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TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2017
141st Year, No. 221
WINNER OF THE 2017 ONPA GENERAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
One dollar
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
A map marked with pins place by visitors on their hometowns hangs
at the industrial park during the eclipse on Monday in John Day.
Chien Chiang of Fremont, California, takes a photograph while watch-
ing the eclipse with his family on Monday in John Day.
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
Gabriel Porter, of Sandy, right, reacts to the start of the eclipse while watching it with his twin brother, Nathan, on Monday in John Day.
SOLAR SENSATION
Spectators flock to Oregon to catch a glimpse of the total eclipse
First of its kind since 1979
More inside
By GEORGE PLAVEN
East Oregonian
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Anticipation turned to cheers
Monday morning in John Day as visi-
tors from around the world celebrated
the arrival of the 2017 total solar
eclipse.
For about two minutes, the moon
came in perfect alignment with the
sun, casting an otherworldly darkness
that left spectators in awe. The skies
remained mostly clear throughout the
morning, offering a pristine view of the
cosmic dance. Then, just as quickly as
it came, it was over and light returned.
Located deep within the path of
totality, John Day played host to thou-
sands of eclipse watchers who made the
trip to witness the once-in-a-lifetime
event. A large crowd gathered over the
weekend at the city’s airport industrial
park, where campers reserved their
spots months in advance to experience
the eclipse in its full glory.
According to travelers, it was well
worth the trip.
Mike Ziemke, of Merrill,
Wisconsin, drove two full days to John
Day where he met his friend, Chuck
Stewart, of Vancouver, Washington.
The two astronomy buffs settled in
• Stanfi eld school turns eclipse
into day one lesson 2A
• Outside totality, the view is
worth staying home 7A
• ‘Podcycle’ globetrotter spies
eclipse from John Day 8A
Staff photo by E.J. Harris
Thousands of travelers gathered at the industrial park in John Day on
Monday to view the eclipse.
Wednesday and spent every night star-
gazing through their telescopes and
eagerly awaiting Monday’s eclipse.
Ziemke, who watched the 1979
total solar eclipse from his home in
Wisconsin, described the experience as
life-changing.
“It’s something that’s just unbe-
lievable,” he said. “To think of all the
people across the country coming
together today, just to watch ... you’ve
got all walks of life.”
Kevin Knowles, an astronomy
teacher at Mount Si High School in
Snoqualmie, Washington, wore his
enthusiasm on his sleeve — liter-
ally — with not one, but two shirts
adorned in planets and galaxies.
He said he fi rst heard about the
eclipse in March while attending the
National Science Teachers Associa-
tion conference in Los Angeles and
made his arrangements.
“I would have loved to have this
a few weeks later so I could have
brought my whole class,” Knowles
said. “Defi nitely, this brings alive
everything I teach.”
For others, traveling to the path of
totality was a last-minute decision.
Patricia Johnson, of Sacramento,
California, drove up to Oregon with
her adult son, Edek Sher, who was
home visiting from Rhode Island.
The two were not able to fi nd
eclipse glasses on such short notice
anywhere in northern California.
Fortunately, they were able to stop
at the Powerhouse Science Center
in Sacramento, where they learned
how to make their own using paper
and popsicle sticks. The center also
provided the proper viewing lenses.
“We were embarrassed,” Johnson
See ECLIPSE/7A
“It’s like some special kind of gray darkness. At the same time, the sun gets this silvery kind of shine.”
— Bernd Schatzman, fl ew to the U.S. from Germany