To celebrate Tulip Time and the history of Holland, I present this quiz, which can prove not only informative, but perhaps also instructive. The answers are given at the end. Enjoy.
Why did Reverend Albertus Van Raalte and his followers leave the Netherlands in 1846 to settle in Holland, Michigan?
- His uncle bequeathed him a ship, finally allowing Albertus to travel.
- He couldn’t take the constant criticism from his mother-in-law any longer.
- He was fed up with the immigrants coming into the Netherlands, so he turned things around and immigrated to America.
- He could no longer tolerate the theology and perceived abuses of the Dutch state church.
Settlers cut down trees in central Holland. What was the area used for before becoming Centennial Park?
- A meeting place for Holland’s two capricious youngsters.
- A practice area for ‘Dutch Dancing with the Stars’.
- A dog park (puppy poop bags were not provided).
- A city market.
The settlers in Holland and the Odawa Indians (Ottawa) do not get along. Why not?
- Settlers stole sugar and venison from the Odawa after they temporarily moved to another camp.
- The Odawa were Roman Catholics and resented attempts to convert them to Protestantism.
- The Odawa resented Dutch attempts to move them to what is now Allegan.
- All the foregoing.
Holland was nearly burnt down in the great fire of 1871. What caused the fire?
- Fireworks celebrating the newly commissioned Dutch fire service.
- The mayor fails miserably by demonstrating the dangers of throwing unextinguished cigar butts into a haystack.
- A cow belonging to Mrs. Vander O’Learysma knocking over a gas lantern in a barn.
- A combination of drought, strong winds and natural fires spreading from outside the city.
How did the Dutch protect their property from fire?
- They brought them to Centennial Park, hoping the fire wouldn’t spread there.
- They buried them in the dirt at Centennial Park.
- They buried them along the shore of Lake Macatawa.
- All the foregoing.
Although many Dutch people have insurance, few have ever collected it. Why not?
- Most of the policies had been sold by telephone agents with foreign accents.
- Most policies directed customers with complaints to an 800 number that only offered recorded messages.
- Most insurance companies were also set on fire.
- Most insurance companies have gone bankrupt, demonstrating why, despite the claims of a loud but dumb minority, government regulation can be a good thing.
Third Reformed Church burnt down. What happened to the unburned wood from the charred church?
- It was transformed into the new pulpit of the church.
- It was turned into matches commemorating the fire.
- It was sold as firewood.
- It was used to build a cheap house opposite the church.
Who is credited with starting Tulip Time?
- Ginger Rogers – dancer
- Kenny Rogers – singer
- Mr. Rogers – children’s television host
- Lida Rogers – biology teacher
Holland has long had a Kinder parade (for children). Originally, who could march in the parade?
- Anyone with a Dutch surname
- Anyone with Dutch ancestry
- Anyone with wooden shoes
- Anyone who attended a local school
The Dutch windmill was given by the Netherlands in exchange for what?
- Holland Dutch Village Season Pass for the Royal Family.
- A California redwood that has been carved into limited edition designer wooden shoes.
- Free entry for life for anyone from Vinkel, the Dutch town where the windmill was built.
- $2,800 plus expenses
What was the Dutch government’s plan for the windmill before it was sold to the city of Holland?
- To make it a playground.
- To make it an Airbnb.
- To turn it into a haunted windmill.
- Tear it down (leave it to the Dutch to convert a cost into profit).
Holland’s windmill blades have holes. Why?
- dutch termites
- A miller named Hans was aiming badly with his powerful slingshot.
- A naughty dutch boy experimented with his new drill set.
- A bored German fighter pilot wanted to practice shooting during World War II.
Kollen Park is a 24-acre park bordering Lake Macatawa. It was donated by Martha Kollen in 1921 in memory of her deceased husband, George. Why?
- Martha was tired of mowing the grass.
- Martha was convinced she saw a shark in the water near the park.
- Martha suffered from aquaphobia.
- Martha and George believed that all Dutch people should have access to the lake property. Concern for the masses seems to have been more important to the Kollens family than to today’s municipal government, as they plan the development of the property on which the former power plant now sits.
All correct answers are 4, but I hope you understood it.
Happy Tulip Time.
— Community columnist Ray Buursma is a resident of the Netherlands. Contact him at [email protected].
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