Write us at edit@hvmag.com
Where in the Hudson Valley…?
It seems many of our readers have shared a seat next to the eighth U.S. president, Martin Van Buren, whose Kinderhook memorial is pictured in our August issue. Hats off to Susan Baggerman of Pine Bush for being the first to identify Van Buren, the first commander in chief not of British ancestry (his parents were Dutch). This month’s quiz (page 176) should have savvy shoppers and history buffs scrambling.
What is interesting about Van Buren is that he was the first president born in the U.S., six years after the colonies became independent from Britain. The seven prior presidents were all born subjects of British rule.
Diane Jeffery
Warwick
The Dutch culture remained vital in the Hudson Valley into the 19th century, and it is said that “Marty” even had a Dutch accent.
Kevin Denton
Member, Holland Society of New York
I graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in Queens a long time ago, but haven’t forgotten what we learned about the president called the Little Magician! Thanks for the opportunity to remind myself about him.
Phyllis Freeman
Via E-mail
Weighty issue
I was very interested in “Single in the Valley” (July). However, I was offended at Frayda Kafka’s “matchmaking advice”: “If you’re 30 pounds overweight, don’t even think about Internet dating. You gotta look good.” I am overweight and have been on many sites such as Match, JDate, Cupid, Frumster, and eHarmony, even OverweightDate and BBW. My many dates looked past my weight and focused on my great sense of humor, talent in acting and dancing, and intellect as a master’s educated therapist. Just speaking out for all the single, plus-sized women in the Valley!
Gabrielle Dworkin
Goshen
