Why do we call it "VOO"?

During the years of approximately 1820-1840 beaver fur hats and other furs used for garments were very popular in Europe. So in this fresh new western frontier the trappers would trap all winter, primarily for beaver fur as they brought the highest trade dollar. Then each spring word would be spread by word of mouth that there was going to be a rendezvous (French for meeting) at such and such location.

At that time all the traders from the east and the representatives of various trading companies, like Hudson Bay Company out of England, would meet with the fur trappers and trade merchandise and $$ for the furs. A Hudson Bay blanket traditionally came in sizes called points. The more points the bigger the blanket. So a four point blanket was bigger in size and thickness than a three point.

The points also, originally, meant how many beaver pelts it would take to get that blanket. So a 4 point cost 4 pelts. That of course changed over the years.

By 1840 the fur trade had basically bottomed out and the trappers and mountain men fell out of favor.

At the rendezvous, once the trading was all done. Parties, gambling, wild women and such were enjoyed by all. Generally the poor trapper went back to his cabin in the mountains just as broke as he was when he left.

So, now about our modern 'voo. We all raise our birds and trade, barter, or sell birds, eggs, plants, trinkets etc. ideas and such. We eat, laugh talk, and well maybe act a little wild. NO gambling other than gambling on what color some of those guinea keets might turn out to be if you were looking for a certain color. Anyway it's a lot of fun. So via our internet word of mouth we are planning an annual spring meet where we will all take our shinin' wares, partake in good vittles, laugh and tell tales. All will go home happy.

Written by Jan Patterson