Hotel entertainment a joining-in thing

Ruapehu Bulletin, 11 July 1995, Page 6

Hotel entertainment a joining-in thing

Names chosen for many of the teams in the recent Lion Red Challenge at the Ruapehu Hotel in Raetihi could almost have earned points in themselves. Wanga Cowboys, Echo, Old Boys, Demolition, Crutches (shearers) and Bat Team were some of the nine teams entered in the competition of 8-ball, darts, euchere, a quiz and karaoke singing that was run over three weeks. Most of the contestants were from Raetihi, some were from Ohakune, with the rest from Wanganui and Marton. The Lion Red Challenge began on Wednesday 14 June with darts. Steve Gray was the master of ceremonies. To start the evening off, Priscilla Richards sang a Mariah Carey number — always a popular entertainer. The quiz part of the evening got under way with 10 general knowledge questions which was followed by a "blast from the past" with Jimmy and Bill McDonnell taking the audience down memory lane singing the Everly Brothers old-time favourite "Dream". Ailsa Matoe (nee McDonnell), also sang a couple of numbers, as did Mary and Peter Perkins. Into the second round of the contest, the quiz was a test for the sports-minded. Steve kept things going with the entertainment, introducing the Rangatahi group from Maungarongo Marae,

Unaccompanied, they harmonised another favourite, "Going to the Chapel", later fmishing off their evening with a spiritual number. The quiz brought a few laughs with some weird and wonderful answers; eg. "Black Magic — the name of the Royal Yacht?"

The pace then livened up with the karaoke part of the contest which was a lot of fun and very closely contested. The overall winners taking the $300 prize money were the Jamz Team,

Raymond Rapana, his brother Bomber and Jimmy Christensen, with 322 points. Second place went to W anga, with 260 points winning them $ 1 80. Their team included Dotty and Gary Rapana from Wanganui. In third place were RJPZ with 256 points for a $120 dollar cheque. They were Rouna Te Huia, Jenny Rapana and Pewe Christensen. Both Mrs Te Huia and Mr Gray thanked all those people who helped organise the event and also thanked Trevor from the Ruapehu Hotel as well as the Lion Red sponsors. Mrs Te Huia thanked all contestants for their participation and their families and friends who supported them.