All four of these Short Tales evoke strong emotional feelings – comfort, excitement, discouragement, and delight. Diane Wagner, 2005, reminds us that sometimes we provide much more than a building or exhibit description, along with new meaning to the word freedom. Siobhan Hartsell, 2005, describes some excitement on the river – you never know what you are going to see. As our new docent class get comfortable out on the streets doing their first tours, we hope none of them have the discouraging first experience that Pam Mann, 2013, had. Finally, Ellen Shubart, 2006, recounts a “delightful” season-ending river cruise.
A Special Encounter by Diane Wagner, 2005, Exhibit Host
While at the Architecture Center the other day, I noted a man looking oh-so-carefully and slowly around the exhibit space. When I approached him, he had a sweet smile on his face. “You look like you are really enjoying the exhibit,” I commented. “Yes,” he responded. “It’s so interesting.” Then he took off: “My wife is in hospice care for five days, and I’m free.” The smile intensified. “I’m free for five days. My daughter bought me this ticket for the boat ride and the museum and I came down. After 43 years, she’s in hospice.” I touched his arm, and he grasped my hand. “I came down to look and ride the boat. I’m free.” A tear leaked from each of us. “I’m free,” he said one more time before circling the room again.
Man Overboard by Siobhan Hartsell, 2015
We had some excitement on my noon tour today. A man fell into the river and was struggling to get to the water’s edge. (Not sure how he fell in!) Our captain guided the boat next to him as people on the river walk tried unsuccessfully to pull him up over the railing. One of the Urban Kayak employees arrived on a seadoo and assisted him onboard. At that point the guy stands up on the seadoo, rips off his t-shirt, and falls back into the river! It was quite a show for the folks on my boat. They got him back onto the seadoo and with fire truck alarms screaming in the background, we were off to finish our tour. An afternoon to remember!
Disappointing First Tour by Pam Mann, 2013
Giving the very first tour after training and certification must always be memorable. Mine was memorable for all the wrong reasons! I was ready to lead my first Historic Buildings tour from the old CAC headquarters in spring, 2013, and only one person signed up to take it. He was from out-of-town and was carrying an impressive camera. When we stopped at the first building, he said he would appreciate it if I’d identify the building and then “get out of the way,” so he could take pictures of it. He wasn’t the least bit interested in anything I had to tell him about any of the buildings. So discouraging! But my next tour was wonderful – a diverse group of tourists and locals who loved those historic buildings as much as I do. 
The Fun Meter Man by Ellen Shubart, 2006
It was the next-to-the-last day of the river cruise, a mid-day cruise on a Saturday. Despite the drizzle in the morning, more than 65 people were on the boat. It was surprisingly nice for the last weekend – and as we hit the North Branch, the sun came out. It was a great ride – only a breeze, not a wind, and sunny. What more can you ask for on the river in November?
I was standing on the dock at the end of the tour, and a man walked up and gave me this medallion. An elderly fellow from Michiana, IN., he said the violins were his group, and he played the fiddle. Glad to know people think of the boat tour as a Max Fun thing to do!
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Fun stories! Keep them coming!