Lazer Xtreme

photos courtesy Snips92

For years, the Lazer Xtreme "Star Wars" laser tag charity fundraiser was the signature event in northeast Ohio.  There would be lines out the door with people waiting to play laser tag with Star Wars characters to support local charities such as Make-A-Wish.  Yet after a two-year hiatus, could this event make a triumphant return – a “Return of the Jedi” (along with Rebels, Troopers, and Sith) as it were?

There had been efforts made to revive the laser tag event with the new management, since news of the sale was announced.  Last summer, when news broke that the Lazer Xtreme “Star Wars” fundraiser was BACK -- excitement skyrocketed within Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison and now the Rancor Clan from Mando Mercs would be joining us; an event that was made for Mandalorian warriors!  There were still plenty of us who were around for the laser tag event – but even more who had only knew of this awesome event through legends and stories told around the table at one of our post-trooping meals.

The first thing we needed to do was get the word out that Lazer Xtreme was BACK!  For the first time, GLB member and aspiring comic book artist Travis Perkins designed an event promotional poster -- featuring original artwork.  This thing was BEAUTIFUL and thanks to Travis for helping us out!

Finally, it was time to return to Lazer Xtreme and their 10,000 sq. ft. game arena for the “Star Wars” weekend fundraiser.  In my case, this felt like coming back “home” – as Snips92 and I discovered this place and developed the original event.  Many of us know this place inside and out: from all the best/worst places for costume characters (some with limited vision) to “the Alamo” – our unofficial Base where everyone meets up between games to trade vests with reinforcements.  One tradition we seemed to carry over from the past was the “slight weapons malfunction” getting our vests/guns to work properly for the first game of the day -- some things NEVER change!

Once we got to playing laser tag, it was time to sit back and have FUN!  The whole experience feels like a live-action video game – and like any good game, it’s the “multi-player” version when things get really exciting.  I was amazed at how willing everyone was to trade vests with their fellow Rebels, Imperials and Mercs.  At one point (both days) we had an ALL Mando Mercs crew fighting alongside each other – along with our new friend from Mav Oya’la Clan; a sight to behold I’m certain!  Not to be outdone, a few of our Great Lakes Base members from Michigan drove down for Saturday (more on that later) providing us with the largest contingent of Rebels that I’ve seen together at one event in years.  And we needed every available person to play on Saturday – to accommodate the “Kids Zone” (kids under 12 yrs old ONLY) start time – which meant we had TEN hours of laser tag on our hands.

The one thing I noticed different from past years was our groups’ willingness to stay in the game arena (even without a vest) to help create the illusion of the “Star Wars” universe inside the game arena.  In the past, more people would be hanging around in the lobby for pictures – this time EVERYONE wanted to be in the game!

My greatest fear came true on Sunday… “spring” finally arrived!  The weather outside was beautiful, so you can imagine attendance was lower then on Saturday.  However, that didn’t diminish the level of participation from our Rebels, Troopers and Mandos – despite a lot of tired bodies.  My favorite quote to sum up the experience came from Obi-WanJay when he said, “my everything hurts.”  This didn’t stop everyone from playing another six hours (16 total for the weekend) of laser tag.

GLB "Mission Reports" -Lazer Xtreme

Overall, the return to laser tag was a mixed bag of success and lessons learned for the future.  We should know more about the Make-A-Wish fundraising totals later this week, but we defiantly made a good impression with the folks at Lazer Xtreme.  Here’s hoping for the start of a NEW “legend” to share with future generations of Great Lakes Base members.

Team USA Star Wars Night

by: Tiernan

It's always exciting when the Rebel Legion gets invited to troop a sporting event; but when it's for a good cause and not just for promotion -- that's when battles are won.  On Sunday, March 24th at the Ice Cube ice arena in Ann Arbor, the Junior Hockey League hosted “Star Wars Night” with proceeds going to Mott's Children's Hospital.  Hockey fans came out to show their love of hockey and Star Wars as they watched Team USA square off against the Youngstown Phantoms, as well as purchase Star Wars memorabilia.

 

photo courtesy Great Lakes Garrison

With a table set up, both members of the Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison helped to sell limited addition Star Wars USA Hockey patches, toy lightsabers, or serve as target practice for charity. At the “Shoot-A-Trooper” table, options were to either shoot one of the many targets hanging from the wall or the chance to take down a Stormtrooper.  Meanwhile, others walked around taking pictures with kids and their parents talking and interacting with those walking around the lobby.  During the game when breaks could be taken, some members choose to watch Team USA and the Phantoms go head to head in the arena before heading back to the changing room.

As part of the promotion, Boba Fett dropped the puck with a Stormtrooper and a Shadow Scout as escort into the rink.  Between the first and second intermissions, the “Kid of Game” was presented with a small Zamboni truck filled with candy by a Jedi and Stormtrooper.  During one timeout, members of both Legions gathered onto the ice for the t-shirt throwing contest.  Legion members with shirts in their hands walked and skated on the ice throwing Team USA shirts into the crowd had hockey fans raced to grab them.

After the halftime most members had to leave with a few staying beyond to watch the game and continue trooping.  At the end of the day, Rebel Legion and 501st members made $850 for Mott's Children's Hospital.  The final score was 4-2 with Team USA winning against the Youngstown Phantoms. When all patches are sold, the proceeds will be given to the hospital.

Holmes County Library

One of the benefits of being part of an organization like Great Lakes Base is that you often get to travel to places both familiar and sometimes brand new.  In the case of our recent visit to the Holmes County Public Library, for Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison, Rancor Clan and The Dark Empire  -- this was uncharted territory.  Holmes County, Ohio is known as “Amish Country” -- because it hosts the largest Amish population in the world.  Because of the Amish’s reputation for good food and craftsmanship, the area has a thriving tourism industry on the weekends.  What it also has is a first-rate library, with a staff that learned about us from the Star Wars Reads program.

May the Force be Wii you!

Having trooped many a library “Star Wars” program over the years, the first thing every kid needs is… LIGHTSABERS!  Well, colored balloons – with a cardboard tube (they can decorate) to make each lightsaber their own.  As you can imagine, being a Jedi character for an event like these means that you WILL get a Jedi workout.  Personally, I prefer to “challenge” any/all kids to a round of Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Lightsaber Duels!!!

Next comes the “Blaster Range” – for those would be Clonetroopers or Mandalorians.  NERF guns are good for shooting (harmlessly) at paper targets, or a few of our Mando Mercs – who want to put their Beskar’gam to the test!  Even us elder Jedi Knights stepped in front of the NERF blasters, with only our lightsaber and the Force to protect us. (padawans are strongly advised against this practice, see your Master if you feel you are ready)

Deflecting NERF blasters and training Younglings can work up quite a thirst, what better then to visit the Holmes County “Cantina” for a “Yoda Soda” – a recipe you can find in the Star Wars Cookbook, available at your local library.

GLB "Mission Photos" -- Holmes County Public Library

photo courtesy Holmes County Public Library

These and other games designed by the ingenious library staff earned kids extra tickets in the Star Wars raffle at the end of the program, where kids could win various Star Wars books -- bountyhunterQ and padawan Foogy One helped call the winners.  Thanks to everyone from Holmes County Public Library for inviting us to be part of their fun “Star Wars” program.  Talking with the head Jedi Librarian, she reported that attendance went well beyond the 35 kids pre-registered; and that the Star Wars program was a huge success.

Echo Base go Bragh!

You would think marching in one St. Patrick’s Day parade per year would be enough for most people? However, when Echo Base sent out a “distress call” for extra manpower for their debut in the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade… Great Lakes Base and Freedom Base came to the rescue!

photo courtesy Ammi Ziva

We met up with the rest of Echo Base and Carida Garrison at the loft/business where one of the troopers works; time to mix introductions with getting dressed for the parade.  Once everyone was time to make our way over a few blocks to our appointed staging area… and WAIT; and by wait I mean: stand around (in near freezing wind) with nothing to do until the parade starts.  Thankfully, everyone else around is in the same predicament and you pass the time talking, laughing and getting to know your fellow Rebels, 501^st and Mando Mercs.  Again, not all that different from what growing up on travel hockey teams was like.  Ammi Ziva was interviewed by one of the local radio stations about the Rebel Legion, 501^st and Mando Mercs.  The kids from the high school marching band – behind us in parade lineup – kept themselves amused by “adopting” one of our two Darth Vaders into their whirling dance circles of shared body heat.  Finally, someone broke out the hand-warmers and started to pass them around to everyone.  Thanks to the folks from Salvation Army, who had a truck nearby with hot chocolate and cookies available to help keep marchers WARM!

Eventually, the parade started moving and Rebel Legion lead the march along the 2.6 miles of the parade route through downtown Pittsburgh’s narrow streets – which compared to Detroit feels like running the Death Star trench, with thousands of people (dressed in green) on either side of you… cheering, waving and wanting you to stop for pictures!  At one point, we passed a parking garage with people tailgating on every level cheering as we went by.  Then, just when you’d think the parade was over, we’d round a turn and there is another street filled with cheering people.  Plus, I have to give credit to Princess Leia, who ran from one side of the street to the other – passing out candy to kids wherever she spotted them.

The following day, it was announced that Echo Base had won an award from the parade organizers!

Then… the REAL adventure begins!  Echo Base had arranged for a rental bus to pickup the group at the end of the parade route; but there wasn’t enough room to fit everyone and traffic/weather made waiting for a return trip out of the question – this thing was a bus, NOT a Republic Gunship! Therefore, several of us paired up with some locals who knew the streets back to our staging area and we walked back – at a pace that could give the “BrianKenobi death march” a run for it’s money.

Overall, the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Parade was a huge success, and you can expect to see Great Lakes Base and Echo Base trooping more events together in the future!

Corktown Parade

There are two universal symbols of St. Patrick’s Day in my heart: Shamrock Shakes and the Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade!  The parade is held in Detroit’s historic “Corktown” neighborhood and always draws a huge crowd of fans.  The Star Wars characters from Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison have grown to be a crowd favorite.

Corktown Inn

Personally, this parade has become one of my annual pilgrimages up to Michigan – as it has for many of the Ohio members of Great Lakes Base.  The parade has become one of the foundations of the bond shared between members from both states.  For a while, there was doubt whether there’d be enough people motivated to organize another year with the parade.  In the end, I think people realized the Detroit St. Patrick’s Parade is as important to us as we have become to the fans expecting to see us!

Thank you!

 After “daylight savings” robbed yet another hour of sleep from us -- it was time to fire up the engines and GPS for the Motor City.  Once again, Rebels and Imperials gathered at the lovely Corktown Inn -- where we rent one of their conference rooms to get geared up and store our bins for the parade.  Traditionally, this room would have been packed like a C3P0 action figure case, but this year saw a much smaller group then we’re used to.  And because we signed up later then usual, our group was placed towards the back of the parade formation – so we had a little time to kill waiting to start off.

As we approached the starting line, the President of the parade committee made a point to thank us for marching and once we made the turn onto Michigan Avenue -- thousands of Detroit residents shared in that sentiment!  All along the parade route, people of all ages wanted to get a picture with one of the Star Wars characters -- whether it was Jedi, Rebels or Kilted Stormtroopers and TIE Pilots. Many people would even rush into the street for a quick snapshot whenever our section of the parade was stopped.  And let me tell ya (despite our best efforts) there is no such thing as “just one more” when it comes to photo requests.

Erin Go Bragh... and May the Force be with You!

Overall, this year’s Detroit St. Patrick’s Parade was a success – even if we were a “small rebel force” compared to past years.  Next weekend, several of us from Great Lakes Base will be making the hyperspace jump in the other direction, to march with Echo Base in the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Parade.

Canton Rotary Club

It’s been almost two months since we’d had a trooping event in northeast Ohio.  After a VERY busy 2012, many of us could do with a few weeks off, time to take care of family business, work and just recharge the batteries for another year.  Taking a break is GOOD, but it’s time to go back to work; and there’s no better way to start your “trooping” day then with a good breakfast!

 

Over the weekend, Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison and Rancor Clan came together at the Canton Memorial Civic Center for the Rotary Club of Canton annual “Pick Your Prize” raffle and pancake breakfast – an event that helps fund several local programs, including: RYLA, Rotary Scouts, Interact Club, Done In A Day with Junior Achievement, Sponsored Philomatheon Society Annual Picnic, Crime Prevention Program, Secured District Simplified Grant for Stark County Red Cross, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Walk in honor of Tom Vignos, Sponsored Stark County Foster Parent Program Dinner, Sponsored Martin Luther King Breakfast, McKinley Speech Team, McKinley Football Scholarship, Mayor’s Literacy Program.

For our part, the job was simple: “huddle up” and pose for pictures with anyone who wanted one… and let me tell you, EVERYBODY who was there wanted one!  (in some cases, multiple pictures)  At times, there was a line out the door of the dining hall waiting for us, as we’d take picture after picture with kids, grandmas, members from the Canton Rotary Club, “Pozzi” the mascot for the Canton Charge basketball team, and anyone else who wanted one.  We held our ground for almost three hours straight, until everyone had a chance to enjoy some delicious pancakes and get their photo with the Star Wars characters.

GLB "Mission Reports" - Rotary Club of Canton 

Now, if you’ve been around Star Wars costumers long enough you learn a few things; one of which is… standing in armor makes these guys HUNGRY!  So when things appeared to have slowed down, it was time to suit down and enjoy some pancakes.  I’d like to thank all the Canton Rotary Club members who volunteered to serve us, along with everyone else who attended the fundraiser.

Return Of The 80's

by: Tiernan

 Madonna released "Like a Virgin", bright neon shirts with mini skirts, leg warmers, fish net gloves as part of the wardrobe, Gremlins, Star Wars: Episode V were all released and popular in the 80's.  What better way to remember the past: have some fun and dress up for the night other than a Summer 80's bash?  Thanks to the Lincoln Park Firefighters, for hosting the one night of fun and plenty of memories inside Crystal Gardens (Southgate, MI.)   February 22nd was also about raising money for the community and the welfare of its citizens.  Proceeds from the event were put into funds for scholarships, youth baseball programs and other local projects.

photo courtesy dankelzaga

Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison were invited to the Annual Summer's 80's bash; hosted by the Lincoln Park Firefighters.  After changing into costume and waiting for a few minutes, members finally walked out into the reception hall full of partygoers.  The guests were ecstatic to see Star Wars characters and crowded around, waiting to get a picture with each of us.  We entered the banquet room, to the main Star Wars theme, to a packed room of people standing on either side welcoming Rebels and Sith alike.

Party like an ewok!!!

Once inside and at post, we stood as people snapped their cameras and our introduction was given as well as a speech about the fundraiser.  80's music blasted and the crowd dispersed on the dance floor all around the room; that's when our mission started.  Orders were walk around, mingle with guest and take pictures with them.  While Princess Leia, a Rebel Pilot, Endor Trooper and a Jedi got the chance to walk around the venue, it was Chewbacca who got stuck on the dance floor with a giant crowd of fans dancing with him and posing for the camera.

After an hour and half of dancing and photo ops, things began to calm down (but not by much) it was time to break for a few minutes for those who wanted to.  While some Rebels left early, others stayed to party well into the night getting as much attention and having as much fun as possible.