Niagara Frontier Branch

Contact:
David Quackenbush
dquack@qcoinc.com

Niagara Frontier Branch Events

The Niagara Frontier Branch of the Holland Society of New York held two events in
June of 2008.

On June 10, 2008, Trustee and member of the Niagara Frontier Branch, Colin G. Lazier arranged for a lovely reception at the Hamilton Club in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. National President John B. VanDerbeek IV, his wife, Diane and newsletter editor Adrian Bogart arrived at Colin and Barbara Lazier's home before the reception and were treated to a lovely tour of historic sites in beautiful Hamilton on the way to the reception. They were interested to learn that Hamilton is located in a large wine producing region of Ontario. The reception at the historic Hamilton club was attended and hosted by Colin Lazier, and others in attendance included members of the Lazier family and members and friends of the Holland Society of New York. Colin's father, the Honorable Colin S. Lazier, a retired Judge attended with his wife. Also in attendance were Colin's daughter, Amy, Colin's brother and sister in law, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Lazier, Dr. & Mrs. Andrew Brink, David & Molly Quackenbush, Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Maybee, Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Springstead, Mr. James Hardenbrook, Mr. Darren Hardenbrook, Mr. Harold Lazier & Barbara McCoy, Mike Lazier & Peter Lazier. Mike Lazier, Colin's nephew, came all the way from Nelson, B.C. in eastern British Columbia, Canada to attend this event. Attendees were treated to wonderful food and local wines and enjoyed meeting each other and discussing subjects of mutual interest, especially the history of the Dutch in the US and Canada.

Early the next morning, we were up and soon on our way to Buffalo, New York with Colin Lazier at the wheel. On our way, just before crossing the border from Canada into the US we visited Niagara Falls. The scenery was fabulous and the sensation of standing right at the edge of the falls safely behind a large stone wall and iron fence was thrilling. We stopped to drop off luggage at David and Molly Quackenbush's historic nearly century old home, before heading to the historic site of the Wilcox Mansion where Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as President on November 14, 1901 after President McKinley was assassinated. This visit was made especially meaningful by Molly Quackenbush who is in management at the Wilcox Mansion and arranged for us to be able to view the site despite the fact that it is currently closed for renovations. Adrian Bogart Jr. who volunteers hundreds of hours every year at Sagamore Hill, Roosevelt's home on Long Island which is a National Historic Site, provided interesting anecdotes about Roosevelt's time in Buffalo. When we left the Wilcox Mansion, we were treated to a visit to the Erie Canal and some US Navy ships, then we visited a historic and impressive Frank Lloyd Wright home which is being restored. Finally, David showed us a beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright designed crew house for rowing shells and the rowing race course which is one of the sites which makes Buffalo famous. We then headed to the beautiful Saturn Club for the Niagara Frontier Branch meeting and dinner. Adrian Bogart was pleased to discover that his New York Club, the Union League Club, had reciprocal privileges when he visited the bar for a cold lemonade on a hot muggy day! We were treated to a delightful dinner at the Saturn Club and John VanDerbeek provided those in attendance with an upbeat and interesting presentation regarding the last year of branch meetings, and current events in which the Holland Society is involved including the Henry Hudson 400 Celebration, the Membership Campaign, and the Capital Campaign. His presentation also included photos of the beautiful new headquarters and library at 20 W. 44th Street. In attendance in addition to hosts David & Molly Quackenbush, President John & Diane VanDerbeek, Adrian Bogart, Jr., Andrew & Helen Brink, Robert & Margaret Ostrander, John & Hinke Boot, Tony Fryer, Harold & Kathleen Van Voorhis, Ted & Beverly Van Deusen, Larry & Jane Van Deusen, Scott & P.J. Van Buskirk.

It was delightful to spend time with Colin & Barbara Lazier and David & Molly Quackenbush who graciously invited the three of us into their homes, provided transportation and meals, and wonderful hospitality. It was also wonderful to spend time with members and guests present at the two events.