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``` While our ship and crew have exsisted a number of years, this week (week ending 1/31/04) marks the 1 year anniversary that our current new website has been online. This site has grown in allot of ways, and we have been able to align with numerous fan-clubs and websites over the past year. Our link-exchange program has been a wonderfull success, and we are listed very well in more search engines big and small, than I can name, world-wide. I personally have grown as a webmaster, and have graduated onto other projects using different methods because of what I've learned building this one. As I type this, there have been well over 1000 unique hits to this site, but more have actually been made than what shows on our hit counter. I would guess that approximately 500 more hits would have been recorded, had I chose not to have the site meter ignore hits made by the WebTv browser, when this site was first created. I'de like to thank my fellow ship-mates, and the knowledgable people in the alt.discuss newsgroups, for everything they contributed to the making of ths site. Without their help, this site wouldn't be what it is today. on extended Shore leave. The crew of the I.K.V. Marauder has decided to take an extended shore leave. This website will still continue to be fully operational, and updated daily. This only effects Ship's activities in our quadrant. Communications & Tactical will stay manned, and the crew will be on "stand by", at all times, in case a recall is necessary. One of the nice things about being an Independent Ship, is that we don't have to answer to a "Fleet" about our activities. We take our orders directly from the High Council on Q'ronos, ie; (willingness & availability of possible outings), therefore, we have no Fleet Admiral to answer to. in local newspaper. The IKV Marauder appeared at the "Champion Flea-Market, Feb. 8th to raise money for the "Warren Family Mission", doing our famous "Jail & Bail", and was interviewed, and photographed by the "Warren Tribune Chronicle". The article & photos are in the March 2nd's edition of said newspaper, and took up the FULL front page, and part of another page, in the "Life" section of the "Tribune". Below, is the article written by Patty Kimerer; a reporter of the paper, edited for length and context. (Just slightly). You can see all our publicity photos, (including the photo's that accompanied this newspaper article), in "HoloDeck 2". Some local residents attending the "Champion Flea-Market" were abducted by aliens. "This is the 2nd time today", said Carol Smith of Warren in lament, as she was hauled off to a makeshift jail cell by ominous-looking character's identifying themselves as Warriors from the planet Qo'noS. "But, it's all for a good cause, so what the heck?", said Smith, who operates a concession stand, and a table at the flea-market, and also has a special bond with one of her extraterrestrial subjugators. "The Captain of the Ship is my Daughter", whispered Smith. The Ship in question is called the IKV Marauder. Though imaginary, it is a Star Trek fan-club, led by Captain / President; Janet L. of Warren. The Captain explained that the IKV Marauder is a Sci-Fi fan-club, inspired by the Star Trek TV series & Motion Pictures. "We started about 4 years ago, when we broke off from a larger Ship, belonging to a World wide organization, and decided to form a more localized independent Ship", said Janet, who was voted into the Captains Chair by the rest of the members. According to Stanley Brozi, a marketing representative for Paramount Television, in Hollywood, IKV Marauder is just one of thousands of Star Trek-inspired fan-clubs around the world. "It's not an exaggeration to say that hundreds, and thousands of people world-wide, belong to some type of organization that has its roots in either the original 1960's Gene Rodenberry TV series, or one of the offshoot TV programs or feature films," he said. Like the IKV Marauder, several of the clubs entertain and serve as the "Main-attraction" for charitable fund raisers. "Year after year, these people hold ever-evolving conventions, and functions, and many make considerable donations to non-profit organizations. I am always amazed by the continued response," said Brozi. The Captain said that the local club holds monthly meetings at the homes of members, to plan public appearences. "We participate in Parades, speak to individuals, and groups, or entertain for anyone who requests it, as long as they make a donation to a charity," she said, noting that members attending such functions always do so in character, with elaborate handmade costumes, and full face makeup. Bill L. of Warren, is the Secretary of the club,and said there are several area organizations for which the IKV Marauder collects money, listing the "Ashley Foundation", and the "Ronald McDonald House", as the most recent charities. Janet L. said that the clubs recent outing at the "Champion Flea-Market", was for the "Warren Family Mission". "We stage a "Jail-and-Bail", which is a mini production, where we arrest people for a donation that is given to a charity. It's actually alot of fun," she said. "Klingon prisoner coming through, step aside!!" bellowed the brown clad, Batlef wielding Kingon warriors. Cheryl L., wife of Bill L. (they met through club functions), assumed the role of "Magistrate", in the raid. "Let it be known throughout the Empire, that you are wanted for the heinous crime of 'Knowing too much'. How do you plead?" she bellowed to Bob Rieke, who is a Champion police officer, arrested by the Klingons. "Not Guilty, ----Uh--is there a Bail?" inquired Rieke, who paid a $3.00 donation, to get out of sitting in the Klingon jail, before returning to work. "We're a very relaxed chapter. Anyone who has a genuine sci-fi interest is welcomed. Our main objective is to have a good time while we're lending a hand to some local charities," said Janet L., who estimated that the club has collected $1,400 for area non-profit organizations over the past few years. But the members are earnest in their quest to pay tribute to the fictional aliens motivating the group. For instance, each has a Klingon name. "I am Tenaj So'Jih," said Janet L., noting that her first Klingon name is simply Janet spelled backwards. Cheryl L.'s Klingon name is Val Qis Khurn, which she said has no translation, or particular meaning. "I just like the way it sounds." However, her husbands selection for a Klingon name does have significance. "Qib'Swuvi means Shadow Warrior," he said, adding that even the couple's 18 mo. old daughter, Lindsey, has a Klingon name: WovmIn, meaning Bright eyes. Martok Krenn, or Mark M., as he is more commonly known, said that he has always been a Star Trek fan, but chose the Klingon classification of clubs as his preference because of the code of ethics the fantasy extraterrestrials exude. "Their values are Honor, courage, and duty," said Mark M., who lives in Warren with his wife Michelle, and their 2 daughters. "I originally got involved because of Mark," said Michelle, or Kim'Chele. She is a Lunch server in a local elementary school, who finds the anonymity of her Klingon costume empowering. "It's great to be nameless. You can act in a way you wouldn't normally," said Michelle, adding that she wore her Klingon garb into work last Halloween, and none of the students she sees daily recognized her. "It's a great way to act out, to escape reality for awhile and just role-play," said Bill L.. But why emulate the bad guys of the fictional world of the United Federation of Planets, when there are so many faux cultures and races comprising that Galaxy? "We're the motorcycle-gang of the universe," roared Bill J., who lives in Warren, and is a long time Star Trek enthusiast. "I've been a fan since the 1960's. It's just alot of fun and the Klingons are representative of a strong group, dedicated to their creed of valor and to each other," said Bill J., or Malu Khurn. So, how do members choose or create Klingon names? Well, it helps that there is an official Klingon language. According to the "Klingon Language Institute's" website, (www.KLI.org), film consultant Marc Okrand originally invented the speach for a Star Trek feature film to give the Klingons realism. Instead of just making a phrase or two, Okrand fashioned a language, complete with a working vocabulary, specific grammar usage and even an exclusive alphabet. Potential battlefields not withstanding, Cheryl L. said she had a unique opportunity during which her second language served her well. "Knowing Klingon was especially helpful for cursing during childbirth," she said. The Marauder's crew are just playing parts, and exercising their imaginations. Some of which, are working overtime, since Bill L., and Pat L., are in the midst of writing their own trilogy of novels. "Chekov is the main character of our work in progress. Naturally, we have to follow the guidelines of Paramount's pocketbooks division of publications," said Bill L.. Paramount is the owner of practically everything Star Trek, including copyrights to all TV shows, films, books and related materials containing the name Star Trek. Even the Klingon language is copyrighted to Paramount. "Yep, pretty much everything goes through them. That's fine with us, we just want to unite as fans by portraying these tough guys while we try to do something good for the community," said Janet L.. In an act clarifying the dichotomy of the Marauder, its brooding intimidators circled around one of their "Jailed" subjects to inflict torment upon him. They sang him a verse of "Barney's---I Love You song." "I don't know an adult who absolutely can't stand that song, so this is our form of torture," laughed Cheryl L.. ``` |
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