Cambridge 'Game Day' exposes hobby to area

Mike,

I have to say that Game Day in Cambridge, OH, did very well. We had a good turn out of players. And, as a way of promoting our hobby, we were able to get quite a bit of good coverage in the local press and TV. A few days before our event we had a front page news article about what we had planned and about what historical gaming is all about. Then, the day of the event, a local TV affiliate came out and did a piece on who and what we are. This opened up a lot of people to our hobby, Many people came just to see what we did and most were truly amazed by the figures we used and the knowledge it took to run our games.

I have to say that we really had some good people running events and I want to thank them for all their hard work. We were able to run seven games, ranging from Ancients to Sci-Fi. By far, the American Civil War game run by Doug Anderson was the biggest draw for most people. Eric Adamaszek's Wild West Shoot-out was also a hit. John Pittenger did good work for us with his simple and fast 25mm English Civil War game. It let us introduce new players to a different period then they had maybe seen before. My son liked the twisting and turning of Dave Barr's WW I air combat game so much he asked if we would have it again next time.

Of course, what would a game day be without with a classic MI I battle? Scott Savory provided us with a really good North African theater scenario. And we even had a well done Sci-Fi skirmish using Trinity rules by Earl Lindsay. Each game was different enough that people were able to see how broad and deep our hobby is. The manager of the Armory, where we held the event, was so impressed by what we did and how we treated the place that he has ask us to do it again. He said he will make more resources available to us. So, be watching for a bigger and better Game Day at Cambridgesnext yearl --Jeff Russ, Cambridge, OH

HOT '99 Origins Project Success Thanks to Volunteers

Mike,

This year's Origins was a very satisfying experience. The HMGS Origins Team (HOT) desk was capably manned by knowledgeable, enthusiastic volunteers. Their logistical support to the folks running games was timely, effective, and very much appreciated. There were a significant number of impressive games run -- Pete Panzeri's Alamo, Chris Von

Fahnestock's WWII beach landing, Gavin Tovrea's very large Napoleonic Naval game and too many others to mention here. The historical gaming appeared to be headed into the 24-hour zone, as well. As Rich Masse and I finished putting our Zorndorf game into the truck at 1 am, there were two historical games still going strong that would not end any time soon.

One thing I will never get used to is the strange silence of the "card game" room. Imagine a room the size of the Distlefink room at Historicon, with twice the number of people in it, allegedly playing a game -- totally silent. This is gaming? We need more missionaries to convert these people!

Finally, a large "hats off" and thank you to the HOT '99 organizers and volunteers who gave valuable time and energy to provide support to the game masters and players and spread the word on behalf of Historical Gaming. Without the efforts of Pete Panzeri, Mike Demana, Jodie Lindburg, and too many others to mention, our hobby would not have made nearly the fine showing we made at Origins'99. -- David S. Doty, Dayton, OH

Huge Borodino Game to be Featured at NOWSCON

Dear Mike:

I would like to encourage readers of The Herald to attend the Northern Ohio Wargaming Society convention NOWSCON'99. This convention will be held on September 25th and 26th at the Berea Elks Lodge, 626 N. Rocky River Dr., Berea, OH. The location is just a few minutes drive from I-71 and just south of the Cleveland airport.

The convention will feature a wide variety of games including miniatures, board games, and role playing. This year we will feature a 25mm battalion level game of Borodino that will be played on the floor of a dedicated room. This game will run both days of the convention and will have thousands of figures per side. New commands will be available throughout both days that the game will run. -Jim Schwendeman, Cleveland, OH.

Announcement of an Expected Alliance of Gamers

Hey Mike,

Here's something "hobby related" for the newsletter. As of 1930 hours, Saturday, 10 July 1999, at the Sandy Hook, NJ, Lighthouse: A note to officially announce the engagement between Maj. Pete Panzeri and Miss Jodie Lindberg ("JodieCon" Jodie). First met at Historicon '91 after Desert Storm, and worked together on Historicon Staff '95-98 -- dating, now since Cold Wars '98.

Planning a NOV-DEC wedding date, possibly at West Point, NY. By the way, friends, please confirm your snail mail addresses, we'll need it soon.

Maj. Pete Panzeri, Jr., Ft. Monmouth, NJ