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

Cookies, cookies and more cookies! Some were shaped like classic Star Trek T-Shirts in red, blue and gold. Some had butterscotch icing, others resembled sushi. Some had nuts in them and then there were the soft scones. We also had our share of holiday themed cookies.

It was all part of the fun of the USS Challenger’s annual Cookie Swap/Holiday Party held on Dec. 7. The event drew 20 members of SFI Region 7. Along with members of the USS Challenger crew, we had guests from the USS Avenger, USS Odin chapter in training, USS Sovereign and the USS Top Gun.

Our headquarters of the Seaside Heights Community Hall in Seaside Heights N.J. was decorated with snowflakes hanging, a blinking Christmas tree and red table cloths for the occasion. Beside the tree was a green and red tote, filled with donations of toys for the Seaside Heights Police Department’s annual Toys 4 Tots drive.

It was bitter cold outside but there was plenty of warmth inside. We skipped the CD and tapes of holiday music this year, and focused on all the cookies that were being added to the tables as people arrived on an almost half-hourly basis.

The arrival of Top Gun member Joe Horton also brought a Star Trek flair to the event, with cookies sporting the arrow head emblem, the aforementioned classic T-Shirts and numerous other cookies. But it was the gingerbread Shuttlecraft Galileo that he and Janek made that was the most incredible of all.

Everyone brought something interesting and delicious. We didn’t really keep track of who brought as we too busy adding it our plate. The tables were arranged in a type of cube so we all had multiple conversations going ranging from the latest Starfleet news, to movies we just saw, to Sci-Fi Channel films were saw and regretted to Sci-Fi Channel films were to afraid to see. Not to mention the worst British accents ever attempted and Amanda Tapping now of Sanctuary fame was among the list.

Challenger’s own Communications Chief, Commodore Laura Victor, originated the cookie swap event several years ago. A traditional event, we took what we liked from it and adapted it to our own needs.

That meant adding a regular lunch element after the first year (when we all dipped into a sugar coma after the first hour). Pizza worked out fine for all of us, and while nine large pies seemed appropriate, we actually had some left over. Probably because we all ate way too many cookies.

After several hours, reluctantly we said our goodbyes after hours of fun and headed out into the dark cold world, commuting back to our respective homes. It was cold and blustery that Sunday afternoon. I know because for about 45 minutes I had to duck out from the party to cover a work assignment at a town Christmas parade. The cold air did take my breath away, and I was very happy to return to the party and that wonderful hot chocolate Laura made.

One of our last conversations concerned the upcoming Star Trek movie, and our still mixed feelings about just how good it will/won’t be. We concluded that 2008 will have its mark in history — both real and in STARFLEET — and that our hopes were high that 2009 will bring good times and more fun for us all!

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.