people, news & what sets us apartAbove: The whales have arrived! Photo: Martin Etsebeth 67 Minutes for our ‘Forgotten Ones’ (PAGE 3) Fun and games for Butterfly Centre’s kids (PAGE 7) Green School visits Stanford Swop Shop (PAGE 17) MANDELA DAY TABLE CRICKET GOING GREEN
The Southern Right whales are slowly pulling into our bay and I for one couldn’t be happier. There’s just something really special and mystical about these magnificent creatures that draws one to them. Just seeing a spout of water spraying out into the air, or a wave of a tail or flipper here and there makes my heart ever so happy. I can watch them for hours! And judging by the many amazing photos of them splashed all over social media these days, I’m not the only one who can’t get enough of them.
The photo on the cover of this issue, as well as the one below, were both taken by local photographer, Martin Etsebeth, who spends more time out there ‘whale-spotting’ than I do. Yes, I’m jealous! It’s all about timing and location, apparently.
Speaking of ‘location,’ this issue is jampacked with articles about all kinds of interesting things happening at lots of different locations, such as: Stanford Conservation’s 67-Minute Nelson Mandela Day Cemetery Cleanup event (pg 3); fun and games at the Butterfly Centre (pg 7); Paarl’s Green School visiting Stanford’s Swop Shop (pg 9); holiday fun for Eco Warriors at Blue Gum Country Estate (pg 12); Stanford Garden Club visiting Eikenhoff Orchid Nursery (pg 15); and loads more!
Now that the kids are back at school, I’m off to do some whale-spotting!
Happy reading!
MELISSA MC ALPINE
Editor 078 324 5692 melissa@stanfordnewsagency.co.za
MARIKE GROOT
Artwork | Layout | Design design@stanfordnewsagency.co.za
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admin@stanfordnewsagency.co.za
CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE:
Andrew Herriot
Anneline Ferreira
Christine Farrington
Christine Stevens
Nelly Roodt
Lana Coates
Robynn de Klerk
Vanessa Tedder
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Tour guides Richard Randall and Casper Bester along with guides-in-training, Alana and Themba, visiting Hermanus Tourism recently to promote ‘Project Iziko’ which aims to provide locals and visitors to Stanford with fun and exciting outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, zip-lining, quad biking, whale watching and more. Watch this space!
Disclaimer: Great care has been taken in the preparation of this publication. However, Stanford News Agency cannot accept responsibility for any errors which may inadvertently have occurred. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and/or persons interviewed, and do not necessarily reflect the views and values of Stanford News Agency. Any comments, suggestions or complaints may be forwarded to: melissa@stanfordnewsagency.co.za
Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated annually on 18 July to honour the life, legacy, and values of the former President of South Africa and a global icon of peace, humility, reconciliation, and social justice. The aim of this day is to inspire individuals and communities across the globe to take action and make a positive difference, following the example set by Madiba.
The ‘Forgotten Ones,’ a sub-committee of Stanford Conservation, initiated a 67-Minute Volunteering effort on Nelson Mandela Day that saw locals and some visitors spending time clearing and tidying up Stanford’s oldest East cemetery along Moore Street, where there are graves dating as far back as 150 years ago.
Volunteers were encouraged to bring along some garden tools, a mat to kneel on, a hat and a sense of humour.
Well, what a day it turned out to be! It was an early start in perfect winter sunshine. There was an amazing turnout of more than 40 volunteers all eager to get stuck in to help wherever needed – from digging out weeds, to planting young trees, covering the bases of trees with wood chips and tidying up some of the graves. Some volunteers ended up putting in a lot more than the 67 minutes asked of them; some went so far as putting in three or four hours at a time,
living up to the theme of the year: “It is in Your Hands.” It was an opportunity to get to know the person working alongside with a common purpose. Many people commented that they found it very therapeutic and calming and have offered to join the ‘Forgotten Ones’ weekly Thursday morning cleaning sessions. The weather chose to close in, with rain and wind ending the day earlier than expected. However, the sense of achievement, community spirit and teamwork was heartwarming and endearing.
A special word of thanks to the following people and places:
• Every volunteer for pitching up and getting stuck in.
• Nick and his team from Stanford Sawmill for donating two cubic metres of wood chips.
• Glenn and Raine from Born as the Earth for donating 67 trees and for their ongiong support.
• Stanford restaurants for donating tea & coffee (Stanford Kitchen, The Zesty Lemon, Ou Meul, Union Grocery & Eatery, Egret & the Owl, and Searle’s Garagiste).
• Sandra Cumming from Rivergate Farm for bringing her team of gardeners to assist for a few hours.
• The Forgotten Ones team for always making time for the souls who have gone before us.
• Stanford Conservation for their ongoing guidance and support.
JULY
21 - 23 Women’s Winter Retreat
Guided meditation, conscious dance, a silent nature walk and a variety of mindful practices
R3 600pp sharing or R3 885 for single occupancy
Riversong in Stanhaven Estate
Details: 066 040 0804 | 081 764 0047
22 Netball Clinic (9am to 1pm)
Teachers and Coaches R250 pp
Okkie Smuts School
Details: okkiesmuts.prim@schools.gov.za | Chantel 073 1482492
23 Ottolenghi Inspired Lunch (12:30pm)
Rivergate Eatery
Details: 082 449 8338 | info@rivergatefarm.co.za
AUGUST
1 Indonesian Night (6-8pm)
Special Evening with Indonesian Food. Set menu R225. Wine and beer will be available for that special night only.
UNION Grocery & Eatery
Details: Ineke 072780564 | WhatsApp +31646617163
4 - 6 Creation Care Weekend Away
Phillipskop Mountain Reserve
Two nights self-catering accommodation, a presentation on the theology of creation care, an alien hack and hike, etc.
R720pp sharing
Bookings: 073 016 8406 | anna@phillipskop.co.za
5 Merrell Whale of Trail
De Hoop Nature Reserve
The 53km Ultra and the 35km Trail Run with a R100,000 prize money
Details: whaleoftrail.co.za
9 Stanford Ethos - The Nature of Beauty Art Exhibition (12-3pm)
Featuring 7 artists from Stanford. Opening on the 9th with Women’s Day Celebration Lunch. Exhibition open to the public from the 10 - 30 August
Stanford Valley Country Lodge
Details: 072 198 0862 | info@stanfordvalley.co.za
SEPTEMBER
23 Art on a String (9am – 12pm)
100 drawings by local artists on sale at R100 each
Egret & The Owl Book Café
Details: Marian Binder 083 303 4330
30 10km Hermanus Whale Festival Fun Run (7am – 9pm)
The Old Harbour, Hermanus
Lots of fun to be had and prizes to be won
R200pp | Details: japie@raceday.co.za
OCTOBER
21 Country Craft & Hobby Fair (10am – 4pm)
Large variety of craft and hobby stalls plus demos throughout the day
Birkenhead Brewery (Walker Bay Estate)
Details: Carol Tait ladybird@mweb.co.za | 082 456 5923
MARKETS
Market Day @ Martin’s Deli (9am – 4pm)
Fresh produce every Thursday
Martin’s Deli, 1 River Road, Stanford Business Park
Contact: 082 321 0337
Stanford Square Market (9am – 2pm)
Stanford Square, Queen Victoria Street
Details: Nicolene Gericke 083 530 4968
Stanford Saturday Morning Market (9am – 12pm)
The Stanford Hotel Stoep
Details: 082 781 1704 | hotel@stanfordvillage.co.za
Every Monday
Painting Classes with Tracy Algar (10am – 12pm)
Egret & The Owl Book Café
R200 per class | Details: 084 584 3757
Meditation Evenings (6:45pm – 7:45pm)
No charge but donations welcome
Details: Maxine Church-Bingley 082 419 9330
Stanford Striders (4pm)
A 40-minute quick stride along the streets of Stanford
No charge but donations welcome (funds go to the Butterfly Centre)
Details: Andrew Herriot 072 571 7846
Every Tuesday
Decoupage, Gilding, Mosaic Workshop (10am – 12pm)
Ladybird Craft Studio, Stanhaven Estate
Details: Carol Tait 082 456 5923
Calligraphy Workshop (9:30am – 11:30am)
Art studio in Stanhaven Estate
R800 for 4 x 2-hour lessons| Details: Martyn Johnson 084 675 1164 (Other dates and times can be arranged)
Every Wednesday
Painting Classes (10am – 12pm)
Egret & The Owl Book Café
R200 per class
Details: Tracy Algar 084 584 3757
Writing Courses (10am – 12pm)
For anyone requiring assistance with their writing
Lunch and discussion around books and writing
R250 per class, R300 per hour for individual mentorship, R160 for lunch
Egret & The Owl Book Café
Details: Lesley Beake 082 646 4420
@stanfordnewsagency.co.za
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Grootbos Foundation, with the help of the Rotary Club of Munich, recently donated new school shoes to the children of three Early Childhood Development Centres in Masakhane, an informal settlement neighbouring Gansbaai’s industrial area. The aim of the initiative was to encourage young children to get excited about their education, literacy and starting school, and Grootbos Foundation hopes the shoes will do just that. “We hope to see these children in their new shoes when they return for school next term but we suspect that they may hide them away for safe-keeping so that they can start big school with brand new shoes next year,” said Penelope Goemans, Communications Officer for Grootbos Foundation.
Further afield, Grootbos Foundation’s Sports Programme Manager, Natasha Bredekamp, attended the Laureus Global Summit held in London, UK. Sport has the potential to have a monumental impact on the lives of children and we are excited to see what new ideas and connections Natasha will bring back to implement in the Gansbaai
and Stanford sports programmes. The largest gathering of Sport for Good stakeholders in the world ended with a call to increase funding into targeted programming for girls and young women; they pledged to lead global research into gender equity and the role that programmes play in empowering young women and girls through sport. After three days of discussion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Laureus Sport for Good Summit, presented by Nike’s ‘Made To Play’ commitment to get kids moving, produced a coalition of influencers and decision-makers from across the international sport-for-development community, with a common mission: to prioritise the wellbeing of young women and girls through the power of sport.
Over 244,000 children and young people are impacted by the work of Laureus Sport for Good, which supported 304 programmes in 42 countries and territories with funding, training and other assistance over the last year.
Planning is already underway for this year’s Stanford Festival scheduled for Saturday 7 October. The aim of this annual event is to showcase the very best that Stanford has to offer in terms of art, culture, food, entertainment and sport. The theme for this year is: ‘Celebrating the Rich Cross-Cultural Diversity of Stanford.’ There will be loads of entertainment in the form of live bands, dancing, puppetry, stalls, a fashion show and various guided walks. Children will have plenty to keep them occupied, too. The first edition of the talent competition, ‘Star Search Overberg,’
is around the corner. Auditions will be held across six Overberg towns between August and September.
Regional winners will compete in the finals which will happen on the day of the Stanford Festival. The idea behind this initiative is to nurture up-and-coming talent from communities with limited opportunities.
It takes a village as they say and the Festival committee is calling on businesses, schools and organisations in Stanford to get involved with the planning process to ensure an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike.
It’s time for us to rise and shine, Stanford!
Dog owners in the Overstrand will soon be able to walk their dogs off the leash in certain specifically demarcated areas. This is according to Overstrand Municipality’s (OM) announcement on 28 June pertaining to proposed amendments to the bylaws regulating the keeping of cats and dogs. The purpose of the amendments of this by-law is to ensure that dog owners can allow their dogs to be off leash in specifically demarcated spaces in parks and on beaches in the Overstrand Municipal area. The by-law was also discussed at the Community Services Portfolio Committee meeting as well as the Mayoral Committee meeting to give further direction for the policy. Stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to provide their comments. The draft by-law will be available on the Municipality’s website (www.overstrand.gov.za). Comments can be submitted via email to: enquiries@overstrand.gov.za
Recently David Ralph, the CEO of Lord’s Taverners South Africa and a resident of Hermanus, met with Janet Marshall, our local Caledon Broadcaster. It transpired that David, with the financial support of Lord’s Taverners (a leading UK youth disability charity), was keen to ensure that a table cricket table would be made available at schools for children living with physical and/or intellectual challenges.
Janet instantly advised: “Meet and speak to Andrew Herriot, the local Butterfly Centre’s School Board Secretary.” Job done, table delivered and set up, and demonstrations for the kids with the able support from a local cricketer of yesteryear, Anton de Kock, and the expertise of David Ralph. It emerged that a certain Lady Tav, Jane Simunovic, was instrumental in making the donation possible, especially for those children who face inequalities on a daily basis.
Jane is a Lady Taverner, and when the Tavs put together an overseas tour, they also offer packages to members to accompany the team to experience some of the country they are visiting. Jane was part of the supporting team that accompanied the Gatting/ Gower trip of March 2020. At the final dinner at Kelvin Grove, an appeal for guests to donate R10 000 to provide another game of table cricket to children living with disabilities was made. Jane was one of those donors.
When the two Butterfly teams of six were assembled around the table with five fielders on the edges, using special devices to slide and stop a scoring ball, and a bowler was set loose on the game, it was remarkable how children with differing physical and mental challenges applied themselves to the utter excitement of bowling, batting, fielding, blocking, cheering, and accepting umpire decisions.
This activity will be fully integrated into the weekly learning schedule using numerical acquisition and game rules to widen the Butterfly kids’ understanding of collaboration and reaching a full measure of appreciation of participation in learning experiences. Weekly matches will take place under the umpirage of Anton and the cheers and empowerment of the school population. Big thanks to Jane Simunovic, David Ralph and Anton for their support.
Table cricket is a modified version of the sport of cricket that is played on a tabletop or a specially designed game board. It is primarily designed for individuals with disabilities or those who are unable to play traditional cricket due to physical limitations. The game aims to provide an inclusive and accessible cricket experience.
In table cricket, the playing surface is a flat tabletop or board with markings resembling a cricket field. The game typically involves two teams, each consisting of six players. The objective is to score runs and take wickets while following the rules and principles of traditional cricket. The game is played using a small wooden bat, a lightweight ball, and a couple of umpires to keep track of runs and wickets. The bowler delivers the ball by rolling it down the bowling ramp, and the batsman attempts to hit the ball and score runs. The fielding team tries to take wickets by catching the ball or hitting the stumps.
Table cricket provides an opportunity for individuals of all abilities to enjoy the sport of cricket and participate in a fun and inclusive manner. It promotes physical activity, hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking, and teamwork while adapting to the specific needs and abilities of the players involved.
Table cricket is now played in several countries around the world. The first South African festival took place in March this year at the iconic Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. In the UK there is an annual Table Cricket competition where over 180 schools participate, and the final is held at the home of cricket at Lord’s.
July brings with it the start of a new Rotary year with a new Rotary International Theme, this year’s being ‘Create Hope in the World’ with particular focus on mental health. Here’s a brief overview of the main projects run and/or managed by Stanford Rotary.
Rotary is an organisation carrying out humanitarian service work all around the world, while in Stanford we make a significant difference in the lives of our underprivileged community.
Soup Kitchens: We support seven soup kitchens which feed the elderly, the sick, the infirm and children from poor and oftentimes destitute homes, currently serving between 1800 and 2000 portions per week. We also provide fruit and vegetables to the Okkie Smuts Koshuis, dry goods and vegetables to two of our small farm schools, as well as vegetables to a centre for the elderly.
Winter Warmth: In May/June each year, we distribute blankets to adults and children as well as jerseys, fleece tops, beanies, etc. to children in need. We also provide warm school clothes and raincoats to children whose parents are unable to afford these items.
Early Childhood Development: We provide assistance in the way of educational aids to two pre-schools, as well as to a group of community workers who focus on family education in the home.
Schools and Sport Support: In January each year, we provide stationery packs to Primary Schools in and around Stanford for their Grade 1 classes. At times we receive appeals from local sports clubs – soccer, netball and canoeing - for assistance with equipment or sponsorship, as well as fuel to be able to play ‘away’ games.
Mother & Child Support: We provide support to new moms by way of ‘New-Mom-&-Baby Starter Packs’ consisting of essentials such as nappies, baby clothing, barrier bum cream, etc.
Fundraising: We host a number of fundraising initiatives throughout the year such as a monthly raffle at the Sunset Market on the last Friday of every month in Stanford (September to May), the Penguin Plunge event that takes place on the Saturday closest to the Winter Solstice each year, and we also send out specific appeals periodically for things like school shoes, blankets and warm clothing, etc.
How to Help: There are many ways to get involved – funding, donations of food items, etc. Should you wish to be of assistance in any way, please contact your local Rotary. Attending a meeting is a great way to learn more about what Rotary does and will give you a better idea of what our projects entail as well as provide an insight into other areas where we are of help to our communities.
Consider Joining Rotary: We welcome new members since it is a way of expanding our talent base and provides us with extra willing hands. New members bring new ideas, new perspectives and help us stay fresh. The Rotary motto ‘Service Above Self’ is an acknowledgement that it’s better to ‘get stuck in’ and obtain a sense of achievement rather than just letting things stay the same.
With pretty much the entire village being in the dark most evenings thanks to stage 6 loadshedding, the Community Police Forum (CPF) and Neighbourhood Watch have joined ranks with Stanford Security Services (SSS) to provide heightened security on our streets.
The first of our patrols kicked off recently, with members covering all corners of the village both on foot and in vehicles. It was also the first time our team was able to put into use brand new equipment such as spotlights. And thanks to Stanford Security Services, two-way radios are now also being added to the team’s anti-crime arsenal. The patrollers are made up of volunteers, both men and women, who gallantly sacrifice their own time and leave their families, to ensure peace of mind for community members. The integral aim of these patrols is to provide support to SAPS during loadshedding hours and serve as a deterrent to those who may want to use the blackouts for criminal activity. Worryingly, the team noted garage doors and gates being left unlocked in some parts of the village, making these homes vulnerable to criminal opportunists. The CPF urges everyone to be more cognisant of their homes and surroundings.
Residents that are keen to be part of our loadshedding anti-crime patrols are encouraged to get in touch with the head of the Neighbourhood Watch, Richard Opperman. You can expect to see more of our members on your streets going forward!
Green School South Africa situated in Paarl is a school that educates for sustainability in a progressive, learner-centred way. Their focus is to prepare young people to thrive in an ever-changing world, and their approach is to educate for sustainability through community-integrated, entrepreneurial learning in a natural environment.
Every year Green School arranges a staff camp which is part team-build, part planning and part contribution towards a good cause. Last year they set up camp in Greyton where they contributed their time and assistance towards Reforestation Day which was held while they were there. The team helped clear alien trees and assisted with planting some fynbos species.
This year Green School chose Stanford as their inspiration for the year. As a school that focuses on sustainability, Green School is a zero-waste organisation with its own recycling centre, sewage system, and waste management system, Stanford’s Swop Shop was the ideal choice.
As Lisa Witherden, a teacher and camp coordinator from Green School said in her letter to Linda Strydom: “We love the idea of Swop Shop and would really like our contribution to the community in Stanford to be with you. We like to contribute our time and hands in any way we can. I think this would just be a wonderful concept for the teachers and staff to see and learn from. We hope that our recycling centre at school will be a hub for recycling in the Paarl valley one day, and so we have much to learn.”
As they weren’t able to join in on a realtime Swop Shop session which usually
happens on a Monday, the Swop Shop volunteers set up a mock session for them on Thursday 13 July. The enthusiastic Green School volunteers met up outside the Swop Shop at 09h30. After a quick briefing they set out into the community to collect recyclable materials and were back by 10h15 to line-up, have their bags weighed and receive tokens to ‘shop’ for their efforts.
In a show of thanks, volunteers from Green School donated various items to Swop Shop such as secondhand clothing, toiletries and household goods.
“I believe their team will have gone home with lots of ideas for their recycling project in Paarl. It truly was an honour to have members of Green School here, and the morning was thoroughly enjoyed by both the teachers as well as all of us,” said Linda Strydom afterwards.
Aleksandra Djordjevic-Domagala (Aleks) is a holistic trauma counsellor, bodywork practitioner and yoga teacher who moved to Stanford in January this year. Born in Serbia a little over 35 years ago, Aleks grew up in Germany and moved to South Africa in 2013, she fell in love with the country, met and married a South African man of Polish descent and is a mother to a 7-year-old son.
Prior to moving to Stanford, Aleks has been living in Table View for the past ten years. Their decision to relocate to Stanford was a rather spontaneous one after a surprise trip to Caledon one weekend found them taking another route home via Stanford.
“My husband and I parked along Queen Victoria Street, got out of the car, looked at each other and agreed that we liked the vibe of this place. I already saw myself and my son riding our bikes to the library, and I think of this every time now when we ride our bikes to the library,” says Aleks.
The couple agreed, in jest at first, that they should move to Stanford and try it out. This was on a Sunday. Come the next day Aleks was already researching schools for her son and went so far as setting up an appointment with one school for three days later. By Tuesday they’d found a property online and on Thursday they met with the school, viewed the property and before they knew it, they were moving to Stanford!
Stanford is their home now and village life has been a smooth transition for Aleks and her family.
“My happiest childhood memories are about living in a small village in Germany.
I think I was missing village life and the community that comes with it for a very long time.” Aleks went on to say: “Now we live here in Stanford, I couldn’t think of a better environment for my son. The people have made it very easy for us and have been nothing but welcoming and kind.”
Asked what challenges Aleks and her family have faced since moving to Stanford, Aleks replied:
“To be honest, none. In fact, it is I who feel somewhat challenged whenever I have to leave Stanford for a few days to go work in Cape Town.”
Aleks and her family are settling in well and have made many friends and connections. They have been enjoying all that Stanford has to offer – walks along the river via the Wandelpad, visiting the coffee shops and restaurants, browsing the various markets and connecting with likeminded people.
“On a Monday night you can usually find me at Maxine’s meditation circle, on a Tuesday afternoon I am singing away with Paula Bouwer and The Bad Habits (aka Stanford social choir), and on a Thursday afternoon I try (mostly very hard but still joyfully!) to follow Lana and my fellow line dancing queens.”
The family have found music again, too. Aleks’ son has started drumming lessons, her husband is taking guitar lessons and Aleks is taking vocal classes. Stanford is blessed with musical talent and many incredible teachers.
Aleks now looks forward to starting her mobile private practice in Stanford so she can offer her full spectrum of holistic services
to the community, including psycho-social counselling, trauma counselling and somatic integration.
Ingredients:
Even the kids will love these!
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Servings: 6
2 cups (500 g) cooked and mashed pumpkin or butternut
¾ cup (180 ml) flour
1 t (5 ml) Ina Paarman’s Vegetable Spice
1 t (5 ml) baking powder
1 extra large egg, beaten canola oil for frying
Cinnamon Sugar
3 T (45 ml) sugar
½ t (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon
Method:
1. Mix the mashed pumpkin, flour, Vegetable Spice and baking powder. Stir in the egg to form a thick batter.
2. Pan fry spoonful’s of pumpkin mixture into moderately hot oil (about ½ cm deep) until golden-brown. Drain on kitchen towel or brown paper.
3. Mix the cinnamon and sugar together and spoon it over the fritters.
Eco Warriors made the most of the sunshine during their winter holiday by spending some time at Blue Gum Country Estate where they went hiking, learnt to build a fort, and collected various items for Eduden’s holiday bingo card. Bingo was especially fun since the Eco Warriors were determined to tick off as many items as possible before the end of the holiday. During their almost two-hour hike, the kids learnt about the silky hakea tree, an invasive species. A great suggestion was made by one of the Eco Warriors that for the next holiday, Eduden’s bingo card should include climbing a tree and picking up ten pieces of rubbish. Both are excellent ideas and show that the Eco Warriors are always up for fun but are also conscientious about their environment. Way to go, Eco Warriors!
A healthy ocean depends on a healthy shark population.
Shark Awareness Day, which was held on 14 July, was created to raise awareness and show our appreciation for these incredible creatures. Did you know that sharks have been around since before the dinosaurs? That means they’ve been around for more than 400 million years!
This year’s #SharkAwarenessDay theme is: “Preserving Our Ocean Guardians.”
Sharks are important because they help maintain the balance of the oceans and keep our oceans clean and healthy. Many people fear sharks due to their scary representation in movies or stories, but with more understanding comes more respect for these fascinating creatures.
Some of the Sharks Found in Western Cape Oceans:
• The Great White Shark
• The Spotted Gully Shark
• The Bronze Whaler Shark
• The Hound Shark
• The Ragged Tooth Shark
• The Shortfin Mako Shark
• The Blue Shark
Shark Facts:
• A shark’s skin feels like sandpaper.
• Different species of shark have different types of teeth.
• Sharks have good eyesight and can see well in the dark.
• When a shark is turned upside down, it goes go into a trance-like state.
• Sharks are carnivores, so most of their diet comes from fish and other sea mammals.
What’s a shark’s favourite game? Answer: Hide and go eat!
Where can a fish borrow money?
Answer: From a loan shark!
This page is sponsored by Letsolo Water and Environmental Services www.lwes.co.za
An opportunity to visit an orchid nursery holds the exotic promise of delight and wonder, a treat that should involve far travels perhaps… but Eikenhoff Orchid Nursery requires no more than a short drive along the Papiesvlei Road.
Members of Stanford Garden Club recently had the privilege of a private function at the nursery, owned by Debra and Pierre Martheze. From a talk and demonstration by Pierre, who has been growing orchids since he was 13 years old,
we quickly learned that these exotic beauties don't all require the extreme pampering we've been led to believe for years.
Pierre generously shared his extensive knowledge with passion and humour, giving tips and tricks in an informative and inspiring demonstration, and had us all gasping as he literally hacked away at some plant roots!
Members were allowed to stroll through the nursery and choose from a vast array of plants or just purchase a few stems of beautiful blooms. They also stock fertilisers and potting mix and are most generous with advice throughout your visit.
Eikenhoff breeds and cultivates their own varieties and imports plants from all over the world - and Stanford turns out to be one of the best areas to grow especially garden orchids such as Cymbidiums as the climate is ideal.
The nursery is open to the public by appointment only, so it's best to contact them beforehand. Keep an eye on their website or Facebook page for information on their much-anticipated Open Days during flowering season – a delight for both the novice grower and the more experienced collector.
Have you heard of Harvest Club? It’s a new food club for Stanford and Hermanus, which is a great way to support small farmers and local food makers and gain access to healthier foods and better products without all the excess delivery miles, packaging and the usual retail costs. The feedback has been so positive that our number of members (and our local suppliers) are mushrooming! After launching in May, we’d already grown to 340 members by mid-July.
Harvest Club works like a group-buying club, except that it’s free to join and you can simply order any items you want through the online shop which opens for orders a few days each month. Products available include grass-fed meats, organic dairy, chef-cooked meals, nutrient-dense foods, health products, quality oils, pantry staples, and more.
After the shop order window closes, orders get collated and coordinated with the suppliers, who then have a week to harvest, pack and deliver, ready for you to collect your goodies from our collection ‘Market Days’ in Stanford and in Hermanus, usually on the last Thursday and Friday of the month respectively.
Here are some easy steps to follow to join our food club:
Step 1: Get yourself signed up
You can learn more about the food club, how it all works, and how to get access to the shop here: https://harvestclub.co.za/
Step 2: Join the club’s WhatsApp group
The food club WhatsApp group is where all the important updates are shared, including the shop order dates, the collection venues, and the stories behind our products and suppliers. Please contact me (Robynn) on 083 324 1521 and ask to join the group.
There’s no cost to join the food club, and due to our group buying power, we often get access to quality products at well below the usual shop prices. However, there’s a minimum order value of R250, and since there’s a fair amount of admin, logistics and direct costs involved in receiving, sorting and storing everyone’s individual orders, a small Market Day Fee of R47 is charged per order. You won’t need to make any payment on the online shop. Payments are made afterwards via EFT or card. Some of our suppliers require an upfront payment before they’ll deliver our orders though. So, to assist with the extra admin and cash flow requirements, there’s a deposit payment of R250, which gets paid by EFT after the orders close.
The remainder of the invoice is settled when you collect. The reason why we do it this way is that some items may not arrive due to supplier or stock issues, and some items are priced by weight, such as certain meats and cheeses. You only pay for what you actually get!
Note: We believe in transparency, and so your invoice will clearly show how much is paid directly to the farmers and producersa wonderful feature of the food club system!
I started Harvest Club because I feel that small, regenerative farmers will save the world. But they need our support. The global industrial food system with its chemical farming, feed lots and mass supermarkets, disconnects people from the source of their food, with unsustainable consequences.
My mission is to help support those small farmers - and the food makers who use their produce – through collaborating and creating a better win-win food system for us all. The food club connects us back to the source of our food and is one way we can all make a difference to our local economy, our own health, and our planet.
I hope you’ll come join our movement.
It has been a particularly long, grey and very wet winter, the wettest for some years but within a couple of weeks we will see signs that the next season is not far away. The first blossoms will soon appear on fruit trees, unfurling as if by magic from bare twigs and the march toward spring will begin.
Over ten years ago I decided suddenly that I was no longer going to purchase fruit that is out of season, and within weeks I added tomatoes and vegetables to that list. I grow a lot of my own produce, but the top up shopping list needed to change. The main reasoning behind this? The fact that a strawberry eaten in June tastes like polystyrene and a winter tomato tastes of virtually nothing at all. I felt conned, but there are more important reasons to honour the seasons.
Anything grown out of season uses up a lot of electricity, a luxury we simply cannot
afford to squander. Tunnels for growing out of season produce use electricity and cold storage facilities designed to keep fruit edible for months after it has been picked and use vast amounts of power to keep produce at a desired temperature. The other option, eating fruit imported from another hemisphere, carries with it a weight of global warming worries and costs a small fortune.
Following a seasonal diet is something that was a way of life not so many years ago, before farming became more of an industrial activity. It encourages you to grow more produce at home and support local farmers and growers; it is a community-based action that is healthy for everyone. In Stanford, this is easy as we have wonderful local produce available at a weekly market. If we support them, more local produce will become available.
Stanford also has a good climate for gardening and growing vegetables, and now is the ideal time to start. Crops such as salad
leaves, peas, beetroot and carrots can be sown now simply by sprinkling a few seeds; within weeks the soil will be warm enough to plant out tomatoes and courgettes for an abundant summer harvest.
From a health perspective, eating more fresh seasonal produce ensures we get nutrients the body requires when we need them. Personally, once I started to eat only seasonal food, my hay fever symptoms reduced, and it was if balance was restored. I just felt healthier.
Following a seasonal diet changes your perspective on food. It adds value. Preserving fruit and drying, freezing or bottling tomatoes in summer gives you a flash of sunshine midwinter, but more importantly you regain that anticipation of a new seasons produce. Waiting for that spring strawberry or summer peach is like waiting for a gift: it rewards, and you become incredibly grateful that they grow at all.
StreetSmart South Africa is an organisation that raises funds for street children via various projects. The organisation has been in operation since June 2005 under the founding patronage of Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Funds raised go to selected and approved organisations that run programmes for vulnerable children from impoverished homes or living on the streets.
The organisation relies on sponsors in the form of establishments such as restaurants, realtors, schools and others, to help raise much-needed funds for its cause. Maxine du Plooy, franchise owner for Marvellous Maids Hermanus and an estate agent for Century 21 Hermanus, is one such supporter.
For as little as R10, you can also make a difference. To make a contribution, scan the QR code. You can also donate non-perishable food items, toys, blankets, clothes, books, sanitary items, toiletries, stationery, and more. These can be dropped off at Century 21 or Marvellous Maids in Hermanus.
Your donation will greatly improve the lives of Overberg’s vulnerable children.
StreetSmart South Africa: NPC 2004/036117108
NPO 051 - 449
Level BBBEE 1 Contributor (Donations are 18A tax-deductible).
Contact Details: 13 Wagenboom Street Onrus Rivier 0615808127
Monday - Friday 8h00 -16h00 maxine@marvellousmaids.co.za https://streetsmartsa.org.za/
By: Melissa Mc Alpine
The Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) has been chosen by BirdLife SA as Bird of the Year for 2023. This ‘jewel of the forest’ as it’s also called is the only parrot endemic to South Africa. With fewer than 2,000 birds left in the wild, it’s on the critically endangered list.
A stunning bird with a green body, and a golden head and neck, the Cape Parrot is medium in size. Juveniles have a red-orange band across the crown in their first plumage, which the male loses when it’s just short of a year old. Females can be identified by their reddish orange colour around its head. Its strong beak is used to crack open nuts and fruit from the yellowwood tree – a favourite food source.
Cape Parrots are social birds and are most often found in large groups at roosts, water points and in fruit trees. Family groups of up to 10 birds can be seen during the day, but they sleep in large groups of 20 to 70 birds in eucalyptus and yellowwood trees. They are most often seen flying, or at roosting and feeding sites, especially at dawn or dusk. An intelligent, stubborn and inquisitive bird, the Cape Parrot is quite vocal with a number of distinct calls and sounds.
Sadly, the Cape Parrot is on the brink of extinction; their numbers are deteriorating due to poor and insufficient food sources, as well as the long distances they need to fly to reach these food sources. Further to this is the illegal trade in parrots, including the Cape Parrot, which remains a worldwide problem and concern. While there are various organisations that are working tirelessly to protect and grow the Cape Parrot’s population, time is of the essence.
Did you know? The Cape Parrot is also known as Levaillant’s parrot.
Iwas watching a Hadeda on the Village Green with his long beak buried deep in the grass. It pulled out a muddy worm from under the damp substrate, gulping it down in one slick motion. I could almost taste the muddy slime in my mouth. I imagined how tasteless and disgusting it must be, but also understood that some species rely on disgust to survive. It's their staple diet. And then there is that obnoxious noise they make. Surely that has no purpose. They probably do that to annoy us or chase us from their territory. How will we ever know?
Kids were joyfully playing a game of soccer in the background. It was lovely to see the field being used as I think it was intended. It gave me a sense of community. Untainted souls just having fun. Together.
I’ve been spending a lot of time staring at the field lately. It calms me. I walk around the parameter several times a day to make sense of random questions people ask me. "Maybe they're too far down from the source of the truth on the broken telephone line…" a wise tree once whispered.
Later in the day, people arrive for the space and the afternoon sun. The dogs run freely while their owners use the opportunity to switch off from a long day of work, online-shopping, or gossip.
I want to encourage everyone to have a walk on the Village Green. Although it has a sense of community on the one hand, it also has a disconnectedness on the other. Go play soccer or eat worms. Make obnoxious noises on the open field. There definitely is a good energy there and lots of space to be yourself, or maybe just to be weird without any embarrassing consequences.
Dogs are known as "man's best friend" for good reason - they bring joy, companionship, and unconditional love into our lives. And if there’s one thing that just about every Stanfordian has in common, it’s the love they have for their dog/s!
It’s for this reason, we’re introducing a new monthly feature called: “For the Love of Stanford’s Dogs!” This is your chance to show off your pooch so we can get to know all the wonderful woofies from our ‘hood.
Send us some details about your furry friend and don’t forget to include a picture pawfect portrait photo. The doggo featured will win a special doggy treat!
This month, the star is Gracie, a gorgeous girl belonging to Stanford residents Richard and Caretha Randall who live in Etienne Street.
NAME, BREED & AGE: Gracie (Jack Russel Cross, Age 10)
PERSONALITY: Gracie is a friendly little girl with a big personality. While it takes her a bit of time to warm up to strangers, once you’re her friend, she’s your friend for life.
FAVOURITE TREAT: Every evening Gracie is given an anti-itch biscuit treat which she looks forward to.
FAVOURITE THING TO DO/GAME TO PLAY: Gracie enjoys going for walks and absolutely loves to play ball in the garden at around 4pm every afternoon when Richard and Caretha have their tea.
FAVOURITE PLACE(S) TO GO: Gracie is a good traveller and behaves herself in the car as she sits comfortably restrained with her doggie seatbelt secured so that she can’t jump around. She loves going for drives and the beach is a particular favourite place of hers.
ANY BAD HABITS: While Gracie is for the most part a good girl, she does sometimes dig in the garden and recently even caught (and killed) a mole rat. Jack Russels are known to be hunting dogs, after all, so who can blame her? She also has a tendency to run up and down the garden fence barking at everyone passing by.
When Alan Scheepers was small, he dreamt of being a plumber, relates his sister, Mandy.
That was never to be. Instead, Alan became integrator, networker, marketer, and ambassador for generosity. In Stanford this made an indelible impression. Alan’s memorial service on 24 June bore testimony to the admiration and love villagers had for him – more than a hundred people were present.
In recent years, Alan came to be known as the ever-smiling, chatty dog-walker, house-sitter and transporter of goods in his beloved, noisy 2003 Ford Ranger bakkie. He became acquainted with many. Where there were problems, he never hesitated to assist. As his brother, Craig, said: “Alan described the last three years in Stanford as his best. He never wanted to leave.”
Alan and his siblings, Susan (deceased), Mandy and twins Craig and Cindy, always credited their mother, Val, for how she had shown them how to care for each other. Alan took that to heart.
Val divorced her alcoholic and abusive husband, deciding to raise her brood of five on her own when she was 42. It was difficult, but the warmth of this family carried them through. Alan, the eldest, was mentally challenged, but took it upon himself to help Val with Craig and Cindy, who say that he became their father figure. Alan could not learn to read or write and was placed in a special school in East London.
When Alan was 11, a Mr Chips-type teacher took him under his wing. Mandy used to sit with him when he was struggling with his homework. Susan was his Big Mama, as he called her. Whenever there was a hint of him being bullied at school, she was quick to act. In Stanford, his mettle was evident in his dedicated support for Die Bron School, SAWS, other organisations and individuals.
It was as Ian Wilson, a client, said: “He came to walk my dogs when I was ill. We became close friends. There was so much more to him than what met the eye.”
Lionel Pedro, principal of Die Bron School, describes him as one of the school’s major benefactors. “Alan approached businesses to donate to us. He had a monthly target amount in mind. If he didn’t raise enough, he would open his own purse. He found donations for compost and chips for the school garden. He approached the local nursery for plants – and got a very generous response. We once had a pudding sale. Alan drove to the dairy farm and asked for milk and was given ample. He was keen on helping children with special needs and spoke of this often.”
Stanhaven resident, Jennifer Johnson, suggested that Stanhaven residents plant a tree in his memory. The Stanhaven Green Team decided on a waterpear (Syzygium guineense). It was planted next to a bench with a plaque with his name on. May it grow to be a tall, handsome tree and provide deep shade for all.
Forrest Gump said: “I am not a smart man, but I know what love is.”
That was our Alan.
Elton John arrives on stage, backed by a big firework display, and opens his act with the rallying piano of ‘Pinball Wizard’ with its Led Zeppelin-indebted guitar solo. This, and the rest of his show, will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most epic performances ever to light up the mighty Pyramid Stage at Worthy Farm. Sir Elton John, 76, became the most-watched act in Glastonbury headliner history as 7.6 million people tuned into the BBC and an estimated 120 000 fans watched in person as the legendary Rock Star did what he does best – entertain his fans at the highest level.
The star of the Music Festival did not disappoint. Dressed in a gold suit, Elton John belted out song after song as his fingers ran up and down the Yamaha piano keyboard faster than cameras could roll. Fans joined in the singing with hits such as Daniel, Candle in the Wind, Bennie and the Jets.
Brandon Flowers ‘The Killers’ came on stage with a new look and sang Tiny Dancer with the maestro. Then came Elton John’s famous duet, ‘Don’t go Breaking My Heart,’
which he performed with the fabulously evocative Rina Sawayama. Elton made a moving tribute to his friend George Michael, who would have been 60 years old that day. Wow! What a fantastic and classy show.
Singing and playing the fabulous and much-awaited ‘Rocket Man’ was a truly outstanding performance with fans joining in and cheering: resplendent rockers and rollers, sitting on shoulders, singing and swaying along with the whole dazzling light show display thrown across the skies of Worthy Farm. This was ‘Rocket Man’s’ very fitting and final performance.
All-time favourite Yusuf/Cat Stevens, now 74, played guitar and sang some of his great hits: Wild World, Morning has Broken - and then finally my own tears fell when he sang an emotional Father and Son, the classic conversation between an old man and his impatient counterpart. For this, he was joined on stage by his only guest of the afternoon - video footage of himself as a young man singing the high verses. The crowd were on their feet having grown steadily throughout the set. They seemed to agree that it was one of the more likeable legend slots in recent memory.
Blondie’s Debbie Harry looked every inch the edgy rock star as she took to the Pyramid Stage to perform with her band. The singer, 77, was watched by fashion designer Stella McCartney and actress Kate Hudson at the iconic site in England’s Somerset. She wore a black sequinned mini dress and a matching jacket with a black t-shirt and black over-knee leather boots and futuristic mirrored dark visor sunglasses while she stormed the stage ripping out hits such as Rapture – featuring intense guitar riffs, and The Tide is High. The US rockers continued to rattle through hits Will Anything Happen and Atomic, which ended with the guitarist playing his instrument behind his head. Finishing, Blondie told the crowd: ‘We’ve got a long track record with you guys, so thank you very much for that.’
Glastonbury Music Festival is by far the best music festival in the world. It hosts the crème de la crème of top-class artists, musicians, songwriters, guitarists and rock stars old and new who intermingle with and perform to the crowd of over 210 000 revellers that flooded into Worthy Farm for the world’s largest greenfield music festival.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. We will miss you.
I THINK IT’S GOING TO BE A LONG, LONG TIME…
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