All posts by Cheryll

Back in Candor; Upcoming Atlatl Events!

We enjoyed our visit to the Danvers Historical Society’s atlatl program this past weekend. Snow and rain dampened Sunday’s program but the weather stayed clear on Saturday. Thanks to the Danvers Historical Society and Glenn Mairo for hosting the event.

There a lot of atlatl events coming up this weekend and in the next few weeks. Check out the World Atlatl Association calendar for details.

Here are some events:

Archaeology Open House
DATE & TIME: Saturday, October 24, 12-5pm

LOCATION: R.S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Phillips Academy, 180 Main St.
INFORMATION: lrandall@andover.edu
SPONSOR: R.S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, www.andover.edu/rspeabody
ADMISSION: Free
The Robert S. Peabody Museum will host an archaeology open house complete with trebuchet and atlatl demonstrations (weather permitting). A trebuchet is a large catapult-like device traditionally used to destroy castle walls and an atlatl is an implement used to hurl seven-foot long spears with darts for hunting and warfare. Exhibit galleries featuring highlights from the Museum’s collection of over 500,000 Native American artifacts will also be open.

Atlatl Event, October 25, 10 a.m.
Franklin County Sportsmen’s Club in Deerfield, Mass.

The event is being held in conjunction with the club’s annual fall turkey shoot.

Plans are to teach throwing techniques using different styles of atlatls and darts using hardwood and cane darts and throwers we will provide, and have the materials and hand tools available for those who want to try their hand at crafting a simple spear thrower. There will be some self bows and arrows on hand for those who want to try primitive archery equipment, and materials to make bullroarers, our other featured activity. Primitive bows as well as atlatls are welcome, as well as slinging and other primitive weaponry. The address of the club is:

Franklin County Sportsmen’s Club
721 River Road East Deerfield, Massachusetts

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Dane Mitchell at: danemitchell@comcast.net

Other atlatl events from the World Atlatl Association site:
Oct. 24:

Dundee Sportsman’s Club
Dundee, Wisconsin Hwy 67.
Starting at noon.. ISAC, & local events.
Contact information: Leonard Riemersma (920) 528-7454 lenmaryr@dotnet.com

Oct. 24

Past Lifeways Celebration (formerly archaeology day)
O’Brien County Conservation Board at the Prairie Heritage Center, Iowa
10am-3pm
Come and celebrate past hunting technologies. Register for an atlatl competition with age and team categories, and an ISAC registered competion. See displays and participate in other activities. Stay for a lecture by Alexander Woods, who started the Iowa Atlatl team at the University of Iowa.
www.prairieheritagecenter.org

Oct. 30-31

Zaleski State Forest, Lake Hope Park Ohio ROAR days
ISAC, IASAC and Ohio Atlatl Association local events.
Contact Steve Barnett barnz@juno.com 740-698-6553 or
Ray Strischek ohioatlatl@hotmail.com 740-593-2365

Oct. 31

**RESCHEDULED**
Ninth Annual Blackwater Draw Atlatl Throw
Blackwater Draw, New Mexico
The site is located along the road to Cannon Air Force Base (State Highway 467), about 6 miles north of Portales and 1 mile north of the turn to Oasis State Park. Registration and practice will start at 9:00 AM, with the Target Round begins at 10:00. The ISAC round will take place in the afternoon.
There will also be a flint-working demonstration and possibly other primitive skills at the site.
Contact: David.Batten@enmu.edu or (505) 562-2750

Nov. 7

Indoor Shoot at Jim’s Pro Shop – Shortsville, New York
ISAC, IASAC and locals. Range Fee $8. 10 am to 1 pm only.
You will want to bring primitive bow with arrows rigged for standard arrow inserts if you want to shoot any of the video hunts on the big screen. Each hunt can accommodate up to 10 people at a time (separate fee is $8 per person) Great Fun and Challenge!
Exit 43 off Thruway and south on 21 to rte 96, 2 miles west (sign will probably say north) to just past blinking light for cty rd 28. The block bldg (4885 Route 96) is on the left.
Contact: RSVP to Douglas Bassett (585) 493-3625; Douglas.Bassett@oprhp.state.ny.us

Nov. 7-8

Rabbit and Coyote Hunt
La Monte, Missouri
Dusk and dawn coyote calling hunts. Day time rabbit hunts with beagles & ISAC .
Contact: Kevin Brauer @ brauer14us@yahoo.com or
Ron Mertz @ devoemertz@sbcglobal.net ((314) 628-9376).

Nov. 7-8
Nov. 11
Nov. 30

November 7 & 8-Frosty Blanket atlatl throw & ISAC. Cheyenne, Wyoming November 11 & 30 Laramie, Wyoming
Open to all, equipment and instruction cheerfully provided.
Sponsored by the Wyoming Atlatl and Social Club.
Contact: Gary/Regina Dodson wyowinds@aol.com (307-632-0766)
or Russell Richard coyoteclown@aol.com (307-772-0550) for location and time.

Candor Fall Festival Winners-Massachusetts October 17 and 18!

John Morris of Grand Isle, Vermont, was the Grand Champion of the Candor Fall Festival Pumpkin Challenge. Sue Mercer won the Women’s Division. The weekend was chilly and breezy but a stalwart group of atlatlists participated in two days of local contests and ISACs. Thanks to everyone who came and participated. A special thanks to Bette Morris, Doug Bassett, Sue Mercer, and Scott Van Arsdale for their help.

Thunderbird Atlatl will be in Danvers, Mass. Oct. 17 to 18 for the 6th Annual Massachusetts Atlatl Field Days organized by Glenn Mairo and the Danvers Historical Society.

The schedule is as follows:

“6th ANNUAL MASSACHUSETTS ATLATL FIELD DAYS –
A Family Friendly Primitive Skills Event”

Saturday October 17th – Sunday October 18th, 2009

Saturday – Tapley Memorial Hall – 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Free Admission!
Workshops for all ages and skill levels by: Bob Berg-Thunderbird Atlatl, “Trapper John” Enos, Jeff Gottlieb, and guests from the Maine Primitive School. Workshop materials fee will be paid directly to workshop instructors.
Talks by: Maine Primitive School staff, and Glenn Mairo

Sunday – Endicott Park Activity Field – 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Free Admission!
Atlatl throwing for all ages on well-regulated, safe target ranges. Vendors include: Thunderbird Atlatl, Richard Parker Lithic Tools, “Trapper John” Enos, and Jeff Gottlieb.

Contact: Glenn Mairo
978-580-9437
gmairo@hotmail.com

Atlatl Contests & Demonstrations in Candor, NY

Thunderbird Atlatl will be sponsoring atlatl contests and demonstrations this week at the annual Candor, NY Fall Fest, Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11.

The atlatl demonstrations and contests will take place at the Side Hill Acres Goat Farm on Route 96 (just outside the Village of Candor). Take Route 96 towards Spencer, NY from Candor and the farm is located on your left just as you leave the village limits. If you are coming from Spencer, it is on your right just before you enter the Village of Candor.

There will be a variety of events going on at the Side Hill Acres Goat Farm and also throughout the Village of Candor including a wood carving show, quilt show and much more. For further information contact Thunderbird Atlatl at 800-836-4520. For a schedule of events, check out the Candor Chamber web page at: http://www.candorny.org/fall_festival.htm

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Great Time in Connecticut & Maine

We had a great time in Connecticut and Maine this past weekend. Thanks to our hosts and the sponsors of both events for putting on wonderful programs.

Farewell to two atlatl friends

We were sorry to learn in the past few days of the deaths of Atlatl and Bow Maker Lou Becker of Michigan and Atlatl maker and artist Chuck Burtorajac of Pennsylvania. Both gentleman have been known in the atlatl community for many years.
We were privileged to first meet Lou in the early 90s at one of the first atlatl contests we hosted at the Waterman Center in Apalachin, NY. Bob Berg and Lou Becker went on one of the earliest known modern atlatl hunts of wild boar in Georgia in the early 90s. It was Lou Becker who inspired Bob Berg to believe that atlatls could be revived as a modern hunting weapon.
We first met Chuck (known to many as “half-beard” because of his signature look) at an atlatl contest at Borderlands farm in New Jersey also in the 1990s. He quickly became a fan of the atlatl and made it to many contests and shows before health problems curtailed traveling.
Both Chuck and Lou were early supporters of the atlatl and contributed greatly to the resurgence of the atlatl. They will both be missed. Our condolences to their families and friends.

Upcoming Events:
We will be at two places this weekend: Connecticut and Maine. Check out our previous post for details. We will post further updates on Wednesday.

Atlatl Demonstrations at the Tioga Center Pumpkin Festival; Great Time in Vermont

Thunderbird Atlatl will be at the 4th Annual Pumpkin Festival Saturday, September 26, at Ransom Park in Tioga Center, NY. We will be demonstrating the atlatl throughout the day long program.

Once again, the annual Chimney Point Atlatl Contest and Workshop was a well attended program. The weather was fantastic and lots of people had an opportunity to try the atlatl and participate in contests. John and Bette Morris and Greg Maurer offered a special opportunity on Sunday for people to try the atlatl. The festivities surrounding the 400th anniversary of the discovery of Lake Champlain by Samuel De Champlain added to the festivities.

Here’s where Thunderbird Atlatl will be in the upcoming weeks:

Oct. 3-4

New England Atlatl Day
Hammonasset Festival, Hammonasset Beach State Park , Madison, Connecticut
ISAC and Local Competitions co-sponsored by the Friends of Hammonasset and the CT State Museum of Natural History / CT Archaeology Center.
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 4:00.
Camping available.
For more information contact Gary Nolf gnolf@comcast.net

Oct. 3 to 4

Maine Primitive Gathering Workshop Schedule

Friday Oct 2
12noon Opening Circle
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Introduction to Basic Blacksmithing- Will Sampson
Gourdcraft- Jeff Gottlieb
Inuit Strap Drill- Al Cornell
4-6pm Archery Tournament
6pm Dinner Block

Saturday Oct 3
7:30am Instructor & Volunteer Meeting
8:30am Morning Announcements
9-12 Morning Instruction Block
Language of the Birds- Dan Gardoqui (White Pine Programs)
Hide in a Day: Wet Scrap Method- Kfir Mendel (Two Wolves)
Primitive Knife Making- Adriaan Gerber
Campfire Cooking for Kids- Rudy Bourget
Atlatl Theory and Use- Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl)
Lacto-Fermentation- Candi Huber
12noon Lunch Block
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Hide in a Day: continued- Kfir Mendel (Two Wolves)
Aleutian Style Kayak Paddle- Andy Dobos (Three Red Trees)
One Piece Knife Sheath- Robin Sampson
Wild Basketry- Jeff Gottlieb
Making Simple Clay Smoking Pipes- Charlie Paquin
Wild Edible Walk- Frank Pfisterer
4-6pm Trade Blanket (bring stuff to trade)- Jeff Gottlieb
6pm Primitive Potluck- everyone bring a healthy dish to share
7pm Music with Anya Rose (bring your instruments)

Sunday Oct 4
8:30am Morning Announcements
9-12 Morning Instruction Block
Language of the Birds- Dan Gardoqui (White Pine Programs)
Drilling Slate Pendants- Jeff Gottlieb
A Shower of Sparks- Rudy Bourget
Intro to Permaculture- Jesse Watson
Cordage: principles & techniques- Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl)
12noon Lunch Block
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Primitive Trapping- Dany Hamel & Chris Sommers
Lost Proofing- Rudy Bourget
Fire Saw- Al Cornell
Permaculture Patterns- Jesse Watson
Useful Stone Tools: flakes & unifaces- Charlie Paquin
4pm Closing Circle

Oct. 10-11

Annual Candor Fall Festival Atlatl Contests and Demonstrations
at Side Hill Acres Goat Farm, Route 96, Candor, New York
Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 both days.
ISAC, IAC and local contests and demonstrations.
For further information contact Bob or Cheryll Berg at 1-800-836-4520 or Thunderbirdatlatl@gmail.com

Oct. 17 to 18

GLENN MAIRO
AND THE DANVERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Present the:

“6th ANNUAL MASSACHUSETTS ATLATL FIELD DAYS –
A Family Friendly Primitive Skills Event”

Saturday October 17th – Sunday October 18th, 2009

Saturday – Tapley Memorial Hall – 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Free Admission!
Workshops for all ages and skill levels by: Bob Berg-Thunderbird Atlatl, “Trapper John” Enos, Jeff Gottlieb, and guests from the Maine Primitive School. Workshop materials fee will be paid directly to workshop instructors.
Talks by: Maine Primitive School staff, and Glenn Mairo

Sunday – Endicott Park Activity Field – 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Free Admission!
Atlatl throwing for all ages on well-regulated, safe target ranges. Vendors include: Thunderbird Atlatl, Richard Parker Lithic Tools, “Trapper John” Enos, and Jeff Gottlieb.

Contact: Glenn Mairo
978-580-9437
gmairo@hotmail.com