All posts by Cheryll

Visit us this Labor Day Weekend at the Flint Ridge KnapIn

The Thunderbird Atlatl staff will be at the Flint Ridge Knap near Brownsville, Ohio this Labor Day Weekend. Stop by and visit us!
We had a great time in Letchworth at the Stone Tool Technology Show! Looking forward to another great weekend. Check out the knapin link for more information www.flintridgeknapin.com
In upcoming weeks, we will be in Maine, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Connecticut. We will keep you posted!

Atlatl Battles in full force at Pennsic War!

The Thunderbird Atlatl crew is back from the 40th Pennsic War. As usual, we had a great time at Pennsic! This year, there were two Atlatl Battles above the castle. Nearly 100 people took part in the two atlatl battles. There were over 60 people participating in the second battle on Thursday.
The weather for both nights was great as teams tried to discover who the other teams Shaman was. Atlatl battles at Pennsic are always a highlight of our summer and we look forward to continuing the tradition next year an in years to come!
We will be at the Stonetool Show at Letchworth the end of August and at Flint Ridge over Labor Day.

Fantastic time in England; Back at the Thunderbird Atlatl Shop; Atlatl Rattle in Hancock

From the moment we boarded the ferry in France to cross the channel into Dover, England, we knew we were in good hands with our English hosts! Steve Medlock texted us before we boarded the ferry and on our two hour trip across. As we left the ferry and entered on to English soil, Steve was waiting to lead us to the campground.
We arrived (after following Steve’s car through the English countryside and driving on the opposite of the road we were accustomed to!) after 11 p.m. to find a tent entirely set up for us with sleeping bags, cots, air mattresses, a refrigerator with food in it, a stove, lights, flashlights and an United States flag flying in the front! The next day Bob met with Steve and a great group to offer a workshop. The workshop continued on Sunday. We can not thank our English hosts enough for their kind welcome and for preparing great accommodations.
Following the workshops, Steve transported us to airports, took us on tours around the countryside and helped us find items we needed. Thanks Steve. Steve and Neal (accompanied by his delightful 10-month-old daughter) gave us a great tour of Lewes on Wednesday, July 20. On Friday, Steve and his son, Chris, returned to the campsite and took down the tent and packed away the camping supplies with our son, Peter, and his friend, Chris. Peter and Chris left to start their Mongol Rally adventure During their trip, they will be demonstrating atlatls and hope to put on an atlatl contest in Mongolia at the end of their journey.

Atlatl Rattle
The Atlatl Rattle is this weekend July 21 to 24 in Hancock, NY. It’s a great event along the Delaware River. We will try to be there but might not be able to make it since we are just getting back from Europe. Have a great time! Ray Turner is a wonderful host.

Sussex, England workshop
Sussex, England workshop

Touring Germany, Denmark and England

We are having a wonderful time visiting our European friends and demonstrating and showing the atlatl at various programs in Germany, Denmark and soon England!

The Weigel family have been terrific hosts and have helped us a lot during our visit. They have helped our son, Peter, prepare his team’s car for the upcoming Mongol Rally which begins July 23 in London. Peter, Chris Burt and Jeff Andrews will drive a tiny Fiat to Mongolia to London. They are talking about bringing atlatls with them and demonstrating on the way! A few years ago, Ray Strischek’s son, Corey and his girlfriend, also participated in the Mongol Rally. Corey has offered lots of advice and assistance.

We will post photos and provide more information as we get better internet access. A special thanks to Michelle Brophy, Martha and Danny for keeping Thunderbird Atlatl in good shape on the home front!

Remembering Mom-Helen Marie Roth Connolly

We did not expect we would be posting so soon after Cheryll’s Dad’s death that her Mother, Helen, had also passed away. On Thursday, June 30, Cheryll’s Mom, Helen, left this life to join her husband, Anthony. Following Anthony’s funeral in June, Cheryll’s Mom, Helen, came home from the hospital to the local hospice program. She was able to be home surrounded by her family and favorite canine companions, Jack and Jill.

We celebrate Helen’s life and are blessed that they both were able to spend their final years with us in our home. We are missing them but know they are at peace and together.

For our atlatlist and flintknapper friends, Cheryll’s Mom, as was her Dad, was a member of the Secret Ear of Corn Ooga Booga Society! Oooga Booga! Anthony and Helen learned the Oooga Booga secret at The Atlatl Rattle at Green Flats, Casa De Fumo, Hancock, New York (Ray Turner’s) several years ago.

Helen’s obituary can be viewed here A memorial service for Helen will be held later this month at the Hancock Baptist Church in Hancock, NY.