TCAA History - Years of Reflection

Probably the single largest phenomenon that influenced the latter half of the 1980s was another effort by the TCAA to create a public observatory. The membership focused its attention and all its fund-raising efforts on this goal. Since 1983 the TCAA had been presenting public observing programs and talks at Comlara Park, six miles north of Normal. Beginning in 1985 the club had been a regular part and contributor to the Comlara Fest activities that were designed to generate revenue for and interest in the Park. The service rendered at Comlara Park was part of the club’s mandate for existence. As a result, many members began to think of the possibility of erecting an observatory that could both serve the public and the membership of the club. It was only natural to want to select a site within Comlara Park. The site was workable, accessible, protected, and had a “captive audience” in the campers that frequented the area in search of outdoor adventures. Unfortunately, this project had to be put on temporary hold by Roger Monke, the very supportive park manager, due to financial constraints resulting in the recent downturn in the economy. This did not dissuade the membership from continuing to work the Comlara Park.

The 1985-86 apparition of Halley’s Comet provided the opportunity for a bit more growth of the club and a golden opportunity to show the McLean County Board that the TCAA could “deliver.” The first observation of Halley’s Comet by a TCAAer was made by Weldon Schuette viewing from the south boat ramp area of Comlara Park on the evening of September 19, 1985. He made a confirming observation on October 13. Darren Drake⁴³ confirmed Weldon’s “discovery.” ISU historian and club member Sharon MacDonald gave a public talk on Halley’s Comet and the Bayeux tapestry; Jim Baker gave a talk at Westminster Village; and Mike McCall gave a presentation at the Bloomington Public Library.

William Carney and several other TCAAers made some of the first naked-eye observations of Halley’s Comet on December 6. They were mentioned in the April 1986 edition of Astronomy magazine and were similarly recognized on the front cover of the February Reflector of the Astronomical League. During the autumn and winter of 1985-86 the club hosted numerous observing sessions. The two largest observing sessions were held at Comlara Park on January 10 and 11, 1986. On these two evenings more than 2,000 individuals viewed the comet through a variety of telescopes. Weldon Schuette and Carl Wenning had both independently created observer guides for the return of Halley’s Comet. Ayne VandenBrook, planetarium volunteer and later a club member, helped Carl Wenning present several hundred planetarium programs (two different showings) about the comet that brought planetarium attendance to an all time academic year high of 27,000.

On February 25 Carolyn and Carl Wenning made the club’s first naked eye, post-perihelion observation of the comet. It was glimpsed over a sea of fog from an elevated railroad bed just south of Bloomington. The comet had a nuclear brightness of about third magnitude and a visible tail 3 degrees long. This observation fueled interest and several parties traveled south to get better views of the comet’s closest approach to earth in March. Carolyn and Carl⁴⁴ went to Louisiana, Jim and Sue Baker went to Arizona, and Weldon Schuette went to Florida.

In the wee morning hours of March 14 and with the assistance of Jim Baker, the club’s oldest member, Aubrey Johnson, became a Comet Halley “Two Timer.” He recalled seeing the comet in 1910 when 12 years of age. Aubrey had a chance to recount both of his observations of Comet Halley on that evening when he and two other guests from Westminster Village in Bloomington were invited to share their recollections at the ISU Planetarium during a club meeting. Aubrey was later recognized and congratulated on this second observation with a special Comet Halley Two-Timer plaque.

Unfortunately, the sky was overcast for so much of the time that Halley was present in the sky. Many club members saw the comet for the first time at a William Carney’s favorite viewing site south of the sharp turn on the old Ireland Grove Road. There was a short dirt road leading to a barn or large storage/farm equipment building.

In late March, the TCAA began holding morning observing sessions for the general public at the Apostolic Christian Church just east of Bloomington. On March 22 some 200 people showed up at 4:00 a.m. to view the comet. Before long it would be time to say goodbye as the comet headed back out into the depths of the solar system to await the TCAA of 2061. In its wake it left the club with its largest membership ever – 89. The TCAA said “hello” to many new members as a result of Halley’s Comet.

Much of the membership observing at this time took place privately and in small groups located in the darker regions of McLean County. Carl Wenning and Weldon Schuette spent innumerable hours observing from the western edge of Moraine View State Park. Another favorite observing spot was the home of Bob Ryburn located on the southeastern edge of the park. Joe DeHoff also spent innumerable hours there observing, and making homebuilt telescopes along with Bob. In the main, Joe made the mirrors and Bob – a retired high school shop teacher and part time musical instrument maker – mounted them in wooden tubes on Dobsonian mounts.

Not to be deterred from building a public observatory, the membership launched programs to generate revenues such as holding an Astronomy Day raffle, promoting Chuck E. Cheese pizza sales, selling t-shirts and two different Comet Halley guides published by Weldon and Carl. Following many Tuesday evenings during “mirror making” activities at the Wenning home in Normal, the Astronomy Rendezvous and Conference came into being in 1987 as another possible fundraiser. The annual event, held in August for four years running, featured guest speakers, planetarium programs, laboratory exercises, a flea market, door prizes, and an observing session. The one-day Saturday event was held in the ISU Physics Department under Carl’s leadership, but failed to generate significant revenue.

Plans and drawings for a proposed observatory were dusted off from the earlier Comlara Park phase with then park manager Roger Monke that had ended with the near demise of the park during the recession experienced in the early 1980s. Preliminary talks with park manager Bill Wasson had led the membership to believe that the club would be welcome to erect a public observatory at Comlara Park.

In anticipation of constructing such a facility, the club, at its December 1986 meeting, decided to purchase a DS-16 telescope by Odyssey. The members of the Decatur Area Astronomy Club were familiar with the TCAA’s desire to buy such an instrument and alerted the TCAA of the availability of a used 16-inch reflector in Decatur. In March 1987 Kevin Brown, Sharon MacDonald, Jim Moncher and Carl Wenning used $1,100 of club funds to purchase the telescope from the then president of the DAAC, Mike Vaclav. Obtaining the telescope was just the first step in establishing a public observatory.

During the spring of 1987 Allan Timke discovered the Vesto M. Slipher Committee and its penchant for donating funds for worthy causes oriented toward public astronomy education. Carl Wenning requested and received a $550 grant from the Committee for the purchase and refurbishment of a used 22-foot diameter converted silo dome. Upon the recommendation of James Baker, the club purchased the dome from a private individual in northern Illinois. In August 1987 the dome was transported to Bloomington where it was stored in the Game Designer’s Workshop through the intervention of member Kevin Brown who worked there. The cost of the dome was $350.

It would seem that everything was falling into place for the erection of the Comlara Park observatory, but that was not be. By the spring of 1988 it was becoming clear that there was a major stumbling block with the county – 24-hour access by members of the TCAA. The club insisted upon it; Mr. Wasson resisted it. Because Mr. Wasson had up to this point represented the club before the McLean County Board, it was clear that the TCAA would have to make its own case before the Board.

Carl Wenning prepared a written proposal for the Property Committee of the McLean County Board in which the observatory proposal was outlined. It was presented to Mr. Davis, chairman of the Committee, following the May meeting of the club. In the outline it was made very clear that the club insisted on 24-hour access. The Property Committee was willing to accept use until 10:00 p.m. without notification and until midnight with advanced notice. The club was unable to accept this provision because it was to build the observatory with its own revenues, turn the real estate over to the county, carry liability insurance, conduct public programs, and install its own equipment. The limitation of observatory access seemed entirely unreasonable to the club membership as fishermen could be in the park at all hours. Despite the club’s efforts, the McLean County Board was intransigent. Simply put, it did not want anyone in the park long after nightfall “unless they are fishing” due to state requirements and legal liability concerns. The club membership rightfully balked at this condition. The ignorance of at least one County Board member was revealed when he asked, “How long does it take to do astronomy anyway?” Negotiations with the Board lasted five years. Following the recommendation of the club at the May 1988 meeting, representatives of the club, Sharon MacDonald and Kevin Brown, formally withdrew the proposal. A few days later, an editorial in The Pantagraph noted how unfortunate this turn of events was for the citizens of McLean County. Unfortunately, the public observatory did not become a reality due to forces beyond the control of the membership. This failure served to cause the membership to reflect on the work it had been doing with the general public and to redirect their efforts into more fruitful areas of endeavor. For nearly a decade thereafter the TCAA had no place it could call “home” other than the ISU Planetarium.

In the following weeks and months the club redirected its interest and its finances. The club had amassed $3,600 for the observatory project and spent $1,100 on the 16-inch telescope. The $550 Slipher Committee grant funds were returned and the aluminum silo dome (which was in poor shape) scrapped. The remaining funds, some $1,950, were used to purchase several items for the club with the rest set aside for future expenses. After a deep and prolonged introspection it was decided that the new emphasis would be on the benefits of membership rather than the benefits to the general public.

Shortly after the TCAA said “goodbye” to Halley’s Comet, it had to say goodbye to others who left, as it were, with it. Weldon Schuette, along with Bertha Kieviet, had been the heart and soul of the club since its founder, John Kieviet⁴⁵, had died.

Weldon died quite unexpectedly on August 19, 1986. Weldon joined the TCAA in 1961 and drove twice a month from Gibson City to participate in club functions until he moved to Normal a few years later. He had served in every elected capacity in the club and held elected office continuously since 1971. He reinstituted The OBSERVER and was the newsletter editor from 1975 until the time of his death. He was a dedicated and able observer having obtained the Messier Certificate and having observed satellites thousands of times. He passed away at 69 years of age.

Weldon was interested in all sorts of space and astronomy activities. He was a part of every program that was hosted by the TCAA. Weldon was dearly loved, deeply respected, and truly revered by his fellow club members. In honor of Weldon and in recognition of his service, the TCAA created the G. Weldon Schuette Society of Outstanding Amateur Astronomers on January 17, 1987 – the 70th anniversary of his birth.

The Annual Meeting of 1987 was held at The Elms of El Paso. Bertha Kieviet was inducted into the Society during this meeting in honor of her unceasing dedication and guidance of the club. Carl Wenning was to follow in 1988, and Sharon MacDonald was so honored in 1989. Donald Johnson was inducted at the 1990 Annual Meeting.

Sadness again touched the heart of the club during the autumn of 1989 when it was discovered that Ayne VandenBrook had died in the flower of youth. She was only 24. Ayne had been a volunteer at the ISU Planetarium since her arrival at the University in 1983. Though completely blind in one eye and legally blind in the other46, she was the match of any TCAA member at the telescope. She had obtained her provisional and honorary Messier Certificate in 1988 and was an inspiration to all who knew her. Were it not for the volunteer efforts of Ayne during the autumn of 1985 and winter of 1986, the ISU Planetarium would have had a hard time managing the crowds to learn about Halley’s Comet. Free Comet Halley programs were given on many Friday evenings at 7 p.m. and then – because of overflow crowds – often presented on an hourly basis with the last showing starting at midnight. As a lasting memorial to Ayne, her parents donated her 10-inch Coulter Odyssey telescope that she had only recently purchased to the ISU Planetarium.⁴⁷

During the latter part of the 1980s, TCAAers made several significant observations some of which have been recounted above. Others included an observation of the Space Shuttle Challenger making a water dump on August 2, 1985. Mike and Donna Miller, Carolyn and Carl Wenning, and Weldon Schuette observed the Space Shuttle looking like a comet or an airplane with its bright landing lights extending far out beyond. Nine members gathered to view the moon- Venus occultation on the morning of April 30, 1987, and to share breakfast a few hours later. The July 16, 1988, meeting at the ISU Planetarium was “interrupted” by an occultation of Regulus by the moon. The whole club watched. A host of club members gathered with the general public to view lunar and solar eclipses as well during this time.

One amazing thing that resulted from the numerous observing activities was the acquisition of Messier certificates by TCAAers. By 1990 TCAAers held 2% of all the Astronomical League certificates awarded nationally. Not to be overlooked is the fact that the youngest member ever to earn the provisional Messier Certificate was Rebecca Wenning. She earned the certificate at only 11 years of age. Starting with a Friday club observing session at Sandy McNamara’s house one autumn evening the year before, Rebecca observed the 70 required Messier objects by September 16, 1987 – a day before her 12th birthday. This was not at all unexpected for a youngster who at 5 years of age gave her first planetarium sky lecture to a public group during an evening public planetarium program!

During the autumn of 1986 Diamond Star Motors was erecting its Mitsubishi plant just west of Normal. Very concerned about outdoor lighting, Carl Wenning approached DSM and asked them to reconsider the use of their outdoor lighting. They did so! By November 1986 they had redesigned their storage and parking areas to include a smaller number of low-pressure sodium vapor lamps that had downward reflectors. They were delighted with the projected long-term electrical savings. This is just one of the capacities in which Carl has served the TCAA. He was recognized for his service at the Annual Meeting of 1988 at which time he received Lifelong Honorary Membership, having been a member of the TCAA for only ten years.

The membership of the TCAA traveled a fair amount as a group during this period. The following field trips took place: DAAC Jamboree (1984-89); Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, Steven J. Gould, May 1985; Henry Crown Space Center, September 1986; University of Illinois campus observatory, November 1986; Huntsville (AL) Space and Rocket Center, March 1987; Astronomy from Illinois Conference featuring Clyde Tombaugh, April 1988; and the U of I Radio Observatory, July 1989.

⁴³ Darren was an ISU middle school education major from Indian Head Park, IL. He was already a very experienced and capable amateur astronomer when he joined the TCAA. He did his viewing with an 8-inch Newtonian reflector.

⁴⁴ Along with baby Rebecca who had been enrolled by her father in the TCAA on the day of her birth in September 1985. Carl went to Weldon’s house at 441 S. Adelaide Street in Normal to proudly announce the birth.

⁴⁵ Both John and Bertha Kieviet were interred in the Park Hill Cemetery mausoleum in Bloomington.

⁴⁶ Ayne had a congenital eye defect known as bilateral coloboma. Both of her eyes, while appeared mostly normal on the surface but for an irregularity in each iris, were malformed. Interior malformation caused the limited vision.

⁴⁷ For a personal tribute to Ayne, see the appropriate appendix.