Hi Phil,

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My wife and I were at YCSP #1 last year. I gave a presentation at the pavilion one evening. I’m the chair of the Mid East Region of the Astronomical League.

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I’ll be registering for the September event. I think Pete Kellerman is planning to attend next week.

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Clear skies,

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Don

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FULL UPDATE

Hello everyone!? Yes, I am still here!? And yes, we are still having a star party 2 weeks from Wednesday!

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To say that this has been a busy year would be a gross understatement.? Not just me, but in the world.? I am not going to recap the news, but many things have been vying for our attention, and my practice and other concerns have kept me from keeping me in touch.?

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PLEASE PASS THIS INFO ALONG TO YOUR CLUBS OR OBSERVING GROUPS.

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So here is where we stand:

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1. THE PARTY IS ON RAIN OR SHINE- I am not canceling the party.? If you can’t make it, please consider donating to help cover expenses.? Attendance has been light so far, but people seem to be registering more lately.? Not sure if everyone was holding their breath with the weather being crazy, or I’ve been too quiet, or something else.? If you would like to join us, please remember, the registration FEES INCLUDE CAMPING for as many days as you wish to visit.? You won’t save money by coming for one day, but on the other hand, you won’t lose much if it pours all week. ?

AND DON’T FORGET—EVEN A TRUCK/CAMPER CANMAKE IT HERE--- ROUND TRIP--- EASILY FROM MANY PLACES ON LESS THAN 20 GALLONS OF GAS.? For many people, that’s a radius of 100-300 OR MORE miles. ?GPS COORDINATES ARE ON THE ABOVE WEBSITE, as well as much more info (but it needs updated.? This is the most current info)

1. LOCATION- If you haven’t been here yet, then here’s what you need to know:? the grass observing field is large enough for perhaps 100 sites, which includes vehicle, tent or small camper, and observing setup.? And there is a large gravel surface parking lot for large or heavy RVs, generators are permitted, close to the bathrooms, within a comparable observing field.
2. OBSERVING- After searching for a dark site in this area, I believe this site is comparable to some of the darkest sites on the east coast. ?On a 400’ buff, with 2 large fields surrounded by tall pines, and not one local white light fixture visible (even without the new the new filters and shades), we have consistently seen the milky way easily, even through openings in the clouds after rainstorms.? Surrounded by Amish farms, there are no light domes easily visible on dry and cloudless nights.? Good southern horizons, as well as east and west.? Polaris is visible from most parts of the fields.
3. CAMPING- The grass field has been amazing.? Even after 4 consecutive nights of heavy rain in 2019, the field had no ponding or mud, and vehicles with campers did not leave any ruts.? Tent pegs could be put into the ground without excess force, or bending.? Worst insect on the field are those darn stink bugs.? Never saw a mosquito here.? NOTE: see FOOD below
4. TALKS--I have purchased a new 43” smart flatscreen for any formal or informal talks in the pavilion.? No talks yet, please contact me asap if you would like to help.
5. LIGHTING--I have been working with the park supervisor about the few white lights on the property, and he has consented to addressing EVERY source of white light on the property, either with new red filters for all bathroom lights, or covering the parking lot and security lights at the office with full cut-off red shades to prevent light spillover to the observing field and past the office parking area.? I will be installing these items during the first day of the party with cooperation of the park maintenance crew.? This is about the best agreement we could hope for.
6. FACILITIES RECAP: flush toilets, a large pavilion with electric for the weekend with picnic tables for eating or any talks, water fountain and spigot nearby for drinking water, a dumpster near the bathrooms (which have hot and cold water). ?Recharging will be available periodically, either at the pavilion, or with an inverter generator.
7. FOOD AND COOKING: sorry, the Busy Bee food vender is not available this year.? Expenses have become prohibitive for a small event like ours.? However, if you have a camper or ARE a camper, cooking is permitted with BBQs, gas stoves or above ground fires.? NO ON-GROUND FIRES ALLOWED EXCEPT IN FIRE PITS PROVIDED.? In addition, I will have available some cooking equipment for general use: a couple of gas camp stoves, large coffee pots, possibly even a microwave.? Bring water containers for your use, water is in one location near the field.? Same with electric, with a generator, or only on the weekend in the pavilion.? Ice is available locally, but plan on using coolers for your perishables.? There is a snack bar at the adjacent Muddy Run Park, near the boat rental.

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Finally, I wish to thank everyone for supporting this endeavor.? I have many ideas for the future, but I first need to have a consistent attendance before I can manage to implement them.

I am hoping to retire in the next year, and I am planning to keep this party going for as long as I can, and I will eventually implement a continuity plan to keep it going after then.

Hope to see you there!

Phil

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Hello everyone!? Is anyone missing summer yet?

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FIRST:?

Thank you everyone who attended in the past for your support, and for getting vaccinated, we had 100% vaccinated attendees at both parties.? ?As always, please be safe.

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FOOD:

I have spoken to Andy, of the Busy Bee food provider, and he has stated he will be available, for both parties.? He is checking all details and hopes to commit by January 14.

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ARRANGEMENTS:

I also requested an appointment with the park supervisor on Friday Jan 21 to spell out any details in order to keep everybody on the same page this year.

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LOCATION:

I have also started to reserve the pavilions, either of which may be used this year, neither of which is too distant for our purposes.? The ballfield pavilion may not be available for the Saturdays involved, but the Hawk Point pavilion isn’t that far a walk to meet our needs for Saturday.? I will be confirming exact arrangements as we get closer to the events.

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I am guessing the max capacity of the ballfield, without camping next to the trees, is somewhere around 70 campsites, we won’t know until we see what that looks like.? The large camper/RV lot is available for the heavier units, and I am working with the staff to make the adjacent bathroom lighting to be much more friendly that last year.? In the meantime, I would encourage early registration as soon as available, considering people are in the mood to fill up the cruise ships, and this is a much safer event to attend.?

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WEBSITE:

I am in the process of updating the website, with pricing and more, I am trying to keep this thing affordable.? I am also looking into offering T-shirts again, and will keep you updated (seems the supply isn’t consistent, and specific color/sizes might need to be flexible going forward).

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If you know of an astro event calendar or website/publication to post info, please forward a link to me at my address below.? The days of sending out snail mail are long gone.? Be sure to join the email list at io.groups for updates, the link is below, and on the party website.? PLEASE allow special notice permission at the very least.? I try not to pollute your inbox.? I’ll try to have the Meta/Facebook page updated, as well as any other social media we might find helpful.? As always, sharing this info with your friends and other hobbyists is greatly appreciated.

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I look forward to seeing everyone again this year. ?Dates are on the website, and we are as close to new moon I can get and still not be on a summer holiday weekend, which is not allowed.

Stay tuned!?

Phil

philderosa1@...

JUNE 22-26 and SEPTEMBER 21-25, 2022

[email protected] | Home

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Happy Holidays, everyone!

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Hi Teja, thanks for the questions, and glad to hear we’ll be seeing you again.

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YES we are at the same site.? The state park people have stated they want to work out a long-term event agreement with me this year, and I’ve been staying in touch with them.

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ABOUT CANCELLATIONS:? Last year was unusual.? In the past, I only cancelled an event due to impending severe weather.? The event was rain or shine, with no refunds.? The only exception was if there were honest mis-communications, when I decided to favor the attendee.? With all the costs heaped on holding the event, and only a handful of attendees at the October event, I had to cancel the pavilion reservations as much as possible just to do a little better than break even.? I intend to negotiate a few requirements that other parks have agreed to, some or all of which may be able to be resolved this year.? This is a work in progress, and both sides have a vested interest in having the event continue here.

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That said, if things go well, I do intend to try to keep it at this location, no matter if I move out of the area or stay nearby.? After all, I took the reigns of this activity because I loved the concept at my first Mason Dixon Star Party in 1994, and I did the work to keep it alive.? The dark skies and facilities available make it possible to organize it and manage it for a very long time into the future, and I plan at being at every event for as long as I can physically attend.?

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Stay tuned, everyone, I will start prepping in earnest next week, and will keep you informed on what we can look forward to this year.

Happy New Years, everyone!? And thanks for your support!

Phil

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