A Neighbor Day in the Netherlands

In between our heres-n-theres, visitors, and this-and-that-there are the little gems that just seem to happen here where we live.  They may not be big in the total scheme of things but they're memorable nonetheless.

Like, for instance, the annual Burendag (= Neighbor Day) that has happened each September now for 7 years.  It was first initiated by the Douwe Egberts coffee company in 2006 and then picked up by the Oranje Fonds, a national charity for social initiative amongst different groups of people.  In the Netherlands, a cuppa koffie is the symbol of getting together with people you don't know.

For us here at our De Lindeborg retirement complex, and for the first time ever, our Poort6 landlord company sponsored a BBQ here in our courtyard.  It was our 2012 Neighbor Day BBQ.  Time for everyone to come out of hiding to meet each other.

The Poort6 men came out en force to set up and serve us.

Floor (bottom right above) is our huismaster (house master).

What a spread!  This is the Dutch BBQ way with 4 different meats:

bratwoorst, chicken saté (3 sticks), hamburger and slice of ham.

As we were served each meat, the server signed his initials on our tiny menu slip.

White/red wine and/or beer to drink.

And all for €5 per person!

In the end, there were only 40 of us who showed up of around 200 potential people.

Many were the regulars who always show up at our gatherings throughout the year,

but the one new neighbor who sat at our table was Wim (bottom left above).

And as luck would have it, Astrid had connections with him because of their tennis years in the area.

That means we got to know one new neighbor that day!  It's a start.

And while we're at it, these are the ones of my Friday's Rummikub group who were there!

Top:  Lena, Meindert, Moi and Sophie (in early Alzheimer's)

Center:  Gonnie and Blanche.

Bottom:  Jouke Our leader), Gerrie and...Elt (husband of Sophie who joins us after Rummikub for drinks).
Two were missing:  Frida and Henk. 

Can you tell who my favorite is?  

Dear, dear Meindert...always speaking English phrases whenever they fit.

"You are my sunshine!" And always with that smile.

A little wobbly on his feet but do I care???

For 2 hours, from beginning to end, we truly embraced being neighbors!

I think even "the help" totally enjoyed being with us old geezers.

Here's to next year being even bigger and better!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

A month earlier, back in August, while out-n-about in our city center on the last day of the week's Summer Festival, we visited the wood-carving exhibition of Adrie Bezemer inside our Grote Kerk :

 His carvings were lined up all around the inside of the church.

I hate that I didn't take more pictures of his handiwork but you can see it here. 

He's been doing this as a hobby since 1999...and he's from Goudriaan, just 6 miles away.
We met another neighbor!

 It's such a treat to meet and interact with such artisans.

Remember when Astrid got to learn how to blow glass from Mart Martorell?  

THIS is what I would want to learn:  how to turn wood.  So the demonstration was wonderful.

 The day reminded me of a painting Dad had in our house growing up...

of Jesus as a young carpenter.

I'd love to find it....

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

When we walked out of the church that day, the stage was set up in the city square, highlighting the end of the musical festival.  And there he was, Barry...

   ...the friend and neighbor of Astrid's son whom we've met several times.

Everyone that day was a neighbor.  Everyone.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.  Would you be my neighbor?