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.