TSP Ladies

 Activities for spouses of Astronomers (formerly TSP Astronomy Widows)

We are providing non-astronomy activities for women who would like other things to do including:

  • An AUTHENTIC Afternoon English Tea (Wednesday) at the the historic Prude family home [RSVP only]
  • Group Tour of Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross University in Alpine (Friday) [RSVP Only].
  • Daily get-togethers (2-4 PM), at the back of the dining hall. A great opportunity to meet others, share activities, learn a new skill!
    New! Volunteer for a Show & Tell, 5-60 minutes! email your request to Valerie Kinnamon Clark
  • Activities include quilting, bridge, cards, jigsaw puzzle.
  • Share in Reading Club books (Thursday) – find out what to start reading today!
  • Try the TSP nighttime Skies! Proudly wear your own TSP pin, by observing 10 naked-eye objects in the TSP Novice Observing Program

Come visit the TSP Ladies website at Shutterfly. (Password = tspladies)

The TSP Ladies website includes pictures from the 2009 – 2013 activities, a message board, and other community features to meet and talk with other TSP Ladies.

  • AUTHENTIC Afternoon English Tea at the TSP

    Not only great tea but the yummy treats that go with it!

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    • When: Wednesday at 2:00 PM
    • Where: The Big House at Prude Ranch (built 1911, a Texas Historic Landmark)
    • Hosted by: Betty Prude of The Prude Ranch and Peggy Gilchrist
    • Dress Code:  Required dress or skirt/blouse, as seen at one of our recent group photos.  (Hats are optional).
    • RSVP is required.  Submit your TSP Ladies Tea Reservation Request  soon!!!
      We will send a confirmation if accepted (first 20 to apply!) TSP Ladies Only!
    • Photos: See our TSP Ladies Tea 2009-2013 pictures on the TSP Ladies website! (Password = tspladies)

  • Tour of Museum of the Big Bend:

    Group Tour of Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross University in Alpine (Friday).

    • When: Friday departs at 1:30 PM
    • Where:  Meet outside the Ranch front office, immediately after the group photo
    • Cost:  $5/person
    • Includes:
      • Curator-led tour of the Big Bend Legacy permanent exhibit
        • Natural history, human history and confluence of cultures in the Big Bend region
        • Including many relics and displays of pioneer and native American life.
        • View a 2 minute video of Big Bend Legacy exhibit
      • A personalized tour of the Map collection
        • Led by Matt Walter, Historian & Curator of Cartographic Collections
        • One of the largest and most diversified selections of Texas maps in the state
        • See the original first map to depict the Americas as separate continents (1550 A.D.)
        • The collection is housed in a special map room
        • View examples of the maps on display
    • Hosted by:  TSP Ladies
    • Dress Code:   dress comfortably!
    • RSVP is required. Submit your Museum of the Big Bend Tour request  soon!!!
      Open to all TSP attendees!   Limited to 16 people!

  • Reading Club:

    Share some really cool books with other ladies!

    • For TSP 2014 we will read & discuss:

    • Birdwatching Walks:

      a 1 1/2 hour Bird Walk on the Ranch!


      • This is a great opportunity to hone your OBSERVING skills and find out some of the tricks and techniques to see and identify birds!
      • Meet us at the front porch of the Lodge Building (north of Upper Observing field)
      • 8 AM on Tuesday and Thursday: special tours conducted by our expert Madge Lindsay.  The Thursday tour will be a carpool to her home and excellent photography opportunity for bird closeups at her feeders.
      • 8 AM Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: Join others for non-guided walk (helpful birders may be available)
      • Bring water, sun protection/hat, and a notepad/pen. Binoculars and a birding book will also be useful, if you have them.
      • What Birds can you see?  Read the Birding Checklist from two of our walks in 2014!