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

MANKELOW KORERO DECEMBER 2009

Felice Navidad – I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas!

Important dates:
27 Feb 2010 - Family gathering at Ngaroma

Facebook and Geni updates:
By Ray Mankelow
Geni has been great as more people got into the programme, updating and correcting information and adding photos. Photos of folk as they are today, is great for getting a feel how others are coping with life and absorbing all that experience.

The important thing for those joining the programme, is to be invited by someone already there, rather than adding in all this family information that might already be there and so creating 'merge issues'.

It was good to call on Robyn, Rita and Lyn in Taupo and for Robyn to get Rita to quickly correct her information "I wasn't married to that guy" (or some such expression). Robyn then added in memories of Grandad Mankelow when he was living with Aunty Freda and the girls in Otorohanga.

Are any family members on Facebook using the related Family Connection programme, FamilyLink.com? How many are into that and do they find its features useful? I myself haven’t got the hang of that one.

Sharing the memories like this is wonderful for adding to our knowledge of and appreciation of what our greater family means to us. Keep sharing folks!

Reunion meeting report:
By Judy Ford
Thank you Tim for the fantastic day we all had at the winery.
The venue for our meeting was spot on, Tim was a very good host with cups out and water boiling for a cup of tea as we arrived, a spacious room with plenty of chairs which took a while to fill. With plenty of time to chat before our last car load arrived late; thank goodness for texting so we knew not to start without them. There were plenty of vacant chairs which I thought Bay of Plenty families may have filled seeing we had our meeting over that way so people didn’t have to travel as far to participate.

We made good progress so I think our centennial day will come together well. When we have our annual get together in late February - this time so as not to coincide with long weekends - we will bring you all up to speed at 11am. With raffles and the auction and lucky dip for the kids it should be a good day out so circle the date 27 Feb 2010 - come early for a cuppa before the meeting.

The meeting was not only the highlight; Tim took us on a tour of the winery before we had our lunch to give us a good appetite. As we went through the door of this massive warehouse, the champagne were the first lot of bins with bottles up the right way working and others upside down with a little cup inside called a bidule (I learnt that word so that was good as I didn’t know that!). This catches the sediment, which is then frozen with liquid nitrogen to get it out of the bottle, sweet wine is then added. This process can take from two to seven years before it is capped for good so no wonder it is so expensive. It was a very big warehouse with rows and rows of pallets stacked five or six high, then through to the state-of-the-art bottling machine just massive; then came the room at 18 degrees with all the stainless steel vats rows and rows which was about 3 million litres and about 5000 tons of grapes so there was lots of wine which we had to taste. We tried Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay then onto red Cabernet Sauvignon then Monte Pulcinao (mafia wine), then Merlot. The pick of the bunch was the Riesling and the Monte Pulcinao - real smooth - then on outside to more vats of 100,000 and 200,000lts with their cooling jackets on, lots of wine I must say. Then back inside up the steps along the top of the vats, what a sight! Back to the lunch room with our appetites enhanced we happily enjoyed our delicious lunch.

Tim also had a large bag of asparagus for us to take home to sample - they were lovely and fresh and delicious and for the keen fishermen some oak chips which had been infused in red wine to try we'll have to wait to report on that one.

We had a wonderful day so thank you Tim we could not help but stop at the wine shop as we drove out as we got to taste some more lovely wine before we purchased to enjoy at home.

Meeting held 15 November 2009 at Morton Estate Winery
Present: Royce, Chrissie, Delwyn, Tim, Clive, Judy, Lorraine, Neil, Ray, Barbara and Anne
Apologies: Dan, Melissa, Warren, Sheryl Andrews, June Teague, Uncle Bert and Buster
Tim read the minutes. Judy/Clive

Matters arising from the minutes
The family ‘Get Together’ that was to be held on the 20 February at Ngaroma has now been changed to 27 February at Ngaroma Hall.

No members have come forward to represent their branch of the family, which is very disappointing. Ray thought Geni might help create some interest but once we get closer to the time we may get more support.

Donations of any spare items e.g. fruit, veges, anything that can be auctioned would be great for the family ‘Get Together’ to help raise some extra funds for our big day in 2012.

Anne Mankelow is going to organise prizes for the lucky dip for the children. Thank you Anne.

Wood chopping looking like it will go ahead for the Sunday.
Parking will not be a problem
We can hire (gas) showers and toilets from Hirequip
Keep Sunday lunch pretty simple because, people will be tired.
BBQ from the Vets or R D 1 may be a possibility.
Caroline to check prices for hiring Brownie Spits.

Ray getting photos together with Chrissie, we will be sharing photos at the next meeting.

Fundraising going O.K. Balance $1,468.53 in everyday account, $11,106.02 investment.
Investment times go with the best rates at the time. Thank you Chrissie for the great job organising the finances.

At family meeting check attendance forms for the Centenary in 2012.

Rose: General feelings are that it is a lovely idea but it does cost a lot. We will just keep the rock and maintain that for now. A suggestion was put forward for another plaque to go on the rock for the Centenary.

Book: Chrissie is going to submit manuscript with application form for the Lotto funding to help with the printing etc.

Our funds are for hiring toilets, marques and water etc. The money from the book and the dinner will pay for themselves. We can’t get extra funding for any family Centenaries but we can if it is a district one. When the next public meeting for the Ngaroma District is held, we will be represented.

A Bullock team is available to come for the weekend. We will need to pay for their travel costs.

Next meeting will be held at Ngaroma Hall at the family ‘Get Together’ at 10:30am, with a cup of tea, and then followed by shared lunch and auctions and activities.

Meeting closed 12:15pm

This is your life - Cody Mankelow

Branch of family tree where do you fit in?
Son of Allan and Anne Mankelow, Allan is the son of Leslie Mankelow and Ruby Mankelow. Married to Kathryn Mankelow - we have two beautiful daughters Samara Cody and Amber Louise.

Current employment / study
We run the Puhoi River Canoe Hire offering kayaking trips from the Historic Puhoi Village to the Wenderholm Regional Park. Check our website and if you are ever in our neck of the woods and have time be sure to call in.

I also work at Mt Ruapehu in the winter season as a snow-groomer operator.

What keeps you busy? Interests.

My family, my work, fishing, kayaking, skiing

Most memorable life moment
Too many but my recent fantastic trip to Europe with my family was the best.

My favourite part of NZ and why...
Whakapapa Skifield - it's where I love to play.

Who/what would you be for a day?
The next big lotto winner

Currently in my CD player...
Santana

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
These days in bed!!!!

Favourite quote?
What my first girlfriend said to me – “Wow! That's a big one.........Ha Ha!”

I am inspired by...
My Grandfather Les Mankelow he was my best friend.

If I could give you just one tip, it would be...
Look after your body – it’s the only one you've got.

PUHOI RIVER CANOE HIRE LTDBOX 404065PUHOI 0951PH: (0064) 09 422 0891FAX: (0064) 09 422 0881E: puhoicanoes@clear.net.nzWEB: http://www.puhoirivercanoes.co.nz/

MANKELOW KORERO OCT 2009

Firstly, apologies for not getting around to posting OCtober newsletter until December - Time was just "oh oh oh slipping away from me"

Kia ora all

Important dates

Our next committee meeting is on 15 November at Morton Estate Winery Cafe, Katikati. Remember all are welcome to help with ideas for our Reunion 2012.

The meeting will be hosted by Tim Mankelow at Morton Estate Winery Cafeteria on November 15, 11.00am 2389 Main Road, Katikati, bring something for a shared lunch, everyone welcome.


There is a change of date for the Ngaroma get together in February. It will now be 27 February 2010.

Milestones
Congratulations to Noeline and Gordon Watts on their 25th Wedding Anniversary 22nd September.
Congratulations to Lloydie Kaaka on his 70th birthday the party being held 20th September.

Finance
As at 1st September 2009 there was a ballance of $1127.28 in our account and we have invested $11,000 in a term deposit @4.75% maturing 8th May 2010. Thanks to those who are putting money in regularly.

Your feedback on the rose idea please
We want to hear from as many family members as possible please about the suggestion of a commemorative rose. We have had very little response so far – Jeanette’s thoughts are further below.

Please reply to Chrissie mankelow1@farmside.co.nz by 15 November.

Do you support getting a rose – yes or no?

If yes, which option did you prefer – one or two?

Option one
We pay $5000 for the right to trademark the name Sarah Mankelow for a new rose variety (if that is a name we are happy with). The breeder still owns the rose and gets all royalties. The breeder will find a grower for us who will provide 50 roses for Feb 2012.

Option two
We buy the rose for $5000; we own it and get the royalties. The breeder and us have to come up with name that we are both happy with - it would have to be a name that would sell the rose in the market place. The paper war is very time consuming for this. The name would most likely be something that would not mean much to the family. For that $5000.00 it would be NZ rights only. The rose would be available forever as each rose is put into a library.

Thanks Chrissie

Why the idea of the rose
By Jeanette
I was having a cup of tea one morning looking at a rose in my garden. I started thinking to myself, what an amazing flower this is. We send it to people when a baby is born. We send them to people to say I love you. We send them to people when someone dies. We plant hundreds of them in memorial gardens. There is no other plant like it in the world. We name them after famous people when they die as a lasting memorial. Lady Di has one.
So that is what got me thinking why couldn't the Mankelows have one?
After the reunion is well gone, if there is a rose planted in families gardens all over the country, we will never forget. Every year when it flowers we will be reminded of where it came from and what it stands for. The generations that follow will be told who it was named after and why it became what it is.
To have a rose breed and named just for your family is so special.

Think of this. In years to come you are walking around your garden with your great-grand child who says. That rose smells so nice grandma. You would then be able to say, well that rose is named after your great-great-great grandmother and was bred just for a reunion we had way back in 2012.

This is your life – Luana Pennell

Where do you live
Mortdale Sydney NSW Australia

Branch of family tree where do you fit in?

Granddaughter of Hector and Mabel, Daughter of Clive and the late Kahu and Wife to Gordon Pennell

Current employment / study / motherhood etc:

Full-time wife to Gordon and full time mum to Phoenix (10) Phabeyn (8) Kahurangi (5) and Wiremu 8mths, these children of mine are enough work (hehe)

What keeps you busy? Interests?
My kids keep me on my toes 24/7 and other than that it’s sports 3 times a week and every Saturday

Most memorable life moment:

So many of them, but one I’ll never forget is burying my mother

My favourite part of NZ and why...

Ngaroma, I just love that place

Who/what would you be for a day?

A person with no bill’s (do these people exists)

Currently in my CD player...
Ardijah, Dobbie Brothers, Credence Clear Water Revival, and more

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
Sitting outside watching a game and having a beer

Favorite quote?
Just do it

I am inspired by...
Not sure but I love to learn new things from all out there

If I could give you just one tip, it would be...
Smile it makes all around feel happy give everything you get a chance just do it, you only have to try it once.

P.S. I have profiles on Facebook, Bebo, Myspace and myyearbook so find out more online! Username is gordzgirl

This newsletter is online at: http://mankelow.blogspot.com/

July korero

Kia ora Cousins! Well thankfully the shortest day is behind us, and while it’s freezing cold down here in the South Island we can start imagining that spring is on its way.

Last newsletter I mentioned that many of the Mankelow clan appear on Bebo. James Ford suggested I also check out Facebook and guess what; there are plenty of you all there too! Maybe even more so than Bebo, which I since learned is more for the younger set. And yes, I am aware that social networking has been around for cyber years but I just never was motivated to check it out! Anyway, I am now a convert and have since found out stuff about my own brother that I never really knew before because of it. I also found there are at least three other Sarah Mankelows in the world profiled on Facebook – a humbling thought. I haven’t yet drummed up the courage to contact them yet to start our own Sarah Mankelow fan club but I will…maybe!

Connected to Facebook is Geni, a family-tree social networking site … Uncle Ray will tell you more about it further down this newsletter, but in the meantime, here’s the family stuff you need to take note of:

Important dates

15 Nov 2009 – Next committee meeting at Morton Estate Winery Café, Katikati

20 Feb 2010 - Family gathering at Ngaroma

Milestones

Congratulations on Caroline and July Hirama's 25th Wedding Anniversary 14 April.

Congratulations to Bob and Jocelyn on their 39th wedding anniversary on 27 June.

A whole lot of you also had birthdays (according to Geni) which I’m not going to list in case I miss someone and cause great offence! But I hope you all had a great day!

A commemorative rose
Chrissie Mankelow

We have had a suggestion of purchasing a rose put forward for the committee to consider. We would like feedback from as many family members as possible before our next committee meeting in November. There are two options and we want your opinions before making a decision. If you know of any families who do not get e-mails etc please pass this on.

Option one
We pay $5000 for the right to trademark the name Sarah Mankelow for a new rose variety (if that is a name we are happy with). The breeder still owns the rose and gets all royalties. The breeder will find a grower for us who will provide 50 roses for Feb 2012.

Option two
We buy the rose for $5000; we own it and get the royalties. The breeder and us have to come up with name that we are both happy with - it would have to be a name that would sell the rose in the market place. The paper war is very time consuming for this. The name would most likely be something that would not mean much to the family. For that $5000.00 it would be NZ rights only. The rose would be available forever as each rose is put into a library.

While I have been writing this I have had another email from the Breeder and he has found us a grower – Sue. She tells us there is no problem to have the roses turn up in Ngaroma in Feb 2012. The fifty roses can be delivered to the venue to give out. Guests could also order more (for 2014 delivery) or more could be budded in 2011 for delivery in the winter of 2012. These could be sent direct to the homes of your relatives.

The budding for the variety will need to be done by Feb 2010, and the grower is sending us a list of all available roses to help us decide. The rose would be registered with the International Cultivar Registration Authority - Roses (ICRA).

Please send us your thoughts on this by 15 November: mankelow1@farmside.co.nz

Reunion meeting report
Judy

Due to Caroline being sick, Melissa being called away at short notice to help on a local dairy farm I was left with the job of doing the minutes. Uncle Bert, Tim, Chrissie and I arrived at the same time, with Uncle Bert needing a cup of tea; Buster soon had the jug on, meeting underway a little bit later but all the better for the cuppa.

We really need 1 or 2 people from each branch Les, Girlie, Stanley, Ivy, Biddy, Bob, Percy, Mona and Don. Please pick someone within your branch to be your coordinator, as some families are not getting the newsletters this is where the coordinator would be handy to keep e-mails up to date and distribute the hand given copies out with each branch.

Tina Pizzini who lives at rural Hamilton has offered her place as a venue for a meeting, she will be taken up on this offer next year her meeting will be on a Sunday. Anyone else who would like to share their place as a venue let Caroline know.

Lisa had made lovely soup which Buster served to go with the shared lunch, it was a perfect Waikato day frost then lovely sunshine.

Hoping to see you at the next meeting to be at Tim Mankelow’s in November; the address is in the minutes (below).

Don’t forget to send back your indication of numbers, we know numbers will change but it will give planners a general idea of what facilities we are going to need. Thank you to those who have sent theirs back already.

Our next get together at Ngaroma should be fun with the auction if the last auction was anything to go on; we may need an extra auctioneer in case the original one gets hoarse. We changed the date to later in February away from any long weekends so I hope this change will be helpful keep the 20th of Feb free, look forward to seeing you then. Cheers!

Introducing Geni
Ray Mankelow

Geni is a Family Tree software programme that is great for visually displaying one's family connections.

Working over the internet and like Facebook, Geni is good for social networking - sending out reminders of birthdays and anniversaries.

My Barbara was first invited to use it by her first-cousin-once-removed in Canada, on Boxing Day 2007, but it was only recently that she got another prompt from someone via Facebook and decided to explore it further.

After seeing the power of family members in different parts of the world, adding information and being able to see what your relative looks like with uploaded photos, I decided to import a *'Gedcom' from my Family Tree Maker programme; that gave me my tree all in one go without typing anything.

The statistics function of Geni tells I now have 1523 members; there are 689 family members with children. In the ‘Average Life Expectancy ‘box, males average 59 years and females 61 years. Longest lifespan on my side goes to Stanley Mankelow - 97 years (1906-2003) and on Barbara's side, her Grandmother Madge - 98 years (1909-2007). I also found my earliest relative listed took me back to 1658 and he shared the same birthday as me - something I hadn't noticed before!

The Geni statistics section has a sales pitch for buying the Pro version of Geni "to see even more statistics!" But the main programme is free to use and like a lot of free internet pages, you just have to put up with advertisements. These are not too intrusive (at this stage) and I just got an 'upgrade' offer that would only cost me US$3.96 a month for two years - yah!

By comparison, the Family Tree Maker programme I bought a number of years back is somewhat clunky to use (although I did use it to check on Jean Harris' maiden name to find her in the Geni search box). The Family Tree Programme has an internet function that you can go to, but invariably you find you need to buy into their subscription plan to see the information they've found on the internet based on your search. This subscription costs a couple of hundred dollars, at US$24.95 a month. The trick here is to join the library and access their subscription link.

With Geni, you can also see who is online and what information they have added or altered. Glenda Manklow/Nelson of Prince George (descended from our Henry Mankelow's brother William's line who went to Canada - and dropped the 'e'.) has been busy updating her family's information that I had entered and so I can correct any errors on my part.

Prompted by an email from cousin Ian Kurth advising of an address change I thought I had better 'invite' Ian to join, knowing he has done a lot of research on his line of the family. Ian came back and said;

"Thanks for the e-mail. I have had a quick look at the family tree on the Geni site. I can fill in quite a lot of info about Dad’s and Barbara's family. You probably won't have much on Barb's family but you probably have quite a bit on Dads family? Don't want to duplicate things that we don't have to."

And that is the beauty of Geni, you can see and compare information and like a lot of Family Tree computer programmes you can 'merge' the information to get what you want and know is correct.

So sign up and share the buzz! But be wary this programme can be addictive, as some new Geni users have noted.

On the Air with Ray
Ray Mankelow

I have been busy this week broadcasting into Taupo on a new radio station that has a 'Local Commercial' licence. This has involved conjuring up stories off the internet for the 'local content' aspect of the stations compliance requirements. This station is undercapitalised and so there is no fat wallet to buy all of what is desired.
It is an interesting challenge and hopefully we can beat the odds and build an audience and then, the advertisers, so we can earn some dollars in these difficult times. Radio is a bit like free internet programmes where your audience have to put up with advertisements, but hopefully you offer what people want.
There has been a lot of preparatory work from unpaid helpers with technical knowledge leading up to this week. Since compliance date 1st July, I've been getting up at 5:30am at my place in Massey to record weather forecasts, local news and voice drops for between the songs, to send to the on-air computer in Taupo, insert the file in the correct place and hope it all sounds good as I can't hear the results. I finally got around to sending a text to Rita and then an email to Lyn to get them to have a listen.
So if you're in Taupo, tune in to 106.4 FM. Luckily for the week starting July 6, when I'm covering for the breakfast announcer on Coast, I don't have to try to do two programmes at once.

In the news…

Maths-mad basketball twins have same goals
By NICOLA BRENNAN - Waikato Times

Thames twins Joe and Josh Dix have much more in common than looks they study the same degree, play the same sport and are Sir Edmund Hillary scholars.

Mum Natalie wasn't surprised her eldest boys, aged 18, both wanted to do a Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Science degree at Waikato University.

"It's probably strange for others, but not for us," Mrs Dix said. "They are the best of friends and both really enjoy maths. They have always done the same things."

Mrs Dix said identical twins Joe and Josh were so similar that they often dressed the same without even noticing.

Read more online at: http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/2397294/Maths-mad-basketball-twins-have-same-goals

This is your life - Jessica Mankelow

Branch of family tree where do you fit in?
Great grand-daughter of Hector and Mabel, eldest grandchild of Royce and Chrissie, Daughter of Caroline and July.

Current employment / study / motherhood etc:
Full-time mum to Nathan Brown (7 months) and also working full-time as Administration Manager for Jasco Distributing Ltd, a wholesale/distribution company based in Whakatane.

What keeps you busy? Interests?
Between work and Nathan I don’t get much spare time, but when I do I like to spend it with family and friends. I’m also currently trying to put a scrapbook together for Nathan.

Most memorable life moment:
It would have to be the birth of Nathan.

My favourite part of NZ and why...
Omaio Beach, on the East Coast, where we spend most of our summers camping with family and friends

Who/what would you be for a day?
Someone who could afford to hire out an entire paradise island for all my family and friends to enjoy.

Currently in my CD player...
I’m one of those people who puts on a CD only to listen to one or two songs then change CD’s, so I’m currently flipping between, Disturbed, Korn and Metallica

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
Most Saturday night’s if I’m not in bed then I’m still on the computer working, but once in a while we go out and socialise.

Favourite quote?

You can't be afraid of what people think...a well behaved woman never made history!

I am inspired by...

My Mummy, my Nanny, my Granny and all the other hard working women out there.

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

Finding the humour in situations can also lead to happiness. While there are times that require you to be serious, when it is appropriate, find a way to make light of a situation that would otherwise make you unhappy.

P.S. Jessica has profiles on both Facebook and Bebo so find out more online!

Minutes of Family Meeting Held at Buster Carters

23rd May 2009
Meeting opened 11.15am

Present: Buster Carter, Bert Mankelow, Tim Mankelow, Ray Mankelow, Delwyn & Warren Connolly, Chrissie Mankelow, Natasha Connolly, Alan Thomas-Rose, and Judy Ford.
Apologies: Daniel & Melissa Ford, Caroline Hirama, Lorraine Hancock, Shirley Tregoweth, Tina Pizzini

Minutes read from meeting held at uncle Bert’s 28th February 2009 by Judy sec Tim.

Matters arising: Changing meeting days to have some on Sundays so those working on Saturdays can attend.

Getting more family representation there is 11 branches 1 or 2 representatives are needed from each branch to coordinate funding and correspondence.
Address and e-mails need constant updating many newsletters are coming back please contact Sarah or Caroline to update addresses.

Reunion topics

Woodchopping is looking positive to go ahead on the Sunday.
Car parking is sorted at this stage will be in Mike Johnstone’s paddock, parking volunteers will be arranged near the time.
Toilets, showers & skip hire will be looked into later on as all hire will need to be known 12 months ahead of the reunion and hire everything from one firm.
Catering BBQ lunch for Sunday; a charge to apply to cover cost of food etc.
Saturday night dinner to be discussed further into 2010.
Photos sharing of digital sticks 1 or 2 people to coordinate putting them together. A continual screening in the hall of early photos which Chrissie has collected in the course or her book.
Funding still aiming for $1000 per branch some branches has achieved this target. E.g. Hector’s branch 4 children $ 250 each. Royce – 4 children & 9 working grandchildren = $17 each per year.
Attendance: to get families to fill in the indication of attendance form which will be in the newsletters.
Entertainment: A heritage trail of the district to be looked into, along with games suggested at the last meeting e.g. tug o war
Finance: Our bank balance stands at $609.68, $ 5000 out at 8% and $5000 out at 4%. One matures end of July and the other beginning of August 2009.
An auction or donated items to be held at the next family get together at Ngaroma Hall to be held on Saturday 20 February 2010.
The next meeting to be hosted by Tim Mankelow at Morton Estate Winery Cafeteria on November 15th 11.00am 2389 Main Road, Katikati, bring something for a shared lunch, everyone welcome.

Meeting closed at 12.25pm

May 2009

Kia ora
Greetings from the chilly south! Winter keeps teasing us down here by putting on some lovely Indian summer days – up to 24 degrees – then bringing us back to earth with a high of 13 – brrr!
Some of you may have seen my name appear on Close-up last week – that’s the advantage (or disadvantage) of having a name like Mankelow - everyone knows it’s you! For those that didn’t catch it, I managed to win an autographed copy of the “Great New Zealand Songbook” just by writing an email about why I think defines New Zealand music. I am sure that all you overseas Mankelows will connect with the slogan by which they are promoting the book – “music to bring you home”. There’s nothing like a good kiwi song to transport you back to Te Awamutu …
Well I struggled this time around to find someone willing to ‘volunteer’ to fill out our “this is your life” questionnaire. But many of you seem very willing to share yourselves online. I was motivated this month to check out Bebo for the first time. A search on the keyword Mankelow came up with over 50 entries – click Bebo Mankelows to follow the link to search results. It seems like many of you keep in touch with family and friends, chat online, post photos of your loved ones, and create slideshows of your lives as you live them via Bebo – and what a great way to do it! The world becomes a smaller place when we can connect so easily despite being countries apart.
Our newly established family committee met for the first time this February and will meet again 23 May. How many families can say they are large enough to have their own committee! As Scribe says on my newly won CD - ‘not many’!

From the Reunion Committee
Caroline Hirama

Hi everyone my name is Caroline Hirama and I have the job as secretary for the committee along with Melissa Ford. So you will be getting reports in most newsletters to keep you all informed with what’s going on.
About 12 of us turned up at Uncle Bert’s in Tauranga for our first family meeting followed by a shared lunch, which was going to be in the garden but due to the wild weather we were confined indoors.
We had a good meeting, great to see every one there. The meetings are open to anyone wishing to come, the more the merrier, as they say. So hope we see a few new faces at the next meeting which will be held at Buster Carters on 23rd May. I’m sure the Waikato will turn on better weather. See the minutes of the meeting for the address.
We would also like an indication of numbers for the reunion so that we have an idea of what facilities are going to be needed in regards to attendance and accommodation. We will have an area set aside where people will be able to pitch their tents etc. We need approx numbers so we can organize water, toilets etc. Also we need e-mail addresses and postal addresses as we have some bounce back each time we try to send e-mails to some people. So if you could please fill in the form below and e-mail, post, or phone it back to me it would be much appreciated.
My e-mail is hirama@farmside.co.nz mobile 0274416241. Chrissie’s phone number is 07 8727824 and her e-mail is mankelow1@farmside.co.nz address is 249 Adam Rd, R D 7, Te Awamutu.
If there is anyone you know who is not receiving the newsletters and would like to please let us know and we will add them to the list. We also post some newsletters to the ones with no internet access.



Name ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Phone Numbers ________________________________________________

Email ________________________________________________________

Approximate Number Attending from your family _____________________

Numbers for camping (Tents, Vans etc) ______________________________

Minutes of family meeting

held 28 February 2009At Bert Mankelow residence, Tauranga
Meeting Opened: 11.00am
Present: Buster Carter, Bert Mankelow, Judy Ford, Sheryl Andrews, Tim Mankelow, Delwyn & Warren Connolly, Anne Mankelow, Caroline Hirama, Daniel & Melissa Ford and Chrissie Mankelow.
Apologies: Ray Mankelow
Election of Officers:
- Chairperson: Tim Mankelow 2nd Buster Carter
- Deputy Chairperson: Buster Carter 2nd Judy Ford
- Secretary: Caroline Hirama 2nd Anne Mankelow
Minutes from Family Reunion Meeting held on Anniversary weekend 2009 were read by Caroline. 2nd Caroline Hirama
Matters arising:
Open meeting policy: Anyone can attend a committee meeting. Dates and venues will be placed into newsletters along with minutes from meeting. People attending to bring something for a shared lunch.
Representatives: More representatives are needed from each branch of the family to attend meetings. In time 1x family member in each branch will be needed as a contact and organizer for their branch.
Newsletters: The address book needs to be updated (email addresses, phone numbers and postal addresses) and a hard copy of the newsletter to go out to those who request one.
Other topics discussed:
Entertainment:
· Kids Games – e.g. Bouncy Castle, 3-legged Race etc.
· Teenage/Adult – e.g. tug of War, Boot Throwing etc.
· A Fashion Parade of Early era.
Need a couple of volunteers from the age groups to come up with ideas for activities.
Band for entertainment on the Saturday night – Party Pete?
Wood chopping booked for the Saturday, Chrissie to ask if they can change it to Sunday which will be the Open Day.
Car parking:
Daniel to approach Mike Johnson regarding car parking opposite hall. If not available, will need a shuttle to and from car parking.
Volunteers needed for car parking.
Hall Grounds:
· The hall to be used for food storage and memorabilia.
· Marquee for eating plus another for entertainment.
· Toilets and showers to be hired. For every 500 people it is recommended to have 16x toilets.
· Daniel to organize site plan for council
· First aid tent and provisions
· Skips to be hired for rubbish
· Volunteers for janitor duties
Catering:
· Caterer to be hired for Saturday dinner. Must be self-contained.
· Des Camon (Tui Catering) to be approached for price.
· BBQ lunch for Sunday.
· Meat donations.
Photography:
· Approach newspapers to see if they want to do an article about it.
· Approach Ray Mankelow for ideas.
Funding:
Lottery Grants Commission will consider grants for reunions but not generally family reunions. Possibility of it being a centennial District reunion, not favoured due to incorporation of Ngaroma District (Ngaroma Hall Society)
Next meeting: To be held at: Buster Carter’s309 Burns RdTE AWAMUTU Phone: (07) 871 7956
23 May 2009 @ 11.00am
Meeting closed: 12.11pm

Treasurer’s Report 28/2/09
Bank statements are sent to us every three months.
1 Sept 08
Balance Carried Forward - 1640.00
Closing Balance - 2787.27
We also have 5081.17 on Term Deposit at 8%

Family milestones and notices

Chrissie Mankelow
Congratulations and Best Wishes to June Teague and Dick Singleton on their marriage on 28 March 2009.

Congratulations to Lindberg Kaaka and Tuaine Taru on the birth of their son Logan Teariki on the 7 January 2009.

Our thoughts are with Georgina Kaaka, Chris Reid and their little daughter Alice May who has had a stroke. She will be in the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital for at least 6 weeks depending on Rehab.

Money matters: I have put another $5000 on term deposit @ 4%. The two deposits fall due in September and I will put the two together and reinvest $10,000 at that time. Our thanks go to all who are donating.
It was a disappointing attendance at our family get together on the 24 January because of the other big events held on that weekend. It has been decided to change the date next year and will let people know nearer to the time. However it was a very nice day for all who attended.
We held two auctions:
1. A stool donated by Bob Ford was bought by Lloydie Kaaka for $250 and it has been donated to the Hall with a plaque attached.
2. Tim Mankelow donated a Wine barrel which raised $50

Mankelows in the news
A rather amusing piece featured in the Waikato Times recently, quoting our very own Constable Chris Mankelow…
Tuesday, 3 March 2009, 12:38 pm -Press Release: New Zealand Police
Police Applaud Pluck of Elderly Victim
Hamilton Police are commending the actions of a frightened elderly woman who when confronted by an aggressive youth trying to gain access to her home fought him off with a rolling pin early Saturday morning.
Constable Chris Mankelow said when officers arrived at the woman's Enderley address the offender was so embarrassed he virtually leapt into the Police car.
"The woman who is aged in her seventies and lives on her own was awoken about 3.30am by a man swearing and banging on her door claiming he lived there.
"The poor lady has lived there for about 30 years and assured the 15-year-old he had the wrong house and to go away but he wouldn't and our operator could hear him yelling abuse at her."
Before Police could arrive the boy smashed the glass window of the woman's back door and tried to reach through to unlock it but couldn't quite reach.
"So he's stuck his head in and the victim has promptly struck him on the head with her rolling pin, she noticed he was still there so she's hit him a second and third time.
"When we arrived we found the offender crying. He'd had had a wee 'accident' and stripped down to his boxers and was pretty keen to be taken away. He's since been bailed to his parents care and referred to Youth Aid for follow up action."
Mr Mankelow said responding officers were quite impressed by the sprightly pensioner.
"She was a bit shaken but had the presence of mind to ring 111 and raise the alarm.
"While we always recommend caution in such circumstances she can be commended for her actions, it's quite clear the offender has come off second best in this incident."