Miller Minutes
An interesting fact about myself is that I have seen the Milky Way, 21 meteors, the International Space Station, Jupiter and four of her 67 moons, and Saturn — all in one night.
That 2017 trip to Cherry Springs (aka, the darkest night sky in Pennsylvania) was good to me, and I have returned one other time since then. There’s nothing like shivering in nearly negative temperatures, bundled in winter coats at an ungodly hour on an August night while sitting in a zero gravity chair, straining your neck to see the heavens like never before.
I have been an astronomy nerd for quite some time thanks to those two summer trips to an air strip on top of that desolate mountain. I can’t imagine what else you might be able to see from there on April 8 during the solar eclipse.
Some will be sojourning to Erie to watch the cosmic event, some to Cleveland, Ohio, and some of you will be staying right here in Butler. No matter where you are, I hope you realize how spectacular an event this will be to witness.
As you anxiously await the eclipse, there are some events listed below that you can attend to occupy your mind.
The Freeport Area School District’s production of “Chicago: Teen Edition” begins at 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, April 4 to 6, and at 2 p.m. show Sunday in the middle school auditorium. General admission costs $11 while seniors 65 and older pay $7.
Butler Art Center and Gallery is commemorating the annual Spring and Floral exhibit with an opening reception at 7 p.m. Friday. The show runs until May 3.
Night Disc Golf at Alameda Park kicks off Friday. Check-in is from 8:45 to 9 p.m. This event is open to all skill levels. Bring your own discs and pay $10 admission to get in on the action.
Hobnob Theatre Company’s First Fridays Improv is back at 7 p.m. Friday in the studio on Main Street. Purchase your $5 ticket at hobnobtheatre.com.
St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church on Buttercup Road is having a spring craft show from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. There will be raffles, children’s activities, face painting and a food truck.
Sip tea and eat tiny sandwiches at the Zelienople Historical Society’s annual tea party at 1 p.m. Saturday in St. Peter’s Reformed Church. Tickets are $25 per person. Call 724-452-9457 or email zeliehistory@zoominternet.net to reserve your spot.
Get your tickets to the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company’s designer purse gala which starts at 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission of $50 gets you a chance to win a purse every 10 minutes, hors d’oeuvres, and access to other raffles. For tickets, visit SVFC.com.
For one night only, see a reader’s theater production of “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” by Martin McDonagh in Hobnob Theatre Company’s studio on Main Street. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 at hobnobtheatre.com.
See a free concert performed by the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors, America's Big Band from Washington, D.C., at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium. Reserve tickets at armyfieldband.ticketleap.com.
The solar eclipse will be partially visible in Butler County on Monday. Make sure you wear the appropriate glasses!
An eclipse party will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Mars Masonic Lodge, 340 Clay Ave., Mars. The event offers free pizza, Moon Pies and glasses. The person sporting the best solar shirt will win a telescope!
