I have destroyed the enemy merely by marches. " Napoleon.

NOTE: I'm on-line for any of you "wired" garners. Home: staffordj@juno.com (won't accept attachrnents); Work: staffordj@af.pentagon.mil.

Well I hope you all attended Historicon and had as much fun meeting people as I did. I ran into many folks listed here (HAWKS, MIGS, Potomac Wargamers, NOVAG, and many more). I have some new recruits to send our brotherhood of gamers to even higher heights!

The first group I'll introduce met with me as we played a new Napoleonic game at Historicon written and sold by Crusader games called Napoleonic Command. The review is probably in this issue, so I won't belabor it, but the player I met was Ed Stricken, and he told me about his group the Colorado Springs Gaming Association. They play every Saturday starting at 1800 at the Sand Creek: Police Station. All periods and figure sizes are played. Gil Silva is the President, and they muster about 15 gamers, though they are in search of members. Hearing from local clubs like this, especially in Colorado, is very heartwarming, because I was convinced for awhile (see MWAN about 4 issues ago) that gaming in Colorado had died. I'm glad to be wrong. Anyway, Ed is a great guy, so if you live in the area (or are just visiting and want to play), call him at (719) 590-9142, or write to 5079 Stillwater Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918.

Next is a very secret and mysterious organization of garners called The Northern Conspiracy. I spoke at length (and gamed twice) with one of their members Paul McCarthy. Paul was a very gentlemanly fellow, somewhat older than me, but possessed of keen wit. The club has been around about 15 years, boasting about 40 members, and an average age of about 40 (no members under 30). The reason they are secretive, is that they had some "less than gentlemanly" members in the past due to an "open door policy." After they finally weeded out the undesirables, they discussed entry, and decided they did not want to run the risk of ruining their excellent club atmosphere. Therefore, a member can sponsor someone into the group for one night. Depending on their behavior, they may be allowed to return. After one or more nights a vote is taken to admit or deny that person. Majority rules. Unfortunately, I can't tell you more about the group since they asked me not to. I did, however, want to mention them here because their members were quite active at Historicon, very well mannered, and such a reclusive group is unusual. Are there more of you out there? I was in a club in California where we were leery of new members, but that was because we had over $50,000 in games/figures in one guy's garage. While we were never ripped off, we did let a couple undesirables" into the club that made life difficult for many. Lesson learned.

Rochester Simulations Group is next on the hit parade. They have been an organized group under a number of names for the past 20 years. The current President, Dave Abraham, writes that they play once per month at Crazy Igor's Hobby Shop in Rochester NY. Their newsletter reveals they play Dark Age ancients, WWI aircraft, Napolean's Battles, and DBA. Their 26 members draw on a larger game community of about 75. They support RUDICON at the Rochester Institute of Technology, MIGSCON (one of our other clubs main cons), and Historicon/Cold Wars. Some members cast their own figures, and they are currently attempting to set up some challenge games with other clubs in the area. If these chaps sound eager enough for you, call or write Dave at 38 Brewerton Dr., Rochester NY 14624 or (716) 594-9717. Their dues are $5/yr.

My last newcomer is not new to many of you--The North American Society of Ancient and Medieval Wargamers (NASAMW). While not strictly a club, NASAMW (or the Society) is definitely a brotherhood of garners, sponsoring many events, sending out a useful bi-monthly newsletter, and contributing to the expansion of the hobby. Currently they have an excellent staff, with Catherine Thomas as their President, Darrell Smith (an old wargaming buddy of mine from Missouri) as the Vice, the tremendously kind hearted Scott Dickson as Treasurer, the efficient Chris Damour as Secretary, as well as Scott Holder (they crazy bearded fellow you always see running around the ancients area in his pajamas trying to referee the incomprehensible WRG games!) as Lifetime VP. All kidding and flattery aside, NASAMW is very strong, boasting 230 members. They have tournaments at all the major conventions as well as small cons around the country, give out PRIZES to the winners, announce the winners vociferously, encourage good terrain, good paint jobs, and good historical research. The newsletter is far from a WRG rag. Two recent issues included Armati, DBM, DBA, WRG, and Days of Knights rules articles, battles, and tournaments. Other items included some philosophical discussion by Scott Dickson on the state of the hobby and where we ought to go (highly recommended). Darrell Smith, Kevin Donovan, and Thomas J. Thomas (Catherine's husband) offered historical army information (Roxolani, Emishi and Pre-Samurai, and the Battle of Lechfeld. Finally, Todd Kaeser wrote a very good article about how he is getting high school kids involved in ancients at his school (with help from Thistle and Rose Miniature ala Jamie Fish). Jamie also gives NASAMW members a discount! So if you've got a pile of ancients collecting dust in your closet, why don't you dust them off, and send a check for $18 to NASAMW via Scott Dickson at 590 Woodend Dr., SE Concord NC 28025 to join up and find out what's up in ancients. You can also call (704) 782-1099 or e-mail Catherine at TomAndKate@aol.com.

Triangle Simulations Society has been busy. Recently they supported The Battle of Cowpens--a regional con. Classical Hack, a fairly new set of ancients rules by Phil Viverito Richard Kohlbacker and Ed Backer seems to be popular with the club, as well as spin-offs called Holy Hack (Biblical), Hack in the Dark (Dark Age), Knight Hack (Medieval), and Professional Hack (Renaissance). Cool names if nothing else. They also have one of their locals running for election to the HMGS East Board--David Bonk (yes, of MWAN Fanion fame, too!) Don't know if he won or not at Historicon, but its always good to see someone attempt to make things better from within rather than gripe from without. Bonk has quite a "reformist" platform. Good luck! Good gaming TSS!

HMGS South continues with their full color cover and informative newsletter. Bill Hogan is their new President. Their upcoming flagship convention Hurricon '97 in Tampa on 24-26 October sounds fun. Plenty of games, guest stars, and dealers to fill up your toy chest. Pete Panzeri expounds on the future of HMGS and where it ought to go. [This is a theme--Scott Dickson, Pete Panzeri, Bob Eldridge--sounds like the BoD of all HMGS's and the National BoD need to be paying attention here!!!] Other highlights included some WWII skirmish scenarios and refights, a list of microarmor manufacturers and vehicles to cross-reference and fill your TO&Es, the interesting trivia page, and more. Floridians and other southerners are encouraged to check these guys out.

Well, I finally had the opportunity to play games with the Potomac Wargamers. Upon arrival, I was quickly introduced to HMGS President JT Thomas, Wally Simon, Jim Butters, John Sarey, Chris, Bob, Ben, and several others (sorry I can't remember all the names). A couple guys were playing DBR, while Wallywas setting up a very stylized WWII "bomb the bridge game" using bombers. The rules were ancient, drawn from a magazine, but we tweaked them as we went. We played a couple times, varying some of the effects. First time around I made it to the target and all the way home(l of maybe 15%thatdid)butlmissedthetarget!! Boooooo. Secondtime around [ was shot out of the sky early--deadly flak. We were about to start an ACW game when we lost electrical power. We spent an hour chatting in the dark as the power company attempted to return us to playable conditions. Alas, it was not to happen. So we packed up and moved to Wally's kitchen where we discussed game theory and drank icy Coca Cola till midnight. Not a bad way to spend a Friday!. Looks like ACW next month--l can hardly wait.

Historical Gamers of Indianapolis recently held their annual club dirmer (sounds fun!). In addition, they have a mutual cooperation game with the Greater Dayton Wargame Club--this year was a Seven Year's War skirmish and steeplechase. Of course, they also sent folks to Historicon. Sat. Bill Boyle described in the newsletter how he takes soldiering into high school classrooms--a kale history, a little video, a little uniform, and the kids love it. Games are played at the HQ Nineteen and One spanning all periods and styles Tuesdays, and weekends. $3 at the door.

I ran into Maj Bill Harting at Historicon--nice to see you Bill! As always, HMGS Mid-South remains busy. They report some national news--HMGS is sponsoring events at GenCon and Origins. And another HMGS is in the works--WEST (San Francisco as the HQ). Bill also gives Arty Conliffe's new WWII skirmish rules Crossfire a good review. There is an excellent campaign discussion using Age of Reason and Sport of Kings rules, discussions of past cons (Nashcon) and upcoming events (Hubcon in Hattiesburg MS), Pete Panzeri's guide to painting plastic figures, and the ever humorous "Dear Nub" letters. Oh, don't forget the 33 upcoming events! You can't go wrong joining Major Bill's regiment.

The air-to-air WWII rules Fighter Command continue to be the rage at Lion's Den Wargamers. The latest newsletter had a rules summary, samples of play, historical notes, and a scenario. Also covered were addendums to the groups' Theater of Operations WWII skirmish rules--details on \ chicle hits. These guys are creative! Of course I saw many of my NOVAG companions at Historicon. Our own annual convention NOVAGCON will be next weekend (15-17 Aug)--all weekend! We haven't done a full weekend con in years, so everyone is busy preparing games to run. Our illustrious Dave Luff is going to run Cold Wars next year--good luck Dave. Games continue on Fridays and Saturdays at the Game Parlor in Chantilly, VA, as well as the several Gaming Realms stores in the area. Napolean's Battles, old west gunfights, and colonials continue to be popular, as well as DBA/DBM on Saturdays. We have o\ er 250 members, and we'd like you to join us.

HMGS East continues to put on good conventions and draw on a huge membership (1500+ now). Bob Giglio is preparing the new fall con in Gettysburg, FALL IN! Sounds well organized, with some new twists like battlefield tours and a movie room. JT Thomas has addressed loose spending habits of staffs during convention preparation after finding that cons were actually losing money when new membership receipts (which really aren't convention related) were deducted. They are looking for contributors to a permanent HMGS display at the US Army Center for Strategic I c`~dership--they need boardgames, well-painted figures in any period, etc. Please contact them if you are interested. Finally, one their own young players, Jonathon Squib (age 13), won the Pennsylvania State Geography Bee and will go to the nationals. in a local newspaper article, he arid his father cited his wargaming experience with HMGS East as a strong contributor to his education and motivation. Way to go East.

The HMGS Northwest newsletter, The Citadel, contained a very good article on the use of Murphy's Law" cards in games by Wesley Rogers. Ed Teixeira wrote a nice review of Warrior Kings ancients rules, while others included figure reviews, convention reports (their big con Enfilade! was in May, and they supported Salute 97 in Vancouver), and of course the Larry Leadhead cartoons. Weekly games can be found at Fantastic games and Hobbies and Hobbytown USA in Lynwood WA, and American Eagles in Tacoma WA. Tim McNulty leads an active group. Enlist now!

The Communique, voice of the Heart of America HMGS, had several excellent articles this month. It led off with "Origins of the Prussian Army, followed by a vignette about George Thomas, who helped the yanks beat the rebs at Westport, house rules for Fire and Fury, a con report about the Armchair General's Ball (the big annual HAHMGS con), two more vignettes about William 11 and the Mongol-Burmese war respectively, a review of the PBS show on the Great War, the Battle of Polotsk, Bob Stusse on gaming, and some Axis & Allies ideas. Top notch. Every newsletter should be packed with such high quality articles. If you live in the Mississippi/54issouri basin, check these guys out.

Last, but not least, is HMGS Pacific South West. These guys and gals have held two successful conventions this year--Spring Campaigns 97 and Lightning Wars. Brian Mischel wrote an excellent DBM/Armati comparison article, Skip Gardella explained why us old grognards should be accepting and nurturing to new gainers, especially the young ones (nice article Skip--l agree wholeheartedly), a variable victory rule for DBA by Harry Dudrow which I will incorporate in my future games, and an interesting section called the California Chronicle which recounts the ongoing campaign based a fictitious spread of the Civil War into California and the resulting battles. Very interesting--wish I could join in! Tim Greene added some ideas for Wild West gunfights and retells a battle he fought. West coast garners should drop these folks a line.

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