OVER 500 FANS TREK TO CAPE FOR CONTINUUM `93

"Bear" was the center of attention wherever he roamed Saturday.

Adorned in one of his finest "Klingon," outfits, Bear, alias William Reed, is known as a costumer.

"I make costumes," said Reed of St. Louis. "It's been a hobby of mine the past 10 years."

Reed is in Cape Girardeau this weekend to attend a gathering of more than 500 Starship Enterprise crew members who have ascended on the Holiday Inn in Cape Girardeau.

Some landed here in full uniform, some in partial uniforms. Others arrived wearing hats, pins, or T-shirts indicating their allegiance.

They were here from more than a half-dozen states, including Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee, and even Arizona.

The gathering of CONtinuum `93 here marks the third meeting of Star Trek fans in Cape Girardeau.

"The last one here was two years ago, when about 800 people attended the show," said Janie McGaugh, who is chairman of the 1993 event. Even though Saturday's count was about 500, McGaugh expects the list to grow during today's events. "A lot of people who can't make it Saturday will be here Sunday," she said.

Today's events include a writing panel with author M.S. Murdock, and a costuming seminar, both at 9 a.m.; an appearance by actor Mark Lenard at 10:30 a.m. and a visit by actress Robin Curtis at 2 p.m.

Lenard, who portrayed Sarek of Vulcan in the Star Trek Series, and Curtis, who was in the role of Lt. Saavik in Star Trek III and IV movies, each also made appearances Saturday.

The CONtinuum is being sponsored by the U.S.S. Sally Ride, Cape Girardeau Star Trek Fan Club; USS Constellation II of Paducah, Ky.; and KBSI-TV.

Starfleet, the international Star Trek fan club, has more than 7,000 members worldwide. Members range in age from six to over 70 and include doctors, lawyers, teachers and students.

Star Trek fame is as popular as ever, with dozens of conventions every year, many with sellout crowds.

Reed, who is a security officer at Boatmen's Bank in St. Louis, has been designing costumes about 10 years.

"This is my art form," he said. "I do fantasy costumes, including the Klingons, wizards and barbarians. I use a variety of clothing and materials."

Reed's Saturday outfit mostly black consisted of a karate-type top, a Kung Fu sash, football forearm covers, and "biker boots."

"Many trekkers are interested in the Klingons," said Reed. "At one time in the early series, Klingons were villains, but in `Next Generation' Klingons became good guys."

A popular display booth at the CONtinuum was that of Jean Kluge, a former school teacher whose hobby has become her full-time interest.

Kluge, a guest artist at the show, went full time with her Star Trek and fantasy art work in 1988. Her art may be found on the covers of a number of fantasy magazines.

"I have also written for some of the fanzine publications," said Kluge, of St. Louis, who says she also "does regular portraits, in addition to fantasy art."

David Robertson made the longest trip to the CONtinuum Convention, from Arizona.

"I'm in the service Army stationed in Arizona," said Robertson. "When I learned of the CONtinuum, I geared my leave to the same time and here I am."

Robertson is a native of Poplar Bluff.