One Man Star Wars Trilogy

Photo courtesy of
Croswell Opera House

Recently, Charlie Ross brought his "One Man Star Wars Trilogy" show to The Croswell Opera House.  Moff D sent in this transmission:

**activate R2 unit hologram**

"Members of the Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison lent a helping hand to the One Man Star Wars show on April 21 in Adrian, MI.  Some Rebel Pilots, Stormtroopers and a couple of Tusken Raiders provided some Star Wars ambience before and after the show, not that much help is needed when seeing Charlie Ross’ kinetic and hilarious one hour take on the original trilogy.  All of the favorite moments, from Luke glancing longingly at the twin suns of Tatooine to Admiral Ackbar’s “It’s a trap” line are contained in the show.  Charlie did a fantastic job with voices and characterizations while managing to play with the audience at opportune moments.  The crowd was receptive and boisterous, so much so that Charlie actually did Luke-getting-knocked-off-the-Tauntaun twice at the crowd’s urging.  He had never received a good ovation at that point in the show and was happy to oblige."

"After the show, Charlie did some Q & A with the audience, relating how he started the show, how LFL permitted him to continue (their idea of an audition: performing the show in front of 4000 people at San Diego Comic Con) and doing a spot-on imitation of Smeagol from his One Man Lord of the Rings.  He would later spend some time in the lobby talking with fans and indulged the Rebel Legion and 501st members with a post-show get-together at a nearby restaurant.  It was a fun evening all-around, and if ever you have an opportunity to catch the One Man Star Wars show, don’t pass it up."

The toys are back in town!

Anyone who has grown up on Star Wars know that toys are as much a part of the "Star Wars" franchise as the movies they are based on.  So it makes sense when Great Lakes Base and Ohio Garrison were invited to the Columbus Toy Show -- held at Franklin County Veteran's Memorial Hall.

Photo courtesy of Col-Mas

Since 2001, the Columbus Toy Show has been a place where "jawas" from the Buckeye State gathered, in search of their prized toys and other collectibles from Star Wars, GI Joe and other childhood memories.  This event has become something of a semi-annual tradition for us and the assignment is fairly easy: look good and interact with people who enjoy Star Wars -- it's what we do!

Drazhar tells of how, "there was a great photo-op of Luke on the ground with a Tusken Raider standing over him, as several cheerleaders -- from a competition nearby, stopped to take photos.  Star Wars always has attracted all types, guess it continues to do so."

Mr. Olympia in Columbus!

Here's some trivia for you: did you know there was a bronze statue of Arnold Schwarzenegger at Veterans Memorial?  The placement of this statue does have historical significance as Veterans Memorial Hall has hosted the Arnold Sports Festival since 1989 -- along with other bodybuilding events involving Schwarzenegger since 1970.  The statue was recently revealed on the front lawn at Veteran's Memorial -- where the Columbus Toy Show was taking place -- so our guys just couldn't pass up the chance to get a picture next to "Mr. Olympia" himself!

The unusually windy spring day made for some interesting costuming moments according to Drazhar, "Vader and I both lost control of our cape/robe -- understand why superheroes shouldn't have them... now I do."

Wishes Can Happen

This past Good Friday was indeed a good day for the Great Lakes Base and Ohio Garrison to do some of the things we do best: help make children happy... and take LOTS of pictures.  And that is just what we set out to do at the Wishes Can Happen third annual Picture Party -- sponsored by Lee Spencer Photography.

Photo courtesy of
Lee Spencer Photography

This event has a deeply personal connection to the Spencer family.  Lee's sister Amy Lynn Spencer passed at the age of 16 and was one of WCH's first wish recipients.  Amy's wish was to learn to play the piano since she could no longer dance due to the chemo.  WCH granted her a piano and piano lessons.  The Spencer family has been very involved with WCH ever since. Three years ago, they came up with the idea to host the Picture Party fundraiser; as a way of returning the favor.  Tammy Anderson Spencer explains they wanted to, "give a family the wonderful memories that was given to our family by having a wish granted." Tammy went on to explain that several WCH families were in attendance at this year's event; some of whom had lost a child already and another family with a son currently in remission and doing well.

Wishes Can Happen!

As I'd mentioned at the start of this post, it's no secret that being a member of Rebel Legion -- you get used to being in plenty of pictures.  However, when guests at a WCH Picture Party get the chance to have a professional quality portrait done of their family -- you discover that you will likely be featured in more then just one Christmas card this year! (Star Wars costume included)  As people were having their pictures done -- often with a few Star Wars characters added in -- Lee Spencer Photography was uploading the finished photographs to the Facebook page; for fans to "tag" and "share" with anyone they wanted.

So far, Lee Spencer Photography has helped raise $4,725.00 for Wishes Can Happen; which is enough to grant at least one wish!!!

Wishes Can Happen is celebrating 30 years this year and they are completely volunteer based. WCH has never turned down a wish and mainly concentrates on granting wishes in Ohio.  To learn more about this wonderful organization, visit www.wishescanhappen.com