September 11, 2025 – Opelika is 59°F this morning so fall may be here. We spent some time today exploring outdoor facilities that were more common in the past. We’ll leave that there. Also, we discussed the history of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) which was a “New Deal” agency that brought electricity to rural areas of the U.S. Several of us benefitted from the REA. Some recall the old Delco light plants which provided off-grid lighting power to rural homes prior to electrification. Opelika environmental report: Radon 0.62 picocuries currently and ionizing radiation levels of 0.43 counts per second.
Special Note: We all remember the events of September 11, 2001.

September 4, 2025 – The morning meeting was well attended!  The weekly radon report from Richard – WA4IWD was 0.64 picocuries (7-day mean) and the radiation report was 0.37 counts per second.  We seem to be safe for now.  Mike – KI4TWB has provided us with plans to construct a cloud chamber. John – NK4N has identified his most frequent bear visitors as one male which appears to be 1-2 years old, one sow, and one cub.  John has an air horn in place in the event of an actual indoor visit. John’s current focus is establishing a means to provide sunflower seeds to the birds which is not also accessible by the bears.

August 28, 2025 – John – NK4N checked in from his hotel room in D.C. today. He has had a busy week there while participating in a professional conference. His trip included a stop at the Old Ebbitt Grill on 15th street. Gail – KB4JAA just returned from a bus tour to Niagra falls. She reported a good trip with quite a few stops. She enjoyed a trip on the Maid of the Mist and dining at the Skylon Tower. Weekly radon report from Richard – WA4IWD: 0.64 picocuries and radiation level of 0.33 counts per second.

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