It won't be long before many of us are gathered in Reno, celebrating our Annual Reunion.

I say "many" because I hope there will be a large number of you there to enjoy one another's company both for social pleasure and to pursue the tracking of our genealogy.

For some, the genealogy is the most important part of family experiences, and for still others it's just enjoying the warmth of friendship among those with whom we share a common heritage.

Whatever your interest is in being a Van Valkenburg, you are sure to find someone at the Reunion with whom to enjoy a shared experience.

At this writing in early April, I don't know how many registrations have been sent in but I urge you to seriously consider making this event part of your summer plans. Holly has arranged a delightful program of sightseeing in the area which I anticipate enjoying. The accommodations look wonderful. The price is right, the weather should be cloudless. Saturday evening promises to be fun and I promise the business meeting will be as brief as possible.

Holly will appreciate your registration as soon as you can make your plans. Come, share, enjoy. Sometimes I wish Van Valkenburg(h) was not so hard to spell or pronounce for those unfamiliar with our name. I'm sure you've all had similar experiences of the "Van" being omitted, or thought to be a middle name or whatever. I've had "Walkenberger", "Vanallenberg", even "Vandenbersgh", etc. But our name is so unusual in most parts of the USA that folks notice it and frequently ask about its origin.

Not long ago, I was in Natchez, Mississippi, touring the wonderful ante bellum home there. Two women read my name tag and asked if I was from Holland. It turned out they were from Holland and traveling with their husbands on a southern tour. I enjoyed a nice visit with them about Holland and our family's connection. Then, an usher at my church told me there was a young woman in his office by our name and was she related. No, she wasn't, but I took the opportunity to follow up on who may become a prospective NAVVF member.

Then, while speaking by telephone to a friend in Houston recently, she mentioned that as she glanced over a list of residents in her large apartment complex, she noticed a "Mrs. Van Valkenburg". I asked her to contact that person and put me in touch with her -- possibly another prospective member of NAVVF.

So, you see, our distinctive name calls attention and give us surprising opportunities to be in touch with others -- maybe even leading to new "cousins". I hope you have had similar experiences and I urge you to follow up as a NAVVF recruiter, thus adding to our membership and expanding our knowledge of VVs, their history and role in society today.

Until Reno,

Mary E. Van Valkenburgh, President