WishCon

Convention
Name:	WishCon
Dates:	1991-?
Frequency:
Location:	Springfield, Massachusetts
Type:	fan-run, no guests
Focus:	Star Trek
Organization:
Founder:	Paul Scott Aldred (chair)
Founding Date:
URL:
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WishCon was a fan-oriented Star Trek con with an auction, art show, dealer's room, panel discussions, speakers, video room, con suite, and special guests.

1991

May 3-5, 1991

cover of the 1991 (first con) program book

1993

Last Saturday I attended WishCon III and found it very enjoyable. John Levene was a terrific guest. He is so outgoing and relaxed it's like talking with an old friend. I have no doubt he will always be very well received at whatever convention he shows up at. Wendy Padbury, who was to have been the second guest, could not make it due to problems with her flight. You wouldn't notice either of their names in the convention update because they were sponsored by a different group. Other guests included Armin Shimmerman, Walter Koenig and Jonathan Harris. All were great choices for any SF convention. My favorite was Jonathan Harris. It was quite surprising the amount of voice-over work he has done. One of his best-known bits is the evil Lucifer from the series Battlestar Galactica (1978). His remembrances of days working on the set of Lost in Space (television show) were also highly entertaining. What is most touching about this whole convention is that the proceeds go to the Make A Wish Foundation, a fine organization which gives children with terminal illnesses a chance to make their dreams come true. In closing, my deepest respect to all those who made Wishcon III a big success.

1994

Wishcon 4 was held November 18-20, 1994.

cover of the 1994 (fourth con) program book

The chair was Paul Scott Aldred, vice chair was Carol Ann Westover, security commander was Eric Huddleston, top adviser was Tim Lubrano, secondary guest advisor was Arne Starr, dealer room coordinator was Anne Hands, video room coordinator was Richard Kirkpatrick and Make-a-Wish Liaison was Roseann Caputo.

Guests of Honor: Nicola Bryant (Doctor Who), Nana Visitor (Deep Space Nine), Mark Goddard (Lost in Space, The Rifleman), Margaret Wander Bonanno (tie-in author), Michael J. Cuneo (constructed miniatures for Trek and Dark Shadows), Peter David, Bob Greenburger (editor, manager, DC Comics), Steve Gostelow (costumer and prop person for Red Dwarf, Doctor Who), Sonia R. Hillios (licensed Star Trek artist and other media ventures. She created the Star Wars Millennium Falcon for the Hamilton Collection), Cortlandt Hull (founder of a museum for classic movie monsters), Mark Mitchell (worked as animator for Disney), Ken Penders (one of the masterminds for Sonic the Hedgehog for Archie Comics), Arne Starr (artist for the Star Trek comic series, GEnie Sysop in charge of the Science Fiction Round Table), Howard Weinstein (Trek tie-in author), Lyn Hardy & The New Nohemians (performers in the cabaret), The KKK -- Klingon Comedy Korps -- Lou Isreal and Ian Gurudata (comedy troupe).

Panels, from the program book:

Way Cool Aliens - Matt DeBarBerri, Roseann Caputo, Howard Weinstein, Margaret Wander Bananno -A discussion of Aliens in S/F media and literature.

Babylon 5 - Howard Weinstein, Barb DiBarberri, Julia Reidy, Don Molter -Discussion of the show.

X-Files - Roseann Caputo, Barb Dibarbcrri, Howard Weinstein - Discussion of the show.

If I Were Writing For Trek I Would....- Matt DeBarBerri - if you could write a Trek Episode, Classic, Next Gen, or DS9, what would you do?

The Information Superhighway - Alan Ravitch- If you have a pc., this is the place to go to find out about what on-line services are available.

I'm You're [sic] # 1 Fan - Bob Greenberger, Shirley Maiewski, Margaret Wander Bonanno, Sonia Hillios, Roseann Caputo - ever wonder what you might do if you ever had the opportunity to meet your favorite celebrity. Some tips on does and don'ts.

To Be or Not To Be - Roseann Caputo, Jim McMahon - A discussion on Role-Playing and it's evolution.

IQ of the Future - A discussion of Intelligence in the future presented by Mesa.

Dr. Who Production Styles - David Koukol, Burt Hazard- Take a look at what different producers brought to the show.

The Anglo Approach - David Koukol, Burt Hazard - A discussion on the British Approach to television.

Who Was That Masked Man - Jim McMahon, Selena Brooks - A discussion on some of our favorite comics and how they're a part of Saturday Morning Television.

In Retrospect - Shirly Maiewski, Margeret Wander Bonanno, Bob Greenberger- A look back on S/F on television.

Love Never Dies - Roseann Caputo- Do you find yourself rooting for Q? Was your favorite character the Master? Perhaps you'd like to meet Drakula [sic]? This panel will discuss the attraction for the dark figures in media and literature.

Generations: First Impressions - Jim McMahon, Judy Green, Chris Imershein, Kate Clarke- The first movie for Next Gen. What did you think?

Plotholes & Wormholes - Dan Bullencamp, David Koukol, Scott Springer-Critical look at ST: TNG.

So You Want to Run a Convention - Paul Aldred, Jim Wentzel, Chris Chartier - Headaches and rewards of running your own con.

Dr. Who Written Adventures - David Koukol, Burt Hazard, Ken Parker - A look at the New and Missing Adventure Novels.

Dueling Bios - Alan Ravitch-A look at the Gene Roddenberry Bios.

I Want My Own Show: Amateur Video - Burt Hazard, David Koukol- Cable Access TV production.

Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys? - Dennis Roy, Brian Culver-Where to find, hard to get collectibles.

Colin Baker Era- David Koukol, Burt Hazard, Paul Aldred- A look back at the Sixth's Doctor's Era.

Buyer Beware - Tom Scheuer, Joe Kindle- Discussion of Unlicensed, and Pirated Products.

It's All Trek To Me - Shirley Maiewski, Jim McMahon - A discussion on all aspects of Star Trek from comics to movies.

From the program book (the program book contains 36 pages):

WISHCON IV: Same Convention, New Direction A Letter From The Chairman

Hello and welcome to Wishcon IV, This years convention is being sponsored by The US Branch of U.N.l.T. fan club, but like K & L Productions and The USS Konkordium that came before us, we are committed to bringing you (the fans) a top quality fan run multi-media convention.

I hope you will agree that this convention has many diverse programing features that should hold the interest of any Science Fiction, TV or Movie Fan. In the past the only complaint we've had was that there was too much to do and not enough time to do it.

At this years convention we will be working on a badge numbering system for autographs. Please do not get in line unless you have the appropriate badge number and color for that posted time period. Signs detailing the appropriate times will be on display at various points throughout the convention. We are doing this to avoid crowd control problems usually associated with autograph lines. We will be hole punching badges assooti as you get your autograph to insure that every convention goer who wants an autograph can get one. If time permits you may return to the end of the line only after every body has gotten their autographs.

We will be taking pictures of all those who wish to participate in our hall costume contest throughout the day and will announce the winners right before Fan Club Feud in the Main Ballroom on Saturday evening.

On behalf of my staff and myself, just let me say, that we are thrilled at the chance to bring this convention to you and we hope to improve (and that you return) year after year.