Stanford river talk april 2015

STANFORD RIVER TALK Volume 116 | April 2015 | Stanford‘s monthly newspaper | R14

g n i h s i f Gone

STANFORD RIVER TALK 1

contact us • EDITOR – Phil Murray 082 667 0619 philippa.murray@gmail.com • ADVERTSING & LAYOUT – Sandra Slabbert 079 523 8453 design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za • ACCOUNTS – Michelle Hardie ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za www.stanfordrivertalk.co.za find our business page on FACEBOOK MONTHLY CONTRIBUTORS Suzanne Francois-Rossouw, Andrew Herriot, Mike Horn, Olga Koorts, Karen McKee, Don MacIver, Martin Ranger, Bryan Robertson, Tasha Saha, Naas Terblanche, Tania Weich and James Yeasts.

COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Taken by Sean Ingles.

Editorial Contributions & Disclaimer Editorial contributions are welcome and should include top quality photos where relevant. Articles will be printed under the contributor‘s name or an accepted nom-de-plume if the full name and address is provided. All contributions are voluntary and not paid for. The editor reserves the right to edit, amend, abridge or reject any article. Opinions of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the editor. Copyright All material in this issue is copyrighted, and belongs to The Really Famous Publishing CC unless otherwise indicated. No part of the material may be reproduced without prior permission.

Published and printed by The Really Famous Publishing CC.

☎☎☎☎☎☎☎☎☎ STANFORD EMERGENCY NUMBERS Fire & Rescue Emergencies 028 312 2400 • 079 507 7326 Overstrand Emergency Control Room 028 313 8111 Police

028 341 0601• 10177 Sewage truck 028 341 8500 MEDICAL Ambulance 10177 Hermanus Medi-Clinic 028 313 0168 Hermanus Provincial Hospital 028 312 1166 Stanford Clinic 028 341 0933

contact us

STANFORD RIVER TALK 2

eds notes The Easter holiday has arrived, bringing with it the much needed break from the helter-skelter first term. Stanford turns on its vintage charm as children frolic in gardens and hunt down chocolate treats. They may not be in pinafores and britches but they have the same innocent delight on their faces as children of old.

Bryan Robertson saves the day with an emergency chocolate recipe in Kitchen Talk (Page 10) while Karen McKee learns to cope with the unreliability of electricity (Village life and blackouts, page 12). Naas Terblanche finds a puff adder in his lounge (Nature talk, page 18), Martin Ranger packs his wine rack with red for the approaching winter (Soapbox, page 8) and Tasha Saha dances her troubles away (Dancing Queen, page 19). We just love the photographs of crafty projects on the go in Stanford (I made this, page 16) – the ideas and range of talents is inspiring. Thank you to all those of you who so generously share your photos.

Don't miss the charming tale of the prodigal frog in our Letters to the editor (Page 3) and our usual village News and Updates (Page 4-5). The Christian Forum reminds us of the real meaning of Easter as the cornerstone of the Christian faith (Page 22). We wish all those who celebrate Easter a blessed weekend with loved ones.

Are you a fan of Stanford River Talk?

Why not surprise someone with the gift of a subscription to Stanford's monthly newspaper? We post copies every month to those who subscribe.

We can even post copies to locals if you don't mind waiting a few days for the cogs of the postal service to turn.

Please email design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za for more information.

Write to us

letters to the editor Please send your letters to philippa.murray@gmail.com. Try to keep letters as short as possible (100 words or less) and supply your name and address. Anonymous letters will not be published. The editor reserves the right to edit, amend, abridge or reject any letter.

Lost and found

Toad Tale

I received a telephone call from Mr Graig Niemand to say that he was standing outside my gate with my wallet and my cell phone. I had put my phone and wallet on the roof of my vehicle while I loaded the dogs and then very stupidly drove off leaving them on my roof. Graig picked them up in two different places with my cell phone in pieces.

He first checked my wallet to see who it belonged to and then reassembled my phone and contacted me.

I cannot tell you how happy I am not to have lost them with all the attendant hassle of lost money, lost cards and lost information but what gives me a sense of real joy is the fact that we have young men like Graig working in our community. If I have lost any faith in this country's future, Graig's action has gone a long way towards restoring it. As long as there are honest young men like him amongst us, I shall sleep a lot easier at night.

This young man is a credit to the Municipality for which he works.

John Withers

I have a Raucous Toad who has taken up residence underneath my dog’s bed – not a good choice for a new home! To date I have relocated it to different areas nine times, the last being to the Nature Reserve at the top of Queen Victoria Street. On all occasions it has returned to its home under my dog’s bed, taking four daysto get back from the Nature Reserve.

Naas what should I do? I have tried kissing it goodbye and telling it to explore the world but it keeps coming back!

Sarah James ➜ Did you actually kiss your Raucous Toad squatter, Sarah? It is no wonder that he came back!

Toads are probably the most harmless of all animals and will never harm you or your dog. I am sure that you are aware of this.

We all know that the reason for you wanting to get rid of Johnny, is your concern for his safety and this is very praiseworthy. You can however be assured that he can look after himself and that he will do his best to rid you of all insects in your house and vicinity (he especially loves mosquitoes).

Toads are known to have a homing instinct and they can travel many kilometers in a short time. If you feel strongly that you want to break off your relationship you will have to move him more than five kilometers away. You must however keep mind that another toad may take up residence under your dog’s bed. It is obviously a very attractive niche.

Please keep me up to date.

Naas Terblanche ➜08:00 Thursday, 26 March: Guess what! The toad has reappeared back to it’s bed which its seems to like sharing with my dog! I dropped it off down by the river at Sillery two weeks and four days ago. Absolutely amazing! Naas, if you would like it and you are coming to Stanford, will you please let me know.

Sarah James

STANFORD RIVER TALK 3

letters to the editor

To be or not to be a friend We come to live in a small town for many different reasons. If loneliness has brought you here, beware. As a rule, people are very suspicious of individuals who make too much of an effort to become friends. 'What are they really after?' you may think. Once in your house you may never get rid of them.

People are much like medicine. There are some that you can only take in prescribed doses. Others you can only take in controlled environments like dinner parties or braais where you have others to complete the mix. Some you may just have time to read the label and make a friendly comment and then move on. The thought of having them in your house sends shivers down your spine. And then there are those that fall into the placebo category - take as much as you want and it will do you no harm. It could in fact be good for you because we all need unconditional friendship.

The problem comes in when you think you have a friend but they never ask you over. You hear they had a dinner party to which you were not invited. If you are not a very grounded individual and maybe lacking a little in self-confidence, you may take this to heart and find it difficult to deal with. Humans are so complex that if you find a true friend, it can only be put down to the chemistry between you. Don’t try to over analyse this. Just enjoy what you have and as long as the basic rules of decency and good manners with a lot of selflessness prevail, you’ll have a friend for life. Just be comfortable in your own skin.

Friedel Sauer

Bird Fair’s Conservation Fund The Stanford Conservation Trust is frequently asked whether it receives any contribution from the funds raised by the annual Walker Bay/Stanford Bird Fair in the name of conservation. Stanford Conservation does not benefit, has never benefited, and has never requested to benefit from this fund. Previous funds raised by the Bird Fair were mainly donated to the Overberg Lowlands Conservation Trust. This conserves the critically endangered Renosterveld ecosystems in the Agulhas Plain and which is part of the Agulhas Biosphere Initiative. Naas Terblanche’s frog research project has also received some funding in the past.

Stanford Conservation raises most of its funds via the monthly Wine and Wisdom evenings (everyone welcome!) and other fund-raising initiatives.

Bea Whittaker Chair: Stanford Conservation

Thank you Stanford After my recent unscheduled collapse on the Wandelpad on Monday 23 March 2015, I am still overwhelmed by the care and concern of strangers and friends.

Mr Kobus le Roux was the first to find me and duly called his wife Vicky who sounded the alarm. Soon Bea Whittaker, Mary Knight and others appeared on the scene. In no time at all Bea had rallied the forces and called Yvonne Patterson, with her calming presence, and Craig Muni.

The ambulance arrived and I was whisked off to Hermanus Medi Clinic.

If you are going to have a crisis, there is no better place to have it than in Stanford.

Thank you each and every one.

Kerri Brokensha

A job well done Thank you, Constable Cekiso, for chasing after the two intruders in our property at 03:00 on 20 March. One got away, but Constable Cekiso ran after the other, threatened him with his firearm and managed to apprehend him. Man alone he marched him back to the van and then continued to look for the second guy. We, unfortunately, could not lay a charge as he/they did not break or steal anything, and trespassing is regarded as petty crime. However, the SAPS took his fingerprints and will see if they match up with fingerprints taken at recent robberies.

Well done, Constable Cekiso! We are proud of policemen like you.

Basil & Bea Whittaker STANFORD RIVER TALK 4

news and updates

WARD COMMITTEE FEEDBACK Meeting held 12 March 2015 HERMANUS GANSBAAI SOLID WASTE REMOVAL TO END The additional cell at the Karwyderskraal landfill site has been completed and it is expected that the transfer of solid waste from Hermanus to Gansbaai will end by late March. No more EnviroServe heavy trucks on the R43 between Stanford and Hermanus!

BEZUIDENHOUT STREET PAVEMENT The construction of the pavement will probably have started by the time SRT is on the shelves. This project is funded from external monies received by the municipality, i.e. the Greenest Town Award. A condition of the prize money is that (supervised) indigent local labour must used for the construction work. The alignment of the road and pavement, the moving of electricity poles etc. is done by the municipality.

The design of the pavement takes into account the future development around the community centre.

EIA FOR RIVERFRONT AMENITIES The EIA for the proposed tourism infrastructure along the river has been awarded to EnviroAfrica. Public meetings will soon be held to obtain the community’s input on the various proposals, which include a boardwalk and floating jetty for boat access, ablution and guard facilities c/o Caledon and Du Toit Street, etc. Do not miss your opportunity to participate!

MASTER PLAN FOR VILLAGE GREEN AND MORE Due to a savings on the professional fees budgeted for the above-mentioned EIA, the remaining amount will be used to survey the village green and Shortmarket and Longmarket Streets from Queen Victoria to De Bruyn Streets. The resulting master plan will address engineering aspects such as drainage, road alignment, parking, etc. opening the way for the design of pavements, road surfaces, storm water run-off, etc. in line with the heritage-sensitive architectural landscaping of this area.

GRANT-IN AID Deadline for organisations to apply for these grants is 10 April 2015. The application form can be obtained from Nataley Cornelius at the municipal office, or ncornelius@overstrand.gov.za PLAYGROUND The aeroplane erected c/o Queen Victoria and Moore Street is a great success and the children are thoroughly enjoying it.

Thanks to the municipality for organising this! A donation of R5 000 has been made towards a swing for the area, and quotes are being obtained for the swing and possibly a roundabout. The equipment is not cheap, and any other person wishing to donate funds to the project can contact ward committee member Bea Whittaker on milkwood@maxitec.co.za WATERING OF TREES ON MUNICIPAL PROPERTY/ SIDEWALKS Thanks to Peter Wolters, a 500 litre water tank is now available for use by the Green Team to water the trees in town. This will be done every Monday afternoon under guidance of Stanford Conservation. SCT also fixed the irrigation on the market square, so hopefully there will be no repeat of the annual tree drought.

Bea Whittaker

STANFORD PROPERTY SALES Two properties in Stanford were issued with sales certificates in March. These figures include name transfers.

news and updates

Congratulations

Stanford Conservation Trust AGM The Annual General Meeting of Stanford Conservation Trust will be held on Thursday 16 April 2015 at Peasant’s Bar (formerly Art Cafe) commencing at 18h30.

The guest speaker is Sheraine van Wyk who is the Eco-Learning Manager at Whale Coast Conservation. She will make a presentation on the frog monitoring project undertaken in Stanford over the past year – with some interesting findings. Most notable of these is the absence of platannas in both the Willem Appel Dam and the Vlei Street wetlands where one would expect them to occur.

The Joint was Jumping Jazz vocalist Janet Marshall shimmered recently at the Stanford Harvest to my keyboard backing.

About fifty jazz fundis from Stanford and as far afield as Jo’burg, Cape Town, PE, Franskraal enjoyed the rhythm and the syncopated beat of Jazz Standards. Viv McOnie, mein hostess and her dedicated staff, ensured that the customers were well fed and watered. The recently upgraded Country Farm Restaurant is the latest addition to Stanford’s evolving meeting places for good food and entertaining music. Janet’s repertoire of easy listening songs and her warm personality captured the swing mood with 'Quando, Quando', 'My Baby', 'Fly Me to the Moon' and many more captivating tunes from the jazz age of yesteryear. Viv with her local photographer’s support, Herman van Bon, intend to attract a certain discerning customer to future events. Janet and I won’t be far away.

Jazzman Andrew

Best adventure operator We had a great weekend at the 2015 Getaway Show at Lourensford Estate. After many months of preparation we launched our new cycling slack packing trail, Cycle Down South at the show. This fully supported mountain biking package takes riders from Stanford via two overnight stops and 130 km of beautiful scenery to the southern The Privetts with their prize. tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas. We were very excited about all the positive feedback and enthusiasm for this new product. The Fynbos Trail is now well established and it was great to see many folk who have walked the trail, and meet many new prospective hikers. Our stand won the prize for the Best Adventure Product (Best Adventure Operator 2015) – a cherry on the top. Thank you to our local community for all the interest and support! Michelle Privett

John Gordon was the winner of the stunning pair of Swarovski binoculars in the Walker Bay Bird Fair raffle.

The draw was done by the editor of the Hermanus Times in their offices.

Lucky winner: (From left) Debbie Alexander (Stanford Bird Club), John Gordon and Liz Hochfelden (Stanford Bird Club).

Bird hide time Freckles and I feel much safer sitting quietly and watching birds at the Willem Appel Bird Hide.

Thank you to Royd Frith, Peter Hochfelden and Ian Wilson for the newly fitted security gate at the hide.

Sarah James Freckles on the lookout.

Toilet talk When it's yellow – let it mellow, When it's brown – flush it down.

This was the slogan in Durban in the 1970s when there was a severe water shortage. It is however, equally applicable to our current situation with loadshedding and power outages.

Water borne sewerage usually gravitates from your house via underground pipes to a holding tank. From here it is pumped to a treatment plant where it is treated to a prescribed waste water standard for discharge into a river, aquifer or the sea. However, electricity keeps the system going. When Eskom fails us, the human waste can spill into the environment when generators cannot cope with the flow and/or the power outage results in a treatment backlog that becomes too much for the system.

Next time we haul out the gas bottles, candles and the solar jars, please keep in mind that a large scale power outage should be treated in the same way as a critical water shortage. Bottom line: when on water-borne sewerage DO NOT FLUSH the toilet unless necessary. And please don’t ask for your tank to be pumped.

Bea Whittaker

Weather reading ☀đ&#x;Œ ☀đ&#x;Œ ☀đ&#x;Œ I am fairly new in town and have just finished setting up the first internet connected weather station in the Overberg. It takes readings for temperature, humidity, pressure and rainfall every few minutes. As it is located in town, it will be more accurate for us than the forecasts we get based on Hermanus/Gansbaai. Just head to https://www.netatmo.com/weathermap and click on the readings for Stanford on the map.

Sam Field

Cosy cattery and kennel in lovely country atmosphere.

Qualified dog trainer.

Well balanced diets, love and care.

028 - 3410 961 STANFORD RIVER TALK 5

news and updates

Sporty Spice

Welcome, Cats Panthera Africa is a big cat sanctuary for any captive bred lions, leopards and tigers in need of rescue. Animal welfare is our top priority. Our main purpose is to be an educational platform where we create awareness about conditions big cats face in captivity, and how animal welfare and enrichment play a vital role in giving them the best captive life Tiger Arabella. possible. We are a true sanctuary where no cub petting, breeding or trading takes place.

Panthera Africa will finally be open from 3 April for you to come and enjoy our magnificent Big Cats! We are excited to tell you that we have five lions, two tigers, two leopards and three caracals.

In order to not overcrowd the animals, we have put a limit of 20 people per visit, so it is always good to book in advance to ensure your spot! There are different experiences available so please visit our website for more information. www.pantheraafrica.com for more details.

Cathrine S. Nyquist

Winners all round

Winners and supporters of the Leap Frog Art Competition: (From left) Sarah Walne, Samantha Horn, Rachel Horn, Erin Dreyer, Christolene de Wee and Tucker Chancey Absent: Asana Miles, Mitchell Temmers, Whilene Speelman, Inatho Tshiseka, Siyamthanda Ngaleka and Jade Coetzee.

All winners received certificates and head torches so that they can spot frogs in the evenings.

Red My Lips Red My Lips is an international non-profit organization based out of the U.S.A. They run an annual global awareness campaign where fierce and fearless supporters rock red lipstick throughout the month of April (Sexual Assault Awareness Month) to demonstrate solidarity and support for survivors and to start important conversations with people in their lives. Red My Lips is designed to raise visibility and awareness about the realities and prevalence of sexual violence, while combatting rape myths and victim-blaming.

Social Media has allowed this campaign to spread quickly and it intends to raise funds for organisations that support the victims of sexual assault. For more information, visit www.redmylips.org STANFORD RIVER TALK 6

Check these curves.

The Classic Car Club from Hermanus gets together every Friday for lunch. On 20 March they decided to visit Stanford and dropped in at the Birkenhead Estate for lunch and local beer.

Chris Boshoff

Community Police Forum PUBLIC MEETING/IMBIZO The SAPS public meeting held on Thursday 12 March was well attended by many concerned and interested community members. From the many questions addressed to SAPS, it became abundantly clear that an understaffed Stanford SAPS team needs everyone’s support in combating crime. Two major concerns raised were increasing burglaries in Stanford North and the sixteen parolees who have been seen breaking their strict conditions of parole.

PAROLEES’ PETITION As recommended by Captain Africa, a petition can be drawn up by the community protesting at the inefficient monitoring of parolees. The petition would be forwarded to Correctional Services.

In response to serious community concerns at the Imbizo, the CPF and Stanford South Neighbourhood Watch urgently convened a meeting with SAPS and the Area Head of Correctional Services to formulate strategies to deal with the parolees. A commitment was given to the meeting by SAPS that the four police shifts would both concentrate on, and increase, the number of late night visits to their homes. Parolees found breaking their release conditions would be arrested.

STANFORD NORTH NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH. Chris Moll has done some sterling work in attempting to get a neighbourhood watch established. He has made contact with around ten residents who have given their commitment to being the eyes of their neighbourhood. They will be in close communication either by cell phone or radio with the station/ patrolling van if they spot any suspicious persons or criminal activity. If anyone else would like to assist please contact Chris on 082 578 1828.

Stuart Anderson Chris’ letter of appeal: For the past few weeks I have been putting together plans through the CPF committee to establish a Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) for Stanford North. It is quite a process, but we are nearly there.

The police are hard pressed to deal with the spike in burglaries and it is now urgent that we support them. This can be achieved with the help of the CPF, a well organised Stanford South NHW and now residents of Stanford North.

We are looking to divide the Village into four sectors (De Bruyn/Buiten Streets, Moore Street, Queen Victoria Street and the Wandel Pad/River environs) with a minimum of three NHW volunteers allocated to each sector. It will be their task to monitor their sector and report back to the control room at the police station. We will soon be able to announce the detailed format of the new NHW. Stanford is our home and it is time for honest people to stand up and take it back from criminals. My wife and I came here three years ago to live a quiet, peaceful and safe life – as I am sure did all of you. We cannot let the village become a haven of crime.

Chris Moll

school talk

OKKIE SMUTS Op Saterdag 14 Maart het Laerskool Okkie Smuts die Krieket 6s toernooi aangebied, geborg deur Auto & General en Vital Consultants. Dit was ‘n 5-aan-‘n-kant span, met elk van die drie deelnemende skole geregtig op 6 boulbeurte.

Okkie Smuts het 3de plek behaal, Laerskool Gansbaai die 2de plek en die Bron Primêr was die wenners van die toernooi. Almal het die toernooi baie geniet en dit gaan beslis ‘n jaarlikse instelling word.

Beste kolwer: Ashley Beyneveldt met 67 lopies.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OUR VILLAGE PUPILS! FUNIMFUNDO

Okkie Smuts held their annual 'Eat around the World' fundraiser on Friday, 27 March. Family and friends were treated to nine delicious servings of food from Jamaica to Japan while each class put on a show.

Japanese geishas: (From left) Courtney Anderson, Ronja Conrad, Amila Tshiseka, Taylor Anderson, Rachel Horn, Timna Mancoba, Phelokazi Tsobo

DIE BRON

Library Week – Connect with your library

Gans-Ford Cricket Leaque •Wednesday 4 March, Die Bron Primary played in their first league game in the newly formed Gans-Ford Cricket Leaque against Okkie Smuts.

The boys were very nervous at the start of the match but managed to pull it through in the end.

Die Bron won the match and there were some outstanding performances.

'Man of the Match' was awarded to Nathan Tobias.

He took three wonderful catches, made a quick 12 runs off six balls and 3 wickets for only 3 runs that sealed the game. Well done boys!

•Wednesday 11 March, Die Bron Primary played against Laerskool Gansbaai in their second league game. The team delivered a fantastic performance. They won the match and showed that they are going to be a force to be reckoned with in this league. This game had many outstanding performances but it was Franco Phillips who received the 'Man of the Match' award for his 23 runs and four wickets for only four runs. Well done to Franco and his team.

This month Penny Findlay took this delightful picture of her husband, Stuart, surrounded by bright, demonstrative 3 to 6 year olds at Funimfundo, named 11 years ago by the proud isiXhosa community and meaning 'Seeking Knowledge'.

Fun at Funimfundo: (Back from left) Over the years, when Asenathi Mongameli, Sibahle Shologu, Stanfordians and the many Sinemihle Batyie and Asithandile visitors to Stanford have Qosha (Front) Stuart Findlay. gone to see Funimfundo for themselves, they have been amazed to find a thriving progressive pre-primary school tucked away in the bush off the R43.

This small South African story is successful because like-minded people have helped us from the start, fervently believing that education is a vital factor in keeping our country's people informed and competitive. We are making a difference.

Phone us (028 341 0401 or 083 240 8454) and we will show you around and it will make your day.

Jane Dowie Dunn

Die Bron marked South African Library Week (14-21 March) by inviting all learners to dress as their favourite literary characters.

NATHAN TOBIAS

Literary civvies day: (From left) Antonio Prins, Reyanetso Romohloko, Emily Hendricks, Mischke Dreyer, Chantè Barends, Leaza Mars and Tamlyn Barends.

FRANCO PHILLIPS

Auto & General 6s On Saturday 14 March, Die Bron Primary played in the 6s tournament presented by Okkie Smuts and Auto & General. This was a wonderful fun day of cricket and the boys really enjoyed it. After losing their first game the team managed to pull together and reach the final. In the final they played against Laerskool Gansbaai and truly played a perfect game. After making 70 runs in their allowed 6 overs it was once again Nathan Tobias who took 3 wickets in one over that sealed the game. He had great support from the rest of the bowlers who all chipped in with the odd wicket. Gorden Phillips received the 'Best Bowler of the day' award at the prizegiving ceremony.

Die Bron Primary received an Award on 5 March 2015 from the Western Cape Education Department for Overall Improvement in Academic Performance in Grade 3 and 6.

The School Governing Body wants to thank the staff for their hard work and the former Principal Ms S October for her Die Bron is on the up: (From left) Mr L Pedro (Principal), Mr de Waal, Miss Loff and visionary leadership over the years.

Miss Bolani.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 7

SOAPBOX

FINANCE MATTERS

Are you in the dark? Season’s greetings The Old Boar turns his torch onto Eskom and car manufacturers

Eskom remains a dominant topic. Developments over the past month have not yielded any good news. In the small print somewhere I found that Eskom is paying 14 – 15% interest on a $1.25bn loan and that by 2030, just to maintain a modicum of GDP growth, they will have to increase generating capacity by about 50%. This is despite the fact that most of the existing infrastructure will probably have collapsed long before then. Of course suspending your newly appointed CEO and a few other directors seems to be regarded as just normal business practice. The future looks dark.

The stock market continues to hold up and our balance of payments for the December quarter was positive, but the rand continues to fluctuate.

Conditional selling is banned in most parts of the world.

Unsurprisingly it is alive and well here in South Africa. If you buy a new car most marques come with a ‘5 year/100,000km service plan’ or something similar. It is something you buy with the car and is included in the price. How much does it cost? Well we will never find out but you can bank on between R25,000 and R50,000 being added to the price of the car to cover it. Can you choose not to take it? Well, it is up to you to service the car and whether you do or not, you have paid for it. In other parts of the world this is regarded as an optional extra, but not here. The manufacturers must love it – how many cars get stolen or written off long before the services are due? I am no expert on motor manufacturers' accounting policies but it would seem logical that this money is regarded as a provision against future expenditure (as the services are performed) and these sums are retained tax free in their accounts indefinitely. Lovely business this conditional selling! Of course the entire motor industry is a bit of a Ponzi scheme. I recently saw pictures of some great American cars taken in Cuba. There was nothing exceptional about them really except that they were all models from the 1950s in good condition and running order. Apart from the huge attrition rate of vehicles here do we really need over 1000 new models to choose from? Worldwide the motor industry provides employment for millions of people, all demanding ever higher wages and building ever more pricey vehicles. It is estimated that in 2016, 100 million new vehicles will be sold worldwide. However, the roads, streets and cities are already overcrowded and manufacturers have rows and rows of unsold vehicles that must be past their sell-by dates. Think you can pick up a bargain? Not likely, you have to keep the masses employed!

Late Flash! Eskom downgraded to Junk status! Are we surprised?

Not at all. We already face a 25% increase in electricity costs from 1 July. I think I am going to stick my head in the sand…

Martin Ranger rubs his hands together delightedly as winter approaches

OK, I’m ready, Mother Nature. Do your worst. The wood’s chopped and stacked, my sweaters are all laundered and a couple of cases of red wine are maturing nicely in the rack.

Yep, I’m prepared for winter.

Now, it’s a funny thing but some people are Summer People. They look good in things short and tight. Their skin has the look of a partlysucked toffee and their physique is toned and fresh. Me? I’m definitely a Winter Person. To me a pair of shorts comes in two glasses with soda and ice. I am more Moscow than Mauritius, more turf than surf.

I really don’t know the origin of this preference. Whilst I was born in the county of Wiltshire (hardly England’s frosty core) I spent my formative years in the tropics. In my late twenties, I moved to Cape Town having enjoyed around a dozen British winters.

It was probably my father who imbued in me the pleasures of the lifeless season. Following the late October weekend that ended Britain’s daylight saving period (bringing earlier darkness) he went into survival mode. Coal would be ordered, the condition of the pipe lagging checked and the frogs would have to relocate from their summer residence in his Wellington boots. All this preparation ignored the fact that often the months of November and December were not particularly wintery, rather just tepid and grey.

Anyway, soon winter will be here and once more I can enjoy the pleasure of lighting my wood burner, some blustery walks along the beach and all the other compensatory pleasures that the season delivers.

And then it will be late August. I’ll be sick and tired of filling the wood bucket, bored with my sweaters and the red wine will have run out. In fact by then I’ll be dreaming of chilled rosé and bountiful fruit.

Yep, I’ll be prepared for summer.

BUSINESS HOURS • Monday - Friday: 8:00 - 17:30 • Saturday: 08h00 - 13:00 • Sunday: 10:00 - 12:00 • Public holidays: 9:00 - 13:00

ERWIN'S Traditional German Meat Products produced locally Available at Stanford Saturday Morning Market and at Spar.

Cell 082 441 5533 • www.erwins.co.za STANFORD RIVER TALK 8

CLINIC HOURS • Monday - Friday: 8:00 - 16:00 • Saturday: 08:00 - 12:00 • Public holidays: 9:00 - 12:00 T E L: 028 384 0637 FA X: 028 384 0455 epharm.gansbaai1@telkomsa.net H O O F W E F 29 - G A N S BA A I.

OFFICE DETAILS: Agent Jill Smith Tel: +27 (28) 341 0708 Cell: +27 (83) 700 4103 6 Queen Victoria Street Stanford 7210 Email: Jill.smith@pamgolding.co.za Office Email: stanford@pamgolding.co.za Website: www.pamgolding.co.za

EASTER BRINGS WITH IT FUN, LAUGHTER, FAMILY TIME AND OVERALL CHEER. POP INTO OUR OFFICE TO FIND THE PERFECT COUNTRY HOME TO MAKE YOUR EASTERS IN STANFORD THE BEST THEY CAN BE. Perfect Victorian cottage at the right price WEB ACCESS: STA1204263

Spacious family home on the “right side of town” WEB ACCESS: STA1207399

“Down by the river” delightful country charm double plot, 2 title deeds for the price of 1 WEB ACCESS: STA1204912

SOLE MANDATE

JOINT MANDATE

JOINT MANDATE

R 1.7 MILLION

R 2.2 MILLION

R 2.95 MILLION

Down a country lane, charming lock up and go WEB ACCESS: STA1204948

R 1.6 MILLION Stylish double storey family home with unspoilt mountain and vineyard views – a must see WEB ACCESS: STA1024909

R 3.55 MILLION

Character home with lovely mountain views and private garden WEB ACCESS: STA1203086

R 1.8 MILLION Priced to sell – ON the river banks large family home with lovely mountain and river views WEB ACCESS: STA1189652

R 2.995 MILLION

Priced to sell – this is a once off opportunity for a gem like this WEB ACCESS: STA1170262

SOLE MANDATE R 2.9 MILLION

Picture perfect country cottage - loving restored with all original floors and roofing in tact WEB ACCESS: STA1207563

R 2.1 MILLION

STANFORD RIVER TALK 9

You are what you yeast

home brew

By Phil Murray

Kombucha and kefir – alternative home brewing

M

any cleaning product companies would have us believe that the total annihilation of all bacteria should be at the top of our daily to-do lists.

'Scurvy knaves' are threatening our health by creeping into our kitchens and we should obliterate them with surface sprays and chemicals. How risky it is to invite such vile creatures into our temples of cleanliness. But invite them in is what I have done, and I have even set aside a whole corner of my kitchen in order to set up a colony or two of yeast and bacteria.

Kefir and kombucha is being brewed in my home. These colonies of healthy bacteria and yeast turn tea and milk into nutritious and, dare I say it, delicious concoctions. My husband turns his nose up at the tart smell of our new lodgers but he has never been a foodie daredevil, preferring

By Tania Weich

to stick to beans on toast for lunch.

For those who are a little more adventurous kombucha is a fermented drink made from sugar, black tea and a scoby (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) which tastes like slightly fizzy apricot iced tea. It can be flavoured with any added fruit or herbs and makes a refreshing drink. It has the added benefit of being healthy and loaded with probiotics. While I am not sure that kombucha is really the elixir of life, I like its taste and it makes a superb sundowner. It is low in sugar which the yeast devours, and low in the alcohol that is formed in the natural brewing process.

Kefir is another lodger in my home.

These little cauliflower-like blobs of bacteria and yeast can turn milk overnight into something that tastes like plain yoghurt. Kefir can also be flavoured with fruit or honey, or used

wine talk

The weight debate and wine The upside of keeping busy is the luxury of never being bored. The downside, in my case, is that more than once I’ve been chastised with, 'No wonder you are so skinny?'

Well… uh! I have run out of excuses. But, just maybe, I don’t need one. Maybe I have a valid reason for loving food and wine and shamelessly being able to admit that I am against donning T's and tights to sweat away on a treadmill.

Aha! So a glass of red wine is all I need to rid me of

any guilt at not indulging in one hour workout?

Studies have revealed that drinking a glass of red wine is equivalent to sweating it away aka exercising for an hour. How so? The article, which appeared in Journal of Physiology bestows all the glory of lack of weight gain to resveratrol, which is a natural compound in the vines, roots, seeds and stalks of grapes. The highest concentration occurs in the skins of grapes.

Aha! So a glass of red wine is all I need to rid me of any guilt at not indulging in one hour workout? Since the skins of the grapes are removed in the making of white wine and remain during the red wine making process if follows that the resveratrol content is significant in the latter because the grape skins are left intact during fermentation.

I’m no scientist. And I’m a busy girl, remember, so I don’t dedicate too much time to researching information I would rather not disprove. Considering my lack of scientific credentials my critics have carte blanche to get their exercise by running me down or jumping to conclusions regarding my ranting about red wine while I reserve the right to admit that I’m just a wine lover. I ask only that it be taken into consideration that I am willing to take the time to share yet another good excuse for the rest of us to perpetuate our passion for the fruits of the grape.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 10

in savoury cooking such as doughs, curries and quiches. Kefir is jampacked with probiotics and is good for the gut. Since it is also slightly alcoholic it is up to an individual to decide whether to add it to the morning smoothie.

The best way to source a rubbery scoby flotilla or kefir grains is to ask an existing brewer to share. They regenerate and grow so brewers constantly have to dispose of excess scobys and kefir grains. They are not Kombucha much to look at, resembling body organs in Consol jars, floating in formaldehyde but they are marvellous science experiments. Kombucha brewing is slow, while kefir is like the roadrunner but both are very simple, and make interesting talking points.

So welcome the bacteria and yeast into your home...your tummy will thank you.

Kefir

kitchen talk

By Bryan Robertson

Did the Easter Bunny miss you out?

Easter weekend and the shops had run out of chocolate! This happened to me once and it wasn't a good weekend after that awful discovery. It was a pity I remembered this little recipe too late to save the day but I won't let that happen to me again. This little beauty seems to be a classic among all my Afrikaans-speaking friends. I got the recipe when I was about ten, from a friend in Welkom. She's still one of my favourite Tannies.

Mishopies:

(ongebakte koekies) • 2 cups coconut • 2 cups sugar • 2 cups oats • 1 cup butter (cubed) • 2 teaspoons vanilla • ½ cup milk or water • ½ cup cocoa Combine the sugar, butter, milk and cocoa in a pot over a medium heat until the sugar and butter have dissolved. Increase the heat and once it boils, allow to boil for 5 minutes. Combine the oats and coconut in a separate bowl.

Remove cocoa syrup from the heat and add vanilla.

Stir in the oats/coconut mix and then place teaspoonfuls onto wax paper or a greased baking sheet or tray. Allow to cool and refrigerate.

Crisis averted!

Chocolate mugcake For a chocolate fix in a matter of minutes, try out this recipe based on Scoochmaroo's recipe on Instructables.com. We played around with the quantities in an effort to reduce the amount of oil and sugar and we settled on these ratios. Feel free to tweak further as the recipe is fairly forgiving.

• 4 Tbs flour • 2 Tbs sugar • ¾ Tbs unsweetened cocoa • 2 Tbs beaten egg • 3 Tbs milk • 1 Tbs sunflower oil • 1 Tbs chocolate chips (optional) • splash of vanilla essence

Stir everything together in a coffee mug. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Enjoy straight out of the mug, or scoop it out and serve with ice-cream.

artisan cheese 路 deli & tastings country picnics 路 children's paradise picnics open daily, even on public holidays!

7 km outside Stanford on Route 326 028 341 0693 路 www.kleinrivercheese.co.za 路 info@kleinrivercheese.co.za

Marianne 072 111 9321 marianne@stanfordvillage.co.za www.stanfordvillageproperties.co.za

E DAT N A EM

SOL

E

SOL

E DAT MAN

Natalie 082 893 2282 natalie@stanfordvillage.co.za www.stanfordvillageproperties.co.za Two of the last large plots situated in the historic core of the village. Unsurpassed North facing views.

Steeped in history and subdivided from the historic Sir Robert Stanford`s Original Estate. 1000m2 each.

Buy one or both!

R995 000 each

The most gorgeous, newly built 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cottage with neutral, tasteful finishes.

This lovely home has it all for the couple who would like a perfectly positioned home close to the river.

Beautiful wooden floors, open plan kitchen with a scullery and double volume throughout adds to the light and space.

Stack doors open onto a North facing deep stoep with braai area and an enclosed garden.

Holiday home, starter home or scaling down.

At R1 650 000 this ticks all the boxes STANFORD RIVER TALK 11

The villagers

Shannon Moody has lived in Stanford for a year.

Her family moved into one of the beautiful heritage homes that overlooks the Market Square and one often sees her family out and about, enjoying life in the Overberg.

How did you end up in Stanford?

My family and I decided to move from England and join my grandparents who had lived in Franschhoek but had recently moved to Stanford.

What is your favourite, and worst part of life in Stanford?

My favourite part is being able to take a short walk to friends' houses and being able to swim in the river. My worst part is all the broken glass on the Village Green, as my friends and I walk barefoot around Stanford.

What will you do in the Easter holidays?

My cousins and family are coming to visit to celebrate my gran's birthday so we will be going on outings and showing them around Stanford. Of course, we plan on having fun!

If you could change something about Stanford, and were given the budget to do so, what would you change?

I would put in a safe play area for children and make sure that it is kept clean and tidy.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

Travelling around the world, visiting different places and helping people in need.

NEW FACES

We love being able to welcome new friends and families to Stanford. If you are new in the village, please let us know.

Contact the editor, 082 667 0619, philippa.murray@gmail.com

Private sale

A large, magnificent plot is for sale in Buiten Street which retains the rural charm of Stanford’s farming days, with the convenience of being part of this wonderful village:

Lovely views. ✔ Level ground. ✔ Gardens and fruit trees grow lush and tropical. ✔ The soil is so fertile that the previous owner, who farmed veggies for a living, never had to add any artificial fertiliser. ✔ Near the nature reserve and over the road from a huge open field which is a favourite among dogs taking their people for a walk. ✔ They say it takes a village to raise a child, and in this part of the village there are lots of children and lots of families who care very deeply about them. ✔ This is a completely separate, free-standing plot, with its own access to Buiten Street. If you so wish, it could also join in as part of a mini-estate, where like-minded neighbours strive to live with a light footprint on the earth and in harmony with one another. ✔

SIZE: 976m

2

PRICE: R850 000

CONTACT DI ON 082 558 3916 OR di.mohr@iafrica.com STANFORD RIVER TALK 12

Village life and blackouts Karen McKee scrambles around for a candle

I tend to cope with electricity blackouts the way most people deal with loss – in five stages. Every time it happens I find myself unavoidably coursing through these stages within the space of a few minutes, which can be hugely unsettling.

Stage 1 – Denial: When the power goes out I walk around the house, flipping dead light switches while making noises of disapproval that progressively increase in volume.

Stage 2 – Anger: I fly into a rage. I loudly curse the Eksdom management, the fire, the government, and everybody in the world that, as far as I am concerned, caused this fiasco in my home. I plan to write vicious, threatening letters to everyone who has ever had anything to do with power generation in this country.

Stage 3 – Bargaining: The questions start. If only I had the foresight (and money) to buy a generator. If only I bought more than one candle, if only I bought those solar power lamps from the Rotary stall, if only, if only! I promise my higher power to do better in return for restoring my precious electricity. Alas, to no avail.

Stage 4 – Depression: I sit down, head in hands. The silence is deafening and it is so quiet that I can practically hear my hair grow. I want to cry! What am I going to do with myself now?

How am I going to keep my son occupied? Why is this dreadful thing being inflicted on me? Why is there no Xanax in this house? It’s all too much to TAKE! Stage 5 – Acceptance: Suddenly the sound of frogs and owls pierce the silence, and I listen. I feel better. I go out and look at the moon while my son lights the one candle we do have in the house. We chat and giggle, and all is OK again.

I always think that everything happens for a reason, and loadshedding has its own purpose in our lives. As damn inconvenient as it may be, it forces us to experience things that we would not ordinarily do. Due to power outages my son knows how to play Rummy and found his joke book. My linen cupboard is finally sorted out, my cat sits on command and I know how to crochet a flower. And I know how to download radio comedies onto my phone for desperate moments. I just hope I can remember to keep it charged…

Organic Sanitising of: Mattresses • Bedding • Carpets • Curtains • Pet’s Beds Dry and Wet Process Cleaning: • Carpets • Rugs and Mats • Upholstery • Mattresses Neil Billson 084 557 8591 neil.billsoninza@gmail.com www.organicpowerclean.co.za

Ready for take-off You're never too old to take a leap of faith

Soaring like and eagle: Nanna Pat.

On 14 March (the day after her birthday) we watched as my mum, Pat (aka Nanna Pat) went paragliding in Hermanus. This is an adventurous activity for 20-year olds, let alone for those who are, shall we say, in 'the winter of their lives' (I have been threatened on pain of death if I reveal her age!). What an awe-inspiring sight to see her leap off that mountain!

When making the huge and sudden decision last year to make a lifestyle change and move to Stanford from Cape Town, so many people commented, 'Oh, that is so brave,' which worried me because I was terrified too. However, somehow I knew that it was the right thing for us to do.

In the proud moment that I watched my mom take off over Hermanus, I couldn’t help but feel the joy that Stanford has brought to our whole family in such a short space of time. It has given us all the courage to do things we have always wanted to do. My mum is remarkable and so completely inspiring. She has cemented the purpose of our decision to move, and that is to LIVE! A bucket list activity has been firmly ticked off, and now Pat has her sights firmly fixed on shark cage diving and sky diving … watch this space!

Theresa van Graan

Hitched!

Congratulations to Cathie Hornby and Tony Roper who finally tied the knot on 11 March. After 13 years getting to know one another, they decided they were ready to make it official. May you enjoy great adventure together.

SOUP KITCHEN SHOUT-OUT Thank you to everybody who makes donations into the Rotary box in the Spar (which has now been moved to the right side of the Spar exit (next to the trolleys). We are grateful for all the plastic containers dropped in the box. Only plastic containers with sturdy lids can be used. Polystyrene trays are much more useful to the market sellers so can be recycled at the Wednesday and Saturday morning markets.

We are in dire need of dried pulses, stock cubes, pasta, rice, and tinned food for the food bank that is run on Fridays. With winter coming, we need to stock up in order to be able to feed more than 450 disadvantaged, sick and elderly members of our community.

For any fresh vegetables or other foodstuffs that cannot be dropped into the box, please call Ansie 082 320 0982 or drop off at Kobin's Stanford General Dealer. You can also make cash or monthly donations to the 'Rotary Soup Book' at Kobin's or into our bank account. Every little bit helps.

When you do your shopping at the Spar or anywhere else, please purchase some dried soup ingredients and drop them into the Rotary box. It is the right thing to do!

Holiday Home Specialists

Are you the proud owner of a piece of heaven in our village?

Do you need someone reliable to take care of your property?

Contact us to discuss your house management.

We can take care of all aspects of your home while you are away.

We will market and let your property for weekends and holidays, or prepare it for your arrival.

Contact Ansie : 082 3200 982 or 028 341 0965 ansierei@gmail.com / enquiries@stanfordcountrycottages.co.za www.stanfordcountrycottages.co.za

Why do we need a Tourism Bureau?

We read articles about Stanford in magazines, see programmes on television and never give a second thought to who (or what) lies behind all of this. We do have a few well known service providers who are contacted directly, but more often than not the exposure is organised by or channelled via the tourism bureau.

Stanford Tourism is dedicated to promoting tourism in Stanford, and its main focus is to market the village holistically and to bring feet into the village. The Tourism Office is open seven days a week to welcome bright-eyed visitors, offer valuable advice to holidaymakers and day visitors, and make bookings for those who contact the office.

The friendly faces in the office are the public image of the Tourism Committee which is made up of volunteers from the village who generously give their time and expertise to the promotion of all local businesses. They meet each month to plan events and fairs, submit proposals, evaluate projects and report back on members' responses.

A recent article published on www.capeinfo.com ('Tourism will never be Helen Zille’s game-changer until there are lots of changes', Posted on 23 March 2015) raises concerns about how tourism as an industry is being neglected, especially in small towns which are not tapping into the year-round tourism potential. The article emphasises that accommodation alone does not make up tourism, and that rather activities, attractions and browsing are at the very core of tourism.

There is no escaping the fact that open shops and extended trading hours are the real game changers. They all feed each other and everyone benefits from visitors who have positive experiences.

The increase of feet into the village due to our vigorous Social Media campaign in the last year or two cannot be contested. 'Feet' want to spend, but in many small towns (Stanford included) there is very little to spend it on. Hence they move on to the larger towns – never to return to the village again and worse, spreading word of their dismal Stanford experience.

Stanford Tourism works relentlessly towards creating a buzzing main road and village but it cannot do this without members' support, enthusiasm and commitment to tourism. Let’s help one another to create jobs and business for all. Talk to us if you feel you are not getting the feet you should get. Maybe a simple change could make all the difference!

Tourism Committe STANFORD RIVER TALK 13

Our gallery restaurant is on a working sheep farm and the atmosphere is relaxed. Make yourselves at home, and share one of our delicious cheese platters with friends or choose from the menu. The Sunday harvest table is gaining in popularity so booking is highly recommended.

Kiwinet stylishly supporting the Goodbye Malaria Initiative

Open everyday during Easter school holidays.

Otherwise Wednesday - Sunday. 8:30 - 17:00 FOR DIRECTIONS AND FURTHER INFO: 084 263 6727 • 083 409 8126 TURN UP THE ROAD TO MADRES, GO 300m AND YOU WILL SEE THE SIGN ON THE RIGHT.

+(27) 028 341 0209 • info@kiwinet.co.za • www.kiwinet.co.za 34 Daneel Street STANFORD 7210

VILLAGE SNAPSHOTS

TAKEN BY SU WOLF TAKEN BY MIKE HORN TAKEN BY PHIL MURRAY TAKEN BY FRIEDEL SAUER TAKEN BY SARA ABBOT

TAKEN BY FRED HATMAN STANFORD RIVER TALK 14

TAKEN BY JAKE HEESE

TAKEN BY KARA SLABBERT

TAKEN BY ALEX CHOULER

EASTER PLANS

'Kilian, Ronja and I are spending the Easter holidays on our guestfarm in the Cederberg. On Easter Sunday we are going to have a nice breakfast with homebaked traditional German Easter bread and then invite all guests' kids for an Easter egg hunt in the garden. Hopefully the kids are faster at finding the hidden eggs then our puppy, Tinka!'

Conrads 'We are having Easter Sunday Dinner at our house on the stoep with Susan and Tiger O'Meara, and Thaya and Luca Bedford (plus our crew!). It'll be American-style Easter ham, green beans and garlic, sweet potato pie, and hot cross buns!' Chanceys 'The Privetts are retreating to the tranquillity of The Kynsna Forest where the Easter Bunny visits each year with baskets full of Easter Eggs. We plan to enjoy family quality time walking and cycling in the forest.' Privetts

Dr Wanya van der Walt

health talk

Infections of the mouth • MOUTH ULCERS These are mainly caused by trauma to the soft tissue. Trauma can be physical or chemical, from ill-fitting dentures and false teeth to eating hot, spicy food or biting the tongue. These days a lot of ulcers are caused by the body’s immune response to certain triggers like stress, illness and medication. Treatment is mainly symptomatic with Kenalog or Orobase ointment. Glycerine is also very effective. Recent studies have shown that honey is the treatment of choice. Application of honey 5 times a day has been shown to decrease the pain significantly and speed up the healing time to 3 – 5 days. Prevention is also better than cure, so stock up on Vitamin C and B, and iron supplements. Avoid eating very hot or spicy food. If the ulcer persists for more than 2 weeks, please seek medical attention.

• FEVER BLISTERS Fever blisters or cold sores frequently appear after a bout of flu. These sores are caused by a virus from the Herpes family. Once contracted, it can stay dormant in the nervous system (branch of the Trigeminal nerve to be exact) and only makes its appearance when your immune system is low.

It usually starts as a slight tingle on the lip with small blisters forming rapidly thereafter. The trick is to apply an antiviral ointment as soon as the tingling starts. Treatment is application of an ointment containing acyclovir or famcyclovir and they are sold as Activer, Feniver or AC Top. There are also new treatments like the Herpatch which forms a little glue layer over the sore. Prevention in this instance is to stay out of direct sunlight, use sunblock and lipbalm, keep hydrated, take supplements of vitamins C, B, D and also iron. Please remember that this virus has no permanent cure or eradication and is contagious so please refrain from kissing when you have an active lesion, especially babies and small children who have immature immune systems.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 15

I made this

Stanford is full of people with surprising talents. Whether something magical drew

the talented ones here, or whether country living affords folks the time to experiment and make things from scratch, this village simply bursts with brilliant artists, artisans and the arty-farty crafty types. From carpentry to sewing, embroidery to metal work, Stanford is home to people who make wonderful things.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 16

PALLET PLANTERS

Wooden pallets are easy to get at our local co-op. They languish in the back yard like the dusty old bones of a forgotten beast, but breathe new life into them, and they can be revived into marvellous inventions. From a feature headboard at one of our local wine farms to veggie planters in the village, Stanfordians are flexing their brains and repurposing these old planks.

How to make a planter ➜

For a shallow planter suitable for herbs, you need only a pallet, a piece of shadecloth or weed membrane, some nails and... Bob's your aunty. Stretch the shadecloth over the base of the pallet and tack or nail it securely. This protects your herbs from weeds and moles, but can even be left out.

For a deeper planter suitable for potatoes, remove some of the pallet planks and reposition them before nailing them down, making deeper walls. Then stretch and secure the shadecloth.

These pallet planters allow you to concentrate the goodness of your soil, position your attractive planters in the best place, and they keep the moles out. And on top of that, they look impressive and suitably rustic/chic.

Grab yourself a pallet and knock together a new piece. From a treehouse to a coffee table, pallets make great building blocks. Please send photographs of your projects to philippa.murray@gmail.com

By Phil Murray

By Suzanne Francois-Rossouw

plant talk

Living on air Add a modern, sculptural touch with air plants

A

ir plants (Tillandsia) are some of the most fascinating plants. They can grow and survive just by hanging in the branches of trees. Air plants are part of the Bromeliad family most of which originate from South-America and grow on other plants or on rocky areas in woodland areas. These perennial plants have leathery, scaly leaves which are generally grey-green in colour. The plants grow in rosette

STANFORD DIY - PAINT - PLUMBING IRRIGATION - NURSERY Landscaping & irrigation services.

Mon - Fri, 7:30 - 17:00 Sat, 8:00 - 14:00 Tel: (028) 341 0691 Fax: (028) 341 0413

028 3410 691

shapes and bear funnel-shaped, brightly coloured flowers.

Air plants can be placed indoors and out, and can even be displayed in glass terrariums as modern architectural features.

They can be hung from old chandeliers or trees, or hooked onto wooden planks or fences.

They prefer brightly lit areas but not direct sunlight as they can get burnt. When grown indoors place the plants close to a window that

does not get direct sun.

Contrary to belief, they cannot just survive on air alone. They require regular watering to protect them from drying out.

In nature the plants will collect water from rain or dew in the morning. At home they need to be watered with a watering can two to four times a week. Misting them with a spray bottle does not provide enough water for the plant to survive. Plants can

EASTER promotions

also be soaked in a dish of water for about an hour as a form of watering. If possible, try to water your plants with collected rain water.

Fertilizing is not necessary, but can make the plants grow faster to produce offshoots that replace the main plant after it has flowered. Mix liquid fertilizer with the water that you give to the plants and apply once or twice a month.

Prices Valid While Stocks Last.

1 - 30 April 2015 All Prices Include Vat.

★ Plascon Polvin S/Acrylic white 5L - R305.00 ★ Lite Optec Saviorlite Lantern 1W R130.00 ★ Garden Gloves Ladies S/fit available blue / maroon / black R90.00

★ Plascon Polvin S/Acrylic white 20L - R1090.00 ★ Plascon Wall Seal white 5L - R225.00 ★ Plascon Wall Seal whIte 20L - R799.00

★ Lutian Generator 2.2 KVA Petrol - R5001.75 STANFORD RIVER TALK 17

By Naas Terblanche

nature talk

vet talk

Puff adders

LUMPS AND BUMPS

Beautiful but venomous We were sitting in our living room one evening last month when I noticed a bundle of orange cloth on the floor next to my favorite chair. On closer inspection, I saw that it was a huge puff adder that was comfortably lazing there. I scooped it up in a trout net and took it more than a kilometer away and released it.

That got me interested in puff adders.

Puff adders are common in South Africa. Adult puff adders reach a size of 90 –120 cm in length and are thick snakes with short tails.

(Yes, snakes do have tails – have a good look and you will see that the tail joins the body just behind the anus.) Puff adders are the most dangerous snakes in South Africa and they cause more deaths and serious injuries than any other snake. This is not because they are the most venomous snake, but because of their nature and habits. They are slow moving and rely on their camouflage for protection and to ambush their prey. That is why people sometimes get too close to them and get bitten, especially if they do not react fast enough to the loud warning hiss that is usually given. A puff adder’s venom is hemolytic (it breaks down your blood cells) and can be fatal if not treated. Please do not confuse this snake’s slow moving habits with its striking speed.

They are one of the fastest striking snakes in the world – twice as fast as the American rattle snake. A complete strike can take place in one third of a second.

Puff adders do not have external ears but can pick up ground vibrations of animals and humans moving. The vibrations are picked up by their jaw bones and transferred to their middle ear. They are so sensitive that they can 'hear' the footsteps of a mouse at 50 meters. So they know you are coming and just lie very still, hoping that you won’t notice them. If you encounter a puff adder, just keep very still or back off slowly. Don’t make sudden movements.

Puff adders have an incredibly sensitive ’sense of smell’. They pick up the scent with their forked tongue, which is then inserted into and analyzed in the ‘scent laboratory' at the top of their palates (Organ of Jacobson). Their sense of smell is many times more sensitive than that of humans.

Puff adders love water and can sometimes be seen swimming.

They give live birth to their young. The eggs develop and hatch inside the mother and emerge as live puff adders. The size of a litter varies between 20 – 40, the South African record being 143.

Although they can be dangerous they should not be killed on sight, as they play an important role in the control of rodents. If you want to keep them away from your home, keep the area around your house and outbuildings free of rubble and places where mice and rats can breed.

RAINFALL STATISTICS Seymour Paterson

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

ave

Jan

8.5

19

14

35

37

104

23.4

32.7

Feb

11

17.5

20

16

16

17

18.2

16.5

March

20.5

20

26

28.5

29

25

14

23

April

27.6

30

56

53.3

54

48

41.4

May

55

66.5

83

43.5

55

30

52.7

June

106.3

91.5

88

86

84

139

92

July

97.5

43

56

103

33

91

71

Aug

89

46

74

125

234

41

97

Sept

88

35.5

25.5

73

60.5

42

56.9

Oct

92

50

25

111.5

62

36

59

Nov

31

57

42

26

212

43

71.1

Dec

6

40

23.5

6

5

13

18.3

Year

632

459

533

708

881.5

629

STANFORD RIVER TALK 18

By veterinarian, Dr Olga Koorts

Don't panic!

Any lump or bump in a pet is often observed with alarm and immediately presumed to be cancerous. There are, however, many other causes for lumps. To make a diagnosis your vet might need to perform tests like a biopsy or needle aspirate, where the content of the lesion is drawn into the hub of a needle.

Some common, non cancerous, possibilities: Abscesses and granulomas develop as a result of penetrating wounds or the body’s reaction to foreign material penetrating the skin.

Puncture wounds from fights are a common cause of abscesses.

These lesions are filled with pus and will need to be drained and treated with antibiotics.

Lick granulomas are raw looking, raised areas often found on legs of dogs. These are caused by obsessive licking of the area due to boredom,

stress or anxiety. Certain breeds, like the German Shepherd, are prone to skin cysts. These are nodules filled with a watery to pasty liquid and are usually removed surgically.

Calluses result from chronic pressure over bony parts of the body like the elbows of large breed dogs. The skin turns grey and thick and infection might be present.

Dogs with pendulous ears or ear infections might develop a haematoma (a collection of blood under the skin) in the ear from frequent shaking of the head. Some drugs injected under the skin, might cause a small to large bump within a few days of the treatment.

These usually clear without intervention. A bee- or wasp sting will cause immediate swelling. Urticaria (small flat discs of raised hair) might follow over most of the body.

Office space to let in Morton Square Corner of Daneel and Morton Streets - Stanford

• From 1 April 2015 • Comprises upstairs and downstairs approximately 32m2 • Close to coffee shop • WiFi Contact Peter Wolters for more information 082 449 7496, bookings@stanfordstay.co.za

PLAYING BY EAR By Andrew Herriot

SCREEN TALK

By James Yeats

Silver screen actors on our small screens

'Everybody Likes Hampton Hawes' Hampton Barnett Hawes Jr (1928 -77) – CD Review Moments of sudden and great revelation were experienced by a young 17 year old when he heard Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, two of the slightly older legendary Bebop jazz artists, playing and weaving their way in to the history of jazz.

Hampton was bowled over. By the beginning of the 1950s Hampton was establishing himself as a jazz piano force and making headway with trio associates such as Red Mitchell (Bass) and Chuck Thompson (Drums).

It was with his trio that he recorded 'The Sermon', his own composition and one of ten tracks within the album 'Everybody Likes Hampton Hawes'. The Sermon track mixes easy listening blues with clever trills with strong chords – powerful stuff. Once Hampton hits his stride the sequences are engaging - leading to an amazing bass improvised solo where one can hear every note played by Red Mitchell perfectly punctuated with chords.

The only other track written by this master of the keyboard is 'Coolin’ the Blues' which is yet another virtuoso performance.

It starts off at high speed with riff after riff. One comment on YouTube was 'Yeaaah!' The other eight tracks are jazz standards all with a Hampton difference. Take 'Embraceable You', the George Gershwin classic; it is slow with a sneak preview of the relevant chords. It is arpeggiated in places showing off his dexterity. This is best enjoyed on a quiet romantic evening, probably with a glass of wine. 'Somebody Loves Me' begins with chromatic key changes and very quickly its swing tempo moves into improvisations.

There is one other track which must be mentioned: 'A Night in Tunisia' written by Dizzy Gillespie. Drummer Chuck Thompson is given complete freedom to hit cymbals, provide brush strokes and raise the tempo. Whatever your taste is in music whether it is 'Body and Soul' by Coleman Hawkins or the more esoteric Hampton Hawes, give them a try as you begin a new dawn in your musical appreciation of jazz.

The quality of television series now rivals big screen productions I was first introduced to proper television in the late 80s with MNET'S, Open Time with some great shows on offer like 'Alf', 'The Wonder Years', 'Dinosaurs', 'Full House' and 'Step by Step'. Some of us were also lucky enough to also get exposure to British television, with great shows like 'Red Dwarf', 'Absolutely Fabulous', 'Keeping up Appearances' and 'Mr. Bean' to mention a few and stir old memories.

With advancements in technology and big budgets, modern television has taken on a new form. Directors have more screen time to make their visions come to life. A recent trend is to star big Hollywood actors in shows made for TV. The results are epic and bridge the gap between film and television.

A few worthy of mentioning are 'Shameless' (William.

H. Macy), 'True Detective' (Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey), 'Crossbones' (John Malkovich) and 'House of Cards' (Kevin Spacey).

'Shameless' stars William H. Macy and it is a remake of the British series of the same name. Unlike every other American version of a British TV show, this one is actually better than the original. It revolves around single dad, Frank Gallagher (Macy) and his six children. Frank spends most of his time drinking and the oldest daughter, Fiona, is forced to hold the family together.

Frank is a deadbeat father but somehow the viewer still finds a soft spot for him which is down to superb acting and a great storyline.

This is definitely a show for an adult audience, as nudity and strong language are commonplace in the script, but the graphic nature of the show works.

Trivia: Unusual for a TV-show, creator John Wells has a very strict policy of no scripts being allowed on set. The actors have to know their lines by heart.

Dancing queen

holistic health talk

Tasha Saha shares the pleasure and catharsis of dance

S

omething beautiful has been happening in my life. Every Wednesday at 19:30 I walk into a room made of music, candlelight and festive flags and proceed to bust some moves that the world has never seen the likes of before. But not many people do get to see them – we dance in the dark.

For some of us the dance is compact with micro movements grooving through us. Some of us spin, flail, weave and jive. Some of us step lightly, some of us stomp. There are no moves to learn except the ones we didn’t know we already knew – this kind of dance is freestyle all the way.

Dancing when you know there’s no one watching wakes up spontaneity, a creative, responsive energy that trail-blazes its way through the body, shifting it into shapes that

never have the chance to find expression through our normal range of movement.

The more we unlock the body, the more we unlock the mind.

We’ve been known to weep, or to laugh out loud with absolute joy, overflowing.

Rage, melancholia and irritation can find a safe space for expression, with a lot more grace than we might have imagined. We try on different costumes of identity- goddess, clown, warrior, beast, magician, heartbroken one, making breathing space for all of the characters that ordinarily stay tightly tucked inside ourselves.

Sometimes we dance beyond any notion of self and come straight to center where mind, movement and music melt into an experience of absolute presence. And if that’s a bit more

mystical than what you’ve been looking for, we also have a damn good time, get fit, and flood our brains with feelgood endorphins.

These days I’m getting braver about dancing with the lights on too, as every Wednesday sees me enjoy myself more, and judge myself less. I realise that the more of myself I make space for, the more space I allow myself to inhabit. The more I share that space with others, the more there is to love.

Come and dance with us, every Wednesday 19:30 – 20:30 in Onrus, except for the last Wednesday of the month when dancing comes to Stanford at the Okkie Smuts School Hall. Cost R40. Contact Raymond for more info: raymond.calitz@icloud.com STANFORD RIVER TALK 19

classifieds There is an HONESTY BOX at Stanford Tourism where you can pay for your classifieds. Please enclose the amount in an envelope or design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za • cell: 079 523 8453 SMALL ADS: R1 a word • BOXED ADS: R95

SOLAR ENERGYPumps Solar RENEWABLE Geysers, Heat CONSULTANTS SPECIALISING IN: Solar Panels, Solar Geysers, HeatEnergy Pumps, Audits Underfloor PV ( costs Electric ) Save up toheating, 40% onSolar energy & Energy Audits

FOR SALE INTHUSIASM NATURAL and Organic Make-up orders. p Ruby yokogirls@gmail.com 072 753 8411.

KIDDIES SWING, A FRAME. p R350. 079 523 8453.

PAVERPOL CRAFT PRODUCTS valued at R8530 for sale at R3500. p 072 876 9170.

TELEFUNKEN ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD, 20 timbers, 20 rhythms, teaching modes etc. Brand new R550. p Liesje 082 417 8287.

Call Mike 083 316 1872 • 028 341 0028 overberg@setsa.co.za • www.solsquare.com

AFRICAN HORSE COMPANY

TROJAN ‘SURGE’ ROWING MACHINE, good condition. R1 500 p Nicky 083 499 0888 VARIOUS ITEMS: Oak wash stand with drawer and original old handles, oval mirror different, oak display cabinet with shelves and 2 cupboards underneath, oak bookcase, art deco hanging light, original paintings, large copper hanging light, wooden rocking chair – genuine old fashioned type p Avril 076 698 5272.

SERVICES CAPTURE YOUR 35MM slides digitally. R1 per slide. p Dirk Troost 084 643 4504.

CATERING AND TAKEAWAYS Having a meeting or party and need something to eat? At Visserman Takeaway we make platters on order. Come in and get a quote p Hanlie 083 601 1182.

Hungry and in a hurry? Grab and go at Visserman Takeaway for fresh and toasted sandwiches everyday from 09:00. p Hanlie 083 601 1182.

guided multi-day trails & outrides along the whale coast & through unspoilt nature reserves. +27 (0) 82 667 9232 omstables@telkomsa.net www.africanhorseco.com

Vintage beauty

Don't feel like cooking supper every night? At Visserman Takeaway there is a fresh meal every day ready at 17:00. Come and see for yourself. Order before 12:00. p Hanlie 083 601 1182.

PAINTER p Ryno, references available (Sandra 079 523 8453) COMPUTER HELP, Are you struggling with technology? Don’t know how to upload photos, use Windows, Facebook etc. Call Ruby and I’ll happily come to your house to help! R50/hour. p 072 753 8411.

pedicures, manicures, facials, massages, waxes, make-up

Jacolene 082 357 1245 Victoria Centre Stanford

PET SITTER, Do you need your pets to be fed or walked or loved while you are out of town? Call Sara (12 years old) 072 276 7906.

PILATES CLASSES p Jake Uys 079 468 9060.

ADVERTISE HERE

CLASSIC HITORI Each puzzle consists of a square grid with numbers appearing in all squares.

The object is to shade squares so:

FOR ONLY R95 MONTH

No number appears in a row or column more than once.

Shaded (black) squares do not touch each other vertically or horizontally.

www.conceptispuzzles.com

When completed, all unshaded (white) squares create a single continuous area.

SOLUTION PAGE 23.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 20

PAUL SLABBERT B Art ET Scien, EAPSA, APHP, IAIA

phs@orcawireless.co.za www.phsconsulting.co.za ENVIRONMENTAL HERITAGE, LAND-USE

Corporate Social Investment Projects www.africanvisionfoundation.co.za

local services & facilities ACCOMMODATION A Stanford Country Cottage Bambi Cottage Beloftebos Cottages Morton Cottage Mosaic Farm Reiersvlei Stanford River Lodge The Country Cottage

.

082 320 0982 082 781 1704 082 391 5331 082 450 3970 028 313 2814 082 213 0512 028 341 0444 083 553 0663

ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICES Maryke Brandt 072 172 9545 Allan Youens 082 903 4432 ALTERATIONS Cait's Sewing Services ARCHITECTURE Guy Whittle Grant Anderson Maureen Wolters ART Kunsklas

083 358 6365 076 113 2741 072 364 3694 082 450 3970 072 822 9970

BICYCLES Bicycle servicing and repair 073 318 5078

weekly timetable

CUPBOARDS Youre Style Cupboards 076 222 2063

082 327 6518 COMPUTERS Compuworld SMB Solutions 084 705 6719

List your business for just R12.50 a month (only R150/year).

Email: design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or telephone 079 523 8453 CONFERENCE CENTRE Mosaic Farm

Platanna River Cruises River Rat Boat Cruises

073 318 5078 083 310 0952

ESTATE AGENTS Pam Golding 028 341 0708 Stanford Village Properties 082 893 2282

072 111 9321

PETS & PET CARE Stanford Kennels Syringa Country Kennels

028 341 0961 028 341 0961

GARDEN SERVICES Earthworm Organics

072 825 7534

PLUMBING Mike Moody

083 316 1872

HAIR Jeanne Retief

072 318 2478

HOTEL Stanford Hotel

082 781 1704

HOUSE MANAGEMENT Stanford Country Cottages Village Laundromat

082 320 0982 072 616 0976

HOME MAINTENANCE Stanford Country Cottages

082 320 0982

INTERIORS Kiwinet Maureen Wolters

028 341 0209 082 450 3970

'MASSAGE & HEALTH Stanford Health Practice

082 481 8285

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Klein River Picnics

028 3410 693

028 313 2814

RESTAURANTS 1892 Stanford Spookhuis Barke Restaurant Marianas Springfontein Eats The Vine

028 313 2814 028 341 0116 028 341 0272 028 341 0651 028 341 0662

REMOVALS The Little Removals Company

074 381 1111 TELEVISION/DSTV Rod Dacre Television

073 160 4495

WEDDING VENUES Beloftebos Mosaic Farm Stanford Hotel

082 391 5331 028 313 2814 082 781 1704

WINE CELLAR & SALES Springfontein Wine Estate

Stanford Hills Estate

028 341 0651 072 371 7546 028 3410 841

Tuesday 17:30 & Friday 08:30, Maitri Yoga, Tasha Saha, 076 968 8608.

Monday 11:00, Yoga, 084 685 2641, Viv von der Heyden, 23 Quick Street.

Monday 18:00, Running Time Trials 5km, corner Adderley and Longmarket, last Monday of each month at Stanford Hills Estate.

Monday & Wednesday, Canoeing, Slipway Church St, John Finch 028 341 0444, Jan Malan 082 452 9877.

Tuesday & Thursday 17:00 to 18:00, Tae Bo, Okkie Smuts School Hall, Ronnie 083 655 4521.

Tuesday & Thursday 17:30, Cycling, cnr de Bruin & Moore Streets, Sunday 08:00 Caltex Garage David Morrison 082 321 7996, John Finch 082 378 1935.

Wednesday, 18:30, Rotary Stanford Club Meeting, The Vine Restaurant. Everyone welcome. Malcolm 084 441 0961.

Thursday 18:30 - 21:30 Heal Your Life® Evening Group Sessions 071 382 9033.

Friday 08:30, Yoga, 084 685 2641, Viv von der Heyden, 23 Quick Street.

Friday, Canoe Time Trials, Slipway Church St, John Finch 028 341 0444, Jan Malan 082 452 9877.

Saturday, 09.30am – 12:00, Stanford Saturday Morning Market, Stanford Hotel Veranda, 028 3410 591.

WHERE TO WORSHIP IN STANFORD NG GEMEENTE STANFORD Sondae 9:30 in die kerkgebou. Office, tel 028 3410 966.

ST THOMAS ANGLICAN CHURCH Morton St, contact Father Joseph Gabriëls 028 3410588 First Sunday of the month 10:30 Communion (Afr) Second Sunday of the month 10:30 Service (Afr) Third Sunday of the month 08:00 Communion (Eng) Fourth Sunday of the month 10:30 Service (Afr) FULL GOSPEL CHURCH OF GOD cnr Queen Victoria & Bezuidenhout St. 09:30 Sunday service. Pastor Johnny van der Schyff • 028 3410 422.

VG KERK (next to De Bron School) 10:00 Sunday morning. Maureen Diedericks 028 3410 691.

STANFORD UNITED CHURCH, meets at St Thomas Church, Morton St. Interdenominational.

English service at 6pm Sunday. Bible Study, 7pm Tuesday night at 45 Queen Victoria St. Secretary Kerri Brokensha 028 341 0077.

WATER TESTING

STANFORD - RETICULATED DRINKING WATER RESULTS

STANFORD - RIVER WATER RESULTS

The treated sewerage outlet point into the Kleinriver is at the slipway at the end of Du Toit Street. The stream in the middle of town, starting in the dip in De Bruyn Street, is partly fed by the treated effluent from the waste water treatment works which gets complemented only in winter, by the overflow of the two dams in the middle of town. The two sampling points for the river are thus respectively known as under and above the treated sewerage outlet point.

Escherichia coli (E.coli) – bacteria that is a normal inhabitant of the human intestine. Its presence in a sample indicates pollution from human faeces.

Total Coliform bacteria – is the name for all the bacteria that produce gas and acid from the fermentation of lactose and its presence in a sample indicates pollution from the intestines of both humans and animals.

Heterotrophic Plate Count – is a standard microbiological method used to determine the efficiency of operations to remove or destroy organisms, good and bad, during the treatment process.

Determinant (e. Coli) Under treated Above treated Sewerage Standard Sewerage Outlet poin Outlet point (Bridge R43 0-130/100ml (Jetty next to erf 396) to Hermanus)

DETERMINANT

FEB

MARCH

E. coli STANDARD (0/100ml)

0

0

FEB

231

135

Total Coliform bacteria STANDARD (10/100ml)

0

2

MARCH

129

84

Heterotrophic Plate Count STANDARD (5000/100ml) 0

0

STANFORD RIVER TALK 21

WHAT'S ON Every day in April: Art Exhibition at Yum Eat Cafe, Local artists exhibit their best pieces of the season. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Tel: 079 468 9060 Every Wednesday, Graze Farmers Market, 09:00-12:00, Graze Restaurant Reduce your carbon footprint and get your fresh veggies.

Saturday Morning Market – every week 9:30-12:00 Farmers, crafters and hobbyists have gathered together to bring you home-made and home-baked goodies from the heart!

2 April, 19:00, Wine & Wisdom Quiz Evening at Birkenhead R50 per person, proceeds to Stanford Conservation Trust. Food and drink extra. Bookings, Annie Ranger: ranger@reedcottage.co.za 2 - 4 April, Flash Sale at Stanford Treasure Trove Some really special prices for really special stuff. For more see www. stanfordtreasuretrove.co.za 10:00 to 14:00. For more info please call Royd: 071 128 5533.

Friday 3 April (Easter Weekend), Panthera Africa Come and enjoy our magnificent Big Cats! Educational visits 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00. R 190 / adult, R 120 / child (under 13). Feeding & Enrichments visits: R 290 for adults. We regret no children under 16. Book in advance: info@pantheraafrica.com. For more details: www.pantheraafrica.com.

Friday 3 April, Drumming circle, 18:00, The Tasting Room. R200 includes drum show, your drum and demonstration. Great fun. R130 if you bring your own drum, R30 to just come along and watch/listen.

Cash bar and boerewors rolls for sale. Bookings: 072 639 6135 Saturday 4 April, Full English Buffet Breakfast, Coffee Corner Deli, 08:00 - 11:00. R70pp including champers and orange juice.

Contact: 083 441 0105, 028 341 0034, email: cynthia@coffeecornerdeli.co.za Saturday & Sunday, 4 & 5 April, Stookhuis opening, Sir Robert Stanford Estate, 14:00 till late. For brandy and grappa tasting, live music, exotic cocktails and beautiful views! To book, contact GiGi on 082 441 0709 or gigi.gigi@mweb.co.za Sunday, 5 April, chillout braai, The Tasting Room, R150 pp, full braai buffet, live music, Easter Egg hunt. Bookings: 072 639 6135 8, 10, 11 April, Silver Screen Songs in Cabaret by the Jazzfordians, Raka Wine Farm 19:00. Booking essential. Wine, Beer and tappas platter. R150. Bookings: Bea Whittaker milkwood@ hermanus.co.za

Easter

A message from the Christian Forum

Easter, as it has become known, is celebrated on the first full moon weekend after the vernal equinox (March 21). 'Easter' is not a Biblical term. The correct event celebrated is the 'Pass over' of Old Testament times and the death and resurrection of Jesus in the beginning of the New Testament times.

Much has been written about the Easter events, but nothing, no communication device could ever convey the depth of meaning of Jesus the Son of Almighty God paying the ultimate price so as to release us from the debt and bondage of sin.

What must have been in God’s heart to see His Son being ill-treated so cruelly and killed on our behalf, yet knowing that this was the only way in which He could restore the relationship between Himself and man which had been broken by the fall of Adam.

We read in Is.53:12b. 'He willingly gave his life and was treated like a criminal. But he carried away the sins of many people and asked forgiveness for those who sinned.' NCV The word 'many' gives a clear indication that there are those who will not be covered by the blood of Jesus, for there are many who do not accept Christ Jesus as Saviour.

There are many who would go to Church on Easter Sunday as they did on Christmas day– 'Just in case'. True and full celebration of this event is not just in physical observance of the day, but a deep and reverent acceptance of this the greatest gift from God; 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that everyone who believed in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (Joh.3:16) This gift of eternal life only becomes ours when we accept it and all that it entails; full commitment. To accept it is to receive and experience the wonderful working of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives, an inexplicable and indescribable wonderful experience of love which you will remember all your life. This true acceptance of Jesus as Saviour gives greater deeper feeling than any joy, longing, love or emotion could ever engender.

God so loves you that He gave His greatest on your behalf so that you could live with Him in eternity, a contract signed and sealed in the blood of Jesus. This is the true experience of Easter.

Rev. Hildie Pansegrouw

Thursday, 16 April, Stanford Conservation AGM, Peasant’s Bar, 18:00. Presentation on the frog monitoring project undertaken around Stanford by Sheraine van Wyk, Whale Coast Conservation.

Friday, 17 April, Mexican night with Lucy Kruger The Tasting Room. Further details to follow. Bookings: 072 639 6135 Friday, 24 April, Stanford Sunset Market, 18:00 It’s time for the Stanford Sunset Market again! Whether you love the smell of freshly made treats, sipping local wines and beer, deli goodies, browsing for arts and crafts, or just good ol' family fun.

Sunday 26 April, Art in the Park, Hermanus Cricket Grounds 10:00 – 14:00. Food, drinks and art. Children's play area. Stanford artists exhibiting.

9 & 10 May, Flight for birders, Community Hall, Mollergren Park, Hermanus . The programme can be viewed at the following link: http://www.westerncapebirding.co.za/overberg/events/501/flight_ for_birders_course_in_hermanus 23 May, Con Spirito Choir from Kleinmond, 7pm NG Church Hall

email your events to design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za STANFORD RIVER TALK 22

DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISING IN MAY STANFORD RIVER TALK IS 20 APRIL. PLEASE BOOK YOUR SPACE WITH SANDRA AT 079 523 8453 OR DESIGN@STANFORDRIVERTALK.CO.ZA

y a d h t r i b happy

If your birthday or a special occasion is coming up, please email design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or sms 079 523 8453.

Karen McKee 5 April

Ansie Reitsma 6 April

Sally Dumont 6 April

Benjamin Chancey (From left) Rachel 14 April. Tim and 14 April Shannon both 3 April

Abongile Velem 20 April

Mary Troost 24 April

Adanne Geldenhuys 21 April

Qhama Apolosi 24 April

Marna Beets 8 April

Tucker and Patrick Chancey 14 April

Cheryl Garrod 2 April

Johannes Pieterson 12 April

Dirk Troost 17 April

Anna Mae Troost 2 April

Peter Kastner 4 April

Fabio and Luca Revett 14 April

Paulette Whitelaw 17 April

Matthew Privett 19 April

William Stephens 23 April

Rachel Templer 25 April HITORI PAGE 20.

Belinda Taberham 28 April

Likho Apolosi 28 April STANFORD RIVER TALK 23