Pulse: Volume 17, Issue 1.

Center of the Universe

Lorain County celebrates its time in the spotlight during the solar eclipse

Solar Eclipse Events, Insider Tips, Ways to Celebrate at Home and More

How rare are total solar eclipses?

A total solar eclipse occurs on a given spot on the planet only once about every 375 years. Portions of Ohio will not be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse again until 2099.

What does the path of totality mean?

The path of totality is the area where the moon will completely cover the sun. This plunges the sky from daylight to twilight temporarily. Although the sky will darken in areas that will see 99% solar eclipse or less, the experience in totality (Lorain County) will be much different.

According to the Planetary Society, only 43 million people (0.5% of the world’s population) live in the path of totality for the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse.

How much will daylight change?

In the path of totality, the moon covers 100% of the sun. Even if it is a cloudy, rainy day, the landscape will darken dramatically during totality. The sky will be 10,000 times darker in the areas of totality (Lorain County) than areas where just 1% of the sun is visible (99% partial eclipse), and some bright planets and stars become visible.

How much will the weather/temperature change?

Temperature may drop as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit during the eclipse, and without the sunlight it will feel even cooler. Wave heights in Lake Erie may also change a bit. If conditions are right and there’s a lake breeze off Lake Erie, that might lighten up too thanks to the slight temperature drop. Should a cold rain fall just before the eclipse, there’s also a chance that the drop could turn the precipitation into snow or an icy mix.

When will the eclipse occur and for how long?

According to astronomical experts, a partial eclipse in Ohio will begin at 1:59 p.m. and end at 4:29 p.m., but the totality begins at 3:13 p.m. and ends at 3:17 p.m. Lorain County is the best place in Ohio to view the eclipse as it lies on the center line in the path of totality and will spend nearly four minutes of darkness in mid afternoon.

Do I need special glasses to view the eclipse?

YES, according to NASA, you should wear a set of eclipse glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard when viewing any solar eclipse. This standard is thousands of times darker than standard sunglasses. Never look directly at the sun. You can seriously hurt your eyes, and even go blind.

To learn more about how you can enjoy the eclipse, please visit www.loraincountyohio.gov

14 CENTERED IN THE SWEET SPOT

Lorain County will be in the center of all of the excitement during the solar eclipse on April 8 — the region’s first total solar eclipse since 1806. Learn about celebrations happening countywide, get expert tips on how to prepare and find out how you can experience the fun at home with crafts and recipes.

Departments

4 FROM THE EDITOR

5 COUNTY LINE

Good Knights builds and delivers beds to families with children who are in need.

8 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Learn about big events coming to Lorain County, including the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Championship.

13 DINING

Cookie Craze in Lorain offers oversized gourmet cookies with a twist.

22 SNAPSHOT

The Carlisle Visitor Center Nielson Observatory is the place to check out the stars and galaxy

EDITOR

Center of It All

ARE YOU READY?

The big day is almost here. You know the one — the day we haven’t seen here in Lorain County since 1806. It’s also one we won’t see again until 2099. Yes, the solar eclipse will pass through our backyards on April 8, and it’s a pretty darn big deal.

In fact, some communities will be in the center of totality. This means the moon, which is 400 times smaller than the sun, will appear to completely cover all of the sun’s shine except for the corona — the slim ring of light you’ll see during the 3 minutes and 52.6 seconds of totality expected at 3:13 p.m., if you’re watching from Avon Lake, for example.

Whether you want to join the masses at a prime viewing location or hunker down at home with fun activities, this issue has got you covered. Find out what cities are throwing big

bashes that are welcoming visitors from at least half the states in the country. Learn how you can prepare for the unexpected and what you should know about the science behind what you will — or won’t — see. Or you can turn your backyard into the best spot in the neighborhood with kid-friendly crafts and a great crescent shaped cookie recipe (who doesn’t love a fun themed party treat?)

Plus, speaking of parties — don’t forget to mark your calendar for July 25 at the Spitzer Conference Center at Lorain County Community College. That is when you will be able to sample some of the best treats top restaurants, shops and more have to offer at the 11th annual Best of Lorain County party. Watch for the finalists.

Yes, Lorain County is on the map in a big way. Make sure you plan to be a part of the action, too.

SINCERELY,

JENNIFER BOWEN SIMA EDITOR, PULSE LORAIN COUNTY’S MAGAZINE

Sweet Dreams

The need is great. Now thousands of children in Lorain County are tucking into a comfortable bed, an all-community effort driven by Good Knights.

By Kristen Hampshire

Roger Dorsey remembers three years of sleeping in a closet on a pile of clothing in his Aunt’s Elyria home, where he and his brother, two sisters and mother stayed for some time after she fled domestic violence. He usually told himself, “I’m camping out in the closet and will make do,” says the pastor of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Amherst.

Now, thanks to the efforts of Dorsey, community sponsors and a cast of about 4,000 volunteers annually, there are 4,500 children in Lorain County that tuck into a comfortable bed with a mattress, linens, a pillow and safety rail.

Dorsey is founder of Good Knights, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving low-income families in Lorain County by building and delivering beds to families with children who are in need.

An estimated 6,000 to 9,000 children in Lorain County go to sleep at night without a bed, based on data the national nonprofit gathered estimating 2% to 3% of kids ages 3 to 18 lack a proper place to sleep. Lorain County is home to three of the state’s most financially vulnerable cities: Oberlin, Lorain and Elyria.

The first two years, Dorsey and floods of volunteers built and delivered more than 2,000 beds.

Wanting to maintain local funding, in 2020, Dorsey decided to start his own nonprofit, Good Knights. “We started over with a box of screws,” he says.

Multifab Precision Sheet Metal in Elyria donates the beds’ metal side rails and has provided more than 2,500 sets. “They designed them for us, acquire the steel and produce them — and the only thing they make with that steel is our rails,” Dorsey says.

“We’ve had folks show up at our shop from ages 5 to 95.”

– Roger Dorsey

Before Good Knights’ first build, Dorsey went to Lowe’s in Elyria for supplies. He told a store manager why he was there. “She said, ‘Go get what you need,’ and I put about $6,000 of tools in the cart, and they have supplied lumber for 50 beds each year for the past three years,” he relates.

Life-Changing Impact

The second Tuesday of every month is Build Day at Good Knights’ headquarters. Third Saturdays are delivery days. Last year, about 4,000 volunteers logged 8,300 hours collectively.

There are jobs for everyone of all ages. “We’ve had folks show up at our shop from ages 5 to 95,” he says.

After Saturday deliveries, Good Knights always receives a few dozen more bed requests. “Word of mouth passes,” Dorsey says. The group averages 80 to 100 bed builds and deliveries per month, designed for children ages 3 to 18.

The bed design is simple — and its impact is life-changing. The outreach is tremendous.

Dorsey knew there was a need. “But it wasn’t until we got deep into it that we realized we are constantly going to have 75 to 100 kids waiting for a bed,” he says.

Good Knights launched a capital campaign to raise funds for a $750,000 facility to expand capacity and is collaborating with the City of Elyria, its mayor’s office and Elyria Community Development.

Dorsey says he is humbled by the generosity of so many nonprofits, corporations and families who have helped. As for the rolling demand and capacity, Dorsey says, “I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.”

Heart-Pounding Giant Swing Shot

Ziplining (depending on weather)

Fairgrounds Road

for additional information:

Kids Play Area

Mark Your Calendar

Don’t miss these top events coming to Lorain County this spring.

By Linda Feagler

BASS PRO SHOPS AND CABELA’S NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Skilled anglers from around the country will cast their lines in Lorain with hopes of reeling in $250,000 in cash and prizes when the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Championship for walleye fishing takes place May 9 through 11.

“Since we held our first championship 23 years ago, we’ve had the opportunity to fish in great walleye waters across the country, including Lorain, in 2017,” says Jeff Kelm, national tournament director for the Walleye Federation, an Oklahoma-based grassroots group dedicated to promoting the support of walleye tournament fishing.

“This year,” he adds, “we’re blessed to once again be working with the great community of Lorain to be able to host an event as big and prestigious as this one.”

The tournament consists of 300 two-person teams who’ve qualified for the contest through one of 116 Walleye Federation clubs located throughout the United States. With their marine band radios tuned in to the official tournament channel, teams set out at sunrise each morning from Black River Landing and commence fishing for walleye in Ohio-only rivers, creeks and canals connected to Lake Erie.

Beginning at 3 p.m. each day, they return to the landing and each team’s bounty is weighed. The results are livestreamed on the Walleye Federation’s Facebook page.

Although teams can catch as many fish as they like, only five — which must be 15 inches or longer — from each craft can be weighed.

“Lorain has what the anglers are looking for at this time of year, which is the migration of the largest fish in the system,” explains Kelm. “As a result, they’re able to spend less time

floating in the water and more time concentrating their efforts on catching some of the biggest fish they’ll ever put their hands on.”

The top 25 teams from the first two days of fishing are the sole competitors on the third and final day of the tournament.

Kelm estimates that “somewhere between 800 and 1,500 fish totaling thousands of pounds” will be caught during the tournament. They’ll be donated to Sandusky’s Victory Kitchen, one of the few area foodbanks equipped to intricately clean and process the bounty in a timely fashion that cuts down on waste.

Tiffany McClelland, assistant director of the Lorain Port and Finance Authority, recommends heading to Black River Landing, the bascule bridge or Riverside Park in time to see the 300 boats head out at 7 a.m.

“It’s one of the most magnificent, magical, moving moments you’ll ever see in this harbor,” says McClelland, whose organization is dedicated to promoting waterborne commerce,

providing economic development opportunities in the city of Lorain and enhancing public access to waterways.

She adds that the estimated $1.65 million dollars in economic impact the championship is estimated to bring to the county is a huge plus. Lorain’s historic 55-room Ariel Broadway Hotel, with amenities that include a fine dining restaurant, upscale sports bar with pool tables and a bakery, will serve as the host hotel. Additionally, the county’s many eateries and businesses are also ready to welcome tournament anglers and tourists.

“We’ve partnered with the county commissioners, Lorain County Visitors Bureau and other organizations to help bring this event to Lorain,” McClelland says. “Ultimately,” she adds, “the investment that has gone into Lake Erie — specifically into the Black River — to rehabilitate wildlife and the fish culture has made a huge difference. The fact that the tournament is returning here is a testament to how beautiful the setting is, the top-tier amenities we have — and how wonderful the fishing is.”

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Walleye Championship held in Lorain County in 2017

Picturesque parks and stunning lakefront vistas. Quaint neighborhoods and shops. World-class educational institutions, businesses and industries.

Two centuries of storied history will be commemorated on Friday, May 24, when Lorain County’s Bicentennial Celebration takes place on Ely Square in downtown Elyria.

The fete commences at 9:30 a.m. with welcoming remarks from Lorain County Commissioners President Jeff Riddell, followed by a flag presentation by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Honor Guard; a performance of our National Anthem, sung by Elyria Ward 1 city councilman Andrew Lipian; and tours of the Lorain County Justice Center.

Other highlights of the day include a reenactment of the first commissioners meeting, which was held on Monday, May 24, 1824. Current commissioners Riddell, David J. Moore, Michelle Hung and Treasurer Dan

Rebecca A. Fannin

Contributor

Talarek will discuss pivotal points in county government history and introduce past commissioners. They will also unveil a traveling exhibit created by the Lorain County Historical Society and dedicate a time capsule filled with photographs, hand-written letters, historical documents, drawings — and a Smartphone — that will be placed in the Justice Center for future generations to unveil.

“I was lucky enough to also serve as a county commissioner in 2003, when we celebrated our state’s bicentennial,” says commissioner Moore. “I remember what a monumental year it was throughout Ohio. When [the

Plan on attending the Sixth Annual Economic Summit

committee] began planning our county’s bicentennial, we knew we wanted to honor our place in history.”

Later in the day, food trucks will add to the ambiance, as will the Elyria High School Marching Band, performing on the courthouse steps as part of the City of Elyria Annual Appreciation Day concert. All attendees are invited to have a slice of birthday cake baked by a Lorain County bakery.

Garry Gibbs, vice chairman of the Lorain County Bicentennial Committee, created a postage stamp to celebrate the communiy. The Elyria Post Office will stamp cancelled mail with it for 30 days starting May 24.

May 15, 2024

LCCC Spitzer Conference Center 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Registration is required. Seats are limited. Cost includes breakfast. Register and pay at www.loraincountychamber.com

Premier Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Keynote Speaker

CNBC

and Author of The Silicon Heartland, Transforming the Midwest from Rust Belt to Tech Belt.

A panel discussion entitled “Proactively Preparing for Growth” will take place after the Keynote Address. Be a part of the discussion and hear from local, regional, state and national leaders on how Lorain County can leverage opportunities to be a larger part of the Silicon Heartland movement.

LORAIN COUNTY’S

2024 Lorain County Courthouse

1800’s Lorain County Courthouse

Lorain Country 19th century sandstone quarry COURTESY LORAIN COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU

Call for Nominations!

Which Lorain County destinations top your list of favorites? Vote now in the 2024 Best of Lorain County contest. This year’s finalists will be announced in the Summer 2024 issue of puLse and invited to take part in the 2024 Best of Lorain County Party. The deadline to submit nominations is April 1, 2024.

SCAN TO VOTE 

Save the Date!

Want to taste, sample and experience all of this year’s finalists under one roof? Join us on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Lorain County Community College for the 2024 Best of Lorain County Party More than 50 finalists will be on-hand to showcase what makes them a local favorite. Tickets are on sale now at pulselorainmag.com/tickets

SPONSORED BY:

MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

America’s favorite pastime will again be played at a collegiate level in Avon when athletes take the field at Crushers Stadium May 21 through 25 (“if” game potential on Sunday, May 26) for the Mid-American Conference Baseball Championship. The 5,000-seat ballpark, home to the Lake Erie Crushers, a member of the Frontier League professional baseball league, has hosted the tournament for eight seasons.

“We’re excited to be coming back to Avon and this phenomenal stadium,”

says MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. “Returning to Lorain County provides us with the opportunity to present MAC championship baseball on a stage that facilitates a great playing experience for student athletes and a great fan experience for those who come to watch.”

“We love hosting this event,” says Lake Erie Crushers President Tom Kramig. “Since so many alumni live nearby, this is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the MAC footprint.

We estimate that the series will draw close to 3,000 fans.”

He takes pride in the fact that Crushers Stadium will also host the games in 2025 and 2026.

“We’re an ideal venue for the championship,” Kramig says. “Since our field is made of turf, it drains well, which cuts down on rain delays. And, since we stream all our games, we offer great sightlines and locations for cameras to be placed during telecasts.”

Lake Erie Crushers Stadium 2019 Mid-American Conference Baseball Championship winners

2019 MAC individual awards ceremony

2019 winners trophy celebration

Craze-Y for Cookies

Cookie Craze drops new flavors every Wednesday at its Lorain sweet shop.

By Kristen Hampshire

Aric Jennings spent weekend afternoons as an early elementary school kid baking cookies with his grandma. He was seven, and the epicurean escape ignited an interest that stayed dormant for decades before he and his wife, Nadarriea Higginbotham, opened Cookie Craze in Lorain’s Light House Commons.

The couple was operating Smart Way Nutrition making smoothies and teas, and Jennings began “messing around in the kitchen” baking cookies. He’d stay up late honing a process, testing ingredients and creating recipes.

What he landed on is not your typical Toll House.

“Cookie Craze is about delivering gourmet cookie options, bringing some nostalgia back from desserts we previously enjoyed and transforming them into cookies,” Jennings says.

They transformed the beverage business into a sweet affair in July 2023.

Jennings, who once operated a smartphone repair shop, says, “You don’t get cranky customers with cookies, and I enjoy being really creative and figuring out how to turn unique flavors into a cookie.”

Each weighing in at about 120 grams and the size of an average man’s palm, some varieties take on mound-like dimensions. Cookie Craze also offers cheesecake jars: think layers of cookies, cheesecake and toppings with flavors for this dessert and cookies changing weekly.

The decadent, different varieties earn lots of fans and followers.

“We don’t take shortcuts and everything is made in store, and that is really what separates us as a bakery.”

– Aric Jennings

(Evidence: the traffic on its Instagram page cookie_craze.) A must-try: Chocolate Chip 2.0, the semi-sweet and milk-chocolate chipper. Another popular pick was a Reese’s Puffs cereal-inspired treat with a peanut butter-chocolate base topped with a sauce of the same ilk, milk-chocolate drizzle followed by a cereal puffs topper. A new release is Very Berry, with a strawberry foundation, center and glaze, topped with cookie crumbles.

The Simpson’s Donut Cookie was a hit. With a cut-out hole, pink frosting and sprinkles, it ran out the

Joe

Centered i n t SteewSeh p o t.

Time, place and a universal phenomenon align in Lorain County, center stage for the first total solar eclipse in this region since 1806.

By Kristen Hampshire

The necessary variables to experience a total solar eclipse are a rare occurrence. There’s the essential straight line between the Earth, moon and sun — and this must occur during a New Moon phase.

Coincidentally, the moon will arrive at its closest point toward Earth on April 8, when the region will experience the first total solar eclipse since 1806, a phenomenon we won’t see in Lorain County again until 2099. Not to mention, “The moon’s size is the same angular diameter as the disc of the sun at this time,” explains Jeff Woytach, a NASA aerospace engineer.

This means the moon, which is 400 times smaller than the sun, will appear to completely cover all of the sun's shine except for the corona (the sun’s outer atmosphere) — the

slim ring of light you’ll see during the 3 minutes and 52.6 seconds of totality expected at 3:13 p.m., if you’re watching from Avon Lake. The corona is usually hidden by the bright light of the sun’s surface. The gradual dimming begins at 1:59 p.m., when temperatures will drop and stillness will proceed until it’s lights out, explains Suzie Dills, an astronomer who hosts stargazing programs for the city and is director of Hoover Price Planetarium in Canton.

“When you consider all of these factors, it’s a perfect situation and once in a lifetime,” Dill says.

Or, as Woytach says, “It’s a cosmic crapshoot,” given the odds.

And Lorain County’s communities are commemorating the experience.

“None of us will have a chance to do a moon walk, and this is an opportunity that brings residents and visitors in touch with science and space.”

–Garry Gibbs Director of the Lorain County Visitors Bureau

in the Spotlight LOCO

“Only 21 total solar eclipses have ever occurred in the lower 48 states since the existence of this country,” says Garry Gibbs, director of the Lorain County Visitors Bureau.

The phenomenon is an opportunity to be “an astronaut for the day.”

Gibbs says, “None of us will have a chance to do a moon walk, and this is an opportunity that brings residents and visitors in touch with science and space.”

It’s also the single largest tourist attraction in history for Lorain County, Gibbs says. A population of 318,000 is expected to at least triple with hotels long booked, and businesses have been preparing to welcome the influx of guests — gas stations, restaurants, shops and grocery stores will experience the swell of visitors.

It’s “Christmas in April for retailers,” Gibbs quips.

The eclipse is also a high-profile introduction to Lorain County and its many assets. “You can’t measure the number of people who will travel through Lorain County and might come back or people who will see the county on a national stage and visit,” Gibbs says.

As of late February, Avon Lake had intercepted inquiries from 26 states, Canada and Ireland.

“With it being spring break, we know a number of people will invite their family and friends to come down,” says Erin Fach, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation department.

To prepare, Fach and some team members visited Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the center of totality during the 2017 solar eclipse. “They used it as a way to revitalize their downtown,” he says, noting that the area attracted an excess of 100,000 more people than initially predicted. The conversations helped inform widespread planning.

With the county’s variety of public watch parties and events, along with concurrent events like the NCAA Women’s Final Four in Cleveland and the Guardians in town, “There is a lot of reason for Northeast Ohio to shine,” Fach says.

Local residents look up to the skies

Eclipse watch party

Look UP

Aside from a mid-day descent from daylight to dusk and back again, a chorus of nocturnal creatures that “wonder what happened to their alarm” may begin to sound, Jeff Woytach, NASA aerospace engineer, says.

“You can understand why primitive humans were afraid the world was coming to an end,” he relates. “You can also understand why the Aztecs and Mayans worshipped the sun because of its power.”

Dills calls attention to several observation points for viewers (wearing solar filtering glasses). She reminds viewers, however, “You will want to take off the glasses during totality.” Viewers will see:

Destination Lorain County

Explore the many ways to learn about the universe, watch the eclipse enter totality and celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.

By Kristen Hampshire

Lorain County offers the best seats in the house to watch the total solar eclipse, with a variety of events planned in locations where there’s plenty of wide, open space and STEM-filled fun for all ages. Camp out under the stars, watch from the ballfield, gaze through a telescope. Celebrate with food, vendors and activities leading up to the April 8 phenomenon.

Here’s a look at what Lorain County is staging for a once-in-a-lifetime viewing experience.

Venus and Jupiter: During totality, Venus will be visible down and to the right of the sun, and Jupiter will appear to its upper left.

The diamond ring effect: Immediately before totality, you’ll see a flash of light, which is known as the diamond ring effect, and then once the moon completely covers the sun, you will be able to see its corona. “That’s the sun shining off the valleys of the moon’s surface,” Dills explains.

Sunspots: The sun moves through 11-year activity cycles toward its solar maximum, which we are nearing toward the end of 2024 and early 2025, Dills says. “We will see sunspots on its surface. If the spots are large enough, we should be able to see them with solar glasses on."

Lake Erie Crushers Stadium

Gazing through a telescope

An Eclipse Home Run

The Lake Erie Crushers will open their field during Lights Out in the Land for eclipse viewing and stage a day of family fun at the stadium April 8 from noon to 4:30 p.m., with gates opening at 11:30 a.m.

“As everyone says, this is a oncein-a-lifetime experience, so we’re doing something to make it memorable and fun,” says Tom Kramig, the team’s owner.

Along with unobstructed views from the baseball diamond, a packed

day of engaging activities allows young guests to complete a Planet Passport with a journey along the solar system with STEAM games and crafts.

Partners including the Lorain County Public Library will host stations including one with color-changing UV beads for creating keychains and jewelry. “When not exposed to the sun’s rays, they have a soft white appearance, and when exposed to UV light, they turn all kinds of bright colors,” explains Amy Breslin, outreach and community engagement librarian.

Solar Safety

Before you reach for your cell phone to snap a pic of the sky as the moon slips over the sun, be sure you have a solar camera filter. The concentrated light through the lens will fry your camera, ruin your phone, damage your eyes or all of the above.

• Astronomer Suzie Dills recommends a smartphone camera shade kit, which is also necessary when viewing the eclipse through a telescope.

• You can take off the solar glasses only when the eclipse has entered totality, which will last nearly four minutes. You can view the sun’s corona — the ring of light that appears in the sky. Then, put the glasses back on to view the rest of the eclipse, Dills says.

• Be sure your solar glasses are certified, indicated by the code ISO 12312-2 or ISO 12312-2:2015, to American Astronomical Society standards (a list of reputable vendors is on the Society’s website).

Enter to win a Lights Out in the Land prize pack valued at $500!

The library will also offer astronomy themed button-making, oversized games and building materials, and NASA-approved teen activities, Breslin says.

After completing the passport, guests can enter to win a Lights Out in the Land prize pack valued at $500.

Free viewing glasses are provided by North Coast Eye Care, sponsor Channel 19 will be on site broadcasting live, and the video board will be busy with entertainment segments (when live entertainment is not happening), Kramig says.

“This will be a premier watch party event, giving people a chance to experience not only the solar eclipse, but a whole day of entertainment, including the national touring group, Fusion,” Kramig says.

Plenty of parking is available and proximity to I-90 should ease traffic concerns. Kramig says, “We are hoping for a good crowd and good weather.” lakeeriecrushers.com/ lights-out-in-the-land

Celebrating the Center of Totality

Avon Lake is embracing its lucky coordinates as the county’s center of totality with an all-in spread of celebrations, transportation and a resource guide that includes sites for RV camping and overnight parking. ( avonlakesolareclipse.com ).

Hop on the Solar Express shuttle April 6 and 7 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and loop around town with stops at the doorsteps of local retailers, restaurants and shops. “We want people to leave the driving to us so they can make their way around our business districts,” says Erin Fach, director, Avon Lake Parks and Recreation.

The free ride coincides with Sip & Shop, another festive way to explore the community’s dining, drinks and entertainment scene.

Sunday, April 7 marks the Eclipse Chaser 5k run and 1-mile walk in partnership with Hermes Cleveland, with a starting line at Beach Park Station, Stop 65.

A series of community forums has helped inform residents and shape the city’s events and safety response, Fach says. “It took all of our departments coming together in a team effort,” Fach says of coordination among police, fire, economic development, parks and recreation, the schools, businesses and community organizations.

The headlining event in Avon Lake is its watch party at Avon Lake High School Memorial Stadium on April 8, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “The idea is to not only watch the solar eclipse but to give people an opportunity to stagger in and out,” Fach says.

The $25 admission includes eclipse glasses, live music by Audiophile and Follow the Sun, food trucks, concessions and local vendors including eclipse merch. A kids play area will feature an obstacle course, crafts and STEM activities. Plus, there’s a designated area for setting up telescopes, as well as talks by local astronomer Suzie Dills.

Prior, Dills will host a free Star Party with her telescope at Walker Road Park on April 6 after sunset, a star-gazing primer for families. She says, “We’ll look at the celestial highlights, and it’s a great event for families to learn more about the eclipse and what will happen on the big day.”

Prep Pointers

A few simple steps can help create a seamless eclipse experience.

Limit travel and avoid last-minute trips to the grocery store during the solar eclipse long weekend, advises Dave Freeman, director of Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and Homeland Security for Lorain County. The influx of expected guests due to the county’s line of totality will likely impact access to supplies, roadways and wait times for services.

Freeman offers some preparation pointers here.

• Gas up vehicles. Don’t wait until the weekend of April 6. “If we get the anticipated traffic, gas stations could run low on fuel,” Freeman says.

• Stock up on food and drinks.

If you must travel, wander out for a memorable experience — not for last-minute groceries, which might not be readily available if the shelves are emptying from visitor traffic.

• Avoid scheduling appointments. Many offices will be closed on Monday, April 8. Get necessary medications in advance.

• Step outside and enjoy.

“If you live in Lorain County, you can view the eclipse from your backyard or a neighbor’s house,” Freeman says. Also, convenient transportation such as the Avon Lake Solar Express offers a way to move about town without driving, and local events with ample parking are working to create seamless experiences.

• Visit loraincountyohio.gov/741/ April-8th-2024-Total-Solar-Eclipse for tips, event locations and more solar eclipse information.

Creative ways to protect your eyes

Metroparks Celestial Celebrations

Lorain County Metroparks is hosting an Astronomy Speaker Series that kicked off in January and continues with its final seminar on April 5 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Sandy Ridge Reservation. Members of the Black River Astronomical Society will show the path of the eclipse, explain how to safely view the phenomenon and share photos of what to expect.

The group will have a limited number of telescopes available for viewing at Nielsen Observatory at Carlisle Reservation Equestrian Center in LaGrange. The Metroparks’ eclipse headliner is a watch party at Lorain’s Lakeview Park, which includes activities and information from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., including a Solar System Walk display. (Gates open at 8 a.m.) loraincountymetroparks.com/Solar-Eclipse

Solarfest at the Fairgrounds

Tote a pop-up tent and stay the weekend or BYO lawn chair to the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington for Solarfest, April 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and April 8 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $10 for the weekend with highlights including a D.J. on Sunday, April 7, board games and a Magic: The Gathering tournament sponsored by Wizardry and Warfare. Lorain County 4H is sponsoring youth activities on April 8, and a range of vendors and food trucks will set up shop for the duration. loraincountyfair.com/solarfest

Aviation Watch Party

Reserve ramp space at Lorain County Regional Airport in Elyria for a watch party sponsored by MRK and Discover Aviation. Food and beverages on site plus live entertainment offer a full-service way to celebrate the eclipse after landing in Lorain County. mrkaviation.com | dacfc.org

Eclipse Bash at Common Ground

Oberlin’s Common Ground at the Cindy Nord Center for Renewal will host a party “where the fun never sets” with proceeds benefiting its summer camp scholarship program. The center not only hosts camps, it holds team building programs, and the 30-acre property includes a zipline canopy tour.

On April 8 from 1 to 5 p.m., bring chairs and blankets for an eclipse viewing including eats from Pogie’s Catering and Clubhouse. While you’re there, check out three new adventures: a climbing wall, vertical play pen and giant swing shot. Plan to preregister online. commongroundcenter.org

Eclipse at Black River Landing

Lake and river views, a variety of vendors and proximity to downtown Lorain’s shops and dining spots are a winning trifecta for the Black River Landing eclipse watch party hosted by Lorain Port and Finance Authority. Meanwhile, the nearby Ariel Broadway Hotel has booked reservations for its rooftop celebration. lorainport.com/solareclipse | arielbroadwayhotel.com

Meet the ‘Space Cadet’

NASA Aerospace Engineer Jeffrey Woytach shares his passion for all things space.

By Kristen Hampshire

“

Ive always considered myself a space cadet,” says Jeff Woytach, an aerospace engineer at NASA since 1983 and who also works independently at Space Systems Consulting LLC. He’s on the board of Black River Astronomical Society and shares his galactic love for the universe through outreach.

Growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, he lived a few miles up the road from an Apollo flight director, Glynn Lunney. “From the time I was in fifth grade, I would write to him and he would always respond and send me NASA fact

sheets, lithographs and publications,” says Woytach, who lives in LaGrange where he can “see a lot of stars.” He still has all of these artifacts, plus a collection at home that has been described by visitors as a cosmic museum.

Lunney’s information helped inform a senior thesis while Woytach was finishing a degree in aerospace engineering at Penn State University.

Woytach has contributed to space agency projects and information systems hardware launches on space shuttles. He also was an ascent trajectory lead for two

“From the time I was in fifth grade, I would write to him [Glynn Lunney] and he would always respond and send me NASA fact sheets, lithographs and publications."

–Jeff Woytach NASA aerospace engineer

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather satellite launches and performs extensive community outreach. The latest includes providing systems engineering support to NASA’s Psyche mission to visit an asteroid believed to be composed of metal. He has worked on nine pieces of hardware for the International Space Station during his career. And he was the first chief engineer for the development of Space Environments Complex at NASA Glenn’s Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky. SpaceX’s Dragon test occurred there.

Jeff formed a performance group from NASA Glenn Research Center called the Glenn Band.

Physics Fascination

Lorain County Community College physics professors share ‘moving’ aspects of a total solar eclipse.

“An amazing aspect of eclipses is that they can be predicted with great accuracy centuries in advance due to the consistency of the laws of physics. It is also fascinating that the same side of the moon always faces Earth.”

–Dr. Monroe Kennedy Jr. Associate Professor of Physics

“What I find most fascinating is the subtle gravitational lensing of stars very near the limb of the sun — and the discovery that the solar corona is tens of millions of Kelvin in temperature.”

–Dr. Emily Safron Adjunct Professor of Physics and Astronomy

“There is an element of serendipity that is in play. The moon’s apparent diameter is approximately the same as the sun’s when both are viewed from Earth during a total solar eclipse. If the relative distances were just a little different, the dramatic effect would be lost.”

–Erin Hardy Assitant Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Home Base

The sky (and your yard) can be the stage for this big event. Help the kids create eclipse memories at home that will last beyond totality.

“This is an unbelievable event and you never know how it will inspire an excitement for science and astronomy in people of all ages,” says Suzie Dills, an astronomer from Avon Lake and director of Hoover Price Planetarium in Canton.

“You can be recording temperature as we get closer to totality, listening to what the birds are doing, what sounds you hear,” Dills says.

Beforehand, prepare an easy pinhole projector to safely view the eclipse through a makeshift camera

Pinhole Projector Activity

Observe the moon’s movement in front of the sun and the eclipse reaching totality with a make-at-home pinhole camera. All you need is a box — shoe, cereal, any small box will do, Breslin says. Just be sure it has a lid or flap.

Step 1: Gather white paper. Glue or tape a sheet of paper inside one end of the box. “This allows for some level of reflection because white absorbs light,” she explains.

Step 2: On the opposite end, cut a small pinhole. Over the opening, tape or glue a piece of foil. Punch another pinhole through the foil so you can peek inside the box and see the white paper.

Step 3: Off to the side of the pinhole, cut a square viewing port — just big enough to look inside without allowing too much light to leak into the box.

Step 4: “As the sunlight enters the pinhole, a solar image will appear on the white sheet of paper. As the moon passes in front of the sun, you can look through the view port and see the sun’s shape, which should look very similar to the stages of the eclipse as we reach totality,” Breslin says.

Step 5: Test it first by using a flashlight to simulate the sun.

obscura with materials you likely have on hand. Follow the how-to instructions (below) by Amy Breslin at Lorain County Public Library.

“Because we are in the path of totality, we are going to see the sun’s full corona, and what we want is for parents and caregivers at home to continue that conversation with their young ones about what they might have observed and develop the language to talk about some of those scientific concepts,” says Breslin, outreach and community engagement librarian.

Eclipse Chalk Art

Materials:

Cardstock or thin cardboard, black construction paper, chalk, scissors, pencil, round object for tracing.

Optional: Tissues

Instructions:

Step 1: Trace and cut out a cardstock or thin cardboard circle, about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter.

Step 2: Color the circle heavily with chalk. Make thick lines with lots of chalk. If available, use multiple colors such as white, yellow and orange.

Step 3: Place the circle in the center of the black paper, chalk side up.

Step 4: With your fingers or a tissue, smudge the chalk from the circle outward on the black paper to create rays all around the sun. Add more chalk if needed. (Hint: Help your child by holding the circle in place so it doesn’t move around.)

Step 5: Remove the circle to reveal the solar eclipse!

Almond Crescent Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature

• ⅔ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon almond extract

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup almond flour

• ¼ cup powdered sugar for sprinkling

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Beat the butter and the sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix.

3. Add the flour and almond flour. Mix thoroughly.

4. Form the dough into crescent shapes: Take generous tablespoons of the dough (it will be slightly crumbly) and roll it into a small ball, about an inch in diameter, and then shape into a crescent shape. Place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

5. Bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until a light golden brown.

6. Dust each cookie with powdered sugar.

PRESENTED BY NORDSON CORPORATION

*Recipe from LCCC’s Culinary Program / Courtesy of Program Director Bradley Ball and Culinary Program Chef Ashley Black.

Stargazing & Planet Peeping

Look up. The night sky views from Nielsen Observatory offer a show like no other.

There’s a universe to explore at Nielsen Observatory, located at the equestrian center, just down the road from the Carlisle Visitor Center. This is where the Black River Astronomical Society (BRAS) meets twice a month with telescopes available for guests.

“Our mission is to share the science of astronomy and beauty of the night sky with the public,” says Steven Schauer, president of the 75-year-old organization that hosts “star parties” twice monthly March to November and once a month December through February.

Nielsen Observatory features a roll-off roof and two permanently mounted 14-inch telescopes, and there are a number of spares in storage that “we trot out and set up for people to look through,” Schauer says. Electric outlets on patios on either side of the building provide power for guests who bring their own scopes.

“It’s fun to show off Saturn and Jupiter — those are the two ‘wow’ objects in the night sky,” Schauer says of sharing a passion for astronomy with the public. He guesstimates viewing Saturn at least 1,000 times because it never gets old.

“You can see its rings and golden color, and more than a few times, people have accused us of having a picture on the end of the telescope because it almost doesn’t look real,” Schauer relates.

Gazers can see shadow bands on Jupiter that are clouds spanning across the planet’s surface. “We can usually see four of the Galilean moons that are almost aligned, and quite often we will see a moon that goes between us and Jupiter,” he says.

While Mars is “elusive” and unpredictably visible, Schauer says, during a clear night and when it is closer to us, you might spot its surface features and get “some astonishingly good looks.” Those glimpses might include a view of its mountains. The shield volcano Olympus Mons is higher than Mount Everest, he shares.

Public observing events take place Friday evenings, with Saturdays as back-up dates. Check out blackriverastro.org/calendar.html for upcoming dates.

— Kristen Hampshire

Summer classes start May 20

Fall classes start August 26