Oord verwelkom Lizzie Viljoen

 

Lizzie Viljoen het onlangs in E87 ingetrek nadat sy verskeie aftreeopsies in Bela-Bela oorweeg het. Sy sê dat die pragtige terrein en mooi tuine van ons oord haar hart met die eerste oogopslag gesteel het. Die bekostigbaarheid van ons oord, haar gerieflike wooneenheid, die goeie sekuriteit en die vriendelike inwoners, het haar aanvanklike indruk versterk.

Sy pendel gereeld tussen Bela-Bela en Hartenbos waar sy 'n vakansiehuis besit.

Lizzie is 68 jaar gelede op Cathcart gebore, maar het in Oos-Londen grootgeword waar sy in 1972 aan die Hoërskool Grens gematrikuleer het. Hierna het sy ̓n Hoër Onderwysdiploma met Wiskunde en Wetenskap as hoofvakke, aan die Onderwyskollege Graaff-Reinet behaal.

Sy het vervolgens 20 jaar lank Wiskunde en Wetenskap by verskeie hoërskole in Pretoria onderrig. Die laaste 20 jaar voor haar aftrede in 2013, het sy egter by die Pretoria Skool vir Serebraalgestremdes gewerk. Gedurende hierdie tydperk het sy die SPO-diploma op  ̓n deeltydse basis aan die Pretoriase Onderwyskollege vir Verdere Opleiding behaal.

Lizzie en Deon is in 1978 getroud. Hy het haar egter in 2017 ontval. Twee kinders en vier kleinkinders is uit hulle huwelik gebore.

New life in our village

INGRID VAN DEN BERG writes: The two of us at Unit 34 are serious sufferers of the empty-nest-syndrome. It all started on the 10^th of January while we were having our tea on the stoep. I noticed a bulbul lingering above one of the hanging baskets. ‘It’s stealing our coconut fibre’ I thought and wondered whether it was collecting nesting material. Then it was gone again. The next minute it came back with some stuff in its beak. By lunchtime the nest was taking shape and two days later it was complete – thin little twiglets cleverly woven in a perfect little cup. Every time she added something, she would wiggle her little body to test its shape and every time the male would keenly watch from nearby.

Bulbuls are not usually aggressive by nature unless its breeding time. The nesting activity attracted babblers who came to investigate but were immediately dive-bombed by the male. He even attacked the go-away birds that came to the feeding tray regardless of their bigger size. When we dared come too close to the nest, he did the same to us.

On the fifth day the first egg was laid and a day later the second one. The female did all the breeding while the male kept watch and occasionally brought her something to eat. The female did leave the nest for short periods, but her dedication to keep the eggs warm was amazing.

Then on day 20 the chicks appeared. Both parents now participated in feeding the brood and the rate of growth was astonishing. Initially the eyes of the nestlings were closed, and it took seven days before they eventually opened. We marvelled at their quick development but never expected them to leave the nest so soon. Four weeks from the day their mother started building the nest until they fledged. What a miracle!

Now we miss them while sitting on the stoep and wishing them back.

Resumption of organised social activities in our village

Social activities in our village have resumed this year on the distinct understanding that the prescribed COVID-19 protocols should be followed.

The photographs below were taken at a recent St. Valentine’s Day Tea Party.

 

 

‘n Voorteken van reën?

Die pienkkleurige stormlelie, oftewel “flower of the west wind” is  ̓n algemene gesig in ons oord – veral gedurende die reënseisoen.

Sommige inwoners beskou dit as  ̓n voorteken van reën. Maar is dit so?

Ons het die internet geraadpleeg en vasgestel dat hierdie bol-agtige meerjarige plant inderdaad  ̓n aanduiding is dat reënweer in aantog is, alhoewel dit nie 100% betroubaar is nie.

Kenners is van mening dat die blomproses van die stormlelie waarskynlik deur volgehoue hoë voggehalte van die lug en die gepaardgaande verandering in die lugdruk gestimuleer word.

Village Function Group Committee elected

The photographs below show the three village stalwarts who were recently elected to the Function Group Committee.

The purpose of the Group is to organize functions in our village during 2022 – COVID-19 restrictions permitting.

Marlene Bisset (Convenor)

Judith Huyzers (Secretary)

Colleen Meredith (Treasurer)

Reën, reën lieflike reën …

 

Die milde reën wat die afgelope somer oor die Bosveld uitgesak het, het ‘n heilsame invloed op die terrein van ons oord gehad. Die grasperke en tuine vertoon pragtig soos die inwoners daarin woel en werskaf.

Chairman’s message – February 2022

The Chairman of the Warmbad Renaissance Management Committee, WESSIE VAN DER WETSHUIZEN, writes: We are thankful to be able to start the new year with enthusiasm. There are many matters requiring attention. However, we will be deal with them - with the assistance of knowledgeable persons from outside if necessary.

Ons is voornemens om in 2022 die beskikbaarheid en die koste van elektrisiteit daadwerklik aan te spreek. Ons is baie opgewonde oor Murray en Roberts se filiaal wat die oord op 15 Februarie besoek om die beskikbare alternatiewe met sonkrag te verduidelik. Die oogmerk is om ̓n stelsel te vind waardeur beurtkrag uitgeskakel kan word teen ̓n tarief wat nie hoër as die voorafbetaalde tarief sal wees nie. Almal is welkom om die vergadering om 10h00 in die Nes by te woon om u in staat te stel om u insette te lewer sodat die beste keuses gemaak  kan word.

Ons maandelikse nuusbrief, Kwêvoël, is nou ook elektronies beskikbaar en ons nooi u uit om van hierdie fasiliteit gebruik te maak. Dit vertoon beter as die huidige monochrome weergawe.  Tree asseblief met Jacky in verbinding indien u wil hê dat Kwêvoël per e-pos aan u gestuur moet word.

A few members of the Management Committee have had a very successful meeting with the garden services contractor. Elsa Erasmus guided him and his team in a practical way with regard to the standard that is required. We trust that its impact will be obvious soon.

Ten slotte: kom ons verander onsself voordat ons ander mense probeer verander.