River Lodge 2 residents whisked away to the Netherlands

 Ron Smith Care Centre’s River Lodge 2 wing residents and staff delighted in their Armchair Travel trip to the Netherlands on March 5.

This fun travel series has been held on each of the wings of the Rand Aid care centre. In line with COVID-19 social distancing protocols, the decision was taken to split the initiative into smaller groups, rather than hold one central event.

The enthusiastic group of ‘travellers’ from the River Lodge 2 wing enjoyed a wonderful morning experiencing all things Dutch. Several of the residents had visited Amsterdam before, and so thoroughly enjoyed the Armchair Travel programme devoted to the Netherlands.

Residents Ethle Cohen, Sarah Richards, Eddie Lazer and Victor van Eck were the Quiz Champions. Their extensive knowledge and memory of Dutch facts, art, culture, food, history and geography was impressive. Ria van der Westhuizen won a special prize for being the only resident out of five residential wings to give the correct answer to a particular quiz question!

Trudy Thijs, who was born in Holland, helped out with some of the Dutch language pronunciation.

Residents Malcolm Barlow-Jones, Paul Roediger and Bela Nadori and staff Odette Matamba, Lerato Pebane and Nandipha Ngesi provided hilarious entertainment by taking part in the traditional Dutch Koekhappen challenge – eating a donut hanging from a stick as quickly as possible, without using their hands!

People viewing this blog in their email: To view a video of the staff dance, click on the headline River Lodge 2 residents whisked away to the Netherlands.

Paul Roediger has a go at the elusive donut during the Koekhappen challenge!

The residents have a good laugh at the competitors’ attempts to eat a donut without using their hands!

Staff doing the traditional Dutch folk dance, the Hakketoon. 

Happy times… Eddie Lazer. 

Maria Dal Lago. 

Ria van der Westhuizen. 

Victor van Eck. 

Delyse Burgess. 

Johanna Jennings.

 Linden Millard. 

Gail Spinks. 

Bela Nadori.

 Stella Thomas.

 Trudy Thijs was born in Holland and remarked that she is ‘a real Dutch Lady’! 

Malcolm Barlow-Jones. 

Denise Anstey.

 Getty Lee.

Gail Harmer. 

Sarah Richards. 

Ethle Cohen.

 Take-off. Staff prepare for take-off! Left to right: Debbie Christen, Hilda Mabaso, Dineo Tshukutsware, Carol Legodi, Kedibone Mlavu, Lerato Pebane, Nandipha Ngesi, Charlotte Tema and Alice Molepo. Front: Alice Molepo and Odette Matamba.

Enjoying the gigantic clog are (back) Hilda Mabaso and Odette Matamba; and (front) Trudy Thijs and Bela Nadori.

The happy travel group that ‘visited’ The Netherlands on March 5. 

Gisela Meinck looks like a real Dutch lady in authentic traditional Dutch attire!

Letter of thanks from family to Ron Smith Care Centre

 

Woodlands delights in all things Dutch

Ron Smith Care Centre residents and staff who live and work on the Woodlands wing had a wonderful time ‘visiting’ The Netherlands recently.

Ten of the residents from this wing had actually been to Amsterdam in the past, and this Armchair Travel session brought back very fond memories for them all.

Residents Ron Adcock and Argentina Smith, along with several staff members, had great fun participating in the traditional Koekhoppen Competition (Donut Chomping Challenge) and this provided much hilarious entertainment for all. 

Ethelwynne van Eck emerged as the Quiz Champion on all things Dutch and Xolani Zondi, James Mokoena and Zuko Ndamse, the three male special carers who participated in the Koekhoppen and Dutch Folk Dance, provided a bit of excitement! 

At teatime, the stroopwafels (from De Backery in Edenvale) were a firm favourite, with Jill Jones saying that in the past, she could happily devour a whole packet herself! A most enjoyable morning was had by all!

 

VIDEO: Woodlands staff members do a traditional Dutch dance.

Vaarwel! 

Argentina Smith. 

Folk dancing.

 Sarah Goldberg. 

Woodlands wing staff perform Dutch Folk Dance: Hakketoon. 

Jessie Pickard.

 Jill Jones.

 Joan Abbott. 

Pearl Porter.

 Elaine Cohen.

 Pamela Mintz. 

Ethelwynne van Eck.

Henriette Oosthuizen.

Yvonne Yardley was delighted to wear this traditional Dutch costume. 

A display of knick-knacks that represent Dutch culture.

 

Windmills, tulips, Dutch treats - and wide smiles from Armchair Travellers

A whirlwind tour of the Netherlands 

Ron Smith Care Centre is enjoying an explosion of all things Dutch, with residents and staff of each wing enjoying the care centre’s Armchair Travel trips to the Netherlands.

The latest ‘trip’ was made by the residents of the River Lodge 1 wing.

The travel sessions are an opportunity to learn more about Holland – the land of tulip fields, flower gardens, gabled houses, windmills, canals, wooden clogs, bicycles, Van Gogh, Delft, Gouda cheese and herring. 

The programmes involve music from the residents’ favourite musician, Andre Rieu, who was born in Maastricht in the Netherlands, a whirlwind tour through the highlights of Holland and a learn-to-speak Dutch session. 

The staff performed a Dutch folk dance called Hakketoon and the traditional koekhappen competition, in which participants had to eat a donut which hung from a stick without using their hands, was cause for much fun! Stroopwafels, Dutch raisin bread and speculaas were served at teatime, some of which were kindly sponsored by Mark Verhoogt from De Backery in Edenvale. 

Basha Videlefsky.

Sylvia Kree looks like a real Dutch lady wearing traditional Dutch attire.

The happy tour group, many wearing the Dutch national colour – orange. They all had a wonderful time visiting The Netherlands!

Irene Watson.

Cecilia Lombard.

A display of Dutch items.

Maureen Morrow.

Staff Folk Dancers dance around a giant clog.

Josephine Kew.

Dolly Luke.

River Lodge 1 staff performing the Dutch Folk Dance, the Hakketoon.

Marie Roberts.

Dolly Luke has her Dutch hat arranged by Debbie Christen.

Corlia Schutte teaches everyone how to say a few words in Dutch.

Staff drumming up some Dutch spirit before the trip to the Netherlands! Left to right:  Lebo Mashale, Lee-Ann Ramithibela, Lucia Nkuna, Lettia Nyelele, Debbie Christen, Petunia Moloea, Grace Ratisani and Salina Mtshali.

Mariana Duvenage and Joy Klopper.