Fidler in the Hood: The Little White Cloud That Cried

GREETINGS, friends. Another week passes by. No power cuts, water coming out of the taps. Potholes being filled in. Okay, street lights still need repairing, despite promises from Uncle Ray, but all is not lost. The weather has been perfect: all-day-long sunshine, clear blue skies, though I did see a little white cloud passing by. Cue for Johnny Ray to sing ‘The Little White Cloud That Cried’. Don’t know that song? Give us a call and I’ll sing it down the phone to you! On with the show.

The Entertainer

Talking about shows: the Margate Retirement Village presented Jonathan Roxmouth ‘live in concert’ last Saturday night, and what a great evening for the ‘old folks at home’. Certainly one of the best-ever shows to grace the stage at the Azalea Hall. Accompanied by Evan Roberts, ‘JR’ was in great form; the audience captivated from the opening number to the finale, and onto the well-merited encore. Singer, pianist, mimic, entertainer, Jonathan was in fine form with salutes to Frank Sinatra, Al Jolson, Victor Borge, Flanders and Swann, George Gershwin, and Broadway musical show stoppers amongst his varied repertoire. Stylishly suited, in his ‘retro evening-wear’ (his words), Jonathan also did a great impersonation of some wee Scots lassie, ‘Flora MacDonald’, complete with ‘och, the noo’ Glasgow accent. I wonder who that might be? No clues!

‘Great Balls of Fire’

Jonathan reminded us that it was exactly 12 months since he was last here. Here’s hoping it will be less next time around. To round off his show, Jonathan announced that he is starting ‘serious rehearsals’ for his next show, ‘Great Balls of Fire’, the musical story of rocker Jerry Lee Lewis, which will be coming to a theatre nowhere near us later this year. Jonathan Lee Lewis will be perfect for the role, with a ‘Whole Lot a Shakin’ Goin’ On’, much appreciated by the mature rockers in the audience. Maybe the Residents’ Activities Committee can organise a ‘charabanc’ trip to the big city to see the show? (‘Charabanc’: look it up in the dictionary!)

‘Fishers of Men’

The ‘sardine run’ hit the Hibiscus Coast, a welcome sight after a few barren years. Local and out-of-town residents were out ‘in shoals’ (get it?) on beaches trying their luck catching the fish. Uvongo fishing pier is turning out to be a perfect place to cast your lines and reel in your supper. A great sight, with those ‘fishers of men’ silhouetted against the dazzling sea with the morning sun. Making his ‘fishing debut’ was visitor Eddie Beulink from Pretoria, who was persuaded by his son-in-law Peet Swart of Rustenburg to ‘come try a spot of fishing on the South Coast’. Eddie had beginner’s luck, catching his very first shad within ten minutes. The shad wasn’t as big as say, a swordfish, but one has to start somewhere; congratulations! A delighted Eddie, who told all who would listen, with arms outstretched, that the fish ‘was t-h-i-s big’. I believe you, Eddie! From small beginnings, big fish are caught. A case of ‘hook, line and sinker’, I guess. Practice makes perfect, Eddie, so why not become a regular visitor to our so-called ‘sleepy shores’. The more visitors, the better.

World Cup Fever

All in all, a good week, wouldn’t you agree? Already your scribe is bog-eyed from watching the football World Cup in Russia, which is turning into a rousing Russian success. Twelve matches watched on the ‘telly’; only 50 to go, friends. Amazingly, I have met a few folks who couldn’t care less about the World Cup; some people preferring rugby. I just cannot understand why not, although the CO will put in a strong case for ‘not liking soccer’. ‘Football, my dearest, not soccer. Football’. All to no avail. See you, Rob – when it’s all over!