MCOF November events

Morgan County Observatory will be having two public star parties this month, the first will be this Friday evening, November 2 beginning at 7:30 p.m. and the second on Friday, November 9 beginning at 8 p.m. There will be stargazing, refreshments, movies and hands on astronomy exhibits to entertain folks of all ages. Admission is free to all and donations are encouraged.

The Observatory Foundation booth at the Apple Butter Festival last month was a success. Volunteer face painters were Yvette Boles, Rachel Wurster, Kalee McClure, Maggie Schultz, Jessie Braun, Kylie Hauser, Loretta Brown and others.

Native American speaker Chief Golden Eagle/Standing Elk will be appearing at the observatory from 6-8 p.m. on Friday evening, November 9 before the public star party. He has coauthored several manuscripts, one inducted into the Smithsonian Institution, is an accomplished musician, one of seven Lakota sundance chiefs and will be lecturing on his spiritual teachings about star knowledge. RSVP for this event.

Recent donors are Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, Loudon Wildlife Conservancy, Nick Baccala, Michael Burtner, Margaret Hoffman and Bert Muti. Volunteers helped spruce up the observatory and grounds on cleanup day last month.

To get to the Observatory from Berkeley Springs, follow Rt. 522 South two miles and take a left on Winchester grade Road (Rt 13), then travel nine miles just past greenwood School on the left. For information 304-258-1013.