Region 2 "Newsletter of the Year" Award, 2012
Region 2 "Newsletter of the Year" Award, 2nd Place, 2011
Region 2 "Best Electronic Newsletter" Award, 2009

Volume I
Number 73
Late April/Early May 2014
CONTENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
•  Friday-Sunday, May 23-25: TimeGate
•  Sunday, May 25: Away Mission to X-Men: Days of Future Past
•  Friday-Sunday, June 13-15: Sci-Fi Summer Con

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
•  USS Republic wins two more awards
•  TrekTrax Atlanta souvenir t-shirts still available
•  Personnel Records
•  Library Computer
•  Recent Chapter Event Photos

SIDEBAR
•  Belated April Birthdays
•  May Membership Renewals
•  About the Republic
•  For More Information
•  USS Republic Online
•  Crew Roster
•  News from The Original Van Gogh's Ear Anthology.com
   — An Interview with Huston Huddleston of the Hollywood
       Sci-Fi Museum
UPCOMING EVENTS
TimeGate

Friday-Sunday, May 23-25, 2014
Holiday Inn Atlanta Perimeter
4386 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd
Atlanta GA  30341
"TimeGate is an annual science fiction/fantasy convention that focuses on Doctor Who and Stargate but also includes programming on a wide range of other sci-fi/fantasy interests.  So if you're into Stargate SG-1, Doctor Who, Stargate Atlantis, Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures or Stargate Universe, this is the convention for you!
Paul McGillion
Diana Botsford
 But if not, we'll also have Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, literary, costuming, horror and comics programming, too, along with many other topics."

TimeGate's guest list this year includes Paul McGillion and Diana Botsford.
Although best known for their work in other science fiction franchises, McGillion played a barracks leader in J. J. Abrams' first Star Trek film (2009) and Botsford co-authored the Star Trek: The Next Generation sixth-season episode "Rascals" (1992).  There are no programming events currently scheduled that are directly related to Star Trek, but there are two discussion panels about people closely associated with it: "Roddenberry's Other Visions" (Friday at 7:00 p.m.), about the Star Trek creator's other sci-fi TV shows; and "The Stars of Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman" (unfortunately also on Friday at 7:00 p.m.), the former actor best known to Star Trek fans as Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness.

The USS Republic will have an official presence at TimeGate.  Please contact the Captain if you're interested in helping at our fan table.  Anyone helping with the table must be a registered member of the convention; see details below.

TimeGate memberships for persons age 13 and up are $60 at the door for the weekend with day-only passes available.  For more information about TimeGate's guests, programming events, hotel and memberships, please visit their web site.
Away Mission to X-Men: Days of Future Past

1:00 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2014
AMC North Dekalb Mall 16
2050 Lawrenceville Hwy
Decatur GA  30033
The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-Men: Days of Future Past.  The characters from the original X-Men film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from X-Men: First Class in an epic battle that must change the past to save our future.  The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

TAKE NOTE OF THE DAY AND TIME!
Because this highly anticipated film premieres on the same weekend as TimeGate, we've chosen to hold our away mission on Sunday and at the only matinee screening at this theater.  Tickets for adults are only $6.00 for this showtime, compared to $13.75 for an evening showtime at the same theater and $10.00 for a matinee showtime at the nearby Regal Hollywood 24 in Chamblee.  (See?  We really do check these things out for you!)  Click the link below to be taken directly to Fandango's checkout page for this showtime at this theater.  Buy your ticket now to avoid a possible sell-out and join your fellow crewmates on this away mission to X-Men: Days of Future Past!
Sci-Fi Summer Con

Friday-Sunday, June 13-15, 2014
Wyndham Atlanta Galleria Hotel
6345 Powers Ferry Rd NW
Atlanta GA  30339
Now in its fourteenth year, Sci-Fi Summer Con is for fans, friends and anyone interested in science fiction, fantasy, horror and comics.  The Republic has had an official presence at this convention for the last several years, including our 20th anniversary celebration six years ago and our very own Captain Eric L. Watts being named Fan Guest of Honor four years ago.  Sci-Fi Summer Con is Atlanta's only annual convention devoted exclusively to all forms of science fiction and fantasy.

USS Republic XO Adm Mike Henigan, ENS1 Julianne Trew, ENS1 Claire Willis and CO Capt Eric L. Watts at the Republic's TrekTrax Atlanta fan table at the 2013 Sci-Fi Summer Con.
As of press time, "Atlanta's only annual convention devoted exclusively to all forms of science fiction and fantasy" has not announced any Star Trek-related guests or panels for this year's convention, but we'll keep an eye on the schedule and let you know next issue if any Star Trek-related panels are added.

Note: Captain Eric has withdrawn from the "Conspiracies in Star Trek" panel mentioned last issue, and the Republic may or may not have
a fan table at the convention, depending on on-site table availability.  If the Republic is able to secure a table (which may not be known until the first day of the convention), please contact the Captain if you'd be interested in helping with it.  Anyone helping with the table must be a registered member of the convention; see details below.

Sci-Fi Summer Con memberships for persons age 13 and up are $20 until May 20 and can be purchased from their web site.  At-the-door memberships will be $35 for the weekend, $20 for Saturday only or $10 for Friday or Sunday only.  For more information about Sci-Fi Summer Con's guests, programming events, hotel and memberships, please visit their web site.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

USS Republic wins two more awards
At the Region 2 Summit hosted by the USS Haise (Jackson, Mississippi) in nearby Vicksburg on March 7-9, 2014, the USS Republic was presented with two regional awards for 2013.  They include "The Richard Daystrom Cyberspace Award for Most Informative Web Site" and a "Perfect Reporting" award for filing MSRs (mandated by STARFLEET) in a timely manner for twelve consecutive months.  These awards were accepted by the Republic's Executive Officer, Adm Mike Henigan, who attended the Summit with Region 2 Zone 2 Coordinator Adm Kelly Hilliard.
Commander, STARFLEET Fleet Admiral Wayne Lee Killough, Jr. (left) and Region 2 Regional Coordinator Vice Admiral Jack Eaton (right) present Region 2's "Most Informative Web Site" award to USS Republic Executive Officer Admiral Mike Henigan at the R2 Summit.
   
The Republic previously won the "Most Informative Web Site" award for 2007 and 2008.  The "Best Chapter Web Site" (which the Republic has somehow never won) and "Superior Achievement and Performance" awards both went to the USS Robins, of Warner Robins, Georgia.  Their web site can be found here.

Surprisingly, your chapter newsletter, The Republiqué, did not win any awards at all this year.  We won the "Newsletter of the Year" award for 2012, took second place in that category for 2011, and received the "Best Electronic Newsletter" award for 2009.  This year, the first, second and third place award winners for "Best Newsletter" went to the USS DaVinci (Columbus, Georgia), USS Haise and USS Robins, respectively.  The Republic congratulates those chapters for what must surely be some outstanding publications.

The USS Republic has won 16 Region 2 awards and one STARFLEET International award since 2006.  See the full list on the
Awards page.
TrekTrax Atlanta souvenir t-shirts still available
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Still available!  A limited selection of commemorative souvenir t-shirts from this year's TrekTrax Atlanta!  Featuring a full-color design with this year's celebrity guests Arlene Martel, Felix Silla and Jeremy Roberts on a high-quality Gildan 50/50 polycot blend shirt.  Available in all sizes from Small to 2XL in red, blue or black, EXCEPT for Medium, which is available in black only.  There is only one shirt left in several of these size and color combinations, so purchase yours now before someone else does!  Only $20 postpaid to domestic US addresses.  Please select your shirt from the PayPal buttons below.
SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE
XL AND 2XL
SIZE & COLOR
SIZE & COLOR
Personnel Records

STARFLEET Academy is a special collection of correspondence courses available to every STARFLEET member.  Over 60 Academy Colleges offer courses spanning all aspects of Star Trek and science fiction; some courses even cover non-sci-fi real world topics.  Each college offers dozens of different courses at varying levels of challenge from super-easy to really hard.  In total, there are nearly 1,000 different courses available.  Take a course today!

Something special going on in your life?  Submit your Personnel Record for publication in the next issue of The Republiqué!

Library Computer
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Much has been written about Spock's pointed ears and slanted eyebrows, but an often overlooked aspect of the classic Vulcan look is the slightly greenish tint of his complexion.  Here, makeup artist Fred Phillips applies the base makeup needed prior to adding the alien color to Leonard Nimoy's face sometime in 1967.  The full procedure for prosthetics and makeup was one and a half hours.
Recent Chapter Event Photos
CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE
AnachroCon  ||  February 14-16, 2014
CO Capt Eric L. Watts at the TrekTrax Atlanta fan table.
ENS1 "Wolfy" and ENS1 Sue Lin Lange with CO Capt Eric L. Watts.
Steampunk Iron Man and Steampunk Jedi Knights at AnachroCon.
TrekTrax Atlanta Volunteer Staff Meeting  ||  March 1, 2014
Clockwise from left: Cmdr Dawn Benton, XO Adm Mike Henigan, ENS1 Mark A. Ozanick, Brent Chapman, CO Capt Eric L. Watts, VAdm Russell Ruhland, Lt. Diane Ruhland, Adm Kelly Hilliard, Charles H. Strobel and Jeff "Legoless" Moore discuss plans for the upcoming convention.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier  ||  April 5, 2014
CO Capt Eric L. Watts leads an away mission of one.

BELATED APRIL BIRTHDAYS

Sunday, April 6
Capt Matthew D. Ebeling

Monday, April 14
Lt JG Robert Louis Simon

Wednesday, April 28
ENS3 Patricia Houk

Friday, April 30
ENS1 Hal Doby

MAY MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
These members' dues will expire in May
.  Please renew now!

ENS1 Glenn Albertini
ENS1 K'La Albertini
Capt Michael Cowart
ENS3 James P. Gronski
ENS3 Leslie C. Gronski

ABOUT THE REPUBLIC
The USS Republic NCC-1371 was originally commissioned as a chapter of STARFLEET International on May 14, 1988, at the Dixie-Trek convention in Atlanta, Georgia.  As of May 10, 2014, the Republic crew includes 39 members who are active members of STARFLEET in good standing.
The Republic plans and coordinates an active schedule of events for its members, but does not hold meetings on a consistently fixed date each month.
Because the USS Republic is a duly commissioned chapter of STARFLEET International and is bound and governed by its Constitution and By-Laws, membership in STARFLEET is a prerequisite for membership in the Republic.  STARFLEET dues for one person are $20 for a "Standard Membership" or $10 for an "E-Membership" and chapter dues are $10 per person for either membership option.  A combined payment for all dues is collected by the Republic (family discounts are available with certain conditions and restrictions).  Additional information about the two STARFLEET membership options, amounts due for additional family members, payment options and payment instructions is on the "How to Join" page of our our award-winning web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

USS REPUBLIC ONLINE

CREW ROSTER
AS OF MAY 10, 2014
Crmn Eliya Brog
CDT Zarena Nova Tucker
ENS1 "Wolfy"

NEWS from
An Interview with Huston Huddleston of the Hollywood Sci-Fi Museum
May 10, 2014
As founder and CEO of the New Starship Foundation, Huston Huddleston has long been dedicated to educating the world on the impact science fiction has had on modern culture and technology.  The son of Oscar-winning composer Floyd Huddleston and singer/arranger Nancy Adams, he has always been influenced and inspired by all things creative.  Huston himself has composed over 100 songs for various artists, written multiple screenplays and musicals, and two animated films for Don Bluth.
He recently gained attention worldwide when he announced the massively ambitious plans for the Hollywood Sci-Fi Museum.  With celebrities in the field already on board and plans that include Halls of Spaceships, Robots, Real Robots, and Cars, as well as props and sets from various iconic science fiction films and shows, and a section devoted to the art of special effects and animation, the museum offers fans a look into the world of sci-fi in a way never before done.  The museum also looks to educate the public on the advancements in space travel and teach real science through science fiction.  It will be an interactive museum with fully immersive environments and touch screens that will incorporate old and new footage from actors, filmmakers, and NASA astronauts and scientists that will present both the fact and fiction of sci-fi.  This will eventually teach science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-based education in a fun new way to all ages.
What was it like growing up with such creative parents?
Normal, other than famous people coming over.  I was a non-bratty only child who was given the creative freedom to be who I am, not what others expected of me.  They treated me with respect and I adored them and gave the same.  There's nothing worse than treating a child like they're a subhuman subservient.  And I in turn behaved with the maturity of an adult but with the fun of a kid.
Did their influence have something to do with your own decision to become a writer?
Their talent certainly influenced me, and my dad worked at home all day so we were best friends.
What was it like to grow up in a household that encouraged creativity?  What do you think is the most important thing you learned from them?
It was wonderful, every day was Disneyland.  I learned to be who I am and the best I can be, to be kind and love everyone, and that when someone's a jerk, to not care about what anyone thinks about you.
Your father worked as a composer for Disney on such films as The Aristocats and Robin Hood, the last of which your mother provided the voice for on the song "Love."  Did you enjoy getting to see their work on such projects as a child?  Is it kind of nice to see them immortalized through such work?
That all happened either before I was born or when I was very little, but I do remember Phil Harris being so sweet to me.  All those films were a part of my life, as they are many kid's lives.  I adore my parents!
When did you first develop your love of science fiction?  Did your love of space follow that or did it come first?
Mego Star Trek figures, Star Trek toys, Six Million Dollar Man toys... it all started with toys and reruns of Kirk and Spock on TV.  I've never really had a "love" of space per se; I'm too terrified to do what NASA astronauts do, but I certainly am fascinated by it and respect them SO much.  I met astronaut Cady Coleman recently and I bowed to her (laughs).
Why do you think modern man has been so taken with both of those things?
It takes us out of our boring, problematic world and shows a future that is bigger and better.
How do you think sci-fi has most affected space exploration and the current understanding of the universe?
It's inspired the right people, people who see something on TV or film that is fiction or fantasy and they say "How can I make that real?"  Star Trek has done that for generations.
What were people's reactions when you first told them you wanted to rescue the bridge of the Enterprise?
Rich people didn't care, companies didn't care, and no one I knew with any money or power cared.  It wasn't until I met Ron D. Moore, Brent Spiner and Larry Nemecek that I found some love.  Then I did the first Kickstarter and found out just how many people did care.
Do you think it is important for a person to always have a dream, no matter how impossible it may seem?
Why exist on this Earth if you don't?  Reality is far too boring without a goal or dream, and I think nearly anything can happen if you do it properly, if it's something good, and you never give up.
Do you ever get tired of people telling you things can't be done?
Only negative people tell me that, and I never listen to them.  I only listen to the people who believe in what I'm doing, and that includes every single one of our board members, our supporters and friends.  They're my heroes.
For those who might not be familiar with the story, how did all of this come into being?
I knew someone at Paramount who told me the Enterprise D Touring Bridge set was being destroyed the very next week, and I took a huge risk to rescue it for $7,000.  We received a huge amount of notoriety from the media, raised about $100,000 in 2013, and then had to figure out what to do next, because we needed $250,000 to restore the Enterprise bridge.  After a talk with CBS on what they would like us to do and not to do (they own the intellectual rights), we decided to create our museum.
Do you find it encouraging that so many people are sharing your dream of making this a reality?
That's the only way.  Without encouragement, I'd certainly never have the guts to do this alone!
As a fan of science fiction yourself, who are some of your all-time favorite authors in the genre?  Do you have a favorite franchise or character, or do you love them all equally?
I'm ashamed to say I'm not a voracious reader.  Because I write TV and film scripts for a living, my time is spent rereading my own text instead of other people's.  I mostly read comics, I'm so immature.  My tops are probably TOS, TNG, Trek and Voyager, 2004 BSG, Who and Firefly/Serenity.
What do you think is the key to a life well-lived?
Taking chances, taking risks, being smart, not going broke and asking yourself, "If I do this, what's the worst that can possibly happen?"  Whether it's a business decision or asking someone out.  And to quote Churchill, "Never, never, never give up."

For more information, please visit www.newstarship.com.

USS Republic NCC-1371
B O L D L Y    G O I N G 
 B O L D L Y    D O I N G™
2902 Aspen Woods Entry
  Atlanta, Georgia  30360-2759
  www.USSRepublic.com
Commanding Officer
  Captain Eric L. Watts
Executive Officer
  Admiral W. Michael Henigan

The Republiqué Volume I, Number 73, Late April/Early May 2014.
Published monthly by and Copyright © 2014 USS Republic NCC-1371.
Captain Eric L. Watts, Editor.

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