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".

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.

So it seemed entirely appropriate to feature an exact replica of the
Bounty at our 1999 Mayoff Day celebration. (above)

As the breadfruit tree shed its fruit they bobbed across the Coral Sea. (above)

A view of the floating breadfruit, the Bounty, and a typical breadfruit
tree in the distance. (above)

A better view of the breadfruit tree. At the base of the erect tree you
can see some of the many other forms that the fruit of the breadfruit
tree can take.

Bernie's Bread Fruit Tree surrounded by its bountiful produce, including the carved watermelon sailing ship "The Bounty". . That's Art & Sue in the background.

Southwest airline has a well-deserved reputation for always being on
time -- except when Art and Sue fly them. Here is the information
board at Dallas' Love Field when Art & Sue were scheduled to arrive.

But being unstoppable, or insatiable, they overcame the Wright Amendment
and all other obstacles and arrived two hours late.