February 2nd, 2000 a girl pulled on the front door handle of Cafe WIM on Sussex Drive and the door did not open. One more pull. It did not give. The door was locked. With some bewilderement she looked past the paper on the door. No-one there. She looked at the paper: C L O S E D.
She was a cashier at Rainbow Foods when she asked for my savings ID with the store. I gave my phone number. “William?”, she said. “Yes, but my name is actually just Wim.” “WHAT?”, she said.You mean Wim as in Cafe WIM?” “Yes< the same.” “When the door didn’t open, I cried.”
The following days in 2000, brought me letters. Glowing letters of memories, signed by FACEBOOK people. Honouable Guests and Staff Members. Marja Huis-ten Holder married to our first son William came flying back from Holland. Co-Founders and Managers. Maaike Bijker, straight from Holland to assist and make it happen.
Thumbing Facebook, I see the peole who send complimentary letters. Kaitland Murray, Nancy-Iona Greenham, Christina Penkala out of New York to the reunion meet. Peter Atfield, Chantal and Sian Sequin, Carrie Ann Alink, Yvonne Vermeulen, Carla Baars, Paul de laat, Wim Jolles Naval Architect, Dear Yvonne Brand-Landman who recently visited our mini castle with her Friesland man, tough and strong, like most Frisian men, Jacco. In my book, Cafe WIM a touch-of-Dutch (Best-seller at Smith bookstore on Sparks Street) a glowing letter from top-Staff Member Dr Karen Maloney in New York, on how I saved her job from an unruly Guest’ encounter.
Thanks to Facebook do we cross paths. Delightful Christina Beemans who used Facebook to put my book back on the map and organized the Cafe WIM reunions. where I had the honour of meeting Jessica Tate, Mim Pierce, Peter Atfield, Matt Moore, Christina Penkala to name a few.
Full and bright colours in Ottawa. First General Manager William ten Holder took Guests and Staff on an Ottawa River boat-cruise. Who would think of that??? Would any cafe manager in all of Ottawa have the inpsiration and know-how to organize such a festive happening??
Grandiose. Elaborate and Haute Couture (by Iris ten Holder who studied in the ateliers of her famous aunt in The Hague, Holland, owner of three boutiques) the fashion shows as part of NCC’ Winterlude: luxurious, refined bikinis (with big band music.) Colourful ZING in the city.
What special, unusual things happened in the kitchen of Cafe WIM? Read bout it in my new book that is in the (expensive) making with (no highr than) a twenty, via the best way for you. Ask me about that in your reply to this BLOG-edition via 613 828 6292. Use tel.-recorder: and leave your name/number.
Eighteen years ago, February the second, 2000. Doors locked. But the spirit is alive. Come by to virtual Cafe WIM via wimsically.com Always FREE, always Fresh, always Welcome. Don’t forget a cafe is a place to meet, has good-feeling ambiance, chances an Entree and personal “stage.”
Then there were big bushes of freshly cut flowers on all tables and candle light at night and really good music, wasn’t it? and poetry readings and chess playing and food.., very good. It was great fun wasn’t it. The rumour of all the voices. Beautiful Staff Members. Chic Guests………
A bit tough to think of that 2nd day in February 2000. That is why I could write now, the 4th. W.
