DCS_Chronology

A CHRONOLOGY OF THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE DUTCH CANADIAN SOCIETY

October, 1960
At a meeting in the basement of the Royal Canadian Legion on Dundas St. East, a provisional committee was formed for the establishment of a Dutch Canadian Club of London. Ad Penninx of Gemert, North Brabant was elected President; Secretary/Treasurer, Fred (Marin) Mulder of The Hague; Vice-President, Wim Huisman of Apeldoorn and Directors: Tony Plasman of Breda and John Kruyssen.

October 2, 1960
Financial reports of Wim Huisman record this date as the founding date of the Dutch Canadian Society.

February 1961
First dance held in the Polish Canadian Legion Hall, Ann Street. All committee members donated $10 to rent the hall, hire Joe Koenig's Band "The Diamonds", buy liquor, glasses, etc. The Club now had monthly meetings.
April 12, 1961
Meeting at the Polish Canadian Club at 80 Ann Street, London, Ontario. The Club exists six months and has $300 in cash. Committee members elected in order of votes: Wim Huisman, Fred Mulder, Tony Plasman, Ad Penninx, Simon Theeboom, Jan Kruyssen, Piet Koenraads, Bill Roes; The new Executive: Fred Mulder, President; Simon Theeboom, Vice-president; Wim Huisman, Treasurer; Ad Penninx, Secretary; Tony Plasman, 2nd Secretary
.
September 13, 1961
Meeting at the Polish Hall, Ann Street. First D.C.S. Bulletin written by Fred Mulder started. . All advertising space sold. Subsequent editors: Piet Verschoor, Margaret Littooy, and others.
December 3, 1961
Kent Street Hall, First D.C.S. St. Nicholas party for D.C.S. members' children.
The first Dutch Canadian Alliance formed in 1951, but did not live long. This Alliance put Dutch exhibits in VictoriaPark's Winter Wonderland in 1951-52, had a Dutch St. Nicholas on a horse, with six Black Pieters in the Santa Claus Parade and a St. Nicholas program on CFPL TV Christmas' broadcast.
December 13, 1961
First Carnival's Committee elected: John Nabben, Piet Koenraads, Martin Van Brug and Tony Plasman as the Board representative.
February 14, 1962
Farewell to the first President, Ad Penninx, who had to return to Holland to take over the family business, due to a death in the family.
Approval of the first Constitution and Bylaws, drafted by John Nabben, after the instructions of the meeting of January 10, 1962.
February 4, 1962
First excursion of the D.C.S., to Labatt's Breweries. Second excursion to the Ford plants in Detroit.
The establishment of a mixed Bowling Club was proposed. First Bowling Committee members: Geert Mansveld and Martin Van Brug.
First D.C.S. Workers party held, with liquor saved by the President from the complimentary bottles.
March, 1962
Price of drinks increased to: three for $1.00.
March 14, 1962
First Bowling night planned for Tuesday, May 1962 at the Polish Hall on Hill Street.
MOTION: Every member who gets 5 new members will receive a bottle of whiskey, or $4 cash, provided the new members pay six months dues.
Simon Theeboom presented enthusiastic plans for the purchase of a clubhouse, and offered a variety of interesting suggestions
April 1, 1962
"The President extended a special warm welcome to new member Ted Smeenk attending his first meeting" - was recorded in the minutes. Ted would later become Council of Eleven President, Prince Carnaval, be the official speaker for civic receptions on the two Holland tours of the Dykehoppers and obtain more than $20,000 in grants and donations for the Dykehoppers and the D.C.S. He also wrote the Dykehoppers History for the Holland tour booklets.
April, 1962
First low cost Group Charter Flight to Holland announced by the D.C.S. brought a number of new memberships.
Paul Elie elected a member of the committee assigned to organize the first picnic on June 21, 1962, which was later moved to July 8, 1962 in Fanshawe Park, financed by $100 from the cash of the D.C.S.
March 14, 1962
Visitors from Holland welcome for a $1 fee (later changed to free admission).
It was proposed to sell shares of $5 to the members to raise money for a clubhouse. A new building was preferred over the purchase of an older house or building. Piet Verschoor offered to draft the plans and cost estimatesfor a new building, which would accommodate 200 people. Piet was later greatly assisted in the execution of the actual building by Arie Nellesteyn.
May, 1962
Secretary, John Nabben had the foresight to write down the early history when the D.C.S. was just one and a half years old. He expressed the vision, ambition and faith of the early directors. He stated prophetically: "I want to write down the facts, to document the early history of the Dutch Canadian Club. It has happened more than once, that an organization, which started out small, as a family affair developed into an organization, which later on became the pride of a city or a region, yes, even became symbolic of a certain town. So, when in the future, a history is required of such an organiza tion for a jubilee, it often happens, that there is total darkness about the difficult early beginnings of such a Club. I don't want to maintain that our Club will once be symbolic of London, but we must try to let it take a worthy place among the number of London's organizations".
May 9, 1962
P. Verschoor presented drawings of a new building. He thought that to include a basement would make the plans too expensive. Secretary, John Nabben was so elated and so totally wrapped up in the new building plans, that in his report of the meeting he stated: "I humbly ask forgiveness of the members, for I did not hear one word of what was said during the question period and cannot report on it".
June 13, 1962
Proceeds of the last dance $52,69. Bowling now every three weeks. It was proposed to form a choir, for which there is much interest.
The Board offered $5,000 for a lot of 150' by 167' at Oxford and Clarke Road. The offer was accepted by the vendor, who had asked $6,000. The meeting of June 12 unanimously accepted this action. The purchase fell through later because of a conflict with the Bylaws of London township for a licensed social club at that location and liquor licensing problems.
August, 1962
The minutes mention that Simon Theeboom is President. He was elected in March.
September 12, 1962
Simon reports that he is unable to obtain a mortgage for a new clubhouse. No company is interested. Building plans are deferred until next year.
Fusion is proposed with the Dutch Lions Soccer Club. There seems to have been some rivalry between the two Clubs.
December, 1962
As building plans have fallen through, due to the unavailability of a mortgage, it is proposed to buy an existing building and rebuild it into a dancehall and a clubhouse. The Building Committee consisted of: Dick Feenstra, Jan Vermulst, Arie Nellesteyn, Piet Verschoor, Wim Huisman and Geert Mansveld. The President would belong by virtue of his office.
January, 1963
Simon Theeboom re-elected President.
First Group Charter flight to Holland for July 14th to August 1963 fully booked. Many subsequent charters were also organized by Fred and Willa Mulder, for the sole benefit of the D.C.S,
March 11, 1963
President, Simon Theeboom acquired a mortgage. The building could start. Interest in the Club- which could not build for so long - had come to a low. At the last two meetings, four members attended in addition to the seven Board members.
April 10, 1963
First Orderkeeper for the D.C.S. appointed in the person of Geert Mansveld to make sure dances would be orderly.
Meetings now being held bi-monthly.
A special note is made that from now on announcements tor the meetings will be in English.
Summer 10, 1963
Picnic for all members. Cost $116.25.
August 18, 1963
Excursion to Port Franks.
October 9, 1963
All building permits acquired. Waiting for the mortgage. Another piece of adjacent land at Gore Road, has been bought for $400, measuring 75' by 73'.
Editor's Note: 2nd minute book missing about Gore Road purchase and official opening.
May 29, 1964
Cornerstone laying ceremony with Mayor Stronach and Geert Mansveld.
June 4, 1964
Lawyer, Leo Gent informs D.C.S. that municipal taxes for the building lot are $19.28.
June 10, 1964
The minutes recorded that nine members signed for the mortgage of $38,000. The signing members formed a Business Committee responsible for the financial affairs of the D.C.S. and to make sure the mortgage would be kept in good standing.
Wim Huisman was a valuable treasurer and contributed much to the young D.C.S.
Members who signed for the mortgage: Simon Theeboom, Fred Mulder, Geert Mansveld, John Kloot, Jack Slykermans, Henry Olsthoorn, Cor Van Greuningen, Andy Timmermans, and Paul Elie.
July 8, 1964
Meeting in the Polish Hall (the building was being built).
July 11, 1964
Fifteen volunteers participated in "raising the roof" on the building.
October 14, 1964
Ladies Division established. Henny Theeboom, first President. Twenty members.
January, 1965
Dutch Lions Soccer Club accepted as a subsidiary. Status terminated September 27,1965
January 30, 1965
New building officially opened by Mayor Stronach and Consul General Dr. Diederik Van Hamel of
Toronto, with President Simon Theeboom.
March 22, 1965
Members bought debentures for credit notes plus personal savings-investment. Tops were;
Gerry Mansveld                      $1,715
Simon Theeboom                    $1,140 (many organizational hours not counted)
Jack Slykerman                      $1,250
Pete Verschoor                      $ 980
October, 1965
Assets: Building $50,280
Liabilities: Mortgage 32,480 Bank Loan 2,400 Debentures 9,340 Interest 600
Total Liabilites $44,820
Building equity $ 5,460
November, 1965
First annual meeting in the new D.C.S. clubhouse on Gore Road (1964-65 minutes missing). It was decided that from now on there would be two general membership meetings a year.
January 5, 1966
Gerry Smits proposed the formation of a Card Club, Games Club, Chess Club, Checker Club and Table Tennis Club. The Card Club was subsequently founded in January 1967 with Arie Harren as its first President.
January 28, 1966
First real Carnavals night was held, and the first Prince Carnaval was installed.
The Dykehoppers Carnaval Society was founded on April 13, 1966, with Geert Mansveld as its founding President
August 22, 1966.
Simon Theeboom (President) proposed purchase of parking lot for $15,000 from Gord Chant with a $5,000 downpayment and an eight percent ten-year mortgage, renewable.
Member's admission to the dances would from now on be 75 cents.
October, 1966.
Membership dance of the D.C.S. in co-operation with the London Police Association!!! (No tickets
issued that night).
July, 1967.
The Club had held a special Canadian Centennial Dance in April in period costumes. All Dykehoppers accompanied a D.C.S. windmill float in London's Centennial Parade, riding on bicycles, dressed in Dutch farmers' costumes. Ted Smeenk was invited by the City's Centennial Committee, to act as city parade Chairman for all ethnic clubs participating in the Centennial parade.
1967.
Parking Lot constructed.
September 28, 1967.
Kitchen-rental to be paid by the concessionaire, set at 5 cents per person attending, up to $10 maximum.
1967-1970.
The London Folk Art Council was joined by the D.C.S., Dick Nienhuis was the first delegate, later followed by Mary Van Greuningen and Mary Vander Marel. The Dykehoppers were encouraged to join separately soon after. Simon Theeboom was the first delegate, followed by Kees Vander Marel.
January 1, 1970.
Mortgage $26,700 to be renewed at 11 percent. It was proposed to sell Debentures to raise cash to reduce the mortgage.

October 26, 1971
Piet Verschoor offered plans for the enlargement and extension of the building: changing the bar rom the dance floor wall to the outer wall, enlarging the dance floor, building onto the kitchen, adding new washrooms and dressing rooms to a new stage. President John Arts completed these expansion plans.
April 21, 1973
Official reopening
March 23, 1972
Refinancing proposed with a $75,000 mortgage at 10 percent.
February, 1980
President, Harry Brouwer completed the renovation of the lower level, with a new bar, a new kitchen, new washrooms, a giant fireplace, mini dance floor and stage. The finishing of the lower level had been proposed by the members as far back as 1965 and in the meeting of April 1968.
September 1980
First 3-day annual Kavalkade Open House. Tens of thousands of people visited the Dutch Club Gerda Brouwer and Jos. DeVilee organized the participation of a very large number of D.C.S. members. Wooden Shoe Dancers, Polonaise, Dutch delicacies, Dutch food. Ethnic costumes and music aplenty. A roaring success each year.
May 19, 1985
The 40th Anniversary of the Liberation of Holland by the Canadian Armed Forces in May 1945 was celebrated with a three day Liberation Festival including a colourful parade to the D.C.S. clubhouse with participation of the Armed Forces and Army vehicles decorated with flowers, a wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph and a three day open house when many hundreds of Veterans and their wives were treated to free drinks, free food and Dutch delicacies, specially composed music by the Dykehoppers band, commemorative plaques and " Thank you Canada" speeches, Sunday was devoted entirely to the Veterans from Parkwood and Westminister Hospitals. Organizer Jos DeVilee and his committee.
-edited by T. Smeenk Sr. , 1985