B.C.A.A.S. MEETING MINUTES
February 10, 2005
President Dave Brown called the meeting to order at 7:35, with 32 in attendance. The Minutes of the December meeting were handed out. Visitors introduced themselves.
Upcoming Events: There will be a public star watch at the Berks County Heritage Center on May 14 (rain date May 20), and at Kaercher Creek Park on September 9 (rain date September 10). Our Polar Bear star watch is February 11 at Dave Brown’s farm, beginning at 6:30. Larry Citro volunteered to host a Beginner’s Night Star Watch at his home on March 5 (rd 3/12) at 5:30. On Saturday, March 26 at 12:00, we will have a public program at the Wyomissing Public Library, with talks and solar observing. Volunteers with telescopes are requested. A star watch is being planned for French Creek State Park, with a tentative date of April 9.
The awards ceremony for the annual Science Fair at Albright College is March 23. It was approved that we continue to sponsor awards for this event. Mike Bashore will be judging, and Dave Brown will present the awards. Linda noted that it is important that we get the winners addresses, as 2 winners from last year’s event didn’t get their prizes.
We will have a joint Meteorite Hunt with the Mineralogical Society on April 2, beginning at 1:00. Dave will get directions to the site to Mike so they can be posted on the website.
Treasurer’s Report: Linda Sensenig reported a balance of $$$$.
New Business: Dave suggested that the Pegasus be emailed to those with web access in order to save money on postage. A notice will be placed in the next Pegasus so that members can sign up for email delivery. Spring Ridge Elementary School is requesting an observing program. Paul Becker will contact them to make arrangements. Dave is looking for new ways to promote the Club. He has contacts with WEEU, but wants to contact Y102, as they target a younger audience. Also, the Parks Department recommended that we have a young member write an article for the “Voices” section of the Reading Eagle. Dave suggested that Ryan would be a good choice. Barb announced that she had free copies of the magazine “Night Sky” available for the club and public events, courtesy of the Night Sky Network. This is a relatively new publication from Sky and Telescope that is geared more to beginners.
Tonight’s program was a thought provoking talk by founding member Bruce Dietrich entitled “The Crystalline Hemisphere”. He discussed some of the history of glass and how it affected not only astronomy, but societies as well.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Geigle, Secretary