Ask a Silly Question!

Which river flows through Potchesfstroom?
     Through which city does the river Tiber flow?
     Into which ocean does water from Parkview eventually flow?
     If you know the answers to these and other similiar questions and couldn't make it to the Quiz Night last night, you'll be kicking yourself

Carol Stier presiding over one of the tables answering questions. Graham Donet, Greg Smith, Judy and Jankees Sligcher are on the left and Rob Devercueil, Paul Kasango and Ronnie Kasrils on the right

     The questions ranged from history (what does the acronym SALT stand for) to entertainment (which artist/s sold the most records of all time?) to movies and many other subjects.    
     The winning team were the foursome of Graham Donet, Greg Smith, Rob Devercueil and Paul Kasango. They got 32 questions correct out of 44 for a winning percentage of 72%. Not bad!
     The quiz was presented by DeWaal Hattingh, who also presents a Quiz Night at the restaurant Nuno's in Melville every Tuesday night.

De Waal Hattingh in relaxed mood before the quiz started

     De Waal is also the man behind Saartjie se Garage, an intimate home restaurant where live singers perform unplugged after a four-course meal of mainly modern Boerekos.
     Carol and Nic Stier pulled out all the stops to host the event at their home in Parkview and it turned out to be a fun way to spend a fifth Wednesday.

Carol Stier presiding

     Thanks to Carol and Nic for providing the venue and a fun meal of hotdogs with all the extras one could possibly think of. Thanks also to Linda Vink for bringing a lot of the sides and trimmings.
     Carol also provided the prizes of branded Rotary memorabilia and a bottle of very seductive looking Courvoisier cognac to thank the quizmaster.

DGA Judy Sligcher, Linda Vink, Ronnie Kasrils and DG Jankees share a moment in the lovely Stier garden as the sun sets before the quiz started

Debbie Smith, Joan Donet and Sam Devercueil discuss strategy

Graham Donet and son-in-law Rob Devercueil were in the winning team   

     The grandest prize of all went to Judy Symons who answered the final bonus question correctly that Columbus "discovered" America in 1492. She obviously has a head for dates!
     Rotary is not only about fellowship, as we all know and at the meeting last week it was back to business as usual for the new year.

Rezanne Bakkes of Pommy G, a company that specialises in social media

     As with the previous week, there was a strong turnout, with seventeen members and six guests.
     The speaker was Rezanne Bakkes of Pommy G, a company that helps businesses enhance their presence on social media. Rezanne was introduced to the club by Debbie Smith, who she has been helping with her jewellery line.
     Rezanne, a bubbly person, seemed very interested in Rotary and all the organisation does, and may well decide to become a member.

The winning team of Rezanne Botha and Debbie Smith

     She says social media in South Africa is still growing strongly in terms of numbers of users, where it has already plateaued in Western countries like the USA.
     Her company specialises in search engine optimisation through the use of keywords in search engines.

Lucille Blumberg is our next speaker

     Speking of speakers, the speaker next week is none other that our very own Lucille Blumberg, on the catchy theme of Malaria, Listeria and Hysteria - Controlling Outbreaks. Prof. Blumberg is a deputy director of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and is often quoted in the media about various outbreaks of infectious diseases.
     Carol Stier also handed over various sets of crutches and a walker to Lucille for her contact Petros at the Bushbuckridge project where the NICD conducts research. This was donated by a neighbour who is being relocated by the World Bank to Paris (what a tough life some people have!) as well as a tumble dryer for Hotel Hope Ministries.

Carol and Lucille with the crutches

     Linda told the club about the plans for the Bridge Drive, to be held at the Orchards Bridge Club in Hilson Str, Highlands North, on 15 March and asked members to tell all the bridge players they know about the event. The cost is R250 per person and includes two teas with snacks, as well as lunch, provided by New Dawn members.

Linda showing her hand!

     Players of all abilities are welcome, from social bridge fanatics to professionals, who will play under the watchful eye of Helen Kruger, a former Springbok bridge captain and president of the South African Bridge Federation.
     Because the costs are relatively low, we stand to make around R30 000, which would give the club finances a good boost in this first half of the year.

Ian Widdop with John Fraser

     As mentioned earlier, we had a number of visitors last week. First up was John Fraser, fresh out of Scotland, who visited as a guest of Ian Widdop. Richard Wear was also there, as a guest of Mike MacDonald.

Graham and Joan Donet

     Our AG, Dave Bradshaw, was also there, as was Graham Donet, as a guest of Joan! Graham is thinking of rejoining the club, as he and Joan have both officially retired. They celebrated their 37th Wedding anniversary last Wednesday!
     A Thought for the Week: The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts. - John Locke (1632-1704)