23 June 2016

10 Talk of the Town ADVERTISING / NEWSDESK: (046) 624 4356 Find us on Facebook
June 23, 2016
N E I G H B O U R LY NOTES
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MANY of our readers might have noticed a
peculiar moon on Tuesday evening. For those who
don’t know, Tuesday was a rare occurrence in our
astronomical calendar with the full moon
coinciding with the June solstice (the shortest day
and longest night of the year). The moon,
commonly known as the strawberry moon,
appeared slightly orange/rouge in colour and
could be seen clearly, early in the evening. If you
did see it, you were lucky – and for those who
didn’t, don’t worry, you can see it again in 2062.
T h at ’s right, it is such a rare occasion that the last
full moon on the winter solstice occurred in 1967.
For astro-buffs and for interest’s sake, at the
solstice the sun does not rise precisely in the east
but rises to the north of east and sets to the north
of west.
OH DEAR, is Pretoria burning? If one has caught a
glimpse of the news (mind you not SABC news
since they banned broadcasting violent protests)
one would believe that the apocalypse has
started. It is unsettling to see the riots and
anarchy taking place among ordinary citizens and
the devastating toll on affected business and
commerce that fall in the line of fire. The threat is
real, and it is frightening. It is far from the
“u n r e st ” which it has been deemed by the ANC
government, which is still not taking responsibility
for the chaos. Is this more evidence of an
implosion taking place within the ANC? In
mid-May Zuma addressed the Gauteng provincial
general council where he shot down the notion of
state capture and preached party unity. But so far
the ANC is refusing to admit that the
announcement of Thoko Didiza as its mayoral
candidate for Tshwane sparked a wave of violence
it is unable to control. The ANC is blaming the
burning of public property and looting on “thugs”,
“a n a r c h i st s ” and “hooligans” but the initial
stoking of fires clearly came from inside.
Disowning its supporters does not exonerate the
ANC from responsibility for allowing factionalism
and patronage to engulf the organisation, and for
the state of unrest in the country.
WE HOPE the cold mornings and evenings have
not kept our local mountain bike riders and
cyclists tucked indoors. It’s time to start warming
up the legs and stretching the quads for this
DIARISE THIS
Albany Vintage and Classic Motor Club Museum
opens on the last Saturday of each month – 9am
to 12 noon – Hawkins Industrial Park, Alfred Road,
Port Alfred.
Bathurst Farmers Market – Every Sunday, rain or
shine, at Yesterday Today and Tomorrow Nursery,
Kowie Road from 9am to 12.30pm.
Birdwatching Tours and Three Sisters Saunter –
Book with Anne (046)675-1976 or 083-719-4950.
w w w. a n n e s b i r d i n g . c o . z a
Duck Pond Morning Market every Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday from 9am to 2pm, between
Buksies Coffee Shop and Penny Farthing
restaurant. Jams, pickles, second-hand books and
clothing, cakes, quiches, crochet knitting, plants.
All stallholders welcome. Contact Wendy on
0 8 1 - 3 47 - 9 5 6 2 .
FAST (Forum for Astronomy, Science and
Technology) meets on the first Thursday of each
month at the cellar of the Wharf Street Brew Pub
at 2.30pm. Visitors welcome. Please contact
Shirley Marais at shirley@theannouncer.co.za or on
082-928-8671 for more information.
First Port Alfred Scout/Cub meetings – Ever y
Friday at the Girl Guide Hall, from 3pm to 5pm.
Visitors welcome. For more information contact
Dot Fethers on (046)624-3192.
Kenton Pub Quiz – at 6.30pm on the first Sunday
of every month at the Kenton Bowls Club. A cash
bar is available. Cash and other prizes. Teams of
four to six. All are welcome. For more information
contact Walter Grisdale on (046)648-2440.
Kowie History Museum – at The Old Railway
Station, Pascoe Crescent. Open 9.30am to
12.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Closed
Sunday/Monday and public holidays.
Lower Albany Historical Society meets on the
third Thursday of the month – some meetings are
held in the Don Powis Hall, Settlers Park, and
others are outside trips. Call Suzette on
083-581-5777 for details.
Lower Albany Woodworkers’ Guild meets on the
first Tuesday of every month. Call Brian Edwards
on (046)624-2945, or John Moss on
082-829-5484 for more information.
Memory Book Scrapbook Club meets twice a
month on a Thursday afternoon. All welcome.
Contact Cheryl on (046)624-2733 or 083-556-7562.
National Sea Rescue Institute practises every
Wednesday at 5pm. To join the NSRI visit the base
in person to undergo an evaluation.
Port Alfred Floral Art Group meets on the third
year’s G2C race, which is almost here. The muchanticipated
event, which has grown significantly
in popularity, is a fun mountain bike challenge
that starts in Grahamstown and ends in front of
Rosehill Mall in Port Alfred. Judging from
previous years, the race is tough in some spots
and tricky, with downhill slopes, but r e l at i v e l y
moderate to easy for the rest of the 58km.
CONGRATULATIONS to the new Kenton Rotary
president Tony Swift and to another Kenton local,
Bruce Steel-Gray, for being elected as the district
governor for Rotary. It is an honour for Kenton to
have two men of this calibre who are so dedicated
to serving humanity.
HAPPY birthday to Harold Holt who will be
turning 90 years young on Monday. We hope
you are spoilt by your loved ones and wish you
many more.
A VERY special happy birthday to Happy
Hours little one Roarke Penn who turned five
yesterday. We hope you get spoilt with lots
of presents and enjoy your birthday party at
the end of the month!
CONGRATUL ATIONS and happy birthday
greetings to everyone who is celebrating a
birthday in the week ahead. Special greetings
and many more to Beverley Welsh, Des
Gallagher, June Kidd, Madelaine Murray, Lizzy
Gouws, Fuzeka Runeli, June Keeton, Robert
Godfrey, Marsha de Kock, John Champion,
Margaret Ilderton, Isabella Coetzee, Ann de la
Rey, Marjorie Wilmot, Lucille Scheepers,
Rosemary Wood, Vaughn de la Mare, Harold
Holt, Lyndon Coltman, Amber Berry (nee Briant),
Marion Konig, Pat (Paddy) Thorp, Liza Kohler,
Melville Vogel, Ann Hewitt, Peggy Goosen, Anneke
Steyn, Deirdré-Anne Odendaal, Mollie Jordaan,
Beatrice Crawford, Lloyd Stevenson, Andrew Nell,
Megan van Niekerk, Yvonne Surtees, Lee Botha,
Claire Burriss, Beverly Oosthuizen, Peter van der
Merwe, Matthew Dell and Delina van Heerden.
WISHING Beverly Young “-as-ever” a fantastic,
sparkling BIG 7-0 on June 28. Have a blast!
CONTINUED success and warm congratulations to
the following businesses/organisations on
another anniversary, especially Voila
Rob Knowles at knowlesr@timesmedia.co.za or fax (046) 624-2293
or drop in at 29 Miles Street from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
OUR ENTRIES ARE OPEN FOR JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST
E-mail houzetj@timesmedia.co.za or fax (046) 624-2293 or drop in at 29 Miles Street from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Saturday of the month at the Settlers Park hall at
2.30pm. For more information contact Hennie de
Bruin on 082-464-4606. All welcome.
Port Alfred Garden Club meets on the first
Tuesday of every month at 9.30am at the Red Leaf
Nurser y.
Probus Club of the Kowie meets on the second
Tuesday of every month at 10am at the Port Alfred
River and Ski-boat Club.
Richmond House Museum and Music Room –
Private non-profit museum established in 2007.
The building (1948) is a replica of the castle, and
the displays trace 175 years of owners and
alterations. No admission fee, but donations are
welcomed. Tours by appointment only: contact
082-456-7437. For Classics at the Castle
classical/jazz concerts check the press or
w w w. fa c e b o o k . c o m / r i c h m o n d h o u s e m u s e u m m u s i c
Rocky Ridge Farm Market opens every Saturday
and Sunday from 9am with a variety of homemade
delights, free-range eggs, honey, biltong,
droewors, and its popular morning breakfast.
Contact Desia Holmes on 083-589-0765 for details.
Rosehill Mall Art & Crafters Market is held on
the first Saturday of every month, from 9am to
4pm. Only handmade items are available by our
local crafters. Large selection of goods.
Scottish Country Dancing at Don Powis Hall,
Settlers Park, every Wednesday from 5.30pm to
7pm. For more details contact (046) 6 0 4 - 0 478 .
Sunshine Coast Women’s Forum meets every
fourth Tuesday in the Don Powis Hall, Settlers
Park, at 2.30pm. Visitors welcome. For details
contact Muriel MacGregor on (046)624-1963.
The Riverside Ramble – a new self-guided tour
(map R10 from Sunshine Coast Tourism or Kowie
History Museum) of historic Wharf Street and Van
der Riet Streets.
The Village Green Market – first Sunday of every
month. Join us in the garden at The Village Green
in Bathurst for a festival of antiques, books, junk,
collectables, bric-a-brac, crafts, art and more from
9am to 2pm. For more details or to book a stall,
contact Lynette on 076-349-2246.
U3A – Port Alfred Branch meets on the fourth
Thursday of every month at 10am at the Don Powis
Hall, Settlers Park village. All welcome.
Woodlands Market is held every Saturday from
8am to 12 noon at Woodlands Cottages and
Backpackers, just outside Kenton on the R343
Grahamstown Road. Yummy breakfast and treats,
fresh produce, arts and crafts available. There is
MOMMY TO BE: We are looking forward to
welcoming baby Jessie Winnaar to the world.
Mom Laura Winnaar Frey and dad Elroy are
expecting their little bundle in August. Last
weekend friends threw a surprise baby shower
bestowing her with gifts, good wishes and baby
blessings
Picture: LOUISE CARTER
(Kenton-on-Sea), Siliseal, Noel’s Cartage, Olofs
24/7 Motor Spares, PA Art Club – on 58 amazing
years – and PA Scouts Club.
AS WE go to press, and with last year’s figures in
brackets to compare against, the rand was trading
no charge for traders of local arts and crafts and
produce – to encourage and support local tourism
and businesses. For more information contact
082-808-5976 or info@woodlands.co.za
Thursday June 23
U3A meeting – 10am – Don Powis Hall, Settlers
Park. Reddie Ndoro from the Plight Centre in Port
Alfred will be talking on the Plight Community
Cent re’s combating of social ills.
PA Art Club – (out) Outing to Van der Riet Street
for Abstract Painting. Please bring your art
materials. All welcome – visitors R20. Bring an
extra easel to display a work for sale.
Memory Book Scrapbook Club – 2pm to 5pm –
Presbyterian Church Port Alfred. All welcome.
Contact Cheryl (046)624-2733 or 083-556-7562.
Friday June 24
Sunshine Coast Hospice book sale at Heritage
Mall.
Saturday June 25
Diaz Cross Bird Club outing at Belmont Golf
Course, Grahamstown. Bring a picnic brunch.
Visitors welcome (R10 per person). Meet at
Heritage Mall car park at 6am or Preston’s, Kenton
at 6am. Rendezvous at Belmont Golf Course,
G r a h a m st o w n .
Kiddies Garden Club – At the Red Leaf Nursery.
Starts 10pm Booking essential. For more
information contact Adele on (046)624-8530.
Saturday June 25 and Sunday June 26
The Rotary Club of Kenton-on-Sea presents El
Blanco: Tales of the Mariachi, a one-man comedy
show which received a Gold Standard Bank
Ovation award at the National Arts Festival. Both
shows will be held at the Kenton Town Hall.
S at u r d ay ’s show is at 6.30 for 7pm (proceeds to
Rotary projects) and Sunday’s show at 12.30 for
1pm (proceeds to Bushken Pre-Primary). Tickets
are R150 (includes show and two-course meal).
Cash bar available. Booking: Chas Everitt, 21
Kenton Road, Kenton – contact (046)648-1212.
Sunday June 26
Port Alfred Ministers Fraternal’s bimonthly
combined service will be held at 6pm at the Dutch
Reformed Church. All are welcome.
Tuesday June 28
Port Alfred Rotary Induction – New president to
be inducted at the Ski-boat Club. Starts 7pm.
Wednesday June 29
DA public prayer meeting – 1pm to 2pm – Por t
Alfred library lawns. Pray for peace and political
tolerance during elections. Prayers to be
at R14.74 to the dollar (R12.15), R21.66 to the
pound (R19.20) and R16.59 to the euro (R13.63).
Gold was trading at $1269.80 ($1176.40) per fine
ounce, platinum at $980.30 ($1068.00) and Brent
crude oil prices are $51.04 per barrel ($64.77).
SPECIAL thoughts and prayers are with all those
folk who are not well, who are having or have
already had tests, operations and treatments.
“Sterkte” to Roy Potter, Andrew de Vries, June
Hart, Linda Hulley, Val Kilian, Ben Kember, Blake
Squires, Llewellyn Wicks, Philly Dell, Myrna Keet,
Barbara Tee, Janet Hyde, Bevan Edwards, Colleen
Mackin, Beryl Pancoust and Brenda Shelton.
OUR heartiest congratulations to all celebrating
the wonderful occasion of their wedding
anniversaries, especially Terry and Margaret
West, Douglas and Nancy Meyer, Colwyn and
Marie Holshausen, Johan and Anne Roos (53),
Len and Pat Holford (59), Robert and Emily
Blenkinsop, Stephan and Kelly Ferreira, Neil
and Tarryn van de Linde, John and Debbie
Ford (30), Mariane and Chris Walwyn (45).
WOW, we almost got trumped by Ireland in
last week’s fixture in the three-match
international rugby union series. The Boks,
having lost for the very first time against Ireland
at home, were far too complacent in that match,
and new coach Allister Coetzee could not have
wished for a less auspicious introduction to his
Springbok coaching job. So, all pressure was on
him last Saturday when the Boks took to the field
to restore some pride and to ensure that the
series was not lost. Even though they were trailing
by 16 points at halftime, the Boks began the
second half with zeal and, thanks to Ruan
Combrinck, managed to get us back on an even
keel and win the match 32-26. Let’s hope that this
S at u r d ay ’s match at the Nelson Mandela Bay
Stadium in Port Elizabeth will bring even more
pride to the country.
THOUGHT for the week: “If you don’t have a
plan for personal growth, then don’t expect to
grow!”
BEST regards as always,
The Team
conducted in English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans. All
are welcome.
Alexandria Art Exhibition – 6pm to 8pm –
Heritage Guest House, Alexandria. Featuring the
paintings of Sandy Lavin and leather craft of
Felicity McNamara. Come and enjoy a glass of
wine while browsing the work. Cash bar available.
Thursday June 30
PA Art Club – (In) Month-end meeting. Visit the
library and bring your paintings for a review.
Followed by tea and coffee.
Saturday July 2
Christian Men’s Association breakfast – 7 for
7.30am at the Celebration Centre (Old Vic Hotel).
The guest speaker, Pragasen Ganas “PG” M o o d l e y,
the manager of Market Square Volkswagen, is an
ordained minister, who served as a teacher and
chaplain at All Nations Academy in KZN. Having
recently moved to Port Alfred, he will share his
walk with Christ and the amazing plan he sees
unfolding for our community. A suggested R40
donation will cover the cost of the breakfast.
Lions Club of Port Alfred will hold an induction of
their fourth president at 6.30 for 7pm at the
Kleinemonde Hall. Dress: suit/jacket and tie.
Thursday July 7
PA Art Club – (In) DVD: 9.30am at the Settlers
Park hall on ‘Movement’ (quick sketching). Please
bring a plate of eats. All are welcome – visitors
can join for R20.
Benevolent Society AGM – 3pm at the Goodwill
Centre, with reports from welfare, education, the
Goodwill Centre and Damant Lodge. All welcome.
Thursday July 14
PA Art Club – (In) “One Breath, One Line”
exercise. Bring A4 or A3 paper and a variety of
drawing media (pencils, charcoal, pastels or paints
with brushes of varying sizes etc.) Three-minute
quick sketching sessions will be held. Bring your
own materials. All welcome – visitors R20.
Sunday July 17
Kentones Male Choir – 2.30pm for 3pm at the
Port Alfred Presbyterian Church. The annual
fundraiser is R40 per person and includes coffee,
tea and eats. To book tickets contact Errol Parsons
on (046)624-4471 or 084-800-3033, or Andre and
Heather Naude on (046)624-5486 or 071-687-9635
or Christel Erasmus on 083-254-7554.
Thursday July 21
PA Art Club – (Out) Sketches and sketching of
people going about their business. Bring an extra
easel to display a work for sale. Venue to follow
l at e r.