Happy 400th Thanksgiving!!! “Arrival to Survival”, our ancestors had survived famine and sickness in the new land. They had the good faith of the Native Americans having made a lasting peace treaty and learned how to grow corn successfully. This set up the first Thanksgiving based on bountiful farming, fishing, trading and hunting. Governor Bradford recorded 90+ braves and 50+ Pilgrims sharing 3 days of food and festivities in “Of Plymouth Plantation.”
We recently hosted an event with Plymouth Patuxet, “Fact or Fiction.” Dr. Heather Horton negotiated and created this event based on the writings in “Mourt’s Relation” believed to be written by Edward Winslow and William Bradford. Hilary Goodnow decoded the language and events in an interesting and informative way revealing new insights. She fielded questions from the 50+ attendees. A recorded copy is available for a limited time for those that couldn’t make the event.
Dr. Horton has also published a new booklet, The Woman and Girls of the First Thanksgiving. It is available in our on-line store for $3 including shipping. All proceeds are donated and 200 copies have sold so far.
I attended the Western Colony Fall event featuring noted author Caleb Johnson at Oakmont Country Club Saturday, November 20th with over 50 in attendance. Caleb reviewed his past and some recent discoveries. The traditional Thanksgiving food and fellowship were on display. Did you know the Western Colony is over 75 years old?
A group of members responded to my request for ideas and events that will be meeting in two segments starting Saturday, December 4th. We will be creating interesting and fun events for our membership to consider. Please contact me if you would like to participate, it is a virtual meeting.
Pam Palchowski created a Junior event featuring the Pirates and Phillies at PNC Park July 31st at 1:05 pm. We reserved 45 seats and will offer them at a discount. The tickets include “tailgating” and $10 worth of food. Each child will receive a deck of cards as this is “Kids Day”. Stay tuned for more details but bring your children or grand children for a fun time!
Our members and committees remain busy with many accomplishments under their belt detailed below.
Our historians have been hard at work adding over 70 new members last year, with over 150 more in the application process pipeline! Our numbers may be approaching active 1,000 members in 2022! Much of the work on new member applications has been conducted by our Distinguished Pilgrim of the Virginia "Ginny" Fossa. See the announcement regarding her selection. Congratulations Ginny!
Please take advantage of your $20 store credit, this is your last chance to redeem.
Deb Yingst and I attended the General Society Board meeting in Plymouth a few weeks ago. The new website was one of the accomplishments. This took a great deal of time and money to develop as I participated first hand on the Tech committee that produced. Take the time to sign in on the “members only” side and explore the many benefits it has to offer.
Our financial state is solid as our strategy to keep a percentage of resources in the stock market has grown to an all time high. Our dues increase was less as we transition the higher costs from the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. It is our mission to provide value to members in times when meetings are not possible using other means. Thank you for your dues and membership!
May God bless you and your family, keeping all healthy and in faith during this very unique time!
