Central RED – Kick Off Celebration with Milly Vande Kieft: “100 Years in America”
Thursday, Aug. 27
5:30 p.m. – dinner, 6 p.m. – presentation. Vermeer Banquet Room, Graham Conference Center
Cost: $15 cash bar available
Learn the experiences of Grace Van Roekel (Dutch name Grietje Engeltjes) during her immigration to America with her family in 1920. Hear her stories of leaving loved ones in The Netherlands, arriving at Ellis Island, and being quarantined just after their arrival in Iowa. Milly will share the joys and struggles of her mother’s immigration, made very real again when visiting Ellis Island with Grace and in her hometown of Elburg, The Netherlands.
Milly Vande Kieft is a retired instructor of Children’s Literature at Central College. She has been an elementary teacher and a children’s librarian. Milly serves on the Convention and Visitors Bureau board, is a Pella tour guide, and is a part of the Dutch Demos at Tulip Time. She is active in her church leading children’s activities and musicals and finds great therapy in working on charity quilts and weighted blankets.