by Fiona Wallace
Here are the final Hogsback Secrets’ answers.
- Which Hogsback author is an illegitimate descendant of King Charles II of England?
Felicity Queen-of-Green Wood - Who was a provincial chess player and has published an in-depth academic article on stock car racing?
Jimmy I’m-studying-Hogsback Pieterse - Which qualified safari guide duetted with President Kenneth Kaunda on guitar in a (probably) raucous rendition of Willie Nelson?
Francois The-Human-Helpdesk Rautenbach - Which IT geek is a dab hand with the sewing machine and loves baking their grandma’s recipes?
Janelle I-led-a-wild-life Kidson - Who has 50 jumps under their belt and an A license in free-fall skydiving?
Susan Dark-Horse Wishart - Who was a teenage poet, drum majorette, and league squash player in high school, then ended up shoveling manure in their first job?
Joanne Poop-to-Pot Campbell
If we had a Death, Marriage and Birth Announcement space…
Then it would say: July we had – one Christening, 2 Weddings and a Funeral.
Please tell us about it, allow us to mention names, and let us all celebrate and mourn with you.
Call to Action
Change is afoot in the pages of The Hogsback Times. As we say a huge thank you to Fiona for beautifully uncovering our local mysteries in her Hogsback Secrets column, we are officially searching for a new voice (or voices!) to step into the gap she leaves.
Whether you are a seasoned writer, a storyteller, natural detective, cartoonist or someone with a unique local passion, we are completely open to ideas, but here are a few directions we think would thrive:
- The Historian & Archivist: Do you love digging into early military surveys, historical cartography, old property boundaries, or the fascinating characters who shaped this mountain before us?
- The Attending Reviewer: If you’re already at most of Hogsback’s live music, group gatherings, workshops and other events… why not tell the mountain what they missed? (So they make sure they go next time.)
- The Creative or Critic: A regular feature showcasing local art, poetry, mountain-authored books (we have more authors here than you think), book reviews, or profiles on the incredibly talented makers and crafters hidden in our hills.
- The Village Chronicler: Capturing the heart of village life – lighthearted reflections on mountain living, community spotlights, or celebrating the quirky elements that make living here so unique.
How to Pitch… Text me, send a voice note or email miki@hbtimes.co.za. You don’t need a massive portfolio or qualification. Just a passion for the mountain, a sense of time and understanding of deadlines, and a commitment to a monthly column for a minimum of 3 issues. (Note: HBT remains Hogsback focused – no other town exists, so if you want to write about ‘Portugal’, I’m sorry, this is not for you.)
Let’s keep our community voice vibrant, diverse and close to home. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!