April 8, 2024

FUN UNDER THE SUN AS SOLAR ECLIPSE FANS EXPERIENCE DARK SIDE OF MOON

GRAVENHURST — There was excitement in the air and on the ground this afternoon as goggly-eyed solar eclipse fans looked up — way up — to see for some a once in a lifetime phenomena.

It was a sight for sore eyes unless you had special pupil protection.

And many did in Gravenhurst and across the district did.

While not directly on the path of totality, just getting a quick glimpse was enough.

Despite a mostly cloudy sky, for 15 minutes between 3:20 and 3:35 p.m. there were a few breaks that allowed for shouts of joy — “there it is” — as thrill seekers pointed skyward and raced to look up and cover up.

**Rhett Sluman, 5, was ready today for the solar eclipse of any kind. He didn’t get a great view due to clouds, but he’s young enough to witness the next one.**

A few had to stare — open-eyed — at first find the partial eclipse.

But almost as fast as they found it it was gone again back behind as the winds played havoc with their viewing pleasure.

Cameras held high, most missed the glorious moment.

But not Debbie Dol.

Point and shoot. That was how she came up with a beautiful shot on her Samsung phone.

As simple as that — without even really looking.

Zoom, click and here it is. A great shot that captures the all too brief moment.

Perfect posterity.

**Debbie Dol’s great celestial shot proved best of the lot at Sawdust City this afternoon.**

**Penny Varney and ofhters were playing it safe looking at Dol’s photo with goggles.**

She was at the Sawdust City Brewing rehearsing with the Highway 11 Corridor Ukulele Dozens of the other players ran in and out trying to experience the unique moment.

I think they were playing Bonnie Tyler’s 1983 hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”

Around town other solar seekers chased the sun and the moon.

At the Muskoka Wharf Gary Fyles and Sue Singerling settled in on the dock with their camp chairs, a bag of chips and glasses.

A Pink Floyd fan who has chased the rock band, he sported his “Dark Side of the Moon” t-shirt.

Home Hardware sold out of 500 pairs of glasses; Gravenhurst Optometry had some, but was waiting for a last minute courier from Amazon today just an hour before the eclipse. They posted a note on their door saying there were no more.

Gravenhurst Librarian Mandy Dart had tons of requests and even had an alert sign on their desk about a recall of one particular kind.

**Fun Highway 11 Corridor Uke band members donned their glasses ready at a momen’t notice to go outside to catch a rare glimpse. Photo Karen Collins-Ross**

At the brewery 10 more stood outside in the parking lot, while the “Ukes” poked their heads in and out or stared out from the old garage door bay windows as excited onlookers shouted for them to “hurry, come out now.”

The eclipse wasn’t as dark as some hoped for — probably due to the clouds.

In a matter of minutes the moon has passed in front of the sun as the clouds came and went.

And everyone got to experience a fragment of history they could tell others and generations to follow.

Not like being in Niagara Falls, but still overall pretty good.

Send us your stories of watching the solar eclipse to [email protected]