Mid-West Branch

Contact:
John Lansing
[email protected]

Posted April 1, 2016

Mid West Branch Meeting
Saturday April 30, 2016 

Come visit the Strandbeest Exhibition with the Holland Society!

Please join us on Saturday April 30 at the Chicago Cultural Center to explore the beach creations of Dutch artist Theo Jansen. His animated art works are a fusion between art and engineering. Entrance is free.

Following the exhibition we will have lunch at the Tavern at the Park. The lunch is a “Dutch treat” (pay for your own at that time).

Where: Chicago Cultural Center
              78 East Washington St
              Exhibit Hall & Sidney R. Yates Gallery, 4th Floor North
              Chicago  IL  60602

Contact: Gary Sprong (414) 351-1977 or Dr. Robert Schenck (312) 266-7346.

Time: Meet the group at 10:30 AM on the corner of Randolph & Michigan.

Posted Dec 1, 2013

MidWest Branch Hosts Reception for Dutch Consul General

On Sunday, November 17, 2013, Dr. Robert Schenck, MidWest Branch President and Marcia Whitney-Schenck hosted an afternoon reception at their residence on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago for Klaas van der Tempel and his wife, Anneke van der Tempel.

The group had great camaraderie, after braving severe storms and multiple tornado warnings in coming from as far away as Wisconsin and Indiana. Those who made it are shown in the photo.

Consul General Klaas van der Tempel gave a fascinating presentation, “Maritime Destinations of Dutch Traders in the 17th Century.” His talk was based on his own extensive research on the sailing village of Dreft then on the northern coast of Holland. It would make an interesting topic for de Halve Maen.

Front row: Stanley Gratt, George Vandervoort, Anneke (DeVries) van der Tempel,
Consul General Klaas van der Tempel, MidWest Branch President Robert Schenck,
Dorothy Sprong Back row: John Van Etten, Lynn Van Etten, Gary Sprong, James Barr
Not in Photo:  Marcia Whitney-Schenck Photo Credit:  Marcia Whitney-Schenck

Posted Nov 24, 2013

Dr. Schenck speaks to "The Lowland Dutch Cousins" organization at their biennial meeting held September 19-21, 2013 in Madison, Indiana, on the Ohio River. There were a number of participants with recognizable Dutch names such as Corzine, and Banta. They were descendants of Dutch settlers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, many of whom came and worked the land in Kentucky when it was still part of the Virginia territory. They found their land rights contested, and a number moved over into Indiana and elsewhere. 

Dr.Schenck received a warm welcome, especially from their organizer, Ms. Carolyn Leonard, of Oklahoma City, OK, who is featured in this photo in Dutch costume! 

Posted April 5, 2013

MidWest Branch Reception/Concert
September 30, 2012

The MidWest Branch of Holland Society had a spectacular Reception / Concert in the Ravinia Private Dining Room on Sunday, September 30, 2012. Honoree was Edwin Outwater, a recent recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Medal of the Holland Society. Our group was seated looking out floor to ceiling glass at the beautiful trees at Ravinia Festival grounds. They were just beginning to change into their autumn glory. The reception was turned into a full buffet and was enjoyed by the nineteen in attendance. The summer Ravinia Festival season was over and we had the entire facility and grounds to ourselves.
Ms. Katinka Kleijn played selections from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major. Katinka Kleijn was born in Holland, and is an outstanding member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She explained to the attendees each of eight Bach pieces before playing them. At the end of her concert, she also interacted with the crowd and answered many questions relating to her music and her rise rise to musical eminence.
Due to a scheduling conflict, Edwin Outwater communicated by video to explain what he does as the conductor of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in Ontario, Canada, as well as the beautiful acoustics in his concert hall. Mr. Outwater has instituted a variety of innovations, including a youth series. He is often guest conductor at major symphonies all across North America.

Left to right, Jon Veeder, Gary Sprong, Judy Gratt, Dorothy Sprong, Stanley Gratt, John Lansing, Thomas Veeder, Sara Schellinger, John Schellinger, Robert Schenck, David Barlow,Claire Schermerhorn, Sally Veeder, Jack Schermerhorn, Stephan Donovan.
Photo: Courtesy of Marcia Whitney-Schenck (not in photo).

Midwest Branch Dutch Brunch
October 8, 2011

Midwest Branch Dutch Brunch
and Lecture on Food in Rembrandt’s Time by
Marcia Whitney-Schenck

The Midwest Branch of the Holland Society met on October 8, 2011 for a delicious Dutch Brunch at the Home Bistro Restaurant in Chicago. Fifteen members, and guests enjoyed an authentic Dutch menu prepared by Joncarl Lachman, himself a Dutchman. Marcia Whitney-Schenck gave an illustrated lecture on “Food and Oysters -- Feasting in Seventeenth Century Dutch Paintings.”
A copy of the menu, in Dutch, titled “Vandag…Ontbijtmenukaart” listed five entrees to pick from, including “Golden Snert,” “Uitsmijter,” and “Amsterdam Style” Mussels
Attendees were: Robert R. Schenck, MD, Midwest Branch President (not in photo), and left to right around the table, Jon Veeder, Katrina Veeder Chandler, James Barr, Sally Veeder, John Schellinger, Michael Sprong, Gary Sprong, John Schermerhorn, Claire Schermerhorn, Jack Schermerhorn, Ann Schenck, Marcia Whitney-Schenck, and John Lansing.