Let’s celebrate with my man Vespucci
- col-dave-mast
- March 1, 2023
- 615
Ah, Amerigo Vespucci. Let’s talk about his upcoming March 9 holiday.
Why in the world would I have any interest in writing about an Italian sailor from the 1500s?
Well, I’m glad you asked.
OK, you didn’t ask, I know, because I’m force feeding this information to you, so just stay with me as I tie it all together.
The Bargain Hunter started in 1973, its founders being my father and mother, Abe and Fran Mast. Together the two of them have built a pretty nifty resume of Holmes County businesses that continue today including The Bargain Hunter, aka AloNovus Inc., Kid’s Collection, The Gospel Book Store and WKLM 95.3 Radio.
That’s a pretty impressive foray into the fabric of Holmes County’s business world that is worthy of a lifetime achievement award.
In 2000 their three sons, Michael, John and myself, purchased what was then known as Graphic Publications Inc., aka The Bargain Hunter, from our parents. In doing so, we created a corporation called Amerigo, named after … wait for it … Amerigo Vespucci.
Why pick such an obsolete name?
Good question.
Here comes an equally good answer.
The explorer sailed on the Italian Navy Ship, “The Amerigo Vespucci.” Granted, it’s not the most inventive name for a grand ship of such stature.
From a technical-structural point of view, the Vespucci was a sailing ship. The sail rigging was a square-rigged ship, with three masts, a firesail, main and mizzen plus the bowsprit, which was in every respect the fourth mast.
Did you catch that? The Amerigo Vespucci had three masts.
Three Masts, three brothers, three masts. See how it all ties together?
To take it one step further, the bowsprit, which was often considered a fourth mast, could well identify as our fourth sibling, my sister Lauren Hershey Mast, who is living in Idaho.
That’s why I’m excited about this holiday/nonholiday.
For those unfamiliar, Amerigo Vespucci Day is observed March 9 every year. On March 2, 1959, Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller of New York declared this holiday. This day was set aside to commemorate Amerigo Vespucci’s birth anniversary on March 9. Rockefeller considered it vital to celebrate this day, as Vespucci gave his name to the two continents of America. He was one of the first Europeans to travel to the Western Hemisphere, allowing the rest of the globe access to a new land.
Vespucci’s historic expedition in 1501 landed him at modern-day Rio de Janeiro. After returning home, he chose to keep track of his travels in the form of letters to his friend, Lorenzo Medici.
Although many people credit Columbus with discovering America, it was Vespucci who affirmed the existence of a new land that was not part of Asia. Several folks proposed that Columbus Day be replaced by this holiday in order to honor the person who found our country.
Why is America named after Vespucci, rather than Columbus?
Although Columbus was the first to discover the American continent, he regarded it to be a part of South Asia. Later, Vespucci journeyed along the same route and wrote accounts on finding new lands. In fact, he recognized this new land as being on a separate continent.
What was Vespucci’s relationship like with the Native Americans?
Vespucci, unlike Columbus, did not seek to colonize the indigenous. He spent a significant amount of time with them to learn about their habits, lifestyle and customs.
Interesting facts about Amerigo Vespucci
Vespucci came up with the term Mundus Novus (meaning New World) after discovering the new continents of America.
Vespucci is believed to be the first person to discover the mouth of the Amazon during his voyage to the south of Spain.
During one of his business trips to Seville in 1498, Vespucci met Columbus and even assisted him in preparing for his third voyage.
So there you have it — the reason Amerigo Vespucci Day holds meaning for the Mast family. Maybe in retrospect we should give our schools and government entities this day off rather than Columbus Day?
What’s it all mean?
It may seem meaningless to you, but to our family, the name and the ship hold great value.
You see no ship can operate at full capacity if all of its parts aren’t working. As representatives of all three masts on the ship, I am forever grateful we all three serve a purpose in the company.
More importantly, we all hold each other in high esteem. We get along great. All have our own unique gifts, and we trust and love each other, and that is a true blessing.
In addition, we have an incredible crew that we call our AloNovus family. Like any worthwhile sailing vessel, it takes many quality parts to operate properly. We are blessed with some talented, caring people, and speaking for my siblings, I will say that without these pieces, we’d be dead in the water.
Sometimes I marvel at how dedicated our staff is and how fortunate we are to be surrounded by so many gifted team players.
The other reason we celebrate this day is because 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of a weekly shopper our parents started five decades ago, based on very little working knowledge of the print business but loaded with faith.
It was that faith in which they started The Bargain Hunter 50 years ago, when they dedicated the paper to being an extension of their faith.
A half-century later, we continue to rejoice in that same belief, that this endeavor serves as our way of sharing our faith with our community.
Here’s to 50 incredible years.
Here’s to Amerigo Vespucci.