DEAR Jasminda, MY 70-year-old mother has expressed an interest in learning the electric guitar. How can I encourage her to try something more age-appropriate? Gerard H. Dear Gerard, Well, don’t you sound like a wet sock. And when I say wet sock, I mean one of those sports socks that ends up stuck behind the […]
DEAR News Of The Area, IMMIGRATION is seen by some as our most important issue, not just now, but for some years. However there have been some rubbery figures tossed around recently. It’s not too difficult to find the facts. Following the closure of the Australian borders due to the pandemic, the Coalition in 2022/23 […]
PORT Stephens’ natural beauty attracts many visitors each summer. While that seasonal boom is a welcome boost for local businesses, we must focus on attracting visitors and spending during the quieter months to sustain jobs and keep our towns thriving. Events are among the most effective tools we have to reduce the impacts of seasonal […]
DEAR Jasminda, I HAVE been going really well with my eating and exercise plan, but over Easter it went out the window. I’m feeling very guilty and disillusioned. Fiona W. Dear Fiona, This is completely relatable, and I’m sure many of our readers will be feeling post-Easter remorse. In a 24-hour period, I somehow managed […]
DEAR News Of The Area, BORN at the start of the war and throughout the war, life was pretty tough. So like most countries, luxuries were few and far between. As children our needs were simple. Between the bombs and rationing we still managed to have fun. As you may have guessed we are not […]
A HOUSE is more than a building. It’s where we feel safe, raise our families, and grow old. But I know that for many in our community, the dream of a secure home is feeling further out of reach. Whether it’s the weekly grocery shop or filling up the car, these everyday expenses add up […]
DEAR News Of The Area, ON behalf of all the members of SeaSide Singers Community Choir, past and present, I would like to respond to Diana Souter’s letter to the Editor (published 19/03/26) announcing her retirement from the group. Diana in her inimitable style, has beaten me to the punch by her public announcement! However, […]
DEAR Jasminda, I PUT a collectible item on Facebook Marketplace. A man offered to buy it. He also paid a deposit, so I marked it as sold. He said he couldn’t attend the first pick up date, then said he was sick, and now he wants to meet me at a halfway point with cash. […]
