It's late Saturday night. The swing shift is off duty. The staff are gathered in the office for a good old fashion chinwag. It isn't often the younger staff get to sit at the feet of an old veteran like Papa Parker and hear the tales of daring flight directors and courageous supervisors from times past.
"You think this has been a long day?" I hear Jon reminise as she strokes his chin to find the right words. "Try flying a full day's field trips, then a 4:00 P.M. private mission and then an overnight camp. Now that's a day's work." Around him I see wistful eyes of the youngling staff wondering if they have that same grit.
"And then there were the summer camps......." Jon settles more comfortably in his chair as he clears his throat to continue. "We started with a staff meeting at 6:30 on the first night. After that we signed the campers in. After sign ins Mr. Williamson divided them into rotations and the first flight and classroom session started. We'd finish at 11:00 at night and meet in the cafeteria. The campers and staff got ice cream before they got their sleeping assignments. Lights out was at 11:45. Think of having 42 to 60 young 10 to 14 year old campers that you were responsible for all night long. We just prayed they'd let us get some sleep."
"Did the staff stay overnight too?" someone asks.
"Most did. I did for sure because Mr. Williamson had me chaperoning. He slept on the floor in front of his desk and I slept on the Voyager bridge keeping an eye on 25 to 27 boys sleeping on the bunks and the bridge floor if there weren't enough bunks. Everyone got up at 7 in the morning - then breakfast and back into the ships and classroom. Lunch was at noon then back to the ships until supper at 7:00 P.M. After supper we walked them to the Pleasant Grove swimming pool to swim and shower. We'd get back from the pool at 9:30. Everybody met in the cafeteria with their sleeping bags to watch a Wallace and Gromit and a Star Trek episode before going to bed at 10:30. Some of the staff sold pop and candy in the hall to make some extra money.
The next morning the campers had breakfast then back to the ships and classroom. Lunch on the third day was the last meal. After lunch there was time for one more rotation before the campers met in the gym at 4:30 to fill out the surveys and vote for staff. The camp ended at 5:00 P.M. You want tired? Try that schedule every week all summer long. Now that's tired."
"How did you do it Papa Parker? How did you do it?" a small voice asks over the hushed room.
"Well, you just had to. You'd be surprised what you can do when you just have to." Jon replies. After a moment, a slight grin spreads across Jon's face. "Did I ever tell you guys about the time I burned all my "Get out of Jail Free" cards because of a smoke bomb? Well, It all started one overnight camp..................."
The Magellan Coordinating Council Grants an Old Man's Wish
I'm pleased to announce that my sincere request to sign the Magellan's Control Room flag has been agreed to by the Magellan Coordinating Council. The news was announced in a Facebook comment related to last week's Troubadour Post.
The permission included the certificate above - officially signed by Connor and Nicole. While whimsical in appearance, the certificate carries the seriousness of rank and privilege. With this certificate, I have the right to sit in the Magellan Control Room - Not as a guest - but as one of them. I couldn't be more proud. I imagine myself sitting in the control room surrounded by some of the Space Center's best and brightest as they exchange playful, friendly, and teasing remarks back and forth waiting for my turn to insert a well constructed and rehearsed witticism. Does life get any better?
Included with the certificate was this letter of worthiness to be used at any time in the future when future Magellanites doubt my credentials to sit with them to break bread. Also, this is the video proof Connor referred to in the letter above.
Thank you Connor and Nicole for this kind offer. Connor, I shall wait to sign the flag until you return to oversee the investiture. I want this done properly.
To almost correctly quote President Reagan,
Ich bin ein Magellanite
(an extra donut or two to anyone who can tell me the significance)
Mr. Williamson
Imaginarium Theater
The Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Simpler Audience
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