The O.V.P.R. Homepage

The 2010 Fall Rendezvous sure was waitin' fer!!!
There was a bit of a nip in the air on Friday night. And, I'm bound to say there was a few nips going on in the Holler...
Medicinal reasons, y'see?
There was a whole passel of new faces AND LORDY BE!!!
There were a couple of ol' varmints this child hadn't seen in many a winter!!
Norris Shavey and Yortie Clayter.
Sure was good and fun pickin' a few tunes with ol' Yortie on the washtub bass, again.
Shore did 'mind me of the good times.
. It was mighty good to see ol' Norris still above ground. Nobody can say that Norris lacks any enthusiasm about dancin' at the Inn.
All things considered it was a mighty fine camp and this here 'coon can't wait till the Spring!!
OVPR and I hope that y'all will winter well, and we will see y'all come green up.
Hoot

It started in the early 80’s, the 1980’s that is. A few black powder shooters/hunters/skinners were attending paper target shoots in the area and thought “we can do better than this”. We can put on more primitive event, hone our shooting skills, do some trading and have a lot of fun. They invited a bunch of friends and put on a small “primitive” shoot near Smithfield Virginia. It was a success and so much fun that they decided to get organized, well as organized as a bunch of skinners can get, and form a club. So this was the beginning of our club, The Olde Virginia Primitive Riflemen.

We needed five or so members to become a sanctioned club with the N.M.L.R.A. so the founding members, Barry “Bones” Hammond, Roger “Loosejaw” Heaster, John “Grump” Schmidt, Dave Foster, Larry “Grinny” Weaver, and “Dulcimer Dave” McNew sent in their membership numbers and in 1984 the club was born. From the very first meeting, our goal was to have the best “primitive” black powder club in the state. In our first set of by-laws, in order to be a member you had to be self sufficient, you had to have your kit together, gun, clothing, and tent then be able pack in and set up without help. We had monthly shoots, hunting trips and to stay a member in good standing you were required to attend those shoots and the rendezvous. After a few events near Smithfield, John “Grump” Schmidt purchased land and allowed us to hold our events at what would become “Schmidt’s Fort”. We then moved to our present location on Brock Jones Farm in Surry County. A few of the other early members “Baltimore Red” Jones, John Roderick, Doug “Windego” Bartron, Clay Smith, Lou Donohoe, Wayne Sylvester, Randy “Buckwheat” Barker, Brock Jones, Lou “Ironbelly” Hiles, John “Tweedledee” Astleford, Jessie “Tweedledum” Nobles,and Mike Payne. Our first female members “Cripplin Mary Normand, Theresa “Heavingbird” Barbalas and Allison Johnson.

We put on our first “organized” rendezvous that fall. Our goal was to put on an “all primitive” rendezvous. No paper targets. We shot at gumballs, playing cards, feathers, and matchsticks. We shot standing, prone, left handed, with the gun upside down, off barrels, anything to throw the shooter off. It was a real blast! It was all pre-1840 with no modern camping allowed. It was a great success. All who attended raved about our shooting events and the atmosphere we promoted. After that we decided that our club would put on two events per year. In the spring near April fools day, a combined modern and primitive rendezvous where you could camp modern and attend the shoots. Our idea was to allow folks who didn’t have all the proper gear to check us out and see what fun they could have. Of course while there, they could buy or trade for the items they needed. The second event would be held in the fall close to Halloween, when we would have an “all primitive” rendezvous where no modern gear would be allowed. Those two events continue today attracting buck skinners and re-enactors from all over the country.

At this writing we have been in existence for 25 years. Of course we have had our ups and downs, hurricanes, floods, the burning of the Inn, but have managed to work through those problems and remain the premier primitive black powder club in Virginia and the surrounding states. We, as a club, have quite a reputation to uphold but with the dedication of our members and the folks that our club attracts I know that our legacy will continue for many years to come. So here’s to “Shinin Times”.

Photo by Ava Francesca - for more information or to order a photo contact Ava at ava42@aol.com

I was asked to give my impressions of the 25th anniversary of O.V.P.R. Man, 25 years! Who would have thought that a little black powder club started by just a few good old boys could still be around and thriving after all these years. Now we have had our ups and downs, but it just goes to show you the how a good idea brought forward by hard work great friends can grow. I could reminisce about how it used to be, but I'd rather talk about what a wonderful camp we had for the 25th. It was so great to see all the old friends gather together, our founder, Barry Hammond, early members, Grinny Weaver, Doug Bartron, Red Jones, Brock Jones, Lou Donahoe, Jimmy Ward, Clay Smith, John Roderick, The Spiders, Sandy Schmidt to honor the memory of "Grump" and all the other "old ones". When we gathered for the "group picture" I was pleasantly surprised and heartened to see all the young folks there. After all, they are the future of the club and I think with leadership like we have had in recent years our club will continue to grow. The 25th anniversary of O.V.P.R., a fantastic camp with great fellowship, shooting, throwing, cooking, and music. I hear it repeated so often "If I had to choose only one camp to come to, it would be the O.V.P.R."

I am so proud to be associated with the BEST black powder club. Can hardly wait for the 50th!!

Dulcimer Dave

On behalf of the entire Gibson family, I would like to thank my OVPR Family
for the beautiful flowers that were sent to my Mother's funeral.
She had been ill for a long time, and all the expressions of concern and hope were truly appreciated.
Thank you all so much.
---Hoot, Jeannie, and Family.

Welcome, ...Be ye pilgrim, greenhorn, or mountainy man!!

Howdy ya'all! A few words on the Fall 2010 'vous . . .