of The Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance – St. Louis
Volume 8 Issue #02 (February 2026)
Did you miss recent Big Muddy events or want to check on some of the games played?
After Action Reports
Our After Action Reports are now being posted on our website:
WWW.BMHGA.COM
Check there for some great photos of the games you played in and the ones you might have missed.
We are now on Reddit at
r/BigMuddyHGA
History Through A Different Lens!
Our History Through A Different Lens Initiative continues into 2026 following a very successful Autumn 2025. Adjustments have been made based upon what we have learned to make participation even better for students and educators alike.
Students will continue to be invited to our game days, with coordination to ensure the best possible experience for those attending. We will also be conducting school visits for those who are interested but unable to attend Saturday game days due to other obligations.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in this Initiative, please refer them to our website:
https://bmhga.com/history-through-a-different-lens/
Command Con Lite / Game Day West
History Through A Different Lens Initiative
Inviting History Students to Join Us for Historical Gaming
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Miniature Market – Rock Hill
9755 Manchester Rd, St. Louis, MO 63119
This special Command Con Lite / Game Day West event highlights our History Through A Different Lens Initiative, welcoming history students and educators to experience historical gaming as a tool for learning, discussion, and engagement.
Session #1
Table One: Mega Empires
Jim Long – Ares Games
Table Two: Mega Empires
Jim Long – Ares Games
Lead and develop your civilization in the epic game series Mega Empires. Mega Empires: The West and Mega Empires: The East are two stand-alone games, fully compatible with each other, capturing the development of ancient civilizations from the Atlantic Ocean to India across 8000 years of history.
Players lead their civilization, expand dominions, cultivate culture and technology, engage in conflict and trade, apply diplomacy, and face calamities.
The primary objective is to accumulate the most victory points by trading commodities and strategically developing advances, symbolizing each civilization’s wealth and glory. A full game guarantees hours of enjoyment for players who love epic board games with a strong historical context. The extensive diversity of advancements ensures that no two games are ever the same.
Table Three: Winterloo
Dave Schaffner – GM
The Horse & Musket era using Neil Thomas’s One Hour Wargame Rules for fast-paced gaming action. Popular at Reindeer Wars 2025, this reprise presentation offers another chance to get a game in before the winter season draws to a close.
Play as Red and Blue Toy Soldiers clash in a colorful and engaging representation of Horse & Musket–era warfare.
Table Four: Rome vs Carthage
Tim Lalk – GM
Hannibal Rules – 15mm
A could-have-been battle between the armies of Rome and Carthage. Rather than recreating Hannibal’s historical stratagems that led Roman armies into traps, this scenario provides equal chances for both sides.
Players must devise their own plans for victory in this balanced and challenging engagement.
Table Five: Smuggler’s Lament
Patrick Connaughton – GM
Cruel Seas (Modified)
During the Second World War, the Allies are landing supplies and agents on the north coast of France under cover of darkness. German patrols are constantly searching for these smugglers.
How many packages and operatives can the Allies safely get ashore? Let’s find out.
Bolt Action Tournament – Sessions 1 & 2
4 Tables
Registration Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdew_YDQIZepuLuFneui-hHdkwsilugRiN6qwS8DvjfxHV2YA/viewform
Session #2
Table Two: Rearguard at Fort Lee – 22 Nov 1776
John Nozka – GM
AWI 250 Project
Table Three: Ukrainian Rhapsody
David Harrison – GM
1/285th Miniatures – Self-Published WWII Rules
On 24 December 1943, the Red Army launched the first of a series of winter offensives against Army Group South under von Manstein, aiming to liberate western Ukraine from occupation.
In just three weeks, Soviet forces advanced over 100 kilometers on a wide front, pushing back the 4th Panzer Army across every sector. Von Manstein responded by committing the headquarters of the 1st Panzer Army, coordinating counterattacks that created loosely held pockets, inflicted heavy losses in men and material on the Red Army, and eventually restored a cohesive defensive position.
February Game Day East
Sunday, February 15, 2026
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Monthly on the third Sunday
Impact Gaming Center
49 Ludwig Dr, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
The Fall of Berlin
While the central battles for Berlin often take center stage, there was bitter fighting in the approaches to city center. 4-6 players in 15mm.
Fistful of Lead Rules Ray Gluck Game Master
Full Thrust Space Ship Combat
Patrick Connaughton Game Master
Support the Retailers That Support Us!
Our events benefit greatly from local retailers providing space for public gaming, often at no charge. We ask members to support these businesses whenever possible.
Buying snacks or drinks on-site, picking up paints, brushes, dice, card sleeves, or accessories helps ensure these spaces remain available to our community.
Buy Local!
Gamer’s Garage Sale
For those interested in buying or selling used games and accessories, we encourage attendance at the bi-monthly Gamer’s Garage Sale, held on the second Saturday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at:
Game Nite
8380 Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63119
Details may be found by contacting Game Nite:
314-270-8440 or info@gameniteshop.com
Discord
Plans are underway to launch a BMHGA Discord server in early 2026.
More details will be shared as they become available.
Board Elections 2026
Four-Year Terms
- Vice President – James Kantor (Incumbent)
- Treasurer – Bill Doelling (Incumbent)
Two-Year Term
- Member at Large / Director – Kevin Fitzpatrick (Incumbent)
Members in good standing interested in serving are encouraged to submit their name to
Director@bmhga.com
Game Masters
Planning for 2026 is well underway, with games already scheduled for January, February, and beyond. Our goal is to maintain a six-month planning horizon throughout the year.
If you are considering running a game, please submit details to
info@bmhga.com
AWI 250 Project
A challenge to our GMs to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the American War of Independence by chronicling battles year by year. Skirmishes, raids, naval actions, and large engagements from all regions are welcome.
Weekly Gaming E-Update
To receive the weekly gaming update email info@bmhga.com.
Public events may be submitted for inclusion.
Central Illinois TableTop Warriors
A long-standing group meeting in Peoria, Springfield, Bloomington, and Champaign, IL. Their events are included in the calendar below.
2026 Gaming Calendar
February 2026
02/01: Winter War Convention, Champaign, IL
02/03: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
02/04: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
02/05: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Cave Springs – 11am
02/07: Command Con Lite / Big Muddy Game Day West – Miniature Market Rock Hill – 10am
02/10: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
02/11: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
02/12: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Rock Hill – 11am
02/15: Big Muddy Game Day East – Impact Gaming Center – 12pm
02/17: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
02/18: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
02/19: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Cave Springs – 11am
02/24: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
02/26: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
02/26: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Rock Hill – 11am
March 2026
03/03: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
03/04: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
03/05: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Cave Springs – 11am
03/07: Big Muddy Game Day West – Miniature Market Rock Hill – 10am
03/10: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
03/11: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
03/12: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Rock Hill – 11am
03/14: Gamer’s Garage Sale – Game Nite – 10am
03/15: Big Muddy Game Day East – Impact Gaming Center – 12pm
03/17: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
03/18: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
03/19: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Rock Hill – 11am
03/24: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
03/26: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
03/26: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Cave Springs – 11am
03/30: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
03/31: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
April 2026
04/01: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Rock Hill – 11am
04/04: Big Muddy Game Day West – Miniature Market Rock Hill – 10am
04/07: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
04/08: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
04/09: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Cave Springs – 11am
04/14: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
04/15: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
04/16: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Rock Hill – 11am
04/19: Big Muddy Game Day East – Impact Gaming Center – 12pm
04/21: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
04/22: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
04/23: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Cave Springs – 11am
04/28: Tuesday Night Gaming – Game Nite – 6pm
04/29: Wednesday Night Gaming – Fantasy Books & Games – 6pm
04/30: Semi Regular Retirees – Miniature Market Rock Hill – 11am
For all of the above events listed remember that you do not need to bring along anything to play as all items necessary will be on the table and ready to go.
Suggestions/Ideas/Articles?
If you have any suggestions for
Dispatches of The Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance – St. Louis
our Reddit Page, Facebook Page, Website or know of someone who would like to be included in our email listings please feel free to let us know. The contact information is at the end of this newsletter.
To have your event listed please email
Info@bmhga.com
no later than the 20th of the month preceding the event.
While we strive to be as accurate as is possible all events listed are subject to last minute changes, substitutions and/or cancellations.
In Memoriam
Our website page to acknowledge and remember the members of our gaming community who are no longer with us.
If you are aware of any names that should be corrected or added please email info@bmhga.com
After Action Reports
Our After Action Reports are now be posted at our Website: WWW.BMHGA.ComCheck there for some great photos of the games you played in and the ones you might have missed.
We are now on Reddit at
r/BigMuddyHGA
Website, Facebook Page & Reddit
Are the places to check for the latest updates & news in our area.
Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance – St. Louis (BMHGA) strives to support and build the historical gaming hobby in the St. Louis Metro Area “By demonstration, presentations at conventions, schools. libraries, and other events, where the theme includes military or gaming.
For further information email: info@bmhga.com
