Hello fellow "Gear"-heads!

I am "revved up" for Airhorn next week, and feel like we are "racing" to the "finish line" of one of the best Airhorns yet!

side note: Everything above in quotes is a "car pun", because Top Gear! It's this type of humour you can NOT expect at the show, because it is basic and obvious, and the humour we bring will be complex and surprising, full of mystery, at times impenetrable. It will be a lot like the engine of the Bugatti W16...I mean, you see that thing? An engineering beauty...but try to change the oil on it and you're done for. Give me a 1967 Ford F-150 any day. May not be the fastest or strongest car, but when something breaks I know how to fix it! And let's be honest, it's a Ford, SOMETHING'S GONNA BREAK.

But seriously folks, now's not the time for goofs, it is the time for Airhorn details and NEWS and we have some NEWS!

Details

Gearhorn is NEXT WEEK, 7th August. 8pm. Newtown Community Centre.

We have tickets still at earlybird prices for one more day and then they go to normal prices! Buy Tix now!

We have drinks!

Also, like last Airhorn, we are going to be selling BEER & WINE and a little bit of food! We are doing simpler Top Gear inspired food this time, as the enchiladas of Foghorn were logistically difficult for both the cooks and the customers. I apologize. I am not a chef. this is not "The Bear". This is GEARHORN! We're gonna have beer & sausage rolls.

NEWS

Some bittersweet news, some babysweet news, and then just some sweetness for you.

Bittersweet

Gearhorn will be Jak Darling's last Airhorn show as a regular crew member. They will be heading off soon to the bright lights and big dreams of Melbourne. They will have more shows in general before leaving but if you want to see them specifically within the beautiful chaos of cars, carnage, and comedy that is Airhorn...well you know what you need to do. We love them and will miss them and are stoked for this big step!

Babysweet

Wellington alt comedy's next generation has arrived. Airhorn co-producer (and notable cousin to Anna MacLean) Lesa MacLeod-Whiting just welcomed her beautiful baby boy Ivo to the world! I have met him and he is a good, decent lad with a smart head on his shoulders, a head he's still working to hold up.

Also, Airhorn crew member (and notable cousin) Anna Maclean welcomed her beautiful baby boy Ralph! I have not met him, but have heard nothing but great things about him.

At the Airhorn Fantasia the two of them performed the cousins sketch where they talked about having cousins of cousins. Well, they literally delivered on the bit. Just another sign that Airhorn always keeps our word!

Also, beloved Airhorn special guest Samantha Hannah just welcomed her beautiful baby boy Wilfred to the world! Early word is that he is v. much like Samantha: a through and through delight!

It's babies all across Airhorn and this newsletter is feeling closer and closer to a community hall newsletter, letitng you know of all the happenings across this charming small town we call the 'Horn.

And so, like all good community newsletters, I'll end this one with a recipe. Here is a recipe from beloved community member Helen Greenwood.

Helen's Pumpkin Walnut Bread

Delicious sweet bread. This recipe can be doubled or tripled and freezes beautifully

Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 2 eggs(well beaten)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• 1 cup cooked mashed pumpkin

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 160°(325°F).
2. Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl
3. Add eggs, vegetable oil, water, cooked mashed pumpkin and beat until blended.
4. Add coarsely chopped walnuts
5. Pour batter into buttered and floured 7-inch loaf pan.
6. Bake for 50 minutes to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove bread onto a rack.

Helen's note: The above is the original recipe. I have altered it in the following way by adding:

• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (instead of 1/2 cup)
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon (instead of 1tsp)
• 1 cup candied fruits

I would go one step further by putting in one more egg whenever adding the fruit. Otherwise, 2 eggs are adequate.

I hope you enjoy and I hope to see you at GEARHORN!!!!!

Best, ZACH!