First of all I want to say to the members "Thank You" for being patient and supportive of HMGS Great Lakes while the BOD and myself took our time in getting to you a newsletter. This forum I hope will be the beginning of an overgrowing and constant improving of the Great Lakes chapter. I encourage every one of you to send in your thoughts, ideas, and articles to help enlighten fellow garners, and to keep the newsletter filled with... news.

A little about myself; I currently reside in Lebanon, Ohio, which is about thirty miles north of Cincinnati. All of my 31 years have been spent in southwestern Ohio, where I grew up on a farm outside of Trenton. I started my love of history very young. I was about six when my grandparents brought me a copy of Stackpole's "They met at Gettysburg" home with them from a trip to the Keystone State. Around ten I got into boardgaming after an older cousin introduced me to Avalon Hill's "Richtoven's War". I didn't get into miniature gaming until I went to college (Miami U), where I saw a World War III microarmor game in progress. From there the transition from boardgaming was complete, rarely do I now even look at a boardgame, unless it's to develop a scenario for miniatures.

I suppose that like a lot of you out there I have more lead (oops , I mean pewter) than I will ever paint, but I guess that's typical of the hobby. My interests arc diverse, but lately I have been trying to concentrate more on the wars fought in North America, ranging from French and Indian to ACW, although I still enjoy WWII micro-armor as well. One really does need a little focus, but with so many periods, rules, and miniature lines available it is hard to finish one project without something else getting in the way. Oh well, I guess there are worse vices.

About this year's convention; to be honest I'm not sure what happened to cause it to be canceled, but I do Know that the planning got a late start, and to improve on last year's attendance we needed to advertise in the magazines and at the hobby shops a lot sooner than what would have happened. It is one of my goals while serving as president to ensure that the preparations necessary for next year's con start in a timely manner (like a year in advance). I also want to broaden our membership base. After all, we are called Great Lakes, so let's get gainers involved who don't live in the Buckeye State. Those of you out there who are from "out of town" can do Great Lakes a great favor by recruiting in your areas. If you need membership forms, let me know and I'll send you some toot sweet.

As a final plea: we need members to get involved! It is hard for a few determined individuals to keep Great Lakes functioning; however, it would be easy if everyone gave a little of themselves. Send in an article for the newsletter, volunteer to help with the convention, voice your opinions to the BOD. It only takes a little effort, yet the rewards can be great.

If any of you out there would like to share your thoughts about Great Lakes, but for whatever reason cannot express yourself in written form, phase feel free to call me at (513) 932-1174. 1 do return calls from my machine, so don't think you won't hear from me, you will.

Until next time.