Since I am the official HMGS-Great Lakes point of contact on-line, I thought I would bring everyone up to speed. Obviously this information is geared towards those who have access to the web, but hopefully this will also be informative to all as to our presence in this expanding media.

First of all, we (HMGS-GL) have a page on the Historical Miniatures Homepage (http://www.erinet.com/bp/hist.htm]). Currently, on the HMGS-GL page is information about Advance the Colors `97, a HMGS-GL game day event listing, and a link to me (jmd@your-net.com) that requests for information, questions or comments can be sent. Plans are to eventually put the Herald on as well. Also, on this site arc pages for HMGS-Midwest, HMGS-South, and HMGS-East as well as a main HMGS page that covers who we are, mission statement, HMGS convention listings etc.... Thanks to Bob French(HMGS-GL member) and owner of the site for his time and space to get HMGS on-line. There are also some independent sites coming on-line as well.

These are HMGS-Pacific Southwest(http://www.west.net/~howie/hmgspsw.html), HMGS-Gamers International(http://members.aol.com/BFEmpire/hmgs.htm ),and HMGS-South(http://www.oasistech.com/hmgsmain.htm). The big news group that is popular with HMGS is the rec.games.miniatures. historical. This newsgroup caters to historical miniature gaming and is a very good way to get the word out. There are also mailing lists. These usually center around a specific set of rules or topic. Just to name a few of the more popular lists, are the CD mailer centered around the Command Decision family of rules(Over the Top, CDI, CDII, and discussions about a future CDIII, as well as Combined Arms). Another one is the Fire and Fury mailer, which deals exclusively with Fire and Fury ACW rules. The Volley and Bayonet mail list. There are others as well.

When I first started, I wasn't sure of what kind of response I would get for information, membership forms, and the like. The response was very good indeed and is still ongoing. Getting HMGS-GL online has turned out to be a valuable asset. I would like to provide the web address or e-mail address for stores that are run by various Great Lakes members. Grandiosity(http://www.erinet.com/bp/hist.html), The Color Seargent (R Sharpe9@aol.com), Outland Games(outland@erinet.com), The Soldiery(soldiery@netwalk.com). If any others get a web site or e-mail address, let me know.

I hope this has been informative. I wanted to aquaint everyone with what is going on out there. From HMGS web pages to newsgroups to mailing lists to on-line stores. I have obviously just hit the tip of the proverbial iceberg, as there are many hobby and history related sites out there. If you are on-line and need info on HMGS GL or just want to make a comment or suggestion e-mail me at jmd@your-net.com.