If you are looking for nuts and bolts at Christmas, Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront homeowner Gail Hartigan has jars filled with them. Of course, it's Christmas and we are not talking about the metal variety of nuts and bolts but the more delicious crunchy, tasty, sweet and savoury snack that is great to nibble on all day long. Gail has already started to make the popular treat for the festive season using a traditional family recipe handed down to her by her mother. "I've had it for over 40 years and can remember mum making it when we were kids. It's a little different to the normal recipes making it something you just can't buy," said the enthusiastic home cook, who has built up quite an impressive following from residents who like to buy her jars of Nuts and Bolts to give away at Christmas. "They make delicious nibblies that can be enjoyed throughout the festive season or on Christmas Day itself." Gail and her...

Cookie recipes from a book written in German are a popular Christmas treat for Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront homeowners, Ingrid and Bill Weber, their family and friends. As a young married couple, Ingrid and Bill moved from Germany to Australia in 1971 where they had two sons and a daughter. Despite the couple's German heritage, they were quick to adapt to the festive traditions of their adopted country with one exception. "We still celebrate on Christmas Eve, like we did back home," said Ingrid. "We put the tree up on the morning of Christmas Eve, then we would have Christmas lunch and afterwards, Santa would put the presents under the tree. At night we would have open sandwiches and a meat platter." The tradition for biscuits began around 1986 after the family returned to Germany for a visit. "It was around Christmas, and we visited a sugar factory. The children were given German recipe books which contained lots of old and popular traditional recipes ranging...

When it comes to preparing festive fare for Christmas, Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront resident Judy Hilton is most certainly ahead of the rest especially when it comes to her delicious rum balls which are a huge family favourite. "I only make them once a year and cure the cherries for 12 months to ensure they are mouth-watering and have a nice punch when devoured. They are rather decadent, and you wouldn't want to drive after eating a few but the kids and my husband, Stephen, love them," said Judy, with a big smile. She said the rum balls are sweet because they are made with chocolate, and they freeze well. They go perfectly with her other traditional Christmas recipes which include Daffy's Christmas Plum Pudding, Aunty Norma's Prawn Christmas Entree, and Daffy's Christmas Punch. "Daffy was a dear friend of my mother's who passed on her mum's recipes for us to enjoy." Married 50 years with three children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild,...

December is a time for thrills and spills in Caboolture, so grab a group of friends together and enjoy the many activities you’ll find at the Caboolture Showgrounds this season. Caboolture Rodeo Finals Saturday, 2 December Find that little bit of country that lives in all of us and enjoy a day of entertainment and skilful riding at the Caboolture rodeo finals. The junior events begin at 7am with the senior events starting at 5pm followed by an after party with Dee Jaye Bux live on stage. Address: Caboolture Showgrounds, 140 Beerburrum Road, Caboolture For bookings: bit.ly/3QVCO6G Caboolture Christmas Twilight Markets Saturday, 16 December Get that last-minute Christmas shopping done at the Caboolture Christmas twilight markets. Browse through fascinating market stalls, enjoy delicious street food and keep an eye out for Santa who will have a treat for all the good children this year. The markets run between 4pm and 9pm. Address: Caboolture Showgrounds, 140 Beerburrum Road, Caboolture For more information: caboolturecountrymarkets.com.au/#information Monster Thrillmasters Friday, 29 December Cap off 2023 with an event...

Living Gems facilities bowl them over Harry and Merle Hornsby discovered Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront has unleashed a new passion for sports. “We’ve always been active – particularly now we’ve welcomed a great granddaughter into the family,” said Harry. “Her name is Hazel, she’s four months and just lovely. We’re fortunate to get to see her often because her parents live in Kedron, which is not too far away. Merle is on the phone every evening checking on her progress.” Lawn bowls is a popular activity with the couple, who love the recently upgraded undercover bowls green that allows them to play in all weather. “We play bowls a couple of times a week and Merle is actively involved playing lawn bowls at Pine Rivers where she is also roll-up coach,” said Harry. In addition to lawn bowls, the gym in the Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront is also well used by the Hornsbys who join in classes led by an exercise physiologist. Swimming in the...

A special lunch to say cheers to the chaps International Men’s Day might be in November, but that didn’t stop Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront from doing something special for the fellas in October. The men’s lunch, organised by the Home Owners’ Committee (HOC) and the resort’s card-making group, was held in the Country Club. “We had a lot of fun,” said Margaret Aland, head of the card-making group. “We kept the catering simple – roast chicken, gravy, chips and salad, and some really nice cheesecake for dessert. And we made sure there were plenty of raffle prizes too.” But a slap-up lunch was just the beginning. Award-winning singer Laura Doolan provided the entertainment and was instrumental in a surprise performance by the ladies of the over-50s lifestyle resort. “A group of us donned special aprons and lined up with our backs to the audience while Laura started a song,” said Margaret. “Then we turned around so everyone could see the bikini print on the aprons. “Everyone...

International Men’s Day falls on Sunday, 19 November and this year’s theme is Healthy Men, Healthy World. We look at some of activities and groups in the Caboolture area that will especially appeal to the blokes. Caboolture Men’s Shed Designed as a casual place for blokes to get together to form mateships and to enjoy practical skills, men’s sheds are an increasingly popular way to find like-minded friends, discuss the events of the day and share your skills with others. The Caboolture Men’s Shed meets each Monday between 10am and noon at their premises on Devine Court, Morayfield. Find out more: caboolturemensshed.com.au U3A Caboolture You’re never too old to learn something new and the University of the Third Age (U3A) at Caboolture has plenty of short courses to explore from crime-fiction writing and gluten-free cooking to regular social events and excursions. The group meets at 9 Short Street, Caboolture. Find out more: cabooltureu3a.org.au Brewery 'hop’ spots Book the Living Gems bus, appoint a designated driver, and make a...

Create lifelong memories with the grandkids as you explore local attractions together. Best of all, these attractions are all less than 20 minutes away from Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront.   Rolin Farms Strawberry Farm What could be tastier than enjoying delicious sun-ripened strawberries that you’ve picked yourself? Rolin Farms is a working strawberry farm that gives you the opportunity to pick your own punnet when the fruit is in season – which happens to be right now! Located on 124-190 Rutter Road, Elimbah, just look for the five-metre-high big strawberry. For more information: rolinfarms.com.au   White Ridge Farm Discover hands-on farming fun at White Ridge Farm. This charming attraction offers plenty to appeal, with farmyard animals to help feed including goats, sheep with their lambs, chickens and ducks. Also meet the llamas, alpacas, horses and even a camel! This attraction has two adventure playgrounds with one especially for the little ones as well as a putt-putt course and the ever-popular tractor ride. White Ridge Farm is at 130 Hamilton Road, Elimbah. For...

Downsizing has opened up something big When Bryan and Karen Thompson’s son and daughterin-law were ready to take a well-earned break, they knew where their two children would feel right at home – at nana and grandad’s place at Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront! “Our grandchildren spent five and a half weeks with us when their parents cashed in their long-service leave and hitched up the caravan,” said Brian. “We got the boys up for school, prepared their lunches and made the 50km round trip to take them to school and back. My wife was quite the butterfly, flitting back and forth looking after the boys.” “I loved it!” added Karen. It’s fair to stay that Josiah, who is about to turn 14, and Elijah who is 11, are no strangers to the resort. “I’ve taken up lawn bowls since moving into Living Gems and when Elijah stays over, he plays with me on the greens and he’s very good at it,” said Bryan. “The older...

Spring brings bounty to Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront Spring is always a blooming marvellous time at Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront and nowhere is that more evident than in the fabulous vegetable gardens and fruit trees around the over-50s lifestyle resort. Homeowner Barbara Petrie, head of the gardening group, says that the group is ready for the warmer months with the end of the winter vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and planting underway for the summer vegetables including cucumber, beetroot, spring onions and zucchinis. “It’s all looking good,” she said. “We have 15 active members in our group and a Monday to Sunday watering roster. “On Sundays we go out to buy new seedlings and have a working bee on Mondays to plant them.” Barbara says the group likes to keep things as natural as possible and does not use pesticides on the crops. “We’ve planted marigolds which are said to be good for keeping insects away and we use slug pellets but that’s all. The only...

Travel club gets people moving For many Living Gems homeowners, more travel is on top of the bucket list. But travelling solo is not for everyone. Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront homeowner Norman Pressey has just the answer – group travel. Norman Pressey's travel club was profiled in July’s Thrive magazine and he has kindly opened the club to all Living Gems homeowners. “We’ve just got back from a cruise to Vanuatu,” said Norman. “We had a lovely time and part of our group were four single travellers – three ladies and a gent. “One of the ladies said that she would not have gone on a holiday on her own, but it made such a difference to be part of a group. The other two ladies are friends, and they could travel together on their own if they wished, but they said they feel much more comfortable travelling with other people.” In addition to feeling more personally secure in a group, Norman says there is...