Ron Smith Care Centre holds Easter hunt for residents

 Who says that going on an Easter egg hunt is just for children? It’s definitely for ‘big children’ as well, as the residents and staff of Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre proved.

Tuesday, April 16, dawned sunny and bright and was the perfect weather for the care centre residents to go hunting for Easter eggs.

Assisted by various staff and volunteers, the residents were taken on a mad dash around the garden courtyard area to search high and low for the coveted marshmallow eggs. In addition, there were three other special eggs to be found. The golden egg would net first prize, the pink egg was worth second prize, and the purple egg would win third prize.

Motivated by the thought of all that chocolate, residents and staff made sure that they covered every nook and cranny of the specified area for the hunt!  And after all the fun and excitement, it was time for tea and hot cross buns back at the hall, followed by a spot of dancing to some very lively music. It was a wonderful morning, enjoyed by all.

The golden egg finder and first prize winner was Dan Oi Loo (right), pictured with Shirley Makwarela.

Peggy Roberts and Ans van Schie.

Tickled pink after finding the pink egg that netted him second prize was Etienne Geyser (right) with members of the Ron Smith Care Centre team Beatrice Nzimande (left) and Debbie Christen (middle).

Third prize went to Marie Roberts (middle). She is pictured with Cathrine Mpe (left) and Suzanne Givenoni (right).

Jennifer Sigida and Alison Bell.

Louise Newman.

Mary Nilius and Nomsa.

Debbie Christen and Heather Zipp.

Gladys Rosenberg, Bianca Richards and Lorna Topp.

Blessed Nyathi and Eleanor Motsepe.

Colleen Blowe, Shirley Makwarela, and Dan Oi Loo.

Margaret Richardson, Bianca Richards, and Julia Mali.

Happy Easter Dancing!

Olive Jew and Cathrine Mpe.

Jean Irons.

Beryl Venter and Jane Hart-Davis.

 Lettia Nyelele and Mariana Duvenage.

Brian Russell and Ron Adcock.

 Salina Mtshali and Megan Weeks.

Kitty turns 102

Ron Smith Care Centre resident Kitty Venn celebrated yet another milestone on April 5, 2019, when she turned 102.

Residents and staff of the care centre’s Lakeside wing joined Kitty’s daughter Carol Cunningham and Kitty’s youngest sister, Merle Price, for a tea and scrumptious carrot cake. Merle also lives in Lakeside.

Kitty moved into Rand Aid Association’s Elphin Lodge in 2000 after her husband died and 15 years later, in her late 90s, moved to the care centre set in the grounds of Elphin Lodge.

Born Doreen Ruby Mole in 1917 in Swakopmund, South West Africa, Kitty was the fourth of 12 children. She puts her longevity down to a life of happiness, eating everything in moderation, exercise (she played tennis well into her 80s), playing bridge and being blessed with a loving family.

Residents and staff from Lakeside celebrate Kitty’s 102^nd birthday.

Kitty Venn with her daughter Carol Cunningham her younger sister Merle Price.

Kitty Venn with her daughter Carol Cunningham.

Kitty Venn was treated like a queen on her 102^nd birthday. She received a card and orchid from Rand Aid.

Residents and staff powder and preen for evening of glamour

Glitz and glam happy hour

On March 27, the residents and staff of Rand Aid-run Ron Smith Care Centre dressed up in their glittering finery to attend a Glitz and Glam-themed happy hour,  hosted by the staff of the very special  River Lodge 3 dementia wing.

Debbie Christen, Rand Aid’s Manager: Recreational Programmes explains: “In planning this event, we wanted to create excitement, anticipation and memories around those times when our residents and staff dressed up in their festive finery for a special occasion, party, celebration or event – a time when they pulled out all the stops to look their best.

“In choosing this theme, we wanted to give everyone the opportunity to come out of the ordinariness and routine of daily life and to experience the joy, fun and excitement of a dress-up function. We recognised the fact that there was a time in our residents’ lives when many of them enjoyed planning their festive attire and looked forward to parties and social gatherings.”

Preparations began months in advance, with residents and staff working on the sparkly decorations in the Activity Centre, practicing dance routines to entertain the guests, and planning outfits and the food and beverages menu.

On the day, the OT Activity Centre was transformed into a beauty salon for glittery make up to be applied, for those who wanted to be extra sparkly! There was excitement in the air as staff helped their residents dress for the occasion, with last minute borrowing of jewellery and bits of bling taking place. 

The best dressed lady, gentleman and staff member of the evening were voted for, and the winners were cheered and applauded, as they happily accepted their prizes.   The guests particularly enjoyed a bit of an impromptu fashion parade, as the staff finalists showed off their sartorial splendour!

Champagne (including the non-alcoholic version), wine and fruit punch were the beverages on offer, with guests also enjoying snack platters consisting of green, red, and black grapes, cheddar cheese, cream cheese with sweet chili sauce, an assortment of crackers, cocktail-sized quiche, sausage rolls and chocolate eclairs.

The evening’s entertainment concluded with the host staff performing some lively dances and ending off with residents and staff dancing and moving to the Macarena.  Resident Ria Standing acknowledged that she “very much appreciates events like this, because it lifts our spirits and gives us a real boost”.

Gail Spinks, the winner of best dressed lady award.

The staff hosts of the Glitz and Glam Happy Hour.

Fikile Ndabezitha and Merle Price.

Gill Holliman.

Sherill Singh and Joy Smith.

Mary Nilius and Ndifelani Mavhila.

Brian Russell and Vernon Schultz.

Penny Mthembu, Pam Martins (best dressed staff) and Noma Malevu.

Peggy Roberts.

Asnath Muthaki and Ronelle Gray.

Sister Loraine Martiny and Pam Martins.

Vernon Schultz takes a bow as he is voted the best dressed gentleman of the evening!

 Douglas Morgan and Theresa Richards enjoy a dance together.

Evelyn Shilubane, Noel Tilney, and Nolly Mlandu.

Debbie Christen and Helen Barlow-Jones.

Brian Russell, Bianca Richards and Vernon Schultz.