The Astronomical Society’s Summer Solstice Picnic for 2025

By Donna Pursley

Our picnic fell on the solstice day this year – June 21^st. We had our solstice picnic at our usual place; the pavilion at Sleeping Giant State Park. Many people arrived about noon and the cooking started early. Cheryl did a fantastic job standing in the hot sun over the even hotter grill cooking all the hot dogs and hamburgers. There was way too much to eat, even if you just had a small bite of everything. There were many healthy choices like a huge salad, melon, strawberries, blueberries, watermelon and homemade tomato-pepper salsa. And, as expected, there were unhealthy choices like picnic salads, chips, stuffed breads (Steve brought a homemade one) and cookies. We even had hot coffee.

Many people had their solar scopes out to see the Sun between the clouds. There were two groups of sunspots for the solstice.

I try to get around and talk to as many people as I can since we don’t see each other very many times during the year. Everyone was having a good time. No one braved the heat for a walk to the tower this year. It was enough to brave the heat and the hill to visit the restroom trailer. It is great to be able to see each other and talk about things other than astronomy. Too bad the next picnic is a full year away.