Army Xmas

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 458, 20 October 1992, Page 15

Army Xmas

By Jan Savell This week Waiouru will be gearing up for the festive season with the start of a programme of morning activities at the Information and Drop In Centre, all geared towards Christmas. The classes were the idea of Denise Lenihan, social worker for Waiouru. She saw people in need of help with basic homemaking skills and budget saving ideas. Diane Tews, coordinator for daily activities, has taken that idea and come up with an innovative programme of free classes to be held at the Centre between 10am and noon. "The holiday season is almost upon us so we started with ideas that were Christmas orientated. We have lots of inexpensive things to make and do for Christmas," said Diane Tews. Topics for the morning sessions include preserves, jam covers, Christmas sweets, fabric

boxes, nibbles and making Christmas decorations. Classes are free, because tutors have volunteered their services for the Centre, but there may be a charge for materials when participants are making something they will take home with them. "We want something that people can just come along to. They can have a break, or bring the children too, and learn to create something for themselves. We will give people an outlet where they can do something interesting in good company and maybe learn something new too." The programme to the end of the year is available from the information centre. Topics already planned for the new year are ideas for school lunches and entertaining preschoolers. Diane is keen to keep the emphasis on low cost, practical learning activities.