Chief Tatokainyanka,Engraved in History

I was visiting the Titanic exhibit with my friend Cindy Smith, when we came upon a display of currency. It is amazing to me that any artifacts are around 100 years later much less “paper” money. 

The array of bills was unbelievable. In 1912, any state chartered bank could issue paper money and Titanic carried a wide assortment.

Some of the items predated the civil war. I guess it was Yankee money, since Confederate funds were then defunct.

Cindy is a true cowgirl, and the one that caught her eye was a five dollar Silver certificate with an Indian head on the front. I was intrigued as well and decided to look it up.

These certificates were issued in 1899, to replace silver coins. I guess they were a bit lighter to carry around. The central figure is Tatokainyanka who was a Sioux Chief. Since Chief Tatokainyanka is kinda hard to say, he was called Chief Onepapa. 

Original Photo

He is famous for signing the “Treaty of Fort Laramie” in 1868. He traveled to Washington, DC to meet President Andrew Johnson where his picture was taken.

Redesigned Head Dress

The engraver for the bill drew in a Pawnee head dress instead, to better fit the space. Unfortunately, this is the only US paper money where an Indian is the focal point.  The Bills today can go for hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the condition. Of course the ones from Titanic, are priceless. 

If you have a buck, you can pick up one of the new Native American Coins from the US Mint.

Titanic, May They be at Peace

April 15^th marks the 100^th Anniversary of the Titanic tragedy.

I first heard of Titanic when I was eleven. My teacher had a ticket to board the ship. However, they ended up canceling because her brother was ill.

Unfortunately, many were not so lucky.

I first met Titanic up close and personal in 2006. A traveling exhibit came to Atlanta, and I had to go see it. I was not disappointed. They had the original bell on display. The brass gleamed as if it was new, and I could picture the people waving from shore. I could hear the horns blaring and the bell ring as it pulled away from the port. Those on board did not realize that most would never see land again.

April 14^th 2009, I had another chance to visit. This one was a bit different. During the exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium, they had a paranormal group do a walk through at night, and I was able to attend. No evidence was found that night. However, the objects whispered of better times. Times, before their owners departed.

Orlando, has a permanent exhibit. One with life size replicas, to make you relieve that night as time ticks away. The most moving part for me was standing on the deck. The air was brisk and cold and the night was pitch black. A chill ran down my spine as we were separated from our loved ones. Ladies and children first.

And today, Titanic is back in Atlanta. And once again, I was drawn to her story. The boilers gleamed in the darkness, and I imagined the fireman shoveling away, as they tried to give power to the massive ship. Even though they knew that death was upon them.

It was just enough. The band played on as the last life boat left. Terror filled the night, as the oars splashed in the frigid water, as they pulled away from the broken dream.

May they be at peace. 

Titanic, The Ship of Dreams, 100 Years Later

re-posted from iseekissimmee.com

Roused from my bed, I made my way to the ship’s deck. The wood creaked beneath my feet as I stepped onto the planks. The chill from the night air wiped the last threads of sleep from my befuddled mind. People were milling about in all manors of dress. Murmurs ran through the crowd, as everyone tried to ascertain the reason for their situation. Then the news came, the unsinkable ship was sinking. As I looked out upon the still ocean, surrounded by nothing but stars, fear crept into my heart.

April 14, 2012 marks the 100^th Anniversary of the Titanic disaster.  What better way to honor the fallen than to walk in their footsteps?  Titanic The Experience has full-size replicas of the Grand Staircase and several other rooms.

I have always been fascinated by the Titanic. Having read several books and visiting several other Titanic exhibits, I figured “Titanic the Experience” would be pretty much the same. I was wrong. It was better.

The Orlando attraction offers guided or self-tours through the exhibit.  I highly suggest waiting for a guide. The premise is: you are a first class passenger, and are treated as such. The guide was wonderful, the tour started out with excitement at the maiden voyage of the greatest ship ever built. Then it slowly turns to grim realization that you might not survive. Many froze to death from the frigid water, an iceberg is present so you can experience what 28 degree water feels like.

I was one of the lucky ones, Michael survived as well. Nicholas, well Nicholas wasn’t as lucky. He was lost along with 1516 others.

There was no gift shop on Titanic itself, but there is one at the attraction. You can purchase replicas of China and other amenities which were saved from the deep. They also offer a Titanic Dinner Show, which sounds wonderful, but was out of my budget. They do have a nice selection of books on the tragedy and I picked up a couple, as well as, a ceremonial pin depicting 100 years.

The guided tour took about an hour. I found the tour guide, and the sweet lady in the gift shop to be incredibly knowledgeable and willing to answer questions.

Titanic is going down as one of my favorite attractions!

For more info on Titanic the Experience, click here.

Read my rant about the Titanic Movie.

If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website,  my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or sign up for my Newsletter!

Snotty Kids and Sinking Ships

My sons and I went to the movies yesterday. It was like stepping through a time warp. Life size posters of The Phantom Menace, and Titanic lined the lobby. 

I couldn’t stand them the first time around why would I want to cough up 15 bucks to see them 3D?

As an avid Star Wars fan I flocked to the theater to see the Prequel and left with a pang in my heart and the bitter taste of bile in my throat.  Why? I asked, as I screamed to the heavens, WHY? Darth Vader’s father is an ameba; Really? And it got worse; they depended upon this snot nosed brat to save their hides. Not to mention the pedophilia alert: the Queen developing an eerie attraction to him. I won’t mention the other two “Prequels” since they aren’t worth mentioning.

Too bad the writers didn’t bother watching the first three  films. Of course, they ruined those too. Turning R2D2 into a CD player, seriously, what were they thinking?

Now we come to Titanic. Although I write Romance, I don’t watch romantic movies.  But at my sisters urging, I went to see Titanic, even though I already knew the ending. 

Warning Spoiler alert:

Titanic: Rich girl is engaged to Richer guy. Girl falls for sewer rat and ends up with priceless jewel.

The boat sinks.

Girl lives a long life and is assisted night and day by her Granddaughter. Does she give the jewel to her loving relative?  Heck no, because that would be a happy ending and who wants that?

So here we are years later with the 3D version; Needless to say, I will not be attending.

 And if any producers are out there reading this:

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! And if it is Broke, don’t make it 3D!

Leave a comment with your worst or favorite movie!