Pacific Northwest Branch
Contact:
Ed Outwater
eoutwater@cox.net
Posted Aug 29, 2011
A SUPERB EXHIBITION AND COLLECTION OF EARLY DUTCH
AND FLEMISH MASTERWORKS IS CURRENTLY ON VIEW AT THE
LEGION OF HONOR FINE ARTS MUSEUM OF SAN FRANCISCO
As President of The Holland Society and in conjunction
with Ken Winans and Ed Outwater, Presidents of the
Pacific Southwest and Pacific Northwest Branches,
respectively, I want to reach out to you today to
alert you to a once-in-lifetime opportunity to see
the private collection of Rose-Marie and Eijk van
Otterloo. The collection initially was shown at the
Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, and
following its showing in San Francisco will move to
Houston on November 13, 2011. The exhibition departs
San Francisco at the Legion of Honor Museum’s
close on Sunday, October 2, 2011.
While I realize that many of you throughout California
and the states of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon may
be separated by hundreds of miles, I thought it was
important to bring this magnificent collection to
your attention, since you may be traveling for business
or pleasure to San Francisco in the immediate weeks
ahead and might appreciate the opportunity to enjoy
one of the finest collections of early Dutch and Flemish
art on view in many years.
I am pleased to list below the scheduled dates for
the exhibitions at both Museums in the coming weeks,
along with the telephone number and website, which
describe the exhibition, along with Museum hours,
directions, etc. I have personally visited the Legion
of Honor Museum in San Francisco, and it is a jewel.
There is ample parking adjoining the Museum.
As your President I am particularly pleased to report
that we have made considerable progress on a broad
number of initiatives, including improving the financial
strength of the Society while attempting to bring
a number of outstanding cultural and historic events
to your attention. We hope that you will join your
Branch Presidents each year as they hold their annual
luncheon or dinner in order to enjoy the camaraderie
with other members and rich traditions of our great
Society.
To all the members of our two great branches in California
and the Northwest, I send my warmest best wishes and
wish you much joy, good health, and success in the
days ahead.
Sincerely,
Charles Zabriskie, Jr.
22 Salem Road
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
(781) 235-2228
nbstokes@comcast.net
Pacific Northwest Branch Meeting
On Labor Day Weekend, with the kind assistance of Vancouver residents Richard and Vivienne Van Slyke, the Pacific Northwest Branch of the Holland Society of New York held its 2010 meeting in beautiful Victoria British Columbia, the 1 st PNW Branch meeting to be held outside the US.
Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, is located on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island, halfway between Seattle and the city of Vancouver. Founded as a Hudson's Bay Company fort in 1843, the city was named in honor of Queen Victoria. Much of Victoria's British-influenced charm remains, thanks to an abundance of old Victorian homes, cricket fields and pubs. The tradition of afternoon tea is still alive and well in Victoria, although, as we learned, the city is anything but stodgy.
We were able to secure a good rate at the Union Club of British Columbia, a stately old building directly next door to the world famous Empress Hotel. As those of you who are familiar with Victoria are already aware, this central old-waterfront location is the crown jewel in an incredibly gorgeous setting. It is just a short stroll from there to many of the city's best highlights, including the majestic Parliament Buildings, the award-winning Royal BC Museum, Fisherman's Wharf and the specialty shops along Government Street and Antique Row.
Present for the weekend were (l to r) Tish Outwater, Tori Abeel, Neilson Abeel, Richard Van Slyke, Colin and Barbara Lazier, Richard's father John Van Slyke, Sloan Heermance, Edwin Outwater III, John's friend Diane Hardouin, Leena Riker, Richard's sister Stephanie Van Slyke , Vivienne Van Slyke, and Larry Deckman. Diane VanDerbeek and Stephanie Van Slyke's friend George Cermak were there for the weekend but unable to be in our group photo at the UC of BC Sunday evening.
As was planned, Diane VanDerbeek's beautiful wooden yacht, the MV Olympus (see yachtolympus.com), was moored in the Inner Harbor within walking distance of the Union Club and directly in the center of Victoria's stunning old-waterfront to participate in The Victoria Classic Boat Festival, the largest wooden yacht event in the North America. Diane graciously invited us to join her for a “gin & tonic reception” Saturday night aboard the Olympus at the dock, and then, on Sunday morning, for a champagne brunch on board the Olympus as she participated in the Festival's “Parade of Wooden Yachts” (see http://www.classicboatfestival.ca/ ).
Our meeting at the Union Club was informative, as Colin, having traveled across a good part of Canada to join us in Victoria, briefed us on the current (and improving) condition of our Society and on important upcoming events. As for the Pacific Northwest Branch, it remains a small but active group that recognizes the true value in preserving our Dutch heritage and one that genuinely enjoys being in each other's company.
A visit to world famous Butchart Gardens, complete with a traditional British high tea service, was the “other” sightseeing high point of the weekend for the group. Indian summer was in full swing and the beautiful “dahlia section” of the gardens was truly breathtaking.
I think it safe to say that a good time was had by all, and, as we said our goodbyes, plans for next year's meeting were already beginning to take shape.
Edwin Outwater III
President, Pacific Northwest Branch, The Holland Society of New York
24 November 2010
photo by George Cermak
Please click on the button below to view a slide show of additional photos
from
this
year's event.
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