BCFNS NEWSLETTER
August 2025
Issue 66
Contact us at newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
Recently two local businesses were recognized for their night sky friendly outdoor lighting. BCFNS Member, Michael Green, presented the Night Sky Friendly Business Certificate of Merit to Buchanan’s Coffee House and Relax In Blanco on August 5th.
Left is Julie Shackelet, owner of Buchanan’s Coffee House, with Blake Harrison and Hannah Telfer in front of an historic Buchanan Ranch photo. On the right is Elissa Barker and Megan Breeding amidst the array of fine products they offer for sale at of Relax In Blanco. (Photos by Linda Whitlow)
This program is meant to encourage the practice of responsible outdoor lighting by preventing light from escaping above the horizon into the night sky and off premise glare.
The Night Sky Friendly Business Certificate of Merit program, which is sponsored by the Blanco Chamber of Commerce, endorsed by the Hill County Alliance and supported by the Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky, is open to any business or organization in the Blanco area. Chamber membership is not a requirement.
William Chris Vineyards in Hye accepting membership sign.
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COMMUNITY PRESENCE
Barbara Hudson, Board Member, represented BCFNS at a Johnson City “Back to School” event on August 2nd.
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BCFNS at TWIN SISTERS “RAISE THE ROOF” EVENT
Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky will have an information table at the Twin Sisters “Raise the Roof” event. Stop by to support the annual fundraiser which assists in the upkeep of this historic dance hall. You can also learn more about preserving our beautiful Texas night sky from light pollution. We will be there Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 9 am-4 pm. Twin Sisters is located at 6720 Hwy 281 South, which is 6 miles south of Blanco, Texas. For more information on the weekend activities click on this link: Raise the Roof September 2025
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WINNERS OF DARKSKY PHOTO CONTEST ANNOUNCED
The DarkSky International organization is a great source of information for our group. Please take some time to view the incredible photos submitted for this contest by clicking the link below. They are some truly inspirational photos and their beauty invigorates us to keep up the fight against light pollution!
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Here is the entry to our Facebook Group Annual Poetry Contest from BCFNS member, alias Blanco Cactus Jack.
A Thought Quite Naughty
Capture the Dark Photo Contest Winners
JUST FOR FUN
by Blanco Cactus Jack
January 2025
What is a Star?
Is it worth protecting?
Despite all our efforts,
We find it perplexing.
The message goes forth
Year after year.
Light pollution is bad!
And we all shed a tear
To see it spread like a cancer
All over of our land
Killing the stars.
We must make a stand!
A pox on polluters!
You know who they are.
They can easily be seen
Any night from your car.
Their lights are so bright
Shining right off their place.
Their glare is right there,
Right there in your face!
Most don’t live here,
They could really care less
That their light pollution
Is causing distress.
“Your complaints are all silly,”
They say with disdain,
“We’ll just ignore you
When you complain.”
What can be done
About these businesses so haughty?
A thought comes to mind
But it’s really quite naughty.
The thought, I can’t share
For it might be a crime
But I often wonder,
Would it be worth the time
Spent in a prison
So bare and so cold;
A penalty paid
For a move oh so bold?
A fantasy thought
That is quickly discarded;
Just a lingering muse
From the long disregarded.
A membership sign in your yard is a great way to let others know that you care about the night sky and perhaps make them curious about the organization. We have been successful with our Membership Sign Promotion but still need your help. The more signs we can get out in the public, the more people we can reach with our message about “saving the stars”. There are now 160 BCFNS membership signs hanging on fences and gates throughout Blanco County (and beyond). Each of these shouts to the world “Stop polluting our Night Sky”.
If you have been thinking of joining BCFNS or renewing your membership, you can still take advantage of our special offering of 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
The next Board meeting will be September 17th at 9:00AM, at the Blanco County Community Resource Center (CRC) in Johnson City. The address is 206 South US Highway 281. Meetings are informal and consist of part business and part brainstorming. You are welcome to join us.
We hope you enjoy our newsletter. 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 any donation you make.