The "Drums along the Maumee Historical Convention" # 2 was held at the Clarion Hotel in Toledo, OH, May 18-19. Once again, the Great Lakes chapter of HMGS and the Colby Street Irregulars created a show to entertain Gamers from near and far. We think we did better than last year and the crowd agreed.

The Drums Staff had been hard at work behind the scenes for the previous 12 months -- yes, it takes that long to get it right! Many contacts were made, reaffirmed on the phone and the computers and personally at conventions that the Staff traveled to all year to maintain relations, help in local events and generally do what we said we would do.

The convention ran 24 events this year with only one scratch due to serious illness. Two games were short on players so the GMs were put into the role of Player for a change and still had a great time. Highlights ? Where to begin. You really had to be there to see the fine examples of what the HMGS Members can create and run to have a great weekend. The games ran in scale from 15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 1/72, 1/285 to 1/1200 in size. Infantry, armor, horses, chariots, wagons, naval, artillery, airpower -- all were on the playing fields.

Friday night, we had our usual dose of World War II from Garbee, Reese, and Hill. Also, we ran a Tofu / Bacon and Rubber Dog Toy Game with Mr. Smith explaining all to the uninformed. Nice game Darryl -- thanks for coverage and the jokes.

Saturday saw the Great Lakes Board of Directors sit down to breakfast for the first time as a whole group. Very interesting bunch of campers! A Raffle was contrived that created $100 profit for the group -- donations were made by members, dealers and local Game Groups. Thank you - Mike E. and Pro/Con.

Saturday's events

The World Famous Battle of Kadesh was on tour in Toledo with Bud-Rah! Touring France with Mike (no voice) Reese, Guilford Courthouse and it looked like they all fought on the Right Flank only! Shiloh -- Victor and his Little Red Wagon, Chuck's Pirate Game and his Chinese rocket troops and them darn Colby's boarding and smashing into any ship they found on the water! Two Naval Games from Phil Fry and Ed Bolla -- nice to see these more often. Uwe and his son blowing up Rebs and Yanks and not caring who was who, Mike K and his long road with a fire fight at the end with JR3, John K with his Arhnem Bridge, Ted and Steve S. with those little tiny Nappy figures! Steve J. with his African Adventure game that made me very eager to try the same. Doug - The Master Builder out did himself with the scenery. Well done, boys! Pro/Con and their World War II giant game that was set up and run all day Saturday. Ray and his Ironclad Demolition Derby with all the smoke, round shot and shells -- and with more Colbys blasting anything that sailed by them! And the last event: Doug J's The Second Annual Toledo War -- forgot who won again but they all had fun.

The Drums Staff really did enjoy putting this event on and we look forward to seeing all the old gang and more next year at our new site. Why are we moving? Seems all cons do and lose something, but we do need more room and it will be easier to get to from all parts of the compass. Drums 3 will be held at the Holiday Inn Toledo West, 2340 S. Reynolds Rd., May 17-18, 2002.

The previous two conventions were at a site we had to use because the above mentioned Holiday Inn was booked and didn't have the correct weekend for our use. We have fixed that problem and look forward to a long stay at the new site. Stayed tuned during the coming year for Drums Updates. Special thanks go out to Tim Weber of the Drums Staff for doing all the groundwork for the move to the new site in 2002 and finding all our dealers this year.

We closed the con with our free tour of the local Fort Meigs Encampment, but the entire place was under reconstruction! Great tour by Larry Nelson, the Curator, as usual. We had a great time, we ran 24 events, we had lots of good members in attendance and we made money for the group - what more could anyone ask for?

The Drums Staff and the BOD of HMGS Great Lakes thanks all the participants -- members, gamers, dealers, clubs, game masters and the Hotel staff for another great weekend of fun doing our thing. Next year, come join us!