At our Star Trek premiere recruiting table, a lot of folks got to strike their best Shatner pose in our own Enterprise "Captain's Chair!" Check it out at http://bigchair.usschallenger.org!

We'd been hearing about it for months, the USS Sovereign crew had been getting tidbits of information in dribs and drabs from the officials at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and at long last on May 16, the Star Trek Exhibition opened its doors filled with treasures of costumes, props and a grand recreation of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D bridge plus many other treasures.

The opening of this event was also a major event for Starfleet-Region 7 whose help was requested by the Franklin Institute. I was invited to attend the special sneak peek dinner event the night before as a guest of Keli Buchan one of the chief coordinators of the event. Sadly I couldn't make that but I did return as one of many volunteers on MAy 16 and also had the opportunity to run a panel about STARFLEET in one of the institutes theater. I held a similar program for members of the institute on Sunday.

Sovereign's Communication Chief Stacey Wright was coordinating the event in the absence of their CO, Adm. Beryl Washington who was on a much deserved vacation in Texas with her son. Quite a number of Starfleet members came out in uniform to bring extra energy to the event and to speak with those going through the exhibit.

The Sovereign was well represented with its XO Sonny Wright, Chief Engineer Flt. Capt. Traci M. Giorgianni, and fellow members Jay Ansky, Communications Chief Cher Schleigh, Claire Halber amd Ben Reid.

Challenger's Ops Chief Capt. Ken Diehl came out and even stayed into the evening for an IMAX showing of the new Star Trek film. Jen and Ryan Battershill and their two young boys attended as well but came in as paid guests as their new uniforms didn't arrive in time for them to take part in the volunteer duties. They loved the exhibit.

The USS Matrix was represented by its CO Vice Admiral Joe Hoolihan and his daughter Juliana. Juliana Hoolihan

USS Odin memberJanek Kazimer donned her trill spots and a ST:TNG blue uniform while USS Top Gun Joe Horton came along in his ST:First Contact attire.

USS Avenger CO Judy Waidlich also wore a uniform of that era while ship science chief Adm. Alex Rosenzweig donned his monster maroon uniform for the occasion. 

All eras of Trek including the new movie were represented in the uniforms of the day.

"A good time was had by all and the institute was happy with the turnout. The Exhibit itself was wonderful  they even had the new Star Trek Uniforms so you could get an up close and personal look. And of course you could buy your own in the giftshop for $50,'' Stacey Wright said.

"Everyone did a wonderful job engaging the museum visitors in all things Trek and Starfleet. And I am sure we have gained several more members for Region 7 and Starfleet,'' Stacey Wright added.

The chapters represented brought fliers for the table and extra uniforms for those who might have needed them. 

Sonny worked up a short skit for those who visit the bridge set. The exhibit sprang for a pizza lunch and offered us the chance to enjoy the exhibit as regular guest sans uniform but we all preferred to keep our uniforms on. Sadly, the IMAX showing of Star Trek was sold out and only one of us wanted to stay for the 6 pm show.

The exhibit will remain at the Franklin Institute until September and the Sovereign has been working with other R7 chapters and a Klingon group in an effort to bring some theme weekends to the exhibit will special guest speakers.

The topic of the new film was of course fresh on our minds and there was a friendly debate about the film with the majority stating their enjoyment of it.

The opening also harkened back the days of the Federation Science Display that came to the Institute about 10 years ago and which also toured in North Jersey and had heavily involvement by Starfleet members in the region.

I know many of us will be back for a future weekend. A transporter room mock up was not complete in time for opening weekend but it materialized in time for the following week.

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