Greetings to you all from northern Virginia. Yes, Virginia is my new home. The Air Force has seen a need to send me to that funny five-sided building in the District of Columbia. The good news is that since I'm no longer a student I now have time for games. Huzzah! Please see my change of address below

A warm MWAN welcome to the Northwest Wargamers Association. Norris Hazelton dropped me a line to report on this new and very active historical group organized by John Fisher. They have three tables available every Saturday from 1000-2300 at Fantastic Games and Hobbies in Lynnwood WA. All periods are played, so call and set up a time to bring in your favorite rules and figures--or just drop in and join the fun. Contact John Fisher at the store at 3333 Suite X, 184th St. SW, Lynowood WA 98037 or call (206) 775-4871.

Hello again to our friends at the Jersey Association of Gamers. They have been playing alot of WWI biplane games using some homegrown rules (Send a copy to Hal yet? Hint! Hint!). The rules include campaign instructions so they are all trying to build aces. Naval actions using Close Action have also been popular lately, with up to 15 ships involved per side in the battles. They meet twice a month from 1300-2400 in Park Ridge NJ. Both miniatures and boardgames are played. If you live in the area, contact these folks for some weekend fun. Call (201) 427-8340 for dates and times. Also, Dan Foley at (914) 638-1136 or Bob D`vyer at 73642.3620(compuserve.com. Mail is JAG, PO Box 167, Waldwick NJ 07463-0167.

Don Wolff just sent me the June issue of the Camino Real Post. I've mentioned this neat flyer before in MWAN. Don accumulates and publishes gamer listings for FREE. That's right. He'll post you and your favorite periods, scales, etc in his flyer gratis. He also publishes events, so let him know if you want your game day in print for all to see. Now the area of focus is the New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma area, but there are no restrictions. This latest issue talks about the December Game Fair in Albuquerque, regional club contacts, internet sites of interest, two HMGS Tornado Alley conventions, and of course the individual listings (which have doubled since the last time I saw them--good going Don). To add your name to the Camino Real Post, contact Don Wolff, 18 Milagro Ct. Los Lunas NM 8703 1 (505) 865-5380 or nukday@worldnet.att.net.

Carl Overshiner is probably the most punctual and reliable printer of club news in the hobby. I get his newsletter for the Historical Gamers of Indianapolis on almost the same day every month. This issue, while a tad shorter than usual, wishes everyone Happy Holidays (hear! hear!) and then reports some interesting events. Seems the Brother vs. Brother ACW they mentioned last issue are being play tested by them for publication. Many members enjoyed a weekend-long Advanced Squad Leader tournament in Ohio recently, and enjoyed a restaurant overlooking the Cleveland airport Called the Bomber group--complete WWII decor! And Carl favorably reviews the new Avalon Hill game Hannibal Of course, the usual Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday gaming continues, with recent themes in Napoleanics, WWI air, Spanish Civil War, DBA, and fantasy games. Carl would love to have you over to the club for some gaming so get in touch. Nineteen Plus One at 2060 E.54th St., Village Commons, Suite 4, Indianapolis IN, (317) 726-1384. Or you can contact Carl Overshiner directly at 2118 N. Fisher Ave. Speedway IN 46224.

The November/December issue of The Penny Whistle, newsletter for the Lion's Den Wargamers is another fine effort by editor Ken Van Pelt. It covers a refight of Wadi Marbouk in the Yom Kippur War, Wild West figure reviews, a challenge to create a 2mm (or smaller) wargame that fits in an Altoids peppermint box, fantasy football, sprint car racing in miniature, and several classifieds and calendar events. They offer superb terrain layouts and good sportsmanship at their events. If you're in the area and want to game, contact them at 1205 Allendale Dr., Greenwood MO 64034 or call (816) 537-7883.

The Northern Virginia Gamers Wargaming Club (NOVAG) under the leadership of John McConnell is looking for more members. They currently boast 286 members (287 as soon as I get my check in the mail) and have a very active membership. Their annual NOVAGCON in November will move to August to prevent conflict with HMGS East's new con "FALL IN." Games are played regularly at the Game Parlor in Chantilly include wild west gunfight, Konig Krieg, age of sail, Napoleon's Battles, Franco Prussian War, Mexican War, microarmor, Necromunda, and DBA. Not enough for you? Try a variety of fantasy games at The Fantasy Forum in Arlington, and the Gaming Realm stores in Frederick and Hagerstown MD. Tony Jacoby presents a fun and easy set of Zulu rules (send them to MWAN--Hal will love them). There is also an event list for NOVAGCON, classified ads, and a few other tidbits. Rob Wayment does a nice job. All you Virginia, Maryland, and DC folks should check these guys out. Only $7 for a year. P.O. Box 223660, Chantilly, VA 20153 .

Our friends at HMGS East have been busy hauling in new members-- 1400 on the rolls. Their latest newsletter by LTC Wilbur Gray includes a lengthy but interesting and valuable article on figure painting, a couple of pages of HMGS national news, upcoming events, affiliated wargame clubs, and much more. Scott Holder describes the new scholarship program and its first recipient--Matthew Wolny. Matt has been an HMGS member for 6 years, and recently graduated 6th in his high school. He'll receive an annual payment of $1500 for four years. What a great deal. Others can apply annually. Bill put in some nice photos from Historicon, and puts in a plug for Cold Wars in March. See you all there. Join the ranks through LTC Gray at 2727 Duke St, Apt 1106, Alexandria VA 22314, (703) 461-6723; Itcgray@erols.com (NEW!), and send him your $10.

Despite losing part of its membership to the new HMGS South, HMGS Mid-South is still one of the finest wargaming organizations in the world due to the efforts of Major Bill Harting. The October newsletter Dispatch was crammed with good stuff. Some letters included news of Buck Surdu's impending promotion to Lt Col, new child, and a PhD to boot. Congrats! Also, Jim Birdseye continues the kids gaming events, with high school competitions being held at Augusta University every month. What a field trip! Other items included an article about the Fellowship of Christian wargamers (not sure if this was real or spoof, but interesting nevertheless). Also, many advertisements, letters, calendar events, and more. Oh, don't forget their 30+ clubs to play at. Write Major Bill at 101 Taylor Road, Estill Springs TN 37330-3831 or e-mail at majorbill@united.net to get involved with this excellent organization.

HMGS Pacific Southwest sent me a copy of their latest newsletter, The Messenger. As I've mentioned before, editor Steve Phenow does an excellent job packing in lots of informative articles and tidbits. The December issue included an excellent replay of the "What if.." ACW scenario from NASHCON run by David Raybin involving European allies on both sides. It also highlights his rules, Charge of the Light Brigade. Jim O'Neil (nice Irish name) wrote a fine article comparing US and German small unit infantry tactics in WWII, and focusing on weapons types and effectiveness. There's also a 1939 Command Decision scenario for Poland and the Germans. Other useful bits include classified ads, calendar of events, some Armati errata, stocking stuffer ideas for gainers, Nigel Smith's painting tips, and more. Califomia, Nevada, and Arlzona gamers should check out PSW through Stephen Phenow at (818) 982-5002, or P.O. Box 701, Norwalk CA 90651-0701. Good gaming!

Mark Serafin's latest effort for HMGS Northwest included some very useful articles. Russ Bauder (a major contributor) writes an excellent conversion system for Avalon Hill's Kingmaker to Armati.. It's a great built in campaign and can use few or many troops depending on the Armati scale chosen. The Citadel also included an order of battle for the AWI battle of Saratoga. It is not geared to any particular game system, and includes morale ratings, fighting strengths, and uniform colors. Great! There is a lukewarm review of The Courier's bound article reprint service, survey results from their membership for their conventions, and a history of the USS Pennsylvania from the early 1 800's. It's rounded out by some cute cartoons and the usual calendar and sales info. Contact Mark at 2614 RuckerAve, Apt#14, Everett WA98201, (206) 303-8475, mserafin@halcyon.comto find some new opponents in the northwest region.

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