1. Lace Wars Discussion Group.

This is a terrific site on the web devoted to discussions of all facets of the period of the Lace Wars. To subscribe, you should contact them at: http://www.onelist.com

2. Scenic Express:

Former SYWA Journal editor Bill Protz of 5690 West Glenbrook Road, Brown Deer, WI 53223 writes:

"A few years ago I ran across a company named Scenic Express. The company is run by polite and friendly Jim Elster. He specializes in model landscaping supplies primarily for model railroading enthusiasts. However, there are many products that have an application for the hobby of historical miniatures wargaming. My old 1997 catalog had 127 pages in it.

"One of the products I particularly liked is called, `Super Express Pack - Big 25 Piece Pine Tree Set (Set EXP201 at $29.95 without shipping).' The catalog descriptions says, `An assortment of pines to satisfy the most discriminating modeler. Each set contains 25 pines of assorted sizes ranging from 6" to 8" tall. Pines are flocked with a realistic pine tone foam. They may be additionally weathered . . . with a light misting of Matt Medium and dusted with Needle Flock. Tree trunks are twisted stiff wire. I stick these onto foam insulation board which I have shaped and covered with static grass. However bases are available for the trees. Ask for EXP210 Plastic Tree Bases. You get 25 bases for $2.50. I haven't seen them.

"I have several hundred of these trees on my O Gauge model railroad layout. Plus my twin 14 year old sons remove them from the train table for the 20mm ACW games they are playing on the living room floor! My thinking is they are just great for wargaming in 20mm, 25mm, and 30mm. As some of you may recall, I never got into tinier scales so popular these days so I don't know if 15mm enthusiasts would like such big trees. On the other hand, it seems to me that if one is wargaming the French and Indian War, there ought to be virgin forests with really huge trees in them. I always thought the trees customarily used in wargaming look like the small and groomed trees we put in our front yards - little guys instead of huge ones. In any event, Scenic Express has numerous tree products in several scales. I just touched on trees. There are all sorts of products suitable for wargaming. Catalog price was $2.00 in 1997. Maybe it's more now."

Scenic Express, 1001 Lowry Ave., Jeannete, PA 15644 or 1 (800) 234-9995.

3. Bill Protz sends startling news that King Frederick II's reign is in peril!

saying,

"The French Marshall l' Duc de Broglie left the Westphalian Theatre in mid March stealing several marches on Prince Ferdinand. Though the Prince is in pursuit, the Marshall is within days of reaching Berlin. He hopes to end the war in one visionary strike when he joins Austrian, Saxon, Imperialist, Swedish and Russian forces also marching toward Berlin. Also countering these moves is Prussian Prince Henry racing through Saxony with his Army. You must be stricken to conclude that coalition forces have never before exhibited such audacity, energy, courage, honor and momentum. A clash of titanic magnitude is expected at the outskirts of Berlin at the end of March. Truly, Prussia is in peril as never before."

Huh? Truth is, I'm throwing down the gauntlet to British, Prussian and their western Germanic allies to gather their forces at the 2001 SYWA Convention to try to keep my French and other coalition forces out of Berlin! Here's the plan.

Huge floor battle using my experimental floor battle rules, Le Grand Batailles de l' Ancien Regime 1740-1763. I invite all SYWA gamers with Austrian, French, Imperialist, Saxon, Swedish and Russian 20mm and 25mm soldiers to send their orders of battle to me as they exist before the end of January 2001. Afterwards I'll establish a chain of command and tactical assignments. The intent is to have each player commanding a major body of soldiers of multiple brigades. Examples = First Line of the Left Wing, Second Line of the Left Wing, Advance Guard, Reserve and so on. We also need two Prussian volunteers; Princes Ferdinand and Henry to organize our honorable opponents similarly. (Ken Bunger has volunteered to be Prince Ferdinand so I need a volunteer Prince Henry.) There will be no attempt to balance forces. We play with what we bring. Won't matter any way since .resistance is futile. I'll send prototype rules to all who ask (for $5.00) so you can practice and critique them so hidden bugs can be rooted out. Photocopying will be allowed for your friends.

Bill Protz, 5690 W. Glenbrook Rd., Brown Deer, WI 53223. Email protz@dellnet.com

4. "Instrument of War,"

the first part of Christopher Duffy's new work on the Army of Maria Theresa is scheduled to be available by the middle of September, 2000. This according to Todd Fisher of the Emperor's Press, which is publishing Chris's new book. I believe the price is around $65.00. See the ad on the inside front cover of this issue for the address of the Emperor's HQ.

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