James Graveling Family Portraits - 1997

L - R: Stephen (@1), Lori, James, Hannah (@3)

Stephen James and Hannah Jane

Hannah and Stephen, riding a horse... 

James and Lori Graveling

Hester (Kuipers) Veenstra's Account of Her Musical Life

[This post is copied verbatim from a letter written by Hester and sent out in 1999 to various family members.  If I have time, I'll scan the original letters and insert the images at the bottom of this post later.]

December 25, 1999

MUSICAL LIFE OF HESTER (KUIPERS) VEENSTRA

   I would say it started when I was about seven years old.  I had a seventeen year old sister named Bertha who was an excellent pianist.  In December of 1916 she became ill and died May 13, 1917.  While she was bedridden she heard her little sister, Hessie, plinking on the piano.  She told my mother, be sure to start her with piano lessons because you can hear she has "the touch".
   Soon my mother found a piano teacher for me.  Lois Spencer came to our house and began teaching me the basics of piano playing.  She taught me to play many of the pieces that my sister Bertha had played.
   Another piece I learned in those early years of lessons was Woodland Echoes.  I was 10 years old now.  In those days when a couple married they would have refreshments and a program in a large room in the church following the ceremony.  My sister, Jeanette, had a good friend, Anna Engelhard, who had heard me play Woodland Echoes and she liked it and asked if I would play it in the program at her wedding.  I still remember that I did not make a mistake.
   My next teacher was Mr. Post.  He came weekly to our house to give me a lesson and left with 50 cents in payment for his instruction.
   Later in my teens I walked to the home of Mrs. Stella Gezon Krombeem for lessons.  No, I did not always enjoy practicing.  There were many times that I longed to go outside and play ball, but I had to practice.  My mother would tell me she was not going to pay for lessons if I wouldn't practice.  She would mention what Bertha had told her.  I think that encouraged my mother to inspire me to persevere in my practicing for only then could I develop "the touch".
   A very special experience for me while studying under Mrs. Krombeem was the opportunity to play on the radio.  Radio was just becoming popular at that time.  Mrs. Krombeem sent her two best pupils to the radio station, WASH (which was operated by the Grand Rapids Laundry Co.), to play.  Our names were announced and that we were pupils of Mrs. Krombeem.  Then we each played a piece on the piano.  I played my recital piece, and my music went over the airways and into homes where it was heard on the radio.  Hovering around the radio, my family listened to their sixteen year old daughter and sister play the piano.
   I was now playing for the Sunday School at Twelfth St. CR Church.
   At about nineteen years old I started taking lessons from the organist of LaGrave Ave. CRC.  Shortly, she began teaching me to play the organ.  I could practice right across the from our house on the organ in 12th street CRC (our church).  Once I became good enough on the organ I rotated with two other orgainst in playing for our church services.
   I accompanied the Singing School every Monday night.  Singing School was for anyone who loved to sing (there were no church choirs at the time).  We enjoyed an evening of singing together and worked toward two major events each year.  We put a cantata on at Easter and Christmas times.  These cantatas were a big social event in the life of the church and they drew big crowds.  Some members of neighboring congregations would be standing along the aisles.  I remember one time when not enough seats had been reserved for those taking part in the cantata.  When I walked in there was no seat for me.  After those first self conscience,[sic] embarrassing seconds, I went straight to the piano and sat on the piano bench.
   During one of these Cantatas I played the Prelude of C# Minor from memory.  This was a rather difficult piece and today, looking back I can hardly believe I had it entirely memorized.
   During this time having a church choir was a very controversial issue among the churches.  Our minister, Rev. J. K. VanBaalan, wanted to see choirs take part in the worship service.  He wrote a book on the issue and dedicated it to his three organists, Jack Vrieland, Evelyn Dreisen, and Hester Kuipers.
   Playing and singing around the piano was a big part of entertainment when I was growing up.  Remember there was no television and radio was a brand new thing.  Sunday nights after church my family and I would gather around the piano and enjoy singing song after song.  Besides those living at home, my married sisters and their husbands (Jeanette and John, Elsie and Harry) and some friends would often join us.  I especially remember my friend, Pearl Zoet singing with us.  My parents sat in chairs nearby and listening and sometimes joined in the singing.  Those nights bring fond memories.
   My sister Jeanette loved to sing and when she was still living at home, often after supper she would say "Hessie, get to the piano, let's sing".  My Dad loved the piece Woodland Echoes and would occasionally put in his personal request for me to play it for him.  Practicing the piano day after day was a regular routine for me.  I can still hear my family in the kitchen at times clapping for me when I finished playing a piece with some degree of success.  That was non-verbal encouragement that made me feel good.
   When Marv and I married we joined the newly formed congregation at Seymour CR Church.  I played a lot of piano there and was on of the churches[sic] regular organists.
   By this time lessons had stopped, but not for good.  When I was 82 years old I took lessons again for a short time.  This time I wanted to concentrate on learning runs and adding "frills and thrills" to "plain" pieces of music.  I was especially working on hymns.
   Over the years the Lord gave me the opportunity to play in various settings.  One that I enjoyed was playing at weddings.  I played for many of my cousins' and friends' wedding and over the years for various members of our church.  One piece that was very popular at weddings was Hearts and Flowers.  Other pieces often requested were, I Love You Truly and God Gave Me You.  Later, a new song, O Perfect Love, was often used.  Always popular at weddings was The Lord's Prayer.  Occasionally I would be told of the beautiful "touch" I had on the piano.
   I accompanied different soloist.[sic]  I regularly accompanied my lifetime friend (from 1st grade) Rachel Haan and a friend and neighbor, Grace Bratt.  We would go to different churches and sing special music during the services.  Rachel also sang in a trio with Mrs. Decker and Mrs. Konyndyk.  We went with some regularity to the Madison Square Chapel to sing.  Soloists told me I had "the touch" to feel the music with them.
   Other places I played regularly were for evening services at the Godwin Gospel Chapel (supported by Seymour CRC), and for various VBS's at Seymour.  When we wintered in Florida and attended the Orlando CR Church I often played either for the offertory or the entire service or sometimes a piano solo for special music.  One time when I played How Great Thou Art a lady came up to me after church and said "I couldn't see who was at the piano but I knew it was you.  You have that certain 'touch.'"
   I have had the privilege of accompanying my friend, Rachel Haan, here at Sunset.  What a joy to have such a dear friend living here and to be able to play and sing together when we're both 89 years old.  Truly, the Lord is good!  Once in a while I play my piano here in the lounge and recently one of the nurses, nicknamed "Bridges", commented on my playing and mentioned the special "touch" she thinks I have.
   What's my favorites?  Oh, there at so many that I have really enjoyed through the years.  I have to agree with my Dad that Woodland Echoes is a very special one.  I enjoyed playing marches and my favorite march is Heaven's Artillery.  I also love many of the Dutch Psalms.  Today I really enjoy sitting at the piano and playing hymns.  I have tow that I play from memory that I arranged.  One is Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me played in different arrangements.  The other is a medley of hymns which includes He Touched Me, God Is So Good, and I'm So Glad I'm A Part Of The Family Of God.
   What's that "touch"my sister, Bertha, said I had, and that "touch" that has been mentioned different time[sic] throughout my playing "career?"  It is a gift of God.  An ability to play and interpret music, and through playing the piano, to put expression and feeling into the music.  The ability to sense the mood and flow of the singer and play to enhance their singing and thereby the message of the song.
   Thank you Bertha for hearing "the touch" and telling mother to be sure to give your little sister piano lessons.  Thank you Mom for giving me lessons and yes, for insisting I practice before I go outside to play ball.  Thank you family for your encouragement felt in so many ways.  Thank you teachers for your instruction and your desire to have me master the various pieces and not give up.
   Especially, Thank you Heavenly Father for giving me "the touch".  Thank you for the means given to help me develop this gift.  Music and the piano has meant a lot to me over the years.  That you God for giving me so many place and opportunities to use this gift.
   To my children and grandchild - I hope this framed sheet music will remind you of "the touch" your mother/grandmother was given.  I hope these memories of my musical life will bless you as recalling these memories has blessed me.  We've each been given a "touch" in some area.  My prayer is that each of you will work to develop what God has given to you, and that you will give encouragement to those around you to persevere in using their God-given talent to His glory.
   Stop in at Sunset, you may just be able to hear "the touch" as it moves of my piano keys in the lounge.  I'd love to have an old fashioned sing-a-long around the piano with any (or all) of you.

With special love to each of you,                     

[signed] From your Grandma                           

Hester Kuipers Veenstra                  

Sidney Bruins - Obituary

The following is from http://www.vanderplaat.com/obituaries.php?id=1599

Sidney Bruins

(12/07/2004)

80, of Hawthorne on December 7, 2004. Born in Clifton he has lived in Hawthorne for over 40 years. He served in the United States Navy on the Battleship USS New Jersey during World War II. Prior to his retirement in 1989 he was a Watch Maker and the owner of Bruins Jewelers in Midland Park. He was a member, former elder and deacon at Unity Christian Reformed Church in Prospect Park. He was also involved with the Board Of Directors of the Christian Burial Fund.



Beloved husband of Rena Jane Bruins (nee Zigterman). Devoted father of George Bruins and his wife Rozanne of Grand Rapids, MI, John Bruins and his wife Linda of North Haledon, David Bruins and his wife Maureen of North Haledon and Lori Jane Graveling and her husband James of Alabama. Loving grandfather of 18 grandchildren. Dear brother of Bertha Jacobs and Hilda De Roo both of Hawthorne.



Funeral Services Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 9:30 AM at Unity Christian Reformed Church, 339 N. 11th Street, Prospect Park. Interment Fair Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday, December 10, 2004 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home, 530 High Mountain Road, Franklin Lakes. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Mr. Bruins memory to Eastern Christian School Association, 50 Oakwood Avenue, North Haledon, N.J. 07508 or the Christian Healthcare Center, 301 Sicomac Avenue, Wyckoff, N.J. 07481

Tjerk Veenstra's Letters

(note: this post is quoting verbatim from a portion of the Veenstra genealogy compiled by Anne Louise (veenstra) Bil)

The following letters were written by Tjerk Veenstra in 1927.  The first was written to the editor of the Banner about an article by Rev. Z. J. Sherda (L. J., as in the letter, is incorrect) that appeared in the Dec. 17, 1926 edition.  The second seems to be a response to a letter received from Rev. Sherda as a reply to the first letter.  These are copies of rough drafts that are in the possession of Carl Veenstra.
Notes:

1. There is  one word missing in the second paragraph of the first letter.  It is not legible in the original.
2. Notes 1x and 2x, at the end of the first letter, were on the rough draft as shown.

Dear Editor-
Will you allow me space for a few remarks about what Rev. L. J. Sherda writes about the cloven foot in "Our Doctrine", Banner Dec. 17, 1926?
Rev. Sherda says there are a good many people who have [   ?   ] hatred of Rome: I ask as David asked Eliab: Is there no reason.  See Ps. 139: 21, 22.  Granted that some of the things that are circulated about Roman Hierarchy are fabrications: is there not evidence enough today that it is dominated by the same Spirit of arrogance and pride that made Apollyon and his angels forfeit their place in heaven.
You say that Rome has once shown the cloven foot to the world.  A cloven foot belongs to a clean animal- Ex. 11:3 and is a sign of purity.  I would rather say that Rome has shown and shows yet the paw of the red dragon.  This is confirmed in history.
You say that Rome does not chance, well hereby you contradict your own statement that Rome once showed the cloven foot; from which we may infer that she is better than she has been, which I do not believe.  Why Rome acts as she does, what is the Idea, the motive back of her arrogant pretensions, you ask.  Well, Domine, you advise us to read Merle D. Aubigne's History of the Reformation, and it seems he answers the questions fairly thoroughly to the point.
You say further that Rome is perhaps the most wonderfully devised mechanism extant.  By her admirable organization she appears as the most Brilliant, intellectual, and worldly-wise manifestation of the Anti-Christ in the world up to date, and that is why she is flexible, the most adjustable, the most adaptable scheme of things devised by man.  She can conform to any proposition of the corrupt human mind but not to the truth as revealed to us by the Holy Ghost, because the Carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed  can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  Rom. 8:7.8.
Rome has changed the truth of God into a lie, worshiping and serving the creature more than the creator.  Rom 1:25.  Witness Transubstantiation, denial of the sufficiency of the mediatorial work and Sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Mariolatry, adoration of Angels, Saints, and what not.  Rome has done, and does, what the Devil tempted our Lord to do, to fall down and worship him and then he will give him all the glory of the world with its kingdoms and dominions, and that Rome has not got it is because Satan cannot deliver the goods, but that is the aim of the Church of Rome.  The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof, Ps 24:1.
You are right and here history has proven the truth about what you say about slinging mud or hurling stones, for it is written- Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit only, saith the Lord of Hosts, can that invulnerable, and to our minds invincible, fortress be made a plane, Zech. 4: 6,7.
In my opinion Romanism, Mohammedanism, Mormonism, Christian Science, Russelism, Rationalism, Modernism, and all the other isms, who do not accept the Bible as the infallible rule of authority of doctrine and conversation are manifestations of Anti-Christ.  Rome has set the Pope above the Word of God.
Now a little about the scolding and abusing of the people by Luther, Calvin, and the other great reformers.  I must say, Domine Sherda, I am astonished and it pains me to hear such things from a Reformed Minister.  Touch not mine appointed and do my prophets no harm Ps. 105: 15, is written for you too.  There is a book or pamphlet written by Robt. Ingersoll entitled "The Mistake of Moses".  Well, of course such men dare to challenge God in Heaven, why not his servants?  But I confess, it seems somewhat audacious to me that a minister of the Gospel speaks derogatively about such heroes of the Lord as Luther, Calvin, and the other mighty men of the Reformation.  I do not know what invectives they used, have not read enough of their work to be a judge in this matter.   Only allow me to remind you that if they were somewhat rough about it, that they were not the first to use invectives and epithets against sinful people and pervertors of the truth of God.
For an example, please read Ps. 109, part of Ps. 79, and others.  How did Jehovah's prophets thunder against sin and iniquity.
John the Baptist calls his hearers a generation of vipers, etc., our Lord calls them hypocrites, a wicked generation, blind leaders.  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell?  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do, John 8:44.  Stephen calls them stiff necked and uncircumcised of hearts and ears, resistors of the Holy Ghost, murderers of the Lord's prophets and of the Lord Himself.
But enough to show that if the reformers used some rough names for the people of the opposition they had good precedents.  Paulus could make use of some harsh epithets; to witness his encounter with Elymas.  What you further say about what they did to bring Rome to terms is OK as far as my humble opinion goes.
Yours in the bonds of Christian faith and love,
T. Veenstra

1X  Any person that will read history, the book of martyrs, en (sic) above all, the Bible without prejudice and compare the system of Rome therewith, must come to the conclusion that the last mentioned is full of tyranny, lies, and deceptions, mixed with some truth to hide its baseness and iniquity to bind the consciences of the people.  And so there is abundant reason, I think to feel an aversion of Rome.  See Times Indicator.

2X  Purgatory, sale of indulgences, denial of the truth that we must be saved and live by faith alone and not by works.
Denial of the truth that even the best works of the believer are imperfect and defiled with sin, and asserts that saints are capable of laying up a store of meritorious good works for the benefit of others who have not enough of their own, etc., etc.

Clement XIV                 July 21, 1773

_________________________________________________________________

   Rev. L. J. Sherda, Evergreen Park, Illinois

  

Dear Domine,

I do not know you personally and you most likely never thought that there was a person calling himself T. Veenstra, in the world.  Well just the same, we may be brothers in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has loved us and given Himself for us an offering and sacrifice unto God, for a sweet smelling savor.
The object of my writing is to let you know something about myself and suure you that it was not my purpose to show off, XX that I wrote the remarks on Romanism, but dear Domine, I must confess it is a hard thing for me to stand, to see Reformed ministers say a good word for the Roman hierarchy and Jesuitism, which dominates the same ever since that Order was reinstated by Pope Pius Vii, March 7, 1801.
I have observed the fruits of that combination to some extant in several countries of the world, as the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Austria, and also in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.  And about the Greek Church, I had some experience in Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia, and have come to the conclusion, that altho they have some elements of truth in their official creed, those truths are so thickly obscured by error, idolatry, superstition, adoration of angels and saints, etc., that they can hardly be said to exert any influence on the life and faith of catholics.
When I think of what those people have done to the true followers of our Lord; I feel troubled and my bowels twist in my body, and can not help to have a sense of abhorrence to them, for the cruelties they perpetrated on innocent persons.
You see, Domine, I had the great blessing of privilege to be reared in a Christian home, trained in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, indoctrinated in the scriptures from my youth, and now as I am in the evening of my life's journey; have reached my 83th (sic) milestone on the 23rd of Jan. last, I see more clearly how that Godliness is profitable for this life and the life to come, and also how detestable and wicked Romanism is in keeping their people ignorant of their responsibility and true relation to God, when they have every opportunity to know and do better.  It is a clear case of what our Savior said to the leaders of His day; Ye travel about sea and land to make a proselyte; and when ye have found him, ye make him a child of Hell seven times more than yourself: you will not go into the kingdom of heaven, and prevent them that should go in.
Now, dear Domine, I hope you will not be angry or provoked with me for what follows; I take it that it is every one of God's ministers of the gospels duty to lead lost sinners to the knowledge of themselves and the Savior and that also our religious church papers must be printed with that end in view.  I am and have been a reader of the Banner, but find very little soul food in its pages.  The exceptions are mostly the meditations on the first page and sometimes the editorials of Dr. Beets, and also the articles of Dr. Trap, etc.
You write under the caption, Our Doctrine; but is what you have been writing now for a good while Doctrine?  I would call it Church Government.
If I am not entirely mistaken, there have been for years but few articles under the above Caption, that were conducive to the edification and upbuilding of the laity in the faith.
I remember when Mr. Hoeksema wrote, that there were very good things until be began to spoil it with his denial of common grace.  At the same time Dr. Jansen was trying to make him out a heretic, instead of putting the beam out of his own eyes and called Mr. Hoeksema an Annabaptist (sic).  From time to time we had some good food by the hand of other ministers until we came to church polity.
It seems to me that we have enough opportunity to know about these matters in what our Lord teaches us about those things [in] the letters of the apostle Paul and elsewhere in Scripture; also in the forms of ordination for ministers, elders , and deacons and in our Church order; also in the Belgic Confession.  In my humble opinion in would be better to publish such things in pamphlet or book form, so that if any person should want more information about these matters, could avail himself thereof.
I respectfully submit to you, Dominie, if it would not be more conducive for the upbuilding of the church in general and its members in particular to elucidate such a subject for instance, the Doctrine of the Covenant, The Spirit of Baptistry is rampant in our church, also in our denomination, and is constantly fed by the doctrine of pre-millennarianism.
I am acquainted with elders and deacons in our church, also in Grand Rapids, who assert that there is no more in infant baptism than giving the child a name.  I think there is a crying need of information.
I beg your pardon if it should appear as if I would teach you a lesson; that is not my objective at all and my esteem for the ministers of the gospel is such that I would not think of such a thing.  I only state my honest opinion, and that is what I do in the presence of our beloved and esteemed Dr. H. Goddyk of whose congregation I am a member.  He sometimes calls me brother and I feel highly honored thereby.  Am also good friends with Dr. Lysenga, Dr. Lamberts, etc. etc. and I doubt not if we should learn to know each other better, we would be good friends, and brothers, too.
I would be very grateful if you would write to me sometime.
The Lord bless you and keep you and give you bountiful results on your labor for His kingdom.
Your in our dear Savior,
T. Veenstra

Zigterman Family {Photos}

Catherine(?) Zigterman, 22 and Rena Jane Zigterman, 16

Zigterman Family.  L-R: Catherine, Rinske ("Ruth"), Anna, Jon, Rena, Henrietta

Jon ("John") and Rinske ("Ruth") Zigterman

Rena Jane Zigterman, 6 mos.

Rena Jane Zigterman, 8th grade graduation

Rena Jane Zigterman (High school graduation?)

Jon Zigterman's sisters, Tante Zwaan and Tante Greta

How Tjerk Veenstra Learned English, in His Own Words

Tjerk Veenstra's account of how he learned English:

Why I began to study the English language: and how it helped me to earn the first 35 dollars of my life when I was a boy of thirteen years old.
My mother had died in the summer of 1848 and my father, who was a minister in the Seceder Church of the Netherlands, had married again in 1850 with a widow who -----had 2 sons.  The oldest of them married my oldest sister and the younger of the two who followed them there, got acquainted with a girl in the city of Lynn, England.
When he came home sometime in the summer of 1857, he told his mother about his love affair and she and my father were of the opinion that he should not be hindered to marry her because she was a stranger if they loved one another.
So he went to Lynn, England, to get married and when he went I decided to try to learn enough of the English language to be at least able to converse with her when they should come to our home after the marriage. 
I got a little book called The Quick Englishman which I studied with all my might and after about six weeks, when my stepbrother and his wife came over, I had gathered quite a vocabulary so that I could converse quite a little with her.  As she brought an English Bible with her, I began to study that intensely with her help and made swift progress in pronunciation, etc.  That's how I learned English.
About this same time a vessel of about two tons capacity, whose owners lived at Hull, England, came from Newcastle bound for the port of Groenigen in the northern part of the Netherlands with a cargo of coal, but by a heavy storm was thrown on the sand banks where lay around the ---------gat, which is the waterway to get to the port.
The crew, consisting of the Captain and mate and three sailors and the Captain's wife and two children were rescued by fisherman of P------ and brought to Oostma house, a kind of station where vessels often lay ------------- take for ------ but nobody could understand English which was a great handicap.  They heard about the English lady that had recently come to -----, about an hours walk from Oostma house and where we then lived.
They sent for the lady but that did not help much because she did not understand the country folk and so they came after me to help them out and got along all right.
The Burgermeister of West D---------, (which includes several small villages) was also the beach commissioner and had to look after the people and what could be done about the salvage of the ship and lading.
He came and took charge of things but as he could speak French fluently but no English, he retained me to help out.
The first things was to send a report of the circumstances to the insurance Co. at Hull where the ship was insured and in a couple of days one of the officers of the Ins. Co. came over to see what was best to do.
After the storm abated the captain and crew with the Burgermeister and I went to inspect the vessel and found that it was not badly damaged and ---------- in a place of fairly good access to unload it and float it again.  When Mr. Wel----- the Ins. Man came we reported to him and after looking things over himself, he ordered -----------to lighten the ship till she would float and several fishing ------- were engaged so that in three days the ship was brought in deep water and it was found that the vessel was but slightly damaged and with little difficulty could be brought to safety.  The Mr. ------------ is a very nice God-fearing man and as he wanted me always around I stayed with him quite a while.  By every meal that we partook of he would have me read a chapter in the Bible, correcting my pronunciation, etc.  He was just like a good father to me and I was much attached to him and when everything was in order I received a check amounting to $35.00 American.
If this is good enough to bring money, for a price I will write another story, how I was shipwrecked later on.

Sidney and Rena Bruins' Wedding

Bride: Rena Jane Zigterman
Groom: Sidney Bruins
Date: September 17, 1948

Getting Ready...

Rinske "Ruth"  (Van Der Berg) Zigterman  and Rena (Zigterman) Bruins

Rena and her parents...

Arriving at the church

Rena and Jon "John" Zigterman

L-R: Jon Zigterman, Rena (Zigterman) Bruins, Sidney Bruins, Rinske Zigterman

L-R: Jon Zigterman, Rinske Zigterman, Rena Bruins, Sidney Bruins, Jacoba (Fridsma) Bruins

L-R: Jacoba Bruins, Rena, Rinske Zigterman

Eating cake