Newsletter Issue 2
May 2009
Dear %1%
Our first newsletter was received with a huge amount of enthusiasm, we thank you for that and especially those overseas friends who have subscribed, welcome to the Centre of South Africa! Once again we have lots to tell you and hope you will enjoy the read, we certainly enjoy hearing from you so please let us know what you think.
What's New?
We have realised that our area is full of talented artists, so our walls are going to become a revolving art gallery to showcase this talent. Pop in for coffee and a browse, catalogues and price lists are available from reception.
Tying the Knot at Destijl
Our wedding roster is filling up and we are becoming the place in the Karoo to tie the knot! The Gariep dam provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic ceremony, the cuisine is extra special and the team provides a seamless and professional service for the bridal party and guests. Give us a call to find out more or if you are considering getting married soon - pop in to see what we offer, we think you will be bowled over!
Also watch this space and www.destijl.co.za for specials for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, we are only 190km from Bloemfontein which is a host city. Our closest airport is also in Bloemfontein.
Whats happening in May and June
Flower and Food Weekend
Two of South Africas most talented flower and food minds will be at De Stijl to present a day of creative, ingenious and inpiring ideas.
DP Ferriera, renowned florist designer from EcoZest, Knysna and Nico Van Der Walt, world famous chocolate and pastry chef from FBI will be with us on 20 June . We are excited and invite you to join us...
Weekend Special
Costs: R200 per person for full day workshop.
Accommodation: R400 p/p sharing B&B, stay one night - get one free.
Workshop: Saturday 20th June 2009
Nico presents... "Bread, selection of desserts, chocolate and sugar garnishes"
Light Lunch overlooking Gariep Dam
DP and Hannes of EcoZest presents... Still Life and the Table - creating unique and interesting tables, a creative, stimulating and inspirational experience.
Christmas in June
Any excuse for a party - we're having Christmas in June this year to shake off the winter chill. Along with a great party - you will get 2 nights for the price of one. Look out for more information or call us to make enquiries.
News from Gariep
An Island full of Treasure - Birds on the Gariep Dam Island or 'n Eiland vol skatte op die Gariepdam
Die anker sak weg in die water, die seile hang slap en die boot kom stadig tot stilstand. Die baai is klein, feitlik net 'n skrale inham, maar ek kan nie wag om die klein eilandjie hier in die middel van die Gariepdam te verken nie. Skielik kom 'n kleinerige voëltjie reguit na die boot toe aangevlieg en kom sit sommer hier by my op die maspaal. So groot soos 'n Kwikstertjie, met dieselfde pikante houding en nuuskierige, mak geaardheid sit hy daar. Vreeslik mooi deftig met sy pikswart bo-sye, vlerke, stert en borslap. Saam met die spierwit wenkbrou en ewe wit bo-vlerk dekvere, wit buitestert vere en wit kolle aan weerskante van die nek, gee hy sy naam sommer weg. Die Bontkwikkie / African Pied Wagtail is lid van die Kwikstertjie familie wat hier in ons land slegs maar vier lede het.
Eerstens die welbekende Gewone Kwikkie/ Cape Wagtail wat feitlik reg oor die land voorkom. Die Bergkwikkie / Longtailed Wagtail wat slegs langs vinnig vloeiende strome, immergroen en kuswoude beperk is en ook maklik herken kan word aan sy buitegewoon lang stert sowel as 'n kombinasie van grys, swart en wit vere. Die Geelkwikkie / Yellow Wagtail, is net so mooi met sy olyfkleurige rug, helder geel pensie en swart kop. Hierdie nie-algemene somerbesoeker uit Europa, broei nie in ons land nie en word slegs hier in die somer langs strandmere en vleilande aangetref.
Kwikstertjies is hoofsaaklik insekvreters. Ongelukkig word duisende kwikkies jaarliks vergiftig met die gebruik van gifstowwe wat nie omgewingsvriendelik is nie. (Maak tog seker dat jy vanjaar die omgewingsvriendelike gifstowwe gebruik.
Op die eiland loop ek sommer gou die Bontkwikkie se maatjie raak en staan verstom en kyk hoe hulle met hul wippende stertjies so al op die waterkant se klippe rondstap en insekte vang. Die Blou Valvlerkie / Navy Dropwing, kom sit 'n tree van my af op 'n klip langs die waterkant en ek wens ek kon sommer vir ewig hier bly saam met die Bontkwikkies.
Thanks to Riëtte Griesel, our resident bird watcher.
For an English version please contact ailsa@silverrocket.co.za
Restaurant News
Cobus our chef will leave us shortly to follow is heart to Bloemfontein, Cobus you will be missed but we wish you well! Cobus leaves big shoes to fill, which Themba, the chef from Waschbank will be doing. We also welcome two final year students from Olive Chef School in Bloemfontein who will be with us until January. We look forward to their energy and input into the De Stijl team.
Our menu is now on a blackboard in the dining room - enabling us to change our ideas daily, we include the freshest ingredients and see what the chef feels like! Tastiness guaranteed!
Our new wine list is busy being finalized to include some of South Africa's best offerings. Watch this space for more wine news as we are planning big things!
Our team
Here at De Stijl we believe in using the best people to make our hotel as success! Hence we have put together a winning team of Robert Veldman and Hanno Oosthuizen who have come a long way together. They started in Bloemfontein as partners in Upstairs, the famous 2nd Ave restaurant; that pulled in the crowds and served the best food in the city. Both then went off to notch up more experience and now 10 years later we have them... we look forward to great things!
Lieze du Plessis joined us last month from last month and will help with admin and overall run of hotel - welcome.
Tourism Indaba
We will be at Tourism Indaba in Durban from the 9 th - 12 th May, please pop in at stand ODWN001, Free State Tourism Authority to say hello.
To end... we would like to say congratulations to Gary Donian and his new fiancé, they have chosen De Stijl for their engagement party at the beginning of May. Gary is the MD of Gariep Eco Reserve.
That's all for April, we look forward to hearing from you soon or even better, seeing you!
Best wishes
Marcell
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Contact us
Lieze du Plessis, manager on lieze@destijl.co.za
Robert Veldman, manager on robert@destijl.co.za
Hanno Oosthuizen, manager and head cheff on eat@destijl.co.za
Marcell Mellet, owner on marcell@mellet.co.za