Don't Miss Out On Romance

Tomorrow is the big day for all romantics and lovers of all ages and to celebrate 14 February - St Valentine's Day - the club is preparing for a dinner for members and guests.
     Many thanks to those who have agreed to help with the food. It sounds like a veritable smorgasbord of delights.
     Joan Donet is bringing some chicken liver pat'e to kickstart the evening. Jenine Coetzee will bring some olives as well.
     To help with the starters, Judy Sligcher will be deep frying bitterballen, or Dutch meatballs.

     This will be followed by a range of main dishes for guests to choose from.
     Amongst these are: Island chicken from the kitchen of Steve du Plessis. 
     Carol Stier was being secretive, but has promised us a Portuguese dish even though she and Nic can't make the dinner.
     Paul Kasango volunteered Susan to provide a Kenyan dish.
     Judy Symons is sticking to the Local is Lekker theme and will provide bobotie with yellow rice.
     Debbie Nagy is providing Hungarian lekso, a vegetable dish in honor of Julian's Hungarian roots.
     Ian Widdop is serving Weber roast chickens with a tapenade. Yum!
     I'll make a big pot of my take on a Kashmiri Red Chicken Curry with brown rice so that no-one has to go hungry!
     There'll be fresh salads and red and white wine. If you're a romantic, bring your own pink champagne or cool drinks. Or even beer!
     Carol is also providing pavlovas like the magnificent ones she made for the Christmas dinner last year and there will also be malva pudding.
     A big thanks to all the volunteers and those who have paid. If any other members still want to attend, please let me or Joan know.

Bridget van Oerle at the meeting last week

     Last week Bridget van Oerle proved to be an inspiring speaker and had many a tale to tell after more than 20 years as a publicist, events co-ordinator and marketer in the world of the arts, culture, entertainment and lifestyle.
     She and her company Buz Publicity have many clients, including having represented Joost van der Westhuizen during his darker times; Pieter-Dirk Uys and his alter ego Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout (or is that the other way round?), the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Newtown and many other causes and projects.

Carin Holmes, Paul Kasango, Debbie de Vries and AG Lyn Collocott listen attentively

Andrew Parsons (right) was a visitor last week to come and pick up documents for his daughters Emma's application as a short-term exchange student later this year

DGE Jankees Sligcher contemplates the busy times ahead

 Speaker
     Inge Hoffmann of Boekenhoutskloof, the Franschhoek winery, has asked that her date be postponed to 22 February, so there won't be a speaker on Wednesday. This may be just as well, seeing as it is the morning after the Valentine's dinner, but do come along regardless, as there will be a meeting.
     A Thought for the Week: We are all mortal until the first kiss and the second glass of wine. - Eduardo Galeano (1940 - 2015)