Potomac Branch

Contact:
Chris Cortright
cmcortright@yahoo.com

Potomac Branch Meeting

THE POTOMAC BRANCH of The Holland Society of New York held a meeting on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at the Maryland Club's historic clubhouse in downtown Baltimore. Also invited to attend were members of the Holland Dames and their spouses. The evening commenced with libations and refreshments in one of the grand, interesting rooms covered in artwork on the second floor of the Maryland Club. Holland Society Members, Holland Dames, Friends of both societies, and their spouses, many in shades of orange and blue, made acquaintances, exchanged news, or caught up after a five-year absence of events.

Dinner, enjoyed among orange tulip centerpieces generously provided by Ralph L. DeGroff from the local “Dutch Connection” florist, began with a brief address by Baltimorean and Holland Dames Directress General Mary W. Park. Mrs. Park spoke about the current activities of the Holland Dames and the recent Quadricentennial celebrations in New York City. Branch President Cortright then thanked his predecessor, David Vandenberg, for his organizing skills. During dessert, Mr. Cortright asked Society Trustee and current Treasurer Ralph L. DeGroff to introduce Alvin Bernard “Buzzy” Krongard so that he could share his experiences as executive director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2004 to 2006, during the George W. Bush administration. Mr. Krongard, who had been a college roommate of Mr. DeGroff, is also a retired CEO of Baltimore's oldest investment firm, Alex Brown & Sons now Deutsche Alex Brown. Mr. Krongard provided a fascinating look into the inner workings of the CIA. He spoke about the vagaries of the intelligence world and its attendant difficulties in a free society. At the end of his presentation, Mr. DeGroff presented Mr. Krongard with a copy of Russell Shorto's book The Island at the Center of the World .

Those in attendance included Ralph L. DeGroff and his wife, Marion; Friend Betty Ann Kane and her husband, Noel; Holland Dames Directress General Mary W. Park and her husband, Dr. Lee Crandall Park; Potomac Branch President Christopher M. Cortright and his wife, Andrea A. DeLeon; Judson Smith and his wife and Holland Dame April Smith; Peter Van Dyke and his wife, Judy; George Van Dyke and his wife, Beth; Nancy Clark Smith; Louis Van Dyke IV and Louis Van Dyke V; Felicia Stidham, Nancy Kern and John Marsh; and Pamela and Henry Felton.