CONGRATULATIONS to local businesses who are on the move, quite a few of our favourite eateries, and shops have expanded to new and better premises. The entire Heritage Mall is undergoing a revamp with planned bigger floor space, wider aisles, more tills, more storage space and an overall better shopping experience at Pick n Pay. There will be an extra level built at doctor Grimbeek’s previous office, with a new coffee shop moving in. We are excited about the changes and hopefully the facelift will make Port Alfred residents smile. Wimpy will also be moving to the old Beaver’s premises and enjoy an overall revamp in much bigger premises. The word is out, and the old Spur building has been occupied. Lease-holder Stuart Boucher announced that the new tenants are set to complete renovations by the end of August, and have a new fun and exciting restaurant and bar open its doors. Congratulations to Natasha Kenny and Ryan Reynolds who have taken on this new adventure! It will certainly be welcomed in town by locals and visitors. There are also more changes happening in town with VW planning to move its premises and gain a possible service station. But more updates will be revealed later this month. Holly House has expanded and now has a far bigger shop.
WE WOULD like to also say happy Women’s Month to all the ladies out there. We will be celebrating next week on August 9. We hope everyone has a fabulous time next week on the public holiday and hope the men closest to their favourite girls will take a moment to honour them. Talk of the Town will also be celebrating women this month, so if anyone would like to nominate a fabulous woman in their life, we would like to include them in a special Women’s Month feature on “Women in Business”. We would also like to showcase an inspirational woman in Ndlambe and share her story. Please contact carterl@tisoblackstar.co.za for submissions.
THE Proteas put on yet another disappointing performance against England in the third test at The Oval in London the past weekend, losing the match by 239 runs. England has a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The series decider will take place at Old Trafford on Friday. The Lions will go into the final of this year’s Super Rugby Tournament with their heads held high after overcoming the Hurricanes in an epic battle on Saturday. The final between the Lions and the Crusaders is set to kick-off at 4pm on Saturday at Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg. A must-watch regardless of which rugby team one supports.
WELL done and thank you to Kathy Botha who, alongside Patrick and his team at Ndlambe municipality, cleared shrub and removed the rotten old boardwalk around the duck pond. Kathy donated 36 Cape ash, dog plum and palm trees for a place to put down permanent roots. Patrick placed a bench under the trees which will be able to be enjoyed by all who like to sit and watch the trees grow. I’m sure the trees will also lure back Kowie birdlife. Your community spirit is infectious!
CONGRATULATIONS to everyone celebrating a birthday in the week ahead and may you all be blessed with lots of good things in the future, especially Melinda Frankenfeld, Kerynn Dahl, Ben Timm, Simon du Plessis, Megan Wright, Ivor Phillips, Maureen Truscott, Louise Swanepoel, Andre Laas, Marin Jonhnson, Lyneth Gradwell, Janet Collett, Paul Thorp, Rachel-Ann Strachan, Edith Miskin, Angus McDonald, Adie Wilkins, Cecil Swartz, Biff Todd, Margaret Ganter, Nadia Grimbeek, Tracy Lloyd, Alda Elliott, Lana Reed, Burg Naude, Peter Smethurst, Nancy Schnehage, Flora Kuhlame, Lyn Haig, Toezie Turner, Hazel Hawkin, Anthony Skipper, David McCowen, Kye Macgregor, Jacobus Grove, Taryn Lee, Petro Pretorius, Linda Edwards, Thandukolo Vaaltein, Tanya Adams and Magda Mugge.
BUSINESS anniversary congratulations and continued success for many years to come to Kekkel and Kraai, and Quench Juice Bar.
WITH last year’s figures in brackets to compare against, the Rand was trading at R13.24 to the dollar (R13.99), R17.50 to the pound (R18.68) and R15, 65 to the euro (R15.66). Gold was trading at $1 266.34 ($1 364.42) per fine ounce, platinum was $948.10 ($1 169.30) and Brent crude oil at $51.35 per barrel ($42.15).
SPECIAL thoughts and prayers are with all those folk who are not well, who are having or have already had tests, operations and treatments. “Sterkte” to Roy Potter, Andrew de Vries, Dot Fetherstonhaugh, Ben Kember, Barbara Tee, Dr Jerome Boulle.
OUR sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Michael Richard Mardon who passed away Saturday July 29, especially his wife, Debbie and children Shane and Samantha. May the wonderful memories left behind sustain you at this very difficult time.
WEDDING anniversary greetings and best wishes for many more years to enjoy together to all couples having such an occasion, especially Claude and Susan McLellan, Bev and Bess Radue, Larry and Colleen Elliott, Rhodes and Diana Tremeer, Erica and Neels Snyder, Bevan and Linda Edwards, Dale and Leonie Wepener.
CONGRATULATIONS to Sven Grimbeek who took home the gold medal last week at his first ever bodybuilding competition – the IFBB West Rand Provincials Bodybuilding championships. Sven has been selected to represent IFBB Gauteng West Rand at SA Champs and is eligible to receive provincial colours from Sascoc.
THOUGHT for the week: “How wrong it is for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself”.
BEST regards as always,
The Team