Our local news
The annual baking contest
When you hear Noma, you probably think cosiness, sweetness and warmth. You're not wrong, but you left out Margaret's Place.
Every year again and again, Margaret, the woman who runs our local bakery, organizes a baking contest. Last year it was about the pumpkin muffins that she made during a whole year. If I'm not wrong it was Miles who won the contest. He won a year of free pumpkin muffins and not to forget, he got employed at the bakery. Now one year later they are engaged. What a beautiful love story. But this article is not what this is about.
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Because of the fact that the baking contest is an annual event at Margaret's Place, we are announcing the contest of this year. As you might know, Margaret and Miles are running the bakery together. To keep the sweetness of the pumpkin muffins, Miles came with the idea to make cinnamon rolls this year. So that is what this year's contest is about.
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The baking contest will take place at Margaret's Place. The event will start at 8 am, but don't forget to go to the bakery to register yourself. Beforehand everyone will get a free cinnamon roll, just to get the taste of it one last time. Once everyone is in place, the contest will begin. You will have 2 hours to finish the cinnamon rolls. When the time is up, Margaret and Miles will do a taste test. The person who wins will get a year of free cinnamon rolls. This year the winner won't get employed, but will get a spot at the farm of Margaret's parents. They have a lot of cows that you can take care of and also a room available to stay in. Don't forget to bring your audience!
After the contest we will be back with an update about who won.
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See you soon!
Prepping for the Winter
During our winter months, it is crucial to prioritize the cattle’s well-being since our animals are the most vulnerable during this season. It can be a stressful time for both the animals and the farmers. Elevated cortisone levels can have harmful effects on the animal's immune system. The beginning of November is when most of our farmers do their annual winter move to the south. This move can have complications and is often a stressful experience for the cattle, despite how often it occurs and how used the animals are to it. Cattle have a harder time than humans adjusting to new environments. Stress factors around housing include moving to new housing, temperature changes, crowding, confinement, feed quality issues and other new environmental challenges (Farmers Guide). These factors can easily result in a reduction of the animals' immune system defenses.
What farmers can do to reduce the cattle's chances of getting sick is give them access to fresh water, comfortable sheds, and plenty of space in protected areas where the animals can be kept at an appropriate distance from each other. It is also important to make sure they are protected from wetness and slurry underfoot which can be a leading cause for hoof problems. Hoof health is serious and should not be dismissed or neglected by farmers. Besides keeping the cattle in the appropriate housing during these annual moves it is also vital to regularly groom and foot bathe the animals with a nontoxic cleaning agent.
Another crucial step farmers should take during this season is to provide cattle with additional minerals. Cattle minerals are vital during the winter season because they impact cattle's metabolic process. If animals receive insufficient minerals, their metabolism will slow down. Once metabolism slows, the animals produce less heat resulting in diseases and overall bad health.
Noomhoof who provided us with this information is the leading company in the Hoof Care in Noma and provide services and products to keep Noma's Cattle healthy and Happy.
The Nomalight Festival 2022
Nomalight, the annual light festival at Noma. On December 26, 2022, you can be there. The festival takes place in Saraha and everyone is welcome.
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The Nomalight festival is held to ask forgiveness from the gods of water and to leave behind all the sins of last year. This is because of the tsunami in 4256 that had a lot of impact on us, Nomas. So this festival is the ideal time to bring everyone together and make light. We are one big familie and attach importance to our family and friends. Therefore, this festival is very important to us.
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During the Nomalight festival, candles will be lit everywhere, creating a warm and charming sphere. We make our own lanterns, and we put floating candleholders on the water. There will also be campfires present where everyone will be dancing and singing around. It is believed that lanterns will take away all unhappiness and create ways for happiness and a bright future. At 10 p.m. at the same time, everyone releases the lantern that they have put together themselves. This creates a wonderful show that you definitely don't want to miss.
Not only will the festival provide a breathtaking light show, there will also be a delicious dinner. You can also enjoy a beautiful light walk that tells the history of Noma with a beautiful light show. It is a 1.5-kilometer walk.
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At the festival, you can also watch several shows. Such as a fire breather, concerts, making your own fire lamp and much more.
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There will be fun for sure. So put December 26 in your calendar and hopefully see you there!
A new town member
As we all know, Margaret is our most popular town member. Together with her husband Miles, she owns the bakery, Margaret’s Place. Miles won the annual baking contest 2 years ago. Before the baking contest they were already best friends, but when Miles won the contest, Margaret chose to employ him in the bakery. Because who else was going to take care of the delicious cinnamon rolls? One thing led to  another, they fell in love and not much later they got engaged. 3 months later they got married, but not in a usual way. Margaret’s dad, James, works at the town hall. Because of him, his daughter and future son in law had the marriage anyone could ever dream of. There were white pigeons, rose petals and ponies. A fairytale if you ask me.
Now, almost two years later, Margaret and Miles chose to expand their family. No, they are not pregnant, but something did happen obviously. They bought a puppy. His name is Jef and he is a 3-month old Berner sennen. We have seen him already and he is the sweetest little boy we’ve ever met. Jef is a really playful puppy that sometimes acts naughtily, a little trouble-maker.
Since Margaret and Miles are quite busy with the bakery and they know that everyone in town loves animals, they decided that Jef can sometimes be picked up to go for a walk. They chose to do this because they know that not everyone has the opportunity to take care of a pup full time due to the animals they already have.
If you want to go for a walk with Jef, you just have to come into the bakery and then you can enjoy a nice walk with our Jeffie. Little sneak peak, Jef loves going to the park and chasing his frisbee. Jef will not easily say no to sweets, cuddles and chase runs. The only thing you have to watch out for is other dogs. Since our Jeffie is still a little boy, he can sometimes be a bit wild, which our older town dogs don't like very much.
Jef is excited to meet you guys!!
Winner annual baking contest
As everyone knows, we had a baking contest on the 31st of October. It's almost been a month, so that means that we owe you the verdict.
After Margaret and Miles tasted all the cinnamon rolls, they didn't know who to pick. They doubted between two cinnamon rolls. As everyone knows, we can't have two winners, so they came up with a solution. A next round!
I see y'all thinking, who were the two people they were doubting between, well, it was Rory and Dean. The second famous town couple. If that isn't the biggest plot twist you've ever heard. Of course we needed a date where everyone was available. So the second contest took place on the 20th of November. Rory and Dean both made cinnamon rolls again, but this time they were challenged. They were asked to make their best pumpkin spice latte and to give a nice twist to the cinnamon rolls.
Dean's cinnamon rolls were the nicest and his pumpkin spice latte was very nice too. The pumpkin spice latte that Rory made was one that Margaret and Miles had never tasted before. It was so so so so soooooo good. That is why Rory won this year's contest.
But what did she win?
Last year, Miles won a job at the bakery. Since then, Margaret's Place has two employees, Miles and Margaret herself.
This year, Rory also won a job at the bakery, she is in charge of the pumpkin spice lattes now. After a while, Margaret felt bad about Dean, he made the best cinnamon rolls and we are not going to lie about that. The contest was all about cinnamon rolls anyway. That is why Dean also got a job at the bakery. He is in charge of the extra touch on the cinnamon rolls. Let's see it as four best friends who work together in the most famous bakery of Noma.
History of the couple
A lot of us might have forgotten that Rory and Dean were the maid of honour and best man at Margaret and Miles’s wedding. It is for good reason that they are best friends. So now the circle is complete. Let's all go to Margaret's Place and enjoy the nice treats we can have there.
Question of the day
Will Margaret's Place keep its name? Let us know what you think!
Holiday activities happening now
"Understood: The art of us” is one of several current exhibitions on view at the Saraha Yearly Art Festival
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“Understood: The view of us” is a collaborative showcase featuring artwork by former hunters. Former hunters who believe everyone deserves a second chance and that highlighting the creative voices of those in the jails of Noma, still undergoing their treatment, will bring light and support. Guests will hear readings from “The Gods lied to me” a book of writing by women incarcerated at the Saraha Prison in South Noma. Celebrate the successful treatment of the artists during this opening reception with food and drinks. Donations welcome.
5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9
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“The bull”
Enlightened Theatrics brings many of Marios Bilotta fans’ favourite characters to the stage including Frank the one-eyed snake, Fred, The angry bull, lazy Mary and a little boy with a big imagination – Kevin. The colourful characters take the audience from the desert of Roop, to the valley of secrets, to the dark world of the chimera's cave.
Opens 7:30 p.m. Friday, continues 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 18
“Nomads Arts Festival”
Need a gift for your friend or family member? The Nomads Arts Festival returns to its 42nd year offering thousands of hand-crafted works made by more than 40 area artists. The shop works in wood, ceramic, painting, sculpture, jewelry, glass, and other media hosted by Marko. The show also features local and regional authors specializing in books about nature, birds, hiking, history, and living in Saraha and the Northwest. The proceeds benefit the construction of more temporary homes for passing citizens. The show is in a new location for 2022 at Saraha's main market near the river.
10 a.M.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.M.-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10-11
“Silkis Book club”
“Silkis Book Club” runs a free creative writing and publishing program for people in the community who have little access to the arts. Participants have shared their work with the public and in bakeries such as "Margaret's" and written many tradition inspired anthologies of writings, ensuring their voices reach beyond the Club to engage readers throughout the community. The public is invited to this free reading and book launch of their new anthology, “How far is the walk?”
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14
Finding Benefits in Running Barefoot
Amid the familiar sound of running shoes pounding the stones of the path connecting Saraha and Silik one recent evening was the silent footsteps of Marlo Menad rounding the corner. His footwear of choice: a pair of very stained bare feet. When needed in really cold weather he opts for the very popular Noomboots. But sometimes he goes completely natural. "The idea isn't attractive to everyone," said Marlo, who works in the fields outside of Saraha and is founder of the fledgling Saraha Barefoot Running Club, a small barefoot running club that has more than 10 members. Marlo became reacquainted with his feet about two years ago when he realized he was stepping on and destroying too many valuable fruits and vegetables. He couldn't go very far without stepping on multiple vegetables "It always bothered me how much food is wasted" he said. Then his son joined him in the field and wasn't wearing any shoes allowing him to avoid and step around the fruits on the ground. Marlo experimented with going barefoot and wearing a single layer of fabric on his feet. He never went back, instead joining a small but growing number of people who say they like to feel the earth beneath their toes.
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"Without shoes, you feel connected to the Earth again" said a fellow "bare footer" Nikoko who regularly runs barefoot along the Saraha waterfront. "It's a very lively feeling, a heightened awareness, much more sensory."
A handful of barefoot gurus now offer advice and training on technique and philosophy. There may be more people who wear Noomboots in the rest of Saraha than barefoot, but those who farm the land are connecting through the Club and, increasingly, foot to foot are starting a national Barefoot Farmers' Society. The first weekend in May Marlo helped organize what he believes was the biggest barefoot get-together. He is waiting to see how many more farmers across Noma will join the barefoot movement.
The Top 5 places in Noma
“The Top 5 Places in Noma” is useful for anyone going on a holiday to Noma. Noma has a lot to offer. From arctic climate to oases. Not only our beautiful nature, which is very diverse, but the cosy villages are also worth a visit. We are a welcoming country with lovely people who welcome you with open arms.
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We have listed the most popular and nicest places for you.
Margaret’s Place
If you fancy a good coffee or a nice cinnamon roll. We definitely recommend Margaret's Place. In her beautiful and cosy bakery, you can enjoy a delicious coffee with a pastry. Or if you need a nice chat, Margaret is there for you.
Saraha's swimming lake
Need some refreshment? Take a dip in our beautiful Saraha lake close to downtown Saraha. Everyone is welcome to refresh themselves and enjoy the breathtaking view. At the lake there is a stretch of beach where you can rest and lie down. Ideal for resting or for families to play with your children. Enjoy the plunge!
Barefoot Path
To get completely in touch with nature, we created a Barefoot Path in Noma. It is a route you can walk on barefoot. There are several obstacles such as a small river, bark, mud, grass, wooden paths and so much more. And don't forget to look at the beautiful nature. You can meet Marlo Menad, member of the Sahara Barefoot Running Club. He can tell you all about nature and why he walks barefoot most of the time.
The Cow Farm
The land of cows. In Noma you will definitely come across a cow. We are very attached to our cows and take very good care of them. Visit one of our farms to see our beautiful cows up close. There are various activities with the cows. You can milk them, feed them, give them a wash and comb them, you can ride the cows with your little children and much more. At the end of the day, you will receive a free glass of milk that you have milked yourself.
The Noomafall
As icing on Margaret’s cake, you can enjoy one of our largest waterfalls in Noma. Our Noomafall is 500 meters high. It is a 30-minute walk from Saraha. There is also a trail behind the waterfall. To return you have the option to make a dead ride along the waterfall. Enjoy your ride!
