All posts by Cheryll

Busy Fall Ahead. Check Out Where Thunderbird Atlatl Will Be!

Sept. 18-20

Chimney Point State Historic Site, Addison, Vermont

Atlatl Workshop. Atlatl experts Bob and Cheryll Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl will teach you modern and traditional techniques of atlatl and dart construction, flint knapping, hafting stone points, and cordage making. Enjoy atlatl lore and coaching on the use of your new atlatl. Bob has taught primitive skills and the atlatl for 17 years. This is his 14th year at Chimney Point. $65 fee includes instruction and all materials. Pre-registration required. Vermont Archaeology Month program. Noon – 5:00 PM.

September 19: Fourteenth Annual Northeastern Open Atlatl Championship & Chimney Point Knap-In and Festival of Nations
Participate in or watch this annual championship, part of the Festival of Nations with the Crown Point, NY, State Historic Site. The sport of atlatl throwing is based on the ancient hunting technique of using the atlatl or spear thrower. Flint knapping and other Native American life and craft demonstrations. Pre-registration preferred. Champlain 400th signature event–Festival of Nations. Top Ten Vermont Fall Event. Co-sponsored by Vermont Archaeological Society. Vermont Archeology Month program. Camping at DAR State Park. 10:30 – 4:30 PM.

September 20: ISAC Atlatl Championship
Second day of atlatl International Standard Accuracy Competition. The Knap-in and Festival of Nations continues. After ISAC, master class/coaching for boys and girls. 10:00 AM.

(802) 759-2412 www.HistoricVermont.org/chimneypoint

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

We were sorry to miss the Knapin at Flint Ridge. It was a good decision to stay close to home.

Change in Plans For Labor Day Weekend!We will not be at Flint Ridge.

We were packed and ready to go to the Flint Ridge KnapIn and even started on our way… However, a family emergency here at home has changed our plans. We feel bad about missing our annual trip to Ohio and seeing all our friends and customers but feel we need to be at home this year to be with Cheryll’s mother.

If you want to reach us with a question or need something from us, give us a call at 800-836-4520 or try our cell phone at 607-743-4379 or leave a message on our answering machine or email and we will get back to you. Our email address is contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com At Flint Ridge, look for Dana or Kay Klein and they can help you contact us.

See you next year at The Ridge!
Warm Regards,
Bob and Cheryll Berg

Stone Tool Craftsman Show Aug. 29 to 30

Thunderbird Atlatl and crew will be at the Stone Tool Craftsman Show this weekend. This is the 20th annual gathering of the Genesee Valley Knappers!
There will be flintknapping events, living history encampments, atlatl competitions and much more.
The show is on the north side of the beautiful Letchworth State Park located in western New York. Camping is available at the event which will take place at the park’s Highbanks Recreation area.
The easiest way to get to the show is to enter the park on the Mt. Morris side. However, a drive through the park is always worth the time.
For further information you can contact us this weekend via cell phone at 607-743-4379. Leave a message if we don’t answer and we will try to get back to you. If you visit the show, be sure and stop by the Thunderbird Atlatl tent.

Never a Dull Moment in the Atlatl World or at the Thunderbird Atlatl Shop!

It has been a hectic few weeks here at Thunderbird Atlatl and we know that won’t change! Bob Berg just returned from a fantastic four days on Bois Blanc Island for the Great Lakes Primitive. He had a wonderful time meeting new friends and renewing old contacts.

Meanwhile back at the shop, Cheryll has been busy trying to keep up with requests and orders. If you tried to reach us and didn’t get through – try again! We’ve been here but had a few family matters that crept in and needed attention! If you don’t reach us on the 800 number- 800-836-4520. Try our cell phone at 607-743-4379.

Summer and fall is always busy here as we travel to more shows and keep things moving at the shop. We are looking forward to being at Letchworth State Park for the Stonetool Technology Show the last weekend of August and then going to Flint Ridge State Park for the Labor Day Weekend.

In mid- September, we’ll be in Vermont for the annual Atlatl program and workshop. This year, the program will be part of the 400th anniversary celebration for Lake Champlain!

In October, Glenn Mairo has set up a new atlatl event in Danvers, Mass. More to come on that event. Looking forward to seeing many of you at these events. We wish we could be at more!

The Pennsic Wars – Aztec Atlatl Battle!!

It’s a week of battles including Atlatl Battles this week! Thunderbird Atlatl will be at the 38th Pennsic Wars at Cooper’s Lake Campground near Slippery Rock, Pa.

We were scheduled for at least three atlatl battles – maybe even more! We will be checking our messages but you can also reach us via email at contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com or call us on our cell phones- 607-743-4379 or 607-222-9873.

Check out the World Atlatl Association Event page for more upcoming atlatl events!!