Vol 2, Issue 3: March 2023
In this issue:
-Dark Skies in Buffalo Gap
-Chamber Executive to Retire
-Meet the New Senior Center Leader
-Wings on the Wind - State Park
-Easter Egg Hunt Date Announced
-Tour of (Vacation) Homes in May

To see more exciting activities, check out our events calendar here!
International Dark-Skies: Right Here at Home
Abilene State Park is partnering with the Buffalo Gap Chamber of Commerce to assure that our treasured dark sky is here for generations to come. 

That may sound funny – after all, where could the sky go?

But the operative word is “dark” sky. A key gem right along with our glorious trees is our pitch-black vista where visitors can see the stars … something they often can’t do back home. Light pollution from cities makes the nighttime skies orange or cloudy, causing shifts in migratory bird populations and sending school children to indoor planetariums to see the constellations instead of their own backyards. 

Committees and discussion groups are forming now to learn more about our options in Buffalo Gap. Check out the International Dark-Sky Association at www.darksky.org or reach out to Ryan Hunter at the Abilene State Park to learn more. And watch our Facebook page for upcoming community meetings where you can come and ask the experts! 
Chamber Executive to Retire in June
Oh, no! Chamber President Julie Wilson will be retiring from her role on June 2 to spend more time with family and volunteer projects in Abilene. She has brought such energy and enthusiasm to the Chamber and our community: we hope she continues to volunteer in Buffalo Gap! 

Although her shoes may be hard to fill, we’re starting our search for her replacement right now. If you know of somebody who loves Buffalo Gap and is looking for a great part-time job, please let us know. 

And don’t say goodbye to Julie just yet … she’s still with us for three more months!
Introducing Debbie Gathers - the new Senior Center Leader

Meet Debbie Gathers – the new Site Leader of the Buffalo Gap Senior Center. A long-time volunteer helping deliver and serve more than 400 meals each month, Debbie stepped up to fill the void when long-time director Shirley Mabes retired to help with her family business.  

Debbie grew up in Buffalo Gap and is a Jim Ned grad. She loves crafting and reading and is looking forward to leading those activities at the center, along with frequent Bingo nights. 

The Senior Center is open M, W, F from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. Lunch is served at 11:30 for a nominal fee of $1.00 for seniors. Meals are delivered to seniors who are homebound. The Senior Center shares a building with the Community Center right next to the Silver Buffalo Saloon. Stop by and say hi to Debbie -- and considering volunteering for or making a donation to this valuable service in and around Buffalo Gap.  
Wings on the Wind - March 25, Abilene State Park
What a fun event coming up March 25 at the Abilene State Park! For just $5 per entire car, your friends and family can catch the West Texas wind at this festival. Kids can check their wingspan, learn how to cast a fishing rod, interact with science and nature stations, and explore the solar system. And parents will find fun and educational opportunities, too.

Families can buy lunch in Buffalo Gap or at the park snack bar or pack a picnic lunch to bring along. Sponsored by the Big Country Texas Master Naturalists, be sure to check out all the fun on their Facebook page or ours.
April Showers Bring... the Easter Bunny!
Hopping back for yet another year is the oh-so-fun Easter Egg Hunt! The Chamber partners with Buffalo Gap's First Baptist and Church of Christ to bring this eggcellent activity to children of all ages -- and this year will be no different. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for all the details, and mark your calendar for Saturday, April 1. And thank First Baptist Church for providing this year's lunch!
Tour of (Vacation) Homes Coming Soon!

You know what Buffalo Gap is extremely popular for? Get-away retreats! So many people flock to our vacation rental properties to escape the city, but if we live here, we often don’t know the options.

Our vacation-property owners are giving you a chance to experience them live and in person, with a “Tour of (Vacation) Homes” in the Buffalo Gap area.

Even if you live nearby, you may wish to treat yourself to a change-of-view for a romantic weekend away from the kids. You may have too many relatives come to visit and wish you had another bedroom or two for them. (Or you may have relatives you’d rather not stay with you at all!) Details on date and time will be available soon so keep your eye on this newsletter and our Facebook page.

Meanwhile, if you own a vacation-rental property that you’d like to have included in this tour, or know someone who does, let us know and we’ll get you (or them!) an application right away.
Thanks for reading -- see you next month!