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SPALLS
February 2011

Jim Keffer is producing this issue of SPALLS. Please contact Jim Keffer for questions, comments and future additions to SPALLS. Cover art created by Dave Rauschenberg.

This will be my First issue of SPALLS as editor and publisher. Hopefully I'll be able to uphold the high standards set by my predecessors. SPALLS, as well as lots of other great information, can found our new website at www.PugetSoundKnappers.com - check it out! Send comments, suggestions, advice and information to: jckeffer@comcast.net .

I encourage everyone to get out and knap, attend our knap-ins and encourage others with an interest in knapping to join the Puget Sound Knappers Association.

SPALLS Distribution

Distribution of SPALLS is available to any vial Email or Snail Mail (USPS). 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

23811 NE 14th

Sammamish, WA

98074. Year 2011

THE POLICY IS: If you send your e-mail address, your snail-mail address and phone number to Jim Keffer at jckeffer@comcast.net (not a link - you must type it in) 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 - a donation or a self-addressed stamped envelope to cover the cost of printing and postage is appreciated.

If you, or someone you know, have an e-mail address and did not receive SPALLS in December, 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 needs 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.

NEXT SPALLS ISSUE:

The next SPALLS issue will be in June, 2011. Weather's great, go to the knap-ins!

COMING EVENTS - 2011:

 

Glass Butte Gathering, Glass Butte, Oregon, March 19 - March 27

Here in the Northwest it's the largest, longest, oldest, and coldest running knap-in. The term "hardcore" suddenly springs to mind. It's very aboriginal, very warm-hearted abo's in what can be a very COLD setting. I best repeat that in case you missed it - that's C-O-L-D!! (you have been warned....) Even at that I haven't missed one in a dozen + years. It's always been a "high energy / cabin fever breaker / icebreaker / start of the season" event. (couple hundred people or so..) A lot of things are always going on and it's always busy and it's always laid back (?). 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 - true to form, the weather at last year's event kept up to its reputation for which this Knap-in has been famous for... Steve Alleley and Mick Hill have taken over responsibility from Jim Riggs. For more information give Mick a call or send him an email: or (360)-493-8439 . Pictures say it all! - check out the last couple years at Roadkills site (KnapIn Pics) at:
http://www.neoanderthal.com/index.html

 

Cabela's Spring Great Outdoor Days Seminars & Events - March 19th and 20th

The PSK as been invited to participate in this event. Cabelas is located at 1600 Gateway Blvd, Lacey, WA.

Directions:

Telephone:3602523500

GPS Co-ordinates:
47.0657
-122.7845

From Seattle (approx 58 miles):

1. Southbound I-5 to Exit 111.

2. Turn right onto Marvin Rd North.

3. Go to second round-about (.5 miles).

4. Turn left through round-about onto Britton Parkway NE.

5. On Britton Parkway turn left on to Gateway Blvd.

6. Go to Cabela's - .4 miles.

From Portland (approx 117 miles):

1. Northbound I-5 to Exit 111.

2. Turn left onto Marvin Rd North.

3. Go over I-5 to second round-about (.7 miles).

4. Turn left through round-about onto Britton Parkway NE.

5. On Britton Parkway turn left on to Gateway Blvd.

6. Go to Cabela's - .4 miles.

Rich Russell will be the point of contact (Richru1@yahoo.com, (253) 631-3115)

 

19th Annual Goldendale Knap-In, Goldendale, Washington, May 20th thru 22nd.

Ed and Loretta Thomas will again be hosting their ninth Annual Knap-In at "Thomas Hollow", near Goldendale, WA. from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Their property lies about 5 miles East of Goldendale. This will be their 9th Annual K/I at this location and 10th overall.

There is a "walk-through" Archery Range about their property that contains 15 targets and, possibly, a new moving target. Really great for stretching after sitting and Knapping for awhile, also quite relaxing! The usual fun games will be going on, such as Goat Rock 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.

This knap-in is dependent on getting enough volunteers to help out. Volunteers are needed at least a day or two early to get things squared away. If you plan to attend and can come early please let Ed or Jim Keffer know as soon as possible.

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). Exit Hwy 97 at the N. Exit into Goldendale. Travel S. about 2-1/2 blocks on Broadway to Bickleton Hwy Exit on left (East). There is an AIMEE'S ATTIC store sign at this intersection. Turn East, under Hwy 97 and travel approx. 4-1/2 miles to intersection of Willis Rd (on the Rt.). Across from Willis Rd is Pumphouse Rd (new Pumphouse Road sign on post at corner). Turn N. on to Pumphouse Rd and travel approx. 1/2 mile to intersection of Rocky Ridge Rd on the left. Turn left to Rocky Ridge Rd and go to 2nd driveway on left (about 1/3rd mile). This is the place. Signs will be posted for the K/I at intersections!

Please observe 15 MPH speed limit on Pumphouse and Rocky Ridge Roads!

Please note; Dealers and Vendors absolutely must contact the hosts for permission to participate. This has to be done by May 1st for authorization to attend!

For more information, contact: Ed and Loretta Thomas, 40 Rocky Ridge Road, Goldendale, WA 98620, (509)773-6461, e-mail feather@hughes.net.

 

Seventh Annual Western Oregon Knap-In, Illahee Flats, Oregon, May 28 t June 5.

Jim Hopper and Brad Baughman will be hosting the Seventh Annual Western Oregon Knap-In at Illahee Flats, Oregon from May 29 through June 6. 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.

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. For more information, contact: Brad Baughman at (541) 459-4313, or e-mail: bbb7707@yahoo.com

 

The Bitterroot Valley Knap-In, Larry Creek campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, Bitterroot Valley, Montana, June 30 thru July 5.

Joan and Richard Urata will be hosting the first Bitterroot Valley Knap-In at the Larry Creek campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, Bitterroot Valley, Montana, from Thursday, June 30 thru Tuesday, July 5. We will be there from noon Thursday thru noon Tuesday. As with all PSK knap-ins, everything is free. This is a family event. There is a paved parking lot for RVs (no hookups) and vehicles. There will be lots of room for tents under the trees or under the stars. Forest Service restricts RVs 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 them in your vehicles. There will be a pot luck dinner Saturday evening with the hosts providing the main dish. This will be a PSK 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 and a motel 15 miles away in Lolo. For more details on amenities contact Richard & Joan. If you have an RV over 30 ft contact us for alternative parking in the Bitterroot.

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 camp ground. You will pass a parking lot for day users on your right. For more information contact Joan or Richard at (406) 360-1752, or e-mail: richurata@cybernet1.com.

 

Fort Knapadonia Knap-In, Whidbey Island, Washington, August 16 through 22.

Joe Higgins will host the Fort Knapadonia Knap-In in August. He promises to have a full schedule of events - archery target shoots, 2-inch Goat, 10-speed, etc, etc, and don't forget making arrowheads and blades. 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! There are plenty of garage sales and stores for shopping.
You are welcomed there as early as Monday, August 16, with most of the activities on 20, 21 and 22.

In addition to the usual great knappers knapping, plentiful rock and great weather, there will be FISHING! (Check out the reports on the Ft. Knapadonia 2009 & 2010 on the website under 'Events' or Spalls Dec 2009).

The salmon run is predicted to be a RECORD this year. Two years ago a similar record run of salmon made it up the Skagit River to spawn. This year's escapement, the adult salmon that made it past the commercial fishermen, past the sport fishermen and finally past the Native American fisherman, to spawn was one of the largest in recorded history, leading fisheries biologist to expect unprecedented returns in 2011. As with 2009, we expect to be able to catch daily limits (each day of the Knap-in) of Pink Salmon. Fresh out of the water and onto the Grill! - nothing better! And it's only a 5 minute walk to the beach from Ft. Knapadonia!

All that is required is a Washington Fishing License/Punch Card - non-residents may purchase a 3-day license ($28.91) or a 5-day license ($33.27). All that is needed is a suitable spinning rod/reel with 8lb - 12lb line and some 1-1/2 oz to 2 oz PINK buzz bombs (usually available at the Oak Harbor Walmart or Ace Hardware). For more information go to Washington Department of Fish and Game/Licenses.

Directions:
To get to the knap-in - 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.

Bakersfield Monthly Knap-In, Bakersfield, California

(This is not a PSK Event)

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.

Directions:

While on 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 Pickettat: Home: (661) 392-7729, Cell: (661) 444-6163, e-mail: air-o-head@webtv.net.

Reports:

PSK Rock Cabelas - Cabela's Knap-in Report

The PSK (Richard Urata, Mick Hill and Jim Keffer) were contacted by Arlen Veleke, Events Coordinator at Cabelas in Lacey, WA in November 2010. Arlen had been looking for flintknappers to put on a knapping event at the store for two years. He'd almost given up after not being able to locate any knappers. Once he contacted us I informed Arlen that there were over 250 active knappers in the PSK and at least 75 within a 2 hour drive of his Cabelas store. I assured him that if they hosted a knap-in, we have at least 6-8 knappers attend.

Master knapper and Lacey resident Mick Hill took over coordinating with Cabelas and set a date of January 22nd and 23rd for the event. As the word got out via email and the PSK Website we started to see more and more interest.

When Saturday the 22nd rolled around PSK members started to show up at 8:00 in the morning and began setting up. Cabela's furnished 8 - 10 banquet tables a couple dozen chairs, which we set up just inside the entrance. As soon as we were set up, displays organized and chairs arranged, we started knapping. By noon we had about 16 PSK members knapping and probably 20 attended during the weekend. Those who attended that I was able to remember were:

Jim Keffer

Jim Smith

Jim Miller

Donn Paris

Tom Appelhans

Mick Hill

Dave Robertson

Dave Rauschenberg

Webb Hammond

Rich Russell

Dana Anderson

Nathan Bailey

Rory Linden

Preston Stanke

Dee Boyer

Scott Williams

This was to be a 'mutually beneficial' event. It was intended to help bring people/potential customers into Cabelas and to help the Puget Sound Knappers promote knapping and our association. While people don't come to Cabelas to by flintknapping associated products (they don't carry any), they did come to see the knapping! They received dozens of call and emails from people before the event and had quite a few people come just for the event - judging by the number of new knappers we signed up and the number of folds that spent time watching - more than just a few! From both Cabelas and the PSK perspective, we both accomplished our goals!

Literally hundreds of people stopped by and looked at the displays, watched the knapping and asked questions. More than a few came in a tried their hand at knapping! We have folks from six years old to sixty years old, men and women in all shapes, sizes and colors! IT WAS A BLAST. We gave away about 100 points to kids that stopped by and showed an interest.

We decided to fill a display case for Cabelas with points knapped at the event. By the end of the weekend the case was filled with at least a dozen points by master knappers Jim Miller, Mich Hill, Dave Rauschenberg, Webb Hammond, Jim Smith and Dana Anderson. (I apologize for not remembering everyone who contributed and for not taking a photo of the display - hopefully Arlen will send us a photo).

The Cabelas knap-in was significant in a numbers other ways.

We signed up about 25 new members, many of whom were already knappers, though most were 'noobies'.

The return of Master Knapper Webb Hammond, absent for several years, who managed to sneak away from his work for a weekend of knapping (we look forward to seeing Webb at more knap-ins),

It was also notable for the interest it generated with the public. The Tacoma 'New Tribune' and the Olympia 'Olympian' newspapers ran an announce about the event and that really helped get the word out. The original reporter now plans to do an article on Flintknapping and the Puget Sound Knappers!

All-in-all, it was a great experience. We learned some lessons which will make attending future events at Cabelas even more enjoyable.

We have been invited back in March (Cabela's Spring Great Outdoor Days Seminars & Events - the 19th and 20th) and again in April for the Boy Scout Jamboree (date to be announced).

For more on the Cabelas Knap-in, including photos, visit the Website: PSK ROCKS CABELAS

 

Winter Break/Cabin Fever Knap-in Report

Report - Winter Break/Cabin Fever Knap-in

This year's Winter Break/Cabin Fever Knap-in was a resounding success! Although only a one day event, the turnout was high, with eighteen knappers attending, including some from Idaho, Canada and Oregon!

It was high energy. Concentrated knapping - fueled by co-hosts Jim Dennis' homemade venison chili! And while it was cold and damp out, typical for this time of year in northwest Washington, the wood stove and knapping activity kept the place toasty!

Harvey Hughett, Harley Slade, Jim Keffer and other provided plenty of free rock, with Harvey giving away two boxes of slabs from rock he obtained in a 27 state rock collecting trip last year. Too many varieties to enumerate but his contribution included rock from Craig Ratzat's quarry.

There were a number of fine points/blades produced out of some pretty nice rock - Flint Ridge flint, Oregon Opal, Jasper and Obsidian, and several varieties of agate.

Like the last few knap-ins, new members continue to join the PSK. Not just 'noobies' at knapping but experienced knappers new to the PSK. Larry Parr, a student of Jim Miller, attended his first knap-in and Tim Kropf and Jason Patterson, new members at the recent Cabelas Knap-in got to meet more of the founding members like Joe Higgins, Dave Pehling and Joe Greenwell.

 

Attendees:

Mick and Holly Hill Jim Keffer

Jim Smith Jim Miller

Jim Dennis Rich Russell

Dave and Mrs. Pehling Phil Kirschner

Joe Higgins Tim Kropf

Joe Greenwell Jason Patterson

Ken Kendall Larry Parr

Tom Appelhans Harvey Hughett ( Moscow, ID)

Harley Slade and his Mom Anja ( British Columbia)

Garret Romaine ( Beaverton, OR)

Welcome to our New PSK Members :

New Members December 2010

Justin Moore - Minden, NV

Eric Barnett - Sandpoint, ID

Emmor Nile - Salem, OR

Richard & Judy Pettersen - Kalispell, MT

Stan Norgaard - Lolo, MT

Justin Deacon - Columbus, MT

Elbert Hill - Des Moines, WA

Cody Redman - Livingston, MT

Mich - Bellingham, WA

Nathan Bailey - Port Orchard, WA

Kyle - Kettle Falls, WA

 

New Members January 2011

Hari Heath - Santa, ID
Nathan Baily - Port Orchard, WA
Scott S. Williams -
Tumwater, WA

Grady Bowen - Utah

Dave Robertson - a welcome BACK - Graham, WA

Paul Daigneault - Tacoma, WA

Chris Chisholm - Puyallup WA

Craig Spaniel - Kennewick, WA

Dee Boyer - Edgewood, WA

Frank Cerniwey - Olympia, WA

Gene Fagerness - Chehalis, WA

Hal Thornburg - Tenino, WA

James Sawaya - Tacoma, WA

Jason Patterson - Snohomish, WA

Jerry Kropf -

Kai Ropp - Seattle, WA

Kenneth V Labrec - Olympia, WA

Lara Gaasland-Tatro - Olympia, WA

Markimoho Wortman - Olympia, WA

Matt Tuttle - Elma, WA

Nick Mackelwich - Chehalis, WA

Paul Daigneault - Tacoma, WA

Ramiro Alonso - Puyallup, WA

Rey Prieto - Lakewood, WA

Robin (Rob) F Torner - Lacey, WA

Stephen P. West - Tacoma, WA

Steve Thomas - Seattle, WA

Tim Kropf - Spanaway, WA

Tyler Travis - Olympia, WA

Warrin Bauer - Olympia, WA

Willis Littke - Fall City, WA

Garret Romaine - Portland, Oregon

 

New Members February 2011

Mike Roberts - Elma, WA

Larry Parr - Lynnwood, WA

 

Come join us at the upcoming Spring/Summer Knap-ins and don't hesitate to ask for help!

 

Update on the Website

Since going live the last week in September 2010, we've made quite a few additions to the website. These additions include Member Art Galleries, 'How-To' articles, new member listings, and over 100 photos of PSK Members. We also added lots of information on rock collecting in Washington and Oregon. I'll try and keep the rules and regulation current and accurate but can not guarantee either. Please check with the appropriate agencies for updates.

A special thanks to Tom Sterling for all of his invaluable help in creating and maintaining the website!

 

Note: We do not put 'hotlinks' email addresses on the site to prevent spam. You'll have to type in email address you see on the site. Please do not redistribute the email addresses of our Knap-in hosts without permission.

 

As of Feb 6th, the website has had over 3,200 unique visitors, many who have visited more than once as evident by the more than 300,000 hits! This has created new awareness of both the Puget Sound Knappers Association and knapping in general and has contributed to recruiting a significant number of new members - almost 60 since November!

 

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. If you submit photos of your art I will create an Art Gallery in your name!

 

Also, take a look at the 'scatter map'. This map show approximately where PSK member reside. It is intended to help identify areas where there are enough knappers to organize new knap-ins. If you want to help organize a knap-in and would like to contact others in your area, let me know and I will try to facilitate getting people together. It looks like the Moses Lake Knap-in will not be in our future and the same goes for the Goldendale Knap-in. We would very much like to organized replacement knap-ins in the Central Washington area.

 

Members can Advertise Their Products

The Puget Sound Knappers website now features a section for members to advertise, for free, flintknapping/Paleo art for sale/trade or barter. The member will be provided an area to display their art (for sale/trade or barter) and their contact information - but no prices.

Commercial advertisers will be provided with a section for their links and the description of what their site offers. No advertising per se, but a link provided for the benefit of our members.

 

Website Funding

We've decided to not allow 'pop-up' advertising or paid advertising on the website. Instead we'll be relying on donations by members to support the site and cover the cost of the hosting company. Donations will be collected at future Knap-ins or can be made by contacting the webmaster: reefer@pugetsoundknappers.com.

 

Rock Collecting Regulations Links:

WA and Oregon Rock Collecting Guide - http://pugetsoundknappers.com/how_to/rock_collecting_Guide_WA-OR.html

BLM Glass Buttes Handout - http://pugetsoundknappers.com/how_to/BLM_Glass_Buttes_Handout_4-09.html

MAYBE OF INTEREST:

Website for Artifact and Archeological Books

This website has Artifact and Archeological Books and Videos for sale.

Go to: http://www.hothemhouse.com/ .

TARP

There is a flint forum where knappers can participate by posting and reading messages and/or going into the chat room. It may be of interest as knapping information is passed back and forth via messages. It is called TARP - you know, the thing you put on the ground to collect the debitage. http://www.egroups.com/group/thetarp .

Knappers-R-Us

Here's another e-group for knappers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Knappers-R-Us/

Flintknappers Digest

Another Egroup called flintknapper's Digest: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/flintknappingdigest/

Lithic Casting Lab

For anyone who wants to replicate certain styles of points (Flake patterns, thickness, convexity, length, and width), you can purchase castings of artifacts from Lithic Casting Lab. http://www.lithiccastinglab.com/

Paleo Planet Primitive Technology discussions, including flintknapping. www.PaleoPlanet.net.

 

 SPALLS - June 2011

SPALLS Distribution

Distribution of SPALLS is available to any vial Email or Snail Mail (USPS). 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

23811 NE 14th

Sammamish, WA

98074. Year 2011

 

THE POLICY IS: If you send your e-mail address, your snail-mail address and phone number to 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 – a donation or a self-addressed stamped envelope to cover the cost of printing and postage is appreciated.

If you, or someone you know, have an e-mail address and did not receive SPALLS in December, 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 needs 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.

NEXT SPALLS ISSUE:

The next SPALLS issue will be in November, 2011, following the Millersylvania TurkeyFest Knap-in. The weather’s finally great, so go to the knap-ins!

Coming Events

The Bitterroot Valley Knap-In, Larry Creek campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, Bitterroot Valley, Montana, June 30 thru July 5.

Joan and Richard Urata will be hosting the first Bitterroot Valley Knap-In at the Larry Creek campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, Bitterroot Valley, Montana, from Thursday, June 30 thru Tuesday, July 5. We will be there from noon Thursday thru noon Tuesday. 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 them in your vehicles. There will be a pot luck dinner Saturday evening with the hosts providing the main dish. This will be a PSK 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 and a motel 15 miles away in Lolo. For more details on amenities contact Richard & Joan. If you have an RV over 30 ft contact us for alternative parking in the Bitterroot.

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 camp ground. You will pass a parking lot for day users on your right. For more information contact Joan or Richard at (406) 360-1752, or e-mail: richurata@cybernet1.com.

UPDATE NOTICE – MONTANA KNAP-IN 2011

The RV spaces at Larry Creek campground have already been filled although we have plenty of space for tent campers and those that want to sleep in their trucks/van. If you are planning on coming with an RV you have a couple of alternatives:

1) You can come early (before Thursday) and try to get into 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. This campground has individual spaces. The ranger tells us that this campground will probably be full by Thursday, June 29th.

2) Make a confirmed reservation at a local RV park or hotel. Check out the attached list of Hotels and RV parks in the area. Closest RV park would be in Lolo. If you want to entertain your children (other than knapping) you could try a park in Missoula. Hamilton is a nice option if you want to stay on the Bitterroot River. If you choose this option make your reservations early – it is a holiday weekend!

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 is requesting a tentative number of attendees so they can help us in our facility planning.

You can check out pictures of our Montana Knap-In site at Kodak Gallery:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=177323965408%3A1905265672&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharee

See you on July 4th weekend! – Richard & Joan Urata

Fort Knapadonia Knap-In, Whidbey Island, Washington, August 16 through 22.

Joe Higgins will host the Fort Knapadonia Knap-In in August. He promises to have a full schedule of events – archery target shoots, 2-inch Goat, 10-speed, etc, etc, and don’t forget – making arrowheads and blades. There will be water available, electricity, Porta-Potties, and lots of room for camping and RVing. Women and families are welcomed and encouraged to attend! There are plenty of garage sales and stores for shopping.

You are welcomed there as early as Monday, August 15, with most of the activities on 20, 21 and 22.

In addition to the usual great knappers knapping, plentiful rock and great weather, there will be FISHING! (Check out the reports on the Ft. Knapadonia 2009 & 2010 on the website under ‘Events’ or ‘Spalls Dec 2009’).

The salmon run is predicted to be a RECORD this year. Two years ago a similar record run of salmon made it up the Skagit River to spawn. This ‘escapement’, the adult salmon that made it past the commercial fishermen, past the sport fishermen and finally past the Native American fisherman, to spawn was one of the largest in recorded history, leading fisheries biologist to expect unprecedented returns in 2011. As with 2009, we expect to be able to catch daily limits (each day of the Knap-in) of Pink Salmon. Fresh out of the water and onto the Grill! – Nothing better! And it’s only a 5 minute walk to the beach from Ft. Knapadonia!

All that is required is a Washington Fishing License/Punch Card – non-residents may purchase a 3-day license ($28.91) or a 5-day license ($33.27). All that is needed is a suitable spinning rod/reel with 8lb – 12lb line and some 1-1/2 oz to 2 oz PINK buzz bombs (usually available at the Oak Harbor Wal-Mart or Ace Hardware). For more information go to Washington Department of Fish and Game/Licenses.

Directions:

To get to the knap-in - 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.

15th Annual (Pre) Thanksgiving Knap-In, Millersylvania State Park, near Olympia Washington. November 5th and 6th, 2011. Always scheduled on the first Saturday and Sunday of November each year.

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 but usually no running water. (This means, “Pack it in-Pack it out.” We don’t do dishes….) Part of the cabin is open to the weather elements and can’t be closed off. It can be cold! The park rangers also leave a bathroom unlocked near the cabin for our use and for extra drinking water if needed.

The potluck thanksgiving dinner will be served by 1 p.m. on Saturday only. Mick and Holly provide coffee, fresh baked turkey and some traditional thanksgiving dishes. Bring a potluck dish, camp stool or lawn chair, and plan to wear warm clothes and boots for the mud, sometimes rainy weather. Bring a blanket for your chair if you need more warmth. Pack a project to work on or share as show-n-tell if you are not flintknapping.

Some may camp and stay thru Sunday. If camping, expect to follow state park rules and provide payment for a camp site. There is a warm bathroom w/plumbing and coin operated hot showers available. You may want to 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. Holly will flip breakfast pancakes and later make grilled cheese for what becomes a reduced number of knappers. This is a good time for learning from others with more experience if you are new to knapping.

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 on 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.

Bakersfield Monthly Knap-In, Bakersfield, California

(This is not a PSK Event)

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.

Directions:

While on 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.

COYOTE HILLS KNAP-IN, FREMONT, CALIFORNIA - AUG. 27-28, 2011.

Join us for our 18th annual knap-in at the beautiful Coyote Hills Regional Park next to San Francisco Bay! All skill levels are welcome. Bring rock to work if you have some; if not, there's usually plenty available to share. Camping is available as well as nearby lodging and restaurants. Come join us at the Bay Area’s longest-running flint-knapping event! For directions to the park go to: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/coyote_hills. For more information contact Ken Peek at 510-537-1215.

Reports:

Glass Buttes 2011 Report

This year's Knap-in at Glass Buttes, while hampered by snow, wind, rain, cold and mud, was nevertheless the place to be for knapping! Though attendance was down considerably there were a number of new attendees - some experienced knappers, some total newbies.

The first weekend started off with snow and deep mud but that didn't deter the die-hards. By Sunday there were 40-50 knappers and lots of activity. Rock runs to the Black Butter and Dacite Digs yielded plenty of knappable material.

While Monday's weather was a little of this and a little of that, it was nice enough to get a full days worth of knapping for most folks.

Tuesday was even better! A major rock run to the Dacite Digs, 5 or six pickups and a dozen or so knappers spend most of the morning and early afternoon digging and spalling Dacite. Emory Coons, as always, worked his special magic and produced beautiful spall after spall from the bigger stuff.

All week long people came and went. As some left more arrived to take their place so there was always a crowd around the central fire pit knapping and solving the world's problems.

The weather continues to deteriorate the rest of the week and by Friday the temperatures were down to the high teens/low twenties at night with snow falling several times a day. The freezing helped keep the roads passable in the morning but as the snow melted or turned to rain the roads turned to mud.

Friday morning dawned with two inches of snow on the ground, the wind howling and the temps hovering in the mid-twenties. Most folks decided to call it a week (as well as yours truly) and packed up and left. Some knappers did arrive for the weekend and managed to fight through the frozen ground for their annual allotment of fine Glass Buttes obsidian.

Special thanks to Rocky who arranged for the Porta-Potties. And special thanks to Rocky, Gerry, Eric and the rest of the folks that provided a steady (and much needed) supply of firewood.

Jeff 'The Camera Guy' Dixon took a lot of fine photos of the knap-in – go to his website here: Jeff Dixon's Photos of Glass Buttes 2011

There is also a photo essay on the PSK Website: Glass Buttes 2011

Goldendale Knap-in 2011

The 2011 Goldendale/Thomas Hollow Knap-in, hosted by Ed and Loretta Thomas, was once again an outstanding success!

Ed, one of the founding fathers of the Puget Sound Knappers, has been hosting this knap-in for a decade and the combination of good weather, plenty of room (20 acres), lots of amenities including a 24 target archery course, always makes for a great time! We're still trying to tally up the attendance but suffice to say it was very well attended, well over 20 knappers plus family and friends.

In addition to several newbie knappers, the 2011 Goldendale Knap-in welcomed back several notable knappers who've been missed over the last couple of years - master knapper and Paleo Artist Cole Hurst and master knapper and Native American (Cherokee), Jim Baugh. For any of use who are less experienced (and talented), the chance to watch these masters of the art is a real treat!

Goldendale is a quintessential PSK Knap-in - great host, great food, great knappers, plenty of rock and a great place to take free lessons from some of the very best knappers anywhere!

A PSK knap-in is not just about knapping but also features other Paleo Art. This one was no exception. Just take a look at some of the other art of Cole Hurst, Stu Murdock, Jim Baugh and others.

Partial List of knappers attending:

Ed Thomas Ron Nichols

Mick Hill Joseph Wernex

Mike Tari Joe Greenwell

Stu Murdock Betty Roberts

Jim Smith Ian Elliott*

Jim Baugh Robert Roy*

Jim Miller Max Guettinger*

Jim Keffer Cole Hurst

Harvey Hughett Webb Hammond

Don Wattenberg Louis Toweill*

New Members*:

For more photos of the Knap-in visit the PSK Website Events section Goldendale 2011. For more photos of a particular individual's art visit their art galleries in the 'Interesting Stuff' section

North Umpqua/Illahee Flats Knap-in 2011

As usual the Illahee Flats/ North Umpqua Knap-in, hosted by ‘Big Bad Brad’ Baughman, Jim Hopper and Dan Lusby was a resounding success! Several tons of FREE knappable rock was provided by the hosts as well as free lessons to anyone and everyone that wanted to participate!

In keeping with the PSK tradition of promoting flintknapping, public involvement and participation, the Douglas County News sent a reporter and photographer to the knap-in! They’re doing a series of articles of the knap-in and PNW knapping – way too much good stuff for just one article! Special Thanks to Becky Holm, Editor/Publisher, Reporter Bill Jones and Photographer Michael Weil

The Illahee Flats Knap-in is also known for the outstanding knappers that attend – Jim Hopper, Brad Baughman, Dan Lusby, Emory Coons, Stu Murdock, Mick Hill, Terry Kramer, Bill Hart, Jim Smith, Jack Curry, Josh Antos and Bill Black! (Jack Curry owns Black Powder Jacks and made the Elk hide shirt Brad so proudly wore throughout the week!)

There were over 30 "NEW" Knappers...People that had never picked up a rock to chip before. Over 200 people attended during the week-long knap-in – knappers, friends and family members!

Some of the ‘newbies’:

Dan Metz – resident of Steamboat, OR, Dan is the District Foreman, ODOT, for the Rouge River and North Umpqua Highways.

Jay Seefeld is Brad’s nephew from Colorado.

Brad’s nephew’s son, Taylor Cottrell shows some of the first points.

In addition to lots of knapping, people were exposed to other ‘nature arts’. Terry Kramer’s display some of his fantastic wood carvings. Chenoa Hopper (Jim's daughter) displayed her private collection of points and blades. Mariah Lusby demonstrated how to make cordage from local plant fibers. Glen Baughman, another member of the artistic Baughman clan, took watercolor paper, treated it with chemicals, placed local fauna (flowers, ferns, etc) on top of the paper with the chemicals and then placed it in the sun to develop. Vinegar set the image resulting in some amazing art!

Musical entertainment was provided by Mick Hill and his bagpipes and Stu Murdock with his home made Didgeridoo. Bagpipes, Didgeridoo and Illahee - what a combination!

One of the regular and notable features at the Illahee Knap-in are the ‘Community Dinners’. This years community dinners featured Chicken and Dumplings (an Illahee Flats staple!), Chicken Soup, Jambalaya, Gumbo, Fresh Oysters, Roast Beef and Steak!

Make plans for next year's Illahee Flats Knap-in!

Ft Knapadonia Expansion

Starting the first of May, Ft Knapadonia has undergone an expansion. With regular attendance between 12 and 14 knappers, the addition of a new heat treating kiln, the completion of Joe’s 24” rock saw, the main Fort was becoming a little crowded.

Under the expert leadership of Blain Kuykendal, with funding and labor support by all the regulars, an 8’ x 20’ extension was built on to the west side of the Fort. It will allow knappers to cut slabs and heat treat rock while continuing to knap in the main room. For more information and photos visit the ‘Ft Knapadonia Expansion’ page on the PSK website.

Welcome to our New PSK Members:

New Members May 2011

Ian Elliott – Ellensburg, WA

Bob Brehaut – Condon, OR

Kenny Potter – Condon, OR

Max Guettinger – Kenewick, WA

Robert Roy – Kenewick, WA

Come join us at the upcoming Spring/Summer Knap-ins and don’t hesitate to ask for help!

Update on the Website

We’ve added several new areas to the website including a brand new section of ‘Knapper Recipes’. These recipes were contributed by PSK knappers (or spouses, friends and associates of our member knappers) and include items from various knap-ins. You’ll find everything from Webb Hammond’s ‘Road-kill Stew’ to the famous ‘Apple Pie’ punch. I encourage every member of the PSK to contribute their favorite recipe.

We’re up to thirty-six member ‘ Art Galleries’. 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.

We’ve also added a ‘Tribute’ section for special tributes to PSK Knappers. The first two knappers featured have had songs written about them. Check it out - Tributes

As of June 12, the website has had almost 8,000 unique visitors, many who have visited more than once as evident by the more than 600,000 hits! And it includes visitors from 85 different countries!

The website continues to create more awareness of both the Puget Sound Knappers Association and knapping in general and has contributed to recruiting more new members – five more in May alone.

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!

Also, take a look at the ‘scatter map’. This map shows approximately where PSK members reside. It is intended to help identify areas where there are enough knappers to organize new knap-ins. If you want to help organize a knap-in and would like to contact others in your area, let me know and I will try to facilitate getting people together. It looks like the Moses Lake Knap-in will not be in our future and the same goes for the Goldendale Knap-in. We would very much like to organized replacement knap-ins in the Central Washington area.

Members can Advertise Their Products

The Puget Sound Knappers website now features a section for members to advertise, for free, flintknapping/Paleo art for sale/trade or barter. The member will be provided an area to display their art (for sale/trade or barter) and their contact information – but no prices.

Commercial advertisers will be provided with a section for their links and the description of what their site offers. No advertising per se, but a link provided for the benefit of our members.

Website Funding

We’ve decided to not allow ‘pop-up’ advertising or paid advertising on the website. Instead we’ll be relying on donations by members to support the site and cover the cost of the hosting company. Donations will be collected at future Knap-ins or can be made by contacting the webmaster: reefer@pugetsoundknappers.com.

Rock Collecting Regulations Links:

WA and Oregon Rock Collecting Guide - http://pugetsoundknappers.com/how_to/rock_collecting_Guide_WA-OR.html

BLM Glass Buttes Handout - http://pugetsoundknappers.com/how_to/BLM_Glass_Buttes_Handout_4-09.html

MAYBE OF INTEREST:

Website for Artifact and Archeological Books

This website has Artifact and Archeological Books and Videos for sale.

Go to: http://www.hothemhouse.com/ .

TARP

There is a flint forum where knappers can participate by posting and reading messages and/or going into the chat room. It may be of interest as knapping information is passed back and forth via messages. It is called TARP – you know, the thing you put on the ground to collect the débitage. http://www.egroups.com/group/thetarp .

Knappers-R-Us

Here’s another e-group for knappers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Knappers-R-Us/

Flintknappers Digest

Another Egroup called Flintknapper’s Digest: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/flintknappingdigest/

Lithic Casting Lab

For anyone who wants to replicate certain styles of points (Flake patterns, thickness, convexity, length, and width), you can purchase castings of artifacts from Lithic Casting Lab. http://www.lithiccastinglab.com/

Paleo Planet

Primitive Technology discussions, including flintknapping. www.PaleoPlanet.net.

SPALLS

James C. Keffer

23811 NE 14th St

Sammamish, WA 98074

 

 

 

SPALLS - November 2011

SPALLS Distribution

Distribution of SPALLS is available to any vial Email or Snail Mail (USPS). 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

23811 NE 14th

Sammamish, WA

98074. Year 2011

THE POLICY IS: If you send your e-mail address, your snail-mail address and phone number to 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 – a donation or a self-addressed stamped envelope to cover the cost of printing and postage is appreciated.

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.

NEXT SPALLS ISSUE:

The next SPALLS issue will be in February, 2012, following the Winter Break/Cabin Fever Knap-in. The weather’s finally great, so go to the knap-ins!

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 Puget Sound Knappers.com

If you have 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

Seattle VA Hospital – bi-monthly workshop and demonstration. PSK members hold a ‘mini’ knap-in at the Seattle VA hospital every other Wednesday. Hosted by Jim Keffer and Woody Woodside (official volunteers w/badges), these workshop fall under the Recreational Rehabilitation department of the VA hospital. Knapping has proven to be both physically and mentally therapeutic as well as great fun.

While normally all volunteers are required to undergo 4 hours of formal orientation, have a background investigation, and receive a photo ID badge, the VA has agreed that as long as either Woody or I attend, any PSK member may participate in the workshops. We’ve had as many as five PSK members participate at one time. We encourage all PSK members to volunteer – even if for just one workshop. I

Due to family and other commitments between Thanksgiving and Christmas we may be able to participate in only one or two workshops – dates to be determined.

To volunteer and participate simply contact Jim Keffer at: reefer@pugetsoundknapppers.com

Cabelas Knap-in – January 2012 (dates pending)

We’ve been invited back to Cabelas! It looks like will be holding a knap-in/flintknapping demonstration/workshop again at the Cabelas Store in Lacy, WA sometime in January – we’re working on finalizing the dates. The first knap-in at Cabelas was a great success with about 20 PSK knappers attending the two day event. Better yet was the public attendance and participation. Twenty-seven new knappers joined the PSK, one third of which were experienced knappers! Hundreds of visitors stopped by to admire the displays, watch the knapping and more than a dozen tried their hand at knapping for the first time. Look for updates/details on our website http://pugetsoundknappers.com.

2012 Winter Break/Cabin Fever Knap-in January 28th.

Our traditional one-day Knap-In to initiate the new knapping season will be held on Saturday, January 28th (last Saturday in January), hosted by Dave Pehling and Jim Dennis. The knap-in will run from 10:00 am until dark.

It will be at my nephew's house in Granite Falls as he has a large walled-in workshop that we can heat and use as we like. We'll have donuts, coffee, cocoa, etc. as usual. Jim D. usually has a pot of beans or something hot going, too.

We'll have the tarp set up and, if anyone wants to work on a bow, I can set up my bow-bench and tools. BYO stave or, if you let me know ahead of time, I can bring a chunk of vine maple.

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.

At the top of the long hill and past a couple lights, Turn LEFT onto WA-9.

Go about 1.7 miles and Turn RIGHT onto WA-92 (at the 3rd stop light)

Go about 7.8 miles and Turn LEFT at the light onto JORDAN RD, just before you get into Granite Falls.

Stay on Jordan, cross the Stilli river bridge, (about a mile) and take the 3rd drive (I think) on the left. I'll have a PSK sign out 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, I'll have my cell phone on -- 425-327-8034

For more information, you can contact Dave at: djpehling@verizon.net or phone (360) 691-7902.

2012 Glass Butte Gathering, Glass Butte, Oregon, March 24 through April 1, 2012

Take Special Note – The timing of the annual Glass Buttes Knap-in corresponds to the Oregon Schools Spring Break Calendar. In 2012 this is the LAST 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 – true to Point of contact is Steve Allely (email: allely@uci.net) 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.

2012 Goldendale/Thomas Hollow Knap-in May 18th – 20th

10th Annual Goldendale/Thomas Hollow Knap-In, Goldendale, Washington, May 18th – 20th.

Ed and Loretta Thomas will again be hosting their Tenth Annual Knap-In at "Thomas Hollow", near Goldendale, WA, from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Their property lies about 5 miles East of Goldendale. This will be their 9th Annual K/I at this location and 10th overall.

There is a "walk-through" Archery Range about their property that contains 15 targets and, possibly, a new moving target. Really great for stretching after sitting and Knapping for a while, also quite relaxing! The usual fun games will be going on, such as Goat Rock 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.

This knap-in is dependent on getting enough volunteers to help out. Volunteers are needed at least a day or two early to get things squared away. If you plan to attend and can come early please let Ed or Jim Keffer know as soon as possible.

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). Exit Hwy 97 at the N. Exit into Goldendale. Travel S. about 2-1/2 blocks on Broadway to Bickleton Hwy Exit on left (East). There is an AIMEE’S ATTIC store sign at this intersection. Turn East, under Hwy 97 and travel approx. 4-1/2 miles to intersection of Willis Rd (on the Rt.). Across from Willis Rd is Pumphouse Rd (new Pumphouse Road sign on post at corner). Turn N. on to Pumphouse Rd and travel approx. 1/2 mile to intersection of Rocky Ridge Rd on the left. Turn left to Rocky Ridge Rd and go to 2nd driveway on left (about 1/3rd mile). This is the place. Signs will be posted for the K/I at intersections!

Please observe 15 MPH speed limit on Pumphouse and Rocky Ridge Roads!

2012 North Umpqua/Illahee Flats Knap-in – Hosts - Brad Baughman and Jim Hopper

May 26th – June 3rd.

Brad Baughman and Jim Hopper will be hosting the Sixth Annual Western Oregon Knap-In at Illahee Flats, Oregon from May 26th through June 3rd (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.

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. For more information, contact: Brad Baughman at (541) 459-4313, or e-mail: bbb7707@yahoo.com

2012 Bitterroot Valley Knap-In, Larry Creek campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, Bitterroot Valley, Montana, July 6 thru July 9

Joan and Richard Urata will be hosting the 2nd Annual Bitterroot Valley Knap-In at the Larry Creek Campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, Bitterroot Valley, Montana, from Friday, July 6th thru Monday, July 9th. We will be there to set up from noon Thursday 7/5 thru noon Tuesday 7/10 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.comor 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.

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 – August 2012 – (dates pending)

Kittitas Valley's Fall Gathering of Stone Age Craftsman – October (dates pending)

16th Annual (Pre) Thanksgiving Knap-In, Millersylvania State Park, near Olympia Washington. November 3th and 4th, 2012.

( Always scheduled on the first Saturday and Sunday of November each year.)

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 but usually no running water. (This means, “Pack it in-Pack it out.” We don’t do dishes….) Part of the cabin is open to the weather elements and can’t be closed off. It can be cold! The park rangers also leave a bathroom unlocked near the cabin for our use and for extra drinking water if needed.

The potluck thanksgiving dinner will be served by 1 p.m. on Saturday only. Mick and Holly provide coffee, fresh baked turkey and some traditional thanksgiving dishes. Bring a potluck dish, camp stool or lawn chair, and plan to wear warm clothes and boots for the mud, sometimes rainy weather. Bring a blanket for your chair if you need more warmth. Pack a project to work on or share as show-n-tell if you are not flintknapping.

Some may camp and stay thru Sunday. If camping, expect to follow state park rules and provide payment for a camp site. There is a warm bathroom w/plumbing and coin operated hot showers available. You may want to 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. Holly will flip breakfast pancakes and later make grilled cheese for what becomes a reduced number of knappers. This is a good time for learning from others with more experience if you are new to knapping.

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 on 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.

Bakersfield Monthly Knap-In, Bakersfield, California

(this is not a PSK Event)

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.

Directions:

While on 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.

COYOTE HILLS KNAP-IN, FREMONT, CALIFORNIA - AUG. 27-28, 2011.

Join us for our 18th annual knap-in at the beautiful Coyote Hills Regional Park next to San Francisco Bay! All skill levels are welcome. Bring rock to work if you have some; if not, there's usually plenty available to share. Camping is available as well as nearby lodging and restaurants. Come join us at the Bay Area’s longest-running flint-knapping event! For directions to the park go to: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/coyote_hills. For more information contact Ken Peek at 510-537-1215.

Reports:

Montana Bitterroot Valley Knap-in 2011

Hosted by PSK OogaBooga Chief Richard Urata and his wife Joan, the first Montana Bitterroot Valley Knap-in was a TREMENDOUS SUCCESS! It would be easy to go on and on and on with superlatives as there were so many things that made this knap-in so wonderful. The best way to sum it up - a unanimous consensus that we'll all attend next year!

Richard and Joan are the perfect hosts. With prior experience hosting PSK knap-ins at Davis Creek, their preparations were flawless. From travel directions to parking arrangements for campers, trailers, tents and cars, to fire wood for the OogaBooga Initiation Ceremony, every detail was attended to and it all came together without a hitch. Joan Urata, acknowledged leader of the Puget Sound Knappers 'Flintknapping Floozies', organized not one, but several outstanding potluck dinners, lunches and even continental breakfasts. From spaghetti to teriyaki chicken the food was both delicious and plentiful.

Richard and Joan even arranged for some spectacular weather - absolutely clear, 75 - 80 degrees in the shade and 60 degrees at night. Coupled with the incredible Bitterroot Valley scenery, it made for perfect knapping weather during the day, cozy evenings around the community campfire and great sleeping weather at night in the tents and campers.

The Bitterroot Knap-in, like most if not all PSK knap-ins, is 90% about knapping and 110% about good friends and fellowship.

In addition to five full days of knapping, there was also archery and atlatls, primitive fire starting demonstrations, musical entertainment, dancing, Paleo art displays of all types, wire wrapping instruction, hiking, friendly, though intense competitions and plenty of fun and laughter. The Flintknapper Floozies, in addition to provide excellent meals, kept busy doing everything from 'rag-rugging', knitting, wire wrapping and hiking the various 'eco-educational' trails throughout the park. The Floozies were also the judges for the 10-Speed Competition and did a fine job evaluating flake pattern, symmetry, aspect ratio and overall 'niceness'.

There was a spectacular OogaBooga Initiation Ceremony that included the elevation to Chief of two prominent PSK OogaBooga members. With three chiefs, two spirit guides and a particularly energetic Coyote, 15 new members were initiated into the sacred order of the Ear of Corn Society. If I reported more I'd have to kill you (and myself). (But to see photos of the Sacred and Secret OogaBooga ceremony see the photos below!)

The knap-in kicked off on Thursday with knappers, family and friends coming from as far away as Saskatchewan, Canada aay), Seattle, WA, Redmond, OR and San Francisco, CA. Also in attendance were knappers from Montana and Idaho and noobies from Minnesota. Within minutes of setting up tents, trailers or campers knappers were hard at it - knapping away on everything from Glass Buttes obsidian to Texas Flint to Montana Jaspers and agates to Goldfield chert. Along with the 20 or so experience knappers who attended came a half dozen or so 'noobies'. Provided with free rock, loaner tools and great instruction they were soon addicted with the 'knapping bug'!

Although not widely advertised outside the knapping community, the knap-in signs posted on Hwy93 drew quite a number of 'civilians' who stopped by to see what the heck a knap-in was all about. They weren't disappointed - displays by Master Knappers/Paleo Artist's Jim Raynor, Stu 'Ute' Murdock, Ray Alt, Rich Urata and others wowed the visitors and guest alike. They also came to hear the Didgeridoo concert feature the renowned duo - Murdock and Urata, accompanied by the Flintknapping Floozies! Also feature was an exotic interpretive dance 'Didgeridoo Bump' by the famous former French Ballerina, Françoise and Knapper Bill.

There were some friendly though intensely fierce, competitions of 2 inch Goat and 10-Speed. For those that have never participated here are the rules:

2 inch Goat - First knappers wanting to compete donate $5 (half the proceeds go to the host to cover the cost of the knap-in and half to the winner). Next a large piece of knappable rock, in this case a 12 inch by 15 inch by 1 and a half inch thick spall of flawless Dacite is passed around a circle of knappers. Each Knapper has one chance to take of a flake which must be at least 2" in size. Flakes less than 2 inches result in the elimination of that knapper. The rock continues around the circle until a knapper takes off the last possible 2 inch flake leaving a rock less than two inches in size. The last knapper to take off this flake wins. Winner of the First Annual Bitterroot Valley Knap-in 2 inch Goat competition was longtime PSK knapper Jim Smith from Bothell, WA.

10-Speed - Again, knappers wanting to compete donate $5 (half the proceeds go to the host to cover the cost of the knap-in and half to the winner). Next each knapper selects a rock from their stash and places it in the center of the knapping circle. Each rock is numbered and corresponding numbers are written on pieces of paper, placed in a hat and drawn at random by the participants. A non-participating knappers acts as timer and once the go-ahead is given participating knappers have 10 minutes to make the best point they can. A panel of independent judges from the Flintknapping Floozies then evaluates the results bases on size, symmetry, flake pattern, style and overall quality. Winner of the First Annual Bitterroot Valley Knap-in 10-Speed Contest was Richard Urata from Hamilton, MT.

We also held an auction of donated items to help cover the cost of the knap-in. Some of the items donated included an inlaid display case by master woodcrafter (and master knapper) Jim Raynor, fluting jig by Jim Keffer, 10 inch obsidian blade by the 'Ute Flintknapper' Stu Murdock, four matching sets of arrowhead earrings by Ray Alt and his wife and much, much more. Plus the Pièce de résistance - two beautiful community blades knapped and signed by all 20 plus knappers! Suffice to say the host was made whole!

The ONLY bad thing about this knap-in was that it had to end! I, along with everyone else am already making plans for attending next year's Montana Bitterroot Valley Knap-in! For photos and more visit: http://www.pugetsoundknappers.com/events/Bitterroot__2011_knapin.html

Fort Knapadonia Knap-in 2011

You Can Have Your Cake and Eat It Too!

Many thanks to contributing photographers Bettye Hensel, Joe Greenwell, Joan Urata, Dave Rauschenberg, Beverly Keffer and Woody Woodside

Once again, Dr. Joe Higgins hosted an outstanding knap-in on the north shore of Whidbey Island, WA! This was one of the best attended knap-in in recent history and one of the most enjoyable!

There were the usual daily knapping sessions, interrupted by late afternoon fishing. While the fish were late in coming, only a few caught during the first several day, it pick up considerably during the weekend.

Attendees also had an opportunity to learn tomahawk throwing technique thanks to the new 'hawk target and half dozen tomahawks made by bladesmith (and knapper) Blain Kuykendal. Several archer/knappers availed themselves of the many targets set up in the eight acre field, recently mowed (again thanks to Blain). And a few arrows were made just for good measure.

We carried on the newest tradition that was started at the Bitterroot Valley Knap-in in July - more potluck dinners. Rather than just the traditional single main potluck dinner we enjoyed several with entrees of Fried Chicken and Home Made Spaghetti (made from scratch on site!). Having potluck dinners has made dinner time much more enjoyable. Rather than cooking complete meals for one or two people (or whole families), each knapper/spouse/family needed only to bring a single dish. Whipping up a single dish seems to bring out the best dishes! These potluck dinners also bring knappers and their families together to share both food and camaraderie. This is one tradition that will continue at our future knap-ins.

The main potluck dinner was the MAIN EVENT! Grilled albacore tuna, caught the week before by Joe and his son and son-in-law, and grilled salmon were the main entrees. These were supplemented by Elk stew made by Woody Woodside and a Moose chili made by Valli Eichstedt. The terrific side dishes of vegetables, salads, fresh fruit, chips and dips, etc, were followed by an amazing assortment of pies, cobblers, sticky buns, cookies and cakes, including an incredible PSK Logo Cake provided by Karen Rayner!

There was as much to see as there was to do. There were long tables of knapping and other Paleo Art displays by noted artist Dave Rauschenberg, Jim Miller, Joe Higgins, Richard Urata, Larry Parr, Blain Kuykendal, Bow Bower, Greg Hochmucht, Jim Rayner, Woody Woodside Ron Trezise and others. Knapper art donated to the auctions covered the cost of the Porta-Potties and other knap-in expenses.

The highlight of the Knap-in came as night fell over the island Friday evening. Three OogaBooga Chiefs conducted the largest single initiation ceremony in PSK history, inducting 22 members into the Ear of Corn Society! The assemble OogaBooga members provide a 'rich' atmosphere with background music of no less than five handmade hide/sinew drums! We'd had a long stretch with no OogaBooga initiations between May of 2009 and July of 2011 but between the Bitterroot Valley Knap-in and the Ft. Knapadonia Knap-in we got caught up at least a little .

The knap-in ended as it had begun - with a bang! Sunday brunch consisted of Dungeness crab, and more Dungeness crab, generously provided by the host. Following the brunch there was an OogaBooga Funeral service for Debi Tage. Debi was laid to rest with full honors and mementos marking the modern era of flintknapping were added to her final resting place.

On behalf of Dr. Joe Higgins, many thanks to all those who, through their hard work and contributions, made this event such a tremendous success. Special thanks to the Knapadonia Weekly Regulars - Bob Bower, Jim Smith, Valli Eichstedt, Tom Sterling, Terry Grove, Chip Batcheller, Jack Locke, Jim Keffer and Blain Kuykendal.

Richard and Joan Urata

Dave Rauschenberg

Jim Smith

Joe and Sunny Higgins

Mick Hill

Jim Higgins

The Gonsalves - Jay, Greg, Isabel (Izzy), Kiefer, Gage

The Kuykendals - Ted, Blain and Julie, Garth and RaeAnn, Hayedn, Logan, and McKensie

Ed and Charlene Charlshe

Valli and Ed Eichstedt

Dave and Lynda Graves

Terry Grove

Chip Batcheller

Jerry Gray

Harvey and Cheryle Hughett

Jim 'Reefer' and Beverly Keffer

Dave Tiller

Ryan Fielder

Woody Woodside

Jim Miller

Dave Pheling

Jim and Karen Rayner

Ron Trezise

Clyde Austin (Noobie)

Joe Greenwell and Bettye Hensel

Jack Nichols

Larry Parr

Bill and Judy Thomas

Ken Schmidt

Phil Kirschner

Tom Appelhans

Pete Suppes

Rich Russell

Lauren Clough (Noobie)

Ken and Barbara Kendall

Greg Hochmuht

Bob Bower

Jack Locke

Tom Sterling

For photos and more visit: http://www.pugetsoundknappers.com/events/FT_Knapadonia_Knap-in_2011.html

Kittitas Fall Gathering of Stone Age Craftsmen October 2011

Host Jim Baugh did an outstanding job organizing the 1st Annual Kittitas Valley's Fall Gathering of Stone Age Craftsman at the Rock'n Tomahawk Ranch near Ellensburg, Washington! It was a resounding success! Most of the local knappers pitched in during the week and virtually guaranteed the success.

Special RECOGNITION goes to Co-Host Mike Tari who did most of the heavy lifting! Anyone that has hosted or help host a knap-in knows the amount of work required for a successful event. Mike exemplifies the dedication and can-do spirit that PSK members have come to appreciate at our knap-ins. And this is not the only knap-in where Mike has made a significant contribution. For as many years as I've attended Ed Thomas' Goldendale Knap-in, Mike has always been there ahead of everyone else, working hard to get things ready. On behalf of the all the knappers and attendees at the Kittitas Knap-in - THANKS MIKE!

Special recognition also goes to the owners of the Rock'n Tomahawk Ranch, Bobbi and Bernice Best. Impeccable sources give most of the credit to Bernice (Bobbi said he was just along for the ride)!

For almost two years, the PSK has been trying to start a new knap-in in the eastern part of Washington to make it easier for our eastern members to attend. A lot of knappers were interested and Jim stepped up and did the heavy lifting. He found an ideal location at the Rock'n Tomahawk Ranch - plenty of room for camping and knapping, beautiful area and ideal weather for an October knap-in.

While the 'official' start date was Saturday, Oct 8th, many knappers arrived early Friday to 'help'. So many arrived early that there was little left to do by Friday night but start knapping.

Saturday started off with a bang. Newest PSK member, Lois Dwoshak, who flew down from Juneau, Alaska, brought some authentic Alaska Sourdough and made pancakes for the potluck breakfast - fantastic!

Immediately after breakfast chips began to fly! The half dozen 'newbies' took advantage of the free rock and free instruction from the likes of Jim Miller, Stu Murdock, Cole Hurst, Richard Urata and Brian Knapp. The son and daughter-in-law of the owner of the ranch tried their hand at knapping as well. Bobbi Jr., with coaching from his new mentor Brian Knapp, went on to win the 2" Goat competition against some fierce challenges by almost 20 knappers!

Richard Urata started a couple of 'community points' with about 20 knappers contributing and signing the points. These points went to the host, Jim Baugh and ranch owner, Bobbi Sr. A display case of points knapped at the two-day event also went to the owner of the Ranch and included contributions from Jim Miller, Stu Murdock and a number of other fine knappers.

Saturday's Potluck Dinner, a PSK standard, featured beef stew, a whole poached salmon, lasagna, fried chicken, Teriyaki Chicken, local fresh corn on the cob, baked and fried potatoes (also local), chips, salads, pies, cakes, peach cobbler, etc, etc, etc!

The rest of the evening was spent around the campfire - telling stories and trying to solve the world’s problems .

Sunday was pretty much a repeat - potluck breakfast of sourdough pancakes and sausage, followed by lots of knapping. The only interruption was a little fishing at the stock pond adjacent to the knapping area. Several attempts by a couple of knappers using various yielded no fish even though they were rising to tiny flies. As luck would have it, Reefer remembered he had a fly rod in his camper. Five minutes later and he'd landed a fine 17" rainbow, followed shortly by a 14" cutbow.

This was such a fine knap-in that there were still a dozen knappers still around at 5:00 pm Sunday evening. Everyone hated to leave and most only did so after Jim assured everyone he'd host another one next year, same time, same place!

Partial List of attendees

Harvey Zacker

Jim Baugh

Dan Morasch

Jim Smith

Mike Tari

Jim Keffer

Cole Hurst

Jim Miller

Myron Olsen

Lois Dworshak

Lee Olsen

Ian Elliott

Richard and Joan Urata

Joe Wernex

George and Cheryle Bryce

Ron Nichols

Woody Woodside

Kyle Koch*

Lucas Rebrovic*

Kyle Koloini*

Stuart 'The Ute' Murdock

Phil Kirschner

Brian Knapp

Bob and Naomi Best**

Bill and Billie Mclure

Bobbi and Bernice Best

Diane

Myron Olson

* Newbies

** Newbie and winner 2" Goat competition!

Photos and more: http://www.pugetsoundknappers.com/events/Kittitas_Knap-in_2011.html

Ice Age Adventures 2011 Report - Wenatchee Museum and Cultural Center

PSK PURPOSE: To serve as a platform from which to promote and practice knapping basics and skills.

The Puget Sound Knappers were invited to demonstrate flintknapping for the Ice Age Adventures Event at the Wenatchee Museum and Cultural Center in Wenatchee, WA. This event, October 12th, 13th and - 15th, was to expose about 600 fourth and fifth graders from the Wenatchee area to the Ice Age period and Stone Age technology. In keeping with the stated purpose of the PSK, longtime members Richard Urata from Hamilton, MT and Jim Smith, Bothell, WA made the trek to Wenatchee and demonstrated the art of flintknapping to the kids, organized in groups of 10 - 15. As can be seen in the photos below, Richard and Jim captivated their audiences, demonstrating and enlightening the students on the tools, techniques and history of Stone Age technology. Who knows, there might be another Don Crabtree in the group! And given that Richard is a long time Chief of the PSK Clan of the Ooga Booga Tribe and Jim is a long time Spirit Guide, maybe some future Ooga Boogas!!!

http://www.pugetsoundknappers.com/events/Ice_Age_Adventures.html

Millersylvania Turkeyfest Knap-in 2011 Report

Mick and Holly Hill’s 15th annual Turkeyfest Knap-in at Millersylvania State Park was, as usual, a real treat! Even the weather was great !

As fast as folks arrived the knapping started – it might have seemed pretty serious to the casual observer but simply knapping to the PSK members attending. And speaking of observers – we had a lot of people stop in to take a look. Some saw the event announcement in the local paper and made a special trip. Others, out for a stroll in the park, just popped in to check out the commotion. A local scout troop also stopped in and got a good look at flintknapping in actions as well as some fabulous displays!

And whether it was good fortune or just happenstance, the Olympian sent a reporter and photographer to see what all the excitement was about. Check it out - http://www.theolympian.com/2011/11/06/1866652/ancient-art-of-flintknapping-on.html

Knapping with friends around a fire, especially indoors around a BIG fireplace –well it’s hard to get any better that that! But at Millersylvania it DOES! Holly’s potluck turkey dinner with all the trimmings is to DIE for! Roast Turkey, deep-fried turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, salads, pies, cakes, cookies, cranberries, etc, etc, etc, - what a FEAST! It was hard not to eat too much and most people did !

Good weather or bad – this is one knap-in that just too good to pass up – I’ll certainly be back for the 16th annual Millersylvania Knap-in in 2012!

Attendees (partial list):

Mick and Holly Hill

Jim and Beverly Keffer

Dana and Faaea Toa Anderson

Donn Paris

Dave Pehling

Harley and Anja Slade (British Columbia)

Ron Folty and Kay Lloy

Jim Smith

Joe Greenwell and Bettye Hensel

Dee Boyer

Mike Nesbitt

David Smith (Florida)

Photos and more http://www.pugetsoundknappers.com/events/Millersylvania%202011%20Report.html

Welcome to our New PSK Members:

Garth Kuykendall - Careywood, ID

Greg Hochmucht - Marblemount, WA

Jack Nichols - Medical Lake, WA

Jerry Gray - Snohomish, WA

Keith Hull - Port Orchard, WA

Ken Schmidt - Seattle, WA

Kyle Koloini - Woodinville, WA

Lauren Clough - Oak Harbor, WA

New Members September 2011

Lois Dworshak - Auke Bay, AK

Robert Cardenas - Granger, WA

New Members October 2011

Bill Houck - Ronan, MT

Daniel Morasch – Wenatchee, WA

Torrey Burke-Weeks - Bellingham, WA

New Members November 2011

Welcome back Larry Haimowitz – Laramie, WY

Come join us at the upcoming Spring/Summer Knap-ins and don’t hesitate to ask for help!

Update on the Website

Well, we’ve passed the 10,000 ‘unique visitors’ mark – 11,122 as of September 30! 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 750,000 hits! And we’ve had visitors from more than 100 different countries.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the website is the awareness it has generated about the PSK and the resulting number of new members joining the PSK. Since the last SPALLS issue the PSK has grown by at least a dozen members bringing the total membership to over 300!

We’re now up to forty 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 on the website started off with a bang and I encourage everyone to contribute to this section.

At the request of several member knappers I’ve undertaken a new project/section for the website – Knappable Rock in the PNW. After all we are not only about Obsidian!

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.

Members can Advertise Their Art/Tools/Etc for Sale

The Puget Sound Knappers website now features a section for members to advertise, for free, flintknapping/Paleo art for sale/trade or barter. The member will be provided an area to display their art (for sale/trade or barter) and their contact information – but no prices.

Commercial advertisers will be provided with a section for their links and the description of what their site offers. No advertising per se, but a link provided for the benefit of our members.

Website Funding

A portion of donations/funds raised at the Goldendale, Bitterroot, Ft. Knapadonia and Illahee Flats Knap-ins were applied to the cost of the website as well as the cost of the new PSK banners. The website is now fully funded for the next two years thanks to Ed Thomas, Richard Urata, Brad Baughman and Joe Higgins and all those who contributed at the knap-ins! Special thanks to Richard and Joan Urata for their substantial contribution. Puget Sound Knappers.com is truly a member website!

Rock Collecting Regulations Links:

WA and Oregon Rock Collecting Guide - http://pugetsoundknappers.com/how_to/rock_collecting_Guide_WA-OR.html

BLM Glass Buttes Handout - http://pugetsoundknappers.com/how_to/BLM_Glass_Buttes_Handout_4-09.html

MAYBE OF INTEREST:

Website for Artifact and Archeological Books

This website has Artifact and Archeological Books and Videos for sale.

Go to: http://www.hothemhouse.com/.

TARP

There is a flint forum where knappers can participate by posting and reading messages and/or going into the chat room. It may be of interest as knapping information is passed back and forth via messages. It is called TARP – you know, the thing you put on the ground to collect the débitage. http://www.egroups.com/group/thetarp .

Knappers-R-Us

Here’s another e-group for knappers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Knappers-R-Us/

Flintknappers Digest

Another Egroup called Flintknapper’s Digest: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/flintknappingdigest/

Lithic Casting Lab

For anyone who wants to replicate certain styles of points (Flake patterns, thickness, convexity, length, and width), you can purchase castings of artifacts from Lithic Casting Lab. http://www.lithiccastinglab.com/

Paleo Planet

Primitive Technology discussions, including flintknapping. www.PaleoPlanet.net.

 
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