Zuidwolde The New Year’s meeting in the town hall of De Wolden was a real prize rain on Thursday evening. The organization of the Perenpluk in Ruinerwold won the Purebred horse and Jill Veldhuizen from Zuidwolde took the first Purebred foal.
Then there was the bicycle that was passed on like a chain to different riders on the occasion of 25 years of the municipality of De Wolden. They presented themselves with photos on social media and on the basis of these, Louise Koster from the Refaja care farm in Echten was selected as the winner. She was allowed to take the bicycle home.
In her New Year’s speech, Mayor Inge Nieuwenhuizen reflected on the situation in the world and all the challenges that lie ahead. “We are eagerly awaiting a new cabinet with a clear vision of the future. The Dutch made it clear in the elections that they want things to be different. But we haven’t figured out how yet.” As far as Nieuwenhuizen is concerned, the local government will have a clear perspective for the residents.
More is not always better
She outlined that we are on our way to a new time in which the world and each other must be better taken care of. “We see that more is not always better.” According to the mayor, participating in society is of the utmost importance in a society that is becoming increasingly individualistic. “Here in our countryside, participation is still the norm. Participating ensures that our countryside remains vital, that we can keep facilities afloat and ensure that new residents can integrate properly. Participating ensures that our youth have future prospects in the countryside.”
Booster bench in the school yard
It is always a treat for any first citizen to receive the Purebred Horse. For Inge Nieuwenhuizen there was a double celebration by adding the Purebred foal. The prize is for an initiative by young people between 6 and 18 years old that makes everyone happy. The jury counted three initiatives: the trio Dani Kouwen, Jayden Dunnink and Tom Luttel from De Wijk who made a sculpture of the wolf, groups 7 and 8 of obs De Rozebottel from Koekange who planted flower bulbs along the cycle path towards De Wijk and Jill Veldhuizen with her booster bench. This 9-year-old won the foal with a check for 500 euros, partly because of her idea that looking after and caring for each other is important. “The bench will be in the schoolyard, it should be a colorful bench,” said a surprised Jill after the ceremony surrounded by her family. The square is that of IKC Het Groene Hart in Zuidwolde.
Museum farm
A large delegation from Ruinerwold had come to the council chamber, partly because two major events had been nominated: Boerendrokte and the Perenpluk. Also activities that are both based on the De Karstenhoeve museum farm, which is why it was no problem that the representatives of the Perenpluk could take home the Purebred Horse, as well as the foal created by Bert Denneman from De Stapel.
The jury included Titus Kok and Boudewijn Bakker as representatives of Mina Koes’ theater gang, winner a year ago. According to the jury, the Pear Picking is an event with a major impact on the region, because pickers come from far and wide. Jeene Keizer expressed a word of thanks to the jury on behalf of the organization, because they really see this Purebred Horse in Ruinerwold as a nice appreciation. On the first Saturday of October it’s that time again, but first there must be enough blossoms on the pear trees.