The 2023 Deep South Spring Scrimmage

[bsimon615]

What follows this post will be a few more about the Deep South Spring Scrimmage.
Barry Simon


This has been written before, but here it is again as a reminder -

The dates for the 2023 Deep South Spring Scrimmage are - Wednesday April 19th to Sunday April 23rd. On the 19th the Moon is at "new" at approximately 11 pm for us. By Saturday evening on April 22nd, the Moon will be almost 3 days past new, approximately 68 hours past "new". It will set on Saturday night after 10 pm but is only 9% illuminated. It will be hidden by the western tree line at about 9 pm. It will not be a real problem and will be no problem at all on earlier nights.

While there is no Registration Fee for the Spring Scrimmage, there is a registration form that has to be completed along with a liability waiver to sign. I will be getting a registration form out in late February to very early March.

Jumping ahead to the Deep South Star Gaze in November -

Our next Deep South Star Gaze, "the 41st Annual Deep South Star Gaze" is scheduled for Tuesday November 7th to Sunday November 12th

Over the years our basic registration fee is an "early" registration fee. At about 10 days out the registration fee in past years has increased, not a huge amount, typically about 30% above the "early" fee. This was done to encourage early registration making less last minute work for me right before the star gaze, and also to discourage last minute registration for those that want to see what the weather is doing.

In recent years (the last 2) this was not done. Some would wait and register right before the beginning of the Deep South, possibly waiting on the weather reports. Next fall we are reverting to the old system of early registration up to about 10 days out at the lower rate and late registration within about 10 days of the start date at a higher rate. Additionally refunds have always been allowed only up to that 10 day mark prior to the beginning of the star gaze except in very unusual circumstances. This year we had a very few people who did not make the Deep South for one reason or another. I know who they are and as I did not have anything on the registration form about cancellation and refunds, we will allow someone who cancelled last fall to apply their 2022 registration fee to 2023. This does not include any housing payment to White Horse as the head count is turned over to Carol at the beginning of the Deep South. She knows what to expect for lodging.

Likewise, anyone who leaves early after having paid for additional nights of lodging is not given a refund for nights not stayed. Last November I did leave 2 nights early (as did others). In my case I was having back issues and that coupled with the weather forecast made an early departure logical for me. Basically my payment for unused nights was forfeited by me.

Note - this is all in keeping with procedures at other star parties around the country. We basically have the same policies in respect to registration and lodging fees.

Now what some might do is the following - pay in advance for 2 or 3 nights. Watch the weather, and come for the 2 or 3 nights that look best to you. If more nights are looking good and you have no other commitments, you can add more nights when you are there. The bunk you are assigned is your bunk for the duration. Pay for a specific bunk for Tuesday and Wednesday and even if you leave on Thursday morning that bunk is no longer in use after you leave. If you decide the weather is good and you are willing you can pay for extra nights when you are there.

Barry

[bsimon615]

Restaurants and Convenience Stores near the Deep South Spring Scrimmage

The Country Diner is now shut down. However The Smokehouse which is close by is a good option. Right by The Smokehouse is the Four Corner Grocery which is a small convenience store which also is a gas station and has bags of ice available. For a great all-around and popular restaurant in Columbia, which is right by the Super WalMart, check out the Magnolia Grille.



Restaurants and a Service Station near the White Horse Christian Retreat Camp
(Home of the Deep South Star Gaze and Deep South Spring Scrimmage)




The Smokehouse

411 New Hope Rd, Sandy Hook, MS



(601) 736-4981



This location is 1.7 miles from the White Horse mailbox at 315 Hurricane Creek Rd., Sandy Hook, MS, and about 2.7 miles from the observing field and main buildings (1 mile north -south approach road)



Monday

CLOSED

Tuesday and Wednesday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Thursday thru Saturday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM



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Magnolia Grille

115 R A Johnson Dr. Columbia, MS 39429 (next to the Super WalMart)



(601) 736-2222



This location is 16 miles from the White Horse mailbox or 17 miles from the observing field



Monday thru Friday

11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Saturday

4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM



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Four Way Grocery and Gas

433 New Hope Road, Foxworth, MS 39483

(601) 736-1653

This location is about 100 yards closer to White Horse than the Smokehouse. When headed west on Hurricane Creek Road, the Four Way Grocery is on the west side of New Hope Road where Hurricane Creek Road meets it.

This is the nearest place to get gas, ice and other items that a convenience store carries.

Monday thru Thursday

7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Friday and Saturday

7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Sunday

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

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[bsimon615]

Deep South Spring Scrimmage Registration Form

The 2023 Deep South Spring Scrimmage Registration Form with Liability Release and Rules is now available. Please let me know if anyone has questions.

Barry

[bsimon615]

Deep South Spring Scrimmage Registration Form

The 2023 Deep South Spring Scrimmage Registration Form with Liability Release and Rules is now available. You will have to go to dssg.boards.net to download. For some reason I cannot attach one here. Please let me know if anyone has questions.

Barry