From a Mayflower Descendant
To the editor:
In regard to your Nov. 12 front-page article on Mayflower history, yes, the Wampanoag tribe did help the Pilgrims with hunting, fishing, and planting. The Pilgrims (and they did not think of themselves as “pilgrims” at that time) were on their way to Jamestown, Va., but because of their late start to the new world, they ended up on Cape Cod and, eventually, in Plymouth.
Massasoit befriended the Pilgrims after they saved his life. It was his son, Metacom, known by the English as King Philip, who was treated poorly by the descendants of the Pilgrims.
I don’t think Paula Peters’s description of the Pilgrims as “a ragtag bunch of ne’er-do-wells” would be appreciated by their descendants, as at least 10 live in Wellfleet, including myself.
And if Peters wants to be taken seriously, she may not want to use the word “bulls—t.”
Barbara Kennedy
Wellfleet
Dog Owners: Do Not Assume
To the editor:
As a victim this past weekend of an unprovoked attack by an off-leash dog on a paved trail within the National Seashore that resulted in a painful, bloody puncture wound, I am directing this letter to all dog owners.
Do not assume everyone loves dogs.
Do not assume everyone has no fear of your pets.
Do not assume your otherwise well-behaved dog will not act in a way that is out of character; these are animals and often unpredictable.
Respect the beauty around us all and pick up after your pets.
Lastly, I implore you to respect others and put your pet on a leash.
Susan Hale
Provincetown
A Principled Man
To the editor:
It was a pleasure to read Deborah Ullman’s op-ed “Wamsutta Frank James Made Good Trouble” [Nov. 26, page A3]. It reminded me of what a multi-talented individual he was. He cared deeply about honor and justice, as she so aptly described.
He also cared for the Cape community at large. Two examples: for many years he led the Orleans Town Band, in addition to his other music-related duties. And acting on his immense nautical skills (he was a master at crafting miniature sailing models), he was instrumental in rigging the large model of the Rose Dorothea, which so majestically graces Provincetown’s library.
A principled and accomplished man who acted thoughtfully and with purpose.
Bob Rice
Brewster
‘Alternative Transitions’
To the editor:
I have just finished reading Jennifer Subrin’s “Alternative Transitions: Outermost options for picking the next president” in the Nov. 19 issue [page A3].
I couldn’t stop laughing enough to read her top 10 picks to my husband in a coherent way. Thank you for making my day. It is a particularly nice cherry, as I am also hearing on the news that Biden’s transition is finally going to be able to, well, transition!
Margot Hammer
Provincetown and Lancaster
