Last issue, I urged members to run events for Great Lakes' newest cons, Warparty! and Drums Along the Maumee. Whether in response to that, or (probably) due to the organi-zational ability of the Colby Street Irregulars and board members Ray Garbee and Darryl Smith, you responded. Check out the list of events on pages 7-10 for these cons. You'll be impressed. It has certainly prompted me to arrange things so I can attend Drums in May.

Cold Wars, this month, was a good time as usual. I love wandering the Ancients Tournament area, checking out the paint jobs on the armies. It never fails that at least one freezes me in my tracks, and has me shaking my head in wonder. This year, it was a 15mm Ottoman Turk army. Every figure had a pattern of sorts on it, usually just a suggestion of one in muted colors. The painter brought the colors to life, though, by the liberal use of white highlighting. The effect was dazzling -- the army seemed as brightly colored as a roomful of Persian carpets. I brought my friends back to the table so we could all marvel at it. I think my own painting is good, and I get compliments on my figures (and camp scenes). But this...this was inspired! I could hardly wait for my next painting session, to brush up some Medieval knights, or Seven Years War Austrians, or whatever. Seeing all those armies at Cold Wars simply inspires me to paint.

Speaking of camps, an aspect of my favorite Ancients rules (De Bellis Antiquitatis, or DBA) that I enjoy is that every army must have one. This allows us to construct mini-dioramas or camp vignettes. My most recent 15mm camps include: a huge, iron cook pot bubbling over a smoky fire, attended by a couple of camp followers (one ready to pour in ingredients, the other holding a giant wooden ladle); two fenced-in oxen standing over a straw-lined feed trough, gazing hopefully at a peasant approaching with a sack over his shoulder; a carpeted Bar tent with beer barrel, outdoor table and (of course) a serving wench.

Walking around Cold Wars always provides me with fresh ideas for painting and modeling. To me, a huge part of the appeal of historical miniatures is the spectacle of our games. Conventions are an excellent place to get ideas and inspiration for improving your own scenarios. So, if for no other reason than to give your latest project a "shot in the arm," why not attend Warparty! or Drums Along the Maumee this Spring?