Titanic Museum Attraction News and Events.

An "Ice" Storm Hits Branson Next Weekend - February 4 & 5, 2012

2012-01-26T09:20:00.000-08:00

No, I am not a meteorologist nor a physic, but I do know for a fact that 39,000 pounds of ice will arrive in Branson, Mo. in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday, February 4, 2012. Why? The National Ice Carving Association has chosen Branson, Mo. as the site for their 2012 U.S. National Championships. 30 Top Ice Carvers from across the nation will meet in the Titanic Museum Attraction parking lot in Branson, Mo. to chisel, drill, and torch 300 pound blocks of ice into amazing works of art. This years competition will include a new speed carving division which is sure to excite my little ones!! The top prize winner will receive $25,000 and will then go on to compete internationally.

Titanic seems to be a great fit for this National Competition as this isn't the first time Titanic has been honored to host this type of event. My family had a great time last year when Titanic hosted it's 5th annual regional ice carving competition. We couldn't believe what an amazing art form this truly is and we were drawn in emotionally to these carvers and hoped that their individual carvings would withstand the elements and make it to the final judgement.

My boys are counting the days until this year's event which will be held February 4 & 5 - Super Bowl Weekend. We plan to go early (9am) on February 4th to meet the carvers and find out what they are working on. (By the way, you can park at White Water and be shuttled to Titanic. There won't be much parking at Titanic because of the large quantity of ice and competitors.) Then, we will go inside Titanic to view the new Molly Brown Gallery that just opened. I had the pleasure of viewing this amazing gallery full of artifacts from Margaret Tobin Brown's life last weekend.

On Sunday, February 5th, when all carvings are ready for judgement around 2:00pm-3:00pm, we will come back and route for our favorites. Of course we will make it home in time for our own Super Bowl "party". Go Patriots!!!

Make your plans now to come see this National Ice Carving Competition. Branson is becoming more of a year round destination as each New Year passes. For a complete list of what is currently open in Branson, visit http://www.explorebranson.com/ . I will see you at the Titanic Museum Attraction next weekend.

Titanic's 5th Annual Ice Carving Competition

Ice Sculpture by one of the NICA Competitors

Time Square New York - Advertising the NICA Event in Branson, Mo.

NEW Behind the Scene Titanic Movie Exhibit Opening this Weekend!

2012-01-12T09:41:00.000-08:00

I am very pleased to announce a New! Exclusive Limited Engagement! Visit the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn beginning this weekend, and you will experience a 2012 Behind the Scenes gallery of James Cameron's TITANIC.

A whole new generation will be introduced to James Cameron's epic drama TITANIC, when the 3D version of this spectacular movie is re-released April 2012. In anticipation of the excitiment it will create, Titanic Pigeon Forge will launch an exclusive behind-the-scenes exhibit that follows TITANIC's Jack-and-Rose story - on the set, from the director's chair. The exhibit will also feature props, costumes, scripts and other valuable collectibles from the film.

Of coarse our Titanic Mommy Bloggers will be there this Saturday, January 14, 2012 to be some of the first guests to experience this NEW gallery. You will be able to read about their experiences on our Mom Blogger web page after their visit.

Not only will guests to the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. this weekend be able to view this Exclusive New Gallery, but come on Saturday, January 14 between 9am and 3pm and you will become part of the audience as Ice Sculptors from around the globe compete for the top prize in Titanic's 2nd Annual Ice Carving Competition.

Folks, if you are looking to beat those cabin fever blues, look no further than the Titanic Museum Attraction. 2012 if the Year of Titanic, so stay tuned to our website as we continue to announce continuous tribute events during the year.

Another note: Jaynee, our beautiful 1st Class Maid, will be on Jewelry TV on January 17 from 7pm-8pm EST to introduce a new Titanic line of Jewelry. Make your new years resolution - Treat Yourself - and join the live broadcast. There are some beautiful pieces!!

Also, tickets go on sale February 6 for our April 14 event. You won't want to miss this very important historical tribute.

Happy New Year!

For more information, please contact us at 800-381-7670 or visit www.titanicattraction.com .

Have an Ice Day at the Titanic Museum Attraction

2011-12-01T09:57:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to say that our 2nd Annual Titanic Pigeon Forge Ice Carving Competition is coming up in January 2012. It will be held on Saturday, January 14 at our Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. For more information, visit our website. The event is free!!! Contest Information is below.

I have been attending these Ice Carving Competitions at our Branson, Mo. location for several years with my family. We are always amazed that a sculptor can chisel down a 250 pound block of ice into a spectacular work of art. My boys are especially entertained by this event. It is nice to be able to take them somewhere (in January when cabin fever hits hard at our house) that THEY enjoy.

I am running a facebook contest for this event in Pigeon Forge. It begins on December 3, 2011 on our Titanic Museum Attraction facebook page. The winner will receive a January 14, 2012 FAMILY PASS to our Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. and a one-night stay at the Wilderness at the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Waterpark Resort. I can't think of a better way to fix cabin fever in mid-January than to come experience this event.

Here are some sculptures that were created last year:

I hope to see you at the Titanic in Pigeon Forge, Tn. this year as we kick off 2012 with our Year Long Tribute to Titanic as She Turns 100 years old!

Fall in the Ozarks - Titanic Signature Events

2011-09-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

Fall is here. The air is crisp, the leaves are beginning to change colors, and our family is gearing up for a busy season of spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, and you guessed it.....SOCCER. As usual, we have so much on the agenda. I want to share with you our fall line up in hopes that you might be able to join us in some of these fantastic events that have become part of our family's fall traditions!

Fall wouldn't be fall without our yearly trip to the Titanic Museum Attraction parking lot for the Annual Chainsaw Woodcarving event. This year, on October 7, 8, and 9 will be the 4th annual and I can't wait to see these skilled artists perform. Be sure to be there at 2pm on each of these days. Why? Because this is when the artists auction off their sculptures to the crowd. You can get some incredible deals!

The following weekend, on October 15 is my tasty charity favorite. It is Titanic's 2nd Annual Firehouse Chili Cookoff. Last year, I learned some really interesting secrets about great chili. I will let you learn for yourself. Who knew that all of our local firefighters were such great cooks??? This year, we have a special Guest Judge from Harrison, Ar. His name is Michael Ardolino and he will donate $100 to St. Judes. The winners of the contest will also donate money to their favorite charity of choice. It is a delicious time for our family with lots of kid friendly activites!

If you are a pet lover, you have surely heard of TAME magazine! They have their annual Pets and Pumpkins event on Oct 22 this year in Springfield, Mo. Pets from across the Ozarks will compete for best dressed in this Costume Party event. Not to mention, last year there were bouncy slides, krispy creme doughnuts, marshmallow roasting, video gaming, arcade like games, and tons of other stuff for kids. Titanic's 1st Class Maid Jaynee will attend with a special guest of the four-legged kind. My kids always have a great time at this event! Here are a few pictures from last year:

And of coarse, Fall wouldn't be Fall without Soccer. My husband is coaching both teams this year, U6 and U10. He is so great with the kids, very competitive, but the kids love it and are learning! I am so thankful to the Titanic Museum Attraction for all that they do to support our community. I will leave you with a few soccer pictures....Happy Fall!! See YOU in OCTOBER!

Here's to Making Each Day Count!

2011-08-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

What a summer! We did it! Phew! Our family lived out our philosopy this summer.....You can rest when you are dead. We managed to fit in a fabulous trip to Tennessee, camping, boating, swimming, summer camp for 4 weeks, a trip to St. Louis for a wedding, visits from several relatives, back to school shopping, volunteering at church, and 2 full time jobs. Oh, did I mention that I am training for a half marathon and get up at 5:45am each morning to run? Are we intense, or what?

Wedding in St. Louis

The first day of school is always so bitter sweet for me. I am excited for our two boys to embark on a new journey and I am anxious for them at the same time. I pray that they will have great teachers who love them for who they are and train them up as if they were their own. I always want them to be able to make new friends and keep the old! (obvious reference to girl scouts. Maybe I will sing this to them at school? Won't they love that? LOL).

Back to School

The boys were apprehensive about going back to school this year after enjoying such a great summer, but they seem to be transitioning pretty well! They both like their teachers so far and both have friends in their classrooms. What a blessing!

Back to School

Because I am the Chief Purser of the Titanic Museum Attraction, my family has become well versed in Titanic history. Each time we have visited one of the museums as a family, we have learned more and become more emotionally connected to the passengers who sailed Titanic. One of our favorite stories is that of Douglas Spedden, age 6. He was traveling home to New York, via the Titanic, with his family after a vacation in Algiers and Monte Carlo. There is a very famous picture of him on one of the decks of the ship, playing with a top. Father Browne took the picture.

http://cheddarbay.com/0000Tea/Titanic/passengers/survivors/survivors3.html

Young Mr. Spedden reminds me of my boys...with a passion for adventure, outgoing, and resiliant.
His mother, Daisy reminds me of me. They were survivors of the disaster and were rescued by the Carpathia. I recently read the most wonderful quote from Daisy Spedden following the Titanic disaster, as the Spedden family continued to travel to Europe much as before but with a new perspective on the frailty of life. Daisy wrote that all the values of their lives had changed and “the daily incidents which once seemed of such importance to us dwindled into mere trivialities". (http://www.the-titanic.com/Passengers/Survivor-Stories/Douglas-Spedden.aspx)

Just like many other visitors to the Titanic Museum Attraction, I have often wondered what happened to each of the survivors after they arrived home? What was THEIR transition like after making it through such a terrible disaster? Each survivor was given a new lease on life. Did they all have Daisy Spedden's new philosopy to not sweat the small stuff? Or were they eternally tortured by their memories of that fateful night? Did any of the survivors go into politics in America? Did they build empires and legacies? What impact did they have on American History? Did the children survivors go to American Schools and tell of their adventures on Titanic?

Starting this Labor Day Weekend, at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo., a new fantastic exhibit will be revealed. It is called the Survivor Wall. Have YOU ever wondered what happened to each of the survivors? The Titanic Museum Attraction has spent the past 2 years researching each of the survivors of the Titanic and you can now find out what happened to them and what impact they had on our history.

When I reflect back on this summer, I feel satisfied that we packed it all in (even though I am a bit exhausted). As Jack Dawson from the famous Titanic movie by James Cameron said..."I like waking up in the morning not knowing who I'm going to meet or where I'm going to wind up. Life is a gift and I don't intend on wasting it. You never know what hand you will get dealt next."

http://www.titanicuniverse.com/titanic-jack-dawson-leonardo-dicaprio-a-character-study/1474

HERE'S TO MAKING EACH DAY COUNT!

A Family Vacation in the Smokies...Cont.

2011-06-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

We just got back from an amazing family adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Last November, I was fortunate enough to visit Pigeon Forge, Tn. on a business trip. I was blown away by the beauty of the area and all of the fun attractions that were available. I dreamed of bringing my family back to the area to experience it all.

As many of you know, I am the Chief Purser/Social Media Manager for the Titanic Museum Attraction and of coarse we have a location in Pigeon Forge, Tn. I had been working for several months on a Mom Blogger Event at the ship and knew that I would be going back to Tennessee for the event. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring my family, not only to meet my new Mom Blogger Friends, but also to experience the area on a family vacation.

As I have mentioned before, we are a family full of energy who enjoys being outside and we will try most anything once. Well, my dream came true and we were on our way...on a long drive to Pigeon Forge, Tn. (15 hours). When we arrived on the Parkway, our focus was on this magnificent ship that looked like it was going to sail across the road. There she was, the ship of dreams transformed into a GREAT museum. My husband could not get over how big the museum was and how much presence it had on the Parkway. My family couldn't wait to check it out.

The first order of business, however, was to find our lodging. We stayed at the Appleview River Resort in a cute little 2 bedroom condo. We rented it through Old Mill Lodging. The staff there was extremely helpful and made sure we had everything that we needed. The condo was clean and came equipped with a full kitchen, a patio with a gas grill, and there was a pool close by. I liked the area because it was about a half mile off of the Parkway. The Resort was tucked away behind an apple orchard and the Pigeon River flowed behind right behind us.

The Mom Blogger event at the Titanic Museum Attraction began at 9am on Saturday. My husband and children met me there and I got to introduce them to 13 other Mom's and their families. We all toured the museum with the new Audio Tour devices. I wanted all of my Mom friends in the area to try the new Audio Tour with their families and let us know what they thought. The new Audio Tour at the museum has 2 versions; one for kids and one for adults. I kept hearing from our Mom Bloggers that they loved the new Audio Tours because their kids loved them and it gave the parents more time to read and enjoy the exhibits. All of the children were actively engaged in listening to the tour and learning about the Titanic. I would like to give a special thank you to Swift Shots who took all of the mom's pictures. Here is ours:

After the event, my vacation began! We had put together an itinerary for the trip to make sure that we experienced everything we could in the area. I am going to give you a run down of every place we went and would like to mention that most of the attractions did a ticket swap with us, so that I could experience their facilities.

1. Adventure Park Zip Line at Five Oaks http://adventureziplinesofsevierville.com/

I would just like to say that this was a HUGE accomplishment for me and the entire family loved it. Even my 6 year old was able to go and he did the last line by himself. When we finished this trip, I wanted to do it again. I am now addicted to zip lining. What a rush!

2. Wilderness Resort http://www.wildernessatthesmokies.com/

Here we stayed in a condo on the property. It was very nice - kitchen too. There was an enormous indoor waterpark equipped with a wave pool, 4 water slides, and surfing. We also enjoyed an outdoor waterpark that included a lazy river, wave pool, and putt-putt golf. Needless to say, the kids had a blast here. I highly recommend taking your family. By the way, in this picture above, Garrett found a dollar at the bottom of the lazy river. He was quite happy.

3. The Track http://www.pigeonforgetrack.com/

We had a blast here as well. We rode go karts on two different tracks. The boys enjoyed getting each other soaking wet on the bumper boats, and I think we may have scared Daddy pretty good on the Sky Flyer. See the picture above. They were up in the air and dropped from about 60 feet. Garrett on the left has to pull the cord to make the swing drop. My little one, Hunter wasn't scared at all....little adrenaline junky.

4. Smokies Angling Adventures with Captain David Berry http://www.smokiesangling.com/

I made reservations for a guided fishing adventure while we were there as a Father's Day gift for my husband. We chose to go Bass and Blue Gill fishing on Lake Douglas. Our guide, Captain David Berry, was such a great guy and very knowledgeable. He had competed professionally for years and now was strictly a guide. We started early in the morning and fished until lunch time. The boys enjoyed catching the Blue Gill. The lake was pristine. We enjoyed watching the sun come up!

5. MagiQuest http://magiquest.com/locations/kingdoms/pigeon-forge/

This was quite the adventure. The had the World's Largest Mirror maze. The kids loved it. I thought I was going to have an anxiety attack (LOL), but we made it through. They had a laser course where you had to pretend that you were on a Mission Impossible and jump through lasers. We also enjoyed an indoor black lit putt putt golf game. Hunter cheated so Garrett actually didn't enjoy himself as much. The best part of this attraction is their Magi-quest where you go on a scavenger hunt with these wands that are used to open treasures. It was really interesting and challenging. Plan to spend several hours here if you go.

6. Ripley's Aquarium http://gatlinburg.ripleyaquariums.com/

This was a world class attraction. You could swim with the sting rays, view many different varieties of sharks, and they had a huge penguin exhibit. I think we may have arrived at the penguin exhibit right after lunch. All of them were snoozing, but so cute. My 9 year old enjoyed this attraction the most. He took over 300 pictures of fish and spent over an hour in the gift shop. A definite must see in Gatlinburg, Tn!

7. Gatlinburg Sky Lift - http://www.gatlinburgskylift.com/

The views from up here were magnificent. You could see for miles. We all enjoyed riding this lift in Gatlinburg. I would highly recommend it.

8. Wonderworks http://www.wonderworksonline.com/pigeon-forge/

This was so much fun. There were so many hands on activities for all ages. You could spend an entire day in this attraction. This above picture is of Will laying on a bed of nails. You could rock climb, ride a bike that took you upside down, ride a virtual roller coaster, and more. We spent almost six hours at this attraction. It is definitely worth the money.

9. Dixie Stampede http://pigeon-forge.dixiestampede.com/index.php

My kids enjoyed this very much. This is a great dinner show endorsed by Dolly Parton. There are trick horse riders, buffalo, and you eat the dinner with your hands. My 6 year old was mesmerized by all of the animals. The food is good too and you get a ton of it. It was funny to watch Hunter get an entire Cornish game hen. He just looked at me and starting laughing. This is a great show for all ages.

10. Dollywood http://www.dollywood.com/dollywood_home.aspx

Did it all. Loved it all. FUN, FUN, FUN. Dolly was there, but we missed her. I liked the way the park thought of everything. There was a giant dryer that you could step into as a family to dry off after one of the many water rides. You could also purchase a shower cap in a vending machine before you went on a ride. There were tons of neat shops, good fair food, and the rides were all great. They even had a giant ropes course way up in the tree tops. We loved this theme park!

11. Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains http://www.mysmokymountainvacation.com/laurel-falls.html

We went on a hike up to Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains. I would have to say that my husband enjoyed this the most. He wanted to hike all of the trails. This particular trail was very crowded and we would have preferred to find one less popular. The waterfall at the top was beautiful.

That concludes a very busy but amazing trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. I would highly recommend this vacation to any family looking for adventure. There are activities for all ages. The landscape is breathtaking and the people of the area are friendly. We are back home now and recuperating. Thank you to all of the attractions of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville that made our trip a blast!

Titanic-opoly - Exclusive First-Time Offer

2011-05-31T08:26:00.000-07:00

This spring, the Titanic Museum Attraction submitted the final artwork for our very own Titanic-opoly game. We have just started selling the game on our website and you can pre-purchase it today. These games are due to ship by August 1, 2011. This will be a collector's item as we are approaching 100 years since the Titanic set sail.

The Titanic-opoly game board consists of forty spaces containing twenty-eight properties (twenty-two colored streets Titanic-related categories, four ports, and two rooms -- Marconi Room and Engine Room, three Ice Field Spaces, and the four corner squares: Boarding Ramp, Off Duty [Detour] Report for Duty, and Free Deck Chair.)

In honor of every child aboard the RMS Titanic, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this product will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of America chapters in Branson and Pigeon Forge.

You can pre-purchase your game today by visiting https://www.titanicpigeonforge.com/cart_game.php

Thank you and enjoy!

Join the Titanic Museum Attraction and Become a Part of History.

2011-05-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

Titanic Museum Attraction 100 year Logo

As Chief Purser of the Titanic Museum Attraction, I would like to personally invite you to join me in becoming a part of history as we pay respect and honor to the 2,208 passengers and crew members who sailed the RMS Titanic almost a century ago.

On April 15, 2012, it will have been 100 years since the Titanic was lost at sea. Starting now through April of next year, there will be special memorial events taking place around the world. The Titanic Museum Attractions will specifically commemorate Titanic's Irish heritage by giving away 6 trips for 2 to Belfast, Ireland. The "Back to Titanic 100th Year 'Tour Ireland' Sweepstakes"will launch on June 13, 2011. Guests will visit our website at www.titanicattraction.com to enter.

"Back to Titanic 100th Year 'Tour Ireland' Sweepstakes" Logo

On July 1, 2011, the Titanic Museum Attraction will give every single guest who boards the museum, a rose petal to be placed into a memorial container in the Memorial Gallery. On April 15, 2012, these collected petals will be placed at sea directly where Titanic went down.

On August 1, 2011, we will launch Titanic's own Royal Wedding web contest on our Branson, Mo. website (www.titanicbranson.com) and our Pigeon Forge, Tn. website (www.titanicpigeonforge.com). Titanic Museum Attractions will pay homage to the 12 honeymooning couples who were on board the RMS Titanic. There will be online voting to select the winners (one couple at each location) and website guests will be able to vote on each of the winners cakes, flowers, and dresses as well. The weddings will take place at each location in April 2012.

Titanic Museum Attraction Royal Wedding Logo

Many of us associate James Cameron's movie, Titanic, with the story of the RMS Titanic. On April 6, 2012, Titanic will be re-released in 3-D. Also, John Joslyn, who co-led a six-million-dollar expedition to the site of the sinking will re-release his documentary, "Return to the Titanic". This film remains one of the highest rated syndicated specials of all time. There will be a mini-series television event from ABC as well.

Many other special memorial events will take place in 2012 at the Titanic Museum Attraction and around the world. These events will be announced in the coming months. If you would like to become a part of our Quarterly Email Newsletter, please fill out the form on our contact page at www.titanicattraction.com. This newsletter will give you the latest up-to-date information and events at each of our locations.

At the Titanic Museum Attraction, we continue to open the door to the past by creating an experience like none other. We give guests the opportunity to re-live what it might have been like to be a passenger on board the most famous luxury liner. Please join us by becoming a part of history as we remember those who lost their lives almost 100 years ago.

Dallas/Ft. Worth Residents - Enter to Win a Family Vacation to Branson, Mo.

2011-05-02T06:37:00.000-07:00

What is it?

Branson, Missouri, just named One of Travelers’ Choice 2011 Top 5 Great Places to Discover in the United States will be just a hop away starting May 1, 2011. An exciting promotional Family Vacation Getaway Contest, sponsored by Branson’s top attractions, will set the wheels in motion for this new Dallas/Ft.Worth to Branson Air Express service. Go to www.titanicbranson.com/dallas

Branson welcomes more than 8 million visitors each year. They come for the shows, the stars, the music, the rides and the excitement of a family style entertainment experience.

Five lucky families will have the chance to see it all as winners in the Branson Family Vacation Getaway Contest. Each vacation package for 4 includes:

Roundtrip airfare for 4 on Branson AirExpress
4 night(s) stay at Hilton’s Promenade Hotel at the Branson Landing
Tickets to Silver Dollar City Theme Park (Mid America’s Largest Theme park & Oprah.com says “this theme park offers world-class festivals, live shows and thrilling rides for all ages).
Showboat Branson Belle Dinner Show (AOLTravel.com says Showboat is a “must see and one of the top things to do in Branson.”)
The Titanic Museum Attraction (Regis Philbin expressed during his visit – “I think it’s the best museum I’ve seen.”)
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede (Dolly Parton says it best – great entertainment for a great value)
White Water (the only water park in Branson)
Ride The Ducks (Sightseeing adventure takes you from land to lake)

In addition, contest winners will enjoy:

Shopping a t the Branson Landing, a 95 acre retail development on Lake Taneycomo with first class shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Family Fun Entertainment – interactive attractions, theme parks, museums, scenic tours and extreme adventures including zip lines and para-sailing.
Outdoor Adventure – at one of 3 pristine lakes surrounding this entertainment capital. Enjoy fishing, swimming, boating and more.
Dining – at one of hundreds of restaurants offering a wide selection of dining options to suit everyone in your group
Night Life – Branson’s “76 Entertainment Strip” offers over 100 different shows with 50+ state-of-the-art theaters.

How do I enter?

Beginning May 1, 2011, everybody is invited to enter this Branson AirExpress Family Vacation Getaway Contest. Fill out the contest entry form at http://bransonsilverdollarcity.com/contests/. Contest ends May 31, 2011.

Contest Details….
On June 1, the winning families will be selected at random and announced on this landing page and by email. After being notified, Kristina Hagey, Manager of Events for the Titanic Museum Attraction, will contact you via phone to schedule your Family Vacation. This package will expire on 12/31/11.

Abbreviated Rules:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes begins 5:00 PM Central Time (CT) May 1, 2011 and ends at 5:00 PM CT on May 31, 2011 (the “Sweepstakes Period”). Sweepstakes is offered only in the fifty (50) United States (and the District of Columbia). Residents of Arizona, Florida, New York and Rhode Island are ineligible. Void where prohibited by law. Must be a legal U.S. resident and at least 18 years or older to enter. For Official Rules, go to http://bransonsilverdollarcity.com/contests/

Don’t miss this opportunity for family fun in Branson, Mo!

S.O.S. from the Chief Purser of the Titanic Museum Attraction

2011-04-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

Ok. So I had to check out the Titanic Museum Attraction's special event this past weekend in honor of the 99th anniversary of the sinking of a great ship! I was curious to discover what it means to be a HAM radio operator and why these great men and women enjoy this type of communication?

We decided to take the kids on Saturday afternoon after a much needed visit to Andy's for some delicious frozen custard. My kids had Andy's gift cards and much to my surprise they had enough money to pay for their parents. What a treat!

Anyway, we headed to our favorite museum to get educated on this mysterious HAM Radio event. What I quickly learned from this dedicated bunch was that this communication is HIGHLY important to the United States Government. If we were to lose all power in the US due to some terrible disaster, these guys would be on the "front line" of communication between the people and the government.

Back in 1912, when the Titanic set sail, the form of this communciation was called "wireless" communication. If you visit the Titanic Museum Attraction any day of the year, you will get to see authentic 1912 telegraph equipment in the Marconi Room which is identical to that installed in Titanic’s wireless room. It is valued at $250,000. This primitive system was the ship's only link to the world and a popular means for passengers to send messages home.

Two men employed by the Marconi Company worked in this small windowless room near the bridge. Their main job was to receive and send messages by radio waves using Morse code. Little did they know they would soon be tapping out one of the first SOS signals from a ship in distress.

Morse code, by the way, is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment. There was actually a man at this HAM event that was conducting Morse code conversations! It was fascinating to watch him.

According to Wikipedia, there is an estimated two million people throughout the world who are regularly involved with amateur radio. One of the gentlemen that we met at this event said that he also uses this system when he is chasing storms. He goes out and searches for Tornadoes around the United States and then sends radio messages to the local news stations to inform them of their location. Apparently, news stations depend on these amateur radio users for their "Eyes on the Storms".

^{I also learned that you must be licensed to receive clearance to use the different radio frequencies that are available. There are different levels of education and certification that you can achieve that give you permission to be on more and more frequencies. The Springfield group at the Titanic this weekend had spoken with folks in Ireland, Africa, and even Antarctica!}

^{The most interesting fact that I learned while talking with these very friendly operators, was that their families were also involved in this hobby. Wives and children train to operate these radios and get certified so that they can travel as families. Once per year, groups from all over the US gather together for a RALLY where they practice emergency response protocol in case of a US emergency. They bring their families and have a great time too.}

^{I just love the way our attraction continues to apply 21st Century technology and events to help educate us on the sinking of the Titanic. It is so important that we understand history and why things happened in the past, so that we can make changes to better our future.}

If you want to learn more about how you can become a HAM radio operator, visit http://www.smarc.org/ .

^{Thank you Titanic Museum Attraction for providing an attraction that is fun for kids and highly educational. For more on the Titanic's education programs, visit http://www.titanicattraction.com/titanic-education-guide.php. Knowledge is power.}

^{- Chief Purser, Signing off....}

A Family Vacation in the Smokies

2011-03-24T08:51:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year again when our family wakes from hibernation, and we begin planning our next outdoor adventure. As I sit in my home office, I can see buds on the trees, blooming daffodils, and can hear the birds chirping. The first signs of spring are upon us....hallelujah!

We are a family full of energy who enjoys being outside, so it is natural for us to begin planning a trip to the smoky mountains. I am reminded of a wonderful experience that I had last November when I joined the Titanic crew in Pigeon Forge, Tn. When you first drive up the Parkway in Pigeon Forge and you see the GIANT SHIP, it simply takes your breath away. You forget about the traffic - which does pile up on the Parkway- you forget about that moment in the car when little Johnnie spilled his chocolate milk all over the seat, you even forget about the fact that you forgot your tooth brush and need to find a Walgreens. It draws you in and you thirst to go inside.

Well, I got to go inside the museum and so did my new friends, the wonderful influential Mommy Bloggers in the area who wanted a chance to experience our museum with their families, so that they could share our Titanic tribute opportunity with other local families. Not only did I have the priviledge of meeting some amazing families, I also got to tour the museum!

Inside our museum, you discover this magnificent ship that was designed to be unsinkable. You learn of the passengers who were coming to America to start a new life and maybe to visit the Smoky Mountains. I tried to put myself in their shoes. Would I be coming here to start a career, to give my family better opportunities, or to experience freedom? How fortunate we are as Americans to already have these very opportunities and we don't even have to uproot our families! The Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge is HIGHLY interactive. All I could think about when I toured is, I can't wait to bring my family back to experience this. Not only is it an education in history, geared towards children and adults, but there are physical things for kids to do. They can steer the ship, take a virtual dive to the wreckage, shovel coal, touch an iceberg, meet Polar the bear, and other kid friendly activities. I could go on and on....

Not only did I get to experience our museum attraction, but I also had the priviledge of touring the area. My "tour guide" took me down the Parkway in Pigeon Forge where I could see many opportunities for my family to have FUN! First of all, Dollywood is 12 minutes away. I am pretty sure the boys would enjoy a theme park with the best of them. Pigeon Forge also offers zip lines, river rafting, shopping and tons of shows and attractions. I also noticed that the Wilderness indoor/outdoor waterpark Resort was just a few miles away in Sevierville. We went to the Wilderness Resort in the Wisconsin Dells a few years ago and made memories that will last a lifetime!

When we arrived in Gatlinburg, Tn. I felt like I was in my element. The streets are filled with quaint shops, bakeries, and warm smiles. Rivers and streams run through the area and wildlife is prevalent. In fact, at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the other side of Gatlinburg, park rangers educate campers and visitors about bears and NOT FEEDING THEM! The views are endless. We took a lift up to the top of one of the mountains in the downtown area and the views were incredible. I dreamed of sharing that experience with my family. The mountains seemed to go on forever.

We stopped in at Ripley's Aquarium for a tour. They have a wonderful shark tunnel that you get to "ride" through on a moving sidewalk and they have pinguins which happen to be one of my favorite animals. They also have a large room filled with interactive activities for kids. You can touch different sea creatures and learn about them. Again, I thought about the boys and how they needed to come back and experience this with me.

The Food. Well, I like to eat and I was anxious to experience something different in the Smokies. My guide took me to a restaurant built on the site of an Old Mill, naturally named The Old Mill. True southern cooking at it's finest. And, did I mention more shopping? Local artists displayed their works in shops that lined the streets around the Mill. Eating and Shopping at the Old Mill was the perfect end to a perfect day.

This June, my family plans to take our FAMILY VACATION to the Great Smoky Mountains and I can't wait! We are going to re-live my adventures back in November, possibly adding a river rafting trip, Dollywood, and some water parks, but of course our first stop will be...the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. Making memories and having fun is what this family vacation will be ALL ABOUT!

A Special Tribute to My Family on Valentine's Day

2011-02-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

It's Sweetheart Month at The Titanic Museum Attraction, in honor of Valentine's Day and the twelve honeymoon couples that traveled on the Titanic in 1912. During this special romantic month and as Valentine's Day approaches every year, I go over in my mind the many things that I love about each of the people in my life and I think of ways to show them how much I truly cherish and love them.

I would like to start with my wonderful husband Will. He is my best friend, my faith buddy, and the father to my children. We met in college at Southwest Texas State University in 1994, a college I chose at the last minute because my parents decided that they didn't want to spring for out-of-state tuition. I had originally planned to go to Missouri State University in Columbia, Mo. Ironically, he was dating my freshman roommate in the dorms. I didn't think much of him at the time. Little did I know, that I would end up marrying him! God knew, he just had to get me there.

After being acquaintances for 3 years, Will and I finally started a friendship that began at a party. Before we knew it, we were dating and wanted to spend every spare moment together. On our first official date, he took me to San Antonio's River Walk. It stared raining while we were walking down the canal, so we took shelter under a bridge and enjoyed our First Kiss which was incredibly romantic. I enjoyed his outgoing, yet kind nature. He was so thoughtful in the "courtship days" as we call them. He would sneak my car keys while I was in class and detail my car. On one date, we went canoeing down the Guatalupe River. I sat in the front of the canoe and relaxed while he did all of the work.

After dating for a year or so, I graduated with a degree in Business Marketing and decided to move back to my home town, Dallas. Will was still finishing up college and had another summer and fall semester to go in school. I hoped that by telling him I was moving to Dallas, he would finish school and follow me. He did. After he graduated, he moved to Dallas and we got married August 14, 1999. Our wedding reception was amazing. We had all of our college friends back together again for one last hurrah.

We both got excellent jobs in Dallas. He was a sales manager at a label manufacturing company and I worked for IBM and then was the State Administrator for Aflac. We were settling in to a healthy married life and the next obvious step for me was .....a baby. I remember it so well. I conned my husband into it. We agreed by written document that he would get a motorcycle if I got a baby. We signed a contract. He still has the contract, but has not received the motorcycle. LOL!

Our first born was our precious angel Garrett. I remember the tone in my husband's voice when I called him to tell him I was pregnant. He was at work and I just couldn't wait for him to get home. He was awkwardly quite and seemed totally freaked out. I also remember being pregnant with Garrett during 9-11 and wondering what kind of world he would be born into. When Garrett was born, the entire world stopped around us. We had a family and our lives revolved around our son.

When Garrett was 2 years old, we made a very huge decision to move to Missouri. My parents had found land in Ava, Missouri and had moved away. We wanted Garrett to know his grandparents and we enjoyed the Ozarks because of all of the outdoor activities available to us. Garrett, who is growing up in Missouri, continues to be an amazing blessing in our lives. God has used him many times to teach us and strengthen our faith. We almost lost Garrett when he was 4 due to a head injury that he incurred at a day care. Words cannot express how much my faith in God and my love for my husband strengthened through this trial. Garrett is 9 years old now and is an all star in every sport (except Baseball. he says he hates wearing hot pants in the summer.:)) and makes straight "A's". He is responsible, kind, considerate, and loving and very popular with his peers. I am so honored that God gave him to us.

My younger son Hunter is my baby. He is almost 6 now and has been a complete JOY ever since he was born. I remember when he was 2 and Garrett was going off to Kindergarten. I thought to myself that it would be a good time to start THINKING about potty training. Hunter never wanted to be a baby. He has always loved his brother and looked up to him. Literally, the day that Garrett left for Kindergarten, Hunter took off his diaper and would not put one on again. He had a determination like nothing I have ever seen. It was like, "Mommy, let's do this potty training thing right now!" Not only is Hunter determined, but he is strong, smart, handsome, and loving. He is tender hearted and his faith his a true testament to all around him.

Valentines Day, February 14 is our 1/2 anniversary each year. I am not the kind of girl who wants the heart shaped box of chocolates. I am the kind of girl who wants to spend the day with my family doing something together, making memories. I am the kind of girl who would cherish a vow renewal on the Grand Staircase on any year of our marriage and my reason would not be for a "new beginning." My reason for a vow renewal would be to repeat to him again before God, the precious wedding vows that express to him how much I love and cherish him and how thankful I am to God for bringing us together. And being on the Grand Staircase would make me feel like "Rose" who's love for "Jack" would never perish. I love you honey.

Titanic's 5th Annual Professional Ice Carving Event in the State of Branson?

2011-01-15T18:24:00.000-08:00

It is official. We had an ICE DAY at the Titanic today! Titanic does everything big and this was no exception. If you didn't make it to their 5th Annual Professional Ice Carving Event, you REALLY MISSED the Boat! Their events keep getting bigger and better with each year and so does the inside of their museum.

When we arrived this morning to the ship of dreams on Branson's Hwy 76, the parking lot was packed with ice carving enthusiasts and the ship's horn was sounding as we parked, to mark the start of this fierce competition between National Ice Carving Association's Top Professional Ice carvers from ALL over the United States. We were amazed at the tools of this art form including chain saws, torches, wood carving tools, and other devices that we couldn't name. This is a big deal. The Ice Carvers had plans and drawings of what they were going to create and how. These Carvers had 4 hours to create their ice sculpture and at the end of the 4 hours, a judgment would be made for the winners.

While the boys watched these professional men and women go to work, Will and I enjoyed listening to the rock station that was set up on stage in the parking lot. The DJ's of 95.5 were on site to announce the proceedings and feed us with many facts about ice carving and the Titanic. As always, we were privileged to see Jaynee, dressed in her gorgeous long black winter coat and adorned mink hat. She always remembers my boys and makes them feel special. How does she remember so many families? It is that personal touch that makes her so magnanimous.

The event continued to be action packed throughout the day. The Track Family Fun Center had a booth set up where kids could get their pictures taken in 2 of their go-karts and the kids could also play their trivia game to win prizes. I got a kick out of the trivia questions. Our questions were, "what year did the Titanic sink?" and "was there a heated swimming pool on board?" I am, of coarse, a Titaniac, so those questions were a no brainer for me and helping my kids win prizes made me feel like their hero!

On top of us enjoying the Track go-karts, we also got to experience a 15 minute dual between to sculptors on the main stage. They had 15 minutes to make a sculpture and the best one won. My kids enjoyed this fast pace challenge and loved participating in the vote for the winner - who carved an eagle in flight! He was cracking us up to because he kept referring to Branson as a state. Yes, we are proud of our great city, but we aren't yet a state. LOL

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about the inside of the museum. At the beginning of January, the ship closed for four days so that they could do a deep cleaning, apply fresh paint, and add make renovations. I can't tell you what they added to the exhibit because you need to experience it for yourself. So far, every single person that I have recommended go through the museum has NOT been disappointed and if it has been awhile since you toured, you have to check out the new exhibits!

Back to the competition....we had our favorite which on the Professional side was the sting rays and on the amateur side was the cat grabbing the bird. We were actually amazed by the amateurs. In our opinion, the amateurs were just as skilled as the professionals and we all agreed that everyone did an amazing job, especially considering the extra challenge of warmer than usual winter weather (50 degrees-yikes)! Congratulations to them all. But, as in any competition there has to be a winner and the winner was..... boy were we right on......Professional Division 1st Place winner at $2,000 was Michael Stoddart with his Flight Under the Sea (our favorite sting rays) and 1st Place in the Amateur division went to Nan Li with his Art of Flight. I have to mention that there were prize monies given out to most of the competitors for a total of $7,250 in cash prizes!

Rudolph and Vixen

2010-12-12T04:55:00.000-08:00

The theme this weekend was Christmas. I spent Saturday morning in the kitchen making some of our favorite traditional fare including sausage balls, peanut butter blossoms, and snickerdoodles. I got a good start on it, but still have peanut butter cups, spinach balls, and hello dollies left to make! Next on my list was wrapping presents. I spent several hours wrapping presents. That is when I realized how blessed our family is and how exciting it will be to bless others this Christmas.

Saturday afternoon, we decided to surprise the children and take them to meet Rudolph and Vixen at the Titanic Museum Attraction. Much to my surprise, the reindeer were "on break" when we got there. There had been so many girls and boys to visit the Reindeer and pet them, that they were exhausted. However, they perked up when we got there. The boys enjoyed petting them and they wanted to know why Rudolph didn't have a red nose. Rudolph's owner replied that Rudolph's nose will only glow red on Christmas Eve.The Reindeer were like dogs or any other domestic pet. They listened to their owner and did exactly what they were asked to do.

While we were visiting, we decided to take advantage of all of the Christmas decorations by taking pictures of the boys. The museum is decorated to the nines with Edwardian style Christmas decor. It is very beautiful. We got some good shots of the little ones, even though it was painful for them to sit still and smile. Why do they think it is pure torture for us to photograph them? I am convinced that they will appreciate the pictures when they are adults!

I hope that the Titanic Museum Attraction includes the Reindeer event every year as part of their Christmas celebration, as it has become part of our family's Christmas Tradition! For more information on this event and others, go to http://www.titanicbranson.com .

Molly and Carter were spoiled on their 2nd Birthday!

2010-11-29T09:24:00.000-08:00

I know two adorable King Charles Spaniels that were fit to be Queens this past Thanksgiving weekend as everyone in Branson, Mo. joined together to wish them a very Happy 2nd Birthday. As usual, at the stroke of noon, they made their way down the promenade with one of their dog handlers, Kelly Riley, and Jaynee, the First Class Maid. They were wheeled down in a baby carriage to their station in front of a gathering crowd. Only this time, they adorned custom made birthday hats.

Not only did Molly and Carter enjoy a birthday cake made with peanut butter, cream cheese, other dog friendly ingredients, but they also received gifts, balloons, and many birthday wishes. Of coarse, my family was on board during their celebration. I even invited my Mom and Dad who sang Happy Birthday and said that Molly and Carter were the cutest dogs they had ever seen and were "so well behaved"!

The dogs are part of the Titanic Museum Attraction's tribute to the ten known dogs that were onboard the Titanic. As part of this tribute, the museum has started a program called Save Our Strays, or S.O.S. which raises money for the local humane society. I believe they have raised over $75,000 so far. What a blessing this is to our community!

If you go on Molly and Carter's web page you can sign up for the dogs to send you a electronic Christmas card. I know my boys are looking forward to receiving it!

Mom Bloggers enjoy Titanic's Christmas Kickoff!

2010-11-15T09:04:00.000-08:00

Last Friday night, the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. hosted a special MOM BLOGGER event to help the museum kickoff the Christmas in a Winter Wonderland Celebration. Mom Bloggers from Knox News, Knox Moms, and other local Tennessee Moms with noteworthy Blogs attended this private event with their families. The Titanic Museum Attraction's owners John Joslyn and Mary Kellogg-Joslyn wanted to recognize these special women for their continued support of the new museum and wanted the moms and their families to experience this Grand Christmas celebration.

This event proved to be a huge success! I enjoyed meeting all of these amazing women and their families and was privileged to welcome each aboard our ship! All of the Mom bloggers enjoyed a private self-guided tour of the museum to see the ship adorned in Christmas decorations from the Edwardian period. Although the Titanic went down in April 1912, she had many Decembers planned and the museum decorates as a tribute to Her.

At 7:00pm, after each family enjoyed their private tour, we all met in the parking lot for the BIG event. We were joined by Rick Laney of Ackermann PR and many others from local news stations, newspapers, and magazines! The Christmas Tree, set up in front of the fountains was magnificent. There were gifts stacked up under the bow of the tree which made for a perfect photo opportunity. The affair began with a Christmas ensemble choir, maids handing out candy, the lighting of the tree, and camels with wisemen of coarse! Then, music began to play and we all waited in anticipation for SNOW. Without delay, REAL snow began to fall from the bow of the ship produced from the same machinery that Disney World uses! Children and adults alike loved it. They danced to the music and tried to catch snow flakes on their tongues. Jaynee, our First Class Maid, waved from the BOW of the ship with a beautiful young "maid in training" Madisson and "Polar" the Titanic Bear.

As the snow began to build up on the museum's sidewalk, a fireworks display commenced, filling the sky with radiant colors. This event was done in Grand Scale just like the museum itself. I heard several guests proclaim that the fireworks display was better than anything they had seen during the 4th of July! Our Mom Bloggers and their families loved the experience. Some of their children were interviewed by the media which I believe they viewed as a huge honor.

I would like to personally thank Ali James of Knoxnews.com and Knoxmoms.com. She assisted me in reaching these wonderful moms who represent the families of Eastern Tennessee! Our ship and crew love being nestled in our new home in the Great Smoky Mountains and I would like to encourage all Moms reading my blog to visit the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. this holiday season. It is truly a Family Interactive Experience that you won't want to miss. Although you will not be able to see fireworks, it will snow each and every Friday and Saturday night at 7:00pm from now until January 1, 2011! Traffic is crazy on the Parkway so leave early and I strongly recommend that you pre-purchase your tickets on our website as the museum sells out very quickly each day!

Three Cheers and 1,000 Thank You's to Tennessee's very special MOM Bloggers and their familes!

Happy Birthday Molly and Carter! Thanksgiving Weekend Celebration!

2010-11-04T04:30:00.000-07:00

Molly and Carter are turning 2! The Titanic Museum Attraction is kicking off three days of family festivities in celebration of the ship’s celebrity mascots’ 2^nd birthday, on Thursday, November 25 through Saturday, November 27. We plan to go after our early morning shopping on Friday morning. By noontime, when the dogs make their entrance down past the waterfall in front of the museum and eat doggy birthday cake, we will be waiting, camera in hand.

In honor of Molly and Carter's second birthday celebration...you can go to their web page at http://titanicbranson.com/titanic-dogs-photo-contest.php and register to win a FAMILY PASS to the museum in Branson, Mo., a personalized Molly and Carter gift basket including Molly and Carter exclusive doggie accessories and gifts from their gift shop, and you will get your pet photo published in TAME magazine. They will pick a winner on November 15, 2010!

I also heard that Jaynee, Titanic's 1st Class Maid personality, was at Tri-Lakes Humane Society in Reeds Spring, Missouri this week delivering pet food! Apparently, the S.O.S. program (Save Our Strays) at the Titanic Museum Attraction has raised $50,000.00. They purchased over 600 pounds of dog and cat food for the humane society and delivered it to the stray dogs and cats that have been rescued and are waiting for adoption.

Fall Parties in the Ozarks

2010-10-25T04:20:00.000-07:00

Do you celebrate Halloween? Or is it a Fall Party that you enjoy? I am conflicted. I attend church regularly and do not agree that we are to celebrate ghosts and goblins. However, I dressed up every single year of my childhood and my parents decorated the house in spider webs. They played scary music and tried to scare the kids of our neighborhood. Halloween was fun and I never felt ashamed to embrace it, nor do I have any negative memories of the "holiday".

That being said, I am a mother now with two precious boys that go to church. We had a really difficult time picking out costumes this year. See, my 8 year old wanted to be a "Scream" ghost and I wouldn't let him do it. I thought it was too scary and actually came to the realization that Halloween is really strange. What is the point of dressing up scary? Is it a devilish activity? Anyway, he ended up choosing to be a basketball player and my 2 year old chose to be a police officer. Those seem to be good choices of people to celebrate, right? Now we have to decide what activities the boys will participate in.....

On Saturday, we decided to drive up to Springfield to attend the TAME Pets and Pumpkins celebration. They put on this Fall Party to raise awareness and money for the local animal shelter. It was totally geared towards kids and pets. As Chief Purser of the Titanic Museum Attraction, I enjoy these types of fundraisers because at the museum we support the local animal shelters too. In fact, our Titanic mascots, Molly and Carter, the two loveable King Charles Spaniels that parade around the Branson, Mo. museum each day from 9am-5pm have a similar mission. They not only pay tribute to the dogs that were onboard the Titanic, but they also raise money for the humane society and they teach children and adults how to properly care for a pet.

Old downtown Commercial Street in Springfield was filled with people and pets. We saw dogs, cats, and even a goat!!! all dressed up in costumes. (Notice the boys' costumes. Once the 8 year old got dressed in a basketball outfit, the 2 year old had to follow suit!) There was a giant bouncy slide that the kids enjoyed over and over again. Krispy Kreme had a booth where you could take a plain doughnut, dunk it in chocolate, and then cover it in sprinkles. YUMMY! We even got to roast marshmallows on a fire pit. The event offered many interactive booths for kids to enjoy.

But, the best part of our experience was when we saw Jaynee, our first class Titanic maid at this TAME event! It is always a pleasure to run into her and you will never believe what she was doing when we walked up. She was meeting a dog attendee at the event that was dressed just like her! Jaynee, you know you are a star when even local pets dress as you do. What a compliment! And, it is such a pleasure to realize that there are other Titanic Fans out there that want to help us remember and celebrate the lives of the passengers of the R.M.S. Titanic.

Jaynee, the biggest animal lover that I know of, was there to help educate pet lovers on proper care for pets and to encourage our Springfield neighbors to come down to Branson, Mo. and meet Molly and Carter. Guests enjoyed meeting her and showing off their pets, who all wanted to "bond" with Jaynee.

We had a great time! This event's turnout was huge. TAME must have done some great marketing to receive such a big crowd of pet lovers. We will definitely plan to attend next years' Pets and Pumpkins event. Maybe the Titanic Museum gift shop will start carrying Jaynee costumes for dogs? They have a great dog section offering Titanic dog merchandise, compliments of Molly and Carter. Pet lovers always enjoy shopping the Titanic gift shop for Titanic doggy merchandise. If you haven't visited the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo., you should plan to come before Christmas. You will find some really great Christmas ideas and I heard that Santa and His Reindeer will be coming back this year. Check it out...http://www.titanicbranson.com

Titanic Sponsors Branson PM MOPS

2010-10-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

I have been a member of MOPS, or Mothers of Preschoolers since my oldest was 2. He is now 8, so I guess that means I have been in MOPS for 6 years in several different towns. This year and last, I have been a member of the Branson, Mo. PM MOPS organization. http://bransonmops.com/index.htm Branson PM MOPS meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month in the evenings from 6:00-8:30 at First Baptist Church in Branson, MO. Childcare is provided through our MOPPETS program, where children will be taught age appropraite curriculum, have snack, play with other children their age and get tender loving care from the childcare workers. In the meantime, we fellowship with other moms, listen to a speaker, create a craft and enjoy dinner (without cleaning up messes). My youngest is a Kindergartner and MOPS will allow mothers to stay in the organization if your children are up to Kindergarten age. I decided for my last year of MOPS, I would really try to step it up and make a difference within the organization.

This fall, the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo. agreed to sponsor our program. http://titanicbranson.com This is so exciting because through their sponsorship, we are able to provide child care to our children while we are in our meetings, we provide diapers and gifts to expecting MOMS, and we are able to minister to the local women's shelters in our area. To honor the Titanic for their sponsorship, we invited them to our October meeting this past Tuesday night.

You know the 1st Class Maid Jaynee, that you have seen on billboards, television, and at the museum? She came dressed in her 1st Class Maid outfit. We all enjoyed her so much. She went into all of the children's classrooms and gave them bookmarks with Molly and Carter on them and taught the children to bow and curtsie. I was amazed when a little girl came up to her and said, "It's me Hannah. Do you remember?" Jaynee didn't skip a beat! She said, Of coarse I remember you. I met you at the public library. You have a cat that had kittens. How are you?" The little girl was beaming and I was so impressed that Jaynee, who travels throughout Missouri and Tennessee speaking with new children every week, remembered one little girl in Branson, Mo!

Not only did Jaynee interact with the children, she also was invited to talk to us MOMS in our meeting. She spoke of the Mothers that were onboard the Titanic and how their protective instinct must have been on overdrive during that fateful night. She also had a drawing and gave away a family pass to the Titanic Musuem Attraction. This was a huge hit with the MOPS moms! We were honored that Jaynee and the Titanic Museum Attraction would take time out to acknowledge our group. I think we will plan a MOPS group to the museum sometime during their Christmas Event!

Every year, the Titanic Museum Attraction has been visited by Santa and His Reindeer. This Christmas entourage is coming back this year and it is such a great opportunity for MOMS to bring their children to the museum and take holiday photos with Santa and REAL Reindeer! http://titanicbranson.com/titanic_news.php#santa The entire museum will be decorated in holiday flair. The Grand Staircase, the centerpiece for this outstanding museum, will be adorned "to the nines" with Christmas trees, lights, and garland. I can't wait to take my family to see it.

Titanic's 3rd Annual Woodcarving Event, a Huge Success!

2010-10-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, my husband and I took the boys to Titanic's 3rd Annual Woodcarving event. We went last year too, so the boys were excited to see some new animal carvings. First of all, October weather in Branson, Mo. is perfect. It was warm and sunny on Saturday; ideal for this outdoor event. When we arrived, men and women from ALL OVER the COUNTRY were actively carving very LARGE stumps of wood with chain saws and chisels. There were wood chips flying.

I enjoyed seeing the creativity. It is so neat to see an artist look at a giant stump and be inspired to turn it into a bear with detailed features. The carvers used torches to burn sections of the wood, which I thought was a very neat technique that gave depth and definition to their pieces.

Jaynee, Titanic's 1st Class Maid Personality from the television commercials, billboards, and print was present at the event. It is always a pleasure to see her. As you can see from the video, she picked out her favorite woodcarving, but it was too big and heavy for Jaynee to move on her own. Molly and Carter made an appearance to greet guests, and of coarse were bum rushed by all of the children. They were cute and well behaved as usual.

In my opinion, the most exciting part of this event was the auction held at 2pm each day. On Saturday, the auction started with a bear in a log. So cute. I couldn't believe how cheap these wood carvings were selling for. There were some GREAT deals happening. I wanted to bid on the Sea Turtles that were absolutely gorgeous, but I don't have any place to display them right now. Next year!

As each item sold, the LOGHOGGERS TEAM was kind enough to load the piece into the buyers car/truck. These works of art are super heavy, so that was a nice service. Anyway, we enjoyed it and are planning to purchase a big item next year.

Homeschool Days at the Titanic Museum Attraction

2010-10-06T05:03:00.000-07:00

Hi friends.

Did you know that the Titanic Museum Attraction has an education program for students? They offer a scavenger hunt that you can download from the website http://www.titanicattraction.com/titanic-education-guide.php to bring with you on your "Titanic Search for Knowledge" student adventure.

I have had quite a few requests in the last year for information on Titanic's Homeschool program. Now is your chance to take your homeschool groups to the Titanic Museum Attraction. The entire month of October 2010, the Titanic is offering a special group rate of $7, which includes tax. They do have select dates for this program, so reserve your group quickly. For further inquiries, please call 800-381-7670.

It has been almost 100 years since the tragedy struck. It is more than just the account of perhaps the most memorable maritime catastrophe of the 20th century. Titanic is a lasting symbol of the great age of immigration that brought the hopes and dreams of many people to our shores.

The Titanic Museum Attraction wants to promote the awareness and knowledge of the world's diverse cultures by recreating actual rooms of the Titanic and by displaying actual objects that bring to life individuals and events that have had a significant impact on human history. It is their desire to present the Titanic story in a historically accurate and reverent manner and to inspire further study and research into this event.

Throughout the school year, you can link the Titanic experience to your curriculum and reinforce your students' skills and help them develop proficiencies in areas beyond history.

The Results are in....Titanic's Chili Cookoff-A Huge Success

2010-10-04T07:38:00.000-07:00

The competition was fierce and the weather was beautiful this past Saturday at the 1st Annual Titanic Firehouse Chili Cookoff in Branson, Mo. When we arrived, we could smell the chili cooking. Of course, we had to stop at a fire truck for pictures. Branson's team had polished up one of their trucks for display at the event. It was great to see so many fire fighters from all over Southwest Missouri and Northern Arkansas joining together for such a great cause.

By 10:30am, each firehouse competitor had already assembled their concoctions and now the giant pots of chili were simmering until judging time at 2:00pm. Speaking of judges, the Titanic Museum had quite the line up of experts....Ron Kittleman, official in-house chili professional for 99 HIT FM
KADI was one of the judges (see above). And it was an honor to meet Judge #2, American Culinary Federation and Executive Chef Nathan Read. Chef Nathan is the head chef of Level 2 Steak House. If you've been there, then you know how qualified he is to judge anything food related! Last, but certainly not least, was Garrett Anderson. He had won a Titanic Museum Attraction facebook contest to become one of the judges and was a previous chili cookoff winner himself.

As guests, we were able to go to each firehouse booth and sample their chili recipes. There was a people's choice award, so we got to decide which booth's chili was our favorite. It was so difficult. I was impressed because every chili recipe was completely different! The boys enjoyed meeting Sparky the fire dog and going through a fire safety trailer for kids. They also enjoyed eating and there was plenty of options. The Lions Club had a food trailer there selling frito pie, nachos, cheeseburgers, etc; everything kid friendly. My favorite chili was that of Valley Park Fire District in Fenton, Mo. They were raising money for the Boys and Girls Club and their chili was outstanding. I found out later that they put pumpkin in their chili. How unusual, but it worked! I got a kick out of their t-shirts.

We were fortunate enough to see Jaynee, 1st Class Maid of the Titanic and taste her chili. Delicious. It had curry in it and was on the sweeter side. Very unusual, but we all loved it. She knows everything about the Titanic. She and a "Coal Shoveler" educated the crowd on what it was like to keep the fires going on the mighty Titanic. I was amazed at the prize monies too. This was a big time event. Jaynee explained that the monies raised from the People's Choice Award, would go to the S.O.S. program, "Save Our Strays," that Molly and Carter started in honor of the Dogs that were onboard the Titanic. I believe they raised almost $500 at this event.

Hunter saw his Kindergarten teacher at the event so he was "stoked". Her husband is a fire fighter for the Branson fire department. I took a picture of them on a 1960's??? fire truck that was on display.

Around 2pm, the judges were presented with ALL of the wonderful chili recipes to try. They took their jobs very seriously as they judged each competitors' chili based on taste, consistency, smell, color, etc.

The winners were as follows:
1st place winner $3,000 (going to St. Louis Burn Camp) -Strafford Fire Department

2nd Place Winner $2,000 & Best Booth Award $100 (going to Boys and Girls Club) -Valley Park Fire District in Fenton, Mo.

3rd Place Winner $1,000 (going to MDA) -Branson Fire & Rescue

People's Choice Award $100 Mountain View Fire Department
Participation Award -Southern Stone County Fire Protection Department Auxilary

And as you can see from some of these pictures, Molly and Carter were present. This is always a hit for my boys. These King Charles Spaniels are part of a tribute to the dogs that were onboard the Titanic. I think they were really enjoying the weather. They hung out so that we could all pet them and take pictures.

All in all, we had a great time at the 1st Annual Titanic Firehouse Chili cookoff. Our bellies were full when we finally decided to head home. It is so nice to be a part of a community that cares and is willing to sacrifice their time to raise money for charity. A Special Thank You to the Titanic Museum Attraction and all of the Southwest Missouri and Northern Arkansas Firefighter Competitors! http://www.titanicattraction.com

2nd Annual Titanic Woodcarving Event

2010-09-08T05:50:00.000-07:00

Last year, I went to the 2nd Annual Woodcarving Event in Titanic's parking lot. I was amazed that someone could take a log and a chainsaw and actually make beautiful pieces of art. I took lots of pictures and wanted to share them with you. By the way, the boys loved seeing these MANLY men carving wood. It was definitely a hit with everyone in my family.

Titanic's 3rd Annual Woodcarving Event

2010-09-08T05:37:00.000-07:00

3rd Annual Woodcarving Event to Honor Titanic’s German Passengers and Crew (in association with LogHoggers Chainsaw Sculpting)
Friday, October 8 thru Sunday, October 10
Free Event.

Professional wood carvers from across the nation will send chips flying and spirits soaring when they return to compete in this year’s three-day woodcarving competition. Events will take place in Titanic’s parking area: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

A special 75-minute chainsaw speed-carving contest delivers one of the event’s many nail-biting moments. This special annual family event honors the memory of the German passengers and crew who were aboard Titanic.

It’s free and held in association with LogHoggers Chainsaw Sculpting.

For Reservations call 800-381-7670.

1st Annual Titanic Firehouse Chili Cookoff

2010-08-31T08:18:00.000-07:00

http://titanicbranson.com/titanic_news.php#chiliFirst Annual Titanic Firehouse Chili Cookoff
Saturday, October 2nd from 10am-4pm

Branson, MO, 2010 - Titanic Branson Museum Attraction’s first regional Firemen’s Chili Championship Cookoff is scheduled to fire-up on Saturday, October 2nd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the museum attraction’s outdoor arena, announces Titanic Branson owner, John Joslyn.

“Firemen chefs will light their fires in honor of the brave firemen and stokers who stood their ground when the great Titanic went down. They’ll be competing against fire fighting challengers for thousands of dollars of prize money and the chance to bring home the Great Firehouse Chili Cookoff Championship title,” says Joslyn. “First place winner will receive $3,000; Second Place winner, $2,000; and Third Place Winner, $1,000,” Joslyn adds.

Chili cookers will be up early slicing, dicing, chopping and stirring gallons of chili in a spirited, five-hour cook-a-thon that begins at 10 a.m. Hot and spicy, mild and mellow, secret ingredients and guarded recipes all come together at the Great Firehouse Chili Cookoff. The public is invited to come early, watch the prep, sample the many different firehouse chili concoctions and pass judgment as they see fit.

A select panel of judges will declare the cookoff winners at 4 p.m. “At this time, a special “People’s Choice Award” donation will be made to the Missouri Humane Society,” Joslyn declares.

For Reservations Call 800-381-7670.

Kindergarten

2010-08-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

It was quiet in the house last Thursday when my 5 year old son went off to Kindergarten for the first time. For the past several weeks, Hunter and I have been talking about what it will be like at school. We enjoyed a "Meet and Greet" time where we got to meet his teacher and see his classroom for the first time. I have NEVER seen my son act so shy and quiet in his life. He literally hid behind me and did not speak, which is highly unusual for him. However, first impressions regarding his teacher were perfect. She is laid back, patient, and very sweet! Hunter enjoyed meeting her.

School Supplies- were a breeze this year. The Branson Primary teachers asked us to provide $20 per student and the teachers did the school supply shopping. This not only saved us money, but I think it worked out better for the teachers too because all kids in the class will have the same stuff. Also, as I mentioned in a previous blog, the Back to School Bash, hosted by the First Baptist Church in Branson, gave FREE school supplies to ALL attendees.

The Backpack-Here is the deal with the back pack. Hunter has an older brother who is in 3rd grade. The "cool" backpack style this year is one of those "sling" strap style bags. Well, Hunter got a traditional backpack that fit him, so his brother told him that he can only use one strap when carrying his backpack. Believe me when I say, Hunter has followed this rule every time he has picked up the bag!

The FIRST drop off- Our entire family took Hunter in to his classroom on the first day. We found his name at a table and got him situated in his "new home away from home". He said, "Mom, will you come eat lunch with me today?" I said yes and proceeded to ask his teacher what time I should be there to eat lunch. She said that parents can't eat lunch with their kids the entire first month of school. I understand the rule because they are trying to acclimate these Kindergarten students with the procedures. However, I was a little bit anxious about that...We left the school and proceeded on to take our 3rd grader to his building and then we came back to the Primary building and spied on Hunter to see what he was doing in his new classroom. I didn't cry.

Lunch-We have been getting Hunter prepared for eating lunch on his own. See, Hunter likes to sing and laugh and talk during meal time. He is a "snacker", if you will? What we have been warning him about is that he will need to EAT HIS LUNCH because he will be hungry and he will not be able to eat snacks every hour and half. Usually dinner goes like this - We tell Hunter to eat and then end up having to feed him because he won't do it himself. We have said that he will have to feed himself at school because the cafeteria workers will not be cutting up his food and spoon feeding him. So far, he tells us that he loves the chocolate milk and the ice cream. He hasn't had time to eat any of the other stuff on his tray. :)

Meeting new Friends-Hunter has been exposed to pre-school, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible school, so therefore meeting new friends shouldn't be too difficult. He is pretty social. I did get a bit anxious about this because of how quiet he was when we went to meet his teacher. YIKES! When I went to pick him up after the first day (I got in line to wait for him an hour before he actually got out!!!), the first thing that he said was, "I met a new friend today. His name is Joshua. " I asked, "how did you meet him?." Hunter said, "I went up to him and said, will you be my friend? And, he said sure." This makes MOMMA so proud.

Nap time-there seems to be a debate on whether or not Hunter should bring a towel to lay on at nap time. The teacher said that we couldn't use a mat because they were too big and there wasn't enough room in the classroom to store 20 mats. So...she suggested that we send a towel for Hunter to lay on. Well, on the first day, I forgot the towel. The teacher said that she would just have him lay on the carpet. Now, Hunter can't decide if the carpet or the towel will be more comfortable. He has practiced on both at home trying to decide and still this morning tells me that he will continue to lay on the carpet. I'm not sure how long the teacher will allow this?

Bathroom Breaks-Now this is funny. Hunter did not "go" the entire first day. He said that the potties are TOO low to the ground and he was afraid that he would make mess. Needless to say, when I picked him up we had to go back in so he could "go".

End of the day-I was fine ALL day, but after Hunter got home from school, I hugged him and just starting balling my eyes out. That is typical for me. I am a ROCK in a pinch and during a trial. After all is said and completely done, I fall apart. I just can't believe that my baby is in school. Time has gone by so quickly. I am so proud of him and I love him and his brother dearly.

JEERK - The Swedish Sensation in Branson, Mo!

2010-08-17T04:59:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, we took the kids to see a new show in Branson called JEERK. Funny name, I know. They are a group of extremely talented guys from Sweden who rock the stage with their tap dancing and rhythm. They perform at the Hughes Brothers Theatre on the strip.

If I had to sum up the experience in one word, it would be "unbelievable". If you get a chance to read their brochure, each of these young men has been highly successful. They are dancers, musicians, actors and singers. The show is not only a tribute to the famous tap dancers like Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and Gregory Hines, but also something new and fresh in America. They use hardware items that you might find in your local hardware store to make incredible rhythms all while tapping in their high tops. They look and dress like rock stars and their music is very much Rock and Roll.

Non-stop action and entertainment. These guys never stopped tapping! And they were creative and innovative with their stage props. Did I mention that they were funny? We gave them a standing ovation twice because the audience wanted more! During the show, I peeked at my 8 year old to see if he was enjoying it. I could see his wheels turning. This show made a huge impression on him. He saw "cool", "hip" guys with punk rock hair playing instruments, dancing, and performing. This show inspired him.

After the show, all five performers came out so that we could meet them. I would like to mention that a lady, who was in her 70's, came up already dressed in her JEERK t-shirt, and hugged each and every one of them. She loved it! My kids couldn't wait to get autographs. They too wanted t-shirts, necklaces, posters, bumper stickers, etc. Truly, a show for all ages.

To me, this show represents the NEW Branson. The Branson that will attract young families like ours to vacation and live and yet will still impress our senior crowd that we love and cherish. If you haven't seen this "Rhythm Artist Group" yet, you must make plans. They are only performing through the end of October, so make it part of your Fall Fun in the Ozarks!

FLUFFY SHEEP!

Our Lady of the Lake

2010-08-10T05:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening, my family enjoyed a dinner cruise onboard the Showboat Branson Belle. Our Lady of the Lake has been entertaining passengers for 16+ years. When we first arrived, we walked a path through the most beautiful grounds that I have seen in this area. The landscaping is pristine and there were many photo opportunities along the way. The path lead us to the White River Landing where there was shopping, restrooms, and a box office. And in the background was the Lady herself docked on the most beautiful lake I have ever known, Table Rock Lake.

As we boarded the Belle, our boys stopped to feed some giant Carp that had been patiently waiting for our arrival. Then we were off to get our souvenir picture taken. At this point we were hot and ready to go inside for reprieve. We entered the ship and were directed to our seats, but in typical Wicker fashion, we went to the restrooms instead. When we finally found our seats in the dining hall, we were amazed at the size. We learned that the Belle can accomodate 700 guests and I believe that it was about 95% full.

There was no idle time when we sat down. The Emcee, a seasoned comedian, began telling us about the paddle boat. The boat was constructed at its port at White River Landing and was launched into Table Rock Lake on August 12, 1994. What we found to be facinating was the fact that in order to get the boat into the water after construction, they used "Launching Rails" that were covered in bananas to "Slip" the huge paddleboat into the water. I thought that slipping on banana peels was something of a cartoon myth, but no. It actually worked and the boat slipped at 14 miles per hour into Table Rock Lake, which the Emcee mentioned was the fastest the boat has ever traveled.

During the introduction, one of the audience members asked the Emcee if Nickel City was a fun place to go in Branson. She meant, Silver Dollar City, but the Emcee was relentless in teasing her throughout the show. It was pretty funny. While the Emcee gave us a history lesson, the first course of our meal was being served. The Dinner consisted of salad and bread, Beef and Chicken with Vegetables, a yummy ice cream pie dessert, iced tea, water, and coffee. The kids devoured chicken strips, veggies, and macaroni and cheese. Their dessert was ice cream and gummy bears. Perfect.

The Show was entertaining and high energy, but my favorite part was going up on the decks of the boat and peering out on the landscape of the Ozarks. I never pass up the opportunity to go to the lake. I love seeing the sun sparkle off of the gentle waves and I am one of those people that believe that the lake gives off positive ions that make you feel relaxed! We saw a few tubers going by so we waved. The boys were asking a lot of questions - How does a paddle boat work? How much does this boat weigh? When are we going tubing? Why are we on the lake and not in the water? That is why we took a picture of the "PLANK"....wink, wink.

The boys enjoyed Todd Oliver and his talking dogs. When they performed, every member of the audience was laughing. Mr. Oliver is a famous ventriloquist and he controlled masks that were attached to the dogs' muzzles to make them appear to be talking. He made the dogs have personalities which made it funny. The Bull Dog, Irving, was very sarcastic and lazy and his nemisis, Lucy was shy and matter of fact. This was a huge hit with the kids especially.

When the show was over, we left the ship and walked ashore. The boys thanked us for taking them and told us that they had a great time! Our final thoughts were that the Showboat Branson Belle is a must see in Branson and definitely is entertaining for all ages. The show was high energy, the staff was friendly, and the scenery was breathtaking. I encourage Branson visitors to check out the deals on their website http://www.showboatbransonbelle.com/. They have a first time ever combo offer with the Titanic and when the 2 attractions are purchased together, adults save up to $13.83 per ticket.

Back to School Bash

2010-08-03T08:01:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, my boys and I attended the 4th annual Back to School Bash at the Branson Rec Plex. What a blessing it was to see hundreds of local children receive free school supplies and backpacks. I would like to thank the First Baptist Church in Branson for putting on such an amazing event.

When we arrived, my boys hit the ground running. They could see from a distance a stunt bike flying through the air. Sure enough, a stunt team from Springfield was at the event ministering to the kids and showing off their talents! There were 2 BMX bikers who raced up and down a half pipe doing flips and landing on one tire. There was a fantastic skate boarder who actually did a hand stand on the edge of his board. Last but certainly not least was a young man on a dirt bike. He actually jumped the motorcycle over 9 people. I have to admit that I was nervous about that stunt, but the boys loved it and couldn't stop smiling.

Next stop was the climbing wall. Each kid was hooked to a safety line and could climb the wall up about 20 feet in the air. And after we got extremely hot waiting in line, there were water slides and bouncy houses to cool us off. Did I mention that admission into the Aqua Plex was free? Kids also enjoyed face painting and crafts, but my boys skipped these areas to focus on the more physical activities. Fun, fun, fun.

This event was complete with a firetruck, D.A.R.E. and an ambulance. Not only was this an outreach to children that needed extra financial support in the community, but the event also supported fire safety, drug abuse resistance, and fellowship. It truly is a blessing to be a part of this community.

P.S. My photos were taken from my phone so I apologize for the quality. Thanks for reading!

Jaynee’s Life in a day

2010-07-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

On July 24, 2010, Kevin McDonald, a Hollywood film maker for Sundance, asked the World to video a portion of what their lives were like that day, mundane or exciting, and upload it to YouTube to be used in a movie called, LIFE IN A DAY. Jaynee, the famous 1st Class Maid of the Titanic Museum Attraction, wanted to share her daily “behind the scenes” life with the world and I was picked to film it.

Jaynee is the “personality” that the Titanic Museum Attraction uses for commercials, billboards, print ads, etc. She is like the “Mickey Mouse” of the Titanic Museum Attraction. I frequently get asked a lot of questions about her. “Is Jaynee real?” “Does Jaynee fake an accent for her job?” “Where is she from?” I have now learned the answers to these questions first hand and will share them with you. Jaynee is real of course. She is one of the most passionate ladies that I have ever met. If you have ever been lucky enough to meet her at one of the Titanic Museum Attractions and have seen her “in character”, what I want you to know is that she is not acting; that is Jaynee’s actual personality. She is British which explains the accent, she is full of life, and she genuinely LOVES the Titanic.

During our LIFE IN A DAY filming, we had to answer four questions. The first was, “What does Jaynee love?” Jaynee’s LOVE for the Titanic is GRAND. She knows every passenger and their story. She knows every detail of the construction of the RMS Titanic. She cares for every crewmember at the Titanic Museum Attraction and they care for her.

Throughout the day, Jaynee recited poem after poem about the Titanic. She engaged visitors and told them stories about the passengers on their boarding passes. What I noticed, following her around the ship, was that she captivates guests. Not only is her accent perfectly fitting for a first class maid aboard the Titanic, but also her knowledge and emotional connection draws people in. AND, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the dogs. The Titanic Museum Attraction is now paying tribute to the dogs that were onboard the Titanic. They have 2 King Charles spaniels named Molly and Carter who “work” at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo. each day. When I saw Jaynee interacting with these two, I knew she was completely “head over heels” for them.

Ergo, my next question got answered without even asking. “What is in Jaynee’s pockets?” Well, what I saw were treats for the dogs in a red velvet bag. I witnessed her rewarding each of the special mascots treat upon treat. They greeted her; she gave them a treat. They barked; she gave them a treat. They rang a bell; she gave them a treat. I now know that those dogs are highly intelligent and they expect Jaynee to have “full pockets”.

The next question to answer on my mission was “What do you fear”? I was taken back by Jaynee’s honesty and intelligence. Jaynee explained that the oil spill in the Gulf was her biggest fear at present. She explained that BP represents Britain and because she is British, it embarrasses her to think that she might be associated with such a disaster. Her vast amount of knowledge on the environment and the eco-system were surprising and her genuine care for animals shone through as she talked about the tragedy.

There was one last question that our video had to answer. “What makes Jaynee laugh?” That was apparent throughout the day. Jaynee enjoys making others laugh. She had a witty remark for every occasion. Her light-hearted nature was contagious and everyone seemed to enjoy making her laugh too.

This experience drew me in to the Titanic Museum Attraction on an entirely new level. It is not just a museum. There is a family that works together there and they are passionate about each of their positions. They are passionate about paying tribute every day to the 2,208 passengers and crew that were aboard the Titanic and they all work together to make the visitor’s experience personal and exceptional. Yes, I accomplished my goal of producing a “behind the scenes” look at Jaynee’s Life in a Day, but I gained so much more.

Life in a day

2010-07-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

Titanic Museum Attraction News and Events: July Art Exhibit at the Titanic in Branson, MO

2010-07-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

Titanic Museum Attraction News and Events: July Art Exhibit at the Titanic in Branson, MO: "They're here and yes I almost missed the light trying to rubber-neck.... The entire month of July, The Titanic Museum Attract..."

July Art Exhibit at the Titanic in Branson, MO

2010-07-01T07:27:00.001-07:00

They're here and yes I almost missed the light trying to rubber-neck....

The entire month of July, The Titanic Museum Attraction is paying tribute to the artists that were onboard the Titanic. According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, "art" is the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects.

I had the absolute pleasure this morning of meeting the famous, most talented Missouri Artist, Rachel Wilson. She has used her creative imagination to transform hedge wood into life-size, life-like horse sculptures and they are now on display in the grassy knoll of the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo. These creations are magnificent! I thought I knew what to expect before I arrived at the ship this morning, but nothing can prepare you for the stunning beauty of this art form.

Rachel got into working with Hedge Wood during a time on her farm when cut-backs were necessary and oil paint and canvas (her usual) were expensive. She said she had PLENTY of fallen hedge wood and decided that she would make something of it. Recycle it. When Rachel starts a new "piece", she explained, she goes out on her farm in Avilla, Mo and gathers the wood. Then, in her shop she sculpts the pieces together to create these majestic figures.

Weighing in at over 500 pounds is the largest horse sculpture on display. "His" name is Country Knight and required over 2 months to complete. Country Knight's Grand Stature reminds me of the Titanic. According to Wikipedia, RMS Titanic was the largest passenger steamship in the world when she set off on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, on 10 April 1912. Country Knight is valued at $8,000. All of the horse sculptures on display are for sale. They range anywhere from $1500-$8000, depending on size.

I find it fitting for our museum to pay tribute to the artists that were onboard the Titanic. After all, there were two world renowned artists documented to have been 1912 RMS Titanic passengers; Paul Chevre was a French sculptor and Francis Millet was an American painter. And...what about Jack Dawson? He was an aspiring sketch artist! The Titanic Museum Attraction continues to celebrate ALL of the passengers that traveled on the 1912 voyage and draws us in emotionally to their lives.

Voted by 417's Branson Vacation Magazine as one of the top things to do this summer, Rachel Wilson’s Horse Sculptures will be on display the entire month of July 2010 on the lawn of the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri. This is a MUST SEE in Branson, Mo.

Molly and Carter Audition for the Letterman show?!

2010-06-28T04:38:00.001-07:00

I just love living in Branson, Mo. Why? Because Branson is a town that celebrates people. There has been a lot of HEAVY US news lately. The oil spill in the Gulf, Michael Jackson's one-year memorial, and the World Cup are a few of the topics. Here in Branson, Mo. I have a light hearted topic to tell you about.

This Saturday evening at the Branson Landing, right in front of the fire and water show, I had the pleasure of being an audience member for David Letterman's Stupid Human and Pet Trick Auditions. That's right, Branson got a chance to show off its talented people and I can't wait to see who gets picked to represent our town.

There were many human auditions including a young lady who could "Hoodiny" her way out of handcuffs by basically dislocating her shoulder. I witnessed a young man who could lick his elbows. One woman sang the national anthem by hitting her throat in a way that sounded like bag pipes. The talent was endless.

Then, the pets had a chance to show off their skills and guess who came up first? Molly and Carter, our beautiful pups that celebrate the Dogs that were onboard the Titanic, along with our most amazing First Class Maid, Jaynee. They were on their "Game" too. Molly and Carter both rang a bell, barked, and bowed all on command. The crowd loved them.

What I want to share about Molly and Carter's mission is that they are not only celebrating the Dogs that were onboard the Titanic, but they have another cause. It's called S.O.S. or Save Our Strays. Molly and Carter travel and educate local residents on how to care for dogs and work closely with the Taney County Humane Society to raise awareness and funding for Taney County. Jaynee shared with the crowd, that they have already raised $145,000 for their cause. She also shared that she has nine cats and 7 dogs herself. Wow. I believe she is saving strays as well. Thank you Titanic Museum Attraction for taking action and making a difference in our town.

Overall, the event was delightful and I believe our visitors and locals alike had a great time. I can't wait to find out if Molly and Carter get picked for Mr. Letterman's show. They are destined for stardom.

If you would like to meet Molly and Carter , come on over to the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo. You can purchase tickets online at http://www.titanicbranson.com. Molly and Carter work everyday from 9am-5pm. AND Each day at noon when the ship's noon whistle blows, they promenade down past the waterfall in front of the museum and meet and greet guests. They also have a webcam at http://titanicbranson.com/titanic_webcam2.php where you can view them lounging in their lavish first class kennel.

Three cheers for Branson, Mo. I love my hometown.

July Art Exhibit at the Titanic in Branson, MO

2010-06-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

If you appreciate art or are an artist yourself, you have to take the time to come see the Titanic Museum Attraction’s Branson Art Exhibit this July. Our owners, John and Mary Kellogg-Joslyn have had the fortune of meeting a local Missouri artist extraordinaire whose talent is remarkable and worth seeing!

Her name is Rachel Wilson and she hails from Avilla, Missouri. She discovered her artistic talent back in High School in Webb City and actually received a scholarship to MSSU. Now she has a family of her own and lives on a crop and cattle farm.

I believe, when you become a mom, you have the deepest form of love in your heart for nurturing and protecting your children. Being a mom is a true gift and it inspires women. Art is an amazing outlet for this inspiration. I have a great respect for Rachel as a mom and local artist. She has definitely captured her passion in her art.

Rachel’s Titanic exhibit is that of Horse Sculptures. These amazing life-size sculptures are made of fallen hedge wood from past years ice storms on her farm. In a sense, she has recycled broken limbs and transformed them into works of art that seem to come back to life. These artistic horses have so much detail that they will definitely draw attention and double takes for passers by on the Strip in Branson, Mo. “I think our July visitors, especially the kids, will be surprised, and startled, by the realism and motion that Rachel has captured in her imaginative, hedge-horse sculptures. Each ‘horse’ has a name and story to tell, from the large plow horse to the smallest of colts,” says Joslyn. “Six sculptures will be herded together outdoors on Titanic’s grassy knoll, where they’ll appear to be grazing. They are so life-like they’re bound to slow traffic,” he adds.

Rachel Wilson’s Horse Sculptures will be on display the entire month of July 2010 on the lawn of the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri. Don’t miss it.

Spreading the word about The World's Largest Titanic Museum in Branson, Mo

2010-02-01T10:52:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, I had to make a VERY unexpected trip to Texas for a funeral. It was hard to say goodbye to a very close family member. However, it was so great to see all of my family. Of Course, when you are at a family gathering, everyone always wants to know what kind of work you are doing. I was really excited to tell them about my new position as the Web Promotions Specialist for the Titanic Museum. None of my family had been to the museum, yet some of them had been to Branson. I told them all about what to expect on a visit to the attraction and how they didn't want to miss such a fantastic historical presentation. By the time our visit was over, everyone was planning their vacations to come to the Ozarks. It is so great to live in an area that attracts your family and I can't wait to take them to the museum.

Titanic already making Pigeon Forge Port-Of-Call

2010-01-22T12:07:00.000-08:00

Titanic already making Pigeon Forge Port-Of-Call

Santa's Reindeer at the Titanic

2009-12-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

Friday, December 4 - Saturday, December 5
Friday, December 11 - Saturday, December 12

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM the TITANIC
Celebrate the Christmas Season with LIVE Reindeer!

During their visit children and families alike can pet the reindeer, have their pictures taken ($10.00) with these relatively rare creatures! Daily visits from 10am to 7pm.

Titanic Ice Sculpture Event

2009-12-04T11:44:00.000-08:00

Titanic Branson to Host 4th Annual Ice Sculpturing Competition. Have an Ice Day on Saturday, January 16, 2010.

Spectacular ice formations will rise from Titanic Branson’s parking lot when National Ice Carving Association’s Titans of Ice compete in Titanic’s 4th Annual Ice Carving competition from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2010 announces Jaynee, Titanic First Class Maid. This free, one-day exhibition has proven to be one of the museum attraction’s most exciting and heavily attended family events of the year. “Last year more than 7,000 visitors stopped to watch 18 professional and amateur carvers turn 250 –pound blocks of ice into fantastic designs. This year we expect to welcome even more,” Jaynee says.

Visitors can view sculptures in progress, talk to the artists and learn the secrets of championship ice carving from the experts. The official NICA Judging Panel will announce the competition winners and award prizes..

For more information, please contact us at (417) 334-9500.
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Masquerade, October 30, 2009

2009-10-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

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Masquerade, October 30, 2009