I just wanted to thank those who came out yesterday and feasted during the USS Challenger’s annual Intergalactic Food Festival that drew at least 20 people including members of the visiting public to the Seaside Heights Community Center in Seaside Heights N.J. where you could sample “Terra Nova Turkey”, BLT subs (“Bantha Lettuce and Cheese”), “Gold Pressed Latinum” Krispie treats, and we even had some tiny green soldiers encased in orange jello trying to escape…”The Blob”. Ariel and Terri Vitalli provided an incredible Star Trek cake that was among the many desserts we had.

Those were just a few of the main dishes and desserts that filled a very large table during the event. Members of the USS Sovereign and USS Avenger participated in the event and non perishable food (of a more mundane variety) was collected for Project Replicator our program to aid a food pantry in Ocean County. The food will be delivered later this week.

Some of our guests came in some creative attire and I dug out my modified sweater monster maroon (thankful it still fit although a tiny bit snug) while fellow Challenger Patrick Barnes wore the robes of a Jedi Knight for the day.

Fun was had by all as we recalled interesting moments of conventions, R7 conferences and ICs gone by plus we had a lively discussion on upcoming films like John Carter that we plan to see.

The Intergalactic Food Festival always marks a celebration of the end of winter (mild as it is) an open meeting for the public to make them aware of Star Trek/Sci Fandom in the area (and the fact we love to eat) and it makes for one nice gathering of friends and fans old and new.

While the Challenger hosts the event, those who came and brought their food/beverage and spirit to the occasion, helped make it a great experience. There was no lack of food and though we’ve hosted this event for close to 20 years now, it is always interesting to see how creative people can get in mixing and matching actual food to the names of galactic treats we’ve seen in Star Trek and other Sci Fi sagas as well as the creation of new alien oddities.

It proves you don’t have to be a master chef to enjoy this event but creativity is a must and if you are in Starfleet or a Sci Fi fan, there is plenty of that to go around.

Again, thanks for attending and for those who missed it, mark the first Sunday of March on your calendar for next year!

Adm. Bob Vosseller
CO USS Challenger NCC – 1676-D
VRC Region 7
co@usschallenger.org

It was a sea of green today during the 28th Annual Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights.
Chief Engineer Ken Diehl, Medical Officer David Singleton and I did enjoy the sights and sounds and the many shades of emerald we observed during the event.

The two hour parade kicked off at noon and ended a little after 2 pm. Great weather, if a bit brisk at times and I personally enjoyed one of the best corned beef sandwiches I ever had and it was not from one of themany delis in the borough that was selling them but a local Cub Scouts group.

It helped make the day more enjoyable and that green iced brownie that I should have avoided was just too tempting. I found solace in the fact that while the ship was not in the parade this year, I still managed to walk the parade route and also enjoyed spending some time with fellow Challengers in watching most of the parade.

Ken wore some green beads and I had a green shamrock cap and the chill in the air led me to purchase a pair of “I’m Irish” green gloves that came in handy as I started the day off in Seaside Heights at 9:30 a.m. and spent most of that time outside.

It was great seeing Dave, Ken and their family members present at the event which has some real history with many of us on Challenger.

Adm. Bob O’ Vosseller
CO USS Challenger

I* Con is this weekend and the members of the USS Britannic, USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Challenger will be there among others within the region. The Long Island based convention is a multi media con and quite an event especially for costumers, gamers, anime lovers and those who just love to have a good time at an event with a big draw.
 
IT’S AWARDS TIME AGAIN
 
A reminder from R7 Awards Coordinator Adm. Beryl Washington all submissions for this year’s award program can be submitted by going to www.Region7.com (http://www.region7.com/) on the right side of the home page you will find the awards section. Click on it and the award page will come up.
Please click on the award you wish to nominate someone in and the page will come up. Fill in the blanks and then write an informative essay on your nominee. While the box looks small it will hold all you write. “I’m urging you to use the award page. I will no longer cut and paste your information as it stills leave to many blanks,’’ Beryl said last month.
”Please nominate and honor those on your crew who have taken their dedication to another level. There are also Regional commendations, use them and nominate those who have gone the distance,’’ she added.
All awards must be filed by midnight on  April 1.
 
 
REGION 7 CONFERENCE 2012
 
Another reminder that R7 Command will host this year’s R7 conference in the fall  at the Cherry Hill NJ Crowne Plaza hotel. Our R7 Chief of Staff made the announcement a few months back and we are still looking for programming ideas. Please contact me at co@usschallenger.org if you have any ideas. Given that the event is taking place in the fall perhaps a “Zombie” or Costume event might be appropriate. Thoughts?
 
 
KEEPING UP ON STARFLEET MEMBERSHIP STRENGTH
 
The Region is in good shape with around 580 members. MSR reporting has been steady and sucessful and we appreciate that. Lets keep this trend up!
 
RECENT EVENTS IN THE REGION
 
The USS Challenger’s annual Intergalactic Food Festival took place earlier this month and drew members of the USS Avenger, USS Adamant and USS Sovereign. The USS Britannic celebrated its 5th anniversary with a dinner that drew members of the USS Avenger,. USS Challenger, USS Abraham Lincoln and some members from beyond R7. The USS Storm enjoyed a celebration of the first year’s commissioning with events in Vineland during the weekend.
 
 The USS Storm is also coordinating  walk team for an AIDS walk benefit in Atlantic City in May. See their website and Facebook page for further details.
 
 Also coming up is the USS Richtofen CO and SF Communications staffer Karen Carothers recently announced that their  fourth annual Trek Olympics will be held on Saturday, May 19, at the Hollofield area of Patapsco Valley State Park in Catonsville, MD. Last year, the event had representatives from the Richthofen, Pride of Baltimore, and Matrix.
” I’m hoping we can maybe double the number of ships represented this year. Don’t worry if you don’t have enough available crew to field a team, we can mix and match,’’ Karen said recently.

Karen stressed that “I really need folks to RSVP to me if they plan to attend. The shelter I have is for 20 people. I will happily reserve another nearby if we need it, and there are also a few free picnic tables in the area of our shelter that are first-come, first-serve.’’ For more information contact Karen.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS
 
Well that concludes this bulletin. I look forward to seeing many of you at some of the upcoming events. As always should you have any ideas, compliments, complaints, project proposals or questions for the staff of SF Region 7, reach out to us. Our contact information can be found on the R7 website or simply post us an e-mail to this list.
 
If  you observe Easter or Passover have a wonderful holiday!