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Immigrants from Aalten
1952
Bloomfield, Ontario

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This photo taken in the early 1950s documents all the people who came from a single community, Aalton in Gelderland.

The deVries came from Rinsumageest, Friesland in the spring of 1948 and therefore were among the earlest immigrants. Even they found instant connections from home. Imagine the relief, to find people you knew, amongst so much that was strange and unfamiliar. As more families came there was an even larger support network.

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First Sunday
31 January 2006
Trenton, Ontario

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Church picnic Waring's corners
1949
Waring's Corners, Prince Edward County, Ontario

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New friendships were also formed with people from other regions of the Netherlands. The significance of regional differences and dialects diminished when you shared the immigrant experience.

Church picnic at Waring's Corners 1949

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Church Picnic Waring School
1949
Waring's Corners, Prince Edward County, Ontario

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Sack race Church picnic
August, 1955
Prince Edward County, Ontario

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Sack races at the Church Picnic 1955

Derk Kamink (on the right) had recently arrived from the Netherlands, but was welcomed into the Dutch community centered on the Christian Reformed Church. Jacob Hoekstra is on the left.

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Young Peoples Group
1950
Bloomfield, Ontario

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This photo of the Young People's group taken in April 1950 again demonstrates the size of the Dutch immigrant community. This group provided another important social network. During the summers they gathered once a week for a "fun evening" often an expedition to the outlet beach (now Sandbanks Provincial Park). During the rest of the year they meet to study the Bible and other subjects. Many young immigrants met their husband or wife through this group. Although most said it was not important that they married a Dutch girl or boy, in reality most did. They shared a common experience and expectations and would agree more easily on how to run a household and raise children. As John Huizenga explained, those who came as young adults were not "Canadianized" enough, so soon after immigrating. His two younger brothers married "Canadian" girls.

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Cadets making breakfast
1955
Possibly Sandbanks Provincial Park

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The Church also developed other groups such as the Cadets, a group for boys similar to cubs or scouts, and a drama group.

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Cadets playing Rooster
1964
The basement of the manse for the Christian Reformed Church, Picton, Ontario

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Cadets playing "Rooster" in the basement of the manse in Picton 1964.