North Canterbury News: March 14, 2024

4 The
NEWS
North Canterbury News, March 14, 2024
Appealing cookie fundraiser
ByJOHN COSGROVE AND GEOFF SLOAN
Kiwi stars
at Balcairn
It’s cookie crunching time for agood
cause.
This year the annual RSA Poppy Appeal
will look slightly different with the iconic
poppies being sold alongside limited
edition Cookie Time Cookies to assist in
fundraising efforts. The brainchild of the
Rangiora RSA Club, their partnership
with the Cookie Time Bakery in
Templeton, will see Cookie Time’sChewy
Oat Cookie wrapped in aspecial RSA
packaging.
They will be sold by RSA’saround the
country through their own venues,
selected retailers and even on the streets
on Poppy Day (April 19).
Rangiora RSA Club presidentRoss
Ditmer says Jane Sommerville, the
Secretary Manager at the Rangiora RSA
Club, came up with the idea after visiting
similar RSL Clubs in Australia.
‘‘I asked to her to develop it further.’’
Jane went to Cookie Timeand they were
very enthusiastic about it.
‘‘We were really thrilledthat they could
see the merit in the idea and have come on
board with us for this journey.’’
The first batch of 300,000 RSA
commemorative cookies rolled off the
production line at Cookie Time's factory in
Templeton last Wednesday. The first
cookies, wrapped in the special RSA
packaging feature the Cookie Time
Monster and the RSAs’ iconic Poppy.
Special counter­top boxes have been
produced, and asticker featuringthe
RSA’s Poppy is also available as part of the
offering.
Mr Ditmer says having the poppies in
with the cookies means parents can pin on
the poppy, while the children have
something to snack on, along with asticker
for them to wear as well.
The RNZRSA’s annual Poppy Appeal is
the longest running street appeal in New
Anice bite ... .Rangiora RSA Club president Ross Ditmer and Cookie Time general
manager Lincoln Booth try one of the first cookies off the production line. PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN
Zealand, and is the main source of funding
for the RSAs’ support to New Zealand’s
veterans of military service and their
whānau.
The cookies will also be part of the snack
offering on Air New Zealand flights during
March andApril, and will be available at a
national hotel chain. The Cookies are
available for local RSAs to purchase and
on­sell to raise funds to support veterans
living intheir local area.
In addition, the RNZRSA (the National
body) will receive two cents for each
cookie sold.
Fundsreceived by the RNZRSA will go
in to the National Poppy Trust to support
veterans across the country.
The Cookie is being sold as an
additional option for the RSAs’
fundraising,and does not replace the
traditional Poppy which is given in return
for adonation.
Cookie Time general manager Lincoln
Booth said with ANZAC day around the
corner, they were happy to jump on board
with the fundraiser.
‘‘It's great two iconic organisations can
partner up with this awesome initiative.
We're delighted to be partnering up with
the RSA and everything that they can
actually achieve through their network
and really proud to be part of Poppy Day
appeal’’.
And there's even apossibility the tasty
treats could be available year round,
helping raise funds for RSAs across the
country.
Watch the video on starnews.co.nz
Three of New Zealand’s much loved
entertainers, Suzanne Lynch, Elizabeth
Braggins and Graham Wardrop have
formed atrio and will perform in concert at
the Balcairn Hall.
Their show, on Saturday March 23, will
feature three­part harmonies with backing
by Elizabeth on piano and Graham on
guitar, to showcase their extraordinary
vocal skills and musicianship.
All three performers are stars in their
own right. Suzanne initially became famous
performing with her sister Judy Hindman
as The Chicks on the television pop music
show C’Mon during the 1960s. She became
asolo performer in 1969 and won
Entertainer of the Year in 1970.
During the ’70’s she moved to England
and began working as asession musician
for Cat Stevens, Neil Sedaka, Cleo Lane,
Lulu, Olivia Newton John, Art Garfunkel
and others.
Back in New Zealand she is also a
member of the popular trio of Kiwi divas,
The Lady Killers, performing with Tina
Cross and Jackie Clarke.
Elizabeth is also ahighly accomplished
singer and songwriter in New Zealand and
overseas.
Fans will be hoping she performs The
Man ILove and Sugartown, which
showcase her silky vocal skills so well, at
the Balcairn Hall concert.
Graham, who is one of New Zealand’s
most highly regarded fingerstyle guitarists,
has also performed extensively overseas,
playing with Manhattan Transfer,Gerry
and the Pacemakers, violinist Vanessa May
and Slim Dusty.
The Balcairn Hall concert starts at
7.30pm. Tickets are $30, and are available
online at balcairnhall.com, or cash only at
Sally Mac’s, in Amberley, the Sefton
Garage, or Stan’s 7Day Pharmacy in
Rangiora.
Taste and Enjoy
Quality Authentic Dutch Cheese
Made in Loburn
Karikaas is
celebratingit’s
40 th year inMarch
Karinand Rients made theirfirstcheeses in March1984
Tocelebrate,atthe requestofmanyshop customers
Karikaas arere-launchingour Garliccheeseand our
Herb cheese (Made from ablend of four garden herbs).
SHOWHOMES
INAMBERLEY
119 CartersRd, Amberley
Please contactGeoff 027 5224061orVicki 0276966391
We will cuttheseopen forafirst tasteand sale on
Monday 18 th March.
Come alongand join
us forAward winning
cheese andawide range
of cheeseand dairy
products.
156 WhiterockRoad,
Loburn RD2
Phone 03 3128708
info@karikaas.co.nz
265992
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