posted on Thu Aug 19th, 2010 at 2:23 PM by Mike Rathfon
Wednesday, August 18 was my last day as a Marketing intern at Whitaker Center. Over the past three months, I’ve had a wonderful time learning various aspects of marketing communications.
Before I leave, I wanted to share my top three Whitaker Center experiences:
While on assignment, Graphic Design intern Amanda and I got a little carried away inside Carnival of Healthand Forces of Nature. From racing each other on tiny (and I mean tiny!) tricycles at the All-American Calorie Race ─ to getting our hair blown like crazy in the Hurricane Chamber ─ I felt like a little kid again!
I loved the opportunity to research and discover all the talented new performers coming to the Center. It’s amazing how many gifted artists there are that I haven’t heard of before. My new favorites are Spoon and Brandi Carlile; both coming this fall. I recently added some of their great songs to my ipod!
And last but certainly not least, going through the Titanic exhibit by myself for the very first time, is a moment I won’t forget. It was a chilling experience, especially seeing the living quarters of Third-Class passengers. As claustrophobic as I am, I couldn’t even begin to imagine what they experienced. Since I’ve gone through the exhibit numerous times, I still notice something different and fascinating each time.
It’s been such a quick but exciting summer thanks to all the great people at Whitaker Center! Now I’m off to my senior year at West Chester University.
posted on Thu Jul 29th, 2010 at 8:39 AM by Mike Rathfon
Yesterday, I took my kids (ages 5 and 7) to the Science Center at Whitaker Center. Talk about a crazy, fun time! It was three levels of kid heaven and a paradise for me; this place would wear them out for sure.
They nearly lost their minds when I told them they could touch absolutely everything; and touch they did. Giant bubbles were made, a tornado was grabbed and they dug in the sand. They climbed rock walls, rode bicycles and built structures to destroy in an earthquake. It was mad-scientist bliss. At one point, I had to bribe my youngest son with bubble gum, just so we could go to the bathroom. Thank goodness I did, because level three was spectacular!
To be honest, I had as much fun as they did. I aged myself on some crazy machine to 70 years old, and now have that horrifying image burned into my brain. I also moved a ball with my mind, which, was seriously, the coolest thing -- EVER. Too bad it doesn’t work without the strap on your head; I tried.
With shouts of, “Mom … Mom … look at THIS!” shouted at me the entire day, I was assured my boys loved this place. Who knew science could be so exciting? The next time we come here (yes, I promised) I’ll be sure to wear sneakers and allot more time. My kids did not want to leave.
Click here to see my son in a hurricane and more from our trip to Whitaker Center.
P.S. I also visited the Titanic exhibit. I should have done this alone, because I couldn’t enjoy it while yelling at my boys, “Don’t touch anything!” every five seconds. The best part of Titanic was this HUGE iceberg they had frozen in the middle of the exhibition. We were encouraged to touch it; to feel the temperature of the icy waters on that fateful night. It really brought it home for me. Oh, and they hand you a boarding pass at the beginning of the display with an actual passenger’s name and biography on it. At the end, you can look up this name, to see if you survived. I did … whew!
Other places I love:
Dutch wonderland – Young kids can ride EVERY ride in this beautiful, clean amusement park. FYI: The water play area is a blast! Hershey’s Chocolate World – Take a FREE ride on the chocolate factory tour and get a sweet treat at the end. Adventure Sports – Go carts, mini-golf and a kid’s game room make this family-friendly place a day of fun!
posted on Thu Jul 15th, 2010 at 4:08 PM by Mike Rathfon
While the Titanic exhibit and IMAX movie certainly captured the emotion and horror of the events that took place aboard the Titanic on April 15, 1912 – I found myself most enthralled by the unimaginable logistics of creating the IMAX film and the technical details of this massive ship that was at its time considered to be a man-made wonder of the world.
The size and scale of the Titanic dwarfed all other ships of its day, while today’s largest super tanker "Jahre Viking” is almost twice as long as the Titanic and would probably weigh more than 12 times the Titanic when both were filled.
But in 1912, nothing came close to this massive ship that boasted over 50,000 lbs of horsepower, was 11 stories high, and stretched the length of two and a half football fields. It was powered by 29 boilers, 159 coal steamers and eight-foot high pistons - the largest ever built. In fact the ship had 4 smoke stacks although only 3 were functional as the rear most funnel was added to make Titanic look even more impressive.
For those treasure hunter romantics, it’s fascinating to imagine the Titanic left 5,000 tons of unused coal that powered those massive steam engines on the ocean floor along with the rest of its treasures, passenger belongings, and ornate decor. Each site of dishes, banisters, and even the starboard front rail had me imagining what it must have looked like for those first passengers. No wonder the first class tickets cost $150 for its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. A first class berth would have cost nearly 4-8 months pay for the skilled workers who built the ship. Today’s price would be $3,000.
At the time it was launched, headlines touted the Titanic to be the “largest object built by human hands.” This is why the 65-foot-high, 80-foot-wide IMAX screen at Whitaker Center was the ultimate way to experience the film that captured not only the enormity of the vessel, but really helped to immerse the audience in the heart-wrenching and heroic stories of the passengers and crew just as James Cameron’s original film did in 1997. (See Associated Press - Titanic an Early Favorite at 70th Academy Awards.)
Even the logistics and challenges of shooting the IMAX film captured my wonder and amazement. The film host, a Russian oceanographer, and his crew had to take the world’s longest decent over 16 hours to the Titanic’s remains for this film. I felt the claustrophobia creeping over me as filmmakers descended in a mini-submarine beyond 1,000 feet below the water where the sunlight vanishes. Then to realize the crew still had another 11,500 feet to go through pitch darkness in ocean water that was below freezing. I was thankful someone was willing to do it – as I surely would never.
At this depth, the movies narrator stated that there was approximately 6,000 pounds of pressure per square inch on their mini-submarine – enough pressure for one jet spray from the sub to cut a human body in half!
The movie visuals and story were astonishing. Recording such an extraordinary event in history to film was a huge accomplishment. Our future generations will now be able to look back upon what caused this unimaginable disaster and hopefully learn from the human errors* that led to the 2nd worst ship wreck of its time – and still considered the 5th worst in modern history.
Human Errors that Caused the Disaster/Deaths:
Titanic was designed to hold 32 lifeboats, though only 20 were on board; White Star management was concerned that too many boats would sully the aesthetic beauty of the ship.
Lifeboat #7 was the first to be launched at 12:45 AM (65 minutes after hitting the iceberg.) It carried only 27 people yet was rated to hold 65.
A ship, the SS Californian, was close to the stricken Titanic and might have rescued everyone. However its sole wireless operator, Cyril Evans, went to bed 10 minutes before Titanic struck the iceberg and did not receive the distress message.
Notes of Interest:
Director James Cameron, who directed the biggest grossing movie of all time, Avatar, announced a remake of Titanic in 3D (Cameron confirms Titanic 3D). The movie will not be released until 2012, marking the 100th Anniversary of the ship that “was built so strong, it was virtually unsinkable.”
The Titanic sank just 450 miles from its final destination in New York City.
The Titanic was rediscovered in 1985 by an expedition led by Jean-Louis Michel (Ifremer) and Dr. Robert Ballard (Woods Hole).
RMS stands for Royal Mail Steamer
The Titanic was never christened. It was not the practice of the White Star Line to hold such ceremonies. However, modern lore says the ship was cursed because when it was christened the bottle did not break.
One of the last songs the band reportedly played before their death was, "Songe d'Automne" (not "Nearer Thy God To Thee" as seen in the movies.)
Cost of a ticket (one way)
First Class (parlor suite) £870/$4,350 ($83,200 today)
First Class (berth) £30/$150 ($2975 today)
Second Class £12/$60 ($1200 today)
Third Class £3 to £8/$40 ($298 to $793 today)
In 1912, skilled shipyard workers who built Titanic earned £2 ($10) per week. Unskilled workers earned £1 or less per week. A single First Class berth would have cost these workers 4 to 8 months wages.
posted on Thu Jul 15th, 2010 at 3:45 PM by Mike Rathfon
I recently explored Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Whitaker Center and found myself completely immersed in the tale of the ship’s tragic maiden voyage in 1912 and the personal stories of its passengers and crew.
The story begins with each guest receiving a unique boarding pass profiling a real passenger aboard the Titanic. My passenger was George Hocking, a 22 year-old 2nd class passenger from Ohio, who was helping his family immigrate to America. I would not know the fate of my passenger until it was revealed at the end… and neither will you.
As the exhibit details the events surrounding the Titanic striking the catastrophic iceberg and sinking over a 3 hour period, the deeper I was drawn into the pending fate of my Mr. Hocking. As this massive vessel was sinking quickly into the deep Atlantic without enough life rafts to hold all of the passengers, it becomes quickly apparent that not everyone could be saved. This New York Times article details the acts of chivalrous men who sacrificed their lives for those of women and children.
My most emotionally charged moment during the exhibit was the iceberg replica that allows visitors to feel the bone chilling coldness of the Atlantic Ocean that awaited those unfortunate souls who were plunged into the sea that night. After touching the iceberg for mere seconds, I vividly imagined the terror those passengers like my Mr. Hockings must have felt as they floated hopelessly in the pitch darkness among the sheer chaos in the middle of the sea.
The overall experience is very hard to summarize succinctly as the exhibit taps such a range of empathy and emotion. I felt the fear and panic of when passengers and crew realized the ship was sinking. I felt sympathy for those who lost loved ones in the wreck. And I felt deep sadness for the 1,517 passengers who perished aboard this “unsinkable ship” on April 15, 1912 -- like my Mr. Hocking.
But the most powerful emotion throughout the exhibit for me had to be a renewed sense of hope and conviction in our human nature to do the right thing in the face of a great challenge – like those who put their lives on the line to help their 706 fellow passengers – men, women, and children - who survived one of the 5th worst shipwrecks in history*.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is on display until September 5.
Points of interest include:
One now famous name that may have been among those who perished on the Titanic in 1912 was Mr. Milton S. Hershey, who along with his wife “Kitty” had purchased tickets to be on this historic voyage. If not for urgent business matters that required them to return early, I wondered what this region, now famous for his chocolate creations, would be like today had they been aboard that fateful journey.
My favorite display of the 250+ artifacts was the Au Gratin dishes that were stacked in a ship cupboard and once the wooden cabinet rotted away over time the dishes remained stacked in a row, like dominos (shown above).
*In 1912 the Titanic was considered the 2nd most deadly ship wreck in history (and still the 5th in modern history) behind the Sultana - the Mississippi River steamboat that sank April 27, 1865 near Memphis, Tennessee when one of the ship’s four boilers exploded killing an estimated 1,800 of the 2,400 passengers.
Zach Chizar Public Relations Intern Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau (HHRVB) www.HersheyHarrisburg.org
posted on Thu Jun 17th, 2010 at 9:14 AM by Mike Rathfon
Save the Date: Summer IMAX® Blockbuster
The Twlight Saga: Eclipse: The IMAX Experience Opens June 30
Hi Everyone,
If you’re wondering where to go and what movie to see this summer, I highly recommend venturing downtown to experience the third installment of the popular vampire series on Central PA’s largest screen ─ at Whitaker Center!
Based on the best-selling series by author Stephanie Meyer, The Twilight Saga film series chronicles the developing romance between a human teenage girl and a mysterious vampire. As a big Twilight fan myself, I can not wait for the debut of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse: The IMAX Experience to premiere at Whitaker Center.
Quick Synopsis Bella Swan (Kristin Stewart) finds herself fast approaching graduation as she is forced to make the most important decision of her life. She must choose between her love for Edward Cullen, a vampire (Robert Pattinson), and her friendship with Jacob Black, a werewolf (Taylor Lautner). Bella knows her final decision between the two will change their lives forever igniting the fire of a timeless war between vampire and werewolf.
After reading Eclipse, I know the film is going to be an action-packed thriller and success!
Kellan Lutz, who plays Emmet (one of the Cullen vampires), spoke eagerly about the upcoming film to MTV News. “The action really drew me in and I think the guys are really going to like this movie.” It sounds like the perfect date night movie ─ combining romance and action.
Only Whitaker Center’s IMAX Theater can captivate “Twilighters” on the six-story screen, action packed with vampires, transforming werewolves, and most importantly…Taylor Lautner. Sorry to the die-hard vampire and Edward Cullen fans out there, but I’m Team Jacob all the way. Gotta love those werewolves!
Click here to buy your tickets today. Click here to read more about the first two films in the series. Click here to enter a chance to win three Twilight collectible dolls, a soundtrack, t-shirt, poster and IMAX tickets (Click on 'Enter to Win' at the bottom of the page).
posted on Sat Jun 5th, 2010 at 9:18 AM by Mike Rathfon
Father’s Day is Coming Soon ─ Plan a Perfect Summer Family Outing with Dad
This June, Whitaker Center is pleased to honor and celebrate dads with a special Father’s Day promotional offer. All Dads receive FREE Science Center admission on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20, with the purchase of one paid Science Center admission. Free admission for one dad per paid Science Center admission. Does not include admission to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Not valid with any other offer).
Bring the family to experience Whitaker Center’s newest long term gallery, Carnival of Health, sponsored by Capital BlueCross and discover the wonders of the human body. Learn about hygiene with Icky the Clown, race your Dad on the calorie-burning All American Calorie Race, and much more. Being healthy has never been so much fun!
The all-weather related exhibit gallery,Forces of Nature, is also a must- see with dad.The twisting Touchable Tornado and powerful guests of wind in the Hurricane Chamber, are my personal favorites.
posted on Wed May 19th, 2010 at 9:05 AM by Mike Rathfon
Hello there,
My name is Nicole and I’m the new summer communications intern at Whitaker Center! I just completed my junior year at West Chester University of Pennsylvania studying communications with a concentration in marketing.
During my first week, I’ve gotten the chance to experience all the great Science exhibits the Center has to offer, in addition to meeting a lot of friendly staff and volunteers.
Just a reminder ─ with Memorial Day weekend around the corner, Whitaker Center is the perfect family outing destination.
Visit Whitaker Center’s IMAX Theater for a larger than life movie experience or spend time in the Science Center for lots of interactive fun and learning.
Opening May 21, the hilarious, final chapter of the favorite green ogre is coming. Shrek Forever After: An IMAX 3D Experience can be seen on the area’s largest movie screen.
Guests can also travel through space with Hubble 3D, a Warner Brothers production narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. Celebrating 20 years of discovery, this captivating movie features outstanding images of the universe captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is also a must-see at Whitaker Center. Take time to experience and learn about this unforgettable historical event. The memorable exhibition takes guests back in time by showcasing never-before-seen artifacts, personal passenger stories and more.
And don’t forget to save the date for Whitaker Center’s upcoming summer performances.
On Tuesday, July 13, former American Idol finalist, Katherine McPhee, will perform at Whitaker Center with new music from her latest release, Unbroken. Famous for his fingerpicking guitar talents, Tommy Emmanuel will perform on July 25.
Don’t miss your chance to see these amazing live acts. Get your tickets today, while good seats are still available.
posted on Thu May 6th, 2010 at 10:13 AM by Mike Rathfon
Kick off May with a great gift idea for mom that the whole family will enjoy. Whitaker Center is pleased to honor and celebrate moms with a special Mother’s Day promotional offer this year. Moms receive free admission on Sunday, May 9, with the purchase of one paid Science Center admission. Click here for details.
And don’t forget Dad’s Day is around the corner. Stay tuned for a special Father’s Day promotional offer from Whitaker Center.
For more information click here or call 717/214-ARTS.
posted on Thu Apr 29th, 2010 at 9:04 AM by Mike Rathfon
I personally love spring … why? First of all, it’s the beginning of my favorite season and secondly, the long school year comes to an end ─ planning what to do throughout the summer is in order.
From the area’s largest movie screen, featuring IMAX® 3D ─ to loads of interactive exhibitions, including the Titanic exhibition ─ to incredible live performances, the fun, learning, and entertainment never seems to stop at Whitaker Center.
This weekend, the Center is pleased to offer guests a special admission rate for Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. May 1 and May 2 ONLY, family members and friends can experience the historic journey, never-before-seen artifacts and more, with a $4 off Titanic Admission Coupon. Click here for discount details.
posted on Thu Apr 22nd, 2010 at 9:10 AM by Mike Rathfon
As you know, the highly anticipated return of the popular exhibition, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, opened on March 27. Something you may not know, is that guests can continue their Titanic experience beyond the Science Center ─ on the area’s biggest movie screen at Whitaker Center.
TItanica, the never before seen documentary (in Central PA, that is!), takes audiences on a fascinating journey ─ combing dazzling life-size images of the remains of RMS Titanic from the ocean floor, with recollections of survivor Eva Hart, who as a seven-year-old passenger, lost her father in the tragedy.
The liner’s tragic event has been told for many years, but through the moving film, audiences will witness the high-risk Canadian-American-Russian mission dive. Throughout the film, I felt as though I was exploring the shipwreck, deep in the ocean as part of the Akademik Keldysh crew. Not only do you get to personally appreciate the legendary tale of the Ship, but also feel the magnitude of the misfortune. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is really cool to visit. You can see many incredible well-preserved artifacts and 11 new ones that have never been displayed anywhere. I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Exhibition many times and continue to discover something new and different every time.
So why not make it a Titanic-filled day at Whitaker Center? By experiencing both the Exhibition and movie you will learn more about the Ship’s history, survivors and preserved artifacts.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition will be featured at Whitaker Center through September 5, 2010. For tickets and information, click here.
posted on Fri Apr 16th, 2010 at 1:39 PM by Mike Rathfon
Discovery Camps 2010
As the warmer weather continues and with only a few months left of school, children are gearing up for family vacations and sleeping in. But, the summer doesn’t have to mean being lazy. Kids should continue to exercise their bodies and minds outside of the classroom. Fortunately, Whitaker Center has the perfect remedy to help parents keep their kids active until next fall ─ summer Discovery Camps.
If your child has ever attended a Whitaker Center camp, you already know how interactive, educational, and fun they can be! Throughout the camps, children get to explore a favorite topic, investigate new interests and sharpen science skills ─ all before the summer ends. Each Discovery Camp program is professionally structured for ages 3 through 14. Here’s a peak at a few camp programs the Center is offering this year: Storybook Science is a great program for children ages 3 and 4 years old to do together with their parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, etc. A child-adult pair will work together in hands-on experiments related to books, the arts and more, while applying science toward an every day experience. Titanic - The Unfinished Journey is an awesome program for children in 5th and 6th grade. They can take advantage of the popular, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition and explore the concepts of buoyancy, displacement, and a watertight bulkhead. Kids can also learn about artifact preservation techniques and listen to survivor testimonials.
Want to be ‘Scien-Tastic’ through Discovery Camp program? Pick up a brochure at the Center’s Information Desk or click here.
posted on Thu Mar 25th, 2010 at 2:58 PM by Mike Rathfon
The Legendary Ship makes its 2nd Voyage to Whitaker Center
March 27 - September 5, 2010
Like me, most of you probably know the tragic story of the Titanic from James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster hit. Before previewing Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Whitaker Center, I couldn’t help but wonder how the historic tale would be told through an exhibit. After my special sneak peak … I learned it can be done.
The most astonishing thing I observed was the quality of the 150 artifacts. The objects are so well-preserved; it’s hard to believe they were once on the ocean floor for 90+ years. Perfume bottles, cosmetic items, and even leather shoes are just a few of many incredible and new artifacts that are displayed. Among the 150 objects, 11 have never-been-seen anywhere before and include, a postcard, $1 Silver Certificate and an Itinerary Page regarding a tour of Japan to the Middle East. It was amazing to see how these delicate items have remained in tacked all these years.
Recreations of the First-Class and Third-Class cabins, the infamous iceberg wall (you can touch it), along with a personal boarding pass ─ all let you relive the legendary tale as a real passenger. Plus, you also get to learn about the Harrisburg passenger stories. For instance, did you know Milton. S. Hershey was originally scheduled to be onboard the Titanic? Click here for some more interesting facts.
So what is the difference between the Exhibition and James Cameron’s flick? You can only get to imagine life on the Ship through the big screen at a movie theater, whereas the return of the popular Exhibition, allows you to experience the authenticity of the most incredible Ship of 1912.
posted on Thu Mar 11th, 2010 at 3:10 PM by Mike Rathfon
“… Alice in Wonderland in 3D IMAX … what’s that going to be like?” That was the question I had when heading to see the highly anticipated movie at Whitaker Center’s IMAX Theater. Most of us are familiar with the classic Alice tale, but would the version by corky director, Tim Burton be as sweet and adventurous as the original?
I was given the opportunity to watch the movie – as I’d been wanting to, but did not have time to drag myself to a movie theater. I was very excited to finally get to experience the fresh, new take on Lewis Carroll’s tale in IMAX 3D.
The story makes Alice look like a historically known heroine, such as Joan of Arc. In the movie, she is not a little girl anymore – Alice is nearly twenty years old, facing a difficult lifelong decision. The film takes audiences on a journey of how Alice becomes an independent woman through her escapades in Wonderland; the film is much deeper than I was expecting it to be.
With a full cast of some of the most imaginative characters reinvented by Burton, the moviegoers nearby, were in awe of the fanciful adventure. The epic-like story of Alice with dynamic effects of IMAX 3D, adds something extra to the film ─ making you feel as if you’ve been transported into the tale alongside of Alice and the Mad Hatter.
Don’t miss this must-see remake in IMAX 3D, now showing through March 25 at Whitaker Center.
posted on Mon Mar 1st, 2010 at 8:59 AM by Mike Rathfon
Hi Everyone, It’s approaching two months now, since the new health and wellness gallery, Carnival of Health, debuted at Whitaker Center. After spending a lot of time there, I realized all the valuable messages the exhibit communicates to children on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
With the recent snow storms the area has experienced, it’s critical for us to maintain our health throughout the flu season and more importantly ─ teach children about what they can do to stay healthy all year round.
Through watching TV or flipping through magazines, we see many “how to’s” on staying healthy all the time: Eat lots of vegetables, drink soy milk, work out five days a week, etc. Some healthy advice is expensive and not easily accessible ─ much of the info can seem overwhelming. But, being healthy does not necessarily mean just physical health – mental health is just as important. Here are some quick tips on how to become and remain healthy inside and out.
# 1 Tidy Up
According to the Department of Health and Human Services (Click here for 10 tips on healthy eating and physical activity), lack of activity can be harmful to your health. We are accustomed to being afraid that excise has to be vigorous to be worth our time. Movement is still movement and the more you move, the healthier you will become. Helping mom with dishes or sweeping the floors, and even shoveling the snow for 30 minutes, does make a difference.
#2 Sing Your Heart Out
Listen to your favorite music and sing like a ‘rock star’ whenever you can. It helps to reduce your stress, which promotes positive mental health. You can also sing and dance at the same time and burn twice the amount of calories at once!
#3 Healthy Munchies
You can snack on a bag of potato chips every once in a while, but try to limit your junk food. Instead, switch to healthier snack ideas like apples and grapes. Fruits are refreshing and contain lots of vitamins, which are necessary for our bodies.
Do you want to learn more about health and wellness? Visit Carnival of Healthfor a fun look at health and wellness.
And if you haven't watched it yet, to view a tour of Carnival of Health with Cap'n Science and our favorite little tour guide, Niko, check it out here:
posted on Wed Feb 24th, 2010 at 6:12 AM by Mike Rathfon
Ever wonder what I-M-A-X stands for … what is the most popular Science Center exhibit to date … how 3D IMAX movies run ... how a tornado comes to life… or who is Stuffee™? Well, now’s your chance to ask any science or IMAX related question you’ve every wondered about.
Whitaker Center invites our guests ─ yes, that means you ─ to ask our resident science and IMAX movie expert, Steve Bishop (VP of Science and IMAX Programs), a monthly question. One lucky Whitaker fan will have his/her question posted on our website and appear within the SPOTLIGHT playbill.
To view a tour of Carnival of Health with Cap'n Science and our favorite little tour guide, Niko, click here.
To connect with Captain Science, simply post your question to our Twitter page or posting a question on our Facebook page (by clicking the ‘Twitter’ logo on the bottom left-hand side of our site) .
Want to learn more about what makes Whitaker Center’s IMAX Theater and Science Center tick? Just Ask Cap'n Science!
posted on Fri Feb 5th, 2010 at 11:06 AM by Mike Rathfon
Celtic Crossroads Returns to Harrisburg
Hi All,
Nicole Newkam here… Public Relations Manager of Whitaker Center. This morning I had the chance to experience a fun sampling of eclectic music and dance from Celtic Crossroads and personally meet the all the artists. Fresh off their West Coast tour, the seven multi-talented musicians and cast of two step dancers will perform tonight at Whitaker Center at 8pm.
Aside from waking up at the wee hours of the AM to appear on FOX43’s Morning Show, the group’s dynamic collaboration combined with their cool Irish flare (+ youthful charm) ─ couldn’t have made for a better performance preview. Despite Celtic Crossroads’ international critical acclaim, the group was extremely down to earth, approachable, and fun to talk with about songwriting and their cross country venture from OR to PA. The group was psyched to be back in Harrisburg for a second time, and members assured me that tonight’s concert is a definite must-see!
After getting a peak at this evening’s show, guests are in for nothing less than a fanatic performance ─ including fast-paced and intricate footwork, harmonious vocals, jamming guitars, fiddles and more. Featuring music from 22 different instruments on stage, fans will enjoy a potpourri of traditional Irish music, gypsy, bluegrass, folk and jazz ─ a concert for all ages! If you missed Celtic Crossroads last year… be sure to check them out tonight.
Tickets are still available Click here for more info Click here or call 717/214-ARTS for tickets. To read PennLive’s article about Celtic Crossroads, click here.
posted on Thu Feb 4th, 2010 at 1:51 PM by Marketing
“Who killed Tracy Diamond? Was it the magician’s assistant?”
That was the question students at Whitaker Center were asking during the February 3rd performance of Mad Science presents CSI – Live!
The performance combined audience interaction, comical dialogue and topics that could actually be a college level class ─ like ‘CSI 101.’ It was a great program for elementary to middle school aged children, which tapped into forensic science.
Premise: Max Spade was hosting his magic show and his assistant, Tracy Diamond, was killed during the performance. Was it an accident? Or was there murder involved?
I’m a big fan of the television series CSI, so I was excited to see how they were going to incorporate forensic science and the real technique used in crime scene investigation……LIVE!!
There were many audience interactions in the show – a lot of school children seemed very eager to assist the performers with their investigation on stage; they were trying so hard to get picked.
In my opinion, well from my personal experience, nothing is better than having fun when it comes to learning something – from art to science ─ hands-on experience is an effective way to interact with things that are of interest.
After the show, I had the chance to chat with 6th grader Kate. She mentioned she doesn’t really like science and math, but gained more interest in science because of the show. “It was lot of fun,” she added. Other children seemed to acquire knowledge and interest like Kate, as I saw them talking breathlessly about the performance even after they exited the theater.
Whitaker Center offers many fun and educational exhibits, performances and programs combining science and the arts.
posted on Thu Jan 21st, 2010 at 4:13 PM by Mike Rathfon
Greetings to everyone!
Thank you for reading my first blog posting. My name is Cliff and I am a junior Digital Communications major at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA.
January 19th was my first day as a Communications intern at Whitaker Center, and I was introduced to many exciting exhibits and events that Whitaker Center offers. I was EXCITED!
Anyway, the new permanent exhibit gallery sponsored by Capital BlueCross which opened on January 16, 2010 is Carnival of Health – a fun and entertaining…..and AWESOME experience for everyone, especially for the family. A carnival-like ambiance with variety of hands-on experiences and games allows you to discover an adventure in health and wellness, and don’t forget, you will have fun too! Plus, it’s free with Science Center admission.
While visiting Carnival of Health, I was assigned to interview a few of the school group visitors about the exhibition. A 9-year-old boy named Cameron was the most electrifying one in the bunch. As soon as I asked him a reaction to the exhibition, with his eyes wide opened he said, “I did rock-climb ten times!! This is awesome; I want to do this again!” He seemed to be enjoying all the activities available at the site along with his classmates.
So, let me explain about what Cameron was talking about – the rock-climbing experience that is.
Conquerors of the Seven Summits is the name of what Cameron was engaged in for ten times. It scales a 16-foot climbing wall where along the way, you learn about famous real climbers in the world. “Humans thrive when they work towards a challenging goal,” says on the display – you use your arms and legs to conquer the large rock-like wall and challenge yourself to learn about the world-famous climbers – it’s like a P.E. and Social Studies class in one.
One word to describe my first day? Hmm…oh here it is. Exhilarating!
Be sure to check out Carnival of Health during your next trip to Whitaker Center.
posted on Thu Jan 14th, 2010 at 11:28 AM by Marketing
Hi, my name is Marisa and I’m a marketing/design intern for the spring. I’m a graphic design major in my Senior year at Messiah college. Tuesday was my first day with lots of introductions, tours, and other stuff. My day included getting to see and review the IMAX film, Dolphins and Whales: Tribes of the Ocean. Here goes:
Like the song of the humpback whale, Dolphins and Whales is hauntingly beautiful. This film is awe-inspiring and, at times, eerie. We are brought as close as possible to the sea life. On one hand we are probably closer than we want to be, and on the other hand, not close enough. No matter how close the camera gets to the male humpback, we still cannot decipher his mysterious song. No matter how close we get to the spotted dolphin, we still can’t join in his game of catch. There is an ominous sadness surrounding the lives and fates of some of these marine creatures. Some animals have only 9000 remaining in existence. Perhaps that is what causes the portrayal of these mysterious animals to be with an appreciativeness that is almost tender.
I’ll be posting regularly on this blog, twitter and facebook. I look forward to connecting with you again!
posted on Wed Dec 16th, 2009 at 2:57 PM by Mike Rathfon
September 2009 marked the launch of our new website — featuring the latest information about what’s happening every day. As you may have noticed, the site not only provides access to planning a visit, but also connects to our social networking sites, the Whitaker BLOG (with links located on the left-hand side of each page), and much more.
Through Whitaker Center’s Facebook page (facebook.com/whitakercenterhbg), visitors can post comments on select Whitaker Center photos and videos. In addition, we recently made our debut on YouTube (youtube.com/whitctr) with Niko Goes to Whitaker Center: A How-To Parking Guide by a Toddler and Niko’s Holiday Fun at Whitaker Center. The parking video is a humorous step-by step look at parking downtown — from the pint-sized perspective of a toddler. In the Holiday Fun at Whitaker Center video, we had the little tour guide give a quick overview of all the Holiday festivites that we offer (video below). We plan to offer more fun and creative ways to inform newcomers and returning guests about what’s new.
Through the Center’s social networking sites, guests can join in the conversation and see their contributions in upcoming issues of SPOTLIGHT or other places online.
Guests are encouraged to:
Comment on Whitaker Center’s Facebook and YouTube pages, by clicking through photos from our 9/9/99 groundbreaking ceremony to the present, or view any of our online media.
Let us know when you post photos from your visit to Whitaker Center on Facebook. One photo will be chosen quarterly to be featured in our quarterly playbill, SPOTLIGHT.
Selected guests will be asked to contribute to this BLOG where they'll attend an IMAX® movie or exhibit preview, and we'll post your review online.
Follow us on Twitter and submit a science/IMAX-related question to “Ask Captain Science.” Steve Bishop, our Vice President of Science & IMAX Programs, will select and post one winning question each month on our website.
Don’t forget to log on for a new look at Whitaker Center, become a part of our social networking sites, and hear what visitors are saying. Plan your visit - and join the conversation - today.
Yesterday, I took my kids (ages 5 and 7) to the Science Center at Whitaker Center. Talk about a crazy, fun time! It was three levels of kid heaven and a paradise for me; this place would wear them out for sure.
But in 1912, nothing came close to this massive ship that boasted over 50,000 lbs of horsepower, was 11 stories high, and stretched the length of two and a half football fields. It was powered by 29 boilers, 159 coal steamers and eight-foot high pistons - the largest ever built. In fact the ship had 4 smoke stacks although only 3 were functional as the rear most funnel was added to make Titanic look even more impressive.
As the exhibit details the events surrounding the Titanic striking the catastrophic iceberg and sinking over a 3 hour period, the deeper I was drawn into the pending fate of my Mr. Hocking. As this massive vessel was sinking quickly into the deep Atlantic without enough life rafts to hold all of the passengers, it becomes quickly apparent that not everyone could be saved. 
Hi Everyone, 
As the warmer weather continues and with only a few months left of school, children are gearing up for family vacations and sleeping in. But, the summer doesn’t have to mean being lazy. Kids should continue to exercise their bodies and minds outside of the classroom. Fortunately, Whitaker Center has the perfect remedy to help parents keep their kids active until next fall ─ summer Discovery Camps.
Hi All,
After getting a peak at this evening’s show, guests are in for nothing less than a fanatic performance ─ including fast-paced and intricate footwork, harmonious vocals, jamming guitars, fiddles and more. Featuring music from 22 different instruments on stage, fans will enjoy a potpourri of traditional Irish music, gypsy, bluegrass, folk and jazz ─ a concert for all ages! If you missed Celtic Crossroads last year… be sure to check them out tonight.
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ts of introductions, tours, and other stuff. My day included getting to see and review the IMAX film, 
