Night Sky Song Writing Contest

Kicking off celebration of the Hill Country Alliance’s Hill Country Night Sky Month of October, the Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky hosted its 2022 “Deep in the Dark of Texas™" Songwriters Contest on October 1st at Blanco’s Gem of the Hills Community Center. The singers/songwriters performed before an appreciative crowd of more than 50 night sky preservation proponents.

An amazing and inspiring evening was enjoyed by everyone who gathered to listen to the newest original songs about the night sky. The contestants came from Blanco and beyond to share their music. Taking top honors for the second time in a row was Melanie Van Aken with her original composition, “Bonnet Your Lights”. There was a tie for second/third between Stanton Rhyne with his song “Innocent Night” and Martha Pinto with “I Need The Stars”. One of our local favorites, Dan Gilroy, delighted the audience with “We Love the Night Sky”. Dan was given honorable mention because he came in only one point behind the second/third place tie. Below is the picture and article posted in the local newspapers. Thanks again to all our songwriters/performers and our fantastic audience!!!

The performers were (l to r) Mike Roeder, Stacia Woods, Todd Sampsel, Melanie Van Aken, Martha Pinto, Stanton Rhyne, and Dan Gilroy.
Photo by Larry Seiler

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IDA-TEXAS SEEKS PAID CONSULTANTS

As a sign of the continuing professionalization of the night sky preservation movement, the Texas Chapter of the International Dark Sky Association is seeking one or more paid consultants to guide the organization in forming a 16-18 person Advisory Council and hiring an Executive Director. If you think you or someone you know might fill the bill, here's the link to the IDA-TX announcement: Texas-IDA Seeks Paid Consultants

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FACEBOOK GROUP NIGHT SKY POETRY CONTEST

Toward the end of January we will be conducting our 2nd Annual Facebook Group Night Sky Poetry Contest. The rules will be published about December 1. Get your poems started. Here is a poem by Bob Heinonen encouraging you to enter your creative state of mind.

I know it’s in you
I know you want to fight
To keep our stars dazzling
Every darn night.
So how do you feel
Do you want the night real?
Tell me what you want.

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October is Hill Country Night Sky Month

You may still find some events as Night Sky Month winds down. The Hill Country Alliance is the sponsor of this event. Their website and calendar has information about fun celebrations throughout the Hill Country. Hill Country Night Sky Events

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MEET THE BCFNS VOLUNTEERS

Laura Swinson

Laura grew up in southwest Texas in Del Rio and Brackettville. After moving around to a few different cities after college, she wanted to return to a small community like the one she grew up in. She also missed raising goats as a child and wanted to have animals of her own. In 2018, she found a few acres in Blanco, filled them with sheep and a donkey, and started exploring her new town.

One of the first things Laura noticed and loved when she moved here was how many stars could be seen in the night sky. When BCFNS reached out to her about a volunteer social media position, it seemed like a great fit! Laura manages the Instagram and Facebook Page for BCFNS. Her posts keep the community up to date with the work BCFNS is doing and introduces new people to the organization.

Laura also volunteers with Blanco's Planning and Zoning Commission and is a board member of Blanco Wheels and Feet, a nonprofit that promotes walkability in Blanco.

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Facebook & Instagram

We now have over 752 followers on Facebook. Are you one of them? If not, check us out and join the group at Facebook.

We also have 384 followers on Instagram. Check it out as well. Instagram

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Another Board Meeting Guest

Larry Wells, President of Comal County Friends of the Night Sky, joined us for our October meeting. We do our best to coordinate efforts, share information, and have fun with other Friend of the Night Sky groups and love to have Larry attend our meetings.

You can join us too!!! Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings! No pressure to continue to attend; it can be a one-time thing or come to the meeting every month; it is an informal discussion and brainstorming session.

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Next Business & Brainstorming Session

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, November 16th @ 9 am, at El Charro Restaurant in Johnson City. If you would like to attend via Zoom, just let us know ahead of time and we’ll make it happen.

On occasion, like for our October meeting, we hit a glitch and El Charro is closed. If that ever happens when you are coming to join us, just check up the highway at El Agave Mexican restaurant…we are probably there!

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Upcoming Events

We are taking a break for the rest of 2022. So, we will not be at the Marigold Festival in Blanco or the November and December Market Days in Blanco. Next year we plan to work harder to maintain our commitments to these events BUT we are always in need of help so if you are willing to help, please let us know. An occasional or one time commitment is always welcome.

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Other News

BCFNS Advisory Board – Are you willing to share your expertise? We would like to include: A realtor, a developer, a contractor, a lighting fixture expert and other professionals who have a passion for the night sky. Contact us at info@BlancoCountyNightSky.org

Volunteer Opportunities at Volunteers Needed. Make a difference in Blanco County. This month’s featured Volunteer Opportunity:

Night Sky Friendly Fixture Shopper

Do you like to shop? Do you like to solve puzzles? This is the volunteer opportunity for you.

• Become the “Night Sky Friendly Outdoor Lighting Fixture Guru” for the organization. Work with businesses, organizations, and individual homeowners to find and facilitate purchase of night sky friendly lighting fixtures to retrofit aberrant outdoor lighting or to install in new construction.
• Work in conjunction with another BCFNS volunteer who will do an evaluation of outdoor lighting to determine if a particular fixture needs replacing.
• In conjunction with other BCFNS volunteers, work with contractors and developers to identify night sky friendly outdoor fixtures suitable for their clients.
• Will have no role in the actual purchase of fixtures; will provide advice only.

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Our Newest Lifetime Member

Rick Cofer, who has been a Facebook Group Member for a while, is our newest Lifetime member! Rick lives in Blanco County off of Red Bluff Lane and has a law office, Cofer & Connelly, PLLC, in Austin. Welcome Rick!!! And…thank you SO much for your support.

Consider becoming a Member

For more information on all our membership options click here: Membership Options

Membership Sign Promotion - A membership sign is the best publicity the night sky can have. For those of you thinking of joining BCFNS or renewing your membership, we are offering a free one-year membership ($20) with the purchase of a sign ($35 tax included). Here’s the link: BCFNS Membership Signs

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Remember we are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Please consult your accountant or tax adviser for details regarding deductibility for your donation.