Upper Peninsula
Muzzle Loading Association


  News & Notes2011 →July 20, 2011 L'Anse Sentinel Story


Newspaper Coverage of UPMLA Rendezvous in Baraga

Story from L'Anse Sentinal of L'Anse, Michigan
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SHOP KEEPING—Holly Luokkala, 9, of Ishpeming watches the shop for Sandy Hebert who sells pioneer-style crafts and wares during the UPMLA Rendezvous, while Sigurd Utych, 12, of Newberry, maintains a safe distance. [Larger image]

by Nancy Besonen

The Upper Peninsula Muzzle Loaders Association (UPMLA) had a blast this past weekend at its 35th annual Rendezvous in Baraga.

The nation-wide organization celebrates the pioneer spirit by keeping the muzzle loading tradition alive along with other pre-1840's crafts and skills. UPMLA members meet monthly year-round, then gather at the Ottawa Sportsmen's Club for four days of fun-spirited competition in July.

Many dress in the style of the day, the men sporting buckskin vests and moccasins and the women in bonnets and long cotton dresses. Children participate too, clad in a mix from past and present as they learn old fashioned skills and play over the long summer's weekend.

Participants camp on the grounds, with half opting for primitive tents and teepees and the other half bedding down in more modern tents or campers. Many bring along crafts and practical items to sell, skillfully woven or wrought from deer antlers, leather, wood and iron.

Registration for this year's event commenced on Thursday, July 15. Secretary-Treasurer Sandy Hebert said attendance was down a bit this year, probably compliments of the Midwest Rendezvous coming to Ontonagon in just two weeks.

"People work—they can't all afford to go to both," she said. "We have a good turnout, I think 27 registered. Double that number for people, then children. The children are doing very well. I was very impressed with them."

The main focus is on fun, and it got underway right away on Thursday afternoon with a Distance Shoot at 3 p.m. and Duel at 6. There was no sleeping-in Friday morning, which opened with a bang when the Smoothbore Shoot started at 9 a.m.

Competitions are based on what was at hand in the pre-1840's. Hence, the "Hawk & Knife Throw" and "Pan & Hammer Throw" Friday afternoon. The hawk is a tomahawk, the knife is self-explanatory. Men throw a heavy hammer for distance, while women cast an iron plate.

Their inspiration comes free of charge.

"Jim Mead goes out there, dances around and harasses us women," Hebert laughed. Club member Sandy Henkel added with a smile and a wink, "If you hit him, you get a big award."

The good-natured banter is a time-honored tradition at the Rendezvous. Another is passing skills on to the youngsters, and fostering their interest in their heritage. Youths compete in shooting and throwing events too, with some serious adult supervision.

Holly Luokkala, 9, of Ispeming drew her first long bow this year to take aim at artificial animal targets. Sigurd Utych, 12, of Newberry was also new to a long bow, but his experience with a compound served him well as he struck several members of the small herd.

Caleb Acciacca, 16, of Pelkie came to the Rendezvous with friend and neighbor Jim "King" Farmer, president of the UPMLA. Acciacca proudly displayed Farmer's hand-made pouch, artfully crafted from leather, a fox pelt, and other natural materials, and described its use.

"It's a 'possibles bag'," Acciacca explained. "It's to hold anything you could possibly need. This is my second year here–King has really helped me out a lot."

Farmer, waiting to compete in the men's long bow competition, said the long bow is a primitive weapon that is shot instinctively. His is a naturally curved "medicine bow" carved from Osage and worked to a glowing finish, with a tendency to project an arrow very fast and very flat.

Wayne Thoune of Menominee was waiting his turn on the sidelines when he commented on the beginnings of the UPMLA. Thoune has been in it since its start in 1975, when a group of local black powder enthusiasts joined forces with a similar group in Marquette.

He said regional rendezvous gatherings like the one slated for Ontonagon attract serious competitors who take aim at big prizes. At Baraga this past weekend, rendezvous participants just competed for ribbons—and bragging rights, of course.

"Most people dress in more authentic garb, and you have better shooters who really compete," he said of the regional events. "When you do a local rendezvous, you're not going to bring in the big shooters. A smaller rendezvous is better than a bigger one. It's more personal."

The rendezvous in Baraga continued Saturday with adult and youth shooting competitions, followed by a pot luck dinner, a meeting, and registration for Sunday's grand finale: the Woods Walk at 9 a.m.

The Woods Walk consists of typical pre-1840's obstacles, including wildlife, and woods animals. Small groups of three to four compete, taking turns traversing the rigged course.

Throughout the annual weekend guests are welcome to tour the rendezvous, watch competitions and even try their hand at various activities, all at pre-1840's rates:

Free of charge.

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KING FARMER—stands ready to compete in the Long Bow Shoot Friday afternoon at the UPMLA Rendezvous. Farmer, of Pelkie, is the president of the club and a strong advocate of its ideals. The local organization was begun in 1975 and continues to carry on the pre-1840s pioneer tradition, with an emphasis on black powder shooting. [Larger image]


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