LET'S MAKE A FUSS ABOUT FATHERS

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LET'S MAKE A FUSS ABOUT FATHERS

BY LYNNE FRITH

The plan to close the Newmarket Viaduct on Sunday, Fathers' Day, has caused consternation around the community.

There's the negative impact on families who might have planned special outings or visits, but are being advised to stay home or, if we must go out, to use public transport.

The Newmarket Business Community is worried about a potential drop in business, as Father's Day is normally one of the biggest shopping days in the year.

Is that what Father's Day is really about -- a day at the shops, and a big spend up?

It's time we made a fuss about fathers.

The good dads, the loving, tender ones who only want the best for their children, need heaps of attention and encouragement. Good dads seldom make the headlines. Let's make a fuss about the fathers who stay home from work when the kids are sick, who provide transport to sports practice, music lessons, kapa haka. The dads who go to school interviews, who refuse to supply alcohol for their under age children, who know that trust and respect are earned by caring, responsible parenting.

Teenage dads

Then there are the dads who want to do the best they possibly can but don't know how. Let's make a fuss about teenage dads who would benefit from some dedicated educational centres, rather like those currently available for school age mothers. What about the dads, young and not so young, who are determined not to repeat cycles of violence and abuse that were part of their upbringing?

And what about programmes that teach boys and men that manliness and fathering is not about being dominant, tough, and entitled to power and control in the domestic sphere? This is real men's work - to mentor and encourage ways of being a man that are about being a participatory member of the family, that being there for their children means paying attention to them rather than demanding attention from them, that the best families are ruled by love, not fear.

Let's make a fuss about fathers -- the good and the not so good, the ones who do want to make a difference in their own lives, and the ones who can't imagine that change is necessary let alone possible.

Let's be thankful for those who get it right some or all of the time, and let's shed tears for those who get it wrong.

Let's dream of a time and work for the dream to be reality that Father's Day will indeed be a happy one for all fathers and their children.

OUR DRAMA TEAM GETS TOP PLAY AWARD

dsc_2116pilgrlynnbruce Pilgrim Productions, the drama group that shelters under the wing of Pitt St Methodist Church won the award for Best Production for the main amateur drama organisation in Auckland. The award was for its 2009 production of 84 Charing Cross Road and was presented by the Auckland Community Theatre Trust in March.

The company also won award for Best Actress in a leading role (Lynne Webster) in the role of Helene Hanff, a New York writer who had an amazing friendship via correspondence with the manager of a London bookshop. Other awards for the same play were for Best Ensemble (the overall teamwork of the entire cast), Best Director (Richard Purro), Best Stage Manager (Mary Boyd), and Best Properties (Glenda Matchett).

Former Pilgrim chairman Bruce Weston was also nominated for Best Actor in a leading role. The top picture shows Weston and Webster, on opposite sides of the Atlantic, but still in close contact by mail.

The picture below shows Mary Boyd and Glenda Matchett with their trophies.

The picture below right, shows Pilgrim chairman Marion Hines (left) holding the trophies for Best Production and Best Director, Mary Boyd, Glenda Matchett and Lynn Webster with their awards, and Karen Yates holding the trophy for Best Ensemble, with other actors from the ensemble, Kerry Thornton and Geoff Barlow in the back row.

Lynne Webster also won the Best Actress award for Pilgrim's other play last year, The Day They Kidnapped the Pope.

If you can't beat them, why not join them?

Like to join this winning team? As well as the stars who make the above awards, Pilgrim needs people to do publicity, people to paint sets, etc, etc.

Interested? Contact chairman Marion Hines, on 376-6583 or marionanddavid@orcon.net.nz.

PITT ST CHURCH OFFERS SINGING SCHOLARSHIPS

scholarships2009 Pitt St Methodist Church has become a training ground for young musicians and they are jumping at the chance.

The scheme is the brainchild of choir director Robert Howell, who teaches music at a number of schools and has been offering individual tuition to his students in the form of vocal scholarships. They get free tuition provided they sing in the Pitt St choir for a year, including rehearsals.

Robert comments: "Pitt St Choir is undergoing an exciting period of growth and activity as more talented young singers join us. "We sing a variety of repertoire from challenging and beautiful renaissance/Tudor anthems to contemporary music.

"Singing in a church choir reaps wonderful benefits of musicianship, sight-reading skills, ear-training skills, social interaction, and having great fun!"

The scholarship scheme was very successful in its first year, 2009. Six students took part (see picture).

How to apply for a scholarship

To apply for scholarships, please contact the choir director Robert Howell by telephone 535-5493.

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