Post by Len Philpot on Apr 2, 2018 21:39:21 GMT -6
This message is reprinted from October of 2016. I am reposting it as we have a fair number of registrants who did not opt to participate in the meal plan -
Some additional information about cooking and/or meal alternatives for anyone attending the DSSG who did not opt to participate in the meal plan offered by the Feliciana Retreat Center.
1) Why do we not allow cooking on the field (the observing field and anywhere where canopies, tents and vehicles may be parked within the area bounded by trees on the north and east and the gravel roads to the south and west) ?
a) Flame can be seen and certainly if attempted at night would violate our light rules. Even off the observing field, if flames can be seen from the field, cooking is not allowed. Campfires are not allowed anywhere on Feliciana Retreat Center property during the DSSG.
b) In addition to the light issue, smoke can hinder seeing and particulates generated can be deposited on optics. (Note - the two reasons cited here are the very reasons why cooking and campfires and open flames are prohibited at virtually all star parties. Whenever this question is brought up every few years or so I typically go to the websites of various star parties such as the Texas Star Party, Okie-Tex, Peach State and others to basically get reassurance that our rules are not too harsh.)
2) Having said all this - hot plates are fine, electric coffee pots are fine.
3) The Feliciana Retreat Center has a microwave oven that our attendees can use. They also have a coffee pot. They also have a "tip cup" and it is suggested that anyone that avails themself of some of these conveniences that they offer should help support the Feliciana Retreat Center.
4) Attendees can travel down to Clinton, approximately a 12 mile ride to purchase food or eat at one of several different fast food restaurants.
5) As has been known for the past several years, the Feliciana Retreat Center is operating on the fringe between being in the red and barely profitable. This is still the situation. Certainly if they had groups like ours on a regular basis there would be no problem. However they do not have groups like ours all the time. They are trying to think out of the box to uncover additional ways to make the place profitable.
Obviously greater attendance at all events and additional participation in the meal plan at all events would go a long way toward helping the Feliciana Retreat Center. Additional use by amateur astronomers at other times would also help. (A group could pool together and rent one cottage for a weekend during "new moon" weekends; that would help too.) Other ideas should be passed along. The continuing viability of the Deep South Star Gaze is dependent upon the continuing viability of the Feliciana Retreat Center.
(on behalf of) Barry Simon
Some additional information about cooking and/or meal alternatives for anyone attending the DSSG who did not opt to participate in the meal plan offered by the Feliciana Retreat Center.
1) Why do we not allow cooking on the field (the observing field and anywhere where canopies, tents and vehicles may be parked within the area bounded by trees on the north and east and the gravel roads to the south and west) ?
a) Flame can be seen and certainly if attempted at night would violate our light rules. Even off the observing field, if flames can be seen from the field, cooking is not allowed. Campfires are not allowed anywhere on Feliciana Retreat Center property during the DSSG.
b) In addition to the light issue, smoke can hinder seeing and particulates generated can be deposited on optics. (Note - the two reasons cited here are the very reasons why cooking and campfires and open flames are prohibited at virtually all star parties. Whenever this question is brought up every few years or so I typically go to the websites of various star parties such as the Texas Star Party, Okie-Tex, Peach State and others to basically get reassurance that our rules are not too harsh.)
2) Having said all this - hot plates are fine, electric coffee pots are fine.
3) The Feliciana Retreat Center has a microwave oven that our attendees can use. They also have a coffee pot. They also have a "tip cup" and it is suggested that anyone that avails themself of some of these conveniences that they offer should help support the Feliciana Retreat Center.
4) Attendees can travel down to Clinton, approximately a 12 mile ride to purchase food or eat at one of several different fast food restaurants.
5) As has been known for the past several years, the Feliciana Retreat Center is operating on the fringe between being in the red and barely profitable. This is still the situation. Certainly if they had groups like ours on a regular basis there would be no problem. However they do not have groups like ours all the time. They are trying to think out of the box to uncover additional ways to make the place profitable.
Obviously greater attendance at all events and additional participation in the meal plan at all events would go a long way toward helping the Feliciana Retreat Center. Additional use by amateur astronomers at other times would also help. (A group could pool together and rent one cottage for a weekend during "new moon" weekends; that would help too.) Other ideas should be passed along. The continuing viability of the Deep South Star Gaze is dependent upon the continuing viability of the Feliciana Retreat Center.
(on behalf of) Barry Simon