Last issue I promised a report on the rest of the conventions attended this summer.

East Coat II

Well, next on our agenda after Sparta's NYC convention was the Simulation Games Committees' "East Coast II" held in Farmington, Conn. the 10-12th of August.

Pete Bennett and I drove down the day before and spent hours trying to find (1.) the site of the convention, and (2.) a motel that didn't charge an arm and a leg somewhere in the area. We finally had to go about 10 miles away from the convention to find a room. The convention was held in a building belonging to a church -- though not the church proper. More than adequate space was provided, especially since the turn-out was less than expected. I believe about 75 people showed up. Since the sales area was separated from most of the gaming areas I really don't know much about how things we went there. It was certainly the quietest convention I've ever attended. The atmosphere of the huge building made people talk softly. I think.

GenCon

One week later was the Lake Geneva (Wis.) Convention. This was just too far away for us to make it this year. But second-hand reports indicate that it was a definite success and a good time was had by all. I believe attendance was somewhere in the 400-500 range. Gary Gygax, the organizer of this affair, is already laying plans for a bigger and better one next year.

DewCon

Finally, on the weekend after GENCON came our local convention, DEWCON 1: the first annual "Down East Warlamer's Convention. The "Down East Wargamers' Association" (DEWA) consisted of Tom 1ham, Pete Bennett and myself of Lowry Enternrises, plus Ed Eaton of Belfast, Kerry Hanscom of Stockton Sprinns, Richard Hamblen of Banqor, Pete Rice of Searsport, and Burt Labelle of Biddeford. 4e had quite a time tryini to find a qood site for our convention and finall v found the Belfast Curlinn Club (Curlino is that stranqe Scotch snort with brooms and stones on ice 'n' stuff). Attendance, as we expected, was small, due to our isolated location and back of long range publicity build up.

I don't remember exactly, but I believe we not somewhere between 35 and 50 people. There was no lack of activities, though. Rich Hamblen ran a STALINGRAD tournament won by Ray Clark, despite competition of well-known STALINGRAD expert, George Phillies. Ed Eaton conducted a tournament in the popular new game, QUEBEC 1759. Pete Bennett presided over a 9mm Napoleonics game each day, using his huge collection of Scruby figures-- we used Pete's own rules (which I've been try- ing to get him to write down) especially designed for the masses of troops possible in a 9mm game. I ran a small WWII game each day using Minitanks and Airfix figures and a modified version of FAST RULES, known locally as "Halfast Rules". Probably the most popular event of all was Tom Wham's sailing ship miniatures game Saturday night using DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP rules. It seems about all of the total attendance got in on this game, which lasted into the wee hours.

The second day Tom ran a Civil War naval game using the IRONCLAD rules he and I devised. In addition to all this we also had a DIPLOMACY game going, presided over by Rich Hamblen. Everyone reaily seemed to enjoy themselves, including the DEWA members. and we hope to do it again, despite the reduction on our membership, next June. Try to join us, if you can.