This coming week  it will be Thanksgiving.  I have had several guests ask if we celebrate Thanksgiving at the Titanic.  Most certainly we will.  We will be open all day thanking everyone for making our 2009 season so spectacular.  No we do not have representations of American Indians and beautifully plumed turkeys with dried husks of corn with pilgrims and muskets, although we maids have been mistaken plenty for the black and white puritans of old.  But make no mistake we embrace Thanksgiving every year in spirit.

Like most business’ in Branson and sadly throughout the United States we slide from Halloween right into the Christmas and Holiday season.  It takes time and talent to decorate for the Holiday Season we want to make it just right; so sadly, Thanksgiving is not visibly as noticeable as it should be.  An American Holiday it should be revered by American immigrants as well as Native Americans for its symbol of merging cultures, working together, and surviving life’s pitfalls.  It is a true message of working as a team and surviving great odds and then reaping the fruits of combined effort.

This message is so true of the crew here at The Titanic.  And at this time of political unrest in the world, economic uncertainty, and sadness for the many problems that trouble all of us daily, Thanksgiving gives us all a day to reflect on the small victories we appreciate throughout the year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, defined it simply means to be happy over giving thanks.  It feels good to do a kindness and we all just love it when it is appreciated.  At the risk of sounding saccharine, nothing gives us more joy at The Titanic then when we make the little ones delighted with the discoveries we can share at the Titanic.  We have Father Christmas at Titanic currently and it just tickles us to see their amazement when he comes down that Grande Staircase.  The same gives with our older visitors, when faced with the daunting undertaking of traversing what they sometimes think is a long, arthritically challenging tour of the museum, the look of gratitude we receive when we produce a wheel chair, or a much welcomed place to sit and rest, a joke or a quip with a tired and stressed bus driver, and a complement to the ladies that have put together some sweet Holiday sweater or attire.

It gives our guests pleasure, they are grateful, it makes our day and we are thankful our guests are happy and they will leave feeling amazed, educated, entertained, and cared for.

There would be no point in doing my job, my profession, if it did not bring happiness to my guests, my audience, and I know every single crew member at The Titanic feels the same.  So this Thanksgiving we may not outwardly look like Harvest time with Pilgrims and Indians, but we will be open all day to wish you Happy Thanksgiving, before or after your big feast.  So stop by and let us show our gratitude and thanks to you.

Thank you, First Class Maid Jaynee

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Stop and let me strut my stuff at The Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri.

Holiday Promenade of Stars

Saturday, November 7th, Hi-Way 76 was lined with onlookers eager with excitement and expectations to view and participate in the third annual Promenade of Stars Parade.  Andy Williams, The Osmond’s, Debby Boone, The Haygoods, Cast of Six, The Hughes Brothers and Family, EVERYBODY that entertains in Branson were participants in this glorious display.  Floats, marching bands, horse drawn wagons, and of course Santa and Mrs. Clause.  Let’s not forget, moi and our Titanic Captain, sitting proudly atop a Rolls Royce Convertible, Officers Rod, Kera, and Charlie bearing the Titanic banner in front.  The banner read, “We’ve built the Titanic….In Branson!”

As the parade wound its way down the main artery of Branson, entertainers would alight from their parade transports, bound upon the stage that was set up on the hillside in front of the Titanic Museum and regale the crowds with a taste of their talents.  Crowds cheered with glee, the celebrities piled back in their vehicles and the parade would proceed.

Apart for a few delays, this being the first time this particular parade has been situated on the main drag, this extravaganza went off without a hitch!

The day was unbelievably beautiful, summer temps, clear blue skies, and an exciting stiff breeze that whipped up wind burns for all.  LOVE IT!!!

Afterwards we were picked up by our esteemed leader, Miss Mary, and she brought us back to the ship, at a snail’s pace due to the traffic reroutes, all great fun.

I’m proud to mention the organizer of this affair was none-other than our number one Captain, John Joslyn & Gary Bartlett.  Like a General he commandeered the parade participants, putting all the floats, displays, and gorgeous classic automobiles in perfect order.  As I mentioned before this is the third year for this parade, this year, John brought a mixture of New York, Pasadena, and home town pride to Branson with his spectacular display of professionalism at work.  Thank you John Joslyn and Gary Bartlett.

Catch the Branson Parade on RFD-TV – Thanksgiving Day!

Father Christmas at Titanic!

What a day, it just did not stop.  That evening First Class Maid Jamie and First Class Maid Virginia spent the night locked in the museum ghost hunting.  That’s right, ghost hunting.  With professional ghost hunters from the “Ghost Hunters” cable crew.  Paranormal experts along with Jamie and Virginia tracked down many interesting occurrences.  More to come on that front, but I guarantee the results of their investigative adventures will boggle the mind of the biggest skeptic.

We also kicked off our Holidays at the Museum, welcoming “Father Christmas”.  He’s back and will be at The Grande Staircase for all good boys and girls to submit their Christmas wishes.  Resplendent in his purple robes, white beard and hair flowing, he’s a must see.  Always full of kindly and philosophical messages, not only is he treat to see, but we all can learn something by listening to his words of wisdom.  Of course I am always a pushover to see the reactions of the little children when they talk to him, one little boy was straight to the point and was quoted as saying to Father Christmas, “Look, I just want a really big truck.”  Then there was the little girl that would not shake Father Christmas’s hand, or even look him straight on, she had to peek at him from the crook of her Father’s neck, but then would look to me with a dimple in her cheek and whisper, as if  I didn’t know,  “That’s Santa Clause!”

Great Fun!  Don’t let the “Fun Parade” pass you by.  Stop by the museum this Holiday Season and I’ll be right here to greet you.

First Class Maid, Jaynee
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Not to disparage the mysterious and beautiful darkness of our first Masquerade Dinner Party, but in a blink of an eye, and a lot of unbelievable talent, dedication, and elbow grease, the haunted ship was transformed into a confection of Christmas splendor!

First Class Maid Jaynee on Titanic's Grand Staircase

The gift shop, the Grande Staircase, the ship is lavishly decorated and filled with Holiday trimmings.  This is a magical time to visit the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri.  The Holiday season for the city of Branson will be launched this Saturday with the third annual Holiday Promenade of Stars Parade.  November 7th, starting at 10:30 a.m., down Highway 76, beginning at White Water and ending at The Grande Village.  Along the way various artists will be performing, live on stage, in front of The Titanic!  The Grand Marshall will of course be Andy Williams.  Much media will be there covering the event and KOMC-FM will be broadcasting live from Titanic from 10:30 a.m. till 12:00 noon.  Yours truly will be in the parade with our very own Titanic Captain.  We have the distinct pleasure of being chauffeured in my favorite brand of wheels, a 1953Rolls Royce.  Please give a shout out to us as we pass by!

Military veterans are already beginning their pilgrimage to Americas most Vet friendly town and we at Titanic are ready to welcome these brave men and women with a salute and loads of thank yous.

In reflection on the Masquerade Dinner Party, what a success it was.  Filled to capacity the tone was definitely set when our Captain greeted the guests in full dress with a decidedly pale and gaunt face.  His message of greeting was diabolically fascinating and from the start they were hooked.  Officer John helped to escort the various groups through the ship.  Offering his own macabre commentaries throughout the ship.  After encountering a very large coffin in the front lobby, inhabited by a very bony occupant, guests were offered hourdourves and given wine, better to calm there already frazzled nerves as they were confronted with hair raising tales, sound effects, and spine chilling music.  The crewmembers donned beautiful, leather masquerade masks, and it was great fun to take note of the many costumed guests, most with their own masks.

Titanic Masquerade Party

A special mention to the always lovely Jamie who can weave a tale like no other, she had the most elaborate mask, emerald green and gold with black feathers and gold bells, when she removed her mask, surprise!, her face was painted as well.  In fact all crew members that wore masks had intricate make up beneath the mask.  So as to never quite remove the veil of mystery.

We had Officer Troy on hand, Officer Tommy, and First Class Maid Virginia, and First Class Maid Phoebe portrayed First Class Passenger, Margaret “Molly” Brown.

I was the Ghost of the Grande Staircase and did my best to haunt my favorite place in the museum, but the pinnacle of the evening occurred at 8:30 p.m.

All gathered at the staircase, the strains of the haunting melody of The Phantom of the Opera, as if in a trance I began the duet, and then, from the top of the stairs on cue, THE PHANTOM!!!  Yes, he was there in all his terrible splendor, and we both sang that famous, “Love Gone Wrong Duet”.  Officer Troy who portrayed the Phantom was fabulous in his tux, cape, and signature half mask.  His strong, trained voice reverberating through the corridors of the museum.  Tall, handsome, and just about perfect the guests were thrilled.

Song ends, big applause, THE GHOST BUSTERS ARRIVE!  Total change of mood and the crowd goes wild.  Our three busters, Rod, Matt, and Jeremy, were just terrific, tricked out with “ghost busting” guns, we spirits took flight.  Too late for me however, they caught Titanic’s ghost, me, and put me in a box, where my ectoplasm writhed and flashed and looked for escape!

What a night, we all took a well deserved bow, and to Officer Troy and my amazement, we were rewarded with two beautiful bouquets presented by Titanic’s owner Mr. John Joslyn.  Star Time!  We could not be more thrilled.

So there’s the low down.  It’s hard to believe you could top that night, but we will, and you must come and experience the Holiday Magic at Titanic and remember I’ll be right here to greet you.

First Class Maid Jaynee

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Why are the spirits restless?  Because they anxiously wait to reveal themselves this coming Friday at the Titanic Museum Attraction’s very first Masquerade Dinner Party.

1st Class Maid Jaynee

This hopes to be one of the most lavish entertainments this season.  I won’t reveal too much in this blog but from the looks of the preparations in the museum this will be a HUGE event.  The event centers on the myths and legends concerning the Titanic and her devastating sinking 97 years ago.  As with most tragic incidents throughout history, stories abound about what caused the Titanic to sink.  What makes these theories so intriguing is that there is always some grain of truth in each of these tales.  It will be our job on October, 30th to share some of these stories with our guests and let them be the judge as to whether to believe these revelations….or not.

The progressive dinner throughout the museum will be sumptuous no doubt, we the crewmembers will be donning classic Italian Masquerade masks, encountering the guests in various galleries to enlighten and entertain.  We encourage all of you to don a mask as well.  Better to disguise yourself with, but remember, what happens at Titanic stays at Titanic, at least on Friday, October 30th.

1st Class Maid Jamie

I’ll share a story that fascinates me.  Legend has it that among the ten dogs that were on board the Titanic, there happened to be one very large black dog, some say that it was a Great Dane that belonged to a first class passenger by the name of Ann Isham.  I have discovered since learning about this dog, that the dog did not belong to Ann Isham at all.  Still, there was a large black dog on board.  The night of the sinking, the mood of the passengers shifted from one of indifference towards boarding the lifeboats to complete and utter chaos when the doomed passengers and crew realized the true gravity of the situation.  Three dogs survived the sinking, two Pomeranians and one Pekinese, but no black dog.  It has been reported that John Jacob Astor while retrieving his Airedale, Kitty, from the dog kennels released the dogs from their cages in the kennel, perhaps giving them a ghost of a chance of survival.

The Titanic was traveling a busy sea lane and when the ship went down she left behind an amazing amount of debris, suitcases, trunks, crates, furnishings…..and bodies.  More than one passenger and crew member from other ships passing through this haunted trail of tears, reported seeing a woman, frozen solid, her arms wrapped around a huge black dog.  Remarkable.  To this day when passing through the area where the ship sank, ocean travelers hear the baying and strong, deep throated barking of what seems to be a large dog.  Explorers that brave the deep Atlantic to study Titanic have sometimes reported what seems to be the black figure of a large dog gamboling on the deck as the submergible approaches the rotting hulk of Titanic’s bow.  Of course that would be impossible, but not for a spirit dog.

Come join us for more macabre fables on October 30th and I’ll be right there to greet you.  Till then be wary of October, the ghosts are lonely, they’re hungry for attention, they just might decide to come home with you after a visit to The Titanic.

Farewell, 1st Class Maid Jaynee

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We’re sorry to say that Jaynee is not prepared to visit with you this week.  Her Mother, Julia, passed away on Monday, October 19.  Right up to the last moment, Jaynee was at her side, comforting her with the caring words of a daughter who wanted her Mother to know how much she loved and treasured her.

All of us at Titanic feel her loss and dedicate this day to her Mother.  Perhaps this would be an appropriate time to express our thanks to Julia  for bringing such a lovely and talented daughter into the world…and into ours.  Jaynee is the heart and soul of the Titanic Museum Attraction and she means the world to all of us.

I’ll never forget the day we met back in 2005.  Titanic was in the early stages of construction when she knocked on our construction office door and expressed interest in working with us. We weren’t hiring at the time and I suggested she check back, later.  She did and this time we had a place for her.  In the back of my mind I could see her as the model for the First Class Maid costume.  It was a defining moment when she put the costume on.  It was as though we had been handed a special gift whose personal warmth would add the human element to the Titanic experience.

Jaynee surprised us all with her creative talents.  Singer, dancer, performer, guest speaker… she could do it all, who knew?  I accompanied her on one of her first speaking engagements in behalf of Titanic.  She wore her First Class Maid’s uniform – all Titanic  crew members are required to be in uniform whenever they appear in public.  Anyway, on this day Jaynee was to address a group of school children.  Her image as a Titanic icon had not yet been established, so many of the kids thought she was supposed to be a Pilgrim in an apron.  Well, three years and many billboards, TV, radio and print ads later children know she’s not a pilgrim, she’s Jaynee, the Titanic’s First Class Maid.

A couple of weeks ago Jaynee and I attended a glorious church event in Springfield.  More than 3,000 members had gathered to hear Jaynee pay tribute to all those who sailed on Titanic’s maiden voyage.  I wish you could have been there to watch Jaynee address  this reverent crowd and to hear her recite a truly emotional Titanic poem.  In just moments she roused the emotions of the group, reducing the entire assembly to tears.

That’s our Jaynee…a compassionate, caring and loving human being who all of us at Titanic are proud to know and feel lucky to have in our lives.

Jaynee will be right here to greet you again next week.

Mary Kelllogg Joslyn

October 20, 2009
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Another successful wood carving competition has come and gone.  Not even a trace of the piles of sawdust and oil residue.  Record crowds attended this year’s wood carving event that lasted three days last week.  The first day the carvers worked feverishly preparing their works of art for the first of two auctions on Saturday and Sunday.

Titanic Woodcarving Event, Branson MO

From the raw pieces of timber emerged kissing bunnies, noble and frightening eagles, playful bears, a tribute to fungi in the form of an enormous morel mushroom, massive benches, and outstanding plaques, whimsical wildlife like cardinals and bluebirds, and then there he was…..my prince. I had to have him.  The most darling frog I’ve ever seen.  A plump little fellow with a goiter for a throat, a proud, bloated belly, and the sweetest webbed feet you have ever seen.  After he was placed on Sunday he watched me from his perch atop his tree stump, back and forth I worked the Sunday crowds, happily reuniting with a charming lady I had met last year at a downtown event, Vickie Hughes, who had her eye on a black walnut eagle that looked as if he was about to tear your heart out, incredibly life like.  But my little frog sat undaunted by some of the more ferocious sculptures and seemed content in the thought that I was going to rescue him and take him home.  I had work to do and put froggy out of my mind.

Then along came Mary Kellogg I was anxious to show her the carvings and pointed out my green friend, she hardly gave him a glance and went straight to another regal eagle sculpture, quickly purchased it, foregoing the auction, and off she went, Jeremy in tow hoisting the eagle head.

Auction time, such incredible deals, Jason, one of the artist carvers was buying up pieces from his fellow competitors left and right, to put into his gallery and hopefully make a killing on these works of chainsaw art.  My job was to deliver the carving number to the winners of the bid, after the auction the buyers would take their number to the cashier and purchase their carving.  RD Coonrod, the director of the Loghoggers, was also the auctioneer.  When auctioning the various numbered pieces he did not do so in sequential order so I would often times scramble through the stack of numbered cards to select the proper number for the proper piece of art.  RD called carving no. 21, it was the frog, I looked into the palm of my hand and there was the number 21, no searching through the stack, the number was right there on top.   A sign that I was to have the “frog”.  I waited for the first few bids, trying to get a feel for where this would go, I was sure everyone wanted that frog, so when the bidding started to wane a bit, I threw out my bid, my bidding rival, fenced with me at increments of five dollars, till I grew weary and gave my final bid, staring at my rival with a steely gaze.  Going once, twice, three times, SOLD!  To me.  I was thrilled, satisfied, and sure it was by divine design that I should have the frog.

My victory brought applause, laughs, and congrats.  I’m looking forward to next year and more chainsaw art.

It’s a Small World.

Titanic Woodcarving Event, Branson MO

At the Titanic Museum we have visitors from all over the United States and the world that come through the exhibit.  We have had over 1,600,000 visitors since we opened in 2006.  Some of course were already planning a trip to Branson to see all the great shows and other attractions and fortunately for us made us part of their travel plans.  A few have come specifically for our museum, there was the young boy from Queens, New York that stayed a week along with his Grandmother, the young man that came all the way from Hawaii, spent two days, a total of 17 hours in the museum, but this last week we really have a faraway fan.  A young teenage girl had heard about our museum and her and her Mother made specific plans to visit the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri.  They hailed from the country of New Zealand.  When asked what else was on their travel agenda, they replied that they had come to see what they wanted to see and would be traveling back home the next day.

The Titanic Museum Attraction has indeed become a “Travel Destination”.  Not just a add on to an already great vacation but a must see, got to go, this is what I came for.

All I can say is “Thank you, and I’ll be right here to greet you.”

First Class Maid, Jaynee

P.S.  Get your reservations ASAP for the PRINCESS TEA PARTIES, October 17th and 18th.  Starring First Class Maid Jamie and hundreds of princesses from many kingdoms.  Full report on the goings on next week.  Ta Ta.

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The Titanic, arguably the most famous shipwreck of modern times, sits on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean covered with two and a half miles of water – six tons of pressure to the square inch. Certainly that would be enough to keep its inhabitants confined, or, is it . . . ?

Before, during and after the disaster, there were a large number of paranormal experiences surrounding the Titanic’s maiden voyage. Some of these might have just been premonitions, but others are much harder to explain away. Esther Hart just knew that something was going to happen on this trip, so much so that she refused to sleep during the night, instead resting during the day and staying awake every night. When, on April 14, 1912, she felt the collision with an iceberg, she was vindicated. Hurriedly waking and rushing her family into their clothes, they dashed up on deck – but even so, the tragedy she feared came true when her husband Benjamin was unable to find a place in the lifeboats and died in the frigid water.

More intriguing was the case of a young girl named Jessie who lay dying on April 14 in Scotland. While laying in bed in a Salvation Army mission in Kirkcudbright, she called out “Hold my hand, Captain, I am so afraid. Can’t you see that big ship sinking in the water? – Look at all those people who are drowning. Someone called Wally is playing a fiddle and coming to you.” The man she was talking to was Rex Sowden, and he looked around the room but saw no one. As the young girl died, she said that her mother had arrived “. . . to take me to heaven.” Sowden suffered another loss the next day when he found out that the “unsinkable” Titanic had sank, killing Wally Hartley – the leader of the ship’s orchestra. Sowden had known Wallace Hartley as a boy but had lost track of him and didn’t even know he had gone to sea.

One of the Titanic’s first class passengers was W. T. Stead, a well-known writer and spiritualist. He had written an article in the Review of Reviews in 1892 in which a large ocean liner named the Majestic collided with an iceberg, sinking with only one survivor. The real captain of the Majestic at that time was E. J. Smith, who later became captain of the Titanic. Stead firmly believed that those in the afterlife could communicate with the living, and three weeks later, with his daughter Julia in attendance, appeared to a gathering of spiritualists in England. “Clearly he showed his face that all might see,” Julia said, and “. . . his voice rang through the room saying ‘all I told you is true. . .’”

These stories are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ghostly tales and paranormal experiences connected with the Titanic. Far from being an average ocean liner, the Titanic seems to have been surrounded by apparitions, curses and spirits; it’s hard to tell if they are all at rest.

On October 30, 2009, Titanic Branson is hosting a Halloween masquerade that will explore many of the strange and supernatural experiences that inhabit the Titanic’s story. Members of the museum’s staff will be talking about these and many other paranormal stories connected to the disaster, all the while surrounded by relics and artifacts owned by real Titanic passengers.

Several books have been written on this subject, but rather than sitting down with an ancient and dusty book, come and relive the other-worldly stories of the Titanic’s passengers and crew.

First Class passenger Edith Evans was warned by a fortuneteller to beware of the water – and she died a cold and agonizing death. Come and see what fate might await you . . .

…would a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?  Plenty!  And it won’t be woodchucks chucking wood at the Titanic Museum Attraction, Friday through Sunday.  It will be the Loghoggers Wood Carving Association chucking as much wood as they can for the second annual Wood Carving Competition at the museum this weekend (10/9-10/11).

Titanic Woodcarving Event

The wood carvers that will be competing this weekend are professionals from all over the U.S.  This is what they do, all the time.  Last year I was amazed at what they created and this year they promise not only to create large sculptures, but smaller ones as well.  There will be auctions on Saturday and Sunday, and the prices are incredible.  This will be free to the public; there will be refreshments available from The Lions Club.  They serve the best bratwurst, homemade German sauerkraut and German Potato Salad I have ever tasted.  I CAN’T WAIT!  You simply must come.

Why wood carving at Titanic?  Because the original ship was tricked out with the most beautiful wood working that could be obtained in 1912.  Now they did not use chain saws like the wood carvers this weekend will use.  They used hand tools.  In the museum in the drafting room area you will see these somewhat crude tools on display.  These tools actually were used in the construction of The Titanic.  It’s hard to believe that the gorgeous Grande Staircase, the elaborate state rooms, and even the simplicity of 3rd Class were all created by hand.  Many types of wood were used throughout the ship from the staircase in golden oak, with walnut framing the massive skylight, to rich mahoganies gracing some of the state rooms.  Nothing was scrimped in those days and master craftsmen toiled tirelessly to create the woodwork on all three of the huge White Star ships.  The second annual woodcarving event pays tribute to these artisans.

Titanic Princess Tea Party

Next week I will fill you in on how the event went.

One of my most favorite things to do is to pay marketing calls with the sales team.  Today I was with Officer Kristina talking up October’s upcoming events and we always have a grand time.  The town is abuzz with what will be happening at the museum and we expect to have record crowds for all three major events.

October 9, 10, 11 Second Annual Woodcarvers Competition

October 17 and 18 Princess Tea Parties

October 30th Masquerade Dinner Party and the Mummy’s Curse

What a month and I will keep you abreast of all that happens.  So grab your goggles and your ear plugs and join us at The Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson and be prepared to be impressed.

By the way these logs the carvers bring in are huge and they are still covered in the original bark.  I was told that the carvers really aren’t sure what they are going to create, they told me that they have to wait and see what the wood tells them to do.  The wood talks to them…..amazing.

A must see, I’ll see you there.

First Class Maid Jaynee

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The Titanic Museum Attraction has always nurtured and maintained a strong presence in the community of Branson and the surrounding areas including Springfield, Missouri.  Sponsors of such organizations as The Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks, Springfield Cardinals, The Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Springfield Ballet, Christian Action Ministries, and supporting such endeavors as The Messiah Project, their endeavor is to send The Springfield Community Choir on as many missions throughout the U.S. and the world offering their message of “Merging Musical Worlds”, bringing cultures together through the power of music.

St. Paul’s Cathedral in New York City

Well, Sunday night was truly a merging of amazing talents.  Titanic Museum helped to sponsor the second year of the Heritage of Hymns Concert at the Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri Sunday night.  Along with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Ron Spigelman, and the Springfield Community Choir, led by Sharon Wilkinson, we were honored to be included in the program with a tribute to our beloved R.M.S Titanic.

From Handel’s Messiah, to a rousing rendition of I’ll Fly Away with a group called “Big Smith” the evening was filled with favorite hymns through the ages, and our tribute was a simply stunning presentation of the hymn sang on the great ship as she was going down, “Nearer My God to Thee”.

Well my dear readers, in the words of our esteemed Mary Kellogg, the Titanic could not have received a more sterling tribute since the first memorial at St. Paul’s Cathedral in New York City in 1912.

Let me set the scene.  Second Baptist is a huge tabernacle and can accommodate three thousand people and they were all there.  Add a 75 piece orchestra, with at least 75 Choir members, flanking the pulpit area are huge monitor screens for film delivery, and you’ve set the stage for drama.  I had the great privilege to introduce the hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee”, which I did with great humility and pride.  I used a quote from one of the leading authorities of Titanic, “It’s been said that the best way to respect and honor those that gave their lives is to simply tell their stories.”  Upon which I recited a brilliant poem describing the events of that night in April entitled simply, “The Titanic”, by Tom Peters.   After which Mr. Spigelman raised his baton and the haunting strains of “Nearer My God to Thee” began.  Up on the video screens the word Titanic, then a shot of Open Ocean, then a heartbreaking view of all that was lost on that fateful night.

Titanic under construction

Video of the construction of the Titanic, interiors of the Titanic, passengers and moments stolen from that incredible history were displayed for all to see and reflect upon.  It was chilling, but when the choir began singing the hymn, well my darlings there was not a dry eye in the house.  To engender such emotion takes thought, planning, and great sensitivity.  This I not only attribute to the talents of the symphony and choir which made the presentation outstanding, the poem which is dramatic, yet to the point, but the video brought all three thousand people back into time as if they had all been there to view the enormity of what occurred 97 years ago.

This due to the talents of Mary Kellogg who painstakingly took the time to edit and put together this piece of film.  A woman of many talents she has spent a lifetime in network television doing just what she did for The Messiah Project.  Editing and putting together film presentations is an art like no other.  You can have a great story, a great television program, a great movie, but if you don’t have a creative and talented editor, you will have nothing.  Well, this video was something!

Thanks to all who invited me to participate, it was indeed a proud moment.

First Class Maid, Jaynee

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Outside the weather is cooling down but inside The Titanic Museum Attraction things once again are heating up!

Titanic Attraction in the fog

September 21st marks the first day of autumn which means the kick off of many exciting events at the museum.  The coach season starts during this time of year and we plan to be a huge motor coach destination from visitors all over The United States.  All thanks to the diligent work of our sales staff headed by the incomparable marketing skills of Kristy Merritt.  With off-hand wit, charm, and sexy twinkle this great marketing mind manages to keep our crew very active during this busy coach season.

Kristina Hagey, event coordinator has lots of fun events planned coming up in October, the 2nd Annual Professional Wood Carvers Competition, The Princess Tea Party, and the Titanic Masquerade Dinner Party & the Mummy’s Curse….Yikes!  More to come on these extravaganzas as we get closer in.

I’d like to share a personal experience that occurred yesterday.  I was driving into Branson for an early a.m. meeting, in fact I was running ahead of schedule not wanting to be late, the fog was extremely thick, very much like a day on the Southern Coast of England, when up ahead in the distance, there she was.  The Titanic.  You could hardly make out her bow, but the iceberg was chillingly clear, it seemed to glow through the fog.  I had some time to kill before my meeting so I turned into the Walgreens parking lot and parked facing the great ship.  The sight of the ship looming up ahead, cutting through fog was eerily real, in fact the fog was so dense it seemed the museum had transformed into the actual Titanic and had not only the bow and front part but through the swirling grayness one could swear that the whole ship had materialized and there it was before me.

Titanic Woodcarvers Competition, October 17th and 18th.

As I sat in wonder looking at her, I was no longer in Branson, nor at Walgreens, but there in Southampton, before she set sail.  Then a verse from a poem came to mind, “At night on deck the ghosts still walk, you can hear them music, you can hear them talk, drowning screams in an ocean of tears, as their lighted liner through the mist appears.”  And there she was, indeed.

A tear crept down my cheek for all that was lost.  Make no mistake there is not a day that goes by I don’t think about the loss of our beloved ship and her crewmembers and passengers.  Occasionally the comment is made by a visitor, “If the Titanic had not sank you would not have such a wonderful job.”  They mean nothing by it, and yet I always reply.  “As much as I love the museum I would give heart and soul that the tragedy had never happened.”  And I mean it.  But the tragedy did happen.  And I must say it is a testament to the owners, curators, and crew members of our museum that our sole purpose is to celebrate the ship and her passengers, honoring the dead, and remembering that before their fatal destiny they had lives and families and hopes and dreams, and so did our great ship.  She was the most beautiful ship that had ever been constructed in 1912; a floating palace and I believe she knew it and I ache for her loss.

So if by chance one day you find yourself driving down Highway 76 in the fog, stop at the Walgreens parking lot facing the ship, and let the Titanic sail you back through time.

Good Day, First Class Maid Jaynee

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