[AZ-Observing] Re: More RTMC... - DOH!

Looks like I beat you by 3 years. I started attending in 1983, missed 
1985 and this year. As you said in your web site, telescope making has 
fallen off. At least this is what I have been told at RTMC, but is not 
Stellaphane still strong? I have been told it is and they do not allow 
any vendors. I have been told by one RTMC organizer that they need the 
vendors to pay for the event (Camp Oaks bill). This being so I then have 
to wonder how much of the decline in telescope making, as seems to be 
indicated by the decline in entries at RTMC (assuming it is still going 
strong at Stellaphane), was facilitated by the increased emphasis on 
vendors. It altered the flavor of RTMC from telescope making to 
commercial displays and making it just a huge social event (as you 
mentioned, you go there to see old friends once a year). They even at 
one time planned to have archery(?) for kids, or something like that. In 
any event, they seemed to be concerned about accommodating families 
which to me had nothing to do with telescope making. The HUGE number of 
vendors and the almost complete occupation by them on Telescope field 
last year is one reason I did not attend this year. It is sad. Maybe 
things will turn around in the future, but, as you said, I would not 
attend if it just a star party. I really enjoyed seeing what others had 
done on the telescopes they made.
Stan

ketelsen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

>Did it again - no link!  Try:
>www.theketelsens.blogspot.com
>Sorry for the double post...
>
>Hi All-
>
>A few paragraphs and pics of the weekend...
>
>-Dean
>
>
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