Once again the USS Nokomis general meeting for September will be followed by bowling(as much as you want! it's covered!) at St. Francis Bowling Center, 426 Osceola Ave S, St. Paul MN. 55102.
First we have our meeting and make sure we've paid our membership dues for September 2019 to August 2020. Second we take a break and do yoga. Third we bowl. Fourth we eat, at a restaurant, because that is a thing we do after meetings! Just kidding, we don't do yoga! The September meeting is for going over the recommended activities for the next year, getting more ideas and reviewing the fun things we've done in the past year.
The bowling is for fun and our first 2019-2020 activity. After our meeting is over the lanes are turned on and you can bowl until 4 pm or your arms give out! Whichever comes first! You may bring your own ball and kit or use the bowling centers supplies. All members are welcome and we always welcome members of other science fiction groups. If you are not a Nokomis member (or + 1) please email the to give us an estimate on numbers to expect.
Thanks for Signing up to Celebrate One of Humanity’s Greatest Endeavors
Fifty years ago, humankind took a giant leap, setting foot on an extraterrestrial body for the first time. Join us in celebrating the anniversary of that achievement at the Moon Party, hosted by Phill Goldman & Lynne Tauer at their home in the northern suburbs. The proceeds of this club fund-raiser, in place of this year’s Garden Party, benefit the club’s general fund.
The anniversary, July 20th, falls on a Saturday this year. We'll start at 6:00PM and go until "whenever."
Weather permitting, we will have The Tauer Family’s killer telescope and a spotting scope set up in the back yard for viewing the moon and heavens beyond. On the big screen in the house we will show “The Right Stuff,” “From The Earth To The Moon,” and/or other productions about the space program’s ambitious undertakings to break barriers to the Apollo 11 moon landing. There may be more – we’re working on it. You will have to come and find out.
We will provide the core meal (picnic fare) that may include moon-themed novelties. You are invited to bring your favorite side dish for potluck-style sharing, but that is completely optional. (Moon-themed creations get brownie points!)
Please bring a lawn chair and, because it’s a summer evening in Minnesota, don't forget your preferred bug spray.
Registration was open through the end of Saturday, July 13. and is now closed. For other questions? Contact Lynne at
This year’s anniversary picnic will be held West Bush Lake Park in Bloomington. You may remember this as the site of the last year's rainy picnic and the 2016 All-Ships Picnic, a nice grove tucked in the trees. The picnic area has close and easy access to Horseshoe Courts, Sand Volleyball, Fishing docs on the lake, and playground for the younglings. Even more importantly, the site has drinking fountains and a permanent restroom right there. The street address is 9401 W. Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington MN. Be sure to punch in Shelter 1 for your GPS - we're at the north entrance, then up the hill.
We'll have a quick monthly meeting, then on to the picnicking!
We have plenty of room, so invite anyone from the fan community or families that you meet. The anniversary picnic will again be a potluck, so please bring something to grill and something to share. It will also be a BYOB event. We’ll be providing plates, napkins, cups, and utensils (of the paper and plastic variety).
Look elsewhere in the newsletter for the return of the Time Warp Peep Toss!
Also, feel free to bring along your toys as long as you don’t mind them getting lost in the weeds or the lake.
The Lake Campout is August 17-19, 2 nights. The address is 331 Paulsen Lake lane, Osceola, WI 54020. If you go through Stillwater you will be treated to the new bridge which is quite impressive. There are no known construction issues or detours that we know of at this time. For directions click this link (you must be logged in.)
PORTA POTTY
Since attendance has decreased from the 40 or so in years past, we will forgo the expense of a porta potty. However, we will still have cheap abrasive toilet paper in the guest bathroom.
SLEEPING INSIDE
We have ample room inside for those wimps (including Karen and Mark) wishing to setup cots etc. in the basement. Although some beds are already spoken for, there are a few still open. These are singles. Couches and cots available also. Let us know if you need to reserve a spot. There is a bathroom downstairs.
ARRIVAL TIME
You may arrive at anytime after 1:00 on Friday. Most of you know the dogs. McKenzie still requires a written statement of your intentions, but she has agreed to pass on the certified copy of birth certificates, hall passes, and police records this year. Maggie pretty much just wants nonstop petting. They absolutely hate running as it kicks in some sort of chase instinct. Maggie is the black dog. McKenzie is the black/white dog. Although they’ve been good for the most part, we’ll likely keep them on leashes just in case one of them develops an attitude with a larger group. If it’s not too hot, all are invited to accompany us on a morning walk although McKenzie has slowed down considerably. Maggie is still 11 going on 5. We have new nicknames for them. Maggie is now known as stinkwad. McKenzie is now “her royal smelliness”. I will wash them before the weekend; but, they have been experts at taking approximately 1 minute to “reload”.
BREAKFAST
Mark will provide omelets along with your choice of witty, politically incorrect, inappropriate, or generally disgusting remarks at no charge on Sunday Morning. There should be a pancake station also. Breakfast is chef’s choice on Saturday morning which is code for whatever Mark feels like doing.
SIGNUP SHEET
You can sign up to bring items for Saturday/Sunday breakfast or general supplies. Phill is going to get a version online. We appreciate the donations, but don’t feel obligated. The important piece is to know what essential items are missing so we can fill in the blanks. (for example, we don’t really want to run out of essentials such as tp or beer, or chips, or beer, or cookies, or beer) If you sign up for something and can’t attend, please let us know prior to the campout or arrange for another person to bring the item. If you don’t know what to bring, call Karen at 715-248-3818 (or 612-867-0143 Mark’s cell - better choice). Email . Keep the 715-248-3818 number handy for emergencies as cell phone service can be spotty.
GARBAGE
Although we now have garbage pickup at the lake, we appreciate any help in taking trash and/or recyclables when you leave. It can become a rather large pile. Everything is double bagged. Thanks. Everyone has been super about this in the past.
GRILL, ICE, ETC.
Please have the necessary ice, coolers, food, beverages etc. It’s helpful if you bring your own utensils, needed cookware, bug spray, etc. We will supply several coolers filled with beer and water for use by all. We don’t do pop. Bring what you need in that department. There is a refrigerator/freezer in the garage for the use of all. There will be a table available for general goodies for the group. Veggies are certainly welcome, but we’d rather feel guilty about what we eat on this weekend. Still, anyone bringing kale chips will be subject to severe penalties. Every year we are honored with something left behind and unclaimed. Sometimes it’s something we really like. I have several good knives due to someone’s courtesy or forgetfulness. Again, feel motivated to up the ante! We have been suggesting someone leave a Rolex now for several years. Last time we suggested Swarovski crystals or $100 bills (new design only)? Since you are all smart and no one has fallen for that option, let’s go for broke this year and suggest a genuine Picasso. Original Rembrandt’s also accepted. And, of course, always feel free to forget dove chocolates.
SHORELINE
The waterline remains high but has been up and down depending on the weather. The wildflower restoration is really blooming at the moment but may be drab by mid August. We may have added a new spinner or two since you were last here.
FUN
We will have several large tubes and other water toys available. The float is out. Bring a suit if you are so inclined. There are two paddle boats, (one with a sun cover), and a beat up canoe. The water has been quite comfortable and clean although by mid August dog days may be setting in. The most important aspect is to relax and have an enjoyable weekend.
Friday Night Fish Fry
We are planning on going to Friendly’s Bar and Grill in Star Prairie at 7:00 on Friday. Many of you have been there before. If not, it’s a small local bar with cheap tap beer including Wisconsin’s claim to fame, spotted cow. It’s located on the main drag. They have a fish fry (even frog legs although they’ve been having trouble finding a source) which is usually good along with fine burgers, general bar food, and probably even a vegetarian offering. We will likely make reservations for 15-20. However, it’s really nice to have a more accurate count. It is Mark’s treat, so take this opportunity to watch the moths fly out of his wallet.
As this will be the last lake overnighter due to Karen’s health issues, we hope to see you in August.
Mark and Karen
Looking for the printed directions? Click this LINK for the location details (you must be logged in).
The ideal location has food, drink, and a big TV for us to see the show all the better, and we've found the place. We'll meet at 6:30PM at the Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery. You might remember that location as the first stop on our 2017 Journey to Babble.
The main dining room has 35 seats, the side room another 20 or so. The first 35 to sign up get to sit in the main dining room, so don't delay!! Please don't arrive early in the hopes of scoring a location in the dining room, we don't have the room until 6:30.
Journey to Babble 3 - The Search for Snacks was our latest trip through the Twin Towns looking for good food and fun. In the past the trip has been from brewery to brewery, but this time I planned a more varied trip. We started after the May 13th meeting in Mounds View and made three stops.
First was Town Hall Brewpub in Minneapolis right near Seven Corners. This place has both outdoor and indoor seating; the staff went all out to get us our table for 20 inside and take good care of us. The beers were house-made and tasty, and the food menu will certainly send us back there. Both our server and the chef were great people, welcoming and friendly, and I dropped a note of thanks to the managers. I got back a personal note from one of the co-founders who was grateful for the positive feedback, and confirmed the menu is here to stay, at least for the season.
Second was Tattersall Distillery, our very first non-brewery stop on our Journeys. They distill their own liquors and aperitifs, all tasty and all very old-school classic. The place was hoppin' busy on a nice day like we had. I don't know about you but I could have stayed for another round.
Finally was Can Can Wonderland - a mix of drinks, ice cream, artist-designed mini golf, and a lot of classic treasures like 30-40 year old pinball machines and everything from Gramma's living room. Hard to describe, but a nice long evening of food and fun.
The folks I've talked to afterwards liked the variety and the locations. The Nokomis will certainly do this again on the next year's calendar. I'm not the only one who can plan these things either - if you have ideas for a 3-4 stop tour of food, drink, and fun then please get it on the calendar! We can even do more than one each year.
Phill
You might notice we have SOME photos of Nokomis folks, and some of these are stock shots from the various locations' web sites. Send any photos you'd like to share to Phill and we'll get them into the photo gallery. Click the photos to enlarge or start the slide show.
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Well, it's the weekend of the 6th of May, and you're expecting the Journey to Babble Tour. You might have also figured that we've moved it to one week later, after the meeting on the 13th.
This is the third year of the Journey to Babble Tour. The third installment is just a little different than the first two. First, we’re having after the General Membership meeting, so we’re reducing it from four stops to three. Second, Babble isn’t just for beer any more.
We’re starting with a food and brew at a brewpub, next cocktails at a local distillery, and then creative drinks and fun at an artist-drive venue with more than just food and drink. Enjoy!
The monthly meeting is at the Mounds View Public Library, where we'll start out at around 2:00PM if all goes well.
Town Hall Brewery
1430 S. Washington Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: (612) 339-8696 www.townhallbrewery.com
Cozy, brick-walled brewpub & restaurant with house &
guest taps, patio seating and eclectic bar bites.
2:30 PM - 4: 00 PM
Tattersall Distilling
1620 Central Ave NE #150
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone: (612) 584-4152 tattersalldistilling.com
Located in the Historic Thorp Building. Built in 1902, the Thorp Building
was originally home to Thorp Doors. During World War II, General Mills
Mechanical Division occupied the building to secretly manufacture
highly classified military equipment — namely the Norden Bomb Sight.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Can Can Wonderland
755 Prior Ave N
St Paul, MN 55104
Phone: (651) 925-2261 cancanwonderland.com
We offer a truly unique, 18-hole artist designed, indoor mini golf course.
We have a couple bars…we might have a secret bar! We have noshes! We even have
a few unicorns. Try cocktails named “Old Fashioned Mastadon”,
“Wonder Mary”, ”Strip & Go Naked”, and of course, “That Carrot Drink”Mini golf is $12 for 18 really creative holes.
'My Time grows short' says the Ghost of Marley, and that goes double for the Klingon Christmas Carol. Get your tickets before October 15th to be sure we can all attend the show together.
As part of our holiday festivities this year, we will be going to the play A Klingon Christmas Carol at the Historic Mounds Theatre on Sunday, December 11th, at 4:30 pm. This is a Klingon parody version of the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol presented in Klingon with English narration and subtitles. Several Nokomis members have attended this play in the past and recommend it highly.
Since the Mounds Theatre is a small venue and the play is expected to sell out, we need to move at warp speed to secure a block of seats together. The cost of a ticket is $20 and we will need payment by October 15th. There are a few reservation and payment options collected here.
After the play. we have a 7:00 reservation at the Dark Horse Bar & Eatery, named in 2016 by City Pages as Best New Bar!
Star Trek celebrated its 50th Anniversary in September, 2016. That same year the USS Nokomis celebrated 32 years of Trek fandom. If you're doing the math, that means the Nokomis started just as Captain Kirk was Searching for Spock in 1984.
This slide show captures a lot of the great times since the first time the Enterprise was destroyed, Kirk lost his command, and Spock got his stuff back together. Just like Spock's katra, this may take a few minutes to download.
GALA 2024 Westin Galleria 3201 Galleria, Edina, MN 55435 Join us for our annual Gala celebrating and supporting the mission and music of the National [...]
