The Grinch Couldn't Steal Chrismas, and Hurricane Bob Couldn't Steal Aruanah Hill Days

Despite a category 3 hurricane churning off the New England coast throwing some serious rain bands on the hill, a soggy but happy group got to enjoy Arunah Hill Day. (Click on images to view full size)

Friday afternoon brought a fierce thunderstorm, with lightning strikes not far from the clearing. The rain settled down to a mere drizzle, and we were treated to a fine talk by Kevin Renfro, space suit engineer from Hamilton Sunstrand.

Somehow, despite a horrible forecast and a full day of rain ranging from torrents to drizzle, the skies cleared out, and Barry Hervieux and his crew reported excellent transparency and good seeing between 11 PM and 1 AM.

Saturday morning dawn with high humidity (dew points in the 70's made for some uncomfortable camp sleeping). Late morning activities included making cardboard telescopes (celebration of Galileo's 400's anniversary of the first use of the astronomical telescope) and rocket making for kids of all ages.

Unfortunately, fog and steady rains moved in before we could launch the rockets. The raffle was held in a steady rain, but no one seemed to be deterred, and fortunately the names and numbers on the tickets we still readable despite the soaking.

John Briggs delivered a fascinating talk about the history of the great Yerkes 36" refractor, and even managed to work in a connection to our own 6" Gaertner telescope. After the talk, a few "sucker holes" appeared in the sky, but lightning (and fireworks) could still be seen off in the distance.

Thanks to all those how attended and made such an enjoyable event despite challenging weather.

Now thanks to all that worked hard to put the event together... Steve Pielock and Kevin Collins for providing the A/V (and Tom Whitney for making a projector available on short notice), Bruce Blanchard, Joe Zuraw, Scott Massey, and the Hadley Boy Scouts for running an excellent kitchen, Peter Scherff for all his work with the raffle, getting the telescope kits, and putting together the "retail clothing" tent, Jonathan Klinkowski for providing the weather alerts and forecasts, Glenn Benscoter for help out in the merchandise tent, Ranger Gary Cislak for his work on the rockets, John Davis for coordinating speakers, Barlow Bob for bringing his solar gear, Al Rifkin for organized the telescope build and providing popcorn and lime seltzer, Tom Walker and Barry Hervieux for doing whatever else needs to be done, and Rich Volant for his infusion of dark humor and/or electrical repair as needed, and to everyone else who's contributions to AH Days I'm overlooking at the moment.

Special thanks to DeeDee Pielock and Deb Volant for supplying me with snacks and tasty liquid refreshments.

And remember, "we are not an angry mob"

-Ed