Last weekend’s 2013 OTAA Convention was a success, featuring clear skies (for a change) and excellent prizes!

Thanks to everyone who attended our annual convention Saturday at Letha House! In spite of all the clouds and rain we’ve had so far this summer, we were lucky Saturday with a nice afternoon and clear skies at night for our star party. The star party lasted until about 2:30 AM when a cloud bank with big flashes of lightning was seen moving in from the north.

Thanks to everyone who brought all the good food for our potluck dinner and cookout. We had a lot of good things to eat!

Special thanks to our VP Tim Campbell and to the owner of Five Star Brand Meats for the great hot dogs and brats. Once again, the Five Star company sold the meat to us through Tim at half-price. Members who enjoyed the hot dogs and brats can find Five Star meat products at Marc’s and at other grocery stores in the area.

Thanks also to our Secretary Steve Gallant, who solicited all the door prizes and thanks, of course, to our very generous donors for providing the following prizes given away during our August 3 event:

Bob’s Knobs (http://www.bobsknobs.com/)

2 • Red light key rings
1 • gift certificate for a set of thumb screws

Explore Scientific, LLC (http://www.explorescientific.com/ ) 

1 • 70 Degree Series 25mm Eyepiece

JMI Telescopes (http://www.jmitelescopes.com/) 

2 • $50 gift certificates (credit on orders of $100 or more)

Software Bisque (http://www.bisque.com) 

1 • $99.00 gift certificate

Orion Telescopes & Binoculars (http://www.telescope.com/)

1 • Moon map
1 • Orion Star Target Planisphere
1 • AstroGoggles
1 • Skyline Deluxe Green Laser
4 • Rubber Eyeguard, 1.25”
1 • SteadyPix Adapter for iPhone
1 • StarSeek Tel . Connection Cable
1 • 50mm Spotter
1 • SCT Access to Mak Adapter Ring
1 • Observer’s Eyepatch
1 • 2-inch Parfocal Ring
1 • Deluxe Binocular Strap

OPT Telescopes (http://www.optcorp.com/)

1 • OPT Plossl 40mm eyepiece
1 • stack of brochures about company

Sky & Telescope (http://www.skyandtelescope.com/)

1 • Pocket Sky Atlas

Tele Vue Optics (www.televue.com/)

1 • 2X Barlow

Others:

1 • Alan Bean autographed print

1 • telescope donated by CAA Member Susan Petsche