Editor's Note: The name of Larry Bohnert's wife was incorrect in the original version. It has been corrected below.
WOODFORD - While the Booshway, Secundo and Head Dog Soldier keep order throughout the encampment, more than 200 participants in the Midwest Primitive Rendezvous are offering the public a taste of what life was like during the period 1640-1840. All are dressed in period costume and reveal their own special "character" at Woodford's Blackhawk Memorial Park, going on now through Friday, June 29.
During the past weekend, the sound of gunfire and an occasional cannon blast echoed across the typically relaxed atmosphere of the beautifully restored park along the Pecatonica River. The Rendezvous takes participants back in time to when fur traders, local Native American tribes and merchants from far and wide assembled to socialize, trade and join in friendly (or not so friendly) competition with muzzle loading rifles, tomahawks and knives.
Jim Fairchild, 46, and his wife Rebecca of Batavia, Ill. have been active in Rendezvous activities for more than 20 years. In a small roped-off clearing, their black powder muzzleloaders spewed smoke in all directions as they took aim at paper targets under the direction of Chief Range Officer Mike "Little Foot" Jorgenson of Monroe.
Jim shot a Kentucky long rifle flintlock. "I made it myself - lock, stock and barrel," Fairchild said with a smile, pointing out the three main parts of the firearm. Like others at the Rendezvous, the Fairchilds take pride in their independence, making things for themselves and getting along without the trappings of modern society when possible.
I strike up what becomes a lengthy conversation with an interesting fellow from Manchester, Mich. who identifies himself simply as "Blu." He presented as a black powder expert, explaining the various ingredients - willow charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate.
Blu knows a bit about the history of black powder and of weapons development, having taught a college course on the subject. He illustrates the difference between 1F- 4F powders, the lowest number used with cannons, the highest (with the finest grains) for priming powder.
Nearby, Ann Stainbrook toiled over a hot, double-decker Dutch oven. The inviting aroma of sour dough pecan wafting through the camp suggested that despite the stark hardships involved, life in the 1700 and 1800s wasn't all hardship.
She heated with charcoal and claimed to know how many briquettes would keep the oven at precisely 350 degrees. Even more impressive is her assurance that she can recognize 350 degrees by merely holding her hands near the fire.
And, in keeping with hospitality as a hallmark of the rendezvous experience, the camp's occupants offered a cup of ice water and one of the delicious hot rolls fresh from the oven.
There were other unique options for the hungry visitor. At Crazy Lady's Café, the choices included a Pup Dog (hot dog) or a Prairie Dog, a brat wrapped in heavy bread dough then, for added freshness, deep fried while you wait. For those not overly diet conscious, the Prairie Dog was tasty and filling. And, the proprietor will grudgingly oblige a request for a can of soda (contraband) from an old-fashioned ice chest in the corner.
Several Monroe residents enjoyed the various foods, demonstrations and competitive games reminiscent of the period. Larry Bohnert of Monroe looked to find a buffalo burger, while wife, Kathy, enjoyed the hand-sewn clothing and other homemade items in use.
Franklyn and Mary Ann Koch were there as part of a three-generation family group. "We want to show our grandchildren what it was like back then," said Mary Ann. She identifies with many of the limitations involved. "I moved in with my grandmother when I was a young girl," she said. "We had no electricity, so I know a lot about what they're doing here."
Visitors of all ages enjoyed the event Saturday. A foursome including Kyle Woodruff of Browntown, Connor Moore from Gratiot, Alix Brandt from Darlington and Katelyn Stephens of Woodford ambled along, sharing a laugh or two while learning about the past.
"It's a piece of history you don't see every day," said Connor, who is going off to UW-Madison next fall. "It's a snapshot of what life was like back then."
The tomahawk competition was quite a thrill, as 14-year-old Chris Brockman taught the basics of throwing the 'hawk.
The target is a cross-cut section of wood on which three oversized playing cards are affixed. The idea is to bury a hatchet in each of the cards. "You have to count off the right number of steps," he instructs. "Throw it like a baseball."
I'm not sure who was the more proud, but the primitive tool somehow found its mark on the first attempt, barely clipping the edge of a card. The response from the 20 or so onlookers was as rowdy as it might have been 300 years ago.
Perhaps the most intriguing folks I encountered were Don and Donna Krogel, who "cruised" to the event from Traverse City, Mich. They appeared in colorful period garb, walking toward the practice range, each carrying a long bow and a quiver stuffed with several handmade arrows.
Soul mates to the core, Donna has been shooting with bow and arrow since the age of five while Don fashioned his first bow out of white ash when he was nine. His current bow is made of Kentucky coffee while Donna explains the Port Orford cedar in her bow comes from the Pacific Northwest.
The arrows are homemade as well. The arrow is "self-nocked," explained Don. "It's wrapped in sinew from the back straps of a deer."
"I've never known life without archery," Donna proclaimed. Both she and Don hunt turkey and deer - with their homemade archery equipment, of course.
There are still ample opportunities for area residents to come out and enjoy the event. The rendezvous is open to the public each day through Friday, June 29 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Follow the signs west from Woodford to Blackhawk Memorial Park.
"For people who haven't been to one (rendezvous), they don't know what they are missing," Kathy Bohnert said.
WOODFORD - While the Booshway, Secundo and Head Dog Soldier keep order throughout the encampment, more than 200 participants in the Midwest Primitive Rendezvous are offering the public a taste of what life was like during the period 1640-1840. All are dressed in period costume and reveal their own special "character" at Woodford's Blackhawk Memorial Park, going on now through Friday, June 29.
During the past weekend, the sound of gunfire and an occasional cannon blast echoed across the typically relaxed atmosphere of the beautifully restored park along the Pecatonica River. The Rendezvous takes participants back in time to when fur traders, local Native American tribes and merchants from far and wide assembled to socialize, trade and join in friendly (or not so friendly) competition with muzzle loading rifles, tomahawks and knives.
Jim Fairchild, 46, and his wife Rebecca of Batavia, Ill. have been active in Rendezvous activities for more than 20 years. In a small roped-off clearing, their black powder muzzleloaders spewed smoke in all directions as they took aim at paper targets under the direction of Chief Range Officer Mike "Little Foot" Jorgenson of Monroe.
Jim shot a Kentucky long rifle flintlock. "I made it myself - lock, stock and barrel," Fairchild said with a smile, pointing out the three main parts of the firearm. Like others at the Rendezvous, the Fairchilds take pride in their independence, making things for themselves and getting along without the trappings of modern society when possible.
I strike up what becomes a lengthy conversation with an interesting fellow from Manchester, Mich. who identifies himself simply as "Blu." He presented as a black powder expert, explaining the various ingredients - willow charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate.
Blu knows a bit about the history of black powder and of weapons development, having taught a college course on the subject. He illustrates the difference between 1F- 4F powders, the lowest number used with cannons, the highest (with the finest grains) for priming powder.
Nearby, Ann Stainbrook toiled over a hot, double-decker Dutch oven. The inviting aroma of sour dough pecan wafting through the camp suggested that despite the stark hardships involved, life in the 1700 and 1800s wasn't all hardship.
She heated with charcoal and claimed to know how many briquettes would keep the oven at precisely 350 degrees. Even more impressive is her assurance that she can recognize 350 degrees by merely holding her hands near the fire.
And, in keeping with hospitality as a hallmark of the rendezvous experience, the camp's occupants offered a cup of ice water and one of the delicious hot rolls fresh from the oven.
There were other unique options for the hungry visitor. At Crazy Lady's Café, the choices included a Pup Dog (hot dog) or a Prairie Dog, a brat wrapped in heavy bread dough then, for added freshness, deep fried while you wait. For those not overly diet conscious, the Prairie Dog was tasty and filling. And, the proprietor will grudgingly oblige a request for a can of soda (contraband) from an old-fashioned ice chest in the corner.
Several Monroe residents enjoyed the various foods, demonstrations and competitive games reminiscent of the period. Larry Bohnert of Monroe looked to find a buffalo burger, while wife, Kathy, enjoyed the hand-sewn clothing and other homemade items in use.
Franklyn and Mary Ann Koch were there as part of a three-generation family group. "We want to show our grandchildren what it was like back then," said Mary Ann. She identifies with many of the limitations involved. "I moved in with my grandmother when I was a young girl," she said. "We had no electricity, so I know a lot about what they're doing here."
Visitors of all ages enjoyed the event Saturday. A foursome including Kyle Woodruff of Browntown, Connor Moore from Gratiot, Alix Brandt from Darlington and Katelyn Stephens of Woodford ambled along, sharing a laugh or two while learning about the past.
"It's a piece of history you don't see every day," said Connor, who is going off to UW-Madison next fall. "It's a snapshot of what life was like back then."
The tomahawk competition was quite a thrill, as 14-year-old Chris Brockman taught the basics of throwing the 'hawk.
The target is a cross-cut section of wood on which three oversized playing cards are affixed. The idea is to bury a hatchet in each of the cards. "You have to count off the right number of steps," he instructs. "Throw it like a baseball."
I'm not sure who was the more proud, but the primitive tool somehow found its mark on the first attempt, barely clipping the edge of a card. The response from the 20 or so onlookers was as rowdy as it might have been 300 years ago.
Perhaps the most intriguing folks I encountered were Don and Donna Krogel, who "cruised" to the event from Traverse City, Mich. They appeared in colorful period garb, walking toward the practice range, each carrying a long bow and a quiver stuffed with several handmade arrows.
Soul mates to the core, Donna has been shooting with bow and arrow since the age of five while Don fashioned his first bow out of white ash when he was nine. His current bow is made of Kentucky coffee while Donna explains the Port Orford cedar in her bow comes from the Pacific Northwest.
The arrows are homemade as well. The arrow is "self-nocked," explained Don. "It's wrapped in sinew from the back straps of a deer."
"I've never known life without archery," Donna proclaimed. Both she and Don hunt turkey and deer - with their homemade archery equipment, of course.
There are still ample opportunities for area residents to come out and enjoy the event. The rendezvous is open to the public each day through Friday, June 29 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Follow the signs west from Woodford to Blackhawk Memorial Park.
"For people who haven't been to one (rendezvous), they don't know what they are missing," Kathy Bohnert said.