MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM BULLETIN

JANUARY 8, 2021

JANUARY 13 10 AM – VIRTUAL MEET & GREET WITH PETER

All Staff and Volunteers are invited for a virtual meet & greet with our new President, Peter Armstrong. The Zoom

link is below.

https://zoom.us/j/99923730171?pwd=UEhSYVJ5d1ZEZXlLWVhLNU04OGNRZz09

Meeting ID: 999 2373 0171 Passcode: 472523

MEET MAGGIE KEENAN! The Mystic Seaport family just got a little bit bigger! Amanda and Barry Keenan welcomed Margaret "Maggie" Keenan into the world at 8:41 am on January 2, 2021 at 7 lbs. 6oz. Congratulations to Amanda and Barry and we cannot wait to meet little Maggie!

ADVENTURE SERIES 2021 FREE FOR STAFF & VOLUNTEERS

This year’s Adventure Series has gone virtual due to the pandemic. Mystic Seaport Museum staff and volunteers

can register for free for these exciting Zoom programs by emailing membership@mysticseaport.org or calling the

Membership Office Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to sign up. Links to each program will be

sent once we receive your free registration. Hope you can join us for these engaging programs!

Thursday, January 21 at 7 p.m.

Alexander Bulazel: Sealers and the First Archaeological Excavation of South Georgia

Travel with us to Antarctica as Alexander Bulazel, historian, archeological assistant, and a Trustee of Mystic Seaport

Museum, discusses the story of the sealing industry in the southern ocean and shares expedition photography

showcasing the natural beauty of this remote part of the world. Alexander has traveled between the North and

South poles for over twenty years. In 2019, he participated in the first archeological survey of South Georgia with

the Cambridge Archaeological Unit. Last January, he founded and co-organized America’s Bicentennial Palmer

Expedition, which retraced Captain Nathaniel Palmer’s points of exploration on the Antarctic Peninsula. Join us as

Alexander shares his personal observations uncovering sealer activities and stunning images from his expeditions.

Thursday, February 18 at 7 p.m.

Skip Finley: Whaling Captains of Color – America’s First Meritocracy

Author and historian Skip Finley shares the untold story of the whaling industry’s leaders of color who braved the

dangers at sea to build a better life during an era where so many others were forced to endure slavery. Whaling was

one of the first American industries to exhibit diversity. A man became a captain not because he was white or well

connected, but because he knew how to kill a whale. Along the way, he could learn navigation as well as reading and

writing. Author and historian Skip Finley researched the stories of over 50 individuals of color who rose through the

ranks to captain many of America’s whaling ships for his book, Whaling Captains of Color – America’s First

Meritocracy. Join us as he shares their stories and discusses the social and legal circumstances that led so many men

of color to brave the high seas for a chance at a better life.

Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m.

Whit Perry and Dylan Perry: Sailing the Mayflower II

Hear the extraordinary journey of the Mayflower II as captain Whit Perry and crew member Dylan Perry share their

adventures preparing and sailing this historic reproduction. After the completion of a three year long restoration in

partnership with Mystic Seaport Museum’s skilled shipwrights, the crew of the Mayflower II faced the challenge of

sailing her safely home to Plymouth, MA during a summer of unprecedented challenges in the face of a global

pandemic. Mayflower II is Plimoth Plantation's fully restored 64-year-old reproduction of the ship that brought the

Pilgrims to the shores of historic Patuxet in 1620. Join us as Whit and Dylan share their experiences of operating this

very large wooden square rig ship in modern waters.

Thursday, April 15 at 7 p.m.

Melissa Miller: Crossing Every Ocean – For Science

Marine technician, Melissa Miller, discusses life at sea on her research expeditions that have taken her across 6

continents and all of the world’s oceans. Melissa has traveled 150,000 miles on research vessels and spent more

than 4 years of her life at sea while working at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. She also works

as a science writer and serves as ship historian for the research vessel, Sally Ride. Join us as she shares more about

her often isolated life at sea, and how her work helps scientists learn about how ocean temperatures, pH, and

oxygen levels are changing and what that means for us all.

JANUARY 8 PAYROLL – CT PAID FAMILY LEAVE DEDUCTIONS The Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act (“CFMLA”) currently requires that employers with 75 or more employees in Connecticut provide eligible employees with 16 weeks of unpaid leave in a 24-month period. As of January 1, 2022, eligible employees will be entitled to 12 weeks of paid leave in a 12-month period under the CFMLA, with two additional weeks available to eligible employees who experience a pregnancy-related serious health condition that results in incapacitation. The paid leave will be funded by employee payroll contributions. Beginning January 1, 2021, an employee payroll tax of 0.5% will be implemented – please note that these deductions also are limited by the same limits to Social Security deductions. This deduction will be on your January 8, 2021 paycheck. The attached employee information flyers provide greater details regarding the leave. For the remainder of 2021, Mystic Seaport Museum will continue to provide leaves based upon our current Short Term Disability; Parental and Personal Leave policies. More information will be shared regarding the changes to these leaves that will take place in January 2022. Please do not hesitate to contact Jeanne or Kristen if you need any additional information.

NEW BRITAIN MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

From now until January 31, the New Britain Museum of American Art is offering all Members, staff and volunteers

free admission. Visit nbmaa.org/visit to book timed entry and use the code 'Seaport' for 100% off non-member

tickets from now thru Jan 31.

LOGGING IN REMINDER!

As we move into January, and news is breaking of a new strain of COVID-19, it is a requirement that staff log their

attendance when physically on the grounds. Please use the Paychex app to confirm your attendance and confirm if

you are symptom free. If you do not have access to a desktop or the app you should work with your supervisor to

document that you are symptom free when you are on the grounds. This information is being monitored and will

be enforced. Thank you for your assistance in this important step to maintain a safe work environment.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Gift Coordinator – Advancement Services

DUTY OFFICER/WATCH CAPTAIN SCHEDULE

Saturday, January 9, 2021 Sunday, January 10, 2021

Duty Officer: Watch Captain, radio Duty Officer: Watch Captain

Security: Gary Doerfler, ext. 5310 Security: Diane Alley, ext. 5310

Watch Captain: Maria Petrillo, radio Watch Captain: Maria Petrillo, radio

Shipyard: Tom Daniels, ext. 5341 Shipyard: Walter Ansel, ext. 5341

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

“Making Party Hats and Ringing in the New Year!" Photo by Joe Michael