Hi Mike and welcome mate , please post a few photos of your set up , we might have better skies and objects to observe
, but at least you have an observatory and nice scope with good gear , so ,,,
again and enjoy , yes there are great people here , a lot like your 'Star Gazers Lounge' , which I am a member that I have really enjoyed contributing to over the years , it seems amateur astronomers are good people where ever they are from.
Brian.