For the dozens if not hundreds of us who were in Wally's Basement there is a tendency to think of the current HMGS EAST conventions as the real thing the others as more or less imitations. While there may be an element of truth to that, the other programs often have qualities of their own. NASHCON, a convention runnng in the 350-400 attendance range began in 1989 and developed its own conditions. Originally run by MIDSOUTH in cooperation with a gaming shop (GAMES EXTRAORDINAIRE) in Nashville TN, it came to feature such oddities as a cash auction of gaming items and a FREE meal on Friday night for HMGS MIDSOUTH members. The latter seems to be a trick to get members to attend the business meeting.

This year several manbers headed by Buddy McPeak stepped in to make it more like HMGS EAST conventions in both substance and style with a sharp reduction in "alternative" gaming and a moderate increase in proper historicals--if you count 'Orrible 'Oward Whitehouse's DARWIN'S WAITING ROOM, Dave Raybin's European involvement in the ACW and some other innovative items as historical. Of nearly 70 scheduled events, several toumaments and some attractive unscheduled events only a handful were "alternative."

The organizers cleverly placed two really spectacular games in the large entrance way before the registration desk. One was Bob Duncan's BATTLE OF LUCKNOW (see photo) with the whole city laid out for you as you walked in. Nearby (we found on the program) was a revisitation of ROARKE'S DRIFT worthy of the epic representations of Hal Thinglum and Duke Seifried otherwise colonials were not over represented.

Several scales and periods of the WILD WEST, Napoleonics and the SYW, air to air combat, Bill Harting's ARMATI tournament rounded things out. I could say more, but having run four games myself I missed a lot of good stuff. But, of course, they kept the auction and the free meal. I took time out for the free meal!

NASHCON and to a lesser degree the reunions at the same location have came to occupy a special place in the hearts of historical gamers far at least 200 miles away. MIDSOUTH is a regional group which has local wargame clubs and groups. NASHCON has become a congenial place to show off their activities. For example, THE BATTERY from Bowling Green KY regularly puts on splendid Command Decision Scenarios, last year Russia 1941 end this year Paland 1939. TRACK AND HULL from Nashville ran several TSATF scenarios.

As we were closing down Sunday I heard several people say how special these conventions were to them. Same said they attend HISTORICON and COLDWARS if they can, but try to try to never miss a NASHCON. As an old Wally's Basement hand I was naturally pleased that our HMGS - EAST conventions were so well thought of. I was also happy to be involved again in NASHCON and appreciative of the special admiration in which it in which it is held by the diverse historical gaming community of MIDSOUTH.

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