Skyscrapers in Paradise- Part II

January 2025  :  Greg Shanos

Greg Shanos became a member of Skycrapers back in 1985 when he read Dave Huestis’s article in the Providence Journal entitled:  Comet Halley Coming at You.   Then in 1990 Greg married and relocated to Sarasota, Florida.    During the great COVID-19 shutdown in the spring of 2020, Greg renewed his membership and rejoined Skyscrapers virtually via Zoom.     Greg rarely misses a Skyscraper meeting and also attends Astro assembly on a virtual basis.   

In 2023 Greg met the current Vice President Michael Corvese on January 20, 2023 at a restaurant in nearby Punta Gorda, Florida.   See The Skyscraper newsletter vol. 50 no. 2 February 2023 issue page 11.  Mike vacations in Florida and stays with fellow Skyscraper member Anthony Costanzo who has a condominium in Port Charlotte.  Mike informed me that Tony has a weekly zoom meeting on Wednesday afternoons at 1:00pm where various astronomical topics are discussed.  Everyone is invited to attend at  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8842920087#success

I attended one of Tony’s zoom get togethers and since then I rarely miss a meeting.   Tony Costanzo is proprietor of the Astronomy-Shoppe (https://astronomy-shoppe-com)  where he repairs all makes of telescopes.   Tony frequently discusses his telescope repairs during the weekly meetings.    Since Meade is out of business I now know someone who could repair my telescope if needed in the future.    Through Tony’s zoom meetings I was introduced to some very influential amateur astronomers throughout the country.     One of the regular attendees Daniel Dannenhauer asked if I would speak at this local astronomy club- the Southwest Florida Astronomical Society in Ft Myers.    I was delighted and honored to speak at his club.   Dan scheduled a time and date for me to speak on December 5, 2024 at 7pm at the Calusa Planetarium and Nature Center (https://www.calusanature.org).   Ft Myers is approximately 90 miles from Sarasota and a two hour drive one way with traffic.   I met Dan and Tony for the first time in person at a Buffalo Wings restaurant in Ft Myers which is only a five minute drive to the Planetarium.    We had a wonderful time conversing and getting to know each other.   Dan was kind enough to pay our meal (my wife was also in attendance).   Thank you very much Dan.  

When I arrived at the planetarium I was really impressed with their telescopes, displays and meteorite collection.     The centerpiece was a 126 pound Campo del Cielo iron meteorite.    Tony and I had a photo taken with this meteorite.   

My presentation was entitled:  The Smart Scope Revolution:  Introducing the Seestar S50.    Unfortunately there were technical difficulties and the presentation was not live-streamed or recorded.   Therefore only 21 individuals who were present in the planetarium heard the presentation.    Despite these difficulties the evening was an overall success.     

I encourage any Skyscraper member that is on the Western Gulf Coast of Florida to contact me if they are planning a trip in the area.    My email is gshanos@aol.com     Hope to see you soon.    

Greg Shanos lecturing on Smart Telescopes to the Southwest Florida Astronomical Society