A science fiction and Star Trek fan organization with a long history is located right here in central New Jersey and this year, it is celebrating its 28th year of existence.
Named after a ship in the Star Trek universe, the USS Avenger is the Central Jersey chapter of Starfleet, the official fan organization for Star Trek.
Headquartered in North Brunswick, the members of the USS Avenger have been meeting regularly for 28 years to discuss their love of Star Trek and other science fiction books, movies and television shows.
Alez Rosenzweig, executive officer for the organization, said that three of its founding members, including himself, are still active with the group.
The chapter came together 28 years ago after it splintered off from another large chapter in the area, the USS Constitution.
Over the years, the USS Avenger has seen more than 600 members come and go, he said.
So why Star Trek?
Rosenzweig said the series caught his eye as a young child due to his interest in outer space and space exploration.
It was the best science fiction show out there at the time, and it had themes and messages in addition to adventure, he said.
The show's message that all of humanity will come together and turn its focus outward to explore what lies beyond the Earth particularly struck a chord with him, Rosenzweig said.
"It's not just shoot 'em up," he said.
Membership in the USS Avenger is pretty flexible, Rosenzweig said. Members can choose to participate any way they like, whether it be coming to meetings and actively participating in club activities, or just by paying a small membership fee and receiving the club newsletter, he said.
However, they prefer the former, and are welcoming to new members.
"It is a social organization after all," he said.
USS Avenger members travel to a number of events outside of area, including science fiction, fantasy and comic conventions. They also have participated in goodwill events, including the Polar Bear Plunge and walks for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Recently, they spent opening weekend of "Star Trek: Into Darkness" at the Regal movie theater on Route 1, meeting fans of the series, promoting membership and taking photos of moviegoers against a Stark Trek set backdrop.
The USS Avenger meets at 2 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month at the North Brunswick Public Library, 880 Herman Road, North Brunswick.
For more information on the USS Avenger, visit http://www.ussavenger.org/.
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