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A Lovely Thank-You Note from. . .

Thank you everyone for your delightful New Years wishes. It’s really very nice to be part of what is becoming a large circle of wargaming friends and acquaintances around the globe. Who knew back in late 1983, when all of this model soldier lunacy began, that I’d end up part of such a fun group of like-minded people? Likewise, I hope the new year finds all of you well and happy in wargaming and life in general.

On other fronts, the Grand Duchess and I just returned from 3 ½ days outside of Waukesha, Wisconsin, where we skied like maniacs at the Lapham Peak Cross-Country Ski Area, just off of Interstate 94. 25 miles of groomed trails (and we explored/skied most of them), many of which are lighted after dark until 10PM! We are tired and a little sore, but we had a blast and each feel that our respective skiing techniques have improved somewhat.

Finally, guess what was waiting in our mailbox when we returned? A small envelope mailed from Southampton, UK, containing a typed and signed thank-you not from the one and only Donald Featherstone!

I sent Mr. Featherstone a Christmas card with a short note in early December, thanking him for the fun and inspiration his work continues to inspire. I never expected that he might reply in kind. The note reads:

Dear Mr. Schwartz (I don’t know your Christian name),

Many thanks for your card and note. It is good to know that so many people around the world have found pleasure in wargaming and that I helped to get it started. I know so many people in your country and love them all!

Yours sincerely,

Don Featherstone

What a neat piece of memorabilia to tuck into one of the several Featherstone-authored books here at Stollen Central. And what a gentleman Donald Featherstone is!

Comments

Fitz-Badger said…
Wow! That's wonderful. What a gentleman he is and what enjoyment he and others brought to many of us by promoting this hobby.

I spent the holidays not far from you, I think. Visiting my sweetheart in Milwaukee, so I got the winter wonderland/white Christmas.

Back home in southern Calif. now, and expecting a good rainstorm for the weekend, so I'm hoping to get some painting done. Maybe I'll even try a bit of a skirmish with the small number of troops I have finished... if I do I'll be sure to take pics and post a report on my blog.
9:21 PM
tradgardmastare said…
Sounds a super trip and what a lovely note to find on your return !
Ordered the re print of "The wargane " yesterday and await its arrival with bated breath!
Have been mulling around idea of 1783 invasion of Scotland by the French -opposing the landing by local milita units. We shall see if it gets off the ground!
Hope to read another battle report of yours really soon!
7:09 AM
Snickering Corpses said…
What a treasure, Stokes. And certainly very gentlemanly of him to send you such a lovely note.
8:23 PM
Bluebear Jeff said…
Stokes,

While you know that many of us have already wished you a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year", that kind note from Mr. Featherstone certainly is a nice presage of your having a very good new year.


-- Jeff
12:58 AM
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