BUSINESS RECOGNITION MAKES THE NEWS!

TWIN SISTERS 11th ANNUAL "RAISE THE ROOF" COOK-OFF & FESTIVAL

We so appreciate the volunteers who helped at our information table yesterday at the Twin Sisters "Raise the Roof" event! Bob Perez, Barbara Hudson, Wayne and Martha Gosnell, Vicki Guidry and Mike Green your efforts to raise awareness about light pollution and how we can stop it are keeping our stars big and bright here in Blanco County, Texas! We gained some new members by talking to those who stopped at our table. We'll introduce you to them next month.

Thank you to Bob and Doris Perez for putting together the silent auction "Stargazing" basket! It raised $200 for Twin Sisters! Many thanks to the person who made the final bid.

MARVEL AT THE MOON

September 19th, we marveled at the moon with guests at Blanco State Park and a Rockin' J Ranch resident and his grandson. Kenton Brake, the new Interpreter at the park started his presentation with a little quiz. The children present were given a "fact" about the moon and had to say if it was true or false. Ranger Brake then explained why their answers were correct or not. Facts like how the moon affects the earth's tides, is there gravity on the moon, how the moon travels around the earth and how craters were formed. Then everyone was invited to take a closer look through the telescope.

BCFNS Vice President Vicki Guidry gave a very short presentation about our mission to preserve the night sky. She explained why it was important to have a "red light" flashlight when star gazing and then the children were given small key ring "red" flashlights. The children were again quizzed about what was "that bright light in the sky". Immediately one little girl said it was a planet, but it took a few guesses to let us all know . . . it was Venus! President, Wayne Gosnell and Treasurer, Chris Curbow were on hand to answer questions about light pollution and why we need the dark.

It was a very pleasant evening and a chance to teach the next generation about why we need to preserve the night sky. We invite all of you to check for events at a state park near you!

Next up at Blanco State Park: Star Gazing on Friday October 9, 2026, from 7:30-9:30 pm. "The stars are out and so are we! Come look through a telescope and learn about the heroes and monsters in the sky." We hope you will join us!

https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/blanco/star-gazing

OCTOBER IS NIGHT SKY MONTH!

The Hill Country Alliance is once again promoting October as "Night Sky" month with the goal being to draw attention to light pollution. The Hill Country population is growing and so are the number of outdoor lights on homes and businesses that can make starry nights harder to see.

We encourage you to find ways to celebrate the night in October by searching for events to attend such as the Star Gazing event on October 9th at Blanco State Park. This is a great opportunity to have discussions with family and friends about ways to adjust their outdoor lighting. Most people are not aware of their lights and how they affect our ability to enjoy the stars. Spend some time talking to your children and educating them as well. Visit your local library and find night sky books such as "Daylight Starlight Wildlife" by Wendell Minor and "Cassandra and the Night Sky" by Amy Jackson. You may also be able to find her new book "Little Sky Bear and the Dragon". Amy Jackson is a friend and mentor of BCFNS. She is an Austin-based educator, dark sky advocate, and children's book author who founded Starry Sky Austin.

There are many resources to help such as the websites of BCFNS, Hill Country Alliance and DarkSky International. Google them.

Most of all we invite you to "Enjoy the Night" !!!

MEDIA BLITZ RESPONSES

Of course, we are active in sharing information about Night Sky practices and events with our neighbors as well as fellow members of the Blanco Valley Wildlife Management Association, of which we are founding members. ~Jim

I received the card yesterday. I like it. A simple but effective message. Well done. 👍 ~Tom Walston

Gr8, keep those messages coming! I still have kids and acreage in Texas, I shall return !!! ~Kevin Keck

Great job!!!! we recently became a certified firefly habitat. dark skies rule. ~Stratton Homecamp

NEXT BOARD MEETING

The next Board meeting will be October 21st @ 9:00 am at Texas Regional Bank in Blanco.

You are welcome to join us.

CONSIDER BECOMING A MEMBER

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

THIS NEWSLETTER

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