Did you know? New Year's celebrations occurred about 4000 years ago in Babylonia at the beginning of spring, which was roughly late March not the first of January? Festivals marking the seasonal New Year included the practice of repaying debts and returning borrowed goods. A commendable starting point for a good year indeed!

It was about 2000 years later that the New Year began to be acknowledged as 1^st January by the Romans. The first month of the year was named for their deity Janus, the ruler of gates, doors and beginnings. He was believed to have two faces. One of these looked back and the other looking ahead. The myth was that at midnight between the two years Janus would see the past year as well as the year to come. Gifts and promises were presented to Janus so as to elicit blessings for the coming year and assistance is achieving goals.

Around the world a plethora of traditions and revelry continue, the story of Janus is forgotten and within different cultures there some quirky practices. From commonplace parades, sports matches, honouring family time to more traditional church services and special meals to a crazy annual dip in freezing waters in Scandinavian countries. With this display of wonderful diversity mankind mirrors the boundless opportunities each New Year brings.

In Austria a suckling pig served on a table decorated with tiny edible pigs is symbolic of good luck for the next year. This is often followed by green peppermint ice cream in the shape of a four-leaf clover.

The British see their fortunes for the New Year in the hands of their first guest. They believe the first visitor of each year should be male bringing gifts. Traditional gifts are coal for a fire, a delicious loaf for the feast and a drink for the master. Guests should enter through the front door and leave through the back to secure good fortune. Anyone who pitches up empty-handed or unwanted will not be given entry until the gift bearing male visitor has been welcomed. So if you have British friends you now know what to deliver as a hostess gift on New Year.

The Welsh open the back door as midnight strikes to release the old year and lock out all of its bad luck. At final strike denoting midnight they open the front door and the New Year is welcomed with all of its luck.

A Sicilian tradition says good luck will visit those who eat lasagna on the first day of each year. Any other noodle consumed will bring bad luck.

The Spanish follow a healthy tradition, when the clock strikes midnight, they enjoy twelve grapes, one with every toll, and this they believe will ensure good luck for the twelve months ahead. Peruvians do the same but a 13th grape is eaten to assure good luck.

The Japanese decorate their homes in tribute to their good fortune. Decorating with a pine branch attracts longevity, a bamboo stalk draws prosperity and a plum blossom beckons nobility. Chinese New Year celebrations include the painting of every front door red, as a symbol of good luck and happiness. At this time all knives are hidden for 24 hours to keep anyone from cutting themselves so as not to cut the family's good luck for the next year. The Chinese follow a lunar calendar which means their celebration is in late January or February.

Americans have held a long tradition of celebrating New Year with masked balls and the kiss shared at midnight is meaningful. According to old lore, the masks symbolize evil spirits from the old year and the kiss is the catharsis into the next year. In Norway a rice pudding with one whole almond inside is eaten. The lucky diner who finds this almond in their bowl is assured prosperity for the year ahead!

In general the focus as we enter a New Year is on improving lifestyles and fortunes for your own family and community. So if you choose to lose weight, exercise regularly, eat healthier, drink less alcohol or quit smoking, improve finances by repaying those debts and spending less, jumpstart your career with a better job, studies or even learn something new, perhaps focus on yourself by being organized, reducing stress, manage time and living more independently, plan a trip or even volunteer to help others and thereby uplift yourself. Hilton is a great place to be for 2011!

If all the year's garden toil culminated in the beautiful outdoor space you have to enjoy with your family and friends this holiday it will be worthwhile. An alfresco Christmas brunch or lunch in your garden or an evening garden party will manifest memories for you and your guests to treasure. Even if you simply throw down a picnic blanket, read a good book in your hammock or try your hand at photography with your borders as a glorious background! Your garden may provide the sanctuary you need when time-out from the hustle and bustle of this silly season is just what you need.

Between the indulgent periods of rest and celebration your holidays at home need not be wasted as there is lots going on in Hilton gardens right now. Annuals need dead-heading, the dead leaves on Dierama and Watsonia need to be removed, Wisteria's straggling side shoots must be controlled, jasmine, petrea, Weigelia and Phiuladelphus need trimming, Chrysanths need cutting back and both late flowering Irises and gazanias can be divided.

With the bountiful rain do not neglect areas sheltered from receiving rainfall. We hope you have installed a Jojo to stock some of the rainwater. So much rain also brings fungal problems so keep spraying, if you do.

Ageratum, alyssum, aquilegia, balsam, begonia, Bellis perennis, candytuft, coleus, cosmos, dahlia (bedding), dianthus, gazania, godetia, gypsophila, hollyhocks, impatiens, lavatera, lobelia, marigold, nasturtium, petunia, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, verbena, and zinnia seeds are good to sow as are bean, beet, carrot, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, leek, lettuce, pumpkin, radish, spinach, squash, sweetcorn and tomato in the vegetable garden.

For those going away from home this holiday you may want to mow the lawn lower than normal and water it well but don't fertilise. Mulch around shrubs and other plants after giving them a good soaking. Pick all the fruit in the garden, even that which is not quite ripe, unless you have planned the picking with friends or neighbours. Run a few centimetres of water in the bath and place indoor pots in it or pots can be taken into a shady part of the garden and buried up to their rims in soil. Water the surrounding soil and the pots well. Plants can also be watered by punching a few tiny holes in the top of a two litre plastic juice bottle, then place it, inverted next to the plant needing water. Water will gradually seep into the soil.

Whether at home or away we wish all the avid and wannabe gardeners and any other interested readers a safe and Merry Christmas time!

'Tasha's Fantastic Fudge was an unplanned baby conceived quite simply because there wasn't enough money at the end of each month to comfortably single parent!' is how the energetic, resilient and fun loving Tasha Jardim explains the creation of her confectionary business. From simple beginnings in Hilton, fudge was made to supplement earnings until an accident brought full-time employment to a sudden standstill. The most obvious step to recovery was to turn the sideline money-spinner into the breadwinner! This momentous change fired an undertaking in the tenacious Tasha to be successful. Hard work has never frightened this lady. Tasha's Fantastic Fudge promptly became a well known label sold in many retail outlets. The buzzing factory-at-home right here in the heart of Hilton grew in twos and fours. Staff were found and extra equipment was purchased.

Tasha's Fantastic Fudge was growing exponentially and the rudimentary support systems had to be upgraded and expanded to make certain this fabulous product had all the backing required to take it's rightful place on the red carpet. Our rolled the parade to boisterous acclaim and shiny medals at food shows around the country, the fudge repeatedly seduced new taster's. This Hilton original has stood the test of time and is truly famous, adored and a first choice for fudge fundis.

You will find Tasha's Fantatsic Fudge locally at both Spars, The Rotunda Farm stall and if you want the full flagship shop experience, visit Happy Hills, just 25 minutes away along the R103. This newly opened shop will delight your sweet tooth and has already got some grand and exciting developments waiting in the wings. Watch this space! OR visit Tasha's Fantastic Fudge right here for more product information and Christmas gift ideas!

Albany Bread recently ran a contest for schools to collect bread bags. Laddsworth Primary School participated with their usual enthusiasm and their efforts were rewarded with a cheque for R10 000.00!

11 716 bags were collected, the Grade 4 pupils collected the most followed by the Grade two's. Overall the project was extremely well supported throughout the school.

All the bags will be recycled by Albany. This contest created enviromental awareness for pupils, staff and parents. The children  learned a new skill as they were taught to fold the bags into neat triangles to make them easy to store and collect.

Well done to everybody at Laddsworth Primary School!

Our precious rain has been well worth waiting for! Despite the accompanying boom-bang-crashes that imbue our adored pets with terror, the rains have been good. Nothing on earth beats that greenest of green greens our gardens are bathed in after a shower nor the clean wet smell after a storm. We are blessed to live in one of the most gorgeous havens in South Africa. Making our gardens a paradise is far less daunting a task here than in other parts on South Africa. Take time to enjoy the calming green trees, shrubs and lawn. A brief meditation on these treasures may keep one grounded as we speed ahead into the coming silly season.

In the garden in November there is piles to do and top priority must be given to weeding. Pry the weeds from the soil before they can flower and set seed.

Mulch with coarse compost, nut shells, leaves or even old damp newspaper to help your plants deals with both heavy rainfall and the intermittent bursts of heat. Remember the hydrangeas prefer a pine needle mulch.

As their outstanding performance comes to an end the Rosa Albertines we have all enjoyed must be thinned out. Banksia roses, Cape May and Snowball bushes need some pruning.

This is an ideal time to break up a garlic clove and plant it. Garlic will also deter moles in the veggie patch. Also set to sowing ageratum, alyssum, aster, Canterbury bells, cleome, cornflower, cosmos, dahlia (bedding), dianthus, gypsophila, impatiens, lavatera, lobelia, marigold, nasturtium, nigella, petunia, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, verbena and zinnia seeds for colour later on. Your vegetable garden is ready to nurture bean, beet, cabbage, carrot, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, leek, lettuce,     onion, peppers, pumpkin, radish, spinach, squash, tomato and turnip from seed around now.

Members of the Roll of Benefactors of The Hiltonian Society were invited to the school on Saturday 22 November.  After gathering for tea, they were addressed by the Chairman, Yann LeClezio, Headmaster, Gavin Thomson and Chairman of the Finance sub-committee, Guy Hayward.  Benefactors then enjoyed a lunch on the verandah of the headmaster's home.

The Roll of Benefactors was established by the Board in 1991.  People whose contribution to Hilton has been equal to a year's fees (at the current rate) are listed on the Roll, and invited to join the Hiltonian Society, if not already members.  Hilton owes much to the generosity of its supporters over many years, and it was good to have an opportunity to host them on Saturday.

Pictured here are Sir Roger Don-Wauchope Bt and Chris Hathorn.

Hilton is home to many fine gardens and many fine gardeners, one of these being Nancy Gardiner who, although almost a year off ninety, still gardens vigorously with a little help once a week. The results of her careful attentions are truly lovely. The generous Hilton town house styled garden which Nancy took on just three years ago has flourished in her care so far and looks set to only get better as there are a few plans for it in the pipeline.

This author of thirteen books on gardening is a well respected authority on the floral kingdom. For Nancy gardening is a passion passed on by her parents from a very young age.

Having lived in Hilton since 1966, the Gardiner's spent some happy years at Monzali Estate enjoying hundreds of acres where their five sons could ride bikes and horses while getting a good dose of fresh air. Nancy recalls these family times as having been interspersed with many happy occasions and parties.

In 1971 the family moved to land bordering Hilton College where they lived very simply while building their dream home. It is from this home of 37 years that Nancy reluctantly moved after the death of her dear husband.

Nancy recently embraced technology by purchasing a digital camera which she has mastered and uses to photograph the many gardens that she loves, using techniques taught by her late husband Ian many years ago. Ian had trained in photography while in the Air Force and shared his knowledge with his adored wife.

Hilton is proud to be home to this doyenne of the garden realm who declares that there is no better place to live.

Cool Winds are hosting a fabulous workshop for women, there is limited seating available and the tickets sell extremely fast. The first workshop has already sold out and there is a still some availability for the second one to be held on 4th December 2010. The excitement is that the consultant has been trained by Hannon Bothma (Glam Guru), the popular fellow who hosts his own Make-over show on Kyknet. Cool Winds are hosting this Make-Over Workshop in a four hour session, teaching ladies on how to apply make-up, what make-up colours to use with your specific complexion and what hair styles will suit your type of hair etc.  The consultant will be choosing people from the audience to be used as models to do the make-overs, so kindly leave your inhibitions at home and arrive ready to be one of the lucky ones!

Cool Winds also incorporate a Christmas market in conjunction with this event, which creates a wonderful opportunity to stock up on gifts for Christmas.

Tickets for this fun and enlightening morning will set you back just R50.00 plus of course what you choose to spend on other little irresistible purchases. If you are keen do not delay, call Cool Winds today!

Microsoft Partners in Learning has announced the winners of the 2010 Worldwide Innovative Teacher Awards at the sixth annual Worldwide Innovative Education Forum. These awards are the global culmination of local and regional events held around the world throughout the year, where teachers present ideas on how technology can further educational transformation to help improve the way students learn. 13 projects placed in this year's competition, selected from more than 125 projects presented at the forum last week in Cape Town, and from 200,000 participants over the course of the year.

Participating teachers were judged by an international panel of education experts on a number of criteria. Through virtual classroom tours and interviews on site by judges, these teachers demonstrated a profound dedication to helping their students learn by leveraging effective and engaging technology resources for teaching critical 21st century skills, such as collaboration, critical thinking and social responsibility.

The judging community includes education experts from all over the world. At the event, 47 judges representing more than 35 countries spend nearly 20 hours talking to the teachers and learning about their projects; then in a private room, they discuss, debate and share with one another until the winners are finally selected.

Peter de Lisle from Hilton College was judged Second Runner-Up for his project, "Biodiversity: Creatures and Contexts". This project involved using thinking and research tools to find out about biomes and involved the creation of a collaborative spreadsheet tool to evaluate the best biome to live in. Learners then used creativity tools to create a biome as a context for a computer game and to design a suitably adapted creature to live in it. Finally, they narrated an adventure in their biome. The project drew on different intelligences and learning styles, and aimed at encouraging academic rigour and thinking in all the activities.

Pictured are from left, Linda Zecher, Microsoft Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Public Sector, Peter de Lisle (Hilton College) and Lauren Woodman, Microsoft General Manager, Worldwide Education and Government Programs.

The 16 km Moffatt Optical Ronnie Davel Memorial Run 2011 which includes a 5 km Fun Run & Walk is happening on Sunday 9 January 2011! The Hilton Harriers annual 16 km Run & Walk race kicks off the KZN New Year's running calendar with a scenic off-road route through the Hilton surrounds accompanied by haunting bag pipes.

The popular race, in its 33rd year, is a draw card for many of the province's top runners who use it to get limbs working after the Christmas season. We're expecting a race to the finish with last year's men's winner, Prodigal Khumalo challenging 3rd placed 2010 Comrades Marathon local elite runner, Bongmusa Mthembu to take the top prize, while Hilton's Shaun Meikelijohn will help to keep the heat on and push the pace.

With generous sponsorship from Moffatt Optical and Morris Material Handling and many others, prizes for the winners will include:

• Running shoes
• Oakley backpacks and handbags
• Dlamini statues

There will be goodie bags and a free light breakfast for all participants as well as numerous interesting spot prizes. The race starts at 7 am for the 16 km and 7.15 am for the 5 km at Laddsworth Primary School in Hilton, KZN. The entry fee for the 16 km Runners & Walkers is R50, and can be made on Saturday 8th January 2011, from 14h00 to 17h00, or on race day, Sunday 9th January 2011, from 05h30 to 06h45.

Licensed athletes must wear their correct club colours, their 2011 license numbers and age category tags on the front and back of running vests but temporary licenses can be purchased on registration for R20. The minimum age to enter is 15 years.

Two clean-up days have been held at World's View Conservancy in Hilton. The enthusiastic volunteers picked up tons of rubbish. Efforts to register the conservancy are well underway and there are plans to clear some waterways as well as a search for the elusive hilton daisy early next year.

Watch this space for more details of these plus the date of the next public meeting. World's View residents are urged to join the conservancy - contact Hugh Temple 033 3431286.

The annual Laddsworth Primary School Prize Giving took place on Tuesday 7th December 2010, with Mrs Margie Odell, the recently retired head mistress of Ridge Primary School, present as the guest speaker. Mrs Odell hugged each child as they received their prizes, this is how she greeted children during her many years at Ridge. Her companion, a little white dog, kept the children interested as she used stories of him in analogies during her speech.

Well done to all the achievers, your upcoming holiday will be a well-deserved break. We wish all the Grade 7 pupils success and happiness at their respective high schools.

Laddsworth Junior Primary School presented 'The Day Before Christmas in Africa', to parents, grandparents, senior primary scholars and Hilton Pre-Primary grade R's during the course of last week. By the end of the Thursday night finale, each of the 217 grade one, two and three pupils had notched up a fair amount of experience in the dramatic arts.

Keri Maxfield, a Grade two educator and a talented photographer set her attention to writing the script for this production during the July holidays. Her efforts resulted in a brilliant story which was relevant and topical, with a refreshing local focus. The age appropriate tale was comfortably owned by the extensive cast. Teachers and parents combined their efforts; sewing costumes, building and painting stage props and coordinating the music, song and dance.

Colourful costumes, the adaptation of  home-grown songs, a creative stage set and the interesting use of various groups representing indigenous creatures, weather phenomena and even the vegetables were memorable. Viewers delighted in seeing confident children sharing their African dance skills.

The relaxed cast clearly had a whole lot of fun presenting this show and their enjoyment shined through making for an 'all-star' performance.

Diana Veness has launched her flagship shop at The Quarry Centre in Hilton! This inviting interior will have you wondering who looted Aladdin's cave and delivered the whole lot of gems, silver and gold to Hilton!

In a smartly adorned space you will discover stunning bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and even the beginnings of a stylish and earthy mens range. There is no need to fret over finding a Christmas gift to thrill, all you need to do is visit Jewellery by Diana to find an inspired gift.

Diana is a warm and enthusiastic personality who will soon become your best new found friend, she excels at finding a solution to add the ideally suited finishing touch to any outfit. If you are so over that practical little black dress you wore to the office party last year, pop into Jewellery by Diana and we guarantee that you will leave with a fabulous pick-me-up item, to bring life back to the reliable little black number.

Remember too, the next time you want something extravagant and sublime, Diana is a wizard at the jewellery making craft, she custom makes amazing once off  commissions. For a graduation, 21^st or wedding day this is the ultimate indulgence. Endless choices of semi-precious stones, pearls and crystals make for a wonderfully fabulous experience, you will want to ease into the sofa and relish the journey as you design your dream jewellery item together.

We wish Jewellery by Diana well as they embark on this new retail venture and thank them for adding a sparkle to our local shopping centre.

The Protea Hotel, Hilton is as eye-appealing by night as by day and there is a distinct air of glamour to the smart new hotel Hilton has been graced with. Ample secure parking is a plus. The lofty entrance welcomes visitors inside as though saying 'come in there is lots of room for you at this inn'.

Welcoming staff echo the initial impression as they guide guests to elegantly laid tables with warmth and efficiency. The Wine List is offered promptly and drinks appear just as you are ready to reach out for them.

The decor has been styled in a way to embrace aspects of the original hotel as well as the history of Hilton. A peek into the private dining room emphasizes this fact as its walls have been dedicated to the oldest schools in Hilton. The layout of the restaurant caters comfortably to intimate tables and also large groups.

Friday night is buffet night, which after a stressful week is absolutely wonderful. Who really wants to labour over choosing from a menu on a Friday evening? To simply walk across to a buffet laden with a tempting smorgasbord, to please vegetarians and carnivores alike, whenever your appetite decrees is hugely more relaxing than making yet another decision. This creates a truly relaxing space to ease into the weekend.

The spread will please both carnivores and vegetarians but after the incredibly succulent lamb we tasted any thoughts of giving up meat, other than on 'Meat free Monday' at least, quickly vanished. Highlights amongst our group were the homemade pickled fish, the grilled aubergine with mozzarella, a scrumptious spinach, mushroom and asparagus lasagna and of course the lamb.

A choice of desserts including creme caramel, a pleasingly light and fluffy berry cheesecake, seasonal fruit salad and heavenly caramel ice-cream would have ended our feast perfectly if we had not been lured back by the preserved figs, blue cheese, brie and mature cheddar with crackers for just a teensy final nibble.

The entire gastronomic experience is excellent value for money.

Some may feel the liquor prices are somewhat steep, as they are in line with other major centres around South Africa, perhaps instead we should applaud this policy which may encourage a measure of sobriety and keep our roads safer. The legal limit of around two drinks will not break the bank balance.

Protea Hotel Hilton's impressive new Restaurant serves up this highly commendable buffet each Friday evening and every Sunday for lunch. This already popular and highly convenient dining option for Hilton residents is set to make its mark in the area. Book now before word of our newest culinary treasure reaches Howick and Pietermaritzburg!

Congratulations are due to Hilton Gasworx who can now be found on the esteemed list of Master Builders Association Suppliers. This is a lofty achievement considering the stringent qualifying criteria they had to meet. These trials covered all aspects of their business including conduct, skill, integrity and responsibility. Hilton Gasworx has come up tops!

In the words of Ina and Mike, 'We think it's a big deal as you have to really prove yourselves as trustworthy and efficient to get this association to even look at you. It is not something you can just join, you have to be accepted, so we're pretty proud of this achievement and we hope that it will lead to consumer confidence in both us (morally and ethically) and our products.'

Clients of Hilton Gasworx can rest assured that their gas products are of a high quality and all installations are in trustworthy and capable hands. We look forward to watching this local business grow from strength to strength.

Hilton is ready for The Sharks vs Vodacom Western Province Currie Cup Final today! The action takes place at the Absa Stadium Durban which will be full to it's 52 000 capacity. Those who couldn't get to the game will be glued fast to the television at 17h30. The chief referee will be Craig Joubert assisted by Cobus Wessels and Christie du Preez.

We wish The Sharks well and are extremely proud of the support shown locally. The image taken at Hilton Pre-Primary yesterday says it all. Hilton is where the cutest shark supporters live. Go The Sharks!

The Laddsworth fathers enjoyed a well organized evening's play in the fun atmosphere created for their special time at school. A variety of activities set up around the school afforded every Dad the opportunity to interact with their child or children in the school environment. Some of the Dad's felt like kids again. What a wonderful way to unwind after a hectic day at work!

Enthusiastic Dads were overheard saying, 'This should happen every month!'

While at home many Mom's thoroughly enjoyed their quiet time. Well done to Laddsworth for bringing fathers and children together through a simple and enjoyable activity session.