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Touch You Last
Wednesday Movie - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Jefferson Smith isn't literally a boy scout. Figuratively though, he's a bright-eyed, principled young man who loves his country, and who stands up for people. What people? Well, people who need people to stand up for them. Those people. Oh, and he's also the leader of a youth adventure club.
After the death of an elderly senator, Mr. Smith is chosen to take a seat in the US Senate. Sure, he's a patriot and an all around good guy, but the real reason for this appointment comes from the belief that Smith will be a non-entity—that he'll vote how he's told to vote and otherwise simply fill a seat. Smith enters Washington aglow, dazzled by his luck in having a hands-on part in the democratic process; humbled by the monuments and the legacies of past presidents. But his good nature is preyed upon as he runs afoul of the press and refuses to follow along with a coterie of crooked senators. When his dream bill for a boys' camp runs contrary to the plans of the local industry kingpin, Smith mu…
Rich, Famous, and Beautiful -- 1.7
NextVIII.The Scottish play was quite the adventure, believe me.I'm not a superstitious woman by any means, but I believe in its power over others.If Coriolanus needs blue Smarties in his breast pocket for each show, I'll pick the blue ones out myself.If Richard III feels that he'll perform badly unless he rubs Vaseline on his thighs, then I will make sure that Vaseline is in good supply.I also don't believe in luck, but I must admit that MacBeth was the unluckiest show I've ever been a part of.Two weeks into rehearsal, we lost our first of many Banquos.A bad car accident broke both of the poor man's legs, and they weren't expected to mend anywhere near in time.The first batch of scripts were riddled with typos.The second Banquo contracted Lyme Disease.Several of the props fell apart—swords were known to topple off hilts in the midst of battle, and the witches' cauldron spewed smoke like a brush fire.And our third Banquo, a very nervous man by nature, couldn't stand…
Discuss amongst yourselves - July 25th
You end up in the middle of a bar brawl. What song would you like to have playing on the jukebox?
Linky Linky
It's Friday, so you can't rightfully demand I do anything creative. Instead, I'll depend upon the kindness of strangers. Enjoy the following.
Best Headline Ever – This one has been linked all over the place. If you haven't seen it yet, welcome back from the coma.
Genius From McSweeney's – Speaks for itself, I think.
50 50 in 50 – Wherein some guy drinks, you guessed it, fifty Labatt's 50 in fifty hours. Persevere—it picks up around beer eighteen or so.
The colophon of Michael Chabon's website – Fun and informative. I come back here often to see if he has updated, and when I see that he hasn't (which is always) I die a little inside.
More from McSweeney's – Lists! Let's go with one, two, three of them.
ENJOY I SAID!
NextVI.After opening night, Celeste woke me with a very early phone call."Good morning, sunshine!How was your night?""Late," I mumbled."What time is it?""Eight o'clock.Time for you to read your morning paper.""Oh!The reviews are in, aren't they?""Go see for yourself," Celeste suggested."Don't worry, I'll wait here."After a minute, I'd found the paper and returned to the phone. "Well . . ." Celeste urged."I'm afraid . . .""Don't be a twit, Kate.Read the damn paper."It was the first page of the entertainment section.The photo was from the first scene of Act One.I was smiling wickedly as I held part of Henry's beard between two fingers.His eyes were squeezed shut and his mouth formed a small o of pain.MUCH ADO ABOUT BEATRICESoon after the light from one great actor's career has set, the dawn of another's has begun.Katherine Wells made her debut performance as Much Ado About Nothing's Beatrice last night.After the loss, over a year ago, of Alistair Irving, the World's …
Which would you rather be described as having?
a) an ass that won't quit
b) an ass you could set your drink on
c) an ass like a ten year-old boy
Wednesday Movie – Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Why does this film qualify? You might have observed that it's a little bit different than the others. But the goal was to watch the movies I'd always meant to see, and we've owned this movie for about a year, and there were at least eight instances where I asked, "Hey honey, do you wanna watch George Clooney moustache-o-rama tonight?", and strangely, got shot down. So in the end it was just me, the Cloons, and a few tall shots of rum.
This is probably not a movie in need of recapping. While most people I know haven't seen the movie, they're aware of what it's about. It's based upon the autobiography of Chuck Barris, the television producer best known as the awkward, strangely charming host of The Gong Show. Beyond his life in television (he also produced The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game), Barris led a secret, second life as a contact assassin for the CIA, or so he claims. But we'll get to that.
It's George Clooney's first (to date, only) directorial effort. When the movie was relea…
V.The company followed Romeo and Juliet with a production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Zwick cast me as Honey, the meek wife made very embarrassing by drink.It wasn't a glamorous role, or tremendously satisfying, but it was far better than the chorus role from the last play. When Zwick told me about his casting decision, he said, "I know that you couldn't have been too pleased in out last production, but I had to see how you'd fit in with the rest of the company.""It was a very fair decision," I said."Honey is a little different than anyone you've come across in Shakespeare.A lot of people are interested to see how you'll do with this one."I was daunted at first.Honey is an annoyance throughout most of the play.She and her husband Nick are used as pawns in another couple's sadistic games.I think I was successful in the role because I could play a very good drunk.Alistair, in his lectures about Falstaff and other comedians, taught me several secrets about p…
What's one regret from your past? And don't give me that happy-crappy I wouldn't change a thing business because there's something. You wouldn't have worn white jeans in the eighties, or you wouldn't have crapped on the floor when you were in grade one, et cetera. You've got something, so fess up.
Highlights from our trip to Michigan – Part Two
The wedding is in a Congregationalist church within walking distance of the hotel.Ben and Erin have a formal service, but one that is remarkably short—to me it seems about twenty minutes long.They both look great, are extremely happy, and the whole thing goes perfectly.Outside the church, the guests blow bubbles as the family and bridal party process to an old fashion trolley that will take them to the reception.When Ben and Erin get to the trolley, the crowd lets out this really weak cheer—only because everyone is unsure whether or not it's appropriate to do.Think Monty Python and the Holy Grail's, "And there was much rejoicing."The reception is held in this beautiful building called Castle Farms.We get a remarkable amount of face time with Ben and Erin, which is unlike any wedding reception I've been to.The band is amazing—just a brilliant, fun bunch of musicians.Everyone dances; even I get out and perform my truffle shuffle after the requisite eight drinks.The reception ends.Be…
Highlights from our trip to Michigan – Part One
June 29th – We pack up, pick up Sarah's friend, Tania, and hit the road.Half an hour outside Ottawa, Tania says, "I thought you said I'd be sharing the back seat with a bunch of hanging outfits," and we realize we're the dumbest people on the planet.My suit and Sarah's dress are still hanging in our front hall closet.We turn back to recover the clothes and our four-hour car ride becomes a five-hour car ride.Then in my haste to get Tania to her stop without further delay, we almost run out of gas. A sketchy Canadian Tire in a sketchy part of Toronto saves our ass (and at 78.9 cents a litre, it feels like my birthday).June 30th – We visit families and run errands in Georgetown.Rested, beautified, and freshly shorn, we're Windsor-bound down the 401.The trip is uneventful, and the border crossing goes fine, but then we enter into absolutefucking chaos.Across the border, the roads are garbage, all cracks and pot holes, but that's to be expected.The day's special bonus is that the first eig…
I could tell you about the sadness that Alistair Irving's death caused, not only me, but the entire theatre community, but in the interest of making my story a short but coherent whole, I'll take for granted that you understand.It was three months later that I presented myself to the same theatre company which made Alistair famous.I introduced myself to Edward Zwick, the artist director of the World's Stage Players."Miss Wells," he said, "it is a pleasure to finally meet you.If one good thing could have come of Irving's tragic death, it's that his ingénue has been forced to emerge from hiding.""I was never in hiding, Mr. Zwick, and ingénue might be too generous a word for me.I was a student of Alistair's.""No point in being humble, Alistair told us all about how much the two of you worked together."I'd never been aware that he'd talked about me to others.I tried my best not to look embarrassed.Or proud."Regardless," Zwick said, "I assume you'…
Discuss amongst yourselves -- July 4th
What's your porn name? In case you haven't done this one before: guys--combine your first pet and your mom's maiden name; girls -- combine your middle name and the name of the street where you live. In the room right now we have: Bandit Brown, Helen Pennington, Snowball Thompson, and Marie Nottingham. I think Snowball Thompson gets the prize.
52 Changes
Am Not Smart
Babies (Not Ours)
bachelor diaries
Bad Times
Best Forgotten About
Blinded With Science
Bluesfest
E.T. says ouch
Fugly Kids
Giant Things
Hulk Angry
Interviewing the Blogroll
Moe and Gunther
Not awake
Not Dave
Not Young
Other Intoxicants
soylent things
The Rumours of My Death
Wednesday Movie


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By x1023 | December 8, 2022
Jhené Aiko announces lullaby album
Steve Jennings/Getty Images
Jhené Aiko's back to making music, but this go-round, her project aligns with her role as mother to newborn son Noah Hasani.
The singer is releasing her own installment of Sleep Soul, which, according to YouTube, is sleep music that consists of "R&B melodies combined with white, brown and pink noise." Jhené's Sleep Soul Volume 2 is slated for a December 9 release.
"2 more sleeps until volume 2 is out!" she captioned the announcement. "don't forget to pre-save. link in bio [teddy bear, cloud, zzz emojis]."
As reported, Jhené welcomed Noah, her son with Big Sean, last month. She's also a mother to Namiko Love from a previous relationship.
Her upcoming project, as its name implies, is the second of the Sleep Soul albums. The first, Sleep Soul Volume 1, is a 20-track project with R&B-inspired lullabies.
Lil Wayne announces Welcome To Tha Carter Tour

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Brandon Hartson (born October 3, 1989) was an American football long snapper in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Houston.

Professional career

Chicago Bears
Hartson was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on August 10, 2013 and released by the team on August 30. He re-signed with the Bears on December 30, 2013, and was released on August 31, 2014.

Kansas City Chiefs
Hartson signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on January 20, 2015. He was released by the Chiefs on April 16, 2015.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Hartson was acquired from waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers on April 17, 2015 and released by the team on May 9.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hartson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 27, 2015. He was released by the Buccaneers on August 30, 2015.

Dallas Cowboys
On March 31, 2016 Hartson signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He was released by the team on May 16, 2016.

References

1989 births
Living people
American football long snappers
Houston Cougars football players
Chicago Bears players
Kansas City Chiefs players
Pittsburgh Steelers players
Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Dallas Cowboys players
Players of American football from Texas
People from Houston

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


A new ImagesField has been added to the fields module that allows you to add images fields to models by simply including the field in a form. This new field type offers drag and drop image uploading using the awesome dropzone.js module.
In addition, the collect module has been updated to provide support for the ImagesField so if you are using the collect module as the basis for your app, it supplies the necessary methods to support the ImagesField. This is a good place to look if you are using custom controllers or views in your app and need to provide support for ImagesField on your own.
Here's an example of a model for a simple photo gallery app with multiple photo albums.
The images are stored as files and are linked to the current record via an attachment model. Currently the field supports uploading of png, jpg and gif only.


Posted on January 10, 2013 by anayasblog Posted in Anaya's Events, Information, Menu	.
Choice of jack cheese or mix cheddar. Served with hash browns and toast.
Sausage, tomatoes, onions and green peppers. Served with hash browns and toast.
enchilada sauce and topped with a Sunnyside up egg.
Chorizo, tomatoes, onions, fresh jalapenos, and cheese.
Two eggs any style, choice of bacon or sausage, hash browns and toast.
8oz New York steak topped with sautéed onions. Served with two eggs, hash browns and warm tortillas.
Choice of chicken or steak with sautéed onions and green pep-pers. Served with two eggs, hash browns, sour cream, pico de gallo and warm tortillas.
Two over easy eggs on a corn tortillas smothered with our green chile sauce. Served with rice, beans and tortillas.
Two eggs scramble with onion, tomatoes and our homemade Mexican sausage. Served with rice, beans and tortillas.
Two eggs scrambled with tomatoes, onions and ham cubes. Served with rice, beans and warm tortillas.
Crispy corn tortilla scrambled with two eggs choice of red or green sauce garnished with fresh onion and Mexican cheese.
peppers. Served with rice, beans and warm tortillas.


INFINITEASE: A Deadpool Marvel Parody!
Ever wonder what it would be like if the latest movie had a different storyteller? Well hang on to your chimichangas, kiddos!
With everyone's favorite masked vigilante at the helm, this burlesque vaudeville parody show is bound to have you in stitches from start to finish! Join all your favorite Marvel characters as they try to alter the timeline to avoid getting snapped!
Join us at the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern on February 15th and 16th at 11pm for a night of debauchery and laughs you'll never forget!
Tiered pricing for maximum value!


If you are investing online into an ISA or SIPP your interest may well have been piqued by the huge growth opportunity presented by the growing legal cannabis market. With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.6% forecast by Grand View Research between now and 2025, investment exposure is certainly an enticing prospect.
However, many analysts are of the opinion that direct legal cannabis stocks, many of which are listed in Canada, are at stretched valuations ('bubble' has been mentioned) due to the huge interest in the sector. As such, yesterday's announcement that NYSE-listed Corona beer parent Constellation Brands has made a new $4 billion (£3.15 billion) investment in Toronto and NYSE dual-listed Canopy Growth, opens up a potentially interesting new play on the sector.
The investment is the fledgling industry's largest to date and follows on from the much smaller investment of $200 million (£157.35) that Constellation made in Canopy Growth last year. That sum was directly tied to a deal for the production of a non-alcoholic cannabis-based beverage. Canopy Growth is the world's largest listed pure-play cannabis stock. The 30% boost the share price received yesterday on news of the deal (Constellation's share price fell 6%) takes the company's overall market capitalisation towards $9.5 billion (£7.48 billion).
Canopy has the largest production capacity for legal cannabis in the world, including growing the plant and producing products such as cannabis oil and soft gel caps. The investment announcement detailed that the capital injection is earmarked for international expansion into the 30 countries currently pursuing a legal medical cannabis market. The UK has recently taken the first concrete step in that direction with last month's announcement medical cannabis and derived drugs will be available on prescription within the next few months.
Constellation Brands now represents interesting, diluted exposure to the medical cannabis sector. The company's share price has been on a bull run for over 6 years now and has gained a massive 600% plus since August 2012. With the company's core business the production and marketing of beers, wines and spirits, the move into the legal cannabis sector is clearly considered to be one the company hopes will help maintain its recent growth trajectory. For those investing online the stock also offers an alternative to pure cannabis companies by wrapping exposure into a more diversified company that would be expected to show less volatility.
Should UK Follow New Zealand in Banning Foreigners from Buying Investment Properties?


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Ahuwhenua Trophy 2020
Ahuwhenua Trophy 2020 Winner Announced
The winner of the inaugural Ahuwhenua Trophy Excellence in Māori Horticulture Award 2020 is Te Kaha 15B Hineora Orchard. Hineora Orchard is a Māori freehold land block located in the Eastern Bay of Plenty township of Te Kaha, 65km east of Ōpōtiki.
The announcement was made on Friday 20th November 2020 by Her Excellency, the Rt Hon. Dame Patsy Reddy at a special awards function in Rotorua attended by 750 people including the Minister for Māori Development and Minister of Agriculture, other politicians and dignitaries, agribusiness leaders and whānau.
The two other finalists were Otama Marere in Paengaroa near the Bay of Plenty town of Te Puke, who grow a mixture of Green, SunGold and organic kiwifruit as well as avocados, and Ngāi Tukairangi Trust which is very large kiwifruit operation with one of its orchards based at Matapihi, just a few kilometres from the centre of Tauranga city.
The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy presented the Ahuwhenua Trophy to Norm Carter, the Chairman of Hineroa Orchard, while Ahuwhenua Trustees the Hon Willie Jackson, Hon Damien O'Connor and Dave Samuels presented the replica trophy, as well as winners medal, historic certificate and cash prize to the Trust.
Te Kaha 15B, Hineora Orchard comprises of 11.5 hectares, on which the Trust runs a kiwifruit joint venture operation, a commercial pack-house facility housing the local kiwifruit spray company (in which the Trust holds shares), and a four bedroom home for accommodation at the block. Prior to the Trust's creation in 1970, the land was largely occupied by different whānau who farmed the block maintaining a subsistence living growing a range of fruit and vegetables for the local community.
Kingi Smiler, the Chairman of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee says Te Kaha 15 B Hineora Orchard was a worthy winner of the trophy. He says the Trustees have shown great vision, persistence and resilience to establish their operation and to achieve some impressive results. He says their operation, like the other finalists, is something that must make their whānau feel proud of their efforts.
Kingi says this is the first time in the 87 year history of the competition that the trophy has been open to Māori horticulturalists and says this is not before time. He says Māori are significant players in the horticultural sector and we must recognise their contribution to the New Zealand economy.
Kingi also praised the other finalists, Otama Marere and Ngāi Tukairangi Trust saying the standards of their operations are among the best in the New Zealand horticultural sector.
"All three finalists have helped set a benchmark for future entrants in this competition which will be hard to eclipse. What makes it more impressive is the fact that they done this in one of the most difficult times in the history of the country when uncertainty is a way of life. I am proud, Māori should be proud and the whole country should acknowledge their efforts," he says.
More details about Te Kaha 15B, Hineora Orchard
The whenua falls within the tribal rohe of Te Whānau-a-Apanui, and more specifically, is associated with Te Whānau a Te Ehutu hapū. Later a citrus orchard was established, however, given the small land area, this also failed to provide a sustainable economic return for its owners. By 1998 the Trustees recognised that they were asset rich but lacked sufficient capital to develop their land. Fortunately, at the same time, a group of Eastern Bay of Plenty orchardists were seeking opportunities for development of the (then) new Gold variety of kiwifruit and were prepared to enter into 50/50 joint ventures with Trusts, effectively providing capital investment to the value of the land contributed for development by landowners.
The Hineora Orchard operation began in 1999 and was the last of six blocks to join the innovative joint venture development with decisions made, and profits shared, on a 50/50 basis with investors for a period of 20 years. Originally intended to end in 2021, the joint venture has managed the current orchard operation through the highs of the returns from the original Gold variety, to the lows of the PSA vine disease which devastated large parts of the kiwifruit industry. The land, and its orchard operation, is now due to be returned to 100% ownership by the trust in 2023. As a result of this 20 year journey, the Trustees, who have each served over 15 years on the Trust, now jointly manage an 8.13 hectare orchard operation of G3 SunGold kiwifruit, producing just over 133,000 trays annually. They work closely with their contracted Orchard Manager, and local cool-storage company OPAC.
Along with the other five joint venture blocks, they have formed a subsidiary spray company, Te Kaha Gold Sprayers who employ locals to work on OPAC orchards in the area. Significant investment from the six blocks has enabled the company to extend its operations across the Te Kaha and Omaio areas, and they now employ over 20 staff, many of whom are whānau.
The Trust was also influential in the establishment of Te Whānau-a-Apanui Fruitgrowers Incorporated – a charitable community education outreach group, responsible for upskilling 60 local workers to level 4 qualifications in Horticulture as well as supporting locals to build to Diploma level courses. Whilst the Trust does not have any historic sites on its land, it continues to have a strong commitment to sustainability and offers annual kaumatua grants to shareholders as well as tangi, health, education, sporting, culture and travel grants. Te Kaha 15B is another example of Māori having the vision, and courage, to embrace a new model of working, taking hold of their destiny and developing their land to its potential for future generations.
Hineora Orchard Te Kaha 15B Key Contact: Norman Carter, 027 280 9452, nac13@xtra.co.nz
A brief History of Ahuwhenua
The Ahuwhenua Trophy is the most prestigious award for excellence in Māori farming and horticulture and was inaugurated 87 years ago by the visionary Māori leader, Sir Apirana Ngata and the Governor General at the time, Lord Bledisloe. The objective was, and still is, to encourage Māori farmers to improve their land and their overall farming position with an emphasis on sustainability. On a three year rotational basis, the Trophy is competed for by Māori in the sheep and beef, horticulture and dairy sectors. In 2021 the competition will be for dairy.
Media can call Peter Burke 021 2242184 peterj@true-to-ireland.com. Photographs are free for use in relation to the competition. Visit www.bit.ly/ahuwhenuatrophy or contact John Cowpland, Alphapix: 027 253 3464 / info@alphapix.co.nz.
Additional information about the competition is on the Ahuwhenua website
Horticulture Community
Nature's little treat produces a sweet relationship
RockitTM apples were launched commercially in 2010 as a premium, on-the-go, fresh, healthy snack. This award-winning apple was the result of a natural breeding programme by New Zealand scientists. They are slightly larger than a golf ball and the apple has a distinctive sweet flavour and red colour.
Initially grown in Hawke's Bay, RockitTM apples are now grown under licence internationally with intellectual property protection which assists in enabling year-round supply. John Loughlin, Chairman of Rockit Global Limited said, "RockitTM are the only miniature apple available globally. The apples were initially exported to Taiwan in 2013 and are now available in 27 countries. Fruitfed Supplies has been supporting us through our steep increase in production for the past seven years."
As a pioneering company, Rockit Global do not place themselves in the apple market, they compete with snack foods. The innovative cylinder-shaped recyclable packaging conveniently allows the apples to be eaten directly from the container, without having to be washed. The packaging is designed to be stacked on any shop counter, allowing it to be sold alongside fast moving consumer foods in outlets other than supermarkets and grocery stores.
John said, "The past two to three years have seen huge growth taking place at 30-40% per annum. We are focusing on rapid growth by commercialising our product and investing ahead of the curve. Our new $50 million purpose-built head office, cool store, and packhouse is in development on the outskirts of Hastings and incorporates new innovations and technology."
Fruitfed Supplies Technical Horticultural Representative (THR), Richard Griffiths, has been working alongside Rockit Management Services (RMS), the orchard arm of the business, since the beginning of the relationship. Richard works closely with RMS General Manager, Chris Hurrey, supporting him throughout the whole process, from the development of new blocks through to harvest assessments, as well as providing advice to help produce an export quality crop.
Richard makes recommendations to RMS managers regarding soil nutrition levels before trees are planted, delivers advice on chemical usage, and coordinates the supply of posts. As new development blocks come into production, Richard maps the area and uses GPS for the Orchard-Rite® wind machines to be placed and installed with the correct coverage area.
RMS are at the forefront of innovation and Richard has instigated demonstration days on their orchards with suppliers to Croplands (who manufacture and supply spray equipment, components and accessories for sustainable agriculture) to exhibit new technology to assist RMS achieve industry-leading, integrated and sustainable crop management practices. Richard says, "the relationship relies on our Fruitfed Supplies team being proactive and thinking about their requirements, especially during this rapid growth phase, as well as Chris having trust in our recommendations."
Chris respects Richard's knowledge as a THR and an orchardist and Chris knows that Richard will only recommend something that will add value to RMS. They have developed a personal relationship built on trust and Chris says, "Richard's humble enough to admit if he doesn't know something and he'll find out the answer as he knows how accurate the information has to be. He provides the best service to us and looks after our needs so I can focus on what I have to do, I don't have to go behind and check."
Working with PGW
Richard Griffiths joined Fruitfed Supplies 10 years ago and is a THR servicing horticultural customers across Hawke's Bay. Richard collaborates with the Fruitfed Supplies' Technical Team. Members of this Research and Development team are all science degree-qualified and they have a clear appreciation of the realities of commercial horticulture. The Technical Team support our THRs and our customers with in depth expert advice in a range of subjects to increase orchard performance and productivity, and deliver better export quality produce to market.
Sheffield Primary receives boost from Cash for Communities Programme
Raising funds to provide Kiwi kids with additional resources and equipment to enjoy while at school takes considerable time and effort in fundraising. For Sheffield Primary School in Mid Canterbury, the Cash for Communities programme delivered a win recently with the school being donated $333.
Nigel Easson, Principal of Sheffield Primary School, says the money will go towards the cost of timber used to build a ga-ga ball pit (a game similar to dodgeball). The materials will be purchased from a local timber company and will be built by volunteers.
With Nigel only moving into the role at Sheffield Primary School from March this year, he has noted how hugely supportive the community is of the school. He therefore wasn't surprised by the Cash for Communities programme donation knowing how keen local farmers are to help the school. With no caretaker employed at the school, it's the community who volunteer on a weekly basis to ensure the school's grounds are maintained.
As businesses deeply rooted in rural communities, PGG Wrightson and Ballance Agri-Nutrients want to keep Kiwi communities thriving. Back in 2011 the companies joined force to create a partnership to help raise funds for local organisations. By purchasing Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser through PGG Wrightson this spring you can keep both your crops and pasture, and your community thriving, through the Cash for Communities programme.
Hamish Milner, PGG Wrightson Rural Supplies Darfield Store Manager, said the uptake by customers to join the Cash for Communities programme is incredibly high with them keen to give back to their local community.
Every year Hamish and his team make a big effort to ensure all their fertiliser customers are aware of the Cash for Communities programme and get signed up. Hamish either gives customers a call or gets his local Technical Field Representatives and Arable Representatives to discuss with farmers when they're on-farm.
Other schools have benefited recently from the Cash for Communities programme in Hamish's area with Springfield and Darfield Primary Schools receiving donations.
What makes the Cash for Communities programme extra special for Hamish is the opportunity to present the donation cheques to the recipients within his own community allowing him to meet and talk with them.
The success of the Cash for Communities programme is due to everyone involved seeing the benefit of this initiative, from the teams at PGG Wrightson and Ballance Agri Nutrients, to their customers and the donation recipients. The recipients enthusiasm and level of appreciation is demonstrated by Nigel, Sheffield Primary School's Principal, who has invited PGG Wrightson and Ballance Agri Nutrients representatives back to the school to take a look at the ga-ga ball area when its finished as a thank you for the donation.
Masterton Saleyards Upgrade
Locals will have noticed that the Masterton Saleyards have not operated since the first COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020. The lockdown resulted in the cancellation of the weaner fairs and subsequently with no saleyards operating under Alert Levels 4 and 3, the co-owners, PGG Wrightson Limited* (PGW) and Carrfields Livestock Limited (Carrfields), felt it was time to assess the future of this long standing Wairarapa livestock selling centre.
Having considered all the options PGW and Carrfields are pleased to announce that jointly they have agreed to, and the respective Boards have approved, a capital investment to right size and upgrade the Masterton Saleyards.
Peter Newbold, General Manager Livestock for PGW, and Donald Baines, General Manager Livestock for Carrfields, said "this recognises the importance of the selling centre to the farmers in Wairarapa, and we pleased to announce this upgrade."
The upgrade will include installing a new effluent and storm water system that will meet consent requirements, plus an upgrade of the selling centre rostrum and associated walkways. Given lower overall stock numbers being sold through the saleyards, areas no longer required will be demolished, but there will still be more than enough capacity to meet demands in the foreseeable future.
Work commenced at the saleyards in early December and all things going to plan sheep sales should commence early in the new year.
All media enquiries to:
Peter Newbold, General Manager Livestock, PGG Wrightson Ltd
Donald Baines, General Manager Livestock, Carrfields
*All references to PGG Wrightson Limited or the Group refer to the Company, its subsidiaries and interests in associates and jointly controlled entities