You've been seeing this illustration of me in the editorial since MWAN #25 (January-February, 1987). In late 1986, when MWAN was in it's fifth year, I received a large envelope one day from one of my first subscribers, Joseph Matthews of Shalimar, Florida. Opening it up, I was very surprised to find this illustration. I no longer have Joseph's accompanying letter, however, I can recall his sentence - "I based the drawing on a photograph I saw of you in THE COURIER." Needless to say, I was very pleased, as (1) it looked just like me, and (2) it was perfect for my editorial page. Joseph and I exchanged letters every once in awhile and he went on to draw other illustrations for MWAN, including those for many columns as well as some artwork for THE COURIER.

I always enjoyed his artwork as I am sure many other MWANers did. I wrote Joseph a letter in January and received this reply from his wife, Lynne.....

"I am so sorry to have to tell you that Joseph was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor on Father's Day, June 15, 1997 and so he passed away December 9, 1997. "

Our sincere condolences, Mrs. Matthews, as well as to your daughters on your loss. Joseph's talent enhanced our enjoyment of our hobby and I was always appreciative that he choose to share them with us. I called Mrs. Matthews tonight and she related to me how much Joseph enjoyed MWAN and his hobby and how he would always; ask when he came home, "Did MWAN come yet? "

Joseph's daughter writes, "Dr. Matthews was a professor at Okaloosa- Walton Community College and the University of West Florida. He received his master's degree on full academic scholarship from the University of Miami and his doctorate from Temple University and Kansas State University. " She continues, "He was a serious thinker, enjoyed knowledge, loved books, a gifted artist and illustrator, a writer of poetry... I am returning Joseph's original drawings to enable his family to mount them. I do, however, have copies, so that we can continue, in the future, to enjoy his talent,

For the first time, MWAN is including the ballot for the ORIGINS AWARDS. If you are interested in voting, please do so. There are several areas which we, as historical miniatures gainers, may be interested: Best Historical Minaitures Rules, Best Historical Figure Miniatures Series, Best Amateur Game Magazine, and Best Professional Game Magazine. You can also enter a "write-in" if you wish.

MUSKET MINIATURES, PO Box 1976, Broomfield, CO 80038, sent along their latest catalog and although I've mentioned it previously, I think they have one of the best catalogs in the business. Receiving it always brings to my mind what I think we, as potential purchasers, like to see in manufacturer's catalogs: photos or illustrations of their products and MUSKET MINIATURES does a nice job in this regard. Nice job!

I'm looking for an MWANer who could do a regular (five or six times per year) column in MWAN on the subject of "historical miniatures on the "internet", If anyone is interested, please let me know.

MWAN Ivor Janci has assumed the duties of editor and publisher of THE ZOUAVE from Dave Reynolds who has done such a good job for some years. My congratulations to both of them! Ivor has a publishing background and I'll bet he really "upgrades" the visual aspect! Subs (US) are $20 (payable to "Marek/Janci Design"), 726 Ranch Road, Wheaton, IL 60187-3656. I'm looking forward to seeing Ivor's efforts!

I'd like to remind MWANers receiving "free" armies from other MWANers that it is always nice to write them and thank them for their efforts.

I recently attended the LITTLE WARS CONVENTION for the first time in perhaps four or five years and had a great time! Although I didn't have much of a chance to look at the games, I spent all of my time talking to people I hadn't seen in years. It served to remind me that a lot of this hobby is wrapped up in socialization and just plain having a good time with friends.

While at LITTLE WARS, I talked for sometime with Chris of OUTLAND GAMES, who has been producing some very well done 25mm color flags which have been reviewed within MWAN in the past. Chris informed me that it takes him approximately 100 hours of work to put together one sheet of flags. Please remember this if you are thinking about photocopying a color flag; spend the money and purchase the flags; give the person doing the work a break!

I made a trip to my local library last weekend and was surprised to find four books on the THIRTY YEARS WAR, my recent period to read up on. C.V. Wedgwood's THE THIRTY YEARS WAR (1938), C.R.L. Fletcher's GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS (1963), S.R. Gardiner's THE THIRTY YEARS WAR (1919), and Daniel DeFoe's MEMOIRS OF A CAVALIER (1720). I'm almost half-way through Wedgwood's work and I freely admit to you that I am having a hard time remembering the players as well as the reasons and/or causes of the war! I'm not really surprised at this as whenever I start reading about a new, to me, period of history, it takes me a long time to start piecing together the characters, events, chronology, etc., to a point where I began to understand it all. I had originally envisioned the TYW as primarily a war between the Catholics and the Protestants; however, it does not, thus far, seem to be quite that simple to me. The Hapsburgs and Bourbons are thrown in for good measure in some fashion! I suspect the best description I can give of the TYW is a Diplomacy Game run amok! Wedgwood's book does not cover the battles in detail; for example, there are no orders of battle; essentially just numbers of troops per side, and I should find a good, clean map of Europe at that time so as I could follow where everything they mention is. That always helps me in understanding.

One business item; please remember, if you move, the post office does not forward MWAN. It eats any copies of MWAN that I send bulk mail to you and neither you nor I ever see them again. Let me know about your address changes as soon as you can. Thank you.