October Newsletter

The Maine Primitive Gathering was a raging success last weekend despite the weather. Thank you all who showed up (we had over 100 adults.) Everyone seemed thoroughly engaged and entertained the whole weekend despite the rain. We would like to sincerely thank the instructors and volunteers who were so dedicated to putting on a great weekend and without whom the MPG would not be possible. We are already planning for next year's event given the enthusiasm that was evident this year. Is there any interest in a spring gathering? It would be the second half of May. If you have any feedback about this year's Gathering please let us know- it will only make next years event better. Thanks.

As always the Gathering will be the first weekend in October- please save the date on your new 2010 calendar. Next year we will make it a full three day event, so if you don't want to miss anything plan on arriving on Thursday. It's worth taking a day or two off for it. If you would like to instruct or volunteer it's never too early to get on the list.

August Newsletter

Time to start thinking about fall!
Why? Because it's just around the corner, and the Maine Primitive Gathering is almost here. Start looking forward to crisp mornings with food cooking over an open campfire, the sight of dew rising from canvas tents and teepees, and the smell of freshly tanned buckskin. We will be at the same great sight as last year on the Oliver West Farm thanks to my fantastic neighbors John & Randy. Due to the hard work of Jen Bourne, Bill Thomas, the Huber-Young's, and Bill Tardiff the site is in great shape. We've got firewood cut and drying, the camping area cleared of blowdowns, a new path cut, and the cemetery restored. We've got a great lineup of instructors coming from as far away as Arizona and Oklahoma- take a gander below to see who is teaching. Looking forward to seeing you all in October!
- Mal Stephens
Organizer & Chief Bottle Washer
Maine Primitive Gathering

PS- I am still in need of volunteers, especially to help out with kids programs, so if you would like a free pass for the weekend in exchange for 6 hours of volunteering, please contact me at mallorystephens@yahoo.com.

Maine Primitive Gathering Workshop Schedule

Friday Oct 2
12noon Opening Circle
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Introduction to Basic Blacksmithing- Will Sampson
Gourdcraft- Jeff Gottlieb
Inuit Strap Drill- Al Cornell
4-6pm Archery Tournament
6pm Dinner Block

Saturday Oct 3
7:30am Instructor & Volunteer Meeting
8:30am Morning Announcements
9-12 Morning Instruction Block
Language of the Birds- Dan Gardoqui (White Pine Programs)
Hide in a Day: Wet Scrap Method- Kfir Mendel (Two Wolves)
Primitive Knife Making- Adriaan Gerber
Campfire Cooking for Kids- Rudy Bourget
Atlatl Theory and Use- Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl)
Lacto-Fermentation- Candi Huber
12noon Lunch Block
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Hide in a Day: continued- Kfir Mendel (Two Wolves)
Aleutian Style Kayak Paddle- Andy Dobos (Three Red Trees)
One Piece Knife Sheath- Robin Sampson
Wild Basketry- Jeff Gottlieb
Making Simple Clay Smoking Pipes- Charlie Paquin
Wild Edible Walk- Frank Pfisterer
4-6pm Trade Blanket (bring stuff to trade)- Jeff Gottlieb
6pm Primitive Potluck- everyone bring a healthy dish to share
7pm Music with Anya Rose (bring your instruments)

Sunday Oct 4
8:30am Morning Announcements
9-12 Morning Instruction Block
Language of the Birds- Dan Gardoqui (White Pine Programs)
Drilling Slate Pendants- Jeff Gottlieb
A Shower of Sparks- Rudy Bourget
Intro to Permaculture- Jesse Watson
Cordage: principles & techniques- Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl)
12noon Lunch Block
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Primitive Trapping- Dany Hamel & Chris Sommers
Lost Proofing- Rudy Bourget
Fire Saw- Al Cornell
Permaculture Patterns- Jesse Watson
Useful Stone Tools: flakes & unifaces- Charlie Paquin
4pm Closing Circle

Ongoing
Flintknapping Pit- w/resident knapper Bob Doyle
Stone Sales & Flintknapping Discussion- Craig Ratzat (Neolithics)
Projectile Range
Kids Games & Classes


You are welcome to come just for the day or camp for the whole weekend. Firewood, potable water, and composting toilets will be provided on site. If you plan on camping you will need to bring food (and cooking gear) for the weekend (including a dish for Saturday night's potluck), camping equipment (we will supply a semi flat piece of ground for your tent), cold/foul weather gear, and anything you feel you need to be comfortable. We are trying to promote sustainablility, self-reliance, and a caretaking attitude, so this is a carry in/carry out event- there will be no garbage cans. Fires will be limited to the main fire pit that may be used for cooking and the headquarters fire pit. You are welcome to bring a cook stove if you wish to cook by your tent. As we did last year, the modern camping area will be off the trail leading from the parking area. If you have a period tent or teepee, you are welcome to camp in the open area around the main fire.

Please be aware that there are hazards on the property such as the projectile range and flintknapping pit, as well as, natural ones such as poison ivy, yellow jackets, and biting insects. Primitive skills are inherently dangerous as axes, saws, knives, pointy sticks, sharp rocks, etc. are being utilized. We are especially concerned for children, so we are adament that children not be left unattended. Please brief your family on appropriate behavior and safety in a public place. Thank you.

Absolutely No Alcohol, Drugs, or Pets Allowed

Registration is $25 for the weekend and $15 for the day. Children 16 and under are free. If you cannot afford the cost of registration, we still want you to come, but plan on volunteering.

Directions
If you are coming from the North or South, take Exit 19 off Interstate 95. At end of turnpike ramp take a right onto Rt 109. Go 2.4 miles. Take a left on to Bragdon Rd. Go .8 miles. Take a right on to Bald Hill Rd. Go .8 miles. Take a right on to AER Lane (dirt).

If you are coming from another direction, please, Map Quest or Google Map: AER Lane, Wells, Maine, 04090

MPG October 2-4, 2009 Wells, Maine

Hi Folks,
I'm already starting to put things together for this years MPG. Mainly I am soliciting instructors and volunteers (see below), but I also wanted to remind everyone of the dates (always the first weekend in October) and location- due to the kindness of John and Randy we will be staying here in Wells. We had a great turnout last year, and I expect it to continue. We have commitments this year already from Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl) and Craig Ratzat (Neolithics.com.) Craig will be demonstrating, giving private classes during the Gathering, and running a two day flintknapping course after the Gathering. He will also be bringing lots of rock for sale. I'm holding a work day on June 28th and will appreciate any and all help I can get.

Thanks and see you in October,
Mal Stephens
Organizer
Maine Primitive Gathering
mallorystephens@yahoo.com

Open Call for Instructors & Volunteers

This is an open call for instructors and volunteers. Instructors will be paid a $50 stipend and the $25 weekend registration fee will be waived for 2 three hour blocks of instruction. Volunteers will have the weekend registration fee waived for 6 hours of volunteering. So you have an idea, this is generally what the weekend schedule will look like:

Friday
10am Instructor Meeting
11am Opening Circle
12noon Lunch Block
1-4pm Open Skills Share & Archery Tournament
4-6pm Open Time
6pm Dinner Block
7pm Evening Activities

Saturday
8am Morning Meeting
9-12 Morning Instruction Block
12noon Lunch Block
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
4-6pm Grappling Tournament
6pm Primitive Potluck
7pm Evening Activities

Sunday
8am Morning Meeting
9-12 Morning Instruction Block
12noon Lunch Block
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
4pm Closing Circle

You need not consider yourself a primitive skills instructor to teach at the MPG. I am looking for skilled practitioners not necessarily professionals- you just have to know your subject. This is a great opportunity to take your skill set(s) to the next level by sharing what you know with others. If you are interested, please email me with what you would like to teach and if you have preferred instruction blocks. Volunteers, just let me know what days you are committed to coming. Scheduling is up to the wims of the organizer. Please contact Mal Stephens at mallorystephens@yahoo.com or 207-646-1856

Attention!!! Emergency MPG Location Change

Hi Folks,

Unfortunately, we have had a crisis with our Lebanon, Maine location. Last week a pony on the property died of Eastern Equine Encephalitis. This is a mosquito born virus, like West Nile, which if contracted has a 35-50% fatality rate. Due to the fact that it is known the virus is on the property and the MPG site is bordered by a river and two hardwood swamps (where the species of mosquito which carries EEE breeds), I cannot responsibly hold the Gathering there.

My neighbors who own the beautiful Oliver West Farm have graciously agreed to host the MPG. We have not worked out all the details of siting for the Gathering on the property, but it has great potential. I don't think it is any further away from those folks heading North, and it is just as easy to get to being only 4 miles off the Maine Turnpike (I95). I will post directions below.

I want to make everyone aware that Triple E and West Nile are still an issue, as it is established from Southern Maine south all along the Eastern Seaboard. I spoke with the Director of the Maine CDC this week, and she stressed the importance of using bug repellent and wearing long sleeve shirts and pants at dawn and dusk. Mosquitoes have been minimal lately, but they are still out since we have not had a hard frost, so everyone is advised to take precautions to not get bitten. Please educate yourself to the dangers of these two diseases: Maine CDC. If the link does not work, cut and paste this to your address bar: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/index.htm

Since we are only a week away and the site is not prepared, anyone who can help me out this week would be an angel. Even if you could show up a day early would be hugely helpful. Not only do we have to brushhog an entire overgrown field, but the ridgepoles and firewood need to be moved from the old site and set up at the new. Give me a call or shoot me an email if you can help. Thanks.

I would like to send condolences and thanks to the Colwells, as they are great horse lovers, and have been very gracious and apologetic while facing their own troubles and grief. Thanks to the Oliver West Farm owners, John and Randy, for their immediate generousity.

Pleae pass this information along to anyone you know of who plans on attending. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to call or email me.

Sincerely,
Mal

Mallory L Stephens
Organizer
Maine Primitive Gathering

mallorystephens(at)yahoo.com
207-646-1856

Workshop Updates

Jeff Gottlieb emailed to say, "Don't forget to tell people about the Trade Blanket: bring stuff of interest to a primitive skills person such as tools, books, crafts, raw materials, foods, etc." Trade Blanket will be on Saturday at 4pm. This is a really fun event.

Bob Berg has graciously offered- "I would like to contribute by doing a class on primitive fishing. It would include fish line making, hook making from bone, thorn and bamboo, and also simple fish traps. I would like to also cover making and using harpoons and harpoon throwers. It is a long class so it could be broken up into sections. It would be good if people who take the class could get a fishing license but it is not necessary. If we catch anything we can eat it. I will bring a modern canoe and extra life jackets if its OK." Thanks Bob! We don't have the Salmon Falls River anymore, but we do have two farm ponds if we are allowed to use them and a small stream with native brook trout in it a short walk away. If it is alright with Bob, we will run his class starting Sunday morning.

I made mistake with Jeff Neuman's class. It is supposed to be Bow Tuning & Hunting not Bow Making & Hunting. This is what he sent me "Looking forward to this!! The only thing... I'd be happy to do a bow-tuning workshop, but putting me down for bow making is a baaaaaad idea!! Hahahaha!! I've only made 2 and the second one snapped and shattered into a zillion pieces!! Hahahah!! Can't wait...." -Jeff

Will Sampson wanted to clarify about his forging Class- "Primitive Forging (working with metal in the field)." I wonder if people might be misled by that description. What I had intended to do was a traditional blacksmithing demonstration. That's certainly primitive by 21st century standards, but the techniques and equipment I use are closer to 1850 than they are to early primitive people. I had planned on bringing my forge, which has a hand-cranked Champion blower, and my anvil, forging vise and various hammers and tongs. It would be forging in the field, so to speak, but not completely divorced from the industrial world.

Arthur Haines will be running ongoing primitive foraging and cooking demonstrations at the cooking fire pit all weekend. If you do not know Arthur and his knowledge of plants, you are in for a treat.

I'm asking everyone who is a primitive skills practitioner to bring their handcrafted items to layout as a display during lunch on Saturday. We will leave them out for everyone to see until the Trade Blanket at 4pm. Please bring hides and blankets to put your stuff on.

Directions to Wells MPG site

Take Exit 19 (Wells/Sanford) off the Maine Turnpike (I 95). At end of exit ramp take a right onto Route 109 (towards Sanford). Go 2.4 miles. Take a left on to Bragdon Road. Go .8 miles. Take a right on to Bald Hill Road. Go .8 miles. There will be signs on the right as to where to turn for parking. If you have problems call 207-646-1856 (my home) or 207-604-2390 (my cell)

2008 Welcome & Weekend Schedule

Hi Folks,

The Maine Primitive Gathering is only a month away, and we (the Gathering Council) are hoping to see you (our abo family) in 29 days! The MPG keeps growing, and it's cracking up to be bigger and better than ever. We have a wonderful new site on farmland owned for over 80 years by the Colwell family in South Lebanon, Maine (see directions below). The Colwells have been extremely kind and generous in allowing us to use their property, and we thank them greatly.

The workshop area is on a long peninsula (that we have affectionately named Goose Point) surrounded by the Salmon Falls River. We have set up ridgepoles for workshop lean-tos in case we have inclement weather, and we will have a good sized fire ring in the adjacent field for cooking and community gathering. On the far side of the field (which is huge) by the wood line will be will be a tenting area that is separate from the primitive site/workshop area (please help us to keep the primitive area as free from modern gear as possible). We will have a large projectile range set up in the field, so bring your bows & arrows, throwing sticks, atlatls, slings, throwing spears, rocks, etc. Starting Friday we will be building a sweat lodge and holding sweats throughout the weekend. We will need lots of folks to help build the sweat lodge frame and help running the sweats, so if that tweaks your fancy then we would appreciate your participation. We also have scheduled children's events throughout the weekend, so don't forget to bring your family.

Now for the details: firewood, potable water, and composting toilets will be provided on site. You will need to bring food (and cooking gear) for the weekend (including a dish for Saturday night's potluck), camping equipment (we will supply a flat piece of ground for your tent), cold/foul weather gear (remember three years ago), and anything you feel you need to be comfortable. We are trying to promote sustainablility, self-reliance, and a caretaking attitude, so this is a pack in pack out event- there will be no garbage cans. The Colwells have beautiful horses on the property, and their only request is that you don't open any gates.

Please be aware that their are many hazards on the property (fires, horses, projectile range, etc.), especially for unattended children, so we will be firm that children not be left unattended if they are not participating in a children's event. We need everyone to be aware that the river is not fenced, has steep banks, and is deep, therefore is hazardous. Please brief your family on appropriate behavior and safety. Thank you.

Absolutely No Alcohol, Drugs, or Pets Allowed

We are asking for a donation of $10 a day or $25 for the 3 day event. All money goes back into making future gatherings better. There will be an abo auction (silent) held Sunday afternoon to raise money for the MPG, so please bring anything you have made, harvested, or scavanged such as handmade items, raw materials for crafts, home preserved goods, extra field guides, etc. Anything abo, rustic, or backwoods is good.

Humusly yours,

Mal Stephens
Organizer
Maine Primitive Gathering
mallorystephens@yahoo.com

2008 Workshop Schedule

Thursday (Oct 2)
Morning & Afternoon
Set up - Gathering Council & Volunteers
Evening
Folks start to arrive
Gathering Council Meeting (7-9pm)

Friday (Oct 3)
Morning
Arrival Continues
Instructor Meeting (10am) - Mal Stephens & Instructors
Welcome Circle & Thanksgiving Address (11am)
Lunch (12noon-1pm)
Afternoon Workshops (1-4pm)
Attitude/Awareness (Basics Workshop) - Deb Marcott
Sweat Lodge Building - Mike Rockwell
Primitive Cooking Implements- Jeff Gottlieb
Open Time (4-6pm)
Dinner (6-7pm)
Evening Activities (7-9pm)
Mentoring with Primitive Skills - Mike Douglas

Saturday (Oct 4)
Morning Meeting(8:30am) - Mal Stephens & Everyone
Morning Workshops (9am-noon)
Shelter (Basics Workshop) - Annika Wisswaesser
Cordage (Basics Workshp) - Deneen Bernier
Tracking with Kids - Julie Town
Traditional Blacksmithing Demonstration - Will Sampson
Bow Tuning & Hunting - Jeff Neuman
Gourdcraft (materials fee) - Jeff Gottlieb
Lunch (12noon-1pm)
Primitive Skills Layout (bring your handcrafted primitive items)
Afternoon Workshops (1pm - 4pm)
Water (Basics Workshop) - Andy Dobos
Awarenes Games for Kids - Jessica Kagle
Net Workshop - Philipe Donald (unconfirmed)
Flintknapping - Bob Doyle
Braintanning - Tom Turck
Open Time (4-6pm)
Trade Blanket (Bring primitive stuff to trade) - Jeff Gottlieb
Dinner (6-7pm)
Primitive Banquet (Mark Young & Candi Huber) & Potluck - everyone please bring a healthy or wild crafted dish to share
Evening Activities (7-9pm)
Fire Dance & Music (bring your instruments)

Sunday (Oct 5)
Morning Meeting (8:30am) -Mal Stephens & Everyone
Morning Workshops (9am - 12)
Fire (Basics Workshop) - Chris Wood
Kids Games - Ira & Christin Michaud
Birds & Awareness - Phil Brown (unconfirmed)
Tools for the Spiritual Journey - Kevin Pennell
Flint-Tipped Drills - Jeff Gottlieb
Primitive Fishing - Bob Berg
Lunch (12noon-1pm)
Afternoon Workshops (1pm - 4pm)
Primitive Fishing (continued) - Bob Berg
Food (Basics Workshop) - Nick Spadaro
Ash Basket Making Demo - Mark Young
Mindfulness - Patrick Draper (unconfirmed)
Abo Olympics - Andy Dobos
Closing Ceremony (4-5pm)
Thanksgiving Address

* Basics workshops are designed for folks who need work on their basic survival skills- attitude, shelter, water, fire, food

On-going Activities
Campfire Stories & Discussions (whoever is around the fire)
Projectile Range (volunteers)
Sweat Lodge Building & Sweat Lodge Ceremonies (Mike Rockwell)
Random Demonstrations (whoever feels like it)
Community Building (everyone)
Auction Collection (Chris Wood)
Wildcrafted Plant Foods (Arthur Haines)

** Schedule is subject to change

Welcome to the MPG Blog!

The 2008 gathering will held October 3-5 in Lebanon, Maine. We will have composting toilets, firewood, and potable water on site. Bring whatever you need to be comfortable outside for the weekend whatever the weather. We recommend packing as if going on a camping trip. A donation is requested- $10 a day or $25 for the 3 day event. No Alcohol, Drugs, or Pets. Contact Mal Stephens at mallorystephens(at)yahoo.com.

Work Day

The Gathering Council had a workday on Monday at the new MPG site. There is a huge field and a beautiful wooded point surrounded by the Salmon Falls River- perfect for the gathering. We did a large amount of thinning on the point to make room for workshop areas and for firewood. We did it, of course, with caretaker principles in mind. Sunday night we camped out to get the feel of the place. In the dark, Caren was startled by a Canadian Goose which at first she thought was one of us trying to stalk her. The next morning we saw the goose on her nest and by mid-day there were two eggs in it. In honor of mother goose, we have named the area Goose Point. We are really exited about this coming gathering!