d.i.s. magazine December 2003 VOLUME 35, NO. 3

December 2003 VOLUME 35, NO. 3

d.i.s. magazine TION OF THE Y PUBLICA ARTERL A QU PUBLICATION ARTERLY QUARTERL TIONAL INTERNA DUTCH INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY

VOLUME 35, NO. 3. December, 2003

Contents

d.i.s. Magazine

DIS Flights .......................................................................................... 3 News from the 2003 Annual Meeting .................................................... 4 In Memoriam .................................................................................. 4 From the Editor ............................................................................ 4 Financial Statement ............................................................................... 5 Canadians Soldiers Provide the Sinterklaas Parade in Amsterdam in 1945 .... 6 News in Brief ...................................................................................... 8 Air France Neemt KLM Volledig Over ............................................... 11 Holland Op Syn Smalst ....................................................................... 14 Beter Nederlands ........................................................................... 21 Herinneringen 1940-1945: Part 2 .......................................................... 24 Meditation ........................................................................................... 27 Holland Compass: 2000 Years History of Water Debuts at Landdag 2003 ... 29 Upcoming Events ............................................................................... 30 DIS Board Members (left to right): Doug Vander Velde (Treasurer) Hendrika Rosema (Vicar) Martin Rustenburg (President) Fred Vedders Lucas De Vries (Secretary), Rob Prince

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Tel. (616) 531-2298 1-800-322-5446 (Toll Free) Office E-mail: [email protected] ALL CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING THE D.I.S. Magazine: For action by the Editor: Dr. Arend Vander Pols, 1742 Cambridge DR SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506-4424. Email: [email protected] Visit us on the World Wide Web at http://dismagazine.xodian.net For information on advertising & for membership dues and information: Dutch International Society, 5370 Eastern Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508-6083. Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, Michigan (USPS #103690) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to D.I.S. Magazine, c/o 5370 Eastern Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508-6083. Dues for the Dutch International Society are $10.00 per year. This includes the $5.00 annual subscription price of the D.I.S. Magazine. © The Dutch Immigrant Society 1976. Opinions expressed in the articles appearing in the magazine are not to be construed as an endorsement by the Board of the D.I.S. Printed in the United States of America.

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KLM/Northwest Round Trip Rates to Amsterdam for 2003-2004 WINTER FARES: NOVEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 11, 2003 DECEMBER 26,2003 - MARCH 31,2004 CHICAGO - AMSTERDAM R.T. $645.00(tax incl.) DETROIT - AMSTERDAM R.T. $690.00(tax incl.) GRAND RAPIDS - AMSTERDAM R.T. $720.00(tax incl.) WINTER HOLIDAY FARE - DECEMBER 12 - DECEMBER 25, 2003 CHICAGO - AMSTERDAM R.T. $855.00(tax incl.) DETROIT - AMSTERDAM R.T. $900.00(tax incl.) GRAND RAPIDS - AMSTERDAM R.T. $930.00(tax incl.) CHILDREN’S RATES: (age 2 - 11 yrs.) PAY 75% OF ADULT FARE (11 yrs or younger on day of departure). Infant rates under 2 yrs of age on day of departure available upon request. SPECIAL VERY REASONABLE FARES ALSO AVAILABLE FROM: KALAMAZOO, LANSING, SAGINAW & TRAVERSE CITY MI., LEVELAND, COLUMBUS & DAYTON OH., INDIANAPOLIS IN., MINNEAPOLIS, DENVER, MILWAUKEE, ST. LOUIS ETC. TOO MANY TO MENTION THEM ALL! CALL FOR INFORMATION. The date of departure will determine the fare you pay. If you leave on any date during the low season, you pay the low fare. If you leave on a date during the high season, you will pay high fare even if you return during the low fare season. FREE $100.000 Flight Insurance.

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December 2003

ALL TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHTS ARE NON SMOKING

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News from the 2003 Annual Meeting All 6 board members on the ballot were elected by the membership. The new board members are Rob Prince and Fred Vedders. Continuing to serve are Lucas De Vries (Secretary), Hendrika Rosema (Vicar), Martin Rustenburg (President), and Doug Vander Velde (Treasurer). Outgoing President Al Sledebroek and Vicar Henry Nuiver were thanked for their many years of service to the members of the DIS. Ninety-eight percent of the members that sent in their ballots voted in favor of the 3 proposals. The Board is grateful to everyone that took the time to read the proposals and returned their ballots. At the question and answer period of the meeting a question was raised, whether the time has come to close the DIS office and find smaller space for the day to day operations. The Secretary responded to that question with this information: The Board has already addressed this issue for some time, and will in due time take steps to implement this. A proposal was formulated by the member in question, introduced, discussed, supported and voted on and approved by the members present. The Board will keep you posted of the progress being made for an orderly closing of the office in the near future. Once the office is closed, day to day operations will be conducted at the homes of the Board members. and a new address and phone number will then be announced. Starting December 1, 2003 new office hours Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon. The office will be closed for the Christmas and New Years Holiday season. Lucas De Vries, Secretary 4

In Memoriam On September 25, 2003 a former Board member and vicar of the Dutch International Society, Mr. Clarence Visser, died at the age of 83. He was born in Broek op Langedijk, the Netherlands. Mr. Visser was one of the founding members of the DIS and he served as a Board member for many years. I had the privilege of serving with Clarence on the DIS for almost 20 years. Lucas De Vries, Secretary

From the Editor If you are asking yourself whether one of the young ladies on the cover looks familiar, you are indeed correct. Ms. Ali Ten Haaf graced our cover last issue, and here she appears with her sisters. I first met Ali at Landdag 2002 when she was wearing a Dutch costume and I got permission to take her picture. I saw her again at Landdag 2003, and I said to her, “Hey Sarah, how does it feel to be famous and on the cover of a magazine?” The look of disappointment on Ali's face is the reason she appears on our cover once again. Ali was speechless - but the adult with her let me know I got her name wrong. The cover is my way of saying, “I'm sorry Ali!”, - and Sarah! The irony is that in this issue are several great images that would make wonderful magazine covers. The photo that accompanies Ms. Sheeres article about the Sinterklaas Parade in Amsterdam 1945, captures a unique moment in history. We welcome Ms. Sheeres back to our pages. The astounding collection of artifacts that Mr. Baas uses to illustrate his articles is always a rich source for cover images, and had it not been for my mistake, the image accompanying the next installment of “Holland op syn Smalst" on page 14 would have been our cover. And then there is Mabel Wisse Smit! Isn’t it great to have choices! d.i.s. Magazine

Financial Statement

PS Form 3526 Statement of Ownership

December 2003

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Canadians Soldiers Provide the Sinterklaas Parade in Amsterdam in 1945

by Janet Sharda Sheeres

T

he wide-eyed little Dutch boys and girls watching the Sinterklaas parade in Amsterdam in November 1945, never knew what drama preceded the whole affair. As far as they were concerned, the good saint had simply come from Spain. The real story, however began in 1932, thirteen years prior to 1945. In that year the Initiatief Comité Amsterdam (ICA) was formed. The members, made up of authors, journalists, artist, architects, and the like, were to come up with ideas to promote and generate goodwill for the city of Amsterdam. One of the ideas brought forward was to stage an annual grand entry of Sint Nicolaas into the city. After all, he was the patron saint of the city. The Sint Nicolaas church, built in 1888 6

on the Prins Hendrikkade had been named after him. There was also a Sint Nicolaas Street, with a house dating back to 1564 called het Sinterklaas huisje. Two years later, in 1934, the first official entrance of St. Nicolaas into the city took place. Over the years, it proved to be an immensely popular event. Sadly, but understandably, the celebration had to be called off during the war years. Of all the entrances Sinterklaas made into Amsterdam since 1934, the one in November of 1945 was unique. Amsterdam had been liberated half a year earlier and the city was still busy getting back on its feet. There were still severe shortages and much had to be rebuilt. Even under these less-than-rosy circumstances the re-established Initiatief d.i.s. Magazine

Comité Amsterdam wanted to continue the grand tradition; the city wanted to welcome its Patron Saint again. However, they had nothing to make the parade spectacular; the distribution of candy was especially problematic. Verkade, the candy maker, was still in business but that was about it. All the Saint could promise was extra ration coupons for candy. In the years since the last entrance, a new generation of children had grown up. This would be their first grand Sinterklaas festivity. Their first introduction to the real Sinterklaas. A lot was riding on the success of this parade. But how to make it happen? The solution was provided by Canadians. A detachment of Canadian soldiers, who had helped liberate the city in May of 1945, had stayed behind. The Committee turned to them for help, asking if they could provide transportation for the Saint. The Canadians immediately made their jeeps and other motorized vehicles available for a parade. In the book, Het Amsterdam’s Sinterklaas Boek, Festival Manager Carel Briels, member of the ICA Board at the time, recalls the situation: The Canadians, under the command of Colonel Gilday, were stationed in the Oranje-Naussau barracks. We consulted them. They were willing to put twenty jeeps at our disposal. They were also ready to provide music, and have their Supply Master provide candy for the children. This all looked very wonderful; however, Colonel Gilday did not have the vaguest notion who our Sinterklaas was. He compared him to his own country’s Santa Claus, whose presence became more numerous as the Christmas season approached. So he wanted to bring in a number of December 2003

Sinterklasen. Not just one, no of course not, that would not be spectacular enough. The Canadians were ready to roll up their sleeves, go to work and come up with four jeeps and in each jeep four Sinterklasen! Briels continued that, in total frustration, he finally went to the Acting Mayor of Amsterdam, De Boer, to ask him for help in talking sense to Colonel Gilday. De Boer told him “Briels, my good man, we have much to be grateful for to Gilday and his men, why don’t you just let them have their way?” Briels answered, “But De Boer, we cannot have sixteen Sinterklasen. We will forever be the laughing stock of the whole country!” After much discussion, Colonel Gilday began to reconsider and at last agreed that there should be only one Sinterklaas in the parade. The final outcome was that his soldiers in full uniform would drive the jeeps, in which the rest of his soldiers would serve as black pieters. The city also would come up with about twenty pieters. And that is how the Sinterklaas parade of 1945 went down in history—one Sinterklaas in a Canadian jeep with many, many Dutch and Canadian black pieters. ****** Translated and retold by Janet Sjaarda Sheeres with permission from the author of the book: Het Amsterdam’s Sinterklaas Boek: Terugblik op activiteiten van gouden ICA, by Jan Roelffs, met bijdragen van Jaap Th. Balk, Sint Nicolaas en Amsterdam door de eeuwen heen. Uitgave van het Initiatief Comité Amsterdam ter gelegenheid van het 50-jarige bestaan. Printed by Spin/Van Mantoem bv. Amsterdam.

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News In Brief Compiled by Rob Prince

Prince Friso Abandons Claim to Throne

Dutch prince Johan Friso has abandoned his claim to the throne to marry human rights activist Mabel Wisse Smit, against the wishes of the Dutch parliament. Second in line for the Dutch throne after his elder brother crown prince Willem Alexander, Prince Friso and his fiancée are accused of giving the government “incomplete and incorrect information, which has damaged confidence” in Smit. The Dutch parliament bears responsibility for the royal house and must approve his marriage for the couple to formally join the royal family. The, “incomplete and incorrect information” regards Smit’s

his friends had dyed his hair, stolen his clothes, hidden his car and given him nothing but a photo of where it was located. They then proceeded to take the ferry back to Holland. Lynda Robertson and Susan Cummings of the Newcastle tourism staff recognized the background of the photograph of the man’s car as the city’s New Bridge Street car park. They then gave him some money for food and brought him to Photos courtesy Jan van der Lugt his car. Office manager Fiona Wilson said: “We are used to helping tourists Five Arrested in Terrorist Plot from around the world find their way around the city, but this is the first Five suspects have been detained in time we have been asked for the Netherlands in connection with a directions using only a photograph of terrorist plot to attack an undisclosed a car in a car park. He had spent a target. The arrest was made after few days in Newcastle, but woke up investigators received information to find that not only had his friends about an imminent terrorist attack. A dyed his hair black but had also statement from the national returned to Amsterdam without him. prosecutor’s office said, “The five The keys (to the car) had been left are suspected of preparing an with the car park attendants, who explosion, being members of a were on the verge of ringing police, criminal organization and forging but instead took pity on the tourist passports.” The identities of the and waived the £17.50 car park suspects were not disclosed and one charge.” Newcastle is a popular suspect was released due to lack of drinking spot among visitors from evidence. Prosecutors said they Holland who take the ferry from came from Amsterdam, Amersfoort, North Shields Terminal ten miles The Hague and Schiedam. from the city.

acquaintance with druglord Klaas Bruinsma during her college years. Bruinsma was killed in 1991. Smit denies any romantic involvement but confessed she had regular contact with Bruinsma and accompanied him on several overnight trips on his boat. The couple plans to marry in the spring.

Where Did I Park? A Dutch visitor to Newcastle Central Station Tourist Office presented an unusual problem for the staff there. He entered wearing a frilly pink shirt and carrying an envelope. He explained that while he was sleeping 8

Kenyans Win Amsterdam Marathon The Kenyans ruled the men’s portion of the Amsterdam Marathon taking the first five places. William Kipsang won the race with a time of 2 hours 6 minutes and 39 seconds. Felix d.i.s. Magazine

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Limo was three seconds behind, followed by Benjamin Kimutai Kosgei, William Kiplagat and Robert Cheruiyot. Kipsang and Limo raced together the last three miles and shared a water bottle until the finish. They fell into each others arms after crossing the finish line. Portugal’s Elena Sampain won the women’s race in 2 hours 28 minutes and 6 seconds. Two Kenyans, Caroline Kwambai and Margaret Atonondyang followed with Kwambai trailing Sampaio by 41 seconds. Roughly 12,500 runners competed in the race along the canal lanes as thousands of spectators watched from the streets and at Olympic Stadium.

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Rotterdam Dock Workers Strike More than 7,000 dock workers in Rotterdam went on strike in late September over European Union plans to liberalize port services. They fear job safety will suffer if port authorities are permitted to import labor from other European countries where workers are willing to work for less pay. Workers in other ports around Western Europe joined them in the protest. Netherlands police arrested several demonstrators who threw stones and other objects at the officers. Hospital Ship Departs for Liberia

"Bienvendos", "Chao Mung" and up to a dozen others to the city limit signs that currently welcome visitors with the Dutch "Welkom". The changes would reflect the current ethnic diversity of the residents of Holland, which current census data show are 22.2 percent Hispanic and includes people of Asian, Bosnian, Italian, and Russian backgrounds. Mayor Al McGeehan estimates about thirty different languages are spoken within the city, which uses Dutch themes to draw tourism dollars, according to the Grand Rapids Press. Each year the city hosts the world's third largest flower festival, called 'Tulip Time', which celebrates its 75th anniversary on May 1-8, 2004.

A Dutch Navy Hospital ship is underway for Liberia on three-month mission to support UN troops in the battle-torn West African country. The ship will take three weeks to reach Liberia to provide medical assistance and transport facilities to the 3000 UN soldiers there. The vessel is carrying a fully equipped hospital, several landing craft, two Lynx helicopters and an armed beach recovery vehicle used to rescue other vessels and transport wheeled vehicles over water. The 270 staff members on board include medical personnel, a helicopter squad and a platoon of marines for protection. The hospital ship Rotterdam left from the port of Den Helder following a furious debate in the Dutch Lower House over the security risks of the UN operation, which is expected to triple by next year. Signs of the Times The city of Holland, Michigan USA is considering adding phrases like d.i.s. Magazine

Holland Sheds Tears The KLM is No More Air France will Swallow Up the KLM by Jan van der Lugt

Air France Neemt KLM Volledig Over door Jan van der lugt

Today our “Orange Pride” was given a knockout blow. Our National Pride was completely swallowed up by a French company Air France. The beautiful “Blue Swan” will no longer fly. It will become a subsidiary of a French company. The oldest airline in the world KLM, our National Pride is no more! Sad Day During the last few weeks it seems something was going to happen, the final decision came. Early this morning it was announced that the KLM would be part of the Air France. The last few years the company’s officials searched for a partner but sadly with no results.

Vandaag kreeg ons Oranjegevoel een enorme knauw. Onze Nationale Trots, de KLM, wordt volledig overgenomen door het Franse “Air France”. Die prachtige blauwe Zwaan zal binnenkort niet meer Assurances vliegen, het wordt een werkmaatschappij van een Frans bedrijf. De oudste luchtvaartmaatschappij ter wereld, In the last few weeks the Dutch government tried to have discussions with KLM and Air France. They onze Nationale Trots, is niet meer! demanded certain assurances, for Schiphol our national airport, and the 30,000 employees of the KLM. They Droevige Dag are there but everyone knows they are most likely Het zat er de laatste weken al aan te komen, maar de worthless, especially knowing the chauvinistic klap kwam vandaag toch nog keihard aan. Vanochtend Frenchmen. vroeg werd door beide bedrijven bekendgemaakt, dat French Culture de KLM een onderdeel zal gaan worden van een ander bedrijf, Air France. In de afgelopen jaren zocht de KLM Our wounded pride will be painful for a long time to nog wanhopig naar samenwerking met een gelijkwaardig come. Just because it is the chauvinistic Frenchmen who ander luchtvaartbedrijf. Ze slaagde daar niet in. will make the decisions about our KLM. CEO Leo Van Zekerheden In de afgelopen weken heeft de Nederlandse Regering nog ingegrepen de besprekingen van de KLM met Air France en eiste allerlei “zekerheden” voor zowel Schiphol, onze Nationale Luchthaven, als voor het behoud van de werkgelegenheid voor de 30.000 werknemers van de KLM. Die “garanties” zijn er, maar iedereen weet, dat ze feitelijk geen waarde hebben, zeker niet bij de sterk op zich zelf georiënteerde, zeer Chauvinistische, Fransen.

December 2003

Wyke is by some, the cause of the disappearance of the KLM. He did not have the quality of leadership to guide the KLM through troubled times. Farewell August 7, 1919 was the birth of the KLM and because of the leadership of the first Ceo. Albert Plesman, the KLM became our national pride. Until his death in 1953 he worked to create the KLM into a great airline. Because the regular flights to “our Indonesia” and America, the KLM became a front runner in the airline world but especially to America. 11

Franse Cultuur

Dutch Lakes

Onze gekrenkte trots zal nog lang pijn blijven doen. Vooral omdat het uitgerekend dus die chauvinistische Fransen zijn die bij de KLM binnenkort de dienst zullen gaan uitmaken. Bestuursvoorzitter Leo van Wijk wordt door sommigen als de oorzaak van het verdwijnen van de KLM gezien. Hij zou niet de kwaliteiten hebben om de KLM door deze turbulente tijden heen te loodsen.

After 84 years Plesman’s replacement let his inheritance slip through his fingers! The Blue Swan with clipped wings will soon cease the flights to far off places and continue to fly over Dutch waters as part of Air France.

Afscheid Op 7 oktober 1919 werd de KLM opgericht en de luchtvaartpionier Albert Plesman werd tot de eerste directeur van de KLM benoemd. Tot aan zijn dood in 1953 zou hij de KLM tot onze Nationale Trots uitbouwen. Vooral op de routes naar “ons Indië” en Amerika werd de KLM toonaangevend in de wereldluchtvaart. KLM werd een begrip overal in de wereld, maar vooral in Amerika. Hollandse Plassen Nu, na 84 jaar, hebben de opvolgers van Plesman zijn erfenis uit hun handen laten glippen. De blauwe Zwaan zal binnenkort haar sierlijke vluchten over alle werelddelen staken en als een onderdeel van Air France verder gaan. De KLM Zwaan zal dan definitief neerstrijken op de Hollandse Plassen, gekortwiekte door de Fransen.

A Tear The Blue Swan will slowly lower her head and beautiful neck among the waving reeds in Holland’s waters and fade away. Surely after 84 years of Dutch glory, our Dutch hearts are filled with pain, and we will wipe a tear from our eyes for the beautiful swan. Goodbye Farewell KLM beautiful swan we’ll miss you terribly in airports all over the world, from LA to Toronto, from New York, and all those faraway places. Our hearts beat faster when we spotted you, we always felt “Dutch pride” when we saw your beautiful planes. We will miss you very much big beautiful blue bird. The beautiful KLM swan is as of this day a dead swan. Translation by Anna Vander Pols and Henry Vanden Broek

Een Traan In het wuivende Hollandse riet zal de KLM Zwaan haar sierlijke hals laten zakken. Definitief dit keer, na 84 jaar van Hollands Glorie. Onze Hollandse harten doen vandaag ontzettend veel pijn, en we pinken symbolisch een traan weg voor die mooie Zwaan. Vaarwel Vaarwel KLM, mooie Hollandse Zwaan, we zullen je verschrikkelijk missen op de vliegvelden overal ter wereld. Van Los Angeles en Toronto, van New York en al die andere “far away places” waar jij ons hart steeds sneller deed kloppen als we je daar zagen staan. We kregen bij het zien van jouw sierlijke vliegtuigen altijd een heerlijk Hollands gevoel. We zullen je ontzettend missen. De mooie KLM zwaan is sinds vandaag een stervende zwaan geworden. We zullen je missen, grote sierlijke blauwe vogel! Photo courtesy Jan Van der Lugt

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December 2003

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“Holland Op “The Small Syn Smalst” of Holland” van 1876 tot 2003 door Charles Baas

from 1876 to 2003 by Charles Baas

The photo above is an old one and was taken by photographer Bart Hofmeester. It appeared on the cover of the Listener's Guide of Radio Nederland (summer of 1976) on occasion of the one-hundred anniversary of the opening of the canal. 14

d.i.s. Magazine

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ls je geschiedenis wil schrijven, moet je goed op je “input” letten, anders maak je fouten. Dat heeft schrijver in zijn Juni dis magazine bijdrage “Holland op zijn Smalst” gedaan. Hij heeft het Nederlandse volk te kort gedaan door te schrijven dat het graafwerk door de duinen door Engelse arbeiders verricht was. “Niet juist,” vertelt hem Frans van Putten uit IJmuiden. De eer deze prestatie geleverd te hebben komt toe hoofdzakelijk aan Groningers en Drentenaren, dus toch een Nederlandse prestatie. Frans kan het goed weten. De geschiedenis van IJmuiden is zijn hobby, veel van wat u in dit relaas zult lezen berust op input van Frans. Toen het graafwerk door de duinen begon, kwamen duizenden Nederlanders toestromen om werk te vinden als gravers. Velen kwamen met gezin. Aangezien er geen woningen beschikbaar waren voor zovelen, moesten deze gezinnen zo goed mogelijk “legeren” door in de duinen holen te graven en deze met wrakhout te bekleden om zodoende een wel zeer schamel verblijf te scheppen. De lezer zal wel begrijpen dat achter deze eenvoudige regel een massa armoe, kou en ziekte verscholen zal blijven. Een verslag daarover zou op zichzelf een hoofdstuk in beslag nemen. Wel even aantekenen dat de toestanden zo slecht werden dat er een opstand onder de gravers uitbrak en dat een van de buitenhuizen waar de Engelse leiding kantoor hield in vlammen werd gezet. Tenslotte vond op 1 November, 1876 toch de feestelijke opening plaats. Toen de festiviteiten achter de rug waren, het stoomschip Rembrandt zijn passagiers weer aan wal gezet had en het leger van gravers “bedankt” was voor zijn werk, stond dat leger werkeloos. Velen bleven in de buurt en namen het vissen ter hand. Het doorgraven van de duinenrij had niet alleen een directe verbinding van Amsterdam met de Noordzee tot stand

December 2003

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hen one sets out to write history, one must first verify his input, lest one commits an error. This writer did just that in his story in the June dis magazine. He did injustice to the Dutch by stating that the digging of the cut through the dunes was done by English laborers. “Not so,” Frans van Putten of IJmuiden tells him. Credit for performing this monumental task goes primarily to laborers from Groningen and Drente - to the Dutch. Frans should know, the history of IJmuiden is his hobby. Much of what you will read in this story is based on input from Frans. When the dig through the dunes commenced, thousands of Dutch streamed to the site looking to be employed as diggers. Many brought their families with them. As there were no houses available for so many people, these families had to “camp down” in the sand dunes by digging holes and lining these with wreckage wood, thus creating very poor living quarters. The reader will understand that much poverty, cold and sickness remains hidden behind this simple statement. At some time conditions became so bad that the laborers revolted and set fire to one of the mansions in which the English directors held their office. In the end, the festive opening of the canal did take place on the 1st of November, 1876. After the festivities, and after the steamship Rembrandt had put the dignitaries back ashore and the army of diggers had been thanked for its work, this army was unemployed. Many of the workers remained in the area and became fishermen. The big dig through the dunes had not only created a direct connection from Amsterdam to the Northsea, but also a safe “harbor” for small fishing vessels of which the new fishermen eagerly made use. They made so much use of it that they actually got in the way of the merchantvessels on their way to Amsterdam. 15

This problem was solved by the digging of a separate harbor for the fishing vessels, outside of the locks that were to protect the canal. This new harbor for fishing vessels offered so many amenities that many fishermen from other places moved to the new settlement IJmuiden. One great advantage was that there they wouldn’t need to set their little flatbottom “bomscheepjes” on the beach at high tide. In spite of the unexpected interference of the fishing fleet, the new canal achieved its goal: the ship traffic to Amsterdam expanded immediately. The traffic increased to the extent that within 20 years there arose a pressing need for an expansion of the original locks.

Lock gates, middle locks (1895). Photo by Frans van Putten gebracht, maar ook een veilige “haven” voor de kleine vissersschepen geschapen waarvan de nieuwe vissers gretig gebruik maakten. In feite, ze maakten er zoveel gebruik van dat ze de handelsschepen op weg naar Amsterdam in de weg kwamen. Deze hindernis werd tenslotte zo groot dat, buiten de sluizen, een aparte haven voor de vissersvloot werd gegraven. De nieuwe vissershaven bood de vissers zoveel begerenswaardige faciliteiten dat vele vissers van elders, b.v. Katwijk, Egmond en Noordwijk, naar de nieuwe nederzetting IJmuiden verhuisden. Ze behoefden daar b.v. hun platbodem “bomscheepjes” niet meer bij hoogtij op het strand te zetten en later weer in zee te trekken. Ondanks de onverwachte hindernis die de jonge vissersvloot veroorzaakte, bereikte het nieuwe kanaal het gewenste resultaat: de scheepvaart op Amsterdam bloeide dadelijk weer op. De vaart op Amsterdam nam dusdanig toe, dat binnen twintig jaren er al een dringende behoefte was ontstaan aan een uitbreiding van de sluizen.

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The lock chamber of the original locks was 120 meters long by 19 meters wide and 23 meters deep, too small for the larger ships that came into service. A second set of locks was built which was taken into service in 1896. Lock chamber size was 225 meter by 24 meter, 30 meters deep. This set of locks, too, became too small within a few short years for the ever larger ships which appeared on the scene, especially the large passenger ships. So once again work was started towards building the large North Locks, which were completed in 1930. This lock has a chamber of 400 meters length and 50 meters breadth, which made it one of the world's largest locks. It has sufficed for many years, but now the huge containerships have arrived, and many could just narrowly squeeze through the doors. You guessed it: The building of a new set of locks was undertaken. Just recently the writer was informed by the aforementioned Frans van Putten that the old North locks were replaced by the new ones. The original (South) lock was of the “conventional” type: two swinging gates which met each other in the middle of the chamber at an obtuse angle, the water on the flood side pressing the gates tightly together for a good closure.

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De sluiskolk tussen het oorspronkelijke stel sluisdeuren was ongeveer 120 meter lang, 19 meter breed en 23 meter diep, te klein voor de grotere schepen die in de vaart kwamen. Er werd dus een tweede stel sluizen gebouwd die in 1896 in gebruik genomen kon worden. De sluiskolk had een lengte van ongeveer 225 meter, breedte van 24 meter en diepte van 30 meter. Ook deze sluis was binnen een paar korte jaren te klein voor de steeds groter wordende schepen die op het toneel verschenen, vooral ook de grote passagiesschepen die in de vaart kwamen. Dus men toog weer aan het werk en bouwde de Noordersluis die in l930 gereed kwam. Deze sluis kreeg een kolk van 400 meter lengte en 50 meter breedte en behoorde zodoende tot de grootste sluizen van de wereld. Deze sluis heeft lang voldaan, maar toen verschenen de kolossale containerschepen voor de deur, waarvan de meesten nog maar amper “door de deur” konden. U raadt het wel: .... Er werd weer gebouwd. Schrijver kreeg onlangs bericht van de al eerder genoemde Frans van Putten dat de Noordersluis vervangen was. De oorspronkelijke (Zuider-)sluis was van het “conventionele “ type: dubbele deuren die elkaar in het midden van de kolk onder een stompe hoek benaderden en dan door het water aan de vloed kant tegen elkaar gedrukt werden en aldus een goede afsluiting bereikte. Dat gold zowel voor de deuren aan de vloedkant als aan de ebkant van de kolk. Na 125 jaren zijn de Zuidersluizen nog steeds in gebruik, hoewel ze gemoderniseerd zijn. De deuren worden niet meer met de hand geopend of gesloten, maar nu electromechanisch bediend. Ze dienen nu voor het “kleine grut”, dwz de pleziervloot van kleine schepen. De middensluis (1896) werd van het begin af aan al electro-mechanisch bediend. Ze werden in 1920 verder gemoderniseerd. December 2003

Aerial view of Ijmond. The two fingers of the fishing port are shown in the center. Photo by Coos Ermens The large (North) locks were of a different design: the gates are “sliding doors” which disappear into the embankment like the sliding doors in a home. The success of the digging through the dunes of “Holland op syn smalst” is proven by the fact that in the year 2000 more than 19,380 ships passed through the locks, an average of 53 per day. They transported a total of 145 million tons of merchandise. The canal and lock complex has a second, less well known function: the drainage of in excess of 4000 square kilometers of polder land in and around the IJpolder. If the accumulated water in the canal rises above the sea level, all that needs to be done is to open the sluice gates. If the sea level is higher, a strong pumping installation is used to expel the water. The newly created breach in the sand dunes was protected from the beginning from the rages of the Northsea by two breakwaters which originally extended into the sea for about 1 km. The accompanying aerial view of 17

De grote Noordersluis is van een geheel ander ontwerp. De deuren zijn schuifdeuren die, als geschut moet worden, in de wal verdwijnen, zoals de schuifdeuren tussen twee kamers van een woonhuis. Dat het doorgraven van Holland op syn smalst en de creatie van het Noordzeekanaal een groot succes was, wordt wel bewezen door het feit dat in het jaar 2000 meer dan 19.380 schepen de sluizen passeerden, dat is gemiddeld 53 per dag. Zij vervoerden in totaal 145 miljoen ton goederen. Maar het kanaal en het sluizen complex hebben nog een tweede, belangrijke, hoewel minder bekende, taak: de afwatering van ruim 4000 vierkante kilometers achterland in en rond de IJpolder. Als het geaccumuleerde water daar tot boven de zeespiegel Aerial views of the locks. Photos by Coos Ernens

Aerial view of the locks. Photo by Coos Ernens the mouth of the canal into the sea, courtesy IJmuidens photographer Coos Ernens, shows that the breakwaters have been extended, the South breakwater to about 4 km. When, during his first post-war visit to Holland, this writer arrived at the south breakwater, a large passenger ship was about to enter between the piers. That he would like to see closeup. So he left relatives standing at the beach and made for the end of the breakwater in a firm, military pace (at the time he was still wearing those cute Wellington boots the German soldiers used to wear). He passed six Amsterdammers who were not in such a hurry. Once he passed them, he heard one of them say: “There goes one of those damn krauts. Probably stood guard here during the war, and is making a return visit to dream of his past glory time. The writer did not react, but arrived at the end and waited. The six “mokummers” arrived too and waited. When the ship appeared between the peers they started waving enthusiastically at the passengers. At this time this writer dryly but loudly commented: “A beautiful sight, isn’t it?” “Wham” All at once six faces are staring at him “Alsof ze het in Keulen hebben horen donderen” as they say in Holland. The digging of the cut through Holland op

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rijst (dus vooral bij eb), betekent dat dat alleen de spuisluis open gezet behoeft te worden, zodat het overtollige water in zee kan stromen. Als de zeespiegel hoger is en er moet water worden afgevoerd, dan geschiedt dat via een krachtige pompinstallatie. De nieuw-gegraven doorbraak door de duinen werd van het begin af aan beschermd tegen de woede van de soms zeer ontstuimige Noordzee door twee pieren die oorspronkelijk ongeveer 1 km ver de zee in liepen. De bijgaande mooie luchtfoto, afkomstig van IJmuidens fotograaf Coos Ernens, toont dat die pieren inmiddels verlengd zijn en dat de Zuiderpier (rechts) zo ongeveer 4 km de zee in loopt. Toen schrijver in 1952, tijdens zijn eerste naoorlogse bezoek aan Holland op de Zuiderpier (rechts) belandde, was dat net toen er een groot passagiersschip op het punt stond binnen te lopen. Dat wilde hij wel eens graag van nabij zien. Dus hij liet familie en vrienden op het strand achter en stevende met een forse soldatenpas op het einde van de (toen nog korte) pier af. (Hij liep toen nog op die leuke Wellington laarsjes die de Duitse soldaten ook droegen). Komt hij een zestal Amsterdammers voorbij die nog niet zo’n haast hebben. Als hij eenmaal voorbij is, hoort hij zo’n Mokummer zeggen;“Daar gaat weer zo’n rotmof. Heeft zeker gedurende de oorlog hier op wacht gestaan en komt nog eens dromen van zijn glorie tijd” Schrijver geeft geen draadje, komt op het einde van de pier en staat te wachten. Het zestal haalt hem in en staat ook te wachten. Als het schip tussen de pieren verschijnt, staan ze allen geestdriftig naar de passagiers te wuiven. Zegt schrijver heel droogjes: “Toch wel een mooi gezicht, niet waar?” Pats! Daar staan opeens zes gezichten hem aan te staren alsof ze het in Keulen hebben horen donderen.

One of the earliest ferryboats at Velsen. Postcard collection of the author. Syn Smalst had in reality made an island of the North Holland peninsula. The one and only road connection ( the road from Haarlem to Alkmaar) had been cut. In order to restore the connection between north and south, four ferry boats were put in place: one at Velsen, just east of the locks; one at Buitenhuizen, halfway to Amsterdam; one at the junction of the canal and the Zaan river; and the one behind the Central Station of Amsterdam. When the railways from Haarlem to Alkmaar and from Amsterdam to the Zaanstreek and Alkmaar were built, two railway bridges were built, one at Velsen and one at the junction of Zaan and the canal. Both of these bridges have now been replaced by railroad tunnels, so now the large ships and many trains will not interfere with each other. Although most of the ferries are still in service, vehicular tunnels have been built: the Velsen tunnel, the Coen tunnel near were the Hembrug used to be, the IJtunnel near the Schreiers toren in Amsterdam and the Zeeburgertunnel near Durgerdam. All tunnels connect to the expressways which now crisscross Holland. Several harbors have been dug alongside the canal

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Het doorgraven van Holland op Syn Smalst had in feite van het schiereiland Noord Holland een eiland gemaakt. De enige wegverbinding, de weg van Haarlem naar Alkmaar, was verbroken. Om de verbinding tussen noord en zuid te herstellen, kwam er een aantal pontveren: de Velser pont ten oosten van de sluizen; de pont bij Buitenhuizen, halverwege naar Amsterdam; de Hembrug pont, waar de Zaan in het kanaal uitmondde; en de pont achter het Centraal Station in Amsterdam. Toen de spoorwegen van Haarlem naar Uitgeest en Alkmaar en van Amsterdam naar de Zaanstreek en Alkmaar werden aangelegd, kwamen er twee spoorbruggen, een bij Velsen en een waar de Zaan in het kanaal uitliep. Beide bruggen zijn nu vervangen door spoorwegtunnels opdat de grote schepen en vele treinen elkaar niet in de weg komen. Hoewel de meeste ponten nog varen, zijn er in recente jaren ook tunnels voor het wegverkeer gekomen: de Velser tunnel; de Coentunnel tussen Buitenhuizen en de voormalige Hembrug; de IJtunnel nabij de Schreierstoren in Amsterdam; en de Zeeburgertunnel nabij Durgerdam. De tunnels sluiten aan op de moderne snelwegen die Holland nu doorkruisen. Langs het kanaal zijn tussen IJmuiden en Amsterdam een aantal havens gegraven waar talrijke bedrijven zich gevestigd hebben. En nu bericht de heer van Putten dat er een nieuwe haven wordt geschapen buiten de sluizen, tussen de pieren Toen schrijver het onderwerp “Holland op syn smalst” koos om er “een stukje over te schrijven” had hij er geen idee van hoeveel interessante wetenswaardigheden daar in scholen. Hij heeft er slechts enkele van aangeroerd. De heer Frans van Putten heeft hem zoveel materiaal bezorgd dat betrekking heeft op het Noordzeekanaal dat er veel interessants is overgebleven voor een toekomstig vervolg op dit relaas. Laat schrijver hier dan zijn hartelijke dank uitspreken aan Frans voor zijn medewerking. Ook aan fotograaf Coos Ernens voor zijn toestemming voor het gebruik van zijn mooie luchtfoto’s van de IJmond en het sluizencomplex.

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to serve the many industries that settled at the canal. The writer has just been informed by Frans van Putten that a new harbor is under construction, outside of the locks at Ijmuiden, between the breakwaters. When this writer chose to write about “Holland op Syn Smalst”, he had no idea how many interesting features lie hidden in that subject. He has touched upon only a few of these features. Mr. van Putten has left him with much material regarding IJmuiden and the canal to warrant a third piece, to be written sometime in the future. At this point writer wishes to express his heartiest thanks to Frans for his help, and also to Coos Ernens for his permission to use his aerial photographs of the locks area.

Chamber of small locks (1876). Photo by Frans van Putten

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Beter Nederlands door Dr. Martinus Bakker

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e brievenbus zat weer vol verrassingen. Wat zullen we het eerst doen - het goede of het slechte nieuws? Eigenlijk is het allemaal goed want ook meningsverschillen leiden tot meer kennis en begrip. George Elenbaas schrijft: ‘Very interesting assignment this time! I am more careful already to find a more appropriate adverb or adjective when I communicate.’ Thank you! Dat doet mijn oude hart goed, George! Alice Schaap schrijft: “Please excuse my boasting a bit, but after 53 years in an Englishspeaking country my knowledge of Dutch hasn’t faded away totally. Thank you, Dr. Bakker, for keeping it alive! Two grammatical, sloppy mistakes I am also continually correcting at home are the use of the subjective pronouns in prepositional phrases (They’re riding with John and I.) and the apostrophe in plurals (watermelon’s). Does this start with just one person in all of Northern America and then spread like a nasty virus? Incomplete sentences in advertising are also prevalent. Is that a reflection of our society’s frantic lifestyle?” This is enough material for a term paper, let alone for a complete DIS column. Since we already have quite a long article, I will answer your questions very briefly and, perhaps, expand on this later. 1. You are forgiven. It is good to be proud of your cultural heritage and you ought to honor and preserve it! 2. For the proper form of pronouns, see below. 3. Because both (two) watermelons and watermelon’s (juice) exist people confuse them. 4. Incomplete sentences in advertisements, as in telegrams, are often acceptable.

uw ‘correction’ van ‘me and my friend’ als ‘my friend and me.’ Zou u in het Nederlands zeggen ‘Mijn vriend en mij’? Dat geloof ik toch niet.” Nu, Riet, houd je vast. Niemand zegt dat je me moet geloven maar ik zou toch heus zeggen, ‘Hij zei tegen mijn vriend en MIJ.’ En ook in mijn soort Engels zou ik zeggen, ‘He said to my friend and ME.’ Is hier eventueel sprake van een misverstand? Ik denk het! Als de voornaamwoorden onderwerp van de zin zijn, moet het zijn ‘My friend and I said ...enz.’ Alweer een probleem opgelost. He, he, was dat even schrikken! Verder zijn responsen ontvangen van Bill Roelfsema, Jeanne Bakker, Annette Kraayeveld, Grace Zylstra en oude getrouwe Charles Vandewiele. Bedankt allemaal! Hier volgen enige mogelijke goede antwoorden: 1. Hun nieuwe huis is buitengewoon/ opmerkelijk/ ongelooflijk mooi. (verschrikkelijk) 2. Ik ben bijzonder tevreden met mijn auto. (erg) 3. Mijn vrouw heeft een aardige/ schattige jurk gekocht. (leuke) 4. Vindt u ook gerookte zalm zo smakelijk/ heerlijk? (lekker) 5. Die leraar is heel bekwaam in zijn vak. (goed) 6. De muziek van Mozart is heel inspirerend/ goed. (mooi) 7. Mijn oude buurman overleed/ stierf/ ging heen toen hij al tachtig was. (ging dood) 8. Zij heeft verkering met een innemende/ aardige jongen. (leuke) 9. De boeken van Jan de Hartog zijn heel boeiend/ spannend. (goed) 10. Als vice-president krijgt hij een behoorlijk/ flink/ reuze salaris. (goed)

Riet Zwiep schrijft: ”Met verbazing las ik December 2003

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1. I relish/ enjoy/ am crazy about Dutch pea soup. (A tricky one! ‘Crave,’ suggested by some, differs quite a bit in meaning from ’love.’ (love) 2. The UP of Michigan is very beautiful/ pretty/ scenic. (nice) 3. Some areas there are extremely/ quite/ isolated. (very) 4. The weather was wonderful/ great/ gorgeous/ magnificent/ terrific. (wonderful) 5. The lakes there are spectacular/ magnificent. (beautiful) 6. Most people there have proper/ exemplary manners. (good) 7. One of my best friends is critically/ gravely/ seriously ill. (very) 8. Ice cream is delicious but not healthy for you. (good, good) 9. This is a very poor/ akward/ sentence. (bad) 10. Its meaning is not quite apparent/ obvious/ understandable to me. (clear) Onthoud! Geen twee woorden betekenen PRECIES hetzelfde. Als u denkt dat u wel twee zulke woorden kent, verneem ik dat zeer graag. (Een uitdaging!) Deze keer gaan we iets heel anders proberen. Hieronder volgt een jeugdherinnering. Leren Roken Hoe oud zou ik geweest zijn? Twaalf of dertien? Ik raad er maar naar, maar dat was ongeveer de leeftijd, als ik me goed herinner, waarop jongens uit mijn tijd ermee begonnen - op z’n laatst. Onze speelplaats was de straat en daar leerden we veel, te veel. Ook roken. We gingen wel eens naar de speeltuin. Maar in de oorlog was die er ook al niet. En heel veel scholen waren dicht dus ons vertier zochten en vonden we hoofdzakelijk op straat, de straat die in veel opzichten ook ons leslokaal was.

bijvoorbeeld overgeven en nog erger. Maar meedoen moest en zou je. Na enige tijd - enige weken misschien - ging het al een stuk beter. Je leert het vanzelf. Oefening baart kunst. En voor je het weet, ben je een meester in het vak. Je leert het in hoogstens een week of twee en je doet er jaren over om er van af te komen, tientallen jaren - als je er al van afkomt. Veel mensen lukt dat niet. Ik heb gerookt van, zeg maar, 1945 tot 1969. De einddatum klopt in ieder geval want het was een nieuwjaarsvoornemen. Dat was dan ten minste éen voornemen waaraan ik me gehouden heb. Oudejaarsavond 1968 rookte ik mijn laatste stinkstokkie. Vier-en-twintig jaar deed ik er over! En van de 24, deed ik het 20 jaar tegen mijn zin en tegen beter weten. Hoe houden je longen het! Het waren geen beste, die eerste sigaretten! Het was oorlogstijd. We draaiden ze meestal, net als onze ouders, van shag en vloeipapier. Het resultaat noemden we een sjekkie. Ik herinner me verder dat we ooit bruine “sigaretten” hadden. Of waren het kleine, dunne sigaartjes? Vreselijk zoals die dingen stonken! Hoewel, erger dan de rabarberbladerensigaretten van mijn vader kan het niet geweest zijn. Ik ruik ze nog alsof het gisteren was. De lucht is gewoon in mijn neus blijven hangen, geloof ik. Zo zijn er wel meer van die geuren, net als herinneringen aan ingrijpende gebeurtenissen van jaren her, die je nooit meer kwijt raakt, al probeer je hoe hard - misschien lukt het niet juist omdat je het zo hard probeert.

De meeste jongens op straat rookten. Alle stoere jongens, bedoel ik. Dus moest ik het ook doen want welke jongen van dertien wil niet stoer zijn? Je werd er wel erg ziek van in het begin. Doodmisselijk was ik. Ongetwijfeld hield het daarmee niet op. Ik zal wel ernstiger ongelukken gehad hebben door het misselijk worden, 22

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Wanneer ik nu studenten heel stoer tegen een muur zie hangen, sigaret scheef in de mond of stoer de as van de sigaret wippend zoals alleen ervaren, nonchalante adolescenten dat kunnen, dan herinner ik mezelf eraan dat wij als pubers precies hetzelfde deden. Een groot verschil tussen nu en toen is dat je geen vrouwelijke jongelui zag roken, niet op straat en niet in huis. Ik heb ze in elk geval niet gekend, meisjes van twaalf of dertien die rookten. Dat was echt iets voor jongens. Later ja, na de oorlog en vooral in de zestigerjaren, meen ik, met de grote sociale emancipatie op allerlei gebieden, toen waren het juist de vrouwen die via roken (en lippenstift en lange broeken) hun sociale en persoonlijke volwassenheid dachten te kunnen bewijzen. Tot roken hebben mijn zusters het nooit geschopt, maar wel tot lange broeken en lippenstift. Dat vrouwen minder recht zouden hebben op roken, in huis, in de auto, op straat of waar dan ook, is nu ondenkbaar.

ook liever niet te lang. Als ze kort zijn, kunnen we er meer publiceren. Als het verhaal maar heel oud en interessant is. We wachten in spanning!

Send your entries by January 31, 2004 to: Beter Nederlands Dr. Martinus Bakker 2029 Bryceway Ct. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 USA or email to [email protected] Dr. Martinus Bakker is Professor Emeritus of Dutch at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan and former holder of the Queen Juliana Chair of Dutch Language and Literature.

Ik ben wel blij dat ik er af ben. Ook de behoefte aan stoer doen houdt op een zekere leeftijd op. Aan het afleren van slechte gewoonten daarentegen, zoals roken, moet je meestal heel hard werken. Maar het is dan ook bijna altijd wel de moeite waard! Klinkt het u bekend in de oren? Wij nodigen u vriendelijk uit ons te vergasten op een anecdote of de beschrijving van een van uw jeugdherinneringen. Het hoeft niet te gaan over roken, natuurlijk. En

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Herinneringen 1940-1945

door V. Schermer-de Jong translated by Donald de Jong

Editor's Note: This article is the second installment of a series chronicling the memories of V. Schermer-de Jong, who lived in the Netherlands during World War II. Ms. Schermer-de Jong turned 80 years old on July 27 of this year. We present her memories here in the original Dutch and as translated by her nephew, Donald de Jong.

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iet moest in dienst. Sjoerd was bij de burgerwacht, en had een karabijn. Hij kon als de beste schieten en haalde de hoogste punten. Ja, en toen kwam de 5de mei. Die nacht hoorde ik alsmaar vliegtuigen overgaan. Ik schonk er eerst niet zoveel aandacht aan. Het was toch een wat spannende tijd, maar ach, wij waren jong, en onze president Colijn zei, dat we maar rustig moesten gaan slapen. Ondertussen, ik denk een uur of zes ‘s morgens, hoorde ik de melkboer praten tegen de buurman, en dat ging nogal luid. Ik ving het woord ‘oorlog’ op. Ik deed gauw de radio aan, en het was zo gek, daar hoorde ik dat er parachutisten waren geland. Mijn moeder kwam ook al gauw naar beneden. Ze zei: “Heb je het al gehoord? Er is oorlog.” Ja, we wisten het toen ook. Duitsland was ons land binnen gevallen. Hendrik kon niet komen. Alle soldaten met verlof moesten zich zo vlug mogelijk melden. Wat zaten we over Piet in. Hij zat op de Grebbeberg (dat hoorden we later. Ze vertelden mij, dat er hevig werd gevochten, ook op de Afsluitdijk, maar dat de Duitsers terug moesten). O, dat vonden we toch zo geweldig! Maar toen we later zagen, met wat voor groot geschut ze aan kwamen rukken, werd het ons bang om het hart. Ik sliep boven bij Janke op de kamer, en we hoorden de kanonnen bulderen, en ik was zo bang voor onze Piet. “Kom maar bij mij in bed,” zei Janke, “we kunnen niets doen dan bidden”, en dat hebben we toen gedaan. Sjoerd moest wachtlopen, samen met z’n vriend. 24

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iet was in service, and Sjoerd was a member of the civil defense unit. He had a carbine and was a sharpshooter, always scoring high at the range. Then came the 5th of May, 1940. During the night I heard planes flying over but I didn’t think much about it. Even though it was a tense period of time, I was young and president Colijn had told us not to worry. However, about six o’clock in the morning I overheard the milkman talking to the neighbor lady. His voice was loud and full of excitement. I caught the word “oorlog” - -“war”. I quickly turned on the radio and heard that the German paratroopers had landed in Holland. My mother came downstairs and said “Have you heard, we are at war!”. It was a sad day. My sister Janke’s fiancée couldn’t come to Sneek for the wedding and all the soldiers on leave had to report back to their units. We were worried sick about brother Piet. He was in the center of heavy fighting at the Grebbeberg (we learned about this later). For a short time, the Dutch army was defeating the Germans at the Afsluitdyk -we were so proud. But it was too much, all that shooting and bombing. We were so scared and so worried about our Piet. Mother moved my bed back upstairs and Janke said “Come and crawl in with me,” so I did. “There is nothing we can do but pray,” Janke said. And pray we did -all night - covering our heads with the blankets. Curfew was enforced by 10:00 p.m. and no one was allowed outside of their home. Sjoerd and a friend had guard duty, and orders were issued to darken all the windows. Sjoerd was assigned the task of making sure that all windows were darkened and d.i.s. Magazine

Alles moest verduisterd worden. Na tienen mocht je niet meer buiten zijn. De burgerwacht moest er samen met de politie op toe zien, dat alles goed verduisterd was. We kregen thuis overal zwarte papieren rolgordijnen voor de ramen. Sjoerd tekende er de Waterpoort op en een mooi oorlogstafereel, een aangevallen oorlogsschip, beschoten door vliegtuigen en het schip dat ten onder ging. Rotterdam werd zwaar gebombardeerd en na vijf dagen moedige tegenstand, kwam de overgave en was onze hoop op België en Frankrijk gevestigd. Maar er was geen houden aan. De trots van de Fransen, de Maganotlinie daar trokken de Duitsers gewoon omheen. Dat was in tien dagen beslecht. Onze officieren werden als krijgsgevangenen naar Oekraïne gezonden, en de marinejongens brachten ze onder in het gebouw van Christelijke belangen. Ze mochten hun uniformen behouden, maar ze kregen een schep als ze moesten wachtlopen. Dat was erg vernederend. Ze hadden dan ook ons aller sympathie. Later toen er al ijs lag, is het pas opgeheven. Onze koningin was naar Engeland gevlucht. Dat namen we haar erg kwalijk, maar dat bleek later toch goed te zijn geweest. En toen kwamen de maatregelen. Kleren kon je nog kopen, maar dan moest er een hoek van je stamkaart afgeknipt. Wat dat voor gevolgen had, dat wist je niet. Maar mijn moeder zei; “Volie, kleedje aan, we gaan naar C&A.” Daar kocht ik twee jurken, een van f. 2,50 en een van f 3,50, en een prachtig mooi mantelpak van f 24,-. Door de pleuritis gutste het zweet van mijn lijf kun je wel zeggen. We zeiden niks tegen de dokter. Maar het was wel een goede zet van moeke, want ik werd steeds dikker en pafferiger, en niets paste mij meer. Ik heb daar nog een paar kiekjes van. Maar later werd ik wel weer slanker gelukkig. We hadden nog niets van onze Piet gehoord. We praatten er niet over, maar we zaten er geweldig over in. Gatske met de kinderen, beleefden een nare tijd. Verschillende militairen hadden al bericht naar huis gestuurd. Maar toen, eindelijk, zei onze postbode: “de Jong, er ligt een briefkaart van jullie Piet, ga hem maar gauw halen.” Vader, doodzenuwachtig, ging gauw op de fiets. O, wat waren we blij, er stond alleen op; ik, leef! Piet. Na een dag of drie kwam hij thuis. Nou, toen heb ik moeke zien huilen hoor! Toen brak de December 2003

no light escaped to the outside. At our house we purchased shades of heavy black paper. Sjoerd, having such artistic talents, drew beautiful war scenes on them. Rotterdam received lots of damage because of the bombing and after five days of concentrated fighting, we were forced to capitulate. Many Dutch officers were sent as war prisoners to the Ukraine. Members of the local civil defense units were detained in a municipal building. As a spectacle for the public, instead of their guns, they were issued shovels and forced to march with them on their shoulder. We all felt sorry for them and were glad when, after having been confined for six months, the Germans released them to return home. Our queen fled to England. We were pretty disappointed and also a little disgusted with the Royal family. Looking back, it was the sensible thing to do under these circumstances. Things were changing. We were issued an I.D. card (stamkaart). Clothing was still available but every time you bought something, a hole was punched in your I.D. card. We didn’t really know what was up so my mother said “Volie, get dressed, let’s go to C & A”, which was a well known shop in our city. We purchased two dresses, one for $2.50 and the other for $3.50, as well as a beautiful suit for $24.00. As an after effect of my pleurisy I perspired like crazy, drenching my entire body, so to speak. We kept it quiet from the doctor and in a way it was a good idea to purchase new clothing as nothing I owned fit me anymore. I was getting fatter and puffier, which I can verify by some of the pictures I still have of those days. After a time I lost weight again and was pretty slim and happy with myself. We didn’t get any word from our Piet. As a family we didn’t talk about it very much but we were all worried sick. Gatske and the children went through trying times. Many families received letters from their GIs but nothing from our Piet. Then one day the mailman told our father “de Jong, there is a postcard for you at the station.” My dad, shaking like a leaf, jumped on his bike and raced to the post office. We couldn’t contain our emotions and all it said was “I am

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spanning los. Sjoerd had z’n karabijn en z’n uniform ook moeten in leveren. We moesten allemaal een legitimatiebewijs hebben, dat 1 gulden kostte. Ook je vingerafdruk moest erop en een pasfoto. “Nou, het moet dan maar”, zei mijn vader, “maar ik maak me niet mooi voor de mof.” (na z’n overlijden kreeg juist die foto een ereplaatsje in ons huis, want over een andere foto beschikten we niet).

alive” and it was signed “Piet”. We were SO happy, and about three days later he came home. Boy, I never saw my mom cry as she did on that particular day. Things got worse. Sjoerd had to turn in his uniform and weapon. By now our city was crawling with the German soldiers. Everyone needed a new I.D. with photo and finger print. Father said “I’m going just as I am, I am not going to get all dressed up for the “rot moffen”. (The latter was slang for the German soldiers.) The picture taken on this day earned him a place of honor on the buffet in the living room because he passed away a short time later. At the time of his death, this picture turned out to be the only one we could find of him. Old Amsterdam, New Amsterdam: A collaboration between WNYC and Radio Netherlands A series of radio broadcasts organized around the theme of the historical and current ties between the city of New York and the Netherlands is scheduled for November 17-23, 2003 and will be archived and accessible via the web at http://www.wnyc.org

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d.i.s. Magazine

Meditation by Mark Steinfort

„Wij hebben de Messías gevonden” “We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:41

W

e have the Messiah” - how wonderful it must have been to hear these words! The Messiah, the one people had been waiting for centuries and centuries. The people must have been overjoyed! I would have been and I think you would have been too. This time of year as we glorify our Lord by celebrating his birthday; it is a wonderful time for us as Christians. Yes, it has become a holiday honoring everything but Christ. This year the stores started using Christmas props back in early September. I believe many more people need to find their Messiah and accept Him as their personal Savior. The date we celebrate Christmas in itself is not holy. Jesus was probably born months from December. But He was born, it is historical fact, and proven many times in scripture and secular documents. We should celebrate Christmas with friends and family honoring Him by loving one another as He so politely told us. It’s a good time too to make amends, forgive those who have harmed or hurt us, and reach out to someone new and make their holidays wonderful too. Sometimes it is those friends and family members we have hurt, or they hurt us, that need to be contacted in love, and forgive, or be forgiven.

to share Christmas with their family. The Smith’s gave us the best gift we received that year. It wasn’t a book, a cookie, or a gift certificate. They opened their homes and hearts to us with Christ’s love. We’ve been friends for years now and still share the privilege of being a part of their family on both Christmas and Easter. Reach out to someone today, and everyday, making it Christmas for them each day of the year. Either 365 in a year, or 7 fifty-two times a year! Your choice. You will be blessed more than you can ever realize. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father . . . James 1:17

Mark Steinfort, Ph.D., Th.D. is President and Executive Director of Paraklesis International Ministries in Houston, Texas.

I remember when my wife and I moved to Houston, Texas, not knowing anybody when a very special family invited us to their house December 2003

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De Kaasschaaf Wij gebruiken voortdurend de kaasschaaf: In de eerste plaats voor broodbeleg, natuurlijk. De plakjes keurig rechthoekig gesneden, Op een keurig rechthoekige boterham.

While in Chicago ... Plan to Visit 62nd Annual "Christmas Around the World Festival" at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Niet te dun maar ook vooral niet te dik; We willen zeker niet krenterig zijn, Maar wel economisch en spaarzaam: De boterham precies belegd van hoek tot kant.

DIS members Gerrit and Henny Bos of Orland Park, Illinois invite you to visit the Museum to see the Dutch tree they and members of the second and third generation have decorated for the festival, as well as trees from 51 other countries. Christmas Around the World began as a United Nations salute to Allies during World War II. That year’s celebration featured just one tree. The festival opens November 21, 2003.

En alsjeblieft geen worst erbij, En twee plakken kaas is nergens voor nodig, En bij vette kaas hoeft eigenlijk geen boter Het kan wel op al is’t lekker!

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago 57th and Lake Shore Drive 1-800-GO-TO-MSI http://www.msichicago.org

Trouwens, wie maakt er kaas beter dan wij? Toch zeker niet de Zwitsers of de Fransen Veel te protserig en onstandvastig van smaak! Volgens mij gaat er niets boven Edam of Gouda.

De vorm van de kaasschaaf spreekt voor zichzelf: Heel elegant en toch sober en scherp; Handzaam, praktisch, licht van gewicht, En hij past keurig in de vorkenbak. Nu nog even wat anders over de vorm: Kijk eens naar onze nationale trots: De grachtenhuizen van groots Amsterdam Snapt u nu wat ik bedoel? Precies!

Back by popular demand A Touch of Your Immigrant History Ships & Airplanes

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Geen huis zonder kaasschaaf! Ons welzijn berust op de kaasschaaf! Wij leven zoals wij kaas snijden: Rechthoekig, beheerst en verstandig. Hij zit ons als ‘t ware in ‘t bloed, die schaaf; En in plaats van twee leeuwen in ‘t wapen Valt er zeer goed te denken als passend symbool: Aan de kaasschaaf. Draag hoog de schaaf! Martin

Watch our new series of ceramic wall plaques with post-war passenger plane models:

DC-4 (first used in 1946) Lockheed Constellation (1947) and Super Constellation (1955): DC-7 (1958); DC-8 (1960); Boeing 747 (1971); Lockheed MD11 (1994); and Boeing 767 (1995).

Dutch Immigrant and passenger ships: • Volendam I • Ryndam II • Maasdam IV • Groote Beer • Waterman • Zuiderkruis + P&H per order or destination $5.00, in Canada GST 7%, in BC PST 7.5%. Payment accepted by VISA or cheque.

VANDERHEIDE PUBLISHING CO. LTD. P.O. Box 313, Lynden, WA 98264-0313 Toll free 1 800 881 0705 | Local phone 604 534 1733 E-mail [email protected]

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d.i.s. Magazine

Residential - Commercial Poured Walls - Flatwork - Excavation

CHERRY VALLEY CONCRETE

Dennis Schreur

Phone (616) 261-8100 FAX (616) 261-0130 5151 South Division Grand Rapids, MI 49548

April 27-May 5, 2004

Netherlands Waterway Cruise • Amersterdam • Keukenhof • Sneek • Kampen • Kinderdijk

• Sign by Dec. 15 and receive a $50 discount • Optional extension excursions

For more information and brochures, call the DIS office tollfree at 1-800-322-5446 or in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 616-531-2298.

AOW EN BEDRIJFSPENSIOEN DUTCH RETIREMENT CONSULTING AGENCY Als U na 1 januari, 1957 bent geemigreerd heeft U mogelijk recht op AOW (pensioen). Heeft U of Uw partner in Nederland gewerkt, dan heeft U mogelijk recht op BEDRIJFSPENSIOEN. Wenst U hulp, contact: Dutch Retirement Consulting Agency P.O. Box 7544, Grand Rapids, MI 49510 USA ...of bel een van de volgende nummers: (616) 457-9911, (616) 457-0931/res.

December 2003

Holland Compass: 2000 Years History of Water Debuts at Landdag 2003 It was a special experience when my wife and I arrived in Hudsonville, Michigan USA from the Netherlands on September 13, 2003 and attended the Landdag celebration of the Dutch International Society. We were unprepared to witness a youthful “Klompendans” so many miles from home. It would be difficult to find this dance performed in Holland nowadays. Furthermore, it was surprising to be able to communicate with Dutch natives in a common language about our heritage and news. In preparation for our visit to Holland Michigan we had read the book “ Neen, Nederland , “k Vergeet U Niet” by Walter Lagerwey. The purpose of our visit was to explore the interest for our book Holland Compass: 2000 Years History of Water. The book is a cultural and historical look at the influence of water in the Netherlands. Throughout the history of Holland, water has been both a burden and an opportunity. The book's eleven chapters explain how creatively the Dutch have worked with water over the centuries, such as in their shipping and trade. Holland Compass is presented in a handsome format and written to be easy to understand. The book is richly illustrated with photographs, drawings and maps. With the coming of the winter months and the holiday season, this English version of Holland Compass might be a good book for those who are interested in their “roots”. Apart from our mission we enjoyed our visit to Hudsonville. Fred and Ans Hoep Haarlem, the Netherlands Holland Compass is 152 pages in full color pictures and diagrams and is available for $20 from Vander Veen's, The Dutch Store, Tel. 616 531-4224 or email: [email protected]

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Upcoming Events ANNUAL DUTCH ADVENT SERVICE MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2003 - 7:30 PM Meditation: Rev. Nick VanderKwaak Organist: Dick Gootjes RAYBROOK MANOR CHAPEL 2121 Raybrook SE - Grand Rapids Michigan

VOOR ELK WAT WILS Party dates for 2004 April 24, October 30, December 4. All Events held at the U.A.W. Hall 3852 Buchanan SW Wyoming, Michigan

12th ANNUAL CONCERT OF MUSIC FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2004 - 7:30 PM CALVIN COLLEGE CHAPEL 3201 Burton St SE - Grand Rapids MI. Presented by the organist of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation. The program contains organ, organ and piano, organ and choir and piano selections FREE WILL OFFERING.

Written and illustrated by

WILLEM VAN DER DOES Translated by Ruth

STORMS, ICE, and WHALES

ANNUAL DUTCH EASTER SERVICE MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2004 - 7:30 PM Meditation: Rev. Louis Tamminga Organist: Dick Gootjes RAYBROOK MANOR CHAPEL 2121 Raybrook SE - Grand Rapids Michigan IN CONCERT TWO ORGANISTS ANDRE KNEVEL FROM TORONTO CANADA MARTIN MANS FROM WOERDEN THE NETHERLANDS FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2004 - 7:30 PM East Congregational Church 1005 Giddings SE, Grand Rapids Michigan - Free will offering. TRAVELOGUE by Fran Reidelberger “SCOTLAND!” DIS members free, non-members $3 per person. Coffee and cookies served

during intermission FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2003 - 7:30 PM OTTAWA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM Corner of Rosewood and Burton SE Grand Rapids Michigan ANNUAL DUTCH FEST - LANDDAG SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2004 10 AM - 4 PM HUDSONVILLE FAIRGROUNDS 5235 Park Street - Hudsonville, Michigan

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van Baak Griffioen

The Antarctic Adventures of a Dutch Artist on a Norwegian Whaler During the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, Dutch artist Willem van der Does talked his way aboard a Norwegian whaler and made a daring, often dangerous voyage to Antarctica in 1923. Storms, Ice, and Whales is the riveting eyewitness account of his nine-month ocean journey, including 141 original illustrations by Van der Does. “This book on Antarctica is thoroughly engrossing. With drama both natural and human, Willem van der Does’s story of storms, ice, and whales lures readers to want more while also warning them to stay safely at home. The leviathan lives, we discover, and we thankfully grip our remove from the cold and the danger as we excitedly read on.” —WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY JR. founder of National Review

ISBN 0-8028-2125-1 · 415 pages · hardcover · $29.00 3578

At your bookstore, or call 800-253-7521 • www.eerdmans.com

d.i.s. Magazine

December 2003

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We welcome you to shop our gourmet market and discover the variety of authentic Dutch products. Our authentic Dutch products can be found in several categories like beverages, candy and chocolates, cheese and crackers, cookies and cakes as well as household items and gifts. From imported coffee and cakes to gourmet groceries and gifts, we have it all!

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