On May 14-15, The Colby Street Irregulars and HMGS Great Lakes presented Drums along the Maumee 5. Our fifth year had high hopes of surpassing last year, but we ran a little short. We had around 120-130 gamers attend (about 30 less than last year). The high price of gas, two other conventions on the same weekend and several members of Great Lakes were otherwise detained in the military or with family obligations were likely some of the reasons. But we made money, had a great time, and we all sat around and told tall tales.

Thursday night we began the 1st Annual "Drums Rendezvous" at the local Ralphie's Pub. We toasted each other for the mayhem that would begin the following day. The Rendezvous is for anyone in town the night before Drums to kick back and B.S. a little before the show. Usually, everyone hits the road too early, so we thought to begin the libation the night before.

Friday morning, bright and early, we had a good breakfast at the local Bob Evans across from the hotel. About nine of us attended. On arrival at the hotel, we laid out the gaming tables according to Tim Weber's excellent drawing of the shapes and sizes we would need for the day. This year, we rented two additional rooms for the Saturday traffic and to give us more "Gamer space" around the tables and aisles. Signs were placed all over the hotel and outside for the convenience of out of town Gamers.

The Dealers started arriving and the "Red shirts" of Drums 5 began to help them unload their products and help layout their space in the convention. Signs were placed on all the Dealers in case they had forgot theirs. Food and attraction lists were placed on tables as well as flyers from other conventions that aided us. We were ready by noon.

Gaming on Friday included Jack Shaw's Dog Sled race. It was a treat to see with the snow, animals and varied encounters on the route around his area. He ran it both days. Ted Bender's 15mm Nappy Game did not fly. Too many Gamers in the other big games of Friday -- sorry. Dennis Schroeder ran a demo of Silent Death with his Space Fighters. Gordon Andrews and the "55 Days at Peking"...well, what can you say about him and his group that was not said last year? A huge and beautiful landscape of the Boxer Rebellion in 25mm with thousands of figures. I understand that the European Defenders won on Friday, but lost on Saturday, even with three relief columns entering the board! Super job! Doug Johnson and the "Return of the Big Metal Spaceship" -- upside down anti-gravity combat at it's best. Mike Reese again was one for two in his WW II games. They showed on Saturday, when he ran his Transylvanian Nightmare. Germans, Partisans and creatures from the dark! Jim Wonacott ran another American Revolution Battle that had a full crew blasting each other, as in last year. Tom Bryant and his Naval minis on a tarp Ð for the correct look and sea texture. Looked good this year with two sides broad siding from extreme to close range. Tim Weber, Yoda and Shemp running the "Finding Nemo" Event. A BIG table and 14 players Ð it was supposed to have only eight, but you all know how things work out on Big Games. I expect the GMs here to send in a detailed review, but you had to see the smoking volcano and the underwater laboratory and the Rocket Men flying, the Coconut Lizards falling from the palm trees, the Stargates, the ducks, etc.

Saturdays events were preceded by another breakfast at Bob's, but with the Great Lakes Board at the table to talk and renew old friendships. A family situation pulled me out for a while on the weekend, and I missed a few of the games set ups and results. Doug Rogers ran his 15mm JR3, Larry Smith ran his 20mm Modern South African battle and Mike Erismen ran a WW II city fight on fine looking terrain. The "Two Millimeter Twins" ran their teeny, tiny battles and the players who were in it said that the format was an interesting take on the American Civil War. John and Lowell kept the table and the talk on 2mm going all day. Brad Northrop brought his 54mm WW I Battle. It looked interesting. Tom Dziegielewski ran a modern Naval Battle that was neat to see. Steve Smith ran the Second Drums DBA Event for about 6 to 8 players.

Jim Wonacott brought in lots of rice paddies and crashed helicopters in his 20mm Vietnam game. Bud Hunter ran his Taku Fort colonial battle on the China coast during the Boxer Rebellion. Word has it that Captain Bob of the French Warship "Weasel" did a fine day's work before he was hit by a cannonball in the head. More later on this, I'm sure. A song keeps ringing in my head about this battle. Steve Johnson ran an 1812 Battle that I missed completely when getting some food -- sorry Steve! Ted Bender lined up Sharpe and his Rifles in a 25mm town battle in Spain. Looked good and it was a touch fight, I'm told. Chuck Sholti ran an Ice Age (pre-historical) battle that Yoda and Shemp had a good time in playing.

Dennis Schroeder ran his WW II Navals with his "brain in a box" and a pretty island he hand made and painted. Dave Durocher came down from MichiCon land and ran a Volley and Bayonet Battle called Lobositz. Phil Fry brought the latest version of his Naval rules and ships with a big battle. Ed Bolla ran his Canvas Eagles Game and Dave Zecchini brought in more Silent Death. Godzilla and all his pals battled in Japan with Mike Johnson, while and Doug Johnson ran the fifth version/battle of the Toledo War. I think Ohio has the tiebreaker, so far.

The Dealers were good and had lots of neat stuff. The hotel staff did fine and the hotdog cart was timely. We started this idea for a convention six years ago and we have now completed five in a row. The first two were at the Clarion hotel and the last three at the Holiday Inn. We have already put money down for Drums 6 next May 20-21 --mark your calendars and prepare (we are, already)!