EVENTFUL EMBASSY
From Swiss Films to Football Festivals
SO LONG, SANTA
The Merry Old Man Came Again!
LION DANCE SPECTACULAR
How We Welcomed the Year of the Rooster
EGG ENCYCLOPEDIA 10 Things You Never Knew About Easter Eggs
SUCCESSFUL SEMINARS
… and Magnificent Meetings at the Swiss Club
RELAX M A R C H /A P R I L
2 017
I S S U E
SWISS CLUB
CLUB MANAGEMENT, STAFF AND RESERVATIONS CLUB
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Carsten Kjeldmann, General Manager E: carsten.kjeldmann@swissclub.org.sg
Adrian Vogt, Executive Chef E: adrian.vogt@swissclub.org.sg
MEMBERSHIP
Marco Basile, F&B Operations Service Manager E: marco.basile@swissclub.org.sg
DID: 6591 9421
DID: 6591 9428
Serene Yee, Member Relations Manager E: serene.yee@swissclub.org.sg
DID: 6591 9434
DID: 6591 9426
FINANCE Lydia Zhai, Chief Accountant E: lydia.zhai@swissclub.org.sg
BANQUETS & EVENTS
FACILITIES & MAINTENANCE
DID: 6591 9430
Paulina Halim, Event Sales Manager E: paulina.halim@swissclub.org.sg
DID: 6591 9450
Ko Mun Wong, Facilities Manager E: komun.wong@swissclub.org.sg DID: 6591 9457
SPORTS & RECREATION Timothy Felix Rajadurai, Sports Manager E: timothy.rajadurai@swissclub.org.sg
Kumar Samy, Grounds & Housekeeping Manager E: samy.kumar@swissclub.org.sg
DID: 6591 9438
DID: 6591 9451
MARKETING & ADVERTISING
ADMIN & HR
Christelle Taillens, Marketing Manager E: christelle.taillens@swissclub.org.sg
Joey Chaw, Office Manager E: joey.chaw@swissclub.org.sg / careers@swissclub.org.sg
DID: 6591 9455
DID: 6591 9422
THE GUESTHOUSE ROOM RESERVATIONS E: theguesthouse@swissclub.org.sg T: 6591 9420
DINING RESERVATIONS E: recept@swissclub.org.sg T: 6591 9420 F: 6591 9452
COMMITTEE
MEMBERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Gerda Gehrig (RELAX Magazine) E: gerda.gehrig@swissclub.org.sg Daniel Mueller (Sports) E: daniel.mueller@swissclub.org.sg
Martin Silberstein President
E: president@swissclub.org.sg
René Cotting Deputy President
E: deputypres@swissclub.org.sg
Max Schweizer (Buildings & Infrastructure) E: max.schweizer@swissclub.org.sg Adrian Jacklowsky (Marketing) E: adrian.jacklowsky@swissclub.org.sg Felix Kobel E: felix.kobel@swissclub.org.sg
Markus Blattmann Treasurer
E: treasurer@swissclub.org.sg
Patrick Regamey Secretary
E: secretary@swissclub.org.sg
Anantha Ayer E: anantha.ayer@swissclub.org.sg Fritz Horlacher E: fritz.horlacher@swissclub.org.sg
3
SWISS CLUB
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
FROM THE EDITOR
GENERAL
3 Club Management, Staff and Reservations 3 Committee 4 From the Editor 5 Your Say 6 A Word from the Committee 9 A Message from the General Manager 10 Welcomes and Farewells 10 Opening Hours 11 Please, Treat Our Club Like Your Home
Dear Members, I hope you had a fortune-filled Chinese New Year and a romantic Valentine’s Day, and are currently anticipating a joyous Easter. Where else but in Singapore can we enjoy such a diverse and endless succession of celebrations? Oh, and just for fun, bone up on Easter egg trivia – we’ve assembled some fascinating food for thought on Page 27.
DINING
Speaking of celebrations, do follow the colourful calendar of
14
the 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between
Wine, Dine and Unwind in March and April
Switzerland and Singapore. The two little nations have much
EVENTS 16 18 20
in common – a penchant for precision, a tenacious desire to
Picture-perfect Santa! Mix Business with Pleasure? Drumming Up Good Fortune
not only succeed but to excel on the global map, and small multi-cultural and multi-lingual populations, to name just a few of our striking similarities. Check out what’s happening in March and April on Page 26.
SPORTS 22 23 23 24
Get into Gear! Spotlight On… Yoga German-Swiss Golf Club Competition Schedule Back on the Ball
On every visit, I never fail to admire the beautiful premises of your Club, an oasis in the middle of a big city, as new member Diana Denk put it so eloquently. Read more about her family’s favourable first impressions of the Swiss Club on Page 30.
INTEREST 26 27 28 29 30 30 32 33
events that the Swiss Embassy has lined up to commemorate
Also, ‘meet’ long-term Members the de Panafieu family,
Eventful March and April Easter Egg Hunt Lumina – A Glorious Advent Celebration at the Swiss School Meet a Member: Second Time Sweeter for Returning Members Laure and Thierry, ‘Plus Four’ First Impressions: An Oasis in a Big City Meet a Staffer: Why Yati is… In a Good Mood Every Day Kids’ Space Fitness, Friends, Fun! Programme of Activities in March and April
who joined for a second time round on their second stint in Singapore – with four extra family members in tow! Till next issue, keep enjoying Singapore – and keep enjoying the Swiss Club! Warmest regards,
Suzanne Lauridsen Editor, RELAX
RELAX is edited and designed by SPEcial Pte Ltd. Suzanne, Copy E: suzy@spe-cial.com
T: (65) 9820 9520
Pam, Liaison
E: pam@spe-cial.com
T: (65) 9871 0666
Edwin, Art
E: edwin@spe-cial.com
T: (65) 8500 2975
swissclub.org.sg MCI (P) No. 019/03/2017
/swissclubsingapore
@swissclubsingapore
@SwissClubSing
SWISS CLUB YOUR SAY
A SUCCESSFUL 80th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Dear Paulina, Thank you so much for the arrangements for my mum’s birthday party. It was very successful, and everyone enjoyed it. You even managed to get a cake for her at the last minute. All of the guests loved the roast beef. We took my mum’s picture with the Swiss Chef. He is very attentive to Club members. We are looking forward to celebrate her 88th birthday with 88 people in 2024. We were unable to hold it for my late father's 80th birthday. Thank you again. Please pass this ‘thank you’ message to the chefs and all involved. Best regards, Robert Tan
VENUE AND FOOD TICK ALL THE BOXES Hi Paulina, Adrian and Team, Thanks for all the organisation over the weekend. The venue was great, people enjoyed The Guesthouse and the food only found praise.
C
M
Thanks, Bernhard Weber
Y
CM
MY
CY
ATTENTIVE SERVICE IN A MAGICAL SETTING Dear Marco, A quick line to let you know how much we appreciated how well organised our dinner party for 14 was last night. The setting is always magical, the table looked beautiful, and you took note of the gluten-free restrictions of one of our guests. The cod was just right and the hazelnut parfait is to-die-for!
The setting is always magical, the table looked beautiful, and you took note of the gluten-free restrictions of one of our guests. Our guests who had to leave for the airport made it on time – thanks to timely service. Our guests praised the Swiss Club and so do we! Regards, Göran and Cecilia Seifert
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? Email your feedback about the Swiss Club, Club-related matters, living in Singapore or any topic of interest, to editor@swissclub.org.sg. Please include your name and mobile number. We’d love to hear from you.
CMY
K
SWISS CLUB
A WORD FROM THE COMMITTEE Dear Members, The year 2017 is shaping up to be a very busy one for the Swiss Club. In January, the proceeds from the land sale were transferred into the Club’s bank accounts, thus bringing one project to a very successful completion – only to give way to a new one. The newly launched Swiss Club land fund project is being overseen by a new Land Fund Sub-committee, consisting of two main Committee Members and three independent Club Members. It was set up to manage and oversee the long-term investment of the majority of the land sales proceeds.
We now have the resources to invest and improve our facilities for the enjoyment of all. Once the renovation is completed, the Club will also be in a better position to attract new Members.
This project is of critical importance for the near-term and long-term sustainability of our Club. Firstly, we now have the resources to invest and improve our facilities for the enjoyment of all. Once the renovation is completed, the Club will also be in a better position to attract new Members, on which we crucially depend to support our infrastructure and current level of services. It has become harder to attract new members as well as retain existing members due to shifts in the labour market. Cutting overseas assignments short and replacing expats with local employees are now quite common cost reduction measures in many companies. Many of us have had to bid farewell to friends, who had to leave Singapore ahead of plan. Despite these headwinds, we are happy to report that Membership intake is steady in absolute numbers. However, we see a trend in memberships from Lifetime Membership towards annual Term Memberships. More expats are being stationed here only on a short to medium-term basis, or they simply feel that there is too much uncertainty for committing longer term. Despite the increased efforts from our Membership department, the total number of Members has been decreasing for the last two and a half years. We simply cannot replace departing Members fast enough. This is just one of the many faces of the third or digital industrial revolution we are currently living through, which affects
Swiss Club Membership Breakdown 1,800 1,600 1,400 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200 30/6/13
31/12/13
30/6/14
31/12/14
30/6/15
31/12/15
Associate
Transferable (Ord)
Transferable (Assoc)
Corporate (Ord)
Corporate (Assoc)
Term
Diplomatic
31/12/16
pretty much every aspect of our lives. Like other companies and individuals, the Club has to respond and adapt to this ever faster changing environment. The land fund provides the Club with a standby emergency facility to navigate the uncertain waters ahead. That in no way implies that the Committee intends to rely on the land fund. Our goal remains to run a sustainable operation, ideally with the entrance fees covering capex (improvements and renovations) and F&B, and sport being self-supporting. The changes in subscriptions fees and the introduction of a minimum consumption fee, approved at the last AGM, are unpopular but unfortunately necessary measures to achieve this goal. They are also testimony to the fact that the Committee is not intending to rely on the land fund for supporting operations in the Club. There will undoubtedly be some inconveniences during the time the renovation takes place. We ask for your understanding. Carsten and team will do their utmost to minimise the impact. After all, it means that we can look forward to improved facilities in the not too distant future. None of the above happens by itself. The Club has a lean Management team and we rely on volunteer Members who are working on various Sub-committees to accomplish these projects. Like the convenors, they are generously donating their time and expertise to the Club. A big thank you to all for your invaluable contributions. Yours,
R. Cotting
RenĂŠ Cotting Deputy President deputypres@swissclub.org.sg
6
30/6/16
Ordinary
International Medical Clinic
Book your annual Health Screening today “Happy New Year. Start 2017 on the right foot with a Health Screening.” Dr Nandini Shah
MBBS (London), MRCGP (UK).
Family, Paediatric & Travel Medicine International Medical Clinic (IMC) specialises in family, paediatric and travel medicine. IMC has provided medical care in Singapore for over 17 years and is a trusted medical provider for the international community. With three General Practice Clinics and a specialist Paediatric Clinic, IMC strives to provide a high standard of healthcare in a caring, friendly and familiar environment.
International Medical Clinic
Camden
Jelita
Katong
Paediatric
1 Orchard Boulevard #14−06 Camden Medical Centre Singapore 248649 T 6733 4440 E camden@imc-healthcare.com
293 Holland Road #02−04 Jelita Cold Storage Singapore 278628 T 6465 4440 E jelita@imc-healthcare.com
88 East Coast Road #02−07 Katong Square Singapore 423371 T 6342 4440 E katong@imc-healthcare.com
1 Orchard Boulevard #11−06 Camden Medical Centre Singapore 248649 T 6887 4440 E paediatric@imc-healthcare.com
www.imc-healthcare.com
SWISS Z’MORGE 5THMAR17 | SUN | 9AM
RSVP by 24th Feb 17 Visit bit.ly/SCzmorge17 or scan the QR code to RSVP now. swissclubsingapore | swissclub.org.sg
SWISS CLUB
A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER Dear Members, Hope you all have had a great few months, and that your New Year’s resolutions are still on target. Again, thank you to all those Members who supported the annual Lion Dance Spectacular to usher in the year of the Fire Rooster. What a fantastic day! On behalf of all employees of the Club, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to those Members who contributed towards the Red Packet 'Ang Pow'. Your generosity makes us even more motivated to work harder and serve you better. As we are approaching the last four months of our financial year, we have a lot of plans to improve the Club, both short- and long-term, so that you and your families can enjoy the Cub's facilities, restaurants and grounds even more. You may hopefully already have experienced some of the great new dishes at the Pergola Café, prepared and designed by Chef Jackie and his kitchen team. While Pergola has had a facelift in terms of food, Chef Adrian and his F&B Service Manager colleague Marco have revised the entire beverage menu and wine list. As you read these lines, we will be introducing a revised Arbenz menu with a connoisseurs’ wine list and premium spirits for your enhanced enjoyment. Kindly ask Yusri or Ryonne for recommendations, and do provide us with your feedback so that we can ensure that we are moving in the right direction. On the facilities front, Timothy and the Sports Sub-committee have completed the resurfacing of the padel and tennis court 2, and are now working on a temporary solution for the former squash site, with a multiple-purpose sports concept in mind. With the squash courts gone, we are finalising alternative squash facilities for our players, so that they can stay fit and in top form. The Committee also approved the upgrading of pool furniture and the playground, amongst other projects in the pipeline. You may have seen, or will soon
be seeing, a selection of sun loungers, side tables and umbrellas at the leisure pool. Obviously, these must not only look great, but be comfortable and remain durable for years to come. Once again, your feedback matters and is welcomed. For the kids and the children in us all, our playgrounds will be redesigned. We will retain the popular swings and complement them with new slides and other super fun stuff. This should all be in place by end-April. Unfortunately, on a more somber note, it seems that we have individuals at the Club who do not understand that Club property is best shared with all and that vandalism not only cause inconveniences to fellow Members, but also incurs repair costs and strains manpower. In the past month we have had a cow’s ears torn off, sports fields football cages broken into and, most recently, shower taps ripped off (see picture). What good can that possibly do? Also, remember to exchange your 2016 car decal (car sticker) for a 2017 one by 31 March 2017. In the event the old car decal is not replaced, our security staff will refuse car entry and you will be requested to proceed to car park 2. That said, we will do our utmost to ensure that the Swiss Club remains an oasis for sports and family activities and a 'home away from home' where everyone can have a wonderful time.
We will do our utmost to ensure that the Swiss Club remains an oasis for sports and family activities and a 'home away from home' where everyone can have a wonderful time. Shower taps ripped off
Happy Easter, and do enjoy the coming months at the Club. The Team and myself are here to serve you all. See you at the Club. Warmest regards,
Before Carsten Kjeldmann General Manager carsten.kjeldmann@swissclub.org.sg
After 9
SWISS CLUB
Welcomes The Swiss Club welcomes:
and Farewells
Name
Type of Membership
Oliver Nicolai
Associate
Mark Parlane & Heidi Kluender-Parlane
Associate
Christian & Rebecca Cappelli
Term
Hania & Andrew Oddie
Term
The Swiss Club farewells: Name
Type of Membership
Urs Grueter & Rachel Ryser-Grueter
Ordinary
Charles & Marina Kaufmann
Ordinary / Associate
Masuri Al-Gaffar
Associate
Olivier Henri & Sophie Bendel
Associate
Nathalie Fagniez
Associate
Frank Mussgnug
Associate
Dirk & Christine Eilers
Non-Swiss Nominee
Ishan & Allison Palit
Non-Swiss Nominee
OPENING HOURS CLUB PREMISES Daily: 07:00 – Midnight
THE GUESTHOUSE/ RECEPTION T: 6591 9420 Daily: 10:00 – 20:00
DINING OUTLETS ARBENZ Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays T: 6591 9424 Lunch: Wed to Sun, 12:00 – 15:00 Dinner: Wed – Sun, 18:30 – 23:00 (Last orders at 22:00) Dress Code: Smart Casual, except Sundays PERGOLA T: 6591 9431 Mon – Sun: 07:00 – 23:00 (Last orders at 22:30)
TANDOORI CORNER T: 6591 9431 Lunch: Mon – Fri, 11:00 – 14:30 Dinner: Mon – Fri, 18:00 – 21:30 Sat & Sun: 11:00 – 21:30 (Last order at 21:30) JUNGLE BAR Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays T: 6591 9433 Wed – Fri: 15:00 – 23:00 Sat & Sun: 09:00 – 22:00
For restaurant reservations, please call 6591 9420 between 10:00 – 20:00. After office hours, please call 6591 9431.
SPORTS FACILITIES Daily Tennis Court 07:00 – 23:00 Football Field 07:00 – 22:30* Leisure Pool 07:00 – 22:00 Gym 07:00 – 22:30
Mon – Fri Lap Pool Sports Hall
06:00 – 22:00 18:00 – 22:00
*Can be booked for exclusive usage
10
Weekends, Public and GESS School Holidays Lap Pool 07:00 – 22:00 Sports Hall 07:00 – 22:00** Outlet opening hours are subject to changes. **Fees apply for usage of Sports Hall. Prior booking is required.
Please, Treat Our Club
Like Your
From time to time, it pays to remind our Members of the mostly unspoken but generally understood ‘rules of the house’. After all, for most Members, the Swiss Club is a second home. WE LOVE CHILDREN, BUT… We pride ourselves on being a family Club, and are overjoyed to see so many more children enjoying our spacious premises. From the playground to the pool, there are countless opportunities for fun. But please, parents, do keep your kids within your field of vision and under control. NO SCOOTERS, PLEASE This one’s so obvious it barely needs stating, but please do not bring scooters into our restaurants or onto our football fields, tennis courts and padel courts. A collision with a guest, Member or staff member could be disastrous.
We pride ourselves on being a family Club, and are overjoyed to see so many more children enjoying our spacious premises.
One careless child has now denied all Members’ children the pleasure of using it. Please encourage your children to look after the toys and furnishings that are there for the enjoyment of all. WASHROOMS ARE NOT PLAYGROUNDS Please do not allow your children to play in the washrooms or in The Guesthouse lobby for prolonged periods of time. Both are functional areas with purposes to serve. We also don’t want innocent kids, who tend to be oblivious when engrossed in fun, copping scoldings from disgruntled adults.
mindful and respectful of others and not cause a splash where it’s not welcome.
POOLSIDE Ps AND Qs For obvious safety reasons, please do not allow your children to run around the swimming pool. Moreover, ask them to be
PLAYROOM ETIQUETTE A gentle reminder to adhere to the rules and regulations of The Playroom. Please do not leave your children unsupervised, and intercept destructive behaviour. We are saddened to report that the little ‘playhouse’ was damaged beyond repair within weeks of The Playroom’s opening.
THANK YOU Thank you for taking this reminder in the spirit in which it is intended – for the safety and enjoyment of all our Members.
ADVERTISE IN
RELAX
If you own or are involved in marketing a business that targets people like you – discerning, well-travelled and quality-conscious, why not advertise right here in the very magazine that you are now reading? For a limited time only, we are offering a special package deal on full-page ads in RELAX:
SWISS CLUB
BOOK 3
OKTOBERFEST IS BACK A PERFECTLY PATRIOTIC PARTY
FULL-PAGE ADS AND
Swiss National Day
NEW ON THE MENU Appetising New Dishes at Arbenz
GET 1 FREE PLUS ENJOY 2 MONTHS OF FREE WEBSITE
WHICH BREAD ARE YOU? Your Favourite Loaf Reveals All
LIFT YOUR GAME
How to Improve Your Sports Performance
TRIPLE FESTIVAL ISSUE
All About Hari Raya Haji, Mid-Autumn Festival and Halloween
RELAX S E P T E M B E R / O C TO B E R
Photo courtesy of Sher Iqbal Texeira
2 015
I S S U E
1
WHAT’S MORE, SWISS CLUB MEMBERS ENJOY 20% OFF OUR AFFORDABLE LISTED RATES.
BANNERS ADS
To find out more, email marketing@swissclub.org.sg or call 6591 9455.
Ask about our special rates exclusively for Swiss Club Members!
Call 6265 7664 for an obligation-free quote or visit www.interswift.com.sg
smoothly into place. and everything will fall with INTERSWIFT Make your next move Tired of having your life turned upside down every time you move? Call 6265 7664 for an obligation-free quote or visit www.interswift.com.sg Ask about our special rates exclusively for Swiss Club Members!
DOMESTIC • INTERNATIONAL • COMMERCIAL RELOCATION EXPERTS
SWISS CLUB
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF OUR DEADLY 60 LIVE SHOW CONTEST IN OUR WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER, WE RAN A CONTEST INVITING MEMBERS TO ANSWER A SIMPLE QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS TO THE DEADLY 60 LIVE SHOW AT MARINA BAY SANDS IN EARLY FEBRUARY. FRONTED BY WILDLIFE EXPERT STEVE BACKSHALL, THE SHOW WAS HAILED AS “AN EVENING OF WILD DISCOVERY AND DANGEROUS ENTERTAINMENT”. THE TICKETS WERE PROUDLY SPONSORED BY SWISS CLUB PARTNER, BASE ENTERTAINMENT. EVERY ENTRANT, A WINNER! Congratulations to the following Members: FIRST NAME Lisa Boris Emi Thomas Eck Meng Michael Wiebke
LAST NAME Tombalakian Duss Schakowski Georgieva Hungerland Goh Becker Klingenberg
We sincerely hope you enjoyed the show (which you will have attended by the time this issue of RELAX goes to print). From all reports, it was a wonderful and enthralling experience.
Look out for more ticket giveaways in our weekly e-newsletters, and you too could soon be attending the cream of live performances and concerts, for free! 13
DINING
Wine, Dine and Unwind in March and April
As we head towards April, historically the hottest month of the year in sunny Singapore, we’ll be serving some refreshing fusion dishes and delightful beverages – just perfect for lazy afternoons and balmy evenings. Eat, drink, enjoy! AT PERGOLA
Soft Shell Taco Treats What:
When:
This quartet of soft shell tacos borrows from Asian cuisines to add a local touch to a Mexican favourite Lime Chicken with Roasted Coconut and Asian Slaw
$11.90
Fish Tacos with Honey Cumin Cilantro Slaw and Chipotle Mayonnaise
$12.90
Pulled BBQ Pork Tacos with Spicy Tomato Salsa
$11.90
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Taco with Guacamole and Sour Cream
$10.90
1 – 31 March 2017 Picture for illustration only
Open-faced Sandwich Sensations What:
Delightful open-faced sandwiches, or tartines, make a healthy, wholesome snack or a light meal. Tuck into these classics! Reuben Sandwich with Beef Pastrami, Sauerkraut, Swiss Gruyere Cheese, Thousand Island Sauce
$10.90
Grilled Sour Dough Bread with Smoked Salmon, Pickled Cucumber, Horseradish Cream
$10.90
Roasted Tomato and Watercress Tartine
$9.90
Ricotta, Fig and Italian Parma Ham Tartine
$10.90
All sandwiches are served with rocket salad. When:
1 – 30 April 2017 Picture for illustration only
Rösti Nights (every Friday) What:
Golden-brown Rösti with traditional accompaniments
When:
6 – 10pm
How much:
Portion – $16.50 each Buffet – $46.50 per person
14
DINING
Raclette Nights (every Wednesday) What:
Authentic Swiss raclette (grilled cheese scraped from the wheel) with traditional accompaniments
When:
6 – 10pm
How much:
Portion – $16.50 each Buffet – $46.50 per person
AT ARBENZ
Executive Set Lunch What: 2-course Executive Lunch When: Weekdays, 11am – 3pm How much: $26 per person Picture for illustration only
CLUB-WIDE MARCH
APRIL
Margarita Mania!
Summertime Sipping
Assorted flavours of the classic cocktail
Freshly prepared classic and exotic summertime drinks
$10 each
Assorted prices Picture for illustration only
Picture for illustration only
Wines of the Month for March and April What:
2014 Spaetrot Gebeshuber Classic Red
How much: $65 per bottle $14 per 150ml glass Tasting Notes
This blend of Pinot Noir and St. Laurent from winery Gebeshuber in the Gumpoldskirchen thermal region is the perfect wine for any occasion. Gebeshuber practises spontaneous fermentation, which involves leaving the wine in stainless steel tanks. You will experience a fruity light to medium body red wine at its best.
What:
2015 Zahel Grüner Veltliner
How much: $65 per bottle $14 per 150ml glass
Tasting Notes
This is Grüner Veltliner as it is supposed to be, from grapes that have been carefully harvested by hand from one of the top Grüner Veltliner producers of Austria – Winery Zahel. You will find hints of ripe green apples on your nose and palette as well as the typical white pepper flavour on top of your tongue.
15
Picture-perfect
Santa! On 10 December 2016, the day of Santa’s scheduled visit to the Pavilion, two young ladies had arrived more than one hour early to get ‘front row seats’. When Christelle asked if they were excited to see Santa, they both nodded and showed her these beautiful drawings. It was the beginning of a picture-perfect encounter with the one and only Santa!
A JOLLY GOOD, MIGHTY LOUD ENTRANCE By 4pm, the Pavilion filled up quickly with guests and the smell of wonderful hot Glühwein. By 4.05pm, some strange sounds resonated from afar. A flurry of horns and the familiar ‘Ho ho ho!’ were heard. Suddenly, some patches of red were spotted, flitting between the greenery. Santa and his devoted helper Santarina (aka Eden on her days off from Santa duties) rolled down the hill in a red buggy. Once again, Chef Adrian was Santa’s designated driver. He was honking loudly to herald the arrival of Santa! What a sight! The children rushed out of the Pavilion and screamed Santa’s
children were immersed in the innocent and evergreen excitement of Christmas.
A gaggle of children had rushed to hug him and greet him with overwhelming love. Truly, love was in the air. name. By the time Santa alighted from the buggy, a gaggle of children had rushed to hug him and greet him with overwhelming love. Truly, love was in the air.
LOVING GREETINGS AND RIOTOUS REUNIONS Santa looked delighted to see familiar faces and new faces all around. He spent a good hour taking pictures with all the kids, talking to them one by one and watching them recite some poems. As you can see, he received some beautiful drawings for his massive gallery at the North Pole. Of course, the question as to where Rudolph was waiting prompted Santa to explain that pets were not allowed in the Club. Rudolph, Santa said, was patiently waiting outside the gates. MUMS AND DADS MAKE MERRY, TOO While the kids enjoyed Santa’s visit, enticing aromas wafted from the kitchen. Parents tucked into a wonderful spread, happily watching on as their
SANTA’S DÉJÀ VU MOMENT There was one memorable moment when Santa recognised two toddlers coming towards him. His eyes opened wide and a big grin curved above his snowy beard when he suddenly realised that these were the two children he had been holding on the Nov/Dec cover of RELAX last year! How they had grown! Reluctantly, Santa had to leave the Swiss Club to continue on his merry way, bringing joy to children all over Singapore and the world. As he was chauffeured back to the main gate, some children followed him all the way… Who knows what ‘Santa secrets’ were revealed. (Let’s hope they’re good at keeping secrets!) Until next year, children – be nice (not naughty). Work hard, wish hard, and no doubt Santa will come to the Swiss Club once again!
Mix business with pleasure?
Of course you can, at the Swiss Club.
Whoever said you shouldn’t mix business with pleasure never held a successful meeting or seminar at the Swiss Club. We provide everything you need for a professional and pleasurable event, from well-maintained audio-visual equipment to gourmet meals and stunning grounds in which to stretch your legs during breaks. Choose from our affordable half-day and full-day packages, set in your choice of venues, or rent one of our excellent meeting rooms.
SEMINAR PACKAGES • Half-day Package (4 hours)
9am – 1pm OR 1pm – 5pm • S$40 per person (Member) Minimum 10 persons and above 1 Coffee Break with 2 Snacks each
• Half-day Seminar Package + Lunch
S$58 per person (Member) Minimum 10 persons and above 1 Coffee Break with 2 Snacks each + 3-course Set Lunch OR Buffet Lunch* *Minimum 30 persons for Buffet Lunch
ABOVE PACKAGES INCLUDE*: • Seminar/meeting venue • Set-up (choice of cluster/classroom/boardroom/U-shape/theatre) • 1 LCD projector and projector screen • Standard audio-video equipment • 1 Wireless microphone (optional) • 1 Whiteboard with markers • 1 Flip Chart and markers • Meeting stationery, bottled water and mints *Terms and conditions apply
• Full-day Seminar Package + Lunch
S$70 per person (Member) 2 Coffee Breaks with 2 Snacks each + 3-course Set Lunch OR Buffet Lunch *Minimum 30 persons for Buffet Lunch
Others: Usage of additional rooms is subject to set-up charges.
MEETING ROOM RENTAL
Room rental starts from S$275 per half-day usage (up to 4 hrs). MEETING ROOM RENTAL INCLUDES*: • Room set-up with table and chairs • 1 Projector and screen • Complimentary Wifi • 1 Whiteboard with markers and 1 flipchart with markers • Meeting stationery, bottled water and mints
The Rifle Lounge
*Terms and conditions apply
Others: Cofee and tea (charged upon consumption) Extended duration is subject to availability.
SOCIAL EVENT PACKAGES
Arbenz
• Canape Package from S$40 per person* • Set Menu from S$65 per person* • Buffet Menu from S$65 per person* *Terms and conditions apply
Exclusive Booking in Arbenz Restaurant Weekdays (Mon – Thurs) S$5,000 minimum spending on F&B Weekends (Fri and Sat) S$6,500 minimum spending on F&B
Poolside Dining
Pictures are for illustration only
Garden Wedding
Board Room
EVENTS
Drumming Up
Good Fortune
On Sunday 5 February, the annual Lion Dance at the Swiss Club started with a bang! THE HEAT WAS ON AS THE COSTUMES WENT ON The lion dance troupe was getting ready by 10.50am for their performance on an exceedingly sunny and warm morning. However, despite the intense heat and copious sweat, a crowd was patiently assembled in anticipation of the seasonal spectacle. And they weren’t disappointed. The performance started with a loud bang. The lions and a cheery chicken mascot proceeded to prance around the Club, followed by a procession of delighted Members and children.
The lions and a cheery chicken mascot proceeded to prance around the Club, followed by a procession of delighted Members and children. 20
The colourful parade started from Arbenz, then proceeded to the offices… then on to Pergola… round the leisure pool… up to the Guesthouse… and back to the main Clubhouse porch.
Did You Know?
The lions then took a short break while the three drummers took the spotlight. Their loud rhythmic beat resonated through the jungle and no doubt startled a monkey or two!
The year of the Rooster falls after the Year of the Monkey and before the Year of the Dog.
AN AUSPICIOUS FINALE Soon enough, the lions sprang back to life and artfully peeled the traditional offerings of mandarin oranges, arranging the pieces of peel into numbers. They also ‘spat’ out cute little dolls, which the children eagerly pounced upon.
According to the Chinese horoscope, the Year of the Rooster is least favourable for… Roosters (unfair as that seems).
The morning’s performance ended with the popping of party poppers and showers of confetti. The children clung affectionately to the lions and chicken, reluctantly letting them go… until the lions return next year, with a dog!
2017 is the Year of the Fire Rooster.
Astrologers advise that all star signs can prosper by channelling the best qualities of the Rooster. Loyalty, commitment, hard work, family values, alertness, organisation and fastidious personal presentation are some of the characteristics that will supposedly pay off this year.
STAY AT THE GUESTHOUSE... THE MEMORIES STAY WITH YOU FOREVER R
Deluxe $165++*
O
O
M
R
A T
Suite $290++*
E
S
NEW
Family Suite $410++*
Contact our friendly Reception at 6591 9420 to make your booking today For more information, please visit www.swissclub.org.sg *Reservations are strictly allowed for Members only. Guest(s) must make reservations through a Member. Gold Card Account Holders will be entitled to 20% off Guesthouse room rates only. Not applicable in conjunction with other promotions/promotional vouchers.
SPORTS
Get into Gear! These days, working out has a lot to it. From expert advice to trending athleisure wear, everyone wants to get in on the action. The Swiss Club’s Sports Manager, Timothy, shares his personal recommendations on gear, gismos and gadgets.
women with underarmour, and adidas has the most versatile shorts or tights. When it comes to shoes, I must say the most comfortable pair for running/ working out would be the Adidas boost series, which are also easy on the eye. Hard to go wrong – and you can keep them on all day.
THE BIG BUSINESS OF FITNESS With tech companies continually launching new gadgets that can measure so many different things, we are often at a loss as to what all that data means. Though the sports and fitness industry is young, it is one of the fastest growing sectors, with new products being launched each day. It is no longer just about the actual act of getting into a sport or exercise but also about looking the part. Wearing athleisure (as it is called) is a fun part of getting fit, and people have been really getting into it over the last couple of years. Traditional sports brands are struggling to keep up with the newcomers who are making apparel that you would not only want to wear to work out in, but keep on wearing after. With so many choices, it’s often hard to decide what to buy. Here are my personal recommendations on fitness apparel and tech. EVERYDAY ATHLEISURE WEAR Every season the top sports brands come up with cooler and cooler looking clothes, making it increasingly difficult to decide what to buy and wear. Needless to say, lululemon has the most comfortable tops for both men and 22
EARPHONES/HEADPHONES Let’s face it, the wires on wired headphones and earphones almost always get in the way when you’re working out. However, while wireless and cable-free earbud-style earphones are available, the technology is still new and the quality of music is not as good as it is with most other wireless earphones. Beats powerbeats 3 are really comfortable to work out to, and deliver a great quality of music. They are water-resistant and have a long battery life. Though they are admittedly a little bit pricey, the microphone attachment ensures you can keep running through that phone call!
SMART WATCHES Smart watches are still rather new. However, if you love having all the details on your last run or bike ride, there are plenty of options available. If you love to have more information than you’d know what to do with, try Garmain. Garmin has been a frontrunner on smartwatches and their Fenix 5, which was just released at CES, looks stunning. The only downside to smartwatches is their limitations to not being fully independent yet. These devices are set to be more independent in the future, requiring less reliance on needing a smartphone to connect to. APPS There is literally an app for everything these days, and sports are no exception. However, there is no one-app-fits-all, so it really depends on the individual. I personally only use an app to track my running route for my own reference. Run keeper is a really popular app, with a community element. This keeps people motivated and coming back. It’s user friendly and only requires your phone – no other devices are necessary. With all this cool apparel and all these exciting devices, what’s keeping you from moving? Go and get into gear! INTERESTED IN PERSONAL TRAINING OR JOINING A SPORTS ACTIVITY? For more information or to register, please contact: Timothy Felix, Sports Manager, Swiss Club E: timothy.rajadurai@swissclub.org.sg
Article courtesy of Timothy Felix, Sports Manager, Swiss Club
Yoga
SPOTLIGHT ON...
Yoga is a great form of exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels. Find out more about the benefits of this ancient mind-body discipline. STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, ENERGY, AWARENESS, HARMONY, JOY… The benefits of yoga are manifold, and include strength building, improved flexibility, increased energy and enhanced awareness, according to Nadja Pizzo, the yoga instructor at the Swiss Club for more than two years. “Yoga moves the body while consciously expanding our awareness. It teaches us how to use the breath to guide our movement and empower ourselves from the inside out,” shared Nadja. “It nourishes the body as well as the mind, and the balance it creates can be taken off the mat to bring harmony and joy to daily life.” GROWING THE MIND, BODY AND SOUL A Swiss-American national and the mother of four teenagers, Nadja has lived in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean.
TEE FOR TRIVIA Vincent Furnier, aka heavy metal rock star Alice Cooper, is an enormously talented amateur golfer with a handicap of four. He once considered switching careers from music to golf.
She has been practising yoga since 2008 and is a registered 200 RYT yoga teacher with The Yoga Alliance. She is also a Holistic Health Coach certified by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City.
YOGA AT A GLANCE When:
Where: The Pavilion Who:
Everyone – students range from marathon runners to regular fitness enthusiasts with various health and wellness goals
What:
Small multi-level classes of 8 to 12 participants, which allow everyone to work at their own pace and level
How much?
$20 per class (Members) $24 per class (Members’ Guests)
While yoga’s benefits are numerous, Nadja believes that its potential for catalysing personal growth are boundless. “Yoga is a practice that creates space, in the mind for more growth, in the body for more freedom of movement, and in the soul for more love.”
Saturdays, 9am – 10am
INTERESTED IN YOGA?
Please email the Sports Manager, Timothy Felix, at timothyrajadurai@swissclub.org.sg or contact Nadja at: T: 9145 4408 E: yogawithnadja@gmail.com
German-Swiss Golf Club
COMPETITION SCHEDULE ANNUAL MEETING 2017 CUM DINNER Date
Monday 20 March 2017
Tee-off commences
7.30pm
Venue
Swiss Club – Pavilion/Jungle Bar
Format
Stableford
Registration by
17 March 2017
MARCH 2017 MEDAL ROUND Date
Saturday 25 March 2017
Tee-off commences
12.30pm
Venue
TBA
Format
Stableford
Registration by
20 March 2017
APRIL 2017 MEDAL ROUND Date
Sunday 23 April 2017
Ferry Departs TMFT
8.10am Singapore Time
Tee-off commences
9.00am WIB
Etd Bintan
5.35pm WIB
Dieter Gumpert, Golf Convenor
Return to TMFT
8.00pm Singapore Time
M: 9754 1907 T: 6465 5250 E: dieter.gumpert@gmail.com
Venue
Ria Bintan Golf Club, Bintan – Ocean Course
Format
Stableford
Registration by
17 April 2017
INTERESTED IN PLAYING GOLF? If you would like to join our golfing group, or take part in one of the competitions, please contact:
Back on the B ll The new year started very well on the tennis courts. It was nice to see how fast everyone got back into their tennis. We reckon that you must miss the game – or perhaps the friendly coaches?
WELCOME BACK SOCIAL In January we had a fun Welcome Back Social, during which we mixed up the teams for two hours. It was great to see everyone play with a different partner. Unfortunately, someone injured himself towards the end of the event... Patrice we wish you a complete and speedy recovery. See you soon on court. THE MEN ARE GAME The Men’s Ladder Tournament restarted mid-January with some new players. It’s clearly a successful event, with several players on the waiting list. Be patient, gentlemen, your turn will come. LADIES FLY THE FLAG Our three Ladies’ Teams are currently playing strongly, ably representing the Swiss Club flag. Please cheer them on at every opportunity. YOUNG GUNS ARE FIRING Our young guns are also playing for the Swiss Club, and have competed in some matches. They are training hard, so we hope their hard work will soon be rewarded with some stellar results. 24
We had a fun Welcome Back Social, during which we mixed up the teams for two hours. It was great to see everyone play with a different partner. In March we will organise the first Junior tournament of the year, and in April we will organise some junior tennis camps. Remember – work hard, have fun and never give up!
SAVE THE DATES Junior Tournament #1 17 March 2017, from 5pm 18 March 2017, 8am to 3pm 19 March 2017 (to be confirmed) Spring Tennis Camps 3 – 7 April 2017 and 10 – 14 April 2017 Please register online for both events. Look out for further information in the Swiss Club newsletter.
Article and photos courtesy of Pierre Capdeville, Swiss Club Tennis Director
At Lumen Capital, it’s all about understanding YOU and YOUR needs
“Financial independence is the foundation for personal freedom. Therefore, safeguarding and growing the assets entrusted to us is what drives me and my team.”
Jan Dirkmann, CEO
The LCI Value Proposition Providing a robust holistic approach to wealth management, we place paramount importance on understanding our clients’ needs and crafting individualized solutions.
www.lci.com.sg 24 Raffles Place, #17-‐03 Clifford Centre, Singapore 048621
Jan Dirkmann Managing Partner, CEO Tel +65 6634-‐0112 jan.dirkmann@lci.com.sg
Justin Lam Partner, Senior Advisor Tel +65 6634-‐0112 justin.lam@lci.com.sg
Eventful
March and April The Embassy of Switzerland is pleased to announce three upcoming events in March and April. FOR THE STUDENTS… Swiss Education Fair 2017 Saturday 11 March, 11am – 6pm Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre (Room 324-325)
"The upcoming edition will showcase Switzerland's finest institutions."
Learn more about Swiss institutions of higher learning at the Swiss Education Fair. Organised by the Embassy of Switzerland and the Swiss Business Hub ASEAN, the upcoming edition will showcase Switzerland's finest institutions. Universities and private schools will
present their various Bachelor Master and PhD Programmes (Finance, Business, Architecture, Engineering, Hospitality and so on). Meet and speak directly with students and professors and get answers to important questions on topics such as the application process, future career opportunities or living in Switzerland. For further information please check: www.SwissEducationFair.org Swiss Education Fair Singapore
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FOR THE FRENCH SPEAKERS... Screening of Swiss film ‘Moka’ by Fréderic Mermoud (Rated M18) Tuesday 14 March, 8pm Alliance Française As part of the Francophonie Festival, the Embassy of Switzerland presents Swiss film ‘Moka’, a thriller/drama written and directed by Frédéric Mermoud. It stars renowned French actresses Emmanuelle Devos and Nathalie Baye.
"The Embassy of Switzerland presents Swiss film ‘Moka’, a thriller/drama written and directed by Frédéric Mermoud."
The protagonist Diane Kramer is led by one obsession: to find the driver of the mocha colour Mercedes, which hit her son and devastated her life. With a few belongings, some money and a gun, she goes to Evian, where she’s learned the driver lives. But sometimes, the
path of revenge is more tortuous than it seems… Diane will have to face another woman, friendly and mysterious. Purchase your tickets at: http://alliancefrancaise.org.sg/event/ moka/?instance_id=1788 The Francophonie Day Saturday 18 March, 3 – 6pm Alliance Française Rediscover the francophone culture through culinary specialties and come enjoy traditional Swiss Raclette. For a complete list of events, visit: http://www.alliancefrançaise.org.sg/ cultural-events/upcoming-events
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FOR THE FOOTBALL FANATICS… Switzerland-Singapore Football Festival Saturday 22 April, 8am – 1pm The Float @ Marina "The Festival promotes passion for sports among kids from 10 to 12 years old."
In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Switzerland’s diplomatic relations with the republic of Singapore, the Embassy of Switzerland and Sport Singapore are hosting a Switzerland-Singapore Football Festival.
The Festival promotes passion for sports among kids from 10 to 12 years old. We welcome junior football players from local and international schools as well as members of the Active SG Football Academy. At the heart of the celebrations are the true values of sports: team spirit, respect and passion.
Egg Hunt
We hunted down these 10 fun facts about Easter Eggs… 1. Easter eggs are nothing new!
The exchange of coloured eggs to celebrate the arrival of spring began 5000 years ago in Persia around 3000 B.C. On the first day of spring, known as the spring equinox, people gave each other dyed red eggs.
4. Blood-red eggs
Orthodox Christians in Greece and the Middle East still paint eggs red to represent the blood that Christ shed at his crucifixion.
5. Cadbury Crème Eggs are ‘hatched’ in…
The factory that makes everybody’s favourite Cadbury Creme Eggs is in Bournville, just outside Birmingham. The eggs are traditionally for sale from New Year’s Day until Easter.
9. Enormous egg!
The world’s largest Easter egg was made by the Belgian chocolate producer, Guyilan, in 2005. The egg measured 8.3m high and took 26 craftsmen 525 hours to build, working with 1950kg of chocolate. The enormous egg was displayed in the city of St. Niklass in Belgium.
2. Christians borrow from pagans
Macedonian Christian crusaders brought back the pagan tradition of celebrating spring with coloured eggs from the Middle East. It came to be associated with the Christian celebration of Easter, and represented the rebirth or resurrection of Jesus rising from the tomb.
3. No eating of eggs during Lent!
Eggs are often associated with Easter meals because the Medieval Church forbade Christians from eating them during the 40-day period of Lent. Hence the eggs laid during Lent were preserved by boiling or other methods, and were consumed in large numbers at Easter.
10. Precious eggs
6. How far does your egg roll? The tradition of egg rolling on Easter Sunday goes back hundreds of years. The aim of the game is to see whose egg can roll furthest without breaking. The world’s most famous egg rolling takes place on the White House lawn on Easter Monday. In 2009, the Obamas hosted their first White House Easter egg roll with the theme ‘Let’s go play’, to encourage young people to lead healthy, active lives.
7. First-ever chocolate Easter egg
The first chocolate Easter egg was produced in 1873 by the British chocolate maker J.S. Fry & Sons, today known as Fry’s. Before then, people gave hollow cardboard eggs, filled with gifts.
8. Why are Easter eggs ‘cracked’?
The famous cracked-egg or ‘crocodile’ finish that you see on Easter eggs was developed in Germany, in order to cover up any minor imperfections in the chocolate.
When Tsar Alexander III commissioned Peter Carl Fabergé Gustavovich the first Easter egg to give to his wife Empress Maria Fyodorevna in 1885, he requested that the jewel should contain a surprise. The gift so delighted the Czarina that the ritual became an imperial tradition. A total of 50 exquisitely crafted and bejewelled Fabergé eggs were made, with 42 of them still in existence today. They are considered masterpieces of jewellery art.
NEWS FROM THE
Lumina
A Glorious Advent Celebration at the Swiss School On 15 December 2016, the students, parents, guests and staff of the SSiS gathered for an unforgettable evening of storytelling, song and music. A STORY SET TO MUSIC This year, the theme of the event was centered on Lumina, a German story by Brigitte Weninger and Julie Wintz, which was woven into the performances. The programme commenced with a beautiful choral rendition of ‘Chum mir wei es Liecht azünde’, sung by Kindergarten, Lower and Upper Primary students. PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS The journey of Lumina begins with Lumina playing cheerfully with her brother and cat. The preschool students took to the stage with a sweet performance of ‘Better Place’. Our next reader, Mikaela from Primary 4, told us how Lumina had lost both her parents and is now alone in the world with nowhere to live. Her only possession is a small lantern that her mother had given to her. Next, the Primary 4 students gave a wonderful vocal rendition of ‘Leise rieselt der Schnee’, accompanied by musical instruments. Elena, of Primary 2, narrated how poor Lumina wanders through the country all alone. No one is willing to give her shelter from the bitter cold or offer her food. Her only comfort is a lantern, which brings her light and a little warmth. Then, an icy wind blows out her lamp and she’s left in darkness. At this point in the story, the Primary 2 students took to the stage and sang ‘Wenn I jetzt ganz stille bi’. As the story unfolds, Oliver from Primary 5 described the despair and terror that Lumina feels when she encounters wolves in the huge forest. This was the cue for the Primary 5 students’ brilliant musical rendition of ‘Stern Über Bethlehem’. 28 28
SHE FINDS A WINGED GUIDE Johann of Kindergarten B blew us away with his perfectly articulated narration of the next scene, when Lumina meets an old owl and follows him. Kindergarten students breezed in with their colourful lanterns and angelically sang ‘So this is Christmas’. Their parents joined in and completed the song in perfect harmony. SEARCHING FOR THE LIGHT Mackenzie of Primary 1 recounted how the old owl guided Lumina through the forest. Overcoming many obstacles, they eventually reach the edge of the wood and Lumina is confident that she can find her way on her own. The owl flies off. The Primary 1 students cheerfully chimed colourful bells to ‘Joy to the World’. Huge applause followed and ushered in their second song, ‘Feliz Navidad’. A GLIMMER OF HOPE Lily and Peer of Primary 3 recounted how Lumina glimpses the light of a horsedrawn sleigh. Despite Lumina’s desperate efforts to flag it down, it disappears from
sight and her hope is dashed. Next, Primary 3 performed a beautiful vocal characterisation of ‘Fröhliche Weihnacht Überall’. Primary 6 sang ‘O Tannenbaum’ with instrumental accompaniment, while both Maya and Emily narrated the completion of Lumina’s journey. Lumina finds a home, finds joy and a place where she belongs. A HAPPY ENDING For the final performance, the school gathered on the stage to sing the traditional Christmas carol ‘Silent Night’, both in English and in German. We take this opportunity to thank students and staff for their hard work in staging this wonderful event, and thank all parents for their donations and contributions towards our school’s charity Child’s Dream. Article courtesy of Reena Rai and Kristy Waddell Photos courtesy of Miriam Sengebusch
INTEREST MEET A MEMBER
As newlyweds working in Singapore, Laure and Thierry de Panafieu were Members of the Swiss Club in 1995. On their return to Singapore from London, they rejoined in June 2011 with four beautiful children in tow.
Second Time Sweeter for Returning Members
Laure and Thierry, ‘Plus Four’
REJOINING THE CLUB, A TOP PRIORITY Laure, who heads the Employment Law Practice in Asia for Linklaters, and Thierry, who runs a private equity fund called Hera Capital, somehow found time in their high-powered careers to have four beautiful children. This pictureperfect family comprises 7-year-old Nine (pronounced ‘Neen’), 9-year-old Inès, 15-year-old Clémence and 18-year-old Arthur, who now studies at Warwick University in the UK. Laure recounted how, when they moved to Singapore from London, they rejoined the Swiss Club even before they signed a lease on their home. INDEPENDENCE, UNITY, DIVERSITY Among the many things Laure and Thierry love about being Members is the freedom it allows each and every family member to do his or her own thing.
The Swiss Club is a place where everyone can have their own agenda. The kids play with their friends, Thierry plays tennis, I use the pool for my lap sessions. Laure
“The Swiss Club is a place where everyone can have their own agenda. The kids play with their friends, Thierry plays tennis, I use the pool for my lap sessions,” said Laure. She added that the family regularly come together for a family lunch at Arbenz. Thierry singled out the multi-cultural diversity as something he truly appreciates. “What is wonderful here is to have all the cultures mixing – Swiss, German, French, English, Italian, increasingly Spaniards, and Singaporeans.”
What is wonderful here is to have all the cultures mixing – Swiss, Germany, French, English, Italian, Spaniards and Singaporeans. Thierry GOOD SPORTS AND GREAT STAFF The entire Panafieu family avail themselves of the sports facilities at the Swiss Club, especially tennis and football. Thierry also credited the Club for introducing him to padel. “I’ve become quite an aficionado,” he said. In addition, Laure praised the longserving staff, the convenience of The Guesthouse for accommodating overseas visitors, and the social benefits of
DINING RECOMMENDATIONS Nine recommends… hot dogs and fries, and chicken rice Inès recommends… hot dogs and fries, chicken wraps and cheese sticks Clémence recommends… salads, especially the Chicken Caesar Salad, pastas and wraps Laure recommends… Salmon Tartare from the recent dining promotion (Hint to Chef!) Thierry recommends… the Indian Tandoori Corner and his ‘top drop’, Pavilion de Leoville Poyferre SaintJulien 2011, priced at $85 per bottle
Membership. Thierry especially enjoys the unique jungle setting and the colonial charm of the Clubhouse building. ECHOES OF A COUNTRYSIDE HOME IN FRANCE Laure likened the Swiss Club to her family’s country home in France in Aumont, near Chantilly. “It’s our family’s countryside place in Singapore,” she declared. “Only without the horses and dogs,” added Clémence. (Though we do offer squirrels and monkeys!) Laure, Thierry, Nine, Inès, Clémence and Arthur – thank you for making the Swiss Club your second home. 29
INTEREST FIRST IMPRESSIONS
An Oasis in a Big City Newcomers to the Swiss Club, the Denks likened the premises to “an oasis in the middle of a big city”. That’s high praise indeed – considering that from 2007 to 2011 they had lived in the breathtakingly beautiful British Virgin Islands. NOT THEIR FIRST SWISS CLUB… A lawyer by training, Swiss-German Christoph works for a private bank headquartered in Liechtenstein, where he and his family have been based for the past five years. He is married to Italian-Swiss Diana, and their 6-year-old son Moritz was born in Puerto Rico and holds three passports! During their time in the British Virgin Islands, the Denks joined the Swiss Club in neighbouring Puerto Rico. Hence they were familiar with the benefits of Club life – networking, the sense of community, the sharing of experiences and the celebration of Swiss National Day.
Diana and Christoph commended the Swiss Club’s professionalism and infrastructure. Email correspondence was swift and efficient, and upon their arrival in Singapore on 29 December 2016, their Membership cards were ready and waiting. Their 5-day stay at The Guesthouse was a welcoming introduction to both the Swiss Club and to Singapore. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE “It’s a Club that meets everybody’s needs. There is something for every one of us – the pool, the restaurants, even a hairdresser!” commented Diana.
Why Yati is…
Christoph appreciates the fact that he can walk to the Club from home, and regularly uses the lap pool for exercise. He enjoys the Cervelat Salad at Pergola, and hopes to work his way down the menu. “Our to-do list at the Swiss Club is very long,” he shared. Sporty and fun-loving Moritz, who attends the neighbouring Swiss School, also loves the pool. “I love the diving board – I can do a somersault!” Eloquent (in several languages!), Diana summed up the family’s collective first impressions when she said, “It’s like living in Paradise.”
MEET A STAFFER
In a Good Mood Every Day A familiar smiling face at Pergola and Arbenz, Yati has worked at the Swiss Club for almost 10 years. She credits the friendly Members, her supportive colleagues and her nice bosses as the reason why she smiles and laughs every day. INDONESIAN, SINGAPOREAN AND ‘SWISS’ Yati (‘Sariati’ in full) was born in Surabaya, Indonesia, and has lived in Singapore for more than 25 years, which accounts for most of her 39 years. Hard to believe when you look at her petite frame, but she is mother to a 20-year-old son and an 18-year-old daughter. Yati attributes her slim figure and youthful looks to simply being on her feet in the healthy fresh air. “Working is my exercise – and I get paid for it!” said Yati, smiling as always. LOVE OF WORK Yati clearly loves her job as a member of the service staff at Pergola and Arbenz. 30
She cites the friendly Members, her nice bosses and her wonderful colleagues as the reason for the “great atmosphere”. As we were interviewing Yati, several Members drifted in, smiled at her on sight and greeted her warmly in a variety of accents. “I like the fact that I meet people from all over the world here,” said Yati, as she reeled off the long list of nationalities she serves, from Swiss to German, French, Italian, British and beyond. We noticed that Yati laughs a lot, and were at first inclined to put it down to shyness. Then she explained that her boss Alex is a very funny guy. “He always makes us laugh, and puts us in a good mood every day!” said Yati.
FOND OF FOOD When Yati is not working, she likes to cook Indonesian food for her family. Soto ayam, a chicken dish, and rawon, a beef dish, are her specialties. She confirmed that she is one of those typical mums who like to cook up a storm and feed other people, staying slim while making everyone else ‘fat’! When we asked Yati for some dining recommendations for Members, she quickly replied, “The gourmet burger, the pulled pork burger and the Vietnamese noodle soup are very popular,” said Yati. At that moment, a tall gentleman armed with a newspaper entered Pergola and shared a moment of friendly banter with Yati. Clearly, Yati is very popular, too.
INTEREST KIDS’ SPACE
Easter Egg Hunt
Get a copy of this page from Pergola staff and get cracking!
Find and circle the hidden Easter eggs in this picture. There are 6 in total!
Read (and Write) the Signs
TYLER IS TOPS!
Locate this signpost at the Swiss Club and fill in the missing letters.
Congratulations to Tyler Hughson for submitting the first-drawn completed and correct entry in our Kids' Space lucky draw for Jan/Feb. He won a Swiss Club cap!
Singa Pool SSA
Hall
La Po l School Sports Ten
Court
port Edelweis Room
32
WANT TO ENTER OUR LUCKY DRAW?
Complete this page, provide your name, Membership number, age, phone number and email address, and hand it to the reception at the Guesthouse. You could be the lucky one to win a mystery prize every issue! Entries close 1 Apr 2017.
N ame Membership No.
Squash
Age
Member's Room
Daytime Tel No.
INTEREST
Fitness, Friends, Fun! PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES IN MARCH AND APRIL
Join in our regular activities and form binding friendships as you keep fit. We have something for all interests, ages and levels of fitness. SOCCER FAMILY SOCIAL SOCCER Sun 15:00 – 16:30 (Soccer Field) Sun 16:30 – 18:00 (Soccer Field)
TENNIS MEN’S SOCIAL Tue 19:00 – 22:00 (Courts 2 & 3) 21:00 – 22:00 (Court 4)
SWIMMING AQUADUCKS E: swiss@aquaducks.com.sg M: 9487 5183
SOCIAL SOCCER Mon 20:00 – 22:00 (Soccer Field)
Sat 15:00 – 18:00 (Courts 2, 3 & 4)
PARENT AND CHILD 30 mins sessions
Please register with Urs Lichtenberger (E: ulichtenberger@bluewin.ch) and Thomas Koechli (E: tkoechli@gmail.com) to get on the mailing list. An email is sent to Swiss Club members every Friday to get players registered for soccer on Monday. GERMAN TEAM SOCCER PRACTICE Tue 20:15 – 22:00 (Soccer Field) Rino Binder E: info@gas-sg.com (German All Stars) SWISS TEAM SOCCER PRACTICE Wed 20:00 – 22:00 (Soccer Field) League games on Saturdays
Sports Manager: Timothy Felix E: timothy.rajadurai@swissclub.org.sg LADIES’ CLINICS Mon & Tue 09:00 – 11:00
PRESCHOOL LTS 30 mins sessions
Mon: Court 1 – Open to all members Court 4 & 5 – WITS/LTS teams only
Mon – Fri 15:30 – 17:00 (Leisure Pool) Sat 10:00 – 12:00 (Lap Pool)
Tue: Courts 4 & 5 – WITS/LTS teams only Fri 08:00 – 10:00 Courts 4 & 5 – Open to all members, registration with 40XV is required
Heinz Braegger E: heinz.braegger@sc.com
Court 4 & 5: • Parent/child and tiny tots programme • Junior introductory/development programme • Junior intermediate/advance programme
Captain: Thomas Kaegi E: thomas-za.kaegi@ubs.com
For times and dates, please see the 40XV display at the tennis courts.
SOCCER TRAINING FOR KIDS Training on Saturday 09:00 – 10:30 U5/U6/U8 (Sports Field) Cosmo United Football Academy
FORTY-FIFTEEN (40XV) Tennis Director: Pierre Capdeville E: pierre@forty-fifteen.com
Coach: Urs Brutsch E: urs.brutsch@hpwm.sg
Olliver Marx E: info@cufa.com.sg W: www.cufa.com.sg M: 9821 3896
Mon – Fri 15:30 – 16:00 (Leisure Pool)
LEARN TO SWIM 30 mins sessions Mon – Fri 15:30 – 17:00 (Leisure Pool) Sat 10:00 – 12:00 (Lap Pool) COMPETITION & DEVELOPMENT CD1 & CD2 Mon – Fri 17:00 – 18:00 CD2 & CD3 Mon – Fri 18:00 – 19:00 CD2, CD3 & CD4 Sat 09:00 – 10:00 CD1 Sat 10:00 – 11:00 ADULTS' TRAINING Fri 08:30 – 09:30 (Leisure Pool)
Please check the tennis noticeboard for courts allocation for coaching and social tennis.
33
INTEREST
AEROBICS BODY TONING Tue & Fri 08:30 – 09:30 (Aerobics Studio) STEP AND TONING Wed 18:00 – 19:00 (Aerobics Studio) Please contact Andrea Holzmann-Zaouchi at E: holzmann.a@hotmail.com or T: 9835 4674 for more details. AQUA BIKING Wed 19:00 – 19:45 Sat 09:00 – 09:45, 10:00 – 10:45 Please contact the Sports Manager, Timothy Felix at E: timothy.rajadurai@swissclub.org.sg Pre-registration of 24 hours is required for this class. BADMINTON Thu 20:00 – 22:00 (Sports Hall) Please contact Martin Goerg at E: badminton@swissclub.org.sg for more details. BIKE RIDES ON SUNDAYS Please check Newsletter for more details. BOOT CAMP Mon 18:00 – 18:45 (Soccer Field) (Note: During rain, Boot Camp will be held at the gym.) Thu 08:00 – 08:45 (Outside Gym)
GOLF German-Swiss Golf Club
PILATES Wed 08:30 – 09:30 (Aerobics Studio)
Please contact Dieter Gumpert at E: dieter.gumpert@gmail.com for more details or refer to page 24.
Please contact Christabel Lim at E: christabel_lyh@hotmail.com or T: 9619 5820. Note: Pre-registration is required for this class.
JASS Six rounds per year, usually a Friday night. Please contact Aileen Aschwanden at E: jass@swissclub.org.sg for more details. KARATE FOR KIDS Aerobics Studio Thu 16:00 – 16:45 (Mini-Ninjas, 4 - 6 years) 17:00 – 18:00 (Little Dragons, over 6 years)
SKAT Wed 20:00 – 23:00 (Jungle Bar) Please contact Hubert Nerlich at E: hubertnerlich@gmail.com or T: 6734 0034 for more details. VOLLEYBALL Wed 20:00 – 22:00 (Sports Hall) Please contact Steffen Koch at E: s.n.koch1@web.de for more details.
Please contact the instructor, Sensei Peter Robertson, at E: zendoka@yahoo.com or T: 9837 8637 for more details.
YOGA HATHA YOGA Sat 09:00 – 10:00 (Pavilion)
MAHJONG Mon 19:30 – 22:30 (Rifle Lounge)
Please contact Nadja Pizzo at E: pizzonadja@gmail.com or T: 9145 4408 for more details.
Please contact Jill Boschung at E: jillbos@yahoo.com or T: 9022 4605 for more details. PERSONAL TRAINING Please contact Timothy Felix at E: getactive@activefitness.com.sg, by appointment only.
YIN YOGA Mon 08:30 – 09:30 (Pavilion) Please contact Laurence Chehab-Fabry at E: info.letsyoga@gmail.com or T: 9170 8218 for more details.
Please contact the Sports Manager, Timothy Felix at E: timothy.rajadurai@swissclub.org.sg
GOT A SUGGESTION? If you would like to suggest a new activity, please contact our Sports Manager, Timothy Felix Rajadurai, at timothy.rajadurai@swissclub.org.sg.
34
INTEREST
36