Reaffirmation...an important concept, and one that helps to keep us going forward. Tom Paine said it best about the depressing effect of winter, being a "time that tries men's souls."

I know. Mine was in late November. As some of you know, I've been part of a group that has been running historical miniatures games for some time for the good folks that opened the Arena up here in Muskegon, Russ Strom and Doug Johnson. It was getting kind of depressing going each month, watching kids who played Magic, or Mage Knight or Mechwarrior stop, look, and walk away to participate in their tournament events. They'd say "Cool," or "that looks neat" and walk away. It was getting downright discouraging and annoying. It had sapped all of my strength and will. I don't know how my buddy Harvey ever put up with it, but he kept saying, "Keep going, sooner or later we'll get folks who will play."

He said this to me in late November, after I got an invitation to play again with Dave Winfree of I-94 Enterprises. Dave is a big microarmor gamer and runs events for cons in southeastern Michigan, most notably around the Detroit-Lansing-Ann Arbor area. He also puts on games at his house and they are fantastic with good food and a great time for all.

The problem I had was that his latest gaming adventure would take place on Saturday Dec. 7 -- the same day as the December Arenacon. The week before I told Harvey that I really didn't want to go to another depressing Arenacon, where we would just run the games, have folks look, say "cool" and walk off. Harv repeated his usual mantra of, "Keep going, sooner or later we'll get bodies who will play." He was right of course. I had to try. Heck, I might get lucky and score a new convert or three! I'd give it another shot. Call it, perseverance, fortitude, or just bull-headedness, I went on the 7th to set up and start playing.

Harv, Steve and I arrive at Northway Lanes at around 10:15 am. The first thing we notice is that Russ's van isn't there. Come to find out that we wouldn't be using our normal room but a different one and the convention wouldn't start until 11:30. Could the day get any worse? Well we decided to drive down the road and stop into Barnes and Noble for a few minutes. We killed some time there and then stopped at a nearby Chinese restaurant for lunch.

By this time, we arrived late, about 12:30. That was when I was pleasantly surprised to run into someone waiting to join us, Terry Brown. I had been in contact with Terry via e-mail and told him about Arenacon and what we were doing up in Muskegon. He games in the Grand Rapids area with a bunch of folks similar to the group up here in Muskegon. To make a long story short he showed up, in crappy weather too, to play with us. I couldn't believe it, somebody actually came up to join in the mayhem! We've had folks from Arenacon sit in, after they were blown out of the tourney, but this was something of a first for us and I was so glad of it. Terry helped make the day fly and was loads of fun to game with. He also helped reaffirm what Harvey had been telling me and what I have been espousing for a long time: "Keep going, sooner or later we'll get folks who will play." It worked in December and gave me the energy boost to get me though a tough time.

I know it's a tough job trying to be positive about recruitment and being friendly to a bunch of young folks who do not know a thing about World War II, the ACW, Ancients or Medieval history, except what has been taught to them in school (if then). They simply look at your hard work, say "cool" and walk off to do their thing. Still, we are getting more folks looking than before, and even getting a few to sit in with us from time to time, which helps take the sting off from being ignored. Then of course, there are the magic moments when guys like Terry show up to make the day great. To Harvey, Steve and especially Terry, and the young fellow who sat in his place when he had to leave early, you guys have my most profound thanks and appreciation.

One final thing, folks, and I'll get out of the way and let you get back to reading this fabulous journal. YOU are critical to expanding and growing this hobby. This doesn't mean onerous burdens of volunteerism EVERY weekend. Once and a while, go to the local library, game store or comics shop, and run a game or two. Keep the game simple and fun for the beginner, put on a friendly face and smile. Be as helpful and informative as possible. Also, if you happen to know of anybody who might be interested in joining our madcap little band, sign them up. John Adkins is our new Membership Secretary and can help you, as can any of us on the board. In doing this, we can show folks more about our hobby and what we do, and also help recruit new members. Thanks again, guys, for all your help.