I Write… Children’s Books?

One of the most surprising events this year has been my unexpected excitement about writing a children’s book called When Astronauts Came to Town. This desire overwhelmed my creative energy already committed to creating books for adults about this same Morehead Planetarium history. It’s my kids who made it inevitable. Helping them grow up means a constantContinue reading “I Write… Children’s Books?”

Continued Celebration of North Carolina-NASA Connections

Cameron Clinard at ABC-11 interviewed me recently and produced this beautiful piece about former Morehead Director Tony Jenzano and the astronaut training he oversaw in Chapel Hill many years ago. https://abc11.com/5166118/ Included is a nice reminder of our recent visit by Apollo 16 Moonwalker Charlie Duke and our March 13 visit by astronaut Dr. MaeContinue reading “Continued Celebration of North Carolina-NASA Connections”

Charlie Duke’s Return to Chapel Hill

(Photos Courtesy of UNC Wilson Library’s Durham Herald-Sun Photographic Collection) From 1968 to 1972, humans repeatedly went to the Moon, venturing there nine times and landing on it successfully six times.  In practical terms, it means that 2018 to 2022 is a period of celebration and reflection for all of us as we look backContinue reading “Charlie Duke’s Return to Chapel Hill”

Tonight at The Frontier

Update: Check out the replay here: https://video.unctv.org/video/rtp-180-outer-space-michael-neece-5xtrqn/ Update: Thanks to everyone who showed up or who streamed this live. A replay link will be provided soon for anyone who missed it or who wants to hear about it again. Previous: Tune in to stream my five-minute version of what happened when astronauts came to ChapelContinue reading “Tonight at The Frontier”

Part of the Club

I traveled to Carol Jenzano’s home this past weekend to conduct more research about Morehead Planetarium’s astronaut training program in the 1960’s and 70’s. I drank from a fire hose of stories, documents, and photographs, and supped on finally-solved mysteries and good company. Carol has kept much of her father’s memorabilia from when he wasContinue reading “Part of the Club”