I'd assumed that Thursday, being the 4th of July, would be a slow day at Origins. Wrong. The historical miniatures area was bustling with gamers and events when I arrived around 11 am. I quickly spread out my sample Heralds, incentive rules booklets, flyers and Great Lakes T-shirts at the already manned HOT desk. Within minutes, I'd signed up our first new member and sold a T-shirt. These were to be only the first of many at Great Lakes' most successful Origins yet!

The events were eye-catching -- drawing people to our area from all over the con. Up front was Bob Giglio's "Prohibition Wars" with its colorful buildings, waterfront and 1920s era cars racing through the detailed streets. For sheer brightness and vibrancy, I have never seen a game board that surpasses it. Next door was Phil Viverito's "Siege of Tyre" -- an entire walled city surrounded by a sea swarming with ancient galleys. And in the main HOT area were the "ordinary events," which rivaled their larger cousins in detail and drama, if not in size.

Pete and Jodie Panzeri's trumpet call to historical miniatures GMs had marshaled a host, this year -- more than 300 events and demos in virtually every period. The two put in superhuman hours, as always, being on hand from Wednesday evening's set up through Saturday. Pete had to be dragged kicking away each evening for dinner. Myself, well, I had my first experience with Panzeri-esque hours, attending, running games and manning the booth for all four days of the con. It would be next Wednesday before I recovered!

Of course, part of my exhaustion was due to board member Steve Smith and his friends, Greg, Tim and Jim. It is their tradition every evening to take up ringside seats in the convention hotel bar and watch the intermingling of historical gainers, boardgamers, roleplayers and costumed "live action" vampires and wannabes. They kidnapped me Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for a raucous good time. I hadn't laughed so hard in a long time as we mercilessly ribbed on another, told stories and had a blast.

Origins 2002 was both the chapter's and my best so far. And though I was bone weary by its end, I knew the long hours had been both rewarding and fun for both. Thanks to all the Great Lakes members who attended, ran games, and helped at the desk! YOU guys made Origins a success.

Runneth-ing Over

My apologies to all who have submitted articles that haven't run, yet (especially the Drums 3 AARs). I accepted some ads before I was swamped in articles. My misjudgement. I WILL publish your articles soon.