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.

A love-filled Valentine’s Day at Ron Smith Care Centre

For the residents of Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre, the rainy cool weather did nothing to dampen the spirit of warmth and love at the Valentine’s Tea organised for them on 14 February.  

The tea was held in the hall which was gaily decorated with strings of red and pink hearts and pots of heart-shaped flowers which were made by staff and residents in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. These beautiful, hand-made decorations did much to brighten up the atmosphere, on a day without sunshine.

The hall was packed out as some 100 residents and staff, many of whom were all decked out in their red or pink and white Valentine’s attire, enjoyed a sing-along of romantic tunes such as Love and Marriage – Frank Sinatra, When I Fall in Love – Nat King Cole, Can’t Take My Eyes off You – Frankie Valli, and Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley. The musical activity was organised by new volunteer Stephanie Enslin, who led the singing and played the ukulele.  After enjoying the music, the residents tucked into a lovely tea which included quiche, chocolate eclairs and milk tart. 

“The tea provided a wonderful opportunity for residents, staff and volunteers to chat and socialise, enjoy delicious snacks, and to remember the love that they have given and received in their lives” says Debbie Christen, Manager: Recreational Programmes.

Upon returning to their homes, the residents were in for another treat as the Activities Team presented each one with home-made chocolate hearts.   Miraculously, all 450 pieces of chocolate were made with patience, dedication and love by special carer, Christina van Rooyen, during a frustrating period of load-shedding!

 

Irene Watson.

Marianna Duvenage, Lettia Nyelele and Dolly Luke. 

Louise Newman and Helen Dix.

Betty Haughton. 

Stephanie Enslin (volunteer).

James Taylor. 

Margaret Richardson and Julia Mali. 

Joy Smith.

Kedibone Mlavu and Janice Costigan.

Marie Roberts.

Lorraine Lowdon. 

Josephine Kew.

Aileen Burns.

Grace Kona and Eddie Lazer.

Lorna Topp.

Megan Weeks. 

Colleen Blowe, Herb Scheiber and Sarah Richards. 

Vernon Schultz and Ron Adcock. 

Vera Geyser, Etienne Geyser and Beatrice Nzimande.

Noreen Ogilvie, Herb Scheiber and Helen Barlow Jones. 

Rosina Pretorius, Alice Molepo, Herb Scheiber and Halina Malujlo.

Dineo Tshukutshware and Gail Spinks.

Gordon Ross, Charlotte Tema and Victor Van Eck.

Peggy Roberts, Lettia Nyelele and Irene Nyadzane. 

Noreen Ogilvie and Merriam Netshifhefhe.

Maureen Gray and Salina Mtshali. 

Nolly Mlandu, Barbara Wapnick and Lefuno Nemutanzhela.

Christina Maluka, Clem Lilley, Joan Gilbert and Mildred Nyoni.

Victor van Eck and Busi Sishi.

Volunteer Helen Dix gives her love to Louise Newman.

Lee-ann Ramathibela and Hilda Mabaso. 

Jill Jones, Debbie Christen and Ethelwynne van Eck. 

Cedar Park staff bond in fine style

One day in December 2018, Sister Eunice Lakay and her team of care workers at Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre got together to discuss what they could do for a relaxing and enjoyable team-building day. What they came up with was a ‘Me Time’ spoil at Sorbet: a lovely spa treatment, followed by a delicious lunch and social time at Cappuccino 

Restaurant at Greenstone Mall. What better way to use some of their Christmas bonus, than to indulge in a little de-stressing and relaxation, followed by eating delicious food and sharing their goals and aspirations for 2019. 

According to the staff, “It was a great day. We had a chance to get together away from work and talk about our personal lives. It was wonderful to be able to get to know each other on a more personal level, outside our work roles. We hope we can do this on a more regular basis – it’s fun!”

Adolphina Magwete and Angela Morrison enjoy some me-time.