1

HAPPY EASTER

San Sereno News is written by

the residents of San Sereno

SA

N

SE R E N O N E W

S

2 0 1 9

A P R I L

THANKS TO BARBARA CREWE

GETTING TO KNOW THULANI

MRS ROCHE TURNS 100

2

It’s hard to believe it has already been one year since I joined San Sereno. The transformation over the last year has been immense and as the development team begins to move out of common areas, we are able to turn our focus back towards day to day operations. The management team have been quietly working on service improvements that will be implemented over the next few months.

Alewyn has an introductory A La Carte menu that will be introduced in April providing residents with an alternative to the daily menu. Lisa is excited that we have finally received our liquor license and will have the Bar open at selected times together with a monthly resident happy hour. The Coffee shop has introduced Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream that is available in a variety of flavours. (I recommend Birthday Cake or Cookies and Cream)

Jessica and Joanne have been working on a Wellness Programme. You will notice certain exercise groups have become free for residents to participate in. Further to this, Jessica will be trialling Thai Chi, Entertainers and new Care Centre activities over the next few months.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the Wellness Program and any activities you would like to see. Please feel free to send any suggestions to comments@sansereno.co.za

Yours in Hospitality

Rui Antunes Hospitality &

Services Manager

Dearr e S i d e N t S

Dorothy SerekoOpening a new facility is always a challenge, especially when staff are required to train and learn new skills. Dorothy underwent Barista

training with our coffee partner, Avanti, and has excelled in the art of making coffee. Avanti have been impressed with her enthusiasm and recommended we enter her into the Regional Barista competition.

Dineo RamadiseA few residents at the Care Centre have nominated Dineo as a Star Performer. Dineo arrives at work every day, eager to take on the day’s

challenges presented to her as a Hostess at the Care Centre. She is always smiling and eager to assist residents with their requests.

Kabelo MatheKabelo is one of the receptionists working in the Care Centre and has been nominated as a Star Performer by Care Manager Leanne in

February for the excellent service she gives to both residents and management. She is always smiling, and all tasks allocated to her are done in an efficient manner.

Olivia KgabageOlivia works in the frail care section of the Care Centre and her compassion and dedication to her residents is truly recommendable.

We announced our Star Performer programme in the last newsletter and

are pleased to announce our first team members who have risen to the challenge:

3

These friendships date back to the 1950’s. These 6 “Girls” met recently at Cafe Auria and were together at St. Pius Convent boarding school in Pietersburg, now named Polokwane, and have kept in touch ever since. Unfortunately, three other girlfriends who live nearby, were unable to attend this very special gathering. Three of us live in the Garden Villas at San Sereno. We are great friends and are always there for each other.

Georgia Norman - 93 Hamlet

Dear resiDents, san sereno staff anD HeaD office staff

Thank you so much for your prayers, healing wishes and support for my daughter Adrienne and my family!Thank you for the messages and cards, even a beautiful blanket sent for Adie. I understand now that there are times of such distress and helplessness that only the prayers and support of others keep you breathing through each fresh crisis. Adie is improving each day. She is being weaned from the ventilator now and I am hoping to have her out of ICU by the end of the week. Please continue to send positive, healing thoughts her way. With gratefulness, Leanne.

Jenny Wethmar - 115 Janus

Our 16 quilts, made with lots of tender loving care from our San Sereno residents, going to the Neonatal rare disease patients at Baragwanath Hospital. Jenny teaches patchwork at San Sereno.

BleSSiNgOtHerS

4

Vir die Christelike kerk is hierdie fees die belangrikste in die jaar aangesien ons Christus se kruisiging en veral ook die opstanding gedenk.

Daar is egter allerlei gewoontes en simbole wat deel van Paasfees geword het. Waarvandaan kom die paaseiers, die paashasie en sjokolade ?

Daar is selfs lande soos Bermuda wat volgens oorlewering kruisvormige vlieërs die lug in stuur. Dit dateer terug na die 19e eeu toe ‘n lokale sondagskoolonderwyser hierdie beeld gebruik het om aan sy klas te verduidelik hoe Christus uit die dood opgestaan het en toe na die hemel toe gegaan het

Baie van die tradisies, veral in Europa, het te make met die feit dat Paasfees saamval met die begin van die lente en dus vernuwing en nuwe lewe simboliseer. Die paaseier, is juis een van hierdie simbole en het eintlik sy oorsprong te danke aan heidense seremonies van vernuwing in die lente. Vanaf die 13e eeu, het die Christene egter begin om hardgekookte eiers te versier omdat dit Christus simboliseer wat uit die graf opgestaan het. Die harde dop is juis die simbool van die graf wat oopgebreek is, as dit gekraak word. Dikwels in die Oosterse Ortodokse kerke is die eiers rooi om die bloed van Christus te gedenk.

O r a l O m O N S

Marie-Louise van Niekerk - 116 Janus

Pa aS F e e SDie paashaas is egter ‘n ander saak, want alhoewel die Bybel niks van hasies met lang ore praat nie, het herdie simbool tog by vroeë Christene begin. Hulle het geglo dat hasies ook maagdelike geboorte skenk (miskien omdat hulle so vrugbaar is!) en dus by Moeder Maria pas. Daar is heelwat skilderye veral in die Renaissance tydperk waar ‘n hasie by Maria en die baba Christus is.

Paasfees val nie altyd op dieselfde dag elke jaar nie. In 325nC by die Vergadering van Nicaea, is besluit dat Paassondag die eerste Sondag na die eerste volmaan na die 21e Maart (begin van die lente) sal wees.

Die Joodse geloof vier natuurlik ongeveer dieselfde tyd hulle Pesach – “Passing Over” want hulle gedenk die uittog uit Egipte en die eersgeborenes wat gespaar is omdat die bloed van ‘n lam aan die Israeliete se deurkosyne was – inderwaarheid “passing over’ die Israeliete se huise. Hierdie jaar is Pesach vanaf 19 – 27 April. Pesach word gevier deur ongesuurde brood te eet en die hoogtepunt is die eerste Seder maalyd. Hier word die storie van die uittog uit Egipte vertel en lamvleis, matzos en bitter kruie word ge eet. Dit is inderdaad ‘n merkwaardige storie as ons besef dat 600,000 volwasse mans met vrouens en kinders daardie nag om middernag Egipte verlaat het om na Israel terug te keer.

Die heerike sjokolade vir Paasfees het begin as geskenke van vreugde vir Christus se opstanding nadat dit nie toegelaat was in die lydenstyd nie. Geniet dit met Christus in gedagte.

It was my second year being in Hong Kong, when the cultural life was rich and varied. With art exhibitions from Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Korea and Europe, we also had the Christie and Sotheby auctions where priceless jade, snuff bottles, porcelain and paintings were on show. And we were very fortunate to see the “Winter Egg” by Carl Fabergé – one of the most beautifully crafted of all his eggs. It symbolises the transition from Winter to Spring, the seed emerging into new life. The Resurrection. The Spring flowers appear as if through a frosty mist inside the Winter ice of the egg, before the egg is opened to fully reveal the surprise – a platinum double-handled trelliswork basket set with rose-diamonds and full of delicate wood anemones, white quartz with gold wire stem and stamens, the centre set with a demantoid garnet, some carved half open or in bud. The leaves delicately carved in nephrite, emerging from a bed of gold moss, the base of the basket – Fabergé 1913. It is breathtakingly beautiful, to see the exquisite rock-crystal detachable egg set on a rock-crystal base formed as a block of melting ice, with rose-rivulets. I thought it was quite out of this world and saw it three times on its revolving stand, with the basket of flowers next to it. From Hong Kong it went on auction in New York for 18 million US Dollars! The Tercentenary of the Romanov Dynasty was celebrated in 1913. The anniversary was marked by the events throughout Russia, especially in St. Petersburg. Fabergé rose to the occasion and produced two eggs of arguably unsurpassed excellence. The Romanov Tercentenary Egg, presented to the Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna and the Winter Egg presented to the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna.

Tracy Sunley - 163 Brenthurst

5

winter eggt H e

Just a line to say I’m living

that I’m not amongst the dead,

Though I am getting more forgetful

and mixed up in the head

I am used to my arthritis

to my dentures I am resigned,

I can manage my bifocals

but I do miss my mind!

For sometimes I can’t remember

at the bottom of the stairs,

If I must go up for something

or have I just come down from there?

And before the fridge so often

my mind is filled with doubt,

Have I just put food away

Or have I come to take some out?

And there are times when it is dark

with my nightcap on my head,

I don’t know if I’m retiring

or am I just getting out of bed?

So, if it’s my turn to write to you

I really can’t keep score,

I may think I have written

and don’t want to be a bore

Now I stand before the post box

with a face so very red,

Instead of posting you this letter

I opened it instead

Anonymous Poem supplied by Stella Roberts

HaVe i lOSt it?

O F W W 2

6

In January 2015 Fred received a phone call from the secretary to the Russian Ambassador in South Africa. A few days later a cavalcade of very smart cars arrived containing the Russian Ambassador, his Chief of Staff plus retinue. To Fred’s surprise they had come on behalf of the Russian Government, to present him with the prestigious Ushakov medal. This was to acknowledge the role he had played in the Arctic War and to thank him personally. The British and the USA, at great cost of lives, had brought military equipment to Russia in the fight against Hitler.

Anyone who has read Nicholas Monsaratt’s “The Cruel Sea’ might have some notion of the hazards these convoys faced on their way to Murmansk and Archangelsk in the far north of Russia. There were 78 convoys between August 1941 and May 1945 and in that period 119 ships were lost.

Fred was born in Liverpool and grew up in Surrey. When he matriculated, the war had already started and he signed up to join the navy. He was sent to Collingwood in Portsmouth where he had 3 months training as an Ordinary Seaman. Under the Y scheme, he wrote an exam with the offer of being commissioned in 6 months. He joined Bluebell, a Corvette, and in September 1942, they sailed to Iceland to join the fleet of vessels to escort Merchant ships carrying munitions and food to Russia. This Convoy PQ 18 was the largest convoy ever sent.

They sailed as far north as they could to avoid German ships and submarines. Fred was Navigator’s Yeoman and spent his time on the bridge next to the Captain. There was constant danger from the German Kriegsmarine based in Norway. Whilst in Archangel, two Russian officers joined Bluebell and sailed together with two Russian Icebreakers to try and break a north passage through Siberia to Canada but were not successful and returned to Archangel together with the Icebreakers.

The Bluebell’s main armament was depth charges and Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns. In addition to the convoy there were one or two Merchant ships fitted with catapults which could launch Hurricane fighter planes as a major contribution to the defence of the convoy. As these ships had no landing strips, after the sorties the pilots had to use their parachutes and with luck were recovered from the icy water by the smaller ships in the fleet.The Norwegian Resistance also sent information

on the movements of the German Fleet. Fred sailed on four of these missions to Angel. He was transferred from Bluebell to the Motor Torpedo Boats ( MTBs ) and was present on D-Day when the MTB’s gave support to the army Normandy landings and sailed up the coast as far as Willemhelm, where part of the German fleet surrendered to the

British. In 1945 Fred’s old ship HMS Bluebell was torpedoed whilst escorting a convoy returning from Murmansk. There was one survivor.

Following D-Day, he was given Command of a Minesweeper in the Mediterranean. When they were based in Ischia they were frequently entertained by Gracie Fields, who was living on Capri at the time. Fred had the pleasure of escorting her home on several occasions.

In 1942 Fred met a beautiful Torpedo WRN named Mollie. These WRN’s were attached to his flotilla and serviced the torpedoes. They married in 1946 and had 67 happy years together. Sadly, Mollie passed away 5 years ago. They had 2 daughters and a son. Fred has 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Dot Mepham - 41 Delft

tHe arctic war

7

Everyone at San Sereno can be thrilled that we have Thulani as our driver.

Ever gracious, ever smiling he is the ultimate gentleman. As he might often be the first point of call in an emergency or crisis, we are indeed privileged to have him.

Thulani was born in Soweto but started his schooling in Zimbabwe, then completing it in Ladysmith, KZN. He is an only child and his mother, Sophie, was a single mother struggling to make ends meet. Therefore, his great ideas of a tertiary education did not materialise due to financial constraints. However, always the optimist with a smile, he decided to become a driver.

He started with City to City buses, driving these huge monsters on all of South Africa’s roads. He then went to Fidelity Guards and this prior experience has indeed stood him in good stead here at San Sereno. He had highly skilled training in defensive driving, first aid, security and vigilance.

Marie-Louise van Niekerk - 116 Janus

thulani ndlovu

g e t t O k N O W O u r t e a m

He has been at San Sereno for eight years and lives on-site to be available whenever needed in an emergency, night or day. However, what he loves most are the shopping trips, as he has become the mainstay and companion for all the ladies who depend on him. He knows exactly who needs a bit more time or who might get lost.

He is in charge of the three vehicles and also sometimes uses the bakkie for shorter errands. His home is in Soweto, where he and his wife now look after his mother, Sophie. He has two daughters of whom he is extraordinarily proud. They are Thandeka, who is 16 and Thabisile, who is 9 years old

He loves every day at San Sereno. He says he has learnt so much since coming here. Thank you Thulani, for being the friend to many.

As we bid farewell and say thank you to Steve de Villiers, we take a moment to reflect on who he is and what he did for San Sereno.

Steve was raised in Johannesburg and enjoyed sports such as rugby and tennis. After his national service, he enrolled at Tukkies where he completed a B.A Law Degree. This was followed with an L.L.B. while he served articles and resulted in being admitted as an attorney. He was appointed as Legal Advisor to the IDC where he spent 15 years of his life. He later moved to Sanlam Properties in a similar capacity but with the major company, came an offer to move to San Sereno as its GM. Not a difficult choice, given the upmarket reputation of San Sereno.

Now, the time has come to retire and concentrate on helping his wife run her business. We thank Steve for his friendship, humour and long hours of commitment to our residents. We wish him and his family well for their future.

Fa r e W e l l

Doug Anderson - 78 Gemini

8

the knitting Club are having our

annual exhibition on monday 6th

may 2019 in the resident’s lounge.

Please come and see what the

ladies have achieved in the past

year. all are welcome.

The new generation has arrived in full voice,

must be breakfast time!

An elderly couple was celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. The couple had married as childhood sweethearts and had moved back to their old neighborhood after they retired.

Holding hands, they walked back to their old school. It was not locked, so they entered. They found the old desk they’d shared, where Jerry had carved ‘I love you, Sally’.

On their way back home, a bag of money fell out of an armoured car, practically landing at their feet. Sally quickly picked it up and, not sure what to do with it, they took it home. There, she counted the money – fifty thousand dollars!

Jerry said, “We’ve got to give it back.”Sally said, “Finders keepers.” She put the money back in the bag and hid it in their attic.

The next day, two police officers, who were canvassing the neighbourhood looking for the money, knocked on their door.

“Pardon me, did either of you find a bag that fell out of an armoured car yesterday?”Sally said, “No.” Jerry said, “She’s lying. She hid it up in the attic.” Sally said, “Don’t believe him, he’s getting senile.”

The agents turned to Jerry and began to question him. One said: “Tell us the story from the beginning.” Jerry said, “Well, when Sally and I were walking home from school yesterday ..”

The first police officer turned to hispartner and said, “Let’s get out of here.”

Joke sent in by

Rosemarie Andrew - 168 Nightingale Drive

9

in February i went on holiday with

my daughter lynne and her husband

Pierre to the drakensberg.

the highlight of the trip was to go on

the Canopy tour, which i thoroughly

enjoyed. i would recommend it to

everyone who is not afraid of heights.

i felt as though i was a bird flying

over the canyon.

marilyn burke158 Neon

Dear Rui,

The service today at Cafe Auria was excellent and my guests were very impressed and said that the croissants were nice and fresh and crispy and my Canadian friend said that the eggs Florentine were the best she had had anywhere in the world! Kind regards, Ken Norman

An open letter to all San Sereno residents;

I recently had occasion to use San Sereno’s catering facilities for a small cocktail party. I contacted Chef Alewyn and we discussed my requirements, following which Lisa Strydom liaised with Chef to ensure that the process went smoothly.

Thanks to Chef Alewyn and Sous Chef Collin, the food was wonderful, varied, fresh and delivered to my cottage in plenty of time for the party. The cost of the catering was more than reasonable.

I cannot thank Lisa and the chefs enough for their contribution to the success of my party. I wholeheartedly recommend using San Sereno’s competent and efficient staff. With thanks, Marilyn Farquharson

Good morning Barry,

In the 6 years that I have been resident at San Sereno I have never before now had a cup of coffee, or for that matter any other form of refreshment from the coffee shop and only attended 2 functions in the main dining room.

I would like to thank you and your team for the elegant and welcoming refurbishment you have completed in both the coffee shop and dining room. We particularly enjoy the coffee shop because of the charming décor, en suite library and wooden deck. The menu suits Basil and I with our dietary restrictions and Basil’s very limited food choices. We have enjoyed the food we’ve ordered and applaud you on the pricing of the menu. We’ve been back exactly one week from our six week family Western Cape adventure and have already used the coffee shop several times.

As I connect with you, Basil is having a breakfast meeting in the coffee shop with our young nephew who has just lost his 40 year old wife after a long battle with cancer. What an empathetic setting in which to have such a sensitive discussion.

I am sure that you will have noticed that I have not been as engaged with the San Sereno activities as Basil has, but with the charming ambience you have created, I might be lured into being more interactive and perhaps even engage where possible involving my passion of gardening. Kind regards, Joy Bagg

10

After almost seven years as editor of San Sereno News, Barbara Crewe is taking a well - earned rest and it is my pleasure on behalf of all residents to say: Thank You Barbara for a wonderful job well done!

It was in 2012 when our then Social Worker, Sophia Cummerford, approached Barbara to establish a San Sereno newsletter. After some persuasion, Barbara decided to “give it a go”! And so…. the first bi monthly issue appeared in May of that year.

To say it was a challenge for Barbara is an under-statement. Having had no training or experience in journalism, without much knowledge of her reading audience and very little computer knowledge, Barbara says she certainly felt she was entering a field where “angels would fear to tread”. But, being an angel, she did and we have all enjoyed our very own San Sereno News.

Sophia, who knew every San Sereno resident, provided Barbara with most of the stories.

John Moss - 119 Janus

Like all publications, there was a deadline and Barbara, being an ‘au pair’ to her youngest granddaughter had little time during the day. This meant working at night and over weekends, typing up Sophia’s stories and anecdotes and surfing the internet for interesting articles and items of humour. Barbara says the stories told by residents were amazing, particularly their reminiscences of service in the Second World War. Where Barbara couldn’t obtain pictures or photos to illustrate a particular story, “Google” - after Sophia, became her best friend!

In 2015, after a short “sabbatical”, I persuaded Barbara to once again take up the challenge, with support from Dot Mepham. Together with fellow residents who have all willingly given their time and expertise, we have all benefited from “Barbara’s San Sereno News”

In all, what started out as a simple informative little newsletter has now grown into the upmarket ‘magazine’ we all now enjoy. Barbara has asked me to extend her sincere thanks to all who have helped her over the years and to send her Best Wishes to the new San Sereno News team of Dot Mepham, Marie Louise van Niekerk and Brenthurst’s, Samantha le Grange.

A note from Dot - It’s been a privilege working with you on the Newsletter. Thanks for being my editor and mentor and for the fun times we had together. Much love.

BarBara

11

It is a strange human characteristic, that the tragedies and horrors in life are the

events which produce the most courage and endurance in ordinary people.

This was proved during the interesting talk given to the residents in February, by the author Jos Scharrer, when she gave us some insight into her book “The Dutch Resistance Revealed”.

Jos shared with us the background and story of, among others, her father-in-law’s part in the difficulties which confronted the Dutch people – a nation which had no intention of becoming involved in any conflict. The trauma began with the unexpected bombing of Rotterdam by the Germans and continued long after the end of World War ll, with the rebuilding of a shattered community.

She told of the underground Resistance movement, formed primarily to help save the lives of the Allied pilots who had been shot down over Holland, but which was then expanded to include many of the remaining Jewish community who had not been gathered and transported to the concentration camps.

Despite the courage of the underground Resistance, there were many undercover agents and double-agents who ensured that the escapees (many of whom had attempted the escape route over the treacherous Pyrenees) were captured and killed. Jos concluded by mentioning names of some of the heroes and some of the villains of those most dreadful years.

The Dutch Resistance did however prevail, and the pride of the Dutch nation was restored by those brave men and women. Thank you Jos for the insight into history, through your book.

tHe DutcH resistance R E V E A L E D Denise Collie - 128 Landau

Vegetable gardens The creche at prayer

Rosmarie Andrew and Jennifer Else collect the very generous charity donations by the St Stithians’ school shop. The “Saints Shop” very kindly collect and keep all clothing, shoes, sports bags, even books and toys for the charity called Kopano Lerato OVC project, run by Sister Christine Jacob, at Winterveldt near Warmbaths (Bela Bela). Jennifer collects the clothing from the saint’s shop, after a friendly phone call from Sue, and Rosemarie stores all the donations in her garage to be collected by Sister Christine when the garage cannot hold much more, so generous are St Stithians!

The donations are given by the pupils and parents who are replacing out-grown shoes, shirts, tracksuits etc – all the clothing is in wonderful condition and very gratefully received by Sister

Christine. We hope we can continue this project for many years to come. P.S. We do appreciate the shoes being in plastic bags and have the sizes marked. Thank you.

Kopano Lerato Orphans and Vulnerable Childrens Project is a Community Based Service we offer to the Winterveldt Community. Winterveldt is 56 kms North West of Pretoria in the Tshwane Metro. It is a semi-Rural area. The Community is very

C H A R I T YC O L L E C T I O N

12

rOSey mcleanFor almost 20 years Rosey has been very much a part of our San Sereno community. She was born in Bath, United Kingdom and grew up in Shepton Mallet, a town in Somerset. Her father was a doctor and her mother the chief magistrate. Rosey trained in physiotherapy at Guy’s Hospital in London and had plans to accept a position in Vancouver when she met and subsequently married her husband Brian. In 1976 they moved to South Africa and Rosey started work at Baragwanath where she remained for four years. Rosey says Guy’s Hospital educated her but her ’learning’ came at Bara!

Rosey took a few years sabbatical in order to raise her three sons and then spent 17 years working at the Sunshine Centre, a school for handicapped children, in both Craighall and on the East Rand. During this time, she helped out at San Sereno and, in 1999, she took over the Physiotherapy department.

Although now semi-retired, she still puts in a considerable amount of her time seeing to the needs of San Sereno residents both in NCC and in the Villas. As she says, getting to know her patients and hearing about their backgrounds and experiences she feels they are definitely ‘walking history books’. Rosey notes that she is also the proud grandmother of Finn who is three months old.

We are very fortunate here at San Sereno to have such capable and wonderful Physiotherapists. Their new rooms, situated on the Ground Floor in the Nightingale Care Centre, are very modern and well appointed.

PHYsiotHeraPistsBarbara Crewe - 10 Bach

cHriSTa JOOSTeChrista grew up in Ellisras and attended both primary and high schools there. Upon matriculation, she studied physiotherapy at the University of Pretoria (Tukkies). Whilst at Tukkies, she met her husband Andre when they both attended a University Church camp. After graduating in 1992 with a BPhysT qualification, Christa worked at both the Kalafong Hospital – a tertiary hospital which is situated in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, and also at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria. Thereafter, Christa went into private general practice at the Wilgers Hospital (now Life Wilgers Hospital) on Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria where she mainly concentrated on orthopaedic and spinal injuries.

Christa and Andre started their family in 1997. They have 3 children, two sons and a daughter. Their eldest son, who is studying Aeronautical Engineering, is presently completing his 3rd year at MIT Boston (The Massachusetts Institute Of Technology University) which is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts USA.

In 2007 Christa, Andre and family relocated to Northcliff, Johannesburg and, in 2010, Christa joined Rosey McLean’s Practice at San Sereno. In 2016 Rosey decided to semi-retire and Christa took over the Practice.

13

On the 17th March 1919, a baby girl was born in Port Elizabeth. Her parents called her Patricia as she was born on St. Patrick’s Day. On the 17th of March 2019 Pat celebrated her 100th birthday.

Pat was raised in Port Elizabeth, the “windy city”. From the age of 9, she was a boarder at DSG in Grahamstown. She was very happy at school and made many lifelong friends.

In 1941 she married Lionel whom she had met at a party. Pat hated the constant wind of her home city and persuaded Lionel to look for a job elsewhere. They moved to Pretoria. Lionel joined the army and while the war raged, Pat worked for Miles Bourke, who was the head of the South African Armed Forces.

They later moved to Johannesburg, where Lionel, an Accountant, established his own company. Before moving to Killarney Pat says that they lived

in Hillbrow which was an exciting place to be in those days. Pat played tennis and squash but golf was her favourite sport. Her father introduced her to golf at the age of 17 and of course she played in the windy city. She said what a pleasure it was to play in Johannesburg. She was a member of the Bryanston Country Club and was the honorary secretary of the golf section for 18 years. When she was forced to give up golf due to failing eyesight she reluctantly turned to Bowls and surprised herself by finding that she loved it. Unfortunately that too had to be abandoned as her eyes deteriorated.

Pat had travelled to many countries with Lionel but after he retired, they decided that cruising holidays were the answer. Despite being shipwrecked twice, once on the Oceanos and later on the Achille Laura, they continued to enjoy sailing.

Pat and Lionel moved into San Sereno over twenty years ago and lived in no. 82 for 7 happy years until, after 64 years of marriage, Lionel passed away. Pat stayed on in her cottage for another 8 years before finally moving to Midcare. She enjoys watching TV, particularly golf and tennis and can be seen at most of the events at San Sereno.

Pat celebrated her 100th birthday with about 60 friends at the Bryanston Country Club, where she is an Honorary Member. Congratulations Pat, and all at San Sereno wish you a very happy birthday.

Dot Mepham - 41 Delft

Pat roche turns 100

anOTHer STOry, anOTHer Tune wiTH Judge Val FeVrier

Judge Val Fevrier presented Another Story, Another Tune, on Wednesday morning the 30th of January and, as per usual, it was a hit! His interactive, informative, musical performances are not to be missed. He shared with the audience the story of Roman Emperor Claudius and his wife Messalina, the Shostakovich Waltz No.2 and its role within the movie, The Leopard, with special reference to the Prince (Burt Lancaster) who waltzes with Angelica (Caudia Cardinale). One of the highlights of the talk, was the slide show of paintings displayed by artist Robert Duncan, a humble farmer, that played against the soft sound of the piano. The talk touched on all subjects, from love affairs to the court room. Val called upon audience members to role play various scenes, fun and laughter was had by all.

Val Fevrier’s

92ndBirthday Wish

Come True

By Jess Rylance

14

This is awesome !!!! To be able to silence even the

most loquacious amongst us for over two hours by

simply calling out numbers - that is power! Thanks

Allen and his team for yet another fun evening of

Bingo. Thanks to all our generous sponsors and

Auria for delicious snacks.

These were the prize winners :

Rob Quayle - Brenthurst Hamper, Alewyn Malan -

Kind to Hearing Hamper and a bottle of wine, Rob

Williams - Food Lover’s Market Hamper (Jason was

here to present it himself), Merle Davies - R200

voucher from Melt in Nicolway, Martin Coetzee -

A voucher from Rosey and Christa for a Physio

Massage, Emma Hall - Voucher from Samantha

our Hairdresser, Ivan Cassidy - Brenthurst voucher

for R750, Meryl Roberts, Yvonne Combrink and

Maxie Samson each won R500, Marie Morris and

Owen Leibrandt shared R250, Ian Wright, Rob

Williams and Maxie Samson each won a set of

crystal glasses.

The Jackpot stands at R500 and carries over to

next time.

Dot Mepham - 41 Delft

The clinic in our Care Centre offers primary health care services to all our residents. The clinic’s Professional Nurse and Community Manager are responsible for visiting our Residents in the Garden Villas and Apartments bi-annually to perform a health assessment. This forms part of our pro-active wellness philosophy embedded in the AURIA Care and Wellness Principles and ensures that all residents health and psycho-social needs are understood, and care given on an individual basis.

The following services are being offered at no cost to all residents:

• Measuring of blood pressure and other vital signs,

• Measuring of blood glucose,

• Health information and advice,

• Weighing,

• Phlebotomy services,

• Medical referrals and assistance with arranging specialist appointments.

Our clinic times for these services, from the 1st of April will be:Monday & Friday - 13h30 to 15h30Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday - 09h00 to 11h00

In addition to the primary health care services we offer, the following care and nursing services are available to all residents at a determined fee, based on the time and skill required to deliver the required service:

• Wound care, wound dressings and removal of stitches,

• Injections,

• Vaccinations – provided that the residents obtain their own prescriptions from their GP and the vaccine from the chemist e.g. Flu vaccines,

• Assistance with activities of daily living,

• Safe administration of blister packed medication,

• Assistance with the application of elastic stockings,

• Any other care needs required as part of the residents’ holistic care plan assessment.

Doctors consultation times(Appointments must be made):

Dr Barrie Levine, GP Tuesday & Thursday - 13h00 to 15h00

Prof Brent Tipping, GeriatricianEvery second Wednesday - 13h00 to 15h00

S a N S e r e N O

cLinicserVices

15

Doreen Read turns 105 and enters the dining area dancing and singing to Frank Sinatra’s “Young at Heart”

Don’t you know that it’s worth every treasure on earthTo be young at heart.For as rich as you are, it’s much better by farTo be young at heart.

And if you should survive to 105,Look at all you’ll derive out of being alive!And here is the best part, you have a head startIf you are among the very young at heart.

Congratulations and happy birthday Doreen Read!

Doreen reaD turns 105

at Heart

Disclaimer: SSN does not represent San Sereno or those who contributed/put together this publication. In addition, every effort will be made to attribute content to the rightful author/owner. Should omissions inadvertently be made, we tender our apologies.

011 463 0486 • info@sansereno.co.za • www.sansereno.co.zaAuria Senior Living Head Office • +27 87 654 8833 • Suite 802, The Fire Station, 16 Baker Street, Rosebank

Anyone interested in joining the team, is very welcome. We look forward to hearing from you.

Dot Mepham 011-463-7013 | 083-676-5925 | dotstruwig@mweb.co.za

Marie-Louise van Niekerk 011-463-5694 | 083-252-7595 | josniekerk@mweb.co.za

witH our newsLetter

introduction to Photography by matthew Wolfen. a talk about a photography course. Bring your camera along.

12 April | 13h00

Photography

Line DancingDemonstration

21 may | 10h00

Performance by leon Nel and his dancers. Class with residents to be facilitated thereafter.

Guest EveningEaster Braair100pp

26 April | 17h30

a Bar facility will be available to purchase drinks or you are welcome to bring your own drinks. Book at the Concierge.

Breakfast musical

17 April | 09h00

Join us for a lovely breakfast with Pierre Van der Westhuizen doing a performance on the Power. the Passion. the Calling.

Tai Chi Workshop

11 april | 09h00

tai Chi helps balance the YiN and YaNg within the body which leads to unification ofthe mind, body and universe.

Talk with DA Ward CouncillorJoin your Ward Cllr david Potter to engage with you ahead of elections explaining registration for Special Votes engagement with residents.

04 April | 10h00

eVentsH I G H L I G H T S

all of our detailed events and activities can be found in your monthly calendarand these will also be displayed on our tV screens at the Concierge desk.