Prince Albert “Dorp van die Jaar” 1st round March 2012

A BIG PRINCE ALBERT THANK YOU! ! ! We would like to extend our thanks to each and every one of you who took some time out and spent some pennies To Vote for Prince Albert in a bid to win Kwela’s Dorp van die Jaar competion. There was much excitement and activity as the closing time came to a head on the 27th March, and Now we wait with ‘baited breath’ as the votes are counted. Results will only be published on 06th May – so let’s all hold thumbs!

The Tourism Office is pleased to announce the arrival of an official SA Post Office date stamp canceller to commemorate Prince Albert 250 year celebrations.

Usually all mail items posted in Prince Albert go to Beaufort West where the stamps are cancelled, however for this year only we have received a special dispensation for all mail posted at the Tourism Office (yes we have a bright red post box in our office) to be stamped with our own unique date canceller.

 

 

 

Here’s a bit of history about stamp cancellers: Before postage stamps were used, letters were hand-stamped or postmarked with cancellers in ink. Postmarks were first called Bishop marks after Henry Bishop who invented them. These postmarks, which indicated the date on which postal items were mailed, were first used in 1661 at the London General Post Office.

What are cancellers? A stamp is cancelled with a post office canceller or date stamp to indicate that it has gone through the post. The canceller is designed to prevent a stamps re-use. When commemorative stamps are issued, a matching commemorative canceller is usually also designed. It indicates the date of the first day of issue and usually echoes the theme of the stamps.

Prince Albert 250 years celebrations canceller was specially designed by the SA Post Office and will be used on all postage items at the Prince Albert Post Office during 2012.

A fantastic community project took place towards the end of last year in preparation of our 250 year celebration, where you will see the most amazing dust bins which are strategically placed throughout the village and most probably the best display in the SA, where the history of PA has been showcased, by local artists, school children as well as our correctional services. John McKenna who spearheaded this project and his Brother in-law Clive Heynes a well-known local artist will be putting together a booklet later this year explaining the history and story behind each and every one of our Commemorative Bins.

As the dawn broke on a cold and chilly Saturday 14th April our Stokers, Bokkie Botha, Jeremy Freemantle, and John McKenna opened up the antique still at the Museum to start our Annual Witblits stookery. After many patient hours 135 litres of stookwyn produced only 12 litres of witblits which were then bottled in a commerative 2012 bottle which were then auctioned to raise funds for our Fransie Pienaar Museum who is one of only 2 institutions with a stooklisensie to produce witblits, aren’t we so lucky.

The Antique still which was used and our friends Sandy and Jenny relaxing at the end of the evening

 

 

The first quarter of 2012 in Prince Albert comes to a close with a big bang this long weekend as we celebrate our Annual Olive Festival, with an amazing line up of activities and events for all. Unfortunately as so often happens many people enquire a couple of weeks or even a few days before hand for accommodation only to be disappointed as the village fills up months in advance of this exciting and event filled weekend, so for anyone who wants to participate and experience our Olive Season, I would like to suggest that you plan your accommodation requirements well in advance as there are so many lovely establishments to choose from if you enquire early. (More to follow on our Olive Festival in our next newsletter)

MAY 2012: Creative Prince Albert Autumn School Friday 25th – 03rd June:

We extend an invitation for you to visit and participate in our first Autumn School: Courses, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, excursions, walks, talks & films. Many areas will be covered including: Photographic Workshops ~ Art Appreciation Lectures ~ Art Courses for Beginners & more Advanced Artists ~ Cookery Courses ~ Floral Art ~ Jewellery Making ~ Antiques – Wood Restoration ~ Reduction Block Woodcuts ~ Botanical Excursions ~ Geological & Archaeological Excursions ~ Lectures on the Medicinal Value of our Karoo plants ~ Star Gazing ~ Story Telling & more …

(Refer to the attached Programme as well as booking form and don’t forget that Karoo View Cottages are running a May Madness Special – see below)

Karoo View Cottages May Madness Special – less 36% on standard pppns rates: Stay for 4 nights & only pay R280.00pppns- 2 persons sharing – children welcome at Std rates. Inclusive of health breakfast provisions, firewood & firelighters. All suites have large log fireplaces, aircon with heat control & wall heaters. Please quote KV May Special to ensure you receive correct quote. Conditions may apply.

During March we hosted journalists & photographers from House and Leisure Magazine as well as South Life in the Karoo, both of which will be running articles on Prince Albert and our 250 year celebrations as well as Karoo View Cottages. Please look out for their June issues which should be on the streets towards the end of May.

JUNE 2012: Library celebrates 150 years

• 1st, 2nd & 3rd Art & Craft Festival continues
• Library has lots of fun planned for the month * Friday 29th from 18h00 Moonlit Market in the “markie”

JULY 2012: Victorian Month in Prince Albert.

• NB: Watch this space for updates on an exciting Victorian Dinner / Feast & possible distinguished guests from abroad! ?
• Saturday 07th Tea in the Toelstedes’ garden in memory of Outa Lappies
• Saturday 28th Victorian Saturday Market

The Karoo’s best kept secret are our winter months, so why not plan a quiet time away and enjoy our Aloe Ferox’s on the Koppie, as they come into bloom in showers of different shades of reds & oranges & watch the sunbirds in all their magnificence as they feed:

• Karoo View Cottages Winter Special: R296.25pppns – 17th July – 31st July

Stay for 3 nights & get 4th night free – 2 persons sharing – children welcome at Std rates. Inclusive of health breakfast provisions, firewood & firelighters. All suites have large log fireplaces, aircon with heat controls & wall heaters. Please quote KV Winter Special to ensure you receive correct quote. Conditions may apply.

Karoo View Cottages Celebrates Spring as our Koppie comes alive in an amazing purple haze as far as the eye can see:

• Stay for 3 nights & get 4th night free – 2 persons sharing R296.25pppns – children welcome at Std rates. Inclusive of health breakfast provisions, firewood & firelighters. All suites have large log fireplaces, aircon with temp controls & wall heaters. Please quote KV August Special to ensure you receive correct quote. Conditions may apply.
• Karoo View Cottages Pamper Hamper for our special ladies as we celebrate National women’s day Thursday 09th, and suggest you take a long weekend break.
• Karoo View Cottages Women’s Day Special: Special lucky draw Pamper Hamper for ladies, staying 09th -11th inclusive. Spring Special will also apply – R296.25pppns – children welcome at Std rates. Inclusive of health breakfast provisions, firewood & firelighters. All suites have large log fireplaces & aircon with temp controls. Please quote KV Women’s day special to ensure you receive correct quote. Conditions may apply.
• The men are not forgotten however, as the NGK Bazaar is not to be missed – see below

Last month my friend Janet who has now relocated from KZN asked if she could borrow my legs . . . which of course made my mind boggle, as no one has ever wanted ‘to use my legs’ before . . . so off we went to a very pretty section of the Lei-water and hidden behind the magnificent blooming Plumbago had some fun . . . taking various photos from which she could paint. Below is the result which I think is an absolutely really beautiful painting (given my legs much more justice than they deserve)

Painting by local artist and my friend Janet Dirksen “Lekker by die Lei-water” Visit her website: www. Janetdirksen.fineartstudioonline.com to view more of her beautiful paintings.

Saturday 11th Annual NGK Bazaar, fantastic opportunity to stock up on your Karoo Lamb. An amazing experience, not to be missed, as the NGK is transformed for a day:

• Braaivleis, meat and vegetables galore, cakes and “bazaar poeding”. They’re all to be found at the DR Bazaar…
• Join us for pancakes, tea and coffee from bright and early… meat, cakes, home-baked bread, fresh veggies, braaivleis, “poeding” etc. will be on sale from 8.00am.
• There’s somewhere to sit and space to stand and you’re sure to meet old friends and make new ones.
• Local musicians will perform and there’s entertainment for the children. This year we will hold also various competitions more information nearer the time!
• WANTED Men with beards! (Richard started to participate in this in the hope of growing a beard, but have to say that Beards are not for everyone!)
• Prizes to be won at the Bazaar
• No ladies! A moustache is simply not enough
• 23rd – 26th Photography course with Louis Botha, including a landscape & portraiture workshop www.louisbotha.co.za
• Thursday 30th & Friday 31st Hoerskool Zwartberg Kultuuraand

SEPTEMBER 2012:

• Karoo View Cottages Celebrates Spring as our Koppie comes alive in an amazing purple haze as far as the eye can see:
• Valid for the month of September excluding long weekend.
• Stay for 3 nights & get 4th night free – 2 persons sharing R296.25pppns – children welcome at Std rates.
• Inclusive of health breakfast provisions, firewood & firelighters.
• All suites have large log fireplaces, aircon with temp controls & wall heaters.
• Please quote KV September Special to ensure you receive correct quote. Conditions may apply.
• 21st – 23rd De Beer Family Reunion – and a Long Weekend
• Friday 28th – School holiday’s begin and we celebrate with a MOONLIT MARKET from 18h00 in our “Markie”
• Friday 28th – 01st October: Art Festival run by the Prince Albert Gallery (more details to follow)

Showcasing some of our beautiful flowers September 2011 – we have had good runs this last month which will ensure that our display this year is magnificent I am sure.

OCTOBER 2012:

• Our Local newspaper The Prince Albert Friend is 100 years old (More details to follow)

NOVEMBER: Sunday 04th

• German Oktoberfest *Sunday 04th @ 17:45
• Festive German music, Beer on tap, German Schnapps,
• “Bergwater” wine and other drinks. German Eisbein and Sauer-kraut or braaivleis, boerewors and salad or vegetarian.
• Big Big Raffle = value of prizes = R10 000.
• Come and Celebrate, eat, drink, dance and sing with us!
• Tickets on sale from 15th August 2012 cost R130.00pp including dinner (if you would like us to buy tickets for you let us know)
• Keep a look out for our next Newsletter for more updates for the rest of the year – or keep a look out on our
• website: www.karooview.co.za
• as Richard and I look forward to welcoming you to Prince Albert to join us in our 2012 celebrations.

To end off . . . a beautiful specimen of a Golden Orb Spider weaving its magnificent golden thread between our Striata Aloes. News Now March 2012 Edition: “A Japanese scientist created a set of violin strings from the silk of 300 golden orb weaver spiders. The strings were packed so tight the sound they made was a ‘soft and profound timbre’. Between 3000 and 5000 individual silken strands were twisted together to form a bundle then three of those bundles were twisted together in the opposite direction to form a string.”

Sending love to you all – Julie, Richard / Dad

P.S. Many of you our guests have indicated that you would like to receive our news, however if anyone would like to be removed off our mailing list please pop me a short mail.