IL-Oakbrook-Matthew Stover booksign/reading Borders Books

[Schph Gochi]

He is a local favorite Star Wars author from the Chicago area.
He wrote argueably one of the best novels from the New Jedi Order series of books called "Traitor".
His Clone Wars novel "Shatterpoint" fleshed out some of Mace Windu's character and gave the reader a really good sense of the bloodshed of the Clone Wars themselves.
He had the unenviable task of writing the novelization of the last and certainly "keystone" work of the "Star Wars" Saga- "Revenge of the Sith"....

"He" ...of course is Matthew Stover.

When the Oakbrook, IL Border's Music and Books contacted the Midwest Garrison asking for costumed support for a project they had planned with Mr. Stover, we of course jumped at the chance.

On May 19, 2007 Matthew Stover, Border's Oakbrook, the Midwest Garrison of the 501st, the Midwest Base of the Rebel Legion and the Midwest Order of the Jedi Assembly joined forces to celebrate 30 years of "Star Wars".

We arrived early, got into costume and positioned ourselves around the store and in front of the store to generate some "buzz" and to make sure that patrons knew something special was going on. Chicago Force Book Club moved their monthly meeting to this event also and conducted their book discussion starting at 11:00 A.M. in order to be ready for the booksigning.

We costumed people were going to do all of the "pomp and circumstance" of a grand entrance until the Chicago area's tangle of traffic held up Mr. Stover and he arrived late. We all quickly "shifted gears" when the guest of honor arrived...fell into formation in a really rapid manner and escorted him to the signing area.

The short bookreading was riveting, and the discussion lively and after the discussion the people in the audience were encouraged to bring books up to sign. At the conlcusion of the discussion, Matt mentioned the participation of the 501st, Rebel Legion, and the Fan Force as not only being his escorts but that the groups also do charity work. This was not something that was "rehearsed"...he mentioned it totally on his own.

Many fans and costumers alike brought their novels to be personalized by Mr. Stover who always asked first-"are you darkside or lightside"?

Interestingly, TK 118 (Tom Schaefer) brought along his Matthew Stover 501st Trading Card and Mr. Stover exclaimed that he didn't even know that he had a card. Tom will be sending Matt an extra card.


Schph Gochi's (1951)photos:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/schphgochi/ ... 2402202299

118's photos:

http://tk118.com/mstover_may18_07.htm

3620's photos:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/hpdtactical ... 2402043633

List of participants:
118 - Tom S. Tie Pilot
523 - Barry B - Tusken
1781 - Rich M. - Darth Vader
1951/Rebel Legion/Jedi Assembly - Phyllis (Schph Gochi)
2633 - Paul M. Darth Maul
2859 - Bill S. - TK
3620 - Rudy G. - Boba Fett
4117 - Chris M. - Jango Fett
4265 - Mark Berry - TK
5187 - Belinda Berry - Support
8063 - Mark Van Slyke - Tie Pilot
9442 - Chris S - Biker Scout

Also attending:
Lionel B. - Ben Kenobi - Rebel Legion/Jedi Assembly
Emma B. - Aayla Secura - Rebel Legion/Jedi Assembly
Ed P. - TK - Honorary Bloodfin

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