Dallas Mayoff Day 2011

“In the west of Richardson, there is a garden. In the garden, each year, near the time of that sabbath which is three weeks before the shortest night of the year, there shall be a celebration. Men and women of diverse age, background and perspective shall gather in friendship. And this celebration of friendship shall be known among people everywhere, and it shall be called Mayoff Day.”

— as written in A Book —

Listen or watch the 2011 Mayoff Day song: Each year on Mayoff Day

Flashing lights greeted this year’s celebrants

Grapevines part to reveal the lights of Mayoff Day

The 2011 theme: Return to Eden

The Tree of Knowledge: “Fruit” of the tree (Mayoff Day pens and Upstander bracelets) hangs from the tree and lies on the “ground” beneath it

This graven tablet reminded celebrants not to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, but encourages using it. Reindeer, elephants and owls roamed the Garden this evening.

Atlas, bearing the weight of the world in his arms made an appearance while Pele erupts behind him. Pele was calmed by animal (cookie) sacrifices. A bowl of ambrosia also awaits behind Atlas.

Deviled eggs, angels’ food, devils’ food, manna (Mayoff Day m&m’s), and more share the table with the traditional Mayoff Day cookies

(L-R): Arlene Kreitman, Joan Cera, Jeff Mayoff, Denise Mayoff, Shelli Taub

Mark and Jkdi Lerner, Brenda Green

Back (L-R): Jeff Mayoff, Mark Lerner, Judi Lerner, Rob Mayoff, Delia Mayoff, Les Taub, Jessica Schwartz, Bob Schwartz. Front (L-R): Joan Cera, Don McFarland, Mary Frances McFarland.

Standing (L_R): Yves Quervel, Arlette Quervel, Elaine Isaacs, Robin Caldwell, Ted Gold, Marcia Gold, Fran Gioia, John Gioia. Seated (clockwise from left): Joanne Larson, Mark Larson, Bill Tempest, Barry Lachman, Barry Slotnick, Arvin Kreitman, Carol Tempest, Teri Ann Rogers, Shirley Howard, Barbara Thomas

Standing (L-R): Richard Navarrete, Harry Garrett, Jessica Schwartz, Bob Schwartz, Shelli Taub. Seated: Mary Frances McFarland, Maria Kamerbeek.

Standing (L-R): Bob Schwartz, Dorrie Byno, Jack Byno, Yves Quervel, Arlette Quervel, Rich Navarrete, Barbara Guzak, Kathy Frazier. Seated back row: Jeff Mayoff, Richard Navarrete, Rob Mayoff, Jim Howard, Elaine Isaacs. Seated front row: Maria Kamerbeek, Sue Slotnick, Joanne Larson, Mark Larson, Bill Tempest, Ron Thomas

(L-R): Carol Tempest, Teri Ann Rogers, Shirley Howard, Barbara Thomas

Standing (L-R): Robin Caldwell, Ted Gold, Marcia Gold, Beth (Mayoff) Shephard, Fran Gioia, John Gioia. Seated (clockwise from foreground): Jim Howard, Elaine Isaacs, Ron Thomas

Standing (L-R): Yves Quervel, Arlette Quervel, Barbara Guzak, Kathy Frazier, James Peterson, Evelyn Caldwell, Robin Caldwell, Ted Gold. Seated (L-R}: Elaine Isaacs, Jim Howard, Rob Mayoff

Standing (L-R): Mark Lerner, Judi Lerner Brenda Green. Seated (L-R): Arlene Kreitman, Joan Cera, Jane Lachman

Harry and Joan Garrett, Les and Shelli Taub, Bob Schwartz

Jeff Mayoff

John Gioai, Beth and Bryan Shepherd. Beth and Bryan really are happy, really, they are

Standing (L_R): Bob Schwartz, Dorrie Byno, Jack Byno, Yves Quervel, Arlette Quervel, Rich Navarrete, Barbara Guzak, Kathy Frazier. Seated (L-R): Jeff Mayoff, Maria Kamerbeek, Sue Slotnick Richard Navarrete, Joanne Larson Rob Mayoff, Mark Larson, Jim Howard, Elaine Isaacs.

Standing (L_R): Yves Quervel, Arlette Quervel, Rich Navarrete, Barbara Guzak, Kathy Frazier, Delia Mayoff, James Peterson, Evelyn Caldwell, Robin Caldwell, Ted Gold. Seated (L-R): Sue Slotnicko Joanne Larson Rob Mayoff, Mark Larson, Jim Howard, Elaine Isaacs.

Rob Mayoff, Rich Navarrete., Richard Navarrete

Once a Mayoff, always a Mayoff. Cheryl Navarrete, Beth Shepherd.

Cheryl (Mayoff) Navarrete, Beth (Mayoff) Shepherd, Rob Mayoff

Barbara hears a story for the first time – again. Barbara Guzak, James Peterson, Doug Frazier, Walt Hebert.

Arlette Quervel, Jessica Schwartz, Yves Quervel

Yves Quervel, Richard Navarrete

Sages in front of the Tree of Knowledge: Ted Gold, Elaine Isaacs, Marcia Gold

Where are those hands and what are they doing? Teri Ann Rogers, Robin Caldwell, Everyn Caldwell

Presentation of the song sheet to Denise and Bernie by Doug Frazier, autographed by the entirely heavenly chorus

Denise and Bernie

Happy Mayoff Day!!!