Diaz Old Age Home Braai

During Kenton Capers 2012 we were donated R 2,000 in Spar vouchers by Rosehill Spar in Port Alfred, and it was decided that we would use these for a braai at the Daiz Old Age Home in Alexandria. Marco was chosen as the convenor, and with his trusty side-kick Maryke, they made the preparations.

We all gathered in the courtyard at the Old Age Home, and all the residents were brought out to sit with us in the sun. It was wonderful to see them enjoying chatting to us, or just watching us as we worked and mingled. Maryke did her best to speak to everyone, and at times needed either a translator or a book to write what she was trying to say, but hats off to her!

We braai'd some chicken sosaties and boerewors, and I think between the smell of the braai and the great taste of the meat, the residents were in seventh heaven! The girls handed out chocolates to everyone as a small pudding snack, and we were all called into the Dining Room to be thanked.

There were heart-rending moments during the morning, but the great feeling one gets from giving is something which cannot be bought or explained. Well done Marco on a good project!

Visit to Thornhill 208

It was after the Easter weekend, I was feeling as though I had eaten enough Easter eggs to sink a battleship. I had worked all weekend and was needing a fresh injection of fun and couldn’t wait to get down to Thornhill for their business meeting. After a few phone calls, emails, sms’s and Whatsupp messages, it was arranged and the guys all arrived at my house in the pouring rain to leave their cars.

Adriaan (our Area Vice Chairman), Eugene (our Area PRO), my faithful side-kick Guillym and I all piled into the trusty Polo to make our epic voyage of discovery. After a brief stop at Prestons in Bushmans (where it appears I am getting a reputation of arriving to buy drinks with a car load of people dressed in quagga shoes and a striped jacket…) where we were greeted with open arms, we were off! The rain and wind were an irritant, but gave us a great opportunity to catch up in the car and chat.

As the only one in the car who had actually been to Thornhill (and I must confess it was not only a while ago, but I may have been “under the weather” at the time), I confidently drove us right up to the front door of the hotel. After some confusion (there were no vehicles out front) we saw Deon in the window of the bar and decided we were in fact at the right spot.

We were joined by Jannie and Johan from Zwartkops 195, and together with the guys from Thornhill 208 we enjoyed a good meeting. The best thing about travelling is seeing how other Clubs operate, and listening to their projects and ideas. Much fellowship and laughter followed, together with a fantastic supper.

After a lengthy goodbye, we managed to get ourselves back in the car and on our way, arriving at my house just before 1am. Thanks guys for a great evening and for the support!  It is always much appreciated!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving day

After a quick discussion in the morning, the Franz and Taljaard families decided to move house yesterday.

The Taljaard household was packed and moved from Port Alfred to Ocean Avenue, with their furniture and boxes being moved from the Industrial Area store.

The Franz household packed and moved from Ocean Avenue to Parker Road, and their furtniture was moved into the now emptied Industrial Area store.

A logistical nightmare for most but not for these interpid families, taking it in their stride and managing to complete all the moves before sundown. An impromptu housewarming party was held to celebrate at the Parker Road house - we were very limited on the booze front but managed to cope despite a certain mishap with a bottle of vodka and a bottle of rum!

Good time with great friends!

Not actual moving photo!

Raid to Adelaide 194!

It was all planned. On-board beverages, snacks, a borrowed car to ensure maximum space per square foot...

Jacques, Guillym and Alan all hopped into the Avanza and left Kenton at 5.00pm, or thereabouts. Arrived in Grahamstown and picked up Fabrizio and Ockie and we were off! After a necessary stop on Dikkopflats roadside, we arrived in Adelaide around 7.15pm.

Met by Hennie, Scott, Dassie and Chris from Adelaide 194, we joined their meeting at their clubhouse. With the food and beverages flowing, we enjoyed being able to listen to the way they run their meetings and projects, with many ideas being swopped and compared.

After the obligatory stop at the Midgley's Hotel after the meeting, we drove back (most slept...) and another visit is under the belt! We even managed to raid their Toilet Seat Trophy and Grahamstown 11's Mullet Award.

Good times!

Good-bye Michelle!

On Thursday night the Ladies all got together at the Goat Shed, near Kenton-on-Sea, to officially say good-bye to Michelle Pullen. Michelle's husband Richard became a 41'er this year, and it is a tradition in Alex/Kenton 210 for the Ladies to host a dinner to say good-bye.

A collage of photos and messages was handed over during the welcome by Daleen du Toit, after which Marliza Potgieter toasted Michelle in a speech.

The Ladies also gave Michelle her gift of a braclet with a small silver cross engraved with "proud 41'er x".

Raid on 195

Last night saw Jacques, Guillym and Alan driving to Port Elizabeth to visit the Round Table 195 Zwartkops meeting.

The on-board refreshments were a hit with the passengers, as was the brief stop at a fast-food outlet to ensure we were all sufficiently ready for anything that the sergeant could throw at us. After navigational issues in finding the Clubhouse (who knew there were so many identical streets in that area) we arrived in time to enjoy some fellowship before the meeting.

Unfortunately, two of the three trophies we were there to collect managed to find their way into the Round Table 208 Thornhill vehicle before we could grab them, but we will be getting them back on Alan's official visit next month.

A great meeting followed, with the Kenton guys yet again adding our own flavour to the proceedings, including reminding the guys of the finer points of Table etiquette...

A good drive back with some tunes (thanks to the mixed CDs we have finally added to the raiding vehicle) saw us in bed by 1am. Some of Daleen's travel sleepliness has worked it's magic on Jacques though, with our conversations often interrupted by his head-banging (we assume he kept waking himself up and it wasn't the music he was reacting to).

Area Chairman

This weekend in Thornhill saw Alan Malan from Alex/Kenton 210 being inducted as the Area Chairman for the Eastern Province Area.

Alan is a second-generation Tabler from the Club, with not only his father but also four uncles all having been members of 210, and continues the Club's great tradition of leading by example.

Alan is the fifth Area Chairman to come out of Alex/Kenton 210, with the Club also boasting a Past RTSA President and a Past WoCo President in it's history.

Seen here is Alan and Marliza Potgieter, 41'er Johan's wife.