Come Lend a Hand at the Bridge Drive

We know we have Lucille Blumberg and her team at the NICD to thank for finally tracing the source of the deadly listeriosis outbreak that has claimed the lives of more than 100 people. It would therefore be churlish to complain that we also have them to thank for not getting served bacon or pork sausages for breakfast at the meeting last week.

Carol Stier, Paul Kasango, Debbie Smith, Frayne Mathijs and Steve du Plessis having a bacon-free breakfast

     Although their suppliers are not involved, the Parkview Golf Club weren't taking any chances and served boerewors and baked beans instead.
     Despite the Parkview Special, which so many members order for breakfast, becoming plain egg on toast with avocado, the breakfast was great as usual.
     Apart from that the meeting went smoothly, following the February board meeting on Tuesday.

     The chief topic of conversation was the Bridge Day on Thursday.
     The arrangements are going well, but for it to be a real success, lots more effort is needed.
     There are a number of ways in which members can still contribute.
     The chief concerns, and they are things that everyone can help with, are:
     1. Players: There is place for 120 players at the Orchards Bridge Club and so far almost 80 have signed up. The more players there are, the more funds we'll be able to raise. If you know of anybody who plays bridge, please tell them about the event on Thursday and the good cause it supports.

Some members had already brought sparkling wine to the
 meeting last week, but bring more if you have some to spare

     2. Raffle tickets: Julian Nagy has requested that each club member tries to sell at least 5 tickets (or more). If this happens, it will take a huge amount of pressure off Linda Vink, Carol Stier and Julian, the main organisers of the event.

     Bring your list and the cash with to the meeting on Wednesday. The first prize is a fassel of fizz and flowers (the picture above is just an illustration) with 10 bottles of sparkling wine, pot plants and flowers.
     The tickets cost R50 each, R80 for 2 and R100 for 3. If each member sold just 5 tickers for R250, that would already amount to more than R5000. We can double that if each person sells ten tickets.
     3. Filling the fassel: More champagne, MCC, sparkling wine or Prosecco would be very welcome, as well as beautiful pot plants or flowers that would go with a hamper. Speak to Carol or Linda if you need advice.

A bit of bridge humour

     4. Catering for the lunch table. Bring a spare bottle or two of soft drinks, white or pink wine or sparkling wine for the table.
     5. Prizes: There are quite a few prizes already, but if you have a contribution, please bring it along or speak to Carol or Linda. Prizes must ideally be in groups of two or four.

Some more bridge humour

     6. Being there: If you can spare the time, join us on Thursday and lend a hand where you can. We'll need people too prepare there prizes, to help with both teas, to help Joan with the admin such as registering players and taking their money and of course to make sure the lunch goes smoothly.
     The aim is to raise R30000 for The Link Literacy Project in support of our Global Grant application from Rotary International, so every bit of help can make a difference.

Business matters
     There were a number of report-backs after the board meeting. Thanks to District Treasurer Kevin Wolhuter we now have audited statements with audited reports for the NPO registration and the club is ready to move on to obtaining PBO status.
     Steve du Plessis reports that the Rotaract club aligned to UJ should be up and running by the end of April with the distinct possibility of New Dawn gaining two new UJ members in the process. These are the first steps towards a scheme to help students undertake research in areas aligned to Rotary projects and is being done in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Johannesburg.
     The Blanket Drive will soon be kicking off, with Sam Deverneuil representing the club. Carol will assist her in approaching corporates for donations, rather than us stomping the pavements to the extent we have in the past.
     Paul Kasango, Judy Symons, Frayne Mathijs, Carol Stier, Debbie Smith, myself and possibly Greg Smith and Linda, will be going to the 5Cees dinner on Monday, 26 March. If you can attend, please let me know by the 21st for catering purposes.

Speakers
     There was a bit of confusion whether Frayne would be at the meeting on Wednesday and in the meantime Jann Weeratunga, author of children's books, such as the two illustrated, agreed to be at the meeting on Wednesday.

     We'll leave Jann to tell us more about herself and her many talents.
     The week after, on 21 March, Frayne will be telling us how important a national health scheme is. On 28 March Greta Schuler will be speaking about her research with migrant sex workers.
     Dates to Diarise: It's March already and here are the birthdays for the month:

1.           13 March – Greg Smith

    17 March – Jankees Sligcher

    20 March – Carol Stier

    28 March – Debbie de Vries

    31 March – Linda Vink

     Rumour has it that they're all turning 39 this month. And next year, and the year after, and the year after that ...

     A Thought for the Week: It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. - Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)