Mayoff Day 1999 – Mayoff.com

See the lyrics and hear the 1999 Mayoff Day song: Mayoff Day Is . . .

The Real History of Bread

When Denise was preparing for her position as manager of the local Great Harvest Bread Company store we researched the history of bread. Through unbelievable diligence, luck and sheer inventiveness we uncovered information that had previously been lost to history. Having recreated this history we are pleased to share it with Mayoffs and friends everywhere.

Early in the evolution of the earth, on scattered islands throughout Polynesia and the South Seas, an unusual plant developed. This plant produced a large, edible fruit that could be cooked and eaten from the time it first blossomed until it reached full maturity. The fruit could feed and sustain people in times of plenty and in times of famine. Like manna from heaven when there was no bread to eat, the earliest inhabitants of Polynesia depended on the fruit of this tree in good times and in bad. In fact they even called the fruit of this tree “breadfruit”.

HMS Bounty

In the 17th century, European sailors on the HMS Bounty discovered the breadfruit tree among the Polynesian islands. The crew was invited by the local population to share in the bountiful fruit of the breadfruit tree, to shed their clothes and enjoy the warm waters of the South Pacific, and to enjoy the company of their friends both new and old. Some among them suggested transporting seedlings of breadfruit trees to Jamaica, but the crew of the Bounty mutinied against this idea, preferring to take life slowly, to enjoy friendships and family and think of those around and joys that each has seen.

The mutiny is reported to have happened right at the end of May, perhaps leading to the first Mayoff Day celebration. During our research we uncovered an antique parchment with a sea shanty that appears to have survived from that early Mayoff Day celebration and that gave us insights into the thoughts of those that gathered together. The words and Music of the Night have been carefully deciphered and transcribed and you can read them for yourself. You can even hear what it must have sounded like.

Mayoff Day Celebrates the Discovery

Art and Sue Mayoff flew to Dallas to attend their first Texas Mayoff Day celebration. Prior to the event they squeezed in time for a bit of sightseeing.

: Bernie Mayoff, Sue Mayoff, Denise Mayoff resting at the floral clock in Las Colinas

: Sue Mayoff calms a (bronze) colt at Mustang Plaza in Las Colinas

: Sue Mayoff and Art Mayoff help drive cattle at Dallas City Hall

: Bernie Mayoff and Sue Mayoff shop at Dallas’ Farmers Market for the celebration

Then there was partying to do.

: Mayoff Day makes the headlines

: Denise prepares traditional Mayoff Day cookies

: Watermelon reproduction of HMS Bounty

: HMS Bounty dwarfed by a Bread Fruit Tree

: Close-ups of Bread Fruit

: Frank Ometz and Bernie Mayoff

: Doug introduces the Mayoff Day song. Left to Right: Evelyn Cohen (sitting), Denise Mayoff, Harry Garrett (sitting), Doug Frazier, Bernie Mayoff, Kathy Frazier, Barbara Peterson and James Peterson

: A tale of two Arts. (Art Mayoff and Art Cohen)

: Left to Right: Bob Rogers, Michelle Detweiler, Beth Mayoff, Hank Kieffer, Betsy Kieffer, Kay Adcock and Cheryl Mayoff

: Left to Right: Standing – Art Mayoff and Art Cohen. Sitting – Elaine Mayoff Isaacs, Sue Mayoff, Jessica Schwartz, Maria Kamerbeek and Teri Ann Rogers

: Left to Right: Teri Ann Rogers, Barbara Thomas and Evelyn Cohen. Evelyn peruses an issue of the Mayoff Family Descendant newsletter

: Left to Right: Standing – Doug Frazier, Bernie Mayoff, Kathy Frazier, Denise Mayoff, Barbara Peterson, James Peterson, Jane Herrick, Aubrey Adcock, Art Cohen, Bob Rogers, Beth Mayoff. Sitting – Evelyn Cohen, Harry Garrett, Cheryl (back to camera), Shirley Howard, Joan Garrett.

: Shirley Howard, Joan Garrett and Ron Thomas.

: Sandy and Dan Lucci [not related to Susan Lucci for 18 years – now reconsidering :-)]

: Bob Rogers, Michelle Detweiller and Beth Mayoff

: Doug Frazier, right, hands Art an autographed copy of all the Mayoff Day songs.

: Denise and Bernie holding their Mayoff Day Parade Grand Marshal and Parade Coordinator Award pose with Art and Sue (right).

: Bernie shows off the Honorary Mayoff certificate surrounded by Denise, Harry Garrett (sitting) Doug Frazier, Kathy Frazier (behind Bernie) and Barbara Peterson

: “Honorary Mayoff” certificate