Volume I, Number 12  •  March 2009 
CONTENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS
•  Fri.-Sun., Mar. 6-8: STARFLEET International Region 2 Summit

•  Saturday, March 14: Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade
•  Wednesday, April 8: Star Trek Bingo Night

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
•  "Star Trek Night" with the OutWorlders comes to an end
• 
USS Republic web site updates and upgrades
•  USS Republic comm badges now available

•  First MCC food bank replenished
•  Volunteers needed for Star Trek movie premiere
•  Ship's Store loaded with chapter merchandise

•  Member Recruitment Special: New Voyages/Phase II DVDs
•  Personnel Records
•  Recent Chapter Event Photo
•  Classifieds


SIDEBAR
•  March Birthdays
•  Welcome Aboard!
•  March Membership Renewals
•  Wish List
•  About the Republic
•  For More Information
•  Our Member Benefits Program Partners
•  16 Years Ago Aboard the USS Republic

UPCOMING EVENTS
STARFLEET International Region 2 Summit

Friday - Sunday, March 6-8, 2009
Budget Inn & Banquet
1525 Ellis Ave, Jackson MS  39204
Phone: (601) 944-1150
Hosted by the USS Haise NCC-74664, the 2009 STARFLEET International Region 2 Summit will be held March 6-8 in Jackson, Mississippi.  Republic members confirmed to attend are Commanding Officer Capt Eric L. Watts, Executive Officer Cmdr Brian Holloway, Capt Michael Cowart, ENS2 Zannetta Law, Ens Joanne Trew and Ens Julianne Trew.

The annual Summit can be one of the most rewarding experiences in STARFLEET.  Unlike typical conventions with Star Trek stars, a Summit is a learning experience.  Not only is it a great chance to learn valuable skills in the various informative panels and workshops, but it's also a great chance to make valuable friendships with people you've only heard about through The STARFLEET Communiqué, Region 2 Update, online and other sources.  Over 100 people from chapters throughout the Region attend the Summit, along with some of the STARFLEET Executive Committee, like the Commander, STARFLEET.  It's a great opportunity to learn in a very fun environment.  You will also have a chance to find out what is going on in your Region and in STARFLEET.

One of the most important events at the Summit is the annual Awards Banquet.  The Republic has won five Regional awards in the last two years and looks forward to another triumphant year in 2009!  This year, the Republic has been nominated or is eligible for Commanding Officer of the Year, Officer of the Year, Chapter of the Year, Mothership of the Year, Starfleet Academy Achievement Award, Superior Web Site Achievement and Performance, Most Informative Web Site, Best Chapter Web Site, Best Printed Newsletter, Best Electronic Newsletter and Newsletter of the Year awards.

The Budget Inn & Banquet in Jackson has given us a room rate of $59 per night.  The hotel is set up to receive phone reservations ONLY.  The number (601) 944-1150.  When making reservations, remember to use the group code "STARFLEET Region 2" to get the special rate.  The Fleet Admiral's Dinner is set for Friday night at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q in Jackson.  The Awards Banquet on Saturday will be buffet style and held in the host hotel.  Banquet prices are $19.95 for adults, $10 for children under 10, and free for children under 3.  Anyone wishing to attend who hasn't already preregistered will pay $35 at the door and may not be able to purchase an Awards Banquet ticket.  Additional information about the Summit in general can be found here.  Additional information about the 2009 Summit can be found here.

MAP AND DIRECTIONS

Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade

Saturday, March 14, 2009
Downtown Atlanta
10:00 a.m.: Assemble on West Peachtree Street, Peachtree Street and Ralph McGill Boulevard
12:00 noon: Parade begins

Join the USS Republic as we march, for the very first time, in Atlanta's St. Patrick's Parade!

From their web site: "2009 will be the largest, best-attended St. Patrick's Parade & Festival since the first Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade held 151 years ago, in 1858.  The parade ends at Underground Atlanta with vendors, food and free entertainment, music and dancing.

"The 2009 Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade will have over 200 units, including floats, bands of every kind, military units, bagpipe and drum corps, thousands of children, Irish dancers, clowns, high-tech firefighting equipment, police units, drill teams, dogs, horses, antique cars, dignitaries from Ireland, and our own government leaders.

Our friends in KAG Atlanta in the 2007 St. Patrick's Parade.  This year, they'll be marching with us!

"This year is going to be an even bigger deal than previous years' record-breaking parades and festivals.  We expect to significantly exceed prior crowds.  Many dignitaries and previous participants are already on board for 2009.

"Historically, Atlanta is strongly associated with the Irish.  The thriving city of Atlanta had many well-established Irish businessmen, tradesmen and farmers at a time when some cities still restricted immigration and settlement of the Irish.  At one time, all five of Atlanta's city councilmen were Irish.  Atlanta's fire department attracted a large number of Irish.

"The Irish have always been an integral part of the city.  The Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta was founded in 1858 to help the newest wave of immigrating Irish.  An Irish priest, Father O'Reilly, was instrumental in saving five churches and other parts of Atlanta from General Sherman's armies during the Civil War.  A huge number of the Southern defenders were Irish, as were a great percentage of the Northern troops.

"Margaret Mitchell, famed author of Gone with the Wind, wrote about her Atlanta Irish ancestors.  Her great aunts, the Fitzgeralds, lived in Clayton County at a place called Rural Home which became Tara in the novel.  Anywhere you look, the Irish have been in Atlanta, playing an important role.

"In addition to Atlanta 'natives,' migration from the traditional northern Irish cities has brought thousands of Irish and their descendants to booming Atlanta.  These newer residents are accustomed to St. Patrick’s Day festivities and are faithful supporters.

•  Almost 40% of Georgians claim Irish heritage
•  More than 1,000,000 Metro Atlanta residents claim Irish descent
•  Atlanta ranks as the 7th largest “Irish City” in North America

"It's 'in' to be Irish in today’s dynamic times.  Join us for a great day and for a grand time as we celebrate Atlanta and her Irish heritage in 2009."

The USS Republic will join our Klingon friends in the IKAV Nemesis behind the Republic's parade banner.  The Nemesis has marched in this parade for the last few years.  
Republic members confirmed to march include Commanding Officer Capt Eric L. Watts, Capt Michael Cowart, ENS3 Reginald Franklin, ENS3 Naomi Hemingway, Ens John Stump and Beth Miller, Ens Joanne Trew, and Friend of the Republic Rick Day.  If you would like to join us, please contact the Captain as soon as possible for additional details.  This is a costume-encouraged event, so please wear your Republic chapter sport shirt, chapter t-shirt or your best Star Trek costume.  If you don't want to march with us, consider coming out with your camera and cheering for us as we go by!

The route begins at the intersection of Ralph McGill Boulevard and Peachtree Street and runs 1.1 miles from the start at Ralph McGill to the end at Martin Luther King Boulevard at Underground Atlanta, where there will be free entertainment and vendors.

After the parade, everyone is invited to join us at the Carne N' Espeto Brazilian Steakhouse at 2555 Delk Road in Marietta.  It comes highly recommended by our friends in the Nemesis.  The price is $11.88 for a buffet-style, all-you-can-eat meat, hot bar and cold bar.  Marching in the parade does not obligate you to join us for lunch afterwards.

ATLANTA'S ST. PATRICK'S PARADE WEB SITE

Star Trek Bingo Night:
Trekkies, Tribbles and Klingons, Oh My!
A benefit for PALS Atlanta and the Republic


7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Wild Mustang
2115 Faulkner Rd, Atlanta GA  30324
Phone: (404) 844-8800

The USS Republic is pleased to partner with PALS Atlanta for a charity event to benefit both PALS Atlanta and the Republic.  Hosted by the hilarious and outrageous Bubba D. Licious and held at The Wild Mustang just off Cheshire Bridge Road, proceeds from this event will help PALS Atlanta continue its mission of providing free food and basic veterinary care and support to the pets of critically ill and disabled Atlantans.  This event will also serve as a fundraiser and member recruitment opportunity for the Republic as publicity and promotion for the new Star Trek movie will be reaching its zenith just four weeks before its premiere.

This is a costume-encouraged event and all members and friends of the USS Republic are asked to wear their best Star Trek costume (Starfleet, Klingon, etc.), Republic sport shirt or t-shirt, or your own club's t-shirt.  We hope to hold a costume contest of some sort during the event; details to be announced if and when confirmed.

Doors at The Wild Mustang open at 6:30 p.m. with the first Bingo number being called at 7:45 p.m.  Tickets are $20 and will be available from the USS Republic during March and early April.  A cash bar and food concessions will be available.  Your game card includes seven games (six chances to win $100 cash and one jackpot game with a $500 prize).

PALS ATLANTA WEB SITE
THE WILD MUSTANG MAP AND DIRECTIONS

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
"Star Trek Night" with the Atlanta OutWorlders comes to an end

For more than a year, Friend of the Republic Alan Siler has hosted "Star Trek Night" in his home in Doraville, usually on the last Friday of the month, on behalf of the Atlanta OutWorlders.  USS Republic has been pleased to promote and support this monthly event and regrets to announce that Alan is unable to continue serve as host, so until another member of the OutWorlders volunteers, last month's event was its last.

Commanding Officer, Republic, wishes to thank Alan and the Atlanta OutWorlders for inviting us to participate in their “Star Trek Night” events every month over the past year.

This has been a fun event for those who attended and it would be a shame for it to come to a permanent end.  Any member of the Republic who might be interested in hosting a similar event in their own home on a regular basis is encouraged to contact the Captain
.

USS Republic web site updates and upgrades
Have you visited the USS Republic's award-winning web site lately?  If not, you may not be aware of several significant additions that have been made in the last couple of months.  First up is an awesome new one-minute, nineteen-second audio/visual animation created by former Republic member Bruce Peret that wonderfully captures the fun and spirit of membership aboard our chapter.  Another significant addition is the increasing number of archived newsletters that have been added to the "News & Newsletters" section as PDF files.  Thanks to the combined efforts of Bruce Peret and ENS2 Mark A. Ozanick, more than three dozen chapter newsletters from 1987 to 1999 have been added to the web site so far, making it possible for all current members to learn about the rich history of the Republic and to better understand and appreciate the chapter's contemporary status and standing in STARFLEET.  Over the next few weeks, we hope to have every chapter newsletter in our archives converted to digital format and available to all members and friends as a download to preserve and treasure forever.  And finally, while it's not a "big" thing (pardon the pun), we've also added our chapter logo as a "favicon," which should appear as a small image in the address bar of your Internet browser window to the left of the "http" in the web site address.
USS Republic comm badges now available
The USS Republic is delighted to introduce our very own, custom-designed chapter comm badges!  Designed and created by Capt Michael Cowart, these awesome new badges feature the Republic's "Delta Shield/Capital R" logo rendered in a Deep Space Nine/Voyager-style comm badge that can be worn with your Next Generation-era style uniform.  Each badge is individually cast in urethane resin and painted by hand to closely resemble the silver and bronze colors of comm badges actually used on the modern Star Trek series.  Available in your choice of traditional butterfly clutch (most secure) for $10.00 each or magnetic backing (won't harm fabric) for $12.00 each, these unique chapter comm badges will be a perfect addition to your uniform for the Region 2 Summit, the St. Patrick's Parade and all future chapter events.  Show your pride in the Republic and visit the Republic's Ship's Store to order yours now!
First MCC food bank replenished
Last month, Republic members and friends who planned to join us for our Valentine's Day Lonely Hearts Dinner were asked to bring one or more nonperishable food items for the First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta's food bank, which was depleted by an increased demand from our friends and neighbors adversely affected by the economic recession.  
Items donated to the First MCC food bank by members and friends of the Republic.
Republic was one of several organizations with ties to First MCC who were asked to help restock their food bank.   Commanding Officer, Republic, would like to thank all those who brought food items to donate, and is pleased to report that after several weeks of being closed, First MCC was able to reopen their doors in mid-February and feed more than 100 families in need during the second and third weeks of the month.
Volunteers needed for Star Trek movie premiere
Commanding Officer, Republic, had a meeting in late January with the general manager of the Regal Cinemas Hollywood Stadium 24 cineplex in Chamblee to discuss possible plans for the Republic to have a membership recruitment table set up inside the theater lobby throughout the new Star Trek movie's opening weekend.  The good news is that the GM is very interested in working with us; the bad news is that any such promotion must be approved by corporate headquaters and no such approval will be granted before April.  If we receive permission to have a table inside their lobby, we MUST be prepared to have it manned by volunteers throughout the weekend.  Please contact the Captain if you are interested in being a part of this very important member recruitment campaign.
Ship's Store loaded with chapter merchandise
The USS Republic's Ship's Store has plenty of merchandise still available.  Help stimulate your chapter's economy by purchasing one or more of these exclusive, custom-made, Republic-branded items that are the envy of all other Region 2 chapters.

Calendars: Printed in full color and on heavyweight card stock, drilled and comb-bound for easy wall-hanging, the USS Republic's 2009 calendars feature twelve photos from the Republic's highest-profile events and activities from 2008, as well as member birthdays, federal holidays, major religious and seasonal observances, and most Atlanta-area science fiction convention dates.  THE calendar for all your fannish needs, this full-sized (10¾" x 17"), limited edition calendar can be yours for only $10.00 postpaid.  Visit the Ship's Store to order yours now!

GPB Pledge Drive DVDs: We came, we answered phones, we conquered!  Twenty-one members and friends of the USS Republic answered phones for two hours during Georgia Public Broadcasting's live semi-annual Pledge Drive on Saturday, December 6... and we've got it on DVD!  See Capt Eric L. Watts be interviewed on live TV!  See Ens Eddie Hines ham it up for the cameras!  See two fully ridged Klingons try to hold phones to their heads!  See it all for only $5.00 per each postpaid DVD!  In addition to 40 minutes of televised Republic samaritanism, this four-hour DVD also includes the last half-hour of Celtic Woman–The Greatest Journey: Essential Collection; Victor Borge: 100 Years of Music & Laughter! (1½ hrs); Yanni Voices (30 min.) and the first hour of My Music: My Generation–The 60s, hosted by Michelle Phillips.  Visit the Ship's Store to order yours now!

Ens Claire Willis, ENS3 Chadd Franklin and Ens Julianne Trew look fantastic in Republic t-shirts!
20th Year Celebration T-Shirts: These high-quality, 100% preshrunk cotton tees are available in sizes Medium, Large, XL, 3XL and 4XL and feature the two-color USS Republic 20th Year Celebration logo screenprinted on the full chest.  Each limited edition, collector's item shirt is only $15.00 postpaid.  Sizes Small and 2XL are already sold out, so order yours now before they're gone forever.  Visit the Ship's Store to order yours now!
Member Recruitment Special:
Star Trek: New Voyages/Phase II DVDs
Attention Friends of the Republic!  For a limited time, we're offering free DVDs of the Star Trek: New Voyages and Phase II episodes "To Serve All My Days," starring Walter Koenig as Ensign Chekov; the award-winning "World Enough and Time," starring George Takei as Lt. Sulu; and "Blood and Fire, Part I," written and directed by David Gerrold ("The Trouble with Tribbles") to new members who join STARFLEET and the Republic during March at the regular combined rate of $25.00 per person.  Each DVD comes in a deluxe DVD case with the official (and no longer available to the general pubic!) STNV/P2 DVD case art as shown above.  Please visit the Republic's web site for information on how to join and please mention "Star Trek: New Voyages" on your membership application and/or PayPal payment "memo."
Personnel Records

•  Congratulations to Cmdr John R. Sims, commanding officer of the USS Republic's chapter-in-training, the USS Exeter, who won multiple awards at the 2009 JaxCon Model Show, held last month in Jacksonville, Florida.  John swept the Space & Sci-Fi Diorama catagory, placed both First and Second in the Spaceflight catagory, and even won Best of Show for his entry in the Space category.

•  Get Well Soon to Republic shuttle USS Exeter member Ens Marian LaPlaca and her daughter, who were in a bad car accident last month.  They both went into the windshield and have serious injuries, but are receiving excellent medical care and, according to Cmdr John Sims, are doing well.  Marian, a single mother who John says is barely able to make ends meet, will be out of work for a couple of weeks, which will be difficult for her and her daughter.  Please keep the LaPlaca family in your thoughts.

•  Friend of the Republic Joy Keltner, also a member of the IKAV Nemesis, is training for a half-marathon (13.1 miles) through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Team in Training" program to raise money to support finding a cure for these diseases.  (Leukemia was the disease that claimed the life of Majel Barrett-Roddenberry in December.)  The money raised by this program not only supports researchers who are daily coming closer to a cure, but it also helps current patients as well.  The Society helps patients monetarily by making sure they have transportation and access to the treatments they need.  Please support Joy in this effort by visiting her fundraising web site and blog and making a donation to this very worthy cause.

Recent Chapter Event Photo
Valentine's Day Lonely Hearts Dinner  ||  February 14, 2009
Friend of the Republic Beth Miller, Ens John Stump, ENS2 Mark A. Ozanick, Ens Zannetta Law, Capt Eric L. Watts, Ens Chris Jones.
Present but not pictured: Capt Michael Cowart.
Classifieds
VHS preservation -- Do you need your VHS or S-VHS tapes preserved as MP4 or MPG files?  Contact Bruce Berryhill for details.

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

Sunday, March 8
ENS3 Katherine Akin

Monday, March 9
ENS3 Lea Hepler

Tuesday, March 17
ENS3 Anita Letendre

Monday, March 23
Ens Wilford B. ("Will") Sims

Tuesday, March 24
Ens Chris Jones

Thursday, March 26
ENS3 Reginald Franklin

Friday, March 27
Ens Mike Sollie

WELCOME ABOARD!
1 New Member in January/February!


Commander Joseph A. Campbell

MARCH MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

No renewals in March!

CLICK HERE TO RENEW!

WISH LIST
The Republic needs certain items on a continuing basis to operate.  To help keep our expenses and membership dues as low as possible, donations of the following items would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your support!

CRITICAL NEED: one or more HP 10 black printheads

Also:
•  HP 10 cyan, magenta and yellow printheads
•  HP 10 black, cyan, magenta and yellow ink cartridges
•  postage stamps
•  13 x 19 70-lb. smooth white opaque text stock
•  Avery 8160 or compatible address labels
•  9 x 12 manila clasp envelopes
•  8½ x 11 90-lb. white index card stock (Springhill 15101)
•  clear packing tape

ABOUT THE REPUBLIC
Commissioned on May 14, 1988 at Dixie-Trek, the USS Republic NCC-1371 is a chapter of STARFLEET International (SFI) and a member of STARFLEET Region 2.  The Republic currently has 64 active members (as of March 2) and is one of the largest chapters of STARFLEET in the world.  The Republic plans and coordinates an active schedule of events for its members, frequently partnering with other local science fiction groups in the Atlanta area for joint activities, but does not hold meetings on a consistently fixed date each month.

Membership in the Republic includes membership in STARFLEET International.  Annual dues are $25 per person for both groups (family discounts are available with certain conditions and restrictions).  Membership in the Republic includes a subscription to our award-winning quarterly magazine, The Sovereign Star, access to our YahooGroups message board, voting privileges in chapter elections and a personalized laminated membership card which entitles the member to discounts and rebates on products and services offered by our Member Benefits Program partners.  Additional information on Republic membership and how to join is on our award-winning web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
XBox Live Gamertag:
"USS Republic"

OUR MEMBER BENEFITS PROGRAM PARTNERS

* 16 *
YEARS AGO ABOARD THE USS REPUBLIC

From the Center Seat
Captain Kelly Hilliard

Attention all hands -- this is the Captain speaking...

Well, it's me again.  I hope the News Flash brought everyone up to date.  In this issue are all the things I promised you.  A calendar, a quartermaster's order sheet for our new merchandise, and a new crew roster.  As you can see, it has shrunk considerably since the last one.  Not to worry, this is an annual event.  With the coming con season, we should be back up to speed in no time.

In this issue, you will get to meet our new XO Jeff Kirkland as well as the ship's counselor, Jesse Feldberg.  Both of these guys are a credit to the ship, and I look forward to their participation and input into the running of this ship.

Our work with SciTrek and the Star Trek: Federation Science exhibit is going well, and most crewmembers are having lots of fun as well as a feeling of well-being by being able to help teach people about the fundamentals of science and introduce them to the world of Trek.  We have worked two overnight sessions with one being totally staffed by Republic volunteers.  More of these overnight sessions are planned in the future.  You can still join in.  Most of the initial volunteeers for the exhibit never showed, so they are in desparate need of volunteers for this exhibit.  If you can help at all, please contact Ginny Plumber at SciTrek (522-5500).  Let her know you are a Republic member who would like to volunteer to help out.

Well, that's about it.  I hope everyone fared OK during the blizzard last month.  See you at the meetings!


Notes from Number One
Cmdr Jeff Kirkland
My thanks to our captain for having enough confidence in me to ask me to be his exec.  I hope that I can live up to his expectations -- and yours.

One thing I would like to see if we can do (and it will take all of us) is to contact all our old members and invite them to come back and rejoin the club.  There are so many new things and exciting activities happening that we have to offer.  And we need everybody's help with the con season at the recruiting table.

I would like to thank our Chief Engineer for all the hard work he did for Vulkon by printing all the divisional badges to sell and also the personalized individual badges for our club members.

I would also like to see all our members order at least one of the new Region 2 shirts and one or two of the new Republic shirts with our logo on it.  For more information, contact our Captain.  That's all for now, see you soon!

Sciences
Lt. (jg) Jeff Kirkland
I don't have a lot to say from my science desk, but things are changing in this field rapidly.  Until I started working at SciTrek, I did not realize how fast things are changing.

If you have not been to SciTrek, you need to go -- not just for the Star Trek Federation science exhibit that is there now, but for the science and learning process of the complete museum.  SciTrek is a fun place for all ages.  We are about halfway through the Star Trek visit, so it will not be long before this exhibit will be leaving.  May 2, 1993 will be the last day, so come and see it and LEARN.

Sick Bay
CMPO Dianne Fisher,
Chief Medical Officer
Several local clubs, including the Republic, are currently planning participation in this year's Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraising activities.  As most of you know, muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases in which muscle fibers undergo progressive damage and eventual destruction.  The diseases are cosidered hereditary, and most often become evident in early childhood, although some forms affect adults.  Some women with no clinical evidence of the disease are carriers; Some of their sons may have the disease, their daughters may be carriers.  Testing includes muscle tests, biopses, and blood tests for certain enzymes (especially CPK or creatine phosphokinase) displayed in high levels in people with the disease and in carriers.  There is no cure; principal treatment is in the area of physical therapy, braces, and other supportive measures.

It is distressing to think of the thousands of people afflicted with this disease, mostly small children who cannot run and skip and jump, and sometimes cannot even dress or feed themselves.  It certainly makes me stop and think when I complain that I am always so busy; I need to be grateful for the fact that I am able to do so many things.  There is always hope for a breakthrough in treatment or even a cure, especially now with the field of genetics making such great strides almost daily.

We would very much like for as many Republic members as possible to assist or volunteer in these fundraising activities to support medical research and development.  We will be doing something to help some people who really need support, and we will be having fun at the same time.  Most people do not have a lot of spare time these days and hesitate to volunteer; but just an hour from several different people adds up to a lot of hours in the long run; if you can help out more, that would be fantastic!  If you are interested and willing to help in some way, please let Captain Hilliard know; the sooner he has an idea of how much commitment the club can make, the sooner he can plan our participation and know which activities to volunteer us for.  We will let you know more details as they become available.

Communications
Lt. Cmdr Edmund Trafford
By this time, you all should have received a copy of The Republic Reader, a labor of literary love produced for your pleasure.  The articles and various columns and features were compiled from past issues of the chapter newsletter as well as from the archives.  I hope The Republic Reader was not only an enjoyable publication for you -- the crew of the Republic -- but most of all, I want it to be an inspiration and an example and an encouragement for what an outstanding, exciting, thoughtful, and provocative newsletter can be.  I sincerely hope that some of you out there are not writing for the newsletter just because you feel that you don't write well.  You don't have to be a famous author to have an original or creative thought and put it down on paper in your own words.  What you have to say is usually more interesting to others than how you say it (up to a point, of course, and that's what editors are for -- to help with grammar and punctuation and dreary stuff like that).  I want to hear from you regarding The Republic Reader!  Did you like it?  Did you hate it?  Did you care?  Do you want to see another issue like it?  (To produce another Reader, we've got to have a series of features to choose from appearing in every newsletter -- hint, hint.)  How about a "one-time" issue of special features -- either a range of columns on various topics (con reviews, book reviews, show reviews, Trek philosophy, scientific items, etc. etc. etc.) or an issue of responses from everyone on a specific topic?  (That might be fun -- to just throw out an "off the wall" statement and let everyone respond to it, pro or con, politely, passionately, factually, emotionally.)

I've got lots of ideas, but I can't make them happen without you (and you, and you, and you...)!  My hailing frequencies are always open.

Engineering
Lt. (jg) Shane Shadrix
Greetings, everyone!  Well, we survived Snowjam '93.  I don't believe that I have seen as much snow as that ever before.  After the first day, I was ready to go someplace warm.  Where's a transporter when you really need one?

I would like to throw out a couple of ideas for the crew to debate and discuss.  First of all, I would like to ask how do you feel about refitting the ship.  Now, when I say "refit," I do not (and I stress NOT) mean a name change.  What I am talking about is a change in the ship design.  According to The Next Generation Officer's Manual by FASA (if you go by it), our ship is a Transwarp Enterprise Class, but the name has a suffix of two and the NCC number is different.  If you look in The Ships of Starfleet by Calon Riel, the Republic never made it out of the original Constitution Class configuration (like the original Enterprise).  So if you would write me and let me know how you feel about this, I would greatly appreciate it.  If you feel that we do need to be refitted, please make some suggestions as to what type (class) of ship we should be.  My address will be at the end of this column.  This is the easiest way to reach me.

Second, I would like to get your response to a possible trip to the Space and Rocket Center at Huntsville sometime around the last of August.  This is a real good trip, and I highly recommend it.

Before I close, I would like to ask all members of the Engineering Department to drop me a line so I can get to know my department.  My address is as follows: Shane Shadrix, P.O. Box 323, Temple, GA 30179.

Engineering Room out.

Counselor's Corner
LT (j.g.) Jesse Feldberg
Thanks to Captain Kelly Hilliard and Chief Medical Officer Dianne Fisher, I am your new Ship's Counselor.  For those of you who don't know me, I am 17 years of age and I go to North Springs High School.  I have been with the USS Republic for about a year.  With my new position, I hope to become more active and I also plan to open a new column in the newsletter called "Dear Counselor."  Dear Counselor will be like Dear Abby.  I hope to use comical questions in the Star Trek Universe, trivia questions, serious question like politics, and any problems you might have.  The column can be as much fun as you want it to be.  All you have to do is call or send in any questions you might want me to answer.  Another thing I would like to as Ship's Counselor is to just be there when somebody wants somebody to talk to.  My number is (404) 587-4378.  My Address is 2903 Queen Anne Ct., Dunwoody GA  30350.

May your emotions be free and your mind full of happiness.

Reprinted from
And to the REPUBLIC
Vol. IV, Issue Two, Mar/Apr 1993
Copyright © 1993 USS Republic.

USS Republic NCC-1371
A Chapter of STARFLEET International
2902 Aspen Woods Entry  |  Atlanta, Georgia  30360-2759
USSRepublic@aol.com  |  www.USSRepublic.com
Commanding Officer  
  Captain Eric L. Watts
Executive Officer  
  Commander Brian Holloway

The Republiqué Volume I, Number 12, March 2009.
Published monthly by and Copyright © 2009 USS Republic NCC-1371.
Captain Eric L. Watts, Editor.

If you prefer not to receive any future issues, please let us know.