Mid-West Branch

Contact:
Robert Schenck
rschenckmd@gmail.com

Midwest Branch Meeting

MEMBERS AND GUESTS of the Midwest Branch of The Holland Society of New York attended
a cocktail reception on September 25, 2009, arranged by Branch President Dr. Bob Schenck.
The gathering was generously hosted by the Netherlands Consul General in Chicago and his
wife, Mr. and Mrs. Willem Schiff, at their beautiful apartment overlooking Lake Michigan. This
event celebrated the 400 th anniversary of Henry Hudson sailing to the Isle of “Manhatta”
in 1609.

Approximately twenty-three Members and Friends of The Holland Society mixed with local
members of the Netherlands Club and Dutch business leaders. The Consul General spoke
about the significance for America of Hudson's voyage and the role played by The Holland
Society of New York in furthering research into and publication of the history of New
Netherland. The food and drinks provided were magnificent and were only exceeded by the
joy of those present visiting together. There were several new Members present, and for
them and for some attendees from Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri, this marked their first
attendance at a Holland Society function. Those in attendance in addition to Consul General
and Mrs. Schiff, Holland Society President Colin Lazier, and Midwest Branch President Bob
Schenck were David Barlow, Phil Dixon, Stephan Donovan, [first name needed] Fulkerson,
Judy Gratt, James and Eileen Hoagland, Jeanne Kempen, Dan Philip Onderdonk, Ann
Onderdonk, John Schellinger, Ann Schenck, Marcia Whitney-Schenck, Claire Schermerhorn,
Jack Schermerhorn, Jon Veeder, Greg Van Zandt, Drew Van Zandt, and Tom Veeder.