BCFNS NEWSLETTER
June 2022
Contact us at newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
We hope you are working on your song for the BCFNS 2022 Night Sky Song Contest. This was such a fun event the last time we did it. Some amazing songs were submitted, and we are really looking forward to October 1, 2022, when we’ll all gather again for the live performance of the entries. That will happen at Gem of the Hills at 6 pm.
BCFNS 2022 Night Sky Song Contest
Be sure to check for details, deadline, and the rules at BCFNS Song Contest. You can also find out how to purchase our CD “Deep in the Dark of Texas Vol. 1” through this link.
Before Larry and his wife, Terri, moved to Blanco, Larry owned a successful business in Austin, while Terri owned a successful commercial real estate company. Larry has a BS in chemistry and an MS in Environmental Management.
Meet the BCFNS Board Members
Larry Seiler
After retiring and moving to Blanco about 12 years ago, Larry became involved in several activities. He has served on the boards of Arts in the Park and the Blanco Performing Arts. He has volunteered to work on Wild Woman Weekend and the Lavender Festival. He currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Gem of the Hills, the Treasurer at his church, and the Treasurer for Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky.
Larry owns and operates Los Senderos Studio, a recording studio located on their ranch between Blanco and Johnson City. He is the webmaster for BCFNS and Los Senderos Studio, and the former webmaster for Wild Woman Weekend, Gem of the Hills, and a website for a Blanco City Council candidate.
Larry and Terri now live on Los Senderos Ranch, the property his parents purchased in 1980. He remembers coming out to the ranch back then and looking at the clearest, most pristine skies at night. Now many of those stars are no longer visible. That is why he became involved with Blanco Country Friends of the Night Sky.
BCFNS Participates in the
“Rural Hill Country Leadership Symposium”
BCFNS Members Wayne Gosnell and Bob Heinonen were panelists at the May 14th Hill Country Alliance/HEB Foundation-sponsored leadership symposium in Leakey. The event drew local leaders from throughout the Western Hill Country and focused on establishing, maintaining, and sustaining local, grassroots non-profit organizations.
Board Member Bob Heinonen explained that “We were asked to participate because Hill Country Alliance holds BCFNS up as a very successful nonprofit startup. They held us up, not as a road map, but just one success story.”
Wayne Gosnell, President, tells us “It was a generic presentation and discussion. But simply being asked to present on a non-night sky subject was a compliment to our organization. They didn’t care so much to know what we did but wanted to know how we did it. We were being held up as a model for anyone wanting to start a grassroots non-profit regardless of the purpose of the organization.”
Although not the subject of the symposium be assured the folks there knew of our Night Sky preservation mission before Wayne and Bob left Leakey, Texas! Hopefully, they “planted some seeds” for that part of the Hill Country to consider starting up a “Friends of the Night Sky” group.
The Blanco County Fair & Rodeo will take place in August in Johnson City. BCFNS is making plans to have a booth at the Fair on August 19th & 20th. We hope you can make it out for this fun community event. Definitely plan to stop by and visit our booth. We’ll have more details for you in the July newsletter.
Upcoming Event
As many of you know we cancelled our June meeting. We decided it was time that BCFNS “took a vacation”. We’ve been going non-stop since this group was started, even having ZOOM meetings during COVID. This seemed like the perfect time to take a break.
We Took a Vacation!
Next Board Meeting
Wednesday, July 20th @ 9 am, at El Charro Restaurant in Johnson City.
Everyone is welcome to attend. We’d love to have you. Join us to see what it’s all about. No pressure to continue to attend; it can be a one-time thing or come to the meeting every month, it is an informal discussion.
If you would like to attend via Zoom, just let us know ahead of time and we’ll make it happen.
• BCFNS Advisory Board – Are you willing to share your expertise? We would like to include:
A realtor, a developer, a contractor, a lighting fixture expert and other professionals who have a passion for the night sky. Contact us at info@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
Other News
• Volunteer Opportunities at BCFNS Volunteers
Consider Becoming A Member
Join our 106 members. For more information on all our membership options click here: Membership Options.
Membership Sign Promotion - A membership sign is the best publicity the night sky can have. Here’s the link: BCFNS Membership Signs
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.