Melon mania: Carving pumpkins at Halloween might be a normal thing to do, but carving watermelons to use as bandit masks is quite another. That's what two thieves in Louisa, Virginia (USA), did to cover up their identities when they robbed a convenience store. They arrived at the business in a stolen vehicle, then strolled in, looking through carved-out eyes in the melons they wore on their heads. Police managed to find one of the culprits, and they are still searching for the other one.

Colour change: Blaze, a Labrador retriever from Finland, suddenly changed from black to white, and his owner couldn't figure out why. She wondered why a small patch of fur on her pet's ear suddenly turned white. Then, over the course of a year, much of Blaze's fur changed from black to white. It turns out that Blaze has vitiligo, a condition that causes the pigment in fur to lose its colour. Blaze doesn't seem to care. He is a loving, healthy dog that likes to play and go for walks. Thanks to his owner's posts, he has become a social media sensation.

Bedsheet shirts: Two clothing designers from Archivist Studio in Berlin, Germany, found a unique way to reuse material that would have gone to the dump. Eugenie Haitsma and Johannes Offerhaus offered to take expensive hotel bedsheets that were headed for the garbage bin, due to minor flaws and tears. The designers realised that the Egyptian linen would be perfect for shirts, and the hotels were happy to get rid of it. With so much quality material to work with, the entrepreneurs soon came up with some styles and they intend to add more to their portfolio in the future.

Brave stance: Elephants may be quite a lot larger than crowned cranes, but that didn't stop one of the birds from aggressively protecting its nest against a herd of the giant grazing mammals. The crane's bravery was caught on camera in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve. As the elephant approached, the crane spread its colourful wings and squawked loudly while moving towards the mammal in a menacing manner. The adult moved away, and then the crane started badgering a baby elephant, which didn't go over well with the adult. All was well in the end, as the elephants wandered off.

If the wind will not serve, take to the oars. ~ Latin Proverb

How beautiful, how buoyant, and glad is morning! ~ L.E. Landon

Franklin Bridge Club at 20 Edinburgh Street, Pukekohe, is the place to learn and play the most popular mind sport (card game) in the World. Enjoy a warm welcome at our very friendly club where all ages are welcome. Enquiries to Robert on 021 0265 9159.

Social gatherings for older people: Selwyn Centres in Waiuku and Tuakau offer morning tea and a social time together for the over 65's. Tuakau : St John’s Anglican Church, George St, Tues and Wed 9.30am-midday.Contact Sue 021 060 9688. Waiuku: St Andrews Centre, Queen St Thursdays 9.30am-midday. Contact Lynn 0274 952 360. Transport can be provided at both venues.

Pukekohe Community Patrol: Become a Volunteer Patroller. Work alongside NZ Police to help build a safer community. Full training given and all we ask is a minimum of 4 hours per month. Phone Tina 021 158 9812.

Free notices for not for profits helen@coffeenews.co.nz

1. Which mischievous feline appears in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?

2. The Rhode Island Red is an American breed of what type of creature?

3. What is the collective term for a group of giraffes?

4. What are the Atacama, Gobi, and Sahara types of?

5. The candy called Life Savers was created in 1912, 1944, or 1952?

Wee birdie: The tiniest bird on the planet is the Bee Hummingbird. This species lives in Cuba and lays eggs the size of coffee beans. It is so small that it might be mistaken for a bee when it is hovering around flowers to collect nectar.

Soundscape: The Sagano Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, Japan, is a magical place. The rustling and creaking of the thousands of tall bamboo stalks is so meditative that the country has deemed it a soundscape.

Surf 'n turf: People who live on the west coast of the United States are likely familiar with a regional dish called the Hangtown Fry. It combines bacon, fried oysters, and eggs, resulting in a salty, chewy mixture.

Amazing wave: Wave Rock is a rock formation in Western Australia. Part of a larger formation called Hyden Rock, it looks like a 15m tidal wave, but is really comprised of layers of stone.

Odd name: Awkwafina is an American actress and rap singer who has starred in movies such as Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean's 8. She was born Nora Lum in 1988, and started calling herself Awkwafina when she was 16.

Why do Norwegians put barcodes on their battleships? So when they dock they can Scandinavian.

Political candidate: My campaign is picking up speed! Campaign Manager: That's what happens when it's going downhill!

Everybody wants to save the Earth; nobody wants to help do the dishes.

Parent to rambunctious kids: If you fall down and break your legs, don't come running to me!

Egotist: One who's always me-deep in conversation.

1. Cheshire cat 2. Chicken 3. A tower 4. Deserts 5. 1912