Florence VV Davis, Membership Chair

Thanks to Van Angels Naomi C. Dryden (Br. 8), Ann VV Zowada (Br. 7), and Marion Pogue (Br. 1) for sending in news clippings about VV doings from their newspapers. Not only does this provide interesting stories for our newsletter; it also provides helpful leads for the membership team to pursue. Naomi also sends in VV names and addresses from phone books in her area, which is much appreciated.

Congratulations to Elwin and Priscilla VV (Br. 7) who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 13, 1999 at the First Congregational Church, Sidney, NY. Joining in the celebration were their three children, Ann Hammer, Pamela Lindberg, David VV, and four grandchildren: Richard Jr., Juliana, Kate, and Emily. Elwin is a pharmacist and owned the Rexall drug store on Main Street. His son David now runs the store but Elwin continues to work there. Both Elwin and Priscilla have been active in church and community activities throughout their married life.

Congratulations are also due for Jon VV, son of Jon and Jill VV, who was the salutatorian at his June 1999 graduation from high school in Phoenix, NY. Jon majored in math and science, and his extracurricular activities included football, wrestling, and baseball as well as the National Honor Society. Special honor awards were: Bausch and Lomb Science Award, Xerox Humanities Award, and US Army Reserve Scholarship/Athlete Award. Jon plans to attend the University of Rochester and will study biomedical engineering.

The town of Valkenburg, Netherlands, from whence came our ancestors Lambert and Annetje VV, was the scene of the World Cycling Championships race last fall. Top overall men’s performer was a Texan, Lance Armstrong, who had also won a fight against cancer.

In the spring issue of News Notes I mentioned an old report card I had found in a Tucson antique shop that bore the names of Connelly and Katie VV. Soon I received a nice letter from Connelly B. VV (Br. 1) in Sidney, NY, saying that the Connelly named on the card was his grandfather. Furthermore, Connelly B. and his father had attended the same school in Masonville some years later. I was happy to send the card to Connelly B. But the mystery of how the card traveled from Masonville, NY to Tucson, AZ remains unsolved. We both wish it could talk and tell the story of its journey!

Pat Mersereau needs a researcher to do "leg-work" (her wonderfully descriptive term) for the newsletter - someone to keep up with the articles and distribute as needed. Ardys Van Valkenburg needs assistance with typing of the articles. I would like to have someone willing to "publish" the newsletter - have it printed, then mail it. Since it is mailed first class, this is a time-consuming function.

If interested in working without financial remuneration, but loads of self-satisfaction, please contact:

Editor, News Notes: hovava@juno.com.

(Oh, yes - a computer and e-mail are basic requirements for the positions and a fax is very desirable).