Is it a "re-imagining" is it a prequel is it an abomination? Recasting our beloved classic crew in their younger days, tinkering with how we thought it all began, but a fresh coat of paint and new nacelles on "our" original 1701…new look, new toys, new film, new cast…what will we all think when the last credit rolls?

What will we reply when someone from the media or a friend asks the question…"Did you like the film?" Come join us as promote the film at the Marquee Cinema on Route 37 in Toms River.

That remains to be seen but I can't help but be a little excited as we await the big release day on Mother's Day weekend and attend the Star Trek Exhibit in the Philadelphia Franklin Institute. The folks there have not done a bang up job on promoting the event or getting Starfleet involved but it does look like fun and we'll be there.

What else is going on around the Challenger community? Several of us attended I*Con on the first weekend of April and had a great time from our friends aboard the USS Britannic and the recently launched USS Abraham Lincoln. The Britannic threw a great after con party and we compared notes about things going on around the region and shared some thoughts about the new film. It was great to catch up.

I attended a comic book/collectible show late last month and found some bargains in both categories. Free Comic Book Day is in May. Check www.freecomicbookday.com  for more information.

Most of us have also survived real life's Ferengi menace, that being the tax collector and Tax Day. Hurray for that. Actually I think the Ferengi have more charm.

TV shows such as Lost, Terminator, Dollhouse, Fringe, Smallville and Supernatural are drawing to a close of their seasons. Almost all should be returning to the small screen next season. In May we have not only Star Trek to look forward to on the big screen but Wolverine (a week prior to ST's release) and Terminator: Salvation (a week or so after ST's release). There is also GI Joe and the second Transformers movie slated for summer plus a host of other films that fall into the sci fi, horror and fantasy genres.

For those reading this blog wondering if you should check out a USS Challenger meeting on the first Sunday of the month at 1 pm at the Seaside Heights Community Center in Seaside Heights N.J. I can only say YES, as I urge you to come and meet us. We are a fun group and while we have busy lives we haven't forgotten the fun we've had with this interest over the years.

Feel free to give a call at 732-830-3262 and I'll get back to you. We love hearing from you so feel free to contact us via e-mail through our website at www.usschallenger.org

Have a great spring, check out our events calendar and see you at the movies!

Adm. Bob Vosseller
CO USS Challenger NCC-1676-D

The excitment of the show of course building on the new movie's release. She wore one of my command gold classic uniforms which on her small frame was more of a dress. We introduced her and educated her on everything from tribbles, tricorders, the Vulcan salute and its origins, Klingon weapons, phasers old and new and our uniforms.

She and I spoke about the ramifications of certain elements of the new film and our views on JJ Abrams, the cast and a key plot point.

We were "beamed up" and down through the magic of the digital TV camera and the use of our own sound effects device. A funny moment came when she nearly sat on the ST light table (which we tried to explain was NOT a chair) and I grabbed her before she could fall although she's pretty light so for her it probably could have been a chair. She enjoyed sitting in the actual replica of the command chair and did much of the show from the chair.

It was fun and we appreciate the special effort of the Lincoln crew who came down to assist the effort which began at an ungodly hour. We tried to explain that most Trekkers (though she continued referring to us as Trekkies) don't do mornings, or at least, not well. But we were wide awake for this and I think we did well even if it did include our waving to the camera with Vulcan salutes saying "Live Long & Prosper'' and saying energize several times. I also held up a large photo of Emily and I in uniform and was asked how we met through Star Trek and Starfleet and had both a real wedding as well as a Star Trek wedding at Shore Leave back in 2000.

Not something we get to do every morning and one of my new recruits also showed up but was unable to stay as she had to go to work. Pics of the event will be forwarded onto the R7 web site, Lincoln web site and Challenger website.

The Justice and Challenger also got plenty of ink in the Star Ledger today with Justice members making front page and the jump page.

I hope you all have fun this weekend at your respective movie promotions and enjoy seeing the film itself. Reviews both professional and by fans and fellow Fleeters have given it a thumbs up!!!

Adm. Bob Vosseller

USS Challenger has made it into the Star-Ledger! Our Commanding Officer Bob Vossellor, Communications Chief Laura Victor, and other members of STARFLEET are featured in this article:

"What I love about 'Star Trek' is that it encourages you to explore new things," says Laura Victor, 33, a Middlesex graphic designer and the Challenger's chief communications officer. "It's about becoming something better."

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/05/trekkers_line_up_at_nj_theater.html