by TK-1161 Curt on Mon Jul 07, 2008 3:00 pm
On July 14-15, 2008 the Gateway Squad of the 70th Explorers Garrison teamed up with the Pevely Flea Market to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House of St. Louis. For a small donation, troops posed for pictures with shoppers and raised a total of $700.00. This event proved so successful that the Pevely Flea Market has asked the troops to make this an annual event.
by mrivorey on Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:22 pm
70th Explorers Welcome Future Astronauts to the Empire
On June 20th five members of the 70th Explorers Garrison, led by Darth Vader, hand delivered a letter of welcome to a group of kids attending the Wonderscope Children's Museum Space Camp. The letter stated "From the offices of the Galactic Empire : We understand that with the new Constellation Space Program you will soon be traveling to Mars and beyond. Great job future astronauts! If you are ever in our part of the universe be sure to stop by and say HI!!! We will have plenty of new jobs for you on our new Space Station we are building."
The kids had all built their own space suits, goggles, and jet packs out of white trash bags, paper towel rolls, cups and anything else they could find! They seemed to be the perfect audience for visitors from another galaxy!!! Their parents seemed happy to see the 70th as well. Hopefully this can be an annual recruitment stop for the Empire!
Those who attended were:
Kevin Fox - Darth Vader
Jason Driskill - Sandtrooper
Rhonda Brown - Biker Scout
Terry Handshill - Stormtrooper
Ken Beckwith - ARC trooper
by judge_hellfast on Sun May 18, 2008 7:22 pm
On May 17th, the Empire took to the streets of Lawrence during the Art Tougeau Parade, one of Lawrence's most unique parades featuring a wide array of wheeled creations assembled from artists across the nation. Led by the almighty Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader portrayed by Kevin Fox, the 70th Explorers Garrison featured one of its prized wheeled creations...a self propelled Return of the Jedi Speeder Bike adorned with a biker scout, portrayed by Rhonda Brown, as the driver. The Imperial March thundered through the streets of Lawrence as the Imperials made their way through the parade route handing out candy to the spectators and posing for pictures. Special thanks goes out to Ken Beckwith, Rhonda Brown, Kevin Fox, Terry Handshy, Chris Haze, Mike Haze, Dave Heth, Peter Purine, and Dave Wootan for their impeccable performance and portrayal of the beloved Imperial characters from the Star Wars Universe. The 70th was honored to accept a trophy for "Best Crowd Pleaser" and look forward to another upcoming year at the Art Tougeau Parade.
A full description of the Art Tougeau Parade may be viewed at the following link:
http://www.arttougeau.org/
News Stories about the 70th Explorers in the Art Tougeau Parade may be viewed at the following links:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/philpeterson/2500691322/
http://www2.ljworld.com/photos/galleries/2008/may/18/art_tougeau_2008/46216/
by mrivorey on Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:09 pm
Lord Vader, one of his loyal stormtroopers, and a biker scout battled the arctic temperatures of a Hoth-like environment to participate in the 5th Annual Walk for Autism Awareness on Saturday, April 12th. Lord Vader was the rock star of the event as children and adults alike flocked to his side for many photographs. All three 70th Explorers garrison members participated in the 1-mile walk around the golf course as it sleeted steadily. Through the sleet and snow, there were many smiles and pictures taken, and it was a great day overall. Many thanks to Lord Vader "Rock Star" Kevin Fox (SL-538), Stormtrooper "I have a bad feeling about this" Terry Handshy (TK-2055), and Biker Scout "AKA Miniature Trooper" Rhonda Brown (TB-1165) for attending.
by mrivorey on Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:58 am
Members of the 70th Explorers and Central Garrison met April 4th-6th in the Kansas City area for the annual Planet Comicon. It all kicked off on a Friday night with 501st members attending a private dinner with convention guest of honor, Kenny Baker (R2-D2 in all 6 Star Wars films).
As Saturday morning arrived, so did scores of Legion members. A group photo of most was taken outside the convention center before starting the day. Upon finishing, an impressive line of costumed bad guys led by Darth Vader himself marched their way inside and were greeted by many camera carrying fans. We finally came to rest at our table where we greeted more fans, explained what the 501st was all about, and showed off our costumes and swag to those interested.
After the convention closed down for the evening, 70th and Central members drove out to a place called Power Play (similar to a Dave & Buster's). The impressive group took up nearly half the dining area while we ate. Chanute troopers, Robert Brill (TK-2774) and Faron Morales (TK-1423) stayed in armor for this after party.
"Butt-Trooper" Dru Felkins (TK-5544) reportedly got it handed to him in a game of air hockey. GWM Chris Moody (TK-394) taught the LMO's daughter how to text and drive while on the go carts. Our newly elected C.O., Curt Stanfill (ID-1161) led his troops through some training in a game of laser tag (and in true stormtrooper fashion, no one had any idea what was going on or how to hit the broad side of a Correlian Cruiser).
The troops were also treated to a game of bowling by one of the staff members of Power Play. Around 15 people playing on 2 lanes made for a very long game though, and they spent most of that time socializing and making runs to the bar/concession stand.
A second round was made at the go carts and things looked more like a pod race as the competition heated up while the brake pads didn't. A few members closed down the facility, leaving at midnight, but not before squeezing about 7 people into a photo booth for a memory and a picture.
Sunday came around and most of the tired troopers returned to the convention. In cooperation with the Rebel Legion, photographers recreated a scene from A New Hope with Darth Vader stepping over dead Rebels and Stormies. Darth Vader then posed for photos "choking" other characters and convention goers alike.
A fun time was reported by all at what is turning into the 70th Explorers largest attended convention each year. Photos from this event can be found at: http://www.70thexplorers.com/event_pics/2008_04_Planet_Comicon/
by mrivorey on Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:30 pm
A public relations detachment, let by Lord Vader, was welcomed in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Springfield Missouri on March 15th, 2008. The Emperor commanded to instill the love of the empire and the 501st into the citizens of Springfield through music, candy, and photo ops. Not entirely understanding the orders Lord Vader had an E-web attached to the float to instill fear, but still had the music and candy. All in all the group was still well received.
The brave troops attending this event included: Matthew Bakeberg (TC-8947), Robert Brill (SL-2774), Keith Davis (ID-2197), Todd Evans (TX-8633), Joshua Gann (TK-1730), Norm Hackett (TX-2094), Karen Keen (DZ-7887), Brandon Lauthern (TK-1730), Andy McCormick (TK-2166), Faron Morales (TK-1423), Charley Norton (SL-6241), Tony Pierce (DZ-6994), Gary Schaeperkoetter (IC-8631), Steve Schaeperkoetter (DZ-7221), Curt Stanfill (ID-1161), Brian Steele (SL-9633), Alex Wheeler (TB-4807), Milissa Wheeler (TI-2482), Ral Wheeler (TD-0488), and Jeff Woodward (BH-5333).
Photos from this event may be viewed at http://www.70thexplorers.com/event_pics/2008_St_Pats/ .
