Contact us at newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
On behalf of the Blanco Chamber of Commerce, Blanco Mayor Rachel Lumpee presents the Night Sky Friendly Business Certificate of Merit to Lisa Tipps, owner of the 4th Street Gallery on Saturday, October 16th in conjunction with the opening of the gallery’s new exhibition, “On Gathering.” In addition to a hundred or more attendees at the event, pictured above are (l to r) Blanco City Councilwoman Connie Barron, local artist and exhibitor Peter Mangan, Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky (BCFNS) Business Recognition Program Coordinator Sandy Switzer, Mayor Rachel Lumpee, Gallery Owner Lisa Tipps, and Wayne Gosnell, BCFNS President. In honor of the Hill Country Night Sky Month of October, the gallery will be donating 5% of its profits from the exhibition to the BCFNS. The exhibition can be viewed by appointment by calling (512) 431-0269. (Article by Wayne Gosnell) (Photo by Hal Switzer)
In our continuing efforts towards maturing into a more professional organization, we have created a BCFNS Advisory Board. The purpose of this non-voting Board is to be available to advise the Board of Directors on specific areas of expertise. Our first Advisory Board member is attorney Dirk Jordan of Stonewall. Thank you, Dirk! We want to add other advisors, a realtor, a developer, a contractor, and a lighting fixture expert. If you know someone with that expertise and a passion for the night sky, please let us know!
Our BCFNS bumper stickers have come it. You can slap one on your bumper, cut it in two and put half of it on your back glass, or stick it anywhere you think others will see it. Great advertising for the night sky! Free to one and all. Just drop us an email at
free bumpersticker and we’ll get one (or more) to you.
Type |
August |
September |
October |
Paid Households | 72 | 77 | 85 |
Household Members | 120 | 140 | 155 |
Business Members | 6 | 6 | 7 |
Facebook Members | 472 | 491 | 503 |
Facebook Actives | 359 | 353 | 305 |
Instagram Followers | 230 | * | 250 |
Instagram Interactions | 73 | * | 109 |
Website Visitors (Unique) | 1297 | * | 1022 |
Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 17th @ 9AM, at El Charro Restaurant in Johnson City. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you would like to attend via Zoom, just let us know and we’ll make it happen.
The next Board Member we’d like to introduce to you is Vicki Guidry, our Vice President. We are a true grassroots organization, made up of real people who have stepped up to make a difference. Key to the whole effort is our Board of Directors. Last month you met Bob Heinonen who, in addition to serving on the Board, is out database guy and the costumed Wizard of the Night Sky. This month we want to introduce you to our Vice President, Vicki Guidry.
VICKI GUIDRY
Originally from San Antonio, Vicki moved to Houston in 1982 to find a job. Landing in the oil patch proved to be very good for over 32 years, even with its ups and downs. One year she was laid off and rehired 3 times and never left her desk!!! That’s how the oil business works. She met her husband, Joe, in Houston and they married in 1986. When it came time to discuss retirement, Vicki wanted to be closer to family in San Antonio and as luck would have it 4 granddaughters were now living in Austin. So, Blanco seemed the perfect in-between spot. A little travel was still required to visit 3 grandsons in Carrollton but all and all it was the perfect plan.
Vicki was excited about leaving the city and moving to the “country” where you can still see the stars. Camping trips as a child were always a lot of fun and stargazing at night was the perfect end to the day. However, it soon became evident that the big city lights were encroaching into the Hill Country. Vicki happened to attend a presentation that our President, Wayne Gosnell, gave at Gem of the Hills shortly after she arrived in Blanco. Wayne was recruiting to start a group to help save the night sky and Vicki jumped at the opportunity to join. And so, one morning around the breakfast table at Hill Country Cupboard in Johnson City, with a rag-tag group of night sky enthusiasts, BCFNS was born! There weren’t many at the table those first days, so Vicki volunteered to be Vice President.
As VP, Vicki assists in whatever way she can, “holding down the fort” when Wayne is away on a rare vacation, coordinating the Blanco County Schools Art Contest, manning the booth at Market Days, putting together this newsletter, and generally helping to educate folks about light pollution and how they can help “Save the Stars”. Her biggest challenge is getting folks in her neighborhood to turn out the lights at night!
The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) wraps up their month-long celebration of the Night Sky on Halloween. Here is a look at a few things that happened around the Hill Country:
Here is how you can help protect birds as they migrate through our area:
Want to have some fun? We may have an opportunity that interests you. Check out our “Volunteer Opportunities “ at BCFNS Volunteers
Do you have your sign yet? A membership sign is the best publicity the night sky can have. For folks thinking of joining or renewing your membership in BCFNS, we are offering a free membership ($20) with the purchase of a sign ($35 tax included). That goes for business memberships as well. It’s a no-brainer, a $50 membership free for buying a $35 membership sign! Here’s the link: Member signs
We are sorry to disappoint our members and Night Sky followers, but we were not able to have a presence at the “Texas Marigold Festival” this year. We need assistance from all of you to participate in the things we believe will support us in spreading the message to save our Night Sky, but we need more volunteers! Perhaps you’d like to help? Watch for upcoming opportunities.
Our Big Daddy, the International Dark Sky Association in Tucson, Arizona will once again host their annual general meeting as a worldwide Zoom call, November 12-13. We attended last year and it was really great…to see and hear from night sky advocates from literally all around the world. The conference is free but you have to register. Here’s the link. IDA Under One Sky Registration You can come and go as you wish but we guarantee that you’ll enjoy yourself and might even learn something!
Lights Out for Birds: August 15 – November 30
Volunteer Opportunities
Membership Sign Promotion
Texas Marigold Festival
One Sky Conference