Pacific Southwest Branch

Contact:
Ken Winans
[email protected]

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
[email protected]

Ken Winans Appointed President of the Pacific Southwest Branch

It is my pleasure to announce that Kenneth G. "Ken" Winans of Novato , California , has been appointed the new Branch President for the Pacific Southwest Branch.  As you know, the Society suffered the loss of an outstanding Branch President in December when Steve Snedeker passed away unexpectedly.  Steve and his wife, Sandy , resided in San Marcos , a suburb of San Diego , while Ken and his wife reside just outside San Francisco . 

Realizing that a substantial portion of the membership of California is in and around Los Angeles or in northern California, with another hub of membership near San Diego, I feel that Ken Winans will be able to meet with a greater proportion of our members annually with frequent communications and opportunities to enjoy cultural events in the greater San Francisco area, and from time to time in Los Angeles, which is within one and one-half hours' driving time from San Diego.

Ken is a successful entrepreneur, an author and frequent speaker concerning the bond market and preferred stock investments.  He manages a portfolio from his offices and is a leader in San Francisco in numerous heritage organizations.  He created a foundation as well as a superb collection of aerospace memorabilia and established a museum to house the aerospace collection for public viewing.

I have every confidence that Ken Winans will continue to develop a strong personal relationship with our California members. 

Charles Zabriskie, Jr.
Chairman, Branches Committee

Steven B. Snedeker, Sr.

1947 – 2010
             

Steven “Steve” B. Snedeker, Sr. [Pacific Southwest Branch President], a resident of Carlsbad , California , died Tuesday, November 30, 2010 , surrounded by his loving family.  Steve, son of LeRoy & Georgia Snedeker, was born on November 16, 1947 , in Moline , Illinois .  Steve married his beloved wife, Sandra Sue Horn, on November 5,
1969 , in Rock Island , Illinois. 

Steve was a kind, generous man and he loved his family and friends.  As many may know, Steve loved anything having to do with cars, and the faster the better.  His favorite car was the Porsche.  Steve also loved to travel across country to look at and buy cars, with his lovely wife by his side.  Steve had many different interests.  Along with cars and traveling he also loved photography and genealogy. He collected hundreds and hundreds of pictures tracing down his family's ancestry. 

His grandchildren will probably most remember Steve for his love of Lego's, he had thousands!
 
Steve loved his entire family and he let them know it by his words and his actions.  He always wanted to make sure everyone was ok, and if you weren't then he would make sure you were.  He had a big heart and shared it with all.  We will miss Steve very much and we will remember all of the wonderful, happy things about him that made him so special.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Sandra S. Snedeker; children; Stacey Bosteder (wife Tania) of San Diego, CA: Steven Snedeker, Jr. (wife Raylon) of San Marcos, CA; Timothy Snedeker of Carlsbad, CA; Christopher Snedeker (wife Katie) of Vancouver, WA; grandchildren; Cody, Connor, & Zane Bosteder; Kai Snedeker; Madison Clark; & Connor Zablow; brother Frederick Snedeker (wife Joyce) of Olivenhain, CA; sister Christina Kost (husband Thomas) of Milan, IL; along with a large extended family.  He was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Georgia Snedeker.

A brief memorial service for Steven B. Snedeker, Sr. by Don Holden will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2010 , at 7:00 P.M. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses: 2420 La Mirada Dr. , Vista CA , 92081 .  Family will be at the Kingdom Hall one hour prior to the service for visitation.  However, there will be no eulogies or reception prior or following the memorial service.  Interment will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the La Mirada Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses or to his surviving spouse, Sandra Snedeker.

Event Report:
Pilgrimage to the City of Our Forebears and a Study of New Netherland Culture
New York , September 8–14, 2009

A joint event was held by several branches of the Holland Society of New York and its membership committee along with the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, Holland Dames and other volunteers. This magical week interlaced with other events organized by NY400 Holland on the Hudson, the South Seaport Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, the Metropolitan Museum, the New Netherland Museum (Half Moon), the Collegiate Church Corporation, the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Saint Mark's Church on the Bowery, the Wyckoff House & Association, the Sons of the Revolution, Lincoln Cathedral, Fraunces Tavern Museum and others.

The centerpiece of this week was the study “Finding Your New Netherland Roots,” co-sponsored by the Holland Society of New York, the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, and the New York Public Library and held at the New York Public Library and the Holland Society of New York Library. The two-day event featured historians Janny Venema, Ph.D. and Firth Haring Fabend, Ph.D., and genealogists Harry Macy Jr., FASG and Christopher Brooks, who offered a series of lectures on New Netherland history and enhancing understanding of our ancestral record.

A special Dutch Culinary Heritage Dinner, held at the Algonquin Hotel, featured a slide show and talk by expert Ms. Peter G. Rose. The full day of engaging presentations added much to our understanding of Colonial Dutch life and Dutch food in art, we went away armed with new tools of understanding and resources for continuing our personal pursuit of historical knowledge.

The visit by the Crown Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima was a real treat, and the City turned out in huge New York fashion. Camelot sprang to mind as one caught sight of the Royal Family and heard them speak. To say the least, the Crown Prince is a ruggedly handsome young man, and the Princess is stunning with a radiant smile that makes strong men weak in the knees.

On Friday, September 11th, the Ministers, Elders and Deacons of the Collegiate Church Corporation joined with the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in a service of remembrance honoring victims of the 2001 attacks. At the West End Collegiate Church, the choir and organist were accompanied by the Royal Marine Corps Band of the Netherlands . HRH the Prince of Orange and HRH Princess Maxima of the Netherlands attended with invited guests the solemn and heartfelt occasion.

On Saturday, the Royal Family reviewed and then opened to the public a special exhibit at the South Street Seaport Museum . “ New Amsterdam : The Island at the Center of the World” presented by the National Archives of the Netherlands . Many historic items were featured, including the 1626 letter noting the purchase of Manhattan Island for 60 guilders' worth of goods ($24) and other letters, documents, and maps from the Colonial Dutch period. This museum also houses much of FDR's personal collection of model ships.

The exhibition was followed by a garden party with the Royals on Governor's Island . A little rain did not deter attendance and spirits ran high as the Steelband Korps Mariniers created wonderful music. Beautiful young women dressed in Volendam costumes, including Jenny Hendricks, daughter of Sir Andrew Hendricks, created one of many lovely photo opportunities. Colin Lazier had the opportunity to discuss with Princess Maxima the significance of the Beggars' Medal worn by Holland Society presidents. The entire day was simply exquisite.

On Sunday, Holland Society members and other friends gathered at the entrance to Battery Park to remember John B. VanDerbeek IV, the immediate past president of the Holland Society who passed away suddenly on the first of June this year. He had been at the forefront of the events of NY400, and it was sad to know he missed everything we were enjoying. Rev. Rett Zabriskie conducted the remembrance on a this beautiful afternoon while, just steps away, grand ships including the Half Moon sailed majestically on the Hudson during the last of the Harbor Days as the Statue of Liberty stood ever present in the distance.

On Monday, the Fraunces Tavern Museum held a black-tie cocktail party to introduce a special exhibit: one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta signed in 1215 by King John at Runnymede . It, along with other notable artifacts, seemed right at home in the house of the Sons of the Revolution. Being in this amazing building, in the rooms where the foundations of freedom were set in place for a great new nation, was both stirring and inspiring.

One could have chosen any single venue or event to occupy the week and still gone home satisfied. The limits of this article won't allow full descriptions of everything that happened during the week.

The City was filled with visitors from the Netherlands , and it was fun to wear a flag pin and orange ribbon that prompted many conversations about our proud Dutch heritage in restaurants, hotels and around town.

There were plenty of other good times, including intimate meals with old and new friends, museum tours, bike tours, shopping tours, walking tours of lower Manhattan, Harbor Day sightseeing and tours of ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy and NATO, visiting the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, going to the theatre, enjoying the sounds at the Blue Note and Birdland night clubs, eating sandwiches at Katz's Delicatessen, and fun rides on the famous New York subway system. We just did not want it to end.

Only one question remains: How do we top this event next year?

Respectfully submitted,

Steve Snedeker