Local is Lekker

Hermie the Humpback Whale

Louis and Mireille Pretorius of Creative Notions proudly show off their supersize stuffed whale, Hermie, which weighs about 12 kg and charms everyone who walks into this haberdashery shop in Long Street. Creative Notions stocks domestic and industrial embroidery machines, sewing, quilting and labelling machines (they also offer a maintenance and repair service), and craft accessories ranging from threads and sewing patterns to an exciting range of gifts. Their stuffed whale soft toys made from denim are cuddly and adored by young and old, especially tourists, says Mireille. They come in three sizes – key ring, baby and standard size – and can also be made to order. Louis is the stitcher who is responsible for these creations and he is now working on adding Rory the Right Whale to their soft toy collection. “Rory is a little more difficult to make because of the shape of the southern right whale and the callosities on their backs, but I’m getting there,” laughs Louis. Hermie whales can be purchased at Creative Notions and selected retailers in town such as Africa Blu, Super Plants and Trendy Tots. You’ll find Creative Notions at 23 Long Street and they can be contacted on 028 312 2182 / 2313. Visit their online shop at creativenotions.co.za

PHOTO: Hedda Mittner

New Vet Clinic

The Village Vet Clinic in the Eastcliff Centre, which celebrated its opening on Thursday 30 August, is a dream come true for veterinarian, Dr Melinda Devenish. Before opening her own clinic with the encouragement and support of her family, and especially her husband, Francois Gildenhuys, Melinda was treating animals at the Hermanus Animal Welfare (HAWS) Clinic. She says she would like to continue helping out at HAWS once her clinic is up and running. The Village Vet Clinic will function as a day hospital for animals where they can be brought for general health check-ups and small procedures such as dental work and medicated baths. “We want people to feel relaxed when they come here and know that we will really take special care of their pets,” she says. ”That is why our slogan is We love them like you do.” Village Vet is also a stockist of Hills, VetsBrands and Royal Canin as well as Rogz pet gear. The premises feature a commissioned work by local artist Petrus Viljoen, seen here behind Lorraine Janke (Village Vet receptionist), Dr Melinda Devenish and her husband, Francois Gildenhuys (the practice’s manager). Contact the Village Vet Clinic on 064 875 9935 or visit them at Shop 2B in the Eastcliff Centre on the corner of Main Road and Fairways Avenue.

PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

Putting children and books on the same page

HELPING Hand sponsored by Talisman Hire

Children’s urge to play is powerful. Visual images from nightmarish refugee camps in France, Turkey, Bangladesh and Sudan, surrounded by violence, desperation and hopelessness, show children playing, living in a world of the imagination where they can process the unhappy present and learn physical, cognitive and social skills that will remain with them forever.

Access to books and storytelling which millions of children around the world are denied is a vital extension of this need to imagine different worlds, different possibilities, different ways of living.

It was this principle which drove storyteller/authors Lesley Beake, Gcina Mhlophe and Sindiwe Magona to launch the Child-ren’s Book Network in 2012. Their aim was to introduce the magical world of books into the lives of as many children as possible who through poverty and other adverse circumstances have had little or no exposure to them. They wanted, too, to link books to fun, to creative play, to development of the imagination; indeed to allow children to experience the freedom of simply being children.

Lesley Beake, who now lives in Stanford, is the Director of the Children’s Book Network. As she says, “My home, my life, my world is filled with books. If I could wish one wish for any child, one child anywhere, it would be the ability to decipher the riches books bring.” She is intent on reaching out to as many children as possible, and converting them to the joys of reading; hence the mantra of the Children’s Book Network, to put children and books on the same page.

During September, Saturday workshops will continue in Stanford, with a very special celebration on Heritage Day. Lesley Beake can be contacted on lesley@childrensbook.co.za or 082 6464420. For more information visit www.childrensbook.co.za

– Elaine Davie

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