Hello, I’m Jennifer, creator of The Vintage Twirler, est. April 21, 2021. I am a former journalist turned public relations practitioner and my company is Tambourine PR. My degree is in political science and mass communications and I have more than 40 hours of graduate work in history, literature and English. Best of all, I am a wife, mother and grandmother.

I began blogging in 1999, and my original blog, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Generation X, was launched 20 years ago. It has been featured in numerous local, state and national publications including Good Housekeeping, the National Associated Press and The Washington Post. 

I am available for hire as a publicist and stringer. If you have a baton twirling story to feature or tell, I can help. Publicist work remains confidential.

What do you mean by “vintage”?

We generally consider vintage to include baton twirling history that is 25 years old or older. While there is no universal definition, the 25-year benchmark is the most widely accepted among historians, collectors, and preservation organizations.

That means our coverage now includes anything before 2001, but is constantly expanding. As the years pass, more athletes, performances, costumes, equipment, publications, and organizations become part of the historical record.

Summit of the World

A few years ago, my daughter marched by herself in a Christmas parade. With fancy cars and horses in front of her and a throng of cheerleaders behind her, she high-stepped it along the entire parade route without a band or even music. And, as she twirled around the historic town square she caught a glimpse of an elderly woman who was taking a deep breath as she strutted by. “I was a twirler, once,” she said, as she leaned into her husband’s shoulder.

I was a twirler once…

There was a longing in that woman’s voice; a yearning for a past that is no more; a time when America stood at the “summit of the world” and twirlers in majorette boots and fringed epaulettes filled parade routes far and wide. 

Stars and Stripes Forever

Today, patriotism has hit an historic low with some feeling the American flag is unsuitable for display. We obviously don’t feel that way, especially as baton twirling evolves and reaches its destiny of becoming an Olympic sport.

Who will be the first U.S. baton twirlers to compete for Olympic gold? Who can deny that the soundtrack of all their dreams has been the Official March of America, John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever. Whoever they are, wherever they are, they will be standing on the shoulders of thousands of devoted coaches and parents, as the U.S. flag is lowered and the national anthem is played.

To that end, our logo celebrates the history of baton twirling in America, which has strong ties to the U.S. military. It honors all our hopes for the future; above all, that we may live in peace and harmony with each other despite our differences. And, it is aspirational. Baton twirling is slated for revival. Eventually, the International Olympic Committee will add baton twirling to its sports program. O say, can you see…

We hope you enjoy exploring The Vintage Twirler. We built if for posterity and ultimately, for you and for all generations, young and old, past and present. And, we built it for the love of baton twirling.

Finally, you can support this work by joining the Baton Twirling Preservation Society for $5 a month. When you do, you get a FREE Vintage Twirler of the Month sticker. It’s super fun. Come along for the ride!

Hello, I’m Jennifer, creator of The Vintage Twirler, est. April 21, 2021. I am a former journalist turned public relations practitioner and my company is Tambourine PR. My degree is in political science and mass communications and I have more than 40 hours of graduate work in history, literature and English. Best of all, I am a wife, mother and grandmother. 

I began blogging in 1999, and my original blog, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Generation X, was launched 20 years ago. It has been featured in numerous local, state and national publications including Good Housekeeping, the National Associated Press and The Washington Post. 

I am available for hire as a publicist and stringer. If you have a baton twirling story to feature or tell, I can help. Publicist work remains confidential.

What do you mean by “vintage”?

We generally consider vintage to include baton twirling history that is 25 years old or older. While there is no universal definition, the 25-year benchmark is the most widely accepted among historians, collectors, and preservation organizations.

That means our coverage now includes anything before 2001, but is constantly expanding. As the years pass, more athletes, performances, costumes, equipment, publications, and organizations become part of the historical record.

“Summit of the World”

A few years ago, my daughter marched by herself in a Christmas parade. With fancy cars and horses in front of her and a throng of cheerleaders behind her, she high-stepped it along the entire parade route without a band or even music. And, as she twirled around the historic town square she caught a glimpse of an elderly woman who was taking a deep breath as she strutted by. “I was a twirler, once,” she said, as she leaned into her husband’s shoulder.

I was a twirler once…

There was a longing in that woman’s voice; a yearning for a past that is no more; a time when America stood at the “summit of the world” and twirlers in majorette boots and fringed epaulettes filled parade routes far and wide.

Stars and Stripes Forever

Today, patriotism has hit an historic low with some feeling the American flag is unsuitable for display. We obviously don’t feel that way, especially as baton twirling evolves and reaches its destiny of becoming an Olympic sport.

Who will be the first U.S. baton twirlers to compete for Olympic gold? Who can deny that the soundtrack of all their dreams has been the Official March of America, John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever. Whoever they are, wherever they are, they will be standing on the shoulders of thousands of devoted coaches and parents, as the U.S. flag is lowered and the national anthem is played.

To that end, our logo celebrates the history of baton twirling in America, which has strong ties to the U.S. military. It honors all our hopes for the future; above all, that we may live in peace and harmony with each other despite our differences. And, it is aspirational. Baton twirling is slated for revival. Eventually, the International Olympic Committee will add baton twirling to its sports program. O say, can you see…

We hope you enjoy exploring The Vintage Twirler. We built if for posterity and ultimately, for you and for all generations, young and old, past and present. And, we built it for the love of baton twirling.

Finally, you can support this work by joining the Baton Twirling Preservation Society for $5 a month. When you do, you get a FREE Vintage Twirler of the Month sticker. It’s super fun. Come along for the ride!