Sunday Oct 4 The “Schinkel” 90 year anniversary

Written by Jack van Ommen on October 4th, 2009

 

The celebration was a great success. The members had worked on this for months. One of the boat storage sheds had been cleaned out, a stage built; and the building dressed out  in an old maritime decor. The “Schinkelers” showed me once more that they know how to party…  My cousin, Gido van Ommen, whose dad was a member here, came to the celebration and my long time friend ( since 1955), Evelyn, was my date. For the occasion there were many of the old timers who still remembered my uncle. There was a small video player set up running old videos where Gido and I could see clips that included Fred van Ommen. The Amsterdams Haven Koor (Amsterdam Harbor Choir) sang sea chanties. The club put me on the spot. Word has leaked that I like to sing and that I might still know a Dutch sea chanty. So, here I was on the stage lead singing “Op de Woelige Baren” (On the wild waves). This honor was never bestowed on me back home where I often felt as “One Eye” in the land of the blind. Here everyone knows how to sing well.

Two wannabee travastite entertainers put on a great show. I have never laughed so hard. The “Schinkelers” can count on me for the next anniversary, the 100 year one. I just remain in pure awe and extascy over how smooth and harmonious this club runs and how much pleasure, value and friendships they extend to eachother while pursuing their favorite sport and pasttime. I am starting to see the same picture here at the Durgerdam YC the “Y”. Wake up yachting folks elsewhereyou are missing the “boat”.  

This Sunday is the feast day of St.Francis of Assisi and for the parish I attend here, St. Franciscus, it’s a special feast. It was a family mass with the children Choir “Prima Voce”. I just love to hear these incredible clear and steady children voices. In an earlier posting I offered the opinion that, the likes of a,  N.Y. St.Patrick church would envy the adult choir that leads the half empty church here. This children’s choir also stands many notches above an average North American school choir. It’s a way of  life and a tradition and there are many very well trained and gifted teachers for them.

I’ll be in Spakenburg most of Monday and I hope to have an update on the engine saga in the next post.

 

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