Louisburg Kansas

by Jim Ster

I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it to SSP this year. I sure missed seeing all of you there. The reason I didn't make it to SSP this year is that I've been in Kansas City for the past 3 weeks with my family spending some time with my sister-in-law before she passed away from her 8 year long battle with leukemia. While I was out there, I was able to hook up with Rick Singmaster and the Astronomical Society of Kansas City (ASKC) for an evening at their club's observatory in Louisburg Kansas. The following is a letter of thanks I sent to the president of the ASKC, Mr. Joe Wright, which I'd like to submit as my observing report for one of the most remarkable and memorable observing sessions I've ever had.

It's Jim Ster. We met at your clubs observatory in Louisburg on evening of the 2nd of July. I was the friend of Rick Singmaster's who brought his family and a few close friends (6 carloads!) down from Leawood to give my sister-in-law Kathy a beautiful evening out under the stars before her inevitable passing from leukemia.

Just to let you know, Kathy passed away peacefully on the morning of the 10th, but not before our family had the opportunity to spend what can only be described as an incredible weekend filled with love and happiness which will remain in our hearts and minds forever. The evening at Louisburg was Kathy's last evening that she was able to walk on her own, and the fact that she was able to climb to the top of the 10 foot ladder to the eyepiece of the 30" Starmaster at zenith, twice no less, to take a good look at M57 (known primarily to us as the "Ring" Nebula, but as Carol Singmaster fittingly pointed out, is also known to some as the "God's Eye" Nebula) was just another example of Kathy's strength and will to live life to it's fullest. She was truly an amazing woman who will be missed by all.

My brother and his family have asked me to say thank you to you and all the fine members of the ASKC for allowing us to join you at your observatory in Louisburg for which we will always be grateful to the ASKC for your wonderful display of hospitality and kindness in our time of need.

If any members of the ASKC are ever traveling to the Sacramento area, please have them look me up and it would be my pleasure to return the favor and hook up with them for an evening at one of our dark sky sites. I'll even provide the scopes.

Posted on tac-sac Jul 18, 2005 14:33:35 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Oct 10, 2005 11:27:32 PT