By: Amy Meyer, POSTS President, STS Parent
As I approached the path towards the observatory, I could smell the beautiful fall night with crisp leaves crunching under my feet and see soft lit candles (fake) leading everyone towards the fun evening ahead. As I walked down the path, I was greeted by Mrs. Grant-Watt, Head of School, saying hello to all of those arriving. It was getting dark but I could still see the silhouette of the trees, the sky was filled with stars, and the moon was beginning to glow. I arrived to see a half-dozen telescopes ready to be viewed and a wonderful welcome from Mr. Brian Uzick STS's 50th Anniversary Community Engagement Coordinator. Families were arriving and the space was beginning to fill with excitement. One by one, I began making my rounds to the different telescopes. I was impressed by very knowledgeable volunteers sharing their passion for the night sky. I had the chance to view Venus with the many moons, Saturn with the amazing rings, and a star that has been exploding for over a hundred years. Yet my favourite was the viewing of earth’s moon, I went back to this telescope a few times; to see the moon’s craters look so crisp and clear and the shadows created from the sun’s light over the craters, was breathtaking. I managed to bounce around from telescope to telescope all while seeing some amazing STS families, chatting, reconnecting, and enjoying an amazing vanilla latte from the Cappuccino Guy. My kids were in awe, amazed at the views, and to see this all from the spectacular 220 acres that make up Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School. I didn’t want the night to end.