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I do not know where to begin my compliments to the Town of Ferdinand about mine and my husband's amazing experience at Solar Eclipse in the Park. It may be best that I begin with the main reason we found your truly unique and wonderful community.

My husband had a conference in Louisville. We decided that I would join him a couple days early to enjoy the sights in Louisville but more importantly to be near the totality of the solar eclipse.

On Sunday evening in Louisville, we noticed that our solar eclipse glasses were not in our suitcases. Instead, they were left on top of the cabinet by our front door intentionally placed so we wouldn't forget them in Connecticut!
Immediately in a state of stress, we begin searching for glasses. The hotel said the city, every Home Depot, Lowes, Walgreens have been out of them for days- "Try the Public Library" I was not feeling confident there would be any glasses left when they open at 9am on the day of the solar eclipse.
This left us with 1 option-relying on the generosity of strangers. I said to my husband how nice and friendly everyone is around here, perhaps we could find a place that's having an event and we can borrow someone’s for a bit of time.

Or, Louisville waterfront had an event but not totality. I didn't come
this far to NOT make every effort needed to see totality. Back to the internet- literally searching "solar eclipse events on route 64 Indiana" and asking for God's help wherever we found that there will be kind people who would share their glasses with us. I found your "Solar Eclipse in the Park" with free glasses, food trucks and more!  I couldn't believe what I was reading. Yet, my anxiety got the better of me. Will there REALLY be any
glasses left when we get there? Sunday evening at 11pm clearly didn't present us with the option of calling your Town offices so we had to go on Faith.

Driving into your town park on solar eclipse morning we immediately saw a group of happy, smiling yellow-vested men and women taking the time to greet each person entering the park. We said, "Are they handing out small treat bags to children?" " My gosh, how sweet!"  We weren't even out of the car and we could feel the hospitality and joy of that committee filling the environment all around us. As we approached the entrance we surveyed
your beautiful park with so many  families and children enjoying all the activities - it truly was a  beautiful scene. We were asked if we need glasses-"Yes!" we replied, along with our saga of forgetting them and coming from Connecticut via Louisville. We were then given a run-down of what was in the park, the food, even a detailed print about the eclipse definition and times of the process- What didn’t YOU ALL think of !!? Since I asked, we told the history of the town and to enjoy ourselves as well as already being invited back for the folk festival, to visit the monastery and more!  We felt as if we just entered a good friend's or family member's backyard.

The rest of the day proceeded with meeting more people from your community as we sat at a table eating or inline at a food truck. One couple came over to us and told us to use their blanket to lie on to watch the eclipse because the grass may get too damp and here are a couple of cold bottles of water.  Just Wow!
We responded that where we are from-Northeast-we aren't as warm and friendly to strangers. We leave each other to their own business.

As we sat on the blanket watching the eclipse, it was quite apparent that lengthy, detailed planning took place. As well as, superior organization, collaboration-all executed with a genuine sense of providing your community and its visitors the most welcoming and fun experience possible.

Your community is truly unique and special. Your park is amazing! We couldn't believe on the hill that the beautiful building was a community center - it looked as if a wedding reception could take place there!
Walking back to our car we paused to thank and speak briefly with the two police officers stationed on the sidewalk. Their love and pride for Ferdinand was palpable, Again, we were invited back to attend the Folk festival in September and not to leave until we visited the Monastery! At this point we truly wished we didn't need to leave 

Driving back to Louisville, we reflected on how different we felt from the night before-anxious and upset with a bit of bickering between us into a feeling of gratitude and joy. We didn't hesitate to share our experience with our close friends and family. They all agreed that we were given God's blessings that day from beginning to end - only possible through the open hearts of your townspeople.

It was a truly memorable day for us and we thank the Town of Ferdinand. We do want to visit again but I am afraid then I may never want to go home!