Solar Guard Reunion Report on the
Mid Atlantic Nostalgia Convention(MANC)
September 13-15, 2007
The Clarion Hotel
Aberdeen, Maryland

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Cadets gathered at the Aberdeen Maryland Nostalgia Convention and enjoyed several days of movies, TV shows and the pleasurable company of Erin Gray, Wilma Deering from the 1980s BUCK ROGERS TV series. The convention had a little of everything for nostalgia fans; TV and radio shows, movies, science fiction,comics,pulps and collectibles.

The X-RC cockpit was on display and drew a number convention attendees to the Solar Guard table. Cadet Mike Turco continues to improve the cockpit display and hopes to install a video monitor for viewing early Space Patrol shows. The display sparked several good discussions about the space shows of the early 1950s.

Two radio re-enactments were presented at the convention: A classic X minus one show and an unaired episode of Sam Spade taken from an original script. The shows were presented in the finest tradition of Old Time Radio. complete with sound effects and commercials. The SG was represented in both shows by Cadet Mike Turco.


A 24 hour movie room, radio shows and panel discussions kept the crew busy during the convention

Some of the highlights for the cadets included:

• Ms Gray's reflections on her journey as an actress and her amazement of how many fans still remember her in a show that went off the air 18 years ago. Not a surprise to Solar Guard cadets who remember shows from 50+ years ago.
• An excellent panel discussion of pulps in America
• Long time OTR fan, supporter and radio professional Ed Walker's insight in the grand old shows of radio.
• The original pilot for the Twilight Zone .. not seen for many years.
• A Lassie descendant along with her trainer provided a lot of insight into the past exploits of the show.
• The first live actor to work for Disney - Virginia Davis, who was a very lively and entertaining actress with many interesting stories about her role as Alice in the ALICE IN WONDERLAND series.
  
  And my favorite event of the show ....
  
• The banquet which was unlike any other convention banquet fare that I have ever had ... excellent and worth staying till the last day of the convention to enjoy.

The SG reunion trading card for the event featured a colorize picture of Tonga and Major Robertson in a classic pose. Next year's card may follow a different theme ... be sure to mark your calendars for the MANC and SG reunion in September 2008. Till then ...

Spaceman's Luck
Cadet Ed