"What is your favorite memory at the Host...." Topic

Let me start . Observing two workers carrying a mattress that looked like it came out of a crack den with more stains on it than a crime scene through the lobby and alerting Cliff his bedding is being changed. Classic.

Digging out Cy Taylor because the staff did not speak English. I ask for a shovel the day after the blizzard no one speaks English. Later that day I see one guy on the phone. Perfect English.

Get the Host "Crud" and Having to Drive 26 hours straight to get home to Denver.

2nd Favorite was watching a large Rat sit on a exposed Pipe just over one of the Ancient Tournament tables. The Players were so focused on the game that they didn't see their true judge.

First time I walked into the dealers hall circa 2000. My first convention ever; I was like "wow!"; I didn't know these things even existed. I wish I would have known about wargame conventions when I was younger.

No particular favorite but I smile whenever I think of my son having a good time at the cons.

Being a dealer in my pre-PaperTerrain days when I set up several tables of custom-built terrain pieces and had another dealer come over and buy ALL OF IT before the dealer's room had even opened!

Too many to list, all game related…

Going back to my first Cold Wars when the dealer area was the lower level on the left when you first came in the front doors (can't remember the room name). I stood at the top of the stairs and was in awe at the array of vendors. I had never been to a con and it was something to see. Too bad I didn't have much money back then….

Same is Rampantlion in 93, I had found my tribe.

The Hot Oil Massage station at the bottom of the stairwell….
Couldn't unsee those feet turn the massage oil black… ew!

TRU

Watching John the OFM grab some "Hall Pig".

About '91. The first gathering of the horde. Prior to that, I'd never seen two dozen wargamers in one place. And (next convention) the wife coming up the day after I did, and someone--evidently knowing me by name and face--able tell her where I'd last been seen.

But pushing 30 years of games and meals with friends--some of them newly found--and unfailing help and courtesy from the Host staff. (I always carry my own e-tool, Rotundo. My son proposed to the lady who is now my wife at a convention at the Host.

Gentlemen, a moment of silence in honor of Lapp's.

On the flip side didn't we do this before with a cake?

Never been there, but the epic diatribes and arguments for and against it here on TMP are quite entertaining and memorable.

No doubt, the discussions about the possible move to Ocean City will be too.

Chatting with Pat Condray, John Hill, Neil Bent and Chuck Crain.

@Thresher

To quote Rowan and Martin…

You bet your sweet bippy!

Lobby Pig :)

Leaving

"My son proposed to the lady who is now my wife at a convention at the Host."

Did that not come out the way it was supposed to?

I'm curious about one thing about the WyndHost. Throughout all the modifications, the piano that sat just past the bar seating area has never been moved. At last check it was just where it had always been. Maybe it's some sort of Feng Shui thing.

Curious.

The first or second Historicon after we shifted from Camp Hill, it was so hot. The air conditioning broke and all vendors were up stairs near the lobby. We were all going out to buy fans. Mid 80s I think.

"Mid 80s I think."

The year or the temperature?

""My son proposed to the lady who is now my wife at a convention at the Host."
Did that not come out the way it was supposed to?"

What happens in Lancaster stays in Lancaster.

There used to be a wargaming shop here in Massachusetts that I'd visit a couple of times a month, myself and the shop owner were talking one day and I told him I was a collector rather than a gamer, I said "20mm WWII is my favorite scale and period"………..he asked me "Have you ever been to any of the HMGS conventions?", I told him no, he told me I have to get to one, I'd be in heaven, so I attended Historicon in 1996 at the Host, I walked into the dealer hall and yes, I was in heaven. I dropped about 1K the first day, then another 1K the second day in the flea market, I borrowed money from my cousin for the third day, dropped another 1K on Saturday and I was out of dough, so we headed home, I had a great time and bought raftloads of SHQ, Britannia, Drew's Militia and FAA unpainted figures, loads of painted vehicles, figures and vehicles…………….I was hooked.

I'll give you four memories from my younger days at HMGS:

1) Sitting in the hotel lobby and watching Bob Coggins go by and saying to myself "that's Bob Coggins";

2) Setting up a game on Sat. night, having nobody show up to play, but then having Pat Condray stop by to sit down and talk about the history of HMGS for a couple of hours;

3) Playing in any game hosted by Mark Hayes, especially his WWI Kut al Amara game and his Gallipoli game, complete with the River Clyde; and

4) Playing Durnford in Bob Giglio's Isandlwana game (in 25mm) and getting the King's Colors and the Regimental flag off the board.

Those were the days. Thanks for the memories.

1994 Attending a Don Featherstone lecture and getting to talk to him for for a while afterwards. When we finished talking he signed my copy of "Campaigning with the Duke of Wellington and Featherstone". So glad that I got to meet him.

I second Don Manser -- Favorite memory is hearing Don Featherstone give lectures at Historicon and having him autograph War Games and Tank Battles in Miniature – the Western Desert.

As he was autographing these books, he mentioned the HMGS blurb that had said this would be his last trip "across the pond". With his typical dry humor, he observed, "Wonder whether they know something I don't know?" For the record, I think he made it back to Historicon at least one more time time.

All the lasting friendships I've made going to the HMGS cons. Some are on this thread.

My favorite is when the cruise ship virus was going through the hotel and about 15 people were barfing in the courtyard because somebody was already barfing in their bathrooms. The second favorite was when the waste pipe exploded outside the lobby.

Good times…

"My favorite is when the cruise ship virus was going through the hotel and about 15 people were barfing in the courtyard because somebody was already barfing in their bathrooms. The second favorite was when the waste pipe exploded outside the lobby."

Sounds like you've got some fond memories that you'll be able to cherish for a lifetime, thanks for sharing.

All of that pales compared to the foot massages.

"All the lasting friendships I've made going to the HMGS cons."

Indeed

I was always fond of that Alfred Hitchcock elevator.

How about this one……Historicon and they decided to mulch the flower beds with about 1000lbs of local manure. Made for a nice and ripe show.

Quite right. His wife, of course.

It does occur to everyone, doesn't it, that good or bad we call up recollections of the Host, because the alternatives haven't lasted long enough to build up much of a store?
--Trudging through the rain and mud at Gettysburg.
--Lost in the warren at Valley Forge.
--Searching for anything at Timonium.
--Trying to speak and hear across the table at Fredericksburg.
--Not to mention two sites disappearing between ecstatic the announcement and the convention.

Being able to spend most of my young adult life growing up in the dealer hall. Walking in the first time, I felt like Double G. amazed and in heaven. I met my cousins in the dealer hall I didn't know I had. I thought my dad showed up for the convention and didn't tell me. Mirror images :) I have been able to meet so many wonderful people, whether they were a dealer, presenter or customer. Discussions with Jay Hadley, "board meetings" with George Johnson (GAJO) (and all of the crew that were involved-so many great people to list), discussing ACW rules with John Hill and looking at the games that Duke Siegfried always put on. Those are some of the people I know we have lost. Spending time with Russ and Connie from Old Glory. Being able to be part of Battle Honors/Old Glory 15s for so many years (Thanks to the Steve's). There are so many more people and moments I could list, but I would be writing a book. Thanks to all!

Survey says……..

Number One answer: Memories of Great times and many laughs with Good Friends.

Some I will be seeing in 2 weeks and others I will never forget (RIP)

One last Comment: To all those Bleep, Bleeps who pushed me out of the way the Flea Market or Vendor Hall, NOT at THIS show!!! YOU know who you are!!!!!

Leaving.

My fondest memory of the Host is playing in the WAB tournaments when there were roughly 20 – 25 people playing. I just finished painting my Vikings the week before. I entered the tournament and proceeded to be trounced – by another Viking army and then by a Sassanid Persian army. Both those guys became really good friends of mine.

The second favorite memory in the Host was playing in the Armati tournament run by Rob Wolsky. I think I played 15 games that weekend and won 1. I knew it was going to be rough when my first opponent looked at my Assyrian army and said… Hmm, I think I'll use my Nikephorian Byzantines. Rob's eyes just bugged out of his head and his jaw dropped.

Man, I could go on all day. Those were some good times…..

My memories are about all the fun and companionship. They are also about those of my dear friends that are no longer with us. Conventions were often an island from the cares of the workday world. And I deserved to be there because I worked so hard. I don't think I ever had a bad time there either, even when a manager I had known from work started showing up and talked with me at several cons. I didn't use to have those days off back then.

30 ? years of great games – oddly what sticks out to me is the huge sewage pipe in the lobby draining something in the head. And gamer's walking by with nary a second glance.

Sitting on a loose toilet and nearly getting thrown into the room like a shot-put.

"4) Playing Durnford in Bob Giglio's Isandlwana game (in 25mm) and getting the King's Colors and the Regimental flag off the board."

47Ronin: I co-hosted that game with Bob and can *almost* place you. I don't recollect if anyone else got both colours (Queen's and Regt.) off the board. I do remember Chuck Crain stripping off his shirt, along with the rest of the Zulu side, at my suggestion, for a +1 or +2 to the Zulu initiative roll.

Pat Condray said it was an argument for a return to Sumptuary Laws.

Regards,
Keith Frye

The Pig!!!