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SPALLS - November 2016 - Current Issue SPALLS Distribution Distribution of SPALLS is available to any viable Email or Snail Mail (USPS) address. Many of the PSK knappers with only snail-mail address are not receiving SPALLS. For those of you that are receiving SPALLS via e-mail, please notify these snail-mail knappers to send a letter with their mailing address to: James Keffer THE POLICY IS: If you send your e-mail address Jim Keffer at If you, or someone you know, has an e-mail address and did not receive SPALLS in June, e-mail your address to Jim Keffer. I have several unverified email address at this time. If you have received a verification email from me please reply - I need the updates! SPAM PROTECTION: Several of our subscribers have not been getting the SPALLS issue via e-mail. Please check your SPAM protection. I think that some of your SPAM protection is eliminating the SPALLS message. One of the checks for SPAM is the number of multiple issues from the sender. If your protection checks this, the SPALLS message will be tagged as SPAM. In some cases, the message is only tagged. In others, the message is deleted. Subscribers to “hotmail”, some of the hotmail accounts bounce SPALLS because of server space. Be sure to empty your server often. I also make it a policy never to give out member contact information unless specifically authorized. That includes email and resident/mailing addresses and phone numbers. Every email I send out to more than one or two addressees is sent out using the blind copy feature (bcc) which hides email address. SUMMARY (and a note from the editor and webmaster): For those of you who do not have access to the internet at home and receive SPALLS via snailmail, I strongly encourage you to visit your local library and visit our website ‘http://pugetsoundknappers.com’. I can’t possibly put everything in a newsletter, particularly all the great photos I’m provided from our events. Every public library I’ve visited in the last 5 years has computers with internet access for public use. And all have librarians that are happy to assist you in navigating the Internet. Jim Keffer will be offering basic First Aid/CPR/AED and Wilderness and Remote First Aid classes starting Jan 2017. In addition to being certified as an Instructor, Jim has the training aids and shop space to teach classes of up to eight individuals. The Basic class runs 6-8 hours, and the Wilderness/Remote class will run 16 hours over a two day period. Jim has negotiated with the Red Cross for a special rate for PSK members of $10 for Basic First Aid/CPR and AED certification. The cost for the Wilderness and Remote First Aid will be similar. All those wishing to take the Wilderness and Remote First Aid class must be First Aid/CPR/AED certified. Jim has recently also been certified as a Washington Hunter Safety Instructor and will be offering classes in Hunter Safety for certification. If you are interested please contact Jim (see Sammamish Weekly Knap-in for contact details). The TREND continues! Membership grew to over 690 active knappers and again attendance at PSK Knap-in set records! We’ve added several new artists, musicians and primitive skills students and practitioners. All welcome additions! ANOTHER NEW MILESTONE – PSK REACHES 692 ACTIVE MEMBERS Membership continues to grow – I guess flintknapping is catching on New since July 2016 (partial list)
*PSK Point Display Project* For those that don’t know already, the PSK Point Display Project is well on its way to becoming a real show piece for the Puget Sound Knappers. The Case is complete and there are about 100 member points already donated. Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to take individual photos for the website or even mount all of the points in the case. But I’m working on it! To view the points photographed to date go here (I’m way behind here): http://www.pugetsoundknappers.com/about_us/PSK%20Point%20Collection.html Upcoming Events – Note: Since SPALLS is published only three times each year, changes/updates to the schedule of events will be posted on our website http://pugetsoundknappers.com Also – some of the knap-in dates are tentative. The hosts will try and nail down specific dates but circumstances may dictate changes. I If you have attended or know about an event involving knapping let me know. I’ll either publish it in SPALLS or put in on the PSK Website. Note from the publisher - With concurrence from the Council of Elders Ongoing Events Weekly Fort Knapadonia Knap-in There is a knap-in each Wednesday from 8:30am until sometime in the afternoon at Fort Knapadonia on the north end of Whidbey Island (see the website’s Annual Fort Knapadonia Knap-in announcement for directions or see below in the annual Ft Knapadonia announcement for contact information). While there are usually 12-14 knappers attending, from novices to master knappers, we are seeing up to 16 and sometimes more knappers attend. Dr. Joe Higgins hosts and provides expert knapping lessons. The regulars also provide lessons, loaner tools, free rock and safety gear – safety glass and nitrile-coated gloves. Brunch or lunch is usually provided by the regulars as well. **Note – please contact Joe Higgins (360) 720-0025 or Jim Keffer (425) 503-4413 if you’d like to attend and you are not one of the regulars – if the weather is bad (usually is) – we knap indoors and there is limited room. We always try and make room! Joe has also been opening the shop on Saturdays – just call ahead to make sure! Weekly Sammamish Knap-in Jim Keffer, PSK Webmaster, is hosting a weekly knap-in each Friday between 9:00am and 3:00pm at his shop in Sammamish. Everyone is welcome and the shop can easily accommodate more than 25 knappers. The shop is well heated and we now have plenty of chairs! There is free rock, loaner tools, safety glasses and gloves for everyone. Coffee is provided and there are usually a number of senior PSK members attending to help instruct the ‘noobies’. Tri-Cities Bi-monthly Knap-in The Tri-Cities Knappers host a bi-monthly knap-in Kennewick, WA. The knap-in is hosted by Frank Olmsted and Marvin Barger the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 5:30pm - 9:00pm. The location is Frank's home - 803 S. Edison in Kennewick, Washington. This is a group founded by four PSK members in the Tri-Cities area. There are about a dozen 'sregulars's and forty-one who attend when their schedule permits. Their goal is quote "to help all new or experienced knappers, who are interested in this art form". They also offer private session of Video Tutorials and One-on-One instruction! To find out more contact: Announcing the South Whidbey Island Monthly Knap-in Started February 11, 2016, long time PSK member Dave Tiller is hosting a monthly knap-in at his place on Whidbey Island. This knap-in is held the third Thursday of each month from 4:00 pm probably till 8:00pm or 9:00 pm after the first one on February 11th. Location Directions: From the mainland (Seattle) From the north - Whidbey Island 2017 Puget Sound Knappers Event Schedule (Non-PSK Sponsored Events*) Summary – The following Knap-ins are planned for 2017, details below. 1. Cabin Fever Knap-in – Granite Falls, WA February 4th (first Saturday in February – the day before Super Bowl Sunday) Cabin Fever Knap-in Announcement – Granite Falls, WA Dave Pehling and Jim Dennis kick of the 2017 Knapping Year once again with the first official PSK knap-in of the year. Held at Jim’s shop in Granite Falls, this knap-in has been for years the best cure for Cabin Fever! Typically lunch features wild game chili (elk, deer, etc.) it draws both the hardcore PSK knappers as well a fair crop of noobies. So come on out and help us start the new year in style! It will be at Jim Dennis' house in Granite Falls as he has a large walled-in workshop that we can heat and use as we like. Dave’s contact information: From North or South Cabelas Knap-in Announcement – Lacey, WA The Puget Sound Knappers have been invited back to Cabelas' Lacey Store for the 7th year in a row to demonstrate flintknapping to its customers! This year's event is tentatively planned for February 18th and 19th. Store hours are Saturday 8:00am to 9:00pm (we only stay until about 5:00pm) and Sunday 9:00am until 7:00pm (again we only stay until 5:00pm) This has been a great event for the PSK, increasing awareness and providing a chance to meet new knappers as well as those that want to learn the ancient art of flintknapping. There are usually 15 to 20 PSK members and plenty of rock! So come on out and join the fun!/font> For those who want to stay overnight Cabelas allows overnight camping in their south parking lot. There are usually a couple of semis but room for a couple dozen RVs. The PSK webmaster has parked his 25' trailer there and stayed the weekend - very convenient, and FREE! For more information contact Mick Hill – (360) 493-8439 Cabelas Lacey Store Directions: From Seattle From Portland (approx. 117 miles): Glass Buttes Knap-in Announcement – Glass Buttes, OR Take Special Note – The timing of the annual Glass Buttes Knap-in corresponds to the Oregon Schools Spring Break Calendar. In 2016 Spring Break is March 19th through March 27th, and the knap-in starts the Saturday before and ends the Sunday after! Second Special Note and Reminder – The Glass Buttes Knap-in is held on Federal Land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM does not permit commercial activity or organized events. This is an informal gathering of people with a common interest. As a condition of using the Glass Buttes area the knappers provide sanitation facilities (Porta-Potties). The cost of these Porta-Potties is not insignificant and historically, one or two knappers have gone out on a limb and spent their own money up front to rent them. Donations from those attending will help insure that we will be able to meet our commitments to provide sanitation facilities and keep in the good graces of the BLM! Donations are absolutely voluntary but please donate if you can. And pack out your trash! And Come PREPARED! While three of the last four years have seen moderate to good weather, those of us at the 2011 GB Knap-in experienced some tough conditions. Not bad enough to keep away the hardiest of the knappers but tough nevertheless! As always it will be primitive camping – bring what you’ll need and plan to pack it out as well. Porta-Potties are the only amenities that will be provided. To see a checklist of useful items to bring go here: Glass Buttes Checklist A further reminder, there are specific rock collecting guidelines for collecting it the Glass Buttes area. The regulation promulgated by the BLM can be seen here: BLM Glass Buttes Regulations Handout Also, if you have other interests in all the other aboriginal skill sets: food/fire/water/tanning/cordage/herbs/basketry/etc., etc., etc. - this is one of the best for networking/sharing/learning. Again, the weather is THE wildcard for this event. Point of contact is Rocky Male Directions: 2017 Mid-Columbia Knap-in Announcement - Horsethief Lake State Park The Washington State Park at Horsethief Lake and Brads& Sue Baughman/Shawn Kelly will be hosting a knap-in in from April 29th thru May 3rd. Horsethief Lake State Park is located just six miles northeast of the Dalles Airport (site of the 2016 Dallesport Knap-in). It is known for its spectacular views of the Columbia River and "Native American pictographs (paintings) and petroglyphs (carvings). Some of the oldest pictographs in the Northwest are found in this park. Artifacts associated with local tribes can be seen at the nearby Maryhill Museum of Art and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center." Plus it is sheltered from the wind! Brad's contact information Horsethief Lake State Park is located on HWY 14 (Lewis and Clark Highway) two and a half miles east of HWY 197 Directions: From the North (Washington Side): From the South (Oregon Side): Cabelas Knap-in Announcement – Springfield, OR Yakima Canyon Knap-in Announcement – Yakima Canyon, WA Reservations for campsites should be made starting on November 21st. Jim Miller will be hosting the Second Annual Spring Knap-in at the Big Pines Campground in Yakima Canyon, Friday May 19th thru Sunday May 21st. Big Pines is located in the scenic Yakima River Canyon, which cuts through massive basalt cliffs and rolling desert hills, 19 miles south of Ellensburg, Washington. This canyon has been designated as a state scenic route and offers excellent wildlife viewing, fishing in a Blue Ribbon trout stream, river rafting and camping. At 20 acres, Big Pines is BLM’s largest recreation site in the Yakima River Canyon. The northern edge of the recreation site is adjacent to undeveloped hiking trails on lands managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. It is recommended that you reserve campsites as early as possible using the BLM website. There are also three other close-by campgrounds in the event all sites at the Big Pines campground are taken.
1. Umtanum (6.9 miles from Big Pines) - Six campsites
(425)-503-4413 or Jim Miller Directions: The campgrounds in Yakima Canyon are all along Hwy 821 (Yakima Canyon Road). Access is either via: 1. From East/West - I90 exit 109, go south on Canyon Rd/Hwy 821 (18.6 miles) Bitterroot Valley Knap-in Announcement – Florence, MT This year's 7th Annual Bitterroot Valley Knap-In will be hosted by a committee including John, Sue and Eric Pearson along with Ed Wolff, Annie Rayner, and Gary Steele. As in the past it will be held at the Larry Creek Campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, Bitterroot Valley, Montana. This event will be Thursday, June 15th thru Monday, June 19th. We will be setting up June 14th after 1p.m. and have to vacate by noon on the 20th. As with all PSK knap-ins, everything is free. This is a family event. There is a paved parking lot for RV's (up to 30 feet), (no hookups) and vehicles. There will be lots of room for tents under the trees or under the stars. Vehicles need to be in the parking lot. Gear will need to be carried a short distance to campsites. Forest Service restricts RV’s over 30 ft. and vehicles need to stay in the parking lot. Camp gear will need to be carried a short distance to your campsite. There is about 75% shade where we will be gathering and tenting. There is a 50X50 yard open area for an archery/atlatl range. This is BEAR country so tenters should bring a long rope to hang your food up in the trees - do not leave it in your vehicles. There will be a pot luck dinner on Saturday night with the hosts providing the main dish. Other group meal arrangements will be announced later. There are restaurants and supermarkets 6 miles away in Stevensville and Florence. There is a motel 15 miles away in Lolo. If you plan to attend or have questions, contact John and Sue at RV's over 30 feet and overflow RV's, use the Charles Waters Forestry Campground - first come, first served - about a mile from Larry Creek Campground, in the same complex - cost is about $10/night or $5 with Sr. Nat'l Park Pass. No hook-ups, individual camping spaces. Location: Larry Creek Campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, Bitterroot Valley, Montana Directions: From North, East or West From South Sammamish Knap-in Announcement - Sammamish, WA ***Note – this is a date change from previous years. We did this so as not to interfere with the salmon fishing at the Fort Knapadonia Knap-in. Accommodations: FREE! There is camping and parking space in the north pasture for trailers, campers and other vehicles. Electrical power will be available on a limited basis and there are two battery chargers if needed. Tent camping spaces are available in the orchard. There will also be overnight sleeping space in the shop. The shop is two-story about 1200 sq. ft. per story and heated (if necessary). There are two cots and if the pasture yields enough hay there will be bedding available Activities: If the weather is unfavorable, knapping will be in the shop. There is adequate room on the first floor (1,000 sq. ft.) for 30-40 knappers (or more) and it can be heated if necessary There will be the usual events – 2” Goat and 10-Speed. Plus there will be targets for archery, atlatls and tomahawks. And plan on a Saturday evening Potluck dinner. There two grocery stores (Safeway/Albertsons) within one mile as well as a couple of pharmacies. Two Costcos both about 5 miles away. Location: 23811 NE 14th St, Sammamish, WA 98074 Directions: From the East From North, South or West There will be signs. NOTE - The SPEED LIMIT on NE 14th Street is 10 MPH. It is intended to provide safety to our neighbors - PLEASE DO NOT EXCEED THE 10 MPH LIMIT! Fort Knapadonia Knap-in Whidbey Island, WA Joe Higgins and the Knapadonia Gang will again host the annual Fort Knapadonia Knap-In in August. He promises to have a full schedule of events – archery, 2-inch Goat, 10-speed, bowmaking, atlatls, darts, arrows, making arrowheads and blades. etc., and don’t forget – It is and ODD YEAR – THE FISH SHOULD BE RUNNING! There will be water available, electricity, Port-a-Potties, and lots of room for camping and RVing. Women and families are welcomed and encouraged to attend! Close by Oak Harbor offers plenty of garage sales and stores for shopping. In addition to the usual great knappers knapping, plentiful rock and great weather, Whidbey Island is also a great place for families interested in sightseeing and other tourist activities. There will be Archery shoots, Atlatls shoots, Tomahawk throwing, arrow making, wire wrapping, and a basking making class! Joe plans to add a few more ‘classes’ to share the artistry of PSK members so come prepared to learn and enjoy! Back by popular demand, Mary Alice Sterling will be teaching two separate one-day basket-making classes at Fort Knapadonia Knap-in August 2017. This class is only open to women over the age of 21, in two groups of six students. There is a $25 dollar fee (approximate fee covers cost of materials only). Students should show up in comfortable clothing, Mary Alice will provide all materials and tools needed. The first class will be on Wednesday, August 24th, starting promptly at 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM, six Female students only. The second class will be on Saturday, August 27th, starting promptly at 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM, six Female students only. Sign up by emailing Mary Alice at netsuke@comcast.net, and telling her which day you would like to attend. More infomation about the class as it becomes available - check back often. There will also be two large teepees available for overnight guest accommodations. Use of these teepees is FREE but on a first come-first served basis. Each teepee can accommodate 6-8 people.Directions: There are stores and restaurants/fast foods in the area. Contact Joe Higgins at (360) 720-0025 for more information on fishing and the knap-in. Fort Whoop Up Knap-In and Black Powder Rendezvous The Fort Whoop Up Knap-In will be held Sept 1st to 4th either at The Ft Whoop Up Black Powder Range or the Ft Whoop Up replica Fort, Lethbridge Alberta. Contact Barry Rogers 403 678 5041, for more information in the Spring. Directions: From the East on the Crowsnest Trail Highway (#3) From the West on Crowsnest Trail Highway (#3) From the South coming in on Highway #4 (from Coutts US/Canada Border Crossing): Note – A passport is required to enter Canada and return to the U.S. Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) indicate both citizenship and identity and are valid for entry into Canada by land or sea, though not valid for international air travel. As of January 2009, these licenses are only available in Washington and New York. If you wish to bring a black powder gun, check with the Canadian Border Service on how to cross the border with it. 2017 National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebration The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is hosting a National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration on September 23rd from 9am to 4pm at Camp Pigott in Snohomish County. Steve Dazey, on behalf of the WDFW, has cordially invited the Puget Sound Knappers to attend! Their goal is to have around 500 youth attend and not only introduce youth and newcomers to target shooting, hunting and fishing, but other primitive and traditional skills such as flintknapping and blacksmithing. And since the purpose of the Puget Sound Knapper is to promote the ancient art of flintknapping this will be a ideal opportunity to do so. Besides, we also have quite a few people who can also demonstrate blacksmithing/bladesmithing and other primitive/traditional skills. A little about Camp Pigott - "Located at the foot of the Cascade Range, Camp Pigott features a large lake, a climbing tower, COPE courses (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience - High and Low), a spacious dining facility, beautiful new campfire bowl, plus all-new activities such as shotgun sports facilities, mountain bike skills course, and MUCH more. There is a modern central building with private showers, and each campsite features canvas tents on platforms or Adirondack shelters with bunks, and new flush toilet facilities. A great place for camping programs as well as rental groups." In a word - a great place for demonstrating flintknapping! Address: GPS driving directions use Camp Pigott’s physical address: Directions: Sacajawea Heritage Days Knap-in - Pasco, WA The Puget Sound Knappers have been invited to participate in the annual Heritage Days Event at Sacajawea State Park in Pasco, WA September 23rd and 24th. This event is organized and sponsored by Friends of Sacajawea State Park (FSSP) and Frank and Mary Lou Omstead, Marvin Barger and Rick Tobin will host the first official PSK knap-in at Sacajawea State Park in conjunction with this event. In addition to PSK flintknappers, Sacajawea Heritage Days features re-enactments of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery trip, Native American dancers, mountain men and fur traders, traditional blacksmith and authors of books about that period in time. Participation by PSK member began a number of years ago and was coordinated by the late Greg Greger and continues on through the efforts of Frank, Mary Lou, Marvin and Rick. This is a two day event. On Friday, the combined school districts of the Tri-Cities (Richland, Kennewick and Pasco) have a field trip to the Park for their 5th and 6th graders (between 1,500 and 2,000) youngsters. On Saturday the Park is open to the public and the number of people who show up is almost equal to Friday’s attendance. The event is intended to give the school children, and the general public, a visual history lesson of the period around the time of Lewis and Clark’s epic journey. Flintknapping Demos and lessons by members of the PSK have always been one of the star attractions. I highly encourage everyone who can to participate and support this Knap-in. Frank, Mary Lou, Marvin and Rick have put in a tremendous amount of time and energy in developing a relationship with Friends of Sacajawea, the sponsors of Heritage Days as well as organizing the knap-in! The Park offers a large are for dry camping (no hook-ups) suitable for RVs as well as tents for just $13/day. Address: Sacajawea State Park Frank, 2503 Sacajawea Park Road, Pasco, WA 99301. Location: On the north shore of the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers, the park is about 7 miles east of downtown Pasco, WA Millersylvania (Pre) Thanksgiving Knap-In A potluck Thanksgiving dinner will be served by 1 p.m. on Saturday only. Mick and Holly provide coffee, turkey and some traditional thanksgiving dishes. Bring a potluck dish, camp stool or chair, and plan to wear warm clothes and boots for the mud, sometimes rainy weather. Pack a project to work on or maybe share with others how to make something. Some may camp and stay thru Sunday. If camping, expect to follow state park rules and provide payment for a camp site. There are bathrooms w/plumbing and token-operated hot showers available. Check the website at www.parks.wa.gov, select Millersylvania, to consider reservations. We meet again Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch will be pulled pork for a reduced number of knappers. This is a good time for learning flintknapping from others with more experience if you are new to the art. Directions: Access to Kitchen #1 is by walking a path thru the woods. We will have 2 wheelbarrows to shuttle your flintknapping supplies from your vehicle to the cabin. Watch for others that may be trying to find our cabin! It gets confusing to new visitors. If necessary, there is a back road access to drive/assist those who don’t hike, or to deliver the extra heavy load. Park rangers want to limit our driving thru their back roads. Latest PSK Knap-in Reports and Sponsored Events* (Since July2016)) *These events are hosted and/or supported by PSK members. Due to time constraints some of the reports may be abbreviated or even missing. I will include the missing reports in the next issue if I receive them. All of the reports, along with photos, are in the 2016 Event Reports section of the website. 2016 Fort Knapadonia Knap-in Report) The 2016 Fort Knapadonia Knap-in was a little more subdued than the year before - but it would be virtually impossible to repeat the hectic pace and the number of activities of 2015! Still, with a mixture of young and old, noobies and oldtimers, it was a fine knap-in! Plenty of good rock to knap, great potluck dinners and great weather! There were still a number of activities - including forging/blacksmithing, wire-wrapping, beadwork and, for the second year in a row, a great basket-making class taught by basket maker extraordinaire Mary Alice Sterling. One standout of this year's event was the outstanding displays of art, particularly knapped art. Because the Fort Knapadonia event attracts such a large number of knappers, including quite a few of the best the PSK has to offer, and because the weather is typically outstanding, the art displays are the best of the entire year. A virtual mega-store of 'eye-candy'. One carryover from 2015 knap-in was the number of knappers turned archers. Some days it seemed like the field was filled with archers and arrows. Homemade (or 2015 Knapadonia made) PCV bows were still the rage but there were quite a few wooden self-bows as well. The things that make this truly one of the premier knap-ins anywhere - the great camaraderie, outstanding potluck dinners, and the passing on to our new member's the "Ancient Art of Flintknapping", were evident every day! 2016 Sammamish Knap-in Report Other than the weather, which turned a little damp, this year's Sammamish Knap-in was a blast - especially for the kids! Of course like all PSK knap-ins there was lots of opportunity to knap and with good attendance from the Wilderness Awareness School, a chance for PSK members to share their knowledge and experience with these 'noobies'. Don Safford's T-shirts, custom made at the knap-in, were a HUGE hit with the kids - and the adults! Mastodons, rabbits, atlatls, bears, stone points and other Paleo symbols adorned the shirts. And the kids had as much fun making them as wearing them! After a long day of knapping, T-shirt making, archery and other activities, the potluck dinners a real treat - typical of a PSK events. The great benefit of potluck dinners is the amount of time saved for more important things - like socializing and music. The Sammamish Knap-in is becoming known for its music, especially didgeridoos, Native American style drums and young musicians 2016 Ft Whoop-up Knap-in Report The 3rd Annual Ft Whoop-Up Knap In was held Sept 2-5/2016 at the Ft Whoop-Up Black Powder Range, Lethbridge, AB, Canada. 20 knappers attended; mostly from Alberta BC and Saskatchewan, plus Don Paris from Washington, and 40 shooters. The weather was sunny, dry and one day of high winds, but we kept the tent secure. Several 2 inch goat contests were held with some very surprised winners (a newbie) but no sore losers. The usual amount of blood was spilled but we had plenty of band aids to patch things up. The Black Powder club which was celebrating a rendezvous with many shooting contests, invited us to a roast pig supper and we supplied the fixings and salads etc. on Saturday night. The leftovers disappeared on Sunday. Don played and sang around the fire which we all enjoyed including some of the black powder shooters. The auction was made delightful by our auctioneer Willy Kadaz, from Rocky Mt. House; he has got to be the most relaxed entertaining auctioneer in the Wild West. 2016 Millersylvania Knap-in Report This weekend has always been planned in the spirit of Thanksgiving, recognizing friendships and accomplishments by year end. While keeping the tradition, enjoying the arts, food and camaraderie, many friends were absent this time for a variety of reasons. We remembered you all, in our hearts, during this weekend, and expect to connect again in the New Year. Mick was happy to provide a new and improved arrangement of overhead lighting. Knappers noticed and were appreciative. While the traditional turkey meal was heating on the woodstove in the kitchen side, knappers filled the other side of the cabin, knapping by the fireplace. Some played a round of two-inch goat. Woody Woodside was the winner. /font> What was most gratifying was seeing the experienced knappers share their talent with first-time guests. We had new interest from several Thurston and Lewis County residents. We look forward to our new friendships and encourage their attendance to more knap-ins. We had children, aged 5 to 12, also participating. Those who were flintknapping hands-on included Cody, Austin, Raiden, Titan, Maximus, and Levi. We are so proud of them all and look forward to seeing them again.
We also had four people from out-of-state/country, who are now students attending the Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, WA. They were serious about learning how to flintknap. We really enjoyed their involvement and enthusiasm, and we hope to connect again. Due to the high cost of printing and mailing I am unable to include photos of past events in SPALLS. If you have or can get access to a computer with Internet access you can find these reports with photos here: Ps – anyone attending a PSK knap-in can help with the reports. I could certainly use the help! Update on the Website As of January 2016, more than 131,000 ‘unique visitors’ have seen the PSK website. A ‘unique visitor’ is one that has not visited the website in the past. We’ve also had 6.3 MILLION hits! A ‘hit’ is a visit or viewing of an individual page on the site. And we’ve had visitors from 161 different countries. The number of people visiting and the number of pages accessed (hits) is growing each month. Website Funding Our current web hosting contract for the website expired in September of 2013. I renewed the contract for a cost of $180 for three years (up slightly from the introductory price of $150). I also renewed the contract with an outside service to monitor and protect our website from hackers for $99/year.
The website is paid for by voluntary contributions, usually at the knap-ins. Knap-in hosts who receive donations that exceed their cost have been passing along some of the excess contributions to the website. So your donations at the knap-in may well help maintain the website. However, covering the cost of the knap-in has greater priority to make sure to donate to cover their costs first. Still, any contribution helps! Thanks to a very generous donation by Richard and Joan Urata, more than half of the cost for the website has been covered for the next couple of years. Member Art Galleries We now have 88 member art galleries. Member Art Galleries are the best way for PSK members to showcase their art and this section is one of the most visited on the website. These art galleries have a tremendous impact of creating awareness both of the PSK and Flintknapping in general. If you already have an art gallery please continue to send in photos of your work. It helps keep the website interesting and vibrant! If you don’t already have an art gallery but would like one simply send some photos and a brief biography to the webmaster at: There is no charge! ************************************************************************************** MAY BE OF INTEREST: Rock Collecting Regulations Links: Obsidian Sources: Website for Artifact and Archeological Books Another e-group for knappers: Another Egroup called Flintknapper’s Digest: Lithic Casting Lab SPALLS |
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©2010 J Keffer |
! Most of the new knappers I’ve spoken with or gotten to know via email say the main reason for joining is the ‘culture’ of the Puget Sound Knappers. PSK member’s willingness to share what they know about the ancient art and the way we conduct our activities not only encourages people to join but to participate in these activities. I believe that throughout 2014 (and beyond) we will continue to see more like-minded people join our community of knappers – or as Steve Allely so aptly put it ‘our family’. 
(206)-930-9107 and we see if we can work something out.
, or call us at (406) 777-5656 or Ed and Annie at (406) 777-3022. Let us know number attending and if you will be staying at Larry Creek, tenting, or camping elsewhere. A list of alternative hotels and RV parks is available from John and Sue.