10/10/07 -High Plains Losses a Friend
Its always a sad day when a fellow buckskinner goes under but its even worse when they are so young. I only knew Kelly from Rendezvous but always enjoyed his laughter. Every time I saw him he was having a good time. The following is reprinted from the Don Strinz Web Blog:
Passing of a dear friendOnce again I find myself passing on the news of the death of a dear friend. Kelly Delp, also known as Crazy Kelly, was killed last Saturday in a two vehicle accident near Wahoo Nebraska. Kelly spent a lot of the past summer going to rendezvous with Don, Donna & Garrett. If you don't remember the name, he was about 6'6", long blond hair, deep blue eyes and a body that was eye-candy for us girls, especially when he was wearing leggings and no shirt. He never acted like he knew how good looking he was. But he was a true blond when he started talking. We always called him Airhead or Big Dumb Kelly.
Kelly had been making knives for the rendezvous circle for several years and just last spring after his father died, Kelly acquired all his father's blacksmithing tools, forge, anvil, hammers etc. A week ago he moved into some new digs and was setting up all his blacksmithing stuff. Kelly and his buddies were picking up a trip hammer in Fremont to move it to Kelly's place in Lincoln. Big Tom and Kelly looked like they could be brothers even though they weren't related.
The latest news we have on the other passengers that were in the vehicle with Kelly:
Big Tom Latzel, father of three young children, is in critical condition. He is currently in an induced coma and his prognosis not good. Daniel Vankelenburg is also in critical condition and has a lacerated liver. Ben Smith (Julip) broke his neck, but as of today, they had him up and walking. He will remain in the hospital at least until the end of this week. The driver of the vehicle that hit them was treated and released.
Kelly's Funeral Service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday (10/10/07) at Roper and Sons Funeral Home, 4300 'O' Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Cremation/No visitation.
Memorials to the family maybe mailed to Kelly's mom at:
Gayle & Bruce Pierce
4101 NW 54
Lincoln, NE 68524
10/03/07 -HPRR 2008 Info On Line
I just got all the 2008 info updated to the web site. Bill has had a couple of work days and has his crew up and running strong. Check out the site and check in later for updates. Bill has some great pictures to post soon.
9/29/07 -HPRR 2007 Camp Pictures
The camp pictures are now on line. Special thanks go out to Mike Thelen and Michele Anderson (aka Flatline's Wife) for taking the pictures. Please take a minute to check them out!!!
4/10/07 -RMNR Site Has Changed
Here is what I know now, this letter was forwarded to me:
Hi there all, Just got off the phone with Tom Broughton. Apparently, the Forest Service has reniged on the deal for ViPond Park. They have put so many restrictions (11 pages worth apparently) that the Booshways and President of the Board of Directors and the attorney for the RMNR have decided to move to the alternate site. It will be by Lewiston, Montana about 100 miles north of Billings (the closest airport) More information will be forthcoming, but let everyone you know know about this and tell them to CHECK THE WEBSITE!!!. I will have it up and running by tomorrow, hopefully. I am also putting 1/2 page ads in Muzzleloader and Smoke and Fire with the changes.
Hope this finds all of you doing well this spring.
Take care,
Marlis and Joe
1/16/07 -OHPRRA Site Updated
The 2007 HPRR Page has been updated to include new pictures of the raffle items, links to downloadable flyers and registration forms, and maps and directions to the rendezvous. You will also find numerous changes, up dates and additions throughout the site. Take a moment to check out the New Trade Rules adopted by the organization this past month and then stop by and help me out with some links for the new Links Page.
9/5/06 -2006 HPRR Pictures
Pictures from this year's High Plains are up on the web site. Check them out. Special thanks to Mike Thelen for sending the pictures in.
8/11/06 -Fire Destroys 2006 HPRR Site
I spoke with Steve Donker earlier this week and he tells me that there are several major fires burning in the area of the 2006 rendezvous site. When I talked with him, the landowner said that the canon range had been burnt for sure, but they had not been allowed back on the site to see the extent of the damage. They are planning another rendezvous on the site this fall and they are hoping that the fire did not make it down into the wooded camping area.
This is not the first HPRR rendezvous site to have fire problems after the event. The 2000 site in the Black Hills was also destroyed by a fire shortly after the event.
7/30/06 -2007 HPRR in Minnesota
Well the information for the 2007 HPRR in Minesota is on line. More info will be added as it is available so please stop back by often.
7/30/06 -Nebraska Rendezvous a Huge Success
While I could not make it to the rendezvous this year all accounts are that it was a great rendezvous. I will have pictures from the event posted as soon as they are compiled and ready to go. The staff wants to send out a special thanks to everyone that helped make this year's rendezvous such a great event.
5/01/06 -South Dakota Offers Free Gas Voucher
If you are planning to travel to the High Plains in Nebraska this summer you might want to consider a side trip to South Dakota on the way. The State of South Dakota has a gas voucher available for licensed drivers from the states of Kansas, Illinois, Texas, Colorado, Missouri, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota & Nebraska that travel into the state. I am told that Custer State Park in the Black Hills is only 1 1/2 hours north of the 2006 HPRR Site. Its a beautiful place and might make a great addition to your trip.
Check out all the details here at the South Dakota Travel & Tourism Web Site.
2/09/06 -New Guest Book Added to the Main Page
A guest book has been added to the bottom of the main page so that our visitors can leave thoughts and ideas on the rendezvous and on the web site. We also hope that you will all leave your email so I can compile a list of visitors and keep you all informed of changes and additions to the site.
Please take a minute to stop by the guest book and leave us a message.
2/07/06 -New Updates for 2006 HPRR In Nebraska!
Check out the new events added on the events page. The staff has added a Cannon & Mortar Shoot and an Elk Hunt & Elk Feed to the planned events. If you would like to meet some more of the staff prior to the rendezvous there have been more staff pictures added to the staff page. You will also find great new pictures of the raffle items on the raffle page as well.
Pre Register now and plan on making this years rendezvous, its taking shape to be a great one!
1/12/06 -Site Updates for 2006 HPRR In Nebraska!
You will now find links to the 2006 Flyer, a Map to the Rendezvous site and down loadable Registration Form on the Flyer & Registration page.
12/20/06 -Kansas Buckskinners Loose a Friend!
Rick "Shin Bone" Presly passed away this month after a long battle with health issues. Rick was a long time member of the Kaw Valley Muzzleloaders in Kansas and a past member of the High Plains. Many of of you met Rick at the 2003 High Plains in Kansas. Health problems prevented Rick from traveling too far and a High Plains right here is his own back yard was special thing for him. Rick participated in several Reds Challenge events here in Kansas and was later a recipient of that very fund.
Rest In Peace Rick, you will be missed.
11/11/05 -New Web Site Editor
Hello, my name is Lee Tebbutt. I know many of you from past rendezvous and I hope to meet many more of you in the future. I have been involved with the High Plains organization for about 7 years, however I have been muzzleloading and rendezvousing since I was a young boy. I was the HPRR Booshway for the 2003 Rendezvous in Kansas and served as Chairman of the OHPRRA Board of Directors for three years. My current duties for the organization are as Web Site Editor. I am not completely new to this as Ed Eller and myself created this web site originally for the organization. With that said the lack of updates and changes for the past few months fall squarely on my shoulders. I have several excuses both work related and personal but setting here today none of them seem important enough to have let me abandon the High Plains. All I have to offer is my apologies and a promise to do better. I hope to keep the web site up to date and to make some changes that will allow everyone to benefit more from it. Please check back often as there will be more additions to all of the pages in the near future.
I would also like to thank the past editor, Ed Eller for all of his hard work. Thanks Ed!
11/11/05 -2006 High Plains Regional Rendezvous In Nebraska!
The web site has been updated to include all of the details and information on the 2006 High Plains Regional Rendezvous. There are several pictures of next year's site as well as the important details on registration. You will notice that the map and the downloadable registration form are not active yet. They will be up and running in a few days.
11/11/05 -HPRR 05 - Pictures are Up!
The new pictures are up from the 2005 Rendezvous. Check Them Out and see if your mug made it on the web site. Id like to send out a special thanks to Thane and his staff for a wonderful job with the rendezvous and getting so many good pictures.
5/23/05 -HPRR 05 - Awesome!
Well folks, I just received word that the High Plains staff this year have reached their goal of 100 pre-registered camps, this is an awesome turnout! Any of you traders out there who were planning to be somewhere else this week outta consider heading for Gary, SD. I think this is going to be a spectacular event. For all of those who are involved with planning and execution of this year's rendezvous, our hats are off to you for reaching this great goal. I know that you all will see it through and make this a fun and memorable rendezvous for all. Thank You.
P.S. Check out those dropping gas prices below!
3/28/2005 -Don't let'em ruin your summer vacation.
Gas prices have been almost this high before. I remember back in 2000, when we went to the Black Hills, paying $2.00/gal. in the middle of South Dakota, because I forgot to refill in Sioux Falls. Think of it this way, you can buy a warehouse club membership (where they sell gas) and save the additional money it was going to cost you to go to the rendezvous before the rendezvous even starts!! I have updated some stuff on the website, including pictures of the Bob Strand Raffle Rifle. It is a Beauty!
1/14/2005 -New Pictures from the 2004 Cross Ranch Rendezvous
The new picture album is up from the Cross Ranch State Park site, courtesy of Trees and Twigs outstanding photo CD. My apologies to them for the long delay in getting the pictures up there. They are fabulous pictures. If any of you see one that is particularly interesting e-mail me for a high resolution image.
6/2/2004 -FIRES ALLOWEDUpdate from the Booshway & Segundo
Hi all, We need some help. Someone has started a rumor that there is no fires at High Plains this year. This is NOT true and has never been true. Please as you go to rendezvous' in the next couple of weeks pass the word that this is not true. Yes the 6" off the ground fire pit is still a rule but we can have fires.
If you know of more people then those on the list that are involved in muzzleloading or High Plains please forward this email on. We have to get this rumor stopped.
Thanks for you help.
Rick "Trees" Asser Booshway
Cindy"Twigs" Haakenson Segundo
4/5/2004 -Reds ChallengeThe Story by Tom Bowers.
After the untimely death of good friend Red Donker who was ravaged by cancer at the end of 2003, I called my friend Thane Wells of South Dakota. I told Thane I had an idea to honor our friend Red, and to help our buckskin-ning community in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. The idea is this; have a shoot at any rendezvous, and call it “Reds Challenge”. Cost to shoot would be $10 for each shooter, with all the money at each event going to the Reds Challenge fund! The money would be used to help anyone in our buckskinning community who has a need. The money comes with no strings attached. We hope to keep the amount we give to $100. It might be used for gasoline for the numerous trips to the doctor, dinner with a loved one while being treated, motel stays for the family near a hospital, etc. The fund would be administered by myself and Thane Wells. No committee will decide the need. A call to Thane or myself puts the works in motion. Please help us take care of the people we love. We know this will be a success. Targets are free along with one scrimshawed priming horn per event. The priming horns have been donated and have not cost the fund. There is one prize only, the scrimshawed priming horn. The horn will say “Reds Chal-lenge” on one side and on the other side the name of the event and the year.
Questions? Want to have a Reds Challenge? Call or Write to Tom , 715-488-2630 or Thane, 605-874-2940. The priming horn, official targets and this mission statement included will be sent to you for your event FREE! There is no cost to the event! Help us honor Red…..and help our own!!!
3/29/2004 - Website Update. Sorry for the delay, it has become a busy spring for the webmaster. First, the staff has informed the board that fire conditions at Cross Ranch are currently moderate and they still have snow on the ground. In short, unless they get some good spring rains, we may have to use a gas stove or other device for cooking this year. Be prepared for now, stay tuned for updates. I personally haul one wherever I camp, they are relatively inexpensive, light, and take up little room. Second, we now have pictures of the 2004 Raffle Rifle up, it is a beauty, built in North Dakota of quality parts. A very authentic cross over gun, that would work for a longhunter or bosseloper equally well. I have shouldered it and in my opinion, it is a solid shooters gun, that will shoot straight. Lastly, we are working on getting pictures of the 2004 staff up so you'll recognize them, when they ask to help carry your wood and water:-). Greetings fellow reenactors! Dacotah Rooster here. Just thought I would jot down a few notes about the upcoming 2004 High Plains being held at Cross Ranch State Park, north ofBismarck / Mandan, N.D.
The site is on the west side of the Missouri River (Editors note: This is a very cool site!). It offers relativly level ground, surrounded by old growth cottonwoods and various other river bottom flora. The long term camp has been cleared of all deadfall and mowed, thanks to the Booshway and his hard working staff. This area alone should easily accommodate 150 - 200 camps. Short term camp will be cleaned up as well as time permits but will offer those of you who love the more "natural" setting a perfect opportunity do do so here! The grass will be taller and there may be deadfalls that you will have to set your camp up around. But as any of you know, soon there will be trails criss crossing the area just from your footsteps! Short term is on the south side of long term. The tin tipi camp is within a couple hundred yards or less of short term and parking for your rigs is a short 1/2 mile away from the start of camp.
The grounds and the roads into the site are solid. Personally, I don't think a deluge of rain will cause much in adverse effects. Same goes for the parking area.
I realize that the lack of fire pits are a concern of some of you. Those of us who are fortunate enough to travel to some of the big doins out west have learned to live with "Bridger buckets". They do not affect the ambiance of the camp or evening activities. These can be a fire box, a brazier, a fire ring -- as big or as small as you want to carry (or purchase on site from some traders!). They just have to have a bottom, sides and legs that hold it 6 inches off the ground. This is one of the few rules that we have to abide by this year on State park ground.
The Missouri River is accessible from this site, however the bank is somewhat steep but is built up with head size rock. This side of the river does contain the main channel so it is deep and the current is relatively fast. (Approx. 7 m.p.h.) Care and logic must be used if you utilize the river at your own risk. However, if you have a canoe, you can leave from here to get to the sandbars on the east side and the shallower part of the river - again this is at your own risk. Now if you are a "river person" - the staff is planning a 1 or 2 day canoe trip starting on the Knife River near the original Mandan site that was so important to Lewis and Clark. They plan stops on sandbars ( a chance to find old buffalo bones!) and at the reconstructed Ft. Mandan site before coming back to camp.
(The Ft.Mandan site was the site of the 1990 and 1994 High Plains)
There are lots of activities planned for your enjoyment and many historical sites with in a hours drive. Ft. Abraham Lincoln and Custer's House (thelast earthly residence of Custer and the 7th Cavalry!), the State Museum, Mandan/Hidatsa sites, Ft. Mandan and the visitors center, just to name a few.
If you loved the 1990 and 1994 site - you will love this site! The same setting only on the opposite side of the river! For those of you who never been "up north" - seriously plan on it. Remember, this will be your one chance to tread on the same ground that Lewis and Clark did 200 years ago to the year! What a golden opportunity to "feel" the past - dressed in the clothing of our forefathers and living a week like they did!
Hope to see all of you there! Your presence is the reward the 2004 staff gets for their hard, undaunted work!
12/31/2003- Update: High Plains loses a great friend; Jerry “Red” Wayne DonkerI thought some of you who attended or are involved with HPRR might want to see this. Red was a good man and a good friend, always willing to help out his fellow man. The organization is grateful and beholding to Red for his advice and his generous contribution of hand crafted commemorative items for HPRR auctions and raffles.
I never saw Red fail to smile broadly and sincerely when greeting a friend old or new. The picture was taken at High Plains, I think by Rich Massieon, the official obituary is available here. To quote a close friend,"The muzzleloading world will miss a die hard flintlock smoothbore shooter." He will surely be missed.
