On Friday 29 May, the first STO-Bo was
a fact! Via a separate invitation and social media,
the commissioners invited family members
to come and enjoy drinks, paid for by Dirk,
and to meet family members informally.
Thirty-three enthusiastic family members
gathered at De Beurs, on the Neude in
Utrecht. The list of registrations showed that
Branch B in particular was well represented.
Over a drink and tasty snacks,
chair Pauline Insinger-Boreel welcomed the attendees.
Priscilla Raadsen Tielenius Kruijthoff (secretary) then
read out a poem by Emile van der Borch
van Verwolde, a family member who was sadly
executed at a young age in the Second
World War. The responses to the organisation of
the STO-Bo were positive. The informal
character in particular was much appreciated.
A few responses:
As I mentioned, I really enjoyed the STO-Bo because here, in a smaller group, you can get to know the other family members a little more easily and can also speak to each other in more detail. On to the next one! Kind regards,
Marie-Françoise Wilbrenninck (Branch B)
Many thanks for the successful 1st STO-Bo. What a nice idea to meet each other in this way, in between the five-yearly traditional evening celebrations. Very successful. I am already looking forward to the next one! Warm family greetings,
Pauline Hoog (Branch B)
Here is a “review” of the first STO-Bo: We enjoyed seeing quite a nice turnout of younger and older family members. You notice that they are familiar faces, but because of the less frequent contact you do have to search a little again for the connection. That has now been made again! A warm thank you to the organisers. And great that we now have Dirk online to get in touch with! Regards,
Barbara Raadsen (Branch B)
First of all: what a wonderful initiative; hats off for that! At the same time, my apologies for this late response. I would be glad to come to the drinks tomorrow. My girlfriend, Julia Alkemade, may join as well. Should there be any vacant volunteer positions or other opportunities to contribute, I warmly recommend myself for them and hereby express my interest. Kind regards,
Dick Poerink (Branch B)
Dear family members who organised the STO-Bo!
You did a fantastic job! It was nice that Pauline said a few words beforehand and Priscilla read out a poem by Emile van der Borch van Verwolde: a family member who died in the war. Because I myself descend from the Van der Borch tot Verwolde family from Vorden, and had a grandfather with 12 brothers and sisters, this branch of the family (within Fonds Stoop – ed.) is strongly represented. In the first generation they were all cousins of my mother, and the next generation were, for me, second cousins (Pien and Christa) and their male counterparts. After that comes the younger generation, such as Jan Haro and Marie-Françoise Wilbrenninck, Reinier Van Hövell, Bastiaan van Dishoeck and Jolien Tielenius Kruijthoff (a first cousin once removed), and then another younger generation. It was nice to have seen and spoken to them and others. Having written this, I immediately get the idea that I myself am actually very old… and of course I am. So that is why it is a good thing to meet everyone who is a little involved in this large family from time to time in between. In any case, I am again looking forward to the coming 2028 “Stoop Celebration” (and no, Jan Haro, preferably not in shorts!).
A warm greeting to all! Elisabeth Raadsen-Tielenius Kruijthoff (Branch B)
The organisation of the second STO-Bo has meanwhile begun. It will probably take place in October
2026. We would be glad to see you there (again)!