Dear Space Center Friends,
     My name is Jaime Catlett. I have been nominated for America Favorite Teacher. They have some great prizes. One is to appear in Readers Digest. I would LOVE to share my story how I become an educator. I need your help, I need your vote. Please follow the link below and vote, and then forward it onto all your friends, community and family. You may vote once a day. Thank you so very much.
Thank you!
Jaime

A Note from Mr. Williamson
     Space Center Community, Jaime was a faithful, long serving Space Center volunteer over many years back in the 1990's. She was an inspiration to all of us. Her love of children, space, and education in general led her into a teaching career and what a fantastic teacher she is.  Please take a moment, click on the button below, and drop a vote for Jaime. The Space Center community takes care of our own. 
​

Hello Troops,
Had enough sugar for one day, or are you just beginning? I'm real old school when it comes to my candy of choice for Easter. You can have the jelly bean eggs. You can keep the Cadbury chocolate delights. I'll be your friend for life if you save me the marshmallow Peeps and the Brach's Easter Eggs with the colored candy shell and that white marshmallow interior. It's comfort candy to me - a reminder of my Easters in South Dakota as a kid.

My parents didn't put a lot of time into Easter, as evident in our traditional "Easter Egg Hunt". Every Easter afternoon my seven siblings and I would be ordered to the basement after Sunday School to take off our church clothes and wait for the arrival and departure of the "Bunny". Maybe it was because we were the poor kids on the block, or maybe Rapid City, South Dakota was always the Bunny's last stop, but that darn Bunny didn't put a lot of effort into hiding our eggs. His haste always led to concussions and spilt blood.

Imagine eight children on a very narrow staircase, huddled with pillowcases (we couldn't afford the nicely woven, colorful baskets). We sat close to each other and waited for the upstair's door to open - the signal that the Hunt was on. My older sister and I sat at the bottom of the stairway on my parent's orders. Putting us at the end of the line was intended to give our younger siblings first dibs on the pickings. It never did and always led to disaster. Sometimes parents never learn.

We all jumped up and pressed forward when the door opened. Our hearts pounded in our chests, feeding off the thought of pure sugar. "You can come up!" Suddenly the words we waited for were spoken. It was time to put brotherly love aside or go without the good stuff for another year.

First blood was always drawn on the rush up the stairs. It was usually the youngest's bloody nose. My sister and I, having had more experience at that kind of thing, easily pushed and shoved the other six out of the to make it outside first.

The Bunny's haste usually meant most of the eggs were located in one central area on the back lawn.
"There they are!" was the shout we all listened for. Once the stash was located, it was like two football teams descending on a fumbled football. We all piled in, pushing and shoving, swinging and missing, swinging and hitting, biting and punching - it didn't matter. There were no rules in this evolutionary sport of survival of the fittest.

Now that I'm older I understand why our neighbors were always outside at their back fences. Watching the Williamson's Easter Egg raucous was better than anything on TV. Some of them joined in the fun by waiting until our collecting was finished and then shouted that we had missed a few. We watched while they threw several eggs by the tree. They laughed as the whole rugby scrum formed and fur, hair and teeth flew all over again. It was like tossing a whole piece of bread into a gaggle of ducks on the pond. Feathers flew and camera's snapped.

At the end, we four oldest had most of the candy eggs and Peeps while the youngest had the strangely colored hard boiled eggs we'd dyed the night before. Then came the tears. The four of us knew that Mom would make us share the candy and Peeps if we didn't eat them right then and there. We ran to the side of the house and shoved them into our mouths as fast as we could (or hid them again for a later retrieval when everyone was in bed).

The Holy Grail of our Easter was finding the one that got away. Remember finding that one candy egg or marshmallow Peep that escaped the search? There it quietly sat, hiding up high on the window ledge or behind the living room curtain for a month or so until discovered. The thrill of finding the "One that Got Away" was intoxicating. The discovery would be followed by a parade through the house where the delicious morsel would be held out like a captive general of an opposing army. Your pride would swell from hearing "I can't believe it," said over and over again.

The Easter trophy would sometimes be eaten in front of everyone right after the parade. We believed that it's craftiness and cunning could be transferred into our own being through digestion. Other times the candy would be kept as a trophy to be taken out, dusted and shown to company for the next several months.

Yes, those are my Easter memories........ Happy days.......

Mr. Williamson

     Last month I stopped by InfiniD Learning in Provo to do a recording.  I'm the voice of the computer in all InfiniD missions. While there I was told in the strictest confidence that InfiniD Learning would be changing its name to Mission.io.  Brooks Heder explained that while cool, InfiniD always had one problem - spelling.  People misspelled InfiniD when searching for the web site.  They knew the name had to change, but to what.  After considerable brainstorming, they came to the realization that the word "Mission" had everything they needed. 
      The word "Mission" was the word I used for adventures in the Starship Voyager back when I founded the Space Center. The name stuck and is used at every Space EdVenture Center and Dream Flight Adventures today as you can see in Dream Flight's web site menu bar. 

     "Missions" has always been the word InfiniD used as well for their adventures.  The InfiniD team made the decision to change the name to something easy to remember, easy to spell, and rich in space center lore. Their next problem was a website domain.  Searching "Mission" led to a dead end.  There wasn't a URL available so they went searching to buy one.  With a bit of luck, and some cash, they found the owner of Mission.io and the owner was willing to sell for an undisclosed amount of cash. 
     With a new name and website in place, the InfiniD team went looking for a new logo.  That wasn't too difficult considering InfiniD has on its payroll excellent graphic artists for their missions.  The new logo was created and the company was ready to launch.  

      My Young Astronauts and Voyagers at Renaissance Academy love the new video opening to the missions.  We do the missions religiously as part of our after school club meetings.  
     Congratulations Mission.io.  Speaking as someone who has been with you since the beginning, I think it is fantastic. Keep up the good work and please give that guy who does your computer voice a big pay raise.  Mission.io missions are nothing without that calm, soothing voice guiding the younglings through wild adventures through space and the inner body.  

      There is one thing you can always count on when it comes to the Christa McAuliffe Space Center, improvements are always happening.  Whether it is new lighting controls in the simulators, new missions, new planetarium shows, new laser rock and roll shows in the planetarium, or all these new color lights in the planetarium installed this weekend - we never rest.  
     Take a look at the video below to see this new lighting element for the laser shows.  

     If you haven't been to the Space Center's planetarium for a laser show, then time to remedy that right now.  Go to the website spacecenter.alpineschools.org to book a ticket and bring the family as well.  Don't forget, the planetarium does some pretty cool stars shows as well.  Imagine having something like The Christa McAuliffe Space Center right here in Utah County.  Take advantage of this great educational and entertainment facility.   

     I've taught using simulations since my student teaching days at Central Elementary in March 1983.  Because of my love of using simulations, I became enamored with using them to teach space and history. We all know what became of that fascination :)
     Fast forward to today. In addition to my work at The Space Place at Renaissance Academy and The Christa McAuliffe Space Center, I also teach 6th grade math and history. Rignt now my two history classes are neck deep in reenacting World War I.  My classroom has been sectioned into Imperial Germany under Kaiser Ezra, Great Britain, France, Russia and the United States.  Kaiser Ezra rules the German citizens, and using his power of taxation, he generates a budget to keep Germany in the war.  Our economy is based on classroom currency. Students earn the currency through grades, behavior, and projects.  
     Every morning the Kaiser (purple hoodie) and his top military aides meet before school to review the latest maps.  Policy is driven based on the maps and what information his spies are able to collect from their opposing nations.  

     Everything seems to be going well for Germany - at the moment.  But we all know what happens in the end.  This week the Lusitania will sink and sadly things will go downhill from that point on.  The real drama happens during the Weimar republic when hyperinflation sets in.  Things will get ugly and there will be tears.  

     Six of our Renaissance Academy Voyagers made up the tech crew for Renaissance Academy's 3rd - 5th grade play over the weekend. They did an excellent job running the lights and sound with only a couple slight mistakes (nearly causing everyone in the gym to go deaf :)  They volunteered their time over the last couple months attending hours of rehearsals and procuring needed equipment.  
     I watched them from behind the scenes Saturday night. I confess, that sound board looked very tempting.  Who wouldn't want to reach over and start pushing buttons and messing with the dials.  It was all I could take to keep my hands to myself.  I think Canon was on to me. He kept glancing back to see what I was doing.  

     Here is something crews see every time they arrive at the Space Center.  The day's flight directors huddled near the lobby desk waiting for the lobby person to give them the thumps up that their crew has arrived and is ready to depart.  Their topic of conversation on Saturday was how to run landing parties out of the ships when the school's gym and hallways were off limits due to Central's school play and the concession stand.  

     Baby Boomers like myself pride ourselves on not getting offended over minor things like may of the snowflake generation but I regret saying that I was nearly offended when I saw this Utah State sign outside Mr. Porter's office at the Space Center.  Utah State is Mr. Porter's alma mater but does he not know that this is BYU country?  What is a proud BYU graduate from the class of 1983 suppose to do about this?  Should I demand equal representation?  I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this so I'll withhold judgement and shelve my offense for now until more information is forthcoming.  While I wait I'll prepare my BYU sign to have at the ready.  

Hello Troops,
     Here is a nice St. Patrick Day mission for you.  I won't even charge for its use :)  We could title it "The Shamrock Attack".  It will be a hit. I feel it in my bones......

Mr. W. 

The Shamrock Attack

     In the vast expanse of the galaxy, nestled amidst swirling nebulae and twinkling stars, lay Starbase Williamson—a bustling hub of interstellar activity. Commanding officers monitored their consoles diligently, while engineers scurried about, tending to the maintenance of spacecraft and machinery. But little did they know, a peculiar threat lurked beyond the reaches of their scanners.  
     On March 17, 2324, as the starbase hummed with its usual rhythm, an alarm pierced the tranquility. Admiral Porter was jolted from a quiet moment of reflection in his command chair.  "What the," he shouted as he looked around the command deck for a reason why a peaceful dream was abruptly interrupted.  Over his head radar screens flickered to life, displaying an unexpected sight—a fleet of peculiar vessels, resembling giant space shamrocks, were rapidly closing in on Starbase Williamson.  First Officer Jon Parker stood near the Admiral studying the sensors screens. His eyes widened as he watched the approaching armada.
     "What in the galaxy is this?" he muttered in a disbelieving voice. He was so surprised he nearly dropped his mug of Dr. Pepper.  "I haven't seen anything like this since that mission through the wormhole where we encounter space polar bears." Communications buzzed with urgent chatter as reports flooded in from neighboring outposts. Similar fleets were appearing wreaking havoc across nearby sectors, leaving behind a trail of verdant green chaos. After a few moments the invaders' mission was clear. Ships and outposts were reporting in that giant shamrocks were attacking with laser weapons which turned the surface of everything they touched green.
     With a furrowed brow, Admiral Porter issued orders to mobilize the starbase's defenses. Fighters were scrambled, and deflector shields were raised in a desperate attempt to repel the unexpected onslaught.  As the shamrock-shaped vessels drew nearer they unleashed torrents of emerald energy, bathing the starbase in an ethereal glow. Alarms blared, warning of breaches in the hull as the verdant energy seeped into every corner of the once-pristine facility.
     Amidst the chaos, Lieutenant Scott Wiltbank, a young and resourceful officer, devised a daring plan. Racing against time, he led a crack team of boarding party specialists to infiltrate the heart of one of the invading vessels, determined to uncover the source of their mysterious technology.  On the transporter pad stood Lt. Scott, with Ensigns Ellie, Tyler, Mitch, Brylee, and Rylan.  All wore green camo and carried the latest in phaser weaponry brought to them by the chief armorer Audrey.  "Good Luck to you all," said transport chief Tabitha as she pulled down the levers of the transport mechanism.  Ensign Audrey stood beside Tabitha. She wiped a tear from her eye as she watched her friends shimmer into millions of colors before disappearing into the ether.
      "Will they make it back?" Audrey asked the question but didn't expect an answer.
     "They'd better succeed," Tabitha responded firmly.  "Green is not one of my colors.  It makes me looked all washed out in the face.  If I'm forced into a green uniform, I'll never forgive them."
     Inside the alien craft, the landing party encountered a labyrinth of pulsating machinery, manned by enigmatic beings clad in shimmering green armor. With nerves of steel, Lieutenant Scott and his team pressed on, hacking into the vessel's central systems.
     Their efforts revealed a startling truth—the shamrock fleet was not driven by malice, but by a misguided quest for harmony. The aliens believed that by spreading greenery across the galaxy, they could bring about universal peace.  Their motto was, "Clean, Green, and Serene".
     Realizing the misunderstanding, Lieutenant Scott initiated a dialogue with the alien commander, offering an alternative solution. Together, they devised a plan to restore the affected sectors to their original state, while preserving the aliens' noble intentions.
     With a collective sigh of relief, the crisis was averted. The shamrock fleet departed peacefully, leaving behind a lesson of understanding and cooperation in their wake.
     As Starbase Williamson returned to its bustling routine, Admiral Porter couldn't help but be proud of his junior officers. The bravery and skills they demonstrated in determining the Green's intentions, and the diplomacy used to diffuse the situation, was remarkable.  As he repositioned himself back into his command chair, he considered putting their names forward for the Federation's Medal of Bravery. He raised his hand to issue the order but after a thought or two, decided to close his eyes and ponder the decision. "One must be careful and consider all options before making decisions like these," he thought to himself. 
     "Shhhh, don't wake him," First Officer Jon whispered to those tapping away on  their command deck computers. "Let's carry on and do what we do best; keep this starbase running in tip top form and make the Admiral look good. We always work to make the Admiral look good."  He reached for his Dr. Pepper, took a thirst quenching draw, and walked to the main viewer to stare out into the abyss.      

By Landon Hemsley 
     I read today a post on the blog about things commonly heard at the space center. It struck me how long it's been since I've been around the space center with any sort of regularity; I didn't recognize more than half of the names on that list.
     In any case, I saw your note about welcoming blog posts from readers. I don't know that I would say that this fits neatly into the category of "things I would like to put on the space center blog," but if you want to take bits and pieces of this and post them, I won't object.

Commonly Heard at the Space Center 20 years ago... I really had to reach down the ol' memory bucket to unearth these scraps... So many things are fuzzy now.

Mr. Williamson: "GO TO B"

Stephen Porter: "I'm the GRAAAAAAAAAAND POOH-BAH!!!" 

Anyone who got hit by Ryan Davis during warball: "OW"
(Side note: Is that his name? I don't rightly remember. All I know is he played baseball and getting hit by those balls he would throw hurt).

Chris Call, in his best Ferengi voice: "All I need is three bars of gold pressed latinum, captain, and you've got a deal!"

Anyone whenever Mr. Schuler entered the room: "Watch out, He's got Diet Coke!" (IYKYK)

Half the staff on overnight camps: "I'm in the odyssey tonight" (because half they time they'd stay up until 4 a.m. playing Halo on the main viewer)

Landon Hemsley (when I wasn't in the Odyssey or chaperoning): "The cave is mine." (IYKYK)

Mr. Williamson: "Votes!.... Bryson, Bryson, Bryson! (Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding)"

Anyone who ever flew Shadows: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" (That mission is legendary)

I'm sure there are so many more, but it's been so long that I can't remember specific quotes per se. Still, other things that stand out to me 20 years after my volunteering/flight directing prime include...

The pillowcases Lorraine would make for staff. Sadly mine died some 15 years ago, but I treasured that thing while I had it.

The cakes Lorraine would make to celebrate birthdays after campers had gone to bed.

The old school engineering panels that weren't really connected to anything, followed up by the isolinear chips that Matt Long put together with that engineering group at BYU. The engineering panels at the Center now make those old systems look antiquated, but man we thought they were cool.

The smell of donuts and chocolate milk on a saturday morning.

Speaking of smells, the distinctive odor of 100+ unwashed campers after 4 days in simulators.

The feeling you got after you substituted a quality meal with candy just to be able to make it through the end of the next mission.

The screams of terrorizing a poor crew with a Drashnok, and the cheers of rewarding said crew with a successfully completed mission.

Injuries... oh the injuries... suffered by staff on away missions. None of them were really ever serious, but almost every time it seemed someone would take a bump or bruise.

The odors associated with cleaning up camper vomit. (I was briefly a janitor for the center, so I was fortunate enough to get this duty multiple times.)

Take care! 
Landon Hemsley

     Admiral Wes Kinsey has come far since his first volunteer mission on the Magellan on July 22, 2018.  He's gone from a wet behind the ears blackshirt volunteer to a Magellan flight director all in the span of nearly 6 years.  He is an example of setting goals early and working diligently until those goals are achieved.  
     As you read in last week's Troubadour post, Wes is going planetside to serve an LDS mission to Texas. Starfleet has lost a good officer and the good folks of Texas a kind soul who will soon come a'knocking at their doors asking what they know about Mormons and would they like to know more? :). You can see in the photo above, Wes is assembling the right attire for a Texas mission. He is sporting a good, wore in pair of cowboy boots.  
Ladies and gentlemen, officers and crew of the mighty Starship Magellan,
     Wes gathered his staff and volunteers on the bridge for a final farewell speech yesterday as he signed off on his last mission. 
     "Today marks a momentous occasion in the annals of our journey through the cosmos. As I stand before you, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and admiration for each and every one of you who has contributed to the success of our six-year expedition. 
     We embarked on this odyssey not merely as a crew, but as a family united by a common purpose: to explore the uncharted reaches of space, unravel the mysteries that lie beyond the stars, and, most importantly, to safeguard the citizens of the Federation from the threats that lurk in the cosmic shadows. The Magellan has been our steadfast companion through the vastness of the unknown, and together, we have faced challenges that tested our mettle and strengthened our resolve.
     As I bid farewell to this remarkable staff and volunteers, I am confident that the legacy of the Magellan will endure. Our adventures will become the legends that inspire future generations of explorers, and the bonds we forged will stand as a testament to the strength of unity in the face of the unknown.
     To my fellow Flight Directors and Supervisors, you are the beating heart of this vessel, the guardians of the Federation's ideals, and the architects of our shared destiny. I am honored to have served alongside such an extraordinary group of individuals, and I have the utmost faith that you will continue to direct missions of courage, laughter, and purpose.
      May the stellar winds guide you, the cosmic currents carry you, and may the spirit of exploration always burn brightly in your hearts. Farewell, my friends, until our paths cross again in the vast expanse of the cosmos. Godspeed, and may the Magellan continue to sail the seas of the infinite with pride and purpose.
Admiral Wes Kinsey, signing off.   

     Wes's words were so moving that his staff and volunteers dropped to their knees and pleaded for him to stay. "What will we do without you?!" cried young Charlie.  
      "You'll do fine young man," Wes consoled and then turned to the worshiping assembly to offer his final blessing.  "I've taught you all everything I know and now you must spread your wings and fly. Fly into that bright tomorrow."  And with those words, he stood, composed himself, and walked steadfastly to the door to pass into the adventures that await.  

Enjoy with me the last couple minutes of Wes's last mission on the Magellan before retirement.  He got that last big cheer from the younglings.  It was a great mission to go out on. 

     All of us at Renaissance Academy's The Space Place are proud as punch of our 3rd Grade Scorpion Squadron for their hard work over the last several months. Last Thursday they finished their 7 month long LDM mission in the Starship Voyager.  As a team, they bravely defended the young Prince Horace and his bodyguard Dweeb from the evil space pirates. Their mission was to escort the prince from Earth to his home world Piddlewee of Uck.  It was tough work at the beginning. Thorium ship controls are not easily mastered by 3rd graders, but they got the job done. 
    Bracken Funk, Director of The Space Place, was their final captain. Our 3rd grade squadrons are all captained by experienced members of the Farpoint Voyager Club at Renaissance Academy.  We found having experienced, older captains makes all the difference in flying 8-9 year olds.  Bracken chose to be their final captain and was outstanding in the role.  He, like all the other Center Directors, knows how to get right into a mission and brilliantly play any role needed.   
       All of The Space Place's Young Astronaut and Voyager Club Squadrons will be finishing their LDM's over the next three months.  Squadrons fly Monday - Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 P.M. and Friday's from 12:45 - 2:45 P.M.  Voyager Club members from any Center are welcome to come on out and watch an LDM.  It is fun taking a crew of students in grades 3 - 9 on missions that last 7-9 months.  There are different mission for all grade levels. 
     Once again, congratulations to the 3rd Grade Scorpion Squadron!   

I want to thank Lindsey for her contribution to this outstanding thread of things you'll never hear at the Space Center.  Keep 'em coming folks.  Next week we have an installment from the great Landon Hemsley himself from way way back.  

Connor:
The organ and classical music has no place in the hallowed halls of the space center. I found this 12 hour long ambient synth music on YouTube. That’s all I need to fly. (Connor is an accomplished organist and music enthusiast. He often found ways to sneak classical pieces into the missions he flew) 

Jake: I have actually a lot of thoughts about that, actually. You know what, I actually prepared a TedTalk style presentation to help drive my point home. Today I will address the topic of…… (Jake was a stellar supervisor to work with, but he is a man often of few words)
 
 Natalie:
The Odyssey needs a much grittier feel. Cut out the piano music. Let’s get it dark and dismal (Natalie played some of the most beautiful music whenever she flew that was cinematic yet whimsical) 

Tabitha:
Unto Dust is such a simple mission to fly, anyone can just pick it up and fly. Heck why not just fly it as a 2.5 hour on a whim? (Tabitha is one of the brilliant minds behind Unto Dust and knows it inside and out)
 
 Matt Ricks:
I am above bit parts and will not be participating (Some of my core memories include Matt Ricks throwing on a costume and running on last minute onto the bridge and stealing the show) 

Matt Robinson:
Maximus is such a dull mission, it has no place in the Galileo and should never be flown. (Matt consistently got soaring summer scores when he flew Maximus. I know he got a perfect score at least once that summer) 

Brylee Ann:
Maximus is the best mission known to the Galileo!! Let’s revamp it this summer as our new extended camp. Let’s also make a mini 2.5 hour version. I just can’t get enough of it. (Brylee Ann has different feelings about Maximus and its integrity to the identity of the Galileo) 

Russ: I am dim, most definitely (idk… Russ was pretty lit I guess #IfYouKnowYouKnow)
 
Micah:
Volunteer, you did terribly. I have nothing but notes. The top of the list? Don’t be bad. Which you just did. (I am always amazed at how kind Micah is when working with volunteers. He does a great job at providing constructive feedback in a way that is kind)
 
Galileo Staff:
Our panel is working perfectly!! No problems!! We don’t remember the last time we’ve had to have it or Julie or Oreo fixed!! (We love our technology. One day it will love us back too, I’m sure) 

Lindsey:
You kids better get off the ground during this away mission. We are going to walk orderly in line from one place to the next. Also I am so behind in this mission and I know this because I have my mission timings down to the minute. (If I at any moment, I can justify a ninja roll in a mission, you can bet we are going to be ninja rolling. I also notoriously get ahead by flying so fast and have to get creative at the end)

Alexis:
This doesn’t sound like a good idea Lindsey. Maybe you could just end early? (Alexis was always my partner in crime and was always willing to go with whatever unhinged ideas I came up with when I had too much time at the end) 

Orion:
Muppet Treasure Island music is so unrefined and unbecoming for a space mission. (Orion often uses Muppet Treasure Island in his start up music) 

Scott:
I don’t know, this character seems to have too much depth. (Scott loves to come and play during flights and enjoys diving deep into character psychology) 

Mitch:
Al is from the heart of Germany. (Al is from CLEVELAND) 

Nolan:
Let’s just stick to the status quo and keep everything the way they’ve always been. (Nolan always has ideas on how to push boundaries and try new ideas and solutions) 

Jon:
Better cut back on the Dr. Pepper (the last time I went in the Cassini control room, they had a dedicated trash can for soda cans)

Nathan:
I think I’ll just sit calmly in this chair as I fly. (Often he would fly with limbs out in all directions. And has broken several chairs as a result) 

Michael B:
That’s alright I guess. (Anyone who knows Michael knows that everything is FANTASTIC)

James Smith:
I’m able to shimmy up a hand railing AND keep my accent. (I remember very distinctly an extended camp where we had to get up a hall with laser dots and James was too tall to make it through and attempted to use the handrail as a cheat code. They exclaimed very loudly “AGH! I HAVE A CRAMP” (in their regular voice) “….. it ahhh hurt so bad I lost my accent”) 

Christine:
I make every laser dot obstacle course as inclusive as possible! Gotta make sure everyone makes it through with ease! (See above)

Josh Anderson:
Each villain is distinct and complex. I believe every single one should have motifs and songs as complicated as they are. (Josh would use Vampire Hunters from Dracula for just about every single bad guy speech known to man) 

Erin:
Why do we have to have so many different colors of shirts? Make it all a sea of black toned darkness, to match my heart (Erin was an EMT and rocked a red shirt. She also was one of the easiest people I have ever worked with and always made flights so fun) 

Dave Daymont:
I will definitely not give a volunteer a microphone so I can check on the away mission. (My first time volunteering with Dave he tossed me the mic and told me to have at it. Never was I more terrified in my life. It was a pretty regular occurrence when he flew, but he did such a great job at making sure every volunteer felt included)

Dug:
I think we need more formality in this program (dug was one of the most carefree people when he worked with us! He always had a smile and always wanted to compare Chaco tanlines during the summer months) 

    In the heart of the quiet pleasant grove, where the cobbled streets echoed with the laughter of market-goers and the clinking of armor from the castle, lived a young troubadour named Wes. With a microphone in hand and a voice that could charm the birds from the trees, he entertained both rich nobles and poor peasants alike with his enchanting tales of adventures far into the cosmic realm. 
     Wes's stories were like magic, transporting listeners to far-off lands and weaving dreams with the delicate threads of his words. Whether he performed on his Magellan stage for ladies and gentleman or by the fireside for humble farmers, his gift for storytelling made him a cherished figure in every corner of the realm.
     Yet, despite the joy he brought to others, Wes felt a stirring deep within his soul. A calling that tugged at his heartstrings, urging him to set aside his life of quests and song for a higher purpose. One evening, as the setting sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, Wes called his friend and family together for a solemn announcement.
     "My friends," he began, his voice carrying a mixture of gratitude and determination, "I have been blessed to share stories with you, to be a troubadour in this magnificent Pleasant Grove. But now, a new path beckons me, and I must answer the call."
     Whispers swept through the crowd as Wes explained his decision to dedicate time to God's work in a faraway land called Texashire. The villagers listened in hushed admiration, their eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and understanding.
     "Though I leave the stage and the roads I've traveled behind, I carry your stories with me. I embark on a journey of a different kind, one where the tales I tell will be written in the service of our Creator," Wes continued.
     As Wes told them of his mission to come and the lives of those he wished to touch with God's words, tears welled in the eyes of those who had shared laughter and moments of solace with him. The castle's minstrels played a somber tune, echoing a bittersweet farewell that filled the air.
     Wes will set forth on his pilgrimage on the tenth of March, traveling through dense forests, crossing vast plains, and scaling mountains. In a knapsack to his side, Wes will carry his lute, once an instrument of worldly tales, now called to resonated with hymns and prayers. The troubadour-turned-devotee will find solace in the quietude of the journey, guided by an unwavering sense of purpose.
     In the faraway land to Texashire, Wes will dedicated himself to serving the community, offering comfort and hope to those in need. His days will be spent in prayer, helping the sick, and spreading the teachings of compassion and love. The humble troubadour will become a beacon of light in a world often shadowed by hardship.
     News of Wes's selfless deeds will travel to his homelands by his brother Troubadours. The villagers will anxiously await their words and songs which will, no doubt, be tales of Brother Wes; tales sure to cause a profound sense of pride in all who know him. Yes, he will be missed, and so will be the melodies of his lute and the tales that once enchanted the evenings; however, the villagers in the pleasant grove will know that their troubadour has found a greater calling, and will leave his mark on Texashire.
     So we, his fellow Troubadours, celebrate our brother Wes and bid him a heartfelt "Farewell" as he prepares to embark on a two year mission.  We will miss him. His family will miss him, and of course his stage, the Magellan, will miss him.   

Hello Space Fans!
     Our good friend Connor Larsen enjoyed last week's post on "Things You'll Never Hear at the Space Center" and send a few more.  Thank you for your contribution Connor!  I love these. 
     Friends, I've kept a Space Center blog going since the year 2000 in one form or another and rarely do I get contributions. Please know that I'm happy to post contributions from readers.  Do you have favorite memories of missions, volunteers, or fellow staff members?  Have you got a great pictures you think others would like to see.  Send you photos, videos, stories to me: [email protected].  
      Now sit back and enjoy Connor's post "More Things You'll Never Hear at the Space Center".

Admiral Williamson


Nicole: You know what’s on the bottom of my priority list? Safety. Go ahead and build that chair tower for this away mission and see how high you can get it.  (Nicole was always a force for safety. No chair towers, no unsupported barriers, etc.)

Megan: do you know what job I think has too much work and we should reduce the amount of reports and options? Engineering. who needs those reports anyways? (Megan’s favorite job is the Engineer. She spent hours writing reports for damage reports and panels on several occasions ensuring they were acceptable.)

Connor: go ahead and miss that music cue, the music doesn’t really matter and I’ll probably repeat the song anyway. (I spend a lot of time planning music…especially music cues. I also have a policy that i’ll never repeat a song because it’s critical to the story and the story has to flow)

Casey: You know, I think we should reduce the number of away missions in the story. Is there a reason to leave the ship? (Casey was always known to throw in impromptu unscripted away missions to ensure satisfaction)

Vic: I think I’ll stop using Enya when I fly. Her music has no place in society. (Well. You know.)

Mark: Food should be allowed everywhere in engineering. We don’t even need the energizer system. (Mark’s introduction to his engineering character always included mention of a ham sandwich that had found its way into the energizer system. It began to be used by the Voyager staff when they flew Canada and were talking with the Ganges and continued to expand from there)

Natalie: Feel free to wing voices. They’re not particularly important to any stories anyway. (Natalie is a voice actor, and one of the most particular regarding voices that i’ve met)

Tabitha: I think the ships should be far more competitive during the summer season. This is America by golly. (Tabitha isn’t a fan of large scale competition during summer camps. So…i’m sure there’s more than one occasion where my support of such got the best of her)

Mr. Porter: I think progressing with technology is stupid. Why don’t we use real life training tapes anymore? Imagine how cheap they’d be now. (Mr. Porter is all about modernization. Remember when we all thought training videos were crazy? Or switching to DMX lights? Or getting rid of DVD players? Well. That one i’m still sore on. I miss video.)

Jorden O: I think i’ll concede victory and let the other ships take this camp. (There was never a camp we flew together that didn’t leave on of us disappointed that we had lost to the other)

Jon: I’ve always disliked Cry in the Dark. Who needs the Ferengi anyway? (Jon loves Cry in the Dark. The end.)

Jordan S: I think we should find and only use the cheapest mice in the land. (Jordan is the king of technological devices. Did you see that keyboard and mouse he’d fly with near the end of his career?)

Miranda: I’d much rather fly sitting in a luxurious arm chair than standing or using a stool.  (Miranda was a huge supporter of standing and flying, and absolutely despised the comfy chairs…leaving them to us. No complaints here.)

Nathan: I’d prefer to not think about Flight Directing. It’s not that hard. (Nathan was working on a ‘Theory of Flight Directing’ compilation with all of his thoughts and tips and tricks on flight directing. He also wrote darn good stories.)

Maeson: I’ve always preferred vanilla missions.  (Maeson wasn’t afraid to share his thoughts on a boring story.)

Audrey: Feel free to put that costume back wherever you’d like, I want the closet to feel more natural. (Go ahead and make a mess in the costume closet, I dare you…)

Lindsey: I’ve always been bothered by Christine’s energy. Perhaps she could tone it down a bit. (Lindsey is Christine reincarnated.)

Lissa: I believe language is a gift from above and refuse to use any slang. (Whenever I think about Lissa all I can think is her use of the phrase ‘Chili beans’ as a replacement for ‘cool’)

Jake: No. (After the millions of flights he supervised for me, I can’t recall anytime he’d say no to any idea or thought I had.)

Bracken: I think you should only have one engineering character and never change it for any reason. Also go ahead and pronounce nuclear as ‘noo-kyu-ler’. No one will notice, it’s not the Cold War anymore. (Bracken cycled through several Engineering Characters through my career. I think the earliest was Brinks. Or O’Connor. I can’t remember. Vlad was along the way. I also clearly remember a discussion on his peeve of mispronouncing nuclear)

Brandee B: I think Doctor’s connecting with crews is useless and in bad taste. (The number of times Brandee would take lord of the votes at DSC was astounding. “Dr. D, Dr. D., Doctor, doctor, doctor D!” was the chant the crews would yell. Let’s not discuss that one super where we zombified her character towards the end and probably landed some real trauma…)

Brylee-Ann: I hate puzzles. (Brylee-Ann is a master of puzzles and games. It’s so impressive.)

Lorraine: Go ahead and collapse the dome however you’d like. The cart with the project is incredibly expendable. (When I taught for daylights I was so scared to take down the dome. Thank heavens Lorraine was there 90% of the time!)

Aleta: I’ve never really enjoyed sci-fi as a genre… (Aleta may be one of the biggest sci-fi fans at the center)

Brittney: I think we’ll end this mission with some other than ‘Fort Battle’ from Last of the Mohicans. (That was Brittney’s classic for the end of every mission.)

Kyle Herring: Greenpeace is far too short a story to be flown for 2.5 hours. (Kyle was known to let crews take their time through stories. There was many a time they wouldn’t reach the end of a story if they weren’t working hard.)

Brady: I don’t think any kid on the crew should hear any compliment today. So hush up everyone. (Brady was the king of complimenting crews. He’d milk the compliments for all they were worth to crank up those scores. And it worked.)

Odyssey Staff: Feel free to keep the lights on, we love the light. (Stop by the Odyssey whenever you’d like to see what I mean.)

Silver P.: I’ve never liked the idea of Pirates at the Space Center. I think every mission should be about the Klingons. (Silver is the master of pirates in my opinion. The lore he’s written into his stories rivals what the original races have in the actual Star Trek universe.)

Christine: Japanese anime music has no room for a starship. (Christine love(d?) anime and was known to use a song or two from their soundtracks.)

Bradyn: I don’t enjoy playing Pakled characters. Thanks so much for asking though. (Bradyn was a master of Pakled characters. During the revival of The Grand PooPah he was ever present reprising the role that Stephen Porter had made popular. He also was the default Dweeb in ’The Hunt for Horace’. Or whatever that ended up getting named.)

Jacqueline: Could you do more erratic and last minute things during this flight please? I love to panic and try and keep up.
(Jacqueline was never afraid to share her mind when she supervised, which I very much appreciated. Who knows what I would have done in those early years of flight directing?)

Andrew M. I have really strong feelings about what i’d like to do on this flight. (Andrew was a go with the flow kinda guy. It was hard to get him upset, he was all about making other people feel great.)

Emily P.: I’d like to just stay in the Odyssey and live out my life there. (Emily was a mover and a shaker. She was the first female flight director of the Voyager, and in the original group that all raced to learn to fly all 5 ships.)