749 days ago

'The Stevie Wonder of Silverdale': Retired piano teacher plays for commuters

Melanie Earley Reporter from Rodney Times

Kia ora neighbours, every Thursday Lorraine Sampson makes the 40-minute bus trip from Silverdale to Auckland’s Britomart Station to play the piano for commuters.

The 75-year-old, who is legally blind in one eye and has cataracts in the other, can no longer read music due to her poor vision, so she plays all her music by ear.

There was a time Sampson, a retired teacher, believed she would have to give up playing music altogether due to her eyesight, but she said she found her fingers remembered songs she thought she’d forgotten.

When Sampson discovered there was a free piano for the public to play at Britomart Station she began making weekly trips there to play and raise funds for St John in Silverdale, where she lives.

Read the full story at the link below.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
7 hours ago

Ryman Village Open Days

The Team from Ryman Healthcare

Come and experience the warmth of our Ryman village communities, we'd love to show you around. Discover our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and explore our premium amenities.

Plus, when you sign up for an independent apartment or townhouse before 30 June 2025 you won't pay your base weekly fee for a whole year.*

*Participating villages only, Ts and Cs apply.
Learn More

Image
7 hours ago

🔥 Your Brain’s About to Break a Sweat — Riddle Time! 💪🧠💦

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Give this puzzle a whirl, can you figure it out?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image
30 days ago

Poll: Has your Kiwisaver taken a dip?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

With the US tariffs ramping up and the stock market taking a hit, many are noticing a change in their Kiwisaver amounts.

If you've had a peek at your Kiwisaver balance since, have you seen it decrease?

Image
Has your Kiwisaver taken a dip?
  • 82.2% Yes, it's decreased
    82.2% Complete
  • 14.5% Nope
    14.5% Complete
  • 3.2% Other - I'll share below
    3.2% Complete
1109 votes