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Last Call for Yerkes Observatory

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Last Call for Yerkes Observatory The Boone County Journal May 18, 2018 1 Friday • May 18, 2018 • Vol. 24, Issue 3 • No. 1147 FREE Last Call for Yerkes Observatory by Charles Herbst This past March, the University of Chicago mounting. Yerkes was impressed by the opportunity announced that it would end its operation of Yerkes to have his name attached to what would be the Starlight Festival Observatory in Williams Bay on October 1. world’s largest telescope. The 40-inch refracting Because of technological advances and its telescope remains the largest refracting telescope in A Chance to Visit investments at more modern scientific observatories, the world. particularly in Chile, Yerkes is no longer contributing There was a desire to show the telescope at the Yerkes to the research mission of the school. The University 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition, so it was by Charles Herbst of Chicago has reached out to the local community to necessary to act quickly. The glass would have to On Saturday May 26 and Sunday May 27, help determine a long-term plan for the property. be ground and the precise geographical coordinates would-be astronomers and those with an interest Yerkes Observatory is 13 miles north of Harvard for the observatory would need to be known. A fire in science have an opportunity to visit the in the Village of Williams Bay. The observatory sits broke out during the exhibition, but the telescope and Starlight Festival at Yerkes Observatory. The on a beautiful, 77 acre, park-like campus overlooking lenses were rescued without harm. festival is honoring the 150th birthday of the Lake Geneva. The facility is regarded as the After financing from Yerkes was secured, a long observatory’s founder, George Hale. birthplace of modern astrophysics. It has been an list of sites were offered by donors. The list included Yerkes Observatory and The University integral part of Chicago’s Department of Astronomy properties in Belvidere, Rockford and Marengo. The of Chicago have partnered with the Adler and Astrophysics since the observatory opened 121 criteria for the site included a location that would Planetarium and the Astronomy Outreach years ago in 1897. Yerkes Observatory houses a not be disturbed by the effects of smoke, electric Network for an astronomy, science and 40 inch refracting telescope, a 24-inch Cassegrain lights, heated air or passing trains. The site would technology festival like none before. reflecting telescope, and a 7-inch Schmidt camera. have to be not more than 100 miles from the main The goal of the Starlight Festival is free George Ellery Hale, the founder of Yerkes University of Chicago campus. A special concern science fun for the entire family. The festival Observatory, was a 24-year old astronomer working at was whether Lake Geneva or other bodies of water features a full list of speakers on astronomy and his own private observatory at 4545 Drexel Boulevard would adversely affect the observatory. This concern other science topics. in Kenwood, which is now Chicago. In the summer was resolved by several conducting several scientific WOOSH, the Wisconsin Organization of Space of 1892, just before the beginning of the first classes experiments and observations. Finally, Williams Bay, modeling Hobbyists, will be launching rockets. at the new University of Chicago, Hale received a at 44° 34.2 North and 88° 33.4 West was selected. “Mr. Freeze” of the Fermi National Accelerator letter from the university’s President, William Rainey The building was designed by Henry Ives Cobb, Laboratory will offer a cryogenic demonstration. Harper, asking him to join the faculty. After some who designed many of the original university Drone flight will be demonstrated. The space negotiation, Hale joined as Associate Professor buildings in Hyde Park. Attempting to control costs, art of Carlos Hernandez will be featured. In the of Astrophysics and Director of the Observatory Hale presented a $285,375 bill for the bare essentials evening there will be a star party with telescope (his own). Included was a promise by Harper to to Yerkes, who exploded in rage and accused Hale of viewing on the North Lawn. Vendors will be raise $250,000 within three years to build a better trying to exploit him. The bill was ultimately paid selling astronomy-related merchandise. observatory. and the observatory constructed. Interior tours of Yerkes Observatory will be offered. Advance tour tickets are $9, or $12 at That autumn, Hale discovered that two 42-inch, Over the years, considerable research has been the door. optically-perfect glass disks had been made and done at Yerkes, leading to many discoveries about the were available in Massachusetts. Harper and Hale Parking will be at Williams Bay School. A Universe. Many famous researchers and scientists free shuttle service will be offered. There is contacted Chicago financier Charles Yerkes, and, have visited the observatory, including Albert in a successful attempt to appeal to Yerkes’ vanity, parking available at Yerkes, but $20 will be Einstein. charged. convinced Yerkes to pay for the disks and telescope Continued on page 3 2 May 18, 2018 The Boone County Journal provide a statement in 150 words or less describing Weak Cattle Market Community why the nominee is deserving of the award. Include Could Mean Lower your name and address on the nomination statement. News & Events The nominee should be someone who has performed Costs for Grilling Main Street Players of Boone County Presents: some significant public service, fostered pride in the “The Hiding Place”- Friday, May 11 and 18, 2018 community and/or made a lasting contribution to This Summer at 7:00 PM. Saturday, May 12 and 19, 2018 at 7:00 the quality of life in the area served by the chamber, Illinois News Network PM. Sunday, May 13 and 20, 2018 at 2:00 PM. which is equivalent to the Hiawatha School District While consumers can expect lower beef prices Corrie ten Boom and her family were living quiet, boundaries. The nominee does not need to live in for grilling season because of a drought in the Plains ordinary lives as watchmakers in the Netherlands the area, provided he or she has been active in the states, some are concerned about how the glut in the when the Nazis invaded and occupied their country. community. Nominations are due by Friday, May market will affect Illinois farmers. This is the story of the ten Boom’s efforts to help the 25th. Mail nominations to Kirkland Chamber or Droughts in the Plains states could impact the cat- persecuted Jews escape Holland, their subsequent Commerce, P.O. Box 208, Kirkland,IL 60146, tle market for the summer months. Extreme droughts imprisonment, and the family’s strong faith in or email nomination to KirklandChamber1882@ in key states such as Texas and Oklahoma have forced God and the power of forgiveness. Tickets Prices: gmail.com with “Kirkland Citizen of the Year” in ranchers to send cattle to feed yards. That means a $12 Adults, $10 Seniors, $5 Students (with ID) the subject line. Schools Out for Summer Party- saturated market within the next quarter that is pro- Purchase tickets online or at the door. Group ticket The jected to cause futures to fall. pricing for 20 or more available by calling 800-741- Kishwaukee Valley Wanderers and the Genoa Area That means consumers could see lower prices at 2963. Performance will be held at the Community Chamber of Commerce will be kicking off summer the store as those in the cattle trade look to cut costs. Building Complex of Boone County (111 W. First with a great big party! Saturday, May 26th at the “We’ve just come off of a tough year from a cow- Street, Belvidere, IL 61008) Genoa Veteran’s Club, (311 S. Washington Street.) calf standpoint where we ended up dry in the fall,” Lawrenceville Cemetery Annual Memorial Start off the day with a Poker walk at 10:00 am. said Travis Meteer, beef cattle educator at the Univer- Day Program- Sunday, May 20 at 2:00 pm. The This event is family friendly and will begin and end sity of Illinois Extension. Grasshopper, Sweet Clover 4-H Club will be placing at the Veteran’s Club. You will go to participating This comes after difficult times in markets for feed flags & Flowers on the Veteran’s graves. Guest businesses while enjoying a walk through Genoa such as grains and soybeans, leading some Illinois speaker will be Mr. Darrel Davis; the Gettysburg and collecting selfies. On your return to the Vet’s economists to wonder where the state’s farmers stand. Address will be given by Miss Emily Saso, music Home you will be entered to win one of several raffle “There are a lot of factors that impact the market,” by Lee Gardner and Marty Deardorff. The public prizes! From 2:00 to 5:00 at the VFW the PTO will Meteer said. “Any market analyst or advisor for the is invited, seating available, rain or shine. If there have their Famous “fun fair”, there will be music a last solid year has really been pushing producers to is rain it will be held indoors at Jim & Marilyn dunk tank and food for purchase. Merch for Mission- use some kind of risk management.” Turner’s Carriage Museum. For more information Faith UMC (325 S. Stott Meteer said this has farmers looking at overhead call 815-547-8458. Street, Genoa) Garage Sale for Youth Group Mission costs such as feed and gas to find savings. Homegrown & Homemade Genoa Market- Trip. May 31st and June 1st from 9am-4pm. 16th Annual Healthy Living Expo- Risk management has become increasingly used Buy Fresh, Buy Local.
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