Welcome to this week’s edition of Wassenaar Weekly. Your source for local stories, events, and community news in English, brought to you by Wassenaarders.nl.
Sinterklaas Arrives in Wassenaar
On Sunday, November 16, Sinterklaas made his festive arrival in Wassenaar’s harbour, where he was welcomed by Mayor Leendert de Lange.
After greeting the crowd, the Saint mounted his faithful horse Ozosnel and led a cheerful parade through the village centre.
The celebration included performances by Piet Martino & Magic Piet and a meet-and-greet with excited children at the Van Hogendorpstraat square.
More photos and videos of the arrival are available on the Wassenaarders.nl Facebook page.
Ekoplaza Wassenaar Named Best Franchise Store
Ekoplaza Wassenaar has been awarded the title of Best Franchise Store in the Netherlands.
Franchise owner Mathijs Vermeulen credited his dedicated team for the win:
“We just do what we do every day — and apparently, we do it very well.”
The store stood out for its customer experience, presentation, and welcoming atmosphere. Many of the team members have worked there for years, greeting customers by name and offering personal advice.
The recognition has brought in many heartfelt reactions from local residents.
Looking ahead, the store plans to introduce electronic price labels and host extra tastings and demonstrations for the holidays.
Wassenaar Commemorates Road Traffic Victims
On Sunday, November 16, Wassenaar joined the international remembrance day for road traffic victims.
At the local memorial near Raadhuis De Paauw, Alderman Wim Koetsier laid a floral tribute together with Jetty van der Werff from the Association for Road Victims.
The ceremony, held in silence, was part of a worldwide initiative by FEVR (Fédération Européenne des Victimes de la Route).
The Wassenaar monument, placed in 2003, serves as a local place of remembrance for those who lost their lives in traffic accidents.
Tackling Hidden Poverty in Wassenaar
Despite its affluent image, Wassenaar also faces hidden poverty.
At a meeting in De Warenar, the Social Team Wassenaar met with local professionals in health, education, and welfare to discuss how to recognise financial distress earlier and provide better support.
Speakers Stella de Swart and Martijn Haan shared personal experiences with debt and financial insecurity, underlining the importance of early help and understanding.
Alderman Ritske Bloemendaal closed the session by stressing collaboration:
“When people face hardship due to illness or divorce, they often get lost in a maze of regulations. By working together, we can make life better for those who struggle.”
Residents with money worries can contact the Social Team Wassenaar directly via wassenaar.nl/sociaal-team-wassenaar.
Eleven New Stolpersteine Installed in Wassenaar
Eleven new Stolpersteine (memorial stones) have been installed to honour Jewish residents of Wassenaar who were deported and murdered during the Holocaust.
Mayor Leendert de Lange unveiled the stones following a remembrance ceremony at Raadhuis De Paauw.
“These stones remind us to stay alert every day — to hatred, discrimination and abuse of power,” the mayor said.
Pupils from the Nutsschool recited poems and placed flowers at several addresses, including Bloemcamplaan 6, Bremhorstlaan 16 and Van Calcarlaan 27.
With these new stones, Wassenaar now counts 56 Stolpersteine across 29 locations — each preserving the memory of an individual life.
De Zonnehof Owners Named Entrepreneurs of the Year
During the 10-year anniversary celebration of Ondernemend Wassenaar, Vanessa de Boer and Sander Remmerswaal of Restaurant De Zonnehof were named Entrepreneurs of the Year.
They received the most votes from residents in the Entrepreneur’s Day poll.
Alderman Laurens van Doeveren praised their passion and the restaurant’s sunny terrace, family-friendly menu and local popularity.
The event also recognised other nominees — Ravelli Jewelry and Antica Italian Delicatessen — and marked ten years of supporting Wassenaar’s business community.
