Thunderbird Atlatl will be at two events this weekend! The The Candor Fall Festival at Side Hill Acres Goat Farm in Candor, New York and at New England Atlatl Day at Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, Connecticut.

Both events will feature ISACS, local contests and demonstrations.

Side Hill Acres Goat Farm is located on Spencer Road in Candor, New York. For further information contact: Bob or Cheryll Berg, 607-659-3854 or 607-743-4379.

New England Atlatl Day is co-sponsored by the Friends of Hammonassett Beach State Park, Madison, Connecticut and the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History/CT Archaeology Center. For further information contact Gary Nolf (860) 575-4263 gnolf@comcast.net

Photos from last year’s events! Top Photo, New England Atlatl Day and bottom photo, Candor Fall Fest

We were sorry to learn in late September that our good friend and atlatl supporter, Glenn Mairo, passed away in Massachusetts at the way too young age of 57.

Many years ago, Glenn called us up after attending our workshop at Chimney Point in Vermont and asked if we would be interested in bringing an atlatl workshop to a program in Massachusetts. For five years, Glenn set up and ran the an atlatl contest and workshops at the Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers, Ma. and then later set up a program with the Danvers Historical Society. Glenn did a lot of work introducing atlatls to a variety of people and a number of people got their first chance to try the atlatl at one of Glenn’s events. Glenn’s son, Max, was often at his side making the programs a success.

A memorial service was held in late September in Massachusetts for Glenn. Rest in Peace dear friend. Our condolences to Glenn’s family. Glenn’s obituary follows:

Glenn R. Mairo, 57

Boxford — Glenn R. Mairo of Boxford passed away peacefully Friday,
September 14, 2012 at the West Roxbury Veteran’s Hospital after a lengthy
illness. He was born October 23, 1954 in Chelsea, MA. He was the son of Beverly
(Hatch) and Robert L. Mairo. He graduated from Masconomet Regional High
School in 1972 and attended the Boston Conservatory of Music. Glenn was a
Vietnam Veteran and served in the Airforce Band as head percussionist and
assistant conductor. A highlight of his years in the Armed forces was conducting
the combined Air Force and Marine band in Philadelphia on the Nation’s
bicentennial in 1976.
at the West Roxbury Veteran’s Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was born October 23, 1954
in Chelsea, MA. He was the son of Beverly (Hatch) and Robert L. Mairo. He graduated from
Masconomet Regional High School in 1972 and attended the Boston Conservatory of Music.
Glenn was a Vietnam Veteran and served in the Airforce Band as head percussionist and
assistant conductor. A highlight of his years in the Armed forces was conducting the combined
Air Force and Marine band in Philadelphia on the Nation’s bicentennial in 1976.

He was the founder and director of the Essex Harmony, a singing ensemble, held the title
Educator of the Danvers Historical Society and was on their board of trustees. Glenn was a past
Chairman of the Massachusetts Archeological Society and active in the Salem Preservation
Inc. He served in the Danvers Alarm List and was a member of the Rebecca Nurse Homestead
Preservation Society. He was a certified Alamo Living History Volunteer in San Antonio and
was also involved in the Essex National Heritage Commission.

He is survived by his son, Maxfield Mairo of Maine, his sister and brother in law Michele
and Robert Pszenny of Boxford, nieces Jaclyn Pszenny, Victoria Gamache and nephew David
Gamache and two grand nieces Megan and Madison Gamache.

Thunderbird Atlatl will be at two events close to our home shop but about a half hour away in different directions Saturday! We will be at the Tioga Center Pumpkin Fest in Tioga Center, NY and at the First Peoples’ Festival in Ithaca, NY.

The seventh annual Pumpkin Fest will take place at Ransom Park in Tioga Center, NY The event begins at 9 a.m. and continues through the day.

The First Peoples Festival begins at 10 a.m. and continues to 5:30 p.m at DeWitt Park in downtown Ithaca. We will be joining the Primitive Pursuits group at the festival. The festival is free and is a celebration of indigenous peoples and cultures. There will be performances by Allegany River Indian Dancers, listen to flute playing by Dan Hill and story-telling by Barbara Bethman-Mahonty.

We had a great time back at Chimney Point Historic Site in Vergennes, Vt. last weekend. Gary Nolf of Connecticut won the grand champion award. We will post pictures over the weekend.

Thunderbird Atlatl will be in Vermont this weekend. Thanks to all our friends who made the Maine Primitive Weekend a great experience a couple weeks ago.

There is still time to sign up for the workshop at Chimney Point on Friday. It is from noon to 5 p.m. It will take place at the Chimney Point Historic Site in Vergennes, Vt. We are excited to be back at Chimney Point again after two years away during construction of the new Lake Champlain Bridge.

For further information about the workshop and to sign up contact, the museum at 802-759-2412. This is the 17th year the workshop has been offered at Chimney Point! This is a Vermont Archaeology Month program.

On Saturday, September 22, the 17th Annual Northeastern Open Atlatl Championship will be held at the museum.
Participate in or watch this annual championship. The sport of atlatl throwing is based on the ancient hunting technique of using the atlatl or spear thrower. Demonstrations and workshops on flint knapping, Woodland pottery, and other crafts and skills. Vermont Archaeology Month program. 10:30 – 4:30 PM

Photo from a previous year’s workshop in Vermont!

Thunderbird Atlatl will be at the Maine Primitive Gathering in Wells, Maine this weekend. The program provides at weekend of camaraderie and primitive skills instruction. Check out the website at http://broad-wingedfarm.com/MPG.html

Bob Berg and a host of other instructors will offer workshops throughout the weekend.