NAAM Newsletter

www.dutchclub.org December 2003

Its a Girl!
Taking everyone by surprise by arriving several weeks early, Her Royal Highness CatharinaAmalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria, Princess of the Netherlands, Princess of Oranje-Nassau, was born on December 7, 2003, at 5:01 p.m. local Dutch time. The little princess was 52 centimeters long (about 20 inches) and weighed 3,310 grams (about 7 pounds, 5 ounces). The child will be second in line to the Dutch throne (after her father, Willem-Alexander). NAAM has sent a telegram of congratulations to Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Mxima on behalf of the Dutch community in the Twin Cities. If you want to convey your own personal congratulations, there is a special register on the official website of the Dutch royal family: http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/register/register/NL/felicitatie/register.html.

Netherlands-American Association of Minnesota

Contents
Its a Girl!.......................... 1 2004 Events Calendar ......... 1 Presidents Message ............ 2 New Members .................... 2 Join the Klompendansers! .... 2 Sinterklaas in Minnesota ...... 3 Mark Your Calendar! ........... 4 Dutch II class..................... 4 Classifieds ......................... 4 Herinneringen... ................ 5 Old & New Amsterdam ........ 5 NAAM Website.................... 6 Etty Hillesum Series ............ 6 MN vs. NL.......................... 8 NL on the Web ................... 8 Kwak Update #7 ................ 9 Got News? ........................10 NAAM Information .............11

2004 Events Calendar

Saturday, January 10 Get-together at Albertjan Planten and Mary Krells residence to celebrate the new year and the newborn princess (see page 4). Sunday, February 1 (Superbowl Sunday) Dinner/play at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre (http://www.chanhassentheatres.com) (tentativedetails to follow). Sometime in February The first of a regular (monthly?) informal get-together (details to follow). Sometime in March Child-friendly event (to be decideddetails to follow). Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 2 Festival of Nations. Sunday, May 16 Koninginnedag get-together. Sunday, July 25 Annual summer picnic at Tartan Park. Sunday, December 5 Sinterklaas event (tentative). This newsletter, as well as previous ones, can be downloaded as a PDF file from the Web at http://www.dutchclub.org/us/newsletter.htm.

page 2 of 12

NAAM Newsletter

Presidents Message
With the holidays just around the corner, we are reaching the end of another year. Its been a year in which NAAM flourishes as never before, with a solid and steadily growing member base (see also below). The Dutch community in the Twin Cities is alive and kicking! THANK YOU to retiring board members John Buursema and Jan Witte, who both served NAAM very well as treasurer and secretary/ newsletter editor, respectively. WELCOME to new board members Corina Zolik and Bonnie Danielson. Bonnie has agreed to serve as treasurer, and Ron van de Crommert has taken over as secretary and newsletter editor. NAAM is very fortunate to have such capable, creative folks in these key roles. Your board is currently discussing possibilities for activities in 2004. Some of the events planned are listed in the events calendar on page 1. A number of NAAM members have expressed a desire to gather more informally, more frequently. We are currently planning the first of such an event in February. We are curious to see how these informal get-togethers will develop. As always, your suggestions are more than welcome! You can send your thoughts to info@dutchclub.org or contact any board member (see page 11). Happy holidays to you, and best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2004! Mark Boorsma (chair@dutchclub.org)

New Members
NAAM welcomed the following new members in the past few months: Peter & Nicki Dal, Woodbury Aric & Wieke Daul-van Baalen, Saint Paul Pascal & Catherine de Boer, Mahtomedi Edwin & Kary de Kooker, Robbinsdale Sientje Engler, South Saint Paul Joep Hogervorst, Minneapolis Nancy Leebens, Minneapolis Arla & Mike Mattock, Maryville, MO Wiet Seghers, Mendota Heights Annemiek Sistermans & Deborah Ossen, Minneapolis Frederik & Martha ten Sijthoff, Golden Valley Evert & Cherie Van Erp, Delano Andrew & Grietsje van Reeuwijk, Eagan Dirk & Jocelyn van Toor, Saint Paul Eric & Nina Verbeek, Woodbury Hans & Kristin Wiersma, Saint Paul

Join the Klompendansers!

The Klompendansers of Minnesota, a local Dutch folk dance group, is looking for new members. Our group, which performs in wooden shoes (klompen) and colorful Dutch costumes, meets every two weeks on Monday nights from January to May at Faith Christian Reformed Church on Silver Lake Road in New Brighton. The next practice is on January 12 at 7 p.m. The highlight of the Klompendansers year is a performance at the Festival of Nations in early May. Audiences love our wooden-shoe dancing! In 2004, there is also the possibility of a summer performance in Toronto, Canada. We are fortunate to have Christopher Yaeger of Dance Revels Moving History as our teacher and leader. Rehearsals arent just work... theyre a fun night out. No experience necessary! Also, no partner necessary; both couples and singles are welcome. For more information, contact Christopher Yaeger (yaegermeister2002@msn.com) or Jay Fonkert (651-735-8630, jfonkert@aol.com).

NAAM Newsletter

page 3 of 12

Sinterklaas in Minnesota
On November 30, Sinterklaas and two of his Zwarte Pieten came to Minnesota all the way from Spain to honor NAAM with a visit. This annual party is traditionally the most popular NAAM event of the year, and this year was no different. Some 250 people attended, enjoying the festive atmosphere as well as the Dutch treats provided by Carla Leebens from Windmill Imports in Hopkins. There were also several old Dutch games for everyone to enjoy, including sjoelen (shuffleboard), koekhappen (bite-thecake), and zaklopen (sack race). Many a Dutch parent was seen showing their children how these games are played! Children made their own hats which they wore throughout the event. Bill the Juggler kept both adults and children enthralled with his many talents. John Arntz played piano to accompany the Sinterklaas liedjes. A special THANK YOU goes out to Judith Halvorson and Corina Zolik, who spent a lot of time and effort organizing this marvelous event! Generous assistance was also given by Jim and Carla Leebens, Walter, Marlien, Nadine, and Renee Sigtermans, Robert and Sandra Larson, Albertjan and Mary Planten, Jan Witte and Karen Davis, Cor Linders, Dirk van Toor, Klaas and Sinterklaas and two Zwarte Pieten Eileen Snater, Judith Opdam, Tim Kool, Bonnie Danielson, Ron van de Crommert, Joan Wheeler, Amy Readence, Mike Mattock, and several others who jumped in and helped where needed. Many, many people made the party a great success. So, thank you to all who volunteered! For more pictures of this event, go to NAAMs website at http://www.dutchclub.org/sinterklaas2003.

Children wearing self-made hats captivated by Bill the Jugglers performance

page 4 of 12

NAAM Newsletter

Mark Your Calendar!

You are invited to NAAMs informal get-together on Saturday, January 10, 2004, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the residence of Albertjan Planten and Mary Krell to celebrate the new year and the newborn Dutch princess. Albertjan and Marys address is 764 Indian Trail South, Afton, MN 55001-9704 (tel.: 651-436-2527).

Dutch II Class
NAAM member and experienced language instructor Ron van de Crommert will teach a Dutch II class this winter through Bloomington Community Education. This 9-week class is intended for people who have already taken the Beginning Dutch class (also taught by Ron) or are at a comparable level. It builds on everything you have learned so far. You will expand your vocabulary and get more comfortable speaking the language in a variety of everyday situations. We will also do more reading and listening. The class will be taught on nine Monday nights, 7-9 pm, between January 26 and March 22, 2004 (no class on February 16; instead, the class that week will be on Wednesday, February 18). The class will be held at Jefferson High School at the corner of France Avenue and 102nd Street in Bloomington. The cost of the class will be approx. $85. An additional materials fee of $10 is payable to the instructor in class. You can register for the class after January 2, 2004, by calling 952-681-6132 or online at http://www.bloomingtonrichfieldcommunity education.com. For more information on the class visit http://www.dutchavenue.com/classes. You can also call the teacher directly at 952-944-945 or send him an e-mail at dutch@mn.rr.com.

Classifieds (continued)
FOR RENT Are you interested in spending time in Europe? There is a lovely B&B or 3-bedroom house for rent in the Ardennes in Belgium, just south of Lige. For more information contact: Fam. Verstege Grandrue 15 6960 Grandmenil, Manhay, Belgium tel: +32 86456234 fax: +32 478327554 e-mail: entre2pays@xs4all.be internet: http://www.xs4all.be/~entre2 TWEE VLIEGEN IN N KLAP Buy prime oak firewood at the special NAAM price of $80 per fireplace cord, and support the Kwak project. CUT THOSE CURVES! Now, custom saw milling is also available to cut curved beams or just straight boards. Contact Erik Wardenaar at 763-529-7474 or botterman@comcast.net. HANDGUN SAFETY CLASS Are you interested in shooting handguns either recreationally or competitively, for home/ personal protection, or do you own a handgun, but are not as comfortable with it as you would like? I am an NRA-certified handgun instructor and I provide classes (to both groups and individuals) on handgun safety. My classes will provide you with an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to own and use a handgun safely. This course will give you a good first step towards a safe and fun shooting. If you already have handgun experience, I am also an NRA personal protection instructor and as such I can provide necessary instruction to obtain the certificate required by law if you want to apply for Minnesotas conceal & carry permit. Call Patrick Farrell at 952-888-4673 or email at certified_firearms_instructor@hotmail.com.

Classifieds
DONT FORGET! For all your Dutch goodies and gifts: Windmill Imports Inc. 1513 Main Street Hopkins, MN 55343 tel./fax: 952-988-0852 e-mail: windmill-imports@usfamily.net

NAAM Newsletter

page 5 of 12

Herinneringen aan de Broederschool in Heerlen

Ik was leerling van de Broederschool in Heerlen van 1936 tot 1943. Ik ben in 1953 naar de V.S. gemigreerd. Terugdenkend aan de schooljaren besef ik hoeveel ik heb te danken aan de opvoeding die ik daar genoten heb. Zoveel herinneringen dringen zich op: Broeder Henricus in de eerste klas. Het eerste schrijven met een echte kroontjespen. Eerst de pen likken, dan in de inktpot steken en later netjes afvegen aan het inktlapje. Het dik-en dun-schrift kwam op latere jaren. De kaarten hangend aan het bord met verschillende zelfstandige naamwoorden zoals: kat, hond, boom, huis, auto, boot, appel etc. Als je braaf en oppassend was, mocht je het bord uitvegen. Het Aambos aan de overkant en het rapen van eetbare kastanjes. Broeder Henricus met zijn knippende vingers en zijn starende blik (vooral in de kerk). Broeder Carolus in de 5e en Broeder Andreas in de 6e klas in het nieuwe gebouw. De plaat van de Waterval van Schaffhausen hangend aan de muur, het treintje puffend over de brug, waaronder ondeugende jongetjes hebben moeten staan voor straf. Het zwarte rapportje, iedere 14 dagen! Gedrag, vlijt, catechismus, schrijven, rekenenen terugbrengen alsjeblieft, ondertekend door vader of moeder. De broeders kenden alle uitvluchten. Eens per maand, met de hele klas, biechten. Als je vooraan bij de biechtstoel zat, was je het eerste eruit en kon je buiten op de trappen spelen. Iedere dag naar de Kindermis om 8.00u s ochtends. Als je de Heilige Mis bijwoonde, kreeg je van de broeder een bonnetje Kerkbezoek. Deze bonnetjes hadden elke dag een andere kleur, een bewijs dat je die dag de Mis had bijgewoond. Dezelfde morgen afgeven, zodat je de broeder niet kon bedriegen. Het bidden van het Angelus om 12.00u. De vieringen van de eerste vrijdag van de maand voor het beeld van het Heilig Hart. Het bidden iedere dag om 15.00u ter ere van Christus, die op die tijd stierf. Enkele malen naar het patronaat bij de Caumermolen en bos Imstenrade gedurende de Tweede Wereldoorlog, waar wij naar beukennootjes zochten, die ingeleverd moesten worden bij de Duitsers om er olie van te maken. Bij een grote jubileumrenie een paar jaren geleden herkende ik van de ruim 1200 oudleerlingen en andere mensen er maar vier. Per slot van rekening hadden we elkaar sinds 1943 niet gezien... Tony van de Weghe

Old Amsterdam, New Amsterdam

Radio Netherlands (Wereldomroep) organized a week of radio programs in November in collaboration with WNYC in New York, the largest public radio station in the U.S. Called Old Amsterdam, New Amsterdam, this week comprised a number of radio shows that explored the historic ties between New York City and the Netherlands, and addressed a variety of political and cultural aspects of the Netherlands. The radio shows originially aired between November 17 and 23, 2003, but you can still listen to them online at http://www.wnyc.org/dutch.

page 6 of 12

NAAM Newsletter

NAAM Website
Did you know NAAM has a website? You can visit it at http://www.dutchclub.org. It was launched on August 24, 2003, and it has been receiving about 150 visitors every month. You will find the latest news about NAAM as well as all newsletters since 2001. In addition, the website offers a Dutch fact of the day (which, of course, changes every day!). Here are just a few of the Dutch facts that you could have read on the NAAM website: Figuring out how to flush a Dutch toilet can be quite daunting for tourists. Techniques vary from pulling a cord, pushing a lever or button, to pushing down the drainage pipe. The Dutch constitution refers to the head of state as the King, even when the monarch is a woman. When planes arrive at Schiphol Airport just outside Amsterdam, they land 15 feet below sea level. If you see a picture of a small envelope on Dutch wedding invitations, this means the couple to be married would like to receive money as a gift. This is perfectly acceptable in the Netherlands. The name Coney Island (New York) is of Dutch origin. It derives from 17th-century Dutch Coneyne Eilant (Konijneneiland in modern Dutch), which means Rabbit Island. Check out the website at http://www.dutchclub.org every day for more Dutch facts of the day!

Etty Hillesum Series 2003-2004

The College of St. Catherine is organizing an interdisciplinary five-part series on the story of Etty Hillesum, a Dutch Jewish woman who died in Auschwitz in 1943 at the age of 29. Her diaries and letters, published forty years after her death, have become a classic of twentieth-century spirituality (Philip Sheldrake) and a font of comfort and courage in our own terrifying age (Michael Downey). Her writings have been published in fourteen languages. In memory of the 60th anniversary of Ettys death (November 30) and 90th anniversary of her birth (January 15), the series examines various aspects of her life and world and explores how Etty may serve as spiritual companion on our lifes journey. Whether Etty and her story are a new acquaintance for you or an old friend, this series is sure to enrich your understanding and deepen your own story! For more information on this inspiring series, including scheduling and pricing, visit the special website at http://minerva.stkate.edu/ wisdomways.nsf/pages/etty.

NAAM Newsletter

page 7 of 12

page 8 of 12

NAAM Newsletter

MN vs. NL
Most people are aware that the Netherlands is a small country compared to Minnesota. But how does it size up exactly? In response to frequent questions from friends and family in the Netherlands and the U.S., NAAM member Jan Slaats, who works as a GIS manager at the Nature Conservancy in Minneapolis, created a map that shows the Netherlands on the same scale as Minnesota. As illustrated on the right, the Netherlands fits into Minnesota about five and a half times. The greater Twin Cities metro area is larger than the Dutch province of Utrecht! For the number crunchers among you, the Netherlands covers a total area of 16,033 square miles (13,104 square miles of which is land surface) and the state of Minnesota 86,943 sq mi (79,617 sq mi of which is land). In the next newsletter, we will have a closer look at the population of the Netherlands compared to Minnesota.

NL on the Web
Here are some Internet links to websites related to Dutch news: http://www.kidon.com/media-link/netherlands.shtml a comprehensive list of news sources from the Netherlands (including links to sites of newspapers, radio stations, etc.) http://www.kranten.com an overview of news from a number of Dutch news sources (in Dutch). http://www.nu.nl another overview of news from a number of Dutch news sources (in Dutch). http://teletekst.nos.nl online version of Teletekst, a text-based news system accessible on most television sets in the Netherlands (in Dutch). http://www.omroep.nl/nos/nieuws news Broadcasting Foundation) or NOS (in Dutch). site of the Nederlandse Omroepstichting (Dutch

http://www.rnw.nl/cgi-bin/home/enhome.pl English-language news pages of Radio Netherlands (Wereldomroep). http://www.rnw.nl/cgi-bin/home/PressReview brief daily English-language overview of headlines in a number of Dutch national newspapers. http://www.hollandnews.nl frequent English-language updates of the latest Dutch news. For more Internet links related to the Netherlands, Dutch society, and the Dutch language, visit http://www.dutchavenue.com/links.

NAAM Newsletter

page 9 of 12

Kwak Update #7
This is the seventh of a series of articles in the NAAM newsletter which aim to keep the readers updated on the construction of a Volendammer kwak right here in the Twin Cities. We hope that this series of articles will inspire you to come and take a look sometime and check out the progress, and perhaps even try your hand at boat-building yourself. After skipping two newsletters and inquiries from several concerned readers, it was time for another Kwak update. Even though there is still only a keel construction standing on the construction floor, I was working on several things during the summer. First of all, I used an old sewing machine to reinforce the entire tarp at the places where the tarp holders hold the tarp. The tarp is now much stronger, and I had no problems keeping the rain off the drying lumber. With snow, however, I still need to be there to shake off the snow before too much snow accumulates, as became apparent after a recent week-long family visit to Philadelphia while it had snowed in the Twin Cities. I was able to shake off the heavy load of snow, but it was a close call. I also finished work on the vertical band saw that now has a stationary horizontal table, as well as

Erik Wardenaar with saw

a saw that can pivot around the table and be set at the desired angle to cut the shapes of the ribs inside the boat. The fixed table is important to be able to maneuver large, heavy pieces of wood without them sliding off a tilted table. In addition, I have also been working on a set of wheels that can be used to transport heavy logs without the use of a hydraulic boom truck. I can now place a U-shaped axle over a log, attach the wheels to the axle, and then jack up the log in between the wheels and roll it away. This will come in particularly handy for the transportation of the two walnut logs that I found in a backyard somewhere in Golden Valley. These logs come from a dead walnut tree that a befriended tree trimmer, Dan Larsen, skillfully helped me take down. I can wholeheartedly recommend his services if you ever need any tree-trimming work done. The logs are about 20 feet long, and I will use them to cut 1-inch thick, 20-foot long deck planks. I am using walnut because the deck of a kwak cannot be made of oak, as an oak deck would become very slippery when wet, especially when you walk on it with wooden shoes. The oak crooks that were transported from Red Wing to the sawmill in Almelund through the help of John Ibes of Ibes Landscaping Inc., were cut into several boat parts. John Ibes has also been very kind to let me use one of his trucks to transport large amounts of lumber from the sawmill in Almelund to the construction floor in

Volendammer kwak VD172 (http://www.garnkwak.nl)

page 10 of 12

NAAM Newsletter

Golden Valley, which otherwise would have taken many trips with my own little trailer. This fall I have also been doing a lot of other sawing. Most of the logs I had collected over the years have now been cut into some form of usable lumber. If not for the boat, then I will be able to use the 1-inch boards for oak floors and other projects. I have cut my longest, clearest, best logs into 1-inch planks for the hull. Other, shorter logs went into 1-inch boards or 8-inch thick slabs to cut leggers from, and some walnut was cut into 1-inch deck planks and -inch boards for general use (not necessarily for the boat-building project). I also want to mention Jim Mielke of Mielkes Sawmill and Crafts in Almelund, on whose yard I have my sawmill. He was planning to cut some white oak trees from his forested lot behind his house, and some of the taller ones he will leave in one piece for me to use for planks for the bottom of the boat. These planks will be cut at 2 inches thick and will be close to 30 feet long. Im hoping John Ibes will let me use his truck again to transport those monster boards back home. Looking ahead, the next thing will be to start using the rebuilt vertical band saw to cut the

leggers from the 8-inch slabs, and to attach these beams to the keel structure now standing. Then, once the planks for the bottom are here, I will need to start steam-bending them and fitting them to the bottom before they dry out too much. If you use lumber that is too dry for the bottom, there is a good chance that the boards will swell too much in the water and will start pushing the lower planks of the hull off the ribs. The planks for the hull itself can be drier, as these will be exposed above the water and will thus swell to a lesser extent. The swelling of the planks is important as it will close the seams between the planks so the boat will not leak (or at least reduce the leaking...), and it provides rigidity to the hull, making all the parts lock together tightly. I am always looking for more oak crooks, so should you know of any oak or walnut trees that need to be removed in your neighborhood, I would appreciate it if you could get in touch with me. You can also contact me for firewood and custom saw-milling, or to set up a time to come and see the boat in progress at 763-529-7474 (home) or botterman@comcast.net. Erik Wardenaar

Got News?
Do you have some news or anything else that youd like to share in the NAAM newsletter? If so, e-mail it to editor@dutchclub.org, and you could see your piece in the next newsletter. For a submission to be considered for publication, it needs to have some connection to the Netherlands or the Dutch community in the U.S. In addition, it needs to be of general interest to the readers of the NAAM newsletter. The editor reserves the right to edit all submissions for style, content, and length. The ultimate decision to include a submission in the NAAM newsletter rests solely with the editor.

Dont forget to renew your NAAM membership for 2004 if you have not already done so! For details see page 11.

Advertising
Ad prices for the NAAM newsletter are as follows: full page: $80 half page: $40 quarter page: $20 There is a 25% discount for repeat ads (in successive newsletters). Advertisers must be or become paying members. Classifieds are $1 per line, with a minimum of 3 lines. Non-commercial ads (such as news and oproepen) are free.

NAAM Newsletter

page 11 of 12

NAAM Membership
NAAM has about 200 paying member households! To become a NAAM member, or to renew your membership for 2004 (NAAMs fiscal year started October 1), fill out the coupon below, write a check payable to NAAM and mail both to: Mark Boorsma P.O. Box 67 Cleveland, MN 56017-0067

NAAM Board
Mark Boorsma (President) phone: 507-931-3401 e-mail: chair@dutchclub.org Albertjan Planten (Vice-President) phone: 651-436-2527 e-mail: albertjan@dutchclub.org Bonnie Kuipers Danielson (Treasurer) phone: 612-721-1654 e-mail: treasurer@dutchclub.org Ron van de Crommert (Secretary/Editor) phone: 952-944-0945 e-mail: secretary@dutchclub.org editor@dutchclub.org Corina Zolik (Director) phone: 763-533-5538 e-mail: corina@dutchclub.org Judith Halvorson (Director) phone: 763-533-1885 e-mail: judith@dutchclub.org Carla Leebens (Director) phone: 612-922-3142 e-mail: carla@dutchclub.org General enquiries: info@dutchclub.org

Membership Benefits
Quarterly newsletter, highlighting social activities, consulate information, and more. Reduced or free admittance to events. Videotape conversion. To convert PAL (European) format videotapes to NTSC (American) format, send your tape(s) to: Cor Linders c/o NAAM, 10 Thompson Lane, St. Paul, MN 55127. Please include blank tapes and $5 per tape (check or cash) for postage. For members only!

join NAAM and receive all the

I want to (check one): membership benefits renew my membership for 2004

Name: Address:

_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

Phone:

_______________ E-mail: ________________________

Membership type (check one):

$20 family $10 individual $10 senior

NAAM

Quarterly Newsletter of the Netherlands-American Association of Minnesota December 15, 2003

Netherlands-American Association of Minnesota c/o Mark Boorsma P.O. Box 67 Cleveland, MN 56017-0067 Address Service Requested