Bernice Audrey Van Halsema Vandenberg 1927-2025

Happy Birthday Mom/Gram/Greatgram!! 

Our 42nd wedding anniversary

Today was not quite as busy as it was for us (well for Susan who did all the work) 42 years ago in Roanoke, Virginia. We were married at the home of Bob and Margie Berry and it was a grand day indeed! Warm to be sure but certainly fun full of happy folks, smiling faces and plenty of fellowship.

August 6, 1983

We spent today going about our routine enjoying life's little things: workout at MVP for us both and Susie putting the final touches on her preparations for teaching a couple of curious teenagers how to make macarons tomorrow.

The highlight of the day was meeting up with friends Patty and Paul for dinner at Linear. The food was good, service fine and company, as always with those two, warm and full of lively conversation.

laughter always seems to be the hallmark of being around these two 

Susan had grilled salmon

I had the Bolognese

As the sun dropped ending another day we said adios to P & P and headed off for our car. Forty-two down so we're at about halfway. . . 

A birthday and remembering Mark Van Halsema

Yesterday was Susan's birthday. 

We spent a quiet day with the birthday girl enjoying her combat fitness class at MVP while I did my workout. After her class Susan walked home from the gym (it's only about 2.5 miles) while I headed out to the Asian market in Kentwood to pick up a few staples (Panko, scallions, garlic, rice wine, frozen Edamame and soy sauce mainly).

That evening we joined about dozen or so of Susan's cousins at Beer City Bread for dinner in memory of Susan's cousin Mark Van Halsema. He died August 3, 2005, and his wife, daughter and a couple of sisters were in town to visit the grave and to recall his life and spirit.

It was a short drive down the East Beltline to the restaurant. The weather was nice, the food was good (I had a crispy chicken sandwich), the beer cold (Perrin Black for me), and the company lively and in wonderful spirits. Stories about Mark flowed for much of the evening bringing about lots of chuckles as well as a few tears. 

cousins Mark Lindholm and his wife Nancy Tess (Van Halsema) on the left

the birthday girl

Front: Me, Susie, Donna Kallemyn, Brenda Friedman, Tess, Jane DeKorne, Brianna (Kate's friend), Helen Sterk; back row Mark Lindholm, Clark Van Halsema, Dale DeKorne, daughter Kate, Scott and Jennifer Galloway

cousins Brenda Friedman and Dale Dekorne with Mark Lindholm in back

Mark's wife Helen Sterk with cousins Scott and Jennifer Galloway

cousins Dale and Susie

A flying trip to the Chicago suburbs

The other morning I got a text message from my (half-)sister-in-law Joyce. My half-brother Greg (and I will hereinafter refer to him as my brother thank you very much) fell off a ladder while cleaning the gutters on their house. They live in the wild western suburbs of Chicago and God knows anything can happen there.

Anyway, he was not seriously injured, a broken ankle and a couple of lumbar compression fractures. But it was a good enough excuse to drive over and see them both. It had been over a year and a half since we had last seen Greg and several years since we had sat down with Joyce. Time to catch up.

So, with the car charged to 100%, off we went, stopping once to use the bathroom at the Indiana welcome center and then to recharge at Meijer in Michigan City, IN. It began raining while we were sitting waiting to finish charging and that would continue with us all the way to Crystal Lake. Added to the lousy weather was the traffic snarl from hell. After we arrived in Indiana traffic slowed to the proverbial crawl along Routes I80/94 and with the various construction projects added to the rush hour mix, a four-hour trip took us over six hours before we pulled into Meijer in Algonquin, IL. to recharge.

Once that was done we headed off to the rehab hospital in Crystal Lake where we found Greg and Joyce laughing about something or another -- you should know that Joyce is the world's most serious chuckler. If there was an award for best hugs that would surely go to Susan's cousin Melissa Loaney. But when it comes to laughing, Joyce Lucas has us all beat hands down.

We had a nice chat with Greg and was pleased to see he was doing pretty well all things considered. There was even talk of him being able to go home in a week or so.

After saying adios to Greg, Susan and I took Joyce out to dinner in nearby Crystal Lake. It was still raining as we parked the car next to the Vine & Plate where we enjoyed Wine Wednesday (buy one glass get the second at half off) and all three of us had tacos in one form or another. Oddly enough the restaurant was right next door to a Taco Bell. 

Susie and Joyce

I had the blackened shrimp tacos

The food was delicious, the wines very nice -- and much appreciated after our drive over. The evening went by too quickly but it was good to catch up on the news from this branch of a very loosely connected family. We dropped Joyce back off at her car at the hospital and Susie and I drove into Huntley where we had reservations at the Hampton Inn.

The next morning we took our time before getting on the road, waiting for rush hour to pass before tackling the roads around Chicago. The weather was lovely (other than haze and smokiness from Canadian wildfires), traffic reasonable and after stopping once to charge at Michigan City, we were soon back home.

If you feel you need to know more about one of the early postwar dysfunctional families in the midwest by all means check out our backstory.

Oh, and we stopped in at the Fulton Farmer's market to pick up some fresh goodies for next week!

And Happy Birthday Susan Nell!!

1954 and already she's running a kitchen

The Cranes visit our sit-out group

During the pandemic a few of us at the end of Eagle Court Court, in urgent need of social contact, began sitting outside at the end of our driveway.  We have kept to that tradition, without the social distancing, for some five years now. 

It was also around the time of the pandemic that Sandhill Cranes began paying a visit to our neighborhood -- we've watched them come and go, have babies, stroll around the grounds, mostly feeding and pooping as wildlife is prone to do. 

But we never expected this.

 

Back to Rhode Island again

 [Sunday 13 July] 

Today was our 2nd foray into Rhode Island this trip. 

After another leisurely morning over coffee in Douglas we headed south into Rhode Island about 1 pm. We had reservations to meet up with friends Andie and her mother Barbara at Bayberry Garden. Located on Dyer street in a complex of buildings dominated by Brown University's medical school, it was a short walk to one of my old offices. 

It was a gorgeous day, sunny and a bit warm but a nice breeze along the Providence River.

The six of us were seated straightaway and we enjoyed warm conversation catching up over very good food and a pitcher of Mimosas.

D & D's home

Bayberry Garden on Dyer Street

Shakshuka with grilled flatbread

Caesar Salad

After lunch the six of us walked across the street to browse the Sunday artists' market, which was in the throes of shutting down for the day. But it was nice to stroll along the river.

l-r: Andrea, Dick, Barbara, Dor, and Susie

Eventually we had to hug and say goodbye -- until the next time we return to Providence!

Once back in the car the four of us meandered through the back streets of south Providence eventually popping into the parking lot of our old place on Federal Hill. Not much had changed it seemed but we didn't stop to chat with any of the residents. Time to head home.

That evening we had another delicious salad à la Dorothy, made with her home-grown lettuce, cuke, tomatoes, and leftover roasted potatoes and flank steak, all nicely diced up. A wonderful ending to a very fine day indeed.

Hanging out in Massachusetts

  [Monday 14 July] 

Well actually we really spent the better part of today in Rhode Island and Connecticut. 

After a very leisurely morning of coffee and a light breakfast the four of us packed ourselves into D & D's car and, with Dick at the helm, off we went for our first adventure of the day. As you might expect, that involved food. 

Last year when we visited here the four of us had lunch at the Matunuck Oyster Bar in Matunuck, RI. (Susie and I had eaten here with friends Andrea ad Barbara back when we lived in Rhode Island.) Although none of us are particularly fond of oysters (the Phlegm family of food as Dave Barry referred to them) the location is lovely and the food very good.

Sadly, back in May of this year, there was an extensive fire which naturally caused the business to close. But not for long. They opened back up about two weeks ago under a large tent just across the road from their old building. They have food prep trailer close by and the best port-a-potties any of us have ever seen!

After dropping our car off with the valet (valet parking only) we walked across the road -- no jumping from the bridge of course -- and since we had reservations were seated straightaway.

The food was still scrumptious and the service spot on, as we expected. Dorothy had a lobster roll (a standard with her) while Dick had one of his favorites: a stuffie with a bowl of New England chowder. Susie and I each had the blackened chicken sandwich which was truly blackened low-country style.

waiting for the rebuild

the place was hoppin'

D & D just happy to be here

blackened chicken, yummmeeee

across the road from the big tent

temporary dining room

After a relaxing lunch, fueling us up for the next leg of the day, we drove out of Matunuck and eventually crossed over into Connecticut. (For those of you living in more wide open spaces, you must remember how close things are in New England.)

Our next destination was the village of Chester, CT. Located a stone's throw from the Connecticut River, it boasts the last remaining ferry on the river and is also home of the Gillette "Castle". More of that shortly.

After about an hour or so cruising the back roads of CT we pulled into Chester. But before stopping in town we drove the mile or so to check out the ferry crossing.

In the distance, we could see William Gillette's "castle" on the hill on the opposite side of and overlooking the river. We opted not to cross and check out the castle, today a state park, but you can find out more right here.

Osprey nest?

Gillette Castle up on the hill

In Chester itself we found parking plentiful and enjoyed a half hour so strolling this lovely, quaint village. We stopped for coffee at Simon's Marketplace along the Main street and were greeted by a trio playing a set of tunes reminiscent of folk singers Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Simon's Marketplace along Main Street

We made our way back to the highway and were soon off to Glastonbury and the MacDonald home for dinner. After another hour or so driving we found our way into town with the goal of locating the Whole Foods to pick up a prepared salad and a couple of bottles of wine. We found the store just fine but they didn't sell wine so Susie and I walked across the street to a liquor store and grabbed two bottles. Unfortunately they didn't have much of a deli section at Whole Foods and so off we went to the Highland Market (a Christina recommendation) where we picked up a large container of red bliss potato salad. 

A few minutes later we were ensconced on the patio at the MacDonald's with a glass of wine in hand. Christina put a plate of hummus with diced cucumber and tomatoes and olives which went like the proverbial hotcakes. Deeeelicious!

Liam was at home and Kiera arrived not long after we sat down. All of us spent a wonderful evening chatting, catching up on the latest developments in Lego Land and got to see Kiera's costume for the upcoming ConnectiCon (Connecticut's version of Comic Con) in Hartford. 

Dinner proved to be another outstanding home-cooked meal: flank steak on the grill, cheesy potatoes and potato salad (OK compliments of Highland Market). Dessert was a blueberry pie à la Christina and Liam's Rice Crispy Treats, the latter having just the right amount of chewiness I thought.

Eventually it was time for goodbye hugs. I have no idea when we'll see these guys again -- sooner than later I hope -- and will miss their company. The Bergman kids and their various spouses are always a joy to be around and their kids a special treat for us. 

Tomorrow the four of us meet up with old friends Andrea and her mom Barbara for lunch in Providence. Always food, of course.

 

Off to Massachusetts

 [Friday 11 July] 

After checking out of our hotel we were back on Route 4 heading into Rutland. But before we had gone 15 minutes we pulled off in Mendon to have breakfast at our old haunt Sugar & Spice. Located right at the junction of Route 4 and Meadow Lake Drive, the restaurant was a short drive from our old house in Chittenden.

Susan had a waffle with blueberries, a scrambled egg and side of bacon and I had a stack of pancakes with sausage. We thought the food rather mediocre, and Susie remarked she thought the waffle had an artificial off taste. But things, times, people and apparently food change.

I ate the bottom quarter of this stack thank you very much

It was a quick drive around Rutland, skirting the town via the backroads to the hospital and then beyond, eventually making our way to Route 7 south of town. Our destination, indeed our goal for coming to Vermont in the first place, was to pay our respects to Lena D. and so we did.

Her monument is high up in St. Patrick's cemetery in a spot that overlooks the valley below and the hills to the west, to the sunset.

After her family, the monument clearly illustrates the four things most important to Lena: her church (with which she involved herself deeply on many levels), quilting and doll making, the Boston Red Sox and her life as a caring, loving health care professional.

looking west

One of the wonderful things about strolling through a cemetery is that you never know who you might find. Like the Timbers family:

We left the cemetery a little before a graveside service was about to begin and made our way out of town on Route 140 to 103 in East Wallingford. From there we cruised along through Ludlow and pulled in to one of our frequent stops in years gone by, the antique shops at the Stone House in Chester. It's always fun to browse and the fact they have bathrooms is a plus.

Back on the road as we neared I-91, we had to make a stop at the Vermont Country Store in Rockingham. A Vermont staple, the store has sold everything from soup to nuts over the years and it's always fun to browse yet another "general  merchandise" establishment.

 

But we still had miles to go today so we were soon back on the road. We hopped on I-91 south and got off at Ingleside in Massachusetts to check out another old stop of ours: the Barnes and Noble Store.  As you can tell by now, this trip has been one of what I will call relaxed driving, taking time and not hurrying along. Travel can often be stressful when one has a set destination and wants to get there NOW. That wasn't our approach on this trip to New England and certainly not today.

From I-91 we switched to the Mass Pike (I-90) briefly before getting off on to I-291 and soon right onto Route 20 east.

We remained on Route 20 all the way to I-395, then south to Webster, switching to Route 16 which took us to Douglas and Dick and Dorothy's home.

Route 20, fluctuating between 2- and 4-lane, was naturally slow going with the occasional stoplight. And the route was a bit depressing as we passed many abandoned buildings, businesses that had come and gone, their spaces sitting unused, untended and apparently unwanted.

As we were driving along Susan thought out loud, wondering if the Brimfield Flea Market was underway - sure enough! We crawled our way through, the road going directly between the maze of tents selling all manner of junk and stuff, past stands selling lemonade and Italian sausages and what not to eat. 

But we weren't held up too long and soon found ourselves zipping along through Sturbridge (lots of past stops at Yankee Spirits there) ending up at D & D's a little after 4:00 pm.

After settling in, the four of us sat outside on their patio listening to the bubbling of their fountain and enjoying the peace and quiet of this place they have called home for nearly 30 years.

That evening we were treated to a delicious home-cooked meal: flank steak on the grill, roasted potatoes, and a scrumptious salad made with lettuce from their garden. A lovely ending to a wonderful day spent recapturing the past.

that's a home-cooked meal!

Tomorrow it's off to lunch at Matunuck Oyster Bar in RI and then on to Glastonbury, CT with some exploring of eastern CT in the bargain.