Local Star Trek Fans Beam Down To Popular Convention

Actor/director/producer Robert Duncan McNeill, on “Star Trek: Voyager,” and his co-star from that show, Robert Picardo who played the holographic Doctor, were guests at Shore Leave 43 held in Hunt Valley Maryland earlier this month.

JERSEY SHORE – Members of the USS Challenger, the Jersey shore chapter of Starfleet: The International Star Trek Fan Association joined up with fellow Starfleet members for Shore Leave 43 in Hunt Valley Maryland earlier this month.

The USS Challenger enjoyed seeing special guests at the convention like Robert Duncan McNeill and Robert Picardo, both from the TV series “Star Trek Voyager.” Also present were Claudia Black and Ben Browder who worked together on the science fiction series “Farscape” and later as cast members of “Stargate SG1.”

It has been a busy summer for the club that meets at 1 p.m. each first Sunday of the month at the Seaside Heights Community Center at 1000 Bay Boulevard. Members got together to see “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” enjoyed a barbecue hosted by the USS Abraham Lincoln, a New York based chapter of Starfleet and spent the weekend at Shore Leave 43 where member Annie Brugmans of Lakewood presented three panels at the convention.

During the convention a special Starfleet meeting and a dinner was held at a nearby diner featuring members of Starfleet chapters in Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The USS Challenger’s next event is to visit the New Egypt Comic Book and Toy show on August 6 at 105 Lakewood Road, Plumsted Township. For information about that public event visit comic-lair.com/show/

The club’s regular meeting is later that same day at 1 p.m. at the Seaside Heights Community Center and the public is invited to stop by. For further information e-mail starfleetrecruiter4usschallenger@aol.com or visit usschallenger.org

Branson Show Extravaganza

WHITING – Branson Show Extravaganza, Branson Missouri: nine days, eight nights December 2 to 10. Cost is $1,170 double; $1,455 single. Price includes motor coach transportation; eight nights lodging including four consecutive nights in Branson Area; 14 meals: eight breakfasts, six dinners; admission to the Titanic - the world’s largest museum; and admission to six fabulous shows including: Three morning shows – Dublin’s Irish Ladies, with special guests The Celtic Ladies, Down Home Country, A Neil

Diamond tribute

Two evening shows – Baldknobbers, Queen Ester at sight and sound

One afternoon show - Dean Z The Ultimate Elvis show

Purchase tickets every Tuesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Village 5 Clubhouse 425 Schoolhouse Road, Whiting. A $75 deposit is non- refundable unless trip is canceled, due upon sign up. Final payment due September 25. For more information, call Debbie at 201-618-8514.

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