Our 30th wedding anniversary -- halfway there!

Van Halsema family reunion, the slideshow

Just a little something to remember a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Clear Bottom Lake. . .

 

Van Halsema Reunion in Michigan - group photos

Below is a series of group photos overlooking Clear Bottom Lake (and yes, the bottom is clear). You can access high-resolution copies on Flickr at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevesoper/9443781182/

just about everybody

Gerard Van Halsema family

Marian Van Halsema-John Ten Have family

Betsy Van Halsema-Jack Dekorne family

Frank Van Halsema and daughter Mieke (we miss you Cathy!)

Wilhelmina Van Halsem-Jim Quackenbush family
l-r:Ruth Quackenbush, Mark Quackenbush and his wife Robin

Helen Van Halsema-Don Vandepolder family

Dick Van Halsema family

l-r: Thea Van Halsema, Frank, Fran, John Ten Have, Betsy Dekorne, Bernice Vanden Berg, Marian Ten Have and Helen Vandepolder

Going to Grand Rapids, Michigan

Susie had already been in Michigan for about a week by the time I left on Friday, August 2, her birthday.

Uneventful flying through gorgeous weather made the trip a breeze for me -- so no complaints aside from the dubious quality of the aircraft out of Providence. Traveling from Providence's T. F. Green airport to connect to my Grand Rapids in Newark -- I won't do that again. We parked at Terminal C, very new and spiffy, but then I had to hike from underground to Terminal A via bus (shades of Heathrow this past spring) and found my flight had been delayed.

So, I spent a fair amount of time sitting around old, worn Terminal A amidst a jam-packed selection of folks traveling all over creation.

It's always about waiting at the airport

our plane to Newark -- Bob's Third World Airlines masquerading as United Express

check out the worn rubber gasket around the emergency exit on our flight to Newark -- luckily we didn't leave the plane earlier than planned

beautiful travel weather and incredible skies

I arrived an hour or so late, picked up my rental car and headed straight out to our friend Stan's home for dinner -- he willingly agreed to host Susie's birthday dinner. Susie and her mom were already there sipping wine and eating shrimp. But I caught up in no time.

Stan Susie and Bernice

me Susie and Bernice

It was wonderful to be back in Michigan, for Susie's birthday of course, but also for the Van Halsema family reunion slated to kick off the next day out at Clear Bottom Lake, near Rockford.

Stay tuned!

Best of Rhode island

On Thursday evening, July 25, Susie and I drove downtown and spent a curious evening at the Best of Rhode Island party in the Providence Performing Arts Center. Susie, AKA the French tarte, was there to receive her award as one of "the best" of Rhode Island.

Sponsored by Rhode Island Monthly magazine this event is a cause celebre for promoting new and old business around the state. I believe more than 300 "best ofs" were handed out that evening.

Aside from having to sit through a tres gauche infomercial for Twin River Casino (one of the major sponsors of the event) It was an interesting experience -- oh, and Susie's category: "Best Chic Cooking Class." Yeah, we're not quite sure what it means either.

Anyway, we joined the other "VIPs" on stage a half hour or so before the event kicked off.

not quite sure what the transvestite was doing -- 

Susie talking with Danielle from Ellie's -- they were awarded Best European Bakery

the lobbies were packed after the ceremony -- folks looking for food, drinks and to pick up their awards