text:
Hey Everyone-
As some of you may know, I have had diabetes for 22 years. Well, after years of saying, "I'd love to do that..." I'm finally going to actually ride the Tour de Cure.
The Tour de Cure is a 30 mile bike-a-thon to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. The tour I will be riding will take place in Gloucester, MA on Sunday, June 12. You can link to this event here: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=2280
What I'd prefer to do, is get a bunch of folks together and ride as a team. I know from doing walk-a-thons in the past that it is a lot easier, and a lot more fun to go as a group than by yourself.
So, I'm inviting anyone from AO (preferably from the Greater Boston Area *cough* Cybr1d *cough*) to come and join my team and ride for a cure.
The team is not formed yet, as I'm waiting to see what the interest is first between AO, my friends, and my co-workers.
If you'd like to join up, or want more info, PM me or shoot me an email.
Or, if you just want to donate, stay tuned, and I'll put up links for you to do that.
Thanks in advance, and here's hoping you'll ride with me!
For anyone who's interested, here's a satellite view of the coastline of/near/concering the tour route:


text:
Get all your digital marketing in one place by a team who understands you
Our boutique digital marketing services have been tailor made to fit the needs of small businesses in Australia. If your business depends on local based clients, we'll help them find you and connect with you!
These are the services we can do for you.
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Google My Business (Maps)
- Strategies and Planning
- Performance Optimisation
- Website Design and Development
- Content Writing
- Paid Ad Management (PPC)
- Social Media Marketing
- Website and Email Hosting
- Directories
- Logo and Business Card Design
We take the risk out of marketing for small business owners. Call us for a free no obligation chat about our affordable marketing packages with a money back traffic guarantee. Our in-house marketing specialists are available to meet with you in-person at your business or even at your favourite local café, anywhere in and around Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
You can also read what our clients have said about us at our Testimonials page.
If you're a local business, we have digital marketing to fit you
We work with small to medium, local, service-oriented businesses in a wide variety of industries including:
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Concreters
- Mechanics
- Accountants
- Lawyers
- Dentists
- Photographers
- Cabinet Makers
- Child Care Services
- Specialised Manufacturing
- Shade Sails
- Fencing
- Nurseries
- Cleaning Services
- Glaziers
- Sign Makers
- Builders
- Construction
- Business Coaching
- Personal Training

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hungarian-American Heroes
The Story of my Book
I have been working on this project for over a decade. In my memory it began when I was only ten years old. My grandparents handed me a book to learn Hungarian. They said if I learned enough they would take me to Hungary! You might imagine I did not go that year. However, on my quest I have been to Hungary three times since 2007, discovering a wonderful family of cousins and a wealth of history.
My research has included dozens of books, hundreds of articles and wading through 1,000's of pages from the National Archives including OSS files from WW2 and FBI files from the 1930s to the 1980s.
Please take a look at this short description of my book and read the articles listed at the bottom of the page. If you want to stay informed of my progress, please sign up for my newsletter.
Where it all Began
Beginning with a trip to my grandfather's ancestral home of Sárospatak, Hungary in 2007, I have been on the hunt for more information about Carl Schwartz aka Kalman Marki. It has been, in some cases, like searching for six needles in six separate haystacks.
What I can say now is my grandfather's influence was more important than I knew and his connections reached the highest level of the Hungarian government. Perhaps my Mom and Dad knew more. However I believe I have uncovered some information which even they did not know. They certainly did not share it with my sister and brother and me.
Topics Include
- Bela Lugosi – his relationship to my grandfather and his politics.
- Louis Weinstock – his contributions to social change.
- Hugo Gellert – his art and social activism.
- Eugene Weinstock – his writings.
- Kalman Marki – my grandfather's influence and relationships.
- Hungarian immigrants to the U.S. and their contributions.
- Hungarian-American relations in the 20th century.
- The CPUSA from 1920 to 1970.
- Progressive politics and the Labor Movement in the USA, 1920-1950.
- Federal (FBI, HUAC) and state government actions.
Kalman Marki – 1947 Home Movie
Bela Lugosi – 1947 Home Movie
Four Heroes
Kalman Marki
Kalman Marki was a designer, actor, director and political activist. He was my grandfather. Based on information I have discovered from government files recently released, he was connected to the highest levels of the Hungarian government. What did he do? What was his connection? Why were they interested in him?
Photo: Still from 1947 Home Movie taken by Anton Schlussel
Bela Lugosi
Bela Lugosi will forever be known as the most famous portrayer of "Dracula" in the movies. His fans know he was an accomplished actor in Hungary before emigrating to the U.S. Readers of his biography* know about his participation in the Hungarian-American Council for Democracy (HACD) during the 1940s.Kalman was a founding board member of the HACD. Bela and his wife Lillian were best friends with my grandparents. My book contains new documentation which may change some people's minds about Bela's political affiliations. *Kaffenberger, Bill, and Gary Don Rhodes. Bela Lugosi: In Person. Albany, GA: BearManor Media, 2015. Print.
Photo: Still from 1947 Home Movie taken by Anton Schlussel
Louis Weinstock
Louis Weinstock was a leader in the International Painters and Paperhangers union as well as a fighter against union corruption. He was a pioneer in working for Social Security and unemployment insurance. During the McCarthy witch hunt he spent three years in jail for teaching a class. Louis was born in the same Hungarian town as my grandfather and was a close friend of Bela Lugosi. He was a friend of mine during my teenage activist days in the 1960s.
Photo credit: Louis with strikers 1950s. People's Weekly World, 4-9-1994, Louis Weinstock Papers, New York University
Hugo Gellert
Hugo Gellert was a great artist, illustrator and muralist. He never separated art from political activism. I met him in the 1960s and I am honored to own several of his brilliant lithographs. I met Hugo several times in my grandparents' home. Hugo and Kalman worked on several projects together including the HACD.
Image: Hugo Gellert, Self-Portrait, circa 1918
Update January 20, 2019 – New WW2 Information We Found
My book about my grandfather and his friends' activism and cultural activities from the 1920s to the 1970s includes his close friends Bela Lugosi (actor), Louis Weinstock (labor activist) and Hugo Gellert (artist and illustrator). Recently at an antiques show, Amethyst-Susan found this cool little book published by the Chicago Sun in 1945 titled "Three Stepping Stones to Lasting Peace."
Then I found a pictorial magazine on WW2 news. A central portion of my book talks about the activities of the Hungarian American Council for Democracy (HACD) founded by Bela Lugosi and my grandfather along with a group of other Hungarian-Americans. The HACD's purpose was to help Hungarians survive the Nazis. The Hungarian government was a major collaborator with Germany.
The War Illustrated, March 28, 1941.
Important News Update October, 2018 – National Archives releases Grandpa's File
After waiting several years, the National Archives finally reviewed my grandfather's file. The incredible news is that they released 283 out of 390 pages which cover the period from 1951 to 1973. There are still 107 pages which have been "referred to other agencies" for "national security reasons." I was in Washington, DC and I was able to pick up the files in person.
Many pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. I hope I can get the 107 missing pages before I finish writing.
Photo from 1960 of Grandpa
Happy Sander outside National Archives in College Park, Maryland
File note attached to the CD
Please read the articles summarizing my research on these pioneering activists.
Versek – Kalman Marki Poetry Readings
My grandfather, Kalman Marki, was a clothing designer, stage director, actor and political activist. In the 1950s and 1960s he hosted a Hungarian language radio show in Miami, Florida. It was sponsored by the Hungarian Culture Club where he was a leader. Grandpa was a great promoter of Hungarian art, music, drama and culture.This album includes eight recordings of his favorite poetry in Hungarian. Listen now.
Grandparents Dance the Csárdás
Watch the movie of my grandparents dancing the Hungarian Csárdás
Book Tools
Here are my current set of tools for book research and writing.
Henry Weinstock – Hidden Child of the Holocaust
In honor of Holocaust Remembrance day, here is the story of my dear friend (and DNA cousin) Henry Weinstock, who was a "hidden child of the Holocaust" - sent by his father to live with a Catholic priest during WWII. Henry's father, Eugene Weinstock, spent years...
Bela Lugosi Statue
The story behind the statue of Bela Lugosi at the Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest, Hungary
Sárospatak Jewish Cemetery
Visit to Sarospatak Jewish Cemetery in Sárospatak Hungary. A family history search begins.
Hugo Gellert
Hugo Gellert was a great artist and a close friend of my grandfather, Kalman Marki. I enjoyed meeting Hugo when I was a child and teenager.
Sárospatak Jewish History
History of the Jewish population of Sárospatak, Hungary where my ancestors lived.


text:
Max – recorded reminiscences
As Judith Weir so rightly said in her touching tribute to Max yesterday on BBC Radio 3, when a composer passes, they leave the legacy of their work, through which they 'live on'. As we sadly mourn the passing of Max – surely one of our most distinctive voices – that is even more so, given the legacy which exists through recordings of his work. During the late '80s and throughout the 1990s I was privileged to work closely with Max during my time running the independent label Collins Classics. We had an exclusive contract with Max and over that decade we released an astonishing 20+ albums of his work, most featuring him as conductor. Under the inspired leadership of Trevor Green and Brian Pidgeon, Max had at that time a very close relationship with the BBC Philharmonic and this fruitful partnership saw numerous new commissions, landmark performances, and recordings of some of his most remarkable orchestral and theatrical works. I have countless happy memories of hours spent in the old BBC Studios in Manchester with Max's long time close friend and musical ally, the indefatigable Veronica Slater, in the producer's chair (cigarette permanently in hand) as Max joyously (if, as he'd be the first to admit, perhaps not most expertly in terms of baton technique) led the wonderful musicians and friends of that superb 'band' from the conductor's rostrum. The resulting music making was nothing short of inspiring and it was such a privilege to be party to composer and musicians working so closely together, with mutual trust and musical respect. Alongside this we also captured the series of wonderful Strathclyde Concertos, written for principals of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra with whom Max also enjoyed a deep and long lasting friendship, and musical collaboration. We subsequently also worked with both the Philharmonia and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and even with the CBC in Vancouver to record a vast array of the works being created over that time. Following the demise of Collins Classics in 1999, many of these recordings have been re-released over recent years by Naxos, alongside their commissioned 10 Quartets, and I would urge listeners to discover this remarkable catalogue all over again.
My recording path crossed with Max again when I joined NMC in 2003. On the then 'wish list' was a desire to release the BBC Symphony Orchestra's landmark 1996 recording of Max's epic opera Taverner. It took us a few years, but thanks to the enormous willingness of our friends at the BBC and the numerous artists involved, we managed to balance the budget, clear the rights, and issued the recording in 2009. International Record Review hailed it as being 'a twentieth-century operatic masterpiece' and we, and Max, were thrilled to finally make it available internationally.
Max was always so encouraging of aspiring artists and composers so when we devised our Debut Discs series for emerging composers in 2012 I approached him to be the series ambassador. He responded with his usual flair and enthusiasm and was a very vocal champion, and generous supporter, of the endeavour. We're about to record our twelfth project under the series, and hope to be able to extend it, and I can't think of a more fitting tribute to this most inspiring, and influential, of musicians. He will be sadly missed, and most fondly remembered.
Anne Rushton, Executive Director, NMC Recordings 15 March 2016
Obituaries from his agent and publisher:


text:
Your Basket
Your basket is empty.
Coronavirus: Our latest delivery information - Click Here
100% Secure Online Ordering
Home > Otago > 4 florists in "Mosgiel" > The Greenhouse Florist
109 Gordon Road,
9024, New Zealand
out of 5
based on 143 user ratings
(143 reviews) 99.09% positive
109 Gordon Road,
About The Greenhouse Florist:
We deliver floral arrangements for any occasion throughout Mosgiel area. The Greenhouse Florist, your local Mosgiel flower shop. Buy flowers online, we look forward to receiving your flower order.
Opening Times:
We deliver flowers to:
Where to find us:
Overview for The Greenhouse Florist
132 Reviews
10 Reviews
0 Reviews
1 Reviews
All reviews for The Greenhouse Florist
Excellent service, Thank you.
John - 11th Feb
I am very happy with my experience with your company. Such a straightforward clear and easy process. The selection of flower gifts is outstanding and the ordering is very smooth and easy to do. Very happy and will use again.
Landreth - 5th Feb
2nd time order with this florist and great service once again. Highly recommend.
Anne - 24th Dec 2019
Easy clear online order process, delivered on date requested. Thanks so much :)
Kara - 12th Dec 2019
I always use this florist as they provide a seamless service - lovely flowers, reliable delivery, much appreciated.
Judith - 19th Nov 2019
I was sent a photograph of the bouquet by a family member. The flowers were beautiful but having paid 'top dollar' I thought there would have been more.
Helen - 18th Nov 2019
So pleased with the stunning floral arrangement.My sister was impressed.
VERY disappointed that my message was not included.My copy of the order confirms that a message was supplied in the appropriate message box.Lack of communication?
Does not encourage future business.
Laverty - 5th Nov 2019
See above oooooooooooooooooo
Gail - 16th Oct 2019
I have never been disappointed when a photograph of an arrangement I ordered from The Greenhouse Florist is emailed to me by the gift's recipient. Living out of the area as I do I have no way of knowing what flowers are seasonally available. The basket arrangement delivered yesterday was outstanding, overflowing with a variety of beautiful blooms and a harmonious blending of spring colours. Thank you so very much.
Allen - 27th Aug 2019
Thank you the flowers were beautiful ????
Butler - 19th Jul 2019
Thank you for a wonderful delivery on time and beautiful bunch of seasonal flowers for my Mother. She was very happy. I use you every year and i am always very happy. easy to order online and pay. Thank you.
Wendy - 19th Jun 2019
No stress. Quick and easy
Christine - 19th Jun 2019
Nice selection of flowers
Binns - 15th Jun 2019
A beautiful bouquet with lovely fresh blooms. Service was prompt and .efficient. It???s so nice to know that, even from the UK, I can be sure of excellent service in getting flowers to my daughter. Thank you!
Ann - 19th May 2019
A lovely contemporary design- fresh blooms and vibrant colours.
Ann - 26th Apr 2019
Fast delivery. Beautiful orchid
Nelly - 3rd Apr 2019
Thank you for your prompt delivery of a beautiful flower basket!
Ann - 2nd Apr 2019
easy to deal with, fast delivery
Morton - 24th Feb 2019
Good quality of flowers and service
Van - 24th Feb 2019
This florist went the extra mile. You made the recipients day even with a wee tear in her eye. Thank you team. You are very highly recommended. ????
Hudson - 18th Feb 2019
Beautiful flowers put together and delivered at short notice. Many thanks!
Catherine - 11th Jan 2019
Easy to use ordering and plenty to choose from.
Sharon - 14th Oct 2018
Dee - 9th Oct 2018
Customer awarded 5 stars.
Margaret - 24th Sep 2018
I rang the Mosgiel Greenhouse Florist in the pm of delivery date as hadn't got a message ( as per website) to say they'd delivered....they had done so, no one home so left a message in letterbox to say where flowers were put - too late in the day for elderly people to think of checking mailbox again.....!
Jillian - 26th Aug 2018
Excellent flowers
Craig - 25th Aug 2018
Flowers sent to mother in law recently were gorgeous. Happy to provide a picture if you like.
Shelley - 3rd Aug 2018
Flowers were delivered on the day we requested and are similar to the description given online.
Lister - 26th May 2018
The recipients were delighted with the floral arrangement.
Linda - 23rd May 2018
My friend loved the flowers, and I am so grateful you do rural delivery when so many florists don't. And the service was very prompt. Thanks!
Wooding - 13th May 2018
gorgeous flowers
Donna - 12th May 2018
Beautiful flowers, very reasonable, quick deliver and on time! Excellent!
Julie - 2nd May 2018
Rebecca - 25th Apr 2018
Sheena - 14th Apr 2018
So fast, so reasonably priced and lovely flowers
Bazley - 12th Apr 2018
The flowers were delivered, but I have no idea at this stage if they were appreciated.
Terry - 31st Mar 2018
These flowers were for an elderly lady in a Rest Home, she was so delighted to receive them, she sent me a photo, and said she sat at looked at them was so happy, made her day.
Frances - 30th Mar 2018
Great arrangement delivered on time. Thank you!
Stephen - 11th Mar 2018
Hyde - 5th Mar 2018
My friend loved the flowers
Jenkinson - 27th Feb 2018
The flowers were a really good representation of what i ordered. The flowers were fresh and a had a good variety of different blooms, and I know they were very appreciated!
Webster - 17th Jan 2018
Flowers looked just like the picture. Wonderful thank you
Daniels - 26th Dec 2017

 AND DELIVERED AS REQUESTED
Douglas - 24th Dec 2017
Wonderful display. Very happy with the arrangement and the recipient was delighted!
Heather - 23rd Dec 2017
The flowers looked stunning, my friend loved them.
Jo - 19th Dec 2017
Very happy with the web site, the service and flowers for my sisters funeral in Mosgiel, Dunedin, New Zealand. Regards Wendy UK
Wendy - 8th Dec 2017
Every recipient who has received flowers have been truly thrilled with what arrangement that they have received.
And - 18th Nov 2017
Very easy and great service thanks so much they were beautiful
Cheryl - 13th Nov 2017
Good communication and beautiful flowers delivered
Diane - 16th Oct 2017
I ordered 2 lots of flowers. I was especially pleased with the white flower order. Absolutely magnificent.. The basket flowers were also very tasteful but the basket was quite a different shape to the picture on line. It was the flat basket I was attracted to but the one delivered was also ok..
Thank you for the excellent service.
Vivienne - 15th Oct 2017
Flowers were lovely and arrived on time even though I was quite late ordering.
Shelley - 11th Oct 2017
I was very late organising a bouquet to be delivered for my cousin's funeral, but the florist did a wonderful job of ensuring my flowers were there in good time, and created a stunning bouquet in Ina's favourite colours, exactly as requested.
Jessica - 6th Oct 2017
Excellent service, I will be back
Jan - 20th Sep 2017
Shirley - 29th Aug 2017
Great local service. Reliable and respectful
Lisa - 24th Aug 2017
Very good. On time and excellent arrangement.
Billy - 8th Jul 2017
Easy to order and pay on paypal. Ordered late in the evening in Aus and the delivery was in the morning approx 11am. They were beautiful fresh flowers. My mum loved them. Will use them again. WJF
Wendy - 21st Jun 2017
Gaylene - 14th Jun 2017
not sure what the flowers looked like so hard to really comment.
Jill - 1st Jun 2017
Always high quality beautiful arrangements that last. A returning customer.
Stephen - 14th May 2017
Bouquet looked even better than it did in the photo! Arrived on time and really made the recipient's day!
Melissa - 14th May 2017
beautiful flowers.
Donna - 14th May 2017
Thank you so much for the arrangement. My Mum loved it, it absolutely made her day. She loved the colours and said they smelt amazing!!
Lang - 29th Mar 2017
The family thanked us for "the glorious display of flowers that you sent at the time of my father's funeral. They were stunning and very much appreciated by my Mum, my brothers and me. They had a special place at the service and were enjoyed and much admired at home afterwards." To me that speaks a lot.
Fiehn-mansoor - 23rd Mar 2017
I thought there might have been more flowers for the price. What there was did look nice.
Daines - 22nd Mar 2017
Great service and my sister-in-law was thrilled with her birthday flowers. Thanks.
Janice - 12th Mar 2017
Great sevice and fantastic arrangementsr
Craig - 3rd Mar 2017
Haven't seen the flowers but heard they were lovely.
Paula - 30th Jan 2017
Great box of flowers arrived very impressive
Margarette - 8th Jan 2017
My grandmother loved her flowers. She always receives such lovely flowers.
Samantha - 4th Jan 2017
Every thing went as requested and the service was great and would

certainly use them again
Douglas - 4th Jan 2017
The flowers were very much appreciated by my mother - thanks
Puke - 4th Jan 2017
Would be nice as you take cell phone details to get a txt to say flowers had been delivered. Was an anxious and awkward wait!
Penny - 9th Dec 2016
I actually saw the flowers when we visited a couple of days later; they were really beautiful and still looked fresh as!
Kristin - 19th Nov 2016
Excellent service and delivered as requested. Quality of product met and in fact exceeded our expectations.
Mckeown - 30th Oct 2016
Beautiful flowers delivered as expected
Margaret - 6th Oct 2016
Very disappointed that arrangement i ordered had choices of colour. I ordered orange and when my family member sent a photo there were red and white. Why give a choice if not delivered??
Maree - 29th Sep 2016
Jordan - 20th Sep 2016
Beautiful arrangement at short notice. Thank you.
Martin - 15th Sep 2016
Wonderful service & quality flowers !! Live in Australia and needed to send flowers to friends in NZ - to be honest I was honest I was a little hesitant, but my friends assure me the flowers are gorgeous - Thanks so much Di
Collins - 13th Sep 2016
Beautiful flowers
Kim - 4th Sep 2016
very good
Julie - 1st Aug 2016
Great flowers delivered on time.
Craig - 29th Jul 2016
Robyn - 29th Jul 2016
Recipient was very pleased with flowers and arrangement. They deliver on the day requested.
Jackaman - 28th Jul 2016
I have had flowers from The Greenhouse Florist many times ; as usual they were value for money and simply glorious
Jan - 8th May 2016
Flowers were beautiful and much appreciated.
Mckeon - 8th May 2016
The flowers were beautiful, however the picture I selected showed in a box, the arrangements my sister received was a hand held bunch. Would be nice if it was clearer as to what the flowers would be sitting in.
Fiona - 8th May 2016
Exceptional service, the recipients were also very impressed and LOVED the flowers and of course the chocolates...Many thanks and will keep you on my Address Book.
Carolyn - 29th Apr 2016
Great job thanks
Newell - 9th Mar 2016
Prompt delivery at short notice and excellent blooms. Well done!
Ryder-smith - 6th Mar 2016
Delivered very promptly and were a beautiful looking bunch
Cr - 28th Feb 2016
prompt service and delivery, customer happy with flowers.
Shona - 18th Feb 2016
Great service, delivered on time with A class service. My mother loved her flowers saying she had never seen such a beautiful gift. Made an elderly lady very happy. Thank you and Happy New Year to all. Will definitely use again.
Dillon - 29th Dec 2015
My Grandma loved her florists choice design, she was blown away! It was a present from a Grandson overseas. Swift and prompt delivery.
Hamish - 29th Nov 2015
Both recipients loved the flowers, great job, delivered on time and made people happy.
Judith - 9th Nov 2015
Craig - 8th Nov 2015
Fabulous bouquet and simply and easy way to order online. Thanks, you help make someone's day special.
Hellyer - 27th Aug 2015
The arrangement was an unusually creative arrangement that caught the eye
Pollock - 27th Aug 2015
family happy with result.
Couchman - 20th Aug 2015
I wanted to use Greenhouse florist as my sister's daughter is engaged to the previous owner's (Anna) son and I know the shop does lovely flowers.
Glenis - 15th Jun 2015
The Greenhouse Florist did a lovely basket for some friends. They loved the flowers and sent me pics. Very pretty, a great selection and great presentation.
Katrina - 14th Jun 2015
I haven't seen the flowers to know what they look like, but I am sure they will be beautiful.
Jenny - 12th Jun 2015
Stunning arrangements. Parents were delighted. Thank you
Mcilwaine - 26th May 2015
Seamless service, beautiful flowers delivered on time, and very much appreciated. Wonderful arrangement.
Judith - 3rd May 2015
Lovely work
Debbie - 28th Apr 2015
lovely arrangement
Paul - 14th Apr 2015
A lovely basket of flowers delivered to my parents on the right day. Very happy with the arrangement.
Heather - 1st Apr 2015
Once again a beautiful bunch of flowers that was sent to my mum.
Lisa - 24th Feb 2015
great job
Christine - 16th Feb 2015
The flowers were beautiful and delivered at the required time. Great to be able to personalise the order.
Jackaman - 21st Dec 2014
Could not have expected any more or better
Angus - 7th Oct 2014
Really excited to be able to place a last minute order and find out it arrived and was awesome. Thanks!
Carson - 11th Sep 2014
Beautiful flowers delivered on time
And - 16th Aug 2014
The Greenhouse Florist always have excellent quality product and provide outstanding service. I always choose to use them for deliveries in Mosgiel
Logie - 5th May 2014
The flowers were delivered quickly and with care
Dean - 9th Feb 2014
Excellent service. My wife seemed to received the flowers after I received a message they had been delivered (I had phoned her to check after receiving the message), but this was all right. I phoned later and she had received them. I also wrote Direct2Florist and receive an e-mail message indicating what could have happened, so I rate the service excellent.
William - 8th Feb 2014
Anne - 11th Dec 2013
Diane - 31st Aug 2013
Schack - 10th May 2013
I have used direct florist on many occasions for New Zealand and England, once again your fast and competatant ways are much appreciated, my mother just received flowers from here and absolutley loved them, Thanks again.
Lisa - 26th Feb 2013
Lovely range and selection of flowers, colours just right. One mother very happy. Thank you.
Gillian - 14th Feb 2013
Faulkner - 20th Dec 2012
Receiver very satisifed and happy with flowers. Excellent service
Anne - 24th Aug 2012
Katie was thrilled with her flowers. Thank you
Diane - 30th Jul 2012
Jennifer - 25th Jul 2012
My sister in law loved the flowers, they sounded gorgeous and exactly what I asked for! Thanks
Sarah - 12th Jul 2012
Thank you for prompt service and fantastic prices I will be visiting again soon. Viv
Vivian - 12th May 2012
lovely flowers delivered in good time
Susan - 15th Oct 2011
My cousin said the flowers were beautiful so I am very pleased with that. Thanks
Butler - 17th Sep 2011
Perfect she loved them thanks!!
Penelope - 5th Jul 2011
The flowers were beautiful as always. Mum loved them.
Joy - 10th May 2011
Aimee - 6th Apr 2011
Thank you for the lovely arrangement you delivered to my daughter for her 21st the colours were perfect
Paula - 25th Mar 2011
Iain - 8th Mar 2011
The recipient was very pleased with the flowers - she mentioned the roses in particular - they had such a lovely smell. The flowers are also still looking good after almost a week.
Hazel - 23rd Feb 2011
The recipient was very pleased with the quality and selection
Hazel - 15th Feb 2011
Sebastian - 15th Feb 2011
Iain - 14th Feb 2011
A beautiful bouquet of fresh spring flowers was delivered to my dear elderly aunt. We were all very impressed with the quality of the flowers and will use the florist again with no hesitation
Lesley - 28th Sep 2010
Great prompt service, my parents were thrilled with their cyclamen. many thanks
Sharon - 9th Aug 2010
Karin - 14th Jun 2010
Mant thanks for your prompt service
Tania - 12th Apr 2010
Product Filters
A gift of flowers using the best blooms of the day chosen by your florist.
A beautiful hand tied combination of pinks & cream flowers. Pinks and whites mix of flowers. Carnations, roses, gerbera are suggested flowers. Presentation as a hand tied bouquet in gift bag/box.
Single Rose
Pretty basket arrangement of fresh cut flowers in pinks and whites basket arrangement of fresh cut flowers in pinks and whites
Pinks and purples make this a striking romantic gift with a difference. Stem count not specified, individual flower content not specified. Suggested flower's include Gerbera, Cali Lily, Roses, Lily and Cabbage Plant in Pinks. Presentation style is a handtie in water.
Coffin spray made in pinks. Please advise the florist if you would prefer an alternate colour scheme. Coffin spray made in pinks as standard. Suggested flowers include Lilies, Rose, Gerbera, Wax Flower, Thistle, Veronica Flower and Foliage. Customer may advise a preferred colour scheme.
Long stem quality roses and elegant foliage, maybe supplied in different colours to suit the occasion.
A stunning mix of bright colours arranged in a modern bouquet. A delightful bouquet perfect for any occasion.
Mixed flowers suitable for a lady or a gentleman. Ring wreath for a funeral Stem count not specified, individual flower content not specified. Suggested flowers may include Roses, Gerberas, Carnation, Button Chrysanthemum, Wax Flower, Thistle (if in Season) and Foliage. Presentation: loose flowers ring wreath
Beautifully arranged by the florist and delivered in a basket.
Hand delivered and complete in a vase. Yellow roses and foliage. Hand delivered and complete in a vase. Yellow roses and foliage. (The container may vary. )
Vibrant colours make this beautiful Hand Tied stand out from the crowd. Stem count not specified, individual flowers not specified. Suggested flowers any mix of tulips and spring flowers (when available) otherwise use nice bright mix. Hand tied in gift bag/box.
An inspiration from nature . A flower gift perfectly arranged in a container using pale shaded flowers and foliage. Arrangement style: flowers arranged in oasis and delivered in an attractive container. (Container may vary.)
Pale pinks and creams.
A beautiful Hand Tied of pink roses and gypsophila makes the perfect gift. A beautiful hand tied of 12 pink roses with complementary foliage. Available in other colours. High grade roses to be used e.g 60/70 cm Heaven.
A celebration Hand Tied of pink shades. Perfect for any occasion. Hand tied in water presented in a gift box/bag Colour scheme mixed pinks.
A vibrant pink handtied simply stunning just like it's inspiration - The Cherry Blossom Tree.
Stem count not specified, Individual flower count not specified. Suggested flowers include, Roses, Gerbera and Hydrangea with small filler flowers and greenery. Hand tied in gift bag/box.
Gorgeous teddies to send with your flowers. (please note, only order teddies with other items. )
A beautiful Hand Tied of soft shaded flowers.
(Florist Choice) A delicious gift delivered as an addition to your floral gift. (Florist Choice) A delicious gift, that is only available as an addition to your flower order.
Front facing traditional basket of brightly coloured flowers; suitable for any occasion.
Quite simply a lovely gift to send for any occasion. *Please note, the cup container may vary. Quite simply a lovely gift to send for any occasion. *Please note, the cup container may vary. Please contact florist to guarantee a tea cup container. Pink Colour Scheme
Stunning hand tied in whites and creams suitable for any occasion. Handtied in water presented in a gift box/bag. Colours whites creams and greens.
Bursting with pink flowers and fabulous handtie including florists selection of stems. Stem Count not specified, individual flowers not specified. Suggested flowers are Gerbera, Lilys, Hydrangea in pinks with foliage.
Presentation style is a handtie out of water.
(Florist Choice) A soft toy gift available as an addition to your floral gift. Florist Choice soft toy.
Want to send something extra special? Lilies and Roses are the perfect combination. A hand tied of pink lilies and roses presented in a gift box/bag.
This pretty combination make this a perfect choice. Hand tied in water presented in a gift box or bag. Pink, white, green to include fillers. Suggested flowers Lilly, Rose and chrysanthemum's.
Hand tied collection of pink and white flower delivered in a vase. Pinks creams and whites. Arrangement style: hand tied arranged and delivered in a ceramic vase container. (Note container may vary)
Six luxurious red roses beautifully presented. Suggested Flowers - 6 60/70cm Standard Grade Red Roses (eg Upper Class) Gypsophelia, Aralian Leaves, Eucalyptus Cinerea, Salal
A classic design with a modern twist featuring bright bold red roses and other flowers placed in serene foliage. A classic design with a modern twist featuring bright bold red roses and exclusive spring flowers placed in serene foliage. Flowers may differ in depending on availability of flowers.
Choice flowers arranged in a basket make this the perfect complete gift. . Creams, yellow and white basket arrangement.
Luxurious natural green and white Hand Tied. Flowers: 3/4 Headed White Oriental Lily, White Roses Luxury Grade i.e Avalanche, White Germini, White Lizianthus, Green Xant Blooms, 50cm Aralia leaves, 70cm Aspidestra leaves, Eucalyptus Cinerea, Salal
A traditional presentation of seasonal flowers in pink and white. Stem count not specified, Individual flower content not specified. Suggested flower include Roses and lily, greenery and fillers. Traditional wrap.
A delightful basket arrangement of pinks, creams and purple mixed with complementary foliage. Stem count not specified, individual flowers not specified. Suggested flowers lillies, gerbera, rose's, lisianthus. Arrangement type; basket in Oasis. Basket container may vary.
Plants - subject to availability. Please check with florist.
A fabulous collection of white and cream flowers make this the perfect gift. Hand tied in water and presented in a gift box/bag colours whites and greens.
Red and pink roses and super foliage make this Hand Tied a special gift for any occasion.
Stem count not specified, individual flowers include red roses Colour scheme reds, pinks and greens. Handtied in water gift bag/box.
Soft shades make this elegant glass Vase of luxury flowers the perfect gift . A luxurious handtied of peach and cream vintage style flowers arranged in a vase.
A lovely bright flower hand tied to bring a smile. Pinks, Whites and Greens. Simple and beautiful.Stem Count not specified, individual flower content not specified. Suggested flowers include Gerbera, Carnation, Calla Lily, Chrysanthemum, and filler with foliage in pinks whites and greens. Presentation type is a Hand tie. Vase not included.
Fresh and bright. A pleasing colour selection suitable for any occasion. The florist will select yellows, whites and greens. Fresh and bright. The florist will select yellows, whites and greens to deliver a lovely hand tie bouquet. Flower delivery in UK by local florists.
A delightful fun additional treat delivered with your chosen floral gift.(You may request occasion) (Florist Choice) A delightful treat, delivered in addition to your flower order. Please note occasion requested.
A stunning sunny hand tied bouquet designed using vibrant yellows, greens, limes to make someone's day little brighter. Stem count not specified, individual flowers not specified Suggested flowers yellow roses, hypericum and mixed foliage's. Handtied in gift box/bag.
Bright sunshine flowers make this lovely bouquet perfect for any occasion. A collection of seasonal flowers in coordinated wrapping hand delivered by the professional local florist. A bouquet wrapped in your own choice of packaging. A collection of seasonal flowers - suggested flowers includes Germini, Phlox, Roses, Gyp, Lizianthus, Alstro.
A tasteful collection of seasonal flowers in coordinated wrapping. A beautiful fresh bouquet professionally arranged and delivered by the local florist. A perfect gift for any occasion. A bouquet wrapped in your own choice of packaging. A collection of seasonal flowers - suggested flowers includes germini, lisianthus, stocks, alstromeria, gypsophelia and foliage.
What better way to welcome a new baby than with floral Hugs and Kisses.Gift Bag, Oasis (Oasis Floral) Cellophane, Butterfly ( Whittingtons).
Flowers: Pink Rose, Lilac September, Pink Lizianthus, Green Carnation, Pink Germini, Mad Linzi Santini Chrusant, Ruskus, Eucalyptus Cinerea, Pink painted wigs, Salal
Make their day with this bright and vibrant collection of flowers, beautifully presented in a gift box / bag. A bright and vibrant mixture of flowers and foliage delivered in a box or bag.
A little gift for a new little boy. An arrangement of blue, lemon and white blooms.
Front facing arrangement in petite container flowers in blue, lemon and white. Suitable for birth of new born baby boy.
A floral creation for the new addition, made up of blooms in shades of pink and cream. Front facing arrangement in petite container with pink flowers. Suitable for birth of new born baby girl.
Bring the outdoors indoors with our Garden Breeze.
Suggested Flowers - A Hand Tied in water delivered in a box or bag.
Let her know you're thinking of her with this beautiful collection of florist fresh flowers, perfect for the occasion.
A hand-tied of mixed flowers and foliage delivered in a bag or box.
It's pretty. It's perfect. A floral basket overflowing with pastel-shaded picks.Basket, Ribbon, Butterfly's (whittingtons), Oasis (oasis Floral).
Flowers: Ruskus, Pittus, Eucalyptus Cinerea, Green Carnation, Pink Roser, Pink Gemini, Mad Linzi Santini Chrysant, Pink Spray Carnation, Lilac September, Pink Painted Twigs.
Available in a yellow colourway, this delightful arrangement is sure to put a smile on their face. A small container is lined with cellophane and filled with Oasis. Twigs are inserted into the foam and flowers and foliage arranged with added fabric ribbon.
Available in a pink colourway, this delightful arrangement is sure to put a smile on their face. A small container is lined with cellophane and filled with Oasis. Twigs are inserted into the foam and flowers and foliage arranged with added fabric ribbon.
Send good vibes with this funky colourful collection of flowers to brighten their day. A wonderful gift for many occasions. Hand-tied wrapped and presented as you wish.
A pretty collection of pastel flowers skilfully arranged in a delightful basket to deliver your message in a special way. A basket filled with a block of Oasis and mixed foliage with compact arrangement of
pastel shaded flowers. Fabric ribbon attached to the basket.
Say hello in style with this fabulous hand-tied. Why not take the opportunity to be spontaneous and surprise them today with a stunning flower delivery by their local florist.
Hand-tied wrapped and presented as you wish.
Suggested flowers: Roses, Antirrhinum, September, Astrantia, Alstroemeria, Santini, Chrysanthemum Spray.
Suggest foliage: Aralia and Pittosporum
Want to send something extra special this Christmas? Look no further! Suggested Flowers- 50cm Aralia leaves, White Santini, High grade Pink Rose, Pink Germini, Eringium, White Carnation, Gypsophila, Eucalyptus Cinnerea, Salal. UK Suppliers: Gift Box, Cellophane (Widdups) / Flowers (Heemskerk Flowers)
Energise their day with a stunning surprise. A warm collection of seasonal flowers artistically arranged by an artistic florist. Hand-tied wrapped and presented as you wish.
Suggested flowers: Spray Roses, Santini, Chrysanthemum Spray, Carnations, Antirrhinum, Germini, hypericum, Astrantia.
Suggested foliage: Pittosporum.
This classical stylish collection of flowers, make this hand tied the perfect gift. Professionally arranged and delivered by a local florist. Hand-tied wrapped and presented as you wish.
Suggested flowers: Carnations, Roses, Clematis, Lisianthus, Eryngium, September, Antirrhinum.
Suggest foliage: Aralia and Pittosporum.
This fresh and stylish gift of white oriental lilies will delight and impress. (Please keep away from cats!) Hand-tied wrapped and presented as you wish.
Suggested flowers: Oriental lilies. (Only white oriental lilies to be delivered).
Suggested foliage: Pittosporum, Bear Grass and Aralia.
This small but classical arrangement makes a lovely gift. Nothing to do but enjoy. Container: A arrangement in a small pot lined and filled with Oasis.
White flowers and foliage suitable for a lady or gents funeral. Stem count not specified, individual flowers not specified. Sheaf may include white calla lily and white roses finished with foliage. Presentation tied sheaf style flat bouquet.
A gift wrapped Orchid Plant ( Other plants available upon request)
Orchid plant gift wrapped to the value provided. Colour isn't specified unless requested by the customer.
A beautiful funeral tribute made with deluxe red roses. Stem count not specified, Individual flower count not specified. Red roses and mix of foliage in a coffin spray.
A soothing collection of Roses and Lilies delicately crafted and delivered by a professional florist. Hand-tied bouquet delivered in a Gift Box or Bag. Only Roses and Lilies to be delivered.
A small token of love, from your heart to theirs. A luxurious gift of 2 Red Roses. 2 red roses florist choice of arrangement in container in foam OR hand tied in vase.
Show the power of 'your' love by sending this exquisite arrangement to that special person in your life. Infused with red roses, tropical flowers and foliage, this stunning composition is all you need to show them how much they mean to you. This gift is arranged as a handtied in a water bubble.
Suggested flowers tropical such as Anthrium and red roses .
Suggested foliage Tropical , Aralia.
A romantic collection of roses and lilies hand-tied and delivered by a local florist. Only roses in pink and white and oriental lilies in either pink and / or white to be delivered in water. Wrapped and presented as you wish.
This beautiful collection of romantic flowers say "I love you" perfectly. A hand-tied in water to be wrapped and presented as appropriate. Mainly pink flowers to predominate, but florist must include a single high grade rose.
12 luxury red roses and fabulous foliage are the perfect way to say "I love you". 12 best quality red roses presented as a hand-tied in water with luxury foliage in a bag or box.
You guessed it. Not 5, but 6 fabulous red roses beautifully presented and delivered by a local florist. 6 red long stemmed roses to preferably include gypsophila (alternatives include wax flower), and choice foliage. Hand-tied and delivered in water, wrapped and presented as appropriate.


text:
The Time has Come for Marketers to Reconsider Their Channel Mix
The arrival of the digital era has provided marketers with an abundance of channels to connect with prospective customers. These breakthrough methods of communication certainly have their merits yet there is opportunity beyond online marketing. Email is now one of the most revered avenues to connect with customers. The challenge lies in getting those on your email list to open your messages and spend more than a couple seconds engaging with the content.
A Quick Look at GDPR
Companies far and wide are tasked with adapting to GDPR. This is an acronym that stands for General Data Protection Regulation. Adapting to the specifics of GDPR requires companies to critique their marketing strategy. This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of direct mail. GDPR is meant to return control over individual data back to everyday people. Though reaching full compliance certainly requires a considerable amount of effort and resources, compliance ultimately means transparency and improved customer relationships.
In the end, companies that adhere to the nuances of regulations will ultimately enjoy higher quality relationships with clients that prove mutually beneficial to both parties. However, GDPR is not the sole data regulation that will affect marketers. Once 2020 arrives, the ePrivacy Regulation will be in full force. This regulation establishes guidelines for digital marketing. Stay tuned to see how the details of this legislation impact direct mail marketing.
The Power of Direct Mail
Direct mail can be used in accordance with the rules established byGDPR. In fact, some consider direct mail to be just as effective as email marketing. A number of studies show direct mail really does resonate with the target audience, especially those in the millennial age cohort. Though some millennials seem to be handcuffed to their screens, the majority of these young adults react positively to a personal card, letter or other item received through traditional mail. The arrival of such an item is quite the refreshing surprise after receiving an influx of emails on a daily basis.
Direct mail is also attractive to marketers in that it presents an opportunity for brands to put their unique style and creativity on display. There is no exact dimension to fit or a specific space to fill as direct mailings can feature their own unique style. Companies that experiment with alterations to the size, shape and color of direct mail will find it is easier to establish inroads with prospective customers.
Consider "Viewability"
Viewability is a term that refers to the frequency and ease of viewing specific materials. Email marketing is rife with viewability shortcomings. The vast majority of marketing emails go unopened. Alternatively, two-thirds of direct mail transmissions are opened. The bottom line is people really do look forward to opening tangible mail as opposed to electronic mail.
So don't buy into the hype about consumers, especially young ones, always favoring electronic ads. Brands can make a meaningful impression on buyers of all ages and other demographic cohorts through a strategic direct mail marketing effort. The moral of this story is tangible items such as letters, postcards and boxes really do make a more meaningful impression on the human brain than electronic transmissions. Use both forms of communication in a highly strategic manner, diversify your channel mix and you will make the most of your marketing budget.


text: 2017-2018 Federal Budget Expert Analysis - Infrastructure 9 May 2017 0 comments Share Key points $75 billion in infrastructure funding and financing over the next 10 years Western Sydney Airport to be built Funding of Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project $10 billion National Rail Programme Establishment of a $472 million Regional Growth Fund to deliver job-creating infrastructure In an effort to create tens of thousands of new jobs, over $75 billion will be spent on critical transport infrastructure across Australia via a combination of grant funding, loans and equity investment. Major infrastructure projects include: Government owned Western Sydney Airport Corporation to be established to build and operate the new Western Sydney Airport $10 billion National Rail Program to better connect cities and regional areas $8.4 billion equity funding of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Project to provide a high-capacity freight link between Melbourne and Brisbane through regional Australia The Government will invest $1.6 billion towards a road and rail infrastructure package in Western Australia Upgrade of the Bruce Highway $1 billion committed for new and upgraded infrastructure in Victoria Supporting a major expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme. The Government will provide $472 million over four years to establish a Regional Growth Fund. The fund will provide grants for major transformational projects that support long term economic growth in regions undergoing structural adjustment. LexisNexis Capital Monitor Summary: The Treasurer has heeded calls from all sectors of society to invest in productive infrastructure. The Government has increased its infrastructure spending plans to $75 billion, up from $50 billion in last year's Budget. The cornerstone of infrastructure spending is a $20 billion investment in rail, including a $10 billion National Rail Program for urban and regional passenger rail projects, and $8.4 to build the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail. Federal BudgetTaxation


text:
St Andrews University Men's 1st XI lined up against Dundee in the BUCS Conference Cup final. Having already dispatched Abertay, Robert Gordon and Edinburgh 3s cumulatively 23-2 to reach the final, and beaten Dundee 12-2 and 6-0 in the league, the Saints entered the game confident of securing a result. The game ended up being more of a formality, as the Saints romped to a 9-0 victory.
In unseasonably hot weather, the game was not as sluggish as might have been expected, with the Saints dictating a quick tempo, which Dundee struggled to cope with, with Lee, Hogarth and Jervis controlling the midfield. The Saints were quick to assert their dominance, with Guy Rowson netting within the first minute. From then on, Dundee struggled to prevent the incoming flood. A well worked long corner saw the Saints win a penalty stroke, the umpire judging a Dundee defender to have used excessive physicality to deny Stoddart a direct scoring opportunity. Rowson dispatched the flick into the top left corner, to give the Saints a comfortable 2-0 lead. Comfortably in control, the Saints gradually increased the pressure on the Dundee defence, with Jack Hogarth pouncing on a rebound, before Rowson added a further two goals, the first from a broken down short corner, the second from a well worked short corner, seemingly straight off the training ground. With Hogarth adding another, the Saints entered half time seemingly with the job done leading 6-0.
Early in the second half Rowson added his fifth, before wasting a golden chance for his double hat-trick. Dundee slowly edged back into the game after a series of clumsy tackles from Rory Hardie earned him a 10 minute spell in the sin bin, but, even with a man advantage, never posed a serious threat. Solid defending from Trimble, Simpson, Jamie Hogarth and Bull kept goalkeeper Hawken's afternoon quiet. With the Saints back up to eleven men, Dundee's mild resurgence abruptly halted. After deflecting a ball shelled across the face of the goal into the goalkeeper, Cawthray-Stern aggressively rifled home for the Saints eighth, before Rowson flicked home his sixth between the Dundee goalkeepers legs with five minutes to go. The score line could, and perhaps should, have reached double figures, with the Saints wasting a succession of short corners and poacher Jamie Stoddart spurned a chance from a few yards out, a range he is usually so clinical from.
Presented with medals, it was a fantastic way for leavers Josh Lee, Aidan Thomson, Jack Hogarth, Jamie Stoddart, Guy Rowson and Chris Jervis to sign off their BUCS hockey careers with St Andrews.
Captain Aidan Thomson said, "We set ourselves the task early doors of getting promoted back to BUCS 1A and are happy that we've achieved that, this cup was an added bonus. Hopefully next year the team can push on and continue this success at the next level. We look forward to our upcoming Scottish Plate semi-final against Dunfermline Carnegie at Glasgow National Hockey Centre on the 27th of April."
Six goal hero Guy Rowson commented, "I'm very proud to have finished my time with the club on such a high – great to leave on a cup final win, and it was the icing on the cake to get some goals in there too. I'd like to dedicate my performance to my hockey heroes who not only inspire me everyday to become a better player, but also a better human being: Chris Moon, Duncan Rudd and Tom Litchfield."
Director of Hockey Jamie Carnegie added, "A great game for the leavers to finish off their BUCS University careers. Overall it was a great event hosted by Scottish Student Sport where the team played good possession hockey, took their chances and enjoyed themselves on a great day in St Andrews. With the Men's 1st and Women's 4th XIs comfortably winning their BUCS leagues, the Men's 1st and 2nd XIs reaching the semi-finals of national club cup competitions and over 240 club members, hockey at St Andrews is thriving. "Bu


text:
Pediatric care is vital for proper growth and development in children of all ages. Dr. Gonzalo Martinez is a family medicine and medical aesthetics specialist who helps prevent, diagnose, and treat health issues specific to children. Call his office at Joshua Medical Group in Palmdale, California to learn more or book an appointment online.
Pediatric care is medical care for babies, children, and teens that addresses their unique needs. Pediatrics care includes annual well-child checks to screen for problems in growth and development, treat health conditions, and offer immunizations for disease prevention.
Dr. Martinez determines how often your child needs a well-child checkup based on their unique needs. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children come in for wellness checks at the following times to ensure proper growth and development:
If your child needs a sports or school physical, this examination can be done during well-child visits.
During a well-child check, sports physical, or school physical, Dr. Martinez reviews your child's medical history and completes a head-to-toe physical examination. He'll check your child's:
Dr. Martinez prescribes medications as needed for health conditions and reviews your child's immunization options.
Immunizations help prevent severe health problems, as in the case of the HPV vaccine, which reduces cervical cancer risks. Dr. Martinez reviews your child's recommended immunization schedule with you so that you can decide which immunizations (if any) are best.
Common childhood vaccines include chicken pox, flu, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HPV, meningococcal, DTaP, Hib, MMR, pneumococcal, polio, rotavirus, Tdap, and tetanus vaccines. Some parents choose to space out vaccines farther apart than what's commonly recommended.
When you're ready for your child's next wellness visit, school physical, or sports physical, call Joshua Medical group to book an appointment or schedule one online with Dr. Martinez.


text:
7 Maintenance Tips to get your Motorcycle prepared for Long Trips
Modified On Apr 2, 2020 By Sameer Sheikh
We are less than a week away from the biggest biking festival of the country, the India Bike Week 2016. Most of the biking enthusiasts eagerly wait for this time of the year, when they get a chance to meet their biker brothers. The best part about this fest is that it is not just limited to India, but people from across the globe ride to the party capital, Goa. Most of the people have already initiated their journey, but there are some who are still thinking of riding to the place. Yeah, it might be your first long road trip and might raise many questions in your mind and yes, it is not gonna be as easy as it sounds, but worry not, here, we have listed 7 things that will help you to get your motorcycle ready for long tours.
1. Know Your Motorcycle
First and the foremost thing one needs to know while riding a motorcycle is to understand the motorcycle itself. This not just includes the carrying out maintenance work, but also how you ride it. One needs to learn to apply brakes calmly, to accelerate steadily and turn smoothly. Feel it, listen to it and notice the way it sounds on the road. If you can understand your motorcycle like your best buddy, you would be able to realise the upcoming issues that might come in no time.
2. Lubrication
Another important factor you need to go through before initiating your journey is to check the engine oil. You need to find out whether the engine oil is in good condition, in fact you should get it checked with an expert to know if it is suitable enough for the long motorcycle ride. After all, it is rightly said, "engine oil is a blood-life of motorcycle". A good condition lubricant plays a vital role in keeping the engine run smoothly. Depending on the motorcycle, you choose to go with, you could upgrade to a semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil, as these go well with both hot and cold temperature.
3. Clean the Air Filter
Make sure to clean the air filter of the motorcycle before starting your trip. There are times when you will be riding through the dusty and dirty environment that allows foreign abrasives like dust and dirt at the valves, internal bearings and cylinders. Therefore, do remember to check the filter, clean it or replace it.
4. Take a look on Drivetrain
Most of the time, the clean air filter and fresh oil will the keep motorcycle engine and transmission doing the right job, but this is not the complete mechanical make-up for the bike. Depending on the drivetrain you are running on, you would need to keep checking the chain stretch, sprocket wear, belt cracking and the oil available in the shaft housing.
5. Battery & Electricals
Just like we need to keep our energy level up, the battery of the motorcycle needs to be charged when required. Every time you use a self starter or apply brake lever or pedal, the battery loses its power. Make sure to check the battery, before leaving your place as you might not get service station in between. Also, you can opt for maintenance free battery.
Make sure to get the electricals of the motorcycle check with the experts. The headlight, tail lamps and the side blinkers need to be in proper condition.
6. Wheel Alignment and Tyre Pressure
Wheel Alignment and Tyre pressure are amongst the key factors that need to taken care of while going for a long ride. Proper alignment of wheel helps to reduce tyre wear and ensures that the wheel travel is straight and true.
Keeping the optimum pressure plays a key role to return decent fuel economy. The only time you need to reduce tyre pressure is while riding through sandy or slippery roads, which allow the tyres to get a wider contact patch and brings better grip. Do remember to check the tyre condition whether it is good for the long trip or not.
7. Brakes should be checked twice or thrice
People often ride fast while on highways, but there is no point of going fast if you cannot stop it in time. Motorcycle trips are full of uncertainties, hence, you need to get the brakes check properly. Proper brakes can help you to ignore many of the collisions and also make sure to have optimum fluid in the brake fluid canister.


text:
Do you want to stop The Taxman getting his greedy paws on 33% of your inheritance?
Or do you want to stop him stealing one-third of your children's inheritance?
If you've answered yes to either, you've come to the right place.
In the following article I'm going to explain how you can easily prepare for inheritance tax in Ireland.
If you know how much your tax liability is and would just like a quote then complete this form. If you'd like me to calculate your liability, scroll down to the bottom of the page 👇
Let's start with the basics…
CAT is not a tax we come across every day so don't worry if you're not familiar with it.
CAT can be broken down into two types of tax
This article is to help you plan for a future, unavoidable inheritance tax bill. Death and taxes as the fella says
If you're a spouse or civil partner taking an inheritance from your deceased spouse or civil partner, you don't pay inheritance tax.
Everybody else is liable for inheritance tax.
If the value of the asset you receive is under your threshold (see below), its tax-free. Anything above your threshold is taxed at 33%.
Here's how much inheritance tax is due for you and your sibling if you inherit assets of €1.5m from your parents. Remember assets comprises anything of value so property, jewellery, cars, savings, investment etc.
Assuming you haven't received any gifts from your parents in your lifetime, you face an inheritance tax bill of €145,200 each.
And this €145,200 will have to be paid in cash to the Revenue without delay. Should you inherit between January and August, you have to pay by October 31st! If you inherit between September and December, you have to pay the inheritance tax bill by 31st August the following year.
If the bill isn't settled, penalties and interest are charged immediately. The Revenue will be sympathetic if you can't pay the bill and they may come to some deferred arrangement but eventually you will have to pay up €145,200 each.
The first thing you need to do is to get the market value of the inheritance on the date of death.
Let's say you are being left an asset worth €750,000 as above
From this €750,000 you subtract your "threshold". This is how much you can receive tax-free.
Check this table for your threshold:
For arguments sake, let's say you're a daughter of the deceased and you have not received a previous inheritance from your parents.
Your threshold is €310,000 (Update 09/10/2018 €320,000 in Budget 2019)
So let's subtract €310,000 from the €750,000 inheritance. This leaves a taxable inheritance of €440,000.
You must pay 33% inheritance tax on €440,000 so you're faced with an immediate inheritance tax bill of €145,200!
Do you have €145,200 in cash?
If you don't, you may have to sell your house, settle the inheritance tax bill and then make do with whatever cash remains.
It would be a whole lot easier if there was an insurance policy in place that would pay out €145,200 allowing you to take the full €750,000 tax free.
Using the example above, imagine you received a previous inheritance of €100,000 from your parents. This would reduce your threshold from €310,000 to €210,000 giving a taxable inheritance of €290,000. Your inheritance tax bill of 33% would now be €95,700
Once you have used up your full threshold, you're hit with a 33% bill on all further inheritances from that group.
On the death of the first parent, arrange for the surviving parent to receive everything as it's tax-free.
The children should inherit on the second death only.
There are 4 reliefs you can use to lower your inheritance tax liability:
The relief operates by reducing the market value of 'agricultural or business property' * by 90%, so that inheritance tax is calculated on an amount – which is substantially less than the market value.
A stay at home child, provided they have lived in the property for three years, remain there after the inheritance and don't own other property will be exempt from capital acquisitions tax provided these conditions are complied with.
When this relief applies, a niece nephew can be treated as a child and get the higher threshold of €280,000. See here for conditions.
Anyone can receive €3,000 per year from anyone tax-free. But be careful if you are gifting this to a child.
Some people deposit €3000 into a savings policy for the child every year.
This may not work as Revenue could just offer apply one €3000 exemption when the policy matures.
The safest way to use the €3,000 annual gift exemption is to deposit it into a current account in the name of the child each year with a direct debit coming from the child's account to fund the savings policy.
Similarly writing a savings policy in trust for a child is not the best way to do it. Revenue may see it as a delayed one time gift and allow only one €3000 exemption.
Ok, now you know how inheritance tax works, how can you use life insurance to pay your inheritance tax bill?
That's what we'll look at now.
In a previous article I covered inheritance tax for unmarried couples.
That's worth a read…go ahead, I'll wait for you to come back.
One thing I didn't mention in that post is in relation to mortgage protection for unmarried couples. To reduce your inheritance tax liability here, you should take out two single life policies. You pay your partner's premiums, s/he pays your premiums.
see here for FAQ on S72 insurance
This was previously known as a Section 60 policy.
A S72 life assurance policy is a Revenue approved whole of life policy, the proceeds of which are tax-free if used to pay an inheritance tax bill.
In other words, money flows through the policy tax-free to pay an inheritance tax bill.
This policy allows you to plan for an inheritance tax liability so that on death, this policy will pay your inheritance tax bill.
So the beneficiary (e.g. your children) will receive the full inheritance tax free.
You can but the proceeds will be taxed at 33% before they can be used to pay the inheritance tax bill.
Firstly you have to estimate the amount of inheritance tax you will need to cover. This is an inexact science as the market value of your assets, the group thresholds and the inheritance tax rate itself may change in the future. The best you can give is an educated guess.
Scroll down and I can help you figure this out.
You then buy a policy for that amount in the name of the person leaving the inheritance.
The policy holder must be the person leaving the inheritance.
A joint policy between married couples or civil partner can be set up to payout on the second death so on the first death, the spouse will receive the assets tax-free. On the second death, there may be an inheritance tax liability for the beneficiaries. The S72 policy will pay this liability allowing the beneficiaries to take their inheritance tax free.
Yes, as follows:
Yes, this is common where the parents cannot afford the life insurance premiums, It's only fair the children pay the premiums as they will get the benefit of a tax-free inheritance.
The child will pay the premiums and therefore will be the owner of the policy. As owner of the policy, the child will receive the proceeds tax-free to pay the inheritance tax.
You will have to prove to the insurance company that there is a financial need for such as policy as normally a child cannot insure the life of a parent. This can be done by showing a copy of thw will to the insurance company.
Alternatively, the child or children can gift €3000 per year tax free to their parent's bank account. The parents can direct the direct debit to come from that account.
That's a pretty comprehensive look at how you can use a S72 life insurance to pay an inheritance tax bill.
Inheritance tax is unavoidable, so you should prepare for it now while you're in good health (and under 75). The premiums will never be cheaper.
If you'd like some help calculating your inheritance tax liability, complete the "ask a question" below and I'll be right back.
I'll need to know:
If you'd prefer to discuss this over the phone, I'm on 05793 20836.
Alternatively, here's a nifty calculator where you can DIY:
057 93 20836
Ask a question
Have a nose through our free guidesView our guides
We're an online life insurance broker. We compare life insurance quotes for mortgage protection, life insurance, specified illness cover and income protection from all 6 leading life insurance companies in Ireland, instantly and anonymously.Watch our video


text:
Nintendo Entertainment System: Now you are playing with power.
It's very likely that had Nintendo not created the NES, you wouldn't be playing games today. See, the games industry crashed spectacularly in 1983, largely because companies released a slew of rubbish games – such as ET on the Atari 2600 which was so bad that all the unsold copies were buried under concrete in a desert (no, really) – and subsequently went bankrupt. No one bought games because there was nothing good to buy, and videogaming was about to be dismissed as a passing fad.
The future of videogames looked bleak. The catastrophic crash of 1984 had wiped out or severely weakened all the major home videogame companies, and home computers were becoming more and more popular. It seemed as if the home videogame system would become a thing of the past.
After the crash, only two companies were making any serious effort at selling videogames. INTV (the company that owned the rights to the Intellivision) and a Japanese company named Nintendo. Nintendo started out in 1889 as a playing card company and started getting into videogames in the early '80s, producing hits like Donkey Kong and Mario Bros. Their Famicom (FAMIly COMputer) videogame system had done pretty well in Japan, selling 2.5 million systems in 1984. After negotiations with Atari to sell the Famicom in the U.S. fell through, Nintendo decided to release the system in the States on their own in 1985, ignoring the weak videogame market and the recent crash.
It was all looking grim for our favorite pastime until Nintendo's Masayuki Uemura designed the Nintendo Family Computer (or Famicom for short), an 8-bit console that played cartridge-based games. The Famicom, released on 15 July 1983 in Japan, ended up selling over 2.5 million units by the end of 1984. It was, to put it mildly, a success.
Selling the system to American retailers wasn't easy. Most were hesitant to buy videogame systems after the crash of the entire market just a year ago, and didn't want to get burned. So Nintendo took steps to make the system seem less like a videogame system and more like a computer or a VCR. They called the U.S. version of the Famicom the Nintendo Entertainment System, and designed it to look less like a videogame console and more like something that would fit in with other home entertainment appliances. Nintendo even agreed to buy back all unsold inventory in order to get retailers to take a chance on them. The system was originally targeted for release in spring '85, but the release date was pushed back. After test-marketing in the New York City area in late fall, the system was released nationwide in February, 1986.
In all, the NES sold over 60 million units worldwide – an unbelievable number when you consider it means that one in every 100 people in the world bought one. Let that sink in…
The NES's main competitors were two other 8-bit consoles. The first was the Sega Master System. Released in the U.S. in 1986, it was a superior gaming experience with a higher processor that allowed for better graphics and sound. While it sold in the United States and Japan, the Sega Master System's only real success was in European markets. Nintendo's other competitor was Atari. The company had originally reached out to Atari with the interest of reviving the video game industry together. However, Atari did not comply and released its own console to compete with Nintendo. Atari's 7800 intended to right the company's prior failure with their 5200 console. However, the console was first released during the video game crash. It was re-released in 1986, but the NES was so popular by this point that it stole all of Atari's sales. There seemed to be no place for Atari's system. Both the Atari 7800 and the NES were built with a chip (Nintendo's was called the 10NES) that prevented unauthorized software from being played on their consoles.
Nintendo had learned from the mistakes of its predecessors, and instituted a very strict licensing system for third-party game developers (see below). This helped prevent the over-saturation of the software market which had brought about the '84 crash.
Ironically (if you're familiar with the Nintendo 64), Nintendo promised a disk drive add-on for the NES in time for Christmas 1986. It was never released in the States. The Famicom version of the drive did come out in Japan, but it never gained much of a following.
Throughout the late '80s, the NES enjoyed tremendous popularity, blowing all the other systems away and playing a prominent role in the lives of many American and Japanese adolescents. Nintendo ruled over its empire with an iron fist, heavily controlling advertising, distribution, production, and pricing. Retailers that sold unlicensed games or charged lower prices were threatened or had their shipments withheld. Their tactics led to many lawsuits and investigations by the Federal Trade Commission.
As the 1990s began, Nintendo found itself threatened by next-generation 16-bit consoles like the TurboGrafx-16 and the Genesis, but the NES was still the best selling system on the market. Regardless, the NES was beginning to show its age, so in 1991 Nintendo announced that the Super NES would be released that September. Unfortunately, the SNES would not be compatible with the NES and NES owners began to wonder how much support their system would receive after the SNES was released. Fortunately, Nintendo didn't drop support for the 8-bit system completely, which was a smart move considering the SNES's slow start.
Strangely, the SNES and the NES had only a $10 price difference throughout 1992. This encouraged people to buy the SNES, since it was only $10 more.
Nintendo released the NES 2 in 1993. It was a smaller, cheaper version of the original NES in a more SNESish case with a standard cartridge slot (instead of the "zero insertion force" slot in the original NES which was very dirt-prone and easy to break). Nintendo pushed the system for the upcoming Christmas season for $49.
Support for the NES dwindled as the SNES's popularity grew. Nintendo officially discontinued the NES in 1995.
In the end, the NES had sold over 62 million systems and over 500 million games, making it the most popular videogame system in history, up to that time.
Today, the NES lives on as many of its games are available over the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console service.
The NES had some really great games: the Super Mario Bros., Zelda, Contra, Dragon Warrior,Final Fantasy, Mega Man and Castlevania series… Metroid, Punch-Out!!, River City Ransom… the list goes on and on.
Although Nintendo supposedly had a strict licensing policy (only games with the "Nintendo Seal of Quality" could be sold legally), many games were merely mediocre clones or crappy licensed games. Nintendo's "Seal of Quality" wasn't a measure of how good the game was, the seal just meant that the company had paid a licensing fee and that the game didn't contain adult content. Nintendo censored all U.S. releases, removing questionable words or adultish content. While this protected Nintendo's image, it effectively alienated its over-13 market. Nintendo also had strict third-party programming policies for many years: if you programmed for Nintendo, you only programmed for Nintendo. This policy helped kill off most of the NES's early competitors, like the SMS. Companies were also limited to releasing two games a year, and Nintendo manufactured all NES cartridges themselves to control production (this hurt them greatly during the 1988 chip shortage, and the practice was discontinued in 1990). Those types of policies were later changed due to government pressure.
Getting around Nintendo's strict policies was tough, but the pirate NES market overseas was huge. Pirates usually sold "multicarts," cartridges with many games on one cartridge, but some pirates made completely new games (like Somari) and even ports of popular arcade games (such as Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat). In America, it was much harder to distribute unlicensed NES software, but Tengen, a subsidiary of Atari Games and former Nintendo licensee, announced in 1988 that it had bypassed Nintendo's "lockout chip" and planned to manufacture and distribute its games independently. The lockout chip was Nintendo's method of controlling what NES-compatible games were manufactured. A microchip inside the NES prevented all cartridges from functioning unless they contained a similar chip. Since this "authenticating processor" was a Nintendo patent, only Nintendo could legally provide the component to companies who wished to produce NES-compatible cartridges. After Tengen's announcement, Nintendo sued Atari Games for copyright infringement, claiming that Tengen had illegally copied the lockout chip technology. The case wasn't settled until 1991, when the courts decided in favor of Nintendo. In the meantime, Tengen released several decent NES games, including Toobin', Gauntlet, and Pac-Man.
Another company called Color Dreams figured out how to bypass Nintendo's lockout chip in 1989. Due to a legal loophole (by bypassing the chip, they didn't infringe on any copyrights), Color Games was free to make NES games and sell them at a lower cost (because they didn't have to pay high licensing fees to Nintendo). Unlike Tengen, Color Dreams' games really sucked and not many retailers would carry them because of threats from Nintendo. So Color Dreams looked to God for help… literally. The company changed their name to Wisdom Tree and focused on producing religion-themed games such as Sunday Funday, Bible Buffet,Spiritual Warfare, and Bible Adventures. These games sucked… well, biblically.
There are hundreds of NES games (perhaps over a thousand counting pirates and overseas titles). There are tons of great games, and tons of games that are alarmingly bad. Besides the legendary series almost everybody knows, gamers should check out R.C. Pro-Am, theNinja Gaiden series, Blaster Master, Rygar… we could go on and on. Most games by Konami, Capcom, and Codemasters are good for hours of fun. Meanwhile, try to avoid games by Color Dreams, T*HQ, and Action Hi-Tech (unless you'd like a good laugh).


text:
Training scheme deadline this week
Applications for the Guild's John Deere-sponsored training scheme for new entrants to agricultural and horticultural journalism close at the end of this week – Friday, June 3. See News on the Guild website for more details.
Bangers 'n' Beer at the Cereals Event
The Guild's popular Bangers 'n' Beer reception on the first day of the Cereals Event (Wednesday, June 15) is on again this year, thanks to the generous support of sponsors.
The excellent sausages (and soft drinks) come courtesy of Bayer CropScience; Limagrain supplies bottled beer and Gleadell will provide strawberries and cream. Thanks also go to Haymarket Events for providing the venue.
Running from 5.00pm to 6.30pm in the Arable Conference Centre (where key topics will be explored during the day in sessions organised by the Oxford Farming Conference), the reception provides a great opportunity to wind down and relax with colleagues and fellow Guild members while the car parks begin to clear. Let's just hope it is third time lucky with the weather!
The Farmers Club breakfast
Guild members are also invited to start the second day of the event (Thursday, June 16) with a hearty Farmers Club bacon roll and hot drink (just £5 per head) at 8.30am in the same venue. Farmers Club vice-chairman Paul Heygate, managing director of Heygate Mills, and Heygate's chief wheat buyer, George Mason, will speak at this networking event.
The Heygate Group has seven flour mills on three sites in Hertfordshire and Norfolk, processing more than 400,000 tonnes of wheat each year and producing more than 5500 tonnes of flour every week. The Animal Feed division produces more than 100,000 tonnes annually.
BBC calling for food security stories
Producers of Countryfile, who are also responsible for the BBC's coverage of other food and farming programming, have expressed a strong interest in good 'food security' stories, reports Guild deputy chairman Jane Craigie.
She says: "Through my involvement with the Oxford Farming Conference, I have had been talking to the Countryfile producers, who said BBC executives would run a food security feature a week if they had enough material.
"This seems a great opportunity for Guild members to offer some farming focused leads, commentary and content. In doing so, it would also help build a dialogue with these programmers and show the immense value of journalists and communicators within our sector."
Contact Jane by email (email@example.com) with any strong leads/angles and she will liaise with the BBC production team.
Under 35s training event
The first meeting for 'Under 35s' members of the Guild will be held on Friday, July 1 at 2.30pm to 6pm in the Farmers Club for a professional development workshop on video production and presentation skills. Contact organiser Julie Mate for details.
Year Book updates
Peter Hall, Farming Editor of Western Morning News and winner of the Guild's 2010 Stuart Seaton regional journalism award, is also filling the same role on Western Daily Press following Chris Rundle's retirement. As a result, Peter is now compiling six-page and eight-page Farming sections covering news in an area that extends from Stow-in-the-Wold, Gloucestershire to Land's End. His contact details remain as in the current Year Book.
Guild member Richard Whiskard's Four Seasons Publicity agency has been appointed to handle media relations for Bomford Turner, the Evesham, Worcs-based maker of vegetation control machinery, and Irish farm equipment manufacturer HiSpec Engineering, which specialises in diet feeders and slurry/manure handling equipment. Richard can supply product information and images, and user-story leads, for both companies.
Ipswich-based journalist Guild member James Lane is working freelance once more. He can be contacted by mobile 07807 153128 or via his email@example.com email address.
Roger Abbott has taken over as editor of Pig International from Mark Clements. His email address for the post is email@example.com but he will continue to edit Energy Now, the renewable energy magazine for farmers and landowners now in its fourth year, for which he can be contacted using his email@example.com email address.
Guild member, Steve Mitchell and his wife Adrienne, who run the ASM PR agency, have a new home email address (email@example.com). They emphasise that work email addresses are unchanged.
W A (Jimmy) James
Long-standing members of the Guild will be sorry to learn of the death of former Guild Chairman (in 1972), Treasurer and Senior Fellow, W A (Jimmy) James. He was in his 90s and resident in a care home in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. As agricultural editor of the East Midland Allied Press Group for a number of years in the 1970s and '80s, Jimmy – with his bushy moustache and hand-tied bow tie – was a familiar figure at agricultural shows and events. He was a colourful character who will be missed by those who knew him and worked alongside him in what are often referred to as the 'halcyon days' of farming journalism.
Jobs & Recruitment
Vacant positions are mentioned in Guild eAlerts as a service to members but a recruitment advertising service is also available to organisations that wish to put full details about a post in front of the Guild's 440 members involved in journalism and commercial communications. More details about this service are available on the website here.
Guild member Mike Stones says William Reed Business Media has a number of editorial vacancies at its Montpellier offices and in Asia. Namely: Senior Editor, Food Team Europe; and Online editor in Asia. The company also has positions for Interns in the Food Processing & Packaging Team and Food Team Europe.
Farmers Guardian has appointed a new machinery reporter. James Rickard can be contacted by email james.rickard@ubmcom or telephone – 01772 799496.
International matters
The international organisation that provides a myriad of professional development and other opportunities to Guild members and their overseas colleagues around the world is conducting a survey to help direct its future role and development.
The Guild's affiliation to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists costs €7 per member and entitles the Guild to have a representative at the executive committee meetings held during the year.
All manner of things are covered in the survey. All responses will be reviewed by the Guild's IFAJ representative Joe Watson to help provide an overall response in time for discussion at the 2011 Congress in Canada.
Registration for any Guild member wishing to attend this event closes on June 15 and the organisers have just published their last newsletter, which focuses on the optional pre- and post-Congress tours that provide additional insight into Canadian agriculture and rural life.
On the website News pages ……
Regular reunion for Farmer & Stockbreeder staff
Farming titles among award finalists
New editor at Farm Business
Church honour for Brian Chester
Send in your news Please send any career news, publication/website launches or redesigns, agency appointments, award wins and campaigns, etc, to website and eAlerts editor Peter Hill.


text:
{Photo by Dragonfly Photo}
As you are reading this I am somewhere out on the open road making my way from New Jersey to beautiful Los Angeles! While I had hoped to get a few posts done for you to enjoy while I was driving these 3,000 miles, time just wasn't on my side this week.
I am headed out to Los Angeles to work on a few fun projects that I hope I will get to share with you all this summer! But in the mean time, since I'm in that road trip sorta mood, make sure you don't miss my cross-country road trip inspired wedding post from a few weeks ago!
I will be back in full blogging force from the west coast, Monday May 24th! And if you're lucky, I may be updating a few times this week with our cross country ventures!
{A little peak at our route!}
See you on the other side of the country!
Aspiring to Inspire,


text:
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in
a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be
like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Labyrinth Ministry Team is to maintain and promote use of our labyrinth, A Place Of Grace. We also accept special prayer requests. Our current team includes: Peggy & Dennis Buckless, Sharon Carletti, Nancy Fox, Cathy Jacobs, Gina McCall, Claire Miller, Betty Murphy, and Lisa Duerling, Chair. If, after reading through the below information, you are interested in becoming a part of this ministry, please contact Lisa Duerling at 410.615.8640, or speak to any team member at church. We welcome you and your ideas and suggestions and we encourage you, your family and friends to take advantage of this beautiful space; after all it is right in our own backyard! On behalf of Pastor Lesley M. Radius and the Labyrinth Ministry Team, we welcome you to come, see, walk, and find peace!
Events Held at the Labyrinth
911 Memorial, Healing and Prayer Service
A gathering service to remember and honor the precious lives lost during the tragic attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. A total of 2,977 people were killed in New York City, Washington, DC and outside of Shanksville, PA. More than 6,000 others were injured.
Health and Healing Workshop
Participants explored together closer communication with the Lord and learned how to heal with meditation and reflection, experienced walking in prayer, learned breathing and centering techniques, and prayed using scriptures.
Sunday School Classes
During varying times throughout the Sunday School year, many of our younger children participated in learning about the labyrinth and then walked it with their teachers.
World Labyrinth Day
World Labyrinth Day-May 4, 2019:
Did you know there is a World Labyrinth Day? Yes, this special day is a year away but the Labyrinth Ministry Team is already beginning to make plans for the day. World Labyrinth Day is held the first Saturday in May and is commonly referred to as "Walk as One at 1 Day." Over 5,000 people in at least 35 countries celebrated the 10th Annual World Labyrinth Day in 2018 by walking their respective labyrinths at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon. The Labyrinth Society, promoter of this event, has set a goal to have 50 countries and all 50 USA states represented in 2019! Please remember to check our website in early 2019 for more information and details about our plans to Walk as One at 1 on May 4, 2019!
Labyrinth Formation
In the fall of 2016, we received a request from two mathematics experts [David Thompson and Diana Cheng] to visit the labyrinth and explore its use in the development of a mathematical project and for conducting a workshop for school children on the mathematics of labyrinths at the 2016 Joint Mathematics Meeting. David Thompson is a high school math teacher at Digital Harbor High School in Baltimore City and Diana Cheng is an assistant professor of mathematics at Towson University. Photographs and figures for this project were completed by Robert Burgee and Rebecca Butcher. The final project was published in MATHEMATICS TEACHER, Vol. 110, No. 4 – November 2016.
Help & Donations are Always Welcomed!
There is a continuous need for upkeep of the labyrinth pathways and surrounding gardens and area. If you would like to help, please contact Lisa Duerling at 410.615.8640, email@example.com, or call the Church Office at 410.665.1234. This is a great opportunity for middle and high school youth to earn community service hours! If you know of any student who needs hours and enjoys working outside, please tell them about it and share our contact information!
And, it goes without saying that we always welcome donations of perennial flowers, plants and/or ornamental grasses for our two main gardens. Please keep this need in mind when thinning out your gardens or shopping for new additions to your gardens.
St. John's Labyrinth
St. John's Lutheran Church, a pillar in the Parkville community for over 125 years and located at 8808 Harford Road, completed construction of its labyrinth in the summer of 2013. The labyrinth was officially dedicated and opened for use in October, 2013. Ample parking is available on our church parking lot. All are welcome to use our labyrinth during daylight hours.
Our labyrinth is listed on the web, under The Labyrinth Society's World Wide Labyrinth Locator, https://labyrinthlocator.com. Feel free to explore this site for information on other labyrinths in our immediate area and in other areas around the world!
Labyrinth FAQs
What exactly is a labryrinth?
A labyrinth is an ancient resource to help people center their lives and become open to God's presence and voice. Original labyrinths have been in existence for over 4,000 years and predate Christianity. Christians began using labyrinths in churches and cathedrals in The Middle Ages. Labyrinths are usually single pathways that lead to the center of the pattern and then back out by retracing the same path. Unlike a maze, one cannot become lost or trapped in a labyrinth.
Our labyrinth is of a more simple design based on the Traditional Classic Seven-Path. The labyrinth area is a 48-foot diameter circle; all paths within this circle are 34 inches in width – specifically designed to accommodate the wheelchair dependent and those with mobility limitations.
What is a labyrinth used for?
The labyrinth is a path for prayer, reflection and meditation. It invites the walker to set aside the cares of our busy world and to enter into A Place Of Grace. It is a quiet, peaceful setting outside the four walls of a church. All are welcome to use our labyrinth…from our St. John's members – including our youth and younger children – to individuals and their families, other churches and small groups in the surrounding Parkville community. Walking the labyrinth allows you to discover something about yourself and God; it mirrors the twists and turns in life. The best way to learn about it is to walk it – with an open heart and an open mind. There is no right or wrong way to walk the path. Just relax and enjoy the experience. If you haven't already done so, give it a try. You may be surprised at how empowered you feel after your walk!
There are many ways to use the labyrinth for prayer. Here are a few suggestions for you to consider and use: Walking Prayer of Letting Go; Walking Prayer of Healing; Contemplative Prayer; and Meditation. A brochure is available at the labyrinth for those interested in these prayer techniques. Large print brochures are also available for your convenience. Look for the Info Box™ attached to the sign post at the labyrinth's entrance.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all
Special Prayer Requests Ministry
As previously mentioned, the Labyrinth Ministry Team started a new prayer ministry in conjunction with promoting use of the labyrinth. Our very own St. John's member, Lou Carletti, made the beautiful blue Prayer Box for this new ministry. If you would like our team to pray for you and your needs, all you have to do is write them down on the index cards provided and drop them in the Prayer Box. The Prayer Box can be found in the hallway outside of church, along with index cards and pens! We collect these requests weekly and lift up you/your concerns in prayer to God during the month in which they were received. You do not have to provide your name or other personal information if it makes you uncomfortable. Prayer requests can be specific or general and anonymous. Feel free to place prayer requests in our Prayer Box as often as you like.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
8808 Harford Road | Parkville, MD 21234
Phone: 410-665-1234 | Pastoral Emergency: 443-844-9314
Email: email@example.com
© All Rights Reserved.
Created by Website Support