Author: Mary Pucel

Greetings, Crew!

First things first! It's time to get your tickets to the 40th Anniversary event on May the 4th. We are so excited to share an amazing dinner buffet, dancing, and social time to celebrate our many years as a Twin Cities fixture. There will also be some Trek-stras (see what I did there?) as we enjoy our evening. Best of all, due to our successful fundraising activities (can you say Chuckwagon?) over the last years, and the fact that we've had only a few con rooms recently, we can afford to cover more than half of the cost of your ticket! That means it's only $25 per person for this fancy schmancy evening. Grab your tickets today - instructions are on our Special Event Page!

Importantly, everyone is welcome. And we really mean everyone, so bring your friends and family to meet us. It's a challenge to get the word out to people that were members in the past, so please send the information to all past members that you know. It would be so fun to see them! Again, go to our Special Event Page so you can grab the information to share.

We're also working on some special t-shirts for the 40th Anniversary. Soon we'll share the link to order yours, so you can pick your own. And of course the June picnic this year will be another celebration of our remarkable longevity.

Another fun thing we'd like to do is go to a Minnesota Loons game at Allianz Field this summer. Tickets are now on sale, and we'd like to get a group area if enough people are interested. Please add your name to the sign-up list so we know you are interested. We'll order when we have a count - most likely in early May.

Finally, don't forget that it's an election year. If you have always dreamed of joining our magnificent Governing Board, ask a current Board member for details. All members are welcome to run. We currently have one nominee for each position and we'll ask for more, per our Constitution, at the April and May meetings. The election will take place during the May meeting.

I hope to see all of you at the blanket-making party and April meeting on the 13th. Take care and see you around the Galaxy!

Mary

A bunch of us went to the movies on March 22nd and it was really fun! The documentary was very good, with Bill Shatner speaking to an interviewer the entire time. He talks about his fear of being alone, his intention to become a tree after he passes, his role models, Lawrence Olivier and Marlon Brando, and so much more. There were lots of clips from his stage career, Star Trek, TJ Hooker, Boston Legal, and more. If you haven't seen it, it's really worth the time according to our group.

After the show we had dinner at Sgt Pepper's. The last time we were there, it was after Into Darkness, so it's been a long time. The most amazing thing was that the overhead music was William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, The Brady Bunch, and Weird Al. What a crazy coincidence! Actually, it was one of our sneaky members doing it on his cell phone - he sure fooled me (you know who you are)!

We were given enough tickets by the theater to make a small profit, theoretically, but it didn't work out that way. We came out exactly even, so it was a good try!

From March 22rd to April 4th, a new documentary about William Shatner will by playing. Thanks to a generous offer from the Woodbury 10 Theater, we have 50 tickets to the show and everyone can get one for $10. You can use the tickets any time during the two-week run, and we are planning a group outing on March 22nd. And we'll probably have dinner before or after the show.

It looks good. According to Variety, "if you go into his new movie, which is all about William Shatner, presuming that it’s going to be something other than a conventional portrait of William Shatner, you’d be quite correct. The movie is built around an interview with the legendary 91-year-old actor, still vigorous and voluble, with a seize-the-day cornball glow to him. In “You Can Call Me Bill,” Shatner sits under the hot lights, with the camera close to his face, talking, talking, and talking — about life, death, acting, fame, love, desolation, and trees."

Please let me know ASAP at if you'd like some tickets. We'd love give everybody a chance to see it.

Click HERE to watch the trailer.

Greetings, Crew!

Each time I write, I expect that we'll be looking at snow. Yet, it never happens. Maybe next month!

We have fun planned in the next few months, including the Twin Cities Regional Science Fair, the 2024 Annual Valentine Dinner, MarsCon, our blood drive, the NLC Gala, and more. Plus, this is an election year. That means that all Governing Board positions are up for re-election in May. If you are interested in running for one, ask the person that holds it for more information. Also, keep in mind that all Board meetings are open to all members. You are welcome to attend any time. We review the dates up coming meetings at every membership meeting and they are posted on the website.

We hope to have lots of updates on 40th anniversary activities at Saturday's meeting, so come and join us! I really hope that you all recognize the significance of this 40-year achievement. There aren't many companies or organizations that last that long, but our love for Star Trek and the amazing times we've had together have kept us together that long. We hope to see you, and those you know that have been members along the way, at our events this year. All are welcome. Spread the word.

See you around the galaxy!

Mary

Here's the link for those of you that can't join us in person. Please log in a few minutes early to check your tech.

Topic: USS Nokomis February Membership Meeting
Time: Feb 10, 2024 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3141085993?pwd=S21TampnV01XUjNrc2QyK2kvSzMyQT09&omn=86742460874

Meeting ID: 314 108 5993
Passcode: 12345

Dial by phone: 312 626 6799

Meeting ID: 314 108 5993
Passcode: 12345

We really really need donors for the blood drive at MarsCon. We are working to get 32, and we still need 29. Please help by sharing (copy and paste) this information widely with friends and family, especially if they will be at the convention:

• This year is the 19th American Red Cross blood drive at MarsCon. The USS Nokomis is inviting everyone to come save up to three lives with one donation on Saturday the 9th between 10am and 4pm. MarsCon donors have touched over 2,000 lives with their donations over the last 18 years, and this year we’ll touch even more! Please help during this extreme winter blood shortage!
• Come to donate to get most coveted, hardest to get, absolute coolest ribbon at the Con! Plus, we have a special gift for all donors - a gift card to use at the pet store of your choice - a paw-sitively great thing! Three ways to sign up: Register online at redcrossblood.org using sponsor code MarsCon or click here , email , or come to the registration table on Saturday to sign up with USS Nokomis crew members.

You can click HERE to sign up yourself, too!

Because we didn't get enough volunteers to help set up and populate a party room this year, we won't be able to do our Assignment: Earth set-up. Accordingly, we're limiting activity to the blood drive and some fun on Saturday night. We'll be doing a Star Trek walkabout through the party floor, and other convention spaces, as a group. You are welcome to join us as we hit the rooms in costume and spread some Trek love. Exact timing will be shared closer to the convention.

Yes, it's been 40 years. We're going to do it up right to celebrate. No hauling sets, no work, just a great night with friends. Mark your calendars today for the 4th of May (did you notice that rhymed?). Yes, it's true - celebrating on May the Fourth and we'd like to Be With You. Just think of the possibilities. Seriously, though, we hope you'll save the date for this once-in-40-year event! Mary

Greetings, Crew!

Welcome to 2024! I hope you're all well as we head in to cold season. I mean the chilly season, not the stuffiness and chills season!

We had a great Governing Board meeting on Sunday and there is much news to share. You'll want to come to the January meeting at the Wescott Library (or tune in on Zoom - link below) to get all of the updates. You will hear about several upcoming community service/volunteer opportunities in addition to an active social schedule. We hope you can plan to join us for some fun.

From the purely Star Trek perspective, we have a few things to share. Remember that our members play on teams at TC Trek Trivia every 2nd Wednesday and have a marvelous time. This week's theme is More Sci, More Fi (sounds intriguing). Check them out on Facebook HERE. We are still considering whether we'll have a room at MarsCon this year, so if you can help please make sure you communicate to Mary by the end of Saturday's meeting. And of course, there's always the annual Movie Night so we can Trek ourselves!

So come and join us to hear all the news! See you around the Galaxy. Mary

Would you like to dress your best and enjoy a 4-course meal with your friends? Relax and be waited on? Then you should come to the Valentine Dinner on February 17th. Emma, Shannon, Harrison and Ben will provide us with a lovely evening and excellent food. The cost is still just $35 per person and seating is limited. Please use the signup sheet on the website or let us know you are coming by end of day on January 13th. You can pay online or at the January meeting. Note: if we have more signups than spots we will draw names to be fair to all.