The small Canadian town some 62 miles southeast of Calgary bears the same name of Spock’s home planet. Vulcan’s residents, which number about 2,000, have always been enamored with all things related to the legendary science fiction television show, Star Trek.
Despite the adoration, something has always been missing in Vulcan; that is, until recently when Dr Spock paid this farming community a visit. Actor Leonard Nimoy, had this to say before a cheering crowd decked out in home-made Star Trek uniforms:
“I have been a Vulcan for 44 years. I figured it was time I came home.”
Although he didn’t stay for long, Vulcanites referred to his visit as “the Holy Grail moment.” For years, the town has identified with the famous show and it has become a tourist attraction for hard-core Trekkies.
The turnoff from the highway to enter the small town of Vulcan is marked by a model of the USS Enterprise space ship and images of Spock appear everywhere on edifices in the downtown area. Even town officials look forward to those occasions when they can don their special Spock uniforms and those pointy ears so distinctive of Vulcanites. Vulcan’s annual summer fair is appropriately dubbed: Spock Days.
Vulcan’s town council had invited Leonard Nimoy to “come home” many times over the years. His durable portrayal of the half-human, half-Vulcan officer aboard the Enterprise manned by Captain James Kirk and played by William Shatner won their hearts and sealed their identification with the magic dust created by the brilliant television series of five decades ago.
In the words of Mayor Tom Grant as he strolled down Main Street with his pointy ears affixed to the side of his head:
“It’s an opportunity to welcome Spock home, to welcome Leonard Nimoy back to Vulcan his home community, his home planet.”
The actor made the trip as part of an appearance at a comic convention in Alberta. He was very touched when asked to unveil a bronze bust of the character that had defined his career for so long, and he left his handprint fashioned in what else, a Vulcan salute.
His final words as he left town were perhaps the most telling of all: “Wait until Bill Shatner hears about this!”
marjorie
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