Fidler in the Hood: That was the week that was

WEEKLY greetings, friends. This last contribution for February, before we start bewaring the Ides of March. Time goes so quickly, particularly in the fast lane on the Hibiscus Coast. True or false? The social whirl sometimes gets too much – last week is a good example: Moondeckers; the monthly Mbango Valley music get-together and finally the ‘Night of Stars’ show.

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Throw in a couple of good leads for stories and there you have it: the week has gone by before you know it. On with the show.

Snow moon

Last Tuesday saw the monthly get-together of the always-popular Moondeckers. Generally held by the light of the silvery moon, but this time it was ‘a moon with a difference’. Euphemistically known as a ‘Snow Moon’, it transformed moon gazers into a merry band of moonshiners, with not a grain of moon dust in sight. The occasion makes for good company, good conversation and the chance to meet new (and old) faces and make friends.

Alan and Sandra Robinson were back in town from sunny Solihull, UK. The couple visit annually to avoid the English winter and try to endure SA’s glorious hot summer. Nice work if you can get it. There was even an enemy in our midst – visitors on a secret conservancy mission from the North Coast. They asked to remain anonymous, their trip to the south possibly resulting in reprisals by residents of Dolphin Coast.

Meeting Bengt

Howard Osborne beckoned to introduce a friend of his – Bengt Axelsson from Gothenburg, Sweden. It was too dark to take notes and a meeting was set up for the weekend.

The evening went swimmingly well, even if no-one went paddling in the sea by the light of that old devil moon.

The only setback was Howard’s lovely Mercedes-Benz receiving ‘a swipe’ from a passing taxi. Too close for comfort, but fortunately Howard escaped without serious injury to body and soul. Wishing he had Howard’s fatalistic acceptance that ‘accidents will happen’, your scribe cannot live if his car has even the smallest of scratches or dents.

Sonja Watt?

It’s always gratifying when readers comment on something written in the Uvongo news. Teasingly referring to famous ice-skater Sonja Henie last week, sure enough, in came a text message from Sonja Watt – who said she remembered Sonja Henie, as popular musical movies of that time was ‘her era’. So a meeting was arranged at Margate Retirement Village prior to the ‘Night of Stars’ show. It’s always nicer to put a face to a name, agreed?

Off to a good start – Sonja was wearing a delightful outfit in the colours of Manchester City. A woman of good taste! She was born in Vlissingen, Netherlands, and came to South Africa with her family in January 1965. Married to husband Percy for 49 years, she has been resident in the Village for 24 years. It’s fair comment to say that Village life suits Sonja, but Percy (a Scot) is not too well at the moment. Show-time arrived, but another meeting to take in the old movie ‘Sun Valley Serenade’ (1941) with Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, featuring Sonja Henie, would be set up. This week’s trivia question: can anyone remember ‘Sun Valley Serenade’?

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Are You Lonesome Tonight?

The Azalea Hall was packed to the rafters last Saturday evening for the ‘Night of Stars’ show. It seems Elvis Presley is still the ‘King’ to many golden oldies who sure got their money’s-worth of  old favourites. A great repertoire, the audience singing along and ‘fair maidens’, too smitten with the phenomena that was, and still is, Elvis Presley, or rather, local hero Charl van Tonder. As ‘Elvis’ pointed out, the ‘King’ recorded more than 550 songs and made many popular films and concert appearances. It was impossible to sing even a fraction of his hit numbers, but the audience enjoyed ‘the best of’ Elvis Presley.

Thanks, Liz

The opening and ending act was local singer Natascha Muller, who can certainly belt out a number, with her gutsy voice and singing style. Actually, Natascha is a blues singer with a real feeling for jazz. Her rendition of ‘Hey, Big Spender’ and the Etta James’s version of ‘At Last’ was memorable. A good all-round evening’s entertainment, all thanks to Liz Curran and her committee, who work so hard. Take care, Liz and don’t overdo it.

See you, Rob.

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