Heartwarming Heartache
This last week has been filled with heartwarming but bittersweet happenings. First there was the Barry County Queen and Princess Pageant held at Gizmo’s Event Center in Wheaton, Missouri. For two years I had been asked to be a part of this pageant and help with the judging, because of scheduling it was not possible until this year. I enlisted the aid of First Class Maid Jamie, a professional in the field of pageants. I on the other hand although having been in show business for the majority of my life, never participated in the pageant game. There were three judges, plus the organizers, which included the man who handles the Barry County pageant every year, Larry Gullian. We selected our queen, Kaitlyn Shumacher, and the princess we selected just happened to be her sister, Stephanie Shumacher. It was “heartwarming” to experience this truly all American tradition, but “heartbreaking” as well for the other participants in the pageant. Another life lesson, but then of course there is always next year.
Jaynee at the Titanic Father's Day Boat Show
Boats were sold and Father’s were honored this Father’s Day at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri. We celebrated our third annual Father’s Day Boat show with beautiful boat selections from Bass Pro. Families turned out in droves and Janet Ellis from radio station KRZK and KOMC had a “live radio party” with me and the rest of the crew on sight. I wore my swim dress 1912 style, and Janet wore a Titanic Night Shirt, sans pants, but we called it a swim dress anyhow. Always big laughs with Janet. It was “heartwarming” to see the young boys and girls, and even the older children, jesting with their Fathers and honoring their Da’s. I asked one young lad if he would buy his Dad a boat for Father’s day, at that very moment the helicopter from the neighboring helicopter ride venue swooped down low over our Titanic parking lot, much to our crews angst, when the little boy shouted, “I’m buying my Dad a HELICOPTER!!!” We at Titanic wish he would buy all of the ones next door and move them far away. But as I saw the tiny tyke take his Dad’s hand and walk him into the museum for their tour, it was “heartbreaking” to think of other young lads and lassies that were on board R.M.S. Titanic, that took their Dad’s hands and boarded the ship with great anticipation and excitement, never to disembark with their Father’s again. Dad’s like Frank Goldsmith and Carl Asplund in Third Class, in Second Class, Mr. Edwy West and Benjamin Hart, in First Class, Mr. Hudson Allison and Mr. John Thayer. This last Father’s Day, our Fathers that entered the museum were fortunate to exit as well.
Then of course, on Saturday the Branson/Tri-Lakes Humane Society brought a collection of homeless dogs for Adopt a Dog Day at the Titanic Humane Society! Two were adopted! Several other were not, but they were seen, they were loved, and for a brief moment were treated like beloved pets, and not unwanted nuisances. It was “heartwarming” to see the dogs enjoy the people and the people enjoy the dogs, dogs were walked, petted, hugged, and praised and loved. It was “heartbreaking” to see the pleading looks of Chloe the overweight Dachshund who’s real owner had died and at seven years old she had been thrust into this homeless predicament, it was “heartbreaking” as I held Ethel, the sister dog of Lucy who had just been adopted, Ethel clinging to me with fear and sadness, that her sister had been selected, but she had not. Yes, First Class Maid Jaynee, sat holding that dog and cried, I couldn’t help it, you know the feeling, choking back tears, trying hard not to seem weak and silly, but I could not help it. This is so important, to create awareness, let people know about these four legged loves, and because of Titanic, and Molly and Carter, we have raised thousands of dollars and supplies for the shelters, but the dogs need forever homes. Please pray for Ethel and all the unwanted pets, dogs and cats. And thank you all for your continued support with the Molly and Carter S.O.S. project.
First Class Maid Jaynee
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Tags: Titanic, Titanic Branson, Titanic Events, Titanic Museum
