December 2013

(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:

THE POLICY IS: If you send your e-mail address Jim Keffer at jckeffer@comcast.net there is no charge for SPALLS.   If you do not have an e-mail address and want SPALLS by snail-mail, you must send a mailing address – and pay to cover the cost of printing and postage.   Due to the increase in postage cost ($.92/Spalls) and the cost of printing ($2.00/SPALLS), I can no longer send them out for free.  Twenty-seven mailings cost $243/year.

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):

What a YEAR! In fact it has been so busy with regard to PSK activities I’m way behind!  But this is a great thing.  Membership continues to grow by leaps and bounds!  There are now over 440 members and participation in PSK events is growing - as is the number of Knap-ins.  PSK members hosted twelve major knap-ins in 2013, more than seventy weekly or bi-monthly knap-ins, and participated in several other events – and those are just the ones I know of!  And at least a dozen major knap-in are planned for 2014. 

But more than anything else it is the people and culture of the Puget Sound Knappers that draw the right people to our group.  I’d just like to mention some of the PSK members who, by example and effort and/or as host of PSK Knap-ins, have been responsible for the influx of new members: Mick Hill, Joe Higgins, Brad Baughman, Dan Lusby, Jim Hopper, Donn Paris, Frank Omstead, Marvin Barger, Greg Greger, Patrick Farneman, Richard Urata, Dave Pehling, Ray Alt, George Bryce, Ed Thomas, Mike Tari, Jim Baugh, Woody Woodside, Henry Payne, Harry Oda, Harvey Hughett, Chuck Prentiss, and yes Me – Jim Keffer.  And while almost every knap-in brings in new members as does almost every event that PSK members participates in, it is the efforts of both the knap-in hosts/event coordinators  and individual members that have made such a big difference.  Throughout the year I have been contacted by people wanting to become PSK members who were ‘recruited’ by at least one of those people named above.  I’m quite sure there are other members of the PSK who have also recruited new flintknappers – I just may have not heard of them yet!

It is indeed an honor and privilege to be associated with such an outstanding group.

Accepting Nominations for PSK Knapper of the Year for 2013

If you have a nomination for PSK Knapper of the Year simply submit a name along with a write-up describing why you thing the individual should be the named PSK knapper of the year.  Nominees will be forwarded to the Council of Elders who will choose the winner!

ANOTHER NEW MILESTONE – PSK REACHES 448 ACTIVE MEMBERS

There have been so many new members join since the last issue of SPALLS, approximately sixty, that I don’t have time or space in this newsletter to post all their names/locations.  Many of these new members are young people (at least younger than most of us )and are students from three local primitive skills schools near Seattle – The Wilderness Awareness School (Duvall, WA), Earthwalk Northwest (Issaquah, WA) and Alderleaf Wilderness College(Monroe, WA).  These new members fit right into the culture of the PSK and bring new blood and enthusiasm to our community.  The others that have joined recently – at least those I have met (most of them) also fit right in and I’m sure that they will be participating in and contributing to PSK activities in the future.  You can find out more about these new members in various reports on the website – especially those reports on Joe Higgins’ and Jim Keffer’s weekly knap-in.

*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.  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

This note is a basic reminder that the PSK and all of the knap-ins are paid for either by direct donations or auctions of donated items and community points, and competitive knapping contests.  The expenses to the host of a knap-in are not trivial, running into the hundreds of dollars.  To insure the continuation of our knap-ins and in particular the largest knap-in in the PNW – the Glass Buttes Knap-in, it is important that all knappers contribute what they can.  The cost of Porta-Potties alone at Glass Buttes can run between $600 and $800 including toilet paper.  We must make sure that whoever arranges and pays for the Porta-Potties is made whole.

Ongoing Events

Weekly Fort Knapadonia Knap-in

There is an informal knap-in each Wednesday from 8:30 am 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 or Jim Keffer 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 but chairs are limited (bring your own).  There is free rock, loaner tools, safety glasses and gloves for everyone.  Coffee is provided and there have been 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 - 9:00 pm.  The location is Frank's home - 803 S. Edison in Kennewick, Washington.

This is a new group founded by four PSK members in the Tri-Cities area.  There are about a dozen 'regulars' and forty -one who attend when their schedule permits.  Their goal is "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:

Frank Olmsted: Phone - (509) 783-2798, email

Marvin Barger: Phone - (509) 942-1014, email

Events Schedule

PSK Sponsored Events*

*hosted by PSK members

2014 Winter Break/Cabin Fever Knap-in
Hosts Dave Pehling & Jim Dennis
Saturday, January 25^th, 2014.

The "Original PSK KI" is a one-day Knap-In to initiate the new knapping season and keep us from going crazy (too late, for some…).  It will be held on Saturday, January 25th, hosted by Dave Pehling and Jim Dennis.  The knap-in will run from about 9:00 am 'till everyone leaves.  This is a small KI but is usually attended by some of the “old timers” as well as newbies. 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. 

Location: 11414 Jordan Road, Arlington, WA

Directions from Everett are as follows...

 From I-5 at Everett, turn onto US-2 E toward SNOHOMISH.  Stay in the left lane over the trestle and merge onto WA-204 E via the ramp on the LEFT toward LAKE STEVENS. Not far past the top of the long hill (about 2.7mi. – I THINK it’s at the 3rd lite) Turn LEFT onto WA-9 and stay in the right lane. Go about 1.7 miles and Turn RIGHT onto WA-92 (at the 3rd stop light). Go about 7.8 miles (not far past the "round-about") and at the next light Turn LEFT onto JORDAN RD, just before you get into Granite Falls. Stay on Jordan road and at the next "round-about", take the 2nd right, staying on Jordan Rd. After crossing the Stillaguamish River Bridge, take the 3rd drive on the left.  It's right across the road from a large "turn-out".  Address is 11414 Jordan Road, Arlington. 

Dave will have a PSK sign out on the left so you shouldn't miss it.  If you go over a mile past the bridge, you've gone too far.  If you need directions while driving, Dave will have his cell phone on -- 425-327-8034

We'll have donuts, coffee, cocoa, etc. as usual. Jim D. usually has a pot of beans or something hot going, as well.
For more information, you can contact Dave at: djpehling@frontier.com or phone (360) 691-7902.  Talk to the answering machine and I'll pick up if I'm in the house.

2014 Cabelas Lacey, WA Store Knap-in Announcement

A January knap-in at the Cabelas Store in Lacey, WA is in the works but we haven’t received confirmation of dates or times.  It will probably be either the weekend of January 11^th & 12 or January 18^th & 19^th.  I’ll send out a special email when I know more.

2014 Cabelas Springfield, OR Store Knap-in Announcement

The Puget Sound Knappers have been invited to participate in Cabelas Spring Great Outdoors Event at their Springfield, Oregon store March 15th.  The Store opens at 8:00am and closes at 9:00pm.

PSK member Henry Payne is coordinating this event and can be contacted at:

2014 Glass Buttes Gathering, Glass Buttes, Oregon
Host Rocky Male
March 22rd through March 30th

Take Special Note – The timing of the annual Glass Buttes Knap-in corresponds to the Oregon Schools Spring Break Calendar.  In 2014 this is the LAST FULL WEEK in MARCH!

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 in 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 two of the last three 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.  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 or contact Rocky Male (rockylmale@yahoo.com).  Rocky will be providing the Porta-Potties (and firewood) so keep him in mind when the donation bucket goes around.

Location/Directions:

The Glass Buttes Knap-in main knapping area/camp is three miles south of the Central Oregon Highway (Hwy  20) at Milepost 77.

2014 MONTANA’S SPRING KNAP-IN
Sponsored by (Hosts) Ray Alt-223-1929 (rayalt@wispwest.net)
George Bryce -223-8144-(georgebryce@bresnan.net)
And the Yellowstone Gateway Museum
June 7^th and 8^th, 2014 (Tentative)

“We manufacture replica projectile points & tools used in prehistoric times”.

BEADING AND OTHER NATIVE AMERICAN CRAFTS

All General public and out of state knappers welcome
Prize for longest distance traveled knapper.

Dates: June 7^th and 8^th 2014 (Tentative)

Location:
Yellowstone Gateway Museum
118 Chinook St. Livingston, Montana59047

Directions:

From interstate I-90 to down town (on Park street) turn north on 5th street, cross rail road track on 5 street and go 2 blocks to Chinook street (North), turn right on Chinook (East) and go 3 blocks. Museum is on North side of street.

Activity Schedule – based on 2013 Event

Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm
2 inch goat game -11:00 AM
10 speed game -12:00 Noon
Pot luck lunch -1:00 PM--Main course is pulled pork.
Please bring side dish for pot luck.
T-shirt drawing -2:30 PM-- (knappers only) Sign in register required.
Auction - 4:00 PM
Sunday 9:00am – 1:00pm
Activity- Open knapping
2 inch goat game -11:00 AM
10 speed game -12:00 PM
Donations appreciated from knappers and others to cover expenses (food, drinks and T- shirts).
Any funds over expenses will be donated to the Yellowstone Gateway Museum. Will have some great items to auction!!!

General Information:

Camping information: We can accommodate 3-4 trailers and or tent camping at our place of resident.(Please contact us) There is also a RV camp ground within 3 miles, (Olson’s RV) about a mile South of Livingston toward Yellowstone Park (highway 89).

Bring your knapping chair and table if you wish to sell or display your items.

11^thAnnual Goldendale Knap-In, Goldendale, WA
Host Brian Fletcher, Co-hosts Mike Tari and Tom Mosqueda
May 16th – 18^th, 2014

Brian Fletcher will be hosting their 11th Annual Knap-In at his place from Friday, May 16^th through Sunday May 18th. His property lies 4.5 miles West of Goldendale. This will be Brian’s 1st K/I at this location and 11th knap-in held in Goldendale.

A "walk-through" Archery/Atlatl Range containing up to 15 targets is planned so bring your shooting of throwing equipment.  The usual fun & games will be going on, such as Goat Rock and 10-Speed events, etc. There will be a fund raising Auction, a Raffle and maybe a knapping contest or two to help cover expenses, as we did in past years.

There will be a hand-washing facility and Sani-Cans available.  Those folks wishing to camp can do so on the property, as there is plenty of room.
Mike Tari and Tom Mosqueda will be helping co-host this event but as usual volunteers are needed at least a day or two early to get things squared away. 

Location: 383 Largent Rd Goldendale, WA 98620

Directions:

Goldendale, WA, is on Hwy 97 in S. Central Washington approximately 70 miles S. of Yakima and 12 miles N. of Biggs, OR (on the Columbia River). 

From the North:

From the South:
1. Head northeast on US-97 N    1.1 mi
2. Turn left onto E Simcoe Dr.    0.8 mi
3. Turn right onto S Columbus Ave   0.2 mi
4. Turn left onto W Railroad St    0.7 mi
5. Continue onto W Darland Dr.   0.2 mi
6. Slight left to stay on W Darland Dr.     0.5 mi
7. Take the 1st right onto Horseshoe Bend Rd   2.0 mi
8. Turn right onto Largent Rd
Destination will be on the right 383 Largent Rd Goldendale, WA 98620

2014 North Umpqua/Illahee Flats Knap-in
Hosts - Brad Baughman, Jim Hopper and Dan Lusby
 May 24^th – JUNE 1^st.

Brad Baughman, Jim Hopper and Dan Lusby will be hosting the 7th Annual Western Oregon Knap-In at Illahee Flats, Oregon from May 24^th through June 1^nd  (Memorial Day weekend to the following Sunday). There is no charge for camping and Porta-Potties will be provided.  There is plenty of room for any type of vehicle parking and camping.  Illahee Flats is a traditional abo gathering area, so bring your tarps so we don’t contaminate the area with modern debitage.  Also, bring your knapping chairs.  Bring your fishing rods.  There are several good lakes close by as well as the river.  Dry Creek Store is only 2 miles away and has gas and a deli.

Location: 

Latitude: 43-17'34'' N
Longitude: 122-35'19'' W

Directions:

From I-5, take highway 138 east (towards Diamond Lake/Crater Lake) to MP 47 at Dry Creek Store.  Go just past Dry Creek Store (200 feet east of store), and turn left (north) on a gravel forest service road.  Go about 2 miles, then turn to the right at the Illahee Flats sign. 

From the East (Crater Lake)

Take highway 138 west (towards Roseburg) to MP45 and look for the Illahee Flats/knap-in sign on the right.

For more information, contact: Brad Baughman at (541) 705-5034, or e-mail: bbb7707@yahoo.com

2014Tri-Cities Memorial Weekend Knap-In, in Richland, WA.
HostGreg Greger – Co-hosts Frank Olmsted and Marvin Barger
Saturday May 25^th and Sunday 26th

The CREHST Museum (Columbia River Environment, History, Science and Technology) has agreed to be a sponsor of a gathering of Knappers, (those craftsmen who make tools of stone as was done by our ancestors).   This gathering will be held in North Amon Park on the East side of Richland next to the Columbia River.  Parking is available at the adjacent boat launch.

When: It will be held over the two days preceding  Memorial Day  on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25  (The 2013 experience was that many people were busy with Memorial day activities on the Monday ,Memorial Day, so that day is excluded in the 2014 plan.

For more information on this free event, contact Greg Greger on mggreg1@frontier.com or phone 509 943-3951.

 Location:

North end of Amon Park next to the boat launch with open spaces and trees for shade. This is one block east of the main North /South Street of Richland, George Washington Way. 

Directions:

Coming from West (Yakima Valley) on Hwy. 82, five miles after passing Benton City,  turn into Hwy I82, heading for Richland.  After crossing Yakima River bridge, make exit at overpass to George Washington Way, the main North/South street heading North through downtown portion of Richland.  On Geo. Wash. Way, after passing  the Red Lion Inn  and Sterling's Grill on right  turn right (East) on Newton St., going over the former dike to  Amon Park which is next to the Columbia river.  Turn left (North) and watch for temporary KNAP-IN signs and join the group at the site.

Coming from the Northwest on Hwy. 240 past the Hanford Reservation, when approaching the North edge of Richland, pass through Richland Access Hwy at traffic light onto Jadwin St., going South several blocks until coming to Van Giesen St. and turning left, going East to intersection with the main Street, George Washington Way.  Turn right, south, going thru the uptown portion of Richland, past the Fire Station and the Chinese Deli. Turn left on Newton Street, just before Sterling's Grill, going over the dike to Amon Park.  Turn left, (North), watching for Knap-In signs and join the group at the site.

Coming from North East on Hwy I82 past city of Pasco,or coming on Hwy. 240 from south of Richland.  Stay in right lane from the I82 overpass coming to George Washington Way.  After passing the Red Lion Inn, watch for Sterling's Grill on the right.  Immediately past it, turn right (East) on Newton St., going over the dike to Amon Park which is next to the Columbia River.  Turn left (North) towards the boat launch at the North end of Howard Amon Park.  Watch for Knap-In sign and join the group at the site.

General:  The public will have easy access to our activity, and we can expect many visitors wishing to see and learn about this ancient craft.  Visitors must wear eye protection if they try are in the knapping area.  Being in a city park, we must clean up debris and remove equipment at the end of each day, the time of this based on the desires of attendees.

.

2014 Bitterroot Valley Knap-In, Larry Creek campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, Bitterroot Valley, Montana
Hosts Richard and Joan Urata
Wednesday June 18th to Monday June 23rd    

Joan and Richard Urata will be hosting the 4^nd Annual Bitterroot Valley Knap-In at the Larry Creek Campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, Bitterroot Valley, Montana, from Wednesday, June 18th to Monday June 23, 2014.  We will be there to set up from noon Wednesday 6/18 thru noon Monday 6/23 for clean-up.  As with all PSK knap-ins, everything is free.  This is a family event. There is a paved parking lot for RV’s (no hookups) and vehicles.  There will be lots of room for tents under the trees or under the stars. Forest Service restricts RV’s to 30 ft. and vehicles need to stay in the parking lot – camp gear will need to be carried a short distance to your campsite.   This is BEAR country so tenters should bring a long rope to hang your food up in the trees, or leave it in your vehicles.  There will be a pot luck dinner Saturday evening with the hosts providing the main dish.  This will be a Forest Service group area with trees providing about 75% shade where we will be gathering and tenting.  There is a 50 X 50 yard open area for an archery/atlatl range and tents.  There is a large supermarket 6 miles away and restaurants 6 to 8 miles away in Stevensville.  There is a motel 15 miles away in Lolo. 

The RV spaces at Larry Creek Group Campground are limited so be sure to make your reservations with Richard & Joan to guarantee a space in the group camp.  A list of alternative RV Parks and Hotels is available by emailing Joan at the address below. 

Charles Waters Campground – the first come first served campground - is about a mile from Larry Creek in the same complex – cost is $10/night and no hookups or $5/night with Senior National Park Pass.  This campground has individual spaces and will be busy the weekend after the holiday.

If you are planning on coming to the Montana Knap-In please drop us a line at richurata@cybernet1.com or call us at (406) 360-1752 and let us know how many are in your party and if you are tent camping or staying somewhere else in your RV.  The Forest Service likes to get a tentative number of attendees so they can help us in our facility planning.

Location: Larry Creek Campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, Bitterroot Valley, Montana

Directions:

Drive to Missoula, Montana, on Interstate 90.  Take exit 101 and head south on Reserve Street (also designated Hwy 93) to Hamilton.  Turn right on Brooks street (also designated Hwy 93).  You will pass 2 towns, Lolo and Florence.  Turn right onto Bass Creek Road, 0.6 miles south of mile post 71 to Bass Creek Recreation area.  Go 2 miles into Bass Creek Recreation area then turn right to Larry Creek campground group area.  Go 1 mile on gravel road to our group campground.  You will pass a parking lot for day users on your right. 

Fort Knapadonia Knap-in
Host Joe and Sunny Higgins and the Knapadonia Gang
August 18^th – 24^th 2013 (tentative)

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.

Drive north past Seattle about 70 miles on Interstate 5.  Take the 230 off-ramp to highway 20 and go west toward Anacortes.  Take highway 20 turn off to Deception Pass.  Go past Deception Pass about 2 miles and turn right (west) on Banta Road.  Follow the signs from Banta Road to the knap-in.  There are stores and restaurants/fast foods in the area.  Contact Joe Higgins at (360) 720-1076 or (360) 675-4943 for more information on fishing and the knap-in.

2014 2^nd Annual Sammamish Sasquatch Knap-in
Hosts Jim and Beverly Keffer
Friday August 29th – Monday Sept 1^st (Labor Day Weekend)
***Note*** This knap-in will be cancelled if the Western Regional Knap-in becomes a reality.  See more below.

Jim and Beverly Keffer will host the 2nd Annual Sammamish Sasquatch Knap-in Aug 29^th – Sept 1st (Labor Day Weekend) at their place in Sammamish, WA. 
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 are spaces available in the orchard.  There will also be sleeping space in the shop on the second floor. 
If the weather is unfavorable, knapping will be in the shop.  There is adequate room on the first floor (1,000 sqft) 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/Albertson) within one mile as well as a couple of pharmacies.  Costco is just 7.7 miles away.

Location:  23811 NE 14^th St, Sammamish, WA 98074

Directions:

From the East
Take I90 to the Preston exit (exit 22).  Turn right at the end of the off-ramp and turn right on SE High Point Way.  SE High Point Way becomes Preston-Fall City Road.  Continue on Preston-Fall City Road 3.7 miles to Fall City and turn left on SR-202 (Redmond-Fall City Road).  Go 8.7 miles to 244^th Ave NE (stoplight) and turn left.  Go 1.2 miles and turn right on NE 14^th Street, 23811 NE 14^th Street is at the end of the gravel road (there will be signs).

From North, South or West
Take I405 to WA520 and head east towards Redmond, WA (5.5 miles).  Exit at Redmond WA. SR202 and turn right towards Sammamish.  Go approximately 5.1 miles to and turn right onto 244^th Ave NE. Go 1.2 miles and turn right on NE 14^th Street, 23811 NE 14^th Street is at the end of the gravel road (there will be signs).

2014 1^st Annual Western Regional Knap-in – Vicinity - Carson City, Nevada
Hosts Jim Keffer, Ray Harwood & Gary Pickett and Dick Woodward
Wednesday, August 30^th – Monday, September 1^st

Jim Keffer (PSK), along with Ray Harwood and Gary Pickett (Bakersfield Knappers) and Dick Woodward (Utah Valley Knappers) and a couple others are trying to organize the first every Western Regional Knap-in.  The purpose of this event will be to bring knappers from all over, especially the Western States, for the biggest and best knap-in in North America and a terrific opportunity for sharing the ancient art of flintknapping!   If it happens it may supersede and take the place of my knap-in scheduled for Labor Day Weekend.

2014 1^st Annual Ft Whoop-up Knap-in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Hosts Barry and Karen Rogers
Sept 10^th -  15^th

Barry and Karen Rogers are planning to host the first PSK knap-in ever held in Canada!  Barry is working with the folks at the Ft Whoop-up National Historic Site in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada to schedule this event between September 10^th and September 15^th, 2014.  Detail will be provided in the next issue of SPALLS.

Kittitas Valley's Fall Gathering of Stone Age Craftsman<
Host Jim Baugh  
September/October (details and dates pending)

2014 3^rd Annual North Columbia Knap-in - North Columbia Knap-in
Host Patrick Farneman
October 9^th (Thursday)- October 11th(Saturday)

Patrick Farneman will host the 3^rd Annual North Columbia Knap-in this year at the Kettle Falls Museum and Interpretive Center at 1188 St Pauls Mission Road, Kettle Falls, WA 9914.  The dates are Thursday, Oct 9^th thru Saturday, Oct 11^th.

Participants are welcome to come a day early and are able to stay until Sunday if they wish.  The site is a short walk from the historic Kettle Falls Tribal fishery and gathering place and borders National Park land.  We have an open door to camp on the 7 acres of open ponderosa pine forest behind the center.  We will have water available & restroom facilities, and the Staff of the center have volunteered to open the museum for us (special off-season opening) to be able to view the collections they have of local artifacts. 

 Location:

Kettle Falls Museum and Interpretive Center at 1188 St Pauls Mission Road, Kettle Falls, WA 99141.

Directions:

Kettle Falls is located about 67 miles north/northwest of Spokane, WA.  Just take US 395 to Kettle Falls and exit at St Paul Mission Rd. Go approximately .2 miles and you are there.

18^th Annual (Pre) Thanksgiving Knap-In, Millersylvania State Park
(Near Olympia Washington)
Hosts Mick and Holly Hill
November 1st and 2^nd

Join Mick and Holly Hill, hosts of the annual November knap-in.  This gathering began with the idea of putting closure to the year, reflecting on the fun gatherings and campouts that happened thru the year(s).  It is our knappers’ time to give thanks and be grateful, and then look forward to the holidays with our own families. 

 Park opens at 8 a.m. and closes at dusk, 5 p.m.  Kitchen #1 is a log cabin that includes an area with fireplace heat and extra lighting set up for flintknapping.   There is also a kitchen area with wood stove to plan the potluck.  We have electricity and running cold water if the weather is not freezing temps.   Part of the cabin is open to the weather elements and cannot be closed off.  It can be cold!  There are also bathrooms near the cabin.

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.   You may want to check the website at www.parks.wa.gov, select Millersylvania, to consider reservations. Visitors to the Park must have a Discovery Pass with the exception of those camping overnight.  The annual pass is $30.  If you access the park for 2 days without a pass, the fee is $10 each day. One pass is good for two (same registered address) vehicles and must be displayed in the vehicle that is in the park.  If Mick and Holly need two vehicles, we are forced to buy 2 $30 passes. 
If you have reserved and paid for a campsite, the parking tag/fee is not required. 
We meet again Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Lunch will be grilled cheese and 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. 

Location: Millersylvania State Park just south of Olympia, WA

Directions:
From North or South, take I-5 to Exit 95.  Follow signs to the park entrance.  Look for Kitchen #1.  Park in the first parking lot around to the left near the entrance of the park.   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 big load.  Park rangers want to limit our driving thru their back roads.

For more info, contact Mick or Holly Hill, 360-493-8439 or e-mail:  hollyhill54@gmail.com, michaelhill30@gmail.com. 

Other Events – not PSK Sponsored

Bakersfield Monthly Knap-In, Monthly, Bakersfield, California, hosted by Gary Pickett and Ray Harwood

 A monthly knap-in is held on the first Sunday of every month.  The one-day event goes from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Hart Memorial Park.  The park is eight miles northeast of Bakersfield on the Alfred Harrell Highway.  Knappers meet at the East end of the park. 

Location: Hart Memorial Park - eight miles northeast of Bakersfield, CA on the Alfred Harrell Highway

Directions:

Highway 58, east of Bakersfield, take the Comanche exit and turn to the north.  Comanche curves around 5 to 6 miles and dead ends into highway 178. Turn north on 178 (right) then a quick left (less then 1/4 mile) onto Alfred Harrell highway. Alfred Harrell 7-8 miles goes into Hart Park.   The knap-in is 100 yards or so from the entrance on the right hand side of the park.  For more information contact Gary Pickett at: Home: (661) 392-7729, Cell: (661) 444-6163, e-mail:  air-o-head@webtv.net. 

Final Knap-in Reports for 2013 – PSK Sponsored Events*, **:

*These events are hosted and supported by PSK members

** Due to the volume of events and other activities in 2013 since the last issue of SPALLS, a complete report for each event is not yet available – either for SPALLS or the Website.  I’m working on both so as the reports (with photos on the website) become available I will put them in the newsletter (no photos) and on the website.  In the meantime here is a list of event that PSK members either sponsored or participated in:

Update on the Website

Well, we’ve passed the 35,000 ‘unique visitors’ mark, up 25,000 from just the last issue of SPALLS.  We’ve also had almost more 3 MILLION hits!  A ‘unique visitor’ is one that has not visited the website in the past.  Many people visit the website more than once as evidence in the more than 3,000,000 hits!  And we’ve had visitors from 135 different countries.  The number of people visiting and the number of pages accessed (hits) is growing each month.

We’re now up to 60 member ‘Art Galleries’.  I’d like to encourage every member to contribute to the website.  If you have photos of your knapping and/or ‘Paleo Art’, email them to me and I’ll create your very own art gallery on the PSK Website.

Once again, we encourage every member to register their ‘knapper mark’, submit a photo of themselves, contribute to the ‘How-To’ section and send in photo of their knapping/Paleo Art.  Again, if you submit photos of your art I will create an Art Gallery in your name! 

The ‘Knapper Recipe’ section continues to grow – check out the latest recipes from Warren ‘Smitty’ Smith – Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas and Chili Rellano Casserole!

We’ve also added a new section, PSK Humor prompted by contributions by Dave Rauschenberg and Mick Hill!

TheKnappable Rock in the PNW section is off to a SLOOOOWWWW start – so far only Emory Coons has contributed! 

This section will feature knappable rock found in the PNW and include photos of ‘rough rock’, as it was found in nature, slabs of the same rock and, where appropriate, photos of slabs of that rock after heat treating.  Only general locations will be given, i.e. NW Oregon or Columbia River Basin, but additional information such as heat treating recommendations will be included.  I encourage all members who can contribute photos as outlined above to send them to me at reefer@pugetsoundknappers.com.

The‘Lost and Found’ Section has already paid dividends – the owners of several ‘found items’ were located and the items were returned.

  If you lose or find something at one of our knap-ins just contact the webmaster and I’ll include it!

The‘Interesting Stuff’ sections even more new articles and information.