EASTER TREAT FOR KIDS AT VILLAGE MARKET

At the next Storms River Village Market, on Saturday 4 April, children can enjoy an EASTER-EGG HUNT, FACE PAINTING and the new JUNGLE GYM at the Bistro at Bitou.

The market is held from 9 am to noon on the first Saturday of every month in the area at the entrance to Storms River Village, next to STORMS RIVER INFORMATION OFFICE, the BISTRO AT BITOU and BITOU ART GALLERY.

The Jungle Gym was designed and built by LOLLIES MULLER, of Storms River Village.

Local artist SUSAN KEMP will be doing the face painting.

The the easter-egg hunt starts at 10am.

Remember, grown-ups are welcome to have their faces painted, too! It is so easy to be turned into a Shark or a Blue Bull...

In order to provide opportunities for as many locals as possible, the market is a combination of a car-boot sale and market stalls. This is where you can sell, or shop for, handmade gifts, toys and clothes; produce (plants, fruit, veggies); homemade food and drink (pancakes and ginger beer); second-hand goods and clothes; and re-used and recycled goods.

It is indeed a venue where kids of all ages can find entertainment.

The Bistro is well-known for its excellent coffee and equally excellent - and varied - menu. The market has become a meeting place for friends and family, who love to enjoy refreshments or meals on the Bistro stoep.

You can also feed your soul next door at the Bitou Art Gallery. The Bistro’s neighbour on the other side is the Storms River Information Office, where you can get all the info you need, watch videos of local tourist attractions and plan your next adventure in the region.

FUTURE VILLAGE MARKET DATES: 2 May, 6 June, 4 July.

SEE YOU AT THE MARKET!

There will be two village markets at Storms River Village in December, as a special Christmas market will be held on December 20. It might be a good idea to keep Christmas shopping in mind when you visit the market this Saturday, December 6, as you could put in orders for goods that you would like to buy for Christmas and collect them on December 20.

A growing number of stall holders makes the market well worth a visit. Meet your friends here and greet old neighbours while you browse and buy, cash in on the specials at The Bistro @ Bitou, and fall in love with the wide selection of art at the Bitou Art Gallery.

The market is at the first premises on the left as you enter the village, next to Bitou Art Gallery and The Bistro. It starts at 9 am and carry on until 2pm, which means you can also do breakfast or lunch - or both!

 

VILLAGE MARKET DATES:

8 November 2014

6 December 2014

20 December 2014

3 January 2015

7 February 2015

7 March 2015

VILLAGE MARKET ENTREPRENEURS ARE BAKING, PRICING AND PANICKING

Stall holders are stringing beads, making jams, baking, pricing, printing and panicking, while holding thumbs for good weather at the second Storms River Village Market, which will be held tomorrow, Saturday, November 8.

Mrs At Brink makes jam, cookies, vegetable
pickles and rusks. Her products will be on sale
the market. (Photo: Adriana Chatelain)

In view of the long stretch of rainy weather behind us, the weather should be as lovely as it is today, however, so we are looking forward to seeing you there.

Mr Stoffel Brink in his workshop, where he
makes products ranging from key holders
to wall clocks from indigenous woods - all
available at tomorrow's market.
(Photo: Adriana Chatelain)

A festive atmosphere reigned at last month's market and visitors commented on how good it was to socialize and catch up with each other.

The "Goods available at the Village Market" page on this blog features some of the products that are for sale.

Good things happen in At's kitchen.

(Photo: Adriana Chatelain)

There will be two markets in December, as a special Christmas market will be held on December 20.

It might be a good idea to keep Christmas shopping in mind this Saturday, as you could put in orders for goods that you would like to buy for Christmas and collect them on December 20.

Some new stall holders will join us tomorrow, making the market an even better place to meet friends and greet old neighbours. The Bistro @ Bitou and the Bitou Art Gallery next door will be adding to the mix of entertainment available to market visitors.

SPECIALS at THE BISTRO:
Tea R10
Coffee R13
Breakfast Burger R40, including the latest addition to the menu - the Vegan Burger (which I had today. Highly recommended!)

BITOU ART GALLERY:
View and desire art by local artists Johan Brink, Elzette Bester, Marion Brink, Susan Kemp and Jennifer Angoh.

VENUE:

The market is at the first premises on the left as you enter the village, next to Bitou Art Gallery and the Bistro @ Bitou.

INFORMATION:  Call Elzette Bester at 084 780 0009.

VILLAGE MARKET DATES:

8 November 2014

6 December 2014

20 December 2014

3 January 2015

7 February 2015

7 March 2015

OUR BIG TREE OF LIFE

THE BIG TREE, Tsitsikamma:

Podocarpus falcatus, 800 years old,
with a circumference of 8,9m on ground level.

Height 36,6m
Stem height 18,3m
Crown width 32,9m
Content of stem 50,9 cubic m

(Photo & information: SANparks, Tsitsikamma)

The Big Tree is situated on the N2, just east of the entrance to Storms River Village. A 500m wooden board-walk through indigenous forest leads to the Yellowwood giant.

Special permission can be obtained by those with lack of mobility to access it by vehicle.

The Ratel Nature Walk follows on from theBig Tree. This trail offers either a 2,6km or 4,2km walk through wet and medium moist High forest. Both options are relatively easy.

(The above info was obtained from:
http://www.atthewoods.co.za/pages/places-of-interest/)

THE TREE

The tree of life connects -
with the cosmos
the self
others
everything
is linked to a tree
and the other way round

you may search the branches
dissect the fruit
analyse the worms
and study the meaning
or simply be with the tree

still the sap will rise
the winds will change
the tree will grow
and be
important
pregnant with meaning

a haven for birds
a receptacle for moisture
a bearer of fruits
giver of shade
lover of vistors

welcoming rain
withstanding winds
accommodating winter
and celebrating spring

know it for all this
when it waves at you

(Poem by Susan Kemp)

PS: Don't miss the STORMS RIVER VILLAGE MARKET this Saturday morning, November 8.

MAKE NEW FRIENDS, GREET OLD NEIGHBOURS

The Storms River Village Market turned out to be the place to make new friends and greet old neighbours. We were blessed with perfect weather and great support and everybody stayed long.

Star of the Day. Elzette Bester

had no moment of rest. Everybody

cued up for her perfect pancakes.
(Photo: Johan Brink)

The pancake stall was a huge hit and is sure to stay. The ginger beer table quenched everybody's thirst, and The Bistro at Bitou served lots of guests who visited the market.

The second-hand clothing stall of  Marion Brink, right, was a hit.
(Photo: Johan Brink)

Jan Miggels (Gans) sold indigenous plants and popular
exotic houseplants. (Photo: Johan Brink)

A variety of products were on sale at the market, which was held on Saturday, October 4, at the entrance to Storms River village, next to Storms River Information Office, the Bistro at Bitou and Bitou Art Gallery. Beadwork, art, second-hand clothing, bric-a-brac and second-hand furniture, art and crafts made of recycled materials, and lots more made buyers very happy and added to the beauty and joy of the day.

Get in touch with local handmade goods
and your friends and neighbours
at the market. Anna Cola, right, sold
beautiful handwork and cold homemade
ginger beer. (Photo: Johan Brink)

Hanna Cola's ginger beer was a huge hit. She had to fetch some more halfway during the morning, but everything sold out.

Jan Miggels (Gans) also did very well with his huge variety of indigenous plants and popular exotic houseplants. Gans is well known for his love of plants and has green fingers for sure.

Estelle Hester's variety table. Every article had a story.
(Photo: Johan Brink)

Marlene Liebenberg has added Christmas decorations to her range of arts and crafts made from recycled materials. As always, her products were a source of wonder and inspiration. The dreamy, yet lifelike, fishes and bluebottles made from plastic bottles are my personal favourites. (See more pictures further down.)


More pictures of products that were available at the market can be seen on this blog on the page "Goods available at the Village Market".

REMEMBER, CHRISTMAS IS AROUND THE CORNER!

NEXT MARKET: Saturday, November 8.

Keep Marlene Liebenberg's stall in mind when shopping for
Christmas decorations this year. (Photo: Susan Kemp)

MORE INFO:
The market is held on the first Saturday of every month from 9am to noon at the entrance to Storms River village, next to Storms River Information Office, the Bistro at Bitou and Bitou Art Gallery.

In the event of bad weather, it will take place on the following Saturday. Sites are free of charge to residents of Tsitsikamma and will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are welcome to share stands.

Contact Elzette Bester at (084) 78 00 009 to book a stall.

Plastic bottles are given new life by Marlene Liebenberg.
(Photo: Susan Kemp)

In order to provide this opportunity to as many locals as possible, the market will be a combination of a car-boot sale and market stalls. It is the place to sell, or shop for, handmade gifts, toys and clothes; produce (plants, fruit, veggies); homemade food and drink; second-hand goods and clothes; and re-used and recycled goods. No cheap, imported goods will be allowed. If new goods are sold, they must be South African.

WHO WILL YOU MEET AT THE VILLAGE MARKET?

Marlene Liebenberg creates with sticks, bottle tops, plastic containers, natural
materials, fabric and just about anything else you can think of, combining
these materials with craft techniques such as crocheting and paper mache.

(Photo: Elzette Bester)

Meet MARLENE LIEBENBERG at the Storms River Village Market this Saturday. Marlene is passionate about recycling and re-using just about everything she can lay her hands on and has also trained members of the community to make crafts with materials other people would throw in the trash.

She will be exhibiting her exciting artworks and craft items made from recycled and found materials at the market.

The market aims to provide an opportunity for local people to sell their wares. It is hoped to that the various cottage industries in the area will participate and that new business opportunities will be stimulated. The market will be held on the first Saturday of every month, from 9am to noon. In the event of bad weather, it will take place on the following Saturday.

Meet a SHARK! Face-painting,
by artist SUSAN KEMP.
(Photo: Susan Kemp)

..and meet a KITTY-CAT!
(Photo: Susan Kemp) .

Ashley Wentworth has made available the area at the entrance to Storms River village, next to Storms River Information Office, the Bistro at Bitou and Bitou Art Gallery. Sites will be available free of charge to residents of Tsitsikamma and will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are welcome to share stands. In order to provide this opportunity to as many locals as possible, the market will be a combination of al car-boot sale and market stalls.

The Village Market will be held in the open area next to Bitou Art Gallery
and The Bistro at Bitou, where you'll meet artists JOHAN BRINK and
ELZETTE BESTER, and Bistro hostess MARIE BRINK.
You can also get an introduction to the Bistro's EXCELLENT COFFEE!

(Photo: Johan Brink)

This will be the place to sell - or shop for - handmade gifts, toys and clothes; produce (plants, fruit, veggies); homemade food and drink; second-hand goods and clothes; and re-used and recycled goods. Kids can have their faces painted and art lovers can have their fill of beauty at the art gallery.

Exchange those white elephants for some cash in hand - or buy TANT HANNA COLA's famed ginger beer, support young entrepreneur ANNA REED who will be flipping pancakes, and make use of the Bistro's offer of discounted rates on breakfast, light meals, coffee, tea and cakes.

No cheap, imported goods will be allowed. If new goods are sold, they must be South African.

Contact Elzette Bester at (084) 78 00 009 to book a stall. Traders need to bring a table to display wares, their own chairs and umbrellas or gazebos, and a black bag for rubbish.

See you there on Saturday, October 4!

SNUGGLING SNAKES

Natal Green Snakes, locally known as the,
Water Snake, cuddling up and getting cosy
in their den at Storms River Mouth.
(Photo: Susan Kemp)

This pair of Natal Green Snakes in the top of a huge aloe plant was pointed out to me at Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park. The Natal Green Snake is indigenous to Tsitsikamma and is locally known as the Water Snake.

The aloe growth has been home to the Water Snakes for more than 10 years, says Elzette Bester, local SANParks Manager: People and Conservation. They have been breeding in the same spot for many years and SANParks staff have seen the young come and go.

It is a rare privilege for snakes to be left in peace. Water Snakes are harmless and this den of snakes are fortunate to have their home in a national park, where uninformed people won't hunt them down and kill them out of fear and ignorance.

Out if sight of the casual passer-by,
Water Snakes have been living undisturbed in a
growth of aloes at Storms River Mouth.
(Photo: Susan Kemp)

On the website www.mpushini-fauna.com, the Natal Green Snake is described as harmless to humans. The website says it reaches an average size of 75cm - 90cm, but may reach a length of 1,3m, describing it as being "a uniform bright green to turquoise-green above, with a paler greenish-white or light yellow belly. Juveniles have dark crossbars on the forebody. They are often misidentified as the Green Mamba".

STORMS RIVER VILLAGE MARKET

A monthly market will be held at Storms River village from Saturday, October 4. The aim of the market is to provide an opportunity for local people to sell their wares. It is hoped to gain the participation of the various cottage industries in the area and to stimulate new business opportunities.

Preparations are under way for the village market.
I helped to make a banner for the market at Brink
Bester Studio, where local artists Johan Brink
and Elzette Bester create their art.
(Photo: Elzette Bester)

Ashley Wentworth has made available the area at the entrance to Storms River village, next to Storms River Information Office, the Bistro at Bitou and Bitou Art Gallery. Sites will be available free of charge to residents of Tsitsikamma and will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are welcome to share stands.

The market will be held on the first Saturday of every month from 9am to noon. In the event of bad weather, it will take place on the following Saturday.

In order to provide this opportunity to as many locals as possible, the market will be a combination of a car-boot sale and market stalls.

This will be the place to sell, or shop for, handmade gifts, toys and clothes; produce (plants, fruit, veggies); homemade food and drink; second-hand goods and clothes; and re-used and recycled goods.

Progress with the banner...
(Photo: Susan Kemp)

Exchange those white elephants for some cash in hand - or buy Tant Hanna Cola's famed ginger beer, support young entrepreneur Anna Reed who will be flipping pancakes, and make use of the Bistro at Bitou's offer of discounted rates on breakfast, light meals, coffee, tea and cakes.

No cheap, imported goods will be allowed. If new goods are sold, they must be South African.

Contact Elzette Bester at (084) 78 00 009 to book a stall. Traders need to bring a table to display wares, their own chairs and umbrellas or gazebos, and a black bag for rubbish.

LOCAL ARTISTS EXHIBIT AT STORMS RIVER MOUTH

Tsitsikamma artists Susan Kemp, left, and
Marion Brink, at the SANParks art
exhibition at Storms River mouth.
(Photo: Johan Brink)

SA National Parks invited Tsitsikamma artists to exhibit at Storms River Mouth during SANParks week from September 8 to 13.

SANParks has created a culture of reaching out to locals and provides free access to all National Parks for a week, once a year in September. Themed "Know your Park", this year’s campaign was launched in Tsitsikamma to coincide with the Park’s 50^th birthday celebrations. Celebrations included the re-launch of the Otter trail brand and arts and craft exhibitions.

The art exhibition involved 16 Tsitsikamma-based artists specializing in drawing, painting and photography.  It formed a platform to celebrate 20 years of Freedom and democracy, 20 years of connecting to communities living around the Park and the natural splendor and tourism products that have drawn travelers worldwide to Tsitsikamma.

The display of Sally Rush's pen-and-wash
illustrations for SANParks.
(Photo: Susan Kemp)

The artists included Charles Malandu, Franci Kruger, Marion Brink, Diane Brown Sampson, Jennifer Angoh,  Sally Rush, Susan Kemp, Ilse Kruger, Stanley Grootboom and Johan Brink, as well as students studying with Stanley and Johan, plus photographers Henk Liebenberg and Greg Pearson. 

Featured as part of the exhibition was a showcase of a special project with artist Sally Rush, well known for her lifelike pen and wash works of indigenous plants and animals, which she sells at markets.  Sally was commissioned by SANParks to provide over 60 separate paintings that were scanned to be included in four interpretive boards about indigenous forests.

Some of the artworks that were
exhibited. (Photo: Susan Kemp)

SANParks’ Manager: People and Conservation, Elzette Bester (herself a budding artist), organized the exhibition and said “I am in awe of the level of talent we already have here in Tsitsikamma and also of the great creative potential that can be nurtured among youth of the area.  We are looking forward to future collaboration with the network of artists that have been established through this project.” 

Ilse Kruger's beautiful seascapes. (Photo: Susan Kemp)