This Board is now seven years old

[Max Caliber]

This Board was started on January 2, 2003 and I joined July 16, 2003, after visiting for awhile. When I joined, there had been only 51 topics posted over the preceding six months period, now that many will be posted in two days or less. Members come and go and it appears that most stay only a short time. After looking at some of the first pages, I see only three members who are still active and they are: Will Bison, Blaster, and Evil Dog. It has been fun and I wish the moderators the board much success in the future,

Maxcaliber

[rifleshooter2]

Seven years of great info and fellowship. Heres to many more

Andy

[Double D]

Thanks Max.  Has it been that long since we started this.  You were with us very early on.

Im not sure what Tim had as a vison of what this board would be when he asked Graybeard to start it, but it is far more than what I envisoned it to be when I seconded the idea.   

Actually in the early days we had a lot of turn over. We still get a lot of drive by and occasional visitors. That's okay.  They'll be back.  We also have a good number of lurker members.  Peoples interest change and they move on and drift back. And we have a steadily increasing population of regulars. 

My current Martini and Cannon interest seemed to have lasted a lot longer than past interests.    My Cannon interest started way back in the 1980's and waned by the 1990's and I was refreshed just before the board was started. I think the knowledge that other shared here help me to learn and enjoy the hobby even more.

We now have a larger group of regulars than back then.  Good people all.  All willing to share and all willing help everyone. 

Just a stroll down memory lane, but here is the very first offical post to the board, posted by Tim.  Blackpowder Cannon and/or Mortar

[Cannoneer]

After reading Max's opener, and DD's link, I started thinking about folks that I haven't seen active in a while. Santa Dave hasn't been active since May 19th, I hope all's well with him. Tropico is around, because I see his name at the top, but he has evidently taken the virtues of silence to heart.   Lance has been on hiatus for awhile, and Blaster is around, but he hasn't been making many posts here lately, and then of course, last but not least there's my good pal Richard, who I now know is OK, because he recently gave Doug a nice Watervliet Arsenal coffee mug, which BTW, was a very nice gesture; and I don't want anyone to think I'm jealous, just because the only things that Rich has ever given to me, are a hard time and a cold shoulder.    

[Cat Whisperer]

People are the most important factor.  Vision?  Castboolets.com was an example to me - many good points, some bad.

To have met DD (electronically a couple thousand miles away) and in person at the N-SSA nationals in Winchester, to have met MANY of both our members and sponsors is a part of my life I'll not soon forget.

There are real-life issues of dealing with a few 'individuals' that have had 'an adjenda'.  VERY few that have been kept off the board.

I am continually impressed with how many folks have picked up on welcoming and encouraging new members.

DD has done much of the WORK in dealing with a lot of the 'issues'.  We together have developed the rules.  Graybeard has supported us consistantly.  And as a community we've had a LOT of fun together!

[Will Bison]

WOW! Seems like only yesterday.

[carronader]

Cat,,,,,,,,,,,how can you run a cannon works.........and that horrible vinegar the frogs drink ?   Is this another use of the ugly pot boilers ( mortars )............boiling your haggis........and..........fermenting frog juice ?

[Cat Whisperer]

How indeed? !

I just stopped working in the shop just now since it was cold enough I couldn't feel my fingers - time to come inside and warm up.  Too early for a nip of home-brew though.

Know nothing of haggis.  But I've made cannons and home brew since the early '60's.

What about brewing haggis ?  Possible?  Would it ferment?  Does it taste bad enough to have a market?

[carronader]

Naw........the suet would go rancid..........probably kill the process stone dead...........your giving me ideas of a new chemical weapon though..................laying siege to Manchester..........bombardment of rotting haggis.............oooooooooooo   what a wonderfull thought.

[Cat Whisperer]

Manchester eh?
The nearest Manchester to me is about 1000 miles North, and that's on THIS side of the pond.
Wouldn't work this time of year, as everything is frozen up in New Hampshire.

[GGaskill]

It would be better to lay siege to Boston and environs.