Category Archives: News

New England Atlatl Days, October 1 & 2

Thunderbird Atlatl will be in Connecticut this weekend at the New England Atlatl Day program Oct. 1 & 2 at the Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Ct.
The event takes place at the Native American Festival sponsored by the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History and the Connecticut Archaeology Center. The atlatl portion of event will feature ISACs and a Woolly Mammoth Hunt. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. For further information contact: Gary Nolf 860-575-4263 gnolf@comcast.net The park is in a beautiful location and definitely worth a visit.
Below are photos from past Connecticut events:

Great Weekend in Vermont; Looking Forward to Connecticut!

Lady (and baby!) Winners in Vermont
Lady (and baby!) Winners in Vermont
The weather stayed perfect at the annual Chimney Point Atlatl Contest (held at Mount Independence in Orwell for a second year due to bridge construction). The change in venue, coupled with flooding throughout Vermont and elsewhere led to less attendance than in previous years but we are all looking forward to 2012 when the contest should be back at Chimney Point! The new bridge is looking great!
Our next venue will be in Connecticut the weekend of September 30 to October 1 at the Friends of Hammonasset Festival See you there!
Following are some more photos of Vermont winners! (more to come after we figure out some technical problems!)
Lady Vermont Winners
Lady Vermont Winners
Vermont Winners
Vermont Winners

Join Thunderbird Atlatl for a Vermont Atlatl Weekend Sept. 16 to 18

It’s not too late to sign up for Friday’s atlatl making workshop at the Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell, Vt.
Robert Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl will present his atlatl-making workshop from noon to 5:00 p.m. The session includes making your own atlatl, making and fletching three field darts, and coaching on the use of your new equipment. Bob also will demonstrate modern construction techniques, flint-knapping, hafting stone points, and cordage making from natural materials.
This is Bob’s 16th year presenting his workshop in Vermont. Bob was featured in Vermont Public Television’s program, Outdoor Journal, in March 2008.
The workshop has been moved to Mount Independence from its traditional location at the Chimney Point State Historic Site, due the adjacent Lake Champlain Bridge construction project, which will be completed next spring.
A $65 fee covers all materials, instruction, and admission to the museum at Mount Independence. Pre-registration is required. To request a form or ask questions, please call 802-759-2412. Or, the registration form is available online at: www.historicvermont.org/chimneypoint/atlatl

The workshop is the first day of the three day 16th Annual Northeast Open Atlatl Championship—September 16 to 18, a highlight of Vermont Archeology Month special events. After making your atlatl, compete on Saturday or Sunday.

Mount Independence is open daily, 9:30 to 5:00, through October 10. It is located at 497 Mount Independence Road, six miles west of the intersection of Vermont Routes 73 and 22A.

For more information about the Vermont State-Owned Historic Sites, visit: www.HistoricVermont.org/sites. Be part of the conversation and join the Vermont State Historic Sites on Facebook.

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Maine Primitive, Equinunk Historical Society This Weekend

We had a great time in Flint Ridge in Brownsville, Ohio. It was great to see all the knappers and atlatlists! The weather was pretty hot Friday and Saturday but now back in upstate New York, we are experiencing massive flooding throughout the area so the hot weather was probably better!
This weekend, September 10 and 11, we are splitting up forces Bob will be at the Maine Primitive in Wells, Maine and Cheryll will be presenting a program at the Equinunk Historical Society in Equinunk, Pa.
Next weekend, Sept. 16 to 18, we will be at the annual atlatl program in Vermont. More details to come. There is still room to sign up for workshops!
Our son, Peter, is still participating in the Mongol Rally and should be in Mongolia now. We are waiting for him to have internet access so we can be updated! Stay dry if you are in upstate New York!