Along the highway

It might feel like winter but the colour and perfume will feel like spring for the Winter Orchid Show of the Blue Mountains and Penrith Districts Orchid Society on Saturday and Sunday, July 8 and 9 at the Guide Hall, corner of the Great Western Highway and Nepean Street, Emu Plains. Rare and exotic orchids will be displayed alongside Australian natives. Talk to the growers and maybe treat yourself to a plant at the sales table. The show is open 9am-5pm Saturday and 10am-3pm Sunday and entry is $2. Details: Neil, 4739 0806 or www.bmpdos.org.au.

Blackheath and District Horticultural Society will meet on Thursday, July 6 from 10am at The Lodge, Campbell Rhododendron Gardens, Bacchante Street, Blackheath. Guest speaker will be Julian Leatherdale who will discuss his book Palace of Tears, a family saga set over 100 years which is based on the true history of the Hydro Majestic at Medlow Bath. The popular mini flower show will be held, so bring something to share with your fellow gardeners as well as a plate to share for morning tea or a gold coin donation. Visitors and new members welcome. Details: 0414 628 062.

Do you have a ukulele at home? The organisers of the Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival, which was held in February, run a free ukulele workshop every fourth Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm-9pm, at the Lawson Bowling Club, 2 Loftus Street, Lawson. This winter there will be workshops catering for the beginner as well as intermediate players looking to learn some new techniques. Membership is free and lessons will be held on June 28, July 26 and August 23. There will be an Open Mic Night on Wednesday, August 30. Details: bluemugs.net.

Springwood Drop-In Centre, 163 Macquarie Road, Springwood, offer a free digital mentoring program every Wednesday, 10am-noon, for people wanting to learn how to use their smartphone or learn about email, the internet, Skype, Facebook or anything else to do with technology. There are also computers for public use. All welcome. Details and bookings: 4751 4956.

Lisa Gorman, founder of Life Learning Co, will host a lively and informative discussion on the topic of "What Changes when Our Parents' Health Really Declines?" on Wednesday, June 28 from 6.45pm at 20 Mile Hollow Cafe, 68 Great Western Highway, Woodford. Speakers will include Daz Smith, a dementia consultant, and Deborah Wade, a Blue Mountains clinical psychologist. The session is ideal for anyone with ageing parents, a partner with an advanced chronic condition or students or workers within health or aged care. Cost is $25 with a cup of tea or coffee and cake included. Bookings essential. Register at http://www.lifelearningco.com or call Lisa on 0417 689 911.

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy will host a “High Tea” event at Mulgoa Valley Receptions, 1440 Mulgoa Road, Mulgoa from 1pm-3.30pm on Sunday, July 30 from 1pm- 3.30pm. It is an opportunity to get together with friends and family, dress up and support a great local cause.  Funds raised will go towards the Sandra Cogswell scholarship in honour of the work she did for the organisation. Money from this scholarship is applied to people who would otherwise be unable to afford to access the centre’s music therapy programs. Tickets are $55 and the dress code is “as glam as you please”. Bookings essential. Details: Brenda, 4736 0240 or bsimmonds@noro.org.au.

Windows to the Soul, an artist’s exhibition by Despina Pappas, will open on Friday, July 7 at 6.30pm at Lyttleton Stores, 1 Badgery Crescent, Lawson. Despina describes her work as: “Unfolding organically, through the impact of black ink, each mandala is unique and dynamic bringing us into the present, to mindfulness and gratitude for all that is”. Details: www.lyttletonstores.com.au or 4759 3478.