Many of you missed a nice convention on the weekend of March 1-3, Salute '96, in Vancouver B.C. Our friends in Canada have had this convention for a few years now.

Bob Seagle and I have attended this annual event for the past four years. It still amazes me how few of us from the Puget Sound area attend this convention, even for just one day. It is a relatively short trip and the favorable exchange rate for currency makes it an affordable one for most people.

The convention is now being organized by Doug Hamm and Terry Sawchenko. They've moved it from the old site at the Metro Centre Hotel to a bigger location at the Bonsor Recreation Center. There were about 50 games scheduled over the three days, with Terry putting on 3 of thesi. They also had a snack bar serving soda, candy, chips, etc. There were several raffles and drawings with prizes donated by the vendors and sponsors. I was able to participate in 3 games over the weekend, James Kyler's Confirmed Kill (James made the trip to Salute all the way from Oregon), Terry Sawchenko's Viking Raid game, and Ian's Escape from Colditz POW camp game. All the games were very enjoyable and nicely presented. There were two games that I thought really stood out Chris Leach's 25mm Shako and 20mm WWII Spearhead games. Both were exceptional just from their appearance.

I also spent a fair amount of time watching other games and talking to friends, which I enjoy as much as a good game. Doug Hamm and I talked about possibly doing a 25mm Gettysburg game at next year's Salute, using Fire and Fury rules. How about it, Doug, still feeling a little insane?

Overall it was a great weekend. Doug and his gang in Vancouver are to be congratulated for an excellent convention I am looking forward to next year's Salute as I do every year. To all of you who haven't made it to the convention, you should make the trip, even for a day, because it is a lot of fun. Next year we should all plan on trying our best to attend Salute '97, and perhaps put on a game or two. Our hobby will only grow smaller if we don't support each others' conventions.