RECENT EVENTS


Away Mission to Stone Mountain Park

Saturday, May 22, 2010
US Highway 78 East, Exit 8
Stone Mountain GA  30087
(770) 498-5690

Because YOU demanded it!  At the Republic's Fall Dinner & Business Meeting last year, members voted for an "away mission" to Stone Mountain Park as one of the chapter activities they most wanted to do in 2011.  And so.. here it is!

Stone Mountain Park is a green oasis where families and friends can enjoy the outdoors together.  Listed in Frommer’s 500 Places to Visit with Your Kids Before They Grow Up and cited by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of the “35 Natural Wonders in Georgia You Must See Before You Die,” Stone Mountain Park is located just 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta.  The five-square-mile park is Georgia’s most visited attraction.  Home to the world’s largest piece of exposed granite, Stone Mountain Park offers a variety of attractions, entertainment and recreation, including:
 

Sky Hike
$14.00
Summit Skyride
$9.00
Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard
$9.00
Scenic Railroad
$9.00
Journey to the Center of the Earth™ 4D Movie
n/a
Great Locomotive Chase Adventure Golf
n/a
The Great Barn®
n/a
Camp Highland Outpost
$14.00
Ride The Ducks™
$14.00
Discovering Stone Mountain Museum
$9.00
Lasershow Spectacular
Free
 
CLICK EACH ATTRACTION FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION
 
CLICK THUMBNAIL FOR LARGER IMAGE
The USS Republic's very first "away mission" to Stone Mountain Park... on June 4, 1988, less than a month after the chapter's commissioning!  Although many of these charter members' names have been lost to history, still recognizable are the Republic's very first Commanding Officer, Capt Christopher Ernst (fifth from right, in yellow shirt), Jon Crymes (directly under the first T in STARFLEET) and Bruce Peret (third from right, under the second T in STARFLEET).
Costs
Admission into the park is $10.00 per vehicle with less than 15 passengers.  This gives you access to many of the park’s fun outdoor activities, including hiking and nature trails, a walk-up trail and a fantastic view of the Confederate memorial carving, plus the world’s largest lasershow spectacular.  Carpooling (e.g., "cramming as many people as possible into a single vehicle") is strongly encouraged—see below for carpooling details.

Some of the park's attractions have individual admission fees; others are included only in a One-Day Adventure Pass.  Some of the individual admission fees are listed above.  Depending on how long you plan to stay inside the park and/or how many different attractions you may desire to visit, you may decide to pay for each attraction separately or purchase a one-day pass for $27.00 plus tax.  This pass offers unlimited admission to most park attractions including Sky Hike, Summit Skyride, Journey to the Center of the Earth™ 4D Adventure, Scenic Railroad, Mini-Golf and Camp Highland Outpost.  If you plan to visit three or more of the $9 attractions or even only two of the $14 attractions, the one-day pass is definitely the best value for an all-day "away mission."

Although the USS Republic has not visited Stone Mountain Park in modern times, this "away mission" will not be the chapter's first visit.  As evidenced by photos in the chapter's archives, the Republic visited Stone Mountain Park as a group several times between 1988 and 1993.  We're very much looking forward to renewing this long-abandoned tradition and adopting it as one of our modern annual events.

Carpooling, Picnic and Group Shot
Because admission to the park is $10.00 per vehicle, it's a good idea to carpool.  However, since not everybody wants to arrive at the same time, we'll plan on three different carpooling times.  ENS1 Tony Cade has offered the parking lot in front of his store, The Dragon's Horde, as a rendezvous point.  Those who wish to carpool into Stone Mountain Park should arrive in front of The Dragon's Horde just before 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon or 2:00 p.m.  The Dragon's Horde is located in the Value Mall shopping center at 5615 Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain, about 2˝ miles outside the Perimeter.  Whether you choose to carpool or arrive on your own, please gather at 4:00 p.m. in the Studdard Picnic Area for a group shot.  The Studdard Picnic Area is located across Robert E. Lee Boulevard from the Riverboat Marina Complex and is the largest public picnic area in the park with over 200 tables.  There are 25 members of the original Republic crew in the 1988 photo shown above—let's try to get more than that in 2010!  After the group photo, those of us who have brought food from home or purchased from one of the park's restaurants can stay for a group picnic. Please make plans to attend!

Please Note: If weather conditions cause this event to be cancelled, it will be rescheduled to sometime in October.  If weather is questionable, use your best judgement.

STONE MOUNTAIN PARK WEB SITE
MAPS AND DIRECTIONS

TimeGate & TimeGate Room Party

Friday, May 28 - Sunday, May 30, 2010
Holiday Inn Select - Perimeter
4386 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Chamblee GA  30341
(877) 276-1796

TimeGate is an annual science fiction / fantasy convention that focuses on Doctor Who and Stargate, though all interests are represented.  So if you're into Stargate SG-1, Doctor Who, Stargate Atlantis, Torchwood or The Sarah Jane Chronicles—or you're excited about the upcoming show Stargate Universe—this is the con for you!  But if not, they'll also have Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, literary, horror and comics programming, too, along with many other topics.

One of TimeGate's guests this year is Diana Botsford, who wrote, produced and directed for 12 years in the television and film industry, including a screenwriting credit for the sixth-season Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Rascals."  Additional guest information can be found on the TimeGate web site.

Preregistration has closed; at-the-door rates are $45 for the full weekend, $20 for Friday only and $25 for Saturday only or Sunday only.

ROOM PARTY!  The USS Republic will have an official presence at TimeGate with a member recruitment table throughout the weekend and a room party on Saturday night, hosted by Lt. JG Dave Churvis.  Members and friends who plan to attend and would like to sign up for a shift at our recruitment table should contact the Captain and those that can help with supplies and/or serve as hosts or hostesses for the room party are encouraged to contact Lt. Dave.  We hope to see you there!

TIMEGATE WEB SITE
MAP AND DIRECTIONS

Sci-Fi Summer Con & SFSC Room Party

Friday, June 11 - Sunday, June 13, 2010
Crowne Plaza Atlanta—Perimeter NW
6345 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta GA  30339
(888) 233-9527

Now in its tenth 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 two years ago.  Sci-Fi Summer Con is Atlanta's only annual convention devoted exclusively to all forms of science fiction and fantasy, and the Republic will once again have a very strong presence this year.

Special Membership Rate for Republic Members
Memberships are currently $20.00 until May 20 and will be $35 at the door—however, Republic members can register for Sci-Fi Summer Con at our special discount of only $15.00 per person until May 20—a savings of $20.00 off the at-the-door price!  To receive this special rate, you must download this form and remit your payment by cash, check or money order.  Contact Chris Jones if you have any questions or problems obtaining this rate or making your payment.

ROOM PARTY!  In addition to our member recruitment table throughout the weekend, the Republic would like to host a room party on Saturday night.  Anyone who is planning to attend and rent a room in the hotel and would be willing to serve as host should contact the Captain as soon as possible.  Other members and friends who plan to attend and would like to sign up for a shift at our recruitment table and/or help out with this room party should also contact the Captain soon.  We hope to see you there!


SCI-FI SUMMER CON WEB SITE
MAP AND DIRECTIONS
STARFLEET International Web Site STARFLEET Region 2 Web Site