Family get-together on Lake Michigan

For those of you who weren't here you missed a fine get together yesterday of some 20 or so Van Halsema cousins at the Great Lake House (previously Overview) overlooking Lake Michigan. 

Dinner was catered by the Gnarly Heifer in Whitehall, Michigan; desserts provided by several folk including Susie, Laurie Ten Have-Chapman, and Barb DeKorne. Jen Galloway made a scrumptious salad and our host Dick Van Halsema laid out a vast array of nibbles: cheeses, crackers, fruit and other assorted goodies. He also had two well-stocked large tubs of various drinks on ice along with plenty of wine. I apologize if I missed anyone else.

Good food, and lively conversations with folks sharing lots of reminiscences and stories of days gone by.  And hearing these stories never gets tiresome, at least for this outsider. I grew up in a single child household not knowing my one cousin so this is always a treat for me.

Linda and her mother Donna Kallemyn, with cousins Brenda Friedman and Melissa Loaney

Dale and Jane DeKorne

the gang

Jeff Loaney

Melissa Loaney

cousins Brenda Friedman, Dale DeKorne and Susie

sisters Melissa Loaney and Jen Galloway

Scott Galloway inspecting the stonework of the old chimeny

sisters Melissa and Jen

Scott and Jen Galloway

Me and Susie

We had to stay for the sunset. . . Dick VH sees this pretty much everyday now but for us it was truly a spectacular event. We can't thank him enough sharing the experience.

What a way to end a truly wonderful day among good friends sharing an incredible evening.