BCFNS NEWSLETTER

June 2024

Issue 52
Contact us at newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org

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136 supporting households with more than 330 members
including 20 Lifetime Household members
plus 11 Business members including 2 Lifetime Business Members
1,017 Facebook Group Members -- 528 Instagram Followers
Click here for accomplishments in last year and here for complete history

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WE ARE TAKING A SUMMER BREAK

NO BOARD MEETING IN JULY!

Watch your email, social media and the July newsletter for information about the August meeting.

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Johnson City Library program

This is a program of the Johnson City Library.
Come and meet the Wizard Of The Night Sky.

Click here to Register

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NEW ON THE BCFNS WEBSITE

We have added a new section to our website under the “Resources” tab. Click that tab and scroll to the bottom to find the “Student Submitted” space on our website. www.blancocountynightsky.org

In an effort to advance education about dark sky news and information, we encourage students to submit links to sites discussing these topics. The links must not already have been posted on our website, and they must be approved by the board of directors.

If you know of any students who would like to participate; please pass this information on to them. Here is the link to this new section of the website:

https://www.blancocountynightsky.org/student.php

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NIGHT SKY FRIENDLY BUSINESS RECOGNITION PROGRAM

The Bistro recognition

From left to right: Elizabeth Miller and Mike Green, BCFNS Members; Tina Kersten and Christian Graham, owners of The Bistro at Blanco River and staff members

Mike Green (center) with John and Whitney Sanchez -- The Fairview Coffee

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NEW MAIL OUTREACH CAMPAIGN
Did you get yours?
Mailing

If you have a mailing address in Blanco County, you should have received a postcard from us. Here are a few things you can do with the postcard:
1. Learn about safety
2. Put it where people can see it
3. Give it to someone
4. Ask us for more postcards so you can give them to people. Just email dba@blancocountynightsky.org if you want more.

This ad was also printed in the two Blanco County newspapers. Did you see it?

You will be getting a survey about this campaign. Will you respond?

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OUR VISION FOR BLANCO COUNTY

June 19, 2024, the Board and several guests gathered at the Blanco Library to continue the work of developing a 10-year plan for BCFNS. The VISION STATEMENT has been completed and we hope to share it with you soon. We are now at the stage of developing a PLAN OF ACTION for 2024; in fact, some actions are already in motion. Each year there will be a Plan Of Action for that year to help achieve the Vision Statement.

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ANNUAL JOE GARCIA MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

On June 17th, the Vaaler Creek Golf Course once again was the location for the Rotary Club of Blanco County’s annual Joe Garcia Memorial Golf Tournament. This tournament is a major fundraiser for the Rotary Club. The registration form states that “participation enables the Rotary Club of Blanco County to support activities in our community and throughout the world.” The beneficiaries are also listed on the form; some of them are Blanco Education Foundation, Blanco ISD Drug Free Program, High School Scholarships, Literacy Program and Library Books. Joe Garcia is the late husband of BCFNS member, Leta Garcia. Our sponsorship of this tournament assists the community that in turn supports our efforts to keep the sky dark in Blanco County.

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NEW LIFETIME MEMBERS
The McCary's

Cynthia & Dennis McCary

Rodney Thrailkill was already an annual Household member and chose to upgrade to a Lifetime Membership status. We are waiting on delivery of his sign and hope to share a picture soon.

CONSIDER BECOMING A MEMBER

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

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NEXT BOARD MEETING

We will NOT be having a July Board meeting! We are just taking a little summer break. Be sure to check the July newsletter for information on the August meeting.

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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

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.