Hello BCFNS folks, I’m introducing myself, Bernard Mollberg, as a recently recruited volunteer. Earlier this year a level of desperation caused a visit to my place On The Mesa in Blanco County by Bob Heinonen and Dr. Don Pitts. They seemed pretty committed to obtaining an individual who could serve as “Production Coordinator” which is a mighty fancy title. I took the job.

We will travel Central Texas when we are making a presentation for folks in Blanco (and maybe surrounding counties.) That Wizard of the Night Sky definitely needs a Master of Ceremonies for the events, someone to get the audience pumped up, and to work the crowd for Dr. Don Pitts. So Far, So Good.

I am a 5th Generation Texan, with my Maternal Grandmother Amy Jewel Kennedy being born in Blanco County in 1898. She lived until I was 30 and had a wealth of stories about “Blanco”. Her father, George Kennedy built the pharmacy building on the Blanco square in 1900. I’ve got Double Great Grandparents buried in the Blanco Cemetery.

My Dad was born in Austin in 1924, my Mom born in San Marcos in 1925. My Dad worked for NASA as an optics scientist and camera system designer for 20 years.

I first lived in Austin in 1971 to attend college at UT Austin for 2 years. I realized I was not suitable for institutional employment. I lived in South Austin where in the early 1970’s I was one of the founders of the Austin Friends of Traditional Music, which is still going today. (As a teenager I became obsessed with learning to play the banjo, fiddle & guitar playing traditional music.) I worked for Otto Hofmann, a notable Pipe Organ builder for almost 3 years, my first years working in a shop.

My career as a piano restoration specialist began in the late 1970’s. I worked for 19 years, restoring pianos for institutions and individuals in a rented warehouse space on E. St. Elmo Rd.

I had a serious desire to work in a remote rural area where I owned the property for my shop as well as a residence.

I found some property for sale in the fall of 1997, on Divide Pass on RR165. By January 1998 I purchased property on the Mesa, a water shed for the Blanco River, Pedernales River, and Onion Creek. This was part of the historic Peyton Colony, purchased from 30 heirs to this property. By November 1999, I had built infrastructure, and a lovely adobe style piano restoration shop. I moved into the piano shop at that time. Over the next year+, a home residence was also (almost) completed.

So, after 42 years of restoring pianos (while avoiding institutional employment, with 23 years in Blanco County) I decided to retire, and close the shop.

On my place, we can often get a fine view of the Milky Way. Depending on cloud formations and cycles of the moon, I have a fine view of the glow from Metro San Antonio and Austin! In my 30’s & 40’s I often traveled to the Big Bend, which is noted as one of the finest Dark Sky experiences in North America. After being on my place a few years, people began building “Cell Phone Towers” which I had never heard of. I gnashed my teeth as the population grew to where I eventually could see 20 or 30 on all the horizon’s. Well, not much to do about that.

By about 5 or 6 years back I learned of this improbable organization: Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky. I went to a meeting and signed up for a business membership. If you come visit me on Divide Pass, look for the BCFNS sign by the gate.

I’m happy to serve as a volunteer for this dubious organization (what were the chances???) Many thanks to you all who have joined up and paid your dues (since you are receiving this news letter!) Let’s find out together how we can work to maintain the (possibly) beautiful night sky we can still enjoy!

This event is held each year to raise money for the preservation of this historical dance hall. There will be music, vendors, silent auction items and usually, a dance on Saturday evening.

BCFNS will have an information table at the event on Saturday, September 23rd; be sure to stop by and visit with us. We are looking for volunteers to help us at the table. If you would like to give us a hand, we would sure appreciate it. Don’t worry…we won’t leave you all alone. There will be an experienced volunteer at all times to show you the ropes. Email us at info@blancocountynightsky.org if you can help.

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PROBLEMATIC OUTDOOR LIGHTING IN BLANCO

Letters have been mailed to the most egregious sources of light pollution within the Blanco city limits. We are waiting on responses and if we don’t receive any request for our assistance to improve their outdoor lighting we will try again soon with a second letter. We’ll keep you informed on the progress, but it may take a while.

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Next Business & Brainstorming Session

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, August 16th @ 9:00AM, at El Charro Restaurant in Johnson City. If you would like to attend via Zoom, just let us know a few days ahead of time so we can make arrangements. Contact us at info@BlancoCountyNightSky.org

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