Potomac Branch

Contact:
David Vandenberg
davidvandenberg@hotmail.com

Joint Meeting of the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames and the
Potomac Branch of The Holland Society of New York

The historic Chevy Chase County Club was the fabulous setting for the joint meeting of the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames and the Potomac Branch of the Holland Society of New York. Organized by Directress General of the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames Mary Woodfill Park with able assistance from Felicia Stidham, the Chevy Chase County Club was provided courtesy of Dr. and Mrs. Lee Crandall Park.

Approximately 25 members of both organizations and their guests were joined at the luncheon on Sunday, October 19 by Floris van Hovell, Spokesman/Counselor for Public Diplomacy, Press and Culture from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and his Wife, Polly, and Timothy Smith from the United States State Department, Office of European Affairs, Netherlands and his wife, Kelley. During the luncheon, the van Hovells from Holland told us about their interesting three year sojourn in Argentina prior to coming to the United States for the current position. It was most interesting to hear from these two government officials about their respective positions in Washington D.C. during the presentations which followed the luncheon.

Guests were treated to a wonderful luncheon followed by presentations which focused on current events and the upcoming 2009 celebration from Mary Woodfill Park and John B. VanDerbeek IV from the Holland Dames and The Holland Society respectively. In addition, Mr. van Hovell and Mr. Smith provided presentations focusing on their responsibilities in Washington D.C. and regarding the 2009 celebrations.

Past President Wells Van Pelt drove all the way from his home in Charlotte, North Carolina to join the festivities with guests John B. Adams and Robert W. Lowry. Also in attendance from The Holland Society were Past President Peter Van Dyke and his wife Judy, E. Drannon and Carol Buskirk, John and Betty Scott with granddaughter Rachel Brown and guest Joseph Bender and good member Brad Cole. Mary and Lee Park, Felicia Stidham, and Betty Ann Kane also attended as members of Friends of The Holland Society. The Holland Society of New York Potomac Branch President David Vandenberg was out of town and unable to attend.