Shreveport engineer named "On Site Astronomer" during Clarksville eclipse celebration

CLARKSVILLE, Texas - To find the best area spot to take his equipment and watch the eclipse, Shreveport Engineer Russ Friedrich started his research well before April 8.

Because of the two-hour distance from Shreveport, and in the eclipse's path, Friedrich visited Clarksville, Texas Country Club and talked to Manager Ka'Lash Davis.

Cooperation from Davis sealed the deal and she dubbed Friedrich  "On Site Astronomer."

Clarksville was the place to watch the eclipse.

An estimated 10,000 people felt the same way, making their way to the Texas town, swelling the city's population of 3,000 and the county's, 11,500, said Clarksville's Mayor Ann Rushing.

We noticed visitors had crammed the town square when we passed through the town en route to the country club. "The crowd on the square was the largest seen probably since the 1950s when Saturdays were big business days," said Clarksville Market President, Jim Clark.

"There were visitors from 22  foreign countries and 28  states," said  Clarksville Mayor Ann Rushing. "We were proud to be in the path ... and attract so many people."

Out at the country club,  Friedrich the "On-Site Astronomer" had his equipment all set. (An inveterate eclipse viewer - Friedrich  is remembering you, Louisville, Ky., and Missouri  - Friedrich and his wife, Dr. Marsha Friedrich, know their  way around eclipses.)

Friedrich and Ron Cochran were already at the club, with locals following. Visitors also included Hannah and Joseph Miller, of Lyndon, KS. They left  Waco, Texas where they were visiting their daughter, but bypassed Dallas to watch the eclipse from Clarksville.

Shreveporters who drove over: Ron Cosby, Dr. Bill Byrd and wife Beverly, Dee Cochran, Harvey Delahunty, Larry Willis, Jack and Connie Fisher, Cristina Walker, Doug Fryett and wife Dr. Susan Shattuck, with their well-behaved dogs Bonnie and Anio.

Now, Friedrich is a man who deals in details and he plied watchers with printed information. We found out the county's Zip Code: 75426;  the start of the eclipse: 12:27:30; start of total: 01:44:41; Maximum: 01-46:51; end of total: 01;49:01; end of the eclipse: 3:06:23.

He also shared things to pay attention to prior to totality, during totality and a few minutes afterwards.

How about checking temperature, wind, surroundings, and "Look for darkness overhead, light 360 degrees around horizon."

Friedrich said we should note: Colors...greens become vivid, reds become greys.

He suggested we pay attention to bird and other animals along with insect sounds. Looking at the eclipse, "can you identify objects in the sky."

Back in town people bought souvenirs, T-shirts, and shopped in boutiques. The 17  eating establishments, were packed.  Security officials were standing by in case of an emergency and had planned for traffic flow and safety.

Rushing said Clarksville was prepared to host the crowd.

"There were no incidents," said Rushing. "The event went smoothly ... There were no emergencies. The traffic flowed and everyone enjoyed a spectacular event. Just spectacular.  We will always remember the day of April 8, 2024, perhaps the most memorable. Much planning went into the event with many providing assistance."

"Lots and lots of picture taking at our eclipse sign on the square and basically all over town," added the mayor.  "Everyone had a great day and it was very profitable."Eclipse '24.

"It was great!" said Rushing.

No doubt about it.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport engineer named "On Site Astronomer" during Clarksville eclipse celebration