Emails from a Current Camper and Former Camper with News of a Sister Center in Pittsburgh.

Hello Troops,

It has been another day in the trenches for you and for me.  

The air in Utah is thick with Idaho smoke and ragweed pollen.  This atmospheric combination makes breathing difficult for people with allergies and asthma.  Speaking on behalf of myself and all other playground supervisors, I protest our current working conditions and want something done about it. I believe the government should do everything possible to forward the season's first frost.  Is that too much to ask?  

No news to report on the renovation of the Space Center.  I did hear a rumor the Maintenance Department has an architect looking at the project.  The question is, will the school district find it reasonable to spend thousands and thousands of dollars renovating the old Space Center when a new Space Center building is a few years down the road?  Our district's administrators will make that very difficult decision.  I'm glad it is their call and not mine. 

I received the following email the other day from one of the Space Center's biggest fans.

Thank you!          

Hi Mr. Williamson,

Ever since Space Center closed for repairs my life hasn't been the same. I discovered the Space Center 1 year ago and have been there 17 times ever since. So is it possible for you to tell the electrician people, that little kids are suffering from not being on the Voyager, and seeing the Romulans and the Borg, and getting in a phaser fight? Like, can I start paying these guys $2.25 (which is my weekly allowance) because I am starting to go insane! Anyway, I hope the Space Center can open again soon, because I am DESPERATE.
Hope to see you guys open again soon, and if there is anything I can do to help,
then i'm you're guy! :)

                                                - A Happy but partly crazy camper,
                                                               (Name withheld due to his age)

Thank you for offering your weekly allowance.  It is good to know we have great fans like you supporting us.

I also received the following email from Gary Gardiner, a former camper who has since grown up, graduated from university, and lives a normal life with his wife and child in Pennsylvania.   

Dear Mr. Williamson,
I first attended the Space Center almost twenty years ago as a fifth grader in the Jordan School District.  I had no idea that it was the Center's second year of operation—all I knew was that I was in heaven!  There was something truly magical about my experience there that caught my imagination and never let go.
I returned several times over the next two or three years, but eventually I grew too old to attend.  Even so, the Space Center continued to make an impression on me.  I was surprised to see other kids—not much older than I was—volunteering there, learning storytelling, drama, customer service, responsibility, creative writing, and all sorts of interesting facts about the universe.
I was jealous, but I didn't have the opportunity to join them because I lived 45 minutes north in Sandy.  Still, I did join them in spirit.  Knowing that they were making captivating productions inspired me to learn many important skills myself—including computer programming, graphic design, creative writing, and advanced math—that continue to enrich my life and career today.
I did have the opportunity to volunteer briefly at the Space Center while I attended BYU, but before long my LDS mission, schooling, family life, and career whisked me away.  I've worked at Goldman Sachs, received my MBA, and now work in Pittsburgh, PA helping launch startup technology companies.  And through it all I've never shaken the feeling of wonder that was instilled upon me at the Space Center.  It has enriched my life, inspired me to learn, and driven me to push myself to new heights.  And for that, I'm deeply grateful!  I'm so thankful to the Alpine School District for supporting a program that was so inspirational and monumental in my life.  Thank you for boldly being a standard bearer for educators nationwide.
I'm pleased to say that the impact the Space Center has had on my life is not all in the past tense.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  I've long had the goal of making the Space Center's magic accessible to more children, including my own.  That goal and determination has led to action, and I'm currently deep in the process of replicating the Space Center experience here in Pittsburgh.
I've partnered with the Grable Foundation and a local school district in Pittsburgh as a beachhead.  I've built a technology platform—called Dream Flight Adventures (www.DreamFlightAdventures.com)—to bring the Space Center's interdisciplinary magic to Pennsylvania.  We're still in the early stages, but I'm so excited to share the unbelievable experience that the Space Center provides with the next generation.
Here's to many more years of magic!

So there you have it Troops.  A new program for the children of Pittsburgh inspired by our little Space Center in Pleasant Grove.   Thank you Gary for the kind words and please keep me and our Troubadour readers updated.

Today's  Stop at Wonderland's Imaginarium

A unique profile

Creativity:  A

Inspired Advertising

They need a book like this for the child who dreams of a career in professional sports.

What a dream killer!

What is it then?  Ahhh, another portal to a school of witchcraft and wizardry.

A new door sign to remind your guests of things left behind.

Creativity: A

I know we have several Space Center employees looking for work to hold them over until the

Space Center reopens.

This sounds like it could be right up their alley.

I'd risk the messy death to get my hands on that laser death ray gun.  Wouldn't you?

Brilliant!

Lada was the piece of junk car built in the USSR (communist Russia).

I visited communist Russia three times in the 1980's and 90's.  I had the distinct horror of riding in a Lada several time during my stays and swore never to do it again unless I had no other choice.   I would also bring my plastic St. Christopher statue and a lucky rabbit's foot. 

Meanwhile, Somewhere on an English Motorway.

Something you don't see out the office window everyday.

 Imagination: A

For the couple with a great sense of humor.

A wedding cake never to be forgotten.

For Mr. Schuler and Dave Daymont.  Space Center workers and 

school district computer techs.

Imagination Overload at the Texas Children's Hospital

And Finally,
A Street Child sings Whitney Houston.  Never judge someone because of their circumstances.



Thanks Troops,
Mr. Williamson

Life's Great Successes, One Milk Carton at a Time. And the Imaginarium.

Hello Troops,
And a double Hallelujah and Amen to the illustration above.  Take it from someone who has experience in the subject.  I've had my fair share of failures for every success.

Writing Space Center missions is one example of how failures can lead to success.  For every successful, popular mission I've written (Shadows for instance), I've written a couple real stinkers that cause myself and the staff great amounts of grief (Saladin for instance).   Each failure taught me something I wouldn't have known had I not failed.

The key to success is to never give up on an idea that has merit.  You've hear people say NEVER GIVE UP!  I disagree with that statement.  A successful person knows when to quit and move on to the next idea.  Quitting has a place in our lives.  Ask a smoker :)   A successful person knows when to hold 'em and when to fold.

I regulated the mission Saladin to the trash heap of failed Space Center missions after giving it everything I had.  There are times you lick your wounds, admit the world doesn't revolve around you, admit that you DON'T have all the answers, accept a healthy dose of humility and MOVE ON.

Speaking of not quitting, today at Shelley Elementary a young 1st grader walked up to me during lunch.  I was doing what I do every day between 11:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M.; I monitor the lunchroom, seat the kids, and do my best to convince them to eat something off their lunch trays.

"I opened my own milk for the first time!" the young boy said enthusiastically.  His blue eyes twinkled and a smile stretched ear to ear.

"For the very first time ever?" I asked over the boisterous lunchroom.

"Yep," he answered.

"Good Job!" I patted his blond head and sent him on his way to the playground.   He took a few detours on this way to the exit - stopping to tell the school's custodian and one of the lunch ladies.

His victory came at a great cost to dozens of innocent and unsuspecting chocolate milk cartons.  Every day, until today, he'd wave at me from his table to open his milk carton after he'd mangled and deformed it in an attempt to get at the milk.  I'd have to pinch and squeeze the carton to force an opening.

"I'll do it," he'd say the moment the barrier was breeched and a crack appeared exposing the chocolate 2% to the outside world.  He'd pull the carton from me and finish the job by inserting his straw.  

Aren't life's little victories the best?  I think I experienced a similar bout of joy the day I learned how to drive a stick shift.

And for every child who learns to open his own milk, there are dozens of others in my cafeteria at Shelley who still rely on me to open their bags of chips, gogurts, drink cartons and thermoses.  What an interesting change it is from the Space Center.
  

And now,  More from the Imaginarium..

How Other Witches and Wizards get to school.

Platform 9  1/2 is great for those with magical inclination in the United Kingdom,

but what about young wizards and witches in other parts of the world?

Swedish Witches and Wizards use this out of the way 

business park elevator every September.

Witches and Wizards in the Big Apple find their way to America's 

premier school of Witchcraft and Wizardry through this appartently

closed subway station

Once through, you find yourself in a magical place.

I put this here to remind everyone to be mindful of bullying this school year. 

Watch out for each other and stand up to those who bully.  Be a friend to those in need.

An interesting hotel advertisement in Europe.

An A for imagination.

A very serious game is played at this school

You feel so much smarter standing over the urinal in a bathroom so labeled.

A good policy, one sure to get everyone's attention.

I'm wondering if we could get a similar restriction on Mr. Schuler's sneezes.

What employee of the Imaginarium or citizen of Wonderland wouldn't 

want a pair of these socks.

An A for creativity.

Something special for our crossover fans (Star Trek, Space Center and Dr. Who).

Brilliant, and tasty

Again, see what a bit of imagination can do?

Make it a great day Troops,
Mr. Williamson

Space News and Views by Mark Daymont

Armstrong's Life Commemorated

The Colors paraded at the Armstrong memorial gathering.

On September 13 the nation gathered together at the Washington National Cathedral to remember our first Moonwalker. Televised on NASA TV, and covered by Fox News (the other networks did not cover the event) the memorial brought together fellow astronauts, family and friends, and national leaders to remember and honor the life of one of America's greatest heroes.

The U.S. Navy posting the colors. Armstrong was a naval aviator before joining NASA as a civilian astronaut.

The speakers at the meeting talked about Armstrong as a dedicated engineer who loved exploring through science and adventure. They also spoke of his love of flight, and his great ability to inspire others. Speakers included Eugene Cernan, the last astronaut to walk on the Moon, former Secretary of the Treasury John Snow (a close friend of Armstrong), Administrator of NASA (and shuttle astronaut) Charlie Bolden, and religious leaders at the Cathedral. Michael Collins, the command module pilot of the Apollo 11 mission, led the congregation in scripture and prayers. Jazz singer/composer DIana Krall gave a moving rendition of "Fly me to the Moon" made famous by singer Frank Sinatra. There was also music by the U.S. Navy band "Sea Chanters," the Metropolitan Opera Brass, and the Cathedral Choir. It ended with a moving eulogy by Rev. Mariann Budde.

If you have the time, it is well worth your while to watch the proceedings at the NASA website. But be prepared to shed some tears. You can watch it at: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=152200361

After the memorial, the Armstrong family and other officials were hosted by the U.S. Navy on board the warship U.S.S. Phillipine Sea. Armstrong's ashes were buried at sea by Navy custom.

Farewell, Neil Armstrong.

50 Years Ago: Kennedy's Moon Speech Remembered

"We choose to go to the Moon..."

Last week NASA celebrated a another pivotal moment in history.

In May, 1961, President Kennedy had declared to Congress that Americans should have a goal to reach the Moon before the end of the decade. On September 12, 1962, the president spoke to a crowd of supporters at Rice University. HIs speech explained his guiding motives in creating a challenge for America to reach out and explore the Moon. "We choose to go to the Moon and do the other thing, not because it is easy but because it is hard.." he explained. While the original goal had its roots in the Cold War competing against the space efforts of the Soviet Union, his speech made it clear there were even greater opportunities for the growth of our nation, and that of the world.

To see and hear the speech, go to NASA's website at http://www.nasa.gov/topics/history/features/jfk_rice_speech_50th.html

Endeavor prepares for last trip to Museum

Shuttle Carrier 747 lands at Kennedy Space Center.

Shuttle Endeavor is preparing for its last trip.

Endeavor was built after the loss of the shuttle Challenger. The shuttle program came to an end when orbiter Atlantis landed at Kennedy Space Center in July of 2011. The shuttles are being dispersed to museums around the country. Endeavor will take off tomorrow on the back of the 747 and fly to Los Angeles for transfer to the California Science Center. Liftoff expected at sunrise, with a fly-over of the space center for all the fans.

 

Endeavor attached to the back of the shuttle carrier 747.

Expedition 32 Change of Command Ceremony.

Yesterday the Expedition 32 mission came to an end. In an official ceremony televised on NASA TV, Suni Williams of NASA became the new commander of the ISS. Cosmonauts Gennady Padalkin, Sergei Revin, and astronaut Joe Acaba boarded the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft and undocked just after 7 pm.

Joe Acaba on the ground.

The crew fired the retro rockets just before 10 pm EDT and the capsule came to a safe landing in Kazakhstan. The first section of the Expedition 32 crew had been in space 123 days. The current Expedition 33 crew is now astronaut Suni WIlliams (commanding the mission), Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko. They arrived in the station on July 17.

Akihiko posing in front of the Japan module.

After the last spacewalk covered here in August, their had been trouble with some bolts which prevented completion of some tasks. Another spacewalk was made (making three for the Expedition) to repair the bolts and complete the spacewalk tasks. To help her out, Suni Williams made a special tool to help her remove debris from the bolts, using her toothbrush (don't worry, she had another).

NASA"s latest hi-tech tool.

Showing the creative mind that astronauts are known for, the tool worked perfectly, the bolts were replaced, and the remaining tasks completed. Can't do that sort of work with a robot.  The current three-person crew now awaits their reinforcements. Part two of Expedition 33 will arrive in October.