Twin Bridges Public Library Star Party shines despite stormy weather
Stormy weather may have kept the stars hidden, but it couldn’t dim the community spirit at the Twin Bridges Public Library’s recent Star Party on Saturday, Oct. 10. A large number of community members turned up for an evening of fun and space exploration.
The primary goal of the Star Party was to highlight the library’s new Apertura telescope and introduce the community to an exciting new resource that will soon be available for patrons to check out and use for their own adventures in astronomy. The telescope was made possible through the Big Sky, Bigger Dreams initiative, which provided telescopes to libraries across Montana. The Twin Bridges Public Library was delighted to be among the first recipients, bringing new opportunities for local families, students and curious stargazers to explore the wonders of the universe.
Guest speaker, Joe Witherspoon of the Cottontail Observatory, presented an interactive program about the moon and its phases, helping attendees better understand our closest celestial neighbor. Younger participants enjoyed a scavenger hunt, and a star cookie-decorating activity. A special game, “Guess Where We Are in the Universe,” challenged participants to consider the distances between the planets and the sun. Many were astonished by just how vast our solar system really is!
The library would like to thank the following businesses for their support: Mill Street Pie Shop, The Sheridan Bakery, and Cowgirl Kitchen of Whitehall who generously donated all the cookie kits for the decorating activity. The library also extends its sincere appreciation to Esther Lince of Montana Prevention and Wellness and the Madison County DUI Task Force for the tremendous support in making the event possible.
Most of all, the Twin Bridges Public Library is grateful for the community that continues to support it. The large turnout on a very windy and stormy evening speaks volumes about the value of gathering, learning and sharing experiences together.
