Grannies à Gogo are sponsoring another series of travelogue presentations on 4 consecutive Fridays in January and February 2013.  All presentations will be held at the People Place, Lower Level, suite 006 – 3402 27th St., 10:00 a.m.  Admission is $5 per travelogue payable at the door.  Coffee and refreshments are available.

All proceeds go directly to Sabie, South Africa to help grandmothers raising their AIDS-orphaned children. We know that we are making a difference in the lives of these women.

January 18 – Gordon Schuster will present “Jordan – an Arabian Jewel”. From the Ancient City of Petra, to the Dead Sea and the Modern City of Amman, Jordan is a Middle Eastern treasure.  Rich in history, incredible landscapes, opportunities for adventure or taking it slow, your first visit won’t be your last!  Presentation will include photographs, an overview of the country, its people and personal tales that will entice you to visit this land to experience the mix of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean hospitality!

January 25 – Doug Campbell – History of the Kettle Valley Railroad

February 1 – Lynn Hadfield – Life in the South of France – The south of France is blessed with an overabundance of history, geography, food, wine and culture. We’ll explore some of the fascinating caves and visit fortress cities that stand guard over the valleys filled with vineyards.

February 8 – Mary Jo O’Keefe – Discovering Vietnam and Cambodia.

Janus Steyn is the Winner of the Okanagan Inspiration Calendar 2013 Photograph Contest. Calendar Committee Members are Grannies Carol, Sue and Anne

The 2012 Photo Contest Winners

With 55 great entries from which to choose, judge, Don Weixl, had his work cut out for him.  On October 11, at the Open Meeting of Grannies à Gogo, the winners were announced:

First Prize: Spring View of Coldstream Valley by Janus Steyn – Calendar Cover

Second Prize: Clear and Calm at Ellison Park by Sue Harnett – May

Third Prize: The Amazing Blue Stamens of Chicory by Anne Clarke – September

January, August and October: Janus Steyn Photographs

February, November and December: Ray Hansen Photographs

March, April and and July: Hugh Clarke Photographs

June: Anne Clarke Photograph

The Peoples’ Choice (a tie): Carol Schroeder’s Spring Blossoms Bring Fall Fruit and Ray Hansen’s Winter Light at Cosens Bay

Sorry!  The Calendars are Sold Out!

For more information about the calendar and how to purchase copies, please click here or on the winning photo on the home page.

Grannies à Gogo are sponsoring another series of travelogue presentations on 4 consecutive Fridays in January and February.  All presentations will be held at the People Place, Lower Level, Suite 006 – 3402 27th St, 10:00 am.

Admission is $5 per travelogue payable at the door.  Coffee and refreshments available.

January 20th – “Land and Water Safaris in Africa:  the Big Five and Much More” – presented by Anne and Hugh Clarke.  This is a dazzling photo safari full of excellent photography and narration and many animals including babies.

January 27th -“Papua, New Guinea” – presented by Beverley Barling.  The second largest island in the world is a “land of extraordinary variety, high mountains, vast swamps and deltas, endless forests, coastal plains, great rivers, myriad islands, reefs and cays”.

February 3rd – “Bhutan” the mythical Buddhist kingdom in the heart of the Himalayas, where the happiness quotient is the ruling principal.  Presented by Sue Harnett as she walks you through the many discoveries she made while delving into Bhutan, a paradise waiting to be explored.

February 10th – “Newfoundland, Land of Surprises” – presented by tom Skinner.  Come and learn what there is to be surprised by in this beautiful province.  Tom’s superb photography is there waiting to be explored and enjoyed by the audience.

When I come to Sabie to visit Sitabogogo, I often focus on capturing all the little details of what is going on with them. I keep a journal of things I see and hear, snap photos, and this year some video, too. But in the first few days it dawned on me that they really don’t know very much about our Grannies à Gogo women. I got a sense that some of them see the funds we raise as appearing magically. So I decided to print some of the fantastic photos from our website’s Photo Album, and each day I have been showing them a few of our different projects.

Gogos look at Grannies à Gogo fund-raising photos

For example, when looking at the fall crafts workshop photos they were very interested in the pumpkin centerpieces, as that is something that grows well here. I fielded questions on how to make them … never mind that I was over making wreathes and not the centerpieces! The little Sock-It-Away coin collectors also intrigued them.

When shown a photo of our stall at a craft fair with quilted bags hanging on display, we had a good laugh when one of them pointed to a tree where several of them often hang their purses and bags, and admonished me not to sell their bags. One gogo asked, “Where are your black women?” Good question. I then explained the demographics of Vernon, and also of Vancouver and Toronto for comparison – probably more information than they wanted.

Their monthly supplemental food parcels were distributed, which included their staple bag of mealie meal, a box of soy meal and six eggs. It’s always a marvel to watch the stately manner in which these are transported home.

And always, irresistible children around, eager to have their photo taken:

Milly and her adorable Nonhle, now 18 months old

These two had been hanging about, seemingly attached to no one and said, “Shoot us, Ma'am”. (Don’t have to ask me twice)

The Grannies a Gogo are happy to announce the availability of their 2012 Calendar available in limited numbers.  The calendars contain beautiful photos of events and activities  from both Vernon B.C.  and Sabie South Africa.

Use this opportunity to support the Grannies à Gogo as well as provide gifts for your friends, family, coworkers or clients.

Calendars are $10 each or 2 for $15 available from members of Grannies à Gogo, emailing granniesagogo@gmail.com or phoning Shirley Grabinsky at 250-542-4285.

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RANDOM ACTS OF SURPRISE!

That’s the theme for our Potluck dinner to fun-raise AND fund-raise.

Join the Grannies on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 5:45 at room 101 THE PEOPLE PLACE, #101 3402 – 27th Avenue

Bring a contribution to the dinner, purchase items, have a chance at a raffle basket, bid on silent auction items and more (surprise).

You’ll also need utensils, dishes, cups, funds for purchasing items.

Be prepared for PLENTY of surprises.

Please email granniesagogo@gmail.com if you intend to come (we need to make sure there are tables/chairs for you!)

Next in our Travelogue series – Friday Feb. 4 at the People Place

Israel and Jordan: Mysterious Land of Cobbled Streets and Ancient Ruins presented by Beverley Barling. A lifetime dream became reality, when Beverley was able to travel to the Middle East in October 2010. A combination of fascinating ruins, gentle scenery and interesting cultural activities, bring biblical and historical facts alive through the eye of her camera and presentation.

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Do you like to learn about other countries and cultures? Grannies à Gogo: the Vernon – South Africa Connection is sponsoring a series of four travelogues that may appeal to you. All presentations will be held at 10:00 a.m at the People Place, 3402 – 27th Avenue. Admission is $5 per session.

The series begins Friday, January 21 when Tom Skinner presents Australia: Jumping Crocodiles and Upside Down Birds. In November 2010, Tom and his wife Myna, travelled to Australia.

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Other presentations in the series will be:

Friday, January 28: Escape to the Islands of Great Boobies, the Galapagos Islands with Hugh and Anne Clarke

Friday, February 4: Israel and Jordan: Mysterious Land of Cobbled Streets and Ancient Ruins presented by Beverley Barling.

Friday, February 18: Haida Gwaii: Islands of the People presented by Warren and Shirley Grabinsky

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