BCFNS NEWSLETTER

May 2024

Issue 51
Contact us at newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org

133 supporting households with more than 330 members
including 20 Lifetime Household members
plus 9 Business members including 2 Lifetime Business Members
1000+ Facebook Group Members -- 524 Instagram Followers
Click here for accomplishments in last year and here for complete history

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A BIG LEAP FORWARD!

We have accomplished a lot in our first five years, but we suddenly realized that if we want to see continued success in our mission to “promote and encourage the preservation and protection of the Night Sky in Blanco County and beyond” we must have a long-range PLAN. Several of us have already met to develop a 10-year plan. The first step was to define our VISION of what we will have accomplished in 10 years. The next step is to develop a PLAN OF ACTION saying what we are going to do to attain our Vision.

We are inviting others to join us as we begin to form that Plan of Action. Instead of having a regular Board meeting in June, we will meet the evening of June 19th @ 6 pm at the Blanco Library, 1118 Main Street, Blanco, Texas.

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DEEP IN THE DARK OF TEXAS^tm ART CONTEST WINNERS

Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky (BCFNS) held their Student Art Contest again this year. The theme was Deep in the Dark of Texas™. Congratulations to all who entered! These talented students made the judging very difficult, and the judges engaged in lively conversation deciding the winners. Follow BCFNS on Instagram and Facebook where all of the art entries will be posted over the coming months.

The 2024 contest concluded in April with the presentation of awards at Johnson City High School and Middle School by BCFNS Board Members Barbara Hudson and Vicki Guidry. Before beginning their project, art teacher, Diane Hudson, spent time educating her students on the beauty of the night sky and how light pollution effects many different aspects of their lives. (Photos by Joe Guidry)

High School Winners (left to right): Yaretzi Torres and Neely Burrier (tie 5th), Tegan Ritchie (2nd),
Clara Baker (3rd), Cheyanne Tatseh (1st), kneeling is Lola Burrier (4th)

Middle School (left to right): Jacob Galvan (Honorable Mention) and Joshua Guajardo (3rd)

Awards at Blanco Middle School were presented by BCFNS members Mary Bob Smith, Elizabeth Seibert and Board Member, Bob Heinonen. Art teacher, Kris Baker, required his students to prepare their rationale before they began the project by providing written answers to several thought provoking questions.

8th Grade Winners (left to right): Isabella Carbo (1st), Corinne Unterbrink (2nd).
Also pictured are BCFNS members Mary Bob Smith, Kris Baker (art teacher), Elizabeth Seibert and Bob Heinonen

7th Grade Winners: Brooklyn Plahy (3rd), Darby Kersten (Honorable Mention), Charlotte Lagan (2nd), Donald “Trey” Elbel (1st)

6th Grade Winners (left to right): Evin Polkinghorn (1st), Elle Sims (Honorable Mention), Emily Jamison (2nd), Aspyn Salazar (3rd)

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NIGHT SKY FRIENDLY BUSINESS RECOGNITION PROGRAM

On behalf of the Blanco Chamber of Commerce, BCFNS Business Recognition Program coordinator, Elizabeth Miller, presented the Night Sky Friendly Business Certificate of Merit to Dr. Justin Crocket and his team at the Blanco Dental Center and Orthodontics.

Elizabeth reported to the Blanco County News that “This program, sponsored by the Blanco Chamber of Commerce, endorsed by the Hill Country Alliance, and supported by the BCFNS, is open to any business or organization in the Blanco area. Chamber of Commerce membership is not a requirement. The goal is to protect and preserve the treasured natural resource that is the Hill Country’s starry nighttime skies. The program encourages the practice of responsible outdoor lighting that prevents light from escaping above the horizon into the nighttime sky to cause sky glow or shining off-premises to cause glare.” (Photo by David Loose)

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WE HAVE OVER 1,000 FACEBOOK GROUP MEMBERS!!!

Facebook has notified us that we now have over 1,000 members in our BCFNS Facebook Group. That is a lot of people interested in what we are doing on a daily basis. John Wilson created the Group five years ago and Bob Heinonen has been the Facebook Group Administrator ever since.

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2024 FACEBOOK POETRY CONTEST

This is the last of the entries to our 2024 poetry contest. Vicki Guidry, BCFNS Board Member, lamented the loss of the dark sky and stars in the big city but, then shares her hope that it can be saved here Deep in the Dark of Texas™.

The bright big city lights made me long to see the stars
Deep in the Dark of Texas
Time to retire, we’ll leave the city to see the stars
Deep in the Dark of Texas
Let’s find a place that’s just right to see the stars
Deep in the Dark of Texas
The Hill Country should be a great place to see the stars
Deep in the Dark of Texas
We found a perfect new home there to see the stars
Deep in the Dark of Texas
But after a few years, here came the lights making it tough to see the stars
Deep in the Dark of Texas
I am so sad; it’s hard to see the stars
Deep in the Dark of Texas
Let’s educate everyone about light at night, to see the stars
Deep in the Dark of Texas
It’s really easy to do, we just need your help to see the stars…again
Deep in the Dark of Texas

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2024 MEMBERSHIP GATHERING AND STAR PARTY

Sadly, clouds spoiled another special event for members of BCFNS – Our Annual Star Party! Hill Country Astronomers, Jack Petersen and John Watson, saved the day by presenting the Stellarium program. Stellarium is a planetarium software that shows exactly what you see when you look up at the stars. It's easy to use, and free.

Earlier in the evening, after some social time, the BCFNS Board introduced themselves and briefly described their role in the organization. Current Volunteer Opportunities were presented to guests with a reminder that BCFNS needs help from everyone to achieve its goals. Our volunteers have so much to offer, including new ideas. Click the following link to look at what we need; please let us know how you can assist. Volunteer Opportunities

Membership is a very important aspect of allowing BCFNS to move forward into the future. Heartfelt thanks were conveyed to all members present and then, Wayne made a special presentation:

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MEET OUR NEWEST LIFETIME MEMBERS
The Bakers

Dora and Doug Baker

We have been successful with our Membership Sign Promotion! The more signs we can get out in the public, the more people we can reach with our message about “saving the stars”.

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). 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 a 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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THIS NEWSLETTER

We hope you enjoy our newsletter and we are always looking for ways to make it better and more enjoyable. To that end, we invite your suggestions, comments and ideas for articles. In fact, if you would like to write an article to be published in our newsletter, we will certainly consider including it. Please send them to: newsletter@blancocountynightsky.org

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NEXT BOARD MEETING

Different time!!! Different place!! Our next meeting will be the evening of June 19th @ 6 pm at the Blanco Library, 1118 Main Street, Blanco, TX.

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.