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

Well, fear not I'll keep it short and will simply extend a very Happy Hanukkah to those of you who observe that holiday and a Merry Christmas to you that observe that holiday.

It has been quite a year for all of us. We've had good times and bad and I'm hoping that 2009 is a better year filled with more good times and that when we look back to 2008 we can remember some of the good times that marked it.

I know for Challenger we had quite a few including our 20th anniversary parties, Farpoint, Shore Leave, I Con, the various Monstermania cons and comic book shows I attended, functions held by other chapters, our times out having lunch after meetings and shooting the breeze or breakfasts before a meeting. There will be plenty of that in the new year.

We always enjoy the holidays be they Halloween, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day and especially the 4th of July weekend and New Year's Eve/Day.

I'll be away along with Counselor Emily from Dec. 24 to Dec. 28 so I want to extend a happy healthy holiday to each of you and to say that I'm glad that you are a part of my time in fandom and in my life in general.

I always get a bit reflective and sentimental this time of season and this year is no exception. Sure this year has been grueling for many of us but we've survived it (or at least we will within the next week). It has been a year of change and I think 2009 will bring us even more change.

Take care and see you in the new year!

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

Our Oct. 11 party went exceptionally well, and everyone I've spoke with both on the Challenger and our visiting guests from other Starfleet chapters, said they enjoyed the food, the conversations and looking over our old photo albums on our own memorabilia table. I want to once again thank everyone who turned out for that event, and also worked to make it happen.

I also enjoyed our more private luncheon gathering held on Oct. 26 in Eatontown. That too was highly enjoyable, included wonderful food and many of our favorite Challenger stories of the past. Funny stories, dramatic recollections and people and events that have stuck out in our mind for one reason or another. For me it has been a 20 year journey that has been nothing less then incredible and it is my pleasure to continue serving as the leader of our ragtag group as we head into our 21st year of fun, frolics and insanity.

Ironic that on the same day as our private anniversary party, we also said goodbye to the Rose family of Seaside Heights who are now off to Florida. You never know how long a time you'll have with your friends in this organization, many real life things pull us apart and many of us were sad to see the Rose family go. Victoria Rose, who turned 9 in September, has been our cadet for almost 10 years. We went and saw her in the hospital following during an Away Team event at the Lakewood Ren Faire and Toms River Greek Festival held on the same day. Where does the time go?

Well we've had a year of multiple celebrations and have faced new challenges which I think have made our little group stronger. In the new year however, our sights are going to be set on new adventures and ways to bring in new people to our club which like all organizations, must continue to grow in order to survive. We do have a good sized group but new blood will bring in new ideas and new ways of looking at things.

Many chapters in Starfleet are looking to do the same way, and with the excitement of a new Star Trek feature film coming out next spring, well, that should provide a great opportunity for us. Actually there may well be multiple opportunities on the forefront and Challenger will be looking to examine all of them. For now, though, I hope you will have a howling good Halloween and will enjoy a great Thanksgiving, which will be here before we know it.