BCFNS NEWSLETTER
November 2021
Contact us at newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
Essay Contest Winners!
“Winners of the 2021 Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky (BCFNS) Essay Contest, receive their certificates and cash awards at Blanco High School (BHS) on November 16th. The awards, totaling $525 were contributed by the BCFNS and two anonymous donors who value both the night sky and young people’s enthusiasm for writing. Shown (l to r) are Wayne Gosnell, BCFNS President; Ashley Dotson, BHS English teacher; students, Jordyn Suggs, Brooke Stille, Kelly Karnes, Evelyn Trammell, and Emily Sapp; and BCFNS Essay Coordinator, Linda Whitlow.”
The Blanco County News published this piece so that the winners would be properly recognized for their great work. We are all very proud of their effort! Congratulations to our contest winners and thank you to everyone who made this endeavor possible. Education is a key component of the BCFNS mission to keep our sky dark and save our stars!
Hill Country Alliance 2022 Calendar
The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) “2022 Texas Hill Country” calendar is on sale now!
HCA Texas Hill Country 2022 Calendar
This would make a great Christmas gift and your purchase helps fund one of our biggest Night Sky supporters. In fact, the month of October features a beautiful night sky scene. Two BCFNS members, Jorge Lane and Mike Lundy, have photos featured this year! Their photos were chosen from over 400 submitted to HCA’s 2021 Hill Country Photo Contest. Learn more about it here HCA 2021 Photo Contest and get ready for the 2022 contest.
If you are not familiar with HCA here is their mission statement:
“The mission of the Hill Country Alliance is to bring together an ever-expanding alliance of groups throughout a multi-county region of Central Texas with the long-term objective of preserving open spaces, water supply, water quality and the unique character of the Texas Hill Country.”
HCA has four distinct programs: Land, Water, Night Sky, & Community and is dedicated to protecting everything that’s worth protecting in the Texas Hill County. Everyone should become a member; it’s free!
LBJ Ranch Unit of Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Certified as an International Dark Sky Park
Our friends at the LBJ National Historic Park (LBJNHP) have shared some exciting news. The LBJNHP Ranch Unit has been designated as an International Dark Sky Association-recognized International Dark Sky Park! This certification recognizes the exceptional quality of the park’s night skies and provides added opportunities to enhance visitor experiences through astronomy-based interpretive programming. The designation recognizes the very significant efforts park staff and friends of the park have made to preserve the night sky.
Yea, yea, LBJ (NHP)!!!
Read all about it at LBJ Ranch Dark Sky Park.
Next Business and Brainstorming Session
Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 15th @ 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.
BCFNS Advisory Board
We would like to welcome Dirk Jordan of Albert who has joined as to give legal advice. We are looking for other individuals to assist on our Advisory Board. If you or someone you know is interested, we need a CPA, a realtor, a developer, a contractor, a lighting fixture expert and other professionals who have a passion for the night sky.
Stat Report
Type |
September |
October |
November |
| Paid Households | 77 | 85 | 90 |
| Household Members | 140 | 155 | 166 |
| Business Members | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Facebook Members | 491 | 503 | 520 |
| Facebook Actives | 353 | 305 | 365 |
| Instagram Followers | * | 250 | 259 |
| Instagram Interactions | * | 109 | 171 |
| Website Visitors (Unique) | * | 1022 | 1190 |
Meet the BCFNS Board Members
We will introduce another Board Member to you in December or January.
Volunteer Opportunities
We may have an opportunity that interests you. Check out our “Volunteer Opportunities“ at BCFNS Volunteers
Membership Sign Promotion
Do you have your sign yet? A membership sign is the best publicity the night sky can have. For folks thinking of joining the BCFNS, we are offering a free membership ($20) with the purchase of a sign ($35 tax included). Here’s the link: BCFNS Membership Signs
Contact Email Address
There are several ways to contact us but the one we use here is: newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org