Ada Kiwanis Club members learn about ONU Observatory

Members of the Ada Kiwanis Club learned about the Ohio Northern University Observatory at their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at noon in the Dean’s Heritage Room, McIntosh Center, ONU.

President Joe Ferguson called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. The invocation was offered by Jon Umphress.

Dr. Jason Pinkney, Professor of Astronomy, Department of Physics and Astronomy, was welcomed as a guest. He said the ONU Observatory has a mission to educate and inspire the students of Ohio Northern University, as well as the surrounding community, about the exciting and rapidly evolving science of astronomy.

Pinkney said that planning of the ONU Observatory began around 2003, while its construction occurred between March and September, 2010. The observatory is primarily used by ONU students in physics and astronomy classes, faculty, and by the ONU Astronomy Club.

Pinkney showed a number of slides which depicted images photographed through the university telescopes.

He also noted that the facility has a number of events which are open to the public. The schedule can be found on the internet at: https://www2.-onu.edu/~j-pinkney/-astro/publicevents.html

The observatory is located on the northwest side of campus. Parking is at the Wander baseball field, just off Lincoln Avenue.

In business:

-Treasurer Bryan Marshall updated members on club finances.

-The Ada Kiwanis Club agreed to participate in the annual raffle of a pair of Ohio State football tickets for the 2019 home season conducted by the Kiwanis Club of Columbus. The Ada Kiwanis agreed to order 100 tickets. As in the past, the raffle tickets will sell for $5 each and participating organizations will keep $3, while returning $2 with every raffle ticket-stub plus any unsold tickets. The Columbus club anticipates the seats will again be in section 20C, which is between the 30 and 35 yard lines. All raffle ticket stubs, money and unsold tickets will need to be turned in no later than Friday, Aug. 9.

– President Ferguson read a note from Rachael regarding her recent employment as a Service Coordinator at Hardin Crest. Rachael, who was present at the meeting, noted that their mission is to “transform Aging by building a culture of community, wholeness and peace.” Her position there will be on a part-time basis.

– The proposed Key Club will be doing a service project on March 7. They will be assisting fellow students in acquiring dresses for the prom.

– For his One Minute Kiwanis Education Minute, Ferguson noted: “Kiwanis is not a religious organization – our members come from all faiths, yet we come together united in a desire to serve children”.

– Ferguson reported that he has invited Ada Rotary Club Rotary members to go with the club for a tour of Natural Choice Dairy, scheduled for April 26.

– John Berg was the winner of the 50-50 drawing.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:02 p.m.