WGP wins again in duck race
Information Provided By Sally Douglass of The Friends of the WGP
Published Nov. 29, 2024 at 8 a.m.
     YANKEETOWN – A multitude of small, yellow rubber ducks, each marked with a competitive number for racing purposes, floated on the Withlacoochee River -- out in that river, a proper rubber duck-racing distance from the shoreline of the Town of Yankeetown on Sunday (Nov. 24). Once again, this annual event was a site to behold and in which to participate.

MORE BELOW THIS AD
 

Click On Ad To Send Email

     This year’s annual Friends of the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve Duck Race resulted in the winning duck, sponsored by Kilian Wicks of Yankeetown, to cross the finish line in first place.
     Wicks, who bought for some number of dollars the consideration to gamble upon this particular winning duck as well as potentially other ducks in the race, was among the 1,000-plus duck-race chance buying donors who gambled on winning.
     The kindhearted Yankeetown resident gentleman gambler then donated his $200 winnings back to support the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve (WGP).
     Another winner who helped the WGP via this fundraiser which is conducted annually by the Friends of the WGP took home $50 by sponsoring the last small, yellow rubber duck as that particular unmanned, tiny river-borne vessel crossed the finish line as the last duck.
     The winning loser duck was sponsored by Sherri Paul, who is also a Yankeetown resident.
      With more than 1,000 ducks hitting the water adjacent to the Blackwater’s Bar and Grill on Nov. 24, the event was noted by the Friends of the WGP as being a tremendous success.
     “Thanks to all our loyal sponsors,” the Friends noted in an announcement. “This is our largest fundraiser, and all funds go to support the programs and grounds at the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve.
     “A big Thank You to the Wranglers,” the Friends further noted. “These members of the Florida Paddling Trails Association retrieved all the ducks and returned them to their nest ready for next year.”
     The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve is a 413-acre parcel of undeveloped wetlands located at 1001 Old Rock Road, in Yankeetown. 
     The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve is owned and operated by the Town of Yankeetown and was purchased with funding from the Florida Communities Trust. It consists of mixed hardwood, pine, and cabbage palm forest, tidal marshes and several salt ponds.
     The Friends of the WGP are a group of volunteers who help the town preserve this natural resource for visitors to enjoy by using the area for nature photography, hiking, paddling or bird watching.
     In the late 1990s, the leaders of the Town of Yankeetown saw an opportunity to protect and preserve this parcel of land, according to the history published on the WPG website.
     As noted, the property was purchased with a grant from the Florida Community Trust. Development of the WGP land and infrastructure has been accomplished with grants from the Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program, the Felburn Foundation, Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the Friends of the WGP.
     The WGP had its grand opening in February of 2009.

Reason for the Season set for five shows
Dec. 20, 21 and 22 in Chiefland
Information and Photo Provided
Published Nov. 12, 2024 at 8 p.m.
     CHIEFLAND -- Bailee McQueen is thrilled to announce the opening of Reason for the Season, a family-friendly Christmas concert at The Chief Theatre, located in the heart of Chiefland. 
     This concert features holiday favorites requested by members of the Tri-County community. Reason for the Season is a Christmas concert that tells the story of two everyday people finding joy in Jesus.
     Everyone is invited to watch the two main characters as they search for the true meaning for the season.
     The first half of this 90-minute program centers around secular musical favorites such as, “Santa Baby,” “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
     The second half of the program is entirely dedicated to Christmas music about Christ, including “We Three Kings,” “Mary, Did You Know?,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” and more.
     Everyone is invited to celebrate The King of Kings, and make Reason for the Season the highlight of their Christmas celebration.
     The show is Friday, Dec. 20 starting at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m.
     The Chief Theatre is at 25 E. Park Ave.
     Tickets are $17 for general admission and $15 for seniors and veterans. Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://chief-theatre.org/ or by visiting The Chief Theatre’s Box Office located at 25 E. Park Ave., in Chiefland.
     Call for hours 352-493-ARTS (2787).

Meet the performers
     Bailee McQueen is a multi-award winning singer, actor and screenwriter who has performed with the likes of American Idol Winner Candice Glover and Andrea Bocelli. 
     She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Performing Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from the University of Tampa. She has performed in a variety of musicals around the country, including All Shook Up, Great Comet, and Everything’s Coming Up Carol. Learn more about Bailee at https://baileemcqueen.com/.
     Jose De la Cruz is 18 years old. He just recently started at Santa Fe College to pursue a degree in Musical Theatre. He’s been involved in many shows including Grease as Doody/Teen Angel, Alice by Heart as Alfred/White Rabbit, High School Musical as Troy, Descendants as Prince Ben, and most recently The Sound of Music as Rolf Gruber. He loves every moment of being on the stage.
 

Inky the cat Hardison picks two winners
of two tickets each to A Christmas Carol

Jeff M. Hardison holds Inky the cat Hardison as well as two slips of paper with two names of winners on them, and two envelopes with two sets of tickets each for shows of A Christmas Carol, a play to be performed at The Chief Theatre. The tickets were awarded to the winners on Friday (Nov. 22).
Photo By Sharon Hardison

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 22, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
(except one photo, which is also copyrighted) 
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     LEVY COUNTY – Inky the cat Hardison chose two winners of two tickets each to see performances of A Christmas Carol, a play to be performed at The Chief Theatre.
     The winners were Tammy Turner and Karen Moore. Moore accepted her prize in front of The Chief Theatre and Turner accepted her prize in front of the Bronson Ace Hardware.


Karen Moore holds the envelope with two tickets to see the play A Christmas Carol as she stands in front of The Chief Theatre on Friday afternoon (Nov.22).


Tammy Turner holds the envelope with two tickets to see the play A Christmas Carol as she stands in front of the Ace Hardware store in Bronson on Friday afternoon.

     They won the tickets by submitting their name with the correct date and place where they found a candy cane placed in various advertisements on the seven pages of HardisonInk.com.
     While avid readers of HardisonInk.com know there have been countless videos of cats selecting winners during the past 14 years, including the late Goldy the cat Hardison and the late Needle the Community Cat of Jemlands, it would have taken too long to upload the two sessions of Inky picking winners this time around.
     “I am looking forward to Dec. 30,” Jeff Hardison said. “That is when Fiber By Central Florida is scheduled to install fiberoptic Internet cable. Then, it won’t take me eight hours to upload two minutes of video for people to see and hear.”
For people who want to watch a video of both the now-late Goldy the cat Hardison and Inky the cat Hardison picking a winner in a contest, on June 15, 2021, click HERE.

Winning Answers
Below are the winning answers in this most recent contest.

These Are The Ads With The Candy Canes
and the Dates and Pages

Florida Forest Service set
to begin prescribed burning
Information Provided By Ludie Bond, Ph.D.
Wildfire Mitigation Specialist/Public Information Officer
Waccasassa Forestry Center, Florida Forest Service
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Published Nov. 22, 2024 at 7 p.m.
     GAINESVILLE – The Florida Forest Service’s Waccasassa Forestry Center will begin dormant season prescribed burning in the coming weeks on state lands within the district.
     Approximately 20,000 acres are scheduled to be burned on seven state forests which include Carl Duval Moore, Etoniah Creek, Goethe, Indian Lake, Newnan’s Lake, Ross Prairie, and Welaka state forests. This figure does not include privately managed land or land managed by other public agencies.
     Dormant season prescribed burns are conducted during the winter months when temperatures are cooler, and trees are in their dormant stage to minimize stress on the timber while reducing heavy fuel loads. Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health, and reduce wildfire risk. Other uses of prescribed fire include disease control in young pines, wildlife habitat improvement, range management, preservation of endangered plant and animal species, and the maintenance of fire-dependent ecosystems. Pre-planned prescribed burns are carefully analyzed and conducted under specific weather conditions.  Specific calendar dates for burn activities are fluid.  Only when conditions are right can prescribed burns achieve desired results.
      “Fire renews forests. Overgrowth fuels wildfires and threatens native plant species as well as the habitats that our wildlife depend on,” stated Stephen Montgomery, Waccasassa Forestry Center Manager. “After a prescribed fire, plants resprout and wildlife thrives. Fire has kept our forests diverse and wildlife habitats healthy for thousands of years.”
     The Florida Forest Service treated 277,818 acres of Florida state forests with prescribed fire and the Waccasassa Forestry Center burned 11,173 acres on state lands in Alachua, Levy, Marion, and Putnam counties during the most recent fiscal year.

Chiefland City Hall
is among places
with Christmas decorations

A toy soldier decoration, where this toy member of the military service is in the marching band as a drummer, is among the ornate décor added to Chiefland, one of the two largest municipalities of the eight incorporated cities and towns in beautiful Levy County.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 22, 2024 at 7:30 a.m. 
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CHIEFLAND – A visit to Chiefland City Hall (also known as the Hardy R. Dean, Sr. Municipal Building), 214 E. Park Ave. (also known as East Martin Luther King Jr. Road), on Thursday (Nov. 21) revealed it is decked out for Christmas now.
     The same is true for the park adjacent to the historic Chiefland Train Depot, 23 S.E. Second Ave.
     It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Thanksgiving is Nov. 28 this year (2024).


Relatively large red, blue and green Christmas ball ornaments are between two toy soldier decorations in front of Chiefland City Hall. Other decorations add to the festival appearance of the structure that was a bank decades ago.
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 22, 2024 at 7:30 a.m. 
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
 

Supporter Sports Scarf

Sally Ann Collins, one of the many people in Levy County who voted in the recent General Election, is flanked by Levy County Property Appraiser Jason Whistler (left) and Levy County Assistant Property Appraiser Randy Rutter before the start of a recent government meeting. She mentioned that she knew better than to wear this particular scarf to the polling place when she voted on Nov. 5, but she knew it would be OK to sport the spiffy scarf with its certain political theme at the Nov. 19 meeting of the Levy County Board of County Commissioners. (By the way, 'sport' can be used as a verb to mean to wear or be decorated with something in a way that attracts attention.)
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 20, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere

Tri-County Area quail struts

Sam, one of the bobwhite type of quail seen crossing a road recently, is shared with the world via digital photography and other aspects of modern technology.

Column and Photo
By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 17, 2024 at 8 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TRI-COUNTY AREA – A single-file line of quail strutted across a lime rock road in the Tri-County Area recently.
     It was more of a march, not quite double-time and not quite the regular “to your left, to your left, to your left right left” of the parade march.
     Meanwhile, in the same general area of the globe and within the same week of time, a feline that might be named “Baby Cat” flushed a covey of quail from beneath a set of wild azalea bushes after a human softly told the birds they had found a safe place before he, like the soon-to-be fluttering fowl had not noticed the little black cat.
     People in the Tri-County Area of Levy County, Dixie County and Gilchrist County hear the sound of shotgun, rifle and pistol blasts in residential areas that are in the more rural settings of the counties. Sometimes, there are rapid fire semiautomatic discharges of various firearms. Sometimes, there is a single shot. Sometimes, there are a series of shots over several hours, even after dark and even before first light.
     Quail, deer, hogs, turkey, dove and every other animal can be taken by shooters even though some of these people are not hunting within the bounds set by Florida laws regarding wildlife or required distances from residential structures. Also, on the rivers, lakes and in salty water, other poachers work silently to reduce the natural resources more quickly than is sustainable.
     Unlawful taking of fish, shellfish and other aquatic life happens in Florida on occasion.
     With a zillion people moving into the hurricane state (formerly known as the Sunshine State) every minute of every hour, the odds of seeing or taking pictures of wildlife reduces.
     Hence, this one quail captured digitally is shared without saying its exact date, time and location of being part of a covey, flock or bevy of this breed of bird. This quail is named Sam.
     Giving him a name in this story may not protect Sam from birdshot taking him from the forests and fields (and on occasion lime rock and other roads, or dirt paths) to the forks and knives and plates. This particular guy rates a male name because to determine the gender of bobwhites, according to bird reference books, males have a black line under the eye and a white face, while females have a yellow face (no black line).
     Too many of the male gender of bobwhite version of quail must be named Robert, Robby, Robbie, Bob or Bobby and the like. This guy gets tagged with Sam because his cousins from the general realm of birds includes the American Bald Eagle, which is a very protected type of bird – at least as far as the law goes.
     Poachers take whatever they want because they fail to understand concepts like good sportsmanship, honor, integrity, all people being equal under the laws, as well as the idea of conserving natural resources for future generations to see, or to properly hunt and eat if they are so inclined.
     In any event, Sam happened to cross the path of a writer who takes pictures and videos and publishes them to be next to advertisements. Those ads are bought by sponsors who understand a free press serves a free society. And those buyers help this for-profit free-enterprise venture of advertising in the strongest medium for the least dollars per impact (HardisonInk.com) is a great business practice. You go, Sam!

Lovable dogs available for free
through adoptions in Levy County

Tammy Goss, a Levy County Animal Services employee, visits on Saturday morning (Nov. 9) with Royce, a mixed breed dog available for adoption

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 10, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     LEVY COUNTY – Heartbreaking. Heartwarming.
     A visit to the animal shelter near the Levy County Solid Waste Transfer site between Bronson and Williston on Saturday morning (Nov. 9) was both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

     All three of the cats in The Cat Room are spoken for – adopted.
     The 50 dog kennels are almost completely full. The relatively objectionable smell is something to consider before visiting.
     Every dog barked “Take me home to be part of your family” when they noticed a visiting journalist.
     Levy County Animal Services is offering adoptions of cats and dogs from the shelter -- for free until Dec. 31. This free adoption service includes spay/neuter, rabies vaccination (if age appropriate) and microchipping.
     The shelter has Saturday hours – for cat and dog adoptions only. Saturday hours (for adoptions only) are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
     The LCAS, located at 12055 N.E. 69th Lane, Bronson, is open for adoptions and other animal services on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
     Staff members ask that people visiting to adopt a pet arrive by 3:30 p.m. on weekdays to ensure enough time to complete the required paperwork. All adoptions are done on a first-come basis.


The two play areas for people considering adopting dogs are shown here.

     On Saturday, LCAS Staff Member Tammy Goss mentioned there are two play areas for people to take dogs they are considering adopting to be with them away from the kennels of other dogs.


The newest set of dog kennels are on the other side of the wall shown here.


This is the sign erected and first put on public display in June of 2020, as it was seen on Saturday (Nov. 9).


This is the sign erected and first put on public display in June of 2020, when it was first photographed by Jeff M. Hardison and published on June, 17, 2020.

     The Levy County Board of County Commissioners is in the midst of considering significant improvements to the Levy County Animal Servies Department and facilities.
     One woman during a Nov. 5 regular Levy County Commission meeting said that animals are not humans. Another woman said she thinks that decades ago in Levy County dogs would be shot and dumped into the landfill, where today a more humane form of euthanasia is performed.
     Levy County, like other Florida coastal counties hit by hurricanes have lost some of the tax base from property owners who saw their businesses and residences destroyed. Dixie County is faced with a request from Sheriff Darby Butler to increase his budget for animal services, and county leaders there have said there is no money in the budget to accommodate that now; however, Dixie County is conducting a workshop to see about methods to overcome this obstacle.
     In the meantime, in Levy County, people who are considering adding a dog or cat to their families, can find those pets at Levy County Animal Services for free until the end of this calendar year.
     Potential pet owners are reminded to consider the responsibilities of pet ownership before taking a cat or dog home.
     As for potential pets from LCAS, it is as staff member Goss said on Saturday “We’ve got some dogs here that will love you to death. Save a life – adopt.”
     And there are loveable cats that show up for adoption at the LCAS as well. The cat and dog population there is in constant flux.
     To see (and hear) the June 17, 2020, HardisonInk.com story, photos and videos – “New dog kennel is a testament to love,” click HERE.

Manatees are on the move
Go slow and look out below


Story and Photos Provided
By Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Published Nov. 5, 2024 at 5 p.m.
     TALLAHASSEE -- November is Manatee Awareness Month, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder for boaters to be on the lookout for manatees as they start their seasonal travels to warmer water sites around the state.
      “As fall temperatures drop, manatees start making their way to Florida springs, power plant discharge areas and other warm-water sites to overwinter until temperatures rise again in the spring,” FWC Manatee Management Program Coordinator Michelle Pasawicz said. “Manatees need access to water warmer than 68 degrees Fahrenheit to survive.”
     Manatees can be challenging to see in the water despite their size. Boaters and watercraft operators can better spot manatees by wearing polarized glasses, going slow and abiding by all manatee protection zones.
     During colder months, seasonal manatee zones require boaters and personal watercraft users to reduce speed in or avoid certain areas to prevent collisions that can injure or kill manatees. 
     Boat strikes are a major threat to Florida manatees and FWC law enforcement officers patrol state waters, informing boaters of seasonal manatee speed zones and taking appropriate enforcement actions when necessary. Boaters and personal watercraft users are reminded to comply with the regulatory signs on waterways.
     When viewing manatees as they congregate at warm-water sites, it is important to give them space. Disturbing manatees at these sites can cause them to swim out of protected areas and into potentially life-threatening cold water. Manatees are a protected species of mammals, and it is illegal to harass, feed, disturb or harm them.
     If you see an injured, distressed, sick or dead manatee, report it to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) so that trained responders can assist. Do not try to physically handle an injured or sick manatee yourself, which can cause more harm to the animal and potentially put you at risk of significant injury.
 

Astronomy Village attracts
visitors to Astrofest 2024
Unique experience
warms the hearts of stargazers

This sign shows how a small subdivision in rural Levy County, in the general area of Chiefland, is designated for people who are astronomy-oriented. It is singularly unique as a place to be for stargazing in many aspects.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 1, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Except One Photo By Astronomer Barbara Stanton
And
One Photo By Astronomer Larry Arbeiter
All Copyrights Reserved - Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy And Paste To Social Media or Elsewhere
     LEVY COUNTY – Scores of astronomical hobbyists were drawn to a private five-acre field in Levy County from Friday Oct. 26 through Thursday Oct. 31 as Astrofest 2024 came to life.

This photo of Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas, a comet that has flown by the Sun and passed relatively near to Earth recently (again), was created by astronomer Barbara Stanton using a ZWO See Star S50 smart telescope that collects available light over time to create a photograph of something viewed in space from Earth. The machine accounts for the rotation of the Earth so that dots of light do not become streaks, as occurs if a person is taking a picture and they move rather than remaining steady during the time when the aperture is open.
Photo By Astronomer Barbara Stanton


Photographed by the lone journalist-astronomer from Levy County to attend seven days and nights of events in Chiefland Astronomy Village shadows are seen. Here, the photographer sat in a chair and noticed this view looking to the east before dark skies came into existence there. It shows the long shadows formed from light of the nearest star to him at that point in time - the Sun.

Friday Night
     While some people watched the Lost Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees 6-3 in the first game of the 2024 World Series on a recent Friday night (Oct. 26), astronomers from relatively near and far flocked to the open observation area of Billy Dodd Memorial Field in the Chiefland Astronomy Village.
     This week, by the way, the Dodgers won the 2024 World Series by a four-game to one-game set of baseball games in Los Angeles, California, and New York City, which included phenomenal baseball action.
     The field of play for astronomers in Levy County this past week, or the field for observing space from Earth, is named for the man who planted the seeds that grew into Chiefland Astronomy Village.
     Billy Dodd passed away on March 9, 2007. He had bought and developed property in Levy County to help people have a place to observe space from Earth without background city lights like in urban St. Petersburg, from whence he had moved.
     The late Mr. Dodd was all about dark skies being enjoyed for astronomical purposes. The folks who appreciate Earth-based astronomy would prefer to keep some places dark.
      They want to be on the planet looking skyward while still being able to see galaxies, stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae, natural and manmade satellites, space stations and other objects that are relatively far from Earth.
     On the night of Oct. 26, 2024, and for the next week more or less, there were first-time visitors to a star party and there were veteran amateur astronomers at the event as well. The actual official party ended Oct. 31 at noon, however even late into that very Thursday night (and beyond) some post-party visitation occurred.
     From Oct. 25 through the afternoon of Oct. 31, every human in the field, which is one small part of Chiefland Astronomy Village, took one giant step for civilization as they enjoyed Astrofest 2024. Every astronomer there, and they all were astronomers to differing degrees, was a star in and of herself or himself as the whole of the group created the community enjoying Astrofest 2024.
     This unique experience is far better than some star parties, where people put up telescopes but are not as inclined to enjoy the camaraderie of other astronomers. At Astrofest 2024, the tradition of letting “neighbors” look through ‘scopes that were bigger or different from each others’ carried forward.
     By the way, with this being a relatively strong political year in the United States of America, visiting astronomers put aside and political party affiliations and everyone belonged to the same star party.
     There were stories, too, about travels and experiences of the people in the “village” before they happened to be there on those days and nights. There must have been more than eight million stories in the village, given the life experiences of so many humans there.

The main area of the village used by visitors during Astrofest 2024 was packed with RVs, camper trailers and tents galore.


A jet flying over the area near sunset on Friday night leaves a contrail in the sky. People who believe in the myth and fables regarding 'chemtrails' did not appear to be in this particular area during this time.

     Friday night (and during the wee hours Saturday morning) people with the certain equipment saw and photographed a comet, the planets Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, a plethora of stars, various nebulae and galaxies. Visibly seeing some things in space from Earth is not possible due to limits of humans to perceive and the physics of light; nevertheless, taking visible digital pictures adds a new dimension for the art of sharing natural beauty found in space by earthbound astronomers.
Saturday In The Park (Observation Field)
(I think it was the 26th of October)
Swap Meet
     There was a swap meet on Saturday (Oct. 26) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Astronomers continued their fun socialization with at least one local resident sharing his opinion with some other observation field visitors a bit about restaurants in the area and discussing many other topics.
     There may have been some wheeling and dealing, bartering, trading and purchasing going on in the observation field (and beyond), but those are more individualized activities rather than something that is “news” or a human interest story per se (although it could be a business story).


Luis Gonzalez, 54, of Orlando is seen on Saturday afternoon with his ZWO EAF auto-focus telescope with a 135-millimeter Rokinon lens. This was his second visit to the observation field in the unincorporated part of Levy County known as Chiefland Astronomy Village. He photographed the Andromeda Galaxy, the Orion Nebula and other objects in space on Friday night and other nights during Starfest 2024. (The relatively rare 2013 Nissan Juke may be in this photo as well.)


Gordon Schafer, 70, of Grant (Brevard County) shows his 18-inch Obsession telescope on Saturday. People brought a significant amount of equipment into the village for this event.


Cliff Gosney, 60, of Ormond Beach (Volusia County) stands next to his astronomical gear on Saturday shortly before it became dark enough to see into space. He is a welder and created some of the equipment he brought to the festival, like an amazing chair to be used for viewing.

     Also on that Saturday during the day, some folks went to a car show in Chiefland while others attended lectures in one building in Chiefland Astronomy Village.
     The first lecture on Saturday was Professor Terry Oswalt of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, speaking about the SOFIA Mission.
     Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) was an 80 percent-20 percent joint project of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the German Aerospace Center to construct and maintain an airborne observatory.
      SOFIA's telescope provide a view of first light on May 26, 2010. During 10-hour, overnight flights, it observed celestial magnetic fields, star-forming regions, comets, nebulae and the Galactic Center.
     Those flights concluded, after the landing of last flight in the early morning of Sept. 29, 2022. 
     The second speaker on Saturday was Jeffrey Martin. His presentation was titled “Star Party Wow Moments.”
     In regard to “Wow Moments,” this year offered them as well. The observations of space-based objects, the late afternoon or early evening picnic, the raffle, the joking and socialization all fit together in that place over that time to exist under the whole metaphorical umbrella of Astrofest 2024.
Saturday Night
     SpaceX launched another 22 satellites for its Starlink Internet service. Liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Base (in Brevard County – 150 miles from Levy County) went as planned at 5:47 p.m. EDT on Saturday night (Oct. 26).
     Clouds to the east from Chiefland Astronomy Village made viewing of the rocket flying away from Earth impossible. This often has proved to be the case in a daytime launch viewed from Levy County, which is (as noted) 150 miles away from the launch pad.
     One space-oriented journalist often visits a field adjoining The Ink Pad, which is seven miles northwest from the Chiefland Astronomy Village. And of course, the other coverage from Kennedy Space Center on occasions remains in the archives of HardisonInk.com, although some has gone into the ether of being stored on hard drives not actively published.
     Meanwhile on Saturday night, a number of bull-riding enthusiasts enjoyed a fundraiser just a few miles away from the observation field full of astronomers – at Carter’s Arena, which is just southeast of the State Road 345 and Levy County Road 347 intersection.
     Also, on Saturday night there were Trunk or Treat events in Chiefland, Bronson, near Old Town (Dixie County) and elsewhere in the Tri-County Area.
     Astronomers in Chiefland Astronomy Village saw and photographed objects in space as they looked skyward from Earth.

Birds on a wire near the observation field observe people about to look skyward. One of these birds provided a fly-by for a visiting journalist.


Shortly after sundown on Saturday, some clouds are noticed. Overall, during Astrofest 2024, the sky was clear at night. Daytime and nighttime temperatures ranged between 60 and 87 degrees Fahrenheit and there was some heavy dew and fog in the area on some mornings.


A gopher tortoise poses for a photographer as it is seen on a lime rock road near to Chiefland Astronomy Village on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 27).


In this photo by Astronomer Larry Arbeiter, some older astronomical equipment is in the foreground. Astronomers who brought their own lawn chairs during the raffle on Sunday are seen here. Astronomer and Event Organizer Richard Henning, a renowned member of the Alachua Astronomy Club, is seen near the front of the building. Henning served as emcee during the raffle. During one dark sky night, Henning took an amazing photograph which was put on glass. This particular shot and work of art, created at Fracture of Gainesville, was raffled. Astronomer Arbeiter, who was mentioned as being part of that photo capture during the presentation, won the artwork in the raffle. Arbeiter, too, is among the astronomers helping the event succeed again this year.
Photo By Astronomer Larry Arbeiter

Sunday Afternoon
     There were plenty of prizes available for monetary consideration in a raffle Sunday afternoon (Oct. 27). Like any raffle, there was chance, prize and consideration.
     A $4,899 UniStellar eVscope 2 “the pinnacle of smart telescopes,” was a raffle item sought by many astronomers at the event. One man won it.
     Among the other 30 or so items were a ZWO See Star S50 smart telescope with a $499 price tag. It was sought by many and won by one.
     In regard to the ZWO See Star S50, there are telescopes that people look through and see objects in space with their eyes at the moment.
     Telescopes like the ZWO See Star, however, let people point the telescope to an area in the night sky, wait a few minutes and then see that the machine has captured photons of light over a period of time. This smart telescope works with the movement of the Earth and the objects showing light to create an accurate digital photograph.
     When the shutter of a camera is open for an “over-exposed” picture effect, movement can make a dot of light appear to be a line of light. A time-lapse photo of traffic on a street at night, for instance, shows the headlights as streaks.
     The ZWO See Star S50 accounts for the rotation of the Earth exactly, so that prolonged acceptance of photons in the digital format show up as they are – rather than as streaks of light.
     During the raffle, there were other items, including, lens filters, lenses, very spiffy posters, software, baseball style caps and mugs, and more.
     Among the companies donating to Astrofest 2024 were UniStellar, ZWO, Dwarf Lab, Optolong, Sky-Watcher, Celestron (with a particular binocular), Tele Vue, SvBony, Stellarvue, Explore Scientific, Orange County (Calif.) Telescope, PegasusAstro, Move-Shoot-Move (MSM), Sky & Telescope, Agena Astro, The Planetary Society, Bob’s Knobs and Gainesville-based Fracture (a company that changes photographic prints into amazing glass art as well as providing other services). Fracture provides an affordable, beautiful and sustainable product where print photos are on simple pieces of glass and those can be easily hung in homes or offices, etc. Fracture is carbon neutral.
     During the raffle, a boy of about 10 years old shook a container with all of the tickets entered for each prize. He closed his eyes each time, drew the winning number and announced it. There was point where a person misread their ticket number and tried to claim a prize, but that situation was an abnormal outlier from the relatively smooth process, and it was quickly resolved. There was that one blue ticket leftover in a box from last year’s raffle, however, and this year’s tickets were red.
     Astronomer Richard Henning, the raffle emcee and one of the key organizers for the whole Astrofest 2024 event, helped everyone see the boxes from whence tickets were drawn by him to be put in the container shaken by the boy – from that one point going forward – were all completely emptied of tickets put in the boxes.
     The people who put on this extremely enjoyable weeklong event annually in Levy County continuously improve their methods after seeing input from participants. As noted by the one of the organizers, Lisa Eager, Chiefland Astro hosted the event, and Astrofest 2024 was supported by the Chiefland Astronomy Village residents.
     Most of the keynote speakers, participating astronomers and members of the voluntary committee of astronomers who put on Astrofest 2024 were not notified a journalist-astronomer was in their midst.
     The journalist chose against potentially taking away from any enjoyment by other astronomers at the event by being noticed as an observer. Observing anything -- theoretically -- may have an impact on things – perhaps even at a level where parts of an atom are being observed. (More research on this is needed.)
     As noted, a bevy of companies provided products for the astronomers to buy raffle tickets as the skywatchers hoped to win. Some astronomers bought several tickets, increasing their odds of winning – and some raffle participants won more than one item. The meeting area was so jampacked with people Sunday that some participants had to bring their own lawn chairs to have a place to sit.
     After the raffle on Sunday, a wonderful picnic was provided for the astronomers who paid for the days and days, and nights and nights. of Astrofest 2024 activities.
     People from Idaho, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, other states, and several parts of Florida came to Levy County to participate in this astronomy-oriented event this year.
     Once again, as tradition has held, Astrofest was a festivity that had a festive and yet calm atmosphere.
More Amazing Lecture Presentations 

James Albury, director of the Kika-Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, speaks to an astronomer before Albury’s presentation on Monday afternoon.

     On Monday (Oct. 28) Dr. Stephen Elardo, a petrologist, geochemist, and planetary scientist who uses a variety of experimental and analytical techniques and sample types to answer large-scale questions about the origin and evolution of the terrestrial planets, spoke about some of the geology of the Moon, which has been revealed by research.
     Some of the information he shared is extraordinarily new and on the forefront of current research. 
     That lunar research from decades and years gone by includes astronauts from the United States walking on the Moon, riding in a lunar rover on the Moon and returning to Earth with rocks and other material from the Moon.
    He showed video representations of lunar landings, walking on the Moon, and riding in a lunar rover. His slide show of photographs showed scenes from the side of the Moon facing away from Earth, which are new views of that big natural satellite.
     Dr. Elardo brought a piece of a meteorite that was taken from the Moon’s surface years ago to the lecture presentation Monday. A meteor becomes a meteorite after it hits an object in space, like the Earth or the Moon. It is the remnant of that rock that flew through space. As they enter Earth’s atmosphere most of meteors burn up – brightly (falling start).
     The Artemis missions by NASA intend to put people on the Moon.
     Meteors by the way, are not asteroids. Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun. Although asteroids orbit the Sun like planets, they are much smaller than planets, as noted by NASA.
     The professor has at least one Moon rock at the University of Florida where he teaches.
     This professor spoke about the various forms of lava flows coming from inside the Moon and reaching its surface, as well as the potential negative ionic charge of Moon dust, and much more. 
     Also on Monday afternoon, James Albury, director of the Kika-Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, spoke to the many amateur and professional astronomers at the event.
     Albury’s presentation on Monday afternoon addressed methods to help bring more members of the general public into having an interest in astronomy. He spoke about the planetarium at Santa Fe College, where he explained how that structure was named, when it was built, when it came into actual use, the potential need for new seats there, the many shows that are open for people to attend for a relatively low fee, and much more.
     Like all of the presenters, Albury answered questions, including one to show he is 57 years old. Albury worked at the University of Florida for 11 years before his most recent 15-year tour of duty at Santa Fe College as the director of the planetarium.
     He worked there including when it was named Santa Fe Community College. Albury explained how the state government of Florida requires retirement of state workers after they reach a certain age or after they have served a certain number of years as a state government employee.
     With the Florida Retirement System DROP program, Albury hopes to work at the planetarium another four to 10 years, he said.
    Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 29), there were presentations by Dr. Howard Eskildsen, “Observing and Photographing the Sun” and by Dr. Jerry Cheney, “Building a Home Observatory.”
     Dr. Eskildsen and Dr. Cheney were among the guest speakers who helped put Astrofest 2024 in a remarkable place for local astronomy history for Levy County by their visiting and sharing valuable insight with people who were fortunate enough to attend those lectures.
     Wednesday (Oct. 30), there was another swap meeting.
     By noon on Thursday (Oct. 31), most participants in Astrofest 2024 had left the village.
Earthbound visible astronomy may be aging out
     People on Earth who use equipment -- from high-powered binoculars to observatories with telescopes that have lenses of a relatively large diameter -- all are affected by neighbors who use lights after the Sun sets.
     Beyond “light pollution,” too, there are other interfering objects, such as clouds, the smoke of people burning campfires or burning hurricane-generated yard debris. And there are the particles of lime rock flying as dust in the wind from vehicles using those types of roads.
     Humans are populating areas in Florida, which formerly were used for agricultural pursuits such as growing crops and raising livestock. Increased business and residential structures and roads to reach them, and vehicles to transport people on those roads have created interference to astronomers physically seeing light reaching Earth from sources in space.
     Astronomers looking through lenses to perceive the visible spectrum of light they seek to see become frustrated on occasion.
      Meanwhile, scientists who understand light, exposure of light over time as well as the rotation of the Earth have created telescopes to take pictures of objects in space – even though humans cannot see them at the moment by looking through an eyepiece.
     These telescopes “watch” the sky as the astronomer guides them to “look” and the telescopes “collect” photons.
     As noted by some scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in an article titled “Anatomy of an Electromagnetic Wave,” “Light is made of discrete packets of energy called photons. Photons carry momentum, have no mass, and travel at the speed of light. All light has both particle-like and wave-like properties.”
     Many people know the whole of electromagnetic waves includes far more than the visible white light comprised of (the generic description of certain colors) red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet wave lengths of light. 
Local Issues Among Astronomers
      In a relatively crowded meeting room with somewhat inadequate air-conditioning late on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 27), astronomers at Astrofest 2024 heard announcements after the raffle to remind them of being thoughtful to one another while they are within relatively close proximity to other astronomers.
     Light in the red part of the visible spectrum is used by astronomers in Chiefland Astronomy Village rather than white lights at night. Stargazers were reminded, though, not to shine those red lights at levels where they would hit other viewers’ eyes. Smoking tobacco or other substances on the observation field is prohibited. Also, for the folks who drove vehicles on the field in the daytime -- because after 6 p.m. that driving was prohibited – those drivers were reminded to not move those vehicles quickly through the observation field because that activity raises dust and grass particles.
     Meanwhile, the speed limit on the one paved road leading into the village is posted at 15 miles per hour.
     Almost every single one of the scores and scores of visiting astronomers was well-mannered and they all followed rules beyond the mandatory governance of law written in federal, state and county statutes, ordinances and codes. Astronomy hobbyists understand the concept of the rule of law better than some other folks.
     There is a tale from Astrofest 2024, nevertheless, of one curmudgeon who almost was invited to leave the observation field with his RV due to a heated discussion Friday after dark. Parking is a premium during Astrofest and there are written rules in that regard.
     Combined with acting as civilized humans, the warmth shared by astronomers with one another as they are involved with this hobby really set the behavioral bar every night in Chiefland Astronomy Village.
     Astrofest 2024 provided a chance for astronomers to peek into space while being at the peak of all possible astronomy festivals on Earth, as best as can be determined with a relatively limited scope of all things considered in this regard. (More research on this is required.)
     And as has been noted since time immemorial – a good time was had by all. In regard to the whole of the space-time continuum, too, a good time was had by all at Astrofest 2024 in Levy County, Florida, United States of America, Earth.
     Publisher’s Note: On Thursday night (Oct. 31), an intrepid, illustrious and prolific journalist looked into space from a point on the northern edge of Chiefland Astronomy Village using a very impressive telescope, where the host astronomer welcomed at least four other gentlemen (with one well-behaved old dog who learned a new trick about wandering into an opening and then escaping with help from humans), too, to scope out the heavens using his equipment. This was icing on the cakes of the many gifts provided to the visiting writer during a week of metaphorically going into the ether.
     Some of the astronomer journalists’ friends know he has been inclined to go into the ether, even before hearing visiting guest lectures by the now late Timothy Francis Leary (Oct. 22, 1920 - May 31, 1996), when Dr. Leary spoke about extending the lifespan of humans and migrating into space, and the now late Hunter Stockton Thompson (July 18, 1937 - Feb. 20, 2005), a self-proclaimed Gonzo journalist. The journalist attended those and other lectures while at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
     As noted in a Jan. 5, 2022, article by Peter Richardson, published via University of California Press, “Gonzo journalism was an attitude, an experiment, and a withering critique of hypocrisy and mendacity. It began as an accident, peaked with several works of startling power and originality, and eventually consumed its creator. By that time, however, Gonzo was shorthand for Hunter S. Thompson’s work, signature style, and the most distinctive American voice in the second half of the 20th century.”