The May workday proved to be very productive. Matt Paine, Steve Pielock, Glenn Benscoter, Ray Burk, and I mostly got in each other's way, but we eventually were able to replace the rusted out stove pipe to the timber frame clubhouse. When we got through Matt commented that it looked like something out of Dr. Seuss... not quite straight or square, but it will do the job.
Kevin Collins and Tom Walker arrived with the freshly re-coated mirrors and got to work cleaning out the telescope shed and storing the mirrors. We were disappointed to find more evidence of mice activities, some minor damage to the fan harness on the 18" mainly. That lead to some creative brainstorming about what else we can do to keep out the mice. Tom will research getting a retractable corrugated steel box to surround the 'scopes while in storage. That may be the most cost effective way of keeping the mice away from the telescopes.
Meanwhile, Dan Carnevale, Barry Hervieux were busy with chainsaws turning more of the winter's ice storm damage into firewood. Mr. Zuraw Sr was his usual dynamo clearing things down by the barn, then later helping us haul dirt.
Steve and I did a little grading around out telescope pads. Bob Osgood and Peter Scherff showed up and help out with the brush clearing. Bob and Kevin both took pictures, I'll post them here once I get them.
Thanks to the Labodycz family for the donation of a nice patio table and chairs, and for Dan C for loading it all into his truck. We all enjoyed the new "breakfast nook" in the pavillion.
On his way out, Barry reported seeing a strange bird on the road a few hundred feet below the clearing. He suspects it may have been the elusive ruffed grouse. We've heard these on the hill before, but I don't think anyone has seen oune. Barry reports it had a black plume around it's neck. It flew off into the woods before he could get a picture.
Thanks to all who helped make this a great work day, and I look forward to a wonderful celebration of the Gaertner's 100th birthday on May 23. Bruce has the finder and the counterweights back on, it looks great.
-Ed
Kevin Collins and Tom Walker arrived with the freshly re-coated mirrors and got to work cleaning out the telescope shed and storing the mirrors. We were disappointed to find more evidence of mice activities, some minor damage to the fan harness on the 18" mainly. That lead to some creative brainstorming about what else we can do to keep out the mice. Tom will research getting a retractable corrugated steel box to surround the 'scopes while in storage. That may be the most cost effective way of keeping the mice away from the telescopes.
Meanwhile, Dan Carnevale, Barry Hervieux were busy with chainsaws turning more of the winter's ice storm damage into firewood. Mr. Zuraw Sr was his usual dynamo clearing things down by the barn, then later helping us haul dirt.
Steve and I did a little grading around out telescope pads. Bob Osgood and Peter Scherff showed up and help out with the brush clearing. Bob and Kevin both took pictures, I'll post them here once I get them.
Thanks to the Labodycz family for the donation of a nice patio table and chairs, and for Dan C for loading it all into his truck. We all enjoyed the new "breakfast nook" in the pavillion.
On his way out, Barry reported seeing a strange bird on the road a few hundred feet below the clearing. He suspects it may have been the elusive ruffed grouse. We've heard these on the hill before, but I don't think anyone has seen oune. Barry reports it had a black plume around it's neck. It flew off into the woods before he could get a picture.
Thanks to all who helped make this a great work day, and I look forward to a wonderful celebration of the Gaertner's 100th birthday on May 23. Bruce has the finder and the counterweights back on, it looks great.
-Ed
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