At the four-day Creation event in Las Vegas celebrating Star Trek's 40th anniversary last month, the Saturday of the convention weekend — August 19 — was also the birthday of the late Gene Roddenberry. So that gave double impetus for the champagne toast scheduled to kick off that evening's festivities.

Attendees at the evening gathering in the main auditorium — dubbed the "Gene Roddenberry Theatre" — were provided with glasses of champagne (or a non-alcoholic substitute) upon entering. Adam Malin, co-head of Creation and the weekend's principal emcee, hosted Roddenberry's widow, Majel Barrett, and son Eugene Jr. or "Rod" on stage.

"Gene would be 85," Malin said to Majel and Rod. "On behalf of Creation Entertainment and Star Trek fans from all over the world, we want to express our gratitude and our love on this wonderful occasion."

Asked to comment on the occasion, Rod began, "The only thought that comes to mind — there's really nothing profound to come out of my mouth — but it's what I've learned from you guys and it's what I've learned from Star Trek. Throughout the years — and you've heard me say this repeatedly — Star Trek has made a difference in the world, Star Trek has touched lives, and those people have gone out and made a difference. Even if you're just walking down the street and you smile to a stranger walking by you, or you choose a different career, or you just have hope for the future, you've already made a difference. So don't ever stop smiling at the stranger and don't ever stop working for a better tomorrow. You guys taught me that."

Majel remarked, "I feel, of course, the same way that Rod does, and I've spent so many years with you, and with Star Trek. My God, how many years have I spent? 40 years! Oh! I can't believe that! But Gene would've been 85 years old today. So it's fitting that we celebrate a birthday today."

Malin added, "The true achievement is the community, and the community was a result of Gene's dream and Gene's vision ... Here's to 40 more years!" And with that, the community of fans raised their glasses, clinked them together, and drank a toast. That was followed by a video tribute to Gene, and the crowd settled in for an evening of music, comedy and dessert.

This 40th anniversary convention as a whole, as previously reported, was massive — evidenced by the fact that we've already done five reports and still have numerous celebrity appearances left to recount, not to mention the wide array of parties, meals and other activities bringing the fans and stars together. We can't possibly get to all of it, so to put a period on our coverage of this event, we will bring you quotes from some of the more notable talks on the schedule.

Rod Roddenberry

Earlier on that Saturday, Roddenberry Jr. took the main stage with his business partner, Trevor Roth, to talk about the current activities of Roddenberry.com. Rod also took the opportunity then, being his father's birthday, to comment on some of the philosophical angles of Star Trek — for example, the idea of "tolerance."

"I think a lot of us have lived with for a long time, we've heard it spewed by certain politicians — and let me just say that, 'tolerance' is not the answer ... that's just 'putting up with.' What I really think Star Trek stands for is 'acceptance.' Acceptance is not necessarily having to believe in the other person's idea, but being open to it, being interested in it. You can have your own thoughts, you don't have to believe the other person, but at least listen to it and take it in, and just wonder about it ... That is the foundation of Star Trek to me — just different ideas and taking them in."

On his father specifically: "You know, I do miss my father, because I was 17 when he passed away, and I spent the age of probably 12 to 17 rebelling against everything he said, trying to be my own person — I'm sure a lot of you guys did that with your parents. I don't regret anything, but what I miss is the fact that I would love to sit down today and talk politics, religion, philosophy, women — he knew a lot about all those topics. Certainly wasn't an expert in all of them, but he knew a lot about them. It's just, 85 years, and I wish he were around, because I'm so proud of him, I'm really so proud of him."

On the upcoming "Star Trek XI" project: "I am very open to J.J. Abrams doing this next movie. I like the fact that it's someone new. I also like the fact that he's an actual fan of the show ... I'd be concerned that it might be, y'know, another version of 'Star Wars' but now called 'Star Trek' ... [But] I think he's one of us. He gets it, he has the passion, and I think he's gonna do a great job. I just want to make sure he's strong enough to stand up to the executives that say, 'We need bigger breasts.' That comes afterwards — let's get the story first."

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry & Carel Struycken

Rod was originally scheduled to appear on stage with Majel on Sunday, but he had to leave to attend a memorial for an old friend. So his partner Trevor accompanied Majel — who is now getting around in a wheelchair — in her Sunday talk.

Any new projects for her on the horizon? "Not now, not at this particular point in my life. And I don't know if I really ever will. Because I'm enjoying not doing things! I never thought I would say that, but it's such a pleasure to get up in the morning and not worry about getting somewhere on time. So, no, I'm happy!"

On Lwaxana Troi: "She was crazy! She was really out of her mind, and I loved her! She was wild, and you know, you could let go in the part. There's nothing better in an actor's life than just being able to stand there and say, 'Okay, bring it on, I can handle the whole thing.'" Trevor interjected: "I think you were able to bring a lot of yourself to the part." Majel laughed heartily: "Oh boy, that's what Gene said!"

Responding to some of the hero worship directed toward her by the fans: "I wish we were as good as you guys think we are!"

Halfway through the hour Trevor announced, "I think a friend of yours is stopping by. It's supposed to be a surprise, but it's actually written down in the program." That "surprise" guest was Carel Struycken, the gentle giant who played Lwaxana's attendant, "Mr. Homn."

Commenting on his lack of dialog in TNG, the soft-spoken Struycken said, "My stock answer to that is that on our planet, a lot of it is telepathic. So actually, between the two of us [Lwaxana and Homn], we have long conversations and a long of bickering going on. It's just that you're not hearing any of it."

On the notoriety of being "Lurch" in the "Addams Family" movies: "It's great to — without really having anything to do with it — all of a sudden be kind of an icon, and be on the back of cereal boxes and stuff like that. Yes, I was on a cereal box." Majel: "Omigosh, what kind of cereal?" Carel: "Uh, Addams Family cereal! In previous centuries, people aspired to be on a statue, right? And now it's a cereal box." Majel: "Hey, whatever works."

Page 2: Kate Mulgrew; Avery Brooks
Page 3: Armin Shimerman & Michael Westmore; Michael Dorn
Page 4: Denise Crosby; Leonard Nimoy Photography Presentation
Page 5: And some of the others...
Page 6: Wrap-up