CHRISTMAS IN JULY

On the 21st of July our famous annual Christmas In July luncheon had an Italian Twist to it, 38 members and guests met on a gorgeous winters afternoon at the IL Bar Italiano in Groenkloof, laden with beautifully wrapped Christmas presents and a good festive cheer. The food was delicious and as there was a good choice of starters, main meals and desserts It allowed each of us to taste a large variety of Italian food. Again we had super raffle prizes on offer and as I left the raffle tickets at the office, business cards were put in a huge

bowl and together with R10 per entry the raffle was underway.There was great excitement when so many of our members and guests claimed the brilliant prizes on offer. A big thank you to all our sponsors who generously offer raffle prizes on a regular basis.

Our Christmas in July luncheon was introduced a few years ago and the tradition of giving so generously to the many disadvantaged children in our area, has got bigger and better over the years.Last year our club was in a position to hand over 200 Christmas presents to sexually abused children ranging in age from 6 months to 14 years in the Moot and Equestria areas. In conjunction with the Rotary Club of Pretoria we organized a special Christmas Party for these children and their caregivers allowing them to take their minds off their very sad lives for a few hours.

It is the most rewarding experience to hand a present to each and everyone of these children and see the excitement and wonder in their eyes as they open their presents.Laughter and screams of joy then filled the air as they all enjoyed cake, sweets, juice and crackers at their beautifully set Christmas Table. This year will be no different as more than 200 presents will again lift the hearts and spirits of these poor children thanks to the generous spirit of our Club.

Lots of love and friendship
Lavonne Wittmann - National Vice President

SKAL LUNCHEON - 18 AUGUST KLEIN KAAP

Our luncheon in August was held at the beautiful venue - KLEIN KAAP in Centurion. Antoinette from Klein Kaap provided us with a lovely luncheon and had the wine sponsored. The luncheon was small with a total of 30 guests, some of our faithful regulars and a couple of new faces, which we are always pleased to see and to welcome to our club. The prizes were sponsored by Ron Campbell from THE VILLA's situated in Arcadia over the road from the American Embassy and the venue for our luncheon in September.
	Girolamo, our very professional photographer was always ready taking some interesting photos and again offered a very special prize, in fact Cara, the Johannesburg President walked away with them all !!
Hope you have all diarised the September luncheon for the 22nd.

WEBSITE ACCESS MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS To have your company listed on the Skål International under "Members Benefits" is a way that you can put your business into everyone's minds.  If you look at the column on the right hand side of the home page, you will note that the last item is "Skål Benefits" and this scrolls continually.  To register your company under this banner please follow the following easy steps" • Go to www.skal.org or www.skal.travel • On the home page you will note the column on the right hand side.  The second item in this column is headed "User Login".  Enter your name, an underscore and your surname in lower caps into the space provided, for example "david_snuggs", under password enter your membership number and then click on the login button • You will now note that when you are logged in at the top of the column on the left side of the home page appears your name, this indicates that you are now logged in. • If you now go to the task bar at the top of the page, the extreme right item is "Members Benefits", if you hold your cursor over this button a scroll down will appear stating "Create Benefit" (if you are not logged in there will be no scroll down), click on this scroll down • A new page will open where you have to submit all the details requested regarding your special which are as follows:   • "indicate validity dates" This should be ticked if you are running a specific special that has a specific start and finish date, then these dates will appear on the special listing so that people are aware of periods of validity   • "Staring on" Here you will probably want the start date as immediate   • "Ending On" Here you can determine how long you want your offer to run (personally I have made my offer valid until end 2015 and I am not adverting a special rate but the fact that a special rate will be given on request), this is entirely up to you, if you are quoting prices be aware of pending increases and regularly update this section.   • "Title" Here you must give a short description of the offer that you have made available (a more in depth description follows)   • "Country" T he country where the offer will be redeemable, in most of our instances this will be South Africa   • "City" this is the city / town (or nearest city / town) where the benefit is redeemable   • "Company URL" Here you list the web address of the company offering the deal   • "Contact Name" This you will note is already completed due to your log in but can be changed to, for example, your reservations person   • "Contact E-Mail" as above your details will appear but can be changed   • "Description" Here you can put a more detailed description of the offer   • "Image" Here you can attach a picture of your property or the product on offer   • Once all of the above have been completed then click on the "accept" button to submit your special • Please note that the benefit will first have to be loaded on to the website and this may take a few days, you will receive an e-mail from Esther Romero to confirm that it has been loaded, if you have not received a mail in approximately a week then please query with Esther, esther.romero@skal.org If you have any queries please speak to one of your committee or refer to the author for assistance.

SKÅL AND THE SKÅL TOAST

There is often some confusion on the origin of the meaning of the word Skål and the Skål Toast.

Skål is a word whose meaning is felt more readily than it is. It incorporates all the feelings expressed in our worldwide Skål Toast

Previous research by Scandinavian Skålleagues has appeared in articles in Skål News. This research has shown that: "The word Skål is of old Swedish origin and was, among other things, a drinking bowl of varied shapes. Made of wood - glass would have been too dangerous in those days of violent social habits - they were known as Skålars. As a logical consequence they said Skålwhen they drank to each other, before becoming quite unruly.
But the Skål ritual also had attached much importance and serious significance. Despite religious disapproval in the 17th Century, about the so-called "master of the house toast', Swedish Canon law of 1686 gave it its blessing.

According to the law it was to take place at the beginning of the wedding dinner 'before noise and manners arise" - meaning - 'before sitting down to dinner"

Without any doubt Skål customs in former times had a much more serious meaning than today. In medieval society the vassals sealed their oaths to the king or feudal lord with the toast 'Skål'. The custom was common in all areas of Scandinavia.

However, for all Skålleagues, the Skål toast should have a deep significance symbolizing a deep sentiment of friendship, which becomes stronger with every passing day.

It should be recognized by all members worldwide. It has been adapted, over the years, to meet the needs of the Skål Movement. In various countries it is used in different forms.

However, by custom, the Skål worldwide toast is: "To fellow Skålleagues everywhere - Happiness; Good Health; Friendship; Long Life - Skål'.

See you soon
Until then, Skål!
Marius Barnard
PRESIDENT