My Fellow Chasers,

I recently had the pleasure of reading the Biography of DeForest Kelley. It is not so much a full biography as it is the story of De's 30 year friendship with Trek Fan Kris Smith and his lifelong love story with Carolyn Kelley.

I cried often during the book, particularly during the chapters devoted to De's last months. De was the only member of the original cast I never got to meet but after reading Smith's book I really felt I got to know De.

After reading it, I just HAD to find out who Kris was. I scoured the internet and came across the SciFi Pulse interview that was done right after the book came out. I contacted them and they put me in touch with Kris Smith. I started a correspondence with her and found a creative, dynamic lady behind the keyboard. I sought to publish something for Dabo! about the book and about Smith but the original article that lead me to her did it perfectly. I obtained permission to publish the interview, which you'll find on the next page.

I often think about De and like Dr. McCoy said, "He's not really dead, as long as we remember him." We'll certainly remember DeForest Kelley for a long, long time.

Chase has been travelling the globe, meeting fans all over the world. "Thrill of the Chase" is doing really well and we have a few autographed copies available.

I'd like to thank all the fans and Club Members who have supported us over 2003. We currently have $1043 in the club treasury and $542 in GENIUS funds. We have website and postage expenses of about $100 coming up this month but still, that's a great deal of money for such a small club. We have been able to save a great deal by having DABO! exclusively online. I'd like to hear from you, the members, as to what you'd like done with the funds. The Christmas cards from Chase were really fun, and a lot of folks wrote thanking Chase for them. We have the Adopt-A-Paltoon going full force-keep your cards and emails coming. Thanks for everyone's support this year. We're looking forward to another great year.

On a personal note-my WLS Journey is going very well. I don't really want to dwell on it a lot but many of the members have written me asking about my weight loss progress so here goes: Current weight: 358 pounds, weight lost to date: 85 pounds, 6" off my waist, 2" off my neck, down a shoe size.

For any really big folks out there-when all else fails and you've just GOT to do something to live, Weight Loss Surgery is a very good option. The Roux-N-Y Gastric Bypass worked wonders for me. I feel better than I have in 10 years.

Until next time, like Bill says, "The Dabo Wheel is Closed!"

George "Stompy" Kuhr
President, The Official Chase Masterson Fan Club
www.chaseclub.com