2010 August Newsletter

Hi Folks,
The Maine Primitive Gathering is less than 3 weeks away (Sept 10,11,12), so it’s time to let you know what’s going on. First of all, this year the Gathering is a full three-day event, so if your schedule can accommodate it, please come on Thursday evening and stay through Sunday. It seems that folks who immerse themselves in the entire weekend leave with a community experience that goes far beyond attending a few workshops. Friendships made here are long lasting and highly valued.
We are very lucky to have an incredible line-up of instructors teaching a wide variety of classes. Please note that this year Jeff Gottlieb will be running his ever popular Trade Blanket both Friday and Saturday afternoons (4pm), so bring your haggling skills and something to barter. Saturday evening (6pm) is the annual Primitive Potluck, so bring a healthy dish to share- preferably road kill. Afterwards (8pm) we will start the Abo Orchestra, so if you are a musician please bring your instrument because you are the band.
We are in need of volunteers for the registration (&parking) table. I’m lowering the time requirement to 2, 2hour blocks for which you will receive free admission for the weekend.

Looking forward to seeing you,
Mal Stephens
Organizer

What to Bring: Camping is available on site with easy access to your vehicle. Modern camping will be in the wooded area off the trail 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. Potable water and porta-johns will be provided. You will need camping gear (tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, etc.), food for the weekend, cooking equipment, cold/foul weather clothing, folding chairs (for sitting around the fire), and anything you feel you need to be comfortable. Fires will be limited to the main fire pit, and the cooking fire pit (reserved for workshops and Saturday’s potluck.) We recommend bringing a backpacking stove for personal cooking. We try to promote sustainability, self-reliance, and a caretaking attitude, so this is a carry in/carry out event- there will be no garbage cans.

Hazards: Please be aware that there are man made hazards on the property such as the projectile range, sump pit, tent ropes and stakes, etc., as well as, natural hazards such as poison ivy, yellow jackets, ticks, etc. Primitive skills are inherently dangerous as axes, saws, knives, pointy sticks, sharp rocks, etc. are utilized. We are especially concerned for the children’s safety, so we are adamant that children not be left unattended. Please brief your family on appropriate behavior and safety in a public place.

Absolutely No Alcohol, Drugs, or Pets Allowed

Registration: $40 for the weekend and $20 for the day. Children 16 and under are free. If you cannot afford the cost of registration, we still want you to come, but you must be willing to volunteer.

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

2010 Workshop Schedule

Friday Sept 10
0800-0900 Opening Circle
0900-1200 Morning Instruction Block
Understanding the Primitive Bow- Robert Brooks
Basic Brain tanning Principles ($10)- Kfir Mendel (twowolves.org)
Mammalogy for Abos- Jeff Gottlieb
Natural Dyeing- Laura Hacker & Stephens DeFlorio
Building a Rope Bridge- Bill Thomas (ongoing)
Storytelling for Kids- Jeff Moore
Debris Hut Frame Construction- Nick Spadaro (MPSS)
1200-1300 Lunch Block
1300-1600 Afternoon Instruction Block
Basic Brain tanning Principles continued- Kfir Mendel (twowolves.org)
Atlatl Making w/stone tools ($10 if you want to make an atlatl)- Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl)
Fast and Easy Ceramic Ornaments- Charley Paquin
Survival Knives- Matt Cayer (Freeport Knife Company)
Braided Coiled Cornhusk Baskets($2 material fee)(8 person limit)- Wendy Nufer
Basic Primitive Trapping- Nick Spadaro (MPSS)
1600-1800 Trade Blanket- Jeff Gottlieb
1800-2000 Dinner Block
1915- Intro to Shamanism (ages 11-adult)(12 person limit)- Wendy Nufer & Jeff Moore
2000- Stories around the campfire (bring some tall tales)

Saturday Sept 11
0830-0900 Morning Announcements
0900-1200 Morning Instruction Block
Basic Brain tanning Principles continued- Kfir Mendel (twowolves.org)
Friction Fire- Andy Dobos (Three Red Trees)
Basics of Building Wood Bows for all Ages- Tom Dussault
Gourd Craft- Jeff Gottlieb
Bird Language- Dan Gardoqui (White Pine Programs)
Knife Making- Adriaan Gerber (Adriaan Gerber Knives)
Heating & Straightening Atlatl Darts ($10 if you want to make a dart)- Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl)
Making Useful Flake Tools- Charley Paquin
1200-1300 Lunch Block
1300-1600 Afternoon Instruction Block
Basic Brain tanning Principles continued- Kfir Mendel (twowolves.org)
Tracking Games for Kids- Deneen Bernier (Three Red Trees)
Tracking Walk- Dan Gardoqui (White Pine Programs)
Butchering- David Weare
Fletching & Cordage for Atlatl Darts ($10 if you want to make a dart)- Bob Berg (Thunderberg Atlatl)
Simple Hafts for Stone Tools- Charley Paquin
Blacksmithing- Will Sampson
Poetry Read/Write Session- Robin Sampson
Camouflage Basics & Games for Kids & Adults- Lou Falank (MPSS)
1600-1800 Trade Blanket- Jeff Gottlieb
1800-2000 Primitive Potluck- Huber-Young Family (bring a healthy dish to share)
1915- Astronomy Walk- Jeff Moore
2000- Abo orchestra (bring your instruments)

Sunday, Sept 12
0830-0900 Morning Announcements
0900-1200 Morning Instruction Block
Making Bone Needles w/Stone Tools- Deneen Bernier (Three Red Trees)
Intro to Archery for all ages- Tom Dussault
Children’s Weaving & Felting- Laura Hacker & Stephen Deflorio
Plant Walk- Frank Pfisterer
Small Scale Primitive Firings- Charley Paquin
Tomahawk Throwing- Matt Smith
Coal Burning & Carving Spoon & Containers (ages 11-adult)($2 materials fee)(12 person limit)- Wendy Nufer
Water in the Wilderness- Jeff Moore
Camouflage Basics & Games for Kids & Adults- Lou Falank (MPSS) Starting & Finishing Ash Baskets- Mark Young (MPSS)
1200-1300 Lunch Block
1300-1600 Afternoon Instruction Block
Blackpowder Muzzleloading- Brian Brick
What’s in Your Bug-out Bag?- Jeff Gottlieb
Timber Framing Demo- Will Sampson
Strings and Beads- Charley Paquin
Non-Firearm Survival Weapons- Matt Cayer
Making Axe Handles- Mark Young (MPSS)
Cordage- Nick Spadaro (MPSS)
1600-1700 Closing Circle