm – Clive’s 70^th birthday party, Ngaroma hall. RSVP to Hector or Chanelle on 07 872 3500.

Mankelow family commended for river clean-up

The Mankelow family of Cody, Kathy, Samara, Amber have recently been rewarded for their good deeds in looking after a corner of Aotearoa that is special to them.

They got a Commended Award in the ‘Beyond Recycling Community’ category of ARC’s (Auckland Regional Council) Sustainability 2010 Awards. The Beyond Recycling award is awarded to a community group or family for commitment, partnerships and practical action to reduce or reuse waste.

In their own words they describe the project;

“Every year for the past 16 or so years we have run a rubbish clean-up by kayak on the Puhoi River. We run this in conjunction with 'Clean up NZ week' and offer free kayaks to anyone who would like to come and help us keep this waterway clean.

The first couple of years we collected almost a full large skip of rubbish with lots of big items like washing machines, car tyres and engines. The last few years we are down to around half a trailer load which is fantastic. We have had help from other Mankelow family members; Anne Mankelow, Sherryl (nee Mankelow) and Merv Andrews all kindly donated time to come and help us one year. As we are always out and about on the river or at the Wenderholm Regional Park we are always collecting rubbish.”

I am sure every member of our whanau will offer their congratulations for an award so justly deserved. Great community spirit, in caring for your own backyard.

Photo shows from L to R; Cody Mankelow, Samara Mankelow, Amber Mankelow, Kathy Mankelow and Bill Burrell Auckland City Councilor.

Milestones

The fun thing about facebook…is being able to share family photos with those at a distance; such as the wonderful collection of wedding photos of Jamie and Megan Heffield (nee Watts) taken Rosenvale, Te Awamutu. You all look absolutely wonderful, congratulations on your big day.

Happy birthday to my mum Jocelyn Mankelow for turning 60 in March and to my neice Keziah who turned 13 yesterday! Those of you signed up to Geni will know who else has had a birthday recently – unless like Cody M (Ray’s Cody not Allen’s) you have got sick of the constant emails and tagged them as spam!

Kia Ora from Lu Pennell in Sydney

Just a quick note to you all out there that on Saturday 26 June at 3pm in the Ngaroma hall, We will be celebrating the birth of Clive Mankelow who turns 70.

I know that he will be sending invites out to all he can but for the ones that he misses or can’t find addresses for, please see this as your invite also.

On 16 July we are having a second 70^th birthday for Clive in Brisbane as some of the family can not make it home in June. If you would like to come to this event please contact me asap and I will give you further info. But all that I can tell you is that there’s going to be one big family holiday in the Gold Coast for a week or two before we celebrate in Brisbane.

Please if you have any questions please ring Clive, Hector or Chanelle on 07 872 3500. Or if you are game you can contact me on 0061295802164 or via email gordzgurl@bigpond.com or text +61419599014.

Mankelows overseas

Shannon and Des Cannons

Our second eldest daughter (Renee) has just had her first child, born on Valentines Day, February 14 2010 in Brisbane. Seth Carter Blair was 7lb 10 or for the young ones 3470gms. Des and I have spent five weeks over there to be present when he was born. (see the photos on facebook!)

We also went over there to find an opportunity to arrange our lifestyle to spend our winters in Oz and the summers in New Zealand cruising in our motorhome. Well we didn’t find that but we did find an opportunity of a lifetime really. We have got a full-time position in Melbourne, living on a very wealthy man’s playground; 330 acres on the Mornington Peninsula of which 51 acres is in vineyards. We are really there just for security for the place so when the owner and his wife come down to stay for a weekend, we just have to make sure the house is ready for them, with the beds made up etc. We have our own accommodation, looking down over the land down to the ocean and onto the one km of private beach. They have two full-time gardeners, one stockman to look after the Angus on the property, people to look after the vines, and a part-time caretaker. When we are not playing tennis on the tennis court or swimming in the pool we are driving around on the golf buggies just checking that everything is in order. This is what we call early retirement, with a lovely financial package to go along with it.

So our eldest daughter and her husband will be living in our house on our farm in Oropi, and we have just built a little self-contained flat at the end, so that when we come home for holidays we will have our own little place. We are now heading off around the East Coast for 10 days in our motorhome before we head off to America to do a 14-day cruise from San Diego to Alaska, and getting off in Vancouver with my brother Graeme and his wife Lisa. We will then fly back to Australia to begin our new position in May. We are just 50 years old and have really learned in life that as one door closes another one opens, and never be afraid to walk through it. Life is short, so do as much as you can with it. As Don (my dad) use to say, enjoy life because you are dead a lot longer than you are alive.

Staying over at Granny’s (Mabel Mankelow 18 / 4 / 1919 )

A grandchild’s memories
When we stayed at Granny’s we always got up early because the kitchen would be warm as Granny would have the coal range going. She would open the oven door and we’d put on a pair of knitted slippers, warm our feet in the oven and sip our cup of tea that she'd make for us and sit on the corner of the coal range. When it was really cold, we’d bring our clothes out and put them in the oven to warm them up before we put them on.

Our days were always very busy, whether we were working in the woolshed, yards, chipping noddy thistles, moving stock or doing any number of jobs on the farm, we were never bored. We didn’t look at it as work because it's just what we did, and when we did it we talked, laughed and listened to Granny or another adult tell stories about the old days as we walked for miles around the old farm at Ngaroma - what wonderful companionship we had. At smoko time we would share a cup of tea and some homemade goodies that Granny always found time to bake (We always stopped for smoko).

There was always time to play at Granny’s, and always some other kids staying at Granny’s or Aunty Ivy’s. We made mud and sawdust pies in the wood pile, bringing water up from the little creek by the clothes line - the same little creek we spent hours in looking for fresh water crayfish to take home and cook. Sometimes we'd head off to Aunty Ivy’s to go eeling.

Granny also had a treadle machine which we spent hours on, using scraps of material she gave us to make dolls clothes - this is most probably where I learnt my sewing skills.

Granny also took us visiting whether it was just a walk down the road to Aunty Ivy’s, to other family or to one of her friends. We were always on our best behaviour for Granny; she never had to growl at any of us. In fact, I don’t think I ever heard Granny get cross about anything or at anyone.

At the end of the day after we’d had a wash, eaten a good dinner and helped with the dishes, we’d settle in the lounge where Granny would sit and knit, and we’d play cards, knit or watch 14” black and white TV. At bedtime Granny would fill up our hotties in their brightly-coloured knitted covers and off to bed we’d go. Sometimes we got to sleep in her bed. She’d have a couple of us in bed with her and how she ever slept I don’t know. We’d go to sleep thinking of all the exciting things we’d do the next day.

I have lots of memories of growing up in Ngaroma but this note isn’t just about the memories, it's about the best Granny in the world and the best stay-overs possible.

From our family historian Ray…

I'm kind of stuck on resolving 'which William' is the correct ancestor line for Thomas Mank(t)elow. Jean Shortland's research suggests it should be William Mabb Manktelow and Glenda of Prince George (second-cousin once removed) has a different William based on research by Arthur Mankelow in Tonbridge, Kent. Glenda reports that Arthur, in getting on in years, does not wish to revisit his efforts from years ago.

I have asked Susan Young of the Mankies Yahoo group if she can suggest someone that could shed some light on the options. So far, I have not heard back.

Interesting that, whichever William you choose, you end up connected to the same William and Martha.

Geni photo demo

Ray Mankelow

I would like to demonstrate how to use the Geni identify frame, with a photo of Bert and Doreen with Don and Nola.
Discovering this cropping technique has saved me having to separately crop people out of photos and then saving the individual photos to upload. Instead, using this tool means you only have to upload one photo, and then select individuals within it.

(1) The first picture shows the default size of the identifying frame. You ignore entering the identifying name until after you have re-sized the frame,illustrated in the next pic.

2) shows the altered frame - I've dragged it out to better frame the person and then name them.

(3) shows the frame and name, after you've 'done identifying' and are hovering the mouse/cursor over the person.

(4) shows the dialogue box that opens when searching for the correct name.

In summary, drag the frame to suit rather than just accept the default frame - and use this on group shots to save uploading multiple cropped portions of a photo.

This is your life – Bob Mankelow

Robert John (Bob) named after my mother’s father.

(Photo left is Bob with grand-daughter #8)

Branch of family tree where do you fit in?
I’m Herbert's (bert) eldest son; younger siblings are Ray, Des and Tim.

Current employment / study
Contract work for the Regional Council, Environment Bay of Plenty, monitoring the protection areas on privately-owned land that received grant money from the council.

What keeps you busy? Interests…
I'm heavily involved in the community, Mountain Safety Council, Land Search and Rescue, Youth Search and Rescue, Ngatuhoa lodge, Hauraki Assn, and still serving in the Territorials at 63.

Most memorable life moment
Outward Bound in November 66, one of the problems with getting older is that there is lots of memorable life moments, how do you rate them?

My favourite part of NZ and why...
I've seen many and they all have special memories, a recent one was eating whitebait fritters at Karamea, after walking the Heaphy and before the Whangapeka.

Who/what would you be for a day?
I'm happy with who I am

Currently in my CD player...
The wife’s music

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
More often than not camping out in the bush somewhere.

Favourite quote?
Good judgement comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgement

I am inspired by..
By my children and grandchildren.

If I could give you just one tip, it would be...
Smile - it disarms those who would do you harm