Well, it's about that time again. Time for the Spring and Summer conventions to start rolling. On April 6-8 we have Little Wars in Chicago. This is an excellent con folks, please make it if you can! And on May 18-19 we have our very own DRUMS ALONG THE MAUMEE 2. Yippee!

These are both great events folks, and if at all possible, you should try and make it to them. I am really glad to see how all the gamers in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio are pulling together for different events, be they games days or big cons like Origins or Advance the Colors. It's great to go to cons and hear about the progress, or lack thereof, we have all made in painting our forces, the battles we have won (or claim to have won), and the great times we have had doing it all. This is what gaming is about at the core -- having fun with the gang.

It's things like this that make me feel proud to be a member of such a fine community as this. Admittedly, we are "playing with toy soldiers," but we are also getting out and socializing at a time when far too many people would rather sit on their duffs and "surf the net" or watch TV. We share a unique and fascinating bond of history and competition. We do on a miniature level something that many reenactors do every weekend and WE GET TO INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME! We can change historical events and have loads of fun doing it.

It takes a lot of work to research a battle or a unit. It also takes no mean feat of skill, patience and effort to put together, paint and field an army on decent looking terrain. I know some of us claim to lack artistic ability, but I have yet to truly see any paint job that I would not be happy and proud to have on my gaming table. That is ultimately what's important, having fun. So, let's go out there and fight our battles and have fun. Good Luck and Good Gaming.