Wine Valley News

RUTH McCOURT

The ‘happy new year’ greetings may have ceased but the summer celebrations aren’t going away anytime soon.

On the topic of clinking glasses… we look forward to the month of love – replete with red roses and heart-draped décor – as we share in Valentine’s Day celebrations with loved ones.

Those in need of date night ideas are spoilt for choice in our Valley of Dreams, where alfresco picnics, luxury spa treatments and candle-lit tables lure with the promise of the gourmet gold to follow, around every corner.

attention while at the table. While a good memory for cards is a significant advantage, the game can also be played less competitively in a rubber bridge (or Chicago) format as opposed to (competitive) duplicate bridge. In duplicate bridge, all pairs play the same hands and so luck (of getting good cards) is largely eliminated, and the results of the competing pairs are then tallied. Unlike say chess, bridge is a social game. One is interacting not just with one’s partner but also with other competing pairs. During the Covid lockdown, all bridge clubs closed but games continued online.”

The pairs’ next competitive outing will probably be the SA Championships that will be taking place in Cape Town in May.

Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Supplied

Together For Christmas

More than 300 disadvantaged children in Groendal received a special Christmas treat on Christmas Day. It was all courtesy of Romano Hoffman and his team who organised a day of healthy fun for them. From physical activities such as dance, games, waterslides and music, to environmental awareness and food and drinks, it was a Christmas celebration with a difference that the children will not forget for a long time.

In true community spirit, Frank and his team from Le Petit Manoir sponsored the delicious lasagnas and rolls. Further donations were received from GlenWood Vineyards; Dave and Shelley Ansell; Rosita, Derik and Kathrine from Shofar Franschhoek. These made it possible to feed the children and youth and provide waterslides for them all to enjoy.

A Grade 7 learner from Wes-Eind Primary School, Luciano Louw, showed great leadership and assisted with crowd control, cleaning the park and distributing the drinks to the children and youths. Other volunteers included: Megan Hoffman, Leticia Juries, Alfonso Fagan and Aunty Anne from Shofar Franschhoek.

The event was supported by the Franschhoek-based Foundation for Sport, Development and Peace and co-organised by the Project Manager of the ‘Play Fair – Everywhere’ Pierre de Coubertin Project of the Foundation, Ms Henrietta du Preez.

Cape Town-based Aspiring Arrows Youth Empowerment assisted in managing the event. James Tshiteya from Shofar Franschhoek gave the children a motivational speech on the importance of the environment which they all implemented with a clean-up activity in the Park.

The main organiser Romano Hoffman says: “This event is envisaged to become an annual one for children and youth and will combine healthy food and physical, values-based and educational activities. Thank you to the Franschhoek and Groendal Communities for their support and care for our children. We are looking forward to more exciting activities in 2023!”

For more info please contact: romanohoffman@ gmail.com