February is among us, only two months to go before the Spring con. I talked to Grace and only Tim Daun with his battle of Fornovo, with Armati rules, and my people, DBBG with Antietam has agreed to put on events. So the rest of you should get cracking. But before you do, read "Don'ts at Conventions" a thought provoking article about how to discourage potential layers, by not planning your game before the con, having a bad attitude, and being in general, a jerk. Dan Gunther (our answer to Martha Stewart) looks at wargaming in polite society. (This article did not run in the Dec. issue though it was mentioned, and no sharp eyed reader caught it. Nobody gets a no-prize!) My Manipular Roman army article concludes with table top mechanics to add to your gaming rules to make the manipular legion operate correctly on the tabletop. I also include Armati adoptions for the manipular army, a list of troops for the rules, and Mark Haml completes the series with his list for a DBM Manipular Roman Army.
Also in this issue, Ray Belknap returns with more on the Drum Barracks Battle Group's Vicksburg Campaign, The Battle at Brownsville with report analysis and an OB, the new president Tim Daun's Inaugural Address, my editorial on reasons to go or stay as members of HMGS, and results of an informal poll on the subject. The scenario for this month is Fornovo, 1495, the first battle of Italian Wars. I'm also looking for staff artist. See the classified section.
At this point I'm going to become surly. I'm supposed to have to regular columns on Modern war, and Naval war. Both the columnists not only ignored my deadline, but did not return my calls to tell me that they would not be sending it in. People, when I dummy up the newsletter I leave space to put columns, ads etc. If I leave space and nothing fills it I have to rejuggle my column space to use as much wasted space as possible. That is why I need to know what if anything is coming from you columnists for this month. Deadlines are: for Feb. issue was Jan. 29th; for April, March 28th; for June, May 28th; for August, July 29th; for Oct., Sept. 29th; for Dec., Nov. 15th. Please make a note of these dates. It will give you better idea when to have your column in. Also, I understand that everyone has obligations other than wargaming and I accept this That is no excuse for not calling me and letting me know you will not be making the deadline. That is only common courtesy.
The elections for HMGSPSW Board of Directors were carried out at the con. Tim Daun speaks about his view of the future of HMGS.PSW in his inaugural address. I. after a month of research, espouses on the advantages of leaving or staying with HMGS. After speaking with Clay Smith. and others. I think while HMGS does have problems. leaving would cause more problems for us than staying. HMGS can be fixed. Let's stay and fix it. (I suppose this would be a bad time to bring up the fact I was the only nay vote during carrying of the motion to leave. I always felt that it was too excessive a decision. too soon.) Tim Daun will bring the issue to a second vote in the Spring at the con. Be there to vote.
San Diego CA. is reorganizing HMGS PSW in America's Finest City. Now that local Roger Treat is secretary. we expect more from our Southern neighbors. Clifford Robbins. co-owner of Games Empire has agreed to be our contact point. Cliff has large gaming area and some incredible 8 x 4' boards that ascend into the roof when not in use. He does not have many historical figures right now, but he is in the process of getting more of them. If a lot of historical gamers hang at his shop, I am sure his service will improve. Address is Games Empire. 7510 Hazard Center Dr. #417. (619) 574-6740.
I attended our first board meeting, and I felt that the atmosphere was electric. I think we will get a lot done, with this board as they take us into the future, the bright future of PSW. Don't forget to Game Day this month at the War House in Long Beach. Also don't forget Orccon this month. If historical miniature players don't come, how can we promote our hobby?
In March will have a Gameday at Brookhurst Hobbies. Brookhurst is now importing over , twenty figure lines, covering most periods of history. They deserve our support. In parting I have to tell about a conversation with some members of East. They expressed surprise about having two women members on the board.
Comments followed about the flaky Californians that needed were so apathetic that we had to get females to do our jobs. I responded with a not really comment, that Amy and Grace were the best qualified for the job. I hope this does not suggest that HMGS is sexist. If it is it should prepare itself It looks like more women are entering our ranks. As the millennium approaches, equality is the watchword of the future, and that is a good thing. See you at the con. Stop by and say hello.
Back to Table of Contents The Messenger February 1996
Back to The Messenger List of Issues
Back to MagWeb Magazine List
© Copyright 1996 by HMGS/PSW.
This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com