First Lady Michelle Obama Wears ‘Camdeboo Mohair’ Cardigan

According to a report written by a Graaff-Reinet correspondent in The Advertiser on the 20th February 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama wore a lustrous mustard green mohair cardigan to the inauguration ceremony. The origins of the mohair used in the cardigan were traced to the heart of the Camdeboo Mohair Region by a traceability program which certifies all fibres. Mohair is the fleece of the purebred Angora goat which is bred in an ecologically sustainable manner here in the Karoo. These beautiful cardigans reflect the natural colours of the Karoo, which are ochre, mustard and olive green.
This year, 2009, is "The International Year of Natural Fibre” and Mr Paul Michau of Craddock, who is the MD of Camdeboo Mohair, and one of the finest Mohair producers in the world, expressed his pride in the quality of Mohair produced.
Gratitude can be expressed to the Graaff-Reinet correspondent for this very interesting information. Visitors to this weblog may find this article informative and of interest, and will have an appreciation of the Karoo farmers, who breed these top quality Angora goats through periods of extreme drought in the Karoo, maintaining the first class quality of the mohair.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Inspector Renee Sweetland - Sector Manager Aberdeen Town

With 18 years of police work experience, Inspector Renee Sweetland is the Aberdeen Manager of the Policing Forum Sector 1. Renee has a wealth of knowledge which she brings to the new committee elected on 17th February 2009. Renee did her basic police training in Bishop Lavis in 1991, and has also completed her training as a Sector Police Manager. As a senior police officer, Renee has the full cooperation of the Aberdeen Police to assist her with the Aberdeen S.P.F. requirements. Renee is married and has two young daughters.
In 2008 on her own initiative Inspector Sweetland started the C.P.F. a ‘Youth Forum’ representative of the whole of Aberdeen. Ten young adults from Grade 11 in the Aberdeen Secondary School were elected to this Forum. They were initiated into community work with the codes and morals attributed to Sector Policing, and were very involved and motivated. This Forum has been a great success, and a further group will be elected in April 2009, as the present C.P.F. Youth Forum prepares to study for the matriculation examinations.
This year is going to be a very exciting one, considering all the projects and ideas Renee has in the pipeline.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Aberdeen Bowls Club AGM 2009

Aberdeen Bowls Club - 21 February 2009
Points of interest from Presidential Report by Tony Featherstone:

• New members from Graaff-Reinet are acknowledged. Bowling improved much with their participation. Unfortunately, high costs of fuel during mid-year made their continued participation impractical.
• Robert Scott Jr. Served on the committee as Competition Secretary, but resigned due to work demands. We thank him for his participation, and for assisting at the Classic Tournament.
• Ronel and Marianne are commended for their contributions during the Classic Tournament. Thank you Ronel for bringing your kitchen over in your bakkie!
• Sally and Ronel served as etiquette instructors on the bowling green, which we appreciate as we do not have an official bowling instructor.
• Marianne is highly commended for taking on the task as Treasury, and for expertly managing the club finances.
• Mariette Eyssen’s Fun Day in July was a hit!
• The New Year’s Day function was well attended. Thank you Leonie van Rensburg and all your helpers for excellent food fare.
• The Cruickshank’s party was a success. Over 60 guests arrived and played bowls all day in their Gatsby outfits. Marianne did an excellent job of overseeing the players and Nikolas’ assistance behind the bar was much appreciated. Guests also donated money toward an air conditioner unit for the club.
• Kitchen facilities are to be improved during 2009. We seek an affordable plumber to assist us with this task. Once accomplished, the club house may be hired out for private occasions to raise funds.
• Phil and Pat Harris took leave and retired to Sunlands. They served the club house for ten years – Phil as President, and Pat as secretary, treasurer, and catering. We thank and wish them the very best at Kirkwood Club.
• Our greens are now much-improved. We thank Diall for his input into making the greens a pleasure to play on. We are going to install the borehole old pump again as soon as Mr. Erasmus can come and do it.
• We did not play any club competitions, but did take part in Midlands Tournaments. The old one day competitions fell away. The Pam Golding Classic Tournament and the Caltex/Delta Skins Tournament were successfully played here. Thank you Tienie Appel for your enthusiastic support.
• To all members who gave donations throughout 2008 – whether financial, as gifts, or in giving of your time, we thank you. A special “Thank you!” to the outgoing 2008 committee and best wishes to all now taking up these positions for 2009.
• Pru Vorster sent a letter of resignation due to health. She served as secretary for many years and her input is much appreciated.
• We endeavor to bring in more new members in 2009. All interested in playing this wonderful game and supporting The Aberdeen Bowls Club are welcome.
• Bowls is currently played at 3.30 for 4PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Greens Fees are R10.00 for the afternoon. Neat casual clothing is permitted on Wednesdays, but whites are required for Saturdays.

Gifts Of Clothing

On Saturday 21st February 2009, Phillip and Pam Le Roux of the Wynberg Congregational Church in the Western Cape arrived in Aberdeen. They had driven through the night in order to present clothing to all adults, teenagers and children of the Aberdeen communities of Lotusville and Thembalesizwe. Shoes, blankets, kitchen utensils and curtaining were also presented to the less fortunate who had gathered at the Lotusville Congregational Church Hall.
This wonderfully giving gesture is the idea of Phillip and Pam. Phillip, now a pensioner, previously worked for the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape. This project which involves the collection and the delivery to all areas in the Eastern and Western Cape requesting assistance is done exclusively by Phillip without any funding.

There are sixteen Congregational Churches in the Western Cape and it is from these congregations that Phillip personally collects clothing and articles which can be of help to communities throughout the Western and Eastern Province.

The towns which have received these welcome contributions are Murraysburg which has been visited six times, Merweville four times, Prince Albert once, Nelspoort three times, Leeu Gamka and Touws River.
Due to lack of industry in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas and the severe drought conditions which has had a disastrous effect on the farming community, this type of giving assistance to all is much appreciated. The world is a much better place for people like Phillip and Pam.

Article By: Joan Tinker