Thunderbird Atlatl will be at the annual Stonetool CraftsmanShow at Letchworth State Park this weekend, Aug. 26, 27 & 28. This is one of the largest flintknapping and atlatl events in the country. All are welcome. The Stonetool Show is held on the north end of Letchworth State Park. Enter the park from the Mt. Morris, NY end. Travel a few miles into the park and you will see the show on your left at the High Banks Recreation area.

We just returned from a week at the Pennsic Wars! It was great to see a variety of atlatlists get together for two nights of Aztec Atlatl Battle. It was a fun time for all involved and we are looking forward to more and bigger Aztec Atlatl Battles next year.

Other upcoming atlatl events include the annual Labor Day program at Flint Ridge, Ohio (between Zanesville and Columbus – Brownsville). There will be lots of Flintknappers and atlatlists at this event. We will be there Saturday and Sunday.

In September, watch for more information on the annual Northeaster Open Atlatl Championship & ISAC at the Chimney Point Historic Site in Vergennes, Vt. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of University of Vermont Professor James Petersen who was killed while in Brazil in August. Professor Petersen was an avid supporter of the Chimney Point contest and was there every year helping to judge the contests. The contest takes place Sept. 17 with ISACs held both Sept. 17 & 18. On Sept. 16, Bob Berg will offer a workshop from noon to 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For further information contact: 602-759-2412.

September will conclude with the third annual Atlatl Field Da and ISAC at the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, 149 Pine Street, Danvers, Mass. Septe. 24 & 25.

Coordinator Glenn Mairo is planning a variety of activities including an Aztec Atlatl Battle! More details will follow. There will also be demonstrations of other primitive skills at this event. For further information call: 978-580-9437.

In less than ten days we will be at the 34th Pennsic Wars in Pennsylvania. Plans are to host three Aztec Atlatl Battles during the week. We look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new friends at this year’s Pennsic.

The weekend of Aug. 26 to 28, we will be at the annual Stonetool Show at Letchworth State Park near Mt. Morris, NY. This is a great show to attend if you can fit it in.

Labor Day weekend we will head to Flint Ridge, Ohio for the annual knap-in and atlatl contests at Flint Ridge. It’s another fun event for anyone in the area.

The reporting gremlins were at work last year and somehow Chris Pappas’ score of 90 at the Icicle Atlatl contest in Waverly, NY in November did not get listed in the 2004 final tallies. Congratulations to Chris for this great score! Lloyd Pine has located the score sheet and will adjust the records. Thanks Lloyd and congratulations to Chris! We were not aware the score was omitted until recently.

Everyone, please make it a point of contacting either the contest organizers or Lloyd if your score isn’t reported. With so many ISAC scores being sent in, it’s easy for a score sheet to get overlooked. Score sheets can also get lost in the mail and never get to Lloyd so it really helps if you let someone know if a score isn’t reported.

Don’t forget the annual Green Flats Atlatl Rattle, sponsored by Chris Pappas and Ray Turner, will take place in Hancock, NY on the shores of the Delaware River July 28 to 31. For information contact Chris Pappas at 607-637- 2585 or Thunderbird Atlatl at 1-800-836-4520.

Dennis Lance presented the atlatl as an alternative hunting weapon to the Pennsylvania Game Commission at their June 27th meeting in Harrisburg. He asked the PGC to allow the use of the atlatl during any regular archery season which would include deer hunting, bear hunting, fishing, and small game hunting.

In addition to the short presentation Dennis and a group of atlatl enthusiasts which included Tom Goble, Jack Rowe, Mason Miller, Erich Zeh, and George Miller did a demonstration of the atlatl for the commission. Many members of the PGC seemed receptive to the idea. It is hoped that the PGC will allow at least limited use of the atlatl and perhaps even give it equal status with the bow and arrow.

Please send favorable comments to:
Vernon R. Ross
Executive Director

Michael W. Schmit
Deputy Executive Director

Address:
2001 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg PA 17110-9797

Phone:
(717) 787-4250

Hours:
Monday – Friday
7:45AM – 4:00PM