Jaime Catlett Needs Your Voter. The Voyager Club's March Meeting was Held on Saturday. My Childhood Easter Memores. Imaginarum Theater

 

Dear Space Center Friends,
     My name is Jaime Catlett. I have been nominated for America Favorite Teacher. They have some great prizes. One is to appear in Readers Digest. I would LOVE to share my story how I become an educator. I need your help, I need your vote. Please follow the link below and vote, and then forward it onto all your friends, community and family. You may vote once a day. Thank you so very much.
Thank you!
Jaime

A Note from Mr. Williamson
     Space Center Community, Jaime was a faithful, long serving Space Center volunteer over many years back in the 1990's. She was an inspiration to all of us. Her love of children, space, and education in general led her into a teaching career and what a fantastic teacher she is.  Please take a moment, click on the button below, and drop a vote for Jaime. The Space Center community takes care of our own. 

The Voyager Club's March Meeting at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center

   The Voyager Club at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center had its March meeting on Saturday.  We had over 35 in attendance which may be a new record. Presiding over the meeting was the Voyager Club's Leadership Team: Amberly, Thomas, Eavie, and Jack. 

     The pre-meeting started at 8:00 A.M. with the traditional Bingo for Prizes game.  There were many sugary snakes awarded.  The meeting started promptly at 8:30 A.M. Amberly called everyone to order.  Business items were first on the agenda.  Canon was introduced as the newest member of the Leadership Team. Canon is a two Center Voyager Club member.  He volunteers at both the Space Center and The Space Place at Renaissance Academy.  Canon will represent the Farpoint Voyagers on the team.  We hope to have a member of the American Heritage School's Club on the Leadership Team soon. 
   Amberly asked the newest Voyager Explorers to come up and introduce themselves.  They are working hard to compete the requirements to move into the Volunteer group.  They will make excellent volunteers. 
     Dave Stevens gave a presentation on the Space Center's new StageWorks Department. StageWorks replaces the Engineering and Programming Departments. Jade Hansen will be the Department Head.  Look for more information on StageWorks trainings and opportunities in the Google Classroom.
     The March Space Science Lesson was taught by Jason Trump.  Jason is one of the Voyager Academy's instructors and Head of the Education Department at Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake.  Jason's topic was Eclipses.  The Voyager's made paper-plate eclipse models.  Each member was given a set of eclipse viewing glasses for the upcoming April solar eclipse.  We are fortunate to have Jason on our team. His lessons are always educational and interesting. 
     The meeting ended at 10:00 A.M. with the raffle drawing. Several Voyagers walked away with prizes including a bluetooth speaker, t-shirts, planetarium and laser show tickets, a cup stacking game, old Space Center memorabilia, a nice mathematics lanyard, and more. 

Easter Memories of Happy Days Filled with Sugar, Peeps, Bruises, and Bloody Noses

The Williamson's 1966

Hello Troops,
Had enough sugar for one day, or are you just beginning? I'm real old school when it comes to my candy of choice for Easter. You can have the jelly bean eggs. You can keep the Cadbury chocolate delights. I'll be your friend for life if you save me the marshmallow Peeps and the Brach's Easter Eggs with the colored candy shell and that white marshmallow interior. It's comfort candy to me - a reminder of my Easters in South Dakota as a kid.

My parents didn't put a lot of time into Easter, as evident in our traditional "Easter Egg Hunt". Every Easter afternoon my seven siblings and I would be ordered to the basement after Sunday School to take off our church clothes and wait for the arrival and departure of the "Bunny". Maybe it was because we were the poor kids on the block, or maybe Rapid City, South Dakota was always the Bunny's last stop, but that darn Bunny didn't put a lot of effort into hiding our eggs. His haste always led to concussions and spilt blood.

Imagine eight children on a very narrow staircase, huddled with pillowcases (we couldn't afford the nicely woven, colorful baskets). We sat close to each other and waited for the upstair's door to open - the signal that the Hunt was on. My older sister and I sat at the bottom of the stairway on my parent's orders. Putting us at the end of the line was intended to give our younger siblings first dibs on the pickings. It never did and always led to disaster. Sometimes parents never learn.

We all jumped up and pressed forward when the door opened. Our hearts pounded in our chests, feeding off the thought of pure sugar. "You can come up!" Suddenly the words we waited for were spoken. It was time to put brotherly love aside or go without the good stuff for another year.

First blood was always drawn on the rush up the stairs. It was usually the youngest's bloody nose. My sister and I, having had more experience at that kind of thing, easily pushed and shoved the other six out of the to make it outside first.

The Bunny's haste usually meant most of the eggs were located in one central area on the back lawn.
"There they are!" was the shout we all listened for. Once the stash was located, it was like two football teams descending on a fumbled football. We all piled in, pushing and shoving, swinging and missing, swinging and hitting, biting and punching - it didn't matter. There were no rules in this evolutionary sport of survival of the fittest.

Now that I'm older I understand why our neighbors were always outside at their back fences. Watching the Williamson's Easter Egg raucous was better than anything on TV. Some of them joined in the fun by waiting until our collecting was finished and then shouted that we had missed a few. We watched while they threw several eggs by the tree. They laughed as the whole rugby scrum formed and fur, hair and teeth flew all over again. It was like tossing a whole piece of bread into a gaggle of ducks on the pond. Feathers flew and camera's snapped.

At the end, we four oldest had most of the candy eggs and Peeps while the youngest had the strangely colored hard boiled eggs we'd dyed the night before. Then came the tears. The four of us knew that Mom would make us share the candy and Peeps if we didn't eat them right then and there. We ran to the side of the house and shoved them into our mouths as fast as we could (or hid them again for a later retrieval when everyone was in bed).

The Holy Grail of our Easter was finding the one that got away. Remember finding that one candy egg or marshmallow Peep that escaped the search? There it quietly sat, hiding up high on the window ledge or behind the living room curtain for a month or so until discovered. The thrill of finding the "One that Got Away" was intoxicating. The discovery would be followed by a parade through the house where the delicious morsel would be held out like a captive general of an opposing army. Your pride would swell from hearing "I can't believe it," said over and over again.

The Easter trophy would sometimes be eaten in front of everyone right after the parade. We believed that it's craftiness and cunning could be transferred into our own being through digestion. Other times the candy would be kept as a trophy to be taken out, dusted and shown to company for the next several months.

Yes, those are my Easter memories........ Happy days.......

Mr. Williamson

Imaginarium Theater

InfiniD Learning is Now Mission.io. The Christa McAuliffe Space Center's Planetarium Has New Colored Lasers. World War I is Going Well for Germany (for now). The Space Place Voyagers Make a Great Tech Crew. Imaginarium Theater

      Last month I stopped by InfiniD Learning in Provo to do a recording.  I'm the voice of the computer in all InfiniD missions. While there I was told in the strictest confidence that InfiniD Learning would be changing its name to Mission.io.  Brooks Heder explained that while cool, InfiniD always had one problem - spelling.  People misspelled InfiniD when searching for the web site.  They knew the name had to change, but to what.  After considerable brainstorming, they came to the realization that the word "Mission" had everything they needed. 

     The word "Mission" was the word I used for adventures in the Starship Voyager back when I founded the Space Center. The name stuck and is used at every Space EdVenture Center and Dream Flight Adventures today as you can see in Dream Flight's web site menu bar. 

     "Missions" has always been the word InfiniD used as well for their adventures.  The InfiniD team made the decision to change the name to something easy to remember, easy to spell, and rich in space center lore. Their next problem was a website domain.  Searching "Mission" led to a dead end.  There wasn't a URL available so they went searching to buy one.  With a bit of luck, and some cash, they found the owner of Mission.io and the owner was willing to sell for an undisclosed amount of cash. 
     With a new name and website in place, the InfiniD team went looking for a new logo.  That wasn't too difficult considering InfiniD has on its payroll excellent graphic artists for their missions.  The new logo was created and the company was ready to launch

      My Young Astronauts and Voyagers at Renaissance Academy love the new video opening to the missions.  We do the missions religiously as part of our after school club meetings.  

     Congratulations Mission.io.  Speaking as someone who has been with you since the beginning, I think it is fantastic. Keep up the good work and please give that guy who does your computer voice a big pay raise.  Mission.io missions are nothing without that calm, soothing voice guiding the younglings through wild adventures through space and the inner body.  

The Christa McAuliffe Space Center's New Planetarium Laser Lights

 

     There is one thing you can always count on when it comes to the Christa McAuliffe Space Center, improvements are always happening.  Whether it is new lighting controls in the simulators, new missions, new planetarium shows, new laser rock and roll shows in the planetarium, or all these new color lights in the planetarium installed this weekend - we never rest.  
     Take a look at the video below to see this new lighting element for the laser shows.  

     If you haven't been to the Space Center's planetarium for a laser show, then time to remedy that right now.  Go to the website spacecenter.alpineschools.org to book a ticket and bring the family as well.  Don't forget, the planetarium does some pretty cool stars shows as well.  Imagine having something like The Christa McAuliffe Space Center right here in Utah County.  Take advantage of this great educational and entertainment facility. 

The Power of Educational Simulations

     I've taught using simulations since my student teaching days at Central Elementary in March 1983.  Because of my love of using simulations, I became enamored with using them to teach space and history. We all know what became of that fascination :)

     Fast forward to today. In addition to my work at The Space Place at Renaissance Academy and The Christa McAuliffe Space Center, I also teach 6th grade math and history. Rignt now my two history classes are neck deep in reenacting World War I.  My classroom has been sectioned into Imperial Germany under Kaiser Ezra, Great Britain, France, Russia and the United States.  Kaiser Ezra rules the German citizens, and using his power of taxation, he generates a budget to keep Germany in the war. Our economy is based on classroom currency. Students earn the currency through grades, behavior, and projects.  

     Every morning the Kaiser (purple hoodie) and his top military aides meet before school to review the latest maps.  Policy is driven based on the maps and what information his spies are able to collect from their opposing nations. 

     Everything seems to be going well for Germany - at the moment.  But we all know what happens in the end.  This week the Lusitania will sink and sadly things will go downhill from that point on.  The real drama happens during the Weimar republic when hyperinflation sets in.  Things will get ugly and there will be tears.  

Our Space Place Voyagers Did an Excellent Job Providing the Tech Crew for Renaissance Academy's School Play

     Six of our Renaissance Academy Voyagers made up the tech crew for Renaissance Academy's 3rd - 5th grade play over the weekend. They did an excellent job running the lights and sound with only a couple slight mistakes (nearly causing everyone in the gym to go deaf :)  They volunteered their time over the last couple months attending hours of rehearsals and procuring needed equipment.  
     I watched them from behind the scenes Saturday night. I confess, that sound board looked very tempting.  Who wouldn't want to reach over and start pushing buttons and messing with the dials.  It was all I could take to keep my hands to myself.  I think Canon was on to me. He kept glancing back to see what I was doing.

Waiting for Passengers

     Here is something crews see every time they arrive at the Space Center.  The day's flight directors huddled near the lobby desk waiting for the lobby person to give them the thumps up that their crew has arrived and is ready to depart.  Their topic of conversation on Saturday was how to run landing parties out of the ships when the school's gym and hallways were off limits due to Central's school play and the concession stand. 

     Baby Boomers like myself pride ourselves on not getting offended over minor things like may of the snowflake generation but I regret saying that I was nearly offended when I saw this Utah State sign outside Mr. Porter's office at the Space Center.  Utah State is Mr. Porter's alma mater but does he not know that this is BYU country?  What is a proud BYU graduate from the class of 1983 suppose to do about this?  Should I demand equal representation?  I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this so I'll withhold judgement and shelve my offense for now until more information is forthcoming.  While I wait I'll prepare my BYU sign to have at the ready. 

 

Imaginarium Theater

The Week's Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience.

 

Imaginarium Theater. March 25, 2024 from SpaceCampUtah's Imaginarium on Vimeo.

A New Simualtor Mission in Honor of St. Patrick's Day. Landon Hemsley's "Things You Heard at the Space Center 20 Years Ago". The Imaginarium Theater

Hello Troops,
     Here is a nice St. Patrick Day mission for you.  I won't even charge for its use :)  We could title it "The Shamrock Attack".  It will be a hit. I feel it in my bones......

Mr. W. 

The Shamrock Attack

     In the vast expanse of the galaxy, nestled amidst swirling nebulae and twinkling stars, lay Starbase Williamson—a bustling hub of interstellar activity. Commanding officers monitored their consoles diligently, while engineers scurried about, tending to the maintenance of spacecraft and machinery. But little did they know, a peculiar threat lurked beyond the reaches of their scanners.  
     On March 17, 2324, as the starbase hummed with its usual rhythm, an alarm pierced the tranquility. Admiral Porter was jolted from a quiet moment of reflection in his command chair.  "What the," he shouted as he looked around the command deck for a reason why a peaceful dream was abruptly interrupted.  Over his head radar screens flickered to life, displaying an unexpected sight—a fleet of peculiar vessels, resembling giant space shamrocks, were rapidly closing in on Starbase Williamson.  First Officer Jon Parker stood near the Admiral studying the sensors screens. His eyes widened as he watched the approaching armada.
     "What in the galaxy is this?" he muttered in a disbelieving voice. He was so surprised he nearly dropped his mug of Dr. Pepper.  "I haven't seen anything like this since that mission through the wormhole where we encounter space polar bears." Communications buzzed with urgent chatter as reports flooded in from neighboring outposts. Similar fleets were appearing wreaking havoc across nearby sectors, leaving behind a trail of verdant green chaos. After a few moments the invaders' mission was clear. Ships and outposts were reporting in that giant shamrocks were attacking with laser weapons which turned the surface of everything they touched green.
     With a furrowed brow, Admiral Porter issued orders to mobilize the starbase's defenses. Fighters were scrambled, and deflector shields were raised in a desperate attempt to repel the unexpected onslaught.  As the shamrock-shaped vessels drew nearer they unleashed torrents of emerald energy, bathing the starbase in an ethereal glow. Alarms blared, warning of breaches in the hull as the verdant energy seeped into every corner of the once-pristine facility.
     Amidst the chaos, Lieutenant Scott Wiltbank, a young and resourceful officer, devised a daring plan. Racing against time, he led a crack team of boarding party specialists to infiltrate the heart of one of the invading vessels, determined to uncover the source of their mysterious technology.  On the transporter pad stood Lt. Scott, with Ensigns Ellie, Tyler, Mitch, Brylee, and Rylan.  All wore green camo and carried the latest in phaser weaponry brought to them by the chief armorer Audrey.  "Good Luck to you all," said transport chief Tabitha as she pulled down the levers of the transport mechanism.  Ensign Audrey stood beside Tabitha. She wiped a tear from her eye as she watched her friends shimmer into millions of colors before disappearing into the ether.
      "Will they make it back?" Audrey asked the question but didn't expect an answer.
     "They'd better succeed," Tabitha responded firmly.  "Green is not one of my colors.  It makes me looked all washed out in the face.  If I'm forced into a green uniform, I'll never forgive them."
     Inside the alien craft, the landing party encountered a labyrinth of pulsating machinery, manned by enigmatic beings clad in shimmering green armor. With nerves of steel, Lieutenant Scott and his team pressed on, hacking into the vessel's central systems.
     Their efforts revealed a startling truth—the shamrock fleet was not driven by malice, but by a misguided quest for harmony. The aliens believed that by spreading greenery across the galaxy, they could bring about universal peace.  Their motto was, "Clean, Green, and Serene".
     Realizing the misunderstanding, Lieutenant Scott initiated a dialogue with the alien commander, offering an alternative solution. Together, they devised a plan to restore the affected sectors to their original state, while preserving the aliens' noble intentions.
     With a collective sigh of relief, the crisis was averted. The shamrock fleet departed peacefully, leaving behind a lesson of understanding and cooperation in their wake.
     As Starbase Williamson returned to its bustling routine, Admiral Porter couldn't help but be proud of his junior officers. The bravery and skills they demonstrated in determining the Green's intentions, and the diplomacy used to diffuse the situation, was remarkable.  As he repositioned himself back into his command chair, he considered putting their names forward for the Federation's Medal of Bravery. He raised his hand to issue the order but after a thought or two, decided to close his eyes and ponder the decision. "One must be careful and consider all options before making decisions like these," he thought to himself. 
     "Shhhh, don't wake him," First Officer Jon whispered to those tapping away on  their command deck computers. "Let's carry on and do what we do best; keep this starbase running in tip top form and make the Admiral look good. We always work to make the Admiral look good."  He reached for his Dr. Pepper, took a thirst quenching draw, and walked to the main viewer to stare out into the abyss.    

Things You Heard at the Space Center (20 Years Ago)

  

By Landon Hemsley 
     I read today a post on the blog about things commonly heard at the space center. It struck me how long it's been since I've been around the space center with any sort of regularity; I didn't recognize more than half of the names on that list.
     In any case, I saw your note about welcoming blog posts from readers. I don't know that I would say that this fits neatly into the category of "things I would like to put on the space center blog," but if you want to take bits and pieces of this and post them, I won't object.

Commonly Heard at the Space Center 20 years ago... I really had to reach down the ol' memory bucket to unearth these scraps... So many things are fuzzy now.

Mr. Williamson: "GO TO B"

Stephen Porter: "I'm the GRAAAAAAAAAAND POOH-BAH!!!" 

Anyone who got hit by Ryan Davis during warball: "OW"
(Side note: Is that his name? I don't rightly remember. All I know is he played baseball and getting hit by those balls he would throw hurt).

Chris Call, in his best Ferengi voice: "All I need is three bars of gold pressed latinum, captain, and you've got a deal!"

Anyone whenever Mr. Schuler entered the room: "Watch out, He's got Diet Coke!" (IYKYK)

Half the staff on overnight camps: "I'm in the odyssey tonight" (because half they time they'd stay up until 4 a.m. playing Halo on the main viewer)

Landon Hemsley (when I wasn't in the Odyssey or chaperoning): "The cave is mine." (IYKYK)

Mr. Williamson: "Votes!.... Bryson, Bryson, Bryson! (Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding)"

Anyone who ever flew Shadows: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" (That mission is legendary)

I'm sure there are so many more, but it's been so long that I can't remember specific quotes per se. Still, other things that stand out to me 20 years after my volunteering/flight directing prime include...

The pillowcases Lorraine would make for staff. Sadly mine died some 15 years ago, but I treasured that thing while I had it.

The cakes Lorraine would make to celebrate birthdays after campers had gone to bed.

The old school engineering panels that weren't really connected to anything, followed up by the isolinear chips that Matt Long put together with that engineering group at BYU. The engineering panels at the Center now make those old systems look antiquated, but man we thought they were cool.

The smell of donuts and chocolate milk on a saturday morning.

Speaking of smells, the distinctive odor of 100+ unwashed campers after 4 days in simulators.

The feeling you got after you substituted a quality meal with candy just to be able to make it through the end of the next mission.

The screams of terrorizing a poor crew with a Drashnok, and the cheers of rewarding said crew with a successfully completed mission.

Injuries... oh the injuries... suffered by staff on away missions. None of them were really ever serious, but almost every time it seemed someone would take a bump or bruise.

The odors associated with cleaning up camper vomit. (I was briefly a janitor for the center, so I was fortunate enough to get this duty multiple times.)

Take care! 
Landon Hemsley

Imaginarium Theater

The Week's Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience

Wes to Leave on Mission to Texashire. The Villagers in the Pleasant Grove will Miss Him. And From the Brilliant Mind of Connor Larsen, More "Things You'll Never Hear at the Space Center." Also, Enjoy This Week's Imaginarium Theater

   

     In the heart of the quiet pleasant grove, where the cobbled streets echoed with the laughter of market-goers and the clinking of armor from the castle, lived a young troubadour named Wes. With a microphone in hand and a voice that could charm the birds from the trees, he entertained both rich nobles and poor peasants alike with his enchanting tales of adventures far into the cosmic realm. 

     Wes's stories were like magic, transporting listeners to far-off lands and weaving dreams with the delicate threads of his words. Whether he performed on his Magellan stage for ladies and gentleman or by the fireside for humble farmers, his gift for storytelling made him a cherished figure in every corner of the realm. 

     Yet, despite the joy he brought to others, Wes felt a stirring deep within his soul. A calling that tugged at his heartstrings, urging him to set aside his life of quests and song for a higher purpose. One evening, as the setting sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, Wes called his friend and family together for a solemn announcement.

     "My friends," he began, his voice carrying a mixture of gratitude and determination, "I have been blessed to share stories with you, to be a troubadour in this magnificent Pleasant Grove. But now, a new path beckons me, and I must answer the call."

     Whispers swept through the crowd as Wes explained his decision to dedicate time to God's work in a faraway land called Texashire. The villagers listened in hushed admiration, their eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and understanding.

     "Though I leave the stage and the roads I've traveled behind, I carry your stories with me. I embark on a journey of a different kind, one where the tales I tell will be written in the service of our Creator," Wes continued.

     As Wes told them of his mission to come and the lives of those he wished to touch with God's words, tears welled in the eyes of those who had shared laughter and moments of solace with him. The castle's minstrels played a somber tune, echoing a bittersweet farewell that filled the air.

     Wes will set forth on his pilgrimage on the tenth of March, traveling through dense forests, crossing vast plains, and scaling mountains. In a knapsack to his side, Wes will carry his lute, once an instrument of worldly tales, now called to resonated with hymns and prayers. The troubadour-turned-devotee will find solace in the quietude of the journey, guided by an unwavering sense of purpose.

     In the faraway land to Texashire, Wes will dedicated himself to serving the community, offering comfort and hope to those in need. His days will be spent in prayer, helping the sick, and spreading the teachings of compassion and love. The humble troubadour will become a beacon of light in a world often shadowed by hardship.

     News of Wes's selfless deeds will travel to his homelands by his brother Troubadours. The villagers will anxiously await their words and songs which will, no doubt, be tales of Brother Wes; tales sure to cause a profound sense of pride in all who know him. Yes, he will be missed, and so will be the melodies of his lute and the tales that once enchanted the evenings; however, the villagers in the pleasant grove will know that their troubadour has found a greater calling, and will leave his mark on Texashire.

     So we, his fellow Troubadours, celebrate our brother Wes and bid him a heartfelt "Farewell" as he prepares to embark on a two year mission.  We will miss him. His family will miss him, and of course his stage, the Magellan, will miss him.   

Connor Larsen Add More Fun to the "Things You'll Never Hear at the Space Center"

Hello Space Fans!
     Our good friend Connor Larsen enjoyed last week's post on "Things You'll Never Hear at the Space Center" and send a few more.  Thank you for your contribution Connor!  I love these. 
     Friends, I've kept a Space Center blog going since the year 2000 in one form or another and rarely do I get contributions. Please know that I'm happy to post contributions from readers.  Do you have favorite memories of missions, volunteers, or fellow staff members?  Have you got a great pictures you think others would like to see.  Send you photos, videos, stories to me: SpaceCampUtah@gmail.com.  
      Now sit back and enjoy Connor's post "More Things You'll Never Hear at the Space Center".

Admiral Williamson


Nicole: You know what’s on the bottom of my priority list? Safety. Go ahead and build that chair tower for this away mission and see how high you can get it.  (Nicole was always a force for safety. No chair towers, no unsupported barriers, etc.)

Megan: do you know what job I think has too much work and we should reduce the amount of reports and options? Engineering. who needs those reports anyways? (Megan’s favorite job is the Engineer. She spent hours writing reports for damage reports and panels on several occasions ensuring they were acceptable.)

Connor: go ahead and miss that music cue, the music doesn’t really matter and I’ll probably repeat the song anyway. (I spend a lot of time planning music…especially music cues. I also have a policy that i’ll never repeat a song because it’s critical to the story and the story has to flow)

Casey: You know, I think we should reduce the number of away missions in the story. Is there a reason to leave the ship? (Casey was always known to throw in impromptu unscripted away missions to ensure satisfaction)

Vic: I think I’ll stop using Enya when I fly. Her music has no place in society. (Well. You know.)

Mark: Food should be allowed everywhere in engineering. We don’t even need the energizer system. (Mark’s introduction to his engineering character always included mention of a ham sandwich that had found its way into the energizer system. It began to be used by the Voyager staff when they flew Canada and were talking with the Ganges and continued to expand from there)

Natalie: Feel free to wing voices. They’re not particularly important to any stories anyway. (Natalie is a voice actor, and one of the most particular regarding voices that i’ve met)

Tabitha: I think the ships should be far more competitive during the summer season. This is America by golly. (Tabitha isn’t a fan of large scale competition during summer camps. So…i’m sure there’s more than one occasion where my support of such got the best of her)

Mr. Porter: I think progressing with technology is stupid. Why don’t we use real life training tapes anymore? Imagine how cheap they’d be now. (Mr. Porter is all about modernization. Remember when we all thought training videos were crazy? Or switching to DMX lights? Or getting rid of DVD players? Well. That one i’m still sore on. I miss video.)

Jorden O: I think i’ll concede victory and let the other ships take this camp. (There was never a camp we flew together that didn’t leave on of us disappointed that we had lost to the other)

Jon: I’ve always disliked Cry in the Dark. Who needs the Ferengi anyway? (Jon loves Cry in the Dark. The end.)

Jordan S: I think we should find and only use the cheapest mice in the land. (Jordan is the king of technological devices. Did you see that keyboard and mouse he’d fly with near the end of his career?)

Miranda: I’d much rather fly sitting in a luxurious arm chair than standing or using a stool.  (Miranda was a huge supporter of standing and flying, and absolutely despised the comfy chairs…leaving them to us. No complaints here.)

Nathan: I’d prefer to not think about Flight Directing. It’s not that hard. (Nathan was working on a ‘Theory of Flight Directing’ compilation with all of his thoughts and tips and tricks on flight directing. He also wrote darn good stories.)

Maeson: I’ve always preferred vanilla missions.  (Maeson wasn’t afraid to share his thoughts on a boring story.)

Audrey: Feel free to put that costume back wherever you’d like, I want the closet to feel more natural. (Go ahead and make a mess in the costume closet, I dare you…)

Lindsey: I’ve always been bothered by Christine’s energy. Perhaps she could tone it down a bit. (Lindsey is Christine reincarnated.)

Lissa: I believe language is a gift from above and refuse to use any slang. (Whenever I think about Lissa all I can think is her use of the phrase ‘Chili beans’ as a replacement for ‘cool’)

Jake: No. (After the millions of flights he supervised for me, I can’t recall anytime he’d say no to any idea or thought I had.)

Bracken: I think you should only have one engineering character and never change it for any reason. Also go ahead and pronounce nuclear as ‘noo-kyu-ler’. No one will notice, it’s not the Cold War anymore. (Bracken cycled through several Engineering Characters through my career. I think the earliest was Brinks. Or O’Connor. I can’t remember. Vlad was along the way. I also clearly remember a discussion on his peeve of mispronouncing nuclear)

Brandee B: I think Doctor’s connecting with crews is useless and in bad taste. (The number of times Brandee would take lord of the votes at DSC was astounding. “Dr. D, Dr. D., Doctor, doctor, doctor D!” was the chant the crews would yell. Let’s not discuss that one super where we zombified her character towards the end and probably landed some real trauma…)

Brylee-Ann: I hate puzzles. (Brylee-Ann is a master of puzzles and games. It’s so impressive.)

Lorraine: Go ahead and collapse the dome however you’d like. The cart with the project is incredibly expendable. (When I taught for daylights I was so scared to take down the dome. Thank heavens Lorraine was there 90% of the time!)

Aleta: I’ve never really enjoyed sci-fi as a genre… (Aleta may be one of the biggest sci-fi fans at the center)

Brittney: I think we’ll end this mission with some other than ‘Fort Battle’ from Last of the Mohicans. (That was Brittney’s classic for the end of every mission.)

Kyle Herring: Greenpeace is far too short a story to be flown for 2.5 hours. (Kyle was known to let crews take their time through stories. There was many a time they wouldn’t reach the end of a story if they weren’t working hard.)

Brady: I don’t think any kid on the crew should hear any compliment today. So hush up everyone. (Brady was the king of complimenting crews. He’d milk the compliments for all they were worth to crank up those scores. And it worked.)

Odyssey Staff: Feel free to keep the lights on, we love the light. (Stop by the Odyssey whenever you’d like to see what I mean.)

Silver P.: I’ve never liked the idea of Pirates at the Space Center. I think every mission should be about the Klingons. (Silver is the master of pirates in my opinion. The lore he’s written into his stories rivals what the original races have in the actual Star Trek universe.)

Christine: Japanese anime music has no room for a starship. (Christine love(d?) anime and was known to use a song or two from their soundtracks.)

Bradyn: I don’t enjoy playing Pakled characters. Thanks so much for asking though. (Bradyn was a master of Pakled characters. During the revival of The Grand PooPah he was ever present reprising the role that Stephen Porter had made popular. He also was the default Dweeb in ’The Hunt for Horace’. Or whatever that ended up getting named.)

Jacqueline: Could you do more erratic and last minute things during this flight please? I love to panic and try and keep up.
(Jacqueline was never afraid to share her mind when she supervised, which I very much appreciated. Who knows what I would have done in those early years of flight directing?)

Andrew M. I have really strong feelings about what i’d like to do on this flight. (Andrew was a go with the flow kinda guy. It was hard to get him upset, he was all about making other people feel great.)

Emily P.: I’d like to just stay in the Odyssey and live out my life there. (Emily was a mover and a shaker. She was the first female flight director of the Voyager, and in the original group that all raced to learn to fly all 5 ships.)

Imaginarium Theater

The Week's Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience

Things You'll Never Hear Spoken at the Space Center in a Billion Million Years. A Blast from the Past. Also, This Week's Imaginarium Theater.

 Hello Troops,

     It has been a quiet week at the Space Centers so I thought I'd repost something I wrote in February 2009.  It is called "Things You'll Never Hear Spoken at the Space Center in a Million Billion Years."  I added comments (in purple) to add a bit of background to help you understand the sarcasm.   
     Let's make an updated version of this for 2024.  Take a minute and send me something for a current member of staff or a volunteer at any of the Space Centers.  I'll gather them up and make a new post for the staff and volunteers today.  

Ad Astra!
Mr. Williamson 

The Staff Back in the Day at an Honor's Night

Sorry for the blurry picture. Who do you remember?

THINGS YOU’LL NEVER HEAR SPOKEN AT THE SPACE CENTER IN A MILLION BILLION YEARS.
February 2009.

Mark Daymont: "We're going to do a different mission today in the Magellan. No Death Trap
today!"
Mark loved that mission. It was his go to story for the overnight camps. The staff and volunteers were a bit tired of it though.  

Bill Schuler: “That was a great story on first reading. No further editing is required. Your story is good to be told. What skill, what writing. You are a credit to your family and nation. A new Ernest Hemmingway.”
Bill was my first line of defense when someone wanted to run a new mission by me.  He was the editor in chief and brutal with his red pen.  

Dave Daymont: “Thank you for calling me at the last second and asking me to take another Phoenix mission. I had plans to do something else but last minute missions are my specialty. Golly I’m lucky.”
You never called Dave in for a last minute booking. Never!

Mr. Williamson: “If you’re going to Harts please pick me up a bottled water. One must watch one’s health. Don’t you agree?”
My philosophy is simple, water is for bathing and Dt. Dew is for drinking. Keep 'em coming

Aleta Clegg: “Perikoi is my best mission. I’m so excited when I get to tell it to our visiting sixth grade classes.”
Aleta wore many hats at the Space Center: office manager, flight director, summer camp kitchen manager, etc.  Both Aleta and I were so done with Perikoi that field trip season!

Lorraine Houston: “I brought a cake from WalMart’s bakery. They are so much better than anything I can do at home. You know me in the kitchen - all thumbs I’m afraid. Well, thumbs and a bit of blood if you let me near the knifes.”
Lorraine was the staff and volunteer's mom away from home. She brought home baked goodies to the overnight camp and everyone got a home made birthday cake on their birthdays.  

Metta Smith: “Please leave those shirts untucked. I mean right now! Don’t you make me come over there and untuck it for you. Listen all of you, you’ll get the sharp edge of my tongue if you don’t listen to me.”
Metta strictly enforced the "shirts tucked in" policy.  She wasn't known for lectures to the staff. That was Megan's job :)

Megan Warner: “ Please lean back in the chairs. Please leave your personal belongings in my Control Room and Briefing Room.”
Megan is a flight director today at The Space Place and the Discovery Space Center at American Heritage School.  You don't bring personal items into the Control Rooms and never lean back in a chair.  

Megan Warner: “Hello Children, this is our transporter room. Aren’t we excited? I can see it in your eyes you little darling. Now, we are all going to go into this room and wait for the transporter sound. You will be magically transported to the Phoenix waiting for you way up there in the sky. Also, be sure to touch the walls when you go in. There will be a shock but well worth the experience. Everyone in. Isn’t this fun? Are we all ready? “
​You boarded the Phoenix Megan's way or no way at all.  Got it!

Bradyn Lystrup: “Shadows is my mission. I own Shadows. I’ve always owned Shadows. Did I mention it was MY mission. Yes, I’m all that and more.”
Bradyn works at Canyon Grove Academy in Pleasant Grove and runs the school's InfiniD Mission Program on their Starship Everest.  Shadows is still HIS mission if you ask him today.  

Kyle Herring: “OK, I finished everything on the repair list. The Space Center is in tip top shape."
Kyle still hasn't finished everything on the 2009 repair list.

Christine G: “I’m so depressed. Nothing works right. I can’t get through this. Oh the humanity. I’m going to lay down right here on the control room floor and sleep. I can’t cope. I can’t go on.”
Christine is the most optimistic person I've ever met.  She found the good in every mission, even if the Odyssey was falling apart around her. 

Rachel H: “Me too”
Rachel was a close 2nd to Christine

Stacy Carroll: “I know I’m early to work. It shouldn’t surprise you. I’m what’s known as a morning person. I thrive in the morning. I’m awake before dawn busy as a bee.”
Stacy was not a morning person, but nobody flew the Galileo as well as she.  She was an excellent flight director trainer as well. 

Sheila Powell: “I’ve never met a child I didn’t like. Children are angels. If they are disrespectful in class its my fault. I must not be doing the right things to entertain them. Children can’t be expected to show self control. Its not in their nature.”
Saint Sheila was a saint. She loved children and expected them to behave during the field trip lesson time.

Bill Schuler: “Please let me offer you my work space here in the Briefing Room. I’m working at the school today but see you need a place to work yourself. I’m perfectly willing to work right here beside you on the floor. I only need a little corner and access to electricity. If there is anything else I can do to make you more comfortable at my desk please don’t hesitate to ask.”
You never messed with Bill's stuff  or encroached on his working area.  Expect a bit of Diet Coke in your hair if you did.

Kyle Herring: “I’m changing my hair style to something more natural for my age. I think I’m going for a Victor Williamson hair cut. It has worked well for him for the last 50 years so learn from the best - that’s what I always say.”
Kyle did his best to look as young as possible with his hair. 

Victor Williamson: “Wasn’t that fun having me spend the entire overnight camp in your ship watching you fly. I learned so much. This week I plan on spending all my free time in the simulators watching mission after mission after mission. I just can’t get enough. Hey everybody, let’s get together and discuss your mission ideas as well.”
Watching new flight directors fly (or want to be flight directors) was torture for me.  It took all my strength not to reach over and take the microphone forcefully from their hands and fly the mission myself. 

Warren N.: “Socialism is the only real form of government. The government has a responsibility to care for the weak and lazy. We all need a rock solid safety net under us for hard times.”
Warren was the staff's number 2 Republican in all things. 

Kyle Herring: “Ditto”
Kyle was the first. 

Jace (Central): ‘silence’
Jace was a Central School sixth grade volunteer. They sat in the Control Rooms and listened to the political debates. 

Brock B: “Mr. Williamson, I’d love to spend more time in the Magellan but you keep putting me in the Voyager. Please can I get to do what I want to do sometime?”
Brock was one of the those "Voyager Boys". They had their own gang and never left the Voyager unless I forced them to. 

Spencer M: “I’m nothing. I worthless. I’m the worst player on my church ball team. I don’t know why they put up with me. If I could only make one basket. Oh what’s the use?”
Spencer Merryweather was the best at everything. All you had to do was ask him if you had any doubt.  

Spenser D: “I really enjoy all the kids you send into the Voyager to work with me. They are so full of life and energy. It makes my day to get to train them how to do the acting parts. I get a kick out of the cute things they say. Oh, and if they refuse to do what I say as Supervisor, I’ll forgive them because, after all, they are just kids. We can’t expect them to accept responsibility and the value of a job well done, can we?”
Spenser Dauwalder was another of those "Voyager Boys".  He was a bit unforgiving when it came to crew misbehavior.  

Mr. Williamson: “The best part of my job is dealing with personality issues. I love to mediate conflict between staff and volunteers. I thrive on staff misunderstandings. I get a kick out of ironing out the petty issues that arise from any organization staffed with multiple humans.”
Mr. Porter has to deal with these now. :)

Yes my friends, those are things you’ll never, ever hear spoken at the Space Center.

Now let’s have a great week at school, at work, and at home. Remember, the Space Center is a home to all of us. Let’s work hard to help it achieve its potential and an influence for good and learning not only for the students but our staff and volunteers as well.

Mr. Williamson

Imaginarium Theater

The Week's Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience