Hello fellow Great Lakers! I have noticed that many of the members of HMGS Great Lakes are in Ohio, and that you guys wonder what we do up North. So, here is my attempt to inform all interested about the Michigan historical miniature gaming scene. Our members come from across Michigan, northern Indiana, and Ontario. Many are loosely affiliated in an organization called the MGM (Miniature Gamers of Michigan). Our emphasis is three conventions (used to be four), held in January, August and October. MGM is a very loose affiliation, we have no BOD, dues, or newsletter. We operate under tradition and a gentlemen's agreement about dates, admission costs, mailing lists and content of the cons. This works for us since we are all basically friends and anti-organization. Without exception, we have no fantasy or sci-fi games at our conventions.

Cons are our only big get-togethers. They are held in three different cities, beginning with Spartacon in Lansing. It is usually held the second or third weekend of January and is all historical minis. It used to be held on MSU campus, but now is at the Lansing Convention Center. This is our largest con with 140+ attendees -- amazing for January in Michigan! The games are excellent,and there are dealers to help you amass more toys and books.

Spring was traditionally the time for Bob Con, nicknamed in honor of Bob Marshall, the host. It was held in Ferndale, in metro-Detroit. Sadly, this convention is defunct. Bob Beattie in Ann Arbor attempted to resurrect it, but that Bobcon, too, is not happening. The most recent Spring effort is Cinema Con. This convention began in Jackson last June,hosted by the Midwest Wargamers Assocition Newsletter's (MWAN) very own Steve Dake. It has an interesting format. Morning and afternoon are devoted to "toys," evenings to a private showing of a war movie in a great old theater across the street. This year "Zulu" was on the big screen! Since we had all seen it 100 times or more, it was like a big live taping of MST 3K. Very fun!

Peninsula Campaigns is a one day con, held in Kalamazoo, hosted by Dale Wood, Tod Kershner (Age of Reason fame) and John Simmons. For the past several years, it has been at Kalamazoo Community College -- a great facility! Average attendance is 90+, with dealers coming from EHQ and local distributors. In the past, this con has had some of MWAN's luminaries in attendance-- Hal Thinglum, Fr. Aelred Glidden, Chris Engle and others.

October is the time for Pro or Con back in the Detroit area, in Wayne, Mich. (just off of I-275 for you Buckeyes!) Since 1989, it has been in the gym of the St. Michaels Lutheran Church. In addition to dealers and fun games, there are hot dogs and pizza! Gamer food, if there ever was! Attendance has been in the 80+ range, with a steady increase over the last few years.

We have attendees for our cons from Rochester, Montreal, Milwaukee, Chicago, Toronto, Windsor, and Indianapolis. I have yet to see anyone from Ohio, though. Soo-oo, seing how the Black Swamp around Toledo has a road through it now, and the Indians no longer block the road north of Monroe, Mich., come on up! If you have any questions about specific dates of cons, please feel free to get ahold of me at: Craig Charron, 109 #H Maple Ave., Centerville, OH 45459 (or) CCHAR11556@AOL.COM. Also try Mark VanNortwick at: Riders Hobby, Lansing, MI.