Page 10 - AHATA

a8 local
Monday 25 august 2025

Know more about the Town Hall Eloy Arends building

The Monuments bureau The building sits on a 1.545 The top of the doors and
shares some essential facts m² plot of land and is a typi- windows have stained glass.
about the Town Hall known cal Aruban mansion. It is an
as the Eloy Arends building. open home with false walls The building is not built on
The aim is to educate the that allow the connection of ground level but at approx-
community about the man- the rooms with each other. imately 1.5 meters above
sion’s construction, history, ground level. This mansion
and preservation. The entrance has large doors elevation created storage
and columns supporting the below the wooden floors
The Doctor Eloy Arends floor of the upper balcony. In and allowed proper venti-
building is located at the between the columns, there lation.
Wilhelminastraat 8 and was are decoration details made
the home of the Arends out of wood. The elaborately The building has lots of win-
family. It was the first build- detailed embellishment is dows which allow plenty of
ing that the Monuments bu- known as gingerbread trim light inside, as well as good
reau, and the Government and the triangular decora- ventilation.
of Aruba, restored in 1997. tive wall surface over the
Mr. Medardo ‘Dada’ Picus, columns is called the tym- It has dormer windows and
was the architect of this panum. crowns on the outside part of
Aruban-Caribbean building. the roof and different deco-
rations on the edges of the
walls and facade.

This is a stunning building full
of beautiful details that re- Due to the engagement try is located in the adjacent
semble its beauty and trans- between Eloy Arends and building, whereas the man-
form into a history of love. Monica Lacle (daughter of sion hall is used exclusively
Aruban tradition for “well- Adriaan Lacle, who is main- for civil wedding ceremo-
to-do” families dictates that ly known for the boulevard nies.
before a man gets married, that bears his name), the
he has to present his future construction of the man- The Monuments bureau
wife with a newly built and sion began in 1922 and was will continue to contribute
fully furnished house. It was completed in 1925 when the and educate the commu-
certainly the case with this couple got married. nity about the history of our
building. monuments with significant
The Office of the Civil Regis- value for Aruba.q

Dining in? Try making a local favorite; How to make “funchi hasa”

(Oranjestad)—A night in can be that adults and children will both tom. Let this cool completely while
just as fun as a night out on the enjoy. Here’s how to make it! Directions it firms up for the last time. Once
town, especially if you got the right Bring water to a boil in a medium- it’s cooled you can enjoy it as is,
snacks to munch on. One of the Before we start, get to know the sized sauce pan. Add in some salt topped with some butter or shred-
most famous Aruban snacks or ap- basics and butter to taste in the boiling ded cheese. Or, you can take it to
petizers is “funchi hasa” (fried po- So what is funchi hasa? Funchi, or water and let this dissolve and melt. another level of deliciousness.
lenta sticks). A super easy meal Aruban polenta, is a popular side Then, gradually add the flour while
dish for local dishes, like soups, stirring with a wooden spoon. The When your funchi is firm enough,
stews and fried fish. Made from a mixture will start to begin to harden cut it into strips (size is up to you).
corn flour, water and butter mix- pretty fast, so be careful not to add Heat up some oil in a pan and fry
ture, this appetizer is traditionally too much. At this phase of cooking, those babies up! After frying, you
eaten alongside a warm meal. you want a goopy thick mixture, can top it with some cheese or
However, locals also like to fry but thin enough so you can con- enjoy it with your favorite dipping
sticks of funchi for a quick and fill- tinue to stir to get all the lumps out. sauce.
ing snack.
After reaching a semi-firm, yet flex- Note: We recommend the FUNCHI
Ingredients (measured by heart) ible texture, grab a baking pan or FRESKU polenta flour brand that is
Polenta flour* any large, deep plate, and pour sold in all supermarkets on the is-
Water the mixture in. Be sure that this land. You can also use yellow corn
Butter plate is wet or greased so that the flour from the brand PAN.q
Salt to taste mixture does not stick to the bot-