This is from a really long time ago:
Design & Conquer 101st Storm Trooper
Mon, 08, May 2008
Download this episode (15:56)
Interview done during Northeast Wars. Interviewed Andrew from the 101st Storm Trooper.
This was back during Northeast Wars, one of the first troops back in Vermont earlier this year. I've since sent them an e-mail to get them to correct the title to 501st.
Their website: http://www.onlinegamingradio.com
Now that the weekend is now over, we've gotten all of our pictures in from the Williston event. Here's some of the highlights:
Jump*Con, one of the events that I was planning on going to this weekend, was canceled when the big stars, Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell pulled out because of money problems. Apparently the Con didn't pay anything. I'm a little relieved, because I'm not a huge person for conventions, more the charity events where we're actually doing things. And it means that there's more time to spend at the other event that I was planning on attending, a Borders Opening in Wareham, MA. Should be a fun weekend, and I've borrowed my dad's Navman to help me get in and out of Boston.
Members of the New England Garrison joined forces with the Vermont Cardboard Technical Institute and Kellogg-Hubbard Library for Montpelier's annual Independence Day Parade on July 3rd. Four troopers, plus four additional helpers were able to make the event, which featured the VCI's AT-AT walker. Troopers escorted the walker down the parade route to applause and enthusiastic grins from parade watchers. We posed for photos along the route, which was ideal - just over a mile, all flat.
In attendance was Andrew Liptak (TK-3220), Mike Anton (TK-2084 - His first official Troop), Brian Anderson (BH-7602) and Jodi Anderson (TA-7529), along with Recruit Hayes Johnson and two of his friends, and Keelia Liptak, who served as photographer and wrangler.
Here's a couple of pictures from this weekend's event at Montpelier's Kellogg Hubbard Library:
On June 21st, two troopers from the New England Garrison trooped at Montpelier's Kellogg-Hubbard Children's Library start to their summer reading program. We were contacted by one of the librarians in preparation for another event, and agreed to come out to this one.
This was a pretty low key event. Perhaps twenty children, ages 5 to 10 or so, attended the event, which was intended to promote reading for children. Over the next month and a half, they are going to be working towards reading as many books as possible, and will have the chance to win an FX lightsaber if they read 12 or more books during that time.
We, (Recruit Mike Anton and myself) mingled with the children and posted for a photograph with each child holding the lightsaber. I brought along my spare TK and TB helmets, which they were able to try on. They were very excited to see two troopers in the flesh (or plastic, so to speak).
A couple of the kids were a little over-excited with our presence, and we had to make sure that they didn't hurt themselves or us. (Their parents stepped in only after a couple minutes). Ben, the librarian, posed for a couple of pictures with us, and took some pictures for the library's website or newsletter. We'll be working with them again during the July 3rd Parade in Montpelier in a couple of weeks. Overall, a good, short troop, very fun.
We didn't have any problems on our end, although Mike had misplaced his shoulder straps, which we were able to correct with several stripes of duct tape. I had some problems with one of my thighs, but we didn't have any issues on the floor.
Pictures will be coming soon.
Vermont had its third event this past weekend, a quick trooping at the Vermont Maple Fest in Northern Vermont, in St. Albans. I learned that Jerry was trooping at the event, and I drove up to help him out. The event is a three day event, culminating in a parade. The two of us, along with Jerry's wife, walked among the crowd, shaking hands and posing for pictures. (Those will be coming soon, I hope). We based ourselves out of the town's gaming store, Heroes Kingdom, which was handy when we needed to take a break.
People really liked us. We didn't march in the parade, but when we were out and about, it was a fun time, although next time, I think I'd like an additional wrangler, because there were some kids who were a little annoying at times. I had one come up and crash into me for a hug, and our wrangler headed off a couple others who were plotting to knock us over, which thankfully didn't happen.
We were out for about 4 hours, which was plenty of time - it got hot out! We were also interviewed by a local news team, so we might end up on the evening news, I'll try and watch tonight and get it tapped it that's the case.
Overall, a fun time, lot of little kids who were really ecstatic to see us (some scared). This is probably something to try and do again next year, hopefully we'll get some people up, or maybe some of the Canadians down to help out.
This was an interesting reminder in the Post-Journal in New York - they highlighted a comic book store, Chautauqua Comics. Already, this event is shaping up to be a big one for the 501st. There are around 30 or so events planned by a number of garrisons across the country.
Here's the article:
Local Store To Participate In Free Comic Book Day
By Jessica Wasmund jwasmund@post-journal.com
4/11/2008 - For the millions of people across the globe who have grown up reading comic books, and those who have always been curious to pick one up, there is a chance to celebrate.
The seventh annual Free Comic Book Day will take place again this year on Saturday, May 3.
‘‘Anywhere in the world there’s a shop, free comic book day is happening,’’ said Al Steffens, owner of Chautauqua Comics. ‘‘This is an attempt to get people not only excited about comics, but back into reading through comic books.’’
Last year, Steffens said, more than 1,200 people came through the door of his shop, located at 214 Fairmount Ave., to partake in the event.
‘‘Since the shop is only 1,500 square feet, we’re talking a lot of people — the line was out the door and around the corner with people waiting to come in,’’ he said. ‘‘This year we’re hoping to do it all over again.’’
Each year to celebrate, the comic book industry produces a number of brand new comic books for the occasion. The distributor will then send them out at an inexpensive price, and the shops will in turn give them away for free. Steffens explained that anybody who comes to his shop that day will get two books for free. If they choose to donate $.50 or more toward St. Susan’s soup kitchen, they will receive an additional third comic.
‘‘We really want to make a difference and this is our second year working with St. Susan’s,’’ Steffens said. ‘‘I realize there’s a lot of people out there who aren’t as fortunate as others, and I want to make a difference. Jamestown has been very good to me, so I want to give back. Also, if they sign up for our Web site, they can get a fourth comic book, also free.’’
To commemorate the event, the shop will be running a series of events throughout the day. There will be door prizes, a raffle for a lithograph, a Narauto tournament and for those who deem themselves experts of comic trivia, Comic Book Jeopardy.
Chautauqua Comics will also be grilling hot dogs outside, and special guest appearances will be made by a few of the most well-known superheros, including Spider-Man, Iron Man and Batman.
‘‘What makes this year a little more special is we have Roger Stern,’’ Steffens said. Stern is the author of The New York Times bestseller ‘‘The Death and Life of Superman.’’ Stern has been writing comic books for more than 30 years, composing stories for characters such as the Green Lantern, Spider-Man and Captain America. Steffens said Stern is also credited with writing the story on which the third installment of the Spider-Man movie was based.
‘‘We are also going to have members from the Star Wars 501st Legion, which is a group of guys who spend large amounts of money to replicate the Star Wars costumes,’’ he explained. ‘‘They’re all around the country and sanctioned by George Lucas. We’ll be having four of them coming down from Syracuse and Pennsylvania — a couple storm troopers and maybe even Darth Vader. They’ll be outside entertaining the crowds while people are waiting to get in.’’
Full Article
This past weekend, I attended Northeast Wars: The Resurrection in Burlington, Vermont. The con has been on a haitus for the past ten years, and has recently returned, sponsored by Vermont's biggest gaming store, Quarterstaff.
The con attracted around 160 people over the course of three days, from April 4th through the 6th, a good number for something that was really only in planning for 3 or 4 months. The gaming was spread out over a couple of large rooms, split up by miniatures, RPGs, board games, war gaming and cards, and a couple local vendors. Overall, this was a really small, quaint con, that was quite a bit of fun to walk around for.
My role was pretty limited - basically walking and talking to people. Given the size of the event, the shock and awe factor really wore off quick, and I only spent a couple hours walking around as a TK. I did pose for some pictures, threw a couple people into a wall, the usual trooper things to do, and people really liked the 501st's presence there.
What really was fun was helping advertise for the con on the nearby Church Street, a pedestrian shopping street. With a handler on Saturday, and a girl dressed up as a ESB Han Solo on Sunday, handing out fliers and posing for pictures. This doubled as a really good recruiting and presence for the group and for the convention - we handed out several hundred fliers.
I've also discovered a couple additional storm troopers in the state, someone from St. Albans, who seems to have slipped under the NEG's radar for a time. I was also approached by someone on the street who asked if I was wearing an FX Suit - apparently he has one as well, local to Burlington, and was not a member, nor was he aware of the 501st. I told him about the website and that I'd be helping out at the Free Comic Book Day at Earth Prime Comics, so hopefully he will find, contact and join us, which will help bolster our Vermont numbers a bit. (4 additional, up from just two that we were aware of, not including 1 inactive - Five total. Figure in three to five recruits or potential recruits and we have the start of some good numbers in Vermont.)
The con itself was a good recruiting oppertunity. There are a handful of people who were interested in the 501st, and I answered a number of questions about what we do, and what the NEG has been up to. The girl who was dressed as Han Solo and her husband seemed really interested, and I ended up posting several of our recruiting fliers, as well as laid them out at the table - a number were taken. Several more have been placed at Quarterstaff Games and Earthprime Comics
The organizers are planning on doing this next year, and with more planning, have invited us back, and we'll have some more opportunities for donations to a charity organization, plus some things we could do on our own. Hopefully by that time, we'll be able to get more people here for this. While 1 TK worked, more would be better. He might also have us help out next year prior to the con to help advertise a bit, such as going out a couple weeks before hand to get more attention.
Wranglers will also be a must, especially for the Church Street excursions - There were a lot of people there, and it was helpful to have someone carrying fliers and explaining things to people, taking pictures, etc. There were also a couple annoying people - a couple drunks, one guy who pulled my gun and one particularly annoying woman who I think was pretty high. While Annick (my Han Solo companion) was helpful, this was something that we both weren't prepared for, and I think having a plainclothes person would be helpful. At the con, I had no issues at all. I need to remember a camera with fresh batteries next time though. Mine died and I didn't get any pictures for the weekend. Urg.
Jonathan, the general manager of Quarterstaff games, was extremely helpful, and really, really loved having me there to help out and walk around. He's going to keep in touch to let me know if they have any further events - Free COmic Book Day is one upcoming one - that they'll have in the store, and he's pretty connected to the local geek community, which should be helpful once the Clone Wars series hits theaters. This is an event that has a lot of potential and if I'm around and free, I'll be there.
Very fitting that I return home to find a Star Wars marathon on TV.
This article just came over google about the UK Garrison:
Interesting to read about the Vermont police officer in the UK. The full article is here, and has an amusing video embedded in the site.
Once in a galaxy not so far away, a peaceful shopping square was invaded by Darth Vader and his Storm Troopers.
Frankfort Gate in Plymouth's Independent Quarter was taken over for the day by Star Wars characters, including a cloaked Tusken Raider and a green-clad Biker Scout.
Children enjoyed mixing and being photographed with their Star Wars heroes, though one or two were scared by the imposing Vader, played by 6ft 5ins tall Alex from Plymouth.
The one-day event was organised by traders in the Independent Quarter, with support from the Plymouth City Centre Company and Hospital Radio.
Julian Shelford from Toy Tardis saw customers overflowing from his shop, where part-time assistant and Luke Skywalker lookalike Sam Gardner was obviously feeling the force, describing trade in Star Wars toys as "wild and manic".
Julian said: "We invited the 501st legion, who look great in their authentic outfits and go to all the conventions.
"We are having a great day's business and are planning further events in June or July."
Keeping the crowds in order was an American cop - but his uniform was not fancy dress.
Paul Carter, 51 and from Mutley, is a friend of Julian's who used to live in the USA and was an auxiliary policeman in Rutland County, Vermont, until 1983.
Back then, he toted a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol, but never needed to fire it.
Paul said he was just pleased to fit into his uniform after 25 years.
Also enjoying the fun was six year-old Star Wars addict Jordan Moody from West Park. Jordan, accompanied by his dad, Darren Wright, said: "I have seen all of the films, but my favourite is 'Return of the Jedi'.
"I've got lots of Star Wars figures in my bedroom."
Up to 40 children also entered a Star Wars fancy dress contest.
Becky, as Princess Leia, won £50-worth of toys from Toy Tardis, Daniel as an Imperial officer won £30-worth of clothes from Casual Kids, and Matthew as Yoda won a prize worth £25 from Model Zone.
Came across some pictures from some other parades. I believe that this is the Golden Gate Garrison, on the 11th Annual Vietnamese Spring Festival & Parade, but I could be mistaken:
Here's an article that just floated up to the web about StellarCon 23, which was trooped at by the Carolina Garrison:The "other" N-word
Darth Vader goes in the middle. That's obvious.
And let's get some of his men here to his left. A stormtrooper. A clone trooper. And can we get one of those TIE pilots?
That's good.
Let's get a couple biker scouts over here, and you, the royal guardsman - that red cloak will just jump out over on Vader's right. Yes.
Back to the left now. Let's get Boba Fett and the rest of the Mandalorians over here. And you, the female Tusken, yes you.... Let's get you on the left with the Jawa - is that your daughter? So cute.... And Emperor? If you would, please.
A TIE pilot here, another Mandalorian over there. The Imperial gunner goes here.
And now... can the Imperial officers take a knee down front? You too, admiral.... Good. Now let's get the Sith lord front and center.
Oh, this is just perfect.
Cars slow down on Main Street in downtown High Point, honking horns and passengers disembark to capture the moment on their cell-phone cameras. A Randolph County ambulance cruises by; a tinny blast from its PA speaker advises, "Trust in the Force, Luke."
The members of the 501st Legion's Carolina Garrison, Star Wars fans one and all, chuckle at this one. But really, there is no Luke Skywalker here - I mean, what are they, a bunch of kids? Anyway, the 501st is a national costuming club for Star Wars villains, and Luke Skywalker was clearly a hero. Duh.
Also, the line as delivered to Luke Skywalker by the ghost of Obi Wan Kenobi in the first Star Wars movie, which was actually Episode IV, came when Luke was barreling down the trench of the Death Star like he was blasting womp rats in Beggar's Canyon back home. And actually, it was two lines: "Use the Force, Luke," delivered when Luke first dove into the canyon, and then, "Luke, trust me," which he said just before Han Solo swooped in with the Millennium Falcon and took out Vader's Twin Ion Engine Advanced X-1.
Just so you know.
Probably anyone here at Stellarcon, the 32nd installment of the Triad's biggest science fiction, fantasy, horror, gaming and comics convention, could tell you the same, though the crowd is not limited to Star Wars freaks. There are hundreds of RPG - or role playing game - enthusiasts, sci-fi bookworms, memorabilia collectors, movie and television fans, filkers, anime junkies, aspiring writers and artists, working writers and artists, fanboys, fangirls and, in some cases, their fankids.
Full Article Here
Well, more like NEG-Me. Tomorrow night, the Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing a Medley of songs from The Empire Strikes Back, which sounds pretty good thus far. It's a small trooping event, as they're only playing the one song, but it'll be good to get out and test out the armor before St. Pats, especially with some of the modifications that I made to my armor. (More on that in a moment)
The Orchestra will be playing at the Vermont State House for Farmer's Night, something that the legislators put on every week, and have a bunch of other songs that they'll be playing. I know that the Star Spangled Banner will be played, as well as a couple of others that I can't remember off the top of my head. I'm not sure what the order will be.
While getting ready for the concert and the upcoming St. Patrick's Day Parade in Boston, I've been prepping my armor. Thus far I've:
