Santa comes to Ron Smith Care Centre

When John Harvey moved from Rand Aid’s Tarentaal Village to its Ron Smith Care Centre in October, he feared his days of spreading joy as Santa were over.

He had become known as the Santa of Tarentaal because each year, from when he moved to the village in November 2016, he would don a red suit and beard and deliver gifts to residents at the village’s annual Christmas dinner.

Due to the Coronavirus, Ron Smith Care Centre is not having a large Christmas function this year, although a festive lunch will be served on Christmas Day – so John’s fear looked set to become a reality.

Determined to let him continue with his merry tradition, John’s daughter Sharon, Tarentaal village manager Tammy Neilson and Rand Aid social worker Ulricka Beukman stepped in and on November 18, John was transformed into Santa and we went through the care centre in his wheelchair – with bell in hand – handing out chocolates and bringing joy to fellow residents.

Matron Avril Maltman of Ron Smith Care Centre with Santa (care centre resident John Harvey).

Matron Avril Maltman of Ron Smith Care Centre with Santa (care centre resident John Harvey).

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Last trip to China

 Residents and staff from River Lodge 3 were the last group to enjoy the Armchair Travel Series, travelling to China.

You can see from the following photos and videos that they took much pleasure in the morning’s activities and had lots of fun learning something new! 

Some of the travellers who enjoyed the trip to China. Back: Prudence Mokoena, Beth Roberts, Dave Scott and Hilda Mabaso. Front: Marie Diesel, Martha Mabuyela and Heather Zipp.

Debbie Christen (right) congratulates Dave Scott, who won the Chopstick Challenge. He completed the challenge in a record time of about 5 seconds! Prudence Mokoena (left) was his main cheerleader!

Enjoy these videos taken on the day:

Cedar Park residents off to China

Cedar Park residents and staff ‘travelled’ to China on October 30, when they participated in the Armchair Travel programme that all the other residential wings have enjoyed.

Below are photos of the travel group enjoying Tai Chi movements, spring rolls and the Chopstick Challenge.

Waiting for the journey to begin.

Karen Mitchell thanked us for a wonderful morning and the delicious spring rolls. She told us that she used to go out for Chinese food all the time, and was very good with chopsticks! Pictured with her is Johanna Pholo. 

Joy Smith (left) & Doreen Woodward (right) thoroughly enjoyed themselves on the trip to China and made lots of comments about the Chinese clothes that were on display. Doreen was aware that the particular collar on a traditional Chinese dress is called a Mandarin collar. Joy could hardly wait for the Jasmine tea which was promised with the spring rolls. She enjoyed the tea very much.

Clem Lilley took first place in the Chopstick Challenge! Joan Gelman thinks that’s awesome!

Doreen Woodward (centre) gives the chopsticks a go! At one stage, she asked how you cut meat with chopsticks. Debbie Christen replied that that was a very good question and explained that with Chinese cooking, the cook prepares the meat in the kitchen and cuts it into bite-sized pieces, which is how it is served to the diners. So no table knives are required!

Clem Lilley watches very carefully as Gerty Chanza practises with her chopsticks, in preparation for the Chopstick Challenge!

Cleo Makhanya, Ursula Northern, Karen Mitchell and Johanna Pholo get to grips with their chopsticks!

Leon Shuker accepts some sweet chili sauce for his spring rolls!

Joan Gelman enjoys the music with Debbie Christen.

‘Papa Joe’ (Mike Papageorgiou) move to the Chinese music.

Sister Eunice Lakay helps Ursula Northern with the Tai Chi movements.

Joy Smith, Doreen Woodward and  Annastasia Thula enjoy the beautiful Chinese music, which Doreen said was ‘soothing’. 

The tour group from Cedar Park which visited China.

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