by Rachel Hunter
North Country residents and visitors are encouraged to enjoy the Great North American Eclipse on Monday, April 8 at the Richville Free Library.
The Richville Free Library’s Eclipse Watch Party will be held on Monday, April 8, noon to 4:30 p.m., at the Richville Free Library, 41 School Street, Richville.
The Richville Free Library, established in 1932, officially took ownership of the building at 41 School Street, Richville, on January 1, 2022. The building was originally built in the 1960s, and was long the location of the Richville Christian Fellowship Church, which held weekly services there from 1992 to 2021 before moving to a new location in Gouverneur, and becoming the North Country Christian Fellowship Church. It was the long-held vision of Pastor Ford Reynolds of Richville that 41 School St. would be an excellent location for the Richville Free Library, and thanks to $90,000 in state funding secured through New York State Senator Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton) and the support from greater Richville community, that vision has become a vibrant reality.
Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that the move from 87 Main Street to 41 School Street in Richville allowed the Richville Free Library to grow and expand its offering for its patrons. In the past two years, the Richville Free Library under the leadership of Library Director Nancy Garrand, has become a community hub – a true resource for those in Richville and the surrounding communities. The Richville Free Library now has over 5,000 books available for loan alongside a myriad of other resources (computer workstations, thriving Children’s section, periodicals, historical resources, and so much more.) The Richville Free Library has featured community events, educational events, club meetings, musical experiences, and more for people of all ages since the library opened its doors at 41 School Street in Richville. The Richville Free Library just this past week held its Second Annual Easter Egg Hunt which utilized the spacious grounds adjacent to the Richville Free Library and connecting to the Richville Playgrounds.
As anticipation grows for the Great North American Eclipse on April 8, 2024, the Richville Free Library is hoping that the grounds will once again be well-utilized. St. Lawrence County is anticipating 50,000 tourists will be visiting as the North Country is in the path of totality. Richville Free Library Director Nancy Garrand has officially extended an invitation for all to enjoy the solar eclipse from the grounds around the Richville Free Library extending down towards the Richville Playground.
The Richville Free Library Eclipse Watch Party will be held on Monday, April 8, noon to 4:30 p.m. There is no admission fee, or registration necessary. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, due to the danger to the eyes when viewing the solar eclipse. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or something to sit on, such as a blanket or tarp. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Thanks to the North Country Library System, free eclipse glasses for viewing will be available. The distribution of glasses and eclipse information to libraries is led by the nationwide Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) Project, managed by the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado.
In preparation for the stellar event, the Richville Free Library is hosting Eclipse-related workshops that will be fun for the whole family. On Wednesday, April 3, the Richville Free Library held an information session about the Eclipse, complete with a question and answer period. This Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a Pinhole Camera and Viewing Shield making class. All those in attendance are asked to bring an empty cereal box. All other materials will be provided. Call the library at 315-287-1481 to reserve a spot.
The Richville Free Library is encouraging all to remember to prioritize health and safety during the total solar eclipse.
Keep Your Eyes Protected: Do not look directly at the sun during the eclipse (except during the limited time of totality when the sun is completely covered by the moon—and even then, with caution). Sunglasses will not protect your eyes. If your eyes are exposed to the sun without the appropriate protection, it can cause “eclipse blindness,” which can temporarily or permanently damage your eyes. One of the best ways to view a solar eclipse is through a pinhole projector where you look at a projected image made through a pinhole in cardboard paper. Or even easier, grab a colander from the kitchen (not the mesh kind, the one with holes in plastic or metal)! Another way to view a solar eclipse without harming your eyes is by using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses from a trusted source.
Don’t Forget the Sunscreen: Springtime weather can be warm and sunny. The sun throughout the day can be very bright, including during the partial phases of a solar eclipse. It can damage your skin, even in cooler temperatures or on a cloudy day. To help prevent skin damage, wear a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants if possible when outdoors. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied to dry skin at least 15 minutes before going outdoors and again after swimming or perspiring.
Be Prepared: While on the Road: Traffic volume is expected to be very high on the day of the eclipse. Plan on staying in one place for the day. If you must be out, allow for plenty of extra travel time. Consider using 511NY for current travel conditions. Streets or bridges may be closed and depending on your location you may run into extensive traffic jams. Prepare by bringing water, fuel, medications, and food in your vehicle. Do not stop to view the eclipse along the roadway, especially interstates, parkways, and freeways. Choose a safe viewing destination off the road and arrive early to ensure you are ready for the big show!
Boots and a Jacket: Springtime weather can be cold, snowy, or have significant rainfall. Be prepared with the appropriate clothing/footwear, such as jackets and boots. Have alternate plans should the weather present hazards. If heading out on the trail to see the eclipse, check trail conditions. The Adirondacks can have snow, icy, and muddy conditions depending on elevation.
The Richville Free Library is just one of the local libraries in the North Country Library System (NCLS) planning a watch party event.
The Gouverneur Public Library will hold a watch party for 3-4 p.m., at 60 Church St., Gouverneur. There will be space-themed desserts, and a free raffle for a NCLS Eclipse-themed T-Shirt. Gouverneur Public Library Director Karen King told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the T-shirt glows in the dark. The drawing will take place right after the total solar eclipse. All patrons are encouraged enter the free raffle during their next visit to the Gouverneur Public Library. You do not need to be present to win. The library will contact the winner after the drawing. On April 2, the Gouverneur Public Library announced that it is running low on the 2,000 eclipse glasses received through NCLS in preparation of the eclipse. “We are low on Eclipse Glasses. We unfortunately must limit people coming in for glasses to five-a-person. We at the Gouverneur Library take this as a sign that we have done well helping our community prepare for the eclipse, and for that we are grateful. We ask for your patience as we limit glasses, and hope that you understand.” For more information, call the Gouverneur Public Library at 315-287-0191.
Meeting at the Gouverneur Public Library on April 1, the Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce encouraged all visitors to enjoy all that “The One and Only Gouverneur” has to offer – accommodations, eateries, stores, etc. They also urged the motoring public to travel with caution on Monday, April 8, and to leave plenty of time for daily commutes. Chamber President Tim Reddick said: “It will impact all of us. It will be a legitimate impact on Monday afternoon, from 1 p.m. till 5:30 p.m.” Chamber Vice President Ray Babowicz then said: “If you got to be somewhere, go at 11 a.m. at least.” Visit the Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce website, www.gouverneurchamber.net, for more details on the total solar eclipse and businesses in the Gouverneur community.
The Gouverneur Tribune Press also received the following Eclipse-related news briefs:
From New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Acting Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III: On April 8, 2024 New York State will be at the center of a total solar eclipse which will impact all DOCCS facilities with some level of darkness during this event. However, 23 facilities fall directly within the path of totality and will experience total darkness, ranging from approximately one and a half minutes to approximately three and a half minutes. For facilities in the path of totality, visitation will be canceled and publicized on the Department webpage. Visitation at all other facilities will end at 2 p.m. The following 23 facilities will be in the path of totality during the eclipse: Adirondack, Albion, Altona, Attica, Auburn, Bare Hill, Cape Vincent, Cayuga, Clinton, Collins, Five Points, Franklin, Gouverneur, Groveland, Lakeview Shock, Marcy, Mid-State, Mohawk, Orleans, Riverview, Upstate, Wende, and Wyoming.
From St. Lawrence University: SLU is celebrating its position within the path of totality with a new website dedicated to informing the public about the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024. The website includes an explainer video from Henry Priest Professor of Physics Aileen O'Donoghue and will feature a livestream of the event with expert commentary. For more info, visit: stlawu.edu/total-solar-eclipse-2024.
From The Ogdensburg History Museum: To help the public better understand and prepare for this celestial phenomenon, Dr. Timothy Abel, PhD, will give a presentation at the Ogdensburg History Museum, 206 Ford St. The presentation will take place on Sunday, April 7th at 1 p.m. at the Ogdensburg History Museum, 206 Ford St. It is free and open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend and learn more about this rare astronomical event.
From St. Lawrence County Public Transit: “On April 8th, St. Lawrence County is anticipating tourist travel that may cause major traffic congestion. For rider and driver safety, buses scheduled to be in the path of totality during the eclipse will pause operations and will resume once it is finished. Please expect delays of an hour or more for all stops scheduled after 2:30 p.m. Affected routes: 22, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70A, 70B, 71, 73, 74. Anyone with necessary travel affected by these changes may reach out to First Mile Last Mile at 315-644-6944.”
For more information on the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, visit science.nasa.gov/eclipses.