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All posts by Jill Bogler-Patterson

As a reminder, we are MUCH more active on our Facebook page than on this website. So why not visit us there?

That said, I felt it was about time to report on what’s been happening with the ship since our last post. We needed to change the date of our April activity (Cooking with the Kelly), so that’s now going to be on April 22nd. So far, the rest of the activity dates haven’t changed.

Speaking of activities, be sure to join us this coming Saturday for our First Aid Kit/CPR training night. (Details on our Facebook “Logistics Chat”.)

The other big thing this year has been our participation in the Seventh Fleet 25th Anniversary BINGO challenges. Before I get into those details, think about that a minute. It’s rare for a club to last two years, and yet the Seventh Fleet (and the Kelly) have both lasted over a quarter of a century. That must mean we’re doing something right. In fact, friend of the Fleet, Larry “Dr. Trek” Nemecek sent in a special video to the members of the Seventh Fleet. You can view it here. In the video he mentions how we get along. Well we as a club and as a Fleet truly believe in the Seventh Fleet motto: We Do Not Stand Alone. The other thing to remember is that the only real “ships” in this club (and the Fleet) are the friendships we make along the way. That said, let’s get back to the Seventh Fleet 25th Anniversary BINGO.

Many of these BINGO challenges can be done on your own, but we are also creating opportunities to complete them at our activities. There are twelve of them which can be done throughout the year. When you do them, take a photo and show it to your Senior Officer or a member of the Command Staff. You can also email the photo to: bingo@seventhfleet.org or post it on your social media with the hashtags: #7thFleet25 and #WeDoNotStandAlone. There are two levels – regular BINGO (five activities) and Blackout (all twelve activities).

I’ve detailed the activities below. (You can also see this list in our most recent issue of the Communique.) I’m also including photos where I can of those who have completed some of these challenges:

Seventh Fleet 25th anniversary BINGO challenges:

  • 45th Rule of Acquisition

The 45th Ferengi Rule of Acquisition is “Expand or Die”. This challenge is to recruit a new member into the Seventh Fleet (any chapter, not just the Kelly – though we’d LOVE it if you recruit for the Kelly). Get a photo with the recruit receiving their orders, meeting the officers, etc.

  • Allamaraine

Play any officially licensed Star Trek game. This can be a tabletop game, card game, even an electronic or online game such as Star Trek Online or Timelines. Admiral Stark has also said that Artemis will count IF it is done at an event such as SaltCon or FanX. Take a photo of you playing the game. Here are some photos of Kelly members completing this challenge.

  • Best Served Cold

Participate in a “Haagen-Dazs Challenge”. This is a long-standing tradition in the Fleet, and while traditionally it’s built around a trivia challenge, it can be anything. Take a photo of the ice cream being passed from one person to another. (Also, it’s “participate in”, not “win” the challenge, so the same photo can be used for both people!)

  • Directive 927

“Always help those in need”. This challenge is to participate in a Fleet- or Chapter-sanctioned charity event. Take a photo at the charity event.

  • Do You Trust Me?

In Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Gillian Taylor asked Captain Kirk this question just before she ordered her pizza. This challenge is to eat a slice of Gillian’s favorite pizza: mushroom and pepperoni with extra onions. Take a photo of you eating the pizza.

This is one we did during our February “Game Night” activity. Others have completed this challenge separately. Check out the photo below of four Fleet members doing this challenge at our Kelly RPG last night (for some of us, this is our second time)…

  • Ex Astris Scientia

“Ex Astris Scientia” is the motto of Starfleet Academy. This challenge is to either take or teach a Seventh Fleet Academy course.You can come up with one of your own or choose one that’s already been made. Either way, you’ll need to contact Commodore Marla Trowbridge since she’ll either give you the materials or approve it. Take a photo giving or taking the course.

  • GCEP

GCEP stands for the Galactic Cultural Exchange Project. For this challenge, attend the activity of another club. That club can be a different Seventh Fleet ship or something else entirely. Joint ship activities with another ship count. Fleet activities such as Fleet Day and conventions do not count. Take a photo at that activity.

We have invited other Fleet members to join us at the 2023 Las Vegas Star Trek convention so they can complete this challenge.

  • Quark 2000

“Hear all, trust nothing”. The Quark 2000 is supposed to be the best replicator ever. For this challenge make a dish from the Kelly Kookbook or any Star Trek recipe book. Take a photo. Since our April activity is all about doing a recipe from the Kelly Kookbook, you can complete this challenge with us then.

  • The Scorch

In Strange New Worlds, the lower decks personnel participated in Enterprise Bingo (on which these challenges are based). One of those was to sign the oldest piece of non-replicated hull on the Enterprise. The Seventh Fleet version of that is to sign a special banner. Get a photo of you signing the banner. The banner will be at Fleet events like Fleet Day as well as public events, such as FanX.

Check out photos below of those who have completed THE SCORCH at the 2023 Admiral’s Banquet…

  • The Sky’s the Limit

The very last line in Star Trek: The Next Generation was when Picard joined the Senior Officers’ poker game. This challenge is to play a poker game with members of your Star Trek family. Take a photo of the poker game.

This is another one we completed at our Game Night activity. Check out some more photos!

  • Universal Translator

For this challenge, watch a Star Trek episode or movie in a foreign language (i.e. not English). Take a photo.

  • You Never Brought Me Tea

In the episode where Janeway visited Tuvok’s memories of him bringing Captain Sulu tea, she said this line. For this challenge, create a new Merit Sheet and turn it in. It does NOT have to be a knowledge-based or trivia-based merit sheet (heck, we have several service and leadership merit sheets you can repeat!), but if you do make a knowledge-based one, there will need to be a minimum of 10 questions. Include an answer sheet. Take a photo of you holding your submission.

What’s Next?

One last thing that Admiral Stark said as he was introducing these challenges is to always remember rule #1 – Have Fun! I mean, isn’t that what we’ve all joined a Star Trek club for… to meet people with similar interests and have fun with each other. That’s what I hope the Kelly does for you.

I look forward to seeing you at our next activity.

Fun will now commence

Seven of Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, “Ashes to Ashes”

I realize that we haven’t updated this Website very often. The truth is, we are much more active on Facebook. So, before I get into what the USS Kelly has in store for 2023, you might want to check us out over there. (Link to Facebook)

Upcoming Events

This year, we’ve been able to plan out our activities a little better than we have in the past. To that end, let’s list them…

  • January 18 – Admiral’s Banquet (Seventh Fleet annual winter event)… more on this later
  • February 18 – Game Night at Fiiz
  • March 18 – First Aid Kits
  • April 15 – Kelly Kookbook night
  • May 20 – Share your Favorite Trek Scene
  • June 24 – Fleet Day (Seventh Fleet annual summer event)
  • July 14-16 – Kelly Kampout
  • August 3-6 – Star Trek Las Vegas convention
  • September 16 – Star Party at U of U
  • October 21 – Mad Hatter (hats only costume contest)
  • November 18 – Clarke Planetarium

It’s been a long time since the Kelly has gone to a convention in force, and we’ve made it our goal this year to do so. The plan is to go to the STLV:57 convention this August. Since that is a large expense, we plan to do things that are much cheaper for our monthly activities. More details on the individual events will follow, and of course will also be on our Facebook page.

So, whatever money you would have spent on a larger event, set it aside for the convention.

Report on the Admiral’s Banquet 2023

As you may have noticed, we’ve already had our first event of the year. Per tradition, we joined with other ships of the fleet for some food, fun, and a report on what each ship has done last year (or is planning this year). See the photos below.

Additionally, this year marks the 25th anniversary of Starfleet Command’s Seventh Fleet. Think about that a moment. 25 years of this larger organization of clubs. Some of those clubs are newer, and some (like the Kelly) were there when the Fleet was formed.

How many clubs do you know that last even 5 years?

There is a reason we have stayed together so long, and it is simply this: Star Trek is a common interest, one that we use as an excuse to get together. If you look at the members of the Fleet, you will find other people who share interests of yours that aren’t Star Trek (for example, Admiral Stark and I actually met in a Doctor Who fanclub… that no longer exists). We all know that the Galaxy-class Enterprise is made up – but we love it nonetheless. The only true “ships” in these clubs is our friendships. That is the reason the Seventh Fleet’s motto is “We Do Not Stand Alone”… because we don’t. We stand together, with our friends.

As part of the Fleet’s 25th anniversary celebration, the Admiralty board have created a 25th Anniversary Bingo – a list of 12 items we can do. Those events, and how to mark that you’ve done them, will be posted on our Facebook page. One of those things, titled THE SCORCH, is to sign a special banner the Admiralty created for the event with your name, ship, and rank. Here’s mine:

Of course the other point of this is to simply have fun. Below are some photos of us at the Banquet, and I don’t know about the rest of my crew but I, for one, definitely had fun.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and Star Trek has lots of things in the work to celebrate this anniversary.

First, there is a group of special showings of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in theaters through Fathom events. In fact, our next Kelly activity will be attending one of these showings: Sept 8th at the West Valley Megaplex. (Show time is 7:00 pm.)

Another thing that Star Trek has done is partner with an ice cream company named Cool Haus to create a special ice cream flavor: The Wrath of P’Khan, a mix of candied pralines, caramel, and vanilla ice cream. (Pralines and Cream, anyone? YUM!)

Check out the Wrath of P’Khan page here.

Cool Haus is located through various retailers, including Smith’s Food Stores and Good Earth Natural Foods. Check out their retail store locator page here. I must report that I have failed to find any yet, though the search continues. And remember… revenge is a dish best served cold – ice cold.

FLEET DAY

The annual Seventh Fleet Day (formerly known as the Seventh Fleet Games) is this coming Saturday, July 30, 2022. This is one of two events during the year where all the ships of the Fleet meet together. This is our summer event, where we’ll meet in a park and play all sorts of games. While normally hosted by one of the ships, this year’s event is hosted by the Admiralty Board.

This year’s event will be held at the Richmond City Office on 90 South 100 West in Richmond, UT. The opening ceremony will be at 10:00 am, Lunch will be at 12:00 noon, and the games will end by 5:00 pm. There will also be a silent auction, the various items up for auction will be a fundraiser for the ships that have donated items (and yes, the USS Kelly will have items available at the silent auction).

Lunch will be provided (“walking tacos” and salad), and while there will not be a cost for the meal, donations are encouraged. The USS Kelly will also have a cooler of water – water bottles are encouraged. Any other beverages you desire you’ll need to bring yourself. Please remember that this is a FAMILY FRIENDLY event – alcoholic beverages are not allowed.

Please note: if you have any dietary restrictions, please come prepared. We’d rather see you and have you stay home because of this.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

We have a lot of events coming up as well as recurring activities.

  • September 8th – Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan 40th Anniversary event. This is a special showing through Fathom Events. The club will be attending the 7:00 pm showing at the West Valley City Megaplex theaters.
  • October 22nd – Pumpkin Carving Contest (time TBD). Bring your own pumpkin and tools, whether this is a real pumpkin or a decorative one doesn’t matter. This will be held at our XO’s home.
  • November 12th – Food Drive and Auction (time TBD). This will be held at the Fiiz located on 4700 South in Taylorsville, just off of I-215.
  • NO KELLY ACTIVITY IN DECEMBER.
  • January 2023 – Admiral’s Banquet. (This is the other annual Fleet event).

The USS Kelly’s Role Playing Game is a recurring event held twice a month. We play online and in person using a combination of Fantasy Grounds Unity and Discord. At time of posting, the meeting dates for the RPG are as follows:

  • August: 6th and 20th
  • September: 3rd and 17th
  • October: 1st and 15th
  • November: 5th and 19th
  • December: we will not play in December due to GM’s schedule.

The time has come to claim your 2022 Starfleet Command’s Seventh Fleet calendar. If you ordered one through the USS Kelly, please contact Captain Bogler a.s.a.p. If you didn’t, and you still want one, the Fleet has a limited supply of extras. They are $10 each. Contact Admiral Stark directly through the Seventh Fleet Facebook page, or you can contact Captain Bogler for more info.

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything. I know… I’m a slacker. Just know that we have been working hard behind the scenes to keep this club running.

Part of that is finally finishing Communique Issue Two (of Volume 2). That is done, so… here it is! You can also find it on our Communique archive page.

Stay safe out there, and… Live Long and Prosper!

Wow! I can’t believe how long it’s been since I posted anything here. Well, as they say, the buck stops here. I could claim an excuse of real life keeping me busy (and it has), but that doesn’t mean I can ignore you, the hardworking crew of the USS Kelly. So… here’s what’s up.

As shown in our last post, we had a great time at the 2021 Fleet Games in August.

September 1st was the USS Kelly’s 35th birthday. We had a small gathering in a park on Labor Day weekend, showcasing the history of the club over the past three-plus decades. As you can imagine, it was sparsely attended, but those who were there had fun.

In October, our fearless XO lead the crew through a corn maze. I regret that due to work schedules, I was not able to be there at the time.

Our November activity is THIS COMING SATURDAY, November 13th. It will be held at 6:00 pm at the Fiiz located on 4700 South just west of I-215.
This will be the USS Kelly Auction, as well as a food drive and a bake sale to raise money for the club and for the Utah Food Bank. The Kelly Auction has been a near-yearly tradition, and raises operating funds for the club. It is by using these funds that we were able to get our new, gorgeous USS Kelly t-shirts in time for Fleet Day. It also helped subsidize the Kelly Kampout and pays for things like our ownership of the website usskelly.com and our Zoom subscription. All of these things are done for the use of the crew, so please come and see all the Star Trek (and other pop culture) goodies we have available, just in time for your Holiday shopping!

There will be no Kelly Activity in December, as that is prime time for family gatherings.

Our first activity in 2022 will be the annual Admiral’s Banquet, held January 22, 2022. This will be hosted by the USS Rendezvous.

In other news:

Have you seen the new Star Trek Prodigy? The first three episodes are out, and so far it’s fantastic.

It amazes me how fast time flies. Fleet Day 2021 was held Aug 7, 2021, and here it is the 28th. All I can say is I’m sorry for posting so late. BUT… we definitely had a great time.

The annual Seventh Fleet Day is one of those events that everyone should try to attend. It is an opportunity to see those members of other clubs that may be too far away for us to visit normally. Social media is fine and all, but there is nothing like meeting in person!
As you can see, the USS Kelly was well represented at the event. And we look awesome in our new Kelly t-shirts! (Thanks to everyone who ordered one. If you still need to pick yours up, please contact Captain Bogler a.s.a.p.)

This year, the annual Seventh Fleet Day was held by the USS Ticonderoga at Barlow Park in Clearfield, UT. They had all sorts of games available to play, but the highlighted event was a kickball tournament. Kickball teams were not designated by ship, but were random teams… sort of. You could sign up for one of four teams: Borg, Vulcan, Andorian, or Klingon. The Ticonderoga even made hats for each of the kickball teams! I was on the Andorian team (we lost… bad). We had crewmembers on every team, so congratulations to those of you who were on the Klingon kickball team.

Klingon Kickball team kicks butt

The Ticonderoga provided an awesome hot dog bar for lunch along with all the trimmings, and we were able to relax and have fun. It was great seeing all of your faces at the event, new friends and old friends alike.

Of course we had Fleet Day staples such as the “Saucer Separation”, “Design a Starship”, “Liar’s Dice” and “Shields”. I’m proud to say the Kelly swept the Shields and Liar’s Dice events. Liar’s Dice winners were Admiral Dennis Hollinger (1st place), Crewman Eric Moorer (2nd place) and Captain Jill Bogler-Patterson (3rd place). Shields winners were Crewman Bob Patterson (1st place – technically USS Ticonderoga, but he’s honorary USS Kelly), Captain Jill Bogler-Patterson (2nd place) and Lt. Commander Dawn Woods (3rd place).

As I mentioned at the beginning, time seems to just fly by lately. Case in point – next week we celebrate the USS Kelly’s 35th birthday. Can you believe it? 35 years!
That event will be held in Murray Park Pavillion 3 in Murray, UT. Check out our Facebook event for more details.

I sit here studying (reviewing) episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation in preparation for taking (or re-taking) the first part of the Command Test. As I do, I was reflecting some on the episode I just finished watching: The Schizoid Man. I thought I should do a review, especially when I reflect on the last episodes of Picard, available on the Paramount Plus streaming network. If you haven’t watched all of Picard season 1 yet, I suggest you do that before reading my review as I will incorporate my thoughts on that in this review.

The episode introduces us to Ira Graves, the genius who claimed to have taught Dr. Noonien Soong everything he knows. The enterprise is called to Gravesworld, Dr. Graves home planet, because he is ill. It turns out he is ill with a terminal disease.

Spending a lot of time with Data, they discuss things like Dr. Graves work on cybernetics, how Data will never know death, and how Dr. Graves intends to cheat death by transferring his consciousness into a computer. This is especially ironic as we discover during Picard season 1 that what was left of Data’s consciousness has been transferred to a computer where it was able to grow into Data’s full consciousness again. (In fact, that tidbit is central to the whole plot of season 1).

Eventually, Data comes out alone saying that Dr. Ira Graves is dead. The away team, along with Dr. Graves’s body and his young assistant, beam back aboard the Enterprise. Soon, the crew realize that the Data that beamed back with them is not the Data they know. Dr. Graves consciousness is suppressing the Data we know, in part because Counselor Troi can sense intense jealousy coming from Data, plus his personality is arrogant and seems completely unlike Data’s… and let’s not mention the funeral. (I mean, “To know him is to love him and to love him was to know him”? Talk about arrogance!)

Eventually ‘Data’ ends up in Engineering, after knocking out Geordi LaForge. He claims it was an accident. Picard, calling to Sickbay, asks about Dr. Graves’s assistant’s hand – it turns out that he’d crushed it, because he is not aware of how much of Data’s strength he uses. This conversation between Picard and Ira-Graves-in-Data’s-body gives probably my favorite quote of the episode.

“No being is so important that he can usurp the rights of another.”

Captain Picard to Ira Graves (in Data’s body), The Schizoid Man

Ira ends up knocking Picard out accidentally, realizes that he’s doing wrong, and eventually transfers his consciousness to the Enterprise computer. This saves his knowledge, but the human factor is gone.

TNG Season Two tends to be more… cerebral… than other seasons. There are some great gems in the season, and this is one of those.

Thanks for reading my review! Live Long and Prosper.

(P.S. See you at Fleet Day this weekend!)