Tunis VandenBerg 1921-1999

Tunis had, has, the unique distinction of celebrating his birthday on Christmas eve.

Happy birthday Tune!

Melissa's 8th birthday party in Grandville, Michigan, June 1990

Grandparents and happy grandkids, Bakersfield, California, 1988

Tunis and granddaughter Rachel

Joyce holding Jonathan, Melissa and Christina and Grandpa Tunis, Bakersfield 1986

The VandenBergs, Fremont, Michigan, 1970s - l-r: William, Susan, Joyce, Mary and Dick, seated: Tunis and Bernice 

Thanks to Joyce for sharing the photos!

It's all about space: our third trip to Michigan and family gatherings

Time and space plays amazing tricks on us, or at least on me. It was only a week ago this past Thursday that we left Providence on our third road trip to Michigan this spring, hauling more stuff out west, including a university laptop to help expedite my working remotely.

Yet it seems as if we've been here in Grand Rapids for weeks -- in that short space of time so much has happened.

Chuck Peterson, a close acquaintance from our Grand Rapids years in the early 1990s and the man who showed me how to use a video camera, passed away just before we returned from Rhode Island. I had the good fortune of reconnecting with him on several occasions on previous trips this year so for that I'm grateful. He was far too young and still way too funny to be taken so soon.

The very day we arrived in Grand Rapids we looked at a condo in the same complex where my mother-in-law lives, and it seems we have found our new home. Of course, that decision started the rather demanding process of purchasing a new home while contemplating the changes to be made as well. Lots to be done still, to be sure.

We also joined and subsequently visited Meijers Gardens and Sculpture Park, just a short walk from where we'll be living. Susie even signed up as a volunteer. (I just posted again on those incredible horticultural and sculptural spaces.)

Just two days after we returned to Grand Rapids the Bergman clan arrived in Michigan to spend a week together at a friend's cottage on Gun Lake, about a 45-minute drive south of the city: Carl Bergman driving the Parker contingent from Alabama, Rachel and Steve Engels from California, Joyce Bergman and Jonathan and Naomi Bergman from the greater Bangor, Maine, area. Naturally the grandkids wanted to see their grandmother -- and so they all came over to Grandmother Bernice's house for dinner last Saturday evening. Steve Schaap brought his son, and my nephew, Benjamin for the family dinner and to let Ben visit with  cousins he hasn't seen in some years.

It was a wonderful evening, a warm gathering of family, everyone catching up on the recent news and future events (two children on their way).

Grandma Bernice, Carl, Susie and Steve Schaap

You can see why we moved here: Bernice's smile

Rachel

Adeline Bergman

Susie and Rachel

Mother and daughter: Joyce and Bernice

The  following day, Sunday, was Father's Day. Bernice, her two daughters and I drove to Woodlawn Cemetery to pay respects to Tunis VandenBerg, Joyce and Susan's dad.

Bernice, Joyce and Susie

From Woodlawn Cemetery we drove straight south on Kalamazoo, turned east onto 84th street and made our way to Patterson avenue where we turned south into Allegan County, heading for Gun Lake and some fun in the sun.

French Tarte's second Saturday

This past Saturday, the Tarte's second retail day of the farmers market season, went off without a hitch. Once again nearly everything sold -- except for four large tarts. Business was brisk and sales were better than last week. Not too bad at all.  And Kelli Rae was on hand to pitch in as well.

This Saturday was a special day, however, since Susie's sister Joyce dropped by with sister-in-law Dorothy. Joyce had driven down from her home in Maine the day before and the two gals came by the shop bright and early Saturday. Always nice to see their smiles poking through the door and after a brief chat with the Tarte they went off exploring the newly expanded market. Anyway, we would see both again later that evening at Dick and Dorothy's in Douglas, MA, along with Dick and Susan's Uncle Frank. Unfortunately, Aunt Cathy was still under the weather and had to beg off from traveling. Her wit and charm would be sorely missed.

Overall, the day went well and the Tarte put out most of her usual array of goodies along with one or two new treats.

apple tart right out of the oven

shortbread bar is open!

Susie, Dorothy and Joyce (l-r)

pecan caramel bun

raspberry pistachio financier

what do you get when you mix flan filling with croissant dough? a flan bun

moelleux

sisters: Joyce and Susie around Dick and Dorothy's table

siblings: Dick, Joyce and susie

Sisters is much more than a word -- Susan Nell and Joyce Anne

This past Sunday, Susie and I packed ourselves into the Mini and headed north up I-95 to I-93 and then back onto I-95 as we made our way to Portland, Maine, and a rendezvous at the Panera in Westbrook with Dick, Dorothy and Joyce (AKA Joybell).

The five of us spent a pleasant afternoon of good food, warm conversation and siblings just being together sharing their affection for each other.

Unfortunately, Dick and Dorothy scooted out to Freeport before I could snap a photo of a brother with his two sisters. But I did get Joyce and Susan together. Some things never seem to change, like the bond between two sisters. It's a beautiful thing to watch in action and these images can only provide an all-too-brief glimpse into that phenomenon.