“An Evening with the Stars” fundraiser for Astronomy Center
Volunteers from the Calumet Astronomy Society are hosting “An Evening with the Stars” to raise funds to match a grant from the Legacy Foundation. “Each dollar we raise, up to $10,000, will be matched by a Legacy Foundation grant, but we need to meet a June 1 deadline,” said Robert Cornwell, MD one of the event’s coordinators.
Evening with the Stars, on Saturday, May 17 at 7 p.m., will be filled with all kinds of stars. Lakeshore Public Television’s meteorologist, Chuck Heaver, will be the guest speaker. He will share the dynamics of Northwest Indiana weather and talk about the wind we so often experience.
Singer, guitarist, songwriter, and one of ten contestants selected from 20,000 people nationwide to compete on USA Network's “Nashville Star”, Nicole Jamrose will perform under the stars. Volunteer members of the Calumet Astronomy Society will have their telescopes pointed to the heavenly bodies. Hors d’ oeuvres and beverages will be served.
The event takes place at the Conway Observatory at Buckley Homestead County Park located 4.5 miles west of Interstate 65 just south of Route 2. Exit I-65 west at Rt. 2 toward Lowell to Hendricks Road, then south to the “T” at Belshaw. East (left) on Belshaw to the first right (Chase Street) and south for one mile.
Tickets at $50 per person are available online here. or at 20/20 Telescopes and Binoculars, 1058 Joliet Street, Dyer, Indiana. Call 219-322-8701 for more information.
CAS members have been working in partnership with the Lake County Parks, the Lake Heritage Parks Foundation, Purdue University Calumet, and the Institute for Career Development through the steelworkers union in the development of an astronomy center. In 2005 the Thomas Conway Observatory was dedicated at its Buckley site as the first of three phases of the astronomy complex. Future phases include a robotic telescope operated by Purdue University Calumet used for distance learning, and an indoor heated classroom with auditorium-style seating for 60 to 100 people with a computer laboratory.
Those unable to attend the fundraiser, but who would like to support the matching grant program may make a tax-deductible contribution by sending a check to the Calumet Astronomical Society, P.O. Box 851, Griffith, IN, 46319-0851.