(next)

   (to the "Directory")
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

.
 

    Directory:
 

       (Contents--a guide to this section) (full-length version, with appendices to all documents)
 

       ("Observing notes")  (from Fox Observatory and the South Florida area--1956 through 2000)
 

       (A brief introduction to the SFAAA, with pictures)  (a short version of the story)
 

       (This way to the "library index")  (to the Archive)
 

       (This way to SFAAA)  (the web site of the SFAAA)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

GUIDE TO THIS SECTION:

Contents

Foreword  iv
Acknowledgments  v
About the SFAAA and Club Sponsored Activities  vi
About Fox Observatory  vii
The Founder and Charter Members (purpose and motto)  viii
Benefactors and Honorary Members  ix

PART 1: A Gathering of Dreams
  Broward County's Amateur Astronomers in the 1950s (1950-1956)  1
  An Event of Some Importance (1956-1960)  2
  A Common Bond (1960-1965)  3
  Dr. Fox and the Brandon Refractor (1958-1968)  4

   (PART  2--next page)

   (Appendices--second page)

   ("Observing notes"--third page)

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PART 2: A New Beginning
  The Dream is on Track (1965-1973)  5
  How to Build an Observatory: The Project Begins (1973-1974)  8
  How to Build an Observatory: The Project Continues (1975-1977)  11
  Help From Many Sources (1974-1976) 15
  The Project Draws to a Close: A Time for Celebration (1976-1977)  20
  Adjusting to Observatory Life (1978-1980)  21
  Radio Astronomy at the Park (1977-1980)  23
  Civilization Comes Closer (1980-1983) 26
  Sawgrass Mills, Weston and the Interstate (1983-1984)  28
  Halley's Comet Returns (1984-1987)  30
  The Builders Move On (1987-1991)  34
  Shoemaker-Levy 9 (1991-1994)  41
  The New Technology: A Saving Grace (1991-1995)  45
  Comet Hyakutake, the 30th Anniversary Celebration and the FAA Tower Hearing (1996)  47
  Hale-Bopp (C1995 01): The Super Comet (1997)  65
  El Niño: An Ill Wind (1998)  69
  The New Lease and the LX200-16 (1999)  77
  Y2K: The Jinx is Broken, but La Niña Lingers (2000)  84
  The Future (2001 and Beyond)  88
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    (Appendices--next page)

    ("Observing notes"--second page)

    (Return to the "Guide"--Part 1)

    (Return to the "Directory")
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Appendix I: An Archival Report   (period ending 12-31-00)  89
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Appendix II: Project Flare-Watch  91
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Appendix III: The Membership and the Observatory-A Pictorial  97
  (Historical Documents and other information)
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Appendix IV: Membership Records and Archival Catalog  102
  Officers and committeepersons, by year of service  103
  Members and officers in alphabetical order  112
  A Schedule of Meetings  130
  The Newsletter  132
  Source Material and Catalog of Archival Documents  133
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Appendix V: Sundry Information  144
  Schedule of changes in dues and Sky and Telescope subscription rates  145
  The Winter Star Party: Where and When  145
  An SFAAA e-mail list
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Appendix VI: Constitution and Bylaws  146
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   ("Observing notes"--next page)

   (Return to the "Guide"--Part 2)

   (Return to the "Guide"--Part 1)

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   (Begin at the beginning)  (Foreword to Under Southern Skies: 1950 through 2000)
 
 
 
 
 

Observing notes:
.
  The occultation of 28 Sagittarii by Saturn's ring system: July 3, 1989
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  Comet Hale-Bopp: 1997
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  Comet Hyakutake--"the Dark Site" ("area 51"--the WD Ranch): March 1996
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  Comet West: 1976  (the dark skies--gone but not forgotten)
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  (Halley's Comet: 1986)
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  Jupiter: 1995, 1997, 1998--October and November
.
  Jupiter and Saturn  (Some of the Best Seeing Ever: October 1998)
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  Lunar eclipse: 1996--April and September, 1997
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  M 1, M 33, M 81 and M 82: December 1996
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  Mars: 1956, 1976, 1997, 1999
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  NGC 205: November 1996
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  NGC 4565, Omega Centauri and Tom Peters' 16-inch Ritchey-Chretien: March 1996
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  Omega Centauri, M 31, M 33 and NGC 205: 1956
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    (more)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

More observing notes:
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..Orion Nebula and "trapezium": 1996  ("the nestlings:" a cluster of brown dwarfs)
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  Plato--craterlets: 1997  (a rare moment)
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  Saturn and Maxwell's Gap: November 2000
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  Saturn, Jupiter, M 31 and M 57: November 1998
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  Shoemaker-Levy 9: 1994
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  Some of the best seeing of the year: November 1999
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  zeta Cancrii: April 2000
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  78 UM: April/May 2000
 

     (Return to the beginning of the "Observing notes")

     (Return to the "Directory")

     (Begin at the beginning)  (Foreword to Under Southern Skies: 1950 through 2000)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Foreword
 The history of an organization is the foundation on which it builds, and the members are its assets. Milestones, new equipment and anecdotes on events, achievements and contributions of club members are part of the club lore. In this account, we try to acknowledge the efforts of the pioneering members of the South Florida Astronomical Association, Inc. (SFAAA). This story is told in the hope that no ones contribution has been overlooked. Because some of the past and present members also took part in the Fort Lauderdale Astronomical Society, Inc. (FLAS) in the 1950s, the story will begin there.

 This project began as a series of articles published in The Meridian, the newsletter of the SFAAA. The subject was the founding and activities of the Fort Lauderdale Astronomical Society. A short time later, during the dedication ceremony for the restoration of the Brandon Refractor, on 9-16-95, it was decided to write additional articles, covering the history of the South Florida Astronomical Association. It was also decided to write a more detailed document, covering the history of both organizations. Part 1 covers the earlier organization, the FLAS. Part 2 originally covered the SFAAA, from its founding up to the end of 1996 (now 1999), and it commemorated the 30th anniversary of the association. (The original project spanned the period from June 1995 through March 1997--1375 hours, 79 interviews--61,721 words. The present length of the manuscript, 12-31-00, is  83,873 words.)

 A hard copy of this document is kept at the observatory. In addition, there is a condensed version (an orientation package), copies of which are available on request from the observatory director. (Note: To find information on a particular topic in the internet version, you can search for a key word, such as a member's name. Example: to find text or the location of documents related to skyglow problems search for: light. See page 133, Appendix IV: "Source Material and Catalog of Archival Documents" for information on search options.)

 This document includes information (offices, dates, committees) on the more than 849 individuals who have belonged to the club since it's founding. In the interest of privacy, and because not everyone could be interviewed, in the November 1996 issue of the association newsletter, a section was included describing this document and offering those concerned the choice of not being mentioned by name. A related notice was posted on the clubroom bulletin board on November 30th. Similar statements appeared in an addendum to the 30th Anniversary Program, given out during Astronomy Day at Fox Observatory, May 18, 1996. These issues were also discussed at membership meetings during 1996, and several SFAAA members assisted with proofreading.

*   *   *   *

  (Return to the "Guide")
 
 
 

Acknowledgments
 Without the free exchange of ideas this story could not have been told. The following individuals (officers and members) contributed to this account: Lyndon V. Allwood (treasurer), Joe Amick (vice president), Susan Barnett (Buehler Planetarium), Ron Beauregard (president), Ralph Boyd (president), Dennis Clift (SFAAA), Ron D'Oria (SFAAA), Jim Dailing (treasurer), Art DeLaurentis (president), Dan DelRio (SCAS), Chuck Faranda (SFAAA), David Goldstein (president), Bruce Haigh (president), Bob Higgins (newsletter ed.), Louis Huey (treasurer), George Johnston (president), Steve King (president), Herb Knapp (vice president/observatory director), Nick Lawrus (newsletter editor), Joe Leo (president), Jeff Lichtman (president), Andy Malmed (vice president/program director), John Martin (ex. vice president/program chairman), Vic McKeighan (president), Russell Peecook (designer/creator of the Kornfeld Garden), Lee Poulin (vice president/observatory director), Barry Perlman (vice president program director and observatory director), Tom Peters (vice president/program director), Ted Rosz (director-at-large), Paul Schofield (SFAAA), John Stilwell (FLAS), Bill Weaver (president), Steve Wells (president), Charles Wylie (president and charter member), Mary Wylie (ex. vice president and charter member). (This list indicates the highest office held. Additional information on these and other members is included in the text and in Appendix IV.)

 Some information came from four scrapbooks and one notebook, compiled by club members in the years since the formation of the association. The secretary's minutes, treasurers reports, other papers and the recollections of long time members, both current and no longer active, helped form the balance of the story.

 Along with the dozens of photographs and newspaper clippings, there were copies of past newsletters, memos, corporate reports and notes recorded by those who participated in club activities, and in the construction and continuing development of Fox Observatory. (A source catalog can be found in Appendix IV.)

 Many times, the exact sequence of events could not be verified or there was conflicting information. In some cases, there were more than two or three versions of a story. If there was any uncertainty, the majority opinion, or what seemed to be the most consistent or best documented explanation became part of the record. (The dates for some events were approximated because the minutes and other records were incomplete or missing.)

*   *   *   *
 

The SFAAA and Club Sponsored Activities
 The South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association (SFAAA) was founded in 1965, with as its principal motivation, to provide information and create an opportunity to participate. The SFAAA is a nonprofit organization, incorporated in the state of Florida since 1966. The membership presently makes its home base, and holds monthly meetings, at the Fox Observatory in Markham Park.

 In 1973, the State of Florida turned control of the land that is now Markham Park over to the citizens of Broward County. The intent was for the land to be maintained as a natural recreation area. The South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association, the first resident of the new park, has always been committed to that end, and has, in the past, worked to improve the environment by participating in recycling programs.

 With the help of the Broward County Commission and the Parks Department, Markham Park was selected as the ideal setting for an observatory, and for the study of the night sky. In the mid 1970s, the membership, with the support of the citizens of Broward County and individual benefactors from the South Florida area, designed and constructed Fox Observatory. Over the years since completion of the project in 1977, thousands of young visitors from Broward and Dade County schools and from organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America have looked up into the night sky over the park.

 This unique opportunity for education and involvement is the result of a joint effort. Annual membership dues and public contributions provide for the operation and maintenance of the observatory equipment, while the Broward County Parks Department maintains the building and the grounds. (None of this could be accomplished without the support and cooperation of the Parks Department!)

 Groups and individuals from the area or visiting South Florida are invited to visit the Fox Observatory. In addition, anyone wishing to attend the association's monthly meetings is welcome and encouraged to do so. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month, and membership is open to the public. Anyone wishing to join can do so at one of the monthly meetings or during a visit to the observatory on one of the open house nights. (Dues: student under 18--$10, regular--$25, patron--$60, gold--$100. One membership fee covers the family, and includes the monthly newsletter. The fee for patron and gold membership includes a subscription to Sky and Telescope magazine; however, Sky and Telescope and Astronomy are also available to regular members, at club rates, through the association treasurer. Activities include: learning to use a telescope, video tape and slide shows, star parties, astronomy day, CCD imaging, observatory operation and special projects. Club members wishing to be certified to operate the observatory and its equipment should apply to the observatory director.)

 The observatory is open to the public every Saturday evening, free of charge, the year around. Organized groups and schools wishing to visit on these and other occasions are asked to make arrangements, in advance, through the observatory director at (954)384-0442.

 The members of the association have been granted the use of a dark-sky observing site (area 51), just inside of Collier County (visual limiting magnitude 6.5). The site is located on the Davidson Ranch ("The WD Ranch"), 26 miles west of the toll booth on Alligator Alley. The turnoff to the site is on the north side of "the Alley," just beyond (within 1/4 mile of) mile marker 51, and at the beginning of the reflectorized portion of the roadway, passing over the canal. Groups from the club periodically get together for star parties on the dirt road, running south, along the east side of the canal. (Note: It is best to slow down, immediately on reaching the mile marker (#51)! It is easy to drive past the getting-off-point, and it is a long way to the next exit!) (Please dim your headlights, when approaching the site, on the dirt road!)

(The newsletter of the SFAAA, The Meridian, is online at http://sfaaa.org/themeridian.html and the home page is at http://sfaaa.org.)

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  (Return to the "Guide")
 
 

Fox Observatory
 The Fox Astronomical Observatory, one of the largest amateur operated installations of its kind in the Southeast, is located at latitude 26° 7' 44" north, longitude 80° 21' 41" west (160001 West SR-84, Sunrise FL 33326). The observatory is just inside the entrance to Markham Park, 12.4 miles west of I-95, on the north side of I-595. When coming from the east, turn right at the traffic light, opposite the Weston Road turnoff, on SR-84. For those using the Interstate, take I-95 to I-595 west, and get off at the 136th Ave. exit. Then, take SR-84 the rest of the way west, 2.0 miles, to the park entrance. (It is best to reduce speed, and get in the right hand lane early, when approaching the 136th Ave. exit on I-595, and again, when approaching the entrance to the park on SR-84! The exit and entrance come up very quickly!) From the south, on I-75, get off at the Arvida Parkway exit (8 west) to Weston Road. Then, turn right (north) onto Weston Road, and proceed 2.0 miles to the park entrance, just beyond the underpass and SR-84. For directions to the observatory, once inside the park, there is a ranger on-duty at the entrance on weekends. (Admission is $1 per person, before 6 p.m., but visitors to the observatory enter at no charge.) Otherwise, take the first left just after the ranger station, and then the next right. The observatory will be just ahead! Please dim your headlights on approaching the site, and donut forget your binoculars!

 The primary observatory equipment consists of a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain, the Brandon Refractor, a 1,420 MHz radio telescope, a UHF weather satellite receiver, a 12.5-inch, equatorially mounted, Newtonian reflector and two Dobson reflecting telescopes, one with a 13-inch mirror, the other with a 10-inch mirror. The Schmidt-Cassegrain is fitted with a CCD imager, and the Brandon Refractor has a 6-inch objective lens, with an 87.25-inch focal length. The Brandon Refractor was donated by Dr. Joseph Dennison Fox, a retired professor from the University of Puerto Rico. Dr. Fox was an early member of the SFAAA, and donated the instrument to the association while the observatory was in the planning stages, in 1973. (The main lens of the Brandon Refractor is the only one of its kind in existence.)

 In 1994, the CCD imager was installed on the Schmidt-Cassegrain, giving the observatory an added dimension. Modern CCD processing technology can subtract unwanted skyglow, and has a potential for setting the clock back to a time when there was less light pollution. Also, some of the inconvenience of dealing with high humidity and insects is offset by being able to view the night sky on the monitor in the association's air conditioned clubroom. The CCD and monitor also offer an important advantage to groups and individuals traveling a considerable distance to visit the observatory. When cloudy or rainy weather threatens, images previously stored in the computer or on floppy disc provide a library of things to see. (Installation of the radio telescope and the weather satellite receiver, during 1998, made the SFAAA one of the most complete, entry level, amateur astronomy clubs in the US. In the near future, a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain, donated by the family of Louis W. Huey, a past member, officer and benefactor of the SFAAA, will be housed on the grounds immediately west of the existing observatory building.)

*   *   *   *

  (Return to the "Guide")
 
 
 

The Founder and Charter Members
Officers, board members and subscribers to the Articles of Incorporation, South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association, January 12, 1966:

Herman G. Perry Hallandale, Fla. (Subscriber-Founder)
John R. Gallagher Hollywood, Fla. (Sub.-President)
Joseph A. Cardin Hallandale, Fla. (Sub.-1st V. P.)
Harold S. Pender Hallandale, Fla. (Sub.-2nd V. P.)
Charles S. Wylie Hollywood, Fla. (Sub.-Treasurer)
Anita Haack Hallandale, Fla. (Secretary)

(A Certificate of Incorporation was issued to the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association by the State of Florida on January 25, 1966.)

Additional charter members from the first meeting November 3, 1965:
Kay and Ken Ellington
Vicki McGraw
Pauline Miller
Mollie O'Donnell
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Stephens
Mary Wylie
 

 In November of 1965, the association's founder, Herman Perry informed the press there were 20 charter members in the newly formed club. This might have been wishful thinking (14 have been identified, and are indicated above); however, several others might have been present at the first meeting, and may have dropped out before their names were recorded. Also, a few may be among those whose earliest attendance is unknown: Donald Jones, Melanie Reynolds, Bill Schuster and Harold Simons.
 

 (The) PURPOSE of the ORGANIZATION is to further education and research, and to advance the knowledge and study of the science of astronomy through its members, and in cooperation with other organizations devoted to the study of astronomy.

  H. G. PERRY--FOUNDER
  November 3, 1965
 
 

(the motto)
Knowledge Through Association

*   *   *   *
 

Benefactors:
Frank and Barbara Kornfeld: 1974 - 1976
Dr. Joseph Fox: 1973 - 1976
Howard and John Leban: 1975
Ted Rosz: 1975 - 1976
Ed Stack: August 1976
Louis Huey and ABC Distributing, Inc.: January 1991 (see next line)
(Marvin Leiberwitz, Mike and Debbie Nunez, in the name of Louis Huey)
Mary Huey, in the name of Louis W. Huey: 1998

*   *   *   *
 

Honorary Members:
Gladwin Comes:  June 15, 1972
Dr. Joseph  Fox: 1972
Frank and Barbara Kornfeld:  1976
Howard and John Leban:  May 21, 1975
Ed Stack: August 1976
Robert and Dorothy Sickels:  November 1980
Wayne Davidson:  March 3, 1988
Mike and Debbie Nunez of ABC Distributing, Inc.:  June 15, 1991
Charles and Mary Wylie:  April 2, 1992
Mary Huey:  September 3, 1998

*   *   *   *
 

PART 1
A Gathering of Dreams
 

Broward County's Amateur Astronomers in the 1950s (1950-1956)
 In 1950, the greater Ft. Lauderdale area was best known as a winter resort, but agricultural interests came in a close second. There were fewer than 30,000 full-time residents, and the air was clean and clear. The few inhabitants and the fields of vegetables and oranges posed little or no threat to the grandeur of the night sky. On occasion, the Milky Way could be seen from secluded locations in the downtown area.

 Those of us who were here in those years remember the small town environment of most of South Florida. Some of us would rather it had not changed into the sprawling megalopolis it has become. In the summertime, when there were fewer visitors to the area, you could drive from Ft Lauderdale to Miami, via US-1, morning or afternoon, and few if any cars would pass from either direction.

 The Korean war was under way, and only a few homes had television. Ft. Lauderdale was about to become the fastest growing community in the US, and the unprecedented rate of growth would not be challenged for more than 30 years. Within a generation, the population of Broward County would approach one million.

 The only organization in the area dedicated to amateur astronomy was the Southern Cross Astronomical Society, Inc., in Miami. The Southern Cross group met regularly, but the trip south was impractical for many Broward residents. It could be argued, the skies were better here, and if you were a student, or if work required that you rise early, a local meeting place sounded more inviting.

 Inspired by the remarkable view, and, with the support of the Miami club, a small group of avid stargazers formed the Ft. Lauderdale Astronomical Society, Inc., in 1951. It was a not-for-profit venture, but incorporation seemed appropriate. (The Miami group advised caution and the filing of the necessary papers!)

 Some of the founding members were professional people. Among them, were a physician, a university professor and a grade school principal. Because of summer vacations, and because some of the members were retired and only in the area in the wintertime, meetings during the summer were poorly attended. The idea of getting together in June, July and August was soon given up. (Mrs. Brown the principal of North Side School, located at Warfield Park, in North-Central Fort Lauderdale, was one of the founders.)

 When enough enthusiasm could be found to organize a formal gathering, as many as 20 or 25 members would put in an appearance. However, there were only eight or nine faces you could count on seeing on a regular basis. The program usually included a presentation on a subject researched by one of the members. There were slide shows and film clips. Some of the subjects were gravity, X-rays, Project Vanguard, amateur telescope making and personal projects.

 A local physician was the leader of the group. From the beginning, Dr. Frank Denniston and his wife made their home and observatory available for club activities. Dr. Denniston encouraged get-togethers for the planning of special events: star parties, club meetings and visits by school groups. Dr. Joseph Fox, then Professor of Astronomy and History at the University of Puerto Rico, provided valuable input from the academic community. While Dr. Fox was not a full-time resident of Broward County, he was well known in the area. Because of his academic schedule, he could only visit the area during the summer months. One of his dreams and a challenge he put before the club was to build a dark-sky observatory west of the city.

 The focus of the club's activities was on education and community involvement. It provided young amateur astronomers with an opportunity to learn and participate. Everyone was welcome, and students of all ages were encouraged. In the fall, Dr. Denniston opened the observatory to groups from local middle schools. (The membership fee was $5 yearly, and included a subscription to Sky and Telescope.)

 I was 14 when I joined the club, in 1956, and the Denniston complex was a wondrous place. It was not just a residence. It included a medical practice, with X-ray facilities, and everything needed to support the Denniston Observatory. There was a 20' by 30' theater with opaque and motion picture projectors, a laboratory and a 12-1/2-inch f/9 Springfield reflector. The telescope was housed in an aluminum dome, erected over a fully equipped machine shop, which was attached to the main building. The observatory floor was 18 inches of reinforced concrete, supported by eight, 12-inch, cast iron standpipes, each, eight feet in length. All this was strung together like a stockade, shielding those inside from the world outside.

 To make it even more ideal, the "Denniston compound" was conveniently located, near the heart of downtown Ft. Lauderdale, two blocks north of Broward Blvd. and three blocks east of US-1. The original site of Pine Crest School was across the street, and the gymnasium of St. Anthony's School now stands on the site.
 

An Event of Some Importance (1956-1960)
 A few days after Labor Day 1956, Mars was to be its closest to Earth in many years--35,120,000 miles. Astronomers of the period, thought the Red Planet might give up some of its secrets on September 7. Could it be, the canals were manmade? Could life as we know it, once have existed in such an arid and foreboding place? It was thought, some lower life form might still be detected. (The excitement generated by the Martian opposition, and my growing interest in astronomy led me to seek out and join the local club.)

 I purchased a kit for a 3-inch f/10 Edmund reflector ($29.95) the year before, and I was ready for the big event! My plan was without flaw--I would be on the roof at the moment of opposition. That was as close to Mars as I could get. But as the predicted date drew closer, success began to slip away! In the early spring, Fire engulfed a large part of the Everglades west of Broward County, and a rare west wind brought an impenetrable cloud of smoke to the tri-county area. The stench of burning mangroves and scrub brush filled the air, and a blanket of ash settled over what was by then referred to as the Gold Coast. Neither Sun nor planet would be seen from these parts until the opportunity for discovery was past.

  (more Mars)

.Aside from natural and manmade disasters, the seeing in the city was very good. Of course, an unaided sighting of Omega Centauri or M 31, the Andromeda Nebula, as it was most often called, was more likely if you were up and around in the a.m. On one occasion, it was possible to spot Messier 33, from my family's home, near Sears Town, on East Sunrise Blvd. It was rising in the east, and 60 degrees above the horizon at 9 p.m. I was using 7 x 50 binoculars, and we lived just a mile north of the downtown area. On dark nights, it was possible to see the third member of the Andromeda trio, M 110/NGC 205, magnitude 10.8, in a 4-inch refractor at 49x. (Today, in the 1990s, it is more likely you will have to travel 40-50 miles west of the populated areas of the coastline to see M 33, using 7x50 binoculars or anything else.)

  (Return to "Observing notes")  (Omega Centauri, M 31--1956)

 Other club members had scopes ranging in size from 3-inch reflectors and refractors to Dr. Denniston's 12-1/2-inch Springfield reflector. The Freids had a 3-inch f/16 Unitron, and the Cases had a 3-1/2 inch Questar. John Stilwell put together a 3-1/4-inch refractor, using an A. Jaegers objective, and Lloyd Rice built a 6-inch f/8 Newtonian reflector, with a homemade pipe mount. Fred McMurtrie had a 3-inch refractor, with slow motion controls, of his own design. Some of us undertook related projects: Fred was working on three-dimensional models of lunar and planetary landscapes, and I spent many hours working on a 24-inch map of the Moon's surface, done in lead pencil. Lloyd Rice was more enterprising. He had a Tasco franchise, and sold small (2.4-inch/60-mm) refracting telescopes.

 On joining the club, Lloyd, Fred and Dr. Denniston encouraged me to build a larger telescope. Shortly after the disappointing Mars approach, my father and I began the construction of a 4-inch f/15refractor. The project was completed in six months (in early 1957), and the telescope was still being used periodically up until 1994. (In 1994, a two-year project was begun to rebuild the mount, and the 4-inch tube assembly was put into storage, to be replaced by a larger refractor.)

 Like myself, Fred, John and Lloyd were students, but Dr. Denniston was a senior citizen. Even so, he was active with both his medical practice and with the club. Dr. Denniston was energetic but slight of build, and started each day with a dip in the pool.
 

A Common Bond (1960-1965)
 Like the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association, the Ft. Lauderdale Astronomical Society had as its goal to construct an observatory west of Ft. Lauderdale. Dr. Fox came up with the idea, and arranged for a building site on county land as early as 1956. The club members would have to provide the funds and organize the project. Money was raised by setting up telescopes and asking for donations on the beach. A favorite spot for public viewing was at the corner of Los Olas Blvd. and A1A. If we could get the interest of the public, a growing membership and enough donations might make the task doable.

 The plan was to build near SR-84, about 20 miles west of town. If we could pull it together, we would have a 12-1/2-inch, equatorially mounted, Newtonian reflector under "ink-black" skies. But it was not to be! In 1960, Dr. Denniston succumbed to heart failure. He was 72, and the end came without warning. Everyone was shocked by his sudden death. He had been so active and so involved in the association and the community, we just naturally thought he would always be there.

 Dr. Denniston's passing and the coming of age of most of the younger members brought an end to club activities in 1960. Higher education and the military took most of us out of the area, some never to return. Dr. Fox continued to visit the South Florida area, but it seemed unlikely his dream would ever become a reality.

 The "Denniston telescope" was left to Broward Community College, then in its founding year, as Broward Junior College. Unfortunately, this remarkable instrument was put in storage and most of its various parts were eventually lost or discarded, due to disinterest or neglect.

 After completing military service, John Stilwell, Lloyd Rice and I returned to the area, but there was not enough interest to get the club started again. However, by that time (1965), and unknown to any of us, a new club was forming in the Hollywood/Hallandale area.
 

Dr. Fox and the Brandon Refractor (1958-1968)
 In the late 1960s, Dr. Fox completed his tenure at the University of Puerto Rico, and with his wife Sylvia, moved to North Miami, near Miami Gardens Drive and US-1. He brought with him a 6-inch f/15 refractor. This telescope, in its updated and restored state, now resides at Fox Observatory, on the grounds of Markham Park. The lens and original tube assembly were built by Chester Brandon, renowned as a designer of eyepieces and objectives. (The lens was ground from special blanks, made for the project by Dow-Corning. The uniqueness of the glass, along with the increased air space and thickness, qualified the lens for a new patent.) In the late 1950s, Brandon decided to move to the mainland to conduct business, and needed to find a home for his creation. Brandon was a friend and neighbor of the Fox family in the San Juan area, and during an after-work get-together at the Fox home, talk of what was to happen to this unique instrument came up.

 On the evening in question, Dr. Fox showed an interest in acquiring the big refractor. Brandon said there had been many offers, but he had not decided what to do. He wanted the refractor to be available for use by the largest possible number of people. He asked what Dr. Fox would do if he had possession of it. Dr. Fox, being a teacher, and consistent with his interest in youth, said the scope would be mounted on the roof, for the young people in the area to use. That was apparently what Brandon wanted to hear. The scope changed hands that night for a small sum of money and two sets of Melmac dinnerware. The exact date of the exchange is unknown, but it was sometime in 1958 or early 1959.

 Once in his possession, Dr. Fox attached the tube assembly, with an asbestos covering, of his making, to an improvised equatorial mount, made from part of a landing gear off a World War-II, P-38 fighter. Then, as promised, and using a diving tank as a pier, the telescope was mounted on the roof of the Fox family home, where it remained until Dr. Fox retired and moved to South Florida.

 (Chester Brandon founded Brandon Instruments in the late 1940s, probably 1948 or 1949, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, ten miles north of San Juan. After moving to the mainland (i.e., Maryland: General Precision) in 1959, Brandon sold his tooling and blueprints to VERNONscope and Company in 1963. (VERNONscope, of Candor New York, a telescope and accessory outlet, was founded several years before, in 1958.) The Brandon ocular was designed in 1949, and is still considered one of the better eyepiece designs available. As of August 1996, Chester Brandon was in his 90th year, and living in Wisconsin with his daughter. (As nearly as can be determined, the 6-inch objective and tube assembly were completed in 1949 or 1950.

*   *   *   *

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PART 2
A New Beginning
 

The Dream is on Track (1965-1973)
 In 1965, H. G. Perry, a resident of Hallandale, and a former member of the Manhattan Amateur Astronomers Association, started the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association, Inc. (The Manhattan organization was headquartered at the prestigious Hayden Planetarium, and Perry was a member for eight years before moving to South Florida.)  On October 28, 1965, Perry placed an article in the Sun Tattler to promote a gathering of amateur astronomers. The article stated a meeting was to be held at Hollywood College, 1939 Harrison St., on Wednesday, November 3, at 8:00 p.m. (Perry, a seasoned instructor with the Manhattan club, had it in mind to hold classes in elementary astronomy.)

 There were 20 would-be members in attendance at the first gathering. During the evening, the decision was made to get together on a weekly basis. Future meetings would be held every Wednesday evening, at 7:30. (In the first newspaper article, Perry said he had ordered a 10-inch Newtonian reflecting telescope for club use. It appears that something caused the order to be canceled before delivery. Possibly, the existence of a 12-1/2-inch equatorially mounted Newtonian telescope, constructed and owned by Adam Stephens, a mechanical engineer and one of the clubs charter members, satisfied the need.)

 After a few gatherings, on December 8th, 1965 the group started meeting in the Hollywood Federal Savings and Loan Assoc., Hospitality Room, 1909 Tyler St. The larger than expected turnouts made the move to a more spacious meeting place necessary. (Shortly after its formation, the association joined the Astronomical League of America.)

 The group met on the second floor of the S & L, but early in 1966, before May 11, it was decided, the fourth meeting of each month would be held on Thursday. (Another group was scheduled to use the room that Wednesday.) In January of 1968 the fourth meeting was changed back to Wednesday. The club's meetings continued at Hollywood Federal through October 9, 1968. By that time, there were more than 40 dues-paying members. During the almost three years at Hollywood Federal, the day and time for the meeting was on occasion changed due to other activities being scheduled for the room. (A few meetings in this era were held at the newly opened Buehler Planetarium. One such gathering was held on March 1, 1967.)

 The earliest meetings, 1965-1968, were referred to as classes, and there was no age limit on membership. In the early years, films were shown once or twice each month, usually the first and third week. The rest of the month, lectures were presented by Perry and the more experienced members. (The membership fee, family or single, was $10, and included a years subscription to Sky and Telescope.)

 In May of 1967, the club set up a display of member telescopes in the First National Bank of Hollywood at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and 20th Avenue. The display was in place for one week (8th to 12th), and was intended to recruit new members. (One of the topics of discussion among the members, in that era, was the possibility of building an observatory on property owned by the City of Hollywood.)

 In the closing months of 1967, Adam Stephens sold his 12-1/2-inch, equatorially mounted, f/6.4Newtonian telescope to Charlie and Mary Wylie. The Stephens family was moving back to Michigan, and offered the scope to the club for $700. The club did not have the money, but the Wylies asked if they could buy it, and said they would make it available to other club members at star parties.

 In July of 1968, the club considered setting up an observatory on the grounds of Hollywood Hills High School, to include a student astronomy club and public nights once or twice each month. The idea was approved by the membership, but something happened that brought an end to the plan. Another project, was construction of a radio telescope, scheduled to begin in October of the same year.

 On October 15, 1968, the club moved its meetings to the David Park Field House on Fillmore Street. The day and time was changed to every Tuesday, from 7-10 p.m. Starting that date, classes were held in elementary astronomy from 7:00 to 7:45, and the regular meeting started at 8:00. The 7 o'clock classes were known as the "Junior Club." (In July or August of 1969, the club moved to the Parish Hall of the Nativity Church in Hollywood. It was necessary to find a new place for meetings, because the field house was scheduled for remodeling.)

 During 1967 and 1968, Mary Wylie, a charter member and former school teacher, gave twice-monthly talks on the constellations currently in view. Donald Major, Bob Berentsen and Ralph Megna occasionally shared the spotlight with Mary, and spoke on elementary astronomy. On alternate weeks, films, provided by the Southern Bell and NASA film libraries were shown. The films covered subjects including cosmic rays, Earth's oceans and time (During the spring, summer and fall of 1968, the last meeting of each month was a viewing session at Eppleman Park.)

 In 1969, the Wylies became proprietors of a nursery in Davie. It took a year or so to get settled in, but in 1970 or 1971, the Wylies began inviting the club to the nursery for viewing sessions. When the club visited the Wylies, the big Newtonian was set up for members to use. The dark skies there were perfect for viewing, and starting in August of 1972, the Wylies made the grounds of their place of business available for regularly scheduled star parties. The gatherings at the Wylies were usually on the first meeting night of the month, and continued that way through 1974. (The club made occasional visits to the Wylie Nursery in 1975. However, by that time, many of the members were meeting, with their telescopes, at Markham Park, near the site designated for the observatory.)

 (In 1978, with changing interests, the Wylies dropped out of the club, and took up square dancing and rock collecting. In the years since, they have traveled over most of this part of the world, acquiring an incredible collection of over 1100 rock samples. In January of 1996, I had the pleasure of visiting the Wylies at their home and seeing their rock collection. On January 23, 1996, the Wylies celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The Wylies have 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.)

 In 1969 or 1970, H. G. Perry became seriously ill. The record is not clear, but it appears that he passed away in 1970. Herman G. Perry was an old fashioned amateur astronomer, and while a member of the New York club, he wrote a book on elementary astronomy--star finding and constellations. He was highly regarded by his friends in the Manhattan club and at Hayden Planetarium, and kept in touch with them after moving here. He was survived by his wife, Clarisse, who accompanied him on the move to Broward County.

 H. G. Perry had moved to the South Florida area in 1964, and he started the SFAAA after having attended a few meetings of the Southern Cross Astronomical Society at the Miami Museum of Science. In a letter to a friend, still residing in Manhattan, Perry mentioned the long drive for meetings. His friend, Patrick Rizzo, then secretary of the Manhattan club, wrote back and suggested that Perry start a club in the Broward County area, and that led to the beginning of the SFAAA.

 The SFAAA was incorporated, and named for the Manhattan club (MAAA: SFAAA) in January of 1966. In March of that year, a Constitution and Bylaws, with eleven articles was drawn up. The date of the annual meeting was defined, and officers were to be chosen by a nominating committee. (The club was formed as a branch of the AAA, Amateur Astronomers Association, a nationwide organization, and it is said that some of the members of the then defunct Fort Lauderdale Astronomical Society joined in that period. Dr. Fox attended his first meeting later, sometime between February 4, 1969 and December 1970.)

 On February 23, 1971, Mollie O'Donnell presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the club to outgoing president Wendell Marsh. (At that time, Marsh became treasurer and Mollie took over as president. With each new year, many of those who have become officers, were and still are reelected to the same position or are elected to some other position.)

 During the summer of 1971, the second director of Buehler Planetarium, Gladwin Comes, suggested that an astronomy club be started in conjunction with the activities of the planetarium. In response, a student in Comes' night astronomy class, Mollie O'Donnell, then SFAAA president, mentioned the existence of the club, and asked if it would be possible to meet at the planetarium. Comes said yes, and the SFAAA began holding its weekly meetings at the planetarium, on the Davis Campus, in the fall of 1971 (probably in September). (The first director at Buehler was Joel Martin, the planetarium's designer and a professor of biology and astronomy at the junior college since one year after its founding, in 1960.)

 When the club moved to the planetarium, the day and time for the meetings was changed to every Thursday evening at 8:30. The meetings were scheduled to begin shortly after the conclusion of the 7:30 planetarium show. Most members arrived early enough to attend the show, and then stay over for the club meeting.

 Because the planetarium was closed for vacation during part of the summer (three weeks in August), some meetings were held at the homes of club members, most often at the Wylies' (during the 1970s), or they were canceled. In every year the association met at the planetarium, the August shutdown was in effect, and other arrangements had to be made.)

 Fred Read and Walt Golden, planetarium staff members, at that time, were also active in the SFAAA. The planetarium director, Gladwin Comes, became an honorary member on 6-15-72, and Dr. Fox became an honorary member in the same period, sometime before 2-8-73. (The information on Dr. Fox'es early years with the association is somewhat sketchy. It appears he was a guest speaker for approximately two years before becoming an honorary member. The first full year of his participation was most probably 1971. As of 12-31-00, Fifteen honorary members have been named.)

 During this period (early 1970s), and in the years that followed, the club relied heavily on Dr. Fox, Barry Perlman, Mollie O'Donnell, Roy Lurcott, Walt Golden, Mary Wylie and Mark Hamilton, a high school student, for researching and presenting the weekly programs. When Barry started attending meetings, in the fall of 1971, he provided relief to Mary, Mollie and Dr. Fox, each having taken it upon themselves to get a program together almost every month. One of Barry's earliest programs was a slide show on how to build an observatory. (February 24, 1972). His next, on March 16, was on "Messier Objects," and it was shared with Mollie O'Donnell. (On February 17 of that year, Mollie was elected to serve as executive vice president for the second time and Barry, a new member, as 2nd vice president.) (The club was getting younger and more active, and the topic of discussion was. . . "let's build an observatory!")

 Most often, program committees were appointed by the president for two or three months at a time. Others would participate, but the members of the committee would coordinate the effort. On February 24, 1972, Barry, Mollie and Roy were appointed, and that is the way it was done until 1975. (In that year, it was decided to make the executive vice president, the program chairman as well. The first order of business for the new "Exec." was getting volunteers to respond to the change in policy. Ralph Boyd was the first Executive VP to officially hold the combined position.)

 Another change in the way things were done was the "book drawing." Book drawings were held at nearly every meeting, and thirty-five or forty books were given away for each of the years between 1972 and the late spring of 1977. Some books were donated by members and by friends of the club, and some were bought with club funds by whoever was in charge of the drawings for that year. (In 1975, Walt Zalph, a high school student in Miami, and soon to be club secretary (1976), was in charge of the book drawing. (Walt was active in club projects and took his 8-inch Celestron wherever he went. I think he had it with him all the time! On one unannounced occasion, he showed up at my house with his brother, his midnight snack and his C8.)

 On April 28th and 29th of 1972, the club set up a display of telescopes and other equipment in the Lauderhill Mall on SR-7/US-441. The planetarium had been invited to present a display. In turn, the club was invited to participate by the staff of the planetarium. It was an excellent opportunity to  recruit new members. After that, throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the club tried to stage a show (and recruit members), somewhere in the area, once each year.

 On May 18, 1972, the club presented a "sky show" at the Masonic Lodge. There was a slide show and talks were given by Mollie O'Donnell, Charlie Wylie, Barry Perlman, Mary Wylie and Walt Golden. Afterwards there was to be a viewing session, but the weather was poor, so the group stayed indoors.

 In the fall of 1972, Barry Perlman (then 2nd vice president) visited a Southern Cross meeting in Miami and met Bob Sickels, an SCAS member. Bob was an amateur radio astronomer and Fort Lauderdale resident. Barry suggested that Bob join the SFAAA. The convenience of the shorter drive to Buehler Planetarium had to be a factor in convincing Bob and his wife, Dorothy, to become part of the Broward club.

 After one of the weekly meetings, in the spring of 1973 (sometime between mid February and early April), Barry and Mollie were in the planetarium parking lot discussing the possible advantages of having a permanent observing site. The idea for the observatory, discussed by club members in 1967 and 1968, and mentioned again in Barry's slide show of February 24, 1972 came to fruition that night. Shortly thereafter, Barry discussed it with Bob Sickels, the newly elected club president, and the wheels began to turn.

  (A footnote: The association secretary, Mary Wylie, in 1972, and Wayne Darland, in 1973, were in the habit of taking the roll at all regular club meetings.)

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How to Build an Observatory: The Project Begins (1973-1974)
 Before any plan could go forward, a suitable site would have to be found. In April of 1973, Barry Perlman and Bob Sickels scheduled a weekend outing to the less populated, western part of Broward County. During the trip Barry and Bob came across a section of land that fit what they had in mind. It was under State control, at the time, but was slated to be transferred to the County in the near future. The membership, having already been alerted to the idea, was told of the location at the next regular meeting--April 12th, and it only took a few weeks to form a plan and start moving forward. On May 31, 1973 the club delivered a preliminary proposal to the County Commission. First contact was with Commissioner Jack Moss, and the emphasis was on public access and the availability of the proposed facility to schools. Commissioner Moss liked the idea, and responded promptly.

 On June 6, Commissioner Moss sent a letter to Bob Sickels, stating that Robert Kauth, the County Administrator, would be contacting him to discuss the proposal. The County Administrator referred the proposal to Director of Parks and Beaches, Robert Grube. There were several meetings with Director Grube during the months that followed, and eventually an expanded and more specific version of the proposal was submitted. The finished document was drafted by Barry Perlman and presented to Director Grube by Bob Sickels. The site was eventually granted, but 16 months passed after the original proposal before the agreement was finalized (9-24-74), and another 14 months passed before ground was broken (11-23-75).

 This is how it came about: On June 12, 1973, a special meeting of the membership (16 members attended) was held at the Country Kitchen to discuss strategy. In attendance were: Charlie and Mary Wylie, Bob and Dorothy Sickels, Judith and Stephan Thompson, Art and Mary Jane DeLaurentis, Roy Lurcott, Dr. Joseph Fox, Chris Bergman, Barry Perlman, Harold Frisch, Mollie O'Donnell, Vicki McGraw and Wayne Darland. After dinner, the group adjourned to the Wylies' to continue the discussion. At the end of the evening, it was decided the club would submit a "concrete proposal" to the County, if and when the opportunity arose.

 Also in June of 1973, probably on the 14th or the 21st, the deliberations over what instruments would be housed at the site brought Dr. Fox more into the picture. At a meeting set aside for one of his programs, Dr. Fox donated the Brandon Refractor to the club and to the observatory project. It lacked much of the finish and sophistication it bears today, but it was a start. On 7-1-73, the first equipment inventory was drawn up, totaling $18,155. The most significant item on the list was the 6-inch f/15 Fox/Brandon Refractor, valued at $7,000. (In the 1970s, the second Thursday of each month was reserved for programs by Dr. Fox.)

 On July 10, 1973, the club met with the County Commission. Bob and Barry suggested two possible sites for the observatory: One, 20 miles west of Fort Lauderdale, at Everglades-Holiday Park (Dr. Fox'es choice in 1956), on SR-27, south of SR-84, and the other at Markham Park. The members of the club preferred Markham Park because it was within reasonable driving distance. At the conclusion of the meeting, the club was given the go-ahead to come up with an expanded and more specific version of the proposal. (In 1973 (2-8-73), the SFAAA had about 40 members, and many were new recruits, between ages 18 and 30. (Enthusiasm for the project was high in this age group.) By September 12, 1973, the treasury had grown to $1,300, most of which was donations for the observatory.)

 At the club meeting on July 19, 1973, Barry and Bob estimated that between $4,000 and $6,000 would be needed to complete construction. Bob Sickels also mentioned having met with Robert Grube, County Parks and Beaches director, Tuesday, July 17. Director Grube had promised that the County would clear and fill a piece of land conveniently near the entrance to the park, and utilities would be brought to the site. At the meeting on July 26, Barry presented a model of the proposed observatory, and Charles McCrae showed slides he had taken at the Park. (The estimated cost was optimistic, but some of the County's stipulations and requirements, regarding public buildings, that eventually had to be agreed to, added substantially to the list of expenditures.)

 Several efforts were made to raise money for the project. One of the more informative was the publication of The Eyepiece, a monthly newsletter. Stephan Thompson, the editor and a teacher at Pine Crest School, produced it for 25 cents a copy, starting in July of 1973, with the proceeds going to the building fund. The format included information on club events, and the progress on the observatory project. The Eyepiecewas discontinued about the time its publisher, Stephan Thompson became vice president in February of 1975. (It probably wasn't very profitable at 25 cents a copy, and, with weekly meetings and the membership totally committed to the project, the news was probably old before it could be printed.)

 An event occurring in the fall of 1973 temporarily distracted some of the attention being paid to the project--Kohoutek, "The Comet of the Century." During the regular meeting on September 27, Stephan Thompson gave a talk on Kohoutek. Afterward, Barry mentioned that BCC was putting up an exhibit at Hollywood Fashion Center on October 18th. The club was invited, and decided to set up a booth. Charles McCrae volunteered to display his new 10-inch (Cave?) Newtonian.

 The day of the exhibit, literature on Kohoutek was passed out and questions from visiting shoppers were answered. The booth was near Kinney Shoes and was attended by volunteers from the membership in two hour stints: Charles McCrae, Walt Golden, Bob Gale, Vicki McGraw, Charlie Wylie and Barry Perlman. Some of the other members showed up during the day and wanted to take part. At one point, as many as 16 members were in the vicinity of the booth. Of course, visitors were invited to the upcoming SFAAA club meetings and told of the observatory project. Each volunteer signed up for a two hour stint, but Chuck McCrae stayed throughout the day, probably because his prized possession was on display. (The age of the volunteers ranged from early 20s to late 50s. Several of the members in attendance, were in their teens.)

 In the weeks prior to the October 18 show (1973), interest in the comet increased the visitorship at the club's meetings. The number of visitors on Thursday, September 27, was 23, four more than the number of members attending, and, on October 25th, there were 22 visitors and 18 members. After the show, and, as the comet neared, there was a dramatic increase in attendance. On November 29, there were 56 visitors and 28 members. (Prior to the comet's approach, the greatest number of visitors to a club meeting was seven, and the number of members attending in 1972 varied between 7 and 17. In 1973, there were between 17 and 26, prior to November 29, with 24 present at the Christmas party on December 20th.)

 Barry and Bob were still working out the details of the observatory proposal with the Parks Department in late October, when the comet was approaching. It was February of 1974, by the time the expanded version of the proposal, was finished and submitted to director Grube. At the annual meeting, on February 14, 1974, the membership presented outgoing president, Bob Sickels with a tektite tie tack. (Try to say that three times without pausing.) It had become common practice to commemorate the service of each past president with a token of the association's appreciation. (In 1974, the membership fee, including a subscription to Sky and Telescope, was $15.)

 The expanded observatory proposal said the club would be responsible to build the observatory, and see that it would be open to the public on scheduled nights. The final agreement (i.e., a lease), drafted and issued by the County on September 24, 1974, stated that certain terms would be met by the association (access for schools and public viewing, separate bathrooms, liability insurance, etc.) in lieu of rent, and the agreement would be renegotiated in 25 years. In return, the County would provide land, service connections, roadways and the other benefits of being on public land (landscaping, grounds-keeping, etc.). (Unbeknownst to Bob and Barry, they were carrying out Dr. Fox'es dream. Dr. Fox apparently said nothing of the earlier plan.)

 In the 2-1/2 years following the initial proposal there were discussions concerning the type of roof, which way the building should face and how far off the roadway it should be. Some members wanted a dome, others, a flat roof. After some debate, it was decided to have two telescopes under a motorized, roll-off roof. (Some members say the County was opposed to having a dome because it was felt a dome might come off in a storm.) Barry Perlman took everyone's inputs and drew a floor plan for the part of the building intended to house the telescopes.

 By July of 1974, it had been tentatively decided to name the observatory for Dr. Fox (7-3-74), in recognition of his donation of the Brandon Refractor. About the same time, the landscaping firm of Stressau, Smith and Stewart had been selected to do the greenery (7-3-74) and the initial plans for the grounds, building and roof had been drawn up (7-13-74).

 On December 2, 1974 a copy of the plans for the service connections was turned over to the club by the project engineer, Earl E. Seck). I did not know the particulars of this part of the story, at the time, but I remember visiting the construction site on several occasions. As I recall it, the project moved slowly, seemingly due to a lack of funds; however, there were other factors (changes to the plans, the involvement of community leaders and benefactors, meetings and approvals involving the County, the state and the local school system). Of the  many things slowing the pace, in the fall of 1975, the building fund was still $12,500 short of the amount needed to complete construction. (Earl Seck completed the blueprint for the building on September 12, 1974, but the record shows there were four revisions to the drawings between September 12, 1974 and the "final signoff" on September 29, 1976.)

 The project was underway, but it would be many years before the observatory was as it is now. The part of the building, presently used for club meetings, was constructed with funds provided by the 1978 Parks Bond Issue. Because of other priorities, it took almost 11 years, until early in 1989, for the County to disperse the funds, and construct what is now the club's meeting room, or clubroom.

 (During the years from 1973 to 1977, a committee was formed for almost everything that needed looking into. Barry says things did not get done by committee; however, the record shows that many were appointed and reported on, and Barry was on more of them than anyone in the club. There were committees for weekly programs, membership drives, telescope construction, observatory construction, fund raising, auditing, banquets and Christmas dinners. (These things need to be documented, but Barry had a good point! You cannot get anything done if you get bogged down in deliberations. If you really want it done, you have to dig in and do it... and so they did!)

 An anecdote: One of the members, in this period, built a Newtonian reflecting telescope from spare parts. A rear view mirror bracket from an automobile was used for the secondary holder. He ground the mirror, put it all on a 2x4, and attached it to a threaded-pipe mount. Some of the members were concerned, because they thought he could not afford to buy better parts. It turned out that he was the chairman of the board of one of Broward County's oldest banks. He just wanted to see what could be done with readily available materials.

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How to Build an Observatory: The Project Continues(1975-1977)
 During much of 1975, the observatory project proceeded slowly, but some club members were in high gear! In the latter part of 1975, Jeff Lichtman, then club president, and Bob Sickels wrote and published a 119 page, illustrated handbook on radio astronomy (i.e., Amateur Radio Astronomer's Notebook,© 10-15-75). This document was simply written, but still professional and scientific. There were many photographs and circuit schematics, all designed and laid out by the authors. A copy of the original manuscript is on hand in the club archives. (Jeff had only recently moved to South Florida but both he and Bob had been involved in radio astronomy for many years. While living in Bayshore, New York, Jeff submitted an article and a photograph on radio astronomy and solar flares for publication in the September 1974 issue of Sky and Telescope.)

 Land had to be cleared and plans approved, but regardless of the problems, 1975 was a year of substantial progress. In March, a mosaic sundial, 160 feet across, was completed and dedicated. (At the September 18th meeting, Jeff Lichtman announced that Astronomymagazine was on sale for the first time and the subscription price was $10.) In late September, the County graded the land for the building site. On December 2, shortly after the ground-breaking, the pilings for the piers were poured by the Banaszak Concrete Company, and, on December 18, most of the rest of the foundation was done. Ted Rosz, a contractor and former club member, agreed to do the foundation for $1763. (Ted was the lowest bidder--the other bids were $2,000 and up. The ledger shows a total cost of $2,081 as of 12-23-75.) According to the agreement, the price included the slab for the observatory and the east patio. However, the portion of the foundation known as the "back porch," now the floor of the clubroom, was not poured until almost a year later.

 Some sources say, the porch floor was an afterthought, and others say it was included in the original bid for the foundation. At the membership meeting on May 1, 1975 (before any work was done and before Ted Rosz made his bid), the membership agreed to add a 15' 4" by 15' 4" extension on the north side of the observatory. The minutes say it was to be used as a viewing patio or a class study area. Barry says, "it was a good time to pour the slab, but the club didn't have the resources to go any further." (In 1996, Ted Rosz informed me that he did not do the additional pour.) Either way, the floor of the "back porch" was in place before the dedication on March 20, 1977. (Because the planetarium closed for a brief summer vacation, the only meeting held in August of 1975 was a viewing session at the Wylies'.)

 Things were starting to happen, but the major part of the construction lie ahead, and most of the needed capital was still outstanding. The County okayed the architect's drawings on November 10, 1975, and the building permit was issued on Thursday, November 13, for $99. The observatory was officially named for Dr. Fox a week later, on the 20th. (As late as the fall of 1975, the treasury was still $12,500 short of the estimated $15,000 needed to complete the project.)

 Most decisions were made during meetings of the combined membership, but, in one case, decisive, on-the-spot action was taken. During the ground-breaking ceremony, just after Thanksgiving 1975 (November 23 at 12:30 p.m.: a cold, cold day), several club members, mostly officers and committee persons, were huddled together, discussing the location and orientation of the building. Some of those present felt uncertain, as to just how much land the County was setting aside for the club's project. One member suggested the building should sit well off the roadway. (It seemed unlikely the County would build anything in front of the observatory.)

 This thought gave birth to a change in the plan--there would be more space if a greater setback was chosen. The stakes, marking the foundation, were immediately moved farther back from the roadway, and to make certain of their claim, the group dug the pits for the piers. Everyone took a turn--it was the only way to get warm!

 To add to the frustrations, the building permit was going to expire on 3-11-76. However, it could be renewed within 90 days at half price. If the 90 days slipped by the club would have to reapply. On March 3, Ted Rosz started working on the block walls, up to the tie beams. This part of the job was completed the last day of March, and cost an additional $1,500. Because the building fund was nearly depleted, the finish contractor/roof builder was not lined up, but the project was about to get a big boost. (The overall financial situation was about to change!)

 Ted did his part of the job for the cost of materials, and there was no electric power until several months after he finished. (Working without electricity, had to make progress more difficult.) When I spoke to Ted in 1996, he said "it would be prohibitive to build the observatory today." Ted's contribution to the project (sweat equity) was significant! (When Ted joined the club in the spring of 1967, he built an 8-inch reflecting telescope, which he still has as of this writing.)

 In the late spring of 1976, two club members came to the rescue with a plan to finance what remained to be done. Bob Sickels, construction coordinator, was then free to go ahead and hire a finish contractor. The "company," Bob hired to work on the interior and put up the roof also nailed up the wood shakes. He, William Hall of Hall Masonry was a one man operation, and was afforded the opportunity to bid on and do the job as a result of building an addition on the Sickels home. The interior, doors, roof and exterior finish were to be completed in 5 weeks and cost $5,384. The bid was made, and the deal was set on June 3, 1976. Some sort of adjustment or cost cutting must have come about because the record indicates Hall Masonry was paid $5058.85 to complete this part of the job.

 Joe Taylor, another contractor, and a club member as early as November 1966, had been scheduled to apply the stucco to the interior and exterior walls for $4191.75, but the plan had to be changed when the County requested the exterior of the building be finished in cedar planks and shakes, which they supplied. The Parks Department said the appearance of the structure should be compatible with the natural setting of the park. (The interior, and the part of the exterior, not covered by the cedar shakes, were to be plastered by a team made up of 5 or 6 club members.)

 Two months earlier, Bob sent a letter to Director of Parks, Robert Grube. The gist of it was that Dr. Fox promised to lend a 21-foot trailer to the club for members to rest in and use while waiting for an astronomical object to come into view. Grube asked for more information, and gave the idea a fair hearing, but by the time construction was to begin the deal had been nixed. It was decided that a trailer would be too obtrusive in the pristine setting of Markham Park.

 Construction was scheduled to begin the second week of June. The contractor informed Bob that he would need electricity for his equipment, and, on June 8, Bob asked the County for a variance allowing power to the site. The next day, temporary approval was granted, but the hookup was not to exceed a period of 30 days. (When the variance was granted, power was still not available at the site. FP&L wanted a goodly sum ($1,500) to install a transformer and run the lines.) Without electricity, the job moved slowly at first (everything had to be done by hand), but after a few days, the hookup was made, and the work was completed in a time frame close to the contractor's original estimate. (The building was secure by early August, but Hall Masonry did additional work in November. Possibly, that was when the County delivered the wood shakes for the exterior. The record shows that W. Hall was paid an additional $900 on November 25, 1976.)

 (There were negotiations with the County over the FP&L transformer and who pays what. Between June and late September 1976, there were several meetings and correspondences with the Building Department concerning this and other issues. One account has it, the club made monthly installments totaling $500 as its share of the cost. However, the treasurer's ledger shows the club paid FP&L $1,568 on 8-6-76.)

 Once the walls were up, and he had access to the building, George Johnston, a licensed electrician, and an SFAAA member, donated time and most of the materials to do the wiring. He completed the job on his Saturdays off, over a period of several months, ending the second week of September, 1976. Joe Leo, another member, also an electrician, assisted with the finishing touches.

 If the problems with the transformer and the hookup weren't enough, there was a disagreement with the county electrical inspector over grounding methods at the tie-in point. During the final inspection on 9-14-76, the inspector found the wiring going to the two piers not to be in compliance. Four code violations were noted, and power to the piers was red-tagged. On 9-15-76, Bob Sickels resubmitted the wiring plan for the two piers. A big pow-wow was held downtown on 9-21-76, with the County Planning and Zoning Enforcement Division, and the issues were resolved. On 9-22-76, all actions to be taken by both sides were laid out in a memo including the comment that George Johnston was free to call FP&L and request temporary power in order to completely check out his work before the final electrical inspection. (Every effort was being made by the County to see the project to a speedy conclusion.)

 The wiring was approved a week later, on September 29th (i.e., 9-29-76). The work to install the plumbing was done at reduced cost ($292.50) by Ralph Raspen, an associate of George's, and required another three months (from the first part of October to December 16). (With the hooking up of the plumbing, the installation of the wood shakes, the plastering, the pouring of the slab for the clubroom and other work on the interior and the telescopes all being done during the same period, the observatory must have been like a beehive.)

 The remoteness of the site, and the lack of conveniences, was a considerable hardship to those overseeing and participating in construction. Adding to the difficulty, was the general problem of getting inspections and service connections attended to. The members of the Observatory Committee had jobs, families and other demands on their time, and it was a long drive to wait for a service technician or an inspector who might be late or who might not show up at all.

 At the beginning of construction, a document was drawn up to describe the Observatory Committee, its duties and its methods. There were to be five officers, with two year terms. The committee was to establish a written operating procedure, and certify those qualified to operate the observatory. The committee was empowered to elect its chairman, and make twice-yearly reports to the club. (The observatory would be operated on the "buddy system," and, to be certified as operators, candidates would have to be at least eighteen years of age.) On September 22, 1976, Bob Sickels filed a progress report. In the report, Bob requested the Observatory Committee should, "very soon," provide the Operations Procedures for the observatory. (Multiple copies of the finished two page document are kept in the observatory archives--search "Other documents" twice, then search "6.")

 When the building was secure and the wiring was signed off, the details of finishing the interior were attended to (plastering, carpentry, ceiling, etc.). The members did most of the work themselves. Whatever needed attention, was done on a time-available basis. A small but dedicated team came by after work, or whenever they could. There were nine or ten individuals involved in this part of the job, and a lot of initiative was exercised!

 Bob Sickels purchased most of what was needed to finish the exterior and interior walls for $242. Joe Taylor picked out the materials and directed most of the work. Bob and Barry put up the drywall in what is now the storeroom. Joe Leo helped George finish the wiring. Charlie Helwig, Jeff Lichtman, John Martin, Bob Sickels and Ralph Boyd did the plastering. (This finishing phase of the job covered the four month period from early October of 1976 to mid February of 1977.)

 Along with the wood shakes for the exterior, the County supplied the tile for the floor. The shakes were available in 1976, but the tile did not become available until 1980. Other items, chairs, fire extinguisher, restroom supplies, etc. were bought out-of-pocket by whoever was working that day and saw the need. The sofits were made and donated by a screen and porch company, located a few doors from Bob Sickels' place of business. (The "observatory crew" was made up of the following club members: Rick Adams, Ralph Boyd, Paul Daniel, Charlie Helwig, George Johnston, Sylvia and Charles Lawson, Joe Leo, Jeff Lichtman, John Martin, Rae Parnell, Barry Perlman, Robert and Dorothy Sickels, Mike Smith, Joe Taylor and Walt Zalph.)

 While it was mentioned early on in the minutes, the back porch was not on the original drawings. However, once the work on the observatory was begun, it was logical to go ahead and extend the slab to include what was eventually to become the clubroom. The exact date is uncertain, but the additional section was poured sometime after the walls were up, but before the dedication ceremony in March of 1977. (The additional work on the floor may have been done by the County, in the closing months and weeks of 1976. Regardless of who poured the slab, the walls would have to wait until a later date. At the time, there was no way for anyone to know the County would eventually finish the job, or that it would take as long as it did.)

 Construction of the observatory was completed in February of 1977, fifteen months after the ground-breaking and almost four years after the trip to find a suitable site in May of 1973. The blueprint for the building was drawn up 9-12-74 by Earl E. Seck, P. E. (Mr. Seck, a friend of Bob Sickels', donated his time and expertise to the project.) The final inspection for the building was at 4:00 p.m. 2-25-77, by W. D. Taylor. All inspections were taken against permit #75-6114. A Certificate of Occupancy was issued two days later, on 2-28. The liability insurance premium for the year of dedication, 1977 was $31 for bodily injury and $22 for non ownership liability (limits: 100-300-25). (During the construction phase, a survey was done to complete the legal description of the property. Fox Observatory is located at latitude 26° 7' 44" north, longitude 80° 21' 41" west.
 

Help From Many Sources (1974-1976)
 When I first learned of the SFAAA and the construction going on at Markham Park, it was the spring of 1974. John Martin, a fellow worker at Harris Corporation, had been going to the club's meetings, and told me the story. I attended a few meetings, and Dr. Fox was one of the scheduled speakers. At the time, I did not know he was a relatively new member or that he had little to do with getting the observatory project started.

 Because I knew the first half of the story, but little of what happened in the late 1960s, I assumed it was Dr. Fox'es plan that was unfolding. I surmised that he might have been a part of the new club and the observatory project from the very beginning. It seemed remarkable that he was finally achieving his goal, and that he had been able to keep the promise of county land alive for so many years. However, as more information became available, it seemed likely, the site Dr. Fox had in mind in the mid 1950s was farther out, probably at or near Everglades-Holiday Park. (I mentioned the earlier club to SFAAA members on a few occasions, but could not get a discussion started. I thought everyone was following Dr. Fox'es lead, so I said nothing more of it.)

 After the first three articles in the newsletter series were published, I was told, Dr. Fox did not participate in the earliest planning, or in the search for a site. However, once the project was underway, and apparently without telling anyone of the earlier plan to build an observatory in the same general area, he and another member gave the project a boost by arranging the largest part of the financing.

 In 1974, Russell Peecook undertook the task of creating the zodiacal garden and sundial. The original plan was that plants and other decorations would adorn the circle. It took several months to get the ceramic tile and set up the job. Time was running out, but everything was completed just in time for the scheduled dedication of the garden and the future site of the observatory. (How it was done: Russell obtained permission to collect scrap tile from the dumpsters, behind several local Italian tile installers. There was no precise agreement or designation as to the use of the land within the circle, south of the observatory, so it was "acquired," so to speak, to serve a worthwhile cause.)

 On Friday, March 21, 1975, at 1:30 p.m., the day and time of the vernal equinox, the dedication ceremony was held, and a 200-year time capsule was put in place in what became known as the Kornfeld Zodiacal Garden. The pads for the planets had been placed in a pattern representing their relative positions around the Sun on the day of the dedication. (Frank and Barbara Kornfeld had, by that time, made several sizable donations and a commitment to donate more to the observatory project. In recognition of their continuing support, the zodiacal garden was named after them.)

 Mrs. C. Robert Markham attended the dedication, and made a $25 donation to the building fund. County Commissioner Jack Moss represented the citizens of Broward County. Members in attendance were: Mollie O'Donnell, Russell and Joy Peecook, Lyndon Allwood, Frank and Barbara Kornfeld, Aileen and Dr. George Rhodes, Frank and Pat McCarthy (son of Frank), Morey Morrison and Robert and Dorothy Sickels. The next step in the plan was to complete the observatory in time to dedicate it on the same day, one year later, but it was not to be. A shortage of funds delayed the start of construction until after the intended completion date. (The body of water on the north side of the observatory is Lake Madolyn, named for Mrs. Madolyn Markham.)  (sp: Madolyn or Madeleine)

 The sundial had been installed in two weeks by a crew headed by Bob Sickels and the designer, Russell Peecook. Russ and Dorothy Sickels did the work to set the tile on the 24-inch cement squares. Two of the three SFAAA members who knew the exact location of the time capsule were deceased as of 1995. The location is recorded in the archives of the Smithsonian Institute and of the State of Florida. The time capsule is scheduled to be opened in conjunction with the nation's quadri-centennial celebration in 2176. (The cement for the pads on which the signs of the zodiac and the planets were affixed was donated by the Banaszak Concrete Company. It is said that when the truck arrived with the cement, and the driver realized there would have to be 22 separate pours, moving the truck each time, "he went ballistic." Not long after completion and dedication of the garden (before Thanksgiving 1975), the Parks Department planted sod and installed a knee-high, post-and-rail fence around the circle.)

 The day before the dedication, the Kornfelds donated another $100 to the project. The Kornfelds' determined efforts and donations to get things done were, time and again, the fuel for the fire. The Kornfelds lived in Fort Lauderdale and in New York. They were itinerant travelers, going to major observatories and viewing sites all over the country and the world. They visited places like Ballart, Australia to view a solar eclipse.

 The Kornfelds were senior citizens, and they were very interested in the club! They made yearly sojourns to far off places and carried a 6-inch Quantum OTI Maksutov-Cassegrain with them wherever they went. In Ballart (1977), they chartered a plane and chased the eclipse. (A solar eclipse will last a few seconds longer if you fly west to its beginning, come about, then fly east to its conclusion.)

 A fund drive, begun early in 1975 (3-13-75), with Bob Sickels as its chairman, helped get the available capital up to a more workable level. Letters were sent to many civic leaders, with gratifying results. By mid year the treasury had grown to $3,000. Howard Leban and son, John Leban, Chairman of the Broward County Democratic Executive Committee donated $250 in May. Father and son were made honorary members on May 21, 1975. On the following day (at a club meeting), Wayne and Eleanor Wilson, new members, as of March 5, 1975, donated $200 to the fund. (At the membership meeting on May 1, 1975, a motion was passed to make anyone who donated $500 or more to the building fund an honorary member.)

 On 12-11-75, Dr. Fox turned the deed to the Brandon Refractor over to the association. At the same time, he received a Certificate of Appreciation for his contributions to the club and to the observatory project. In the spring of 1976 (March 12), Frank and Barbara Kornfeld, with Dr. Fox'es help, floated a $5,000 bond, to help finance the project. (At the time a trust agreement was drawn up with Bob Sickels and Ralph Boyd designated as trustees and "keepers" of the bond.)

 In addition to their share of the bond, the Kornfelds donated a total of approximately $5,000 more in cash between March of 1975 and February of 1977. The largest amount was $3,500 and came in July of 1976, just when the project needed it most. The Wylies, Johnstons, Foxes and Sickelses led a large group of members who donated a sum totaling another $2,500. (During 1975 and 1976, Lyndon Allwood, a prominent local political leader and club member, helped get things done by working with the various commissions and departments of county government. It took all these efforts and a lot of persistence to get the job done.)

.On one occasion, during a "block drive," Bob Sickels' salesmanship brought in more than he bargained for. It was at a Thursday night meeting, almost a year after the fund drive began. The previous Monday, January 19, 1976, John Martin and I, in response to an add in the Sun Sentinel, visited the home of an SFAAA member. The add directed us to Dr. Michael Blatt, Cherry Garden Circle, Inverrary. One of us called the phone number in the newspaper, and we were invited to visit Dr. Blatt's home to see his 10-inch, Cave, Newtonian reflector.

 The Blatt reflector was an f/8 or f/9 planetary scope, with the tube extended 12 inches beyond the optics at each end. The extra tube length formed a chimney to help keep stray light out of the visual field. The tube assembly was over 100 inches long and 12 inches in diameter--it took the three of us to set it up.

We wanted to look at Mars, but the red planet was nearly overhead--a 6-foot stepladder was needed to reach the eyepiece. The image was crisp, on a jet-black sky, with fine markings visible on the surface at 85x. (Neither John nor I could transport or set up an instrument of that size without serious help, so we passed it up. However, I have often looked back and wished that I possessed this remarkable telescope. The asking price was $500.)

  (more Mars)

 When John went to the club meeting on Thursday, he still had the money to buy Dr. Blatt's telescope in his wallet. When the meeting began, Bob gave a patriotic speech to inspire donations. He said he would match the highest dollar amount from anyone present. Bob was noticeably shaken when John, stirred by the rousing address (gung ho, in John's words), raised his hand, with $100 in it. (Jeff Lichtman had agreed to put up half of the matching funds.) Before John, Bob or Jeff realized what had happened, they were a total of $200 lighter. (Eli Silk, a member of seven months, and the Wylies had each contributed $100 in the previous days.)

 In November of 1995, a few days prior to John telling me of his "gung ho" donation, I found a reference in the club minutes for January 22, 1976, regarding several hundred dollars ($320) having come from the membership during the meeting. I thought that was a large amount of cash to come from the floor at one time. Now I know the rest of the story. (John fondly recalled the look of astonishment on Bob Sickels' face.)

 We did not know Dr. Blatt was a club member when we arrived at his home. He had not attended many meetings, and only casually mentioned the club during the evening. (While we left Dr. Blatt's home empty-handed that evening in 1976, we were not entirely without gain. It turned out that Dr. Blatt was a cardiologists at Cape Kennedy working on the Apollo missions. He told stories until almost midnight--yarns about Zor Astrans and extraterrestrials. That evening still stands out in my memory.)

 Among the many donations, a considerable sum came from Sheriff Ed Stack. Lyn Allwood contacted the Sheriff, explaining that the club needed help covering such expenses as the cost of connecting electric power to the observatory. Sheriff Stack responded almost immediately (August 10, 1976), with a check for $1,000. (In recognition of their support, Sheriff Stack, and Frank and Barbara Kornfeld, were extended honorary life memberships. The Kornfelds' were honored sometime in 1976, with Sheriff Stack in August of the same year.)

 Ralph Boyd, the club president during the peak construction period (1976), resigned from office late in the year. Ralph lived in Miami, and felt that with the demands on the president, and with the observatory construction underway, it would be best to let someone who was geographically closer to the observatory fill the position. Bob Sickels served the balance of Ralph's term.

.Ralph said it was a hectic year, but for him, it was also a year of recognition. Earlier in the year, on Sunday, March 7, 1976, at 6:30 a.m., Ralph was waiting for Comet West to come out from behind the Sun. It was on its way back to deep space, and the completion of its one million year orbit. Previously, the comet had followed a 300,000 year trajectory. This time it ventured too close to its keeper, 18.3 million miles, and, on that morning, Ralph was the first in the US, to see and report the breakup of the nucleus into two pieces.

 Ralph called Brian Marsden at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics to record what he had seen, but in the early morning hours of the weekend, could only draw the attention of a telephone answering device. Ralph was unsure as to whether he had recorded his phone message correctly--then, the call came back from Marsden, asking many questions, in an effort to confirm the sighting. The first instrument to record the split was a 36-inch reflector at a university observatory in Germany, and Ralph was using an eight-inch, Dynamax, Schmidt-Casse. (More recently, Brian Marsden has been affiliated with the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams in Massachusetts. In May of 1993, Marsden and another orbital specialist, Syuichi Nakano in Japan, were the first to predict the splash-down of Shoemaker-Levy 9.) (Source for additional information: Sky and Telescope, Sky Publishing Corp., Cambridge, MA, July 1994, Levy/Beatty, Awaiting the Crash-Part II, pp 18-23.)

 On Monday, March the 18th, Steven O'Meara reported a second split, using the 9-inch Harvard Observatory refractor. The nucleus was now four separate chunks. (O'Meara first spotted the original split on Monday, the 8th, the day after Ralph.) (Source for additional information: Sky and Telescope,May 1976, "Comet West's Fine Performance" pp 312-321.). Ralph's Dynamax was the smallest instrument to record the event. (This was a really big deal! Since that time, several comets have been reported braking up, but before 1976, very few such events had been documented, and none buy an amateur.)

 John Martin and I had made our way out to SR-27 with a group from Motorola. I think Joe Leo was in the group, or, he intended to be. It was late February, around the 20th, and just before evening twilight when we got there. The observing site was a paved "turnout" on the west shoulder of the highway, just north of where the toll plaza for "the Alley" is today. There were about 15 of us in 4 or 5 cars. The comet was easy to find, but did not stand out well in the evening twilight. We adjourned after about an hour. (The comet passed out of sight on the 25th or 26th--everyone braced themselves for the "coming out.")

.(In the 1970s, the greater metropolitan area still had a potential for good seeing. On many nights there a was "window," or porthole, a bit more than 30 degrees across, and directly overhead, typical of sites two to three miles from the center of town. Anything crossing through that "window" was "fair game." You could see 5th magnitude stars with the unaided eye, and with an 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain, at 100 power, you could easily make out the three-dimensional effect of M 27, the "dumbell nebula." At 150x, in the same telescope, the 12th magnitude star, just outside the ring nebula, M 57, was fairly easy to detect, with averted vision. M 13 looked like hundreds of tiny dazzling lights, in a Cave Optical, 8-inch f/7 Newtonian, from sites little more than three or four miles from the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Of course, such visibility was only possible near the zenith, and only after 11 p.m. Given the light pollution in recent years, the marginally poor seeing conditions in the 1970s seem incidental. With the urban sprawl and the increasing sky glow, and even when viewing from relatively remote, but reasonably close in, sites, such as Markham Park, little of what could be seen then is visible now. This is true for a telescope of any aperture or design, except on very rare occasions, in the early morning hours! In 1973, when construction of the Fox Observatory began, and in spite of the city lights, the seeing at locations as far west as the "dark site" and at points north of the "alley," on State Road 27, was breathtaking! When there was no moon, it was not possible to see your hand in front of your face!)

 Rising, just before the Sun, in early March, Comet West was bright and luminous in a 5-inch RFT. The comet easily filled a 2.5 degree field, and it looked almost as it did in photographs. Even to the unaided eye, it was very broad and bright, with a 2 to 3 degree tail, easily seen, even in the morning twilight. As I recall it, I decided to set up my telescope and look for "the split" after John Martin told me of Ralph's discovery. I had forgotten this story until I spoke to Ralph in the spring of 1996. Almost 20 years had passed when he reminded me of what had transpired. (Comet West is one of those spectacles, like the first strike of S-L 9, or the first time, or any time, you see Omega Centauri, that stays with you over the years.)

   (Return to "Observing notes")  ("Comet West")

 The plan to build an observatory in Markham Park was a bold venture from the beginning. When the first proposal was sent to the County in 1973, there was only $300 in the club treasury. However, by mid 1976, with cash donations and a $5,000 bond floated by the Kornfelds and Dr. Fox, a tidy sum was available for construction. On 7-5-76, with completion of the job in sight, it was estimated that $14,890.50 would be expended. (Yet another donation by the Kornfelds ($3,500) on July 2nd of that year brought the amounts contributed to the building fund very close to $15,000. (When the observatory was officially opened on 3-20-77, the total expense entered into the ledger was $14,643.60.)

 With out of pocket expenses, and with building supplies donated by local businesses, the total investment was considerably more. Donations of time and materials from friends of club members and from members of the community that could not be counted accurately, pushed the club's share to approximately $20,000. (The County and the Parks Department would eventually invest another $20,000. This figure includes the clubroom, which was not completed until long after the initial construction phase.)

 With realization of the plan in sight, the club, as a non-profit (501) organization, needed to amend the Articles of Incorporation in order to abide by the tax code and protect the club's assets. (The amendment was drawn up 1-18-76; approved by the membership 2-24-76; filed 3-19-76; witnessed 4-28-76; and filed 4-29-76. The Certificate of Amendment was issued in two parts by the Secretary of State, Bruce Smathers, on the 30th and 31st day of April 1976.) The amendment stated that if the SFAAA were ever to be disbanded the residual assets of the club would, by a two-thirds majority of the membership at the time, be donated to another South Florida astronomical association. (A second equipment inventory, identified as the initial inventory, was filed on 7-25-76. The value of equipment owned or operated by the club was placed at $24,425. Bob Sickels' radio telescope had been added to the list since the first inventory was taken.)

 Apparently, a related amendment to the Bylaws was prepared, but not enacted, on January 19 of the same year. It was not until April of 1978 that words to the same effect were added to the Bylaws, with one variation-- disposition would be determined by a majority vote of the entire membership (Article XI). To further comply with the code and insure protection of the assets, an article (VI) was added creating a panel of three trustees to serve staggered terms of three years. The trustees shall be elected by the membership, and the purpose of the panel is to preside over the property of the association. (Article VI of the Bylaws states that it shall be the responsibility of the trustees to maintain an inventory of all association property, and no one can remove said property from the observatory without notification and consent of at least one of the trustees. Also, a trustee may serve as a director or other officer during his or her term, and under Article V--Government, a second director was added to the board. (With the 1978 changes, the number of articles was increased from eleven to twelve.)

 As regards any decision to put off amendment of the Bylaws, it turns out that it was good idea to do so until after the observatory was up and running. The meeting schedule is also spelled out in the Bylaws, and there were many changes during the first years of observatory operation. (The 1978 amendment was voted on and became effective 4-27-78. An amendment to the Bylaws, begun in April of 1989, with final changes and approval in November of that year, granted more flexibility as to the potential recipients in the event of the association's dissolution. The residual assets of the club would be turned over to another Florida astronomical association, thus excluding the word "South," and increasing the size of the pool of candidates.)

  (Return to the "Guide")
 

The Project Draws to a Close: A Time for Celebration (1976-1977)
 A telescope committee was formed to put together a 12-1/2-inch, Dall-Kirkham, Cassegrain. Barry Perlman influenced the decision to build a reflector as he wanted to do photometric work. Barry was chairman of the telescope committee and John Martin was vice chairman. The mirror set came from Coulter Optical and cost $350. The mirror cell and some of the other parts were purchased from Kenneth F. Novak and Company.

 The telescope was put together entirely by club members and families of club members during 1976. The tube assembly was a Surrier truss design, made from aluminum stock. The father of one of the club members (Linda Beurle) also the proprietor of a sheet metal shop, donated the materials, and welded the assembly together. The aluminum cage, by itself, weighed 30 to 40 pounds!

 The optical components were installed, and assembly was completed, at the Wylie Nursery in Davie. Purchase of the optics and the other parts for the Cassegrain was financed by Barbara and Frank Kornfeld. Barry Perlman and Walt Golden had constructed the control console for the photometer in the fall of 1973. (The piers were poured, and the work on the reflector and the refractor was completed in the late months of 1976 through mid February of 1977.)

 The height of the pier for the refractor was calculated by John Martin. With a flat roll-off roof, the measurement had to be exact! The telescope had to fit under the movable part of the roof when it was in the closed position, but the pier still needed be of sufficient height to allow viewing near the horizon. To accomplish both feats, the declination axis would have to be turned to the horizontal position, when the roof was closed. (From the time the Fox family moved to Miami, in the late 1960s, until it was permanently installed in the observatory, in 1977, the Brandon Refractor was stored in the Joe and Sylvia Fox'es spare bedroom.)

 On Sunday, March 20th, 1977, at 4:30 p.m., one year behind schedule, the Fox Astronomical Observatory was dedicated. The Brandon Refractor, with its P-38 mount and asbestos covered aluminum tube, was in its present position. A few feet west, stood the Kornfeld Cassegrain, on a fork mount purchased from the Museum of Science, by Barry Perlman, in 1973. (Barry paid $35 for the mount, and the clock drive was purchased from a commercial source.)

 At the dedication, Vice Mayor Virginia Young, Sheriff Ed Stack and Mrs. C. Robert Markham were part of the group representing the County. Benefactors, dignitaries and SFAAA officers spoke, then a deed to the building was turned over to Ken Jenne, representing the citizens of Broward County, by Bob Sickels, on behalf of the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association. The invocation was delivered by Reverend Marvin E. Purser Jr., and the Sheriff led the pledge of allegiance.

 Lyndon V. Allwood, Chairman of the Broward County Democratic Screening Committee, and an SFAAA member, was chairman of the dedication committee. Mr. Allwood introduced the program, and Ken Jenne, Chairman of the County Commission, gave the welcoming address. Other addresses and remarks were delivered by Mary and Charles Wylie, Bob Sickels, Dr. Joseph Fox, Gladwin Comes, director of Buehler Planetarium, Frank Kornfeld, John Leban, Chairman of the Broward County Democratic Executive Committee and Sheriff Ed Stack. (Other members of the dedication committee were Frank and Barbara Kornfeld, Bob and Dorothy Sickels, and Mary Wylie.)

 After Mrs. Kornfeld christened the observatory, addresses were made by Dr. Edwards, president of Broward Junior College, Mrs. Kathleen Wright, Chairman of the Broward County School Board and James Maurer, Superintendent, Broward County Public Schools. After a few members of other clubs spoke, Ken Jenne officially transferred the observatory and the grounds to Bob Sickels and the SFAAA.

 The ceremony was brought to a close with a few remarks from representatives of the Broward County Parks Department. Those who were there will remember seeing Jack Horkheimer ("The Starhustler") and Art Smith, both of the Miami Space Transit Planetarium. During the afternoon, refreshments were served, telescopes were set up, and when it was dark, pictures of the Moon and Jupiter were taken. (Jim Dailing, an employee of Motorola and relatively new to the area, was in attendance. Jim and his wife, Mary Lou, and five children moved to South Florida from Glen Ellyn, Illinois and settled in Plantation in 1972. Jim did not find an opportunity to join the club until 1985, but was curious about the goings-on and paid a visit, as others of us have done over the years. Jim took his three boys, Phillip, Steven and David to the festivities.)

 Several months before the dedication, Bob Sickels found a less-than-wholesale source for two 12-volt DC boat winch motors. The motors were needed to hoist the dish for the radio telescope; however, they were purchased on 10-26-76, and the dish wasn't going up until late in 1977. In the meantime, the winch motors were used to open and close the observatory roof. One was used to open the roof and the other to close it. To provide the "juice," John Martin obtained a 12-volt, 20-amp, DC transformer that was being scrapped by his employer. (Because the motors were not installed until one month later, the roof was hand cranked to the open position for the dedication ceremony.)

 A few months after the dedication, probably in May or June 1977, the "book drawings" were discontinued, except on an occasional basis. The club was moving on to other things and many had lost interest in the idea. After the award of more than 150 books, the idea had worn itself out.

  (Return to the "Guide")   ("The Project Draws to a Close")
 

Adjusting to Observatory Life (1978-1980)
 When the observatory became operational, meetings continued to be held at the planetarium, but within a year of the christening, it was decided, they would only be held twice each month, on the second and fourth Thursday. A third meeting, on a floating Friday night, was intended for observing sessions at the observatory. (The change to the Bylaws, in April of 1978, made the new schedule official.)

 The change was made because someone from the club had to be at the observatory on public nights, every Saturday. With the clubroom not yet under construction, and no adequate meeting place at the park, going back and forth, twice each week, and coming up with programs for gatherings at both places, was a major undertaking.

 Early in 1979, because of conflicts with the scheduling at Buehler, the time and place for the club's regular meetings was changed again. Future meetings would only be held once each month. For the balance of 1979 and all of 1980, meetings were held at the Fox Observatory, on the second Saturday, in conjunction with the open house. Viewing sessions were elective, and the open house and meeting nights were adjusted to avoid the light of the Moon. ( For most of 1979 and a short time in 1980, the start time for meetings was 7:30 p.m. However, in March of 1980, the schedule for open house/public nights was reduced to every second and fourth Saturday, and the start time for the club meeting was moved to 9:30 p.m., after open house.)

 On Thursday, February 5, 1981, at 8:30 p.m., the regular club meetings returned to BCC, Davis Campus, building 75, room 102, just north and west of the planetarium. Thereafter, meetings were held on the first Thursday at 8:30 p.m. After a short stint in room 102, on May 7, of that year, the club's regular meetings returned to the planetarium. (This would be the last time either schedule, open house or club meeting, would undergo adjustment until March of 1991.)

 For Your Information (how it was done): The Articles of Incorporation brought into law January 25, 1966 stated, the first annual meeting was to be held on the first Monday in March of that year, and thereafter at a date determined at the option of the board. To that end, the Constitution and Bylaws, written in March of that year, decreed that regular meetings would be held on Wednesdays, and the annual meeting would be held on the second Wednesday in February. In the 1978 revision of the Bylaws, the day for the annual meeting was stated as being the second regular meeting in February, by then, a Thursday. In effect, this and going from meeting weekly to meeting twice-monthly moved the annual meeting from the second week to the fourth week. (On reading this, I wondered if there were an oversight in the 1978 amendment or if any meetings were actually held on the fourth Thursday? Possibly, the change in the wording from "second Wednesday" to "second regular meeting" should have been stated as 'second week," or "first regular meeting," thus designating the annual meeting to be in the same week as before.) Whatever the intent, the day for meetings, annual and otherwise, was soon changed again!

 Sometime in early to mid 1979, the day and time for all regular meetings was changed to the second Saturday, and the annual meeting became the regular meeting in February. (This was done by vote of the membership, and the Bylaws were not subsequently amended to reflect the change. With the disposition of assets attended to, and with the possibility of further changes in the schedule, the membership put off any further amendment until a later date.) The only annual meeting affected by this change was held in February of 1980. This is because the association moved back to the BCC campus, and resumed having Thursday night meetings, just in time for the annual meeting on February 7, 1981. (This final change in the meeting schedule was not formally added to the Constitution and Bylaws until November of 1989.) (For more information on this, see A Schedule of Meetings, Appendix IV.)

 While the club was still meeting at the observatory (Dec. 1979), and to lighten the load further, and gain more breathing room, the membership decided to cut back on the nights the observatory would be open to the public. A memo released on March 19, 1977 said the observatory would be open every Saturday from 7-10 p.m. (Looking back: In the minutes for the regular club meeting on January 24, 1974, just before the expanded version of the observatory proposal was forwarded to the County, Barry Perlman mentioned, and it was stressed, that the number of public nights should be carefully considered. The club should not commit to more than it can do!) Four and sometimes five Saturdays a month probably seemed doable at the beginning of the project. (I was only an occasional visitor at the time; however, making as many as 9 or 10 trips a month for meetings and public nights seemed a staggering responsibility.) On December 8, 1979, a vote was taken, and, on March 8, 1980, the schedule for public observing was changed to the second and fourth Saturday.

 To have finished the project, and then managed to open the observatory to the public on a regular basis was remarkable, and all of this was accomplished with only 45 members. A surprisingly large percentage of the membership formed the core group. By any minimal estimate there were more than 20 key players, and, at any given time, seven or eight were active in leadership roles--finance, materials acquisition, planning, code compliance, design, contracting and construction. Without the technical and trade skills of some of the members and their ability to call on outside tradespersons and civic leaders none of this could have happened. (Of particular note were: Walt Golden, Herb Harris, George Johnston, Jeff Lichtman, Joe Leo, Jack Finnigan, Joe Taylor, Ted Rosz, John Martin and Barry Perlman. Possibly, most important were the abilities of Bob Sickels and Lyndon Allwood to work with local officials, and get the community interested in the project.)
 

Radio Astronomy at the Park (1977-1980)
 On August 4, 1977, five months after the dedication and the beginning of public viewing, Bob Sickels' filed a permit with the County to put up a dish antenna for a radio telescope. The antenna was erected on or about August 9, but was still being revised as late as January 28, 1978. It took almost a year to build the receiver and get it working. The north wall of what was then called the backroom (now the storeroom) was eventually hidden by racks of electronic equipment. The 25-foot parabolic dish antenna was mounted 100 yards east of the observatory, where the pine trees are today. An underground cable connected the antenna to the building. The system was operational early in 1979, at a frequency of 612 MHz.

 In 1978, Dr. Fox became the 24th president of the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association. He also served as director-at-large for the years 1980 through 1983, and probably 1979. Until that time, it was his practice to present programs and leave club business to others. Between 1970 and 1980, Dr. Fox presented more than 50 programs. Some of his topics were stellar evolution, spectroscopy, photometry, black holes, time keeping and the AAVSO.

 Also in 1978, a vintage--1923, Zeiss mount, once owned by boat racer, Gar Wood, became available for the 6-inch Brandon Refractor. When the new mount was installed, the P-38 mount was stored, on the roof, over the restrooms, It remained there, in the open, and without cover, until it was finally and unfortunately discarded sometime in the 1980s. Two brass counterweight assemblies, for the optical tube, and a Zeiss rack-and-pinion focuser came with the new mount. (The focuser and counterweights were installed with the upgrade. The asbestos covering, Dr. Fox put on the tube in 1958 or 1959, was removed by Barry Perlman, either, at that time, or in 1980 or 1981.)

 Later in the year, Broward County voters approved a parks bond that eventually brought funds to Markham Park and Fox Observatory. In return for supporting the bond issue, the construction of the clubroom was added to the plan to develop the park. Up to that time, the club members thought they would eventually have to come up with the wherewithal to turn the "back porch" into an enclosed room. (The sidewalk, leading up to the building and angling off to the east patio, was added by the County in 1978, but that money was allotted before the bond issue.)

 Also in 1978, Herb Harris, following Barry Perlman's design, built an observing platform for the Cassegrain. It was replaced with two movable, steel staircases in 1980. Later in the year, a work area with machine tools was created in the backroom, on the south wall, opposite Bob's equipment, and 20 folding chairs were purchased for membership meetings. (The chairs were purchased with a donation by the Kornfelds, but with limited floor space, they could not be put to much use until the clubroom was completed in 1989. However, after 1978, most membership meetings in the month of August, when the planetarium was closed, were held at the observatory.) Also in 1978, a star chart was put up in the observatory, but it began to fade and was taken down in 1980. (Herb Harris moved to Tamarac from New York and joined the SFAAA on July 24, 1975. In 1978, he was elected to serve as the cl