Yikes, what a cold winter we've had! I don't know about the rest of my brothers and sisters in the Great Lakes region, but I for one will be most grateful to see this Winter pass. I like a nice, cold, solid Winter that starts firmly and ends firmly, but I'm getting too much of a "good" thing.

Still, I shouldn't whine too much. I've started trying to game semi-regularly at "The Only Way To Play" in Grand Rapids. This is a blast, as it's located in a neat little semi-urban neighborhood in Grand Rapids with plenty of old buildings. Lots of eat shops, several fine restaurants, a couple of excellent nightclubs (the shop used to be one in its former life) and a Blues Club across the street. I'm a big fan of the blues and this is heaven for me, let me tell you. The Only Way To Play is a great place: Several tables, plenty of terrain -- mostly for 28mm (i.e., Warhammer and 40K) -- but they can quickly be converted for other events. Two weekends ago, we ran a Johnny Reb game down there and I hope to be doing that again very soon. They are a great bunch down there and are very receptive to new games and ideas.

I've also had good luck getting my troops ready for the summer campaign season. Several of the dusty, languishing Union and Confederate troops that have been imploring me to paint them have gotten their wish. They are getting bright new paint jobs and based for action. I've also almost completed my first homegrown DBA army: A group of feisty (at least I hope so) Early Imperial Romans. I can't wait for this year's convention season. Drums is only three months away, Little Wars two months and Origins only FOUR months away?! Boy, I'd better get busy! So much to do and so little time. Still that is most of the fun.

I've got plenty more to do before the birds start chirping and the yard needs raking etc., so I had better get to it. I have a few things to do for the chapter, as well, before our convention season gets rolling. That's OK, as I'm sure we all have a few things we want to get done before we start in to the summer's campaign season. I'd just like to say thanks to all of you for making this job so easy. I'd also like to thank my fellow board members for their hard work. I hope this isn't becoming a cliche because I really do believe this. I'm glad to have all of the fine folks we do in this chapter working together to make our events and conventions so great. I mean this sincerely. Now I have some Romans and Union troops that need uniforms and equipment -- time to head back to the bunker. Until next time, good luck and good gaming.