We welcome all in the greater Aiken-Augusta-CSRA area, hobbyists to professionals, novice to seasoned observers, who still find a sense of wonder in looking up.
Short History of ACA
First Decade | 1985, 1988-1994
by Jerry Barton, Founder
A superb planetary conjunction in Winter 1985 rekindled my long-term but dormant interest in Astronomy. An ancient 60mm refractor was used to chart satellites of Jupiter and the dwindling crescent of Venus, brilliant in the evening sunsets. For many months an observing group was sought, but there was none locally. Determined to find other hobbyists, school and club lectures were presented during the next year, where names of astronomy enthusiasts were recorded for possible later association. Finally, an organizational meeting was held at Georgia Railroad Bank on 24 April 1987, where the club name was chosen, meeting dates set, and the first club starparty scheduled at Glen Hills school just eight days later. Club goals were adopted: observe the sky, assist new hobbyists, provide public service, and promote establishment of an observatory and/or planetarium nearby. Charter officers elected were President Jerry Barton, V-P Ann Dalton, Sec/Trs Chuck Watkins. From 19 persons present at that first meeting, 16 became charter members, and eight are still active club supporters today.
Monthly newsletter publication began immediately, and the club year was set July through June, with $12 annual dues. To encourage youngsters and spouses, all associations were declared Family memberships. Activities included: field trips to Gibbes Planetarium in Columbia SC, and Fernbank in Atlanta; three meteor watches; Pi Scorpio lunar occultation; and the annual Christmas Family Socials were inaugurated. The first public star party was held in April 1988 to view Comet Bradfield, which garnered our first club publicity, a front-page Chronicle recap, with two members pictured in their new club logo shirts.
Year two, 7/88 thru 6/89, began with President Tom Webb, Internal V-P Sheila Capece, External V-P Roger Venable, Secty Morris McGahee, Treas Ray Burbine. Members voted almost unanimously to affiliate with the Astronomical League. Two Planetfests at Columbia Square attracted multitudes to view Mars at opposition; formal club By-Laws were adopted in November; joint meetings were held with Aiken SC, Atlanta and Macon GA; field trip to Roper Mountain and the new Daniels Observatory; club campout and observing at Clark Hill; field trip to Rock Hill SC to meet Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto; July family picnics began at the Fliers Field site, with all but three of our 32 members present; 25 club star parties; and three area sites operated simultaneously during Astronomy Day activities. To accommodate an increasing number of school lectures, the club purchased a projector and program slides.
Year three, 7/89 thru 6/90, with President Roger Venable, V-P Programs Deborah Ettien, V-P Observing Joseph Fedrick, Secty Sheila Capece, Treas Ray Burbine. Members hosted overflow crowds at Daniel Village for a total lunar eclipse, including a lunar photo contest. Memberships exceeded 40 families, but we were saddened by the death of active charter member Tom Carr of Aiken. Several club Awards were inaugurated; field trip to the new Hard Labor Creek observatory was attempted; a visit to Roper Mountain was successful; 32 club star parties were held, with three 'Young Moon' observations, and many public lectures.
Year four, 7/90 thru 6/91, with President Roger Venable, V-P Programs Sheila Capece, V-P Observing Daniel Butler, Secty Donald Ferguson, Treas Mark Daughtry. The year had just begun when charter member Raymond Burbine died, and memorial donations were made to the planned DuPont Planetarium in Aiken. Shortly after, widow Irmgard Burbine made his C8 telescope briefly available to the club, and a Meade 826 reflector was purchased for member loan. The Library was started with four donated books; members participated in 'young moon' observations; asteroid occultations; equipment demos at Science Day in Aiken; public seminar on 'Using Telescopes' was held two days after Christmas. The charter newsletter editor was fired, and four others held the title for various periods during the next two years until John White assumed those responsibilities.
Year five, 7/91 thru 6/92, saw John White assume the Presidency with 43 members and a driving committment toward providing community service. Officer staff included V-P Programs Sheila Capece, V-P Observing Morris McGahee, Secty George Schaeffer, Treas Jackie Cooper. Dozens of school, Scout, and civic lectures were arranged, including a starparty at Keysville, and our first public viewing at Barnwell State Park. The ongoing cooperation with Augusta College began when Professor Fred Bowsher invited the club to host a starparty for physics students, which has now become an annual event. The Girl Scout camporee, Wheeless school science day, USC Science Day, and National Science Center have become 'traditional' club events for public service, as well as Astronomy Day activities. Member star parties continued twice monthly, but with decreasing participation, partly due to external demands.
Year six, 7/92 thru 6/93, with President John White, V-P Programs Tom Webb, V- P Observing Jim Cadieux, Secty George Schaeffer, Treas Don Ferguson. A revival of field trip interest surged, including jaunts to Roper Mountain, Georgia Star Party, Rock Hill SC, Barnwell Park, Aiken State Park, and Boiling Springs NC for an Area Convention. Members journeyed to Winder GA to present a special starparty for burn victims. Jerry Barton was elected A.L.Representative of the Southeast Region of the Astronomical League. Tom Webb completed construction of his 30" telescope, the largest amateur instrument in Georgia, with 'First Light' at a new observing site on the west side of town. Starparty attendance tripled, a combination of the new instrument and the more convenient site.
Year seven, 7/93 thru 6/94, with President Jim Cadieux, V-P Programs Richard Albert, V-P Observing Jerry Snodgrass, Secty John White, Treas Tom Webb. The year began with Roger Venable organizing an exhausting Perseid Watch to record scientific data, later published nationally. Member services gained prominence, with club magazine discounts, special desk meeting calendars, and numerous publications and benefits made available. The club bulletin was officially named "AFTER GLOW", and the Regional newsletter subscribed for all members. After nearly a year of fiddling with paperwork and lawyers, the "Harry Bell Telescope" was presented by his widow and accepted by the Science Center at Ft Gordon, largely due to untiring efforts of charter member George Schaeffer, close friend of the Bell family. Public services continue unabated, averaging over two events per month in area-wide coverage. The club has been represented at regional Astronomical League conventions and numerous visits with neighboring societies, and has become a respected leader within the amateur astronomical community throughout the southeast.
Better things must surely come, as the club expands its awareness and committment to ever more member and public services in coming years. To you, the newest member of our association, will ultimately fall the responsibility of furthering the goals and leading the programs of our club. The future of this club, even the entire hobby, rests in your hands. You must insure it enters the next century as a viable agent to safeguard and improve amateur astronomy, and enhance its beneficial impact on those who will come later. Your support and guidance are solicited, and expected, by those who have gone before.
Monthly newsletter publication began immediately, and the club year was set July through June, with $12 annual dues. To encourage youngsters and spouses, all associations were declared Family memberships. Activities included: field trips to Gibbes Planetarium in Columbia SC, and Fernbank in Atlanta; three meteor watches; Pi Scorpio lunar occultation; and the annual Christmas Family Socials were inaugurated. The first public star party was held in April 1988 to view Comet Bradfield, which garnered our first club publicity, a front-page Chronicle recap, with two members pictured in their new club logo shirts.
Year two, 7/88 thru 6/89, began with President Tom Webb, Internal V-P Sheila Capece, External V-P Roger Venable, Secty Morris McGahee, Treas Ray Burbine. Members voted almost unanimously to affiliate with the Astronomical League. Two Planetfests at Columbia Square attracted multitudes to view Mars at opposition; formal club By-Laws were adopted in November; joint meetings were held with Aiken SC, Atlanta and Macon GA; field trip to Roper Mountain and the new Daniels Observatory; club campout and observing at Clark Hill; field trip to Rock Hill SC to meet Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto; July family picnics began at the Fliers Field site, with all but three of our 32 members present; 25 club star parties; and three area sites operated simultaneously during Astronomy Day activities. To accommodate an increasing number of school lectures, the club purchased a projector and program slides.
Year three, 7/89 thru 6/90, with President Roger Venable, V-P Programs Deborah Ettien, V-P Observing Joseph Fedrick, Secty Sheila Capece, Treas Ray Burbine. Members hosted overflow crowds at Daniel Village for a total lunar eclipse, including a lunar photo contest. Memberships exceeded 40 families, but we were saddened by the death of active charter member Tom Carr of Aiken. Several club Awards were inaugurated; field trip to the new Hard Labor Creek observatory was attempted; a visit to Roper Mountain was successful; 32 club star parties were held, with three 'Young Moon' observations, and many public lectures.
Year four, 7/90 thru 6/91, with President Roger Venable, V-P Programs Sheila Capece, V-P Observing Daniel Butler, Secty Donald Ferguson, Treas Mark Daughtry. The year had just begun when charter member Raymond Burbine died, and memorial donations were made to the planned DuPont Planetarium in Aiken. Shortly after, widow Irmgard Burbine made his C8 telescope briefly available to the club, and a Meade 826 reflector was purchased for member loan. The Library was started with four donated books; members participated in 'young moon' observations; asteroid occultations; equipment demos at Science Day in Aiken; public seminar on 'Using Telescopes' was held two days after Christmas. The charter newsletter editor was fired, and four others held the title for various periods during the next two years until John White assumed those responsibilities.
Year five, 7/91 thru 6/92, saw John White assume the Presidency with 43 members and a driving committment toward providing community service. Officer staff included V-P Programs Sheila Capece, V-P Observing Morris McGahee, Secty George Schaeffer, Treas Jackie Cooper. Dozens of school, Scout, and civic lectures were arranged, including a starparty at Keysville, and our first public viewing at Barnwell State Park. The ongoing cooperation with Augusta College began when Professor Fred Bowsher invited the club to host a starparty for physics students, which has now become an annual event. The Girl Scout camporee, Wheeless school science day, USC Science Day, and National Science Center have become 'traditional' club events for public service, as well as Astronomy Day activities. Member star parties continued twice monthly, but with decreasing participation, partly due to external demands.
Year six, 7/92 thru 6/93, with President John White, V-P Programs Tom Webb, V- P Observing Jim Cadieux, Secty George Schaeffer, Treas Don Ferguson. A revival of field trip interest surged, including jaunts to Roper Mountain, Georgia Star Party, Rock Hill SC, Barnwell Park, Aiken State Park, and Boiling Springs NC for an Area Convention. Members journeyed to Winder GA to present a special starparty for burn victims. Jerry Barton was elected A.L.Representative of the Southeast Region of the Astronomical League. Tom Webb completed construction of his 30" telescope, the largest amateur instrument in Georgia, with 'First Light' at a new observing site on the west side of town. Starparty attendance tripled, a combination of the new instrument and the more convenient site.
Year seven, 7/93 thru 6/94, with President Jim Cadieux, V-P Programs Richard Albert, V-P Observing Jerry Snodgrass, Secty John White, Treas Tom Webb. The year began with Roger Venable organizing an exhausting Perseid Watch to record scientific data, later published nationally. Member services gained prominence, with club magazine discounts, special desk meeting calendars, and numerous publications and benefits made available. The club bulletin was officially named "AFTER GLOW", and the Regional newsletter subscribed for all members. After nearly a year of fiddling with paperwork and lawyers, the "Harry Bell Telescope" was presented by his widow and accepted by the Science Center at Ft Gordon, largely due to untiring efforts of charter member George Schaeffer, close friend of the Bell family. Public services continue unabated, averaging over two events per month in area-wide coverage. The club has been represented at regional Astronomical League conventions and numerous visits with neighboring societies, and has become a respected leader within the amateur astronomical community throughout the southeast.
Better things must surely come, as the club expands its awareness and committment to ever more member and public services in coming years. To you, the newest member of our association, will ultimately fall the responsibility of furthering the goals and leading the programs of our club. The future of this club, even the entire hobby, rests in your hands. You must insure it enters the next century as a viable agent to safeguard and improve amateur astronomy, and enhance its beneficial impact on those who will come later. Your support and guidance are solicited, and expected, by those who have gone before.
Part 2, added 3/97 | 1994-1997
Year eight, 7/94-6/95 = President Jim Cadieux, VP Prigrams Sheila Capece, VP Observing Roger Venable, Secty John White, Treas To Web. The year opened with heated discussions about increasing dues to the present $18 levels. The annual club picnic was set to coincide with Comet SL9 impacts into Jupiter, with over 2/3 our members attending for spectacular views and great fellowship. We help our first special meeting in the newly opened duPont Panetariuim at USC-Aiken, and were treated to a grand tour. A Messier Marathon was help at Camp Long in Aiken, which has now become our biggest annual observing event. Info packets were assembled and a Mentor program begun to assist newcomer assimilation into the club, as membership swelled to over 50 hobbyist families.
Year nine, 7/95-6/96 = President John White, VP Programs David Amerman, VP Observing Jim Cadieux, Secty Jerry Barton, Treas Tom Webb. Members were invited to a special preview of the Digistar projector at duPont Planetarium by Director Jim Mullaney, who joined the club and requested our assistance with their programs. Members supported half a dozen activities in Aiken during the year, gaining several members there. Upon trying to revive the dormant Aiken club, most agreed to affiliate with ACA until local interest expanded. Club scopes were a featured attraction at the dedication of the Port Royal NSC facility, and several other events there. Members voted to officially endorse light pollution controls in the State legislature, and Richard Albert agreed to chair local efforts. Three telescopes were donated and the club library grew to half a hundred items, all available for member loan. The year cuminated with astronomer John Dobson conducting public viewings and school lectures in Aiken and Augusta as our club guest.
Year ten, 7/96-6/97 = President Bill Dunwoody, VP Programs Tom Crute, VP Observing Lee Huey, Secty Mark Nagy, Treas Sharon Ramp. Many committee appointments and new programs reinvigorated the club and made wider community involvement feasible. More field trips, a new observing site (Howard's NMR Dark Skies) and a complete revision of meeting formats increased attendance and participation. Two bright comets stirred public interest and attracted new members. Enhanced support and benefits improved member retention. Our first decade closed with 67 regular and 5 honorary member families enjoying significant benefits of association.
ACA has become a respected organization locally, and a leader in the amateur astronomical community throughout the southeast. This has been accomplished by the dedicated support of many members working together for our common welfare and a fuller enjoyment of our hobby. Better things shall surely come as the club matures and improves. The future of our society, perhaps the entire hobby, will depend not on those named above, but the newer members who must accept the responsibility of leadership as seniors retire. Preserve the society reputation and support its commitment to wider fraternal enjoyment of our most ancient science, and the next decade can be more fulfilling for all. So mote it be!
Year nine, 7/95-6/96 = President John White, VP Programs David Amerman, VP Observing Jim Cadieux, Secty Jerry Barton, Treas Tom Webb. Members were invited to a special preview of the Digistar projector at duPont Planetarium by Director Jim Mullaney, who joined the club and requested our assistance with their programs. Members supported half a dozen activities in Aiken during the year, gaining several members there. Upon trying to revive the dormant Aiken club, most agreed to affiliate with ACA until local interest expanded. Club scopes were a featured attraction at the dedication of the Port Royal NSC facility, and several other events there. Members voted to officially endorse light pollution controls in the State legislature, and Richard Albert agreed to chair local efforts. Three telescopes were donated and the club library grew to half a hundred items, all available for member loan. The year cuminated with astronomer John Dobson conducting public viewings and school lectures in Aiken and Augusta as our club guest.
Year ten, 7/96-6/97 = President Bill Dunwoody, VP Programs Tom Crute, VP Observing Lee Huey, Secty Mark Nagy, Treas Sharon Ramp. Many committee appointments and new programs reinvigorated the club and made wider community involvement feasible. More field trips, a new observing site (Howard's NMR Dark Skies) and a complete revision of meeting formats increased attendance and participation. Two bright comets stirred public interest and attracted new members. Enhanced support and benefits improved member retention. Our first decade closed with 67 regular and 5 honorary member families enjoying significant benefits of association.
ACA has become a respected organization locally, and a leader in the amateur astronomical community throughout the southeast. This has been accomplished by the dedicated support of many members working together for our common welfare and a fuller enjoyment of our hobby. Better things shall surely come as the club matures and improves. The future of our society, perhaps the entire hobby, will depend not on those named above, but the newer members who must accept the responsibility of leadership as seniors retire. Preserve the society reputation and support its commitment to wider fraternal enjoyment of our most ancient science, and the next decade can be more fulfilling for all. So mote it be!
Part 3, added 3/2005 & 3/2007 | 1997-2007
by Tedda Howard, Web Editor
Year eleven, 7/1997-6/1998 = President Bill Dunwoody, VP Programs Jim Cadieux, VP Observing John White, Secretary Richard Albert, Treasurer Vickie Wing. NL Editor Jerry Barton. We paid dues to the AL and IDA, as well as to SERAL for a regional newsletter. The By-laws, with revisions, were printed with the May 1998 AfterGlow. Based on the idea of previous attempts to start a club website, Stan and Tedda Howard started the ACA Website. The initial objective was to notify newcomers to our area of our club and it's activities. It didn't have a very big impact then, but with continuing improvements, (and common internet use), it continues as a greatly expanded and useful tool for the club today.
Year twelve, 7/1998-6/1999 = President Roger Venable, VP Programs Bill Dunwoody, VP Observing John White, Secty Richard Albert, Treasurer Vickie Wing. NL Editor Bill Dunwoody. The Treasury recovered from "lean years" and was in good standing for the upcoming fiscal year. Vickie & James Wing wrote an article for The Beginner's Page.
Year thirteen, 7/1999-6/2000 = President Roger Venable, VP Programs Debra Piediscalzi with assistant Teri Exum, VP Observing Tom Crute, Secty David Amerman, Treasurer Jim Wing. Newsletter Editor Bill Dunwoody. The AfterGlow was up to seven 7 pages on both sides, with great information. Several school star parties were held. Roger held the AstroJeopardy meeting. John White got approval for some star parties out at Fort Gordon. The August Picnic was held at the ORA ball field. Stan and Tedda Howard hosted the Leonid Meteor Shower Party at Nine Mile Range.
Year fourteen, 7/2000-6/2001 = President Tom Crute, VP Programs Teri Exum, VP Observing John White, Secretary David Amerman, Treasurer Jim Wing. NL Editor Roger Venable. Dues still $18.00. Observing opportunities at Boyd Observatory,, Ft.Gordon, several schools. Leonid Star Party at Stan & Tedda's Farm with Jupiter & Saturn in Taurus.
Year fifteen, 7/2001-6/2002 = President Jerome Liverette, resigned due to work schedule, Bill Dunwoody, VP Programs Virginia Adams, VP Observing Roger Venable, Secretary Mark Moffatt, Treasurer Jim Wing. Newsletter compiled by Vickie Wing. She also defined our Mentor Program in a good article. This was an exciting year of high participation at the Howard's NMR Leonid Star Party in November 2001. Twenty-five people came and counted 2500 meteors all night long and had a waffle breakfast at dawn.
Year sixteen, 7/2002-6/2003 = President Roger Venable, VP Programs , VP Observing , Secty , Treas John White. Vickie Wing continued as Editor of the Afterglow newsletter. Later Roger took over these duties and finished the year as Editor. Tedda Howard worked with both of them to get this information published on the website as well.
Year seventeen, 7/2003-6/2004 = President Bonnie Mills VP Programs Sheila Capece, VP Observing Roger Venable, Secretary Anna Venable, Treasurer John White. The club was sufficiently happy with web news. We chose to discontinue hardcopy newsletters, as there wasn't anyone to do it anymore, and voted to pay for "no ads" on the website. Tedda Howard continued to improve on the AfterGlow newsletter section of the Website, and introduced a password system to satisfy privacy issues of the membership.
Year eighteen, 7/2004-6/2005 = With a decline in membership and participation, and severe illness and accident in several active families, no officers were elected. Informally Jim Cadieux agreed to get speakers, Wesley Sloan mailed out meeting reminders, John White continued treasurer duties, and Tedda Howard maintained the website and wrote AfterGlow news every month. John organized the annual picnic at the ORA in August, and we had good attendance. Stan Howard presented the most interesting series of 3 programs using Brian Green's program about String Theory. We focused on rather good participation at Nine Mile Range - Dark Skies Observatory (NMR-DSO) star parties, initiated carpooling to Roger Venable's Observatory for alternate months in the new year, and volunteered at the Bel Air Elementary School Star Party in March. Some members also attended larger groups such as the annual Peach State SP in October and the Winter Star Party in Key West, FL in February. New attendees at our meetings maintained membership participation. Tedda Howard, Doug Rocque and Sheila Capece volunteered for the nominating committee in March.
Year nineteen, 7/2005-6/2006 The new officers: President: Stan Howard, VP Programs: vacant, VP Observing: Doug Rocque, Secretary: vacant, Treasurer: John White. We made ambitious plans for the coming year. The effort was made. Some worked others didn't. <1. Update the bylaws, 2. Focus on publicity and visibility, 3. Exchange speakers 4. Assistance to scouts.> We invited Bobby Thompson from north Georgia to present a monthly program on Dark Skies and Light Pollution. When all was done, we sponsored his talk with great support at the Astronomy Day festivities at Fort Discovery and at the RPSEC. We enjoyed a pleasant luncheon and dinner in his honor for coming over 700 miles. Tedda Howard and Vicky Martin headed the effort to invite many city officials. In the process, we all learned more about Light Pollution and the need for public education, legislation, and enforcement. We increased our membership to 55 with no dues, 15-30 attending, but services reaching many more people. We decided to re-institute dues of $10/family for the following year, to cover the cost of AL membership, no ads on the website, speakers, and picnic activities. With war and LP, dark sky sites ran low, so we continued to have star parties at the Howard's Farm, now listed in the SC Scenic sites as Nine Mile Range - Dark Skies Observatory. We sometimes combined meetings and star party dates there to reduce member gas costs and travel time. Joe got Hap Griffen from the Midlands Astronomy Club to speak on AstroPhotography.
Year twenty, 7/2006-6/2007 President: Stan Howard, VP Programs: Joe Bartee. Due to illness, Vicky Martin helped, then Tedda Howard was appointed. VP Observing: Mark Moffatt, Secretary: Wesley Sloan, Treasurer: John White. We retain 52 family memberships despite dues. The focus on email notices listing our website to newspapers, radio stations and local magazines in addition to good "interested" and "teacher" lists has brought interesting and enthusiastic new members. Continuing to use the Program Plans page, we have had wonderful local speakers and are scheduled through November of 2007. In December Tedda Howard was appointed the Chair of the Dark Skies Committee. She started a web page to educate and provide legislative and other help to interested citizens of the CSRA. In January the ACA DS committee received great support and input in the process of developing a letter, which was sent to the Aiken City Manager. They will continue to seek meaningful improvements in legislation and enforcement. The club voted to rejoin the IDA. Attendance at NMR-DSO Star Parties runs 15-30 regularly, often with 12 or more scopes. Augusta Girl Scouts brought their planispheres and red flashlights when they attended in November. John mentored a senior student to build his own telescope using some prepared parts. We checked out Atlanta's Deerlick Astronomy Village in February. The March Lunar Eclipse group photoed a great Sun Dog, and chili helped an enthusiastic Messier Marathon crowd survive low temperatures. The club now owns six 6 telescopes: A 6" and 8" Meade, the Wilson 6" Al, the Birdsall Dobsonian, and 2 others. Some need to be calibrated and collimated. We are glad to have them for loan and star party viewing.
Year twelve, 7/1998-6/1999 = President Roger Venable, VP Programs Bill Dunwoody, VP Observing John White, Secty Richard Albert, Treasurer Vickie Wing. NL Editor Bill Dunwoody. The Treasury recovered from "lean years" and was in good standing for the upcoming fiscal year. Vickie & James Wing wrote an article for The Beginner's Page.
Year thirteen, 7/1999-6/2000 = President Roger Venable, VP Programs Debra Piediscalzi with assistant Teri Exum, VP Observing Tom Crute, Secty David Amerman, Treasurer Jim Wing. Newsletter Editor Bill Dunwoody. The AfterGlow was up to seven 7 pages on both sides, with great information. Several school star parties were held. Roger held the AstroJeopardy meeting. John White got approval for some star parties out at Fort Gordon. The August Picnic was held at the ORA ball field. Stan and Tedda Howard hosted the Leonid Meteor Shower Party at Nine Mile Range.
Year fourteen, 7/2000-6/2001 = President Tom Crute, VP Programs Teri Exum, VP Observing John White, Secretary David Amerman, Treasurer Jim Wing. NL Editor Roger Venable. Dues still $18.00. Observing opportunities at Boyd Observatory,, Ft.Gordon, several schools. Leonid Star Party at Stan & Tedda's Farm with Jupiter & Saturn in Taurus.
Year fifteen, 7/2001-6/2002 = President Jerome Liverette, resigned due to work schedule, Bill Dunwoody, VP Programs Virginia Adams, VP Observing Roger Venable, Secretary Mark Moffatt, Treasurer Jim Wing. Newsletter compiled by Vickie Wing. She also defined our Mentor Program in a good article. This was an exciting year of high participation at the Howard's NMR Leonid Star Party in November 2001. Twenty-five people came and counted 2500 meteors all night long and had a waffle breakfast at dawn.
Year sixteen, 7/2002-6/2003 = President Roger Venable, VP Programs , VP Observing , Secty , Treas John White. Vickie Wing continued as Editor of the Afterglow newsletter. Later Roger took over these duties and finished the year as Editor. Tedda Howard worked with both of them to get this information published on the website as well.
Year seventeen, 7/2003-6/2004 = President Bonnie Mills VP Programs Sheila Capece, VP Observing Roger Venable, Secretary Anna Venable, Treasurer John White. The club was sufficiently happy with web news. We chose to discontinue hardcopy newsletters, as there wasn't anyone to do it anymore, and voted to pay for "no ads" on the website. Tedda Howard continued to improve on the AfterGlow newsletter section of the Website, and introduced a password system to satisfy privacy issues of the membership.
Year eighteen, 7/2004-6/2005 = With a decline in membership and participation, and severe illness and accident in several active families, no officers were elected. Informally Jim Cadieux agreed to get speakers, Wesley Sloan mailed out meeting reminders, John White continued treasurer duties, and Tedda Howard maintained the website and wrote AfterGlow news every month. John organized the annual picnic at the ORA in August, and we had good attendance. Stan Howard presented the most interesting series of 3 programs using Brian Green's program about String Theory. We focused on rather good participation at Nine Mile Range - Dark Skies Observatory (NMR-DSO) star parties, initiated carpooling to Roger Venable's Observatory for alternate months in the new year, and volunteered at the Bel Air Elementary School Star Party in March. Some members also attended larger groups such as the annual Peach State SP in October and the Winter Star Party in Key West, FL in February. New attendees at our meetings maintained membership participation. Tedda Howard, Doug Rocque and Sheila Capece volunteered for the nominating committee in March.
Year nineteen, 7/2005-6/2006 The new officers: President: Stan Howard, VP Programs: vacant, VP Observing: Doug Rocque, Secretary: vacant, Treasurer: John White. We made ambitious plans for the coming year. The effort was made. Some worked others didn't. <1. Update the bylaws, 2. Focus on publicity and visibility, 3. Exchange speakers 4. Assistance to scouts.> We invited Bobby Thompson from north Georgia to present a monthly program on Dark Skies and Light Pollution. When all was done, we sponsored his talk with great support at the Astronomy Day festivities at Fort Discovery and at the RPSEC. We enjoyed a pleasant luncheon and dinner in his honor for coming over 700 miles. Tedda Howard and Vicky Martin headed the effort to invite many city officials. In the process, we all learned more about Light Pollution and the need for public education, legislation, and enforcement. We increased our membership to 55 with no dues, 15-30 attending, but services reaching many more people. We decided to re-institute dues of $10/family for the following year, to cover the cost of AL membership, no ads on the website, speakers, and picnic activities. With war and LP, dark sky sites ran low, so we continued to have star parties at the Howard's Farm, now listed in the SC Scenic sites as Nine Mile Range - Dark Skies Observatory. We sometimes combined meetings and star party dates there to reduce member gas costs and travel time. Joe got Hap Griffen from the Midlands Astronomy Club to speak on AstroPhotography.
Year twenty, 7/2006-6/2007 President: Stan Howard, VP Programs: Joe Bartee. Due to illness, Vicky Martin helped, then Tedda Howard was appointed. VP Observing: Mark Moffatt, Secretary: Wesley Sloan, Treasurer: John White. We retain 52 family memberships despite dues. The focus on email notices listing our website to newspapers, radio stations and local magazines in addition to good "interested" and "teacher" lists has brought interesting and enthusiastic new members. Continuing to use the Program Plans page, we have had wonderful local speakers and are scheduled through November of 2007. In December Tedda Howard was appointed the Chair of the Dark Skies Committee. She started a web page to educate and provide legislative and other help to interested citizens of the CSRA. In January the ACA DS committee received great support and input in the process of developing a letter, which was sent to the Aiken City Manager. They will continue to seek meaningful improvements in legislation and enforcement. The club voted to rejoin the IDA. Attendance at NMR-DSO Star Parties runs 15-30 regularly, often with 12 or more scopes. Augusta Girl Scouts brought their planispheres and red flashlights when they attended in November. John mentored a senior student to build his own telescope using some prepared parts. We checked out Atlanta's Deerlick Astronomy Village in February. The March Lunar Eclipse group photoed a great Sun Dog, and chili helped an enthusiastic Messier Marathon crowd survive low temperatures. The club now owns six 6 telescopes: A 6" and 8" Meade, the Wilson 6" Al, the Birdsall Dobsonian, and 2 others. Some need to be calibrated and collimated. We are glad to have them for loan and star party viewing.