ANOTHER NEW YEAR This issue is the first of what would have been the new volume, X-1, except that we have changed the numbering system as you can see by looking at the cover. This is issue #55. Henceforth all issues will be numbered consecutively. Your subscription end date has also been translated to the new system, i.e., #58 is the end of a sub beginning with this issue. See your address label on the dummy cover for your end of subscription issue number. Articles: We have many great articles to print over the next several issues, however we could use more Sapper Report articles... how to build terrain, paraphernalia, conversions, measurement devices, etc., anything which makes the hobby better. We get many requests for battle reports as well. At any given time about 1/4 to 1/3 of the readers are new to the hobby and these battle reports give them insights into how the games are played. What rules work best for what periods or scales, etc. Send a stamped, self-addressed business size envelope for a copy of our Author's Guide. In the same area, I would like to receive more entrants into our Cadillac Wargame Table contest. Some of you out there have the really great table, storage facility or terrain system that could win this prize. Share it with us. This issue is the first time we have used figures on the cover. This is to improve our ability to sell in the stores. The more we well in stores, the lower is the cost of subscriptions. I am sure, however, that you will appreciate these views of well painted wargame figures. Let us know what you think. If you have color slides or prints of your figures and/or battles that may make a good cover, send them along. You may make the cover of The Courier. We will return any we don't use. LEAD BILL REFUSES TO DIE I read in the GAMA NEWS section of the Model Retailer that the lead bill can still deal a death blow to the hobby. The article, written by Frank Chadwick, President of GAMA (who wrote Command Decision rules among many other miniatures rules) reported that the Lead Miniatures Lobby being led by GAMA (if they pull this off I will forgive them all the slight they have given to Historical Miniatures in the past) has won a Senate amendment that exempts gaming miniatures from the provisions of the bill. However, the House has yet to consider the bill and a similar exemption must be obtained from them as well. To quote Frank: "We have been singled out by at least one major environmental lobby as a specific target of the legislation. Publicly, this is because gaming miniatures are a 'frivolous use of toxic substances'. Privately, we have been told it is because we look like an easy target." Manufacturers and dealers will be posting petitions; sign them. Write to your congressmen. Perhaps you may want to make a contribution to the Mini Defense Fund, c/o GAMA, P.O. Box 3727, Hayward, CA 94544. Back to Table of Contents -- Courier #55 To Courier List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1991 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com