Buying Fresh Food From Local Farmers Events
August & September Upcoming Connect International Events. Page 4 & 5
Proeven
A Taste of Groningen Page 6
Courtney’ s Kitchen Real American Baked Goods Page 7
A ractions & Events 22 Fun Things To Do This Summer Page 8 & 9
La Dolce Vita A Trip to Italy Page 10
I love fresh veggies and fruit. I grow some vegetables myself on my tiny balcony; carrots, tomatoes and chillies. But I can’t grow everything, so when the summer months are here I love to visit some of the local farmer’s markets. The first Dutch strawberries I had this year I bought at the end of June at my local farmer’s market. They were the most amazing strawberries, just melted in your mouth, and at €3 for 1kg they weren’t a stretch on the weekly food budget. I also bought some fresh free range eggs, at €1,50 for 10 eggs. Those were another great buy. In fact, I often find fresh produce is the same price if not cheaper when I buy at my local farmer’s market compared to the supermarkets. Locally produced food is often fresher and more nutritious than what you find in the supermarkets. Locally grown food is normally harvested just before you purchase it, which means the food is as fresh as can be and therefore tastes so much better and is more nutritionally complete. When produce has to be transported a long distance to reach us, it loses some of its nutrition. Locally produced food is greener! Because locally grown food travels less to reach us and is not stored in a chilled storehouse on its way to the supermarket, it has much fewer “food miles”, meaning getting it to us uses less energy and natural resources. Also locally produced food is often boxed in recyclable material, such a paper mache boxes, while supermarket produce is sold in plastic boxes and wrappers. Locally produced food is good for the local community. Buying locally grown food keeps money in the community and supports your local farmer. It helps farmers receive a fair price for their crops and contributes to keeping a healthy local economy. It is also an investment in the future as farmers make a better living wage by selling locally and are less likely to sell farmland for development, thus protecting and preserving our rural enviroment. See page 3 for a list of local farmer’s markets through the Northern areas of the Netherlands.
Connect International serves the international community in the provinces Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe and Noord Holland.
UNDER
ONE ROOF
Supported by an international staff and Board of Directors, we provide quality relocation services and practical information to help familiarize international residents with all aspects of living, working or studying in the Northern Netherlands, and organize events and activities to facilitate making further connections. Join Us! You can register to become a Connect International member via our website. For a small yearly fee, you can get the Connections e-magazine newsletter delivered directly to your email inbox, join the Connect International community at organized events, access the Connect book libary with many English books and much more. Visit: www.connect-int.org Welcome New Members! Connect International would like to welcome the following new members: Seka Lazare, Emma Bunting, Te Bao & Yun Dai, Katharina Gugerell, Jan Alons, Stefania Costache, Susan Jackson, Philip Galjaard, Anne Archibald, N. Vilchez, B. Frank, L. Godfrey. Special welcome to new baby Javier Jacobus Kok, born 23rd May 2013 in Alkmaar. Congratulations to parents Claire Regan & Jacco Kok and older brother Fabien.
Connect’s Partners
Helping to welcome the world
PLATINUM:
SILVER:
Provincie Groningen Provincie Friesland Provincie Drenthe
ABN AMRO
GOLD:
ASSOCIATES:
N.V. NOM GasTerra
Nijestee
Contact: Connect Head Office: Herestraat 106, Room 1.06, 9711LM Groningen Telephone: 050 7440087 Email: info@connect-int.org / connect@connect-int.org Website: www.connect-int.org
Connect Noord Holland (Alkmaar Office): Bovenweg 121, 1834CD Sint Pancras Telephone: 060 25394234 Email: connectnoordholland@connect-int.org
Everything you need to make yourself at home in the Netherlands
Connect International has a full membership
Attention Writers! Enjoy Writing? The Connections Newsletter is seeking volunteer writers who enjoy writing to theme, writing informative articles, or have an option and want to voice it! Interested? Contact us at publications@connect-int.org
Publication Team: Editor & Publication Design: Stephanie Fermor Assistant Editor: Margaret Metsala Contributers to this issue: Stephanie Fermor, Karen Prowse, Margaret Metsala, Anne Bridges, Andrea Kullek, Alex Feenstra Interested in advertising in Connections E-Magazine? Advertising Rates per Issue (10 issues per year) : 1/4 Page (12.5 x 9.5 cm) €25,00 1/2 Page (12.5 x 19 cm) €50,00 1 Page (A4 - 21 x 29.7cm) €100,00 Contact publications@connect-int.org for more details
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Buying Fresh Food From Local Farmers (continued) Here are some local farmer’s markets across the north of the Netherlands. Groningen
Noord Holland
Ommelander Markt, Ebbingekwartier, Groningen. Saturday 10:00 - 16:00, 10th August & 17th September 2013
Puur Markt, Amstel, Amsterdam. Sunday 11:00 - 18:00, 11th August & 8th September 2013.
Streek Producten Markt Nienoord, Parkeerterrein Landgoed Nienoord, Leek. Friday 13:00 - 18:00, 16th & 30th August & 13th & 27th September 2013.
Culinair & Streekproducten Markten, Huesmolen, Hoorn. Saturday 11:00 - 16:00, 7th September 2013.
Verhildersum, Landgoed Borg Verhildersum, Leens. Saturday 10:00 - 16:00, 17th August & 21st September 2013
Boerenmarkt Stadsboerderij Almere. Every Saturday, 9:30 13:00 August, September & October 2013.
Stichting Streekproducten-Markt Ewsum, Borgterrein Ewsum, Middelstum. Saturday 10:00 - 16:00, 24th August & 28th September 2013.
Friesland Friese Streekmarkt , Hemelum. Sunday 10:00 - 17:00, 4th August & 1st September 2013.
Drenthe LEIFAIR, Lieveren. Sunday 11:00 - 17:00, 25th August 2013.
Introducing Our New E-Magazine Editor After 7 years of producing the Connections magazine, editor and designer Alison Day handed over the designing pen to Stephanie Fermor. Stephanie is originally from the UK where she studied IT and Computing at University. On arriving in the Netherlands in 2009 , Stephanie established her own company, Toastie Studio. She works as a freelance web developer and designer creating websites for individuals and businesses and in the past has given WordPress website workshops for Connect International members. Now that Connections is an e-magazine, Stephanie’s background in webdesign comes in handy when introducing lots of new features, including the shortened email version of the e-magazine, and easy linking from articles to more information (just click on a web address to go directly to it). You may also know Stephanie from the monthly Connect Craft Club that she hosts. At the Craft Club, Stephanie shares her skills in sewing and other hobby crafts with Connect members. Stephanie runs her creative handmade business along side her website work, selling her creations on Etsy and at local art and craft markets in Groningen. In the lead up to Christmas Stephanie will be organizing some craft workshops to inspire you to create your own handmade gifts for loved ones, so watch the Connect International website for dates to be announced.
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This two day culinary event of the Northern Netherlands will celebrate its six year anniversary this year. Proeven in Groningen offers visitors the chance to sample dishes from top restaurants on the 31st of August and 1st of September 2013.
Opening Hours Saturday, 31 August 2013: 12:00pm - 09:00pm Sunday, 1 September 2013: 12:00pm - 07:00pm
Restaurants from the city of Groningen and the surrounding region will gather on the outer and inner squares of the Harmoniecomplex on the Oude Kijk in het Jatstraat and the Wolthoorn & Co Beer Hall will be offering 11 different beers to taste and enjoy.
Participants · BISTRO 'T GERECHT (www.bistrohetgerecht.nl) · BITTER & ZOET (www.bitterenzoet.nl) · DE SCHOOL VOOR GASTVRIJHEID EN TOERISME (www.noorderpoort.nl) · EETCAFÉ DE GANS (www.degans.nl) · FLETCHER FAMILIEHOTEL PATERSWOLDE (www.familiehotelpaterswolde.nl) · GRAND-CAFÉ RESTAURANT OPIUM (www.grandcafeopium.nl) · ITALINI GELATO (www.italinigelato.nl) · KALDI KOFFIE GRONINGEN (www.kaldi.nl/winkel/kaldi-groningen/) · KEUKENGEBEUREN (www.keukengebeuren.nl) · LAND VAN KOKANJE (www.landvankokanje.nl) · LUNCH- EN DINERCAFÉ BIJ BUURMAN (www.bijbuurman.nl) · RESTAURANT DE SLINGERIJ (www.slingerij.nl) · RESTAURANT WEEVA (www.weeva.nl) · STADSCAFE RESTAURANT 'T FEITHHUIS (www.feithhuis.nl) · TAPASCO (www.tapasco.nl) · WIJNKOPERIJ HENRI BLOEM (www.henribloem.nl)
Last year about 6,500 visitors came to sample the delectable dishes. Even if the weather does not cooperate, there is plenty of covered space under the vaults of the Harmonie building, in the tents and under the many umbrellas. Proeven in Groningen is open to the public and has free entrance! Visitors can purchase tokens for €1.50 each. The price for each mouth-watering dish varies from one to three tokens. You can try as many different dishes as you wish! During Proeven in Groningen student chefs will get the chance to win the honorary title Student Chef of the Year. Twelve student chefs have been selected in preliminary contests to have the chance to compete in the final. The award ceremony for the Student Chefs Cooking contest will occur on Sunday 1 September at the end of the day. The jury will consist of Jean-Michel Henge, owner and head chef of the Michelin-star restaurant, Muller and Erwin van de Zwaag, Vakdocent keuken BBL/Bol at Noorderpoort Groningen.
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Location Outer and inner squares Harmoniecomplex Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat Groningen
For more information: http://proeveningroningen.nl/ Alex Feenstra
In July Courtney's Kitchen opened a pop-up bakery shop in Groningen City Center. Courtney bakes and sells delicious moist American cupcakes, cookies and other sweet treats. I visited Courtney at her pop-up bakery to find out more about her business, cupcakes and what it has been like opening her store. Courtney moved to the Netherlands four and a half years ago from the USA. When she first came here, baking was a hobby, and over time it bloomed into her now successful catering business. Courtney's motivation to start baking was that she just couldn't find a decent bit of cake anywhere here: all the Dutch cakes were dry and all the muffins were the same. So, using the baking skills that she learnt from her grandma as a child and a few of her grandmother’s best recipes, she began making cupcakes.
Courtney began by supplying her cupcakes to a local speciality coffee bar, PS! Koffie and she then expanded to include other catering clients and personal clients for birthday parties and events. People's enthusiasm for her product, especially the expat community, spurred on the growth of her business, and she began attending speciality markets in Groningen to sell her baked goods. Courtney had often thought about opening a bakery, so when the opportunity came along to open a store, she took it. Courtney felt the Astraat was the perfect location; the street already had a super 'gezellig' vibe, with other boutique-type stores and reminded her of back in the day in the USA, when you used to have to go to the butcher, baker and candle stick maker, and not just go buy everything at Target.
Every week you can find different flavoured cupcakes at Courtney's Kitchen. When I visited she had her classic vanilla cupcakes and chocolate cupcakes, but also chocolate oreo cupcakes (which are to die for) and her adventurous cupcake, the maple bacon cupcake which is a vanilla cupcake with maple syrup frosting and topped with tiny pieces of crispy bacon. She also sells her 7-layer treat bars, and her American fantasy fudge is available to order. Courtney also makes cupcakes and layered cakes for events and celebrations on request and can make almost any flavour as long as the ingredients are available to her. Courtney is also looking forward to Halloween and Christmas. She has a lot of speciality Halloween cupcakes and some big plans for celebrating this holiday in true American style.
In the future, Courtney would love to expand her bakery to include more baked American treats, but she also has a soft spot for the all-American style breakfast! She would love to start serving up real American pancakes with maple syrup, scrambled eggs on toast and other traditional American breakfast items. Groningen has a large expat community and a hearty American breakfast is something that is missing and Courtney would love to be able to offer that. Stephanie Fermor
You can visit Courtney at the store at Astraat 8, Groningen. It is just along the street as you head into town from the Media Markt. The store is open Tuesday - Saturday 10am till 6pm and till 9pm Thursday evening. Or visit her website www.courtneyskitchen.nl for more info. 7 / Connections
Groningen
Friesland
1. De Duitse Ambassade – Various events and activities throughout August. Events are in English too, see website for full list of events. Website: www.deduitseambassade.nl
10. Horizontoer – A cultural music and theatre festival while sailing. Horizontoer gives a nice experience on the Wadden-islands with street theatre, workshops and lots of music. 2nd August - 11th August. Website: www.horizontoer.nl/
2. Familiepark Nienoord – A fun day out for the whole family. A large playground area with several slides, climbing castles, inflatables and roundabouts, an animal petting zoo and do not forget to ride the train! Website: www.familieparknienoord.nl 3. Morning Yoga in the Stadspark – Spend your Saturday mornings this summer with a rejuvenating and energising yoga practice in the Stadspark! Every Saturday, 10:00-11:30. Website: www.facebook.com/events/1397569583792668
11. Boartersdei Kinderspeeldag – A fun day where children can indulge in games of years gone by, such as fishing, baking bread, crafts, carpentry, building a campfire and more. Saturday 17th August in Nij Beets. Website: www.damshus.nl/body.php?page=149
4. Hortus Festival – Undoubtedly the greenest summer music festival. Hortus Festival is all about authentic chamber music, from the period 1850 - 1950, played on authentic instruments and in an idyllic location. 1st July - 25th August. Website: www.hortusfestival.nl 5. Noorderzon – The summer festival in the north of the Netherlands, it has many different performances, including dance, theatre, radio plays and much more. 15th - 25th August in Groningen. Website: www.noorderzon.nl/
12. Pompoenfestival Jellum-Bears – Celebrating the pumpkin with many fun activities for children and music performances through out the day. 14th - 15th September in Jellum. Website: www.pompoendorp.nl/
Drenth 13. Dierenpark Emmen – Largest zoo in the Netherlands, makes a fun day out for the family with lots of animals to look at. Open daily in Emmen. Website: www.dierenparkemmen.nl
6. ZomerJazzFietsTour – The tour is a combination of a beautiful bike ride through the Reitdiepdal and intimate jazz concerts in medieval churches and barns. 30th - 31st August. Website: www.zjft.nl/ 7. Proeven in Groningen – Culinary event that offers visitors the chance to sample dishes from top restaurants in Groningen, 31st August - 1st September. Website: www.proeveningroningen.nl 8. Modeparade – Fashion show in the city center where fashion shops from the city will showcase their latest collections. Sunday shopping 1st September. 9. Openluchtbioscoop Zienemarkt – Outdoor cinema showing upcoming summer movies on the roof of the information/tourist building on the Grote Markt, Groningen. 13th September 8:30pm.
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14. Buitencentrum Boomkroonpad – Tree tops walking path, if you enjoy walking and nature this is a fun day out for everyone. Website: www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/boomkroonpad 15. Hunebed Centrum – Historical centre looking at the live and buildings of people in 4000-3000BC. The centre has lots of outdoor activities for the whole family. Open daily in Borger. Website: www.hunebedcentrum.eu/en/
Noord Holland 16. Museum Stoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik – The most exciting journey through time by steam tram and boat! Open daily in Hoorn. Website: www.museumstoomtram.nl/en 17. Circus Herman Renz met VIVA NIÑO – Enjoy amazing acrobats, jugglers, fiery horses, crazy clowns, special aerial acrobatics and lots more! 2nd - 18th August in Amsterdam. Website: www.hermanrenz.nl
20. Gaaf Groen – Everything for biodynamic gardening, heirloom vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers, permaculture, alternative energy, colorful clothes, sustainable DIY, green art, enthusiastic people & much more. 8th September in Alkmaar. Website: www.gaafgroen.nl 21. Straatfestival Dirkshorn – It promises to be a spectacle for all ages with over 75 performances with music, street theater and a lively market. 14th September in Dirkshorn. Website: www.straatfestival.com
18. Gondelvaart – A barge boat parade down the canal. Several boats are decorated up in themes with performers, music and lights. There is also a small funfair and a street fair. 17th August in Koedijk. Website: www.gondelvaartkoedijk.nl
22. All American Sunday – Classic American car show. There will be more than 1000 American cars from 1980's. 15th September in Wognum. Website: www.allamericansunday.nl 19. Sonny's Inc Live – Live summer evening concert. Partyband Sonny's Inc. takes you on a musical journey with many styles from Latin to Jazz. 24th August in Laren. Website: www.sonnysinc.nl
Looking for more things to do over the summer? Visit www.uitzinnig.nl for more festivals, markets and fun activities. Stephanie Fermor
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near Rovereto we could see no way to find them without a car but we could choose other options. In Bolzano, we visited the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology where we could see Otzi the 5,000 year old Iceman.
La Dolce Vita Trip to Italy
In 1991, Otzi’s mummified remains were found in a melting glacier and within one week the estimates of his age went higher and higher until he became a candidate for carbon dating which showed him to be from 3,300 B.C. This news created a massive wave of interest world wide. He was exceedingly well preserved and the studies of his body with ever-newer methods continue to reveal new information.
Italy beckoned to me and Hans with warm weather, the Renaissance city of Florence, Dolomite mountains, and the canal city of Venice. We narrowed down the number of choices from Rome, Naples, Amalfi coast, and Pompei to concentrate on three: one week in Florence, close to two weeks in the Dolomites, and two nights in Venice giving us a perfect finale of a day and a half to explore this wondrous city. Prepared to enjoy our destinations to the fullest without waiting in line at museums, I booked a tour of the Uffizi and an opera at St. Marks in Florence, and a special tour of the hidden corridors of the Doges Palace in Venice. A week in Florence seemed hardly long enough. We enjoyed the city tremendously for the art, the atmosphere and the gelato. We spent days walking around and visiting museums. A favourite route was over the Ponte Vecchio to Pitti Palace and the lanes leading to the relaxing Santo Spirito area which is frequented by fewer tourists and has its own charming squares, shops and restaurants. Another day we walked up to Piazzale Michelangelo for beautiful views over Florence and the Arno River.
I stepped into Otzi’s “footprints” on the floor, the same size as mine. Besides Otzi, the exhibit included his clothing and gear. He was well equipped with a copper axe, bow and arrows, well made clothing and shoes, fire starting material, a backpack, a fur hat, and food. He grew up about 25 km north of Bolzano, and traveled extensively in that region. He was lactose intolerant, had intestinal parasites and Lyme disease, and his body showed the wear and tear related to his lifestyle and approximate age of 45. In the end, he was murdered and abandoned in a depression in the rock which let his body escape damage from moving ice. The day after we visited Otzi, he was in the news again. The cause of his death was a blow to the head. Previously it was thought that he died from blood loss after being shot by an arrow.
Before we knew it, it was time to take the train to Rovereto to begin our adventure in the Dolomites. From Rovereto we took a bus to Folgaria. Our “base camp” was a half pension hotel with a spa, heated outdoor pool, and a Turkish bath along with an assortment of saunas, which offered a perfect relaxing end to days of mountain trekking. We interspersed mountain walks with trips to Trento and Bolzano to see these cities set in a valley among the beautiful Dolomite mountains. Intrigued by tales of dinosaur footprints
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The weather was improving dramatically and when we reached Venice we enjoyed sultry summer nights and rest in a shady park during the heat of the day. Venice was utterly charming, especially at night, with us wandering dark narrow streets and bridges of the old city which would open up suddenly to reveal canal views with a crescent moon overhead or a lively square with trees and restaurants. It was a wonderful experience to let chance be our guide in captivating Venice. In the space of one last day, we explored another neighbourhood in Venice at a relaxed pace and were home in time to enjoy supper in Groningen. Such is modern travel: if only we could go more often! Margaret Metsala
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