What ChopSuey meant was is a General forum?
I/Anyone should not have to search for a welcome thread in order to know what your forum is about.
By your last post I assume it is a food type forum? I would not really know that..reallywhat does not say 'food' to me...
Why don't you try something like this
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=231384 and personalize it some?