THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, August 25, 2017
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The eclipse turns into local happening that attracts 240 at Saugus Iron Works worthy said, referring to people bound by a common interest by n a typical Monday in late social media. August, the Saugus Iron More than 200 sets of viewWorks National Historic Site ing glasses distributed will draw about 40 to 50 peoKenworthy noted that the Visple, according to Ranger Paul itors Center was flooded by calls Kenworthy. But this past Monday (Aug. from people inquiring whether 21), about 240 visitors gathered the park had the special plastic on the upper lawn to witness a viewing glasses available. The Iron Works distributed historic event that was happening up in the sky and had noth- more than 200 of the glasses, ing to do with the town’s past, along with a couple of keepsakes for youngsters who Kenworthy said. People came with lawn chairs showed up to view the eclipse: to sit down and watch the To- a Junior Ranger Eclipse Explortal Solar Eclipse in a local hap- er booklet which contained inpening that was dubbed “The formation about the eclipse and All-American Total Solar Eclipse” plastic viewing glasses -- plus a that was repeated in National wooden Junior Ranger Eclipse Explorer badge. Parks all over the country. Park Ranger Peter Laraba said “This was a surprising turnout for us on a Monday -- especially he ordered the special viewwhen it’s getting back to school ing glasses, badges and booktime,”Kenworthy said in an inter- lets about two weeks ago from the National Park Service. The view this week. “We got about 240 people Iron Works had enough to ac-- that’s basically five times the commodate visitors’ requests, number of people we would he said. “ We also had UV Beads normally get. It was simply a on pipe cleaners -- which lot,” he said. “I had just come back from the when brought out in the sun morning tour. And when I went changed color, reminding peoover to the Visitors Center, it was ple to put on their sun screen,” packed. We were astounded at Laraba said. Kids used the beads to make the turnout,” he said. While a few people had come bracelets that glowed under the for the tour, Kenworthy said it ultra-violet light. Overall, Laraba said it was an was evident that the majority of visitors came to see the eclipse. impressive showing at the park, Many of them converged on the considering that Saugus was not center to specifically request on the path of a total eclipse. “This really had a feel for a special viewing glasses being promoted by the National Park community gathering,” Laraba said. Service. “For the folks who were here, it “There were even Meetup groups that decided to come was fun event. It’s nice to be able to The Saugus Iron Works,” Ken- to use this site beyond what ev-
By Mark E. Vogler
O
DANCERS | from page 10 energy-from-waste company that has been part of the Saugus community since 1975. Wheelabrator has been an ongoing contributor to numerous Saugus events and organizations and is once again stepping up to support this community event. Bob Davis, the superintendent of World Series Park, said, “The goal of this event is to have the community come together to honor our veterans and active military. All veterans and active military are invited to attend. They will be our special guests and will be presented with Challenge Coins and be treated to food and drink. We very much appreciate Wheelabrator’s sponsorship and the many Saugus and out-of-town restaurants and businesses who have agreed to make donations of food. We also appreciate the support of the Saugus Veterans
Council. We think this will be a fun community event and encourage the public to attend.” A Commemorative Ceremony will take place on the baseball field starting at 11 a.m. Parachutists and the landing and display of a Massachusetts National Guard Army Blackhawk helicopter will highlight the ceremony. The host/master of ceremonies will be former Boston TV personality Barry Nolan. The honored guest will be Captain Richard Kent, a Purple Heart recipient who served in Afghanistan. Invited to participate in the ceremony are federal, state and local officials, military officials, the clergy, singers and many more. A torch lighting, a balloon release and music will be part of the ceremony. Free American flags will be distributed to everyone.
DANCERS| SEE PAGE 19
GUIDES FOR THE ECLIPSE: left to right, Park Rangers Paul Kenworthy, Peter Laraba and Curtis White say viewing the Eclipse was the major reason why more than 200 visitors showed up Monday at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. The upper lawn behind them was full of spectators with lawn chairs. (Saugus Advocate photos by Mark E. Vogler)
erybody thinks it was intended for. We had people come with box tops and welding glasses. But there was quite an interest in the glasses we had on hand,” Laraba said. “This event reminded me of people watching Old Faithful (geyser) at Yellowstone (National Park). They waited and waited, then they watched and walked away,” he said. Curtis White, who has been a park ranger at the Iron Works for three decades, had the day off. But, he showed up with his daughter to watch the event after having lunch. “The entire field was set up with lawn chairs. A couple of people didn’t have the glasses. They were just here to be here. It was an unusual event,” White said. “We had two water wheels working. But, that wasn’t the reason why we had so many people here on Monday,” Cur-
tis said. “What I liked about this event is that it made feel part of what was going on all over the country. Where else can you have everybody looking up at the sky at the same event at the same
time? I think it was really cool to know that we had this shared event experienced by millions of people,” he said. It was a mixed crowd that ranged from grandkids to grandparents, according to Curtis.
THE FREEBIES: Special viewing glasses, a Junior Ranger Eclipse Explorer badge for children and a booklet prepared by the National Park Service to teach Junior Rangers about Monday’s Total Solar Eclipse were distributed free to visitors who showed up at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site Monday to view the Eclipse.
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