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Message from our Colony Governor – May 2023
Greetings Colony Members and Friends, It’s such a pleasure to be writing now with spring in bloom all around us, spectacularly so in the desert. The “Anza-Borrego Desert Dandelions in Pollination” Photo (in our “Pilgrim News” issue) was taken by Vietnam Veteran, DAR Certificate recipient, and friend, Ken McCormack.
I wonder if our ancestors felt the same as their first harsh winter was left behind. Having lost nearly half their number, think of how difficult the challenges of each day were. Courtesy of, Mayflower 400uk.org and many other historical sites we know that the spring brought new hope:
“During March 1621, an English speaking member of the Wamponaog, named Samoset, entered the grounds of the Plymouth colony and introduced himself. He is said to have said “Welcome English”, asked for a beer and spent the night talking with the settlers. Samoset, later, brought another member of his tribe – Tisquantum, whose experience meant his English was much advanced. He taught them to plant corn, which became an important crop, as well as where to fish and hunt beaver. He introduced them to the Wampanoag chief, Ousamequin, chief of the Pokanoket people known as Massasoit, an important moment in developing relations.”
Ousamequin and The Pilgrims established an historic peace treaty, and the Wampanoag went on to teach them how to hunt, plant crops and how to get the best of their harvest, saving the Pilgrims from starvation. This all led to the harvest in the fall and the first Thanksgiving.
Our San Diego Colony’s Winter Meeting saw us gather in February for a luncheon held at the Green Dragon Tavern and Museum. The program was full of the grim and fascinating details of the murder of Martha Clark. Author Donna A. Watkins discussed her book Diverse Gashes, Governor William Bradford, Alice Bishop, and the Murder of Martha Clarke Plymouth Colony 1648. She also gave us, from the court records, many other astounding case histories. Our ancestors were not shy about doling out punishment! As much as I revere those intrepid travelers, I’m glad to be living in this century, where we have no whipping, branding, or time in the stocks and Oh…..! those scarlet letters!
We are really delighted by our increasing membership and all the new energy it brings to our Colony. Many of our new Colony Cousins have jumped right in to volunteer in various areas. We honored several in February with a special greeting and gift. This was our first in person meeting and a return to the much loved buffet. All our members were thankful for the change. We love Zoom’s technology and will always use it when needed to share a great program, but this was welcome for the ease of setup and the shared camaraderie.
Turning to spring, we are focused on our Colony Scholarship which we hope to award to a worthy student at our May meeting. At that same meeting we will feature Dr. Susan Hector who will give us a program on “Textile Production in the American Colonies 1620 – 1783”. Read more about Susan in the latest ‘Pilgrim News’ issue.
We are also eagerly awaiting our return to the La Mesa Flag Day Parade, “A Salute to Old Glory” on June 3, 2023. This is a great community parade with a short route that makes it very pleasant. Other lineage societies also take part, the San Diego Chapter, NSDAR and the San Diego Chapter, SAR both in period dress. Our combined group has a great presence. For our last parade (pre-covid), we decorated our cars and prepared to walk and hand out leaflets about the Mayflower Society and our Colony. If Colony Members and their families would like to take part, just let me know.
I look forward to seeing you all in the days ahead.
Judith Reale, Governor
San Diego Mayflower Colony.
Spring 2023 Colony Meeting
Saturday May 20th is the date of our next San Diego Colony Meeting. The time will be 10am (check-in) and will be held at the Green Dragon Tavern and Museum. There will be a Breakfast Buffet along with a very interesting program.
Passed Colony Events of Significance
“400-Year Anniversary” of the Mayflower Pilgrim’s 1st Fall Harvest Feast occurred Nov of 2021
The San Diego Mayflower Colony in the State of California celebrated the 1620 Pilgrim’s “Voyage of Hope” and “First Harvest” celebrations in San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park. The event was similar to our 2018 “Plimoth Colony-WEST” event which was held in association with the House of England. Please watch for updates in the coming years as we look to continue this event. Below you can read about our 2018 event attended by more than 500 fellow San Diegans.
San Diego Colony’s Balboa Park Event on November 11th, 2018
The San Diego Mayflower Colony held our first 400th anniversary event on Compact Day, November 11, 2018. It was called “Plimoth Plantation West—In Anticipation.” The event was held at the world famous Balboa Park House of International Relations and was co-hosted by the House of England. The International Cottages were built in 1935 for the California Pacific International Exposition. Our event was held in the central lawn area, near the House of England, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. An estimated 500 visitors passed through our exhibits and spoke with our Colony Members/Enactors, all of whom were wearing 15th-16th Century clothing.
Our tour was self guided and visitors were encouraged to explore the exhibits at your own pace. At stopping points, displays were presented to learn more about these interesting adventurers who bravely traveled here almost 400 years ago! Colony Members told about what it was like to be alone and on the edge of a continent new to them. Plimoth Plantation WEST–2018 was focused on outreach and education. There were multiple interactive displays showing aspects of what was happening two years before the famous voyage and the life and demographics of the travelers. In addition, roving Enactor/Colony Members represented specific Mayflower passengers and told their personal stories to guests. We’d love to do this again, perhaps in the Fall of 2021, so watch for news updates.