BCFNS NEWSLETTER
September 2023
Issue 42
Contact us at newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
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FOR ECLIPSE T-SHIRT
Holding T-shirts with Kathryn’s eclipse art (from left to right) are her parents, Zach and Malyn Johnson, Kathryn Johnson, art teacher Diane Hudson and Vicki Guidry, Vice President of BCFNS
Artwork submitted to the Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky (BCFNS) annual art contest by Kathryn Johnson of LBJ High School was chosen to be used for a T-shirt depicting the upcoming solar eclipses. A T-shirt was presented to Kathryn, her parents, Zach and Malyn, and her art teacher, Diane Hudson at Johnson City Coffee Company on Labor Day weekend.
In April 2023 BCFNS sponsored an art contest for Blanco County middle and high school students asking them to submit art depicting the solar eclipses that will pass through our area soon. To see some of the other art that was submitted, go to the BCFNS Facebook page. The annular eclipse, also known as a “ring of fire” eclipse because the moon will block all but the outer edge of the sun, will occur on October 14, 2023. Blanco and Johnson City will be in the path of totality for the Total Solar Eclipse which will happen on April 8, 2024.
To order your eclipse T-shirt and support our local artists, go to the My Texas Gifts section of our website at: Order Your Eclipse T-Shirt Here My Texas Gifts is splitting the profits from the sales with the BCFNS. Thank you, Luis!
Annular Eclipse – “Ring of Fire” – October 14, 2023
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If you try to watch an eclipse of the sun without certified eclipse glasses, you’ll burn your eyeballs out. Being very concerned that this could happen to our schoolchildren, the BCFNS has purchased several thousand certified eclipse glasses and will provide them to every student, teacher, and staff member of both Blanco County ISDs, free of charge, prior to the October 14th Annular Eclipse.
BCFNS members can pick up eclipse glasses free of charge at both the Johnson City and Blanco Chambers of Commerce. Just go in, tell them that you are a member of the BCFNS, check your name off the list in the box, and note on the list how many pairs you are taking (just one pair for each member of your household, please).
Wear your eclipse glasses. Be safe. Enjoy!
Sigh. Despite publicizing the contest for more than six months, we received only three entries for our 2023 Night Sky Song Contest. We were looking for at least 10 entries in order to have a true contest
and justify the time and expense of hosting a big party on October 4th at the Gem of the Hills for the event. But the songs just didn’t come in. For that reason, the Board, regrettably, had to cancel the contest for this year.
We intend to have a 2024 Night Sky Song Contest, at a time and place TBD. We are hopeful that the three songwriters who submitted songs this year will put their compositions “on hold” for next year’s contest and we’ll be very much looking forward to hearing them when the time comes.
Our newest Lifetime Members are
Shirley and Doug Winslow from Landon’s Crossing. Asked why they wanted to become BCFNS Lifetime Members, Shirley said, ”Because we appreciate the beauty of the night sky and what it does for the soul.” Well, we appreciate you, Shirley and Doug…as does the night sky. Thank you!
The newest member of the BCFNS is retired science teacher, David Martin of Round Mountain. Escaping from the Dallas metroplex, David says that part of what attracted him and his wife to Blanco County was our dark night skies. He saw a neighbor’s BCFNS Membership Sign and thought he’d check it out. He did and is now one of us. Welcome aboard, David!
On Saturday evening, September 23, our Presentation Team did a program at the Science Mill Museum in Johnson City for approximately 50 Girl Scouts working on getting badges. The Fiddler (Bernard Mollberg) played a lively tune as he led the Wizard Of The Night Sky (Bob Heinonen) into the lobby. The Wizard, his usual ornery self, told the Girl Scouts of his struggle to keep the sky dark at night for thousands of years and why keeping the sky dark at night is important. The Wizard then did 20 minute PowerPoint slide show that gives details of the problem and its solution. A Q&A question afterward produced this really good question: If we are in the Milky Way, how can we see it?” Do you know the answer?
On September 23, we had an information booth at the “Raise the Roof” fundraising event at the Twin Sisters Dance Hall south of Blanco. Manning the booth were (L to r) Night Sky Volunteer Stefanie Wright and BCFNS Board Members Barbara Hudson, Linda Whitlow, and Wayne Gosnell. The booth generated considerable interest and five more households joined our group, to include four who also purchased Membership Signs. Thanks to everyone who stopped by
After the success of our Educational Media Blitz, the Board of Directors is going to discuss future educational outreach. We got a lot of good input from our online survey but can always use more. If you have thoughts on our next educational project, please let us know at DBA@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, October 18th @ 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.
CONSIDER BECOMING A MEMBER AGAIN
Has your membership lapsed? No Problem!!! You can do what Tammy Patterson did….just rejoin! Welcome Back, Tammy!!! Consider doing what Tammy did, renew your membership by taking advantage of our Membership Sign Promotion.
Membership Sign Promotion - 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) and a FREE CD from our very first Song Contest! A membership sign is the best publicity the night sky can have. Here’s the link: BCFNS Membership Signs
For more information on all our membership options click here: Membership Options
Remember we are an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Please consult your accountant or tax adviser for details regarding deductibility for your donation
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Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky
| P. O. Box 1402|Johnson
City | Texas | 78636 |
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