ABOUT NAS EVENTS
All the NAS events, except on rare occasions, take place within the Los Angeles area. Generally, the events have a theme, see below, all typically including a happy hour with appetizers, followed by dinner. There is a charge, which varies, to members and guests for attending each of these events.
Annually, there are eight traditional NAS events: New Year's Reception, Anniversary Dinner Dance (every fifth year), Membership Meeting, King's Birthday, Hike and Barbecue, Bike Ride and Lunch, Leidens Ontzet and Sinterklaas. Other events such as a luncheon followed by a visit to a museum or other point of interest, a wine tasting tour or a theme outdoor party may be scheduled. Occasionally, a NAS event may be combined with another Dutch organization's event such as King's Day.
The New Year Reception takes place in early January within a week or so after the actual beginning of the year and usually takes place at a member's home during the afternoon. Hors d'ouerve, a buffet, dessert and coffee are provided along with the NAS hosted bar. The afternoon is concluded with a toast to the New Year.
February of every fifth year brings the Anniversary Dinner Dance, which celebrates the anniversary of the founding and incorporation of the Netherlands American Society. This is a more formal event (cocktail attire suggested) and takes place at an upscale restaurant or hotel banquet room. A delicious meal is provided along with good music for the dancing pleasure of everyone. The most recent dinner dance (February 2015) celebrated the 75th anniversary of NAS.
In March the Annual Membership Meeting is held in accordance with the NAS bylaws. The purpose is to discuss and vote on important issues affecting the Netherlands American Society, review the annual financial report and other items, and have the nomination and election of the NAS Board of Directors. In recent years the meeting has been held at the San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles. The event starts with a social hour followed by lunch and then the meeting and election.
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In late April or early May, NAS celebrates King's Day, the birthday of His Majesty the King of the Netherlands. The party will take place on the Saturday closest to the official date, April 27th, King Willem-Alexander's actual birthday. Speeches will be given and the American and Dutch National Anthems will be sung. Hors d'ouerve, buffet, desert and coffee and the NAS open bar.
June brings our Hike and Barbecue. The more sports minded NAS members first participate in a casual hike of about 2 to 3 miles, usually in a park in the Santa Monica Mountains. After completing the hike, they then join other members and guests for the barbecue at a NAS member's home.
How can a Dutch organization not have a bicycling event? Therefore, there is a Bicycle Ride, the "Tour de NAS," and lunch. Those with the energy first participate in a casual bicycle ride of about 12 miles typically along a Los Angeles area coastal bicycle path. After completing the ride, they then join other members and guests for lunch at a nice restaurant nearby. This event takes place either in July, August or September.
In early October the NAS celebrates Leidens Ontzet. Traditionally, haring (herring) on white bread and hutspot met klapstuk (carrot and onion hodgepodge with chuck roast) is served.
The history behind Leidens Ontzet. October 3, 1574. Beseiged by the Spanish, the city of Leiden was stubbornly defended while its citizens suffered starvation. Meeting protesting women, the Burgemeester (Mayor) said, "Cut off my arm and feed it to your children," whereupon they left silently. The rebelling forces had to wait until autumn for the waters to rise, so they could inundate the low lands of Holland. They breached the dikes of the Hollandse IJssel, between Rotterdam and Gouda. The Spanish had to beat a nighttime retreat before the rising waters. This allowed free access for the flat-bottomed boats of the Watergeusen (Water-beggars), delivering white bread and herring. The hutspot (hodgepodge) was found where the Spanish had left it.
The NAS Sinterklaas Party, the final event of the year, is usually held at a member's home on the Saturday evening closest to December 5th. After a visit by Sinterklaas and his helpers (Pieten) and the singing of familiar songs, traditional Dutch snert (pea soup with sausage) and broodjes (rolls with ham or cheese) are served. Dessert is usually a Dutch favorite, banket (a marzipan filled pastry).
Sinterklaas, or St. Nicholas, is an annual event celebrated by the people of the Netherlands, young and old, on the eve of St. Nicholas' Feast Day.
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