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Virginia/Carolinas Branch
Meeting: Nov 4- 6, 2011
Charlottesville, Va., home of the University of Virginia,
and nestled in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains,
was the site of the Virginia/Carolinas Branch Meeting
where we enjoyed the company of 27 members, spouses,
friends and children. Friday, we toured the “Lawn”
and Rotunda of the University of Virginia and were
suitably impressed with Thomas Jefferson’s ideas
on constructing a seat of higher learning. Friday
evening, we shared beer and wine, good conversation,
and further fellowship in our Branch Vice President,
Jim Van Blarcom’s hospitality suite. His lovely
wife, Leigh, being responsible for most of the food,
drink, and the Dutch spirit and color, was the gracious
hostess.
On Saturday morning, most of the members took walks
around Charlottesville and stopped and shopped in
the quaint shops on the downtown mall. Some went off
to visit Ashland, the home of James Monroe. In the
afternoon, we all met up at Monticello for a tour
of the house and grounds of Thomas Jefferson. It seems
that both Jefferson and Madison (the framer of the
Constitution) were influenced by the Dutch concepts
of equality, freedom of religion and the right of
expression.
Saturday night, we gathered for dinner at a South
African themed restaurant, being the closest thing
to a Dutch restaurant in Charlottesville. The cuisine
was exotic and a little spicy, but good nonetheless,
though a lot of water was consumed to put out the
fire.
After dinner, we adjourned to the hospitality suite
and talked about our original ancestors. It did seem
amazing, the pride with each of us talked about people
from 360 years ago and the struggles that they went
through to set up a life in a new and strange world.
We also decided on where to have our next meeting.
As we try to alternate states each year, New Bern,
North Carolina was chosen. The home of Pepsi Cola
and Grady White Boats is on the Neuse River and was
the first Capitol of North Carolina. All are welcome,
so see you in 2012!
The Branch Members at Monticello
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