Society of Mayflower Descendants State of Florida July 1, 2021 Myles Standish Colony News Illuminate Thanksgiving, November 11, 2021 Save the Dates: Get ready to gather together in person again! We will celebrate the General Society of Mayflower 401st anniversary of the Mayflower landing and the signing of the Descendants, General Board of Mayflower Compact. Our remembrance of the Pilgrims who traveled to Assistants meeting, September 8-12, 2021, Hotel 1620, the New World in 1620 will begin with a social hour at 11:30 a.m., Plymouth, MA. Registrations November 11, 2021 at Kensington Country Club, 2700 Pine Ridge must be submitted by Aug. 8. Road, Naples. Book Club, July 14, 2021 Illuminate Thanksgiving Colony Meeting, November 11, 2021 Kensington Country Club, Naples 2022 Colony Meetings (Kensington Country Club) January 20, 2022 “As one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled has shown unto many.” Governor William Bradford ~ Of Plimoth Plantation March 03, 2022 November 10, 2022 Myles Standish Colony members, dressed in Pilgrim attire, will In this newsletter: participate in a candlelit procession led by William Bradford. The ceremony will include the reading of Governor Bradford’s inspirational 401st Anniversary Celebration quote “One Small Candle.” Each participant will read a brief Governor’s Message description of the Pilgrim they represent. Pilgrim attire is optional for March 2021 Meeting Minutes all guests. Honoring Peter Kerr Please contact Carolyn Alden, Vice-Governor, if you or members of Colony Book Club your family will participate in the ceremony and represent your New Members ancestor. Young family members are encouraged to participate to Dues submission form represent the children on the Mayflower. You also can indicate your Name Tag Order Protocol participation on the event registration form (page 10 of this edition) Colony Magnets Myles Standish Colony Newsletter 1 Society of Mayflower Descendants State of Florida July 1, 2021 Governor’s Letter Dear All: My husband and I have returned to Long Island, Maine fully vaccinated and we are enjoying seeing everyone again. Long Island, Maine is 6 miles off the coast of Portland and is only accessible by the Casco Bay ferry service or by private boat. The island is about 3 miles long and about 1 mile wide. The island has about 300 dwellings with a summer population of about 900 and a winter population of only 230. There is a school (K-5), a post office, town hall, recreation center, small grocery store, a bake house, gift shop, historical society, and two churches. The Island became a United States Navy base during World War II. The former navy buildings now function as the school, the town hall and the grocery store. Once a part of the city of Portland, the Island voted to secede and in 1993 the island was declared the Town of Long Island. The Island now pays tuition for the older children to attend the City of Portland public schools. Students commute 45 minutes on the ferry each day. Long Island, like other Casco Bay islands, was originally inhabited in the warm months by Native Americans until European settlers first arrived in the 17th century. Col. Ezekiel Cushing purchased the island in 1732 and is credited with being the first European to settle and build a house on the island. He died in 1765, and willed the island to his nine surviving children. Soon after, other settlers arrived to make a livelihood out of farming and lobstering. Ezekiel Cushing had married Hannah Doane in 1719 on Cape Cod. Hannah Doane was a descendant of Stephen Hopkins thru his daughter Constance Hopkins. George Soule, John Alden, Priscilla Mullins, John Howland, Elizabeth Tilley, Thomas Rogers, Samuel Fuller, William/Mary Brewster, Richard Warren and Francis Cooke descendants also came to this small island making this small island “rich” with Mayflower ancestry. When I purchased my summer home here in 1994, I knew no one on the Island and considered myself one of the few “outsiders." My roots were in Massachusetts, not Maine. But through my recent Mayflower research, I have found that I am a “cousin” too many of the Island residents as I am a Hopkins, Soule, Brewster, and Warren descendant also. The Island historical society has invited me to present a “Mayflower” talk later this summer. Although, many islanders “thought” they were Mayflower descendants, few have joined GSMD. I believe this is an ideal opportunity for me to help promote the Society. Sunrise here was 4:57 AM this morning. Our home faces East so I am usually out of bed by 5:30 AM. I meet neighbors to walk at 6:15 AM. I have been busy planting a vegetable garden and weeding my perennial gardens. But, today is my day to “ferry” to the mainland for more planting supplies and a grocery run. Life here is simple and it is not surprising that it appeals to so many Mayflower descendants. I think it brings us back to our humble roots! I wish you all a happy and healthy summer. I look forward to seeing everyone in person on November 11, 2021. We have a wonderful 401 anniversary celebration planned. We need volunteers for November 11. Check out the article on page 1 of this edition. Ann Lambert Kremer, Governor, Myles Standish Colony Society of Mayflower Descendants/State of Florida Myles Standish Colony Newsletter 2 Society of Mayflower Descendants State of Florida July 1, 2021 Society of Mayflower Descendants/State of Florida, Myles Standish Colony, Naples FL Regular Meeting, March 10, 2021, via Zoom CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 11:35 by Gov. Ann Kremer; INVOCATION: Christel Walters, Elder; Pledge of Allegiance: Nancy Ratner, Junior Chair, in Virginia Bailey’s absence; PILGRIMS’ PLEDGE: Beverly Duncan, Recording Secretary; READING OF THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT: David Burgess, Captain PROGRAM: Vice-Governor Carolyn Alden introduced Rebecca Fraser (in London), author of The Mayflower, the Families, the Voyage, and the Founding of America. (This book will also be the second book for the Myles Standish Book Club Wed., April 15 [later changed to 22nd] at 11:00.) Carolyn also introduced special guest Michelle Coughlin, author of Penelope Winslow, Plymouth Colony First Lady: Re-imagining a Life (which will be the topic of a special discussion with Michelle on Wed., May 13 at 1:00). Rebecca began by saying the story of the Mayflower is “America’s foundational myth.” She had been motivated in her research by a portrait (shown in her book) of Penelope Winslow, who was well-dressed and spent time in London. Rebecca found a wealth of information in the British National Archives, including the original petition to King James from the Puritan separatists to found a “more Godly” kind of England in the New World. She also discovered that the Mayflower women were “feisty and strong” and well respected. (Rebecca’s use of the National Archives is unusual among authors of Plymouth history.) BUSINESS MEETING INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS (Angie Wakefield, Historian): No new members, but a second-time guest, Lois Pecora, who transferred from California on October 30. MINUTES: There were only 14 members (later 15) present, so approval of the minutes of the January 27 meeting will wait until the November meeting. TREASURER’S REPORT: (David Burgess reported for Linda Gadkowski, Treasurer.) March 1 balance is $13,570. Expenses were $5,984 for State dues; $869 for production and mailing of the Pink Book; and $41 to the Historian. Income was $30 from magnet sales. There are 150 members. Two members still owe the additional $20 for State dues. Juniors: (Nancy Ratner) We have 137 Junior members; second only to Bradford Colony (150). Eight will become full members (age 18) in 2021. Three won state scholarships. Nametags: Val will put out ordering information so that everyone can have one by the Nov. meeting. Newsletters: E-blasts to members without email will be hard-copy mailed in some form. OLD BUSINESS: (Ann Kremer, Gov.) • November 11, 2021 Meeting has been reserved and will be LIVE at Kensington Country Club,celebrating the 401st anniversary of the Landing of the Mayflower and the signing of theMayflower Compact. • Mayflower magnet sales: We have sold 22 magnets. Our goal is to sell 100 magnets. Funds to be used for our ZOOM subscription and for projects such as speakers, books, and movies. • Pink Books were mailed in early February. If you have not received your book, please contact Ann Kremer. Errors have been noted and emails sent to members with corrections. • Facebook page remains active and interesting: “Myles Standish Colony, Naples, FL.” NEW BUSINESS: • Upcoming proposed meeting dates at Kensington Country Club ➢ January 20, 2022, March 10, 2022, and November 10, 2022---all Thursdays. (March changed due to location issue) Book Club Zoom Meetings (Carolyn): See “Program” above. Social/Chat Zoom Meetings (Angie): Only 3 attendees at each of 2 meetings. Maybe someone else lead them or perhaps discontinue them? Val send an e-blast asking if folks are still interested? Meeting Recordings: Val will send the link to the recordings to the membership. Possibility: The guest-speaker portion of the meetings can be re- shown on a screen at Kensington Club meetings. BENEDICTION: Christel Walters, Elder. ADJOURNMENT: Ann Kremer at 1:01. Respectfully submitted, Beverly Duncan, Recording Secretary Myles Standish Colony Newsletter 3 Society of Mayflower Descendants State of Florida July 1, 2021 Peter F. Kerr It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Peter F. Kerr, a valued Myles Standish Colony member, on April 19, 2021 at the age of 85. Peter was born on Staten Island, NY, and grew up in Westerleigh, the son of Dr.