History of the Sharon Mountain Muzzleloaders,
FTRF and BTRF
The Haddam Meadows groups and the early FTRF
Sharon Mountain Muzzleloaders is an extension of the old “Haddam Meadows” reenactment groups. In Connecticut, “Haddam” was a large week-long event that brought together native American and Colonial period reenactors, each with their own interpretation of part of the early American experience. The first of what were later to become “Sharon Mountain Muzzleloader” events were the Frozen Toe Rifle Frolics (FTRF). The FTRFs began around 1987 by Mike Shea and his friends from the Queen’s Rangers, and other early American groups, to provide a winter event for all those who enjoyed the Haddam Meadows summer gathering. The FTRF was the result of the collective interest of a small group of dedicated individuals, shooters and reenactors who were looking to continue their passion for the outdoors in a more demanding venue.
Charlie Potvin was one of the active participant in the early Frozen Toe events, and was an important mentor to many of the participants. Not only was he an excellent shot, he was dedicated to the safe handling, proper care and cleaning of muzzle loading weapons. He passed on his discipline to the early Frozen Toe participants. There is at least one recollection of Charlie, confiscating one of the member’s dirty rifle, disassembling and cleaning the offending weapon, and returning it to the owner with a lecture on the proper maintenance and care of the muzzleloader.
Sharon Mountain Muzzleloaders is an extension of the old “Haddam Meadows” reenactment groups. In Connecticut, “Haddam” was a large week-long event that brought together native American and Colonial period reenactors, each with their own interpretation of part of the early American experience. The first of what were later to become “Sharon Mountain Muzzleloader” events were the Frozen Toe Rifle Frolics (FTRF). The FTRFs began around 1987 by Mike Shea and his friends from the Queen’s Rangers, and other early American groups, to provide a winter event for all those who enjoyed the Haddam Meadows summer gathering. The FTRF was the result of the collective interest of a small group of dedicated individuals, shooters and reenactors who were looking to continue their passion for the outdoors in a more demanding venue.
Charlie Potvin was one of the active participant in the early Frozen Toe events, and was an important mentor to many of the participants. Not only was he an excellent shot, he was dedicated to the safe handling, proper care and cleaning of muzzle loading weapons. He passed on his discipline to the early Frozen Toe participants. There is at least one recollection of Charlie, confiscating one of the member’s dirty rifle, disassembling and cleaning the offending weapon, and returning it to the owner with a lecture on the proper maintenance and care of the muzzleloader.
Birth of the BTRF
Charlie was a pivotal character in the evolution of the organization. In 1999 doctors determined that he had brain cancer. Members of the FTRF, afraid that Charlie would not make another rendezvous, created the first “Burnt Toe Rifle Frolic (BTRF) in August of 2000. Charlie passed away in April of 2001. His friends helped scatter his ashes over the site of the FTRF/BTRF, the events that he helped define.
Charlie was a pivotal character in the evolution of the organization. In 1999 doctors determined that he had brain cancer. Members of the FTRF, afraid that Charlie would not make another rendezvous, created the first “Burnt Toe Rifle Frolic (BTRF) in August of 2000. Charlie passed away in April of 2001. His friends helped scatter his ashes over the site of the FTRF/BTRF, the events that he helped define.
Sharon Mountain Muzzleloaders
The Sharon Mountain Muzzleloaders was created in 2001 or 2002 after it was determined that there was enough interest to continue two events (BTRF and FTRF) each year. They became a “Charter Club” of the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association, which assured financial viability and insurance support.
There were 28 founding members. They were:
Andy Abramson
Jim Benson
Chris & Sara Bunnell
Charlie Burton
Dave & Arlene Coughlin
Peggy Chubbuck
Jim Gilbert
George Gomme
Dave Martin
Joe Mis
Tom Nedwedon
Dave Peterson
Mike Peterson
Jim Poole
Pat Potvin
Kerry Quinn
Warren & Joan Reed
Mike Reese
Spencer Reese
Charlie Shea
Mike Shea
Ed Spataro
Tony Sterzel
Charlene Warbeck
Emory & Pam Wisell
The Sharon Mountain Muzzleloaders was created in 2001 or 2002 after it was determined that there was enough interest to continue two events (BTRF and FTRF) each year. They became a “Charter Club” of the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association, which assured financial viability and insurance support.
There were 28 founding members. They were:
Andy Abramson
Jim Benson
Chris & Sara Bunnell
Charlie Burton
Dave & Arlene Coughlin
Peggy Chubbuck
Jim Gilbert
George Gomme
Dave Martin
Joe Mis
Tom Nedwedon
Dave Peterson
Mike Peterson
Jim Poole
Pat Potvin
Kerry Quinn
Warren & Joan Reed
Mike Reese
Spencer Reese
Charlie Shea
Mike Shea
Ed Spataro
Tony Sterzel
Charlene Warbeck
Emory & Pam Wisell