BCFNS NEWSLETTER
July 2026
Issue 77
Contact us at newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
76 supporting households including
29 Lifetime Household members
plus 8 Business Members including
4 Lifetime Business Members
1,345 Facebook Group Members
612 Instagram Followers
16 SQMs (Sky Quality Meters) installed
in the Blanco County SQM Cluster
BCFNS President, Wayne Gosnell and his wife, Martha hosted an information table at the City of Blanco 4th of July celebration where they added several new members to our organization. Look below for their names and pictures.
Left to right –– NAPA employee, Robert Cash, Store Manager, Kevin Peterson,
Mayor Cargill, District Manager, Phillip Vollmer and BCFNS member, Mike Green
NAPA Auto Parts has been recognized by the City of Blanco for upgrading its outdoor lighting to comply with the city's Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. This lighting upgrade will help to preserve the community's internationally recognized dark skies and to reduce light pollution while improving public safety for motorists traveling along U.S. Highway 281 by reducing glare. Before and after photos of NAPA's lighting can be seen in the BCFNS June 2026 newsletter.
A "Letter of Appreciation" was received from Blanco Mayor, Candy Cargill and the "Night Sky Friendly Business Certificate of Merit" was presented by Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky member, Mike Green. The certificate is sponsored by the Blanco Chamber of Commerce, endorsed by the Hill Country Alliance, and supported by Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky. The program's goal is to promote outdoor lighting practices that prevent light from escaping above the horizon. Participation is open to all businesses and organizations in the Blanco area, regardless of Chamber membership.
NAPA's investment demonstrates how responsible lighting can benefit businesses, residents, visitors, and the environment while helping preserve one of the Texas Hill Country's most treasured natural resources. Other businesses in Blanco are choosing to upgrade their lighting and will be recognized in the future.
Doris and Bob Perez
Doris and Bob included the following note with their Lifetime Membership donation. We are grateful for their generous support and look forward to having them as part of our community. In an upcoming newsletter, we'll share more about them and their night sky journey. Their thoughtful words mean a great deal to us, and we sincerely appreciate their encouragement.
While celebrating America's 250th Birthday the following people took time to become new members and also celebrate the night sky! Many thanks to all of you for your support. Pictures are not available of Olivia Chick and Michael & Laurel Watson who also joined BCFNS that day. Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter to find out how you can become a member.
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| Bobby McClung and Dani Marx | Paul Douglas Keenan | Mary Frazier |
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| Kathy Kersten and daughters, Darby and Brenna |
Joshua Ruedin |
The Perseids produce one of the year's most impressive meteor displays and are currently active. They will reach their peak on the night of August 12 to 13 during the new moon which means even more meteors will be visible! The following link will take you to a post telling what makes the Perseids especially captivating ... the meteor's color, which indicates the elements burning as it races through the atmosphere at around 132,000 miles per hour. So, go out and Enjoy the Night!!!
If you receive your mail in Blanco County watch your mailbox for a special message from the Night Sky! Let us know when you get it. What do you think? Will you discuss this message with your neighbor and share it with others outside of Blanco County? You can email your thoughts to us at info@blancocountynightsky.org
If you receive this Newsletter but do not live in Blanco County...don't worry...we'll share the message with you soon.
Twin Sisters "Raise the Roof" event will be held September 26, 2026 at the dancehall. We'll be there; hope you will be too. Stop by to visit and find out what you can do to help save the Dancehall and the Night Sky!!!
NEXT BOARD MEETING
The next Board meeting will be August 19th @ 9:00 am at Texas Regional Bank in Blanco.
You are welcome to join us.
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. A membership sign is the best publicity the night sky can have.
If you have been thinking of joining BCFNS or renewing your membership, you can take advantage of our special offering of a free one-year membership ($20) with the purchase of a sign ($35 tax included).
Click here to purchase your sign today: https://www.blancocountynightsky.org/membership.php
An automatic, reoccurring payment for your membership is a great benefit. One and Done!
For more information on all our membership options click here: Membership Options
We hope you enjoy our newsletter and 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.
Copyright © 2018-2026 | All Rights Reserved
Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky
| P. O. Box 1402|Johnson
City | Texas | 78636 |