Meet Marelda Hart, Director of Lantern Light Tours at Mystic Seaport

This week the spotlight – or perhaps we should say, the lantern light – shines on Marelda Hart, Supervisor of Interpreters at Mystic Seaport. Marelda’s main focus right now is directing the Museum’s Lantern Light Tours for the fifth consecutive year. The tours are just one of many activities and events involving roleplayers and interpreters, and supervising such a diverse portfolio of people and events is a huge responsibility. It is Marelda’s combination of experience, optimism and open-door management style that makes it all work, with the Museum visitor ultimately the beneficiary.

1. How long have you worked at Mystic Seaport?
MH: Since 1984, although it wasn’t full-time until 1998. When I began working at Mystic Seaport, it was a far cry from the pediatric nurse practitioner I had been in California, but I was intrigued with all the new opportunities here at the Museum. After my first year in Interpretation, I developed my role-playing character of Dr. Marelda Louise Wiley, using my grandmother’s name. The research in 19th-century medicine was made possible by my knowledge of 20th-century medicine. The next year I joined Squad, which opened still more doors for me, like sailing several square-rig vessels and owning a passenger schooner. Since my very first day on the job, it has been a fun, exciting, educational journey for me.

Marelda Hart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. What’s the best part of your job?
MH: I’m going to copycat others who have said their co-workers are the best part of their job. It’s true; there’s an indefinable something. Both paid and volunteer staff seem to have a mutual fondness, passion and sense of caring for our Museum. It’s evident as well in the numerous interactions I have with different departments and department heads. I’ve concluded it’s a special kind of person who chooses to work at Mystic Seaport.

3. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
MH: People can be both a delight and a challenge – often at the same time! I really do enjoy talking with all our talented, dedicated staff. There are three important steps I go through regularly when confronting different challenges: listen, formulate a solution and find a way to implement the solution. I keep an open mind, an open ear and an open office door. As a result, any discussion regarding discontent, concerns or problems usually ends on a positive note. Also, insufficient time to do everything is always a challenge.

4. What’s the funniest or most notable on-job experience you’ve had?
MH:  I never could have imagined in California, when I got my pilot’s license and became certified as a PNP, that I would eventually work in a maritime museum! It’s notable for me that I have the good fortune to work in an environment that fulfills my love of history, drama and the sea. Speaking of drama, with Lantern Light Tours on the horizon, I do recall something that happened in one of our previous years. Each year a ginger cookie is offered to the public as part of the story. This one year, unfortunately, an elderly woman who was being escorted by her son, tripped and fell and was taken by ambulance to the hospital to be checked out for any serious injury. Her son managed to rejoin the group and asked worriedly, “Did I miss the cookies?” It’s the little things that mean a lot, I guess!

5. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
MH: My dog, Barnacle, insists on going for walks, but when he’s not badgering me to take him, I enjoy reading, photography, writing poetry and quilting. I have five children – three daughters and two sons – and three granddaughters, two of whom are junior firefighters with their dad in the Dunn’s Corners Fire Department. There are just not enough hours in a day to do all the things I love to do!

Marelda was interviewed by volunteer, Trudi Busey. Photo by Dennis Murphy.

Meet Mystic Seaport Staffer Sarah Spencer

Sarah Spencer says “keeping all the balls in the air” is one of the challenges of her position as the Museum’s Group Sales Manager and Location and Production Coordinator. It’s easy to understand that some juggling talents are definitely part of Sarah’s workday.
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1. How long have you been employed at Mystic Seaport?
SS: In June it will be 20 years. I’ve worked in lots of different exhibits – and departments.  I worked in most of the exhibits, including the Print Shop, the Shipcarver’s Shop and the Cooperage; I was lead cooper for several years. I’ve done some roleplaying, and I also spent a summer making oars in the Shipyard and two years transcribing oral histories for Fred Calabretta in the Library.  I’ve been in Marketing and Communications in different positions for about 10 years.  For a Sociology major graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, I’ve had a fun and interesting work career – from New York City, to MIT in Boston to Mystic Seaport.  I feel a fair amount of sadness when I think about my year in New York – I had been a front desk clerk at the hotel located between the Twin Towers. 

Sarah Spencer in front of the Museum's Cooperage building

2. What’s the best part of your job?
SS: I really love the variety despite some of the challenges that may come with it.  My daily planner entries are often crossed out because something else takes precedence. A new filmmaker may need escorting around the Museum or tour buses arrive un-scheduled, or one of our area hotels needs tickets. 

3. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
SS: I think probably one of the hardest things is to let it go.  With technology the way it is, one has to really school oneself to not constantly check the email, phone or voicemail in the evening or weekends.  Mostly I don’t want anyone to be disappointed – from the visitor to my colleagues.    

Working with filmmakers presents different challenges, but it can be a delight. The Museum has guidelines regarding when and where they may shoot. No part of the grounds is closed to visitors during filming, so we encourage filmmakers to work either before the Museum opens or after it closes. We also suggest the best time to film is between the months of November and March, when fewer visitors are on grounds. But it’s colder and doesn’t always provide the “look” that they’re seeking.  So, there can be a bit of juggling.  

4.  What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had?
SS:  Of late, my involvement with the Ric Burns’ film Into the Deep was a special experience in so many ways. I’m excited for its public debut. On the more humorous side, when I was a tour guide for Lantern Light Tours as we were leaving the Morgan after a scene below, one patron asked, “Is this ship real?” Maybe its authenticity was questioned because the interpreters were in character. It was sort of a strange question. 

5. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
SS: My husband and I love to travel. We also enjoy winemaking as a hobby. I also just finished the Memorial Day weekend “Angel Ride”, which was a 50-mile bike ride that benefited Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. I felt as if I needed someone to catch me once I arrived at the finish line — it was one long bike ride!    

Sarah was interviewed by Volunteer Trudi Busey and photographed by Andy Price.

With Special Thanks to Ric Burns, Steeplechase Films Inc., WGBH and Connecticut College

There was no red carpet. Those of us arriving at Connecticut College‘s Palmer Auditorium on May 1st weren’t dressed in glittery finery or tuxedos. But the mood of anticipation and excitement was comparable to any Hollywood premiere, knowing we were about to view a film the general public won’t see until May 10^th. That’s when Ric Burns‘ documentary, Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World is scheduled to air on PBS. 

The film is an awesome account of the era during which Mystic Seaport‘s Charles W. Morgan, now the last surviving wooden whaleship in the world, played an integral part. But aside from this wonderful historic and graphic film, I had a feeling of pride knowing the significant role Mystic Seaport staff played in the shooting of this film. Some appeared on camera, but many, many others participated in behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure the film’s authenticity regarding the rigors of life aboard a whaling ship. The amazing expertise of Mystic Seaport sailors was a major factor in exciting, live scenes shot aboard a variety of ships utilized by the filmmaker. 

"Into the Deep" being filmed aboard the Charles W. Morgan at Mystic Seaport, September 2007

I wonder how many in the audience, like me, came away with a new respect for what Mystic Seaport is dedicated to doing….restoring the Charles W. Morgan to make her seaworthy once again in 2013. Any naysayers regarding that goal need to see this film. 

Filming "Into the Deep" aboard the Charles W. Morgan at Mystic Seaport, Sept. 2007

 The handout at Palmer Auditorium said: Be a Part of History: Help The Charles W. Morgan Sail Again. Each of us who gives any amount toward her restoration could, and really should, feel that way – a part of history. 

What’s in your piggy bank? A little history in the making maybe? Think about it. (Donations gratefully accepted online or directly to Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Ave. Mystic, CT 06355). 

Now don’t forget. Tune in American Experience on PBS – Monday, May 10, at 9 p.m. to watch Into the Deep. It’s a fascinating epic story covering three centuries of American whaling. 

Blog written by Trudi Busey.

Meet Mystic Seaport Interpreter Mike Meyer

Catching Michael Meyer for an interview can be as difficult as snagging a fish with your fishing pole. Mike works as an interpreter here at Mystic Seaport, and where he works can almost be summed up in two words …all areas!  This day he was aboard the L.A. Dunton and had a few moments to answer our questions while the ship’s visitors were occupied with a fish demonstration. 
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1. How long have you been employed at Mystic Seaport?
MM: It will be four years in May. It has been a real learning curve for me because I cover so many different exhibits. I am usually on the Dunton one day a week, but also work in the Cooperage, the Print Shop or the Schaefer or Mallory Exhibit Halls. I’m sort of partial to the Print Shop; I enjoy demonstrating the workings of a print shop in the 1870s. Visitors love the chance for the hands-on experience of setting type and printing something themselves. I’m pleased that the Museum is having more activities like that available to visitors of all ages. 

Mystic Seaport Interpreter Mike Meyer

2. What’s the best part of your job?
MM: I consider the variety in my job a special advantage. Visitors ask interesting questions and the give and take can make a difference in how they view history and how they remember their visit to Mystic Seaport.  Also, during Lantern Light Tours, I have fun involving the tour group by making them feel part of history. 

3. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
MM: Being an interpreter requires a fair amount of study, but that benefits both me as well as Museum visitors. I need to be well-versed in everything about the particular exhibit I’m staffing. Besides answering visitors’ questions, I try to paint a verbal picture of what people’s lives were like during the 1870s. The challenge comes in making what I say interesting enough to hold visitors’ attention. 

4. What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had?
MM: Especially when I work in the Print Shop, visitors sometimes assume that my career life had been in the printing business. Now imagine the learning process for this non-sailor who had to learn every little detail, down to the ship’s parts, when I began interpreting on the Dunton. 

5. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
MM:  I do quite a bit of volunteer work, including Hospice and teaching Sunday school. I’m also Chair of the Groton Housing Authority, which works with low-income families. I like to read, mostly political or historical books, but I’ve recently gotten interested in mysteries. And now that it’s finally spring, I can enthusiastically add gardening to the list. 

Mike was interviewed by Volunteer Trudi Busey and photographed by Dennis Murphy.

Mystic Seaport Staffer Gives an Update from Cuba

In Cuba for Amistad‘s celebration, Mystic Seaport Shipyard Director Quentin Snediker provided this update via email yesterday:

We’ve been in Cuba for a week.  Saturday through Monday in Havana, then to Matanzas to greet the vessel.  Arrival in Matanzas was what we have come to refer to as our “soft landing,” that is, our arriving near or outside our final destination a day or two early in order to prepare the ship for a highly visible celebratory arrival.  Here in Cuba, that was important for all our usual reasons, but it was also an opportunity to visit this historical port. Matanzas is an industrial city, once referred to as the Athens of Cuba.  It is just now recovering from the economic devastation caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba’s principal trading partner.  It has been said, with the loss of Soviet trade, the Cuban economy declined 34% in the first year.  Matanzas is also important historically because it was one of the leading ports for the importation of slaves.  The Dewolf family of Rhode Island held one of the leading companies in that trade.  We have as a partner in this expedition a descendant of this family, Katrina Browne, who recently produced a moving documentary called Traces of the Trade which broadcasted on PBS last June.  In Matanzas there is a fort built in 1693 which is now dedicated as a museum to the tragedies of slavery.  It is recognized by the UN as part of the Slave Route Project. Visit www.unesco.org for more information.

The people of Matanzas welcomed the vessel with unbelievable hospitality.  Each night we enjoyed a different cultural program, however, the first night remains a highpoint of our visit.  In a small restored 18^th-century church overlooking the city a folkloric troop of musicians and dancers performed traditional drumming and dance, highlighting the African influence on Cuban culture.  By the time it was over all of us were dancing together.  The next night, we joined a convention of journalists for a more formal concert featuring modern dance, a violin quartet, modern classical singing, and, of course, more African-influenced drumming and dance.  The caliber of these performances was as professional as any I’ve ever seen and they were all native to the city of under 200,000 people.  This dramatically illustrates the commitment to cultural ideas held by the Cuban people.  Our last night in Matanzas featured a reception at the Slavery Museum and included a tour of the museum, dance and music, and a wonderful buffet. 
 
On Thursday, March 25, the 10^th anniversary of Amistad‘s launch, we departed Matanzas at 04:00 a.m. to arrive at the pilot station off Havana by 13:00 p.m.  For me this was one of the most fulfilling days of my life.  I mentioned earlier that it has always been part of our dream for Amistad to visit Cuba because of its historic connections.  My personal interest in Cuba started much earlier.  As a child, during the peak of international tensions between our nations, I became intrigued by this small island nation’s influence on international affairs.  My interest was further peaked by a photo in one of my favorite picture books of ships.  Robert Carse, in his book on American sail, includes a rare photo of a US flag Baltimore-style schooner sailing past El Morro, the fortress at the entrance to Havana Harbor.  At the time, in the mid 1960s, I never imagined I would one day be on the deck of a vessel recreating that historic image.  [Photo credit the Peabody Museum of Salem, MA.]  I don’t mind admitting to all that at that moment I was moved to tears.  The fulfillment of so many aspects of my life came together in that one short half mile reach.  My love of history, of ships, specifically American schooners, coupled with my personal political beliefs filled me with awe, pleasure and not a small degree of pride in what we have contributed to the world in our time.
 
Dealing with the logistical needs of ship and crew, laundry, hot showers, provisions, crew participation at events, while maintaining public visits and programs aboard is difficult under normal conditions in an American port.  Here, these issues are exacerbated by language, rigid routine, security and protocol.  Maureen [Maureen Hennessey, fellow Mystic Seaport staff member in Cuba] has literally spent the last two days, Friday and Saturday, March 26 – 27, doing nothing but juggling all of these challenges; yet she is still loving the experience.

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For more information on Amistad, as well as a schedule of the vessel’s 2010 port visits, please visit www.amistadamerica.org.

Meet Mystic Seaport Security Guard Alex Brast

It’s 3p.m. and the ‘changing of the guard’ in the Mystic Seaport Security office. The first shift that began at 7a.m. is ending as Lieutenant Alex Brast walks in. The outgoing security officer recites a litany of what needs doing or needs attention during Alex’s 2nd shift hours of 3 – 11 p.m.  This is a quieter time of year for the Security department; the list is relatively small compared to the busier high-tourist season.  However, Alex and his co-workers maintain a year-round, round-the-clock vigilance that ensures the safety of visitors and the Museum in general.

1. How long have you been employed at Mystic Seaport?
AB: I’ve been here two years, and at 21 years of age I’m the youngest shift leader in the department. I majored in Criminal Justice at Three Rivers Community College, but I initially got hooked on this field when I was a student at Stonington High School. I chose the career of criminal justice for my senior project, which got me involved with the Stonington Police Department. I continued working with them as a Community Service Officer for two summers after graduation. As C.S.O. I did plenty of foot patrols in towns within our jurisdiction, so the two-hour plus patrols I do during my shift here are nothing new. What’s different is that I no longer have to write parking tickets or chalk tires in timed parking areas.

2. What’s the best part of your job?
AB: I like the fact that I get to work outside and that no area of the Museum is off-limits to me. The Museum surprises me some days. You never know what you might see or find or who you might meet. It’s especially interesting to talk with foreign visitors. I remember an incident involving a French visitor’s child who severely cut his finger. It was difficult to communicate with the family and we had to round up an interpreter to translate for us.

3. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
AB: I just talked about the challenges in communicating with non-English speaking visitors, but communications between our Security department and other Museum departments are important, too. Accurate and up-to-date information is necessary for us to do our job well.

4. What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had?
AB: We apprehended a kid this past summer who had scaled the shipyard gate. He claimed he was looking for a bathroom. We released him without incident. Not so funny was the cardiac arrest of a Lantern Light Tours patron last year. Those kind of emergencies don’t happen often, but we’re prepared to deal with them.

5. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
AB: I work out regularly so I’m fit for the physical demands of my job and read books, usually of a political nature. I also enjoy a good music concert here and there.

Alex was interviewed by Volunteer Trudi Busey and photographed by Andy Price.

Meet Mystic Seaport Horticulturist Steve Sisk

Mystic Seaport’s greenhouse takes on a totally different look during the winter months. Just a few trays of seedlings dot the benches. However, according to the Museum’s Assistant Horticulturist, Stephen Sisk, all that changes by the second week in May when the greenhouse incubator transforms into a nursery full of plants waiting to welcome spring outdoors.

1. How long have you been employed at Mystic Seaport?
SS:  June 2010 will be my 40th anniversary of working here. I actually began working part-time during the summers when I was a junior in high school. I continued my schooling at Mohegan Community College in Norwich, (now Three Rivers College) and at Boston’s Arnold Arboretum. I also took classes to achieve the title of Master Gardener.

 

2. What’s the best part of your job?
SS:  I love being outdoors, and a side-perk of that is meeting and talking with visitors on grounds. I get asked all kinds of questions regarding their own home gardening and gardening problems. Sometimes it’s a little hard to diagnose the problem without seeing the patient, so to speak, but I try to help if I can.

3. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
SS:  We’re dealing with living plants and want them to look their best when planted in our Museum gardens. It’s very gratifying to see the fruits of our labor thrive during the growing season. Kara, our terrific volunteers and myself all strive for the same goal; we want our Mystic Seaport gardens to look beautiful. We try to visualize the Museum gardens through visitors’ eyes and work towards giving them a fresh look each year. We’re already looking at seed catalogues to choose what we might plant this season.

4. What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had?
SS:  I’ve got one of each. It was some years ago; I was laying down sod when a school group came by. The kids were fascinated; they had never seen grass in a roll before. I decided to let them lay down a section of sod themselves. Boy, did they love doing that! Who knows, maybe that little experience whetted their interest in gardening.

On a more poignant note, some 20 years ago, when I was working at the Buckingham House garden, an elderly German visitor approached. He saw the gooseberries growing there and tears came to his eyes. They reminded him of home in Germany.

5. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
SS: Photography!  When you see Mystic Seaport’s 2010 calendar, one of my photographs is on the cover. The Museum store and area stores carry a book of my photographs called Mystic Memories. Aside from photography, I enjoy watching old black and white movies and reading history books that teach you something. Basically, my two cats run my life. There’s “red-headed” Lucy and sidekick Ethel. You can guess where their names originated!

Steve was interviewed by Trudi Busey and photographed by Museum photographer Andy Price.

Five Questions with…Mystic Seaport Staff Member Shannon McKenzie

This week we meet Shannon McKenzie, assistant to the vice president of watercraft preservation and programs. Shannon’s office is located in the Museum’s Shipyard, giving her an up-close view of the activity surrounding the Charles W. Morgan. Shannon was at the Morgan haul out last November (of course!) and snapped a photo of her then four-month-old son, Sammy. She plans to take another picture of her son the day the Morgan goes back into the water, capturing just how much her little man has grown during the restoration project.

1. How long have you been employed at Mystic Seaport?
SM: I have been working here for about 3 years. My husband and I moved to Mystic four years ago from Cape Cod where we both worked at Sea Education Association. When I was sailing with that school, I took a winter off and worked as a rigger here while Amistad was being built. It was that experience that made me want to come back to work here.

2. What’s the best part of your job?
SM: The best part of my job is the people that I work with and the variety of work that I do on a daily basis. There is always something new and exciting going on in the Shipyard outside of my window. I have learned a lot and been exposed to all sorts of different techniques, tools, organizations and legends in the industry.

3. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
SM: I get directed all sorts of inquiries from the public. People call up who want to donate trees, boats, tools… I often end up tracking down whether or not we want to accept these donations. Some are more complicated than others, and some people have a history with the items which makes them vested in what will ultimately happen to their donation.

I also get calls from people all over the country who are looking to find out some specific fact, group or individual or technique that is maritime related. It is often a challenge to help them hunt down the answers. Although, frankly, sometimes I just Google to find them the answers and I still come away sounding like a wealth of knowledge!

4. What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had?
SM: Coordinating the WoodenBoat Show is my most notable. It is such a huge event, takes so much time to plan for and requires the coordination of all of the departments at the Museum. Standing on the VRC overlook eating a popsicle on Saturday afternoon knowing that there are over 5,000 people on the grounds and a waterfront full of wooden boats is a great moment. Although, going out on the water in those little race boats right after that sure was fun, too!

5. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
SM: Right now, my favorite thing is hanging out with my little boy who celebrates his first birthday this week. There really is nothing I would rather do, which is a good thing, since entertaining him takes up all of my free time! We have a little sailing skiff that we take him out in. It isn’t the same as the off-shore voyaging that I used to do, but I’ll take my time on the water in smaller stints now. I also enjoy gardening and did the Master Gardner program when I lived on the Cape. My brother and his family and my parents all live close by, so I spend a lot of time with them as well.

Shannon was photographed by Dennis Murphy.

Five Questions with…Museum Carpenter Aaron Bulger

This week Aaron Bulger put down his hammer long enough to tell us a little bit about himself. Aaron is a Facilities Department carpenter, although his workday isn’t necessarily limited to plying his carpentry skills. This ex-marine comes across as friendly and self-assured and pleased to be on staff at Mystic Seaport.

1.  How long have you been employed at Mystic Seaport?
AB:  Two and a half years. Prior to coming on staff, I was building houses in the area. However, I saw the writing on the wall when all we were building was a couple of houses a year. It was time to make a change.

2.  What’s the best part of your job?
AB:  Definitely my co-workers. There’s a wealth of experience in our group electricians, plumbers, carpenters, grounds keepers, cleaners they’re all great. I really respect all the experience wrapped up in these people. It’s a learning experience working with them, and they deserve to be mentioned. (Robert Erfe, Ron Lemar, John Crane, Steve Sisk, Josh Barrett, Jack Yates, Ron Wiggins, Mr. Brown, Brian Banning.)
 
3.  What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
AB:  Getting the most bang for our buck in maintaining 30 plus acres of buildings and grounds. It isn’t like building houses, where the builder or potential owner dictates what he or she wants, regardless of cost.

4.  What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had?
AB:  It’s not exactly an on-job experience, but during my first month on staff, I tagged along with a school group to learn more about the Mystic Seaport village buildings, etc.  At the Hoop Shop, the interpreter was a little taken off-guard by a student’s question of why belts were used to drive the machinery. The interpreter answered because gears were not invented yet! The teacher just looked a little surprised. I had to stifle a laugh.

5.  What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
AB: Top of the list is spending time with my two-year-old son, Ben. I’m lucky to have quite a bit of quality time with him. I’m working on my Liberal Arts degree at Three Rivers College in Norwich, but there’s always time for a little special fun with Ben, like trying our hands at painting pictures, going to the beach, etc.

 Aaron was interviewed by Trudi Busey and photographed by Dennis Murphy.

Five Questions with…Jennifer Pictou, Supervisor of Educational Programs at Mystic Seaport

This week the spotlight falls on Jennifer Pictou, the Museum’s Supervisor of Educational Programs and a person with interests and talents that will delight, surprise and maybe even shock you!

1. How long have you been employed at Mystic Seaport?
JP: I’ll be completing my first year next week.  For 16 years I worked in the field of public programming, alias culture and community programming, and for 6 years prior to coming on staff here, I worked for the Pequot Museum.

2. What’s the best part of your job?
JP: Approximately 28,000 school children matriculate through Mystic Seaport’s various programs some from as far away as Ohio. I really enjoy working with their teachers and acting as a liaison with our teaching staff. I handle the daytime programs and Hallie Payne supervises the overnight programs.

3. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
JP: Keeping Museum programs current with school programming and legislation requirements like No Child Left Behind.  That entails being up-to-date on priorities and trends in all areas of education. Our Museum programs are designed to help teachers prepare students for the CT Mastery Test by using current curriculum frameworks. When they come to Mystic Seaport, it’s not just a field trip we try to make it a fun learning adventure.

4. What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had?
JP: Fishing a student’s digital camera out of the Mystic River not an easy task. His camera flew out of his pocket while he was cranking the rope making apparatus. It turned out the camera was an inexpensive disposable, not the expensive kind I thought it was! Oh well, it was still important to him.

5. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
JP: It’s hard to name just one. My newest passion is taking my Standard Schnauzer, Rosco, to play flyball. It’s a sport where teams of four dogs race a track, retrieve a ball and return it. Fastest team wins. I’m training Rosco at My Dog’s Place in Mystic for his first tournament with the “Seaside Sprinters.” 

My ongoing passion is something I have studied for over 20 years. I’m a 3rd degree Black Belt in Ketsugo (a form of mixed martial arts). I compete in tournaments four times a year and have been a regionally rated fighter in the AKL/PKL (amateur and professional karate league); I’ve also won championships in Ju-Jitsu (throwing). I have taught martial arts to students age 5 to 75, but I feel strongest about teaching and encouraging women to learn self-defense. Martial arts is a great stress reliever and self-confidence builder for anyone.

Time permitting, I enjoy making jewelry, but right now I’m busy doing research for my Master’s thesis in American and New England Studies with an emphasis on museum work, of course! 

Jennifer was interviewed by Museum Volunteer Trudi Busey and photographed by Dennis Murphy.