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All the NAS events, except on rare occasions, take place within the Los Angeles area. The events are monthly and generally have a theme, see below, all typically including a happy hour with appetizers, followed by dinner. There is a charge, which varies, to members and guests for attending each of these events.
Annually, there are seven traditional NAS events: New Year, Membership Meeting, Queen's Birthday, Bike/Hike & Barbecue, Leidens Ontzet and Sinterklaas. Every fifth year NAS celebrates its Anniversary with a Dinner Dance.
The New Year Reception takes place in early January about a week after the actual beginning of the year. For many years now, the same NAS members have opened their home located in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles for the celebration. A delicious assortment of catered hors d'ouerve, cheeses, sandwiches and desserts are always provided along with a NAS hosted bar. The evening is concluded with a champagne toast to the New Year.
In February, of every year brings the Anniversary Dinner Dance, or similar event, which celebrates the anniversary of the founding and incorporation of the Netherlands American Society.
This is a formal event (black tie optional) and takes place in an upscale restaurant or hotel banquet room. A delicious meal is provided along with good music for the dancing pleasure of everyone. In 2010 our 70th anniversary was celebrated with a luncheon and dancing aboard The Queen Mary, Long Beach.
Toward the end of March the Annual Membership Meeting is held in accordance with the NAS bylaws. The purpose is to discuss and vote on important issues affecting the Netherlands American Society, review the annual financial report and other items. Also taking place is the nomination and election of the NAS Board of Directors. After all business has concluded, a catered dinner, usually an Indonesian Rijstafel, is served followed by dessert and coffee. A large room, usually a recreation room, is obtained to effectively conduct the meeting.
In late April or early May, NAS celebrates the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands. The party takes place on the Sunday closest to the actual date of April 28th. For the last several years the event has been graciously hosted by one of our members at his home in Beverly Hills, but this year, 2010, it will take place in Glendale. As always, speeches are given and the Dutch and American National Anthems are sung followed by a toast to Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands.
How can a Dutch organization not have a bicycling event? Therefore, every June or July there is a Bicycle Ride and/or Hike (The Dutch love to walk, also), and Barbecue. The more sports minded NAS members first participate in a casual bicycle ride of about 12 miles usually along the Los Angeles South Bay beach bicycle path with an intermediate stop for refreshments. Hikes are about 2 to 3 miles long, usually in a park in the Santa Monica Mountains. After completing the ride or hike, they then join other members and guests for the barbecue at a NAS member's home.
In early October the NAS celebrates Leidens Ontzet. The event usually takes place at a home, situated in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Traditionally, haring (herring) on white bread and hutspot met klapstuk (carrot and onion hodgepodge with chuck roast) is served.
The history behind Leidens Ontzet. October 3, 1574. Beseiged by the Spanish, the city of Leiden was stubbornly defended while its citizens suffered starvation. Meeting protesting women, the Burgemeester (Mayor) said, "Cut off my arm and feed it to your children," whereupon they left silently. The rebelling forces had to wait until autumn for the waters to rise, so they could inundate the low lands of Holland. They breached the dikes of the Hollandse IJssel, between Rotterdam and Gouda. The Spanish had to beat a nighttime retreat before the rising waters. This allowed free access for the flat-bottomed boats of the Watergeusen (Water-beggars), delivering white bread and herring. The hutspot (hodgepodge) was found where the Spanish had left it.
Palm Springs. In 2009, NAS visited Palm Springs for a three day two night stay at the Casa Cody Inn. With all the local attractions, golf, aerial tram to the San Jacinto mountains, hiking, restaurants, shopping and entertainment there is plenty to do no matter what one's interests may be. This event is also a fundraiser for the NAS Hans Hienkens diabetic fund. NAS is repeating the event for 2010 - maybe a new tradition.
The NAS Sinterklaas Party, the final event of the year, is usually held at a member's home on the Saturday evening closest to December 5th. After a visit by Sinterklaas and his helper and the singing of familiar songs, traditional Dutch snert (pea soup with sausage) and broodjes (rolls with ham or cheese) are served. Dessert is usually a Dutch favorite, banket (a marzipan filled pastry). Sinterklaas, or St. Nicholas, is an annual event celebrated by the people of the Netherlands, young and old, on the eve of St. Nicholas' Feast Day.
Read a complete story and history of Sinterklaas.
For the off months, including November (non-Dinner/Dance years), events such as a luncheon followed by a visit to a museum or other point of interest, a wine tasting tour or a theme outdoor party may be scheduled. Usually, there is no event in August.
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