Posts from the Past: September 2001. The New Magellan Control Room. New Odyssey Controls. Stacy Carrell and Casey Voeks Impatiently Wait to Become Volunteers. Supernova Returns. Falcon Switches to Macs! The Staff React to the September 11 Attacks. The Imaginarium.

Hello Troops,
Saturday reposts from the Space Center's first blog / Internet group have turned into regular thing.  Today I'm posting items from the SpaceEdVentures YahooGroup from September 2001.  This post includes staff and volunteer reaction to the 9/11 attack on America.  

Thank you,
Mr. Williamson

The Old Magellan Control Room.  Josh Babb (green shirt) is sitting at the second chair position. The second chair faced the flight director. It was quite awkward.  The entrance to the Magellan Control Room back then was through the Magellan bridge itself. Yes, very inconvenient.  

Post from the Past.  Getting the Field Trips Ready to Go. Magellan to Get a Control Room Redesign. The Odyssey Switches to the New Merrell Controls. Magellan to Open as the School's Computer Lab. Dave Daymont Hired to be a Tech. Chris Call Wants to Come Back! 

September 2, 2001

Hello Troops,
This has been a very slow week. There have been a few private missions but that is it. No overnight mission either. 

We are devoting our energy into putting our daytime field trip program into place. Mr. Daymont is preparing the online mission curriculum (crew briefing, worksheets, etc.) Mrs Remy is preparing the online science curriculum on supernova. I spent the week helping get the school year off to a successful start for Central Elementary. The first part of the week was spent working in the cafeteria serving lunch to the kids. I'm also helping our new principal as much as I can as he makes a difficult transition. 

The old Magellan Control Room Door on the right of the big tactical screen.

Kyle Herring is preparing the plans and bids for the expansion of the Magellan control room. Once we have all the facts and figures I'll take them to the principal for the final go ahead.

The USS Odyssey's lower and back deck.

Tomorrow is the training for Odyssey flight directors. This is the time when we make the switch over from the old Odyssey controls to the new ones David Merrell created. Our mission on Saturday was the last Odyssey mission using the old controls. The Center is always moving ahead. 

I spent a good part of my work day getting the volunteering schedule prepared. I'm hoping all volunteers received at least 2 missions. 


The Magellan will open on Tuesday as the school's computer lab. 

Mr. Schuler works at the Space Center and for the District as an site tech. Mr. Daymont's brother, Dave Daymont, was just hired this school year as a tech. 

David Merrell and Chris Call

I spoke to Chris Call's mother last week and asked her to email Chris to see if he had an interest in coming back to the Center to work once he returns from his LDS Mission in the Philippines in October. She called me Tuesday and told me that Chris was interested and wanted a place held for him. Chris will help us during the school day and then run private Odyssey missions after school. I was excited to hear Chris wanted to return. Chris does an excellent job in the Odyssey. He was the first flight director to run the Odyssey all alone for private missions. You should see him work!

I really enjoyed my Friday off. I went to watch the Pleasant Grove football game against American Fork. Ouch...... P.G. lost. Josh Webb plays on the varsity P.G. team. He is number 10. I saw a few of our volunteers at the game. On Saturday morning I watched the 9th grade P.G. team play Lone Peak. My nephew Chaz plays for P.G. They lost. Oh well..........

I'd like to read posts on your first week back to school. What are your opinions of your classes and teachers? What are your impressions about your school? Any interesting stories? I'm glad we had 2 postings on the subject so far.

Have a Good Week!
Mr. Williamson

Staffing for the September 7th Overnight Mission

September 7: Friday (Overnight Mission)
Staff arrive at 6:15 P.M.
1. Galileo: Matt L.
2. Falcon 2nd: James P.
3. Falcon Dr: Brandon C. 
4. Odyssey 2nd: Metta S.
5. Odyssey Dr: Julie C.
6. Magellan Supervisor: Randy J.
7. Magellan 2nd: Charlie H.
8. Magellan Bridge: Rio D.
9. Magellan Video: Dustin R. 
10. Magellan Dr: Wesley M.
11. Magellan/Voyager Actor: Ben H.
12. Magellan/Voyager Actor: Daniel S. 
13. Voyager Supervisor: Brady Y.
14. Voyager Bridge: Scott S.
15. Voyager 2FX: Corey M.
16. Voyager Doctor: Richard O. 

Stacy Carrell's First Post. She Introduces Herself as a Waiting Volunteer and Talks About Eating Crickets

September 3, 2001

Have any of you ever had chocolate-covered crickets? I have. I got them at Cold Stone Creamery. They were having a Survivor Challenge; if you ate two of them, you got a coupon for a free regular ice cream and a sticker. I ate three.

Stacy Carrell as a Flight and Set Director

Now before all of you say, "That is so gross," let me just say that chocolate-covered crickets don't taste that bad. They taste kind of like crispy M&M's. (WARNING!!! The next sentence may gross you out.) The only downside is after you eat them, there are little bits of legs and stuff all around your mouth and you have to get a drink of water and swish it around to get them out.

Sorry if I have grossed any of you out. By the way, a lot of you probably don't know who I am. My name is Stacy Carrell; I'm a waiting volunteer. I'm a sophomore Lehi High.

Stacy Carrell

Supernova Returns to the Voyager Mission Library After a Four Year Absence.  The Staff to Run It as a Level 3 Mission. 

September 5, 2001

Hello Troops!

The 4H clubs have booked 24 spots for this weekend. I've decided that the Magellan, Galileo, and Odyssey will run. The Falcon will be closed. The Voyager will run a level three, 3 hour trial run of our new story "Supernova". 

The following people who were going to work Falcon and Voyager will instead come in on Friday to do the level 3 trial run. The mission will end at 10:30 P.M. You may all go home then. 

. Falcon 2nd: James P.
. Falcon Dr: Brandon C.
. Voyager Supervisor: Brady Y.
. Voyager Bridge: Scott S.
. Voyager 2FX: Corey M.
. Voyager Doctor: Richard O.

ATTENTION TO ALL STAFF, VOYAGERS AND PIONEERS NOT WORKING THIS 
OVERNIGHT MISSION:

Those of you that have never had the chance to come in and do a level 3 mission are welcome to apply to come and do this trial run on Friday. Remember, you must not have done the Supernova mission. It was our school year story 4 years ago. Also, you should not apply for this mission if you are a 5th or 6th grader and coming with your school to the Space Center this school year. You will do this mission with your school. I'll take 12 people. Selection will be based on points. 

If selected, you will arrive at 7:00 P.M. with the overnight kids. You will be expected to train yourselves at your Voyager stations without tapes while I get the overnight mission started. At 7:30 P.M. you will be briefed on the mission. At 7:50 P.M. you will start. The mission will run to 10:30 P.M. Your parents must be at the school to pick you up at 10:30 P.M. You may not stay overnight. 

If interested please send me an email with your name, club, and current point standing (available from the egroup database). If I have a tie in points the tie will be broken by whomever has the most pass offs. YOU HAVE UNTIL THURSDAY: 4:00 P.M. TO SEND IN YOUR REQUEST FOR A POSITION. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS MISSION.

I'LL MAKE THE SELECTION AT 4:00 P.M. THURSDAY AND SEND OUT AN EMAIL TELLING THE GROUP WHO WAS SELECTED. 

Thank you troops,

Mr. Williamson

Mr. Daymont and the Falcon Crew on an Overnight Camp

The Falcon Switches to All Macs.  The PC's Are Gone!
September 6, 2001

Hello Brothers and Sisters,
The Falcon - our PC outcast 'sin'ulator is about to be baptized into the Kingdom of IMac! Praise be and a shout of Joy throughout the land. For so long the Falcon has drifted in a state of darkness existing on old Macs and revised programming. Come Monday new Imacs will be descending from clouds on high to consign the existing computers to eternal d***nation. 

(Our PC brothers and sisters should stop reading this testament at this point or they face severe tribulation.) 

You sit and wonder how this miracle was accomplished without any money spent from the tithes of the Space Center? The answer, Brothers and Sisters, is simple. A switch. Our PC Tangent computers for new Imacs compliments of Alpine District Technology. They take the PCs and give us "Saved" imacs in all their glory. 

Do you hear the gasps of the 'PC'ers? I hear your thoughts. You accuse us of selling our soul to the devil. Nay.... I say Nay.....

As I type, the Falcon staff are preparing the PCs for purgatory. With cross in one hand and holy book (Macs for Dummies) in the other they are being driven forth.

Our long night is over friends. The clouds are parting. Monday brings a new day. The entire Center is cleansed - the PC cancer is gone. A healing has taken place. 

Mr. Williamson

Randy Jepperson and Stephen Porter

Randy Jepperson Has Issues With Stephen Porter
September 8, 2001

steven porter
aka
steven (makes fun of everyone) porter
steven (I am good at sleepin while supposed to be workin) porter
steven (make people quit for months cuz I dis on em) porter
steven ( I work for central so I am holier than thou) porter
steven (I wish I knew what I was doing) porter
steven (I tell Mr. Williamson) porter
steven (I sale pop to unsuspecting children while stealin there 
precious, hard earned money) porter
steven (eco problem I am better then james) portor
steven (I start the games I end all the games and all the fun) porter


randy jepperson
aka
randy (I don't have a name on my shirt) jepperson
randy (wanna be level 4) jepperson

Young Casey Voeks at the Space Center as a Camper

Casey Voeks Introduces Himself as a Waiting Volunteer. He is Tired of Waiting
September 8, 2001

I'm Casey Voeks I probably not known to any of you because I'm just a volunteer in waiting. HOW LONG MUST I WAIT TO WORK AT THE SC? PLEASE TELL ME HOW LONG YOU HAD TO WAIT.


CASEY VOEKS (WAITING VOLUNTEER)

P.S. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME

Space Center Journal.  The School Year Field Trip Program is Coming Along. New VCR's are Purchased. You Can't Run a Simulator Without a VCR. James Porter Steps In and Fills Kyle Herring's Shoes. How to Get Ahead as a Volunteer
September 9, 2001

Hello Troops,
Our school year program is coming together. Jennifer Remy is finishing the teacher's web site. Mark Daymont has finished the mission briefings. Bill Schuler is finishing the video tapes for the Voyager and Odyssey missions. David Merrell has finished the hypercard stacks. The lesson is ready. This is going to be a good school year program. All of them have taken what we do one step further. Everything is looking professional. 

The year is booked up. Almost all daytime programs are taken leaving only a few days in October. We have 1 open weekend for overnight missions. Schools have taken all other weekends. Our flyer is about to go to the printer advertising our classes and flights. We have some good classes we are offering this school year. 

Matt Long today

You read about the swap technology is making - our PC's for Imacs (if not the post was posted earlier this week). That will save the Center several thousands of dollars. The Falcon's programs were also improved and upgraded on Friday. Matt Long did a job that I thought would take several days and finished it in 1 overnighter. We also purchased new 
VCR's for the Falcon and Galileo. You can't run a ship without a VCR that gives you a clean pause. 

Overall it has been a slow off week for us. I enjoy August and September. The Center is pretty much closed, private missions are slow, overnights are kept small. This gives me and others a chance to recharge our batteries from a busy summer season. September 17th is the official opening of the Center for the school year season. We begin with Central's 6th graders. I'm currently looking for good staff in our 5th and 6th grades. 

I'm aware that those of you in the waiting volunteer pool are growing frustrated by the long wait. I've read your posts. There will be a few promotions coming up. Some of our Blue Shirts and Voyagers are only missing promotions points or station passes. We have great Pioneers also ready for a move to Voyagers. 

Many of you have noticed the apparent disappearance of Kyle Herring from the Center. He still is one of our flight directors but his attention has been diverted to his new company. It is exciting to hear of his accomplishments. I'll ask Kyle to post and tell you about it in an upcoming post. With Kyle busy getting his new company off the ground James Porter is taking over many of his responsibilities in the Galileo. James is doing a outstanding job. Thank you James.

Some of you have asked me what you can do to move ahead as a volunteer at the Center. Here are two points that may help:

1. Do your best to get your two missions a month. 
2. Make yourself noticed to me when you volunteer. Don't just sit back and say nothing -come in and say hello. Join in conversations. Always let me know your ideas and suggestions on improving our product.  Make sure you always take a minute to talk to me no matter what ship you are assigned to. Some of you are good about that. You come in to the briefing room and say hello. That gives me a chance to make a metal note that you are here. It also gives me a chance to get to know your name. No one has moved ahead at the Center without doing his or her best to show me what they could do. I'm always looking for the best. I'm always looking for the really motivated workers and I think you can see that I've found them. Look at our Green Shirts. Look at our Blue Shirts. These people stood out in the crowd. They made sure I knew them and what they could do for the Center.

Well Troops, I've got to close. "Band of Brothers," is about to start on HBO. Take care and I'll see some of you tomorrow on the Supernova mission..

Mr. Williamson

The September 11th Attacks. The First Postings to the YahooGroup

September 11, 2001

For those of you who haven't turned on the TV yet earlier this morning A plane hit one of the world trade center towers. Later anothe rone hit the other tower AND THEY BOTH COLLAPSED!!! AND SO FAR ONE PLANE HIT THE HELIPORT OUTSIDE THE PENTAGON AND ONE HIT ANOTHER HELIPORT OUTSIDE OF PITTSBURGH!!!!! THEY SAY BEN LAUDIN IS BEHIND THIS.

And From Another Volunteer

Hey guys. I just thought I'd say this about the attack on america.

My whole family except for my sisters and parents live in New York. My Uncle, works or used to work at the World Trade Center. Luckily, the night before, he had been on business in Washington D.C. and hadn't gotten back until about midnight the night before the attack. He wasn't going to go to work today. He works on the 70th floor of the 2nd tower that was hit. He was talking to his boss on the phone and suddenly, his boss started screaming and others in the background were screaming. The phone line went
dead. Everyone in his department was killed except for him because he wasn't there. His boss was killed almost instantly after the line went dead. Imagine, talking to someone on the telephone and then you see a airplane flying right towards your window. It's hard to think about it.

-Corey

And From Another Volunteer

I don't know what to think.... 

Could we go to WW3?
Could I go to war?
Could I die?
Could this country fall to pieces?
Could this world fall apart?

I don't know.... I wish I knew... I have a bad feeling about all of 
this...

Josh Dye

And From Another Volunteer

I just had a bad feeling!, what if that was just a diversion! somewhere else some country is going to hit hard! 
Bridger out

And From Another Volunteer

I'm not sure what to say about what went on today... I'm still trying to force myself to think it wasn't a clip from some movie. This morning I woke up and turned on the TV, and suddenly I saw a jet fly right into one of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. It just doesn't seem real.

- Mitch Comfort

And From Another Volunteer

The terrorist crisis today was so weird. It affected me mentally, but physically I'm just fine. It is seriously scaring me. My world in which I was safe in is no longer. Yesterday I was so happy and didn't care beans what some billionaire is Afghanistan was doing, but today my view of the world shifted. I know America will come out better and stronger because of this, but, oh, how I wish it was yesterday. 
Ellen M.

And From Another Volunteer

This World Trade Center bombing has affected us all. The entire world has feelings about it. Remember, life goes on. What happens in the upcoming days may be interesting, tragic, and maybe even a little scary. But please understand this, what happens for the rest of our lives will happen. 

I am not one to be courageous. I don't' know what has come over me. I don't feel scared like most I know, and I credit that on two people, Mr. Williamson and myself. Please, 
all of this thoughts that come out, all of these things you are saying, most of them are from you're imaginations. I know because I have a huge one. Anything that happens we can deal with. And please, do it logicly. Psychologists have said the best thing to do 
is to go on with life, and do. Second is to talk about it-with logic. All of these horror stories everyone is thinking up are only going to make us more scared. I am sorry if I have hurt any of your feelings, but this is truth.

And From Another Volunteer

September 11, 2001,
This is a day that hopefully all of us will remember for the rest of our lives. More people died within around 10 hours than in all of Pearl Harbor. I was really shocked when this happened. My dad goes to New York a lot for business and I am very thankful that he wasn't there yesterday. 

I feel really bad for all of the people on the airplanes as well as all of the people in all three buildings. It never really hit me what happened until I got home from school. some 
of my friends thought that this was all really funny and I told them that I couldn't believe how insensitive they were being. If any of you saw the news reports about how the afghanistan were acting you probably feel feel the same way about them as I do. I hope we find out who would commit such a horrible crime like this and they receive their payback for all of the lives that they took.

Later,
jenn halversen

And From A Member of Staff

Ok, I think it is about time someone spoke intelligently about this, besides Corey. First of all you really need to take this more seriously or you are just asking to be punched in the face. DO NOT write, we're all gonna die, or anything like that. Next, get your facts straight, just because one of your friends at school told you something, they aren't always
correct. Next, I suggest that you all watch the news with your family and talk to your parents about it.  And last of all show some maturity.

-James Porter

Space Center Journal.  My Thoughts on the Attack

September 22, 2001

I got up early on September 11th. I woke up with heartburn. A common occurance if I don't take my medicine the day before. I shouldn't of eaten the salsa and chips. At that hour there isn't much to occupy one's time except for TV, books, or magazines. I reached for the latest issue of Time.

Around 7:00 ish I turned on the TV to listed to my morning show - "Today". It's my TV show simply to justify the hours I've spent standing in front of their windows in New York City waving like a fool like everyone else. What is it about a TV camera and the  knowledge that your antics are being broadcast nationwide?  Instead of Katie's familiar face shedding a bit of sunlight into the day I saw one of the World Trade Center's on fire. "What is this!" I thought. It wasn't long before I heard the reason from the anchor.

A plane had flown into the side of the building! The first thought I had was a small plane, out of control, piloted by a new inexperienced pilot or maybe a New York City sight seeing airplane that got too close. I picked up the phone and called members of my family that vacationed with me in New York City last July. I knew they would be interested. We were there at the World Trade Center for several hours in July eating lunch and buying Broadway tickets at the discount ticket brokers in the lobby of the south tower. 

I sat looking at the screen hoping to see the roof of the tower crowded with people waiting for helicopter rescue. No helicopters and no people. Then, coming into view from the right of the screen was another airplane. I jumped up and then an explosion. I remember shouting "No!" I knew that instant like millions of Americans that we had been attacked. Terrorists.How do you describe the feelings and emotions experienced when your brain and eyes are in conflict? My eyes see two towers in flames. My brain says that can't be. Things like this don't happen in the United States to two of our nation's most 
recognisable buildings. 

I rushed to school and sat with many other teachers in the Briefing Room. Eyes focused on the TV. The scene changed to Washington DC and another fire. The announcers debated whether it was the White House or Pentagon. Back to New York. Two Towers burning. People jumping. All I could do was sit or pace. One teacher came into the room unaware of what was happening. She looked up and saw the Towers and laughed at 
us. "I 'm working while all of you sit around and watch a movie!" she said. I told her it was real. She didn't believe me until she saw the expressions on everyone else's face. 

The first Tower collasped. The second Tower collasped. 

I was sick all day. I grew even more ill when I learned the jets were hijacked American planes. 

I'm troubled by images of fire and people. I'm haunted by pictures of people facing 100 stories or walls of flame and choosing their end by jumping - some holding hands. These 
images brought back memories carefully locked away of a June night in 1972 and a flood that killed over 200 people in a few hours. I had a choice to make. A jump from a roof or risk a 9 foot high torrent. 

Nothing we do at the Space Center compares to the events of that day. Nothing I say about our schedule, flights, or classes is important. 

Is their good that comes from such a tragedy? Yes. Horrible as it was, people have been shocked into remembering what is most important in life - Family, friends, and the good we do in life. 

None of them went to work that day thinking it would be their last. Their last sunrise. The last cup of coffee. The last hug and kiss goodbye. The last glimpse of sleeping children. The last joke at the water cooler. The last answered email. The last word spoken on a cell phone. All that is left of them is the good or bad left behind. 

Travel though life leaving happiness and joy in your wake. Leave with no regrets.

September 11, 2001
The sun set that day on a different world.

The Imaginarium