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4 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 23, 1999 _-- "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star Last month while we were all digging out from the snowstorm of '99, Kent Jamieson was basking under the hot Bahamas sun. : Mr. Jamieson, 23, is one of thousands of young people who work on cruise lines before taking the plunge in their | chosen career. He discovered the cruise line opportunities last summer one day when surfing the internet. When he learned the recruiting agent was in Whitby, it didn't take him long to inquire. Qualifying applicants had to have a uni- versity degree, and some emceeing or entertain- ment skills. Mr. Jamieson had graduated last spring from the University of Windsor with a degree in communications and film work, and had been a regular with the Millar Lights performing group here in Port Perry. And during his years at Port Perry High School, his agent had landed him roles in sever- al commercials. BE After an extensive interview Mr. Jamieson flew to Miami on Aug. 7, arriving at the city's busy seaport the following day. The ship he was assigned to was The Sovereign of the Seas, one of many cruise ships in KENT JAMIESON # /\ _ later promoted to sports direc- ;. tor. In that role he organized several events, organized games, sports and other events for the 2,600 passen- gers. "It's not a hard job, but . it's a long job," he said. "We always have to be happy, have a smile on our faces." The hours are long, from 7 a.m. "and you're lucky if you hit the pillow by 1 a.m.", he said. Mr. Jamieson also received extensive hotel safety training. The 14-deck ship, weighing 75,000 tonnes when empty, was like a float- ing hotel complete with every amenity you could imagine. Seasickness wasn't a problem for the Port Perry man, even when the ship was plowing through 30-foot swells during the hurricane season. But, if anyone did fall ill, there were doctors on board to ease their symptoms. Mr. Jamieson feels working on a cruise ship is an experience of a lifetime. Because his ship was a train- ing vessel, staff changed many times. The average age of the entertainment crew was 25, "party people", m't a dream! The Royal Caribbean fleet. . The Sovereign of the Seas is a trainin sunsets. g ship; on it, staff are prepared for their future voyages into warm Part of a crew of 850, Mr. Jamieson initially enjoyed working on the entertainment side, but was he says. "We were the hosts of the ship." He met lots of great people, guests and crew alike. While his first roommate was from Argentina, the next two were from Long Island, New York and Wales. Fifty-seven nationalities were on board the cruise life ship. "It's amazing what we learned," said Mr. Jamieson. Mr. Jamieson sailed on three and four day cruises. The three-day cruise left Miami, sailing to Nassau and Coco Cay before returning to Miami. The four- day cruise included a dock at Key West before return- ing to the home port. "Key West is really neat. It's a little town, very laid back, but with great restaurants," he said. It was there, during his time off, that he enjoyed skydiving on Jan.5 for the first time. "What a rush that was," he said. Mr. Jamieson has some wonderful memories. Even though the room he shared with his roommate was tiny, the great food, glorious color of the water and the magnificent sunsets will lure him back again. Home now for a few weeks, he's leaving for another cruise on Feb. 27. His ship, the Nordic Empress, based out of San Juan, Puerto Rico will travel to many Caribbean Islands. In April the itinerary will change when the ship sails from New York to Bermuda. Mr. Jamieson said he was bitten by the travel bug when he went to Acapulco before graduation. And when he pondered about working on a cruise ship his grandmother, Helen Jamieson, was all for it. "Grandma has always loved ships and encouraged me to pursue this line of travel," he says. "It isn't for everyone, but for me it's great. "I got paid in U.S. funds, made some money, got to travel and met some wonderful people," he said. "And it will be a great addition to my resume, too." When he quits the cruise line Mr. Jamieson hopes to start a career in show business. ) Woodworking keeps retired GM man busy By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Carefully picking up beautifully creat- ed wooden replica of a 1931 Ford, Tom Manns points out each small detail and smiles as he talks about his favourite hobby. "I started making them just for my grandchildren, but now more and more people want them, and that's good, I guess," the Scugog Island man said from his home last week. "I've got five grandchildren -- four of them boys -- and I just thought I'd make them wooden toys. I've done it for 10 years for them, and it's something I've really enjoyed." But, as time has passed, the wooden replicas have become more and more pop- ular with people in the township. "By the time Christmas rolled around last year I was down to just one car left," said the former General Motors employee. "I had either sold most of them, or given them away." gradually puts the detailed pieces togeth- ~ Tom's become a 'model' citizen But as popular as the models are, they remain just a hobby for the local gentle- man. "Ive always enjoyed working with wood and it's just a hobby for me, nothing else," said Mr. Manns, noting he's made a number of tables, chairs, trucks, cars, planes, boats, trains, ferris wheels, birds and birdhouses over the years. "It's just a hobby, I'm not in it for the money. I'm not in a hurry to make them and I'm not in a hurry to sell them. The little money I get from them is just enough to cover my expenses. "It's pretty hard to get good lumber, but I enjoy working with pine, basswood, and cedar. None of them are painted, they're all natural wood." Once a model is chosen -- he usually works from an old photograph, a calender or his memory -- it's off to work in the fur- nace room of his modest bungalow. Working four or five hours a day, Mr. Manns carefully cuts out the design and er. A wooden car usually takes three weeks to complete, he says. "It's just something to put in time, it's nothing serious. They seem to come together well and everyone likes them. It's just something I do." Tom Manns at work on one of his favorite model car replicas. ea a TE Ee Tl TL Te eee La ae)