This week is National Teachers Week.  We have many teachers that are beloved by us all at the Titanic Museum Attractions in Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  They bring bus loads of students each spring for field trips and learning experiences.  Throughout the year representatives from our museum in Branson, Missouri will attend an honor ceremony, entitled “Teacher of the Month”.  Students write into our local radio station, contacting Show Host, Janet Ellis, and nominate their special teacher, writing an essay as to why their teacher should be honored, if selected a pizza party is planned for the students, and representatives from various businesses attend with gifts and congrats to that special teacher and the children.  First Class Maid Jamie is our representative for this project, but sometimes, I fill in for Jamie and what a treat for me!

Titanic's Molly and Carter showing off their artwork

But allow me to share an experience that occurred earlier this month which involved a teacher, but this time a teacher from Sheerness, Kent, located in the United Kingdom.  Her name, Ms. Margaret Robinson, a primary school teacher for Halfway Houses Primary School.  Her class  had been studying about the Titanic and had used the wonder of the internet to investigate all things Titanic and had come upon our web site, one of the many features of our web site is a web cam in the kennel of our darling mascots, Molly and Carter, two sweet, and adorable, King Charles Spaniels.

Thanks to Molly and Carter’s chief guardian and dog handler, Officer Kelli Sanders, she arranged a synchronized time, across the time zones, where Ms. Robinson, her class, First Class Maid Jamie, Kelli and the two sweets, Molly and Carter, could greet one another with the web cam!  Communication was made through signage whereby, the students were queried, How Many Dogs Survived Titanic?  Molly and Carter showed off their art work, paw print paintings, it was wonderful to realize that across the “pond” students were learning and having a great time thanks to a magical teacher, Ms. Maggie Robinson.

She contacted Kelli, expressed great delight, by the way the question about the number of dogs surving, the kids got it right, 3!  Ms. Robinson was moved to tears, and the children were ecstatic!  A face book friend commented about the children’s reaction, “The “Robin’s” were chuffed to little bits.”  That’s a good thing, in Britain!

This is what “interaction” truly means, what a great teacher, and by the way, our Kelli Sanders is also a licensed educator, she’s a teacher!

Be sweet to your teachers and they will more then likely be nice back, treat them with respect, and don’t forget that apple, especially this week.

Pip, pip, cheerio!  First Class Maid, Jaynee

Two weeks ago the world honored the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic’s ill-fated Maiden Voyage; last week I had the distinct honor of honoring a group of Purple Heart recipients.  Excuse me, not me, but my alter ego, Violet Constance Jessop, crewmember aboard the R.M.S. Titanic.  Which to portray Violet is also an honor.

Titanic's Violet Jessop honors Purple Heart recipients

The program to honor these brave men and women was held at The Hamner and Barber Theatre in Branson, Missouri.  There must have been roughly 150 Purple Heart recipients attending.  Entertainers in the area showed there respect by performing and Violet was asked because if she had been an American she would have received a Purple Heart medal having been wounded in World War I.

Violet Jessop was of Irish descent, however was raised in Argentina until an adolescent and her family moved back to the U.K.  Her Father had died and Violet had spent most of her childhood in hospitals suffering from bouts of tuberculosis, that she survived this devastating illness was indeed a miracle, but Violet proved to be just that, a survivor.

When only sixteen, she went to work as a stewardess on the Red Star Line, fudging on her age, her Mother, forced to retire due to illness, gave up her job as stewardess to the dauntless Violet.  She was tops in her field by the time she was 24 and working for White Star Line aboard the infamous ocean liner Titanic.  Violet had the distinction of serving on all of the White Star Big Three, Olympic, Titanic, and Britannic.  The Olympic suffered a near fatal injury when involved with a ship wreck with the H.M.S. Hawke, Violet was forced to move on to the Titanic, which hit an iceberg and sank, and then when World War I broke and all commercial liners were turned into military vessels, Violet served as a Red Cross Nurse on board the Britannic, which was a hospital ship.  This ship struck an underwater mine, exploded in the Aegean Sea, and Violet had to leap for her life, suffering a near fatal blow to the head and an extensive gash in the thigh of her leg.

So when I donned the Red Cross uniform and headed to the Hamner and Barber Theatre, I was very proud indeed.

Most of the recipients were veterans from the Vietnam War, and words cannot describe the pride I felt when Captain John pinned a Purple Heart supporter button onto my collar.

Violet bounded upon the stage singing the old World War I ditty, “It’s a Long, Long, Way to Tipperary”.  Which these 60ish boys and girls did not remember of course, but they sang along anyway, Violet regaled them with her story of her experiences on the “Big Three”.  She told of her patient and friend Jimmy who lost his arms during the sinking of the Britannic, and she ended her tribute to these fine heroes with this recitation penned by none other but my dear and talented poet laureate, Tom Peters.

It Wasn’t Fun By Tom Peters

It wasn’t fun for you, serving during wartime, sailing the ocean to face the greatest fear known to man or woman, combat.

It wasn’t fun for you, sleeping in a foxhole, shaving out of a helmet, eating K rations in the snow, and all the while being shot at or watching a Kamikaze plane heading toward your ship.

No, it wasn’t fun.

It wasn’t fun for you, leaving your buddies behind on the beach at Normandy, the bottom of the ocean, a hilltop in Korea, a jungle in Vietnam, a desert in Iraq, a cave in Aphghanistan. Or seeing an airman’s empty bunk whose plane never returned.

Audie Murphy, the most decorated war hero said, “Combat veterans have been to hell and back”.

The good news is you came back.  You survived, you prevailed, and the word that suits you best is not patriotic, it’s duty.  You saw your duty, you did your duty, and you did it so well, generations yet unborn are in your debt.

You proved the so-called common people have uncommon courage and if the price

of liberty is vigilance, you paid the price for us, and we, are grateful.

Dedicated to Jay Vandenberg and Joseph Peters-combat veterans

How proud and touched Violet was when the boys, with their Purple Heart medals showed up at the Titanic Museum Attraction, the next day, and thanked her personally for her sentiments.  Pictures and memories were made that day, and what Purple Heart medal recipient doesn’t love their nurse, they made Nurse Violet feel very special, I know she loves them back.

First Class Maid Jaynee

Jaynee at Titanic's 100 Year Anniversary Ceremony

The week after our Titanic Centennial Tribute, for me anyway, has left me rather non-plussed.  So much has gone into this once in a lifetime commemoration of the R.M.S. Titanic memorial, I find myself at a loss.  Of course the museums go on at a fever pitch, I might add, but personally it has taken me a week to get back on course.

I did very little, compared to the momentous amount of planning, implementing, and delivering of the amazing presentations that took place in Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Marketing, Sales, Cast, Management, all crew members should be praised and lauded for their heroic efforts in the beautiful events that took place on Saturday, April,14th , 2012.  Thank you to all that attended and lent your support and for those that did not attend, you frankly missed an awesome moment in history.

Although many were involved in the success of this effort, without one individual that leads us throughout the seasons, none of it would have been possible.  Our leader, Mary Kellogg-Joslyn.  I often brag on her, and with good reason, but this last bit of business was beyond the scope of most.  Mary conceptualized each detail from the smallest to the largest.  She has been busy, I think from the moment we opened in 2006 in Branson, Missouri, gearing up to the 100th Anniversary.  Each year has contributed layer upon layer to this event.  From the writing and editing of radio, print, and television advertising, arranging for descendents and their families to attend, hosting and producing television shows, galas, and various presentations at clubs, seminars, libraries, fairs, and a never ending list of marketing strategies.

US Coast Guard International Ice Patrol dispersing our rose petals at sea in honor of the RMS Titanic

The genius of the “Rose Petal” tribute, each guest, in each museum, contributing a single rose petal to a group of millions of rose petals that eventually was transported by the U.S. Coast Guard International Ice Patrol to the very spot in the North Atlantic where Titanic rests where they were deposited on April, 15th.  The pictures of this moment are stunning.  This was all Mary Kellogg’s guidance.

She came up with the idea of me reading a story of a crew member or passenger every day for 100 days up to the point of the Anniversary on our web page, she not only came up with this idea, she helped guide & edit stories of these great people that will never be forgotten, thanks to Mary’s efforts.

I have appeared on JTV, Jewelry Television, presenting a line of Titanic Jewelry, each piece or collection dedicated to a woman passenger in First Class, telling their story, while presenting the jewelry, very successful, sell outs each time.  The jewelry was designed and approved and watched over by our buyer for the Titanic Museum Gift Shops in Missouri and Tennessee, Officer Lois.

Mary will be the first to say that it takes a great team to accomplish great things, true, but without the Admiral, it could not and would not be done.

It was due to the Titanic Museum’s owner John Joslyn’s dream and vision that we are all involved in the Titanic Museum projects, and we are so glad that John had the good sense to marry and have such a genius partner as Admiral Mary Kellogg Joslyn.

I’m almost afraid to ask Mary, “What’s next?”

First Class Maid, Jaynee

This week we acknowledge and pay respect to the 100th Anniversary of the Maiden Voyage and subsequent loss of the R.M.S. Titanic.  She set sail on April 10th, collided with an iceberg late in the evening of April 14th, sinks April 15th, 1912, at 2:20 a.m.

Just like that, or not?

Titanic Attraction Honors the 100th Anniversary of the Maiden Voyage

For years as a crewmember for the Titanic Museum Attractions, I have faced countless theories, questions, even those self righteous enough to believe Titanic was being punished for her boastful creators, it’s called marketing darlings; “Madison Avenue” does it all the time.

I just know the loss was so great that even 100 years later the very thought of Titanic breaks ones heart.  No one wanted any foul thing to happen to that monument of beauty and engineering genius.  No, it was not fate, in my opinion; it was once again man’s poor decisions, folly if you will.  But, my friends, I make poor decisions daily, “there but for the Grace of God……..”

It’s been six years since my association with the Titanic Museum Attraction, and here we are at the Centennial Commemoration in Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  I’m honored to be a part of this once in a lifetime tribute.

Sincerely, First Class Maid Jaynee

It’s almost time, what we have been waiting for is almost here.  The date, April 14th and 15th.  These dates are so important to all of us here at the Titanic Museum Attractions.  For those that do not know, these dates mark the loss of R.M.S. Titanic, she was struck by an Iceberg on April 14th and plunged to her end on April 15th. This year marks 100 years since we lost her.

Titanic Musical Tribute - April 14th in Branson and Pigeon Forge

Every year we mark this anniversary with reverence and respect, this year, the 100th year we have planned, toiled and prepared for the most spectacular tributes that have ever been conducted in the world.  This year at both Titanic Museum Attractions, Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on April 14th, we will be presenting, “A Night To Remember….An Original Musical Tribute to Titanic“.  Each production will feature a cast of 100 plus performers, descendents, religious representatives to honor the variety of faiths on board, symphonies, cast of the Titanic Musical, an honor ceremony presentation of international flags, representing the nationalities on board the R.M.S. Titanic, a recreation of the setting of the flares that woeful night of April 14th, the lighting of the eternal flame, and so much more.

Now each venue will have slightly different presentations, the casts will be different, but the sentiment the same.  This musical tribute to Titanic is our way of paying respect to a legacy that will and has lived on forever.

And why is that?  I ask this question to myself every day.  Perhaps the tragedy of Titanic teaches us something very essential.  The lesson could be, never take one minute for granted, for the routine of ones life can be changed in a second.  It is a sin to squander a moment, for once it’s gone, it cannont ever be recaptured. Live life to the fullest,one never knows when the moment may come when it’s over.

Here’s your chance, if you have ever had feeling for the Titanic and her timeless story.  Please join us in Branson, or Pigeon Forge.  The Tribute for the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri is at 12 noon, Saturday, April 14.   The Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is at 8:30pm - Saturday, April 14.   Tickets are required -  includes concert tickets & a tour of our museum - This week USA TODAY wrote about our Titanic Museum - “…the most lavish monument to the sea’s most famous disaster.” - This will only occur one time in history, 100 Year Anniversary of Titanic, be part of the history books.  This is sure to be added to the tomes of time.

And of course I will be right there to greet you,

First Class Maid Jaynee

In both Titanic Museum locations, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri we are experiencing record crowds for Spring Break.  It is apparent with the advent of the warm winter, we are primed for a HOT Spring and HOTTER summer season.  People are ready to play despite hard economic forecasts, this maid cheers all of you on with your apparent resolve for Good Times Ahead!  with these good times come, “nice moments”.

Titanic's Rose Petal Tribute ands on Sunday April 1st

The children that come to our museums provide me with many of these “nice moments”.  Yesterday, we were very busy, I spent most of my day presiding over our Memorial Room, encouraging participation in our Rose Petal Tribute.  On April 1st we ship all these millions of rose petals to the United States Coast Guard International Ice Patrol for placement in the Atlantic Ocean at the Titanic Site on April 15th, the 100th Anniversary of R.M.S. Titanic.

At one point I had told my group our goal with the rose petals and stepped out of the gallery for just a brief moment, I turned and noticed a young lad of about 8 on the step looking into the rose petal display, he was reaching in and shot me a guilty, furtive, glance and quicky removed his little hand.  I immediately encouraged him to be sure to select his own special rose petal, that was what we wanted him to do, I told him that by choosing one of the rose petals and placing it in the adjacent show case his rose petal would be cast in history with all the other millions of rose petals his would be special because it had been selected by him, his rose petal would be sending a private message of remembrance for all the people that were aboard R.M.S. Titanic 100 years ago and that the next time he would see his rose petal it would be on television floating on the mighty Atlantic.  His name was Patrick, and he now had a purpose, he selected his special rose petal and placed it in the big case.  His Mother and sister arrived in the room about this time and were ready to scold because he had wandered away from them, I assured them Patrick was helping me, and I encouraged him to help me tell his family about what he had done,  At first he was shy, but then he became more involved,  For a good 45 minutes I had a little helper with our guests, Patrick would point to a group he thought I might have missed informing of our rose petal mission, And at just the riht time, Patrick would help me let others know about our Rose Petal Tribute.  His Mother and sister were very proud of Patrick and I made sure the crew in the gift shop awarded him with a crew button.  His sister ended up purchasing a First Class Maid Doll, Patrick a Captain Bear, both were signed by me which is such an honor, and we did pictures outside of the museum…..nice moments.

First Class Maid Jaynee with her Jaynee Doll

Speaking of dolls, I met a little blonde doll yesterday in the Memorial Room, around the age of 8, her name, Jaynee!  Spelled just like mine.  I was talking to Jaynee’s Mum about the Titanic Rose Petal Tribute, when she asked if I were the lady named Jaynee on the web site, I said yes I was, and she introduced me to her little Jaynee.  Named after her mother Jeanie, she wanted something unique, and so named her Jaynee.  Well we became fast friends, they both left, and after about an hour, here they come back with a First Class Maid Jaynee Doll, how appropriate for this ittle girl, I of course signed my name, First Class Maid Jaynee, and they both were kind enough to say this had been the highlight of their day, I know it had been mine……nice moment.

The Maids Dolls were a big hit yesterday, I looked a lot like my namesake, she wears her black hair in a curly pony tail on the top of her head, and due to the wet weather my hair looked exactly like it, lots of recognition.  Maybe my doll is not quite so lovely as our beautiful Rose doll or our outstanding Molly Brown doll, but she’s cute and comforting and if I sign my name to her she will clean your house top to bottom…..maybe.

EXCITEMENT!!!!! Helen Benziger arrives in town this week for special appearences at the museum, she is the great granddaughter of our beloved Margaret Tobin Brown, aka The Unsinkable Molly Brown, come peruse her gallery.  And….ONLY 4 and a half weeks till the amazing tribute ceremony, A Nght To Remember at both locations, Branson and Pigeon Forge, more to come on that.

First Class Maid Jaynee

Our Titanic Museum Attractions in both Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri are hitting on all cylinders.  Branson is busy repairing itself after the damage of the major storms of the last two weeks, and Pigeon Forge is enjoying beautiful weather with Spring crowds starting to emerge.  Spring Break is here and we are ready.

Crew members in both locations not only are schooled in all things Titanic, many have other talents as well.  Many from a television production background and one of our managers in Branson, Missouri has performed in Variety shows across the country as a singer, dancer, entertainer.  That would be Officer Larry Foster!  I want to make mention of him because he was part of the “Dancing With The Stars” production in Branson, Missouri.  He and his partner, the lovely Renee Johnson, did a “swing” dance to the number, “Cops and Robbers” by the “Hoosiers”.  All money’s raised went to their charity, “Jesus Was Homeless”.

The participants and all those that attended had a wonderful time raising money for their charities, the contest was displaced due to the tornado but the “show must go on” and it did.

Titanic's A Night To Remember Musical Tribute, Saturday April 14th

Speaking of productions, keep connected to our website to be kept abreast of our original musical presentation, “A Night To Remember”.  Saturday, April 14th both museums will be commemorating the anniversary of Titanic with productions in  Branson (Saturday, April 14 at NOON) and Pigeon Forge (Saturday, April 14 at 8:30pm)  Tickets are required - you can book online. .  More to come on this as we get closer to the event, but I suggest you make your reservations as soon as possible, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to pay tribute to one of the most historic events in history.

Tulips, daffodils, crocus, redbud, forsythia, decorative pear trees, are all coming into bloom, no more bad weather, full steam ahead for the most momentous TITANIC season ever, thanks to all of you.

First Class Maid, Jaynee

If only I had  locked my car it would not have been broken in to.  If only I had heeded the doctors advice I would not be in the hospital right now.  If only I had sold that stock in time I wouldn’t be broke and without a financial future.  If only the R.M.S. Titanic had stopped for the night  April 14th, 1912 it would not have struck the iceberg and plunged to her death on April 15th, 1912.

Life is full of “If only’s”, and truly when the Gods have made their plans, we mere mortals are but pawns. However, advanced planning and forethought is something we should all aspire to.

Titanic Branson is Open!

Why am I waxing philosophical on this rather depressing subject, as many of you know, on Feb. 29th, tornadoes tore through the Southern Mid-West of the United States, and hit Branson, Missouri at 1:20 a.m.  Kimberling City, Missouri and Branson, Missouri were hit pretty hard, lots of physical damage to buildings, but luckily no loss of life in this area, and a minimal number of injuries.  Still, there are those that are saying to themselves, “If only….. ”

If ones property insurance is in order, things should be painful but bearable, however in todays economy this has been a blow.  The community has united in helping each other and with the true spirit of the Ozarks I am confident that things will be put to rights in short order.

I am about to crow on our crew.  IF ONLY THE R.M.S. Titanic had our crew in charge of the ship, she would number one, never hit the iceberg, and if she did - I daresay they might have devised away to keep her afloat.

I say this because after the tornado incidident, our Branson Titanic Museum Attraction crew fell into immediate action, luckily there was no real damage to our museum, but the corporate facilities a block away were destroyed. Within 48 hours the crew had cleaned up, moved out, and moved into a brand new building, hard work, long hours, fast action.  In one word - AMAZING!!!!  I truly expected nothing less and they did not disappoint

So those of you that are wondering are we open.  YES!!  Please come and support the Branson community, we are nothing without all of you and remember,

“I’ll be right there to greet you.” First Class Maid, Jaynee

Titanic under construction in Ireland

“From Glen to Glen and Oer the Mountainside”, some lyrics from the famous Irish Anthem, “Danny Boy”.  It’s hard to believe that it’s almost time to break out the green at the Titanic Museum Attractions in both Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  In just a day or two it will be the Grande Month of March, and all things Irish are celebrated at our museums all month long.  We will be displaying the Irish flag, offering Irish music, Irish gaiety will be displayed as well as Irish pride, for after all our beloved R.M.S. Titanic was proudly built by Irishman in Belfast, Ireland.  The Irish worked for three years to create this glorious ship and in only five days she was gone.  Much to the agony of those aboard, and also for those that had put there blood, sweat, and tears into building their floating palace of a ship.

All these emotions can be explored, and the stories told, when you come visit us this Month of March.

There were several Irish aboard the ship, mainly immigrants on their way to a new life in the U.S. or Canada.  In fact, Thomas Andrews, the architect of the Titanic was Irish, and unfortunately perished aboard the ship.

Jaynee and Titanic Attraction honor the Irish in March

One of my favorite passengers on board was a fellow by the name of Patrick Dooley, he was a Third Class Passenger and he was a seasoned traveler who spent his time working for his Father on the family farm in Ireland, but during lean times, and the times seemed always to be lean, Pat would travel to the States to earn some money to send back to his “DA” (Irish for Father), and would return to the “old sod” as soon as his business was completed.  Pat was impressed with the accommodations aboard Titanic, for this was the first time in history a passenger ship could boast a “third class”.  In the past stearage meant the worst travel conditions imaginable and Pat had spent many a voyage down in the hold of the ship, turning as green as the beautiful hills Pat had left behind in Ireland.  So this time Pat was in high spirits when he dropped his post card off to his favorite “colleen”, Mary, in Queenstown, Ireland before boarding Titanic.  This would not only be the last bit of mail to be mailed from Europe aboard Titanic, but alas the last postcard poor Pat would ever send himself.  For he perished with so many others, leaving behind broken hearts and broken dreams for now almost 100 years.

In honor of Pat and all the others, make it a date to hoist a pint and then come to the Titanic Museum Attraction and learn all the Irish stories that we First Class Maids and Officers are dying to share.

I love the Irish, after all, I married one!!

First Class Maid, Jaynee

A famous quote by a very powerful woman we all know in Government, the sentiment is often maligned but oh so accurate.  For the past several weeks our Titanic Team has worked tirelessly on the success of this past weekends National Ice Carving Competition, held at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri.

2012 NICA US Nationals Masters Division Winner Ben Rand

Every department worked in perfect sync to deliver this project to an outstanding outcome.  All crew members should be very proud, the public was amazed, the carvers were oh so happy, the judges were impressed, the press was frankly stunned, we garnered respect throughout the Ozarks as well as the country with this event.

But all teams need leaders.  Our leader for this project was Officer Kristina Hagey.  She is our our event coordinator for the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri and has worked with Ashli Arden in her role as event coordinator at our Pigeon Forge, location.  Who by the way is a wonder as well and should be praised for her successful Ice Carving Competition that was held at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee last January.

But without the creative and meticulous talents of Officer Kristina Hagey this “Grande” project would never have come about.  She has spent the last five years proving herself with past Ice Carving Competitions, courting the National Ice Carving Association, delivering more successful ice events each year until it culminated in Nationals on Feb. 4th and 5th. One of the “star” carvers was quoted as saying, “When we know that the competition is being held at “Titanic” we know that everything will be perfect.”

2012 NICA US Nationals Professional Division Winner Michael Stoddart

Nationals requires so many more elements, the event must be covered by tents, it is a two day event, not just one day, Kristina was in charge of organizing all this and Bravo to her efforts, GREAT JOB! A real organizational talent and she’s pretty too!

Of course none of these events would be possible without the extreme leader, and that would be the mastermind of promotions, the woman with the vision that allows those that work with her to shine, that helps to realize peoples dreams, and that of course is the co-owner of these museums, Admiral Mary Kellogg.  She and her husband John Joslyn have created not only a museum that is respected but an interactive, community landmark in both locations, Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Titanic Hosts the 2012 NICA US Nationals

Hope all of you are enjoying the 100 days of Titanic stories, highlighting the crew members and passengers that were aboard that ill fated ship 100 years ago.  Log on to titanicattraction.com and I will share a different story with you each day, we are in the 40’s right now and will bring you 100 stories before April 15th, the official anniversary of our beloved R.M.S. Titanic.

Have a sweetheart of a Valentine’s Day, why not renew your vows at our beautiful Grande Staircase, make your reservations to spark a truly romantic time, our Captain will officiate and I’ll be right there to greet you.

First Class Maid, Jaynee