Spring Is Here In Aberdeen

Spring has officially arrived here in Aberdeen. All the fruit trees that were planted last year as very young fruit tree striplings are producing delicate white and pink blossoms. The peach trees have minute peaches on the branches which are also covered in white blossoms and the plum tree branches are covered in small buds which will hopefully become blossoms and then plums!
The fig trees which, in their first year of planting produced a few valued and cherished figs are also producing tiny green points at the end of all their branches.
A very old lemon tree which has been resuscitated against all odds has given one lemon, and it looks as though it is trying to produce a few more.
The Karoo garden which was only started last year with the enormous help and advice of a neighbour and friend has given great joy this winter with the flowering of different types of cacti. This garden too looks as though it is experiencing new growth and although the winds blow heaps of dust around the little town, it is accepted by all as being that time of the year. People are out walking their dogs a little earlier in the mornings, and there is talk of summer holidays, and even Christmas. Spring is always the best time of the year as new hope, fresh starts in life, new friendships and lazy Saturday afternoons are definitely on the way and all because the peachy blossoms are appearing on the fruit trees.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Midlands Woman’s Pairs Bowls Championships

Congratulations to Ronel Krige and Marianne Meijer who won the Pair’s Championships at Middleburg which was played from the 2nd to 3rd August 2008.
Ronel Krige is a very experienced player, having played for Eastern Province and Marianne, who is proving to be the up and coming star of woman’s bowls in Aberdeen, said that the motivation which assisted her to a winning position was Ronel’s great “skip” abilities, her wonderfully positive approach to both her team and to the opposition and Ronel’s supportive and obvious enjoyment in the game. It is obvious that we are going to hear more and more of the abilities of Aberdeen woman bowlers.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Unknown Jewish Grave Identified

Having recently updated and added some additional information to the Aberdeen Cemetery page, I had a picture of the headstone of one of the "unknown" Jewish graves. The inscription on the stone was only in Hebrew. I spoke to a Jewish colleague of mine who, in turn, mailed the image to his Rabbi for possible identification.

The Rabbi was unsure of the husband's name in the text but this is the translation of the inscription:

Here lies concealed the modest woman

Ettle bat R’ Shraga the wife of
Adil Rein (?) 19th Tammuz 5685

Further simplified, the details tell of the grave of Ethel, the daughter of the worthy Mr Shraga, and the wife of Mr Adil Rein (suname not confirmed). She died on 11 July 1925.

A Very Successful Artist

Marguerite Beneke started her fascination with glass at an early age. Whilst living in Pretoria, she began working in stained glass, etchings and paintings. In 2003, she and her husband relocated to Aberdeen. While browsing through an art supply shop she saw her first piece of kiln worked glass and fell in love with the light, texture and colour of the glass.

Glass fusing is a process where a specialized kiln is used to melt pieces of glass together. There are many different techniques for producing fused glass items but Marguerite mainly works with glass enamels, bits of coloured glass and copper wire. Most of her pieces are fired twice. This lengthy process can take up to 48 hours to produce a single piece.

Her creative inspirations come from every direction, whether it is the colour of a beautiful Karoo sunset or the colour of the ocean. It has a wide-ranging appeal and is uniquely different. She specifically produces glass items you won’t see anywhere else.

Marguerite currently exhibits her work at the Camdeboo Fine Art Gallery in Aberdeen, Chocolat Gallery in Graaff-Reinet and the Chris Tugwell Gallery in Pretoria. Her work has been sold to customers from the U.K. and U.S. as well as Europe. She is currently working on a commission from the South African Air Force.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Zurab The “Dog Whisperer” Of Aberdeen

I was given an eight week old highly pedigreed Doberman Pincher puppy. I mistakenly thought this puppy would be similar to all the “gundogs” I had reared and trained over the years. To my dismay this puppy proved to be too intelligent, too hyperactive, and too demanding of my time and presence. I and my friends became alternately dismayed and exhausted by his inability to ever be calm or to listen to commands, or to stop devouring my reading glasses, and any other expensive equipment he could find.
He grew, and grew, and grew, and soon I had a 40kg boisterous, over affectionate dog on my hands who would lovingly throw himself at me when I was least expecting it. In desperation my friends suggested that I acquire the services of Zurab who was known to train and to understand the dog’s mentality.
Zurab agreed to assist me, and to have my dog trained in walking to heel outside of my property, where there were all sorts of distractions, and to be obedient to my commands in just two weeks. This has been achieved now, and I have learnt how to be “the boss” without raising my voice or my hand.
The mental strength that I am now able to exercise over such an intelligent dog is quite awesome, and my deepest thanks go to this proven “Dog Whisperer”.
Zurab is from Moscow in the Soviet Union, and has always had an animal in his life and his home. He has been in South Africa for about 20 years, living in Durban, and Port Elizabeth, where he had dog training schools. He trained dogs from puppy to adult classes, and preferred to have only 8-10 dogs in a class. He has been a member of the Kennel Union of South Africa, and has occasionally bred dogs for show purposes. He believes in the socialization of dogs. Zurab says that he has the intention of breeding the American Staffordshire terrier at some future date.
Zurab became aware of his affinity with animals when he did his two year compulsory military training in Russia. He was taught to train dolphins in the Black Sea for military purposes, and formed a great love and bond with them. Zurab stressed that with all animals you have to make them accept you as their leader. This makes dealing with the animal easier, and the animal becomes a great deal happier, as it no longer has that responsibility. I am hoping that Zurab will start a training and socialization class for all the lovely dogs that we have in Aberdeen. Apart from having an obedient dog it will be wonderful socialization for the owners as well. Zurab can be reached on 078 2006 480.

Article By: Joan Tinker