[sac-forum] Re: Thanks School Star Party volunteers...

Chris, I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and it was clear Kathleen had prepped her students with astronomy speak prior to the event. And, it was equally rewarding that the parents exhibited a refreshing interest as well.
Regarding your Sweetheart, I related to Karen that she should "pick on someone her own size." Perhaps she was "over training" to hone her skills for you. You're in my thoughts.
Bob 




Chris Hanrahan wrote:

All,
I wanted to quickly thank those who stopped by the All Saint's Episcopal Day
School on Tuesday night.  In attendance were Steve Dodder, AJ Crayon, Jimmy
Ray, Jeff Hopkins, Tom & Jenn Polakis, Bob Christ, Rita (sorry, I didn't
catch her last name), Karen and myself.  Eight 'scopes in all, including a
20".
The evening began with a flyover of the HST.  It rose in the western sky and
gradually brightened as it passed Jupiter and proceeded east where it faded
from sight.  Too bad the flyover happened before any of our guests arrived.
Our fare for the evening was light pollution and plenty of it.  Seriously,
the standard showpieces were on display including Jupiter, M13, M15, M31,
"that ring thingy," Alberio, etc.
Our contact, Mrs. Kathleen Riley, was kind enough to greet us with cookies
prior to the arrival of her 5th graders.  Around 7pm people started to roll
in.  In general the kids seemed interested and some even posed quality
questions.  A rough estimate based on two "clickers" tallied approximately
75 people.
As can be expected, there were a few oversights on my part.  Two major ones
to be exact.  First and foremost, our access to the football field included
a drive over a curb.  The 4x4 timbers I brought hardly helped those with
sedans (Bob and Rita, I'm terribly sorry you had to carry your equipment
in).  Second, said football field is flood irrigated and required us to
drive down a small berm.  Again Bob and Rita, my apologies.  At least the
field wasn't full of water when we arrived.  I hope not to make the same
mistakes at our next event.
According to Kathleen, she is already planning another event; however, this
one would be sometime in spring '09 and would occur out at Lake Pleasant.
I'll keep you all in the loop as things develop.
Thanks to everyone for your participation.  I sincerely appreciate it.  Mrs.
Riley was most appreciative of our efforts.
Hopefully I wasn't the only one who had a great time.
Best Regards,
Chris Hanrahan
SAC School Star Party Coordinator
Surprise, AZ

P.S. Bob, I'm sorry my wife picked on you incessantly while we were there.
Better you than me.  :)
P.P.S. Does anyone have an e-mail address and last name for Rita?  I'd like
to submit a thank you note to her.  Thanks.

Other related posts: