Work is progressing on Drums Along the Maumee 3, May 17-18. We have a new site -- the Holiday Inn West at 2340 S. Reynolds Rd. near the Maumee, OH, turnpike exit. The new site is very similar to the Springfield, OH, convention site that was the host to this past Advance the Colors.

Dealers are being contacted, game masters are being rounded up and the paperwork is flowing to create another good gathering of historical gamers in northwest Ohio.

Stay tuned for more information as the Convention Season progresses and our link from the HMGS Great Lakes homepage is updated and expanded. We shall be placing the following information on the site:

• GameMaster Forms for possible Events
• Dealer information
• a map of the surrounding area
• a list of local hotel sites
• a list of the local food and entertainment sites

Special Drums 3 event planned

I have worked on Drums Along the Maumee since it was first discussed at ATC a few years ago. Making our convention special is a priority for me. To that end, we've included a special Sunday Event for our convention attendees each year. We have been fortunate to have the support of Dr. Larry Nelson, curator at Ft. Meigs in this matter. He has given up his Sunday mornings two years in a row to show us the great displays at the fort.

This year, the fort is in the middle of a major $8.2 million reconstruction project. The entire stockade was removed and is in the process of being replaced with treated logs. The blockhouses are getting new roofs and bad wood replaced. The biggest improvement will be the construction of a visitor center for interpretive exhibits and special programs. We have already booked one of the rooms for historical gaming demos! These upgrades at the fort will make it one of the very best historical sites in the area.

This great news comes at a cost -- no tour this year. You may think that would be a problem, but this area is rich in historical places. The Battle of Fallen Timbers occurred just south of Maumee and the old British fort Miamis is located nearby as well. These sites are interesting, though not improved. We have found another location that will certainly be of interest to our history buffs.

The Wolcott House Museum Complex is a collection of 19th century buildings that have been moved to one site to preserve them. The original house was built at that location on the Maumee River around 1830. Mary Wells Wolcott was the daughter of the famous Indian agent and scout William Wells. She was also the grand-daughter of Miami Chief Little Turtle. The house is also home to the Maumee Valley Historical Society. We are working with the curator, Chuck Jacobs, on a new display at the museum. The exhibit, "William Wells & The Battle of Fallen Timbers" will contain items pertaining to Anthony Wayne and his campaign in Ohio. My brother Steve will re-create the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 25mm scale using his well-traveled troops and scenery. This exhibit should be a good place for us to pick up some new members for HMGS-GL.

The Museum Complex usually does not open till 1 pm, however Chuck has graciously agreed to open it at 10am Sunday for our group. The site also has a gift shop with local history books and other goodies. There will be a small charge of $3.50 per person for the tour. The normal price is $5, so we rate a nice discount too!

I hope that you will try to make Drums Along the Maumee a whole weekend event this year!