Man, what a time. You feel like it had to come eventually, but also kind of thought it never would. If that makes sense. I haven't been active in a long time (since joining the AF and moving away), but this place has always been at the very top of my bookmarks and I always make sure to pop in from time to time.
I actually think (barring someone else taking over the whole kit and caboodle...I could see a subscription type of deal or Kickstarter by all the old-timers being viable honestly) that discord is the best alternative. The FB group is nice, but a lot of people have a strong aversion to that platform. Allows separate rooms (passing lane, parking lot, etc) and is more "private" than FB. I just hate to see the whole archive of everything that's happened here go away. I get it, but it's a bummer.