BCFNS Advisory Board

In our continuing efforts towards maturing into a more professional organization, we have created a BCFNS Advisory Board. The purpose of this non-voting Board is to be available to advise the Board of Directors on specific areas of expertise. Our first Advisory Board member is attorney Dirk Jordan of Stonewall. Thank you, Dirk! We want to add other advisors, a realtor, a developer, a contractor, and a lighting fixture expert. If you know someone with that expertise and a passion for the night sky, please let us know!

FLASH NEWS!!!

Our BCFNS bumper stickers have come it. You can slap one on your bumper, cut it in two and put half of it on your back glass, or stick it anywhere you think others will see it. Great advertising for the night sky! Free to one and all. Just drop us an email at free bumpersticker and we’ll get one (or more) to you.

Stat Report

Next Business and Brainstorming Session

Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 17th @ 9AM, at El Charro Restaurant in Johnson City. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you would like to attend via Zoom, just let us know and we’ll make it happen.

Meet the BCFNS Board Members

The next Board Member we’d like to introduce to you is Vicki Guidry, our Vice President. We are a true grassroots organization, made up of real people who have stepped up to make a difference. Key to the whole effort is our Board of Directors. Last month you met Bob Heinonen who, in addition to serving on the Board, is out database guy and the costumed Wizard of the Night Sky. This month we want to introduce you to our Vice President, Vicki Guidry.

VICKI GUIDRY

Originally from San Antonio, Vicki moved to Houston in 1982 to find a job. Landing in the oil patch proved to be very good for over 32 years, even with its ups and downs. One year she was laid off and rehired 3 times and never left her desk!!! That’s how the oil business works. She met her husband, Joe, in Houston and they married in 1986. When it came time to discuss retirement, Vicki wanted to be closer to family in San Antonio and as luck would have it 4 granddaughters were now living in Austin. So, Blanco seemed the perfect in-between spot. A little travel was still required to visit 3 grandsons in Carrollton but all and all it was the perfect plan.

Vicki was excited about leaving the city and moving to the “country” where you can still see the stars. Camping trips as a child were always a lot of fun and stargazing at night was the perfect end to the day. However, it soon became evident that the big city lights were encroaching into the Hill Country. Vicki happened to attend a presentation that our President, Wayne Gosnell, gave at Gem of the Hills shortly after she arrived in Blanco. Wayne was recruiting to start a group to help save the night sky and Vicki jumped at the opportunity to join. And so, one morning around the breakfast table at Hill Country Cupboard in Johnson City, with a rag-tag group of night sky enthusiasts, BCFNS was born! There weren’t many at the table those first days, so Vicki volunteered to be Vice President.

As VP, Vicki assists in whatever way she can, “holding down the fort” when Wayne is away on a rare vacation, coordinating the Blanco County Schools Art Contest, manning the booth at Market Days, putting together this newsletter, and generally helping to educate folks about light pollution and how they can help “Save the Stars”. Her biggest challenge is getting folks in her neighborhood to turn out the lights at night!

Hill Country Night Sky Month

The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) wraps up their month-long celebration of the Night Sky on Halloween. Here is a look at a few things that happened around the Hill Country:

• The essays have been submitted!!! A few motivated High School students have entered the BCFNS Essay Contest. The theme, “How Can I Help Save the Night Sky and Why”, presented an opportunity for these students to share their thoughts on light pollution. The essays will be judged soon, and we hope to award the prizes next week. Results will be posted on the BCFNS social media accounts and hopefully, in the local newspapers. We’ll definitely share the outcome with you in the November newsletter.
• Blanco City Council passed the Night Sky Month resolution. Mayor Lumpee read the entire resolution with all the “Whereases” which amounted to a short course in night sky preservation.
• Globe at Night – Learn more and participate by clicking here.
• Hill Country Alliance Night Sky Month Virtual Star Party was hosted by HCA and Slooh. (Slooh is a fee based robotic telescope service accessed and shared through a web browser. A global network of telescopes provides online live viewing and imaging opportunities, ideal for large groups and classroom settings. Learn more at www.slooh.com.)
• Boo! Hole 2021 @ Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley – An afternoon and evening of holiday fun included: Trick-or-Treat Trail, a creepy animal exhibit, costume contest, Blue Hole Haunted Hayride, s’mores, a movie and more. Hill Country Alliance was onsite talking about all things Hill Country and especially Night Sky Month.
• McKinney Falls State Park hosted a Night Hike. This was a great way to discover a whole new way to experience the night! It was an easy trail walk (about 3/4 mile round-trip). Hikers were keeping their eyes and ears open for wolf spiders, scorpions, and nocturnal wildlife! Fun for all ages!
• Too many other events to list here. Let’s get ready for next year. Let’s make it Bigger & Better.
• Just because the “official” Night Sky month is over doesn’t mean we can’t continue to celebrate the night sky EVERY night! Look Up – Enjoy the Night!