It has been said that those who make voluntary contributions will be acknowledged. How will that be done? There are some who would like to support by contributing, but don't want a pat on the back or any other recognition. Sorry if I've asked something that will be worked out at a later date.

and doesn't rely on intrusive advertisemennts or send send spam E-mails begging you to join their commercialized website where you can get lambasted by others for asking a simple questions?

Yeah, That's MY fantasy!

I am afraid that there won't be much uptick in younger members until/unless there is a block buster movie or TV series depicting real muzzleloaders.  The majority (can I say, vast majority) of younger people aren't interested unless a gun has black plastic and semi-automatic operation since that is what you see on the screen now.  The states all accepting non-traditional guns for muzzleloading seasons doesn't help either.  As we age out there are far fewer people interested in filling in behind us.  How many rendezvous are still being held?  Most of those that are still going have lots of grey hair, unlike 30-40 years ago, and I don't see it changing.

At this point in time and society, it's no longer a need to increase TMA forum registrants or have Contributing Members.  Neither are no longer a valid necessity.  They will come or they will not, it's up to them, whomever "them" are these dayze. 

Our TMA goal still remains to preserve and promote trad MLs and all of their times and history. 

In that vein, here we are to help the newbies and not-so-newbies.  Will some young 'uns back fill our depleting ranks?  I think so, I hope so.  Time will tell.  But here we are, and we're NOT going anywhere, certainly not fading into oblivion.

In order to be a current viable source for all things trad ML, we need to somewhat restructure the TMA.  The discussions of and for that continue.

I?ll bet those vintage cans are more valuable than the powder even at today prices.