A waxing crescent moon was brightly visible, as was Jupiter and the bright star Sirius. Through the telescope, event goers to the top of Waitt’s Mount got to see the close-up surface of our moon, as well as the moons of Jupiter, and other stars. They were treated to a variety of storytelling and live, acoustic music on a beautifully windy, but warm, night in April. The second annual “Sunset, Storytelling and Stargazing on Waitt’s Mount” on April 29 proved to be a successful and delightful community event.
Co-sponsored by Malden Reads and Ward 4 City Councillor Ryan O’Malley, the event celebrated a central theme of this year’s Malden Reads book selection—getting to know your neighbors and creating a shared sense of community. It featured family storytelling at sunset with professional storyteller Sharon Kennedy, live acoustic Americana music from the band “Slow Boat Home,” and local folks telling their own personal stories that were honed under the direction of Malden-based writer and spoken word artist CD Collins. The telescope was provided compliments of the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, with NSAAC member Brewster LaMacchia serving as guide.
Due to the very limited parking at Waitt’s Mount Park, Malden Taxi volunteered their services to help shuttle folks from the Spadafora Funeral Home parking lot to the entrance of Waitt’s Mount while volunteer driver Stephen Rose shuttled folks from the Early Learning Center lot. Captain Cronin from the Malden Police Department was on patrol to keep the crowd safe. Event goers arrived with their sense of adventure and were treated to a gorgeous sunset, breathtaking cityscape view, a warm community feel, music, storytelling and the infinite night sky.
All photos by Paul Hammersley.
Be the first to comment